John Levering (1789-1878)
FATHER: Anthony Levering
MOTHER: Sarah (Howell) Levering
SPOUSE: Martha (Trasel) Levering (1792-1865), m. March 11, 1813
Burial Site: Leverington Cemetery, location unknown
MOTHER: Sarah (Howell) Levering
SPOUSE: Martha (Trasel) Levering (1792-1865), m. March 11, 1813
Burial Site: Leverington Cemetery, location unknown
Col. John Levering wrote:
"b. October 18, 1789; m. Martha Trasel. Mr. Jones wrote of him: 'He received a liberal education, and at one time owned the estate and mills of his father, in Lower Merion, opposite Manayunk. In later years he devoted his time to surveying, and has acquired a wide reputation for exactness. He has furnished me many valuable documents, and has taken a deep interest in this Genealogy.'
I can corroborate Mr. Jones' expressions from a personal acquaintance with him. With my parents, visiting in their handsome home opposite what became Manayunk as the years grew apace. He was the author of a carefully delineated map of Lower Merion, made from his own surveys. I remember him also as a director, visiting the schools, when failing sight compelled him to wear two pairs of spectacles at the same time. He d. November 13, 1878, in his 90th year; buried in Lev. Cemetery."
This portrait of John Levering is at the Lower Merion Historical Society. It was painted by his grandson, William M. Levering (1854-1901).
"b. October 18, 1789; m. Martha Trasel. Mr. Jones wrote of him: 'He received a liberal education, and at one time owned the estate and mills of his father, in Lower Merion, opposite Manayunk. In later years he devoted his time to surveying, and has acquired a wide reputation for exactness. He has furnished me many valuable documents, and has taken a deep interest in this Genealogy.'
I can corroborate Mr. Jones' expressions from a personal acquaintance with him. With my parents, visiting in their handsome home opposite what became Manayunk as the years grew apace. He was the author of a carefully delineated map of Lower Merion, made from his own surveys. I remember him also as a director, visiting the schools, when failing sight compelled him to wear two pairs of spectacles at the same time. He d. November 13, 1878, in his 90th year; buried in Lev. Cemetery."
This portrait of John Levering is at the Lower Merion Historical Society. It was painted by his grandson, William M. Levering (1854-1901).
My father inherited from his father, a copy of Freemasonry in Roxborough: The History of Roxborough Lodge No. 135, published by the Centennial Committee of Roxborough Lodge, No. 135, Free and Accepted Masons, Philadelphia, 1913. [The Historical Society of Pennsylvania also has a copy]
This book records the first 100 year history of the lodge, and lists past members, with a short biography (and sometimes a portrait) of each past master. John Levering's biography is on page 118.
John Levering joined the lodge in its first year of 1813. He served as Secretary from 1814-1821, and as Worshipful Master in 1824. The book shows that he resigned from the lodge in 1830, but states no reason. Could it have been because of the growing distrust of masons, especially after the Morgan Affair, and the influence of the political Anti-Masonic Party in the 1830s?
Lower Merion Historical Society
The Lower Merion Historical Society has John Levering's family bible, furniture made in his family's saw-mill, his survey notes for his 1851 map of Lower Merion, and some obituaries. Click on the images for more.
Lower Merion Academy, and Levering House
In addition to his work as a surveyor, John Levering was also heavily involved with the Lower Merion Academy, serving for a time as principal, librarian, and also served on the Board of Trustees. His son, Clifford (1828-1885), was also a teacher and Headmaster of the Academy, and Superintendent of the Union Sunday School at various times. The Academy and the Sunday School were in the same building, which now houses the Lower Merion Historical Society.
There is a house still standing today across the street from the Academy building, at 503 Bryn Mawr Avenue, supposedly built for Clifford Levering, c. 1853. See Historical Commission Inventory Records here and here. These records indicate that the house was built for Clifford, and that John Levering was the second owner. This seems strange to me, and I wonder if the reverse is actually true? More research needed.
There is a house still standing today across the street from the Academy building, at 503 Bryn Mawr Avenue, supposedly built for Clifford Levering, c. 1853. See Historical Commission Inventory Records here and here. These records indicate that the house was built for Clifford, and that John Levering was the second owner. This seems strange to me, and I wonder if the reverse is actually true? More research needed.
CHILDREN of (427) John and Martha Trasel Levering:
(1231) I. Hannah Trasel: b. 1814, d. young
(1232) II. Edmund H.: b. 1816, d. young
(1233) III. William S.: b. 1818, d. 1870 - descendants of this William S. Levering donated the portrait and family bible to Lower Merion Historical Society
(1234) IV. Milton: b. 1821, d. young
(1235) V. Clarissa: b. 1821, d. young
(1236) VI. Edmund: b. 1823, d. 1879
(1237) VII. John: b. 1825, d. young
(1238) VIII. Clifford: b. 1828, d. 1885
(1239) IX. John Howell: b. 1830, m. Caroline McLenaghan in 1857, d. 1885
(1231) I. Hannah Trasel: b. 1814, d. young
(1232) II. Edmund H.: b. 1816, d. young
(1233) III. William S.: b. 1818, d. 1870 - descendants of this William S. Levering donated the portrait and family bible to Lower Merion Historical Society
(1234) IV. Milton: b. 1821, d. young
(1235) V. Clarissa: b. 1821, d. young
(1236) VI. Edmund: b. 1823, d. 1879
(1237) VII. John: b. 1825, d. young
(1238) VIII. Clifford: b. 1828, d. 1885
(1239) IX. John Howell: b. 1830, m. Caroline McLenaghan in 1857, d. 1885