History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 64

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

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December 7, 1803.

WILLIAM ELLIS, JOHN ROBB, BENJAMIN WARNER, JR.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

If the first line was indefinite the second was very little better, but it was, probably, the best the commissioners could do in that wilderness region by following "the course or direction of the Allegheny mountain." As a base line it was certainly substantial. The Mr. Priestley refered to was a son of Dr. Priestley, of Northumberland, and he was interested in a large body of land in that part of the county.

Disintegration .- Before Lycoming county was created, (April 13, 1795,) the work of disintegrating the territory which composed the great township of Muncy was commenced. At February sessions, 1786, the Northumberland court, on petition, authorized the erection of Loyalsock township from the territory lying between Loyalsock and Lycoming creeks. This was the first division, and it was necessitated by the increase of population. The next reduction was in 1797, when Muncy Creek township was formed by dividing Muncy. In 1804 Shrewsbury was organized, and Muncy lost the greater portion of her immense mountain fastnesses in the north. In 1828 territory enough to form Penn township was taken from her. This took what then remained east of Big Muncy creek. Six years later, or in 1834, Wolf township was cut off. And finally, in 1878, after an era of peace and prosperity of almost half a century, the spirit of secession seized the people of the southern portion of the mother of townships and another division was demanded. A line was run from east to west over the hills some distance above the center of her now reduced domain, and the northern section-about one-third of the territory then remaining-was organized into a township and called Mill Creek. The vote on the question of division was pretty evenly divided, there being 122 in the affirmative and 104 in the negative. The reason for division was an allegation on the part of the seceders that the residents of the northern part of the territory were not fully assessed and therefore did not pay their full share of the taxes.

Muncy as now constituted is bounded as follows: On the east by Wolf, on the north by Mill Creek, on the west by Lower Fairfield, and on the south by the river and Muncy Creek township. Thus stands the great original township of 1772, shorn to comparatively small proportions. Considering her extent and surroundings, it is not likely that she will soon be disturbed again; indeed she should not ; she should stand as the monument of our corporate beginning.

The census of 1890 gives the township a population of 701. The enumeration made in 1796 gave the township 378 taxables. In 1800 this number had fallen to 140. This was caused by making new townships out of her territory.

Historic Ground .- The township covers historic ground. Within her borders stood Fort Muncy, whose thrilling history has already been described. Here Samuel Wallis, the landed king, had his seat; here his Muncy Farms were located, and here he carried on his great operations for the times. Every foot of ground in this part of the township is associated with the most thrilling incidents connected with our colonial history, and to repeat them here would be but a repetition of what has been given in the earlier chapters of this work. Near the river stood the great Indian mound which has been a puzzle to antiquarians for a hundred years, and within sight of it is one of the oldest burial grounds in the county, now known as Hall's cemetery. There Capt. John Brady was buried in April, 1779, and there his ashes still repose. The grounds are kept in good condition, and a visit to the

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MUNCY TOWNSHIP.

spot where so many of the early settlers were laid is calculated to call up recollections of the stirring scenes through which they passed, and the trials, sorrows, and privations which they endured.

In this cemetery members of the Hall family, who became owners of the princely estate founded by Wallis, are laid and neat but unostentatious marble tablets mark their graves. When the great estate changed hands early in the beginning of the century, it came to be known as " Hall's Farms," a title which has still adhered to it. W. Coleman Hall, Esq., is the present owner of the original farm and the man- sion erected by Mrs. Elizabeth Hall in 1821. This stately old building adjoins the stone house built by Wallis in 1769. It is without doubt the oldest house in Lycoming county, and older by three years than the township of Muncy. The wide spreading elms, planted under the direction of Mrs. Wallis when she came there a bride 123 years ago, still stand, though showing signs of great age.

Early Land Transactions .- As early as November 3, 1786, Reuben Haines, of Philadelphia, conveyed 'to Catharine Greenleafe a tract of land in Muncy town- ship containing 3,380 acres in consideration of 5s! October 20, 1794, Caspar Wistar Haines, Josiah Haines, Bartholomew Wistar, and Josiah Matlack, executors of Rueben Haines, conveyed these and other lands, amounting to 19,703 acres, in- cluding contignous tracts, making a grand total of 24,311 acres, to Robert Morris, "the financier of the Revolution," for $24,314.75. This land did not all lie in what is now Muncy township, but it was all Muncy then, as described in the deed, and took in "the head waters of Loyalsock and Towanda creeks." Under date of April 3, 1795, Robert Morris conveyed one-half of the above lands, containing 12,7592 acres, to Dr. Thomas Parke, for 12,759.75 "Spanish milled dollars." Each tract mak- ing up this great total averaged from 4032 to 4393 acres, and each one had a name, some of which are noted as follows: Davidsbrook. Ilchester, Newmarket, Beverly, Marlborough, Shotwell's Delight, Birmingham, Haverford, Hainesfield, Epping, Catharinesburg, Wooldrington, Castleton, Windsor, Rendle, Warrington, Green- leafe, Glasshouse, Bosworth, Davidsborough, Wistarsborough, Haines Park, Ver- mont, Reliance, Confidence, Tiverton, etc. These names were nearly all of English origin, and many of them are still in use about Philadelphia, the seat of the Quaker settlements.

On the 10th of April, 1795, Dr. Parke transferred his part of the purchase to Williamina Bond for what he paid for it. Robert Morris did not long remain owner of his share of the purchase. Executions were issued against him for debt by the Supreme court of Philadelphia, directed to the sheriff of Lycoming county, and his lands were seized by Samuel Stewart, the first sheriff, and sold, bringing 12 cents an acre for the best. Stephen Hollingsworth was the purchaser. Altogether Sheriff Stewart sold in 179S the enormous total of 177,300 acres of land belonging to Morris, for $8,570. These lands were scattered all over Lycoming county, which comprised a vast domain at that day. The Muncy township lands were a "mere drop in the bucket," compared with his possessions. The records of these sales are still in existence and show the different "blocks" disposed of and the prices they brought.

The first deed recorded in Lycoming county recites the Reuben Haines transfer to Catharine Greenleafe, and the transactions which followed. These transfers led

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

to the Quaker settlement in Muncy township. One of the oldest families is that of Haines, and descendants still reside there. Samuel Wallis was of Quaker extraction and his presence attracted others of the same faith, and thus the colony was founded, grew, and flourished. It is related that Wallis was the first man to import English hounds into the township. These dogs were in great demand among the neighbors, and fabulous prices were offered for them. Tradition says that Henry Shoemaker was so anxious to possess one that he offered to exchange one of his best horses for a young hound.

Geology and Topography .- Geologically Muncy township differs but little from those adjoining it. In the southwest corner occur Clinton shales (No. V), above which is Lower Helderberg (No. VI) limestone, which, on passing across the town- ship, is exposed at Penn's Dale. Next above are observed the Chemung measures (No. VIII) covering about the entire area of the northern part of the township. The mineral developments are quite meager. The surface is rolling, the land is rich. and finely cultivated farms are seen on every hand.

Wolf run and Carpenter's run are the principal streams. And although one of the first grist mills in that part of the valley was built on the latter stream by Samuel Wallis, there are none in the township to-day. Thomas Green once built a mill on the west side of Penn's Dale, and William Ellis one on the east side, but both have long since ceased to exist. There are no saw mills either. Cultivated fields now cover the site of the ancient forest.

Muncy township embraces a region of unsurpassed rural beauty and fertility. Though among the least in size, after being shorn of its magnificent proportions of 100 years ago, its agricultural resources are great. Prosperity, wealth, and culture are evidenced by the fine farms and attractive homes seen on all sides. For years the township has been a favorite place of summer resort for people from the large cities. And to-day Mrs. Elizabeth Ashhurst, of Philadelphia, Rev. A. D. Lawerence Jewett, and Mr. Granville B. Smith, both of New York city, and the heirs of William Ellicott, have fine summer residences in its stately oak groves or on its commanding elevations.

Villages .- Penn's Dale is the only village in the township. It was originally founded by Friends, many of whom settled in and around the place. They were attracted thither by early land transactions.

The village was originally called Pennsville -then Hicksville. About 1829 Job Packer started an industry which he called the "Elizabeth-Town Pottery," but no one seemed to . take kindly to the name. Packer died about half a century ago and was succeeded by a man named Fox. The pottery was finally abandoned. When the postoffice was named Penn's Dale that gave it an official character and the title now seems to be permanently fixed.

There are two stores in Muncy township-one at Penn's Dale and one at Hartley Hall. There is a hotel at the latter place, which is the junction of the Philadelphia and Reading, and the Williamsport and North Branch railroads.

Postoffices .- Muncy township has two postoffices, viz: Penn's Dale and Hartley Hall. The former was established January 18, 1841, and called Wolf Run. Jacob Haines was appointed. His successors have been John B. Jones, appointed January 12, 1847; John Neece, March 29, 1855; Thomas V. B. Neece, March 7, 1863; Joseph

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Masters, August 9, 1869; J. J. Parker, November 22, 1875; Ira J. Parker, April 30, 1886. On December 27, 1889, Wolf Run was changed to Penn's Dale and Ira D. Parker appointed postmaster. He is the present incumbent.

Hartley Hall, a title formed by combining the name of Colonel Hartley with Hall, owner of the estate, was established May 16, 1877, and W. Coleman Hall appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by James Shoemaker, April 14, 1879; Joseph B. Eisenhart, March 15, 1SS1; William C. Painter, April 17, 1882; George W. Heiny, September 30, ISS5. He is the present incumbent.

Schools .- Although the township is small it has five school houses. They are named Penn's Dale, Hall's, Bush, Centre, and Oak Grove.

Churches .- The Friends' meeting house at Penn's Dale was founded in 1799, and is one of the oldest places of worship in the county. It succeeded a log build- ing which had been used several years for a church and school house, and occupied nearly the same site. The first meetings of the Friends in this township were held at the house of Samuel Wallis, and it is said that he built the log meeting house. William Ellis, father of Hon. William Cox Ellis, was active in promoting the erec- tion of the Penn's Dale house of worship. The names of some of the earliest members are yet recalled. Jesse Haines, a minister of that meeting, was frequently heard in preaching and prayer to the close of his long life, which was only six days short of a century. Mercy Ellis, who, according to the belief of Friends, that women as well as men are commissioned to preach the Gospel, was also a minister, and continued to exercise her gift up to the eighty-seventh year of her age.

One of the first marriages in that house was William Watson and Hanna Walton, in 1800; Job McCarty and Jane Walton, in 1808; Jacob Haines and Rachel Ellis, in 1815; John Warner and Louisa Atkinson, in 1821; Henry Ecroyd and Catharine Whitacre, in 1823. Many others of later date have followed. The simple yet solemn ceremony of the Friends and their care previous to allowing a marriage to be performed, seem to have been blessed and rarely has the row to be "loving and faithful until death" been broken in the history of their church.

Meetings were held here as early as 1791 or 1792, according to the journal of James Kitely, (See Gernerd's Now and Then, No. XVIII, 1878,) the old time schoolmaster. On the 11th of April, 1793, he enters in his journal: "This day week-day meeting opened. James Cresson and Abraham Yarnal, from Philadelphia, and Ruth Ann Rutter, attended said meeting." .... May 5th he notes: "Joseph Moore, John Parish, and John Elliot sat in meeting with us, being on their way to an Indian treaty." They returned in September, and on the Sth of that month "sat at meeting with us." Other extracts from the journal read: "10 mo. 6 .- Jesse Haines, from Wilmington, sat with us and appeared in a short, sound testi- mony." .... "17 .- Thomas Nickers sat with us." .. . " 11 mo. 7 .- Attended week- day meeting. Our esteemed friend and able minister, John Simpson, attended also, and appeared in a large, clear, sound testimony.". "20 .- Opened evening school; a number of young men attended, whose education appears deplorable." .... "1795, 10 mo. 26 .- Set out on foot for Philadelphia, and was extremely fatigued by the time that I reached it. Attended quarterly meeting." .... "11 mo. 12 .- Deborah Darby and Rebekah Young attended our Fifth-day meeting. They had two meet- ings before at S. Wallis's on First and Second days. Deborah remarked that there

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

were many of other societies who were nearer to the Kingdom than many of our own members were." .... "13 .- This day I was called on to serve as a juryman in the mournful case of Robert Reynolds, who was accidentally shot in the wilderness by one of the company whom he was out with on a hunting diversion. He greatly deplored his mournful situation, saying that he was out as a thief in the night."

. "1796, 1 mo. 11 .- Opened school again." .... "21 .- Being week-day meeting

we had the company of that eminent minister of Christ Jesus, John Wigham, of Aberdeen, Scotland, accompanied by Ebenezer Crisson, of Philadelphia -- who appeared in a sound, clear, and living testimony, and was large therein." ... . " 24 .- Being First day we had the company of our self-denying friend, Joshua Evens, from the Jerseys." .... "10 mo. 16 .- At meeting we had the company of James Wilson and Samuel Pennock. James told us that it was dangerous to build a large super- structure of religion upon a small foundation." ... . "1799, 10 mo. 12 .- Being First day, we had the company of Abel Thomas and Amos Lew. Abel exposed the hypocrisy of such as confine their religion to sitting demurely in meeting for an hour or two, once or twice a week. Although his ministry was lively, yet it was not powerful enough to keep several of our members on the foremost seats from sleeping most of the time!"

Many eminent Quakers visited the settlement at that early date. The James Wilson alluded to was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a judge of the Supreme court. He was heavily interested with Samuel Wallis in land transac- tions and was largely the cause of his financial ruin.

Father Kitely, the quaint old Quaker schoolmaster, was an Englishman by birth, but came to Muncy from York in 1790. He was an active member of the Society of Friends, and one of the earliest schoolmasters in the valley. The humble log structure in which he taught was on his little farm of fifty acres, directly north of the fine farm of the late B. Morris Ellis, near Hughesville. James Kitely died in 1827, aged nearly ninety-three years, and was buried in the Friends' burying ground at Penn's Dale. Elizabeth, his wife, died in 1839, aged nearly ninety-seven years, and was buried by his side. They had three children-Deborah, Isaac, and Tamar. Deborah, the mother of John Warner, died at the age of eighty-three, Isaac at about eighty, and Tamar (Eves) reached the great age of her father. It is said of the twenty-five or more boys who composed his school some eight or ten lived far beyond the limit of three score and ten, as their ages ranged from eighty to ninety years each. John Warner, who was born July 17, 1797, lived to the great age of ninety years, three months, and twenty-five days, dying November 12, 1887, at Penn's Dale.

In addition to the Friends' meeting house at Penn's Dale, there are three other churches in the township, viz: Episcopal, at Hall's, near the site of Fort Muncy, built by W. Coleman Hall, Esq .; the Union church, near the Ives farm, on Carpen- ter's run, and the White church, on the west side of the township.

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.

Of the forty-two subdivisions of Lycoming county, Fairfield township is the only one that the most careful search has failed to develop the exact date of its creation. The records are either lost or mislaid. But the time of its organization,

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FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.

within less than a year, can be determined by other official records. At August ses- sions, 1825, a petition to divide Muncy township, ou account of the territory being too great for the assessors and collectors, was read in court, and a new township prayed for. At that time Muncy township was bounded on the west by Loyalsock creek. The court in answer to the petition appointed Andrew D. Hepburn, Daniel Grafins, and Robert Allen, viewers, with instructions to make examination and report. No record of their report can be found, but an old quarter sessions docket covering the years 1825 and 1826 shows that at the December term of the latter year the overseers of Mahoning township, Columbia county, appeared in a suit against the overseers of Fairfield township, in the case of one Elizabeth Worley, a pauper, the latter overseers having appealed from an order of removal. A rule was granted to take testimony. From this it appears that Fairfield was a township then, and that it must have been erected between August sessions 1825, and Decem- ber sessions 1826. It was probably erected during the latter half of 1825, or early in 1826.

Fairfield as now constituted is the twenty-ninth in size in the county and con- tains 9,067 acres. It is bounded on the east by Muncy, north by Upper Fairfield, west by Loyalsock and the borough of Montoursville, and south by the river. Ben- nett's run and Tule's run are small streams passing through its central part to the river, while Loyalsock washes its western border.

According to to the census of 1890 the population was 468. There are no man- ufactures of any extent, and farming is the principal occupation.

Geologically the township consists of Clinton shales (No. V) next the river, above which Lower Helderberg limestone (No. VI) occurs, but mostly concealed. The next that can be observed is Formation (No. VIII) in its subdivisions, forming the entire surface of the township. There have been no mineral developments. Limestone is observed east of Montoursville at two points, where it has been quarried and burned for lime. Heavy deposits of clay exist in the township which are suitable for brick making.

The surface of the township is rolling and there are many fine farms on the river bottom and along Loyalsock creek.

Settlements were made early in the southern part of the township, and as the inhabitants were victims of the Indian raids, their history would be but a repetition of what has already been given. Fort Muncy was in sight on the east, and the borough of Montoursville was built on land taken from the southwestern corner of Muncy township, which has a history dating back to the appearance of the first white men. The great highway, which was the first road laid out from Northum- berland to Lycoming creek, runs across the southern end of the township. It was laid on an Indian trail which had been traveled by Connt Zinzendorf, Bishop Zeis- berger, and other eminent Moravian missionaries, as early as 1742.

Governor Shulze. - Among the prominent men who have lived in Fairfield may be mentioned Gov. John Andrew Shulze. When he retired from the office of Governor in 1829 he came to Lycoming county, and in 1831 he purchased a tract of land containing 500 acres, for $12,000, from John Cowden. This splendid farm then adjoined the eastern line of the borough, but it has since been included within its limits. Soon after making the purchase he put up a handsome brick house, which was regarded

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

as a fine improvement for that time, and it was called the "Governor Shulze resi- dence," and it is known by that title at the present time.

As the purchase of this farm marked the beginning of the financial ruin of the ex-Governor, its history is herewith given. It originally consisted of two tracts owned by Samuel Wallis. When he died his administrators sold it, in 1801, to Col. Samuel McLane, and he sold it in 1803 to Abraham DuBois. In 1805 DuBois trans- ferred it to Samuel Denman, who in 1811 conveyed it to Thomas Cadwalader. He sold it in 1815 to John Cowden, a party thereto, by having entered into an agreement with John Faransworth in 1813 for the sale of the tract, and agreed upon the pay- ment of one-half of the purchase money to execute the property to Faransworth. The latter died without having received his deed, but left a will dated April 5, 1825, in which he gave full power to his executors to sell and convey any part or all of the land. John Burrows and Samuel Lloyd were appointed executors, but Lloyd was afterwards relieved by the court from serving. Burrows then sold the farm to Shulze and the deed was perfected and signed by Cowden and wife, April 18, 1831.

- As a farmer the ex-Governor was a failure, and in the management of his busi- ness he was unfortunate. Through endorsing and other causes he became involved, and the more he struggled to get out of debt the deeper he got in. He was public spirited and liberal. He gave an acre of ground and $100 towards building a church. It was built in 1838 or 1839, and was called the Union church, because the Lutherans and Presbyterians were to have the privilege of using it. In after years it was called the " White church," because of its color. The building still stands.

As years passed away the ex-Governor became more deeply involved and was harassed by lawsuits. In 1844 a judgment was entered against him in favor of William Cameron, of Lewisburg. Pennsylvania, for $3,835.49, upon which a writ of fieri facias was issued. Hugh Donnelly was sheriff and he levied on the farm. An inquisition was held and the property condemned, and in September, 1844, a writ of renditioni exponas was issued. Later the court granted the sheriff leave to amend his levy so as to divide the farm into two parts. In October following the sheriff sold it in two parts. The first part, containing 254 acres and 101 perches and the brick house, was purchased by John Ott Rockafellar for $9,900; the second part, containing 242 acres and 141 perches, with a two-story dwelling house, bank barn, etc., was purchased by George Tomb, of Jersey Shore, for $7,600. The sale footed up a total of $17,500. The Rockafellar portion was afterwards purchased by Oliver Watson, Esq., and later it was sold to George W. Lentz, and it now belongs to his daughter, Mrs. Delos S. Mahaffey. Her husband has turned it into a stock farm and made a trotting course near the barn for the exercise of horses. The other part still belongs to the heirs of General Tomb.

After being dispossessed of his fine estate the ex-Governor took up his residence for a short time in Montoursville, but fortune was against him and as he was con- stantly harassed with executions he grew poorer and more despondent. The books in the prothonotary's office contain many unsatisfied judgments against him. Finally, broken down in health, discouraged, and without means, he moved to Lancaster in 1846, where he died in 1852, in his seventy-eighth year.

The Rawle Cottage .- Ex-State Treasurer Henry Rawle owns a fine cottage

Samuel Mendenhall

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UPPER FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.

a short distance east of the Shulze farms, which is embowered in a grove. of native oaks. The land originally belonged to the Muncy Farms, once owned by Samuel Wallis, and subsequently by Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, who gave it to her daughter Louisa as her share of the estate when she married F. W. Rawle, Esq. Hon. Henry W. Rawle was one of their children. The tract was named Fairfield in the original application for the land, and from it the township takes its name. The stone house was built by F. W. Rawle, and it has been so enlarged and embellished by Henry W. Rawle, the present owner, as to make it one of the most attractive places in the country.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 64

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