USA > Pennsylvania > Historical register : notes and queries historical and genealogical, chiefly relating to interior Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 9
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v. Deborah, m. David Brumbach, and they had: -
1. Isaac; m. 1st. Rachel Hoch ; 2d. Mary Ann Geiger.
2. James; m. -- Herbein.
3. Alfred.
4. Percival : m. - Schaeffer.
5. Hiram.
6. Eliza; m. Abraham Herbein.
Abraham, the fifth son named, was married to Anna Weiser, and had four children, viz:
i. Abraham, mn. Esther Levan, and had eight children, viz : i. Anna, died young.
ii. Catharine. m. first Abr. Bertolet, and they had :
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Deturl: Family.
1. Horace.
2. Anna.
3. Catharine.
She m., secondly, John Guldin, and they had :
4. Daniel. .
5. Abraham.
6. John.
iii: Josiah, m. Maria Dick, and they had :
1. Jonas, m. Kate High, dau. of Ezra.
2. Anna, m. Albert F. Kramer.
3. Frank, m. Mary Griesemer.
4. Isabella, m. E. O. Immel.
5. Emma, m. James Bechtel.
6. Isaac, m. Olivia Snyder.
7. Alvin, m. M. Octavia Eagle.
iv. Mary, died young.
v. Daniel, m. Deborah Knabb, and had eight children :
1. Esther, m. David S. Baer. ..
2. Sarah, m. Lewis P. Deturk.
3. Boy, died in infancy.
4. Abraham, m. Ist. Kate Bertolet ; 2d. Alice Herbein.
5. Daniel, died in infancy.
6. Deborah, m. Daniel Rothermel.
7. Horace (died 1881.)
8. Ezra, m. -- Merkel.
vi. Esther, m. Nicholas Dick, and they had :
1. Marcus, m. Amelia Lewis.
2. Susan, m. Albert Wentzel.
3. William.
4. Henry, m. Mary Kissinger.
5. Anna.
6. Lizzie.
7. Eli.
8. Albert.
vii. Hannah, died young. viii. Susanna.
i., Isaac, m. Mary Weiser, and had : Elijah, m. - Levan, and had six children :
1. Isaac.
2. James.
3. Keziah.
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Historical Register.
4. Sarah.
5. Mary.
6. Susanna.
iii. Catharine, in. Peter Deysher, and had Moses.
iv. Hannah, m. Joshua Hoch, and had no children.
Philip, the youngest surviving son named, was married twice: First, to Esther Schenkel, (d. of Martin,) and had a son-
i. Philip, in. Maria Yoder, and had five children, viz:
1. Anna.
2. Daniel, m. 1st -- Levan ; 2d Willi Levan.
3. Esther.
4. Martin, m. Rachel Levan.
5. Lydia.
And secondly, to Maria Hoch, (d. of Daniel,) and had eight children, viz :
i. John, b. 27 April, 1787; m. Susan Knabb.
iïï. Isaac, b. 9 Oct., 1788: m. Lydia Wagner.
iv. Susanna, b. 15 July, 1790; died unmarried
v. Daniel, b. 22 Feb., 1792 ; died unmarried.
vi. Jacob, b. 13 Jany, 1794; m. Margaret Babb.
viï. Hannah, b. 31 March, 1796; m. Samuel Hill.
viïï. Samuel, b. 20 May, 1798; died unmarried.
ix. Esther, b. 15 Oct., 1800; died unmarried.
Susanna, the oldest daughter, was married to - Schaeffer. Maria, the second daughter, was married to David Weiser.
And Deborah, the youngest daughter, was married to Peter Knabb, and had four children, viz:
i. John, m. Hannah Schaeffer.
i. Samuel, m. Mary Van Reed.
iii. Daniel, m. 1st Hannah Deeter; 2d Sarah Hill.
iv. Susanna, died unmarried.
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Fithian's Journal.
FITHIAN'S JOURNAL, 1775. ANNOTATED BY JOHN BLAIR LINN.
FORT AUGUSTA.
At the invitation of Mr. Scull and Mr. Barker I went, after dinner, over the river to Captain Hunter's.# I was formally introduced by those gentlemen to him. He talks but little, yet with great authority. I felt little in his presence from a consciousness of inferiority. We drank with him one bowl of toddy and passed on to
SUNBURY.
The town lies near a half mile below the fort, on the north side of the main branch. It may contain an hundred houses. All the buildings are of logs but Mr. Maclay's,t which is of stone and large and elegant. The ground is low and level, and on the back part moorish. Northumberland at the point has a good appearance from this town. The inhabitants were mustering arms-blood and death, how these go in a file ! As we were returning in our slim canoes, I could not help think- ing with myself how the savage tribes, while they were in possession of these enchanting wilds, have floated over this very spot. My heart feels for the wandering natives. I make ' no doubt but multitudes of them, when they were forced away, left these long-possessed and delightsome banks with swimming eyes. Evening, between 9 and 10, came into Mr. McCartney's, Dr. Allison, Dr. Kearsley,; Mr. Barker, and Mr.
*Captain Samuel Hunter, County Lieutenant of Northumberland ' county during the Revolution, and member of the Council of Cen- sors, 1783, died on the site of Fort Augusta, which he owned, April 10, 1784, aged 52. He was a native of Donegal, Ireland, and was commissioned captain November 10, 1763, serving in the Bouquet campaign of 1764. Mrs. Grier (widow of Hon. Robert C. Grier, S. C., - U. S.,) is a descendant of Captain Hunter.
i Hon. William Maclay's house is still standing, owned by Senator Wolverton.
Dr. Jonathan Kearsley emigrated from Dublin, Ireland, to Ship- - pensburg ; was afterwards Deputy Surveyor of Cumberland and Franklin. Died April 8, 1796.
.
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Freeman. "I am the very man, and no other," said Dr. Alli- son.# "who was appointed to carry on the building of our meeting-house here, and I am for having it done with brick. Let us at once make a convenient place for worship, and an ornament to the town."
THE SOLEMN CONTINENTAL FAST.
Thursday, July 20. I rose by six; the town quiet ; all scems dull and mournful; stores shut and all business laid aside. By ten many were in town from the country. Half after eleven we began. I preached in Mr. Chatham's house, in the North-way street. It is a new house, just covered, without partitions. It was thronged. Many were in the chamber; many in the cellar; many were without the house. There were two Jews present-Mrs. Levy t and her nephew. I spoke in great fear and dread. I was never before so nice an audience ; I never spoke on so solemn a day. In spite of all my fortitude and practice, when I began my lips quivered ; my flesh shrank ; my hair rose up; my knees trembled. I was wholly confused until I had almost closed my sermon. Per- haps this feeling was caused by entirely fasting, as I had taken nothing. I was to-day, by Mr. Barker, introduced to Mr. Chambers, # a young gentleman of Sunbury-a lawyer. He appears to be serious, civil, and sociable. I was also intro- duced to Mr. James Hunter, of Philadelphia. In the after-
* Dr. Francis Allison, Surgeon of Col. Cooke's 12th Pa. Appointed October 14, 1776.
¡ Wife of Aaro i Levy, a great land speculator, who laid out the town of Aaronsburg, Centre county.
# Stephen Chambers, Esq., who went out in Col. Cooke's 12th Pa. regiment as 1st Lieutenant, and was promoted Captain. He was one of the Council of Censors, 1783, delegate to the Federal Convention, December 12, 1787, and was wounded in a duel with Dr. Jacob Rieger, Monday, May 11, 1789, and died on Saturday, 16, at Lancas_ ter. The records show that Stephen Chambers was the first Worship- ful Master of Lodge No. 22, A. Y. M., at Northumberland, Decem- ber 27, 1779. On that day he produced and presented to the Lodge. at his own proper cost and charges, the warrant for the Lodge, and was then reelected Master. Ilis sister was the wife of Judge John Joseph Henry.
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Fithian's Journal.
noon service felt much better, but was under the necessity of reading both sermons. Several in the neighborhood gave me warm invitations to call and see them, but I must now away up this long river, sixty miles higher, among quarrelsome Yankees, insidious Indians, and, at best, lonely wilds. Mrs. Boyd, an aged, motherly, religious, chatty neighbor, Mr. Bar- ker's landlady, drank coffee with us; Miss Nellie Carothers, also, and several strangers. Evening, two villains-runaways and thieves-were bro't into town and committed to prison. One of them took my coat the other day. Justice, do thy office !
Friday, July 21. The weather these two days is extraordi- nary, so that I have slept under a sheet, blankets, coarse rug, and in my own clothes. and I am to-day wishing for a thicker coat than this sieve-like crape. I dined with Dr. Allison and Mr. Barker, at Mr. Scull's. Oh! we have had a most agreea- ble afternoon. It has been an entertainment worthy of roy- alty. If this pompous declaration is thought strange and a se- cret, too, I will explain its meaning. I have been in the com- pany of gentlemen where there is no reserve. Books and lit- erary improvement were the subjects. Every sentence was a sentiment. Mr. Chambers and Sheriff Cooke joined us. The gloomy, heavy thoughts of war were awhile suspended.
Saturday, July 22. I slept but little last night ; a sick Irish girl in the next room, by her continual moaning, kept me awake. Indeed, the poor Irish maid was extremely ill. I am to take my leave of acquaintances and soon leave this town. It is probable I shall never see it again. I wish, however, it may thrive and prosper in all its interests. I left the town and took a long, narrow bridle road to Mr. James Morrow's (Murray's) at Chillisquaque. He lives on the creek, five miles from the mouth. I was more bewildered in finding this road-which, for more than six miles, at least, was nothing more than a dull, brush-covered hog-road, with a log across it almost every rod- than I have been before. I received of Mr. Gibson for my Fast-day supply, 7s. 6d. He lives in a small log hamlet; is, himself, a man of business. He was in the last war, and is very garrulous, and, indeed, intelligent, on military subjects.
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Historical Register.
On the bank of this creek I walked among the white walnuts, ash, buttonwood, birch, hazels. &e., rambling along. At last I stopped, stripped off my stockings, and waded up and down. One thing here I don't like. In almost all these rural cots I am under the necessity of sleeping in the same room with all the family. It seems indelicate, at least, for men to strip sur- rounded by different ages and sexes, and rise in the morning, in the blaze of day, with the eyes of at least one blushing Irish female searching out subjects for remark.
CHILLISQUAQUE.
Sunday, July 23. We have a still, dark, rainy morning. The people met at Mr. Morrow's [Murray.] His little house was filled. Many came from a funeral, in all probably sixty. Three days ago when one of the neighbors was carting in his rye, his young and only child, not yet four years old, drew into its mouth one of the beards. It stopped in his throat, fixed, and scon inflamed, and yesterday, in spite of all help, about noon he died.
Monday, July 24. One of the elders gave me for yesterday's supply 15s. 3d. Yesterday and this morning we breakfasted on tea. It is boiled in a common dinner pot of ten or fifteen gallons, and poured out in tin cups. We have with it boiled potatoes and huckleberry pie, all in love, peace, and great wel- come. My horse, however, now feeds upon the fat of the earth. He is in a large field of fine grass, generally timothy, high as his head. He has not fared so well since we left Mr. Gray's on the Juniata. Mrs. Morrow wears three golden rings, two on her second finger of the left hand and one on the middle finger of the right. They are all plain. Her daughter Jenny, or as they will call her Jensy, wears only two. Jensy is a name most common here. Mr. Fruit, Mr. Allen of Buffalo, Mr. Hayes of Warrior Run, and the women here all have daughters whom they call Jensy. Salt here is a great price, the best selling at 10s., and 10s. 6d, and the lowest 8s. Half after nine I left Mr. Morrow's and rode to Mr. McCandlish's* on the river.
* George McCandlish kept a tavern on the site of the town of Mil- ton.
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Fithian's Journal.
Here I fed my horse with a sheaf of wheat. Thence to Fre- land's mill, thence over Muncy's hills and Muney's beautiful creek to Mr. Crownover's" on the bank of the river. This gen- tleman came from Stonybrook, near Princeton in Jersey, and is intimately acquainted with many there. He has here a large and most excellent farm, is yet busy with his harvest, seems to be a moderate, pleasant person, and which I shall always after this voyage admire, he has a clever, neat woman for his wife. Opposite to this farm is a very high hill on the oppo- site side of the river under which the river runs without any level country.
Tuesday, July 25. I slept soundly and fine without being disturbed by either a bug or a flea. And the house is as poor and as much surrounded with woods and brush as other houses, where, through entire carelessness, I am surrounded by numberless numbers of these insects. A very foggy morn- ing, I drenched myself with a most stinging bitter, and left Mr. Crownover's by eight, expenses 3s. 8d. I rode up the river. course west and to the southward of west, over several fine creeks and rich lands to Lacomin [Lycoming] creek, all the way a good wagon-beaten road. Here the Pennsylvania "New Purchase " ends and the " Indian land "t begins. On I rode, however, on a worn path, over the enemy's country, with much reverence, and am now at one Ferguson's, t on the very bank of the river, and am now scribbling this while my horse, who is now my only agreeable companion, eats a sheaf of wheat.
* On Loyal Sock creek, site of present town of Montoursville, (Mr. Meginness, the historian of the West Branch valley, states that Mr. Crownover, or Covenhoven ordinarily written, father of Robert Covenhoven, lived at Loyal Sock creek.)
i The Indian deed of November 5, 1763. made a creek called Tia- daghton the north-western limit of that purchase. The proprie- taries, uncertain whether that meant Lycoming or Pine creek, would permit no land to be surveyed west of Lycoming creek. Thereupon, a set of hardy adventurers settled themselves on this doubtful terri- tory, and with a tribunal and code of their own adoption, "regu- lated " that doubtful portion of the purchase until the 1st of May, 1785, when the land-office was opened for application within the pur- chase of October 23, 1784. (See Smith's laws, vol. ii, page 195.) # Thomas Ferguson, one of the original " fair-play men."
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Historical Register.
Since I left Muncy there is on the other side of the river, and to the very edge, a high ridge of hills, which makes that side uninhabitable. I rode on to Pine creek, ou both sides of which is a large, long clearing, said to be anciently Indian towns, clear, level, and unbroken, without even a stump or hillock, only high, thick grass. On this common I saw many cattle and droves of horses, all very fat, wantonly grazing. In pass- ing over this creek I met an Indian trader with his retinue. Himself first on horseback, armed with a bright rifle and appa- ratus, then a horse with packs, last his men with luggage. Meeting these in the dark part of a lonely road startled me at first. On I rode over a part of the river onto the Great Island, and thence over the other branch to Esquire Fleming's .* He was out, but his daughter, Miss Betsey, was at home. She was milking. She is chatable, and I was soon entered upon use- ful business.
Wednesday, July 26. A most excellent spot of clear, level land, sixty-five miles computed, I call it seventy miles from Sunbury. It is a spot of land which once was an Indian town. There is more than a hundred acres that has been long cleared, so long that every stump is washed all away. The natural situation of this estate of the 'Squire's is much simi- lar to the spot on which Northumberland is building. On two accounts it is different. This is a most fertile soil, that is sandy and in parts piney. The rivers here make an acute angle, there they widen at once to a right one. It is some- thing remarkable that they have not finished taking down their harvest, and many have their grass yet in the field. I saw to-day two Indians, young fellows about eighteen. They had neat, clean rifles, and are going downward with their skins.
* John Fleming, Esq,, lived then on the site of the city of Lock Haven, his house standing close to the south abutment of the dam in the river. He owned what is known as the Dr. Francis Allison survey, containing 1,620 acres, on which the city is principally located. John Fleming died in 1777, and his daughter " Betsey " married John McCormick, and has numerous descendants. Mrs. Helen Mayer (wife of Hon. Charles A. Mayer, President Judge of the Clinton, &c., district) is a granddaughter of the Betsey of whom Mr. Fithian speaks so kindly.
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Fithian's Journal.
At any rate, I cannot bring myself to a pleasant feeling when I look upon, or even think of these heathenish savages. The 'Squire's house stands on the bank of the Susquehanna two miles above the mouth of the Bald Eagle creek. He tells me it stands nearly in the center of his land, and he owns all be- tween these rivers this far up.
Indeed, he will be able to settle all his sons and his fair daughter Betsey on the fat of the earth. He took me to-day a long and wearisome round down the Susquehanna and to - the other side up the Bald Eagle many miles. I gathered in my hand a garland of wild-flowers; when I got home I counted thirty different distinct kinds, and most of them beautiful and many fragrant. Mr. Fleming tells me this settlement is yet small, but few families, yet he thinks it growing fast, and will soon form a society. We dined near the point with a brother of the Squire's. He lives well and is busy reaping. He has two fair daughters, one of them reaping. I did nothing to-day but ramble and stroll about.
Thursday, July 27. A very rainy morning. I slept until seven. I kept house until after dinner and reviewed the Squire's library. After some perusal I fixed on the Farmer's memorable letters .* We have this morning a great and general fog. There is, along the whole course of this river, but chiefly between these branches, the main river, and the Bald Eagle creek, every morning great fogs. These seldom go off until the sun has been up two hours. Another inconvenience is the want of cool water. All the water they drink in summer is brought from springs on the other side of the river. The land between these rivers is flat, unbroken, mellow ground, almost without a stone ; but along the south side of Bald Eagle creek and on the north side of the main river is a high ridge of mountains, and they, as I am inclined to think, occasion the fogs. It is certain they contain the fountains of these fine springs. Esquire Fleming has 1,640 acres with the allowance, and all rich and all level. Timber for fencing is scarce; these
** Letters of a Pennsylvania Farmer," published in the Pennsyl- vinia Chronicle in 1767, written by John Dickinson, which had such a wonderful effect in forming and controlling the opinions of the people in opposition to the acts of the British ministry.
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Historical Register.
level bottoms abound most in walnut, ash, and locust. The Squire tells me that I am the first "orderly " preacher, or that has come by appointment, ever to this settlement. Mr. Page, a church clergymen, was here all last month. Mr. Hoge, of Virginia, was once here to view some land, but none ever by appointment of synod or presbytery. Miss Jennie Reed,* a rural lass, lives up the river about half a mile. I will venture to call her a nymph of the waters.
Saturday, July 29. I drank coffee last evening at Mr. Reed's. They appear to be a sociable, kind, neat family. In- deed I have not seen domestic affairs adjusted, making allow- ance for the earth-floored hamlet, anywhere in the Purchase more to my mind. They treated me with a clean dish of fine huckleberries, and with a dish of well-made clean coffee. Before dark I was summoned home to see Mr. Gillespie, who is arrived from Northumberland. Dined with Mr. Waggoner, of Philadelphia; he is going up higher with a surveyor. I had a long walk and entertaining chat with him. He seems to be a young gentleman of ease and pleasantry. Five o'clock afternoon, with Miss Betsey Fleming, Miss Jennie Reed, and Mr. Gillespie, I crossed over the river in a canoe, and went up a very high, steep mountain to gather huckleberries. On the top of this hill we found them in the greatest of plenty; low bushes bending to the ground with their own weight. On our return we had rare diversion. The water is in all parts shal- low. Gillespie, the helmsman, he overturned the canoe. I discovered my little water nymph was more fearful in the water, and less dexterous in it, than I was. Miss Fleming stood, the beautiful current gliding gently by, and squalled and begged like a distressed female. The water was waist- high, our canoe filled with water. I stood almost spent with laughter, though in a worse case than they. Many were stand- ing on the shore. We lost all our fruit, and with the empty cups the girls drenched and bespattered Gillespie till the poor
* Daughter of William Reed, whose house was known as Reed's fort during the Indian troubles. Jenny lived to an extreme old age and died unmarried. See Maynard's History of Clinton County for many incidents of frontier life with the narrative of which she often delighted her visitors.
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Fithian's Journal.
Irishman, impotent of help, was entirely wetted, and we then waded dripping to the shore.
BALD EAGLE CONGREGATION.
Sunday, July 30. I rose early and walked, with a bible and my sermon, down the bank of the river. The morning is cool and very clear. At eleven I began service. We crossed over to the Indian land," and held worship on the bank of the river opposite the Great Island about a mile and a half below Squire Fleming's. There were present about one hundred and forty. I stood at the root of a great tree, the people sitting in the bushes and green grass around me. They gave good at- tention. I had the eyes of all upon me. I spoke with some force and pretty loud. I recommended to them earnestly the religious observance of God's Sabbath in this remote place, where they seldom have the Gospel preached; that they should attend with carefulness and reverence upon it.
Monday, July 31. A fine, clear. cool morning. I have company to the end of this day's ride. Mr. Gillespie is going up Bald Eagle creek as far as the nest. Farewell, Susque- hanna. Farewell these level farms. Farewell good, sensible Squire Fleming. Farewell Betsey and Jennie. Now I am bending towards home, having arrived at the full end of my appointment. The Squire paid me for my supply £1. At seven we took our leave. We rode through a wild wilderness up Bald Eagle creek twenty miles without the sight of a single house. We saw many Indian camps-small crotched sticks covered with thick bark. Some of these were lately left. On the bank of a brook which ran into the creek we came to a fire. Some Indians or others had encamped there last night. Near the fire over the very road hung half a deer. The two hind-quarters of which were yet warm. Mr. Gillespie alighted and wrapped them with some green bushes in his surtout. I was fearful that it belonged to some Indians, who were lying in ambush to shoot us when we disturbed their property. We rode with our venison a little further. Whoop! Whoop! cry
* That part of Clinton county north of the river was not purchased from the Indians until October 23, 1784.
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two Indians. I was very much terrified. They were lying in tents: we must ride up to them. Brother ! and brother! passed between them and Mr. Gillespie. They were very kind. We left them and rode through the brush to
BALD EAGLE'S NEST .*
Mr. Andrew Boggs lives here, twenty-five miles from Esq. Fleming's. We dined on fish-suckers and chubs-and on venison. It is a level, rich, pleasant spot, the broad creek running by the door. Many of the trees on this road are cut by the Indians in strange figures-diamonds, death-heads, crowned heads, initial letters, whole names, dates of years, and blazes. Soon after we had dined, two Indian boys bolted in (they never knock or speak at the door) with seven large fish- one would weigh two pounds. In return Mrs. Boggs gave them bread and a piece of our venison. Down they sat in the ashes before the fire, stirred up the coals, and laid on their flesh. When it was roasted, they eat in great mouthfuls and devoured it with the greatest rapacity. When they were gone Gillespie threw himself on a blanket and is now asleep. I sat me down upon a three-legged stool to writing. This house looks and smells like a shambles-raw flesh and blood, fish and deer, flesh and blood in every part --- mangled, wasting flesh on every shelf. Hounds licking up the blood from the floor; an open-hearted landlady, naked Indians, and children. Ten hundred thousand flies. Oh, I fear there are as many fleas. Seize ine soon, kind sleep, lock me in thy sweet em- brace. Oh, so soon as I lay me down let me rest in thy bosom and lose my senses! Stop! oh, stop! sleep to-night is gone. Four Indians came droving in, each with a large knife and tomahawk. Bless me, too, they are strapping fellows. I am sick of my station. All standing dumb before us Gillespie chatters to them. I am glad to keep bent at my writing. For
* Site of Milesburg, Centre county. Andrew Boggs, the first set- tler within the bounds of Centre county, with his wife, Margery Boggs, nee Harris, came to the Nest in 1769. Parents of Robert Boggs, one of the first associate judges of the county -- 1800. An- drew Boggs died in 1776, and his wife in 1809.
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