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 58

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Publisher: W. Taylor
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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 58
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 58

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"James Weakly [infant son of Samuel and Hetty ], died Sept. 4, 1777."

Besides these, of later date, we find the names of Drenna, Saunderson, Crocket and others who were well known.

The remains of an Indian, it is said, were discovered a few years ago in digging a grave near the stone wall in the western portion of this burial ground.

Among those buried in this grave-yard in the present century is Samuel Laird, Esq., who died in September, 1806, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He was an associate justice in 1791, and one of the commissioners for the county to collect money which non-associators were expected to contribute in lieu of military service in 1778. Upon his tomb we read:

" Of simple manners, pure, and heart upright, In mild, religious ways he took delight; As elder, magistrate or judge he still Studied obedience to his Maker's will.

A husband kind, a friend to the distressed, He wished that all around him might be blessed: A patriot in the worst of times approved, By purest motives were his actions moved."

MISCELLANEOUS.

Col. Ephraim Blaine erected a mill, lately known as Henderson's mill, on the Conodoguinet Creek, about a mile north of Carlisle. Within the past year this mill has been taken down. On its corner-stone was the following mark:

Er B 1772

which is construed to mean that it was erected by Ephraim Blaine, 1772.

There are six schools in the township, several mills, four bridges (one iron) over the creek, many roads, some of them in good condition. There is no town or railroad within the township, Carlisle and the Cumberland Valley Railroad lying just on its southern border; but there are fine farms every- where, even on the rolling lands which extend back to the North Mountains. There is a postoffice in the township named Grissinger.

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PENN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXII.

PENN TOWNSHIP.

P ENN TOWNSHIP was formed from the western portion of Dickinson in 1860. Cook Township has since been formed from the southern part of Penn, reducing it to its present limits, and including nearly all of the mountain land which was formerly a portion of that township. It is bounded on the east by Dickinson Township, on the south by Cook Township, on the north by West Pennsborough Township, and on the west by Newton Township.

Its physical features, as thus reduced, are the same as those of the upper portion of Dickinson: On the north sido of the Yellow Breeches Creek heavy limestone land, very fertile, and which yields to the labor of the husbandman abundant harvests; on the south side a gravely or sand formation, but which, when well tilled, is also well adapted to agriculture. Many excellent farms, in a high state of cultivation, are to be found in almost every portion of the township. This land is also well watered by numerous springs or streams, all of which empty into the Yellow Breeches Creek, which flows in an easterly direction through the township. Most of these have their source in the South Mountains; while, at a point where the Walnut Bottom road crosses the New. ton Township line, are what are known as the Three Springs, the water flow- ing from under the limestone rocks at a distance of a few rods apart.

These springs aro somewhat south of the Quarry Hill-a sandstone ridge which extends in an easterly direction through Southampton, Newton, and the northern portion of Penn Townships. Of late years they sometimes run dry in the summer months, but it may be interesting to state that before the time when so much timber had, sometimes needlessly, been destroyed, they were much larger and more copious streams. This fact is within the recollection of some who are still living.

The principal stream, however, is the Yellow Breeches Creek, which rises in the mountains and, small comparatively until it reaches this point, twice crosses the Walnut Bottom road-the second crossing being at the dividing line between Penn and Newton Townships. Its original Indian name was "Callipascink," meaning rapid or " horseshoe bends."*

We find it was known as the " Yellow Breeches," however, as early as 1740. How it derived this "uncouth appellation" is not now known. One explanation is that the words are a corruption of Yellow Beeches-a number of which once grew upon its banks. Another rather improbable account, but which has received some credit, is as follows: In speaking of the second crossing on the Walnut Bottom road, to which we have alluded, a resident of the township writes: " I was born and raised within 300 yards of that place, and from a boy have known the stream to be called Pine Run down to this second crossing. and from there down Yellow Breeches Creek. I have been told time and again. in my boyhood days, that the name was given to it because a family living at that place (known as "Three Springs "), on a washing day,

"In " . Trego's Geography, Geology, etc., of Pennsylvania," published 1843, he says (page 33) :"The present uncouth appellation given to this beautiful stream renders it very desirable that its original Indian name should be restured. This seems, however, now to be lost, for after the most diligent research we have been unable to discover il."

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

hung out a pair of leather yellow breeches, which were stolen by a roving band of Indians, after which, in speaking of certain places, this one was known as the place or creek where the Indians had stolen the yellow breeches, from which the creek itself, in time, derived its name-but above this point it is still known as 'Pine Run.' " We have thought it worthy to state this leg- end here, for, if it be true, then this stream derived its name from an inci- dent which happened in Penn Township.

Iron ore, in detached quantities, is found in various portions of the township, while at Huntsville is the site of the old Cumberland Furnace, built by Michael Ege, but which has long since been abandoned. Grist-mills and saw-mills are along the streams, but for local uses only, while many of the older ones have disappeared.

The population of Penn is more dense than in Dickinson, but fewer of the descendants of the original settlers remain, and there is a larger infusion of the German element, which came into it at a later period. Michael Ege, at one time probably the most extensive land-owner and iron master in Pennsyl- vania, owned much of the land on the south side of the creek, which descend- ed at his death to his daughter, Mrs. Wilson, and which extended also into Dickin- son Township, in the sketch of which we have given an account of its division af- ter protracted litigation. One of the Weakley families owned land in the neighborhood of the Dickinson Church, and up toward Centerville, some gen- erations ago, and there were other family names which are the same as those which are found in Dickinson Township. As the pioneer settlers seemed always to have preferred the lands which lay adjacent to the springs or along the streams, there can be little doubt that such portions of this township as lay along the Yellow Breeches Creek or the Three Springs, were settled at a very early period.

Among the older families are the Mcculloughs, and, as a matter of inter- est, we may mention that Alexander McCullough. who married Elizabeth Mc- Kinstry and was father of James, went to California in 1855, and joined the famous Walker's expedition, where he lost his life.

VILLAGES.

Small villages are numerous in Penn Township. Along the Walnut Bot- tom and the Pine roads are clusters of houses which have as yet no name, but along the former are Cumminstown, called after Rev. Charles Cummins, the second pastor of Dickinson Church; Centerville, so named, it is said, because it is midway between Carlisle and Shippensburg; and Hockersville, called after John Hocker, who owned a farm and tavern-stand some years ago at this place. On or near the Pine road are Huntsville, formerly Spring Mills, a station on the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad; Brushtown, from the brush that surrounded it; and Milltown, a mile east, so called because of the num- ber of mills (a fulling-mill, grist-mill, saw-mill, plaster-mill, clover-seed-mill

and a whisky distillery), which were once in that immediate vicinity. Cen- terville is described in 1845, by Rupp, as " a small village on the Walnut Bot- tom road in a well improved, fertile region of the country; it contains a store and tavern." It has now a church, schoolhouse, postoffice, shops, and about 200 inhabitants.

CHURCHES.

There are six churches within the limits of Penn Township. Of these the oldest is what is known as the Dickinson Church, belonging to the Presbyterian congregation. As early as 1810 an application was made, subscribed by James Moore and Joseph Galbraith, for a pastor to supply what was called the

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PENN TOWNSHIP.

"Presbyterian congregation of Walnut Bottom," but it was not until 1823 that a congregation was organized in Dickinson Township, and not until 1826 that a call was given to Rev. MeKnight Williamson, their first pastor, who continued to serve until October, 1834. He was succeeded, in the following year, by Rev. Charles Cummins, who served for a period of ten years, and after whom, as we have seen, the small village derives its name. The place is still better known, however, as the Dickinson Church. At the close of Mr. Williamson's pastorate, the session consisted of Samuel Woods, John Ross, William Woods, Jr., George Davidson and David W. Mccullough; at the close of Mr. Cummins', the elders were William Woods, Jr., Robert Donald- son, William G. Davidson and Lewis Williams.

At first the congregation worshiped alternately in the stone church belong- ing to the Covenanters and in the log church of the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations, both of which were in Dickinson Township. Since the formation of Penn, the Dickinson Church is included in that township, although its name was derived from the one in which it was erected in 1829. It stands on a slight eminence, at a point where the road leading from Mount Rock to Spring Mills crosses the Walnut Bottom road, eight miles west of Carlisle. The lot of ground upon which it is erected was given for that pur- pose by William L. Weakley. The situation is a beautiful one, and the build- ing itself, with its neat interior, does credit to the taste and liberality of the

congregation. The Lutheran Church at Centerville is a handsome brick building, erected in 1852; while south of the Dickinson Church and near the creek is the church of the German Baptists-known as Dunkers-erected in 1863. The other churches of the township are smaller and have been more recently erected than those which we have mentioned.

SCHOOLS.

A private school or academy was begun at Centerville in 1856, by Robert Lowry Sibbet. a graduate of Pennsylvania College, in which were taught Greek, Latin, the natural sciences and higher mathematics. The school was for a time quite successful. Mr. Sibbet was succeeded by Rev. George P. Hays. After a few years, however, it ceased to exist. Of the students of this school two are ministers, one a missionary in Japan, three are lawyers living in Carlisle, one a physician, and several have been teachers. Of its teachers, Dr. Sibbet is now practicing medicine in Carlisle, and his successor was after- ward president of Washington and Jefferson College.

At present there are ten public schools in the township, and although the school term is six months, in many of the districts they are kept open three months longer by subscription.

The Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad traverses through the center of the township. The postoffices are Dickinson and Huntsdale.

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP was formed from East Pennsborough in 1757. It contains about thirty-five square miles, part slate and part lime- stone land, and is bounded on the north by the North Mountains, on the east by Hampden, on the south by Monroe Township and a small portion of Upper Allen and Mechanicsburg, and on the west by Middlesex Township. The town- ship is named after Silvers' Spring, a limpid body of water which rises in it, and which was called after James Silvers, who, with his wife Hannah, came into this valley about 1730 or 1731. He took out a warrant in October, 1735, for a tract of land, containing 532 acres, which adjoins the old Silvers' Spring Church, and extends into the loop of the Conodoguinet Creek, embracing land now owned by Mr. Kauffman, Mrs. Briggs, Mr. Bryson and Mr. Long. Here Mr. Silvers settled and lived. But, although the springs was called originally after James Silvers, common consent seems to have changed the name both of the spring and of the township to the more appropriate designation of "Silver Spring." This spring is one of the most beautiful in the Cumberland Valley. It rises from out limestone rocks, spreads into a large and somewhat circular crystal sheet, and, after serving several mills, empties itself into the Conodog- uinet Creek.

This Conodoguinet Creek flows just north of Hogestown, in such circui- tous loops or bends, that, although the general direction of the creek through the township is east and west, it is often here more nearly north and south; and although the township is only five miles across, the course of the creek measures more than twice that distance. The windings of the creek enclose the farms of James McCormick, J. C. Sample and Samuel Senseman.

This portion of the township adjoining Silver Spring and Hogestown was settled at a very early period. About 1730 John Hoge bought a large tract of land, including that on which Hogestown stands, and settled upon it.

There were other settlers here in 1733, and the records show that the land between this and the river was, at least, partially occupied at this date. Most of these early settlers seem to have located on the slate land-on account of the spring, leaving the richer lands, called "barrens," unoccupied. These early settlers were all Presbyterians. The old church was erected here at about this time. The congregation is spoken of as "over the river." No road had yet been built. It was not until November 4, 1735, that the court of Lan- caster County appointed a commission of six men, among whom was James Silvers, to lay out a road from Harris' Ferry toward the Potomac River. They reported February 3, 1736, but their view was opposed "by a considerable number of the inhabitants on the west side of the Susquehanna in those parts," and another commission of viewers was appointed, who reported May 4, 1736, that "they had reviewed the easternmost part of said road and found it very crooked and hurtful to the inhabitants, and therefore altered it and marked it. From the ferry near to a southwest course about two miles, thence westerly course to James Silvers', thence westward to John Hoge's meadow," etc.

This road was nearly identical with the turnpike, and as it passed James

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SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

Silvers' place, it would locato his house on Mrs. Brigg's farm, now occupied by George Messinger. *

ORIGINAL SETTLERS.

Of the early settlers of this portion of Silver Spring we have some interest- ing reminiscences. Two Loudon brothers, James and Mathew, came from Scotland; one settled in Sherman's Valley, but was driven out by the Indians. Mathew Loudon came to Silver Spring, married Elizabeth MeCormick about 1760, and settled on the tract now occupied by the Catheart heirs. The Hogos lived upon their property, but not where the town now stands, and the McCor- micks, northeast of the town, on the Conodoguinet Creek. The Irwins also owned tracts just southwest of the present town. The McCormicks now own a large briek house, just east of town, which belonged to the Hoges. Of this Intter family there were two brothers, David and Jonathan. David lived just across the spring south or southeast of the town; Jonathan, just across the run, northeast, along the pike. Of the Galbreaths there were also two broth- ers, Andrew nnd John. Andrew lived just below Bryson's (now Eberly's) farm, and John, up the creek, north of Bryson's farm. Mr. Oliver's family lived west of Hogestown, on the ridge, and were intermarried with the McCormicks .. Wm. Walker owned two farms which joined the Oliver farms. He married Betsy Hoge. Reese also owned a farm beyond the ridge, joining the Loudon traet, which was purchased by Archibald Loudon in 17SS. Imme- diately west of that was Mr. Christopher Herman's farm, while the Junkin tract (owned by Joseph and Benjamin) laid just south. The Irwins' lands near joined the Hermans', Loudons' and Armstrongs' tracts. There were four Irwin brothers, William, Armstrong and John Irwin, all of whose tracts joined, and James, who owned the land which now belongs to Mr. Huston, where the mill is on the Conodoguinet Creek. An old mill stood where the iron bridge now spans the creek, known originally as Kreider's mill, tho farm of Kreider's brother was opposite, and the Coble tract, belonging to Daniel and David, lay just north of this latter. Below the iron bridge joining the Kreider farm was Ashleys, and just below it, down the creek, were the two Bell farms (David and Robert), now owned by Benjamin and Samuel Voglesong. Just north of Hogestown, on the road leading to Sterritt's (originally Croghan's) Gap, was the Trimble farm, while recrossing the iron bridge, just joining the Douglas farm, was the old Carothers' farm, belonging to John Carothers, who, with his wife and whole family, was poisoned by a jealous domestic, Sallie Clark. t Of the four sons, John (who married Sallie Hoge) was afterward sheriff, and Andrew, who was crippled by the poisoning above mentioned, became one of the leading lawyers of Carlisle.

Martin Herman, a native of Germany, landed in Philadelphia July 12, 1752, and settled in Cumberland County on the 15th of April, 1771, on a tract of land called St. Martins, in Silver Spring Township, which farm has been in the possession of that family for a period of 115 years.

Besides the names of the early settlers whom we have mentioned, were the Walkers, Clendenins. Hustons, Trimbles, Somples, Fishers, Wanghs, Math- ers. Barnhills, Beltzhoovers, Hendersons and MeHoes, and on the south side of the creek were the Trimbles, Longsdorfs, Kellers, Kasts, Kings, Slonechers, Junkins, Hoges and others.

SOME EARLY EVENTŚ.

During the Indian wars, from 1753 to 1758, there were many murders and depredations throughout the valley. In Rupp (p. 125) we find: "May 13,

·see Rev T. J. Ferguson & Historical Discourse on Silver Spring Church.

+This incident was made the subject of a poetical effusion by Miss Isabella Olliver, a volume of whose poems was Issued from the press of Archibald Loudon, of Carlisle, In 1805.

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

1757, William Walker and another man were killed near McCormick's fort, at Conodoguinet." The following account, as it concerns Silver Spring, we take from a former sketch: "The early settlers were much annoyed by Indians, and consequently settled in groups as much as possible for self-protection. One of these was at a place called Roaringtown, on the bank of the Conodoguinet, where there is a very fine spring. It is on the farm now owned by Samuel Adams, two miles west of Hogestown. Mr. John Armstrong, one of the old citizens, born about 1760, whose wife was a daughter of Jonathan Hoge, fre- quently told us that he could see from his house, near the Stony Ridge, groups of Indians prowling about through the barrens several miles distant; also wild animals, which were another source of annoyance to anxious mothers, whose children would stray from home. An uncle of Judge Clendenin, late of Hogestown, went, in company with two others from his father's residence, in the northeast part of the township, where Emanuel Neidich now resides, to watch a deer lick, some two miles up along the mountain foot, on the farm where Michael Garman now lives, and whilst waiting, in the dusk of evening. for the deer to come down from the mountain to drink, and lick the salt placed there to attract them, they were fired upon by Indians in ambush, who severe- ly wounded Clendenin. They fled for home, but his strength failing from loss of blood, his companions secreted him in the bushes and made their escape. He was found in the morning cold and lifeless."

It was one of the members of the Bell family, mentioned elsewhere, of whom the following is told: "Among the many achievements," says Loudon, "against the Indians in our wars with them, few exceed that performed by Samuel Bell, formerly owner of the noted farm on the Stony Ridge, five miles below Carlisle, which was as follows: Some time after Gen. Braddock's defeat, he and his brother, James Bell, agreed to go into Shearman's Valley to hunt for deer, and were to meet at Croghan's, now Sterritt's, Gap, on the Blue Mountain. By some means or other they did not meet, and Samuel slept all night in a cabin belonging to Mr. Patton, on Shearman's Creek. In the morn- ing he had not traveled far before he spied three Indians, who at the same saw him. They all fired at each other; he wounded one of the Indians, but received no damage, except through his clothes by the balls. Several shots were fired on both sides, for each took a tree; he took out his tomahawk and stuck it into the tree, behind which he stood, so that, should they approach, he might be prepared. The tree was grazed with the Indians' balls, and he had thoughts of making his escape by flight, but, on reflection, had doubts of his being able to outrun them.

" After some time the two Indians took the wounded one and put him over a fence, and one took one course, and the other another, taking a compass, so that Bell could no longer secure himself by the tree; but by trying to ensnare him they had to expose themselves, by which means he had the good fortune to shoot one of them dead. The other ran and took the dead Indian on his back, one leg over each shoulder. By this time Bell's gun was again loaded; he then ran after the Indian until he came within abont four yards from him, fired and shot through the dead Indian and lodged his ball in the other, who dropped the dead man and ran off. On his return, coming past the fence where the wounded Indian was, he dispatched him, but did not know he had killed the third Indian until his bones were found afterward."

HOGESTOWN.

This village is situated on a small stream known as "Hoge's Run," which rises at the Stony Ridge, and empties into the Conodoquinet Creek at a beanti-

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SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

ful grove called "Sporting Green." It was called after John Hoge, who owned all the land on which the town is built and a large tract surrounding. The old stone tavern was for years the only house, and was owned by the Hoge family. The first house built after that was a small log one near the old road, and was erected about 1820. The McCormicks and the Hoges had a stockade at a very early date. John Hogne (or Hoge) married Guintheloum Bowen (said to have been a descendant of the royal family of Wales), who, after her marriage, still retained and was known by her maiden name. It is stated that it was the money obtained from the sale of her jewels which pur- chased their lands.

NEW KINGSTON.

New Kingston is a post village in Silver Spring Township, on the pike, six and a half miles east of the county seat. The Cumberland Valley Railroad runs within half a mile of the place.

The first owner of the lands upon which the town is built was Joseph Junkin, Sr. He came from Counties Down and Autrim, Ireland (his lands lying on both sides of the line), about 1736 or 1740. At Oxford. Chester County, he met and married a Scotch girl, Elizabeth Wallace, and soon after crossed Harris' ferry, into the wilderness of Cumberland (then Lancaster) County. Ho took up a tract of 500 acres, which includes the site upon which New Kingston is now built, and ereeted the stone house which still stands, east of the town, on what was afterward known as the Walker traet. He had a number of children, among whom were Joseph and Benjamin, who afterward owned a portion of this land. Joseph (born in 1750), built the house now owned and occupied by H. W. Kanaga, in 1775-77, in which he resided until he re- moved to Mercer County in 1806. He was a captain in the Revolutionary war, fought at Brandywine, and was wounded in a skirmish shortly after.

The date of the original patent of this land to Joseph Junkin, Sr., was about the year 1740, and, after his death it was divided into three parts.

One tract was owned by John Carothers, who in 1814 sold it to John King. In the spring of 1918 King laid out the village, which was called after him, Kingston, a name which it retained. A postothice was established here in 1851, called New Kingstown.

The three stone houses were built long before the town was laid out, but in 1818 a number of dwellings were erected, probably six. by John Wynkoop, Henry Miller, George Williams, Thomas Ashley, Henry Monesmith and John Shoemaker, and possibly one other. These houses were all log buildings. The second tract was owned by Joseph Junkin, Jr., the son of the original patentee, who built the stone house above referred to, in the western portion of the town. The building of this, it is said, had been delayed on account of his absence as a captain in the Revolutionary war during the period of its erec- tion. This tract and property he sold in 1805 to Joseph Kanaga, Sr., after whose death it descended to his son, Joseph Kanaga, Jr., who, after the town was laid out, built the first frame house for a store. It is now owned by Henry W. Kanaga, the grandson of the original purchaser. The brick house in Kanaga's addition was built by H. W. Irvin.

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

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