"I long for the days of restoring this tiny farm in PA"

From my father, Martin W. Brossman II :
"I long for the days of restoring this tiny farm in PA. Since it was too far away to maintain easily we had to sell it to ensure its continual care. It was in the area known as the Sally Anne Furnace region. In early PA there were rich deposits of iron ore in this region. Farmers had small farms and worked at the Sally Anne Furnace. ( The Foreman's Manor house was just over the hill from this small house.) I restored the buildings including the stone house and built the new "outhouse" on an old foundation. My dad painted the farmhouse and buildings. It also had an old log cabin in bad condition which we tore down. The Summer Kitchen behind the house was in bad shape so we removed the enclosure and created an open patio with its own oven and fireplace. I also completely rebuilt the chicken house and repaired the barn. Across the tiny street from the house was an underground cooling cellar for keeping produce cool. I rebuilt the stone retaining entrance to it. We also started a honey bee installation and got the abandoned tiny orchard in shape. All of the dirt roads in the area had been abandoned years ago so we had quite a problem keeping the road usable to get up the hill to the little farm. With all of that it was such a rewarding experience to restore the little gem and I look at the large framed photo over my desk with longing and pride!"


Other related info:
Charming Forge-(Located near Dr. Brossmans boyhood home in Womelsdorf.)
The Charming forge is situated on the southeastern border of Tulpehocken Township, on the Tulpehocken Creek, several miles north of Womelsdorf.
By 1770 the quantity of land used in connection with the forge had increased beyond 3700 acres.
( Dr. Brossman often mentioned Charming Forge and hiked as a boy in the area.)
SALLY-ANN FURNACE- (Location of our former small farm in Rockland Township.)
The Sally-Ann furnace was erected, it is supposed, by Valentine Eckert, an iron-master, about 1791. It is situated on the Sacony Creek, in the northern
section of Rockland Township. It is probable that his supposition is, however, doubtful, if not erroneous. It is believed that Nicholas Hunter, an iron-master erected the furnace. Subsequently he transferred the furnace and lands to his son Jacob V. R. Hunter; whose estate held it. Active operations
were discontinued about 1869. It was leased in 1879, but work was carried on for only a year.
(SALLY-ANN FURNACE and the owners large home were located next to our little restored farm.)



To see the entire "My Brossman History" blog:
http://mybrossmanhistory.blogspot.com/
or reach me ( Martin W. Brossman III ) at: Martin@CoachingSupport.com / call (919) 847-4757