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 57

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Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280

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 57
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 57

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325

NEWTON TOWNSHIP.

Newville, in 1845, is described by Rupp as having abont 100 dwellings, several mills, taverns and churches (two Presbyterian and one Lutheran), and three public schools. Previous to this, in 1840, it is described as having six stores and three taverns. Its population at various periods has been: In 1830, 530; 1840, 564; 1850. 715; 1560, 885; 1870, 907; 1880, 1,650.

The town was divided into the north and south wards by a decree of the court, contirmed July, 1574.

AN HISTORICAL CHARACTER.

One of the most interesting facts in connection with the history of the town of Newville, is that the artizan. William Denning, who succeeded in making the first wrought iron cannon in America, lived, after the Revolution, in the neighborhood of Newville, and was buried in the grave-yard of the old Presby- terian Church at that place. No tombstone, however, marks the spot, although some of the older citizens claim to have located it. He died December 19, 1530. The following account is given of him in Hazard's Register, Vol. VII: " The deceased was an artificer in the Revolution. He it was who, in the days of his country's need, made the only successful attempt ever made in the world to manufacture wrought-iron cannons, two of which he completed at Middle- sex, in this county, and commenced another and larger one at Mount Holly, but could get no one to assist him who could stand the heat, which is said to have been so great as to melt the buttons off his clothes. This unfinished piece, it is said, lies as he left it, at either Mount Holly or the Carlisle Bar- racks. One of those completed was taken by the British at the battle of Bran- dywine, and is now in the Tower of London. The British Government offered a large sum and a stated annuity to any person who would instruct them in the manufacture of that article, but the patriotic blacksmith preferred obscurity and poverty in his own beloved country to wealth and affluence in that of her oppressors, although that country for which he did so much kept her purse closed from the veteran soldier till near the close of his long life, and it often required the whole weight of his well known character for honesty to keep him from the severest pangs of poverty. When such characters are neglected by a rich government, it is no wonder that some folks think Republics ungrateful."

CHURCHES.

The First Presbyterian Church at Newville was erected abont 1738. It was a log building, in the southern part of the grave-yard now used by the congre- gation. The present stone structure was built about 1790. It was a plain stone building, with three doors, and with the pulpit, on the north side. It had pews with high, straight backs. In 1842 it was handsomely remodeled in modern style, and is now one of the handsomest churches in the valley. It is built in a delightful grove near which, in the language of Dr. Nevin, "rolls gently along the clear and lovely stream from which it has received its name, and which for ages has been flowing on, apparently the same, whilst the crowds that have been weekly gathering on its brink have, one after another, lain down within the sound of its murmurs" to their long, last sleep. Thomas Craighead was the first pastor, installed in 1738. He died in the pulpit after the close of an eloquent sermon, while its last words were still upon his lips. His remains were buried where the church now stands, the only monument of his memory.

United Presbyterian Church. - This church, originally "Seceder," was built of logs, according to the inscription on it, in 1764. This was followed by a stone church about 1790, a briek 1826, a new brick in 1868. The present

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

handsome brick church edifice was built in 1882. It is upon an elevation in a beautiful grove, and with its grave-yard just back of it. Upon a tablet in the church building is engraved the dates which we have given: "United Pres- byterian Church. Founded A. D. 1764-Erected A. D. 1882."'

First Methodist Church. - This was built in 1826. It was of brick and stood on the back part of the present lot on Main Street. The present one, of brick, was built in 1846.

First Lutheran Church. - This was built in 1832 on North High Street, and the present one in 1862 on West Main Street.

" Bethet" Church. - A Bethel Church was built in 1830, which is now occu- pied by a colored congregation. The present Bethel Church on Railroad Street was built in 1859.

United Brethren Church. - This is located on Fairfield Street, and was built of brick in 1867.

CEMETERY.

Owing to the necessity for new burial ground, the Newville Cemetery was organized a few years ago. It is beautifully situated west of the town.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

For some years before and after the middle of the century, classical schools were established in Newville. In 1832, Joseph Casey, the father of Judge Casey, of the United States Court of Claims, opened a classical school, which lasted for a period of eight or ten years. He had received his education at Glasgow, and was a thorough Latinist. About 1843 another clasical school was opened, which included all the ordinary academic studies. This was established by R. D. French, who was succeeded, in 1846, by Mr. Kilburn; in 1849, by James Huston; in 1852, by W. R. Linn.

Rev. R. McCachren erected an academy building at about this time, where he and others taught until 1857, when it was succeeded by a normal school. The Rebellion broke this up; but even after the war a classical school was con- ducted by F. L. Gillelon, who was succeeded by Dr. Stayman and W. H. Thompson. At this time the academy building was used as a female school. Both succumbed, however, either to the growing favor for larger colleges or the public schools.

There are eight public schools in Newville, with fit buildings, one of which, a commodious brick structure with inclosed grounds, has been recently erected.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper published in Newville was in 1843, but it was a small sheet and of brief duration. The Star of the Valley was started in 1858 by J. M. Miller. The Enterprise, which had been established at Oakville, in May, 1871, by the Fosnot Bros., was moved to Newville in December, 1874, and the two papers were consolidated as The Star and Enterprise, under the man- agement of J. C. Fosnot & Son, in January, 1886. It is an eight page weekly paper. The Times, which was begun at Plainfield, and known as the Plain- field Times, in the winter of 1881, was moved to Newville in the winter of 1885; it is a neat eight-page weekly paper, conducted by J. W. Strohm.

BANKS.

The first bank in Newville was the "Newville Saving Fund Society." It was organized March 9, 1850 and dissolved March 31, 1858. A private bank- ing firm was started by Rea, Gracey & Co., in 1857, and was reorganized un- der the United States charter in August of 1863, as the First National Bank of

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NEWTON TOWNSHIP.

Newville. It is in a handsome building on Railroad Street. Its capital is $100,000.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Friendship Fire Company, No 1, meets in the Council Room, East Main Street, on the second Tuesday evening of each month. J. C. Fosnot, presi- dent; J. M. Reed, secretary.

Washington Fire Company meets on second Friday evenings of each month. D. N. Thomas, president; Geo. L. Gussman, secretary.

SOCIETIES.

Big Spring Lodge, No. 361. A. Y. M., was instituted June 1, 1866, with the following named charter members: J. A. Kunkel, Harry Manning, W. B. Shoemaker. Peter A. Ahl. David Ahl, A. Byers, Samuel Byers, William Bor- land, James Elliott, George M. Graham, D. H. Gilmore, J. S. Hays, H. S. Ferris, G. H. Hammer, S. I. Irvine, William Klink, R. R. McAchlan, C. T. McLaughlin, James McCandlish, J. P. Rhoads, Henry Snyder, S. A. Sollen- berger, J. A. Woodburn, M. Williams, S. C. Wagner. Number of members September 15. 1566, forty-four. Officers: Robert H. Stake. W. M .; G. A. Rea, S. W .; John E. Mickey, J. W .; A. Byers, Treasurer; S. G. Glauser, Sec- retury.

Conodoguinet Lodge, No. 173, I. O. O F., was organized May 28, 1846, with the following named charter members: James F. Coxel, A. J. North, J. B. Myers, H. S. Ferris, Archibald Bricker, J. G. Kyle. Joseph Fry, Lewis Rhoads, George Blankney, E. E. Brady and John C. Kyser. Membership numbers sixty. Present officers are D. P. Sollenberger, N. G. ; J. H. Ployer, V. N. G .; J. C. Fosnot. Secretary: B. F. Shulenberger, Treasurer.

Big Spring Encampment. No. 92, I. O. O. F., instituted February 23, 1855, has a membership of nineteen. Present officers are George Murphy, C. P .; D. P. Sollenberger, S. W .; G. B. Weast, J. W .; J. C. Fosnot, Scribe; B. F. Shulenberger, Treasurer.

Sauquehanna Tribe, No. 131, I. O. R. M., was instituted at Shippensburg June 21, 1570, with the following named charter members: J. Berr Roddig, William H. Lawrence, A. D. Rebok. O. M. Blair, Samnel S. Shryock and H. M. Ash. The tribe removed to Newville December 2, 1875. Its present mem- bership numbers about twenty, and its officers are Joseph Jeffries, Sachem; Joseph S. Tolhelm, Senior Sagamore: J. W. Taylor, Junior Sagamore; J. C. Fosnot, Chief of Records: D. N. Thomas. Keeper of Wampum.

The "I. L. C.," a social and literary elub, meeting weekly, was organized June 24. 1884, with the following named members: W. B. Stewart, G. B. Landis and E. D. Glauser. Present membership numbers fourteen, and the officers are George Fosnot, President: George Landis, Vice-President; E. D. Glauser, Secretary; W. B. Stewart, Treasurer. This club has a library.

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXI.

NORTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP.

N FORTH MIDDLETON was originally a portion of Middleton until that township was divided into North and South Middleton, in 1810, when it became a separate township. It then embraced also Middlesex, which was formed from it subsequently.

It lies just north of Carlisle, bounded on the north by the Blue Ridge or the North Mountains, on the east by Middlesex, on the south by South Mid- dleton, and on the west by West Pennsborough and Frankford Townships.

The Conodoguinet Creek flows, with very abrupt and irregular curvatures, through the southern portion of the township, the land lying on the south side being the usual limestone, and on the north slate, formation. There are very many fine farms in the township, and particularly on the south side of the creek.

EARLY SETTLERS.

This township, like all or most of the others in Cumberland County, was originally settled by the Scotch-Irish, but at a later period many Germans came into it, so that, to-day, very few of the descendants of the original set- tlers are left. In this sense it stands in marked contrast with some other sec- tions of the county.

One of the very earliest settlers, not only in this township, but among those who first pushed their way into the North Valley, was Richard Parker, many of whose descendants are still living. He, with Janet Martha, his wife, emi- grated from the Province of Ulster, Ireland, in 1725, and settled three miles from Carlisle, acquiring land by patent near the Presbyterian Glebe Meeting- House on the Conodoguinet Creek in 1730.

That the Parker family settled west of the Susquehanna in 1725 there is sufficient evidence in the land office, where, among the records, is the applica- tion of Richard Parker in 1734 (the year his tract of land was surveyed to him), for a warrant for the land on which he had "resided ye ten years past," which would carry the date of his settlement on the Conodoguinet Creek, near Car- lisle, back to 1724. And indeed it is probable that even at this early period there were quite a number of settlers between this point and the Susquehanna. In 1729, when the county of Lancaster was organized, which then in- cluded Cumberland, there were "over Sasquehanna," Hendricks. Macfarlane, Silvers, Parker and others, who claimed a residence of from five to ten years, and possibly some periods which were still further back, but which are now unknown. Emigrants did not wait for the purchase of the lands by the pro- prietories from the Indians, especially the aggressive Scotch-Irish, who were "not wanted," where the lands had already been acquired, but were directed to push forward to the frontier.

Thomas Parker, the son of Richard, was also born in Ireland, but came over with his father. He died in April, 1776. A number of the members of this family served in the Revolution; and the widow of one, Maj. Alexander · Parker, who laid out the town of Parkersburg at the mouth of the Little Ka-

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NORTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP.

nawha, und who is buried at the Meeting House Springs, afterward married Charles MeClure, near Carlisle, one of whose children, Charles, who was secre- tary of the commonwealth under Gov. Porter, married Margaretta Gibson, the daughter of Chief Justice Gibson, of Pennsylvania.

Comparatively few of the names of the early Scotch-Irish settlers in this township are within the recollection of the living. At an early period Patrick and William Davidson, William Gillingham, James Kilgore, Joseph Clark, Peter Wilkie und John MeClure owned land near the proposed site of Carlisle, and portions of it had to be bought back by the Proprietarios. "William Armstrong's Settlement," on the Conodoguinet, was just below the Meeting House Springs. David Williams, a wealthy land-owner and the earliest known elder of that church, James Young and Robert Sanderson were probably in- cluded in that settlement. In following the creek, Thomas Wilson resided further to the east, near Henderson's mill, while adjoining him on the east was James Smith, and on the south Jonathan Holmes, by the spring and on the land now owned by Mrs. Parker. Turning westward again upon the creek, just one mile or more north of Carlisle, and just to the left of the "Cave" hill, was the home of Col. Ephraim Blaine, * an officer in the Indian war, a patriot in the Revolution, and the grandfather of the Hon. James G. Blaine, of Maine. Turning northeasterly from Carlisle, at some carly period, Com. O'Brian owned a large tract of about 700 acres, including the tract up- on which the almshouse stands and several farms. Mr. Stiles afterward came into possession of about 300 acres of this tract, where the alinshouse now stands, and erected his home, which was known as "Clermont." It was after- ward purchased by the county for its present purpose. On the globe belong- ing to the Meeting House Springs, was the Rev. Samuel Thompson (1798). near which were lands belonging to John Davis, Esq., who at one time (1777) commanded the Second Battalion of Cumberland County troops in the Revolu- tionary war. Still further up the creek were William Dunbar and Andrew Forbes, near which place a mill was afterward erected by William Thompson.

Among the Scotch- Irish who, in the year 1793, lived in the surrounding neighborhood of the Meeting House Springs, were the following: James Dong- las, John Dunbar, Alexander Blaine, John Gregg (died 1SOS or 1809), Rob- ert Sanderson, John Logan, James Milligan, Ross Mitchell. John Forbes; and at a still earlier period than this, Stuart Rowan, who died there. Other names we meet, with the dates, are as follows: William Parker and David William- son, 1794: William Templeton, 1795; Alexander Logan, 1797; Andrew Logan, 1798; William Douglas and William Dunbar, 1799; George Clark, 1803; John Reid, William Dinney, James Cameron, 1805; Samuel McKnight, 1807.+

But there is a list of still older names of the "heads of families " in this section, for which we are indebted to a manuscript fragment, made by the Rev. Dr. Robert Davidson, who, in connection with Dr. Charles Nesbitt the first president of Dickinson College, was the first pastor over the United Pres- byterian congregations of Carlisle. The manuscript is dated November 26, 1516, and is headed, " Names of the Heads of Families belonging to the differ- ent districts of the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle."+ The list, which is possibly unfinished, is as follows: John Templeton, Andrew Logan, Matthew Agnew, Margaret Logan, David Parker, Andrew Gregg. John Forbes.

"Ile lived also In Carlisle, and, it Is said, that it was at his house that Washingtoo stopped during his brief visit at the time of the insurrection. The old stone homestead just west of the ('ave hill, is still standing. +These dates, taken from authentie documents, indicate that the parties )Ived in these years, but how much earlier or later (often ) we do not know

*All of these early Scotch-Irish were Presbyterians.

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

And these notes of a few families as they were then (1816) constituted: (1) John Templeton and Jane Templeton, May McKee and Sarah Kennedy. (2) Alexander Logan and Jane Logan, William, Alexander, John, Mary Jane and Elizabeth-three young children. (3) Margaret Logan, Margaret Davidson and Eleanor Logan, with black man Coesen. (4) Mathew Agnew and Re- becca Agnew-two small children.

Families living north in the township, in 1793, in the neighborhood, including Crane's Gap, were as follows: Richard Crane, William Clark, John Sanderson, John Templeton, Widow Stuart, Robert Chambers, Robert Patton, Widow Harper, William Fleming, Patrick Davidson, James Sanderson, Widow Randolph, Joseph Kennedy, William Davidson, Jr., James Douglas.

We meet the names with dates attached, as follows: Joseph Kennedy, 1795; Hugh McCormick, 1795; Thomas Guy, 1797; John Kincade, 1797; John Flem- ming, 1798; James Mooreland, 1799; James Flemming, 1801; John Stewart, David Williamson and Job Randolph, 1802; John Williamson and Robert Blaine, 1803; Davidson Williams, * 1804; Joseph Clark, 1805; John Goudy, 1805, Paul Randolph, 1806.

Some of these families consisted, in December of the year 1816, as follows: (1) Patrick and Ann Davidson-George, Patrick, John, James, Sarah, Eliza and two small children. (2) Richard Crain, Sr. - Elizabeth Crain, William Crain, Abner Crain and Maria Dill. (3) Joseph Clark and Mary W. Clark -Mary Clark, Ralph Simson, George Crain, and servant girl, Margaret. (4) Thomas and Sarah Guy. (5) Samuel and Elizabeth Guy-two children. (6) Paul Randolph-William, John, Ann, Susan. (7) James and Margaret Flem- ming-William, John, Margaret and a girl. (8) Rebecca Sanderson-Mrs. Simkins, Miss Sanderson, Mr. and Mrs. McMichael. (9) Richard Crain, Jr., and Sarah-Jane, Eliza Ann, Sarah, Richard. (10) Job Randolph-William, Sarah, Eliza Ann, Fanny, Paul and Job. (11) R. Clark and Ann-Alexan- der Gregg, Widow Crain, Margaret Crain, John, Robert, Ann and Margaret. (12) John and Deborah Kincade-Jane and Susanah, and Francis Kelly. (13) William Manwell and wife-Sarah, Jane, Elizabeth and Mary. +

THE CAVE.

One of the greatest natural curiosities in the county is " The Cave." It is just one mile north of Carlisle, on the Conodoguinet Creek, in a large lime- stone bluff, which is covered with evergreen trees. The entrance to it is a symmetrical, semi-circular archway, about eight feet high and ten feet wide, from which there is a nearly straight passage of about 270 feet to a point where it brauches in three directions. The passage is high enough to admit the visitor erect until he reaches this point. The passage on the right is broad and low, but difficult of access on account of its humidity. It leads to a

chamber of very considerable length, which is known as the Devil's Dining Room. The central one is narrow and tortuous, and can not be entered for more than a distance of thirty feet, when it terminates in a perpendicular precipice. The passage on the left, at a distance of three or four feet, turns suddenly to the right, and measures in length about ninety feet, with a suffi- cient opening to permit a small lad to creep along it, after which it becomes too narrow for further progress.

About seven feet from the entrance are several small pools, probably caused by the drippings from the roof, which are called the Seven Springs. Apart from the picturesqueness of the spot, traditions and legends have been asso-

* At this time deceased.

+Here ends the manuscript of Dr. Davidson; for which we are indebted to the Rev. Dr. Joseph Vance, the present pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Carlisle.

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NORTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP.

ciated with it. It has been stated that human bones have been found in it. It was a place of retreat for Lewis the robber, and probably for Indians at a still earlier period. Several examinations have been made of it, and organic remains of many species of animals were found in it. Among the bones were found those of almost every species of mammals of the State, besides those of one or two species not now found in Pennsylvania, but known in regions not fur remote. The bones seem to indicate that the size exceeded that of the same species of the present time. It is stated that, within the recollection of many living, the cave has grown smaller, probably on account of the accumulation of earth in it.

MEETING HOUSE SPRINGS.

About two miles northwest of Carlisle there is a beautiful spring of crystal water, which flows from under limestone rocks, at the bottom of a bluff on the south side of the Conodoguinet Creek.

Near this spot, on the high ground. the Presbyterians, about the year 1736, erected a log church in " West Pennsborough," as it was then called, by rea- son of which the place has ever since been known as the "Meeting House Springs." The church was one of the very earliest erected in the valley, and years before the formation of the county or the existence of Carlisle. No ves- tige of this building now remains, nor are there any of the oldest surviving inhabitants of the neighborhoodl who are able to give anything like a satisfac- tory account of it. All has passed away. The members of the large congre- gation which worshiped within its walls, have all, long ago, disappeared, and with them the memory of the venerable edifice and the interesting incidents which were, doubtless, connected with its history.

THE GRAVE-YARD AT MEETING HOUSE SPRINGS.

The old grave yard, however. still remains, with its dilapidated and neg- lected tombs, needing the chisel of some modern antiquary to make plain their almost illegible inscriptions. Some of them which are still decipherable are dated as far back as 1736. On some there are armorial bearings, which indi- cate the fondness of our fathers for the family distinctions of their transat- lantic home. Some families claim to know the spot where their ancestors are buried; such are the Agnews, Forbeses, Dunbars, Lairds, McAllisters, Grey- sons, Parkers, Youngs and others; but, in many cases, the inscriptions do not tell us who are buried here.

The place reminds us forcibly of the quaint words of an English writer: "Grave-tones tell truths scarcely sixty years; generations pass while some trees stand, and old families last not three oaks."

As a matter of interest we may state that not more than sixty years ago there was a woo lland which began within, probably, half a mile northwest of Carlisle, and extended all the way to Meeting House Springs.

This burial place is in a handsome grove of lofty trees, and is inclosed with a stone wall on the high ground of the almost precipitous limestone bluff which here rises above the creek. The tombstones are of an extraordinary character: one small one remaining, of dark slate, most of limestone or brown sandstone, with ru la lettering, and some having upon them the rude sculpturing of animals, faces, Masonic emblem, or coats of arms. Many are reclining, some lying down. In order that some who have lived and are buried here shall not wholly be forgotten, we have attempted, with considerable difficulty, to deci- pher some of the inscriptions.

On a leaning granite ono, which stands alone in the northeast corner, in large, rude letters some nine inches long, we read: "Here lys the B> ly of

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

John and Alexander McKehan." It has no date. Others are as follows: "Here lys ye Body of Janet Thompson, wife of ye Rev. Samuel Thompson, who deceased Sep. ye 29, 1744, aged 33 years." "" Alexander McCulloch, who deceased January ye 15, 1746, aged 50 yrs." Another reads: "Here lies the body of James Young, seiner, who parted this life Feb. 22, 1747, aged 79 years." Another reads: "Here lys ye body of Meyr donnel, who departed this life Oct. 15, 1747, aged 64 yrs." On a small, dark slate stone, on which is sculptured a round, cherub face, we read in letters still distinct: " Thomas Witherspoon, who departed this life Mar. 22, 1759, aged 57." The flat tomb, which is without date, reads: "Sacred to the memory of Major Alexander Parker and his two children, Margaret and John."

Others are as follows: "Ronald Chambers, died Dec. 24, 1746, aged 60." " William Graham, died April 24, 1761, aged 67." "John Flemming, died Apr. 22, 1761, aged 39." "James McFarlan, born Dec. 24, 1685, died Oct. 31, 1770." "John Kinkead, died Aug. 4, 1772, aged 51." "Mary Kinkead [daughter ], died Aug. 1758, aged 17." "James Weakly, died June 6, 1772, aged 68." "Jane Weakly [ wife], died Nov. 30, 1768, aged 53."

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Author: Publication date: Publisher: W. Taylor Number of Pages: 1280

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280