USA > Pennsylvania > A gazetteer of the state of Pennsylvania : a part first, contains a general description of the state, its situation and extent, general geological construction, canals, and rail-roads, bridges, revenue, expenditures, public debt, &c. &c. ; part second, embraces ample descriptions of its counties, towns, cities, villages, mountains, lakes, rivers, creeks, &c. alphabetically arranged > Part 1
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Gc 974.8 G65g 1534002
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01202 7253
A
GAZETTEER
OF THE
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
PART FIRST,
CONTAINS A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE, ITS SITUATION AND EXTENT, GENERAL GEOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION, CANALS AND RAIL-ROADS, BRIDGES, REVENUE, EXPENDITURES, PUBLIC DEBT, &c. &C.
PART SECOND,
EMBRACES AMPLE DESCRIPTIONS OF ITS COUNTIES, TOWNS, CITIES, VILLAGES, MOUN- TAINS, LAKES, RIVERS, CREEKS, &C. ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED.
BY THOMAS F. GORDON.
974.8 €65 g TO WHICH IS ADDED
A TABLE OF ALL THE POST OFFICES IN THE STATE, THEIR DISTANCES FROM WASHINGTON AND HARRISBURG, AND THE NAMES OF THE POST MASTERS.
With a Map of the State.
PHILADELPHIA : PUBLISHED BY T. BELKNAP
1832.
-
L
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1832, by THOMAS BELKNAP, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
1534002
ADVERTISEMENT.
IN offering to the public this first attempt at a Gazetteer of Pennsylvania, the publisher trusts it will be received with the indulgence due to the enterprize. The reflecting reader will justly appreciate the difficulties in procuring minute and accurate topographical and statistical information ; and will not be surprized if, notwithstanding the efforts of the compiler, by visits to many parts of the state, by personal intercourse with official and intelligent gentlemen of cvery county, and by laborious research among the public records, some inaccuracies should be found in the work. It is due to the compiler, however, to say, that circumstances have pre- vented him from revising the work in its progress through the press, and, that for errors produced by that cause he is not responsible. In the first edition of such a work error is unavoidable ; but the publisher flatters himself, that there is not more in this than in others of like character, and that it will prove useful and satisfactory to the public.
It was supposed, when put to press, that the volume, in" cluding a concise historical sketch of the State, would not exceed five hundred pages ; but it has swelled considerably beyond that limit, and imposed on the publisher the neces- sity of omitting the historical sketch, or of giving a meagre and unsatisfactory outline. IIc has preferred the former, in the hope that at no distant day a second edition will afford him an opportunity of presenting a full historical view of the commonwealth, of supplying any omission, and of correcting any error which may have occurred in the present.
ERRATA.
PART I.
Page 20, line 31, for Morristown read Norristown ; line 34, for lowered read covered-page 24 1. 55, for duthy on fereign, read duty on foreign-P. 25 1. 24, for filled up, read fitted up .- P. 27 1. 14 for state, read slate-The matter relating to the climate of the northern division of Pennsylvania has been wholly omitted .- P. 33 1. 28, for Cannaught read Connaught ; 1. 37, for letters read titles .- P. 38 1. 59, for ra- pidity read cupidity .- P. 40 1. 45, for Sheet Mountain read Short Mountain .- P. 52 1. 2, for ovaduct read viaduct .- P. 61 1. 15, for mayhew read mayhem .- P. 63 1. 8, for setting mills read slitting mills.
PART II.
Page 2 line 31, for Capons read Capous .- P. 11 1. 29, for source read course .- P. 22 for Muney read Muncy .- P. 40 1. 37, for visiting read viewing .- P. 43, for Sykens read Lykens .- P. 46 1. 25, for forges read furnaces .- P. 47, lines 50 and 51, for North-Hill read Northkill, and for Bellman's read Bernville. P. 48 1 41, for Nescopee read Nescopec .- P. 49 I. 24, for Bedfast read Belfast .- P. 51, 1. 7, for bond read bound .- P. 62 1. 31, for Coalesville read Coatsville .- P. 65 1. 51, for Wingshocking read Wingohock- ing .- P. 69 1. 23, for griers read gneiss .- P. 75 1. 16, for letters read lottery .- P. 78 1. 3, for Roxburg read Roseburg .- P. 84, for Johnsontown read Johnstown .- P. 89 1. 37, for Setart's read Letart's .- P. 93 1. 14, for resentatives read representatives ; 1. 34, for 100 read 1000 .- P. 95 and 198, for Morristown read Norristown .- P 119, for Conynham read Conyngham .- Cowdersport, part of the article omitted .- P. 136 1. 9, for commenced read convened .- P. 139 1. 17, for invested read interrupted ; 1. 34, for fort read port .- P. 142 1. 53, for Raphs read Raphoe .- P. 173, 1. 21, for Antictam rcad Antietam .- P. 207 1. 28, for immediate read intermediate .- P. 211 1. 33, for Broomfield read Bloomfield .- P. 217 and 234, for Mouture's read Monture's .- P. 224 1: 31, for formed read farmed,-P. 247, part of article Liberty town- ship, Adams county, left out .- P. 259 1. 21, for creep out read crop out ; 1. 45, for Licking read Lick --- P. 263 1. 37, for Millsburg read Millersburg .- P. 2641. 38, for Smethfield read Smethport .- P. 267 1. 19, for Timmermanstown read Zimmermanstown,-P. 276 and 277, for Mr. Hants read Mr. Hauto, and in page 277 and 278 correct same error .- P. 284 1. 31, for 60 read 6 .- P. 2931. 3, for Mexus read Mexi- co .- P. 313 1. 43, for Hellander's read Hollander's .- P. 345 1. 24, for Dr. Frost read Dr. Troost .- P. 3.17 1. 37, for sheet read short .- P. 386 1. 24, for Manntawny read Manatawny .- Pp. 452, 485, 489, for Tredypin read Tredyfrin .- P. 490 1. 33, for Messrs. Kerns read Messrs. Keim .- P. 494 1. 9, for case read use .- P. 498 1. 22, for 1668 read 1768 .- P. 261, at foot of statistical table, for 23,517 read 13,517.
PART I.
GAZETTEER
OF PENNSYLVANIA.
PENNSYLVANIA.
PENNSYLVANIA* extends from N. Lat. 39º 43 to N. Lat. 42º 16'; and from 2º20' E. to 3º 36' W. from Washington City. It is bounded, in common with the state of Delaware, from the Delaware river by a circular line, around New Castle county, to the N. E. limits of Cœcil County, Maryland, - miles 24 Due North to the North E. angle of Maryland, -
- 2 203 Along the northern limits of Maryland,
In common with Virginia from from th N. W. angle of Maryland to the S. W. angle of Greene County, 59
Due North in common with Ohio and Brooke Counties of Virginia, to the Olio river,
Continuing the last noted limit in common with Ohio to lake Erie, 91
64
Along the S. E. shore of Lake Erie to the western limit of New-York, 39
Due South along Chatauque county of New-York, to N. Lat. 42º,
19
Thence due east, in common with New-York to the right bank of Dela- ware river,
230
Down the Delaware to the N. E. angle of the state of Delaware, - 230
Having an entire outline of 1 961
The greatest length of Pennsylvania, is due West from Bristol, on the Dela- ware river, to the eastern border of Ohio county in Virginia, through 356 minutes of longitude along N. Lat. 40° 09'. This distance on that line of latitude, is equal to 315 American statute miles.
The greatest breadth, is 176 miles from the Virginia line, to the extreme North- ern angle, on Lake Erie. General breadthı, 158 miles.
The area of Pennsylvania has been variously stated, but probably not very ac- curately determined. In both Morse's and Worcester's Gazetteers, the super- ficies is given at 46,000 square miles. According to Mr. Darby it includes above 47,000 square miles. Rejecting the fractional excess, and using the curve super- ficies the state will contain thirty million and eighty thousand statute acres.
Mountains .- The structure and position of its mountains have given to Penn- sylvania an aspect peculiar to itself. The Appalachian system in the United States generally extends in a direction from south-west to north-east; but in Pennsylvania the whole system is inflected from that course, and passes the state in a serpentine direction. Towards the south boundary the mountains lie about north north-east, gradually inclining more eastwardly as they penetrate north- ward; and in the central counties many of the chains lie nearly east and west ; but as they extend towards the northern border of the state, they again impercep- tiby incline to the north-east and enter New-York and New-Jersey in nearly that direction.
* For much of the matter relating to the general geographical description of the state, we are indebted to the meritorious labours of Mr. Darby.
2
10
MOUNTAINS.
The influence of the mountains in modifying the general features of the coun- try is very obvious far beyond where the ridges are sufficiently elevated to be classed as parts of the Appalachian system. And it would seem that the moun- tain system, is commonly too restricted in Pennsylvania, as in the adjacent states.
Without attending to minor claims, the mountains of Pennsylvania, advancing from the south-east to the north-west, are as follows :
Though omitted in most maps, a chain enters the south boundary of York coun- ty, and cut by the Susquehannah river, rises in, and traverses Lancaster county between Pecquea and Octarara creeks ; and between the sources of the Conestoga and Brandywine ; separate sfor a short distance Lancaster and Chester, and is pen- etrated by the Schuylkill above Pottstown. Rising again and stretching north- east, it forms first the boundary between Montgomery and Berks : thence between Lehigh and Bucks, and, separating Northampton from Bucks, reaches the Dela- ware. Pursuing a north-east course through New-Jersey, separating Sussex from Huntingdon, Morris and Bergen counties, it enters New-York between the sources of the Wallkill and Passaic rivers ; and extending in broken ridges through the southeast part of Orange county, forms the Highlands near West Point, and thence runs north-east to the Green mountain, under which name it enters Can- ada.
Thus prominent and continuous from the Susquehannah to the north-east, this chain is equally so through Maryland, Virginia and North-Carolina.
North-east from, and nearly parallel to, the South mountain, another very remarkable ridge traverses New-Jersey and Pennsylvania ; and similar to the form- er, the latter is unknown in either of these states by any general name. Its con- tinuation in New-York is designated by that of Shawangunk. Between the Susquehannah and Potomac, it is termed relatively the South Mountain, and in Virginia and the Carolinas, it forms the Blue Ridge ; and, entering the north-east part of Georgia, is gradually lost amongst the sources of Chatahooche river.
After Mr. Darby, we have adopted or extended the name Blue Ridge into Penn- sylvania. This remarkable chain enters the state on its southern line, and streching north between Adams and Franklin counties, reaches the Southern an- gle of Cumberland where it turns to northeast, and extending towards the Susque- hannah, separates Cumberland from Adams and York Counties. About six miles below Harrisburg, it is pierced or broken down by the Susquehannah river ; again rising below the mouth of Swatara, it crosses the southern angle of Dau- phin ; thence known as the Conewago hills, separates Lebanon from Lancaster county, enters Berks, and reaches the Schuylkill at Reading. Continuing through Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties, passes Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, where it is interupted by the Delaware below the latter town.
Extending through Sussex county, the Blue Ridge enters New-York and is finally teminated in the Shawangunk on the west side of Hudson river, and amongst the branches of the Wallkill.
In one respect, the south-east mountain and Blue Ridge in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, differ from other sections of the Appalachian system. The two chains, we have noticed, are formed of links more detached than are those more remote from the Atlantic ocean, but otherwise in respect to component matter, range and vegetation, are in every place well marked sections of the general sy s- tem. The very unequal elevation of their various parts may perhaps be also ad- duced as a characteristic of the south-east mountain and Blue Ridge. The former does not it is probable, in any part of Pennsylvania or New-Jersey, rise to 1000 feet above the level of the Atlantic ocean ; whilst in New-York some of the peaks, particularly Butterhill, have 1000 feet of elevation above tide water ; and in Massachusetts and Vermont, it towers to near 3000 feet. If generally taken, the Blue Ridge in Pennsylvania and New Jersey is more elevated than the south- east mountain, yet no particular part of the mountain rises to an equal elevation with the Highlands on either bank of the Hudson.
The third, and in some respects, the most remarkable chain of Pennsylvania, is the Kittatinny. Known by divers local names, this mountain, in a survey advancing from south-east to north-east, first rises distinctly in Franklin county, and like other chains in the southern margin of the state, ranges a little east of north ; but bending more to the north-east extends to the Susquehannah, sepa- rating Cumberland and Perry counties. Five miles above Harrisburgh, the Kitta-
11
MOUNTAINS.
tinny is interrupted by the Susquehannah river. Broken, also, by the Swatara, the Schuylkill, the Lehigh and Delaware, it enters New-Jersey, through which it passes into New-York, and forms by its continuation the Catsberg. The general aspect of the Kittatinny is much more continuous than that of any other mountain chain of Pennsylvania. It is, however, very far from being uniform in elevation, varying from 800 to perhaps 1500 feet above tide water.
North-west from Kittatinny, though more elevated, the chains are much less distinctly defined. Between the Kittatinny mountain, and the north branch of the Susquehannah river, the intermediate country is in a great part composed of high, ragged mountains, and narrow, deep, and precipitous valleys. This is the most ste- rile and least improvable part of Pennsylvania; but it is the region producing the most extensive masses of Anthracite coal known on the globe.
The confusion in the natural arrangement of the Anthracite section of Pennsyl- vania, is more apparent than real. The Kittatinny mountain and Susquehannah river lie nearly parallel upwards of seventy miles; distant from each other about 35 miles. The intervening space is filled by lateral chains, rising in many places, far above any part of the Kittatinny. Among these, two are worthy of particular notice, and serve pre-eminently to elucidate the very peculiar topography of inte- rior Pennsylvania.
Bedford and Franklin counties are separated by a chain there known as Cove . mountain. With a change of nanie, to Tuscarora mountain, the latter chain sep- arates Franklin from Huntingdon, and Perry from Mifflin, and reaches the Susque- hannah nearly opposite the southern extremity of Northumberland county. Rising again below the Mahantango river, and broken into vast links, the chain divides into nearly equal parts the space between the Kittatinny mountains and the main branch of the Susquehannah river. Broad mountain, passed on the road from Easton and Bethlehem to Berwick, is one of the great links of this central chain.
More accurate surveys would, it is supposed, identify Sideling hill, of Bedford county, Jack's mountain, of Huntingdon and Mifflin, and the central chain of Union, Columbia and Luzerne counties. The chain which rises on both banks of the Susquehannah in Luzerne is amongst the most interesting features, not only in the United States, but of the world. Below Sunbury a chain commences or is continued up the Susquehannah along its left shore, which is divided by the river above Danville, and again above Catawissa. From the latter place it stretches north-east through Columbia, and enters Luzerne by the name of Nescopeck mountain, mingles with other chains, and terminates in the southern part of Wayne county. Nearly parallel to the Nescopeck, another chain leaves the Sus- quehannah above the borough of Northumberland, and traversing Northumber- land and Columbia counties, enters Luzerne where it is broken by the Susquhan- nah, sixteen miles below Wilkesbarre. Skirting the left bank about eight miles, it is again crossed by the river, and continuing its course north-east passes about two miles and a halffrom, and opposite Wilkesbarre. Preserving this course, it is for the third and last time crossed by the Susquehannah above the mouth of Lackawannock creek, ten miles above Wilkesbarre, and stretching to- wards the Delaware is lost in Wayne county. Beyond the main of Susquehannah to the north-west, chains lie nearly parallel to those southeast from the river. The construction of the country on both sides of the Susquehannah is nearly the same.
To the eye, the region included between the west branch of Susquehannah and Potomac, bears a strong analogy to that between the west and north branchies of Susquehannah, but a minute scrutiny exposes great changes, advancing south- west, towards the borders of Maryland. Soil and vegetation both differ materially. The beech, hemlock, and sugar-maple forests, are succeeded in the valleys by oak, hickory, and elm. Thus far the entire drain of Pennsylvania is into the Atlantic ocean. The chain called " Allegheny" forms, in the southern parts of the state, the dividing ridge between the Atlantic slope and Ohio valley ; and has probably from this circumstance received its pre-eminence amongst the mountain chains of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Only about sixty miles of its range in the former state, however, does separate the sources of the streams of the two great natural sections, the Atlantic slope and Ohio valley. The Allegheny chain, leaving Allegheny county in Maryland, separates Bedford and
12
MOUNTAINS.
Somerset counties, and extending in a northerly direction, also separates the north-west part of Bedford, from the south-east part of Cambria county. At the extreme northern angle of Bedford, the mountain turns to the north-east, and is thence drained on both sides by the tributary streams of the Susquehannah. Discharging the waters of the west branch to the north-west, and those of the Juniata and Bald Eagle rivers to the south-east; the Allegheny reaches the west branch of Susquehannah at the mouth of the Bald Eagle river.
Whatever may be the elevation of its summit, the base of the Allegheny chain between Bedford and Somerset, and Cambria countries, constitutes the height of land between the Ohio river and Atlantic tides ; and forms also a similar demar- cation in Maryland.
As a mountain chain, it yields in grandeur of scenery and in elevation above its base not only to the Broad mountain, but to many other chains of the Appala- chian system.
Chesnut Ridge is the next chain west of the Allegheny ; the two chains extending nearly parallel, and about twenty miles asunder. Though not of the greatest elevation, this is one of the most extended chains of the system to which it appertains ; reaching by various local names over Virginia into Ten- nessee, and most probably into Alabama. As placed on our maps, it enters Pennsylvania at the north-west angle of Maryland, and ranging a little east of north forms the boundary between Fayette and Somerset ; thence between Westmoreland and Somerset, and finally between the north-east angle of West- moreland and south-west of Cambria county. At the extreme north-east angle of Westmoreland this Ridge reaches the Kiskiminitas river, and as delineated, its termination. So far from being so in nature, this chain preserves its idenity through the state farther north than any other chain of the system.
Laurel Hill is the last chain of the system in Pennsylvania. What has been already observed respecting the height of the chains nearest the Atlantic ocean, may be repeated in relation to the Chesnut Ridge and Laurel Hill ; that though not very elevated, they nevertheless exist as well defined mountain chains. The latter is a very extended branch of the system reaching from the northern part of Pennsylvania into Alabama. This chain traverses Virginia by various names ; separates Virginia from Kentucky as Cumberland mountain ; traverses Tennessee and penetrates Alabama under the latter term; and, interrupted by Tennessee river, it forms the Muscle Shoals, and is imperceptibly merged into the central hills of Alabama. Similar to Chesnut Ridge, Laurel Hill is terminated on our maps near the Kiskiminitas, though in reality, extending to near the south boundary of New-York.
In addition to the great chains we have been surveying, many of minor impor- tance might be noted ; but we have deemed a view of the most striking parts sufficient. If engrouped into one view the mountains of Pennsylvania exhibit many very interesting points of observation. The Appalachian system is here upwards of one hundred and fifty miles wide. The particular chains do not average more than three miles, if so much, in breadth.
The Appalachian system is formed, as we have seen, by a number of collateral chains lying nearly parallel. Each chain is again formed by ridges which, inter- locking or interrupted by rivers, extend generally in a similar direction with the chain to which they particularly appertain. The chains differ materially from each other in elevation and in continuity. In some, at each side of the system, the hills are of very unequal height above their bases, and above tide water. The South-east mountain and Blue Ridge are prominent examples.
The area covered by the bases of the mountains has been estimated by Mr. D. at 6,750 square miles, or near one-seventh of the superficies of the state.
RIVERS .- The State is drained by the Delaware, Susquehannah, Ohio, Potomac, and Genessee Rivers, and the extreme N. W. angle by Lake Erie. The portions of the basins of these rivers which are in the state, are of very unequal extent. Those of the Delaware, Susquehannah, and Ohio, include the greater part of the Commonwealth, and divide it into three sections the Eastern, Middle and Western.
13
RIVERS.
Sq. Miles.
Acres.
The Delaware
drains
6,710
4,294,400
The Susquehannalı
"
21,390
13,685,600
The Genessee
150
96,000
The Potomac
1,590
1,017,600
The Ohio
16,760
10,598,400
Lake Erie
"
380
243,200
46,980
29,935,200
The range of the rivers of Pennsylvania, is one of the most interesting subjects in all physical geography. It may be assumed as a general principle, that the mountain streams particularly, either flow north-east, or south-west, along the mountain valleys or directly at right angles to that course, through the mountain chains. The conformity of the river courses to the mountains, is in a striking manner obvious in the Delaware and Susquehannah. The Delaware rises by two branches in the western spurs of the Catsbergs. The Cookquago to the north- west and Popachton to the south-east, flow from their sources south-west about fifty miles, draining Delaware county in New York. Reaching within about five miles from the north-east angle of Pennsylvania, the Cookquago turns to south- east and continuing that course five or six miles receives the Popachton. The united streams maintain a south-east course, fifty miles to the mouth of the Nevisink, and northern extremity of New-Jersey. The Delaware here touches the north-west foot of the Kittatinny chain, along which it turns to the south- west thirty-five miles to the mouth of Broadhead's creek, from Pike and North- ampton counties. Winding to the southi helow the entrance of Broadhead's creek, it breaks through the Kittatinny and enters the fine valley between that chain and the Blue Ridge. At the north-west base of the latter, at Easton, the river again forms a mountain pass, and five miles farther down, another through the south- east mountain. At the south-east base of the latter chain the river once more assumes a south-east course after having meandered through the Kittatinny Valley about thirty miles.
At Trenton, thirty-five miles below the south-east mountain, the river passes the primitive ledge, and meets the tide ; and five miles below, near Bristol and Bordentown, again turns to south-west. Passing along or near the primitive rock, it receives near Philadelphia the Schuylkill from the north-west. Forming its last great bend five or six miles below Newcastle, the bay of Delaware opens into the Atlantic ocean in a south-east direction.
The entire length of the Delaware is by comparative courses from the Catsbergs to the Atlantic ocean, three hundred and ten miles, not quite one-half being tide water. Though rolling over numerous rapids, no cataracts interrupt the naviga- tion, which at times of moderately high water, reaches by both constituent branchies into New-York. The general course is, with a trifling deviation to -the west, south and north, the sources of the Cookquago and Popachton, being very nearly of the same longitude as Cape May. When viewed on a map, the various sections of this river have the appearance of artificial arrangement ; the two lower bends strongly prove the geological influence of the mountain system. Though but little elevated above the ordinary surface of the country through which it passes, the great primitive ledge pursues a direction remarkably similar to that of the Appalachian chains. From Bristol to its lowest bend below New- castle, it flows down the south-east margin of the primitive; separating the sandy shores of New Jersey from the micaceous soil of Pennsylvania and Dela- ware
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