History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 10

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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Some uncertainty existed for a long time as to where these lands were located

Mit Packer

SAMUEL WALLIS, THE LAND KING.

on the "Long Reach." All doubt, however, was removed recently by the discovery of a beautifully executed draft among the Wallis papers, which shows that they were located on the south side of the river, and embraced what is known as the "Upper Bottom," lying opposite the present village of Linden. The line commenced a short distance above the present borough of DuBoistown, and continued up the river for 967 perches, taking in all the rich alluvial lands now embraced in the highly cul- tivated farms of the Messrs. Gibson and others. There were five tracts surveyed for Samuel Wallis in the right of sundry persons, April 3, 1769, and a table is given on the draft as follows:

Jacob Heltzheimer, conveyed to Samuel Wallis by deed dated 5th October, 1769, acres 313

Mary Litton,

יר 66

66 6th October, 1769, 310

William Lofflin,

66 12th March, 1770, 310

Jacob Steel, 66

9th August, 1769, 338

Ann Stamp,

20th August, 1772, 321

Lands belonging to Andrew Culbertson bounded the tracts of Ann Stamp and James Steel on the south, and William Hepburn on the west. These five tracts were sold on the 2d and 3d of May, 1802, in Williamsport, by Sheriff Vanderslice, and purchased by Thomas Grant.

The fact that these lands were offered at the low price of $4 per acre shows how the administrators were pressed, and how they struggled to raise money to pay off claimants and save a fraction at least of the estate from sacrifice. That Mr. Coleman missed a splendid bargain there is no doubt, for to-day these lands are among the choicest lying on the river and would readily sell for $200 an acre.

Two other beautifully executed drafts show that Wallis also acquired all the lands on the north side of the river from Lycoming creek to a point above "Level Corner," where the Pine Creek railroad cuts through the rocks on the estate of the late John King. These lands were also designated as lying on the " Long Reach."

The line of the survey of the first tract commenced at a point on Lycoming creek, on the west side, and ran up near where bridge No. 1 of the Northern Central rail- road crosses the stream, or as the survey designates it, "opposite the point of the first large hill." This took in the present residence of George W. Youngman, Esq. The line then turned and followed the route of the present public road " to a marked locust on the bank of the river a small distance below the mouth of Cuinasha- haque run, thence down the river by the several courses to the place of begin- ning." The " survey was made on the 22d and 23d days of June, 1773, for Samuel Wallis, in pursuance of seven orders of survey dated the 3d day of April, 1769," and contained 2,328 acres. The name of the seven persons to whom the applications where granted appear on the draft, but they are not familiar names of to-day.

After much negotiating an agreement was finally reached between Drinker and Coleman, and the latter purchased the mansion house property and presented it to his daughter Elizabeth, wife of Charles Hall, Esq., of Sunbury. Other portions of the farm were purchased from time to time and added to the original, until the estate comprised about six thousand acres and it came to be known as "Hall's Farms." After the death of Charles Hall, in 1821, his widow and her twelve chil- dren removed to the farm, which she improved and carried on. At her death the estate was divided among her children, and a portion of it is still held by descendants.

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Such in brief is the history of the career of Samuel Wallis and the princely estate he founded. Had it not been for his mistake in refusing to accept one-half of the amount which Wilson owed him-and which he offered to pay him in cash- he might have been able to discharge the bulk of his obligations and saved enough of his estate to make his family comfortable. But when he died misfortunes seemed to multiply and everything was finally swept away by the stern mandate of the law. The heirs realized nothing and his widow died penniless!

CHAPTER V.

THE CLAIM OF CONNECTICUT.

AN INVASION FROM WYOMING TOWNSHIPS OF JUDEA AND CHARLESTON FORMED EXPULSION OF THE INVADERS-NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ERECTED MUNCY TOWNSHIP CREATED- FIRST PUBLIC ROAD TO LYCOMING CREEK-NAMES OF THE VIEWERS-FIRST GRIST MILL -ORIGINAL SETTLERS AT MUNCY-FLIGHT OF THE MORAVIANS-BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION-MILITARY COMPANY FROM THE WEST BRANCH-TIM MURPHY KILLS GEN- ERAL FRAZER-PINE CREEK DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE-FITHIAN'S VISIT.

T THE year 1769 having closed, the system of filing applications for land ceased with it also, and in 1770 the work of issuing warrants commenced. These were busy times at the Land Office. The conditions were fully set forth in the war- rant, which was signed by the Governor and the seal of the Land Office attached. The original was filed in the surveyor general's office, and a copy directed to the deputy in the district where the land was located, for which the warrant had been granted. When it was doubtful where the land lay they were in many cases directed thus: "To the proper deputy surveyor," and he was supposed to be able to find the land. In the scramble for land great confusion often ensued, and in many instances sharp practices were resorted to by applicants to secure eligible locations, especially along the river.

The year 1770, therefore, was one of great activity. Settlers commenced pour- ing in from the lower counties, and from New Jersey; in fact, a very large number who settled along the river on land now embraced in the county of Lycoming came from the latter State. They were attracted by the reports of explorers concerning the beauty of the valley, the richness of the soil, and the ease by which land could be obtained by the warrant system. Among the very earliest squatters on a tract at the upper end of the borough of Jersey Shore was a man named James Arm- strong, who made some improvements. James Alexander ascended Pine creek a short distance and built a cabin on what is now the Tomb estate. When the Indian troubles broke out he disappeared. Simon Cool settled at the mouth of Larry's creek and very likely took possession of the premises abandoned by Larry Burt, the Indian trader, who had followed his retreating red friends.

THE CLAIM OF CONNECTICUT.

CONNECTICUT INVASION."

As early as 1769 the Susquehanna Land Company, of Connecticut, decided to found a colony in the West Branch, as they claimed that their territory extended from Wyoming to that point and beyond. One authority states that they resolved to send 540 emigrants to Wyoming, 300 of whom were to have lands as a gratuity in the West Branch valley. Two townships, named Charleston and Judea, were surveyed in 1771. They embraced the Muncy settlement. A few settlers came, but there are no records to show the exact number. There were a number in the Warrior run district, and their leaders intimated their intention to hold the country, if they had to resort to force. At first this portion of the Province was not included in the limits of Westmoreland by the Connecticut grant, which extended only fifteen miles beyond the North Branch. Later, however, an act was passed by the Con- necticut council to extend the limits of the town of Westmoreland as far westward as the line fixed upon with the Indians at the treaty of 1768. This took in the West Branch territory as far westward as Lycoming creek.

The presence of these Wyoming settlers was not agreeable to those who had pre- ceded them, and bad feeling between them was the result. They were looked upon as interlopers, or invaders of a territory that did not belong to them. Finally the feeling among the original settlers assumed such a pitch that they remonstrated against the "Connecticut invasion," as they termed it, by petitioning Richard Penn, then acting Governor, for legal redress and protection. They charged that a large body of armed men had invaded this territory, and intimated that if they were not protected by the government they would resort to arms to defend themselves and their rights. The petition was laid before the Board of Council, June 9, 1773, and after careful consideration the Board decided to lay the matter before the Assembly, accompanied by a message from Governor Penn. The Governor was very emphatic in his declarations and denounced the act of invasion as an "insolent outrage by a set of men who had long bid defiauce to the laws of the country," and closed by recommending that they be repelled by force, as their presence threatened the " destruction of that infant county," and "the peace of the whole Province." The Assembly instructed the Governor to issue a proclamation requesting the magistrates of Northumberland county to be vigilant in the discharge of their duty, and see that the intruders from Wyoming no longer imposed upon the Pennsylvania settlers.

Zebulon Butler, the Connecticut leader, also issued a proclamation and distributed it through Northumberland county, announcing that he had been appointed a justice by the authorities of Connecticut. To counteract this " manifesto," Governor Penn issued a proclamation forbidding the people to pay any attention " to this usurper," as he had no right to exercise the functions of a justice in the Province.

Excitement continued to increase among the people. The Connecticut colonists were determined to occupy the land and the Pennsylvania settlers were resolutely determined that they should not. The former insisted that the land belonged to them, the latter that it did not, and they determined to expel them by force of arms if they did not leave.

At last it became evident that the intruders did not intend to obey the orders to leave, but were preparing to bring 300 colonists to the valley. Samuel Wallis gave information to this effect and warned the authorities to be on the alert. Dr. Plun-

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

kett, who was serving as president judge, was informed that large reinforcements had arrived, when a force of fifty men was despatched from Fort Augusta to "meet and demand the reason of this intrusion and hostile appearance." Colonel Plunkett accompanied the expedition under orders from the government to destroy the settle- ments at Charleston and Judea. How much resistance was offered is nowhere stated, but it must have been small, as only one man was reported killed and several of the Connecticut people wounded. After burning the buildings and collecting what property he could, Colonel Plunkett returned to Sunbury with a number of prisoners. The women and children were sent to their friends at Wyoming. William Judd and Joseph Sluman, the leaders, were captured and sent to jail in Philadelphia. This broke up the Connecticut settlement on the West Branch.

A NEW COUNTY FORMED.

The rush of settlers continued during the years 1771 and 1772, and the popula- tion soon became so great along the river that the settlers began to clamor for the erection of a new county. Berks and Cumberland counties embraced the territory, and their seats were too far away. Residents on the east of the Susquehanna, north of Lancaster, were in Berks, whilst those on the west side belonged to Cumberland. The idea of going to Reading and Carlisle, over almost impassable roads, for the transaction of county business, could no longer be entertained. Finally an act was passed by the Assembly on the 21st of March, 1772, erecting a new county out of parts of Berks, Bedford, Cumberland, Lancaster, and Northampton, to be called Northumberland. The name selected was in honor of the most northerly county of England.

The county seat was established at Fort Augusta and the courts ordered to be held in the fort until a court house could be built. The Governor was authorized to nominate a competent number of justices, any three of whom could hold the several courts on the fourth Tuesday of February, May, August, and November. The first court met, April 9, 1772, as a "private sessions of the peace," in the " twelfth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord. George the Third, etc.," when it was announced that a commission had been received from the Governor appoint- ing justices to hold the several courts. Dr. William Plunkett was chosen president. One of the first motions was to divide the new county into seven townships, one of which was named Muncy. It embraced an extensive territory, out of which a large number of townships have since been made. At that time it was probably the most thickly settled portion of the West Branch valley. The first constable appointed was James Robb. He resided in the Muncy settlement and became quite conspicu- ous afterwards. Amariah Sutton and John Alward were appointed road overseers. The first lived on the east bank of Lycoming creek, and the latter at Muncy.

FIRST ROADS.

The first court of general quarter sessions was held at Fort Augusta, May 26, 1772; and the first important business that came before it for consideration was a petition from "sundry inhabitants of the West Branch of Susquehanna and places adjacent," setting forth the inconvenience they labored under for want of public highways, and praying that proper persons should be appointed "to view and lay

THE CLAIM OF CONNECTICUT.

out a road from the end of the road lately opened from the head of Schuylkill to Fort Augusta, across the North Branch of the River Susquehanna to the main point opposite Fort Augusta, thence up the easterly side of the West Branch of said river to the line of the late Indian purchase at Lycoming." The court appointed > Richard Malone, Marcus Hulings, Jr., John Robb, Alexander Stephens, Daniel Lay- ton, and Amariah Sutton to lay out the proposed road. Those that did exist at that time were little better than bridle paths and followed the principal Indian trails. The proposed road on which a view was ordered was authorized at the October term, 1772. It was to be thirty-three feet wide, but it does not appear to have been laid out for some time afterwards, for we find that Lieut. Col. Henry Antes and others were appointed at the August sessions, 1775, "to view, and if they saw cause, to lay out a bridle road from the mouth of Bald Eagle creek to the town of Sunbury."

This order evidently led to the construction of a highway to the settlements at Muncy, Lycoming, and beyond, for soon afterwards we hear of wagons loaded with emigrants passing over it.

One of the most curious documents that survived the "Big Runaway," and the exciting years following, is the notes of the surveying party which laid out this pub- lic road. It was found in the Wallis collection and the material portions are con- densed and reproduced here.

Courses of the new road from Fort Augusta to Laycauming.

Beginning as follows:

Course & Distance of a road viewed and laid out in Pursuance of an order of Court for the same. Begin'g at fort augusta thence n. 56 east to Sergt Grants 160 Perches, thence to a mark Hickery nigh the Bank on the north side of the East Branch, thence N 50 west 90 P to the first street of Northumberland along the man street of sd Town 200 Perches, thence north 56 west 200 perches, and so on by several courses and distances 726 perches to "John Alexanders." Thence by several courses and distances 546 perches "at a fording of Chisquaque." Thence 306 perches "to William Plunkets Esqrs." Thence 836 perches "to John Doughertys." Thence 512 perches " (Marcus Hulings)."

Marcus Hulings lived at what is now Milton. After leaving his place no definite point is noted until the "Gap of Muncy Hills" is reached. 318 perches beyond the "gap" occurs this sentence: " Thence by northward and westward by a line of marked trees to Laycauming." But this appears to have been considered too indefinite, as it is marked "Canceled," and the following sub- stituted, carefully giving the courses and distances:

" To the fording of Muncy Creek," "to Wolf run," "to Mr. Wallis's Run," "to the run above Wallises." "Across LoyalSock Creek thence N 74 W. to the upper end of Barbers field 100 P." and finally "to Lycauming."

Signed, RICHARD MALLONE, AMARIAH SUTTON, ALEX'D STEPHENS, MARCUS HULINGS.

Of the six viewers originally appointed by the court, all signed the report but Robb and Layton. This view resulted in the first regularly authorized highway through the valley, and the route selected has undergone but few changes since that day.

The second public road of which we have any account, was from John Scudder's place, on the east bank of the river, to the crossing of Muncy creek by the Wyalus-

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

ing path. This order was made by the court in August, 1773, and Samuel Carpen- ter, Robert Robb, John Scudder, John Micheltree, John Alward, and James Robb were designated as viewers. As the distance was not very great, it is supposed the road was promptly laid out and built.

At the May term, 1773, John Harris, who lived near the mouth of Loyalsock, was confirmed as constable; Amariah Sutton and John Alward, overseers of roads; Samuel Wallis and Nathaniel Barber, overseers of the poor. Sutton lived on Lycoming creek and Alward at Muncy. Wallis lived on Muncy Farm, and Barber on the west side of Loyalsock creek.

FIRST GRIST MILL.

The first grist mill west of Muncy Hills was erected on Muncy creek by John Alward in 1772. It stood on the spot now occupied by the "old plaster mill," a few yards from the brick mill now owned by the Jacob Cooke heirs. Henry Shoe- maker, grandfather of Charles Shoemaker, bought the mill before the Indian troubles of 1778-79 began. When the savages invaded the valley the mill gearings were concealed and saved, but they destroyed the building. The mill stood outside the present borough limits.

John Alward was from Berks county. An autograph letter, written in 1784 to Samuel Wallis, shows that he was living in Windsor township at that time. In 1786 he was imprisoned for debt at the suit of Baltzer Neyfang for £3 10s. In his petition to the court of Berks county for discharge upon the ground of being an insolvent debtor, he shows that Samuel Wallis owed him £1,000. Others owed him large sums but he could not collect them. Upon assigning his estate for the benefit of his creditors he was discharged, March 12, 1788.

The mill was no doubt small and rudely constructed, but it served the purpose for which it was erected and was of great service to the pioneers. People came to it with grists a long distance, and "going to mill" in those days was an event of more than ordinary importance. Alward, the original builder, was a man of consid- erable enterprise and very useful in the settlement.

NAMES OF ORIGINAL SETTLERS.

It may be interesting to know the names of the original settlers of Muncy town- ship. Several of them were conspicuous participants in the stirring times of that period, and their names frequently occur in history, but the majority at this lapse of time are unknown. The following list embraces the names of all who were bona fide settlers in 1774, when it was returned by the assessor to the commissioners at Sunbury :

John Alward, (servant, one negro,) David Austin, John Archer, John Andrews, David Berry, Daniel Brown, David Benjamin, Jonathan Benjamin, John Brady, Matthew Blukeny, (carpenter,) Benjamin Burts, Nathaniel Barber, Joseph Bonser, Thomas Bonner, John Coats, Nicholas Cline, Albert Covenhoven, Joseph Craft, John Covenhoven, Joseph Carpenter, John Carpenter, Thomas Collins, John Curr, Cornelius Cox, Margaret Duncan, Robert Guy, James Giles, Henry Gerner, William Gannon, Samuel Gordon, Charles Gallipsy, Samuel Herod, Jacob Hooke, John Hall, William Hall, John Hall, Jr., Thomas Hunt, James Hampton, Joseph Hog-

THE CLAIM OF CONNECTICUT.

land, Samuel Harris, James Harris, David Hamman, William Hamman, Peter Jones, Benjamin Jacobs, Enos Lundy, Frederick Leuf, Cornelius Low, Jr., Cor- nelius Low, Sr., Thomas Lemier, Henry Marratt, (two servants,) Godlove Millers, Edward Masters, John Morris, Warrick Miller, Convert Nap, Hannah Newman, Thomas Newman, Jr., John Newman, Joseph Newman, Thomas Newman, Sr., Thomas Oliver, Daniel Perine, Israel Parshall, Abraham Parr, Alexander Power, James Parr, Robert Peoples, James Richardson, James Robb, Robert Robb, David Robb, John Robb, James Reader, Ephraim Row, Ralph Slack, John Scudder, Paulus Sheap, Peter Smith, Samuel Sealy, Michael Sealy, George Silverthorn, Oli- ver Silverthorn, Joseph Sutton, John Stryker, Bernard Stryker, Oaky Stevens, John Sutton, William Snodgrass, Amariah Sutton, Turbutt Francis, John Thompson, Eaton Thorp, William Thorp, Jerome Tanner, Michael Tray, Andrew Workman, David Workman, Peter Wykoff, Tray White, Samuel Wallis, James Wilson, Daniel Williams, Joshua White, Joseph J. Wallis, John Young.

None of the names of the settlers west of Lycoming creek are given in the above list, because they were living in forbidden territory outside the limits of the county. Many of those mentioned above left descendants who still reside in the county, and there are others who left none, because they were either killed or never returned after the flight. And all of the above, with few exceptions, had improvements and were possessed with more or less stock, which indicated that they intended to become permanent settlers. Conspicuous among them were the Robb brothers, who, at that early day, were surrounded with more than the comforts usually found in a new settlement. The Covenhoven family, consisting of father and two sons, settled on Loyalsock, a short distance above Montoursville. They suffered much at the hands of the savages, but Robert, one of the sons, lived to mete out vengeance to them for what they did to his family, and he became conspicuous as a guide, patriot, and soldier. They, like many of the other settlers, came from New Jersey. John Scudder enjoyed the proud distinction of being the father of the first girl baby born west of the Muncy Hills. Peter Wychoff, also from New Jersey, was an uncle to the Covenhoven boys. He settled on Loyalsock, near the present borough of Montoursville, and established a tannery for the dressing of leather. Probably it was the first in the valley.

FLIGHT OF THE MORAVIANS.

June, 1772, was noted as the time of the flight of the Moravians of Wyalusing through this part of the county on the way to their new place in Ohio. Reference has been made in a previous chapter as to how they were deceived by the sale of the land on which their town was built, at the treaty of 1768. Failing to receive assurance from the Proprietary government that their land would be held in trust for them, they decided to abandon the place. One party descended the North Branch in canoes and then ascended the West Branch. The other party, in charge of Bishop John Ettwein, came overland by way of the Wyalusing path down Muncy creek. The party by the overland route numbered fifty-four souls. The journey was a perilous one. The Bishop in his journal informs us that on entering the great swamp in what is now Sullivan county, "the undergrowth was so dense that often- times it was impossible to see one another at the distance of six feet. The path, .

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

too, was frequently invisible, and yet along it sixty head of cattle and fifty horses and colts had to be driven." And to add to their discomfort it rained incessantly as they were passing through this wilderness. The path "led thirty-six times across Muncy creek." The journey consumed five days to reach the beautiful valley of Muncy, which was on the 15th of June. "Here," remarks the Bishop, "the hunters in two days shot fifteen deer, the meat of which was dried at the fires for use on the journey."

On the 20th the party that came by the canoes, numbering 140 souls, joined them on the river a short distance above Samuel Wallis's plantation. While tarrying here they held religious services at Wallis's house on Sunday, the 21st, and Bishop Ettwein preached "to from fifty to sixty hearers, all English, some of whom had come twenty miles distance."

When Mouday came they "had a market day in camp." Samuel Wallis bought "fifteen head of their young cattle and some canoes." Other persons "bought bowls, firkins, buckets, tubs, chains, and diverse iron ware." An incident occurred while the traffic was going on. The Bishop says: "A trader's agent had smuggled some rum into the purlieus of the camp. The transgression was soon discovered,and af- ter threatening him to his great anxiety we handed the contraband merchandise [rum] to Mr. Wallis for safe keeping, until the trader should return from the Great Island. Twenty hundred-weight of flour, which I had purchased with the money presented to our Indians by friends in Philadelphia, were here distributed." Ett- wein brought with him £100, the gift of benevolent friends in Philadelphia. The appearance of this great caravan, mostly composed of converted Indians, was an event of more than ordinary consequence in the settlement and attracted much attention.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 10

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650