History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 165

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 165
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 165
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 165

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).

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house (of logs) stood near where the Baptist church stands. Greased paper was used for window glass. Jesse Harding assisted at the raising of the first framed school-house, and was one of the first teachers in it. The first teachers were John Evans and one Scott.

There are now eleven school districts in the township. The first independent district was set off in 1878. The school-house was built in 1879. The attendance of scholars at all the schools is good. Within a few years past a new series of educational works has been intro- duced.

CEMETERIES.

The first burial grounds in the town are the one near Markland Robinson's residence and that near the resi- dence of Mr. Strough, in which the remains of Jesse Lee and some of his descendants are buried.

The burial ground adjacent to the Baptist church was given to the township by Elisha Harding, sen., about 1825. The first burial here was that of Abraham Frear, and here lie the remains of the Harding ancestors.

Close by is the Dana burial ground, owned by Dr. Dana and laid out in lots. The first burial here was that of Irvin Wheelock's father.

That at South Eaton is also a public cemetery, and here are buried some of Eaton's best citizens.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF EATON.

By a council at Eaton, November 20th, 1823, a church was formed, consisting of the persons named below:

William Frear, Zebulon Marcy, jr., Jackson Smith, Caleb Mead, Shubell . Darling, Margaret Wilson, Huldah Bates, Betsy Roberts, James E. Roberts, Sally Mitchell, Eleanor Wheelock, Polly Mitchell, Sarah Smith, Sarah Wilson, Mary Suter, Martha Harding, Mary Mead, Sarah Frear, Elizabeth Durland and Mary Van Tuyle.

Thomas Mitchell and Jackson Smith were the first

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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY.

deacons. Meetings were held at private honses and at the school-house at the mouth of Bowman's creek until 1850, when the present church was completed and oc- cupied.

Rev. William Frear was the pastor until his death, in 1874, more than half a century. He was born in Pittston, Pa., November 12th, 1792. His parents were members of the first Baptist church in that place, his mother being the first person ever baptized in the Wyoming val- ey. In 1798 the family moved to Eaton and in 1804 to the farm now in possession of the family. When sixteen years old William carried the mail from Tunkhannock to Binghamton by way of Great Bend, often on foot over roads almost impassable, running through miles of un- broken forest infested with wild animals. In 1814 he went with Captain Camp's company to the defense of Baltimore. In 1818 he married Hannah Wheelock, of Tunkhannock. He educated himself. He joined the Abington church in 1820. In 1822 he was licensed to preach and ordained. His life was singularly pure and his influence widely and favorably felt. He attended the dedication of Keystone Academy, and while receiving the greetings of his friends he fell insensible into the arms of one of them, and in a few moments breathed his last. During his last years Revs. J. Kennedy, A. J. Fur- man, P. S. Everett and N. Whitney were associated with him in the pastorate. The next pastor of the church was Elder Grow, who was succeeded by Arthur O. Sterns, since the close of whose pastorate in 1877 there has been no stated pastor, though regular meetings have been maintained.

Jackson Smith was the clerk of the church from 1823 to 1856; Samuel Harding and J. M. Miller have since filled the office. The present deacons are George Rin- ker and A. Fratchey. The Sunday-school numbers forty- five scholars. The superintendent is D. W. Herman.

EXETER TOWNSHIP.

XETER is one of the original townships. It was named from Exeter, R. I., and is known as Little Exeter, in contradistinction to the larger part of the original township just across the line in Luzerne county.

Among the pioneers were a Mr. Stule, who set- tled in the north end of the township, opposite Keeler's Ferry; Paul Keeler, after whom the ferry was named; the families of Smith, Hadley, Swartwout, Hard- ing, Coolbaugh, Burgess, Montayne, Dymond and others.

A post-office was established in 1812 at Keeler's Ferry, and Asa Keeler was appointed postmaster. He moved up into North Moreland township, taking the office with him. He was postmaster till his death, in 1867, at Kee- lersburg.

The population of this township fell off from 211 to 151 between 1870 and 1880.

FALLS TOWNSHIP.

HIS township was formed from Tunkhannock, in 1824. John Osterhout, an early settler, wished to have it named in honor of Stephen Meredith, while Jacob Sickler urged the name " Buttermilk Falls." After discussion and due deliberation the court decided on " Falls."

Matthew Sherwood was among the first settlers. He came in the autumn of 1789, from Danbury, Conn., with his wife and seven children and all his earthly ef- fects on a cart drawn by a yoke of oxen and a span of horses. He located two miles up the river from Butter- milk Falls, having bought 200 acres between the farms of John Fitch and David Morehouse, who had settled here the year before. Among the other pioneers we find the names of Gideon and Jeremiah Osterhout, Ephraim Lockwood, Jesse Jones, Peleg Comstock, Ebenezer Wil- liams and Thomas Joslin.

At that time there were no roads except the old Davis path from Old Forge to Wyalusing. This former Indian trail had been considerably improved by two distinguished land speculators living in Philadelphia, Davis and Nich- olson, but was not wide enough for a wagon.

We regret that we cannot dwell on all the circum- . stances of pioneer life here, but such experiences have already been sketched, and cannot be repeated for each township. Deer and bears furnished most of the meat, and johnny cake was the prevailing bread. In 1795 some fur traders from Harrisburg came up the river in boats, and traded salt, ammunition and iron for furs and skins. The salt was a special God-send to the settlers. These traders came again in 1796, with a stock to barter for salt shad, furs, skins and venison, the chief articles of export. Powder and lead were among the most import- ant imports. As long as their ammunition lasted the pioneers were secure against starvation, and when it was gone there was no place near where they could get a supply, unless they found a new comer who had some and would divide. The first clothing was made from the skins of animals, tanned with their brains and buffed with a ball of yellow clay rubbed over the surface of the leather, which added a beautiful lustre. Home spun linen and woolen, however, soon furnished the summer attire.

In 1792 the population had materially increased. Da- vid M. Delevan had come. Reuben Taylor had settled on the flats above the falls, and for a number of years that neighborhood was called Taylortown. David Daily settled at the foot of the narrows below Osterhout's, and Nathan Jones and an old negro named "Ding " came and lived with Jesse Jones. Levi Townsend settled near Benjamin Jones, on the flats below Buttermilk Falls. Pe- ter Harris, the tory, also settled near Benjamin Jones.

During the winter of 1792-93 Zuriel Sherwood made the first pigeon net in this valley and the first seine used on the upper Susquehanna for catching shad; and the first haul of shad was made by Mr. Sherwood with his

5II

EARLY EVENTS IN FALLS TOWNSHIP-MILL CITY.

new seine in May, 1793. Had the shad taken in that haul been sold for two cents each they would have paid for the net.

Jesse Jones settled on Buttermilk Falls creek, and built the first grist-mill in this township, near its mouth. This mill was built of logs and twelve feet square ; the mill stones were of the size of a half-bushel measure, made from the conglomerate rock found along the Lackawanna river. The second grist-mill at the Falls was built by John Bury, about 1806. In 1807 Mr. Bury built the first saw-mill at Buttermilk Falls. In 1812 Jonathan Bulkley kept the first store, and in 1814 and 1815 he and one Arnt built the second saw-mill and third grist-mill. Jacob Sickler, sen., bought them out in a year or two. There were then three or four distilleries in the neighborhood of the Falls.

In IS00 a settlement was commenced on the flats two miles below Buttermilk Falls, where Benjamin Jones built the first tavern. This was the most thickly settled part of the township, and was for many years known along the river as " Jonestown." Just below lived the notorious old tory Peter Harris.

Chauncey Sherwood, Esq., tells us that the first school he attended (which was in Falls township) was taught by Hon. Henry Roberts, who is still living on the same old farm. The second term he attended was taught near Keeler's Ferry, by Fanny Keeler, whose vigorous dis- cipline made a heavy draft on the sprouts growing in the neighboring woods. The text-books were Webster's speller and Daboll's arithmetic, and but very few could read or spell well or write legibly. In 1828, 1833 and 1834 the English reader and grammar were introduced. The district schools began to be organized and school- houses erected under the school laws, and educational in- terest in Falls township has since rapidly increased. In 18rr the first school known was built on Post hill, and a school was taught there the next winter by John Lott, of Mehoopany. Mary Post also taught here several terms. At that time there was no road along the river below the Falls. Chiefly by the exertions of Jacob Sickler the road along the river was built through in 1818. In 1820 the first store house was built by Phineas Sherwood, where Chauncey Case kept store two years. The first town meetings and elections were held at the house of Mr. Osterhout, a short distance back from the river ; later ones at the house of Mr. Sickler. He was a man of large business experience and made many improve- ments about the Falls. He had mills, a distillery, and several shops. The business of carding wool was carried on by Dr. Lyman C. Kidder, a brother of the late Judge Kidder, of Wilkes-Barre. The third store was kept by Beach Tuttle, the fourth by Brace & Moore, and the fifth by Brace & Lanning, who built the second store building, continued in the business till 1835, and sold to Chauncey Sherwood, who conducted the business till 1841. Jacob Sickler built the fourth school-house at his own expense, and the fourth grist-mill. This and a full- ing-mill were swept away by a flood. When the North Branch Canal was building through this township, in 1839-

40, there were seven stores and two taverns at the Falls. A sinall tannery was built by Olmsted & Parkeston, and there were only one store and one tavern from 1843 to 1863.

George Humphrey commenced a plaster-mill, which was finished by H. L. Ferguson, converted into a grist- mill, and used as such till superseded by the large flour- ing-mill built by Brown & Vantuyle. The Lehigh Valley Railroad was built through here in 1869, when business revived somewhat.

Hon. Henry Roberts was born on Teague's hill, now in Washington, in 1794, and his recollection extends back into the last century, when Jesse Jones still owned the little grist-mill at the Falls. According to his represen- tations Reuben Taylor lived on the McKeene flats, Matthew Sherwood, sen., John Fitch and David More- house on the flat below, Paul Keeler and Zephaniah Townsend on the Townsend flat. His grandfather, at a very early day, used to go to Hollenback's mill with a canoe. Old settlers he says used to exchange possessions, and " boot " was always paid in cattle and other neces- saries. He never knew till about 1805 or 1806 farms being sold for cash. The settlers back from the river exchanged with those on the river one pound of maple sugar for a shad. About 1811 saw logs and produce were considered legal tender for goods, as no money could be obtained for wheat short of Easton.

The old Morehouse farm, now owned by Hon. Henry Roberts, is on the east bank of the Susquehanna, two miles above Buttermilk Falls creek. Some Indian names have been found in old title papers locating the Headley tract a mile above Falls, at Roberts point.

This township had 1,096 inhabitants in 1870 and gained 30 in the following decade.

VILLAGES.

The founder of Mill City, Chauncey Sherwood, is per- haps its most notable citizen. He is a versatile and in- telligent writer, and has published many incidents of olden times, with which his studious habits and retentive memory have made him familiar.

The first postmaster at this place was Stephen O. Cor- win, appointed about 1865. The others have been Chauncey Sherwood, Charles S. Fargo and E. C. Clark, the present official. The mails are received daily from Falls station.

There are also" at this place two general stores, a drug store, a harness shop, a tin shop, a grist-mill, a foundry, a sash and blind factory, a feed-mill, a saw-mill, 7 blacksmith shops, 3 planing mills, 3 shingle and lath mills, 3 shoe shops, one church, Metho- dist Episcopal, 2 physicians (C. S. Carey and D. Kelly) and two clergymen, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist; population 500.

Falls village has among its institutions the hotel of Charles Kresky, the store of Henry Turn, the blacksmith shop of George Winard, the grist-mill of Aaron Brown, the saw-mill and powder keg factory of Thomas Fields, the wagon shops of Allen Weed and John Swartwood,

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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY.

and a Methodist Episcopal church. A wire rope ferry was established in 1875 or 1876 by Aaron Brown, the present proprietor.

CHURCHES OF FALLS.

MILL CITY BAPTIST CHURCH.

The establishment of a Baptist church in Mill City grew out of the labors of one William Stover, who-came from Rhode Island in 1816, and settled in Bailey Hollow, now Dalton, Lackawanna county. In 1817 he com- menced preaching on Post Hill in a log school-house, at private dwellings, in barns and wherever the doors were opened for him; and continued his labors until about 1838, when he retired and soon after returned to. Rhode Island.

Post Hill derived its name from one Joseph Post, who came from Bolton, Conn., in the spring of 1793. In the 24th year of his age he married Miss Elizabeth Daily, on the 30th of December, 1793, and in 1800 settled ou the farm now occupied by Amasa Freutishe. . They had seven boys and two girls, named respectively Stephen, Hiram, Isaac, Daniel. David, Betsey, Hannah, John D. and William B. Post. Some of the children went west. Among those that lingered around the old homestead was the venerable Deacon Stephen Post, now in his 86th year, who was the first deacon of the Baptist church. In June, 1820, Rev. William Stover began preaching among the people regularly once a month. In the autumn fol- lowing a revival occurred and Betsey, Joseph, Daniel, Elizabeth, Hiram and Hannah Post, Helen Wilsey and Olive Patrick were baptized and received into the Abington Six Principle Baptist church at Baily Hollow, then known as the Baily Hollow church. In the fall of 1821 Stephen Post, Jacob Wilsey and Clarisa Townsend were baptized and united with the church at Baily Hollow. In the winter following David, Betsey and Hannah Post, Amanda and Amy Holmes, Elizabeth, Betsey, Nelson and Elisha Armstrong, Patience Williams and Noah and Amanda Taylor were baptized and received into the Baily Hollow church. Revivals from time to time added to that church from this locality, until 1833, or thereabouts, when the members living in Falls and Overfield were set off as the Falls branch of the Baily Hollow church. Soon afterwards Rev. John Shaw, from Cortland county, N. Y., labored here successfully, baptizing Alvira, Lydia, Hannah and Samantha Post, Hannah Smith and Russel Armstrong. Following Elder Shaw, Rev. Nathan Baker preached a short time.

About 1844 Rev. James Brown, from Rhode Island, began preaching here, assisted from time to time by Revs. T. J. Cole, Benjamin Green and A. J. Harrington. Elder Brown baptized Mary Ann and Sarah Fitch, Mar- tha Agnew, Solomon, Caroline and Mary Hunter, Charles M. and Mary Daily, Jolin Post, Elizabeth Holmes, Andrew, Phebe, Lydia and John McMillen and John Leonard.

In 1857, while under the pastoral care of Elder Brown, the branch church was, by request, set off as the Falls

Six Principle Baptist Church, and received into the Penn- sylvania Six Principle Baptist Association. At or about this time the Baily Hollow church began to be known by its present designation of Abington Six Principle Bap- tist Church.

In 1862 Elder Brown entered the army and died in hospital, much lamented by all who knew him.

The church was supplied by itinerants of different faiths from 1860 to 1867, at which time Rev. Henry Jacques began a successful pastorate, during which many were added to the church. But, like all who pre- ceded him, his labors were divided between four or five churches; consequently times of service were wide apart and much of the labor was lost.

In 1876 the church extended a call to the Rev. W. G. Comstock, of Rhode Island, who in response came in June of that year, and commenced preaching regularly every Sabbath. Some have been added to the church by baptism, some by letter, and some have been rein- stated during his service here. He early caused a record to be made of all the past as far as possible, and the keeping of a regular record from that time on.

At a regular church meeting of business, held January 17th, 1880, the church, by a unanimous vote, dissolved its connection with the Pennsylvania Six Principle Bap- tist Association; dropped the name Falls Six Principle Baptist Church, adopted the name Mill City Baptist Church, and voted to call a council of ministers and del- egates of the Abington Baptist Association. of regular Baptists to meet with them at Mill City on the 26th of February, 1880. This council unanimously received the Mill City church as a regular Baptist church, and ex- tended to the pastor, Rev. W. G. Comstock, and through him to the church, the hand of fellowship. The follow- ing are the names of the present members:

Rev. W. G. Comstock, pastor ; Stephen Post, Solomon IIunter, Riley Mott and Rev. Henry Jacques, deacons ; Abram Agnew, Simon Arm- strong, Wilbur Search, Morgan Fitch, Thomas R. Armstrong, William Dunlap, George Schofield, Jefferson Sturdevant, Lamont L. Hunter, Edward Hunt, Samantha A. Decker. Mary A. Fiteh, Elizabeth Rosen- erans, Martha Agnew, Margaret Fitch, Mary Search, Rachel Agnew, Mary J. Hallock, Jane Menger, Diana M. Hunter, Florence Kelley, Ermina S. Hunter, Altha S. Corey, Laura Kirkhuff, Rosette Hunt, Armina Shupp, Jemima Armstrong, Mary Mott, Betsey Dunlap, Pa- melia Comstock, Mary E. Freeman, Emeline Freeman, Charlotte E. Green, Emma May Brink, Ella K. Brink, Sarah Sturdevant and Isabella Dersliemer. Total, 42.

This church has for about sixty years maintained re- ligious meetings, but not regularly every Sabbath until within four years. It holds its meetings in a hired hall at Mill City. It has a Sabbath-school of about 60 mem- bers, with an average attendance of 40. The Rev. W. G. Comstock is superintendent.

M. E. CHURCHES OF FALLS TOWNSHIP.

First Church .- Mr. Sherwood states that the first Methodist preachers hereabouts preached at Keeler's Ferry 70 years ago. Sixty-seven years ago the first camp- meeting was held on the farm of Abraham Holmes (now owned by A. T. Dewitt), where the first itinerants gener- ally preached. Meetings were also held at John Oster- hout's, John Weiss's and other private dwellings, and in

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M. E. CHURCHES OF FALLS-FORKSTON TOWNSHIP.

groves along the river. Among the pioneer Methodist preachers were Philo Barber, Horace Agard, George Peck, Charles W. Giddings, Mr. Copeland, Silas Comfort, S. Stocking, Ephraim Teney, Daniel Gorman, Benjamin Ellis, Vincent Coryell, William White, George Lane and Samuel Griffin. They went with Bible and hymn book through storms of rain, hail and snow, climbed rugged hills and mountains, waded swamps, swam swollen streams, broke through ice, lay out nights, often wet, cold, weary and hungry; slept often on earth floors in log cabins with little or no covering, and were poorly fed at the best. "

On the 8th of April, 1867, a lot was bought of Daniel Dobra, and on the 27th of April, 1871, a charter was granted for the First M. E. Church of Falls Township, with Hon. Henry Roberts, Stephen Clark, Samuel G. Miller, William Compton, Henry Turn, A. M. De Witt and Thomas Brown as trustees. A church edifice was erected and finished soon after, at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated by Rev. George P. Porter on the 15th of July, 1872, during the pastorate of Rev. A. J. Van Cleft and E. Puffer, of Newton charge. The membership is 75.

The Sabbath-school was organized the same year, and is still flourishing, under the superintendency of Henry Turn, of Falls, who reports 100 scholars.

The pastors here have been, in order of succession, A. J. Van Cleft, E. Puffer, Isaac Austin, R. S. Rose, A. Brigham, A. J. Arnold, Isaac Austin and William Shelp.

Mill City M. E. Church was incorporated November 25th, 1870. The trustees were Chauncey Sherwood, Michael Walter, D. C. Post, John Patrick and Francis Hough. On the 24th of December, 1872, a lot was bought at Mill City one hundred feet by one hundred and twenty-five, of William H. Walter, and the erection of a church building was soon after commenced. It was finished December 20th, 1873, at a cost of $2,500, and was dedicated by Rev. D. D. Lindsley January Ist, 1874, during the pastorate of Rev. A. Brigham. The member- ship July Ist, 1880, numbered 65.

The Sabbath-school, which was organized soon after, has been kept up, and is now under the superintendency of H. N. Sickler, and numbers 50 scholars and teachers.

The pastors of the society since its organization have been Revs. A. Brigham, A. J. Arnold, Isaac Austin and William Shelp, assisted by Rev. William Compton, local preacher.

There had been regular preaching in Mill City for thirty years before the church was incorporated. Michael Walter was chosen class leader, and many conversions were the result of occasional protracted efforts. During those years the following ministers were upon the charge: Revs. Charles Giddings, Mr. White, Mr. Reddy, John Mulkey, Samuel Griffin, Dayton Reed, C. E. Taylor, Mr. Wilcox, Benjamin Ellis, Mr. Owen, Mr. Schoonmaker, Mr. Sterling, E. F. Roberts, John La Bar, John Wilbur, J. D. Safford, Miner Swallow, E. N. Pardee, G. W. Leach, Asa J. Van Cleft and E. Puffer, with salaries averaging $200 per annum.

FORKSTON TOWNSHIP.

WORKSTON was taken from Windham town- ship in 1844. It derived its name from the fork of the Mehoopany creek near the site of the village of Forkston. Its population in 1870 was 576, and 754 in 1880.

As early as 1795 Leonard Lott came in a canoe up the Susquehanna, and up Mehoopany creek to the fork, where he built a log house. In 1800 there were ten persons living in the township, and in 1803 fifty- four. Of the early settlers Walter Bowman and family lived on the farm now occupied by Jacob Bartolett, N. Adams and family on the farm recently occupied by A. A. Mckown, C. Robinson and family on the Ira Robin- son farm.

Among the early marriages was that of John Spaulding to Polly Adams, on New Year's day, 1815. Thomas Miles and old Mr. Winslow were the first to die, probably about 1812 or 1814. The oldest graveyard is about a mile and a half south of Forkston village, and contains the graves of many of the old settlers of the township.

Farming was begun soon after a settlement was made, but the people occupied their time more in hunting and fishing than in tilling the soil. We hear, however, of Mr. J. Spaulding's taking a load of grain to Wilkes-Barre as early as 1817. The first orchard was set out by a man named Vose, in 1808, on the farm now owned by J. G. Spaulding.

The first framed house was built about 1815, and occu- pied by a Mr. Wilson. Isaac Thomas kept the pioneer store in 1836, near the bridge in Forkston village. Pre- vious to that the people traded at Mehoopany. Pollas Finney also had a small stand about the same time.

Thomas P. Hitchcock kept the first licensed hotel in 1866. It is now kept by Henry Krewson. Previous to 1866 Peter McQueen kept a sort of "house of refresh- ments " where the Spaulding House now stands.

Among the early physicians Dr. Hayden is most promi- nently mentioned. Dr. Harshburger came from Brad- ford county in 1878, and has quite an extensive practice.

Dominie Dimmick, a Baptist clergyman, preached here at an early day.

MANUFACTORIES.

In 1840 there was a small cloth factory owned and op- erated by a man named Waters. There was a small carding-mill in operation about 1820, but no traces are left of it. The first grist-mill was built and run by E. Fassett about 1810. It stood near the site of the bridge crossing the north branch of Mehoopany creek at Fork- ston village. About three-quarters of a mile further down the stream the first saw-mill was built, by J. Bur- gess, about 1810. These mills were both partially de- stroyed by the flood of 1850. In July of that year the Mehoopany creek, swollen by hard showers, carried trees and stumps for miles. Bridges were destroyed, mills, houses and in fact everything within its course were

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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 165

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