The original tract has since been divided in several farms, now owned by Henry Richards, Andrew Loch, William L. Nace, Thomas Roth and Frederic-Beltz. The latter, who is the owner of the original homestead portion, took pleasure, on learning our object, to point out the several remaining objects of interest. The site of the old house is still readily discernible about two hundred yards northwest of Mr. Beltz's dwelling, within a few years of which are still standing two venerable pear-trees, about two feet in diameter, the fruit of which was then ripe. We do not question that their growth must have begun very close to 1747, or one hundred and thirty-six years ago. The spring was shown, about one hundred and fifty yards to the north of the site of the old house. Though now long unused, except for cattle, it never has been known to fail. Strange to say, the original barn still remains in use, and must now be one of the very few existing in the county that antedate the Revolution. It is part stone and part log, thirty by forty-two feet and we know of no other that has so old and primitive an appearance. In the beginning of this century, John Eck built himself a new house, to which he retired, and died in 1809, the site of which was also pointed out, and is still discernible on the premises of William L. Nace.

Mary Magdalena was the daughter of John Eck and his second wife, Mary Snyder, born on the homestead in June, 1767, where she remained until her marriage, in 1793, with Captain Nicholas Buck, a native of Springfield Township, BucksCo., and the founder of Bucksville. She attained the age of nearly ninety-one years, and at here death left ninety-five living descendents [sic}. Here memory remained unimpaired almost to the last. In 1856 her reminiscences were written down by one of her grandsons, and that portion relating to her residence in Upper Salford will be briefly given. In the vicinity of Jack and John Eck's settlement here, in 1747, deer still abounded, or which several were shot by the latter. Wolves were becoming scarce, but occasionally destroyed sheep. Wild fruit was abundant, as grapes, red plums, hazel-nuts, shell-barks, huckleberries and crab-apples. Her father raised considerable hemp and flax; which was manufactured by the family into goods for household and other purposes, their clothing being all home-made. The women assisted considerably in out-door labors connected with the farm, and all grain was reaped by sickles, even corn and buckwheat. Here father kept a heavy farm-wagon, but the produce was chiefly taken in panniers and wallets, on horseback, to Philadelphia. Rye was chiefly grown for bread, as in Germany, with which beans were ground to increase the quantity. While Washington and his army were encamped by the Skippack, in Towamencin,, seven miles distant, her father drove down with his wagon, taking her and several of his children along to behold so novel a sight. The incidents connected therewith she often related, being at that time past her tenth year. In connection with these reminiscences one fact is remarkable, that though John Eck reared so large a family, and was entirely dependent on his farming operations for a subsistence, yet, with all the disadvantages he labored under and the aid given his children, the inventory of his estate, which is still preserved, shows that his effects amounted to above eight thousand dollars, which was non inconsiderable sum three-quarters of a century ago, originating from such limited means, and may raise a query whether farming may not have then been more profitable than now.