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 54

Author: Gordon, Thomas Francis, 1787-1860. dn
Publication date: 1833
Publisher: Philadelphia : Published by T. Belknap
Number of Pages: 584


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 54


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87


The situation of the t. of Meadville on the French creek feeder, which has the dimensions of, and is intended to supply the contemplated canal from the Allegheny r. to Erie, gives it im- portant advantages for trade, which will necessarily contribute to the rapid extension of the place. The town contains, by the census of 1830, white males, 553; colored do. 9. White females, 531 ; colored do. 7, making together, 1100. It was incorporated by act 29th March, 1823.


Means run, tributary of the Cone-


MER


290


MER


dogwinit creek, which flows N. along the boundary line between Cumber- land and Franklin counties, through Shippensburg to its recepient.


Mechanicsburg, p-t. and thriving village on the S. W. border of Hope- well t-ship, York co., and on the head waters of Deer creek, which flows into Maryland; distant 15 ms. S. E. from the borough of York.


Mechanicsburg, borough and p-t. of of E. Pennsborough t-ship, Cumber- land co., near the S. boundary, about 9 miles E. of Carlisle, containing about 100 dwellings, and 554 in- habitants, and one church. It is 105 miles N. W. of W. C., and 11 ms. W. of Harrisburg. It was incorpora- ted 12th April, 1828.


Mechanicsville, p-o., Bucks co., 165 miles from W. C., and 112 from Har- risburg.


Mercer, co. is bounded N. by Craw- ford co., E. by Venango, S. E. by Butler, S. by Beaver, and W. by the state of O. Length 32, breadth 26 ms. Area 830 sq. ms., or 531,200 acres. Central lat. 41° 15' N., long. W. from W. C. 3º 15'.


The geological structure of the county belongs to the secondary for- mation ; the horizontal strata of which have been cut by the streams to a con- siderable depth in various directions, and the plain has thus been converted into a rolling surface, and in many places assumes a hilly character. Bi- tuminous coal is found in abundance in every t-ship in the county; we have not learned whether its usual concomitants, iron and salt, in this re- gion, attend it. Copperas is found in great quantities near the t. of Mercer. The southern part of the county is well adapted to grain ; its central and northern parts are better suited to grazing, and the inhabitants claim, that it is the best county in the state for pasturage. The soil is loam, vari- ously compounded of clay, gravel, and sand, and covered with a rich vegeta- ble mould, which in the valleys is often very deep, particularly on the borders of the larger streams.


The county is abundantly watercd. The Shenango creek or r. enters the N. W. angle of this, from Crawford co., and is navigable through the whole county. Its course is very crooked, and its waters are augmented by Crooked creek, and by the Little Shenango; the Lackawannock and the Shenango creeks from the E., and the Pymatuning from the W. The Ma- honing r. into which the Shenango empties, flows from the state of Ohio, eastwardly, across the S. W. angle of Shenango t-ship, and of this county. The Neshannock rises on the southern confines of Salem and Sandy Creek t-ship, and flowing S. and S. West through the county, unites with the Shenango near, but S. of, the southern line of the co., passing within a mile and a half W. of the borough of Mer- cer. On the N. E. the co. is drained by Deer creek, and Sandy creek, the latter of which is also the drain of Sandy lake. Slippery Rock creek rises in Sandy Lake t-ship, and runs S. to the Butler co. line, and thence S. W. into Beaver co.


The t-pike road, from Pittsburg by Butler and Mercer to Eric, runs through the county. Another t-pike road has lately been made, or is now making from Roseburg in the co. of Armstrong, to the co. of Mercer. The Beaver division of the Pennsylvania canal, is now under contract from the Ohio r. to the town of New Castle, on the southern line of this county, and in the fork of the Shenango and Ne- shannock creeks, and the whole line is expected to be completed for public use, by the 1st day of Dec. next. It is in contemplation to extend this canal through Mercer co., to unite with the line connecting the Alleghe- ny r. with lake Erie.


The chief towns of this county are Mercer, Newcastle, Harlandsburg, Edinburg, Bedford, New Wilmington, Clarksburg, Greenville, &c. &c.


The co. was originally settled by persons from other parts of Pennsyl- vania, but of late years, many Irish, English, and German settlers have


MER


291


MER


established themselves here. The pop. in 1800, was 3228 ; in 1810, 8277; in 1820, 11,681 ; and in 1830, 19,733. Of the last number, 9896 were white males; 9628 white females ; 99 free colored males; 102 free col- ored females, and 3 male and 3 female slaves. Of this number also there were 271 aliens, 11 deaf and dumb, and 17 blind.


There is a county Bible society es- tablished, and Sunday schools are en- couraged in neighborhoods that are densely 'settled. There are in the county 12 churches, of which 6 per- tain to the Presbyterians, 3 to Sece- ders, 1 to Methodists, and 2 to Union- ists.


Country schools are located, where needed, pretty generally through the county, and are numerously attended, especially in the winter season ; and an academy was established in the borough of Mercer, and incorporated in 1811 ; the incorporating act appro- priated for the use of the institution the sum of $2000. Two newspapers are published in the co. (See Mercer borough.)


The exports of the county are flour, grain, whiskey, and live stock. Of the latter, especially sheep, large quantities are reared ; and wool, un- less an alteration in the tariff should render it worthless, must soon become an important marketable commodity.


The average price of improved lands is $8 the acre, of unimproved of good quality, $2 the acre. The val- ue of the real estate, by the assess- ment of 1829, was $1,345,175.


The county paid into the state trea- sury, in 1831, for


Tax on writs, . 227,73


Tavern licenses,


158,84


Duty on dealers in foreign


merehandize,


733,63


$1120 20


Public buildings of the county con- sist of a court house and county offi- ces, of brick, a prison, of stone ; the academy and the, churches we have heretofore mentioned.


Mercer, Erie, Crawford, Warren and Venango counties form the 18th congressional district, sending one member to congress. Mercer, Erie, and Crawford, make the 23d senato- rial district, sending one member to the senate ; and Crawford and Mercer united, elect one member to the house of representatives. Mercer, Venan- go, Crawford and Erie, constitute the 6th judicial district, over which Henry Shippen, Esq. presides. The courts are holden at the town of Mercer, on the 3d Monday of February, May August, and November.


STATISTICAL TABLE OF MERCER COUNTY.


Greatest [Area In Population. [Taxa


Townships, &c. Lth. Bth.


Acres.


1820 |1830.


bles.


Cool Spring,


8


6


30720


596


1099


178


Delaware,


8


6


30720


494


941


169


French Creek,


1000 8


6


30720


602


1163


215


Mercer,


506


656


199


Mahoning,


8


6


30720


1647


2369


399


Neshannock,


8


6


30720


1828


1703


316


Pymatuning,


8


6


30720


671


1997


203


Salem,


8


6


30720


700


1117


194


Salem, West,


8


6


30720


1040


1850


340


Sandy Lake,


8


6


30720


427


741


143


Shenango,


8


6


30720


1091


1455


294


Slippery Rock,


9₺


8


32200


1027


1523


258


Sandy Creek,


8


6


30720


520


1048


165


Wolf Creek,


10g


6


35000


815


1244


999


Springfield,


8


6


30720


598


1068


180


11681 19731 |3490


Mercersburg, p-t. of Montgomery t-ship, Franklin co. upon the turnpike road from Greencastle to MeConnels- town, 10 miles W . from the former, 17 S. W. from Chambersburg, 83 N. W. from W. C. 71 S. W. from Harris- burg. Contains about 140 dwellings, 4 churches viz., 1 Presbyterian, 1 German Reformed, 1 Seceder and 1 Methodist, 6 stores and 4 taverns. The surrounding country is limestone and well cultivated, and consequently productive. About 3 miles N. of the town there is a sulphur spring, whose medicinal qualities are recommended.


Mercer, t-ship, Butler co. bounded N. by Venango co., E. by Venango t-ship, S. by Slippery Rock t-ship, W. by Mercer co. Centrally distant N. from Butler borough 19 miles; great. est length 9, breadth 5 miles; area, 18,380 acres ; surface, part rolling


64


35520


277


457


78


Lackawannock


MER


292


MER


part hilly ; soil, loam, clay. Pop in | German Reformed, 1 Seceder, 1 Meth- 1830, 771 ; taxables 172. It is drain- odist church. The town was incorpor- ated by act of assembly 26 Feb. 1831. ed by the N. branch of Slippery Rock creek, and by Wolf creek, a tributary of that stream. Harrisville, post-town, lies near the W. boundary.


Mercer, borough p-t. and st. jus. of Mercer co. situated in the N. W. an- gle of Springfield t-ship, near the Neshannock creek, 57 miles a little W. of N. from Pittsburg, and about 190 miles N. W. of Harrisburg in lat. 41º 13' N. lon. 3º 13' W. of W.C. taxables 129; taxable property 1829, real es- tate $66,875; personal, $5825; rate of tax 31 mills on the dollar. The town contains 120 dwellings, 1 Presbyteri- an, 1 Union, 1 Methodist and 1 Se- ceder church; 6 taverns, among which is Hackney's hotel, a large and commodious brick building. In the neighborhood of this town is an exten- sive manufactory of copperas, estab- lished by J. Wright Esq. the quality of which is said to be excellent, and the quantity made, adequate to the supply of the country north of the Ohio. There is an academy in the town, incorporated by act of 30th March, 1811, by which $2000 were given to it, on condition that a number of poor children, not exceed- ing 5, should be annually taught there- in gratis. Two weekly papers, viz. the Mercer Luminary, and Western Republican, are printed here. A daily stage from Pittsburg to Erie, and another 3 times a week from Pitts- burg, via Hamony, and one twice a week from Franklin to Warren in Ohio arrive in the town. The town was incorporated by act of assembly 28th March, 1814.


Mercersburg, p-t. and borough, Montgomery t-ship, Franklin co. on a branch of Conecocheague creek, 15 miles S. W. of Chambersburg, 71 from Harrisburg, and 83 N. W. from W. C. A turnpike road runs from Waynesburg through Greenecastle to this town, and thence to McConnels- burg and Bedford. The town con- tains 140 dwellings, 6 stores, 4 tav- erns, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Lutheran- and


Merion, Upper, t-ship, Montgom- cry co. bounded on the N. W., N. and N. E. by the river Schuylkill, on the S. E. by Lower Merion t-ship, and on the S. and S. W. by Chester co. Its form is very irregular, somewhat in shape of a bow bent; its greatest length is 9, width 5 miles; area 10, 880 acres. The Valley cr. runs along the western boundary to the Schuyl- kill river and drives sundry water works and the valley forge. The Gulph creek is near its east linc, on which are some valuable grist mills. There is a post office near the mills, called " Gulph Mills," and another more centrally situated called Rease- ville, the former about 3 ms. S. E. and the latter about 31 miles S. W. from Norristown. Merion church is 2 miles distant from Norristown. Sur- face, rolling ; soil, limestone. Pop. in 1830, 1618; taxables in 1828, 360. It is stated as a singlar circumstance that there are now in this t-ship only three taverns, being the same which existed there 100 years ago, each 3 miles from the other, on three points of a triangle to wit, the " Swedes ford," the " Bird in Hand," and the " King of Prussia." The post office, called after the t-ship, is 139 miles from W. C. and 87 from Harrisburg.


Merion, Lower, t.ship, Montgomery co. bounded N. by Upper Mercer, Plymouth and Whitemarsh t-ships, E. and S. by Phila. co., and W. by Dela- ware co. ; greatest length 8} miles, greatest breadth 5 miles. Central distance from Phila. 10 miles, from Norristown 7 miles. There are three churches in this t-ship. It is watered by the Schuylkill river, Mill creek and a branch of Cobb's creek, all of which are mill streams and well employed. The Phila. and Lancaster turnpike road passes through its S. W. angle. Surface of the country is rolling ; soil, rich loam. Pop. in 1830, 2524; tax- ables in 1828, 522. The post office, called after the t-ship, is distant from


MET


293


MID


Washington, 150 miles, and 93 from Harrisburg.


Merrit's town, p-t. Luzerne t-ship, Fayette co. on Dunlap's creek, about midway of the E. boundary of the t-ship, 10 miles N. W. of Uniontown, and about 4 miles S. of Bridgeport, 209 miles N. W. from W. C., 194 S. W. from Harrisburg ; contains 35 dwellings, 1 church, 1 school, 2 stores, 1 tavern, 1 grist mill and 1 saw mill. Mertztown, Longswamp t-ship, Berks co. (Sce Longswamp.)


Meshoppen creek, Susquehannalı co. rises in the t-ship of Bridgewater, and flows southwardly through Spring- ville t-ship, in that county, and Tunk- hannock and Braintrim t-ships, Lu- zerne co. into the Susquehannah river. It is a fine mill stream, but a fall near its mouth renders it unnavigable for more than half a mile from the river, above which there is a course of rap- ids which must perpetually bar the as- cent of boats. It has three large branches; the middle branch rises also in Bridgewater and flows parallel with the main stream, which it joins above the falls. The west branch rises in Rush t-ship, and mingles with the mid- dle one in Braintrim, and the Little Meshoppen which also has its source in Rush, blends with the Great, a short distance above its confluence with the Susquehannah.


Metal, t-ship, Franklin co. bounded N. E. by Fannet, S. E. by Letter- kenny and Hamilton, S. by Peters t- ships, and W. by Bedford and Hunt- ingdon counties. Centrally distant from Chambersburg N. W. 12 miles ; greatest length 15, breadth 5 miles ; area, 23,680 acres ; surface, mountain- ous ; soil, limestone and red shale. Pop. in 1830, 1296; taxables, 248. This t-ship is almost covered with mountains. The Blue mountain is on the E. and the Tuscarora on the W .; between them lies the Path valley, which in the widest part does not ex- ceed three miles. 'Through this val- ley flows, by the post town of Fannets- burg, the W. branch of the Coneco- cheague creek. In the S. part of the t-


ship, are beds of iron ore, near which is a furnace.


Mexus, p-t. of Fermanagh t-ship, Mifflin co. on the left bank of the Ju- niata river, on the state canal and on the turnpike road leading from Lewis- ton E. about 16 miles from that town, 147 from W. C., and 40 from Harris- burg, contains between 40 and 50 dwellings, 3 or 4 taverns and 2 stores.


Michler's tavern, p-o. on the road from Nazareth to the Wind gap, about 11 miles from Easton. There are here 6 or 8 houses, a furnace belong- ing to Mr. Henry, a grist mill, and store.


Middle brook, a small stream of Covington t-ship, Luzerne co. which flows into the Lehigh river, between the mouths of Trout and Choke creeks.


Middle creek, Elizabeth t-ship, Lan- caster county, rises in the Conewago, hills, and runs southwardly through the t-ship, into the Cocalico creek, re- ceiving in its course Seglock creek.


Middle creek, Adams co. rises in Hamilton-ban t-ship, and flows S. E. through Liberty t-ship, into the state of Maryland.


Middle creek, Somerset co. rises in Somerset t-ship, and flows S. through Milford t-ship, into Castleman's river.


Middleburg, post-town of Centre t-ship, Union co. on the left bank of the Mahoniely or Middle creck, about 6 miles S. W. of New Berlin, 162 N. W. from W. C. and 52 from Harris- burg, contains 50 dwellings, 5 stores, 4 taverns, and 1 Lutheran church.


Middleburg, t-ship, Tioga county, formerly part of the t-ship of Delmar. Surface, hilly ; soil, loam. Pop. about 375; taxables, 67.


Middleport, a post-town and village, Schuylkill county, on the Schuylkill valley rail road, about 6 miles from Port Carbon, 182 from W. C. and 74 from Harrisburg. The state road from Pottsville to Mauch Chunk, runs parallel with the rail road through the town, and both are intersected by the state road from Orwigsburg to Ber- wick. The Middleport and Pine cr. rail road, is to intersect the valley rail


MID


294


MID


road, also in the town. These, with| the surrounding collicries, are the sour- ces to which Middleport must look for its future advancement. The town contains about 20 houses, 2 tav- erns and 2 stores, and is inhabited prin- cipally by persons connected with the mines.


Middleburg, post-town, Centre t- ship, Union county.


Middletown, t-ship, Susquehannah county, bounded N. by Choconut t-ship, E. by Silverlake and Bridge- water t-ships, S. by Rush t-ship, and W. by Bradford county. It is drained by the Wyalusing creek, and the Middle and North branches of that stream. Length E. and W. 9 miles, breadth 6 miles ; area, 34,560 acres. The turnpike road from Montrose to Owego crosses the N. E. angle of the t-ship, and at the intersection of the N. boundary is a small village called Friendsville, at which there is a post- office. Surface, hilly ; soil, gravel and clay. Pop. in 1830, 683 ; taxa- bles in 1828, 114.


Middletown, t-ship, Bucks county, bounded N. by Newtown, E. by Low- er Makefield and falls, S. by Bristol and Bensalem t-ships, W. by North- ampton co. Centrally distant from Philadelphia 20 miles ; greatest length 6₺ miles, greatest breadth 6 miles ; area, 12,569 acres ; surface, rolling ; soil, clay. Pop. in 1830, 2178 ; tax- ables in 1828, 424. The Neshaminy creek forms a part of its western boundary, and a branch of it, which rises near Newtown, passes through the t-ship, and Bristol creek has its source within it. Its towns are Hulmeville, Attleborough and Oxford. The two former are post-towns. There is a Quaker meeting at Attle- borough.


Middletown, t-ship, Delaware coun- ty, bounded N. W. by Upper and Nether Providence, S. by Chester, S. W. by Aston, N. W. by Thornbury and Edgemont. Central distance from Philadelphia 20 miles W., from Ches- ter 6 miles N. W. Length 4}, breadth 42 miles ; area, 7680 acres ;


surface, level ; soil, clay and loam. Pop. in 1830, 1188; taxables in 1828, 228. Chester creek courses the west- ern boundary, and Ridley creek the eastern. Wrangle Town is centrally situated in the t-ship.


Middleton, a small village of Hunt- ingdon t-ship, Adams co. in the N. W. angle of the t-ship, 14 miles N. E. of Gettysburg.


Middleton, North, t-ship of Cumber- land co. bounded N. by Perry co. E. by-East Pennsborough, S. by South Middleton, and W. by West Penns- borough and Frankford t-ships. Greatest length 9, breadth 7 miles ; area, 26,880 acres ; surface, part hilly, part level ; soil, limestone and slate. Pop. in 1830, 1932. The Conedo- gwinit creek passes centrally through the t-ship, and receives several tribu- taries from it, among which is Letart creek, flowing near Carlisle, and that borough is one half within the t-ship. Carlisle Springs lie N. of the borough, about 3 miles. The turnpike road from Carlisle to Harrisburg, runs through the S. E. angle of the t-ship. The Blue mountains bound it on the N. through which are Starret's and Long's gaps.


Middleton, South, t-ship, Cumber- land co. bounded N. by North Middle- ton, E. by Monroe, S. by York and Adams counties, and W. by Dieken- son. Greatest length 10, breadth 6! miles ; area, 25,600 acres ; surface, partly hilly, partly level ; soil, lime- stono. Pop. in 1830, 2072 ; taxables, 355. The Yellow Breeches creek flows E. through the t-ship, receiving Mountain creek. On the latter, are some iron works. Letart Spring is near the N. boundary, which, at its very source, gives motion to 2 mills. Boiling Spring is on the E. boundary. One half of the borough of Carlisle is in this t-ship. The South mountains cover a considerable portion of the southern part.


Middletown, village of Manallen t-ship, Fayette co. in a bend of Red Stone creek, about 5 miles N. of Un- iontowu.


MID


295


MIF


Middleton, West, post-town and | Conequenessing creek. The turnpike borough of Hopewell t-ship, Washing- ton co. on the road leading from Washı- ington borough to Wellsburg, on the Ohio river, 11 miles N. W. of the former, 243 from W. C. and 225 from Harrisburg, contains 40 or 50 dwell- ings, 3 taverns, and 1 store; was in- corporated 27th March, 1823.


Middleton, town of Moon t-ship, AI- legheny co. on the W. bank of the Ohio river, 10 miles below Pittsburg, and opposite to Neville island, con- tains about 12 houses, store and tav- ern.


Middletown, Plumb Creek t-ship, Armstrong co. on the turnpike road Icading from the borough of Indiana to Kittanning, about 12 miles from caclı.


Middletown, Upper, post-town, Fay- ette county, 206 miles N. W. from W. C. and 183 from Harrisburg.


Middletown, post-town and borough of Swatara t-ship, Dauphin county, 9 miles by the turnpike road S. E. of Harrisburg, and 102 from W. C. near the junction of the Susquehannah and Swatara rivers, at which the Penn. and Union canals unite. It was in- corporated into a borough in 1829, and contains, including Portsmouth, immediately at the confluence of the streams, not within the borough limits, 190 dwellings, 2 churches, beside other buildings. There are here 12 taverns, and 7 stores. During the spring freshets in the Susquehannah, there is a large trade here in grain, flour, lumber, iron and coal, brought by the canal and river, and tran- shipped by the Union canal to Phila- delphia. The town was incorporated 19th Feb. 1828.


Middlesex, t-ship, Butler county, bounded N. by Butler t-ship, E. by Buffalo, S. by Allegheny county, and W. by Cranberry t-ship. Cen- trally distant S. W. of Butler borough 9 miles. It forms a square of 8 miles. Area, 40,960 acres; surface, hilly ; soil, loam. Pop. in 1830, 1231 ; tax- ables, 244. It is drained by Thorn Greek and Glade run, branches of the


road from Pittsburg to Butler, runs N. E. through the t-ship, and on it, cen- trally situated, is the post-town of Woodville, 8 miles S. W. of Butler borough, in a fork of Glade run, 20 miles N. E. of Pittsburg.


Middlesex, town of Middleton t-ship, Cumberland county, on the road from Harrisburg to Carlisle, and on the Conedogwinit creek, at the confluence of Letart's creek with that stream, 3 miles from the former, and 5 miles from the latter borough, contains 8 or 10 dwellings, a tavern and mill.


Mifflin county, was formed by virtue of the act 19th September, 1789, from parts of Cumberland and Northum- berland counties, and is bounded N. by Centre, E. by Union, S. by Junia- ta, and S. W. and W. by Huntingdon counties. Length 39 miles, breadth 15 miles. Its form is very irregular, . and it may contain about 361 sq. ms. Central lat. 40° 35' N. long. 1º W. from W. C.


This county is near the centre of the great transition formation of the state. It is surrounded by mountains, and traversed by several ranges of lofty hills. Crossing it from the S. we have Black Log mountain and Blue ridge, N. of which flows Juniata river, through Juniata valley, bounded north- ward by Limestone ridge, Jack's moun- tain, Stoney mountain, and Path Val- ley mountain. The whole of this mountainous region is underlaid with limestone, which, being near and on the surface in the valleys, renders them highly fertile. Iron ore abounds in many parts of the county, but more particularly in Union, Derry, and Wayne t-ships. Its quality is that well known and highly appreciated, as Juniata iron. In the limestone val- leys there are some caves, such as are common in limestone countries. That in Wayne t-ship, called Haniwal's cave, is, we believe, the most exten- sive, having a depth of more than 100 rods. Considerable quantities of salt- petre have been obtained from it at sun- dry times.


IMIF


1


296


MIF


The Juniata river enters this county from lluntingdon county, through Jack's mountain, below Drake's ferry, and forms the S. W. boundary for 7 or 8 miles, pursuing a S. E. course, then doubling by a narrow turn of 2 or 3 miles, it runs a N. E. course by Hamiltonville, Waynesborough, and Lewistown, to the Long Narrows, through which it flows into Juniata co. Its whole course through the county is about 35 miles in length. It receives from the county the Kishcoquillas and Jack's creeks, and several inconsidera- ble streams. The Pennsylvania ca- mal follows the river through the co. keeping the right bank, for about 5 miles below Jack's mountain, thence crossing by an aqueduct to the left, near to Hamiltonville, it preserves that margin, giving to Waynesburg and Lewistown the advantages of its navigation.


The great western turnpike road, by the northern route, also follows the valley of the Juniata, and passing the towns of Lewis and Waynesburg, runs through the gap, at Jack's mountain. Another turnpike road leads from Lewistown to Bellefonte in Centre co. by which much of the iron of the lat- ter county is conveyed to the Juniata river.


The towns of the county are Lewis- town, Waynesburg, Hamiltonville, Belleville, Calhounsville, and McCol- lester'stown, &c. &c.


The whole population amounted in 1800, to 7000; in 1810, to 12,132; in 1820, to 16,618, and in 1830, cx- clusive of Juniata county, to 14,323. The taxables in 1828, were 2395.


There are in the county 9 churches, of which the Presbyterians have 5 or 6, the Methodists 2, and Episcopalians 1. There are a county Bible associa- tion, several tract societies, Sunday schools in such vicinages as admit of them, and a temperance society in each t-ship. Common schools are es- tablished where needed, and usually well attended. An academy was in- corporated at Lewistown in 1815, and




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.