USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 7
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400
1
3
591
1 77
James McLaughlin.
400
2
1
297
89
Jolın Moser (S. M.).
400
2
1 436
1 31
George McGaffey
400
1
274
82
Jolin McCool.
100
1
140
42
Jacob Negley.
500
4
2
088
2 00
William Neyman, Jr
200
138
40
Jolin Neyman.
200
260
80
Elizabeth Neyman
400
Martha Neal
200
. .
200
Abram Ozenbaugh.
400
1
274
John Parks
400
206
James Parks .
1
1
27
James Patterson
400
1
2
430
1 29
William Patterson.
200
1
?
237
71
Robert Patterson
400
1
274
82
David Patterson.
400
1
2
292
87
John Pierce.
400
3
2
587
1 76
Valentine Primer (sawmill)
500
1
. .
401
1 23
Peter Peterson, Jr. (S. M.)
400
266
80
Garret Peterson (S. M.)
75
Daniel Pierce. .
212
331
99
Amos Pierce.
300
3
335
1 00}
Jolin Powell.
400
1
1
427
1 28
Jacob Plants.
400
. .
274
82
Robert Patton.
250
1
175
52
John Pryor
400
396
89
George Potter.
100
1
75
22
James Phillips (S. M.)
400
200
1 55
Jolin Pew (S. M.)
300
Edward Quinn
300
1
428
1 28
John Quinn (S. M.).
400
1
3
691
2 07
Hugh Riddle ..
400
1
1
294
88
Samuel Riddle (Bear Creek).
400
.
.
400
1 20
Robert Riddle.
400
1
2
314
94
Samuel Riddle
200
1
. .
208
1
.
·
1
82
John McQuistion
400
1
274
8
22
·
1
. .
.
. .
75
John Moser, Sr
400
.
266
80
William Neyman (gristmill).
..
.
. . .
75
Jolin Potts
400
1.20
75
Samuel Rippey, Esq. (distillery)
400
1 20
200
260
80
Thomas McKee
75
Joseph Means.
James McCollum
400
1 20
1
. CI
VALUA-
58
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP-CONTINUED.
NAME
ACRES
COWS
HORSES OR OXEN
VALU'A- TION
TAX
James Ray, Esq.
200
1
S 273
$ 88
John Ray.
400
1
1
428
1 28
James Ray.
400
1
1
293
88
Benjamin Rimbey (S. M.).
75
Jacob Rudolph.
400
1
3
438
1 31
Adam Rodebaugh.
400
2
266
1 55
William Rarden
196
2
C
204
61
George Rex
400
266
80
Samuel Robb
400
1
3
431
1 29
Hamilton Robb
400
. .
266
80
John Robb.
400
280
84
John Ranker
100
1
145
43
Henry Rust.
400
266
80
David Russell.
400
2
CI
588
1 76
Samuel Russell.
400
1
330
99
James Russell, Jr
400
1
1
430
1 29
Philip Russell.
1
1
28
8
Thomas Smith.
200
2
3
332
1 00
Jep Smith
400
1
..
273
82
James Smith.
400
1
3
575
1 72
George Scott (S. M.).
400
266
1 66
James Scott, Jr
400
1
298
89
Jacob Sumney
400
?
576
1 73
Patrick Sagerson
400
414
1 24
Adam Shanor (distillery)
400
.
430
1 29
Archibald St. Clair (distillery).
400
3
512
1 54
John Streator.
400
408
1 22
William Stoughton.
400
· CICI
144
43
John Spear
400
408
1 22
Mary Steel
370
378
1 13
John Steel (S. M.).
400
2
322
97
James Stewart (distillery)
400
1
466
1 40
John Stewart.
400
2
1
226
68
David Sutton
300
2
446
1 34
Daniel Sutton (S. M.).
.
...
.
.
407
1 22
Joseph Sutton
..
...
1
1
32
10
Jeremiah Sutton, Jr.
400
1
407
1 34
John Shryock ..
400
1
2
304
91
Henry Sefton.
200
2
296
89
Andrew Strawick
400
1
273
82
William Thompson.
100
3
1
134
40
Moses Thompson (S. M.).
400
1
286
1 61
Anthony Thompson.
400
2
3
459
1 38
John Thompson (weaver).
400
1
1
290
87
John Thompson (blacksmith).
400
1
1
438
1 31
John Thompson.
400
.
William Thompson (S. M.).
400
1
1
304
1 66
John Thompson (Con. Creek)
400
2
430
2 04
Hugh Thompson.
1
1
17
5
Martin Thompson.
400
400
1
2
426
2 03
.
.
286
86
Benjamin Thomas
400
1
1
60
18
Philip Sutton (S. M.).
75
Jeremiah Sutton, Sr.
400
1
. .
25
7
Platt Sutton.
100
:119911 1 1 ? 1 1
1
22
7
George Stinchcomb.
266
80
Robert Stewart
170
1 139 3
. .
400
266
80
James Scott, Sr.
400
.
360
1 08
James Russel, Sr.
300
1 20
John Reed (S. M.)
400
.
. .
266
80
William Trimble (S. M.) ..
.
1
266
80
Joseph Sutton (distillery)
1
. ..
75
John Stonghton
1 40
59
THE PIONEERS.
MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP-CONTINUED.
NAME.
ACRES
COW'S
HORSES OR OXEN
TION
TAX
Thomas Trimble.
100
2
. .
$ 114
S 34
Adam Turney.
400
1
408
1 22
James Turk, Jr. (S. M.).
400
533
2 35
Andrew Turk (S. M.).
75
James Turk, Sr.
.. .
The reputed owners of lands in Cunningham's district of this township were Edward Burd, C. Bartur, Robert Blackwell, Daniel Benezette, John Cunningham, James Cunningham, D. Campbell's heirs, Ebenezer Denny, George Eddy, James Galbreath, Ferdinand Gordon, John Hollingsworth, Benjamin Horner, or Francis Johnson, Joseph Kiser, or Henry Miller, Andrew Kennedy, George Plummer, Joseph Wirt and John Wilson.
SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP.
NAME
ACRES
COWS
HORSES OR OXEN
VALUA- TION
TAX
Peggy Adams
1
. .
Thomas Adams
200
1
64
58
John Adams ..
300
1
2
110
1 00
William Adams (2 mills).
400
1
3
200
1 80
James Allsworth (S. M).
400
John Allen.
200
2
2
84
76
William Ammery
91
1
1
48
43
George Armstrong (S. M.).
200
40
1 11
John Atwell, Sr.
200
2
2
84
76
Robert Atwell.
400
1
1
128
1 15
David Armstrong (2 mills).
400
1
2
280
1 80
Joseph Bleakney
400
3
92
83
John Burrows.
130
1
2
60
54
Samuel Barron.
200
3
1
80
72
James Buchanan (S. M.).
150
. .
?
76
1 43
. .
425
1 27
Jolin Wonderiy
400
1
2
638
1 31
Jolin Wallace.
400
1
?
313
94
Felty Whitehead.
400
2
2
676
1 43
Francis Warmcastle,
400
1
1
438
1 31
William Wilson.
400
1
540
1 62
James Wilson.
200
1
1
182
53
Benjamin Wallace.
200
2
1
297
89
William White.
200
3
1
254
76
Thomas Watson.
200
1
208
62
John Woodcock ..
400
1
1
417
1 25
Matthew Wigfield.
200
2
2
322
97
William Wright (B. C.) ..
300
300
90
Alexander Wright.
400
. .
3
720
2 16
Hugh Wasson.
400
2
2
460
1 36
Francis Whitmire.
400
1
2
298
89
. .
. .
...
12
Jolın Turk ...
400
1
570
1 71
John Thorn (tanner.).
400
1
?
443
1 33
Robert Thorn (S. M.) ..
400
1
410
1 98
John Thorn
400
1
206
89
John Tannehill.
100
66
20
George Timblin
400
2
414
1 24
Joseph Timblin,
400
533
1 59
Robert Wallace.
200
2
1
39
. .
124
1 12
John T. Atwell.
400
200
80
William Wasson.
600
.
VALL'A.
4
120
1 83
60
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP-CONTINUED.
NAME
ACRES
COW'S
HORSES OR OXEN
VALUA- TION.
TAX
Nelly Barnet ..
100
20
S 18
Ebenezer Beatty
400
3
132
1 18
Alexander Brown
200
1
64
54
Ebenezer Brown.
400
120
1 08
John Brown
1
1
12
11
James Bell.
200
1
2
80
72
Rebecca Bell
100
1
2
184
1 66
William Black.
400
2
2
104
94
Robert Black
1
1
12
11
Patrick Baker.
200
1
44
40
John Blair
400
1
2
96
86
Ezekiel Brady (blacksmith)
24
1
1
26
22
Andrew Cook.
400
2
1
145
1
. 30
Peter Cook (S. M.).
50
1
23
21
Zebulon Cooper
400
2
128
1 15
Nathaniel Cooper
100
2
10.
44
39
William Conn (S. M.).
400
3
1 140
1 26
John Campbell
130
3
:
36
32
Samuel Campbell.
400
3
2
108
97
Ann Campbell.
400
4
2
153
1 37
James Campbell.
200
1
1
92
82
Andrew Campbell.
400
4
1
109
98
Abigail Coulter ..
1
1
12
10
James Coulter (tannery.).
100
2
2
50
45
Samuel Coulter.
300
2
1
106
92
Luke Covert.
150
2
71
64
John Crawford, Sr.
800
3
?
248
2 23
John Crawford ..
400
1
1
132
1 18
George Crawford
400
100
90
Jolin Carrothers (tannery.).
400
1
134
1 21
James Chambers.
400
1
1
132
1 18
John Chambers (S. M.).
200
2
128
1 15
James Cosby
400
1
1
132
1 19
William Collins
400
1
128
1 15
Jolin Conley.
300
1
102
92
Robert Cochran, Sr.
150
3 231 1
.
140
1 26
John Courtney (S. M.).
300
60
1 39
David Christy.
250
1
104
93
John Christy, Jr.
180
1
1
48
43
Abraham Carnahan
400
1
1
92
82
Edward Cole.
200
1
1
72
65
Thomas Clark.
400
1
180
1 62
George Daubenspeck
200
2
1
76
68
Philip Daubenspeck.
200
1
52
46
Alexander Donoghey
300
3
1 136
1 22
John Dickey
200
3
72
64
Alexander Dunlap
200
1
168
2 26
William Downing
4
16
14
James Downing.
200
1
68
61
William Dixon ..
400
3
132
1 19
Edward Douglass (S. M.).
200
1
2
80
1 47
George Dobson
200
1
1
82
73
Sarah Eaneaz
400
120
1 08
Joseph Euard.
400
128
1 15
. .
.
.
. .
72
60
Robert Cunningham.
400
102
92
Edward Canaan.
400
..
132
1 18
Samuel Black.
400
3
54
49
John Be11.
400
. .
. .
..
75
James Douglass (S. M.).
·
60
1 29
Adam Curry
400
1
80
72
Thomas Coulter (sawmill)
250
75
Stephen Cooper
75
Robert Conil.
61
THE PIONEERS.
SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP-CONTINUED.
NAME
ACRES
COW'S
HORSES OR OXEN
VALU'A TION
TAX
Henry Evans.
200
1
2
$ 100
$ 90
John Evans (grist mill.).
400
2
1
136
1 22
John Elliott.
400
3
4
204
1 84
William Elliott
408
4
2
195
1 75
James Elder
400
2
?
144
1 30
William Ferguson
...
3
12
11
Adam Funk
400
4
1
1×4
1 65
Benjamin Fletcher
300
3
1
1
132
1 18
Archibald Fowler
384
4
93
84
Alexander Gilchrist.
10
7
William Graham (S. M.)
200
80
72
Edward Graham, Sr.
200
1
2
100
90
Thomas Graham (S. M.).
200
1
1
72
63
William Gaweal
. .
2
1
16
14
Michael Geiger
400
80
72
Joseph Gilmore.
400
2
1
136
1 97
Alexander Grant.
400
2
1
76
68
James Gibson
400
2
138
1 15
Levi Gibson (distillery)
400
1
150
1 35
Thomas Humphrey
200
2
I
76
68
Robert Hindman
200
1
1
72
64
John Hindman (S. M.)
200
3
81
1 48
William Hutchison.
228
3
96
86
William Holland.
400
1
84
76
Charles Hilliard.
400
Guy Hilliard (S. M.)
400
80)
1 47
Guy Hilliard, Sr. .
350
1
1
82
73
Alexander Hilliard (S. M.)
100
.
92
82
James Hagerty . :.
400
1
1
72
64
William Hogan (S. M.).
400
James Hogan
400
1
168
1 51
John Hockenberry
150
5
1
58
52
Andrew Hawk.
. . .
. .
. .
72
Ephraim Harris
300
3
3
150
1 40
James Hardy
400
3
124
1 15
Hugh Henderson.
100
711
36
John Hinds (S. M.).
400
2
2
104
94
Robert Jordan
200
1
44
39
William Jack
400
3
1
100
00
Benjamin Jack.
388
1
174
1 57
John Jordan
400
1
164
1 48
Reuben Jarvis.
100
1
34
31
Richard Jarvis
400
1
128
1 15
John Jameson.
400
3
2
148
1 33
Robert Jameson
400
120
1 08
Thomas Jolly
300
2
1
70
1,8
Joseph Kennedy
283
4
1
54
49
Michael Kelly
400
2
3
72
65
Jonathan Kelly (blacksmith).
200
1
1
84
70
James Knox.
400
120
1 08
Frederick Keiffer
15
3
16
14
. .
75
Jacob Hilliard.
200
4
1
80
1 47
Samuel Graham.
200
2
24
22
Harris French.
400
72
64
75
Edward Graham, Jr.
Benjamin Grossman
1
1
1
12
11
James Hale (S. M.).
75
William Hall
400
75
Samuel Irwin
Joseph Kelly.
250
4
1
80
Archibald Kelly
200
80
72
Francis Hilliard (S. M.).
1 17
1 72
62
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP-CONTINUED.
NAMES
ACRES
COW'S
OR OXEN
TION
TAX
Peter Kimes
100
2
54
49
Robert Leason
100
1
38
34
John Lavere ..
100
1
38
34
Daniel Lavere.
200
1
2
80
72
Andrew Lavere.
400
1
124
1 12
Robert Logan.
400
1
2
100
90
Jolin Logue.
200
1
48
43
Jolin Lowrie
800
3
1
210
1 89
John Lineberger (S. M.).
Abner McMahon.
150
1
10
50
45
William McCollough (S. M.)
132
1 18
Duncan McSparrin.
400
1
1
. .
...
.
132
1 19
Patrick McAnnally
400
3
1
16
14
Samuel Meals (blacksmith).
300
3
1
116
1 04
Samuel Meals, Jr. (S. M.)
200
1
80
72
David Mortimer (S. M.).
400
80
1 47
William Morrow.
150
1
40
41
Daniel McDade.
200
. .
50
50
John McNees.
400
2
144
1 29
James McNees.
200
2
2
104
94
John Martin, Sr.
400
3
1
140
1 26
John Martin, Jr. (S. M.).
400
120
1 83
Charles Martin.
. . .
4
1 24
22
Frederick Miller
400
160
1 44
John Miller
1
1
4
Jonathan Morris.
400
1
84
76
Charles McCoy (distillery).
400
4
1 144
1 30
Phillip McCoy.
400
1
136
1 22
Hugh Murrin (distillery).
3
1
106
95
James Murrin (S. M.).
400
80
1 47
James Moorhead.
200
1
100
90
Samuel McMurray
200
2
64
58
William McLaughlin
400
120
1 08
Gabriel McKimmons
300
1
64
51
Henry Murphy
400
1
84
76
Walter Mahan.
300
90
81
William McMichael (S. M.).
300
70
1 38
Daniel McConnell.
400
2
184
1 66
Charles C. McWright (tailor).
80
Thomas Neate.
400
120
1 08
Rebecca Newell
400
2
88
79
Charles Pollock.
400
2
1
90
86
James Pollock (S M.)
400
1
84
1 50
Samuel Porterfield.
400
138
1 24
Robert Porter.
400
1
64
57
Andrew Porter.
400
160
1 44
Jacob Pisor ..
400
1
1
132
1 18
John Pisor (S. M., distillery).
400
1
1
140
2 01
John Parker, Esq. (one slave).
400
5
2
212
1 91
Washington Parker (S. M.).
200
1
64
1 33
William Parker (S. M.).
400
George Parker.
400
3
1
100
90
Thomas Patterson1.
400
1
1
132
1 19
Isaac Reep.
400
1
100
90
James Reed.
400
. .
80
72
Robert Reed (tannery).
400
2
1
194
1 75
. .
John Moore,
400
120
1 08
George Meals
. .
1
S
82
75
Jacob Mecliling.
12.
. .
.
.
.
. .
80
1 47
.
.
.
75
Archibald McSparrin (S. M.).
75
Alexander McDonald
2
75
William McNees.
400
. .
HORSES | VALUA-
63
THE PIONEERS.
SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP-CONTINUED.
NAME
ACRES
COWS
HORSES OR OXEN
VALUA- TION
TAX
Jolın Rosenberry
400
1
5 84
75
Alex Ramsey.
400
1
12
92
83
Jolin Robertson
150
1
50
45
Johu Reddiek
400
3
2
194
1 75
James Shields.
400
2
.
128
1 15
John Shields.
300
1
1
112
1 01
James Say
100
2
48
43
Elisha Smith
400
3
2
148
1 33
Joseph Smith (distillery).
400
1
2
148
1 33
John Smith
100
2
64
58
James Smith
400
1
68
61
James Simpson.
400
3
1
140
1 26
Henry Steintorf.
400
1
124
1 12
John Shever.
100
1
34
31
Michael Shakely
400
1
2
140
1 26
John Stevenson
400
1
94
85
Robert Sutton.
400
1
76
68
Avad Sutton (S. M.).
400
.
4
79
Christian Smethers
200
4
1
84
75
John Sullinger
170
1
1
142
1
1
3
1
80
72
Samuel Sloan
280
3
3
TO
63
Joseplı Studebaker
400
2
128
1 15
David Studebaker (S. M.).
400
1
128
1 90
Philip Snyder.
200
1
1
72
64
Melzer Tannehill.
250
1
2
100
90
William Turner.
400
1
1
92
83
James Turner
300
1
68
61
Jolın Truby
400
2
96
86
Joseph Tom.
400
?
184
1 65
Robert Taylor
400
80
75
James Vincent.
400
2
88
79
Euoch Varnum.
400
1
124
1 11
John Vanderlin
400
2
1
136
1 22
Jolın Vandyke ..
400
2
1
136
1 22
Richard Vandyke.
200
1
76
68
Van Huston.
200
1
68
61
Abraham Walter.
2.50
1
1
87
78
David Walter (S. M.)
100
31)
1 02
Jolin Wilkins.
400
1
84
75
John Wilson, Jr
200
1
1
98
88
Capt. William Wilson
400
2
2
144
1 30
Louis Wilson
400
80
72
James White.
60
54
Joseph Wiley.
64
58
Alexander Wiley
350
1
109
98
Robert Waddle.
400
1
1
12
11
William Waddle, Sr.
250
1
1
87
78
George Ward
400
1
88
79
Jolin Walsh
400
2
184
1 66
Alexander Young (distillery).
200
2
2
90
81
. .
.
. . .
. .
After 1803 the county settled up very rapidly, so that by 1806 there were no less than 1,644 taxables within her limits, and by 1810, when the first census was taken, the population was 7,846.
36
John Wilson.
200
200
1
. .
184
1 66
Thomas Waddle.
James Waddle (S. M.).
75
John Taggert.
400
1
. .
80
1
. 47
Robert Storey (S. M.).
38
Andrew Stewart
300
80
James Scott
200
2
126
1 11
72
Peter Traxler (S. M.)
1
40
400
64
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
STATISTICS OF POPULATION.
The following table exhibits the population of the county by townships and bor- oughs at each decennial census since its organization :
1810
1820
1830
1840
1850
1860
1×70
1850
1890
Adams township.
....
. .
. .
866
873
1,156
1,817
Allegheny township.
....
. . .
701
600
772
729
Buffalo township ..
375
582
1,012
1,820
2,751
1,205
1.495
1,263
1,131
Butler borough ..
580
861
1,148
1,399
1,935
3,163
8,734
Butler township.
453
472
768
1,389
2,622
1,198
984
1,007
1,297
Centre township ..
742
972
1,322
1,834
1,495
829
843
980
1,005
Centreville borough.
. .
. ..
970
907
903
1,161
1,433
Clay township.
288
515
617
1,103
1,924
869
847
1,056
841
Clinton township.
. . .
....
855
926
1.654
1,138
Connoquenessing township
1,284
977
1.944
2,692
2,518
1,098
1,051
1.190
1,593
Cranberry township.
543
765
1,046
1,822
2,236
931
945
983
909
Donegal township.
671
960
1,085
1,615
1,174
999
852
2,156
1,617
Evans City borough.
637
Fairview borough. .
1,078
1,101
1,078
3,930
1,996
Forward township.
1,020
1,025
1,133
1,724
Franklin township.
1,119
860
1,047
1,047
990
Harmony borough ..
414
497
585
Harrisville borough.
352
386
380
Jackson township.
1,117
1.137
1,267
1,154
Jefferson township
1,457
1,234
1,214
1,600
Lancaster township.
1.130
1,053
1,070
946
Middlesex township
538
1,010
1,231
1,692
2,259
1,034
1,010
1,100
1,078
Muddy Creek township
395
868
1.317
1,998
1.142
1,094
972
790
795
Oakland township.
399
659
945
1,364
760
1,170
1,309
2,516
1,710
Penn township.
914
837
1,131
1,814
Petrolia borough.
271
362
343
Saxonburg borough
295
319
258
Slippery Rock township.
658
865
1,541
1.507
1,490
093
879
1,007
1,247
Summit township
377
353
499
822
1,473
836
902
1,322
1,147
Washington township,
1,003
993
990
1,287
1,351
West-Sunbury borough
216
243
238
Winfield township.
1,134
1,121
1,092
1,087
Worth township.
928
893
1,076
939
Zelienople borough.
. . . .
387
497
639
. .
. .
.. .
...
1
697
Millerstown borough
789
850
1,986
965
Mercer township.
588
641
771
1,233
1,296
545
478
407
1,108
1,162
Portersville borough
198
216
190
Prospect borough
. ...
939
1,304
1.200
1,287
Venango township
919
926
1,039
1,198
Parker township
1,180
546
Karns City borough.
701
427
Marion township.
. .
The population of the following villages in 1890 was: Coylesville, 5; Evansburg, 68; Eldorado, 53; Forrestville, 233; Greece City, 142; Hilliard, 116; Mechanicsburg, 52; Middle- town, 94; Modoc, 197; Martinsburg, 287; North Washington, 147; Petersville, 90; Sarvers- ville, 37; Troutman, 320; Unionville, 44; West Liberty, 63, and Whitestown, 90. In 1890 many of these villages had alnost disappeared, though a few of them show an increase; but they are included in the census of their respective townships. Evans City, origin- ally called Evansburg, exhibits the mnost decided growth of any of the smaller towns, its population jumping from 68, in 1880, to 637 in 1890, while its present estimated popula- tion is about 1,000.
The total population of Butler county by decades is as follows: 1800, 3,916; 1810, 7,346; 1820. 10,193: 1830, 14,683; 1840, 22,371; 1850, 30,346; 1860, 35,594; 1870, 36,510; 1880, 52.526, and 1890, 55,339.
. ..
. .
.
333
303
Fairview township
1,039
1,062
1,036
1,076
Clearfield township.
1,021
1,132
1,048
918
Concord township.
366
418
448
Cherry township.
....
625
881
890
2,287
1,224
Brady township.
...
.. .
porte complete
CHAPTER V. PIONEER REMINISCENCES.
PROVING A CLAIM-PETITIONS OF BARRON AND MCKEE-ADVENTURES OF THE WIDOW AGGAS - MRS. O'DONNELL'S DEVOTION - PEGGY WALKER'S ESCAPE - PIONEER BURIALS-PIONEER WEDDING FESTIVITIES-THE BACHELORS' TAX-EARLY TAVERN LICENSES-NEGRO AND WHITE SLAVES-THE " FOURTH" AND " TRAINING DAY " -CRADLE OF MORMONISM-RETAIL MARKETS, 1804 TO 1830-THE ARGONAUTS- WOOD RANGERS-EARLY HUNTERS AND THEIR REWARDS-HUNTS OF 1820 AND 1828 -THE LAST GRAND HUNT-FARMING AND MILLING METHODS.
I TN a chapter of this character many pages might be devoted to portrayal of pioneer manners and customs. Here, however, some of the principal points in pioneer life will be noticed, as a sequel to the preceding chapter, wherein the names, connected with the development of this county, find a place. These reminiscences were obtained from contemporary records found in the court-house or in the newspaper offices. Among them is introduced the last great hunt, which, though occurring less than thirty years ago, is looked upon as the close of pioneer meetings, and in itself brings up the names of the sons of men, who in earlier days ranged the forests of this district, as self-reliant, expert hunters of the pioneer stamp.
In the chapter on land titles is told the story of the purchase of Butler county from the Indians and the agrarian troubles subsequent to ISO3. The fol- lowing statement made before Henry Evans and Samuel Cunningham, justices of the peace for Butler county, December 12. 1801, shows the manner in which settlers acquired land in some districts :
William Barron, of Butler county, farmer, applies for a tract of three hundred acres of land situate on the Glade run, a branch of Slippery Rock creek, being what is called commonly, "The Stripe, ' adjoining to land settled by Thomas Carothers and David Findley and to the Donation District, on which tract of land by the said William Barron applied for, he hath eaused an actual settlement and improvement to be made.
In a further statement he says that in May, 1797, he erected a cabin, deadened the trees on three acres and cleared two acres. By 1501 six acres were cleared and a cabin sixteen feet square was in existence. All went to show that he had complied with the land grant laws of the Commonwealth and that his application for a patent was made in good faith and not as a speculator or the agent of a speculator.
In 1823 the legislature settled the difficulties growing out of claims to lands in the Struck District of Butler county, when the petition of Andrew McKee was considered. It appears that the act of March 7, 1780, promised to officers and privates of the Pennsylvania Line in the Revolutionary War certain lands to be divided according to the rank of grantees. The acts of March 12, 1873, 5
66
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
and of March 24, 1785, provided for the location and survey of such lands, and Brigadier-General Irvine was appointed to make a topographical survey. He reported that the most eastern part of the Second Donation District, commonly called the "Struck District," was unfit for cultivation, and hence tickets for such lands were not placed in the " wheel."
The story of the Widow Aggas, bringing her family into this county in 1796. a short time after the Indians killed her husband, in Westmoreland county, is by no means an extreme picture of the dangers and troubles to which the pioneers were exposed. With her sons, Sylvanus, aged eleven years, and Abner, aged ten years, she entered the forest of what is now Centre township and early in the afternoon camped near a spring, where she intended to make a home. Later that day she went further into the forest in search of a better location, but losing her way among the hills, the brave woman became dazed and laid down exhausted to wait for the morning light. Next day was passed in a fruitless search for the encampment of the family, and night coming on she sought refuge from the wolves and a place of rest in the forks of a monarch oak. On the morning of the third day she discovered a trail, and shortly after met a few of her new neighbors, who assured her that her boys were safe and pointed out the way which would lead her to them.
Another instance of the courage and fortitude of pioneer women is to be found in the experience of Mrs. Mary O'Donnell, who lost her husband shortly after their settlement in Clearfield township. With extraordinary courage she took up the work of making a farm in the wilderness, and, at the same time, sup- ported and educated the young pioneers, who were left to her as a pledge of a husband's love.
The early settlers had more than obstacles to deal with. The Indian, the wolf and the bear were not the only enemies to be guarded against, for the pan- ther was still a ranger of the woods and the most terrible enemy of the new inhabitants. The scene of Peggy Walker's escape from the " painter " is not far from the location of the Armstrongs' first cabin on Wolf creek. Returning from that cabin about sundown one day in 1805, she heard the animal's scream. The horse on which the girl was mounted bounded forward and the race for life began. Often the panther came close enough to make the spring which he was sure wonld land him on his prey ; but the good horse being swift and sure and the rider well trained in forest travel, escaped the angry brute, which gave up the chase when only within gunshot of her home.
As the marriage in pioneer times was a signal for rejoicings and merriment, so death was one for sorrow and solemnity. The funeral in the wilderness, whether the mourners marched toward the cemetery round the church at Sugar Creek, or westward to Mount Nebo, was a moving picture of sincere grief. Simplicity marked the whole ceremony of burial. No plumed hearse was there, not even a wagon on which the plain coffin might be placed. When the pioneer Thorn died, a large tree was cut down and hollowed out in canoe or "dug-out " fashion, the body was then placed in the cavity, a slab nailed on top, and the crude casket hauled to the grave-yard after the fashion of a sleigh. This funeral was the extreme of pioneer simplicity.
67
PIONEER REMINISCENCES.
The youth of pioneer days were as anxious to enter matrimonial life as these of our own times, and the weddings were great attractions There were no tlis- tinctions of class and few of fortune. The neighbors gathered to celebrate with natural joy the nuptials of their young friends. The dance continued just so long as any desired to step jauntily about to the music of the district fiddler, in square sets or jigs or in three or four-handed reels. The jigs were characterized by the "cutting-out " game, that is, when either of the dancers desired to rest, one would take his place in the set without disturbing the others. If seats were scarce, as they were often, every young man, not on the floor, was expected to offer his knees as a seat for a girl, and this offer was accepted with the same courtesy that would be observed to-day in leading a fair one to her chair. The "infair" took place the next night and was enjoyed equally with the wedding festivities. During the years, when single men were taxed seventy-five cents per annum, they would often marry to win exoneration. There is, at least, one case of this character related in the chapter on organization and administration. The marriage of Walter Lowrie, in 1808, is recorded as follows :
This is to certify that on the fourteenth day of January, in the year of Our Lord. one thousand eight hundred and eight, before me, Samuel Cunningham, one of the jus- tiees of the peace of Butler county, Walter Lowrie of the county aforesaid, and Amelia McPherrin of the same county, were legally joined in marriage, each of them being of competent age, and declaring themselves free respectively from prior engagements or other lawful impediments. In witness whereof, as well as the said Walter and Amelia, as I, the said Samuel Cunningham and others, the witnesses present, have hereunto sub- scribed our names the day and year aforesaid: Samuel Cunningham. Walter Lowrie, Amelia Lowrie, Samuel Williamson, Andrew Williamson, Samuel Dickison, John Nel- son, Benjamin White, Elizabeth White, John Negley, William Martin, John Spear. Joseph Hudson and Hannah Hall.
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