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 139

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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 139
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 139


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In 1781 a grant of two acres and twenty-seven perches of and was made by Jacob Arendt and Stophel Sentmire, to Frederick Stan our and Philip Hartzell for the use of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. This lot adjoins "John's Pursuit;" on this a house of worship was erected on the southeast corner of the square, opposite the present Reformed Church, in 1857-a two- story, log, weather-boarded structure. The pulpit was barrel shaped and the altar was railed in. The school and sexton's house, at the end, were built at the same time. In 1851 these old buildings were removed, and the founda- tions for a new church laid on the site of the school and sexton's house. This was known as Zion Reformed and Lutheran Church. With its building the parish school disappeared. In 1785 the first record book was purchased. The first to be baptized were John, Jacob and Anna Catherine Schneider, March 26, 1786. The oldest communion list is dated May 9 and 23, 1790. The first burial in the old grave-yard was in 1790, when Anna Maria Berrin was interred. In 1872 Green Mount and Fairview Cemeteries were established.


Zion's Reformed Church at Arendtsville .- The Lutheran and Reformed con- gregations worshiped in the same house until 1878, when the former built a commodious and beautiful church, in which they have since worshiped. The latter bought out the Lutheran interest in the old church and last year determined to remodel it, which has been done at a cost of $6,000, and the church was dedicated (free of debt) Sunday, May 9, 1886, by Rev. M. H. Sangree. The building is of brick. 67x43 feet, with two towers and a 1,200 pound bell, and is Gothic in style, with a seating capacity of 500, The organization of this society dates back to 1787. The following are names of the ministers who have served this congregation: Revs. Lebrecht L. Hinsch, 1804-34; Benjamin Schneck, 1835; Jacob Baer, 1838; Samuel Gutalius, 1840- 43; E. V. Gerhardt, D. D., 1843 to 1849; Jacob Zeigler, 1849 to 1863; D. W. Wolf, 1865 to 1873; A J. Heller, 1873 to 1883; and M. H. Sangrée, present incumbent, from 1884.


Miscellaneous. - After 1851 W. D. Gobrecht rebuilt the Hance Morrison saw- mill and added a lath and shingle-mill. In 1856 the Cole Bros. purchased the property, and in 1863 Francis Cole became proprietor. At this place there is a covered bridge over the Conowago, erected in 1859. In 1820 there were the Bluebaugh, John Bushey and Thomas Good taverns near the foot of the Narrows. where John Orner now lives. Daniel Arendt's property was originally owned


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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.


by Nicholas Bittinger, whose heirs had it surveyed in 1809. The Capt. Eich- oltz farm was warranted in 1797 by one Ferguson, and sold by him that year to Adam Plumb. Scott & Smeltzer built the first saw-mill there.


In 1819 the Ferguson-Plumb traet fell into the hands of the Bells, who in later years sold the mill lands to D. Arendt and the Plumb traet to Capt. Eicholtz. Nicholas Bittinger, the hero of Fort Washington, built the first grist- mill. He died in 1804. The old mill was rebuilt for the heirs of William Bell, Sr. William Bell, Jr. rebuilt the saw-mill. A distillery stood here also which Andrew Bittinger operated for a number of years. Francis Knaus built the first grist-mill at Arendtsville in 1797. In 1812 Isaae Wierman purchased the mill and farm, rebuilt it in 1840 as a saw and grist-mill, and after the Wier- man Bros. came into possession, in 1866, they added the shingle-mill and in- trodneed submerged water-wheels.


The Washington Independent Guards was an old organization of Franklin even in 1822. The Independent Riflemen of Arendtsville were organized in June, 1858, with forty members. William F. Walter was elected captain, Jacob H. Plank, first lieutenant, and Jacob M. Bushey, second lieutenant.


The Arendtsville ladies organized a soldiers' relief society in December, 1861. The committee comprised Mrs. J. K. Miller, Mrs. Jacob Lower, Mrs. Jacob H. Plank, Mrs. Peter Boblitz, Mrs. C. Haines and Mrs. Samuel Eicholtz.


In the fall of 1867 the Franklin & Butler military company was organized. This was known as the Franklin Zouaves, with Samuel H. Eicholtz, captain.


CASHTOWN.


This village nestles at the foot of Roek Top, which rises almost perpendic- ularly to a height of 410 feet above the level of the village, or 1, 210 feet above the Atlantic. Its beginnings go away back to pioneer days. For some years past Cashtown has been casting away the swaddling clothes of a mountain hamlet, and now boasts of a fine church building, a well conducted hotel, a few good business houses and a number of comfortable private homes. A toll gate of the Gettysburg & Chambersburg Pike-road Company occupies a central place, but apart from this the village presents a modern appearance. Hilltown, on the road up to the South Mountain narrows, may be termed an extension of Cashtown.


The Reformed Society of Cashtown formed a part of the society of Flohr's Church until the Lutheran society acquired sole control there in 1875-76. About 1876 the society at Cashtown was formed; in 1877 the work of building the present neat house of worship was begun, and the church was dedicated Jan- mary 13, 1878. The cost is estimated at $3,500.


Rock Top Observatory was completed in July, 1879, for the owner, Editor Stahle.


MUMMASBURG,


This village was surveyed in 1820 by John L. Hinkle for John Mumma. It was platted into 150 lots, one of which was the spring, donated for public use, one for a schoolhouse and one or two for religious purposes. Many of the lots were placed in the lottery. each represented by a $56 ticket, on which a lot number was written. The " Mansion House" was drawn by James Black, who at once opened a tavern at this point, near his old tavern, to which a pike road was built in 1812.


In 1822-23 John Mumma succeeded in having the Mennonite Church at Flohr's removed to the new town, and donated the original Wislar lot to the congregation. Here a meeting-house was erected in 1823, and the cemetery


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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


laid out by John Wislar and Tobias Boyer, the first trustees. Here Abraham Roth, the bishop, David Reiff and George Herone preached for many years. Daniel Shank is the present bishop of this county, and, with Martin Wislar, officiates here.


The Union Presbyterian and Lutheran Church, near the village school, was built in 1882. The lot was originally granted by John Mumma on condition that the church to be built thereon would be open to all Biblical teachers. Jo- seph Wilson and Solomon Hartman represented the Union as trustees, and David Wilts was superintendent of building.


The M. T. P. Society was organized April 8, 1858, with William D. Go- brecht, president, and James Russell, secretary. The presidents since that time- have been Jacob Fulweiler, B. Deardorff, John Hartman and E. W. Stahle. Jacob Eicholtz and Jacob Fulweiler were secretaries, the present incumbent being David McGrew. The number of members is placed at 2,423; value of property insured. $3,250,980; total receipts since organization, $43,447.33; total losses paid, $43, 447.33. The Mummasburg postoffice has been in charge of H. W. Witmore for a number of years.


M'KNIGHTSTOWN.


McKnightstown (or New Salem) is so named from the fact that it occupies a part of the old MeKnight farm. In 1860 Albert Vandyke sold a tract of land to John Hartman; the same year he and Hezekiah Latshaw surveyed and platted a village, and immediately a house was erected by Abram Mickley. In 1867 Jacob F. Lower built a store-house, and during that year many of the houses now constituting the village were erected. The postoffice is in charge of W. F. Rittase.


BUCHANAN VALLEY.


Buchanan Valley, originally called "Pleasant Valley," was settled about the year 1734. It is six miles in length and about two miles in breadth. James Bleakley was the first to move into the valley; others soon followed. Some of the names of those were Casper Hiller, Nicholas Strausbaugh, John Dellone, Andrew Noel, Donald McClellan, William Cobb and James Kern, who settled in the north and western part; Michael Dellone, Jacob Starner and William Milligan in the southern part; James Jamison, Robert Buck, Christopher Warren, Jacob Symmons in the eastern part.


James Bleakley was the first farmer: was also a shoe-maker by trade, 1734. The first child born in the valley was Isabella Bleakley, June 11, 1748. The first marriage was in 1778; William Brandon to Jane Bleakley. James Bleakley, Jr., built the first saw-mill in 1783. The first death was June 30, 1809, in the person of the wife of James Bleakley. Mrs. Armstrong was the first school teacher (1790), the schoolhouse being situated in the northern part of the valley at the foot of the Pine Mountain. The first grist-mill was built in 1824 by John Lowstetter, which stands on the farm now owned by Theodore Kimple, being on the Conowago Creek. George Douse was the first store-keeper, opening his store in 1851.


The residents of Hilltown side of the mountain are not identified with the people of the valley. The name of the valley was changed to "Buchanan Val- ley " during the presidential campaign of James Buchanan in 1856. The pres- ent number of inhabitants is 502.


There are at present three stores in Buchanan Valley, kept respectively by Mrs. Anna Rollman, John H. Musser, and George Cole, Sr .; three steam saw- mills owned respectively by Amos Newman, George Cole, Sr., and William


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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.


Martin; eight saw-mills run by water power owned respectively by Francis Cole. Theodore Kimple, Sr., John Dillon, Dillon & Irwin, John Bittinger, Andrew Bittinger and Nancy Bleakley; one grist-mill owned by Theodore Kimple, Sr .; one blacksmith shop, Samuel Irwin, smith. There are three schoolhouses : Brady's school, taught by Sarah C. Stahle ; Strusbaugh's school, taught by Clement Hartman, and Newman's school taught by Charles Deardorff.


Agriculture, stock growing, and the manufacture of lumber are the princi- pal pursuits of the inhabitants. There is but little commerce, charcoal, grain and lumber being the chief articles.


Conowago Creek runs through the valley, rising on William Sheppard's farm, at a spring in the meadow. This farm is situated at the head of the valley near the Chambersburg pike.


Valentine Fehl purchased the Cornelius Campbell and other tracts (as war- rented in 1762), in 1795, and in July, 1809, they were deeded to him, and be- came known as the Armagh tract, now the property of Francis Cole, and here he kept a hotel as late as 1825. In 1795 it was the property of the heirs of Hans, Hugh and James Morrison and John Sample. Morrison built the first saw-mill on this property.


William Boyd kept tavern where C. W. Stewart now lives. William Kelso settled here and built the house which is still standing, in 1770. In 1779 Andrew Boyd purchased it from Kelso and William Boyd, and opened it as a hotel at the foot of Piney Hill.


Trust postoffice was established in 1886, George Cole being appointed post- master.


St. Ignatius Catholic Church is situated in Buchanan Valley in the South Mountain, about ten miles from Gettysburg, on a commanding eminence in the southern part of Buchanan Valley. There is but little known of the early his- tory of this church, as there is no record to be found here or at Conowago, the church from which pastors were supplied. The records were destroyed. This church was attached to Conowago Church until 1858. It was originated in 1816 by John Lowstetter, who gave a tract of land to build it on, and the corner-stone was laid October 10, 1816. It is built of brick. Part of the land on which the church stood was sold by the sheriff, John Arendt, in the year 1819. The remainder of the land was sold and purchased by the Jesuits of George- town and Conowago Church. Some of the original members were Jacob Sterner, Andrew Sterner, Michael Strasbaugh, Michael Dellone, Andrew Noel, John Walter, William Noel, Peter Dellone, Sr., Joseph Baker and Christian Baker. The parsonage was begun December, 27, 1818. It is a frame build- ing and is built beside the church. The Jesuits, in 1853, sold the land in lots, reserving two acres upon which the church stands, including the cemetery. - Rev. Adolphus L. DeBarth celebrated mass at the house of Andrew Noel, Sr., which stood on the farm now owned by John and Samuel Irwin. This was some time before the church was built; probably between 1800 and 1817. He was the first pastor but there is no record of his pastorship. Rev. Mathew Leken succeeded Father DeBarth and served this congregation until 1829. Fathers Kendler and Steinbacher attended this congregation also, assistants of Father Leken. Michael Dougherty served until 1843. He officiated at the first marriages there is any record of at this church: George Cole to Anna Strasbaugh; John Cole to Sarah Strasbaugh, October 1, 1843. Rev. James B. Cotting, the next pastor, purchased the bell and organ.


Rev. Francis X. Denecker, who succeeded Father Cotting, provided a li- brary and established the Rosary society. He was the last regular Jesuit


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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


pastor. In 1858 the Jesuits gave over the Gettysburg and Mountain churches and church property into the care and control of Rev. James Wood, bishop of Philadelphia. A new charge was formed out of the Gettysburg (St. Francis Xavier), Immaculate Conception, Fairfield and St. Ignatius, South Mountain. Rev. Basil Shorb was the first secular pastor appointed after Father Denecker, in 1858, residing in Gettysburg. He attended until about February 24, 1860. He was followed by Rev. L. J. Miller, who attended five months; the Rev. F. P. Mulgrew, from September to December, 1860. Then came Rev. Michael Martin for a short time. The next regular pastor was the Rev. Arthur McGinni, who was in charge from July 16, 1861, to about October 27, 1863. Rev. Jo- seph A. Boll assumed charge January 4, 1864, until the spring of 1873, when St. Ignatius Church was detached from the Gettysburg, and attached to the Chambersburg charge. Rev. John Boescus, of the Chambersburg charge, took charge of St. Ignatius Church, South Mountain, in 1873; Rev. Daniel Reily, assistant. Rev. Thomas J. Flemming took charge of the congregation in July, 1875, with Rev. Joseph Kaelin as assistant. He bade farewell to his congregation August 15, 1881. Rev. Clement A. Schleuter, the present pastor, succeeded Father Flemming; Father Raclin still is assistant pastor. In the cemetery in connection with this church Andrew Noel, aged eighty-six, was the first person buried, in 1821. The value of the church property is $8,000.


Jacob J. Cole was instrumental in establishing the Parochial School of St. Ignatius Church in the year 1877, Rev. Thomas J. Flemming, pastor. Miss Jane A. Cole was appointed teacher, but did not finish the term, her cousin Jennie S. Cole finishing for her. Annie McCloskey succeeded and taught two terms. Sara C. Stahle took charge of the school in 1883, and is the present teacher. The school is only open during the summer months. She takes a lively interest in the welfare of the children of Buchanan Valley and in their moral and religious training. Rev. C. A. Schleuter pastor. The present choir consists of Jennie S. Cole, organist; Peter Adams, leader; John Baker, George I. Cole, Jacob J. Cole, Sara C. Stahle, Annie Cole, Annie Steinberger and Katie Steinberger.


SEVEN STARS.


This is a name given to a little hamlet on the Hanover Junction, Harris- burg & Gettysburg Railroad. Prior to 1840 Andrew Hentzellman's tavern marked the location; years later it was surveyed into town lots; but not until 1867 did it assume any importance. although a postoffice was established there some years before. Of late years Israel Little and E. J. Little have been post- masters.


SHEELEY'S.


At Sheeley's settlement above Hilltown the beginnings of another village have been made, On the death of Jacob Sheely, who resided near the old Indian burying ground. in 1860, a cemetery was opened above the foot of the Narrows. In 1861 Calvary Church of the United Brethren Association was erected, and in 1880 the brick schoolhouse, just north of the church, was built and opened by Horace Comfort. Jacob Sheely is the present teacher. Prior to 1880 the children of the new district had to attend school at Lady's or Cashtown.


CHAMBERLIN'S.


Chamberlin's settlement dates its beginnings back to the pioneer days of the county; but not until 1850 was it distinguished from any of the neighbor- ing farms. In that year Chamberlin's Methodist Episcopal Church was


Sincerely yours, Food. . Lite


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FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.


erected, and dedicated November 6, by Rev. Charles Tipet, presiding elder. The mission formerly belonged to the Gettysburg Circuit, but is now attached to the Littlestown charge. The cemetery dates back to February 11, 1855, when Elliek Clark, an old resident aged seventy-five years, was buried there, There are eighteen headstones memorializing the death of so many aged citi- zens. Among the original members of the church were the Diells, Linns, Beards, Leases, Beiseckers, Spences. Catherine Chamberlin, and Gilberts.


MISCELLANEOUS.


Ortanna is the name given to the station at the present western terminus of the Hanover Junction. Harrisburg & Gettysburg Railroad, which passes through a portion of the southern part of the township. Here, in ISS4, Wertz & Co. established a store and warehouse and erceted a neat residence.


Graeffenburg is a small settlement on the western border of the township, a half mile from Caledonia furnace. It is the postal town of the Upper Cono- cocheague country and the Buchanan Valley. Since its beginning it has sus- tained a small business. Josephine Riggeal is postmistress.


"Pleasant Valley " is the name given to the pass in South Mountain. through which the head waters of Marsh Creek rush eastward, and the turn- pike leads to Chambersburg, west of Cashtown.


The postoffices in Franklin Township are Arendtsville, Cashtown, Græffen- burgh. McKnightstown, Mummasburgh, Seven Stars and Trust.


CHAPTER XXXII.


FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.


M ARSH CREEK forms the entire castern line of Freedom Township, with Plum Run in the north as its principal native tributary. Middle Creek enters the township north of the White farm and flows southeast, entering Maryland at the old Rhodes farm. There are several rivulets feeding the main streams, all of which are native to the county, Harper's Hill in the south- eastern part is the only prominent high land; but, throughout, the land is heavily rolling and may be called hilly.


In 1842 Robert Black erected a covered wooden bridge on the Emmittsburg road over Middle Creek for $800, which gave place to a new one twenty years ago. In 1854 George Chritzman built a covered bridge over Marsh Creek on the Emmittsburg road for $1,975. In 1865 John Taylor & Bro. erected a covered wooden bridge across Middle Creek on the Emmittsburg road for $1, 600. The iron bridge over Middle Creek, built by the Keystone Bridge Company in 1885-86, cost $549.


The population in 1840 was 465; in 1850, 473, including 3 colored; in 1860, 472, including 4 colored; in 1870, 449, including 5 colored, and in 1880, 544. The number of tax-payers (1886) is 154; valne of real estate, $200,318: number of horses, etc., 201: of cows, 209; value of moneys at interest, $27,210; value of trades and professions, $3,565; number of pleasure carriages, 100: of gold watches, 5: aeres of timber land, 1,001.


The township was set off from Liberty in 1838. As early as 1740 it was included in " the Manor of Maske," and the original settlers shared in all the


14A


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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


troubles and uncertainties, regarding titles to their lands peculiar to those times. Among the first land improvers on this part of the "Manor" were many of the men whose names will be forever identified with the settlement of the western part of Adams County. Samuel Gettys owned land on Middle Creek, and it is supposed that the following named settled here on the dates given: Quintin McAdams, Robert MeNeil, Robert Anan, later of Emmittsburg, in May, 1741; Robert Long, in September, 1739; Hugh Woods, in March, 1741; Samuel Gibson, Duncan Evans and Robert Gibson, in October, 1736; Thomas Martin, in May, 1741; Robert Brumfield, in September, 1739; Thomas Ted- ford, in May, 1740.


James Logan, secretary of the Proprietaries, in one of his reports com- plains of the new ideas and independence of the Irish settlers: "I must own," says he, "from my own experience in the land office, that the settlement of five families from Ireland gives me more trouble than fifty of any other people." Watson, referring to Logan, says: " All this seems like hard measure dealt up- on those specimens of ' the land of generous natures,' but we may be exensed for letting him speak out, who was himself from the ' Emerald Isle,' where he had of course seen a better race."


Richard Peters, who succeeded James Logan as secretary, visited Marsh Creek in 1743 to evict the squatters and survey the " Manor of Maske." On this occasion seventy settlers broke the surveyor's chain and routed the secretary, the sheriff, a justice of the peace, and others.


The "Manor of Maske," including all Cumberland Township and the greater part of Freedom, was established in 1740, but squatters were here some years prior to that year. In 1765 a list of the resident squatters was made, the greater number of whom resided in the adjoining townships. Car- rol's Tracts, or the Upper and Lower Tracts, were granted to Charles Carrol. Sr., who was agent for Lord Baltimore. There is a " Mason & Dixon " mile- stone in the barn-yard of Matthias Martin, near the Gettysburg road, one mile and a half from Emmittsburg. There is also one on Frank Caldwell's farm, near the west end of the old plank road, and another on the Friends' Creek Hills, two miles from Emmittsburgh.


The "Hill," or Marsh Creek Associated Presbyterian Church, was first built of logs between 1763 and 1768. The present stone church was commenced in 1792 and finished in the winter of 1793-94. This ehureh has never been mod- ernized. Its brick aisles, high back seats, pulpit in the center of the back part of the church, with the marks of thirteen stripes above, representing the original States, the original stripes having been carried off in 1863 as relics. all still extant; the roof alone is modern, being put on twenty-four years ago. Almost all the settlers on Marsh Creek in 1797 subscribed toward the support of this church twelve years after its consolidation with the Rock Creek Church.


The early military history of the township, like that of other divisions of the country, is related in the general history. Hiram S. MeNair was the only one of the citizens of Freedom, who responded to the first call for troops in April, 1861, who was accepted. He was mustered into Company E. Second Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.


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GERMANY TOWNSHIP.


CHAPTER XXXIII.


GERMANY TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF LITTLESTOWN.


A LLOWAY'S CREEK, forming the western line of Germany Township, is the receptacle of the streams in this township. The little creeks all flow in a southwesterly direction into Maryland. They seem to run at will throughout this little Holland, but without that erystal, dashing, splashing grace, which gives beauty and interest to the mountain streamlets. The surface is rolling in some parts, and decidedly level in others. The soil is all that limestone indi- cates, while in the very low distriets loam and even black muck characterize it. Here are found outerops of conglomerate dolerite. streaked blue and white limestone, red sandstone, mesozoic sandstone, slaty conglomerate, mesozoic sandstone stained with malachite, coarse-grained, yellowish, green conglomer- ate, red shalo with mica spangles. The iron ore mines on the farms of Mrs. Sterner and Enoch LeFevre, in Germany Township, were worked in 1867 by the Wrightsville and the Ashland Mining Companies.


In October, 1521. Dan Margentice, David and Henry Shriver were engaged in selling foreign wines and liquors. and Christian Bishop, Dr. Ephraim Davis and George Will, foreign merchandise.


The population in IS00 was 1,013; in 1810, about 1,100; in 1820, 1.272, including 1 slave and 26 freo colored: in 1830, 1,517; in 1840, 1,553: in 1850 (outside the borough). 720 (2 eolored); in 1860, 744 (4 colored); in 1870, SSO (1 colored), and in ISSO, 1.002. The number of taxpayers ( 1886) is 303; value of real estate, $294. 751; number of horses, 242; of cows, 275; valne of monoys at interest, 859,689; value of trades and professions, $7.830: number of carriages, 101; gold watches, 4; silver watches 1 ; acres of timber land, 335.


The Littlestown Branch Railroad was opened for traffic July 1, 1858. The cost was about $75,000, as shown in the report of the president, William MeSherry. The road was extended to Frederick, Md., in 1871, and in December, 1874. the entire " Short Line" was leased to the Pennsylvania Company, the present operators. The first turnpike. the Gettysburg & Petersburg (Littlestown), was built by a company in 1809, to Biddle's Mill, on the State line. The act of incorporation named James MeSherry, John Shorb. Jacob Winrott, James Gettys, Alexander Cobean and Henry Hoke, commissioners. Three hundred and fifty shares of $100 each were taken. Samuel Sloan surveyed the line for $2 per mile in 1808, and James Gettys contracted to build the road for $4,555 per mile. Toll gates were erected in August. 1809, and the extension from Gettysburg to the mountain, ten miles, was built in 1810.




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