USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania > Part 21
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"Before sending this away, I have just received information that there is Seven Killed and Five Children Scalped a Live, but not the Account of their names."
On reading these accounts, the Governor was advised to lay them and the other intelligence before the Assembly, and in the strongest terms to press them again for a militia law as the only
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means that would enable the country to exert their strength against these cruel savages. (Col. Rec., VII. p. 303). This was imme- diately done by the Governor, but action on the part of the Quaker Assembly was very slow, and the terrible work still went on.
Here practically ends the narative of recorded events in and about Manada Gap, except the interesting journal of Captain James Patterson, stationed at Fort Hunter, which is dated December, 1757. His duties kept him ranging along the mountains between that place (Manada ) and Swatara Gaps, and the journal has already been given under the head of Fort Hunter. In addition to this journal is a diary of James Burd, whilst on his tour of inspection to the various forts. At II a. m. on Sunday, February 19, 1758, he left Fort Hunter on his way to Fort Swatara. He says, "got to Crawford's, 14 miles from Hunter's, here I stay all night, it rained hard. Had number of applications from the country for protection, otherwise they would be immediately obliged to fly from their settlements, appointed to meet them to hear their complaints and proposals on Tuesday at 10:00 a. m. at Fort Swetarrow; the coun- try is thick settled this march along the blue mountains, and very fine plantations."
Upon his arrival at Fort Swatara he reviewed the garrison, inspected the fort and the stores, and gave orders for a sergeant and twelve men to be always out on the scout toward Crawford's, near Manada Gap. On Tuesday, February 21, the country people came in according to appointment, when, after hearing their state- ment, he promised to station an officer and twenty-five men at Robertson's mill, "situate in the Center between the Forts, Swattarow and Hunter," which gave the people content. (Penn. Arch. III. p. 352-353).
After reading these various records we observe that four places are mentioned where soldiers were stationed, and which were used for defense: Robinson's, Robeson's ( or Robertson's) Mill, as the writer saw fit to spell the name, Manada, Brown's Fort, and Squire Read's house. The misunderstanding with regard to Manada Fort has been caused by confounding these names in the effort to produce one or two places only out of what are really four separate and distinct stations.
At this point there is back of the First mountains or Blue range, proper, a series of other ranges, known as the Second, Third, Fourth, and Peters mountains, etc. Manada Gap is the narrow passage in the First mountain, where the Manada creek, formed between it and the Second mountain, has forced its way through on its journey towards its larger sister, the Swatara creek. Right at
N
A
- E
BLUE MOUNTAINS
ROAD TO FORT SWATARA & GAP. -
PROPERTY OF I BROWNS FORT JNO. L. KAMLER
0 FORT SWATARA
I'4 MILES E OF MANADA FORT AB 5
· N.W. OF REEDS HOUSE.
S
MANADA Q FORT
MANADA
METHODIST MEETING MOUSEC
I MILE FROM SHELLSVILLE
PAN'LUHLRICH
OLD STONE JOHN CRAWFORD
FARM AMOS WALMER" HOUSE
O WIDOW UHLRICH
HOUSE O SMITH 0 SHOP
SHELLSVILLE
GRANTVILLE
HARPERS
REEDS CREEK.
REEDS HOUSE 0
TO JONESTOWN
- FORT AT HARPERS O
EH MT. NEBO
SWATARA CREEK
TO JONESTOWN
FORTS MANADA, BROWN'S AND HARPER'S.
BOW CREEK
RACCOON CREEK
HOUSE
INDIANTOWN CREEK .
CREEK
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
this entrance stands today the grist mill of Jacob Early, on the site of the old Robinson's mill. Mr. Early showed the author of "Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania" on his visit there, November 22, 1893, an old deed of property dated November 23, 1784, to John and James Pettigrew, for over three hundred and fifty acres of land, of Timothy Green, on part of which the mill now stands. He then explained that his present mill was built in 1891, taking the place of a frame structure erected about fifty-five years ago, ( 1841), which, in its turn, rested on the foundation of the original mill. This latter was a stone building, and Mr. Early was told by the old residents that it had loop holes in it, larger inside than outside, and undoubtedly intended for musketry. It was admirably adapted for defense and, as we have seen, was so used. It was from this build- ing, called "Robeson's Fort," that a lad standing at a corner win- dow, whilst watching some of the men dressing meat, noticed the approach of an Indian who was endeavoring to conceal himself behind a green bush, and who fled when discovered and fired upon. However, whilst excellent in itself as a place of defense, it was too close to the mountain to be conveniently located as a place of refuge and protection for the settlers, whose dwellings were usually more distant from the Gap proper. The real Manada Fort, therefore, was built a short distance below the mill, probably by the settlers themselves, in accordance with their own judgment, as already stated.
Justice Adam Read, in his appeal to the Provincial Council for assistance, in speaking of the above incident of the lad discover- ing the Indian, distinctly says that "Robeson's Fort" (the mill) was three-quarters of a mile from Manada Fort. The author of "Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania" continues :
"Diligent search on my part finally resulted in ascertaining the exact and authentic location of the latter fort, which corresponds precisely with the record. My principal information was obtained from Mr. John N. Hampton an old gentleman ninety-four years of age, residing near Grantville, some miles distant, who still remains in possession of all his mental faculties and physical powers. It so happened that when Mr. Hampton was a young man, he was en- gaged in cutting wood on the very spot where the fort stood, the property then of William Thome. Noticing an unusual quantity of dead timber, he enquired of the young Thome the reason, and was informed that this was the place where stood the Indian fort. Old Mr. Thome, who died eighty years ago ( 1815) an aged man, also stated the same thing. The fact acquired in this unusual way, became indelibly impressed upon his memory. More recently I
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have had this location corroborated by Mr. Ziegler, an intelligent, elderly gentleman, residing near Harper's, Lebanon county, who remembers hearing old people mention it in his youth, and also others. As will be seen, Robeson's (or Robinson's) mill and fort stood right in the mountain gap, beside the Manada creek. Three- quarters of a mile below was Manada fort, as shown. It stood at what is now the west end of the field on which William Rhoade's house is built, about three hundred and fifty yards from the same, and about three hundred yards distant from Manada creek, beyond it to the west. The ground is level and somewhat elevated, falling away from the fort to a run of water, immediately below, which originates in a spring near Mr. Rhoade's house and flows west into Manada creek. About one-half mile to the southeast is the Method- ist meeting house, and probably an equal distance to the southwest the Manada furnace. No trace of the fort remains, nor any know- ledge of its appearance, although from the fact that it was not one of the larger forts or stations, we are justified in presuming that it consisted merely of one block-house, surrounded by a stockade."
Continuing, the author employed by the State to write "Fron- tier Forts of Pennsylvania," says :
"I have before said that some confusion exists with regard to the number of stations and location of forts in this vicinity, owing chiefly to the letter written by Mr. Read to Edward Shippen, de- tailing the fight which the soldiers had with the Indians in the gap and the death of James Brown.
"Before taking this matter up fully, it is well to remember that the most populous part of the district was not close to the mountains, where stood Manada fort and Robeson's mill, but down towards the region of the Swatara creek. The first position was necessary as it commanded the passage through the mountains; the other was equally necessary for protection to the inhabitants and as a place of refuge for them. Accordingly, in the early history of savage depredations, we read of the farmers organizing into com- panies which made the house of Adam Read their rallying point, and later of a body of Provincial troops stationed likewise, at his home, and under his command. It might be well here to explain that he was a very influential and patriotic gentleman, one of the most prominent in the neighborhood. Being a Justice of the Peace, he is frequently called Squire Read, and, holding a commission under the Provincial government, we hear of him sometimes as Captain Read. In addition to his house, we also read of Brown's fort. To aid further explanations, I attach a map, showing the entire district.
"It will be noticed that the Swatara creek, which takes a south- westerly course after leaving Swatara Gap, suddenly tends to the
.
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MOUNTAIN
J. EARLY
FIRST
0
WILL AND SITE OF ROBINSON'S MILL & FORT .
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S
..
ROAD
TO
TO SWATARA GAP
JONESTOWN -7
BROWN'S FORT 13/4 MILES TO MANADA FORT.
MANADA
HOUSE
REUBEN RUNKLE
3/4 MILE FROM EARLY'S MILL
MANADA FORT. WERHOADS
2 MILE FROM METHODIST MEETING HOUS.
HOUSE
BARN
SPRING
RUN
OF WATER
HOUSE J. H. RUNKLE
METHODIST MELTING HOUSE
MANADA FURNACE 0 3/4 MILE FROM
ROAD TO G"
-VILLE
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Site the of kolinman's Fort .
0 HOUSE
E
CREEK.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
northwest until once more near the mountains, when at the village, now called Harpers, it makes a sharp turn around and then pursues its regular southwesterly course to the Susquehanna. About one and one-fourth miles from Harpers a creek, called Read's creek, empties into the Swatara. On a road running off from the main road to Jonestown, and one-fourth mile above where the latter crosses Read's creek by a bridge, stood Adam Read's house, on property now owned by Samuel Reigel. This location is fixed by Mr. C. D. Zehring, an old gentleman residing at Jonestown, who has made frequent surveys thereabouts and obtained the informa- tion from old deeds and papers in his possession. It is corrobo- rated by his brother John, now 79 years old, who lived the greater part of his life on Read's creek, and further proven by Mr. Read himself, who in speaking of the murder of Noah Frederick, states that it took place between his home and Fort Swatara, 'but two short miles' from the latter and 'a little better than two' from the former. In other words, his home was exactly four miles from Fort Swatara, which agrees precisely with its position marked." (Col. Records, VII., p. 303) .
"About two miles distant from Harpers and one and one-half miles south of the village of Mt. Nebo, on the Swatara creek, are still found caves which local tradition unites in saying were used by the settlers, as places of refuge from the Indians. I was shown by Mr. J. A. Baumgardner, at Harper's, the site of what he called an Indian fort. He remembers very distinctly hearing the old people talk of this fort when he was a boy, about 1850."
The sketch given will indicate its position. Here at the bend of the Swatara, Mr. Adam Harper settled himself at an early period. His location was the most western in the county at the time. He was surrounded by Indians who had a string of wigwams hard by his home. He kept the first public house in all that region of coun- try. The place is still known as "Harper's Tavern," and stood as shown. Not half a mile distant from this place, in 1756 the Indians killed five or six white persons. A woman-a sister of Major Leidig-was scalped by the Indians, and, incredible as it may seem, survived this barbarous act and lived for years afterwards. (See Rupp, p. 353.)
Of course the so-called "Fort Harper" was not, strictly speak- ing, a fort, but merely a place of refuge. It is very probable that it was connected in some way with the Indian massacre mentioned above.
With regard to the time of the erection of Fort McKee, and its precise locality, there is now no positive proof. But as we find instructions to Thomas McKee, dated January 26, 1756, we sup-
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
pose it to have been built in that year. He is directed to "receive from the officer commanding the detachment of Captain Reed's com- pany at Hunter's mill, and who you are to relieve, such arms, accou- trements, blankets, tools and stores as he may have in his hands belonging to the Province, with which you are to furnish your com- pany, but if that should not be sufficient, you are to apply to Captain Frederick Smith for a further supply out of what he will receive from Captain Reed and Captain Hendricks." He is later appointed under a commission, captain of a company to consist of twenty-eight men and two sergeants, besides himself and lieutenants. He is ordered to proceed immediately to raise the company; when com- plete, they are to be mustered before James Galbraith, Esq., and after being mustered, they are to march to a place called Hunter's mill, on the Susquehanna river, and either complete the fort already begun there, or build another at such convenient place as James Galbraith shall advise; and in case it should be thought necessary to erect a new fort, "you are to build it of the form and dimensions herewith given to you." The next notice of it is in a letter from Edward Shippen, dated Lancaster, April 19, when he says: "I have been at Captain McKee's fort, where I found several Indians -several women very sick in bed. John Shekellamy was there but did not like his situation"-"there is no room scarce at Captain Mc- Kee's fort for provisions"-"the enemy can come over the hills at five miles from Fort McKee"-"there are several bad passes as far as McKee's plantation, where I have been, it is but 25 miles from Hunter's mill." Col. Clapham says to Governor Morris, " I shall have 24 men at McKee's store, under the command of an Ensign, as I have removed all the stores from Harris and McKee's to this place (Halifax). May 17. They have very little ammunition at McKee's.
It was named from Thomas McKee, the Indian trader, who had a plantation on the Susquehanna, near the falls, which still bears his name. It was situated on the East branch of the Susquehanna, between Fort Halifax and Augusta. It was probably a stockade, nothing more.
CHAPTER VIII.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY-THE FIRST CHURCH FOUNDED-FIRST
EDIFICE BUILT - OLD DERRY CHURCH - HANOVER
CHURCH - PAXTANG CHURCH DERRY "MEMOR- IAL CHURCH" - HARRISBURG CHURCHES MID-
DLETOWN CHURCHES - LYKENS CHURCHES - UPPER PAXTON CHURCHES-STEELTON CHURCHES-BERRYSBURG CHURCHES-LOWER PAXTON CHURCHES-HILL CHURCH- HALIFAX CHURCHES-DAUPHIN CHURCHES-HUMMELS- TOWN CHURCHES-EARLIEST MENNONITE CHURCH- "PARSON ELDER'S" SERMON HEADS-BIOGRAPHIES OF PIO- NEER MINISTERS-REV. WILLIAM BERTRAM AND REV. JOHN ELDER-THE OLD CONEWAGO CHURCH.
The religious element from the earliest day, has predominated in Dauphin County, and the development of Christian principles, together with the interest taken in schools and general educational matters, has brought about the present prosperity and moral in- tellectual standing of the county.
It so happened that the race of people who settled this county first were Calvinistic. The three churches first to organize in the county of Dauphin were the Presbyterian churches of. Derry, Pax- tang and Hanover-all dating from years prior to 1730. The first settled pastor of the united churches of Derry and Paxtang was Rev. William Bertram, who began his labors in 1732.
Old Derry Church had the honor of being the pioneer church in the county. The building in which this people worshiped was erected about 1720. It was constructed of oak logs two feet thick, and covered with hemlock boards on the outside. The congrega- tion of many generations which worshiped on that sacred spot, lie buried in the old ivy-grown graveyard by its side, or in remote parts of the world.
The second church formed in the county was the Reformed, located at Derry in 1768. Prior to 1786 the early settlers of Harris- burg held worship in a one-story log school house on the north corner of Third and Walnut streets. The first pastor to be settled at Harrisburg was Rev. Anthony Hautz, of the Reformed Church. He served from 1790 to 1797.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
The third church formed within the county was the Lutheran, at Hummelstown, about 1753.
In 1801 the Methodist Episcopal people had become numerous enough to organize a church. Classes were formed at Halifax, Millersburg and Lykens.
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The Protestant Episcopalians worshiped at Estherton as early as 1766, and in 1826 organized a church at Harrisburg, known as St. Stephen's.
The Roman Catholic Church began its work as early as 1810, but was not organized until 1826.
The Baptist people were organized into church relations, first in Harrisburg. This was in 1830.
The various churches of this county have kept pace with in- crease of population. The several denominations have ever been true and loyal to the principles of good government and liberty.
OLD DERRY CHURCH.
It is quite certain that what is known as the Derry Presbyterian church, in Dauphin county, held its first services near the head of a confluence of Spring creek, in that portion of Chester county from which Lancaster was taken and subsequently Dauphin, about one and one-half miles from the site upon which its first church building was erected. This building was nearly square, twenty-three by twenty-five feet, of logs, and clapboards. The first services there is any account of were held in the latter part of April, 1724. The small congregation must have been gathered from all the frontier within a radius of ten miles, and without exception was of the Scotch-Irish immigration. Its canopy was the primeval forest, in the then green, glad solitude. It was addressed by Rev. George Gillespie, David Evans and Robert Cross. Some names of those present have been preserved and are here given: Rowland Cham- bers, Thomas and William Clark, James Galbraith, Patrick and Robert Campbell, John Mitchell, William McBey, James Quigley, William Hay, Robert Moody, Malcom Karr (Kerr), Thomas and Hugh Black, James Harris, William McCord, Morgan Jones, David McClure, James MacFarlane, Alexander Hutchison, John and Benjamin Boyd, James Hamilton, John McCosh and sister.
These were all persons engaged in erecting for themselves homes on the frontier, "Over Cony" and along the Susquehanna. Every obstruction was thrown in their way to prevent permanent lo- cation. However, they were not to be frowned down by the govern- ing powers at Philadelphia, but took what land they needed; as they
15
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
felt settled, sought religious consolation from ministers of the Pres- byterian faith, erected a church, and complied with the Provincial laws in an uneasy antagonistic fashion on the "barrens of Derry." None now living can speak unquestionably as to the exact location. A public road now occupies a part of the first graveyard used by the early settlers, on a farm once owned for many years by Samuel Wingert, on a commanding elevation, and, by tradition, in the place where the first service was held and the original church built.
The confused relics of a building supposed to have been the church were there over eighty years ago. It is therefore possible that a small church was there, until one was erected on the present site, in 1732, the same year the land office was opened. One thing is known, that the remains of Patrick Campbell, who died in 1735, were removed from the abandoned burial place at Wingert's to the present cemetery, and is the oldest date found there. Be all this as it may, it is certain that a congregation was formally gathered in 1730, and soon afterwards worshiped at the present Derry, now an historically prominent feature in early frontier occupation, and their descendants have held divine service there ever since.
So rapidly did the settlement increase that the first house was in a few years found to be too small. It underwent some enlarge- ment, when in 1769 a new church of logs, thirty-eight by thirty-nine feet, was erected. It was used by the congregation up to 1831, when it was thoroughly repaired at a cost of five hundred dollars. It stood without further repair until May, 1883, when it came to be. so much decayed that it was thought dangerous. It was taken down and a new one of stone is at present in course of construction of nearly the same dimensions. The early records of the congregation seem to be lost ; most likely have been carried "West" in the luggage of the very great migrations that have so frequently almost de- populated this early settlement. We know, however, the following interesting particulars: The Rev. Adam Boyd "preached to the westward of Octoraro and Donegal, over Conoy," in 1723. The Rev. James' Anderson preached in Donegal in 1724, and became pas- tor there in 1726, giving one-fifth of his time "over Conewago," the present Derry. The Rev. William Bertram was called in 1732 "to Derry," upon the solicitation of Rowland Chambers, William Wilson, John Sloan, John Wilson, Hugh Black, Robert Campbell, James Quigley, William McCord. The congregation paid him sixty pounds a year in hemp, linen, corn, yarn, and cloth, and gave him the use of a farm. Mr. Bertram served Derry until his death, which occurred on the 2nd of May, 1746.
In 1742 the exact record is missing; Rev. John Elder, then in
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
charge of the Paxtang congregation, after some debate about salary and "the time" to be given to Derry, was installed pastor. The congregation was then a large one, perhaps the largest in the Pres- bytery, but was not increasing. Soon after the peace of 1763 it be- gan to diminish; the tendency to go West was not to be resisted among these sons of the frontier, and its effect upon the church was especially disastrous. Mr. Elder was a most efficient shepherd of his extensive charges, and held this pastorate with the presidency of the board of trustees from 1742 to 1791, when he was succeeded in the latter year by Colonel Robert Clark. Mr. Elder died in July, 1792. Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden was called March, 1793; he was pastor of Derry, Paxton, and Harrisburg, resigning in 1795. He died in 1850.
Up to this time it had been the custom to elect the pastor presi- dent of the corporation, consisting of thirteen trustees. After Joshua Williams' pastorate this ceased, and laymen were chosen. Rev. Williams was called in August, 1798, at a salary of one hundred and eighty pounds in cash.
An inscription in the graveyard has the following: "In mem- ory of James Adair, preacher of the Gospel, who departed this life September 20, 1803, aged 32 years." Mr. Adair came to Derry as a "supply" during the vacancy in the pastorate, preaching occa- sionally from September 20, 1802, until April 7, 1803, when this appears on the books of the congregation: "Paid Reverend James Snodgrass for moderating a call for Mr. Adair, £1.10." He does not appear to have accepted this call. He, however, preached seven Sundays as a supply, when this appears: "By cash paid to Mr. Snodgrass for a funeral sermon at Mr. James Adair's Burial, £I.IO.O."
June, 1805, the congregation came together to call a pastor ; fifteen voted for Rev. James Snodgrass, and twenty-six for others. No choice was made. In September another meeting was held. Rev. John Hutchinson was called-twenty-one for and nineteen against. Mr. Hutchinson declined the call. September, 1806, all the mem- bers of the congregation united in a call to Rev. James R. Sharon, who had previously been selected at Paxtang. He continued pastor of both churches until released by death in 1843. May 31, 1843, the following is recorded: "By cash paid Mrs. Sharon, a dona- tion from Derry congregation for the purpose of erecting a tomb- stone over the remains of the Rev. J. R. Sharon, our late pastor, $100." Then, April 2, 1844, this entry: "By cash paid Mrs. Sharon, being a donation granted by the congregation to Mrs. Shar-
.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
on, which will appear by reference to the minutes as entered April 24, 1843, $100."
Rev. J. M. Boggs was called March 9, 1844, until April I, 1847, when a church dispute arose between Derry and her daughter "over Swatara on lands of Dr. William Simonton," caused so much feeling that Dr. Boggs was refused compensation and Presbytery dissolved his relation to Derry, June 12, 1849.
Rev. Andrew D. Mitchell was chosen pastor by a unanimous vote August 11, 1849, the congregation agreeing to pay him two hundred dollars a year for one-fourth of his time. He served as pastor until August 19, 1874, the date of his last receipt for salary. The minutes are missing from 1857 to 1883. Mr. Mitchell died in 1882, at Middletown, Dauphin county.
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