History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 6

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

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The next two streams on the east side are Glade run and Muncy creek. The

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

latter is a large and important tributary, having its sources in Sullivan county. It flows through a mountainous region, and as it has many tributaries, it drains a large district. It takes its name from the Monsey Indians, who once inhabited that part of the county, but there has been some dispute as to the true origin of the name. By some early writers and explorers it was called Oc-coh-po-cheny, but subsequent investigation showed that this name applied to the flats, or hickory grounds, at its mouth. Conrad Weiser, in his frequent journeys through through the valley, speaks of it as Can-a-so-ragy, and others called it Lone-e-se-ran-go. But whether these terms referred to the town or the creek, we are left in doubt. We are inclined to think that they referred to the town, or towns, in the valley, and that Muncy is but an easy transition from Monsey, the name of the tribe once occupying the valley now bearing their name.

According to Schoolcraft the term Oc-coh-po-cheny is derived from the Shawanee language, and signifies " Hickory ground," or flats, from the word Cche-ab, a hickory tree. The term Can-a-sor-ago is from the Iroquois, and signifies "town on a rock or high place," from the word "Canada," town, "ar," rock, and "ago," a place. The fact that extensive ruins once existed on a high bluff near by would seem to prove conclusively the appropriateness of the name.

Heckewelder, in his glossary of Indian names, says that the word Muncy is corrupted from Mins-ink, signifying "where there are Minsies." A colony of Monseys drifted up the stream and had a small town near the mouth of Orcutt's creek, in Athens township, Bradford county. They did not remain there long, but moved westward with their tribe. The Monsey Indians made their way finally to Indiana, and their name is perpetuated by the town of Muncie in that State, as well as by the borough of Muncy, and the creek and valley, in Lycoming county.

From the foregoing it would seem to be clearly established that the stream derives its name from this tribe of Indians, and in the absence of conclusive proof to the contrary, we must accept that idea. The fact, too, that they had a village near Tioga, would indicate that they frequently traveled up and down the creek, and that in time it came to bear their name.

The next great affluent of the river from the north is what is known as Loyalsock. It rises in Sullivan county, and after receiving the waters of numerous tributaries, flows past the borough of Montoursville and falls into the river. It is a large stream and drains a wide scope of country. According to Heckewelder the name is cor- rupted from Lawi-saquick, signifying the middle creek-that is, a creek flowing between two others. The name, therefore, is singularly appropriate, as it lies mid- way between Muncy and Lycoming creeks, the distance both ways being about six miles. It is a historic stream and has figured in Indian annals from the earliest times. The aboriginal villages of Ots-ton-wak-in and Ots-tua-gy were situated on its banks-the former on the west side and the latter on the east. When white men first visited the place they found the celebrated Madame Montour and her son Andrew living in Ots-ton-wak-in. And as the latter received a grant of land at this place from the Proprietary government in consideration of his valuable services as an interpreter and agent, the place came to be known as Montoursville, a name which it still bears. Many thrilling events occurred on the banks of the stream in the vicinity of the present borough which will be described at the proper place.

APPEARANCE OF THE PAINTED SAVAGE.

Lycoming creek, which lies west of Loyalsock, is another important tributary, because it pours a large volume of water into the river. Its source is a spring about half a mile east of Penbryn station (Carpenter's) on the Northern Central railroad. The tracks of a switch now pass over it. The stream is small at the beginning, but as it flows southward it gathers strength from numerous tributaries, until it passes through the western part of the city of Williamsport and reaches the river. The name, according to Heckewelder, is corrupted from Legani-hanne, signifying sandy stream. The Delawares called it invariably by this name. On Scull's map it is written Lycaumick. It is plainly seen, therefore, how easy the transition was to Lycoming.

This large stream is noted for its tortuous course, as it winds through the narrow valley, shut in by high mountains on both sides. When first visited by white men an impenetrable mass of briers, laurel, and underbrush lined both shores of the creek; and at several places there were great swamps which were dangerous to venture into. At many places penetrated by the narrow Indian path, on the sides of the creek and on elevated ground, we are told that the early travelers were often compelled to creep on their hands and feet for some distance to get through. The overhanging foliage of the pine and the hemlock were so dense as to darken the way and add to the discomforts of the journey. Accounts left by travelers who were caught in these thickets in dark, stormy weather, depict the scene as one not only gloomy in the extreme, but bordering on the horrible.

Zeisberger called it "The Limping Messenger," and the "Diadachton." We are at a loss to account for the application of the first name, but the second can be explained. The phrase, "Limping Messenger" is used by no other writer. This has lead to a theory that it was not the stream he referred to, but that a "messen- ger" had been met on it who was "limping" in his walk. It is well known that "messengers" were constantly traveling between Shamokin and Onondaga bearing information. There was no other way of communicating intelligence in those days. Is it not reasonable, therefore, to suppose that at the point where the path over · which he and his party were traveling came to the creek, they met an Indian bearer of dispatches who was "limping" in his gait, and he noted the fact in his journal that at dusk "we came to the 'Limping Messenger?' " No other construction can be placed on the expression that would seem to be so reasonable, and we are dis- posed to adopt it.

Larry's creek is a tributary worth noticing. It heads in Cogan House township, Lycoming county, and empties into the river a mile and a half east of the borough of Jersey Shore. It has a number of affluents and drains a largeterritory. Larry's creek derives its name from Larry Burt, an Indian trader, who had his cabin near its mouth. The early surveyors found him, but he soon afterwards disappeared. Tradition says that he had an Indian woman for his wife. His name does not appear among the regularly licensed Indian traders, which leads us to believe that he might have been an adventurer and went with the Indians when they moved westward.

The last great tributary on the north side of the river is Pine creek, and it forms the western boundary line between Lycoming and Clinton counties for a long distance. It heads in Potter county and is fed by numerous streams on its descent to the river. Pine creek carries a greater volume of water than any other tributary

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

of the West Branch. and is entitled to be called a mountain river. For many miles it flows through a wild ravine, with steep high mountains on both sides. The scen- ery is bold and greatly admired by travelers. The Indians never had a path up the gorge through which it emerges from between the highest mountains. On account of its narrowness, there being barely room enough for the stream, it was very likely con- sidered inaccessible by the projectors of Indian paths. The thickets must have been very dense in aboriginal days, and as the mountains were covered from base to summit with a heavy growth of pine and hemlock, the gloom which prevailed must have bor- dered on night all the time.

For many years this stream was a disturbing factor in Indian negotiations, and caused no little trouble for the early settlers along the river. When the purchase of 1768 was made the Indians claimed that Tiadaghton creek, which was to be the line on the north side of the river, was Lycoming creek. The commissioners claimed that Pine creek was the real Tiadaghton, but the Indians denied this so emphatically that they were compelled to accept Lycoming as the line. This was, no doubt, the reason why Zeisberger spoke of it as the "Diadaghton" in his journal. In this bit of deception the Indians exhibited more than their usual sagacity in dealing with the whites. And it would seem, too. that they applied this name to Lycoming long before the treaty of 1768, else Zeisberger would not have known to speak of it by that title in 1745, more than twenty years before.

Many of the whites had a suspicion that deception had been practiced in desig- nating the line of the purchase, but as the treaty called for Lycoming as the divid- ing stream they had to accept it. The doubt that prevailed caused many adventure- some settlers to go beyond the forbidden line, notwithstanding the Proprietary government issued a proclamation warning all settlers that if they located westward of Lycoming it would be at their own risk, and they must not expect as- sistance in the event of trouble with the Indians. The warning did not deter them for they flocked in and occupied the country. It was this condition of affairs that led to the establishment of the Fair Play system for their own government and pro- tection.

It was not until the last treaty with the Indians at Fort Stanwix in 1784 that they finally admitted that Pine creek was the real Tiadaghton, and that they had deceived the whites with regard to the line in 1768. The troubles and litigations which grew out of this affair will be more fully described when we come to speak of the settlers.

The meaning of the term Tiadaghton has never been explained. Heckewelder makes no reference to it in his glossary, and Professor Reichel, who edited the same as late as 1872, is likewise silent. There is a mystery about it that, probably, will never be solved. Heckewelder, however, speaks of Pine creek, and says that the name in Delaware was Cawen-hanne, a pine stream, or a stream flowing through pine lands. This was a very appropriate name, when we consider the dense forest of pine that once lined its banks. The other name though unique, if not poetical is meaningless to white people.

On the south side of the river, near the western line of the county, is a tributary called Antes creek, which, though short, discharges a large volume of water. It is the outlet for the waters of Nippenose valley, which sink beneath the limestone rocks

APPEARANCE OF THE PAINTED SAVAGE.

underlying the soil. At the head of the valley the accumulated waters emerge in the form of a great spring, of sufficient power to drive a grist mill and woolen man- ufactory but a short distance from the source. The total length of the creek is less than three miles, and it flows through a deep, narrow ravine in Bald Eagle mount- ain. It takes its name from the celebrated Col. John Henry Antes, who was a con- spicuous as well as representative man in colonial times.

The foregoing comprise the principal tributaries of the river in Lycoming county. Many other streams of lesser note, but quite important in their commercial and man- ufacturing relations, emptying into these main arteries, will receive attention when we come to describe the minor civil subdivisions of the county.

DECLINE OF FRENCH DOMINATION.

With the victory of Bouquet over the Indians at Bushy Run in 1763, and the occupation of Fort Duquesne soon after, began the rapid decline of French domina- tiou in the northwestern part of the Province. All the available forces on the Susquehanna had been withdrawn for the purpose of aiding this western expedition, but as the hostile Indians were also called in that direction by the French, the set- tlers in the valley suffered no molestation.

On the way home in 1764, the officers who participated in the expedition held a meeting and entered into an agreement to make application for a grant of land on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, in consideration of their services, where they could found a colony of sufficient strength to resist any further encroachments of the enemy. Each member of the compact was to have "a reasonable and commodi- ous plantation," which was to correspond with his rank and subscription.

Commissioners were appointed to lay their application before the Proprietaries, which duty they performed on the 30th of April, 1765. They asked for 40,000 acres lying on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. The Penns felt kindly dis- posed toward the petitioners, because they appreciated their services in saving a large portion of the Province from the control of a troublesome enemy, and they took their application and at once gave it thoughtful and careful consideration.

In due time Thomas and Richard Penn decided that they would grant the appli- cation, providing they could secure more land from the Indians. Commissioners were appointed to hold a treaty with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, November 5, 1768. The treaty was held, and in consideration of $10,000 the Indians conveyed another slice of their territory to the Penns on the Susquehanna. The boundary line is thus defined in the deed:

Beginning on the north boundary line of the Province to the east side of the east branch of the Susquehanna at the place called "Owegy," and running with the said boundary line down this branch till it came opposite the mouth of a creek, called by the Indians Awadac (Towanda), then across the river, and up said creek on the south side thereof, and along the range of hills called Burnett's Hills by the English, and by the Indians , on the north side of them to the head of the creek running into the West Branch, called Tiadaghton, and down it to the river; then crossing and running up the south side to the forks which lie nearest a place called Kittanning, on the Ohio; from thence down the Ohio to the western bounds of the Province; thence around the southern boundary to the east of the Alleghenies to the line of the tract pur- chased in 1758 by the said Proprietaries, and from thence along the line of a tract purchased in 1749, around to the place of beginning.

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

INDIAN TRICKERY.

Much trouble grew out of this sale. The Indians had discovered the value set on their lands by the whites, and the arts and arguments used by different parties to obtain them. They therefore determined to dispose of the coveted land as often as a purchaser could be found to pay them their price. Having sold the Susquehanna valley in 1754 to the New England people, in 1766 they gave the Christian Indians all that part of it from Wyalusing to above Tioga, and in 1768 they sold the same tract again to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. These Christian Indians, under the protection of the Moravians, had founded a town at Wyalusing which was called Friedenshutten. This sale resulted finally in its evacuation and the flight of the Moravians down Muncy creek to the river, and up that stream to the Great Island, thence over the mountains to Ohio. To show the extent of Indian duplicity prac- ticed at that time, it may be stated that the sale of these lands was kept a profound secret from the Indians of Wyalusing for a time, and they had no intimation of what had been done until the 5th of December, when it was told them by a trader. They straightway sought to learn the truth, but evasive answers were returned. After much parleying, and a correspondence with the Penns, they finally became satisfied that the lands had been sold and they at once decided to leave their settle- ment, not feeling safe to remain longer among those who had so grossly deceived them.

Owing to the importance of this purchase, and the chicauery resorted to by the Indians to deceive interested parties, the boundary line is given. The tract included about sixteen miles in width of the Province of New York, from the Delaware to the Susquehanna. From the head of Towanda creek along Burnett's Hills would undoubtedly be the range now known as the Elk mountains, and further west Brier or Laurel Hill. This is an unbroken range until pierced by the second fork of Pine creek, the stream called Tiadaghton. No other stream will answer the description, as the head of the main branch of Pine creek is some thirty miles northwest of the head of the second fork, which can not be reached by following the range of hills mentioned as running from the head of Towanda creek, and crossing the main branch of Pine creek one mile below Big Meadows, at the mouth of the third fork, . fifty-five miles from the river. From the geography of the country the stream described as forming the western boundary of this purchase, on the north side of the West Branch, was the stream known as Yarnell's creek, then down the same to the second fork of Pine creek, thence to the river, a distance of fifty-three miles. The line then passed up the south side of the river to the Canoe Place, now the cor- ner of Clearfield, Cambria, and Indiana counties, and thence to Kittanning. This line was run by James Galbraith, by order of Surveyor General Lukens, April 17, 1768.

It has always been a question what was meant by "Burnett's Hills." No expla- nation has ever been offered. It is possible that they bore some relation to William Burnett, who was Governor of the Province of New York from 1720 to 1728. He was a man of great activity and advocated obtaining control of Lake Ontario in order to frustrate the project of the French for establishing a chain of forts from Canada to Louisiana. For this purpose he began the erection of a trading house at .

Oswego in the country of the Senecas in 1722, and in 1726, at his own expense,

Ing. by J.R. Rice & Sons, Phila.

ALawshe

APPEARANCE OF THE PAINTED SAVAGE.

built a fort at the same place for the better protection of the post and traders. He had much business with the Indians, and it is barely possible that these hills were named after him.

It is not strange, perhaps, that the Indians deceived the whites by claiming that Lycoming creek was what they called Tiadaghton. instead of Pine creek. The motive for this is apparent. They wanted the territory between Lycoming and Pine creeks for hunting and fishing. It was a wild and mountainous region and abounded in game of all kinds. Elk, deer, and bear were plentiful. The streams were numerous and filled with fish. Their women and children devoted much of their time to fishing in season, while the young men engaged in the chase, and alto- gether they managed to secure a good supply of food. This was the principal rea- son, perhaps, why the Indians disliked to abandon this portion of their domain lying on the north side of the river above Lycoming creek. This fact so tempted the cupidity of the Indians that they were induced to tell a deliberate falsehood, when the law of self-preservation stared them in the face. If the white man lied to cheat the Indians, why should not the Indians retaliate by lying also ? was the logic they employed. The lie resulted in making some lively times, which will be described in the proper place.

MONTOUR'S RESERVE.

The land having been acquired the Penns granted the application of the officers, and on the 3d of February, 1769, it was ordered by the Board of Property that "Col. Turbutt Francis and the officers of the First and Second battalions of the Pennsylvania Regiment be allowed to take up 24,000 acres, to be divided among them in distinct surveys, on the waters of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, to be seated with a family for each 300 acres within two years from the time of sur- vey, paying five pounds sterling per hundred and one penny sterling per acre." The records show that the officers agreed to the terms, and at a meeting held at Fort Augusta in the latter part of February, they appointed Captains Hunter and Irvine to accompany William Scull in making the survey of their lands. The work of survey was performed, and 6,096 acres set aside for the applicants on the east side of the West Branch. The survey included what are now the boroughs of Milton and Watsontown, and the town of Dewart. Samuel Maclay reported that he had surveyed 8,000 acres in Buffalo valley (now Union county) and John Lukens reported that his survey on Bald Eagle creek (now Clinton county) embraced 9,004 acres. Very few of the officers settled on the tracts of land assigned them.

Between the time of the confirmation of the purchase of 1768 and the opening of the Land Office, a number of special grants to various individuals for valuable services rendered the Proprietary government were made. Among these grants was one to Andrew Montour on the 29th of October, 1768. This was perhaps the first made within the present territory of Lycoming county, and was located on what is now the site of the borough of Montoursville. It took in lands lying on both sides of Loyal- sock. According to the survey it contained 880 acres and was called "Montour's Reserve." This fine grant took in both the Indian villages of Otstnagy and Otston- wakin. The draft shows that Samuel Purviance claimed lands bounding the " Reserve" on the east and north, and James Tilghmau on the west. The south- ern boundary was the river. This certificate is appended to the draft: 4

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

By virtue of an order of survey dated the 29th day of October, 1768, surveyed the 3d day of November, 1769. unto Audrew Montour the above described tract of land, situate on Loyalsock creek (Stonehauger) and the West Branch of the river Susquehanna, in the county of Berks. containing 880 acres and allowance of six per cent.

PR WM. SCULL.

Montour did not retain the land very long. Surveyor General Scull in his return says that the survey was make January 9, 1770, but a patent was not issued till June 17, 1785, the land in the meantime having passed into the hands of other parties. The patent was granted to Mary Norris and Peter Zachary Lloyd, and the consideration money was £142 7s. 9d. The five pounds sterling, reduced to dollars and cents, equaled $22.22 per hundred acres, or twenty-two cents for one acre! At this rate "Montour's Reserve" originally cost the purchasers $193.60. Compared with the prices prevailing to-day, the reader will see that there has been a vast appreciation in valne. There is land lying within the limits of the " Reserve" to- day that could not be purchased for $200 per acre, and lots in the borough would reach a much higher rate.

The following extract from the Land Office records, showing the history of the transfer, is of interest to the inhabitants of the borough of Montoursville to-day:

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, SS.

WHEREAS by Virtue and in Pursuance of an Order of Survey dated the Twenty-ninth Day of October, 1768, granted to Andrew Montour, there hath been surveyed a certain Tract of Land. Containing Eight hundred and eighty acres and allowance of six per cent. for roads, &c .. Situate on Loyalsock Creek and the West branch of Susquehanna river. in the County of Northumberland, And whereas the said Andrew by the name of Henry Montour by Deed dated 12th Augt. 1771, Conveyed the same to Robt. Lettes Hooper, who by Deed dated 27th Feb'y, 1173. conveyed to Jos. Spear, who by Deed dated 9th Dec'r. 1773. conveyed to James Wilson, Esq'r, who by Deed dated 26th June, 1777, conveyed to Mary Norris who by Deed dated 27th June 1777, conveyed one Moiety thereof to Peter Zachary Lloyd, Esq'r, And the said Mary Norris & Peter Zachary Lloyd have paid the Purchase Money at the Rate of Five Pounds Sterling, per Hundred Acres, with the Interest thereon due. agreeable to an Act of Assembly, passed the ninth Day of April, 1781, entitled " An Act for Establishing a Land Office, &c." and a Supplement thereto, passed the twenty-fifth of June, then next following THESE are there- fore to authorize and require you to accept the said Survey into your Office, and to make Return thereof into the Office of the Secretary of the Land-Office, in Order for Confirmation, by Patent to the said Mary Norris & Peter Zachary Lloyd, And for so doing, this shall be your Warrant.

IN WITNESS whereof. the Honourable James Irvine. Esquire. Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council. hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed the seventeenth Day of June, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-fice.

JOHN LUKENS, Esq. Surveyor General.

The policy adopted by William Penn in the early history of the Province, was to reserve ont of each purchase from the Indians one-tenth of the lands, to be selected and laid out in manors or reserves before the Land Office was opened, for the pur- pose of making grants to individuals for special services, which were to be regarded as the property of himself and successors until disposed of. This practice was con- tinned, with some variations, to the beginning of the Revolution.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 6

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