History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 138

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USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 138
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 138


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There were seven or eight little Covenanter societies between the Susque- hanna and the Blue Ridge before the arrival of their first minister from the mother country. Rev. Alexander Craighead, a Presbyterian minister who sympathized with the Covenanters in their distinctive principles, preached to them for a time. One of these little societies was at Marsh Creek, and had what was called a "tent" for their public meetings not far from the site of Gettysburg. The "tent" of the Covenanters of that time is described as simply a stand in the woods with a shelter overhead, a board braced against a tree on which to lay the Bible and psalm book, and rude seats'in front for the congre- gation over whom there was no covering but the sky. At a general meeting of delegates from the different societies held at Middle Octorora, March 4,


215


CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP.


1744, Thomas Wilson and David Dunwoody were delegates from the Marsh Creek society.


In 1751 Rev. John Cuthbertson, the first Reformed Presbyterian minister in America sent by the denomination in Scotland, arrived in Pennsylvania. On September 1, 1751. Mr. Cuthbertson preached his first sermon to the Adams County Covenanters at their tent, which was not far from the residence of David Dunwoody. On Apri! S, 1753, was the first ordination of ruling elders of this denomination in America. Six persons were ordained, two of whom. David Dunwoody and Jeremiah Morrow, were the first ruling elders of the Covenanters about the site of Gettysburg; the former was the grandfather of Rev. Dr. J. L. Dinwiddie, the latter the grandfather of Gov. Jeremiah Mor- row. of Ohio. The society soon took the name of Rock Creek Church, and built its first log meeting house near that stream about one mile northeast of where Gettysburg now stands. In 1764 John Murphy and Andrew Branwood were ordained elders.


The Rock Creek Church at the period of the Revolution was probably the most important and influential Covenanter Church in America. The learned Rev. Alexander Dobbin became pastor of this congregation in 1774, immediate- ly after his arrival in this country and so continued until his death in 1809. After the union of the Reformed Presbyterians and Associate Presbyterians in 1752, it became an Associate Reformed Church, and abont 1804 began the creetion of the first house of worship in Gettysburg. This church was "a sub- stantial brick structure, of good size, finished in the old style, with high-backed pews, brick-paved aisles, high pulpit and huge sounding-board." It has since been remodeled in the interior, and since 1858 has been known as the United Presbyterian Church.


The early Covenanters maintained a practical dissent against the British Government prior to the American Revolution. They were all Whigs; not a Tory could be found among them. Their public religious services lasted four or five hours, and on communion days, often from seven to nine hours, with an intermission of fifteen minutes for lunch. Some of the lead tokens used by them at communion services are still in existence. They are about one-half an inch long, and nearly as wide, with the letters R. P. (Reformed Presbyterian) on one side, and L. S. (Lord's Supper) and the date, 1752, on the other.


For twenty-two years Rev. John Cuthbertson was the only Covenanter pas- tor in America. During his first year in this country he preached on 120 days, baptized 110 children and married ten couples. Year after year he made his way in summer's heat and winter's storm over a region now forming four or five counties. At many of his preaching stations there were no churches for years; at such places he preached in the groves, when the weather would permit, and in private houses when the weather was not propitious. He died in 1791, after having toiled in this country nearly forty years, during which he preached on 2,452 days, baptized 1,806 children, married 240 couples and rode on horse- back about 70,000 miles. These facts are shown by his diary.


CEMETERIES.


The old Marsh Creek Cemetery, commonly called "MeClellan's," is on the eastern bank of the creek a point north of the stone bridge on the Fairfield road. The headstones marking the burial places of the Mcclellans were moved to Evergreen Cemetery some years ago. The stones still to be found there give the following names and dates of death of aged people:


Henry McDonogh, 1758. Rosanna Crawford, 1772.


Joseph MeCleary, 1840. Eleanor Kincaid, 1768.


246


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


Christina Deal, 1809. Sarah Jamieson, 1807. Charles Deal, 1820. Sarah Cross, 1789. Eliza, wife of Mark Forney, 1852.


Hugh Dunwoodie, 1825. Sarah Dunwoodie, 1744. David Dunwoody, 1802. Jane Dunwoody, 1781. Elizabeth Dunwoody, 1789.


Eliza, wife of John Butts, Sr., 1851.


The old monuments to the MeClellans, moved to Gettysburg, are the old fashioned slate stones. They memorialize the deaths of William McClellan, fourth, fifth and sixth; the former dying in 1831.


Black's Cemetery takes its name from Rev. John Black, who was pastor of Upper Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church from 1775 to 1786. The church stood on the cemetery grounds, north of the Chambersburg road, until torn down about 1786. Among the straggling, crumbling monuments, the following names and dates of death are discernible:


Mary Orr, 1754.


Thomas Armstrong, 1759.


Mary, his wife, 1759. John Morrison, 1749. His wife, 1752.


John Bigham, 1759.


Agnes Bigliam, 1749.


Ann Fletcher, 1773.


John Innis, 1760. James Innis, 1766.


WVm. Boyd, 1757.


Robert Black, 1760.


Robert Innis, 1763. Rev. Robert McMurdie, 1796


John Hosack, 1789.


Violet Porter, 1753.


Margaret McMurdy, 1777.


Win. Porter, 1753.


Andrew Thompson, 1768.


Nathaniel Porter, 1749.


Samuel Agnew, 1760.


Wm. Boyd, Sr., unknown.


Thomas Boyd, 1760. Rebecca Stevenson, 1767.


Mary Agnew, 1760. Alexander Latta, 1772. Hugh Martin, 1767.


Many of the old monuments have been removed to Gettysburg and other places. The few remaining, as well as the venerable old home of pioneers itself. are in a deplorable condition of decay. Hance Hamilton's monument, moved to Gettysburg some years ago, is badly shattered. It records his death, February 2, 1772, aged fifty-one years. This old settler commanded in a fight with Indians at Bellemont about 1758. The pioneer McPhersons claim some ancient monuments also in the new cemetery at Gettysburg.


The old cemeteries within the borough of Gettysburg are the German Re- formed, near the church; old cemetery east of county jail; old Catholic; United Presbyterian, opposite the Catholic Church; Colored Cemetery on York road, near railroad, and Methodist, in rear of G. A. R. Post, No. 9, hall. Removals to Evergreen Cemetery and to the new Catholic Cemetery have been exten- sively carried out, so that the old homes of the dead are fast falling to decay. In April, ISSO, the lot east of the jail was cleared of its 228 silent tenants by Samuel Herbst and a force of exhumers, some of the remains being moved to the grave-yard, where the Reformed Church stands, and some to the old ceme- tery. Sixty-four with headstones were placed in the Reformed Church Ceme- tery and twelve in Evergreen Cemetery. One hundred and fifty-two graves were unmarked.


SCHOOLS.


In April, 1800, the following named residents of Cumberland Town- ship agreed to send their children to a school at Gettysburg to be con- ducted by a teacher of their own choice: David Dunwoody, Henry Hoke, Archibald Dickey, Walter Smith, Emanuel Zeigler, Hugh Dunwoody, Henry Weaver and Jacob Sell agreed to send each one child; James Scott, Joseph Little, James Duncan and Alex. Dobbin agreed to send two children each; A. Russell agreed to send three children, while George Kerr agreed to send one-


Robert McNutt, 1772. Charles McAlister, 1774. James McAlister, 1782.


247


FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.


half, which is interpreted to be a baby scholar. The election of teacher, which was held the same month, resulted in the choice of David Moore, Jr., over Andrew Wilson.


Thaddeus Stevens represented Gettysburg and Cumberland Township in the convention of November 4, 1834, and voted for adopting the common school system according to the act of April 1, 1834. On November 28, 1834, the school board of Gettysburg divided the borough into four school districts, and established one school for colored children. S. S. King was president, and Robert G. Harper secretary of the board. Common schools were opened January 5, 1835, in Thomas Menargli's house, Mr. Schriener's, Mr. McMil- lar's and Mr. McClean's; the colored school in Mrs. Keech's house.


The postoffices in Cumberland Township are Gettysburgh and Green Mount, latter located southwest of Round Top, on the Emmittsburg road, be- low the old Wilson farm. It is the postal center for the greater part of Free- dom Township and southern portion of Cumberland. Mr. Bigham is in charge of the office.


MISCELLANEOUS.


On February 24, 1869, Thomas J. Lee was shot and killed by F. Weems Black at Mrs. Rosensteel's, "Wolf Hill," two miles south of Gettysburg. Black was acquitted of murder.


CHAPTER XXXI.


FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.


THE streams of Franklin Township comprise Conowago Creek, which rises in the springs west of St. Ignatius Church, flows northeast to the Long farm, where it forms the Bend, and this, with the continuation of stream south- east to a point just north of Arendtsville, forms the eastern half of the northern boundary of the township; Conococheagne Creek, which rises on the west slope of Piney Hill near the old saw-mills, flows southwest to Birch Run, and leaves the county just west of Graeffenburg; McDowell's Run, which enters Black's Creck near the old Garbaugh mill, flows west and leaves the county near Graeffenburg: Little Marsh Creek forms part of the southern line of the town- ship; Marsh Creek, so celebrated for giving drink to the true Revolutionists who settled along its banks in the first half of the eighteenth century, which rises in Poplar Springs (with feeders from Kanc's farm and Knouse's farm away up in South Mountain, and streams west of Arendtsville), flows southeast to Seven Stars, where it forms the southeastern boundary of the township. Crystal rivulets flow everywhere, and it is not uncommon to find house- holders leading the water from some spring in the mountain into their homes and gardens, as is the case at Stockslagger's hotel in Cashtown.


The lands east of South Mountain, north and south of the Gettysburg and Chambersburg road, are exceptionally good, though rolling heavily. Buchanan Valley claims some large and beautiful farms, and even in the Conococheague Valley some fine land is cultivated. The elevations are Arendt's mill, 780 feet: Cashtown, 800 feet; Graeffenburg, 1,020 feet; McKnightstown, 656 feet ; Mummasburg. 542 feet. Hilltown is the same elevation as Arendt's mill; Arendtsville is 620 feet. The highest point on the Chambersburg Pike


248


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


is east of Newman's, being 1,440 feet. On the Cold Springs road near Graeffenburg the altitude is 1,770 feet, and the highest peak of the South Mountain in Pennsylvania, one mile south of Caledonia Springs.


The geological outcrop shows shale containing magnetic ore two miles northwest of McKnightstown, ore with crystalized calcite, white argillaceous sandstone, green chloritic top rock, calcite in ore, decomposed clay shale, calcareous conglomerate, red sandstone, baked mnd rock, limestone, ore slightly magnetic chlorite and quartz, slaty orthofelsite near Arendtsville, also pearly crystalline schist, red quartzite, jaspery orthofelsite, argillite, finely laminated orthofelsite (northwest of Cole's mill), red quartoze schist, copper rock, diabase with stellate crystals, fine ground granite rock, feldspar in chloritic slate.


The ore bed on the Adam Winter farm was worked by McCormick & Co. in 1874, and shipments made. Iron ore was taken in 1867 from a ridge on the farm of Peter Comfort in Franklin Township. Later a mine was worked by the Wrightsville Iron Co.


The indications of iron ore round Miltenberger's mill in the South Moun- tain drew some attention in the winter of 1869-70.


On John Baker's place, beyond Cashtown, Harry Yingling, of Gettysburg, found a vein of asbestos, seven feet below the surface, in 1884.


In 1881 a circular excavation was discovered in the Buchanan Valley, twelve feet in diameter, six feet deep, with trees, twenty inches in diameter, growing round the embankment, and, in the hollow, the stump of what was once a large tree. The old settlers say it belongs to pre-revolutionary times.


Near Noah Sheely's there is an old burying ground, but the stones do not bear inscriptions. It is thought that the tenants of the graves were Indians. Just north of the United Brethren Church Aaron Sheely examined a mound, but found nothing to show that any one was buried there.


Near Rock Top there was, in 1879, a chestnut tree measuring twenty-two feet in girth, two feet from the ground. On the Butt farm there were two large chestnut trees twenty-one feet in girth, and thirty feet clear to the first limb. The other was eighteen feet seven inches in girth. On the Deardorff farm is a chestnut tree eighteen feet, eight inches in girth, and a white oak tree fourteen feet in girth.


John F. Hopkell and George Hossler were engaged in selling foreign mer- chandise alone, and Thomas McKnight and Thomas Wilson sold foreign mer- chandise, wines and liqnors in 1824.


The population in 1800 was 1,023; in 1810, 889-472 males, 390 females, 3 slaves and 24 free colored persons; in 1820, 1,456, including 47 colored; in 1830, 1,588; in 1840, 1,698; in 1850, 1,806, including 19 colored; in 1860, 2,115, including 23 colored; in 1870, 2,176, including 13 colored; and in 1880, 2,499. The number of taxpayers (1886) is 754; value of real estate, $657,938; number of horses, etc., 506; of cows, etc., 677; value of moneys at interest, $23,654; valne of trades and professions, $24,460; number of pleasure carriages, 231; gold watches, 10; silver watches, 2; acres of timber land, 18,499.


The entries of land in this portion of "The Manor of Maske" prior to 1842 were legalized in 1802, as related in the history of Cumberland Town- ship.


The names and dates of entry are given as follows:


Thomas Hosack. March, 1740.


John Buchanan. May, 1740.


John Hosack, March, 1740.


Robert Black's heirs, March, 1738.


John Boyd, March, 1740.


Alexander McKeen, March, 1738.


W. Boyd and B. Smith, March, 1740.


Hugh McKeen, March, 1738.


251


FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.


James Wilson, May, 1741.


William Quiet and Son, April, 1741.


Margaret Young, April, 1741.


James Biddle, May, 1740.


Robert Johnson, April, 1741.


Col. Hance llamilton, for farm, April, 1741. David Frazier, March, 1738.


Henry Pearson, April, 1741. Dunean MeDonnell, April, 1740.


Hannah Leslie, April, 1741.


Mary MeMullen, May, 1741.


John Miller, April, 1741.


James Erwin, September, 1739.


John Steel, September, 1740.


James Russell. May, 18-10.


Henry Cotton, April, 1741.


John Russell. May, 1840.


Walter Buchanan, September, 1739.


Thomas Nealson, March, 1741.


Margaret Buchanan, May, 1740.


Joseph Wilson, March, 1738.


A petition similar to that from Hamiltonban was presented to the Penn- sylvania Conneil in 1789, signed by William Russell. Samuel Cross, Thomas Cross, Samuel Porter, James McGlaughlin, Matthew McNntt, Robert McNutt, William Orr and John Orr, asking for a resurvey of that portion of "Carroll's Delight" in Franklin Township. The petition was considered, and the same half justice meted out to them as was accorded to their neighbors in the " Man- or of Maske."


The assessment of this township, made in 1799, gives the following names and trades and assessed valuations of property:


Peter Areudt .. $ 818


Thomas Gilchrist, tannery 873


John Arendt, hotel and blacksmith. 678


James Gilchrist. 639


Nicholas Beasacker. 761


Matthias Glass. 749


George Beasacker 654


George Graft. 297


John Brugh, hotel. 251


Hart George, weaver.


52


Andrew Beanwood. 983


Jacob Gilbert.


1,648


Adam Buer. 120


Charles Good.


794


Michael Bushey 961


Andrew Gilwix


332


Benjamin Boyd.


888


Hugh Gallagher, saw-mill.


121


Christopher Baker


109


John Hartt


676


Archibald Boyd.


731


John Hartman


741


Michael Barr.


620


Henry Hoover 1,218


Nicholas Barr


396


Christopher Howlingert 1,287


Abraham Boyers.


533


Andrew Hanselman. . 581


Peter Hoofman. 467


Jonas Boyers. 867


Rev. John Black. 1,675


Walter Jenkins. 569


James Black 1,317


Samuel Culbertson.


547


Martin Carbaugh, Sr.


120


Robert Kidd. 310


James King. 617


James Keve, tailor. 965


John Cimes, Jr.


John Luelsberger. 1,119


IIenry Lauser. 459


Joseph Linard. 28


744


John Clark, grist and saw-mill.


1,874


John Laird 654


14


Lewis Chamberlin.


Henry Miller.


741


Jacob Candle, weaver. 7


Adam Minter


975


Martin Carbaugh, grist and saw-mill. 497


James MeKnight ;. 698


Peter Comfort, blacksmith. 343


Adam Miller, potter 361


456


William Ewing 1,129


HIngh MeGaughey, blacksmith. 255


1,126


Leonard Flower ..


1,047


John Muckley, blacksmith.


14


Leonard Flower, Jr.


47


Peter Muckley.


14


Jacob Freet, stiller. 2


Daniel Muckley. 901


Falty Flower ..


646


Samuel McGowan.


88


John Foster, merchant.


203


Moses McClean. . 2.071


John Fletcherl 1,521


John McClean, tanner. 92


John Gross.


654


Martin Minter


581


*Stone house and one slave, $75.


Spelled Mickley. 'One slave, $80.


Stone house.


Moses Jenkins. 536


Peter Iekes. 70


Christopher Carbaugh. 1,232


Thomas Cross. 779 7


68


Samuel Cross*


1,617


Samuel Cobeant.


1,141


William Laird.


Joseph Cornebour.


61


Anthony Loop, joiner.


675


John Carbaugh. 459


Jolın Moyer. .


David Fretz, fulling-mill. 701


Martin MuckleyS.


Nicholas Candle.


Henry Hosack. 807


Michael Bittinger 544


+Twoslaves, $160.


252


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


James McGlaughlin. 881


Jacob Shank. 1,296


Samuel McMullen, blacksmith. 657


Robert Stewart. 481


John Miller, oil-mill. 403


Caspar Shiffler. 628


Michael Malone. . 21


Martin Snider 833


Peter Morritz, tavern place. 1,200


William Malone.


22


John Stanley. 1,138


Jacob Mondorff.


522


John Stockleger.


798


David McClure (or McElwee).


250


George Saltzgiver, fulling-mill. 293


John Smith. . 831


14


John Mossman. . 69


Conrad Suttle. . 2,092


William McDonnell. 998


1,927


Robert McMordie.


1,148


Samuel Trone. 75


Peter Mark.


44


Henry Toot, tailor.


905


James Marshall.


65


Jaeoh Smith, nailer.


48


Samuel Marshall.


650


William Tailor ..


88


John Milligan.


32


Alexander Thompson, hotel.


624


George Orr.


487


Abraham Whetmore. 1,200


Nathaniel Paxton.


886


Mathias Wallen 870


James Paxton.


536


Baltzer Pitzer ...


1,238


Samuel Porter.


802


Benjamin Workman.


+1


Peter Piper.


1,081


David Rife.


2,365


William Walter. 171


Samuel Russell. 738


Henry Walter .. 837


Joshua Russell.# hotel. 1,423


George Walter, blacksmith.


14


Samuel Russell, carpenter.


823


John White.


374


John Russell .. 1,137


Nicholas Young. 1,004


John Ross, cooper.


1,248


Israel Irvine, tailor.


14


Jacob Ritter. . 102


The total assessed valuation made by James Gilchrist, Thomas Ewing and Nicholas Mark in December, 1798, for the year 1799 was $99,960. Charles Good and William Laird were the collectors.


The single men residing in the township at this time were assessed $1 each. They are named as follows: William Craig, George Kerbough, Henry Walter. John Glass, Matthias Glass, Adam Snider, Martin Snider, Moses Davis; Daniel Knouse, blacksmith; Peter Wagoner, shoe-maker; Andrew McLone; John Kerr, shoe-maker; William Fossitt; John Kerbough, shoe-maker; Peter Piper, joiner; Edward Fosler, nailer; John Howlinger, George Todd, William Laird, John Laird; Jacob Saum, shoe-maker; John Cobean, Robert Laird; Baltzer Minter, weaver; Thomas Moore, William McCleary; Robert Marshall, tanner; Robert Morrison; Sample Ross, cooper; John Shiftler, Sam- uel Willsor, Archibald Fleckher, William Stewart, P. Stockleger and Abel Finley.


The capture of Mary Jamison in Buchanan Valley was effected by the In- dians in 1758. Mrs. Robert Bleakney, residing in Buchanan Valley in 1879 made the following reference to its history: " When the Indians threatened the settlements the Bleakneys removed to Conowago Township; the Kilken- nons (who lived where Samuel McKenrick's house stands), father and seven strong boys with mother and girls, intended to remain, and went to the block- house, which stood on the Hartman farm back of Arendtsville, but on the ap- proach of the Indians fled. Thomas Jamison's family, his wife Jane (Erwin), resided on the old Joseph I. Lever's farm (now belonging to Francis Cole), from 1743, when they came from Ireland, to 1755. The father, mother and daughter were carried off; a hired man named Robert Buck was killed, but the two little Jamison boys crept into a hollow log and escaped. Mary Jamison married an Indian."


#Stone House.


David Strite. 852


Andrew Miller.


115


Widow Stockleger. 968


Estate of James Johnson (deceased) .. 1,015


Jacob Middlecoff, # grist and saw-mill. 2,511


John Smelsor, miller.


George Sheakley 1,047


Joseph Morrison ..


John Shull, blacksmith. 37


Nicholas Mark, t 'saw-mill.


1,767


Jolin Stoner. .


Joseph Wilson. 912


Marmaduke Wilson. 1,065


Jacob Winter. 554


253


FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.


Thomas Jamison moved in 1754 to Buchanan Valley and must have been among the other Irish settlers on Marsh Creek for the ten years preceding. James Bleakney, grandfather of Robert, died in 1821, aged ninety-eight years. Mary Jamison was born on the Atlantic after her parents left Ireland in 1743.


Immediately after the abduction of the Jamisons a Mr. Fields headed a relief party of neighbors (numbering six men) and started in pursuit. The savages realized the advance of avengers, and, to better enable them to escape, turned on their captives and killed Thomas Jamison; Jane (Ervin) Jamison, his wife; Betsy, his daughter; Robert and Matthew, their sons; Mrs. Buck and two of her children. They spared Mary Jamison, who died in 1833, and a little son of Mrs. Buck.


In 1758 Richard Bard was carried off. On May 23. 1758, Joseph Gallady was killed, and his wife and one child taken from Conococheague. Frederick Smith who murdered Frederick Forster, the German tailor of Arendtsville, was sentenced to be hanged September 24, 1549, but hanged himself September 26, 1849.


CHURCHIES.


The Reformed and Lutheran Union Church, known as "Flohr's," dates back to 1822, when the two societies entered on the work of erecting a house of worship. In 1875 the Reformed Society which owned an interest in "Flohr's" Church with the Lutherans, up to that time, purchased the latter's interest for $400, and the Lutherans bought the lot on which the church stood for $25, and on which the present Lutheran Church now stands, near Mc- Knightstown, this township. Some of the original documents belonging to this society were destroyed in the rebel invasion of 1863, hence the date of or- ganization and names of original members are unknown. The date of the building of the first church is also unknown. The second church was built of brick where the present one now stands. It was dedicated in 1822, and used as already stated, by the Reformed and Lutheran denominations until 1875. The present church was erected in 1875-76 and dedicated in the latter year. Its present membership is 200, and value of property is $7,000. The names of pastors are Revs. John Herbst, Charles Weyle, Frederick Ruth- rauff. Benjamin Keller, George Roth, L. J. Bell, J. K. Miller, Michael Snyder, H. F. Long and D. M. Blackwelder.


Mennonites .- On the north side of the road opposite Flohr's Church, stood the old Mennonite meeting-house, in which the followers of Menno Simonis worshiped until 1823, when a church was erected at Mummasburg. A school- honse ocenpies the site of the old church; but opposite is the ancient cemetery of the original congregation, still claiming memorials of many of its early tenants.


ARENDTSVILLE.


The site of Arendtsville or "John's Pursuit," was warranted to Nicholas Curle January 9, 1739, and patented by John Arendt August 14, 1810. In 1803 one William Sterling, of Gettysburg, conveyed forty acres (of the Curle seventy-three acres) for 5 s., just across the Menallen line, where the block- house of 1855 stood. Arendtsville was founded in 1808 by John Arendt, who died in 1826.


In 1820 Myers kept the weather boarded hotel, where George G. Plank's dwelling now stands. The "Hiram Trostle Honse " was also there, used as a tav- ern. John Arendt built the house at the corner of the square now owned by Mr. Malaum, and a blacksmith shop, where now are the hotel stables. In 1845 Lower opened a store where now is the Trostle Building; in 1848 he built


254


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


a carpenter shop on the Mrs. A. Taylor property; in 1852 George Lower erected a stone building on the lot adjoining. In 1845 Jacob Keckler was postmaster; Emanuel Umstadt established the first tannery.


CHURCHES.


Trinity Lutheran Church .- The date of the organization of this society is about 1781, and the date of the church buildings are respectively 1787, 1851 and 1882. The first was of logs, located in the present old grave-yard. The second was of brick, and stood where the present improved Reformed Church now is. The first and second churches were used jointly by the Reformed and Lutheran denominations until the summer of 1882. The present church is located beside the Lutheran parsonage on High Street, in Arendtsville. It is built of brick, two storied, with steeple and bell. Its present membership numbers 321, and the value of property, inclusive of parsonage, is $10,000. The following are the names of the pastors who have served this congregation: Revs. Meltzheimer, Heiney, John Herbst, Charles Weyle, Frederick Ruth- rauff, Benjamin Keller, A. R. Height, George Roth, L. J. Bell, J. K. Miller, Michael Snyder, H. F. Long and D. M. Blackwelder.




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