History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 148

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 148
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 148
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 148

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The post-office at Clark's Green was established in 1850, with S. A. Northup as postmaster. His successors have been J. C. Higgins, H. Harrington, Dr. L. Van Sickle, and the present postmaster, S. A. Northup; E. S. Decker is deputy.

CLARK'S GREEN CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal .- In 1848 the M. E. class was or- ganized at Clark's Green. It was one of the appoint- ments of Abington charge until 1865, when it was at- tached to the Clark's Green charge with Leach Flats and Ackerley's. Rev. Parley H. Scovell was the first pastor. Near the close of his pastorate the flourishing society at Schultzville was added, and Ackerley's merged in Leach Flats. The first class-leader was Sid-

ney Osborne, and under the new arrangement John C. Higgins was appointed class-leader.

Until 1867 this society had no church of its own. In that year Rev. J. B. Davis succeeded Mr. Scovell. Dur- ing his pastorate a comfortable church was built, costing between $3,000 and $4,000. The contributions of the charge for the support of the gospel amount to from $1,000 to $1,200 per annum. The following preachers have served the church: Rev. P. H. Scovell, three years; Rev. J. B. Davis, two years; Rev. O. M. Martin, three; Rev. S. J. Austin, two; Rev. F. A. King, three; Rev. G. C. Lyman, the present partor, two. The mem- · bers of the official board are: Class-leader, J. C. Hig- gins; stewards, J. S. Wagner, E. S. Decker, F. Miller; trustees, J. S. Wagner, president; J. C. Higgins, secre- tary; W. S. Frace, treasurer. The number of members is one hundred and sixty-three; probationers, forty-four. The Sunday-school was first organized in 1871. C. F. Van Nort, J. C. Higgins and E. S. Decker have been the superintendents. The present superintendent is F. A. Miller; number of teachers, eight; of pupils, ninety-two. Julius P. Skinner is the only one of the original members of this society remaining.

Clark's Green Baptist Church .- The early history of this church is included in that of the Six Principle Bap- tist Church of Abington. Members living at or near Clark's Green held conference, prayer and covenant meetings for three years. Elders Joshua Baker and James Brown and other ministers had occasionally preached. In 1853 twenty-five of these members pro- cured a separate organization as the Second General Baptist Church of Abington. This organization con- tinued until 1864, Elders J. Brown, J. Baker and A. J. Harrington preaching.

At this time the name was changed to the Regular Baptist Church at Clark's Green. The church was duly recognized by a council in the same year. The original members were:

C. L. Parker, Clara A., Nellie, Cornelia R., Stephen, Levi J. and Jere- miah Northup, Emma, Victoria, Emily A., Amy A., Sophia and Ellen Clark, Margaret A. and Adam E. Zedrick, S. J. and H. V. Hall, Susannah and Silas Hobbs, M. A. Brigham, Phebe N. Van Nort, Dorcas A. Van Sickle, E. H. Benscoter, Ruth H. and Angeline Dewey, Martha Spencer, Rachel Beagle, Sally Knapp, Jennie, Sarah and James Nichols and Thomas Y. Atherton.

Rev. C. A. Fox first served the new church as pastor. His successors have been Rev. D. W. Halsted, from No- vember, 1864, until April, 1866; Newell Callender until 1867; A. M. Calkin, a short time; John N. Lukens until 1879; Benjamin Miller until 1870; Isaac Bevan until 1876; Thomas B. Jayne until 1878. October Ist, 1878, Rev. S. F. Forgens entered upon the pastorate.

A frame church was built during the pastorate of Elder John A. Shaw. It remained unfinished and unused for several years. In 1852 Charles Bailey contracted to finish it for $625. In 1853 the committee contracted with Mr. Bailey to new-roof the building, enlarge it to fifty- eight by thirty feet, and build a belfry and steeple at a cost of $210. It was dedicated August 4th, 1853, Rev. John Tillinghast preaching the dedicatory sermon. In 1869 it was sold for $300. A new church edifice was

457

LEACH FLATS-GLENBURN AND WAVERLY BOROUGHS.

built in 1869, which is thirty-four by fifty feet, with a lecture-room on the rear twenty by twenty-four feet, and an octagonal tower in front. It stands on the site of the old building. It was consecrated December 21st, 1869, Rev. B. D. Thomas, of Pittston, preaching.

The withdrawal of the Methodist Episcopal part of the union Sunday-school necessitated the organization of a Baptist school, which was effected by the election of S. A. Northup as the first superintendent. In that year they reported 3 officers, 8 teachers and 78 pupils.

H. V. Hall, J. H. Pellam, R. P. Parker, Orlando B. Jones and Robert Hancox have been deacons. Mr. Jones alone is now in office. Stephen A. Northup has been clerk since the organization, except for a short time during which R. P. Parker acted. The membership is now 60.

LEACH FLATS.

Ephraim Leach was the original owner of a large tract in the southern part of this township, upon a portion of which this small village was built. It contains two hotels, a grist-mill, several shops, a tannery, a church and a post-office, established in 1880, under the name of Chin- chilla. George Tanner is the postmaster.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first Methodist ser- mon in Abington township was preached by Rev. George Peck, at the house of Ephraim Leach, in 1818. The members of the first class formed at Leach Flats were Gideon Ellis and wife, James Ross and wife, Ephraim Leach and wife, John Weiss and wife, and David Silsbee. A neat frame chapel was erected in 1869, and was dedicated by Rev. George Peck, D. D., of Scranton. An interesting Sunday-school is sustained.

GLENBURN BOROUGH.

HIS town, formerly Humphreysville, was founded in 1848 by the erection of a mill dam and flouring-mill by George E. Hum- phrey, who came from Orange county, N. Y., and purchased the property of the heirs of Thomas Meredith. The mill was a well built wooden structure, four stories in height, and had four runs of stones. It was burned about five years since. Mr. Humphrey was mainly instrumental in erecting a village of considerable size and importance, but through financial embarrassments he was forced to abandon further operations and sell his interest at a great sacrifice. The mill property is now owned by Hon. G. W. Palmer, who built a new mill on the old site, but smaller and of insufficient capacity. A lumber-mill is also in operation.

In 1877 this village was incorporated as a borough and received the name of Glenburn. It was formed from portions of North and South Abington, chiefly taken from the latter. The following is the list of corporate officers: Burgess, N. C. Northup; council, E. A. Ather-

ton, W. N. Sherman, Jabez Hall, Andrew Leighton, Jerome Morrow and William C. Hall; secretary, Andrew Leighton; justices of the peace, George Sherman and D. S. Ball.

The present officers are: Burgess, William C. Hall; council, E. A. Atherton, Jerome Morrow, W. N. Sher- man, S. L. Hall, Philip Harlos, H. W. Northup; secre- tary, W. C. Atherton; treasurer, William A. Gardner; auditors, H. L. Hall, A. Ball, George Sherman. The justices are the same as at the organization.

A. Ball is the present postmaster. The population was returned by the census of 1880 as 290.

WAVERLY BOROUGH.

U NTIL about 1820 Abington Centre-now Waverly-remained an unbroken forest. The first house was built by a Mr. Flanegan, on the site of the residence of Rev. A. M. Calkin. The second was built by Dr. W. H. Nicholas, on the northeast corner of the square, in 1822. Dr. Nicholas practiced in Abington from 1815 until his death, in 1824.

In 1826 Dr. Andrew Bedford purchased of Rev. John Miller ten acres of timber land, lying on both sides of Main street, south of Academy street, on which the prin- cipal business places of Waverly now stand; had the tim . ber cleared off, and built a dwelling and office in 1828.

About 1830 Thomas Smith bought of Dr. Bedford the corner of Academy and Main streets; built a house and occupied it until his death by a railroad accident in 1 865.

The first store was established by Elder John Miller, John Stone and Stephen Parker, who conducted a general dry goods and grocery trade. Dr. A. Bedford and Leon- ard Batchelor opened a store, which was burned in 1849 and immediately rebuilt. In 1853 Dr. Bedford opened the first drug store.

The borough was incorporated in January, 1854, and named Waverly, since which time it has pretty steadily increased in population and business enterprise. The population in 1880 was 329, a loss of 24 from 1870.

The principal interests are represented by A. Bedford & Son, druggists; M. W. Bliss and Gates White, dry- goods and groceries; J. Shane and G. W. Bailey, grocer- ies; C. A. Cowles, tin and hardware; T. C. Kennedy and J. T. Mead, harness-makers; E. J. Bailey, watchmaker and jeweller; besides many shops and various indus- tries.

The Waverly Hotel was built by a company for a tem- perance house, but this enterprise was soon abandoned. J. J. Posten is the present proprietor.

The legal profession is represented by Andrew J. Smith and George S. Nicholson.

L. Van Sickle, M. D., and C. A. Miles, M. D., represent

458

HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY.

the medical profession. A. Bedford, M. D., druggist, has retired from active practice.

The Waverly post-office is a continuation of the old Abington post-office, established many years ago at the house of Elder John Miller. It was removed to Waverly and Dr. Bedford appointed postmaster. The present in- cumbent is M. W. Bliss.

The Waverly Manufacturing Company was organized in 1867, and the foundry and shop erected by A. P. Bedford, who is the present proprietor. This establish- ment has made large quantities of agricultural imple- ments; since 1873 it has been under the management of G. E. Sherman, who maintains its reputation for first class implements, for which the demind is continually increasing. The machinery is run by steam power and has a capacity for supplying a still greater demand.

CIVIL RECORD.

Among the first elected officers of Waverly were the following: Dr. A. Bedford, burgess; S. D. Dean, judge of elections; A. Z. Mogg and James McAlpine, inspec- tors of elections; G. W. Bailey, assessor; C. Bailey and John Thompson, poor masters; H. S. Cooper, C. A. Cowles and L. Batchelor, auditors; N. N. Dean, J. V. Lynch, Samuel Whaling, John Stone and Thomas Smith, council. Thomas Smith was chosen secretary and trea- surer, and R. Sisson street commissioner. The first school directors were: Dr. Bedford, Dr. J. C. Miles, J. G. Fell, N. N. Dean, Samuel Whaling and C. A. Cowles. Dr. Bedford was burgess continuously until 1871; J. C. Fell, A. Bedford, W. W. Smith and Dr. L. Van Sickle have since served. Justices have been elected as follows: Harvey. S. Cooper, 1857; Thomas Smith, 1859, 1864; G. W. Bailey, 1861, 1866; Andrew J. Smith, 1865, 1870, 1875; J. A. La Bar, 1871, 1877.

The present officers are: Burgess, Dr. A. Bedford; council, John Stone, Stephen Wright, Samuel Whaling, G. E. Sherman, J. C. Reynolds and W. E. Rice; audi- tors, G. S. Nicholson, John Mahoney; justices, G. W. Bailey and James McAlpine: constable, T. C. Kennedy; school directors, J. H. McAlpine, president; J. W. Mer- shon, treasurer; A. B. Winchel, secretary; F. A. Parker, George Perry and E. G. Carpenter.

CHURCHES. FIRST ABINGTON BAPTIST.

In February, 1802, John Miller, with his family and a few other Baptists, settled in Abington. William Clark and Jonathan Dean, with their families, had already come-the former from Plainfield, Conn., in 1799, the latter from Exeter, R. I., in 1800. Meetings for singing, prayer and exhortation were now established and sus- tained. On the 22nd of May, 1802, at the house of Wil- liam Clark, Rev. Samuel Sturdevant organized the fol- lowing. persons as a church; Jonathan Dean, John and Polly Miller, George Gardner, Jeremiah, William and Mary Clark, Russell Hall and Alice Lewin. The

church was duly recognized in November of the same year.

Rev. John Miller was the pastor until 1850, when Rev. Andrew Hopper became associated with him, at his re- quest. Rev. C. A. Fox was pastor for eleven years from 1853, and Rev. T. J. Cole about two years. In Decem- ber, 1866, Rev. A. M. Calkin, the fourth and present pastor, entered upon his labors.

The following persons have served as deacons: Wil- liam Clark, James Hulse, John Phillips, Jeremiah G. Northup, Jeffery Dean, Isaac Tillinghast, Stephen Wright and Joseph and Benjamin Miller. As clerks, Jonathan, Jeffrey and William Dean, Ezra Wall and Joseph B. Miller have served, the latter twenty-eight years.

In 1821 the society built its first meeting house half a mile east of Waverly. Another was subsequently built in the village, and in 1871 it was thoroughly and taste -. fully remodeled.

From May, 1806, Pittston Baptist Church was a branch of this until it became self-sustaining. It the autumn of 1818 this church dismissed seventy-four members by let- ter, chiefly to forni new churches at Clifford and Green- field. In 1824 eighteen members left to form the Eaton church. In 1832 thirty-six more were constituted into the Nicholson, now Benton, church. In 1855 the West Ab- ington (now Factoryville) church was formed by fifty- five members dismissed from this church Mt. Bethel, also with a constituency of fifty members, sprang from this prolific mother of churches.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

The first appointment for Methodist preaching in Wa- verly was established in 1832, through the agency of Rev. Samuel Griffin and others. The meetings were held in the school-house, still standing, near the residence of Col. J. G. Fell. The first members were Owen Wright and wife, Nehemiah Tinkham and wife, Rev. S. Griffin and wife, Mrs. Elvira Whaling and Ann Evans. Of these persons only Mrs. Catherine Tinkham is living, aged eighty-eight. She is the mother of nine children, and has fifty-six grandchildren and eighty great-grand- children. Among the members who joined the church later were William La Bar and wife, John S. Mershon and wife, Jane Tinkham, Sarah J. and Celinda Stone, Rhoda M. Jones, Mary A. Sherman, William R. Finch and wife, A. M. Coon and wife, Mary Thompson, Benja- min Knight, A. J. Stone and wife, Deborah Bedford, Dr. A. Bedford, Lois B. Gorman, Elizabeth Palmer, Rebecca Wait, Elizabeth Bailey, N. N. Dean and wife, and the decendants of those here named.

Until 1871 this charge was the central point of the Abington circuit, which embraced North Abington and Clark's Green. Among the early preachers who traveled the circuit were Revs .. Benjamin Ellis, William Reddy, C. W. Giddings, Dayton F. Reed, Thomas Wilcox, Epenetus Owen, Abel Barker, J. F. Wil- bar and C. E. Taylor. A frame church was built in Waverly in 1842, and a parsonage bought about 1851.

GRAVEL POND FARM of A. B. MCKINSTRY, NEAR SCHULTZVILLE , PA.

THE WADHAMS HOUSE.

TANNING PROPERTY of A. B.M9 KINSTRY, SCHULTZVILLE ; LACKAWANNA. COUNTY, PA.

DR LEWIS VAN SICKLE, WAVERLY, LACKAWANNA COUNTY, PA.

RESIDENCE of L. VAN SICKLE, M. D., WAVERLY, LACKAWANNA CO., PA.

459

CHURCHES OF WAVERLY BOROUGH-MADISON ACADEMY.

Afterward the following preachers served the charge: A. Bronson, L. Cole, D. Worrell, S. S. Barter, H. Browns- combe, A. Brooks, D. C. Olmstead, C. E. Taylor, and F. L. Hilles. In 1871 Waverly was made a separate charge, with Dalton attached. Since then the pastors have been J. G. Eckman, A. C. Bowdish, S. C. Fulton. L. W. Peck. G. A. Severson and A. W. Cooper.

Owen Wight, the first class leader, died while in office; after him John S. Mershon served many years; the next was James R. Clark. At present Dr. Andrew Bedford is class leader, and Dr. J. P. Coult assistant. The trustees are Rev. S. S. Kennedy, R. J. Stone, J. T. Case, J. R. Clark, G. E. Sherman, J. S. Mershon and Samuel Wha- ling. The stewards are J. T. Case, John W. Mershon, William R. Finch, David Hallock and Sterling Bedford.

Mrs. Deborah Bedford joined the class at Ross Hill, in Kingston, in 1788, and lived an irreproachable Chris- tian life for eighty years. She died in 1869, at the resi- dence of her son Dr. A. Bedford, in her ninety-seventh year.

William La Bar settled in Abington Centre in 1848, and assisted in starting the first M. E. Sunday-school, which he superintended and his daughters aided in teach- ing for a number of years. Dr. Bedford was superinten- dent from about 1856 to 1873, and his son, Sterling Bed- ford, has filled that office since 1874.

AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1844, with about twenty members. The first pastor was Rev. James Hyatt, and the first officers were as follows: Class leader, George Keyes; stewards, Lot Norris, George Keyes, W. M. John- son, Charles Allen and John Mason. The first place of meeting was a school-house in Abington Centre. In 1854 the first and present church edifice was erected and consecrated by Rev. William Burch, P. E. The follow- ing clergymen have been pastors:

Revs. James Hyatt, Joseph Turner, Thomas M. D. Ward, William Her- inans, Thomas De Remus, William Watson, Alexander Walker, William Johnson, Theodore Gould, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Davis, Jeremiah Youngs, William Henson, William Taylor, William Laws, Williani Chase, John Stephenson, Elijah Hammet, Nathaniel Evans, J. M. Morris and the present pastor, Rev. Anthony Waldron.

The membership is thirty-four, four of whom are pro- bationers. The officers are: Ignitus Thomas, class-leader: J. Thomas, Richard Lee and Peter Norris, trustees.

A Sunday-school wasorganized in 1856, with Joanna Raymond as superintendent. It numbers about twenty- five members, with Catherine Walker as superintendent, and is flourishing.

The church has connected with it a literary society, well sustained.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.

The First Presbyterian Church of Abington (now Wa- verly) was organized in 1850, with only five members. The membership now numbers 60, including a few non- residents. Midway in its history its membership was more than 70.

It first worshiped in the Methodist church. In 1859 it occupied the basement of a new edifice on Beach street,

and later the upper room, where it continued until about 1869, when the building was sold to the borough for a school-house. The present building was then erected at the northern limit of the village, at a cost of about $6,000, which is fully paid. The pulpit has been supplied by Baptist, Methodist and Free-Will Baptist preachers. The Presbyterian clergymen who have been stated supplies are the following, named in order of service: Revs. Burr Baldwin, Joel Barton, J. A. Whittaker, John L. Landis, C. F. Muzzy, W. J. Parrot, Yates Hickey, H. H. Welles, J. H. Clark and (at present) J. M. Phillips.

A cause of weakness in the society was the contro- versy between the old and new schools. Abington being on the border of two adjoining presbyteries of different schools, each claimed the ground. The people were fi- nally allowed to choose between the respective schools, and it was agreed that if the Montrose (new school) Presbytery should properly support the Abington church the Luzerne Presbytery would be quiet.

The present board of elders is as follows: M. R. Wheeler, Bernard Dorshimer, Samuel Whaling, Thomas Chamberlin, M. W. Bliss and L. Batchelor. A Sunday- school is sustained, with M. W. Bliss as superintendent.

FREE METHODIST.

This church was organized about 1872, through the efforts of a few Free Methodists of the Abington cir- cuit and the pastor in charge, Rev. George Harvey, who became the first pastor of this society. The orig- inal members were thirteen. The preachers have been: Rev. George Harvey, one year; Rev. James Bristol, two; Rev. E. Adams, two; Rev. William Jones, one; and the present pastor, Rev. James Bradbrook. The member- ship has been reduced by removals to seven in the class. Their church is a convenient gothic building, belonging to Waverly borough.

MADISON ACADEMY.

This institution was incorporated in 1840. The first board of trustees consisted of Rev. John Miller (presi- dent). Leonard Batchelor (secretary), Dr. Andrew Bed- ford, Thomas Smith, Lemuel Stone, William Thompson and Nicholas Reynolds. The building was erected in 1844, at a cost of about $3,000. It is a two-story wooden structure, standing ninety feet above the center of the borough. The school was opened upon the completion of the building, with Rev. G. S. Bailey as principal and Miss Sarah Bunnell preceptress. Mr. Bailey continued but one year. His successors were Profs. L. G. Dim- mock, Harvey D. Walker, Granger, Carter, Carr, Rose, and Rev. Mr. Stewart. For a time the building was used for a public school, and again resumed as an academy until 1878, when it was given to the school directors of the borough for a graded school. Among the graduates of this academy may be named G. M. Harding, G. B. Nicholson, G. R. Bedford, A. H. Farn- ham, J. S. Bedford, G. W. Smith, D. L. Patrick and Frank Lee Benedict, the author.

460

HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY.

WAVERLY HIGH SCHOOL.

The graded public school of Waverly was organized in 1878. Under the management of Prof. S. M. Ward and Miss P. D. Relph thorough discipline and high scholarship have been secured.

LODGES.

Waverly Lodge, No. 301, F. and A. M. was organized September 9th, 1856. The following officers were cho- son, being all the charter members: William H. Smith, W. M .; C. A. Cowles, S. W .; Harrison Smith, J. W .; Gershom Post, S. D .; Abel Harrington, J. D .; Samuel Tripp, F .; N. B. Hills, S .; Philip Franklin, tiler. Many members have left this lodge to organize new ones, and the present membership is 42.

The following are the present officers: S. A. Hobbs, W. M .; J. D. Knight, S. W .; Henry Cisco, J. W .; M. W. Bliss, T .; N. B. Hills, S.

The I. O. of O. F. of Waverly was organized in 1847. Among the leading members were T. W. Patterson, G. W. Bailey, C. A. Cowles, John Stow, Thomas Smith, Davis Dean, Amasa Dean, O. L. Halsted, and Dr. A. Bedford. In 1859 the lodge surrendered its charter and ceased to exist.

The I. O. of G. T. of Waverly was organized in 1866, with nearly forty members. It steadily increased in numbers and influence until many of the best citizens of both sexes were among its membership. Two monthly papers were published, viz .: " Waverly Magazine" and " Ladies' Templar." This society has surrendered its charter.

BENTON TOWNSHIP.

N 1838 this township was formed from Nichol- son, and was named in honor of the late Hon. Thomas H. Benton, a United States senator from Missouri. Its population was 1,055 in 1870 and 1, 148 in 1880.

At the head of Finn pond was the old camping ground of the Indians. It lay on the trail from the head waters of the Lehigh to Great Bend, on the Susque- hanna. Here have been found large quantities of arrow heads, stone hatchets, and other relics.

One Bassett, after whom Bassett pond is named, is supposed to have been the pioneer settler of Benton. He located at the mouth of Bassett creek, near Walls- ville, in 1810 or 1811, where D. Long now lives. This land was obtained from the State by a patent deed, as it was called, and was formerly known as the "Esquire John Marcy tract." It is now known as the "Prickley Ash flats." The old Bassett property is now owned by different parties.

The next settler was James Halsted, who built his . log cabin in the hollow north of Fleetville, at the head of Finn pond, on the west side of the turnpike.

In 1820 two frame houses were built, the first by Thomas Chambers, where D. Sweet now lives, on the turnpike south of Fleetville, and the other by John Finn, north of Fleetville, where Mrs. Jane Green now lives. The pioneer frame barn (still standing) was built in 1820 by William Finn, near Mrs. Green's, at the head of Finn pond. The first brick house was built by Ira L. Lewis in 1838 or 1839, in the south part of the township, where Mrs. Lewis still resides. Mr. Lewis made the brick on the farm. Timothy Warner built a house and barn in 1820 or 1821, where J. W. Everts now lives. The pioneer nurserymen were Isaac Doud and Parmenus Brundage, who set out orchards as early as 1820, in the northeast part of the township. The first death was that of Solo- mon Finn. He died in 1821, and was buried at Fleet- ville. The first road through this township ran from the bend in Tunkhannock creek, at the northwest corner of the township, southerly over Tunkhannock mountain, past the head of Finn pond, keeping west of what is now Fleetville, crossing the turnpike south of Fleet- ville, going west of the Bassett pond, and cross- ing the south branch of the Tunkhannock creek at the "Prickly Ash road bridge." The first bridge was built in 1821, across the south branch of the Tunkhannock creek, where the turnpike crosses that stream. Two grave yards were occupied as early as 1821-one at East Benton, on the Seth Colvin property, where his son now lives, and the other at the head of Finn pond, near Mrs. Jane Green's. The pioneer. school-house was built about 1820, in the northeast corner of the township, a little east of where the present school-house stands. It was made of logs, and many years ago gave place to the present frame building.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 148

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900