History
Montgomery County was created on September 10, 1784, from part of Philadelphia County, and named for General Richard Montgomery. Norristown, the County Seat, was laid out in 1784, and incorporated as a Borough on March 31, 1814. It was named for Isaac Norris, who owned land there.
Historical Deeds
Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, First Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, Speaker’s House
Owned by The Speaker’s House Inc. , March 30, 2004
Pennypacker Mills*
Owned by Montgomery County, June 24, 1981
Peter Wentz Farmstead*
Owned by Montgomery County, 1969
Pottsgrove Manor,* 1952 opened as a museum
Owned by Montgomery County
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove*
Owned by Montgomery County, 1951
Sunrise Mill*
Owned by Montgomery County, 1971
*Properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Montgomery County Recorders of Deeds^
Jeanne Sorg, 2016 – present
Nancy J. Becker, 2004 – 2015
Maryann Rickenback, 1988 – 2003
Elizabeth M. Butler, September 1987 – December 1987 (acting)
James Price, 1984 – 1987
Sullivan J. Asko, Jr., 1972 – 1983
Paul E. Lederach, November 1968 – 1971 (appointed)
Anthony Lochetto, 22 July 1968 – October 1968 (acting)
Merrill A. Bucher, 1968 – 13 July 1968
John S. Magill, 1960 – 1967
William J. Boden, 1952 – 1959
John E. Marshall, 1940 – 1951
William G. Hower, 1928 – 1939
B. Paul Sheeder, 1920 – 1927
T. Darlington Buckwalter, 1912 – 1919
Henry T. Hunsicker, 1908 – 1911
William J. Wells, 1906 – 1908
Earl A. Jenkins, 1903 – 1905
Horace B. Righter, 1900 – 1902
William H. Murphy, 1897 – 1899
George W. Keys, 1894 – 1896
George W. Pawling, 1891 – 1893
Benjamin Thomas, 1888 – 1890
Aaron Weikel, 1885 – 1887
Henry W. Kratz, 1882 – 1884
John W. Schall, 1876 – 1881
John W. Schall, 22 March 1875 (appointed)
George W. Neiman, 1873 – 1875
Henry Bernard Nace, 1870 – 1872
Christopher Wyckoff, 1867 – 1869
Henry Unger, 1864 – 1866
Thomas G. Rutter, 1861 – 1863
William H. Hill, 1858 – 1860
George Lower, 1855 – 1857
Rufus B. Longaker, 1852 – 1854
Henry G. Hart, 1849 – 1851
Henry Drake, 1846 – 1848
Daniel Fry, 1843 – 1845
Tobias Sellers, 1840 – 1942
Tobias Sellers, 17 February 1839
Robert Iredell, 5 January 1839
Robert Iredell, 28 January 1836
James Wells, 11 June 1834
Samuel D. Patterson, 23 February 1833
William Powell, 12 February 1830
John Markley, 21 December 1826
John Markley, 8 January 1824
Jacob Hubley, 21 November 1822
Jesse Roberts, 7 February 1821
George Wack, 25 January 1818
Archibald Darrah, 21 January 1803
Thomas Potts, 6 January 1800
William R. Atlee, 5 March 1799
Thomas Craig, 8 August 1795
James Morris, 24 September 1791
Robert Loller, 14 September 1790
Robert Loller, 10 September 1789
Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, 21 September 1784 (First Recorder of Deeds, appointed)
^Pennsylvania Constitution, 1968: Recorder of Deeds elected, four-year term
Amendment, Nov. 2, 1909 to Pennsylvania Constitution 1874; Recorder of Deeds elected, four-year term
Pennsylvania Constitution, 1874: Recorder of Deeds elected, three-year term
Pennsylvania Constitution 1838: Recorder of Deeds elected, three-year term
Pennsylvania Constitution, 1790: Recorder of Deeds appointed by the Governor
Pennsylvania Constitution, 1776: Recorder of Deeds appointed by the General Assembly
Historical Information Links
Montgomery County Historical Society
Montgomery County Register of Wills’ Genealogical Resources
National Trust for Historic Preservation Tips to Research the History of Your Home