USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of Mifflin County : its physical peculiarities, soil, climate, &c. ; including an early sketch of the state of Pennsylvania Volume I > Part 1
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UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
CALICE DUM
SPIRO SPERO
Darlington Memorial Library
.
GEN. J. P. TAYLOR. SEE BIOGRAPHY.
HISTORY
OF
MIFFLIN COUNTY,
IT6
Physical Peculiarities, Soil, Climate, &c.,
INCLUDING AN
EARLY SKETCH
OF THE
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
BY JOSEPH COCHRAN, A. M.
VOLUME I.
HARRISBURG, PA. : PATRIOT PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1879.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1879, by JOSEPH COCHRAN, A. M., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
1st .- Title Page-Preface-Introductory.
2d .- Historical events leading to the discovery of America-The discovery of America-The growth of the Colonies-Declaration of Independence-Earty Gov- ernors of Pennsylvania.
3d .- Organization of Mifflin County and Incidents in its early History-Logan and Brown-The Lewistown Riot-Anecdotes of Logan-Frontier Incidents-The rights of the Indians-Extracts from papers of 1790-Mrs. Grey the captive Frances Slocum-The primitive traveler-Jack's Mountain-Treaty and purchase of 1754- Early land Titles-Cumberland Militia-Division of Pennsylvania into Counties.
4th .- Pioneers of Mifflin County-Introductory to Historical Families and Promi- nent Men-W. P. Elliott, R. S. Elliott, C. Ritz, G. W. Wlley, John Marsdon, E. W. Dixon, Moses Kelley,Henry McCauley, Alexander Cochrane-The Naginey Family -- The Swartzel Family-John Swartzel, James Sterrett, Nathaniel W.Sterrett, Moses Thompson, Gen. J. P. Taylor, Capt. R. J McNitt-The MeNitt Family-Wm. Mckinney, James Cnpples, John Cupples, James Shahen-The Buchanan Family -- John A. Wolf kiel, Richard Coplin, M. V. B. Coplin, Samnel McClay, Robert Mc- Clay, Samuel R. McClay, Robert Cox-The Alexander Family-The Pilgrims- A hundred years from now-Wm. Wilson, Sen., Henry Wilson, Wm. Wilson, Jr., James S. Woods, D. D., Joshua Morrison, Thomas Mayes, Judge A. Troxel, Gen. Thomas F. McCoy-The Wayne Guards-America to the World-Thomas M. Hulings, Charles Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Henderson, M. D .- Clouds and Sunshine- Winter and Spring-Casper Dull, Sr., Casper Dull, Jr., D. M. Dult, C. P. Dull, James Burns, Rev. John J. Moore, D. D .- First list of Taxable Inhabitants of Mifflin County, 1790-Thomas Steel, Jacob Rearick, James George, John G. McCord-The Brought Family-John M. Shadle-The Means Family-Dr. S. Bel- ford, Geo. Buffington-The Yeager Family-The Campbell Family-The Wilson Family-The Miliken Family-The Mann Family-A. B. Long, Hon. George Weilder -- The Bratton Family-Major Wm. Wilson-The Mennonites of Kishaco- quillas Valley.
5th .- Churches of Miffitn County __ " The Old Stone Church"-Little Valley Church- A walk in the Grave Yard-Sabbath School at Little Valley-St. Mark's at Lew- istown-Presbyterian at McVeytown-First Introduction of Methodism-Lewis- town African Church-Presbyterian, Catholic and Lutheran-M. E. Church of Lewistown-Early Temperance Work.
6th .- Educational Past and Present-What is Education-Schools of Mifflin County- Kishacoquillas Seminary-The Primitive School-Lewistown Academy-Lewis- town Public Schools.
7th .- Newspapers of Mifflin County.
8th .- County Institutions-County officers-Benevolent Societies-Poor Farm.
9th,-Geology-Mountains and Valleys-Lewistown Limestone-Water Line-East Shade Mountain-Logan and Lewistown Sections-McVeytown and Mount Union-Kansas Valley and Long Hollow-Jack's Mountain.
10th .- Manufactures-Railroads-Canals-Sand Mines-Minerals, etc-Past and Present-Bradley & Dull's Sand Mine-Juniata Sand Company. .
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
11th .- Towns of Mifflin County-Lewistown-Its Fire Department-Military De- partment-The Old Cemetery-Millroy-Three Locks-Granville-Lillyville- Maitland-Painter-Belletown - Readsville-Yeagerstown -Newton Hamilton- Allenville-McVeytown-Greenwood-Siglerville-Lock's Mill.
12th .- Horticultural Department-Fruit Growing-Mechanical Organs of Plants- Mannres-The Leaf, its Structure and Functions-Time for Planting Trees-Prun- ing-Time for Pruning-Roses-Fencing, Ancient and Modern-Timher and Lum- ber-Colors in Leaves and Flowers-Agriculture in 1776-Culture of Flowers-Use- fulness of Birds-What to Plant-A Parody-Training the Vine-The Horse-The l'each-The Potato-How to Grow Plants from Cuttings-The Adaptations of Plants to Soil and Localities.
13th .- Military Record of Mifflin County-E Pluribus Unum-Logan Gnards-Re- union of 1879-List of Companies from Mifflin County.
14th .- Miscellaneous Department-Records of Armangh Township, 1799-Historical Sketch of Lutheran Church at Millroy-Townships and Wards in County-Histori- cal Sketch of Kishacoquillas Valley-Bridges-Mineral Springs-Pre-historic In- habitants-The Muscle of Mifflin County-The Shoemaker, Past and Present-Light and Heat, their Influence on Vegetation-Enterprises of the Past-Juniata Stage Company-Early Congressmen-Legislators-Constitutional Conventions-Noted Men-Conclusion-The Citizen's Duty to our Civil Government-Index.
PREFACE.
[ THE object of this work is best set forth in its table of contents on the following pages. It is with peculiar pleasure that the author engages to write a history of the county of his nativity, after an absence there- from of (44) forty-four years, and to meet here, in their advanced years, his old friends, schoolmates and even the teacher with whom he learned his alphabet. New subjects and new interests present themselves and we have assumed to present them to the people fully, in the belief that the intelligent, reading and appreciative people of Mifflin county will appreciate our efforts.
The scientific features of the work, its Geology, Mineralogy, &c., have received especial care and subjected to the criticisms of a number of scien- tific men. To these gentlemen we are under obligations for their assistance in "exploring the hills of scientific truth that shade the landscapes of eternity."
It has been our aim and object in this work to give FACTS and facts only; to ignore our individual opinions. With Dr. Gall we can say: "That one fact is with me more positive and decisive than a thousand metaphysical opin- · ions." Our own opinions and our own preferences do not make history. In the Biographical department we have found it necessary to practice a large amount of self-denial. Though after a long absence from Mifflin coun- ty, we return, and a renewal of the old friendships then existing, we find it difficult in writing personal sketches of old friends and neighbors of our- selves and ancestors to say much of them, historically and impartially, and restrain the feelings of the "long, long ago." How well this has been done in the execution of this work an appreciative public must be the judge, with the sentiment rendered immortal by the late President Lincoln for our guide, we cannot be far wrong, " With charity to all and malice towards none."
For the military records of the county, we are indebted to the reports of the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, and to the kindly assistance of old soldiers and citizens, papers which have furnished very full and perfect details which we have been enabled to give. We have also indulged in a careful and judicious use of paste and scissors for some valuable extracts. In defence of this, if defence is needed, I can only say it is the general use of all writers. A noted author says, "I am not ashamed to borrow to enrich my own history, 'giving due credit.' " My own credit shall be in uniting the links to form a chain. We are indebted, also, for information and assistance to numerous individuals in every part of the county, and to acknowledge it to each, would necessitate the publication of a county direc-
6
PREFACE.
tory, for so many have shown us kindness and consideration. ALL will please accept our thanks. It will be my ambition to accomplish the work, not only to the best of my abilities, and a somewhat extended experience, but desire that FULLNESS, CORRECTNESS and IMPARTIALITY shall be the characteristics of the work.
J. COCHRAN,
INTRODUCTORY.
THE PROGRESS OF OUR COUNTRY AT LARGE.
Come forth in all thy maiden charm, Serenely still, benignly fair; For greetings true, and glad, and warm, Are thrilling through the summer air. Come forth, so dowered with youthful grace, Our country lady of the West; And be the welcome in thy face- The pride of every honored guest.
A hundred years, in shade and light, Have cast their glory o'er thy brow; But what are they ? A watch by night To nations vast who seek thy shores, Who heard the overture of morn, Swept grandly by the choiring stars; Ere yet across the earth was borne The sound of strife, the clash of wars.
The children of the farthest East Shall bring their tributes to thy shrine; Though last, our land, thou art not least, And cordial hands solicit thine. Lo! out from all her mystic past, She steps who reared the pyramid; And China opens wide the fast Barred doors that once her empire hid.
With stately courtesy they bring Their wishes for thy long success; Their golden censors gently swing, With incense pure as love's caress, With treasures of an elder art, Across blue rounding waves, Japan Comes mingling in the thronging mart, Proving the brotherhood of man.
8
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
And other oriental ones Are welcome pilgrims to our shores; The emphasis of kindred tones Makes sweet the hail, from lips before. A century back, that touched with scorn, In English accents told thy name; That name to-day with glory won, Where ere may reach our country's fame. Italia sends her dreams sublime In marble wronght. From France and Spain, From German lands, from Russia's clime, From Grecce with thoughts of old romance Entwined, the votive offerings come, And syllabled in silvery speech,
Beneath the deep Cerulean blue, Flow words of cheer onr ear to reach.
From where the Amazon's deep tide Full hearted glides through banks of green; Full many a pair have sought thy side, With simplest grace and courtly mein. And from their broad and ample State, Where thousands bend to do their will, Comes fitly crowning freedom's fete, A wreath from blooming, fair Brazil.
A fading shape the while it fades, That gives the homage, joins to raise; Ere yet it vanish mid the shades Of night and eld, its chant of praise. Its name is on thy rivers writ, Its music crowns thy mountain peaks; Yet, phantom-like, its children flit, Before the tongue our country speaks.
Receive fair virgin of the West, The friendly plaudits of the world;
Receive the love in flowers expressed, By flags in gentle peace unfurled; Begins the century now begun, In faith unfeigned, in solemn awe;
And consecrate thy soil, thy home, Of Liberty allied to Law.
I N contemplating OUR COUNTRY let us consider the edifice our ancestors reared and handed down to us, unimpaired by them ; let it ever remain untarnished by us. Let us contemplate the edifice they reared. The magnificent temple of civil and religous liberty.
g
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
The permanent fruits of liberty are wisdom, moderation and mercy ; its abuse are crimes, conflicts and errors, it is at this latter crisis that its enemies love to exhibit it. They would pull down the scaffolding from the unfinished edifice, and point to the flying dust, falling timbers and debris, and ask in scorn where is the promised comfort and splendor to be found ? But here stands our architectural pile with over a century's age upon it, covering it from corner-stone to topmost turret. Some of its enemies point to these symbols of age as tokens of decay, while to its friends they indicate the years they have stood, and chronicle a massiveness that can defy more centuries than they have stood years. Its founda- tions are buried in the accumulated mould of over a hundred years, and its walls are mantled by ornamental vines of evergreen foliage. Dig away the mould from these foundations and we find they were laid by no mortal hand. The temple of CIVIL LIBERTY is founded on primitive rock, yet strikes its roots to an unfathomable depth .. No frosts can heave them-no convulsions shake it. The grand security and strength of our country is not in her armies, her fleets and her navies, but in her schools, her colleges and churches. With- out general intelligence, liberty is a curse and would cease to exist. We live in an age of progress, light and knowledge; an age in which the progress of science and art are unprecedented in history. The benignant smiles of an over-ruling Providence has ever beamed upon us in all their glory and effulgence. Then too, the rising gen- eration my say : "Be not content to grovel in ignorance ; go gather laurels on the hill of science, linger among her unfading beauties, drink deep at her crystal fountains ; become learned and virtuous and you will be great ; love God and serve Him and you will be happy."
Providence has more than compensated for the diminution of our years by the extension of our knowledge. Our mental faculties are no longer engrossed by the mere operations of the body. The mind now ranges with delight over the cultivated fields of science. We go abroad to indulge our curiosity, or make ideal excursions to- amuse the imagination. It is the pride and glory of our times in which we live, that science and the arts are moving forward to the annihilation of time and space; that educated intelligence is at the helm of civil government (the people ;) that the revelations of God's word and developments of science in His works are in happy unison, and that science and not ignorance, is the handmaid of religion.
:10
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
HISTORICAL EVENTS LEADING TO THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
H OWEVER instructive to the student of history to trace the leading events from the creation, the deluge, the calling of Abraham, the exodus of Israel, the giving of the law, the founda- tion of Sparta, the death of Saul, the founding of Rome, the de- struction of Nineveh, the death of Cyrus, the battle of Marathan, the death of Darius, the birth of Plato, the death of Socrates, the destruction of Thebes, Alexander invades Asia, completion of the Collossus of Rhodes, Hannibal crosses the Alps, death of Hannibal, birth of Julius Cæsar, death of Marius, Cæsar crosses the Rubicon and is made dictator, death of Cicero, of Anthony and Cleopetra and the great central event of the world's history, the birth of Christ, it is not the province of the present work to treat or detail.
From the birth of Christ to the discovery of America, a period of fifteen centuries, events thicken as time rolls on with apparently an accelerated velocity. Prominent among them we note the death of Augustus, the accession of Tiberius and the crucifixion of Christ. Nero, emperor of Rome, and Titus, of Jerusalem, Christianity preached in Britain, seige of Alexandria, Constantine the Great, Emperor of Rome, Anglo-Saxons in Britain, Persians conquered by the Saracens, descent of the Danes on England, Otho, the first king of Germany, America discovered in 1008 by Biorn and Lief, two Icelanders, accession of William the Conqueror, death of Abel- ard, the Tartar in Hungary, Palistine lost to the Christians, Turks in Europe, burning of heretics in Europe, siege of Orleans, fall of the Byzantine Empire, Gibralter taken by the Moors, birth of Lu- ther and Ragsheal, the inquisition of Spain, battle of Boswortlı, Cape of Good Hope discovered, surrender of Grenada, end of the Moorish Dominion in Spain, expulsion of the Jews from Spain and THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
The province and scope of this work suggests extreme brevity :and the avoidance in detail in the part of the work now before us.
11
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
We will merely state in brief, in their chronological order, the events bearing on the discovery of America. Christopher Columbus dis- covered land belonging to the Western hemisphere, October 12, 1492, first landing on one of the Bahama Islands; John and Sebastian Cabot landed on Newfoundland the following June ; Columbus, on his third voyage, discovered the continent near the mouth of the Orinoco River in South America in 1498. In the following year Americus Vespncins conducted a vessel to the coast of Sonth America and told the story of his voyage so well that the continent received his name, an error which the injustice of mankind has al- lowed to continue. Ponce De Leon in 1512 discovers Florida ; James Cartier, a French sailor, discovers the river St. Lawrence in 1535 ; De Soto, a Spaniard discovers the Mississippi and discovers Indians near where the city of Mobile now stands residing in a walled city of several thousand inhabitants. He explored the Mis- sissippi and Red rivers and died near the mouth of the latter, May 21, 1542. The first English settlement was contemplated in 1578 or about three centuries ago.
Queen Elizabeth, of England, granted a patent to Sir Humphrey Gilbert "to such remote and heathen lands as he should find in barbarons North America." Two unsuccessful attempts were made by him to establish colonies. He finally perishes with his vessels September 23, 1583.
Sir Walter Raleigh is sent with two vessels, and lands at Pam- lico Sound ; also makes an unsuccessful attempt on Roanoke Island.
A third attempt, in 1587, was also unsuccessful by the interfer- ence of the Spanish Armada, and surrenders his charter to a com- pany of merchants or Indian traders. The Plymouth company landed a company at the month of Kennebec River in 1607, are un- successful and return to England; and the same year a London company establish a settlement at James River, which was the first permanent English settlement in America.
English convicts are sent to America, and slaves introduced into Virginia in 1620. Various colonies and settlements were now es- tablished with variable suceess, encountering opposition from the Indians.
The first germ of the American Union we find in a confederation of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven colonies ; a confederation that lasted nearly forty years. Common school laws, an institution purely American, were passed in Connecticut in 1650. The growth of the colonies, by emigration and natural
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
increase, continued to progress favorable till they suffer the mis- fortune of the resignation of their distinguished friend Mr. Pitt, in October, 1761. In 1763 a treaty of peace between Franee and England closed the war in America, which was so disastrous to the colonies by reason of the atroeities committed by the Indians at the instigation of the French. The colonies paid $16,000,000 war expenses, and lost 30,000 men, and the French lost their Canadian. possessions and all their immense territory east of the Mississippi River. These were preparatory steps in the hands of an overseeing Providence for other results that were to follow, viz : preparing the people for the war and the organization of the new confederation of States, whose 103d anniversary is so recently passed. The colo- nial commanders learned the art of war as they fought side by side with the veterans of Great Britain, and the soldiers of the frontiers compared favorably with the flower of the English army. This was illustrated in the notable defeat of General Braddock, in our own State. The skill and the bravery of General Washington saved the British army from annihilation on the banks of the Monoga- hela River. Various acts were passed by the British Parliament in 1763 and 1764, aets obnoxious and adverse to the interests of the colonies, which our intended brevity in this work compels us to omit even a reference to, and refer only to the obnoxious stamp act of 1765. Also an act authorizing the British ministry to send any number of troops to America, for whom the colonists were to find "quarters, firewood, bedding, soap, drink and candles." Various colonies passed resolutions in their Houses of Burgesses, claiming. the rights of British subjects, and remonstrating with the mother country to the burthens thus imposed. On October 7, 1765, an as- sembly of committees of colonies, nine in number, met in New York. This was the first Continental Congress. The experience of one year convineed England that the Stamp 'act could not be en- forced in America. While the colonies rejoiced over the repeal of the Stamp act the home government were framing laws for their more serious oppression, and in 1767 taxes were levied on tea, paint, paper, glass and lead, and so exorbitant were these demands that. the colonies determined to pay no more taxes or duties at all, illus- trating a principle that has since become patent to the most super- ficial and casual observer, that the best way to get rid of an obnox- ious law is to rigidly enforce it. In 1768 the Massachusetts Gen- eral Court issned a circular to the other colonial assemblies invit- ing co-operation for the defense of their common mutual rights,
13
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
and generally received most cordial replies. In 1770 the indigna- tion of the people of Boston breaks out into an affray of so serious a nature that the troops fired on the citizens, killing three and wonnding several others.
Importations were nearly discontinued and home manufactured goods superseded the foreign article, and so popular did this become that the graduating class of Harvard College took their degrees in homespun goods that year.
Through 1770 this feeling becomes more intense and the year fol_ lowing a British revenue schooner was bnrued by a party of colo- nists at Providence, Rhode Island. Parliament offered three thou- sand dollars and a pardon to any one of the party who would betray his accomplices that they might be arrested. Though they were known by all the colonists no legal evidence was ever brought against them. In 1773 the celebrated Boston tea party came off and the cargoes of three ships were emptied into the sea. The year following the tea party the feeling acquires intensity and a Conti- mental Congress was ordered by all the colonies but Georgia. They assembled at Philadelphia, and Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, is chosen President, and a "Declaration of Colonial rights" is a result of their labors and they agree on fourteen articles as a basis of an " American Association." This body was henceforth the real gov- ernment and their requirements were the laws of the country to which the people gave strict allegiance. We have been more mi- nute then intended in a detail of these transactions because they prove the loyalty of the people to their former government and the gradual tightening system of tyranny and oppression that drove them from that loyalty to a state of revolt.
The inauguration of the war of the Revolution, the variable suc- cesses of the contending armies, the progress of public opinion gradually growing stronger on the side of patriotism gradually rip- ening into the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, JULY 4, 1776.
The Declaration of Independence was followed by Articles of Confederation, and they being, after a few years' experience, found insufficient and unsatisfactory were superseded by the Constitution of the United States in 1787.
Early Sketch of Pennsylvania.
Sir William Penn, the father of the founder of Pennsylvania, had been a distinguished admiral in the British service and at his death left claims to a considerable amount against the English
14
HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
government for his services. His son William, for the collection of these claims, and the further motive of securing an assignee where his Quaker brethren might, unmolested, enjoy the tenets of their then peculiar faith and practice, sought Charles II. for a grant of land in the new world. The request was granted, and by the King's order the new province was called Pennsylvania, in honor of the services of his illustrious father. The charter was dated March 4, 1681, and confirmed in April following, by royal proclamation. The extent of the Province was three degrees of latitude in breadth, by five degrees of longitude in length, the eastern boundary being the Delaware River, and the northern "the beginning of the three-and-fortieth degree of northern latitude." Having adjusted his preliminaries, Penn took leave of his family and friends and sailed for Pennsylvania in the ship Welcome, August 30, 1682. After a long and sickly passage they landed at. Newcastle, and the eager colonists of all nationalities hastened to welcome their new proprietor. At Upland, now Chester, he convened an assembly and made known his benevolent designs. The assembly tendered him their grateful thanks. At this assem- bly, which lasted three days, an " Act of Union" was passed an- nexing the three lower counties to the Province. The frame of government, with some alterations, was accepted and confirmed, the laws agreed upon in England, with slight alterations, were passed in form, and the Dutch, Swedes and other foreigners were admitted to the privileges of citizenship. After a time Penn re- turned to England and was absent fifteen years. It would have been desirable if he had never left it, for often during his absence did the state of affairs need the guidance of his powerful mind. The constitution was not sufficiently established, and in the infancy of settlement a powerful hand was necessary to prevent disorder, and maintain the empire laws, particularly those which enforce virtue and morality, and this infant legislative assembly, represent- ing a population not larger than an average population of a county at the present time, often exhibits scenes of personal bitterness and petty intrigue of legislative stubbornness, and executive caprice which is now characteristic of Harrisburg or Washington. In 1699 Penn returned with his family, and received a most cordial welcome by the citizens, because it was then known to be his inten- tion to fix his residence among them for life. But alas for human anticipations, in one year he was compelled to return to England again, where he died in 1718.
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