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 33
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Economy, a p-town and German settlement of the Harmonites, on the Ohio river, 18 miles below Pittsburg, in Ohio t-ship, Beaver co. 241 miles
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N. W. of W. C. 219 from Harris- burg. This settlement has been made by Mr. George Rapp and his follow- ers, who constitute the society of the Harmonites, who emigrated to this country from Swabia, on account, as they assert, of persecution for their re- ligious opinions. Mr. Rapp arrived in the U. S. in 1803 or 4, a year in advance of his followers, and pur- chased a tract of land in Butler co. which the association settled and im- proved, building a town to which they gave the name of Harmony. They planted a vineyard, built mills, reared sheep, and established a large cloth manufactory, which they made profita- ble. But having the cultivation of the grape much at heart, but which not thriving as they wished, and believing the climate not adapted to their meri- no sheep, they sold their property in Butler co. and removed to the state of Indiana near the Wabash. Here they cleared a large body of land, built a beautiful village, a cotton and woollen manufactory, a brew-house, a distille- ry and steam-mill. But the climate proving unhealthy, they resolved to return to Pennsylvania. Pursuant to this resolution they bought many acres «of land around their present residence, to which they removed in 1825.
Their town consists of more than 150 houses, chiefly of frame, neatly constructed on broad rectangular streets, 2 parallel to the river, and 4 crossing them. Among these are, an elegant church, a large woollen and cotton factory of brick, a store, tav- ·ern, a large steam-mill, also of brick, a brewery, distillery, tan-yard, and vari- ous work-shops. They have also a large and commodious house, 120 feet by 5, arched underneath, in which they have a concert hall, a museum of natural curiosities, a collection of min- erals, a mathematical and drawing- school, and-a library. They have al- so a steamboat plying on the Ohio. The thriving condition of this associa- tion will be understood when we ob- serve, that according to the report of Mr. Frederick Rapp, it purchased for
its own consumption in the year 1829, $88,946 45 value of commodities from the surrounding country. To his de- tailed statement Mr. Rapp adds, " that all articles and merchandise purchased to sell again, as well as any produce of our farming and manufacturing de- partments, are not included.
It is generally understood that the great cohesive principle of this asso- ciation is, its religious tenets and dis- cipline, with which we are unacquaint- ed. The labor of the community and its product are common property. Mr. George Rapp is the priest and patri- arch, who has the supervision and con- trol of the temporal and spiritual con- cerns of the community. Candidates are admitted after a probation of six or nine months, during which they are instructed in the principles and regu- lations of the society. They have formed at different times two constitu- tions ; one at the Wabash and the oth- er at Economy, whose provisions are very similar ; but the last are more favorable to such as wish to withdraw from the association. It contains in substance the following condi- tions : 1. Persons holding prop- erty, uniting with the society, put it into the common stock ; and may, when quitting the community, with- draw the principal, without interest.
2. Adjuncts without property, leav- ing the society, without permission, or due notice, receive neither dividend nor compensation for their services.
3. Those who withdraw after prop- er notice, or with the approbation of the society, receive such an outfit, as the society in its discretion may grant.
The Duke of Saxe Weimar, who two or three years since visited this community says, "The ware house was shown to us, where the articles made here for sale or use are preserv- ed ; and I admired the excellence of all. The articles for the use of the society are kept by themselves, as the mem- bers have no private possessions, and every thing is in common ; so must they in relation to all their personal wants, be supplied from the common
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stock. The clothing and food they jis somewhat similar to Owen's commu- make use of, is of the best quality. nity of goods, and all members of the society work together for the com- mon interest, by which the welfare of each individual is secured. But to the assurance of temporal prosperity, the tie of religion is superadded, which was entirely wanting in Owen's com- munity ; and results declare that Rapp's system is the better." Of the latter, flour, salt meat, and all long keeping articles, are served out monthly ; fresh meat, on the contrary, and whatsoever spoils readily, is dis- tributed whenever it is killed, accord- ing to the size of the family, &c. As every house has a garden, each family raises its own vegetables, and some poultry; and each family has its own bake oven. For such things as are not raised in Economy, there is a store provided ; from which the members, with the knowledge of the directors, may purchase what is necessary, and the people of the vicinity, may also do the same."
" Mr. Rapp, finally conducted us in- to the factory again, and said, that the girls had especially requested this vis- it, that I might hear them sing. When their work is done, they collect in one of the factory rooms, to the number of 60 or 70, to sing spiritual and other songs. They have a peculiar hymn book, containing hymns from the Wur- temburg psalm book, and others writ- ten by the Elder Rapp. A chair was placed for the old patriarch, who sat amidst the girls, and they commenced a hymn in a very delightful manner. It was naturally symphonious and very well arranged. The girls sang four pieces, at first sacred, but afterwards, by Mr. Rapp's desire, of a gay charac- ter; with real emotion did I witness this interesting scene."
" All the workmen, and. especially the females, have very healthy com- plexions, and moved me deeply with the warm hearted friendliness with which they saluted the elder Rapp. I was also much gratified to see vessels containing fresh sweet smelling flow- ers, standing on all the machines. The neatness which universally reigns here, is in every respect worthy of praise."
" The elder Rapp is a large man, 70 years old, (now 73 or 4,) whose powers, age seems not to have dimin- ished. His hair is grey, but his blue eyes, overshadowed by strong brows, are full of life and vigor. His system |disciplinc.
" It is most striking and wonderful that so plain a man as Mr. Rapp should so successfully bring, and keep togeth- er,a society of 800 persons, who in a manner, honor him as a prophet, and that he should have power even to sus- pend the intercourse of the sexes. He found the society becoming too numer- ous, and induced the members to live with their wives as with sisters. Sex- ual intercourse is still discouraged yet marriages constantly occur, and child- ren are born every year, for whom a (school is provided."
" The members of the community manifest the very highest degree of veneration for the elder Rapp, whom they address and treat as a father. Mr. Frederick Rapp is a large good looking personage, above 40 years of age, possesses profound mercantile knowledge, and is the temporal, as his father is the spiritual, chief of the com- munity. All business passes through his hands, and he represents the soci- ety, which, notwithstanding the change in the name of the residence, is still called the Harmony Society, in their dealings with the world."
Since the above was written, a por- tion of the society, weary of the re- straint upon the sexual intercourse, as it is said, have withdrawn from Harmo- ny, and under the auspices of Count Leon, are preparing to establish them- selves elsewhere. The secession had at first the appearance of hostility, which might have proved vexatious and injurious to both parties, but their differences were amicably settled, and Mr. Rapp and his adherents remain at Economy in peace, but we know not whether they have new modelled their
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Eddy's creek, a tributary of Spring |ly distant from Pittsburg S. 14 miles. Brook, rises in Covington t-ship, Lu- zerne co. throngh which it flows in a S. W. direction about 5 miles.
Edgement, t-ship, Delaware co. bounded N. E. by Newtown, S. E. by Upper Providence, S. by Middleton, W. by Thornbury and N. W. by Chester co. Central distance from Phil. about 21 miles ; from Chester 9 miles N. W. Length 4, breadth 2} miles; area 5700 acres; surface hilly ; soil loam. Pop. in 1830, 758; taxa- bles in 1-28, 170. Ridley cr. passes sthrdly through the S. E. angle of the t-ship. There is a post office in the t-ship, distant 123 miles from W. C. and 83 S. E. from Harrisburg.
Edinburg, village of Mahoning t-ship, Mercer co. on the road leading from New Castle to New Bedford, and on the left bank of the Shenango cr. 14 miles S. W. of Mercer borough, contains 12 dwellings, 2 stores, 1 tav- ern and a grist mill.
Edmonds, a small village in Bush- kill t-ship, Northampton co. on the road to Smith's Gap, about 9 ms. from Easton, contains 4 houses, and 1 store.
Edsallville, p-o. Bradford co. 262 ms. N. W. of W. C. & 156 from Harris- burg.
Eldersville, p-t. of Cross Creek t-ship, Washington co. about 16 miles N. W. of Washington borough, 250 from W. C. and 227 from Harrisburg, contains 3 or 4 houses.
Elderton, formerly called Middleton, p-t. of Plumb crcek t-ship, Armstrong co. on the turnpike road from Indiana to Kittanning, 16 ms from the latter, 202 from W. C. and 170 from Harris- burg, contains about 30 dwellings, 2 stores, and 2 taverns.
Eldredville, p-o. Lycoming co. 223 miles N. W. from W. C. and 112 from Harrisburg.
Elizabeth, t-ship, Allegheny county, bounded N. E. and E. by the Youghi- ogheny r. which separates it from Westmoreland co. S. by Westmore- land co. W. and N. W. by Mononga- hela r. The two rs. unite at the ex- treme N. point of the t-ship. Central-
Greatest length 10}, breadth 10} ms. area 35,200 acres ; surface hilly ; soil, loam ; coal abundant. Pop. in 1830, 2517 ; taxables 571. The are many short and inconsiderable streams which flow into the rivers E. and W. At the confluence of the chief of these with the Monongahela lies the p-t. of Elizabethtown, 14 ms. S. of Pittsburg. This is, however, a town on paper only. The p-o. here is 240 ms. from W. C. and 216 from Harrisburg.
Elizabethtown, Elizabeth t-ship, Al- legheny co. (See preceding article.)
Elizabeth, t-ship, Lancaster county, bounded N. by Lebanon co. S. E. by Cocalico t-ship, S. W. by Warwick. Central distance from Lancaster N. 13 ms. Greatest length 7 ms. ; greatest breadth 61; area, 24,521 acres; sur- face hilly ; soil, red shale and gravel. Pop. in 1830, 1928; taxables 370. This t-ship is extremely well watered. Trout creek runs along its eastern boundary ; Middle creek and its tribu- tary, Seglock creek, traverse it cen- trally, and Hammer creek forms in part the W. line. Hopewell forges are on this last stream, near the north boundary, at which there is a p-o. and Elizabeth furnace is on Seglock creek. The Downingstown and Harrisburg turnpike road passes diagonally thro' the t-ship from S. E. to N. W. upon which, about the middle of the t-ship, is situated Elizabeth church. The t- ship contains also 3 distilleries, 1 tan- yard, 2 fulling mills, 10 grist mills, 7 saw mills, 1 hemp and 1 oil mill. Brickersville is the p-t.
Elizabeth Town and Borough, a p-t. in Mount Joy t-ship, Lancaster co. on the turnpike road from Lancaster city to Harrisburg, about 18 ms. from each, and in the forks of Coney creek, 110 ms. from W. C. contains some 30 or 40 dwellings, 2 or 3 taverns, and 2 stores. It was incorporated 13th April, 1827.
Elizabeth river, a tributary of the Little Swatara creek, so called, in Be- thel t-ship, Lebanon co. in the fork of which lies Stumpstown.
Elk creek, Chester co. rises in Lon-
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donderry t-ship, and flows in a seg- ||loam. Pop. in 1830, 562; taxables ment of a circle, forming the W. boun- 92. It is drained S. by the Cussawa- go creek, N. by a branch of Elk cr. and W. by a tributary of the Conne- aut. Salt springs are found on the banks of the last stream. There is a p-o. in the t-ship, which bears its name. dary of that and of the t-ships of Penn and New London, whence it flows through the state of Maryland into the Susquehannah r. turning many mills in its course.
Elk Lick, t-ship, Somerset co. bound- ed N. by Milford and Brother's Valley t-ships, E. by Greenville t-ship, S. by the state of Maryland, and W. by Ad- dison and Turkey Foot t-ships. Cen- trally distant S. of Somerset borough 15 ms. Greatest length 10, breadth 8 ms .; area 52,000 acres; surface, gentle declivities ; soil, dark clay. Pop. in 1830, 1531; taxables 241; taxable property in 1829, real estate $85,716 ; personal $10,216 ; rate of tax 5 mills on the dollar. The p-o. is called after the t-ship. The Allegheny mtn. is on the E. and the Negro mtn. on the W. boundary. The Little Youghiogheny flows N. E. through and along the N. boundary, receiving from it Elk Lick creek, which gives name to the t-ship. The p-t. of Salis- bury lies in the S. E. angle, between Little Meadow and Big Piney runs.
Elk Lick creek. (See preceding ar- ticle. )
Elk Creek, t-ship, Venango county, bounded N. by Pine Grove t-ship, E. by Farmington and Paint Creek t-ships, S. by Beaver Creek t-ship, and W. by Richland. Centrally distant S. E. from Franklin borough 17 ms. Greatest length 12, breadth 5 miles ; area, 32,000 acres ; surface, level ; soil, loam. Pop. in 1830, 572; tax- ables 115. The turnpike road from Clearfield to Franklin runs through the S. W. angle of the t-ship. The t-ship is drained by Six Mile run, which flows W. nearly the length of the t-ship ; and on the S. by the Beaver, Canoe and Dyer Paint creeks.
Elk Creek, t-ship, Erie co. bounded N. by Fairview, E. by Mckean and Conneautte t-ships, S. by Crawford co. and W. by Conneaut t-ship. Central- ly distant S. W. from Erie 16 miles. Length 8, breadth 7 ms. ; area 35,840 acres ; surface, hilly ; soil, gravelly
Elk creek, Erie co. rises on the E. line of Mckean t-ship, and flows by a W. and N. W. course of about 20 ms. through Mckean, Fairview and Springfield t-ships, into Lake Erie, about 16 ms. S. W. of Erie borough, receiving several tributaries in its course.
Elk, t-ship, Warren co. bounded N. by the state of New York, E. and S. by the Allegheny r. and W. by the Conewango cr. the former dividing it on the E. from Mckean co. and the latter from Pine Grove t-ship. Cen- trally distant from the town of Warren 8 ms. The t-ship, we believe, is yet unorganized. It contains some excel- lent lands on the creek and river bot- toms, among which is the tract held by Cornplanter and his followers, the scanty remnant of the Aborigines of Pennsylvania. (See article Warren county.)
Elkland, t-ship, Lycoming county, bounded N. by Bradford co. E. by Shrewsbury t-ship, S. by Muncy and Loyalsock t-ship, W. by Lycoming t-ship, and N. W. by Tioga co. Cen- trally distant N. E. from Williamsport 25 ms. Greatest length 21, breadth 17 ms. ; area, 131,200 acres ; surface mountainous ; soil, various. Taxables in 1830, 92 ; valuation of taxable pro- perty in 1829, seated lands $12,792, unseated lands $57,728, personal est. $2862. The principal stream of the t-ship is Loyalsock creek, which rises on the confines of Bradford co. and flows S. W. into the W. branch of the Susquehannalı, several miles below Williamsport. It receives a portion of its waters from Elk lake, near the N. boundary of the co. The t-ship is very sparsely inhabited, having a few settlements in the flats on the mar- gin of the principal streams.
Elkland, t-ship, Tioga co. bounded
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N. by the state of New York, E. by | town and Harrisburg turnpike, 60 ms. Lawrence and Tioga t-ships, S. by what is now or was formerly Delmar t-ship, and W. by Deerfield t-ship. Its length and breadth is about 11 miles, and contents about 65,000 acres ; surface, hilly ; soil, gravel, loam and clay, heavily timbered. Pop. in 1830, 606 ; taxables, 116. Cowanesque cr. flows eastwardly through it, near the northern boundary, and Crooked creek near the S. and along the N. E. boun- dary into the Tioga r. There is a p-o. bearing the name of the t-ship, distant from W. C. 273 ms. and 167 from Harrisburg.
Ellerslie, p-o. Susquehannah county, 287 ms. N. W. from W. C. and 179 from Harrisburg.
Elliotsburg, p-o. Perry co. 121 ms. N. W. of W. C. and 34 from Harris- burg.
Emaus, p-t. of Lehigh co. It is a Moravian village situate at the foot of the South mountain, in the t-ship of Salisbury, built on one street, and is distant about 5 ms. S. S. W. from Northampton, 183 N. from W. C. and 90 N. E. from Harrisburg. The land on which this town is erected and that of the immediate vicinity was be- queathed by two members of the so- ciety for the maintenance of a clergy- man, and the promotion of missions. The town contains about 20 houses, and 1 store.
Embreeville, p-o. Chester co. 106 ms. N. of W. C. 73 S. E. of Harrisburg.
Emporium, p-o. Lycoming co. Shippen t-ship, 25 miles S. W. of Smethport, 293 from W. C. and 186 from Harrisburg. There are two or three families here, some salt springs and salt works, on the Drift wood branch of the Sinnemahoning creek.
Ennisville, p-t. Barre t-ship, Hun- tingdon co. on Standingstone creek, contains four dwellings, a store, and tavern ; it is distant 170 miles N. W. from W. C. and 93 S. W. from Har- risburg.
Ephrata, p-t. of Cocalico t-ship, Lancaster co. at the intersection of the Reading Road with the Downings-
N. W. of Phil. 13 N. E. from Lan- caster, 125 from W. C. and 38 from Harrisburg. Contains from 15 to 20 dwellings, 2 taverns, a store and pa- per mill. New Ephrata is a smaller village of 6 or 8 houses, about a mile further west on the turnpike road. These settlements were made by the singular religious sect called Tunkers, Dunkers or Dumplers, of which the following is a concise history. The word "Tunker," of which the other names are corruptions, means baptism by immersion. With the Quakers and Menonists, this sect refused to swear or bear arms. The fraternity traced its origin from the baptism of John, and admitted no other confession of faith than the New Testament. They administered the Eucharist at night in imitation of our Saviour, wash- ing at the same time each others feet agreeably to his example & command. They worshiped on the first day of the week and kept the Jewish Sabbath, wore long beards, and dressed in plain and coarse garments of ancient fash- ion. This sect rose in Germany in 1705, and consisted chiefly of Calvin- ists, who by their outward sanctity ob- tained the name of Pietists, and indu- ced upon them no inconsiderable share of persecution. Under the guidance of Alexander Mack, a miller of Schrieshiem, a society originally of 8 persons was formed, which soon after increasing, and becoming impatient of the reproof of their neighbors, remov- ed to Creyfield in the duchy of Cleves, whence a company of 8 or 10, direct- ed by Mack, who devoted the whole of his property to their service, remov- Jed to Pennsylvania in 1719 and settled at Germantown. The church here grew rapidly, receiving members from the banks of the Wissahickon and from Lancaster co. and soon after establish- ed a community under one Peter Beek- er, who was chosen official baptiser in that county. At the head of this as- sociation, Conrad Beissel, under the name of Friedsam Gottrecht, anglice, Peacable God-right, had sufficient art
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to place himself. By his influence hours. This life macerated their bo- the observance of the seventh day of the week was adopted in 1728, when his disciples separated from the other Tunkers, and were rebaptised by him. Becoming more ascetic he adopted the life of a recluse, and retired to a solitary cottage, which had been erect- ed by a hermit called Emilech. He was drawn from his solitude by strife in his community, which having ap- peased, the unmarried brethren built themselves a humble dwelling near to to his. Additional huts were put up by new converts, several females joined the sisterhood, who had a dwelling apart for themselves. But the sisters it would seem, took little delight in their state of single blessedness, and two only, (aged and ill favoured ones, we may suppose) continued steadfast in renunciation of marriages.
The zealots gave to their new hab- itations the names of Zohar, Hebron, Massa, and Cades, and that of Kedar, to the house in which they celebrated love feasts. This building was soon after transformed into a " sister con- vent," and another house of worship was erected, and in 1738, a dwelling for the brethren. This last was call- ed Zion, and the whole settlement, Ephrata. Thus a solitary life was changed for a conventical one. Zion became a " Kloster," was put under monastic rule, and the brethren adopt- ed the habit of the Capuchins. One Onesimus was appointed Prior, and Beissel assumed the name of " Father." But these mutations, and the presump- tion of Beissel, offended several mem- bers, who withdrew from the society.
The property of the society consist- ed of about 250 acres of land. Its labor and profits were in common. Marriage and sexual intercourse were forbidden ; but members disposed to matrimony were suffered to withdraw, taking with them their proportion of the common stock. The sexes dwelt apart, lived on vegetables solely, slept on wooden benches, with billets of wood for pillows, and attended wor- ship four times in the twenty-four
dies, and rendered their complexions pale and bloodless. The dress of the males consisted of a shirt, trowsers and vest, with a long white gown and cowl, of wool in winter, and linen in summer. That of the females, dif- fered only in the substitution of petti- coats for trowsers ; they covered their faces with their cowls, when going in- to public. In walking, all used a sol- emn steady pace, keeping straight forward, with their eyes fixed upon the ground ; not turning to give an an- swer when asked a question. Thus accoutred, with sandals on their feet, forty or fifty followed each other in Indian file, in occasional visits to their friends at Germantown. On the death of Beissel, his authority devolved on one Millar, who, wanting the vigorous mind of his predecessor, was unable to preserve the society from rapid de- cay. All engrossing as religious fa- naticism usually is, and attractive as it sometimes proves by its singulari- ties, nature and reason have proved too strong for it in this case, and the Tunker sect has been almost extin- guished in the unequal conflict .. Ephrata still exists, but the peculiari- ties of its inhabitants are no more. They marrry and are given in mar- riage, eat, drink, and dress like their neighbors; but they are still remark- able for the purity of their lives, the simplicity of their manners, and the fervor of their devotion. Their reli- gious principles are not fully known, but they deny the doctrine of original sin, and the eternity of punishment, and believe that the day of judgment will be one of light and instruction, by which the human race will be restored to happiness. Contention with arms or at law, they deem unchristian.
Equinunk creek, Great, a consider- able tributary of the Delaware river, has its principal sources in Scott and Mount Pleasant t-ships, Wayne co. and flows through Buckingham to the river, about 5 miles below Stockport.
Equinunk, Little, a creek of Buck. ingham t-ship, Wayne co. which rises
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in a small lake in Damascus t-ship, and runs N. E. to the Delaware.
Erie county. The province of Pennsylvania, as granted to William Penn, included but about five miles of the shores of Lake Erie, upon the cx- treme west. But the intelligent men who after the revolution had charge of the interests of the state, foresee- ing the many advantages she might derive from an extensive frontupon this inland sea, obtained from the U. S. the grant of the triangular tract on the lake, now belonging to the state, for the consideration of $151,640 25, which were paid in continental certifi- cates of various descriptions. The deed of confirmation from the U. S. is dated March 3d, 1792. Prior to that date, the state had purchased and paid for the Indian right to the soil. The tract contained 202,187 acres, and is now included with other lands in Erie county, and was formerly comprehended within the bounds of Allegheny county. From the latter it was separated by act 12th March, 1800, and the place for holding the courts of justice was fixed at the town of Erie; but this, with Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Warren, formed one county under the name of Crawford, for all county pur- poses, for several years. By the act 2d April, 1803, Erie county was fully organized for judicial and other pur- poses. The county is bounded N. partly by lake Erie, and partly by the state of New York, E. by that state and by Warren co. Penn. S. by Crawford co. and W. by the state of Ohio. Length 36, breadth 20 miles ; area, 720 square miles; central lat. 42º N., long. from W. C. 3º west.
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