USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Littlestown > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > East Berlin > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Oxford in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > York Springs > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Berwick in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 18
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nally belonged the tract of land now owned by the heirs of Lewis Will, which was first owned by Barnabas Reily, brother of Edw. S., Sr., and father of Michael Reily, Esq., and passed into the possession of Margaret, widow of Barnabas Reily, and after her his son, Daniel, then the Law- rences, Bradys, and Lewis Will, dec'd. The tract adjoining, now the property of Jeremiah Oaster, was also once owned by B. Reily, and from which we infer that it originally belonged to the Reily property. It was also owned by a man named Bechert, then by Nicholas Fleigle, Peter O'Neil, and others.
The farm adjoining Mount Rock on the west, came into the possession of William Sheakley by letters patent from the Proprietaries of Pennsyl- vania, dated January, 1773, entered in Patent Book A A, Vol. 13, page 525, and contained 334 acres. The farm adjoining this one belonged to it origi- nally, and contained 194 acres, and is the older of the two, having been granted to Wm. Sheakley by patent March 8th, 1770, and is enrolled in the same Patent Book, but in the second Volume and 250th page. It is now the property of Levi Lawrence. To the first of these tracts formerly belonged most of the land now owned by Peter Myers, on which the Mount Rock vegetable gardens are located, and probably also that of Peter M. Little for many years the possession of his father, Jacob Little, and before him the "Kleins." These lands were taken up long before the dates the letters patent bear, but being within the disputed region about which the Penns and Calverts wrangled for so many years, no titles were secured, not knowing to which Province they would ultimately fall. After the matter was partly settled by the running of the Temporary Line in 1732, a new difficulty arose on account of the claims of John Digges, to whose original "Choice" these parts belonged, but were not subsequently included within his re-survey, the lines of which did not cross the Little Conewago.
The land adjoining Mount Rock on the southwest, now the property of Vincent Croninger, was patented to Patrick McShery, May 26th, 1788, was called "Conquest" in obedience to the rule then existing of naming settle- ments, and contained 54334 acres. This tract had been surveyed May 12th, 1763, and was recorded in the Land Office of the Province of Penn- sylvania in Philadelphia, Book No. 13, page 168. To this tract belonged the properties of Samuel Little and Pius Smith, and it joined another tract' of Patrick McShery on the west, now owned by Peter Rimbaugh. These lands formed part of John Digges original grant, from whose sons-Ed- ward, William and Henry Digges, Mr. McShery also had deeds, "together with a release from the Carrolls." "Conquest" remained in the McSherry family for many years, and was purchased by Samuel Shorb, who sold it to John Krugg, and he to Mr. Croninger. If we mistake not, Patrick Mc- Sherry paid the Diggeses twenty-nine pounds for "Conquest." There is yet an old house on the tract, which was erected prior to the Revolution. It is a stone building, and the ends had to be taken down for fear of their
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falling out. Among the boundaries of "Conquest" are the lines of a tract called "Mannahan," patented to John Hamelton, June 9th, 1768. It was a large tract but now only contains one hundred and some acres, and is the property of Francis Pohlman. John Schreiver at one time owned the tract. May not John Hamelton be of the family of Hance Hamilton, who played a prominent part in the early history of Adams County ?
Salem U. B. Church .- This church is situated near Gulden's Sta- tion (now Duttera's) on the "Low Dutch" road leading from the Baltimore pike to the York and Gettysburg pike. The church is built of stone, and owes its origin to John Miller and James McIlvaine. It was built about 1845, during the pastorate of Rev. Minnigh. Among the other pastors, were Revs. Schoff, John Young, Tripner, who was twice pastor; Revs. Bushong, Schaeffer, Daniel Eberly, Wilson, Wadeler, Whitelock, and Hutchison, the present pastor. It belongs to the Littlestown charge, and preaching is had every alternate Sabbath morning.
White Hall .- This is a post-village, on the Gettysburg road, three and a half miles from Littlestown. The town was started about eleven years ago, Mr. Jacob Miller and T. Lohr, building the first houses. It owes, however, its present improved condition to the enterprise of Mr. William McSherry, who purchased some years ago considerable ground, erected a number of houses, and a large three-story building, called Mc- Sherry's hall. The National Hotel is at present kept in this building by T. Sheely. The name of the postoffice is Red Land, Mr. Wm. McSherry being postmaster. A few years ago there was a paper published here through the efforts of Mr. McSherry. The paper was a Greenback organ, called "The White Hall Visiter." It continued for about a year, and was then removed to New Oxford. Miller & Smith were the publishers. Wm. McSherry, dry goods; Rider & Johns, butchers; David Yeckly, shoe- maker; John Else, blacksmith; Charles House, confectionery ; Rider & Bro., cigar manufacturers : David Lohr, shoemaker; Mrs. Weaver, mil- liner.
Oxford Township was formed from parts of Berwick township, April 19th, 1847. It borders Berwick on the east, Hamilton on the north, and Mountpleasant and Conowago on the south. The population is 497.
Irishtown is a little village on the Hanover and Kohler's mill road, ten miles from Gettysburg, two from New Oxford, and four from Hanover. The land originally belonged to the Lilly Tract, settled in 1730 by Samuel Lilly. The first house was built in the first quarter of the present century. Andrew Lynch and James Mc Barren were among the first residents. The citizens were mostly Irish, as the Coltons, Coligans and Mc Barrens-hence its name. There is a fine brick school and church building in this place, called St. Peter Canisius', built in 1868. Mr. Francis Noel, with an assist- ant, teaches a large Catholic school in the building. Mass is occasionally said on Thursday mornings in the building, by Rev. Father Manns, under whose supervision the parochial school is at present. The following are the
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business men of Irishtown : F. X. Klunk, merchants; Lewis Killenberger, cigar manufacturer; F. X. Noel, Saddler ; Lewis Lawrence, shoemeker ; David Lawrence, Tailor ; John Lawrence, blacksmith ; N. Hoofnagle, wa- gon maker; Fink & Bro., cigar manufacturers. Irishtown is inconveni- ently situated in regard to mail arrangements, the nearest post office being New Oxford, two miles distant. The town has a population of over one hundred citizens, and the surrounding country is thickly settled, which would certainly entitle the place to a postoffice, and it is hoped they may soon be granted the same.
The "Seminary Farm."-At this place was for many years a Sem- inary, and hence the farm is still familiarly known as that of the Semi- nary. It lies in Oxford township, at the foot of the Pigeon Hills, and was called "Pigeon Hills," when first founded. The Society of St. Sulpice had established a Seminary in Baltimore, called St. Mary's, as early as 1791. In 1806, Abbé Dillet, a Sulpitian, founded at Pigeon Hills "a col- lege intended to give a religious education to boys whose piety and quali- ties seemed to show a decided vocation for the priesthood. No scholar was received except on the recommendation of his confessor." Many of the young boys of Conewago at that time attended this school, such as the Lillys, Gubernators, Storms, Shanefelters, and others. Of the Lillys, sev- eral became priests, and also George Shanefelter, who was stationed at Lancaster in 1822. There was, however, previous to this, a school at this same place, which may have led to the establishment of the Sulpitian Pre- paratory Seminary. In tracing the proprietorship of the Seminary lands, we find that two hundred and seventy-three acres were surveyed by warrant dated July 26th, 1750, and granted to Henry Gearnhart. Another tract was granted by Proprietaries of Pennsylvania to Robert Lorimore,* Sept. 19th, 1750. Robert Lorimore purchased of Henry Gearnhart the former tract, Sept. 19th, 1758; these tracts adjoined lands of Nicholas Bittinger, Frederick Myers, James McTaggart, and others. The property remained in the possession of the Lorimores until April 4th, 1794, when it was con- veyed to Joseph Herout by John Lorimore, for one thousand pounds, gold and silver. The tract was then called "Heroutford." and a school opened by Joseph Herout, of whom nothing further can be ascertained than that he was a monk when he came to this country, subsequently became a
" There is a tradition that JOHN Lorimore was a cruel man, and had in his posses- sion a servant named "Dutch Charley," a Palatinate emigrant, with whom he could never agree. While engaged in burning brush one day, an altercation ensued, when the master threw the servant on a burning brush pile, and he was consmed, as nothing was ever heard of him afterwards. In course of time Lorimore lost his mind, and while in this condition would mount his horse, and riding through his fields call, "Charley ! Charley !! " at the top of his voice. There is probably some mistake about the person. as John was a son of Thomas who was a son of Robert Lorimore and lived at a much later day than the emigrations from the Palatinate. The re- mains of Robert Lorimore rests in the "Pines" graveyard.
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priest, (probably a Sulpitian,) and sailing for France, his native land, died on the voyage. Of his scholars, only one is known, and he was John, a son of Henry Myers, whose lands adjoined "Heroutford." It is said that Mr. Herout promised to educate this young scholar for the priesthood, and leaving these parts, provided in his will for the fulfilment of his word. The youth took sick and remained an invalid for a number of years. He had a sister who was a religious, and was noted for her "saintly life." She fell ill, and on her deathbed said that her first prayers in heaven would be for the recovery of her brother. The young man one day suddenly arose from his bed and said he was cured. The news of his sister's death reached him a week afterwards, and he believed ever afterwards that his recovery had been obtained by her prayers. He became a priest, labored in the ministry near Baltimore, and died at the old Cathedral in that city.
The heirs of Joseph Herout now came into possession of "Heroutford," and retained it until June 3rd, 1830, when it was conveyed by deed from John Tessier, (Superior of St. Mary's,) of Baltimore, to Lewis Regis Del- nol, his successor. The deed specifies all that land conveyed by John Lorimore to Joseph Herout (1794,) to which lands, &c., John Tessier is en- titled in fee simple by virtue of the last Will and Testament of Joseph Herout, recorded in the office of the Register of Wills of Baltimore county, Maryland, liber W B, No. K, folio 419. John Tessier also conveyed to Father Delnol another tract, deeded him by Thomas C. Miller, High Sheriff of Adams county, which perhaps was the last of the Lorimore es- tate. For the first purchase, Father Delnol paid $2,000. Father Delnol now fitted up the place for the students of St. Mary's to spend their vaca- tions, and as such it remained until 1849, when it was superseded by St. Charles Preparatory Seminary, near Baltimore, which "offered greater ad- vantages than Pigeon Hills." A fine chapel had been erected on the Seminary farm, large buildings for the students, and the premises were planted with trees, and laid out in walks and lawns. On every recurrence of the Feast of St. Ignatius, the priests, seminarians and students would march in grand procession to Conewago Chapel, and the services there on such days were entirely in their charge. Many men, afterwards distin- guished ecclesiastics in the Catholic church, visited the Seminary and Conewago at that time. Father O'Brien was for a time Prefect of the Seminary. John Mary Joseph Chance, professor of St. Mary's, and after- wards President, would come up at different times during the vacations, and deliver lectures to the Seminarians. Father William Henry Elder, successor of Rev. Chance as Bishop of Natchez, made his retreats at the Seminary, while a priest. Among others was Father Eccleston, after- wards Bishop of Baltimore.
When the Reign of Terror drove the Trappist Monks from their native land, they resolved to seek an asylum in America. A party of them, un- der the guidance of Father Urban Guillet embarked at Amsterdam, May 29th, 1803, for Baltimore. They proceeded to Pigeon Hills, and after a
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brief sojourn here, they set out for Kentucky, where the Order has since been established.
Reading Township .- Reading borders the York county line on the east, and is bounded by Hamilton, Straban, Tyrone, Huntington, and edge of Mountpleasant. It is one of the earliest organized townships, and originally contained an area of 15,360 acres ; greatest length, eight miles ; breadth, six miles. The population is 1382.
Hampton .- This is a neat little village, on the Carlisle and Hanover Turnpike, twelve miles east of Gettysburg, six from Petersburg, and ten from Hanover. The town was laid out in 1814, by Dr. John B. Arnold, and Daniel Deardorff, and named after the town of this name in Virginia. The first house was erected by David Albert, soon after the laying out of the town.
The union church is the oldest place of worship, and was built in 1844. At an early date, the members of this church attended services at the Pines church, near New Chester, and for some years before the church was built preaching was done in an old school-house. Students from the Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, frequently preached in this old build- ing. The church was built by the Presbyterian, Lutheran, German Re- formed and M. E. denominations. An M. E. congregation was organized here in 1851, during the pastorate of Rev. Ulrich. It was connected then with the Petersburg instead of the Abbottstown charge. The U. B. church, a frame building, was erected in 1858, and dedicated Jan. 2d, 1859, Rev .. Benjamin Albert being pastor. They worshiped in the union church pre- vious to the building of their own place of worship. Rev. C. Weyl preached in the old school-house before the union church was built. Rev. Schoff was pastor when the present church was built. Among the minis- ters serving this congregation, were Revs. Daniel Eberley, Fohl, Klein, the two Youngs, Jacob Martin, Peter P. Raby, D. M. Blackwelder, Honeycut, and others. There is a German Baptist church, built in 1861, on the road to Petersburg, Rev. Adam Brown being pastor. The population of Hamp- ton is about one hundred and fifty. The business men of Hampton are : Harry Myers, L. C. Geisleman, merchants; S. Straley, Washington House ; Harry Myers, postmaster ; J. Chronister, John March, John Nickey, cabi- netmakers ; F. Noel, John Weaver, blacksmiths ; E. J. Hoffman, saddler ; J. J. Brown, A. Myers, physicians; J. B. Baker, Justice of the Peace ; David White, dentist.
Round Hill'is a postoffice on the road from Hampton to York Springs.
Straban Township .- This township is situated between the town- ships of Butler, Tyrone, Mountpleasant, Reading, Cumberland and Mount- joy. The late census gives the following statistics of Straban : whites, 1710; mulatto, I ; males, 845 ; females, 868 ; farms, 244; families, 333 ; dwellings, 319; deaths, 20; births, 42 ; between 70 and 80 years, 47; be- tween 80 and 90 years, 16; oldest person, Sophia Cleveland, 89 years.
22
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Granite Hill is a Station and postoffice, along the Gettysburg Rail- road, about five miles from Gettysburg,
Hunterstown .- This is one of the oldest towns in the county, and at one time was in a fair way of becoming the county-seat of Adams county. It was formerly called Woodstock, and was laid out before the Revolu- tion, by David Hunter, who was commissioned May 25th, 1756, as captain of a military company engaged in the expedition against Fort Du Quesne. Hunterstown lies in the central part of the township, on the Gettysburg and Berlin road, five miles from the former place, and eleven from the latter. It is noted for its extensive Rocking Chair Works, of which thou- sands are sold yearly, being mostly purchased by Geo. D. Gitt & Bro., of Hanover, who ship them to dealers in the cities.
There are two churches at Hunterstown. "Great Conewago," (Presbyter- ian,) and a Methodist Episcopal church. The present pastor of Great Cone- wago is Rev. W. S. Van Cleve, who resides at Gettysburg. He also serves Lower Marsh Creek church, which formerly also included Upper Marsh Creek, now Gettysburg. Great Conewago appears on the minutes of the Presbytery of Donegal as early as 1740. The first minister of whom mention is made, was Rev. Samuel Caven, appointed to supply this church on the first Sabbath of September, 1740, and subsequently the second Sabbath of April, 1741. At the meeting of the Presbytery in Philadelphia, July 2d of this year, Rev. Mr. Lyon was appointed to supply this church on the fourth Sunday of July. Supplies were sent by the Presbytery until Sept. 7th, 1743, when the people of Great Conewago petitioned Presbytery for the pastoral services of Rev. Mr. Steel, a probationer from the Presby- tery of New Castle, but Rev. Steel begging to be excused, supplies were again occasionally furnished,-a Mr. Hindman supplying it four Sabbaths. In 1749, a call was made by the people of Great Conewago, for the pas- toral services of Rev. Samuel Thompson, the first pastor of the Cumber- land Valley, who also became the first settled pastor of Great Conewago in 1741, remaining until 1779, when he resigned on account of the infirmi- ties of age. He died in 1787. "When he resigned his charge he had nothing laid up for his future maintainance," says the present pastor, to whose researches we are indebted for these extracts, "but it is recorded, to the credit of his congregation, that they afforded a gratuity, for the sup- port of Mr. Thompson, to his satisfaction." In 1780, a call was given to Rev. Joseph Henderson, and a salary of 697 bushels of wheat promised on condition of "the faithful discharge of his duties." He was ordained June 2d, 1781. The church building then stood on the ground now owned by the congregation, and was built of unhewn logs, and had benches for seats. In the sixth year of Rev. Henderson's pastorate, the old log church was removed, and the present stone building erected. It is of the English style of architecture, with round arches over the windows and doors. The following inscription is on a circular stone in the front: "Joseph Hender- son meeting-house 1787 R. E." Rev. Henderson resigned in 1795, and
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Great Conewago was united with Upper Marsh Creek, of which David McConaughy was chosen pastor. Mr. McC. was born in Menallen town- ship, Sept. 29th, 1775, and graduated at Dickinson College, studied The- ology with Rev. Dr. Grier, of Brandywine, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle Oct. 5th, 1797. He afterwards became Presi- dent of Washington College, Pa. Dr. McConaughy was succeeded as pastor of Great Conewago by Rev. James C. Watson, (now Dr. Watson of Milton, Pa.,) in June, 1832. Dr. Watson resigned in August, 1849, when Upper Marsh Creek and Great Conewago became separate charges. Af- ter a vacancy of over a year, Rev. I. N. Hays, of Cannonsburg, Pa., was chosen pastor of Great Conewago, being installed Oct. 10th, 1850. He resigned June 13th, 1854, and Great Conewago was united with Lower Marsh Creek in a pastoral charge.
The name of Marsh Creek church appears on the early minutes of the Presbytery, without the adjectives Upper and Lower, and "it is almost without a doubt in my (Rev. W. S. Van Cleve,) mind that Lower Marsh Creek was originally included in Upper Marsh Creek congregation, and that the 'Old' and 'New Side' controversy, which arose in 1741 and divided the Synod of Philadelphia, and which passed like a burning plowshare through Presbyteries and churches, entered this church and caused a division which led to the organization of Lower Marsh Creek church." The first pastor was Rev. Andrew Bay, who organized this congregation about 1750. Before this Mr. Bay had charge of a church in Maryland. He was a "broad Scotchman," and was a "New Side" man. The elders of Lower Marsh Creek Church during Rev. Bay's pastorate were, Samuel McFerron, Samuel Morrow, John McFerron and John Mann. The church was then served by Mr. Belch, and in Aug., 1761, and also in 1763, by Mr. Roan. In 1765, a call was accepted by Rev. John Slemmons, who remained nine years. Dr. Martain supplied the congregation a year, about 1779. In 1781, Lower Marsh Creek was united with Toms' Creek (Emmittsburg,) and Rev. John McKnight chosen pastor. The old log church on the banks of Marsh Creek was abandoned in 1790, and the present stone building erected, on the road to Fairfield, five miles from Gettysburg. In 1792, Rev. Wm. Paxton accepted a call from these churches. He served until 1841, when, in the 8Ist year of his age and the 50th of his ministry, he asked leave of the Presbytery to resign his charge.
About the period of Dr. Paxton's resignation, the church of Lower Marsh Creek was remodeled and refurnished at a cost of $745. Dr. Clark became pastor in June, 1843, and served until May 7th, 1856. From this time the churches of Great Conowago and Marsh Creek were united in one pastorate. During the ministry of the present pastor, Rev. W. S. Van Cleve, these churches have more than usually prospered, and the pastor is untiring in his labors for the spiritual and temporal welfare of those under his charge.
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The first Methodist church in Hunterstown was built in 1858, Rev. O. Ege being pastor. This building was destroyed by the great cyclone of Sept. 3d, 1879. The trustees at the building of the first church were, R. Fickes, S. Frame, John Barnitz, Dr. J. W. Hendrix, Chas. Doll, John Bolen, John Berkholder, J. Mullen, Jacob Spangler. The Building Com- mittee were, Jesse McCreary, Samuel Frame and Ralph Fickes. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Daniel Hartman, January 16th, 1859. Before the building of this church, its members worshiped in an old school house, about one-fourth mile east of Hunterstown, and in pri- vate houses. This church formerly belonged to the Gettysburg circuit, but is now attached to York Springs, Rev. Wm. Moses, pastor. Among the early ministers were, Henry Furlong and John M. Jones, about 1739. John M. Jones was educated in France, and coming to this country, he joined the old Baltimore Conference. About 1840, were Josiah Forrest and Wesley Howe; then Thomas McGee and Henry Hoffman; Thomas McGee and Thomas Reese ; John Stine and John Kelly ; Daniel Hartman and Francis J. Boggs; Thomas Sweitzer, one year alone, afterward, Rev. Bellmand and John P. Diehl with him; Rev. Durborrow and David S. Monroe ; Wm. Gwynn and Wm. Snyder, about 1856; Rev. O. Ege and Isaac Ed. Stevens; George Dunlap, and others. The present church was built in 1879, and is a fine brick structure.
Hunterstown has yet many appearances of being an old town ; still dur- ing the past years some new houses have been built, and also a fine school building. The business men at present are, Geo. King, J. G. Gilbert, mer- chants; Jane King, postmistress; physician, Dr. Goldsboro ; Wm., Geo. and Harvey Little, Jacob Golloway, F. Morrison, Wm. Harman, Harvey Adams, chair manufacturers. The first chair factories were started about 1830, by Wm. Little and John Miller. Jesse McCreary, tailor ; John Tate, blacksmith ; John Dundore, confectionery; John Brown, wheelwright; Peter Decker, watchmaker; Miss Sue King, milliner.
New Chester .- This village, formerly called "Pinetown," because of a pine ridge contiguous to it, was laid out in 1804, by Henry Martzaal. It is situated in a rugged country, within a bend of the Conowago Creek, on the road from Hunterstown to Hampton, nine miles from Gettysburg. The postoffice was established in April, 1834, with Nicholas Taughinbaugh as postmaster. The present postmaster is A. Wiand. The business men are, A. Wiand, merchant ; John Kuhn, Temperance Hotel; E. Melhorn, phy- sican ; Wm. Shank, Kalep Sheeds, blacksmiths; John Kuhn, tailor. The population of New Chester is 129. The town is located at an altitude of 552 feet.
There are two churches properly belonging to New Chester. The old- est church site is that occupied by St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, a short distance southwest of town. It was formerly called "Salem," and for many years, the "Pines' Church." In the south corner of the old graveyard attached to the church, prior to 1800, stood an old Presbyterian
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church, which was removed when the first union church, (a log weather- boarded structure,) was erected in 1803. The Presbyterians then attached themselves to Great Conowago, at Hunterstown. The old log (union) church stood inside of the present graveyard enclosure. Among the first pastors were, Revs. Daniel Raymond, Hensch, Herbst, Charles Weyl, Jacob Ulrich, Jacob Martin. This church formerly belonged to the Ab- bottstown charge. The early records unfortunately, were lost during the pastorate of Rev. Hensch, who collected them with the intention of writing a history of the church, but dying soon afterwards, no trace of them could be found. The present brick church was built in 1861, Rev, Peter Raby being pastor. The material of the old church was sold, and the purchaser built a dwelling of the same in New Chester, now the prop- erty of John Kuhn. Rev. D. M. Blackwelder succeeded Rev. Raby, and served about one and a fourth year. Among the other pastors were, H. C. Grossman, one year; J. E. Honeycut, four years ; J. W. Lake, two years; D. Seel. four years. The present pastor is Rev. Wm. F. Rentz. who re- sides in New Chester.
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