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 71
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Salem, t-ship, Westmoreland co., bounded N. by Washington t-ship, E. by Loyalhanna r. S. by Hemp- field and Unity t-ships, and W. by Franklin t-ship. Centrally distant N. from Greensburg, 9 ms. ; greatest length, 112, breadth, 10Į miles ; area, 49,920 acres; surface hilly ; soil, loam and gravel. Pop. in 1830, 2,294. Taxables, 440. It is drained N. by Beaver Dam run, and E. by Crabtree creek. The turnpike road from Eb- ensburg to Pittsburg crosses the t-ship diagonally, from S. E. to N. W., and on it in the W. part of the t-ship, is the post town of New Salem, distant N. 8 ms. from Greensburg, 200 from W. C., and 178 from Harrisburg, contains 20 dwellings, 4 taverns, and 2 stores.
Salem, New. (See preceding arti- cle.)
Salem, t-ship, Mercer co., bounded N. by Crawford co., E. by Sandy cr. t-ship, S. by Delaware t-ship; and west by West Salcm t-ship ; cen- trally distant N. W. of Mercer bo- rough 14 ms. ; greatest length, 8,
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breadth, 6 ms. ; area, 30,720 acres ; surface, level ; soil, clay and loam. Pop. 1830, 1,117 ; taxables, 194 ; tax- able property in 1829, real estate, $85,438 ; personal $10,246 ; rate, 4 mills on the dollar. It is watered by the little Shenango and Crooked crs. which unite in the W. part of the t-ship, and flow W. to the Big Shenango.
Salem, W. t-ship, Mercer co. bound- ed N. by Crawford co., E. by Salem t-ship, S. by Pymatuning t-ship, and W. by the state of Ohio ; centrally dis- tant N. W. from Mercer borough, 17 ms .; greatest length, 8, breadth 6 ms. area, 30,720 acres ; surface, level ; soil, clay and loam. Pop. 1830, 1,850 ; taxables, 340 ; taxable property in 1829, real estate, $173,729 ; person- al, 20,480. It is drained by the She- nango creek, which enters it on the N. and flows near the E. line, issuing from the t-ship by the S. E. corner ; in a fork of the creek lies the p-t. of Greenville.
Salford, Lower, t-ship, Montgomery county, bounded on the N. E. by Franconia, S. E. by Towamensing, S. by Perkiomen, W. and N. W. by Upper Salford. Greatest length 5} miles, greatest breadth 5 miles ; area about 16,000 acres. The north east branch of the Perkiomen creek runs along the western boundary, and two branches of the Skippack creek pass through the t-ship. Central distance from Philadelphia about 25 miles, from Norristown 10 miles. Pop. in 1830, 830 ; taxables in 1828, 167; surface rolling ; soil, red shale and loam.
Salford, Upper, t-ship, Montgome- ry country, bounded N. by Marlbo- rough, on the N. E. by Bucks co., on the S. E. by Franconia and Lower Salford, S. by Perkiomen, S. W. by Frederick t-ships. Greatest length 8 miles, greatest breadth 5 miles. Per- kiomen creek and Rich Valley creek run along the west and north west boundary and the N. E. branch of the Perkiomen along the S. W. boundary. Sumanytown, a post town, is on the line separating this and Marlborough t-ship; surface, level ; soil, red shale and loam. Pop. in 1830, 1108; tax.
ables in 1828, 250. Centrally distant from Norristown 10 miles N. N. W.
Salsberg, t-ship, Lehigh co., bound- ed north by Northampton t-ship and the Lehigh river, E. by Lower Saucon t-ship, Northampton co., S. E. by Up- per Saucon, S. W. by Upper Milford and Macungy, and N. W. by White- hall t-ships. It is drained by the Lit- tle Lehigh creek and one of its tribu- taries, and is intersected by many country roads. The South mountain runs along its S. E. boundary, at the foot of which is a small village, dis- tant about two miles from Allentown S.E., called Smiths, and another about five miles S. S. W. from Northamp- ton, called Emaus, a Moravian village. The surface of the country is rolling, soil limestone, of excellent quality and carefully cultivated. Iron ore is found in the mountain. Pop. in 1830. 1342; taxables in 1828, 331. Taxable prop- erty 1829, real estate $321,897 ; per- sonal 11,650 ; rate of levy 13 cts. in the $100. Assessed value of lands 35, 25, 18 dollars per acre, according to quality.
Saltzburg, post town, Conemaugh t-ship, Indiana co., on the E. bank of the Conemaugh river, 10 miles N.W. of Blairsville, and 17 miles S. W. of the borough of Indiana, 206 miles from W. C., and 175 from Harrisburg ; contains 20 dwellings, 2 stores, 2 tav- erns, 1 Presbyterian church. It has its name from the many salt works in the vicinity.
Salisbury, post town, Union t-ship, Huntingdon co., upon the road lead- ing from Fort Littleton to Huntingdon, 15 miles south east from the latter ; contains about 20 dwellings, 2 stores, 2 taverns, 1 smith shop, 1 tanyard and 1 church.
Salisbury, t-ship, Lancaster county, bounded N. by Caernarvon, E. by Chester co., S. by Sadsbury t-ship, and W. by Strasburg, Leacock and Earl t-ships. Centrally distant E. from Lancaster about 16 miles ; great- est length 8, greatest breadth 6 miles; area, 26,624 acres ; surface rolling ; soil, limestone. Pop. in 1830, 3205 ;
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taxables, 604. It is drained by the| fortifications. The r. receives from the Pecquea creek, upon the branches of t-ship Indian creek and some smaller streams. On the former are some iron works, consisting of two furnaces. which are several mills and one forge. The Welsh mountain runs along the north, and Mine ridge upon its south Sambo creek, rises in Pike co., and flowing south westerly through the N. W. corner of Smithfield t-ship, North- ampton county, falls into Broadhead's creek in Stroud t-ship. It is not nav- igable, but turns several mills. boundary. Upon the eastern line, about two and a half miles south of the north line, is the small village of Cam- bridge. The Philadelphia and Lan- caster turnpike road, and the state rail road cross the southern part of the t-ship ; on the former within two miles of the western boundary is the " Salis- bury" post office, at a small village of 6 or 8 houses of the same name, 123 miles from W. C., and 49 from Har- risburg. Slaymaker's, a noted tavern and post house, is on the same road about half way between the east and west boundaries.
Salisbury, p-town, Elk Lick t-ship, Somerset co., near the Little Yough- iogheny river, distant 17 miles S. of Somerset borough, contains 30 dwell- ings, 2 taverns, 2 stores, 1 German Reformed church.
Salmon run., a tributary of the Conewago creek, which rises and has its whole course in Dover t-ship, York co.
Salt Lick creek, Great Bend t-ship, Susquehannah co., rises in New Mil- ford t-ship, and flows northerly into the Susquehannah river, at the Great Bend. It is a rapid stream, affording good mill seats, for which purpose it is used. It has its name from the salt licks found upon it. It is too small for navigation.
Salt Lick, t-ship, Fayette county, bounded N. and N. E. by Westmore- land co., S. E. by Somerset co., S. W. by Wharton t-ship, and N. W. by Connellsville and Bullskin t-ships. Centrally distant from the town of Union 18 miles N. E .; greatest length 20 miles, breadth 14 míles ; area 81, 280 acres ; surface hilly, mountain- ous ; soil gravelly loam. Pop. in 1830, 1,499 ; taxables 262. Laurel hill is on the east, and Chestnut ridge on the west boundary. The Youghiogheny river is on the south, in the bend of which are some vestiges of ancient
Sandy creeks, Big and Little, Fayette co., rise in Wharton t-ship, and flow S. uniting in the state of Maryland and running into Cheat river. Salt and iron are found on these streams.
Sandy creek, rises in the south part of Crawford co., and flowing south east,enters Mercer co., in Sandy Creek t-ship, and thence into Sandy Lake t-ship, where it receives the waters from Sandy lake, thence by an E. course it runs into the. Allegheny riv- er. Its whole course is more than 30 miles, and it is navigable for boats about 14 miles from its mouth to San- dy lake.
Sandy Creek, t-ship, Mercer coun- ty, bounded north by Crawford co., E. by French Creek t-ship, S. by Cool- spring t-ship, and W. by Salem. Cen- trally distant north from Mercer about 13 miles. Greatest length 8, breadth 6 miles ; area, 30,720 acres ; surface, level ; soil, gravelly loam. Pop. in 1830, 1048 ; taxables, 165. Taxable property in 1829, real estate $75,017. Personal, 12,386 ; rate of tax, 4 mills on the dollar. It is drained E. by Sandy creek and west by the Little Shenango. The turnpike road from Mercer to Meadville runs north and centrally through the t-ship, on which and on a small branch of Sandy creek, is the post town of Georgetown.
Sandy creek, Northampton county, otherwise called Spring creek, rises near the head of the Nescopeck, in Lu- zerne county, and running eastward- ly, falls into the Lehigh near the line of Luzerne. It flows entirely through a wilderness, and although it has a number of fine mill seats, no mills are yet erceted on it. Sandy creek has
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a large branch coming from the north, miles north west from W. C., and 216 called " Terrapin pond creek." from Harrisburg.
Sandy Hill, Lower Dublin t-ship, Philadelphia co., on the Bustleton and Smithfield turnpike road, about 2 ms. south west of Bustleton and 4 ms. from Frankford, is a pleasant village of about a dozen houses. In the vicinity of this place, Ralph Sandiford, the cel- ebrated opposer of slavery and advo. cate of civil liberty, formerly resided. His grave is by the road side on his own farm ; the spot was formerly de- signated by a stone, on which we were told he was the son of John Sandiford of Liverpool, that he had borne a faith- ful testimony against slavery, and di- ed at about the age of 40 years, A. D. 1733. Hard by the grave of Sandi- ford is an old house, with a high roof, marked on a stone in the front " I. A. 1696." This is probably the most ancient building in the t-ship.
Sandy Lake, t-ship, Mercer county, bounded N. by French Creek t-ship, E. by Venango co., S. by Wolf Creek t-ship, and west by Coolspring t-ship. Centrally distant N. E. from Mercer borough 10 miles. Greatest length 8, breadth 6 miles ; area, 30,720 acres. It is drained E. by Sandy creek, into which flow the waters of Sandy lake, a pool in the N. W. angle of the t-ship. Surface level ; soil, clay and loam ; pop. in 1830, 741 ; taxables, 143 ; taxable property 1829, real estate $45,045 ; personal 6,188 ; rate 4 mills in the dollar.
Sandy Creek, t-ship, Venango co., bounded N. by French Creek t-ship, N. E. by Sandy creek, E. by Alle- gheny river, and S. by Scrub Grass t-ship and Irwin t-ship. Centrally distant south west from the borough of Franklin 7 miles. Greatest length 9, breadth 6 miles ; area, 26,240 acres ; surface hilly ; soil, gravel, loam. It is thinly populated and is attached to French Creek t-ship. Little Sandy creek crosses the t-ship from south west to north east, upon which there is a forge.
Sandy furnace, post office of Sandy Creek t-ship, Venango county, 283
Sarah Manor, (See Whip's cove.)
Saratoga, t-ship, Venango county, bounded N. by Bear t-ship, E. by Jef- ferson county, south by Toby's creek and Farmington t-ships, and west by Teonista t-ship. Centrally distant N. E. from Franklin t-ship 30 miles. Greatest length 6, breadth 52 miles ; area, 21,120 acres ; surface hilly ; soil, gravelly loam. It is scantily pop- ulated, and is annexed to Teonista t-ship. The t-ship is drained by the Teonista creek, which crosses the N. W. angle,and by its tributaries, Coon's, John's, and Raccoon creeks.
Saucon creek, rises in Upper Milford t-ship, Lehigh county, and running north easterly falls into the Lehigh river, on the south side, about four ms. below Bethlehem, in Northampton co. It gives its name to two t-ships, one of Lehigh co., and the other of North- ampton co., and has a number of fine mills upon it, but is not navigable.
Saucon, Lower, t-ship, Northampton co., bounded N. by the river Lehigh, E. by Williams t-ship, S. E. by Bucks co., S. W. by Upper Saucon, Lehigh co., and W. by Salsberg in the latter county. Greatest length 6}, width 45 miles ; surface hilly ; soil, gravel and limestone. Pop. in 1830, 2,308 ; taxables in 1828, 446. Chief town is Hellerstown. It is watered by Sau- con creek and its tributaries, and the Lehigh. Two bridges cross the Le- high from this t-ship, Jarret's bridge, and one from Bethlehem. There is a post office named after the t-ship, dis- tant 187 miles from W. C. and 97 from Harrisburg.
Saucon, Upper, t-ship, Lehigh co., bounded N. E. by Lower Saucon, S. E. by Bucks co., S. W. by Upper Milford and N. W. by Salsberg town- ships. Its greatest length is 5} miles, and greatest width about 5 ms .; area, 15,360 acres. It is drained by the Saucon creek,which runs through it in a north east direction towards the Le- high river. The Springhouse and Bethlehem turnpike road runs north
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and south through the t-ship. Frys-1 burg, a small village and post town, lies on this road near the south east boundary, at which there is a church. There is also another place of worship on the same road, within a mile of the N. E. line, and yet another in the t-ship. The surface is diversified ; the South mountain occupies its north- ern part, and its spurs reach to the southern boundary. Iron ore is found in the mountain. The valleys are of limestone, and the whole under culti- vation. Pop. in 1830, 1905; taxa- bles in 1828, 388. Value of taxable property in 1829,real estate $410,381; personal estate $24,640 ; rate of tax 13 cts. on the $100 ; assessed value of lands Ist quality, 35 ; 2d quality 25 ; 3d quality 18 dollars per acre. There are in the t-ship 6 grist mills, 4 saw mills, 3 oil mills, one clover mill, 9 stores, 6 taverns, 5 schools. The cen- tre of the t-ship is about 6 miles distant from Allentown or Northampton, the county town.
Saw kill, mill stream, Upper Smith- field t-ship, Pike co., rises in some ponds, and has its whole course within thet-ship, and flows into the Delaware near Milford. It turns- several mills.
Saville, t-ship, Perry co., bounded N. by the Tuscarora mountain, which separates it from Mifflin co., S. by Ty- rone t-ship, E. by Juniata t-ship, and W. by Toboyne t-ship. Centrally distant N. W. from Bloomfield 9 ms. ; greatest length 83, breadth 73 miles ; area, 38,400 acres; surface, moun- tainous ; soil, limestone in the valleys, gravel and slate on the hills. Pop. in 1830, 1319; taxables, 287. It is drained by the Great Buffalo creek, in the forks of one of whose tributa- ries, in the N. E. angle of the t-ship, lies the village of Ickesburg, about 9 ms. N. W. of Bloomfield.
Schall's Store, p-t., Berks co., 157 ms. N. E. of W. C., and 66 from Har- risburg.
Schmicksburg, p-t. of Mahoning t-ship, Indiana co., on the Little Maho- ning creek, about 20 ms. N. of India- na borough, 212 from W. C., and
181 from Harrisburg ; contains 6 or 8 dwellings, and a store.
Schuylkill, co., was separated from the counties of Berks and Northamp- ton, by act of assembly passed 1st March, 1811, and embraces the t-ships of Brunswick, Schuylkill, Manheim, Norwegian, Upr. Mahantango, Lower Mahantango, formerly in Berks co., and the t-ships of W. Penn and Rush, formerly in Northampton. It is boun- ded N. by Luzerne, N. E. by North- ampton, S. E. by Lehigh, S. by Berks, S. W. by Dauphin, and N. W. by Northumberland and Columbia counties ; length 37, breadth 13 ms. ; area, 475 ms. Its surface is generally hilly, nay mountainous, and the soil, except near the streams, and some rare and favored spots, is rough, rocky, and sterile. It is drained principally by the Mahanoy, Mahantango, and Swatara creeks, which flow into the Susquehannah, and the several head branches of the Schuylkill r. Cen- tral lat. 40° 40' N., long. 47' E. from W. C. The whole co. is of transition formation, and abounds with anthra- cite coal ; but no iron ore has yet been discovered of a quality sufficiently good for smelting. The county is covered in its whole extent by several ridges of mtns., which are distinguish- ed in places by various names. The Blue or Kittatinny mtn., separates it from Lehigh and Berks counties. The Second mtn. is next in range, the Sharp mtn. the third, the Broad mtn. the fourth, the Mahantango the fifth, and the Mahanoy, the sixth ; which, passing through Schuylkill co. from Luzerne, divides it from Columbia and Northumberland on the N. W. Some other hills, known as the Green mtn., the Long Sugar Loaf mtn., encumber its northern section.
This county is drained by streams which run in various directions. On the east, the Nesquihoning, Mauch Chunk, Mahoning and Lizard creeks have their sources, and by courses almost due east, seek the Lehigh. On the S., the Schuylkill is the prin- cipal drain. On the S. W., the Swa-
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tara, rising in the Blue mtn., flowsy kill navigation company extend along along its northern base, into Lebanon the bank of the main r., 110 ms., and through this co. to Port Carbon, 2 ms. above Pottsville. In this distance the ascent is overcome by 129 locks. The Union canal company have construct- ed a basin or reservoir, with an area of upwards of 700 acres, in a gorge of the Blue mtns., through which the Swatara passes, from which a supply of water is taken by a canal along the Swatara to the Union canal. A rail road has been graded and prepared by the same company, 5 ms. in length, which connects the canal with the coal region. co. On the W., Long Pine, Deep Creek, Mahantango and Mahanoy creeks, flow into Northumberland co., and thence to the Susquehannah ; whilst on the N. W., the head waters of Catawissa creek intersect the hills in several directions. The Schuylkill r. which gives the name to the co., has its sources almost entirely within it. There are two principal branches which unite in a gorge of the Blue mtn., at a spot now called Port Clin- ton, at which a small village is erect- ed. From this place we follow the main branch of the river for about 11 ms., in a meandering, but almost nor- therly course to Schuylkill Haven, another village of late growth, con- taining above 40 houses; here the stream again forks into the E. and W. branches ; the E. branch has a N. E. direction for 4 ms. to Pottsville, thence by an E. course of 14 ms. through the Schuylkill valley, we approach its head, in Rush t-ship, between the Tuscarora and Locust mtns. Two ms. above Pottsville, the volume of the r. is swelled by Mill creek. The W. branch is formed by the junction of several small streams, among which is the W. West branch, which rise in the Broad mtn., and unite at the foot of the Sharp mtn., whence it flows, to meet the E. branch at Schuyl- kill Haven, receiving in its course sev. eral small creeks ; and below this vil- lage the river is further augmented by several considerable tributaries. The Little Schuylkill or Tamaqua r., rises in Northampton co., and flowing S. westerly, it receives from the Broad mountain, Neyforts, Hosasock, and Codorus creeks, thence by a S. course it passes between the Tuscarora and the Mauch Chunk mtns., thence rosu- ming a S. W. course, it runs, winding round the bases of several mtns., to also to ten ms. The cost of the main meet the main r. at, Port Clinton, being augmented at almost every mile by a mtn. torrent, which pours into it on either hand.
The improvements of the Schuyl-
The roads of the county, consider- ing the wildness of its surface and the sparseness of its population, are nu- merous, and they wind in most cases, through the valleys and gorges of the mtns. in all directions; in some in- stances they boldly cross the hills, or run along their summits. A turnpike road, made under an act of assembly passed 25th March, 1805, from Read- ing to Sunbury, 75 ms., passes with a N. W. inclination through this coun- ty, communicating with Port Clinton, Orwigsburg, Pottsville and Newcastle. This road has been made of stone and natural earth, at an expense of $142, 000; of which sum the state subscri. bed $80,000.
Among the very many important improvements which have been conse- quent to the improved navigation of the Schuylkill and the development of the coal region of this county, the rail roads are not the least considera- ble. The Schuylkill valley rail road, commences at Port Carbon, at the head of the canal, and confluence of Mill creek with the Schuylkill, and terminates at Tuscarora, distant 10 ms. There are 15 lateral rail roads, communicating with the several mines, whose aggregate length may amount road was $60,000, and of the laterals 20,000. Mill creek rail road com- mences at Port Carbon, and extends up Mill creek 4 ms. It cost about $14,000. Three ins. of lateral rail-
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roads intersect this, and were made at an expense of about $2000 per mile. The West Branch rail road commen- ces at Schuylkill Haven, and termin- ates at the foot of the Broad mtn. Its length, including W. West branch is 15 ms .; estimated cost $150,000. There are about 5 ms. of lateral road, connected with it, estimated to have cost $2000 per mile. The Mount Carbon rail road commences at Mount Carbon, and extends up the 2 branch- cs of the Norwegian creek, a distance of 9 ms. Estimated cost about $100, 000. It is intersected by many late- ral roads. Of the Pine Grove rail road, made by the Union canal com- pany, we have already spoken; its estimated cost is $30,000. The Little Schuylkill rail road commences at Port Clinton, and extends up that stream to the mines, a distance of about 23 ms. A most important rail road from Pottsville to Danville is now being constructed, connecting the Schuylkill navigation at this point, with the Susquehannah at Sunbury and Danville. A company was in- corporated in 1831, under an act of assembly, passed 8th April, 1826, with a capital of $500,000, and the road is in progress.
Upon Mine hill, near the gap, is one of those singular curiosities, a rocking stone. It is a flat rock, about 18 ft. long and 3 ft. thick, so nicely poised on another, that an infant's touch can make it move like the scales of a balance.
Orwigsburg is the county town. 'The other notable villages owe their existence to the working of the col- lieries, and are Mount Carbon, Potts- ville, Port Carbon, Tuscarora, Mid- dleport, Patterson, New Philadelphia, St. Clairsville, Newcastle, Schuylkill Haven, Port Clinton, Minersville, Carbondale, &c. &c.
The pop. of the county was in 1820, 11,339; by the census of 1830, is 20,783, of which 11,665 were white males ; 9,072 white females ; 116 frce colored males ; 90 free colored fe- males ; 1145 aliens ; 5 blind ; 14 deaf
and dumb. Schuylkill forms a part of the Lancaster district of the su- preme court ; and together with Le- banon and Dauphin, constitutes the 12th judicial district of the county courts. President Judge, Calvin Blythe. The courts are holden at Orwigsburg, on the last Mondays of March, July, October, and Dec.
Election districts .- Schuylkill, with Berks and Lehigh, forms the 7th congressional district ; represented in the 22d congress by Henry A. Muh- lenberg and Henry King. With Berks it forms the 6th senatorial dis- trict, which sends two members to the senate of the state. Schuylkill sends 'one member to the house of repre- sentatives. The public buildings are, a large and convenient brick court house, and county offices ; a stone jail. An academy at Orwigsburg was incorporated by act 29th March, 1813, and a donation of $2000 grant- ed by the legislature, with condition that poor children, not exceeding four in number, shall be taught therein gratis, annually. The trustees have erected in the town a convenient building for a school. The greater portion of this county is too mountain- ous and broken for profitable agri- cultural pursuits, and but for its min- eral wealth, it would have remained for years a wooded and undisturbed desert. The abundance of excellent anthracite coal which the mountains contain, and for which the improve- ment of the river has provided a market, has raised the whole country in value. 81,000 tons of coal were sent from the mines during the past year, which at an average price of 6 dolls. per ton has returned $486,000. It has been asserted, but we think with exaggeration, that $40,000,000 have been invested here in the coal business. But coal is not the only source of wealth in this county : the manufacture of iron is carried on to a considerable extent. The iron works now in operation are Greenwood furnace and forge, and the Schuyl- kill, Brunswick, Pine Grove, Maha-
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noy and Swatara forges, which man- ufacture from 5 to 6 hundred tons an- nually. The ore for the Greenwood furnace has hitherto been chiefly ob- tained from Potts Grove and Reading, by the Canal. These works belong to and are conducted by Messrs. John & Benjamin Pott. Messrs. Jones, Keim & Co. have also an establish- ment, called Windsor foundry, the castings of which are excellent in workmanship as in metal.
By the assessment of 1829, the tax- able property of the county amount- ed, real estate, to $1,815,263, and personal estate, at $85,188, and the rate of tax was 27 mills in the dollar.
Schuylkill county paid into the state treasury in 1831, for
Tax on offices, $734 62
Tax on writs,
865 15
Tavern licenses,
261 36
Duties on dealers in foreign merchandize, 772 32
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