History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 79

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

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666

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Thomas Forster had three sons, John, Thomas, and Manning, and a daughter, Rachel. John was a member of Assembly in 1809, and again in 1810, 1811, and 1812, and his brother Thomas was one of the first commissioners of Lycoming county. Thomas Forster, the elder, left the island to his son, John Forster; to Thomas he bequeathed a farm above Pine creek, afterwards known as the Cook farm; to Manning he left a farm that included the southern part of Jersey Shore, and in after years it was known as the Mark Schlonaker farm. The Forsters, who were representative men of their time, did not remain there long. In 1816 John sold the island to John Bailey for $13,500. His brothers sold their farms also and they moved to Erie county, New York. John settled at Tonawanda, and the others at Buffalo or Black Rock. In disposing of these properties they parted with what long since became three of the richest and most productive farms in the valley, but like many other settlers of that time, they did not realize the value of the bottom lands.

Another early as well as prominent settler on the river just below the mouth of Pine creek was Dr. James Davidson. He was a native of New Jersey, studied medicine, and was appointed an assistant surgeon in the Provincial service, March 13, 1776. On the 5th of April, 1777, he was appointed surgeon of the Fifth Penn- sylvania Battalion, and on the 12th of May following he took the "iron-clad oath" of allegiance before Gen. Anthony Wayne. After taking the oath he was complimented by receiving an invitation from General Washington to dine with him. His appoint- ment was confirmed by Congress and a commission was issued to him. Dr. Davidson served faithfully to the close of the war. He saw much service and was at the battle of Eutaw Springs. At the close of the war he came to Sunbury and located. While living there he married a daughter of Robert Martin, of New Jersey, one of the early settlers. He was a large landholder, an active business man, and built the first house at Northumberland in 1768. It stood on the point of land at the junc- tion of the two rivers, and was the only inn on that side of the river for several years.

Soon after his marriage Dr. Davidson purchased a farm on the river two miles above Jersey Shore, where he located a few years before Lycoming county was organized. He practiced his profession and for a long time was the only physician in that part of the country. He built a small brick house about the beginning of the century, on the bank of the river, and as it was the only building of the kind in that part of the county, it attracted much attention. It is still standing, though partly enclosed in another building. On the erection of Lycoming county, April 13, 1795, Governor Mifflin appointed him an associate judge, and he was sworn in with William Hepburn and Samuel Wallis, and presided at the early courts for many years.

Dr. James Davidson and wife had five sons and three daughters: Oliphant, William P., James, Robert, Asher, Catharine, Maria, and Elizabeth. Of the sons, Robert was appointed a lieutenant in the army and was killed at the battle of Lundy's Lane. Asher succeeded his father in the practice of medicine and became a prominent physician. Catharine married Robert Robinson, a son of Capt. Thomas Robinson, who rebuilt Fort Muncy. Maria became the wife of William Watson, of Watsontown, and Elizabeth married William Epley, of Jersey Shore. All are long since dead.

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PORTER TOWNSHIP.

The Davidson Burial Ground .- Seeing the necessity of having a cemetery, Dr. Davidson early set apart a lot of ground on the northern part of his farm for that purpose, and for many years it was known as the Pine Creek or " Davidson Burial Ground." It lies about a mile west of Jersey Shore, and the canal passes by it. This was one of the earliest places of burial in the western end of the county, and the ashes of hundreds mingle with its soil. The first interment in this ground was probably the child of Jacob and Jane Lamb, who was drowned at Jersey Shore in 1794, by rolling off a canoe while asleep. The early settlers for miles around were buried here when they died. Dr. Davidson died, January 16, 1825, aged about seven- ty-five years, and was laid at rest iu his own ground. His wife was placed by his side. No stone marks the graves of the Revolutionary surgeon and his wife, but their memories are still fondly cherished by their descendants.

Many who were prominent in the early and stirring times on the West Branch are buried there, and an occasional interment is still made. The grounds have not been neatly kept, but are covered with a heavy growth of tangled vines, briars, and bushes. Isaac Smith, who represented this district in Congress from 1813 to 1815, is buried there, and his wife lies by his side. Both died in 1834; he was in the seventy-fourth year and she was seventy-six. Three of the wives of Rev. John H. Grier lie side by side. The attention of the visitor is attracted by a leaning stone bearing this curious epitaph:

Sacred to the memory of James McMurray, born. in Ireland, June 11, 1764. Emigrated to America in 1790. Was converted to God in 1820, and united with the M. E. church. The hus- band of three wives, the father of twenty-two children, eighteen living; the grandfather of thirty-eight. Who died in Jersey Shore April 11, 1853, in good peace and triumph, being fifty-four years a resident of the country when he exchanged earth for heaven.

The venerable patriarch left numerous descendants. One son, Dr. Wesley McMurray, who gave promise of being a successful physician, died soon after his father. Another, Rev. J. S. McMurray, D. D., became a distinguished Methodist Episcopal minister, and only died a few years ago.

Reminiscences of Father McMurray .- Many interesting reminiscences of Father McMurray are related by Rev. M. A. Turner, of Washington City. He says:

Iu many respects he was a remarkable man. He was a person of noble and generous impulses, and greatly beloved by all who knew him. Descended from an old Presbyterian fam- ily in Ireland, he came to this country with the many Irish immigrants who flocked hither soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. Early in the present century he purchased a farm that lies on the east side of Pine creek, opposite and a short distance above where Phelps's mills stood. 'It extended from the mill dam up to or near the old forge, a distance of nearly two miles, and it ran back upon the high hills which skirt the plain below. This farm, it is said, belonged to the Walker family, the boys of whom murdered the friendly Indians, an account of which is given iu Chapter XII. Many years ago the spot where the tragedy occurred was still pointed out. It was a few hundred yards above the old mill dam.

Mr. McMurray was very fond of hunting deer, bear, and foxes. This love for the chase he no doubt brought with him from the old country. For this purpose he kept a number of hounds. In the fall of the year, at the early hour of 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning, he would mount his hunting horse and go out the old turnpike which leads towards Coudersport. The dogs started a deer, which, when hard pressed by them, would make for the water, and would generally enter the creek at or near the Thomas Brown farm above the forge, where men were station ed who would secure the game. The old gentleman by fast riding would frequently be present when the deer was killed.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

In those days foxes were numerous on the hills, and they frequently carried off his young pigs and poultry. When the dogs would give chase to a fox, and they would come circling around on the brow of the hills near his home, he would be delighted in listening to their "giving tongue" in tones that would fairly make the welkin ring. When friends were spending the night with him, he would invite them after nightfall to go ont with him and listen to what gave him so much pleasure. He would then say to them, " Did you ever hear such delightful music?"

He was thrice married. His first wife he wedded before leaving Ireland. His second wife was Miss Rebecca Turner, sister of Rev. William Turner, long a resident of Jersey Shore. His third wife was Miss Catharine Snyder, of White Deer valley. Some years before his death he sold his farm to Benjamin Tomb, who afterwards sold it and moved to Ohio. He then bought the Nichols farm just below the one he sold, where he lived until a short time before his death.

Industries .- Porter township has no industries since she lost a slice of her territory in 1891, which included the machine shops of the Beech Creek railroad, where it unites with the Fall Brook at the junction. This territory was annexed by the borough of Jersey Shore and now forms a ward in that corporation.

In 1833 a saw mill was built on Pine creek, opposite Robinson's island, but did but little business. Col. Edward Hatch became possessed of the site in 1848 and constructed a larger mill. It afterwards passed into the hands of E. D. Trump, who operated it on a large scale for a number of years, but it has ceased to be an active industry.

The manufacture of lime has been carried on for many years. It was first burned at the quarry of Harvey and Bailey, and large quantities have been pro- duced and used for fertilizing purposes. Mr. Bailey was an early settler, and was noted for his industry, piety, and high moral standing. He died October 23, 1880, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. His descendants still reside in the township. There are two other lime quarries in the township, one on the Ferguson farm and the other operated by John Sebring.

Schools .- The first school in this township was taught in 1808 by George Austin, near the borough line, and in 1809 Gabriel Morrison taught the second, a mile further west. In 1809 the first school house was built on the river road near the borough line on the east. About 1810 the first religious meeting was held at this pioneer school house, and here the first Sunday school was organized in this part of the county. The first superintendent was John Forster, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, who preached the first sermon in the school house. Here the first Methodist class met for service in 1816.

To-day Porter has three school houses, viz: Ferguson's, Snyder's, and Nice's Hollow. The statistical report for 1891 shows six months taught by one male teacher and three females.

WATSON TOWNSHIP.

The territory for the formation of this township was taken from Cummings and Porter in January, 1845, and it was named in honor of Oliver Watson, Esq., long president of the West Branch Bank, Williamsport. It is the twenty-fourth in size and has an area of 10,880 acres. By the census of 1890 the population was 264. It is bounded on the east by a projecting corner of Porter aud by Mifflin, on the north by Cummings, on the west by Clinton county, and on the south by Porter township. The township is well watered, being divided through the center by Pine creek, into

669

WATSON TOWNSHIP.

which flow from the west Lower Pine Bottom run and Vickers's run; from the east, the two forks of Tomb's run and Furnace run. One branch of Tomb's run heads in Cummings, the other iu Mifflin township. Nichols run also flows through the south- eastern corner.

Watson consists of Chemung (No. VIII) in the southern portion, above which occurs Red Catskill (No. IX) located north of the belt of the Chemung and also along all the valleys of the streams. Next above occurs Pocono (No. X), which, in the red Catskill valley in the southern part, forms a bold, prominent elevation known as Short mountain, and a portion of the same measure occupies the higher ground in the upper part of the township. Fossil iron ore was mined along Furnace run and the face of Short mountain many years ago. It is in the first fossil ore belt. The lower part of Watson township forms part of the south escarpment of the Allegheny mountain range. There is a fine development of Chemung measures along Pine creek which merit study and investigation.

Settlers ascended Pine creek at an early period in our history. At the mouth of Tomb's run the first settlement was made by James Alexander in 1784. He had been there in 1773 and laid a claim, but was obliged to fly in 1778. A few other families had penetrated that far with Alexander. It is claimed that the first child born at the mouth of the run was Abigail Mills, daughter of James Mills, in 1786. About 1793 a rude saw mill was built at the mouth of Gamble's (Vickers's) run, but it has long since crumbled into ruin and the name of the builder has perished. In 1851 or 1852 another mill was built on its site by Mr. Farransworth, but like its predecessor, it has passed away.

There are some good farms along Pine creek; the people are thrifty, prosperous, and industrious. The Tomb family-one of the oldest-is well represented by numerous descendants of the venerable patriarch, Henry Tomb, who did so much to develop the township.

An Iron Industry was early started in this township. This was on account of the iron ore in the neighborhood. In 1817 a furnace was built on Furnace run, about three-fourths of a mile east of Pine creek, by George Heisler. The ore was mined near the furnace, and although it was of an inferior quality, it was used for several years. The furnace passed into the hands of James Shear, who carried it on until 1820 or 1821, when it was removed to Pine creek, when James Dickson and Levan H. Jackson became the proprietors. The firm of Dickson & Leran turned it into a blast furnace. William and John Antes were employed to assist in putting up the buildings. In a few years Dickson retired and the business was carried on by Levan H. Jackson. From him it passed in 1829 to Kirk, Kelton & Company -John Kirk, of Lancaster county, and Robert Kelton and F. T. Carpenter, of Chester county. In 1829 Mr. Carpenter moved his family to the iron works and became manager. At the same time Henry Troth, a druggist of Philadelphia, was a silent partner. A small flouring mill and a saw mill were erected by this firm. They also built a forge and turned their attention to the manufacture of bar iron. In 1830 the furnace was partly destroyed by fire. In 1836, after the retirement of Robert Kelton from the firm and the admission of Benjamin Tomb, the property was sold to David Vickers and Lewis M. Walker, of Philadelphia. The new firm repaired the furnace and continued both it and the forge for several years with fair

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

success, when Walker retired and Vickers became sole owner. He soon allowed the plant to fall into decay, and in 1848 he built a flouring mill which he ran for several years. Mr. Vickers having grown old, disposed of the property and retired from business. The mill is still in existence.

Although iron ore was abundant, it was combined to such an extent with slate and hard clay that it could not be reduced so as to run off easily and the quality of the product was impaired. The iron made good castings but poor bar iron. Kirk, Kelton & Company kept two men prospecting for several months. They built a cabin for them in the mountain, where they made their headquarters, and supplied them with provisions. These prospectors were William Riddell, afterwards sheriff of Lycoming county, and Andrew Snyder. For many years their diligence in this work was attested by numerous excavations in the mountains and valleys, but the specimens they discovered were purely sporadic.

At that time and for several years after all merchandise and provisions not raised in this region were brought from Philadelphia to some point on the river below by wagons, then loaded on flat-boats, and poled up the river by strong men.

In 1829, when Robert Kelton brought his family to the iron works, he had an infant son named John Cunningham Kelton. When he grew up he entered the military service and has long been stationed at the War Department, Washington City, as adjutant general of the United States Army.

Postoffices. - For many years the people of Watson township were obliged to travel to Jersey Shore for their mail matter. On the 29th of November, 1851, a postoffice was established at Tomb's Run, and Henry Tomb was appointed post- master. He served until February 24, 1882, a period of over thirty-one years, when he was succeeded by Michael Overdorf. He served just two months-or until April 24, 1882-when Samuel Overdorf was appointed. His successor was Miles Lentz, who was appointed March 29, 1887, and is still in office.

A postoffice was opened at Harbor Mills,-the site of the old iron works- December 6, 1883, and Andrew J. Wier appointed postmaster, and he is the present incumbent.

Schools .- Watson township has three schools, viz: Harbor Mills, Tomb's Run, and one independent, located on the left hand branch of Tomb's run. The statistics show an average of six months taught with three teachers, one male and two females, with an average salary of $25 and $30 per month.

Churches .- The first religious meeting was held by Rev. John Thomas, a Methodist minister, at the house of William Miller, near the northern line of the township, in 1805. There are now two churches in the township, one a Methodist, at Tomb's Rnn; the other an Evangelical church, at Mt. Pleasant, on the summit between Pine and Larry's creeks.

PIATT TOWNSHIP.

A petition was presented at April sessions, 1857, asking for a division of Mifflin township, and the court appointed A. H. McHenry, James S. Allen, and James Wilson as viewers. They made a favorable report in November, 1857, and a vote was ordered to be taken at the February election. It resulted in sixty-four for division and twenty against. Accordingly, on the 30th of April, 1858, a decree was

671

PIATT TOWNSHIP.

entered establishing the new township and directing that it be called Piatt, in honor of William Piatt, who was then sitting as an associate judge. This township is the thirty-ninth in size and contains an area of 5,120 acres. By the census of 1890 the population was 521. It is bounded on the east by Woodward, on the north by Mif- flin, on the west by Porter, and on the south by the river.

Geologically Piatt consists of a belt of Lower Helderberg limestone (No. VI) below Larry's creek, mostly concealed. Next above is observed-between Larry's creek and Level Corner station, (No. VIII) Chemung measures, with a number of its subdivisions, (VIII a), Carniferous group, hydraulic shales and cement layers, (VIII b), Marcellus slates and shales, (VIII c), Hamilton slates and shales. (VIII d, VIII e, and VIII f), the fossil ore occurring on the north line of the township south of Canoe run, where a narrow belt of red shale (No. IX) lies within the Chemung measures. Galena has been found on Pine run, but no account of its occurrence or quantity has been made public. Cement was made from (VIII a) by William Riddell for the old canal locks, and in later years a mill for grinding it was erected by John Knox and run for some time. The outeropping of this cement rock is interesting as a valuable typical horizon, proving the existence of the measure south, under Will- iamsport, in a synclinal basin, the anticlinal of the measure occurring on the north side of Larry's creek.

The surface of Piatt township is rolling, with some very valuable bottom lands lying along the river, in the great bend known as Level Corner. Here the farms are especially fine.

Early Settlers .- This township, like all others lying on the north side of the river between Lycoming and Pine creeks, was included in the disputed territory up to 1784, and its inhabitants were governed by the Fair Play commissioners., Perhaps the first settler was Larry Burt, who lived in a cabin not far above the present iron bridge across the stream which bears his name. He was an Indian trader, and was there when the surveyors were at work in 1769 on the south side of the river. What became of him is unknown. Probably, when the Indians moved westward, he took his squaw and went with them.

The next settler near the mouth of the creek was Simon Cool. He was an en- sign in the Eighth company of associators, Capt. Henry Antes, January 24, 1776, and captain of the Sixth company, Third battalion, Col. William Plunkett, March 13, 1776. He fled with the other settlers at the time of the "Big Runaway." About 1780 he returned with others to Lycoming creek to hunt, and while looking for game on Bottle run they were waylaid by Indians and Cool was killed.

Three other early settlers were Robert, John, and Adam King. Robert, who served in the Revolutionary war, settled at the upper part of Level Corner, where he died March 29, 1848, aged ninety-four years, seven months, and twenty-seven days. His wife was Susannah Pierson, whom he married about 1792. They had six sons: John, Benjamin, Thomas, Adam, Robert, and William; and two daugh- ters. Margaret and Susannah. John, the first child born in the township, married Martha Marshall, and they had three sons: Robert, Marshall, and William, and five daughters, Susannah, Phobe, Jennie C., Mary, and Martha. John, the father, died December 10, 1887, aged ninety-three years, five months, and five days, having been born July 5, 1794. He almost reached the great age of his father. William, the

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

youngest, born March 21, 1802, died April 15, 1892, in Williamsport. He married Mary Marshall. They had two sons and two daughters: Matthew, John, Martha J., and Catherine Euphenia. All are deceased but Martha J. She married John F. Meginness, and they reside in Williamsport.

Peter Duffy settled near the mouth of Larry's creek, on the west side, in August, 1784. He was a native of County Kildare, Ireland, and left there in July, 1775, with his wife Martha and daughter Mary Ann. The day they sailed from Dublin they learned of the death of Major Pitcairn, of the British army, who fell at Bun- ker Hill, June 17, 1775. In Ireland Major Pitcairn was a neighbor of the Duffy family. Peter Duffy and family landed at Philadelphia in August, 1775, and after a short stay made their way to Lancaster county, where some of their friends lived. There they lived for seven years, when they came to Coxestown, above Harrisburg, in 1783. A great flood in the river, in February, 1784, caused the ice to gorge at McCall's Ferry. The water rose to a height of sixty feet and was forced back to the mouth of the Juniata. The house of Duffy was flooded to the second story. When the water began to subside some parties started on a tour of inspection in a canoe, and coming to the house of Duffy, entered the second-story window. Find- ing a rude stove that had been abandoned they attempted to start a fire, when the upper part of the house took fire and it was burned to the water's edge.

After this misfortune Duffy took his family, and with Charles Stewart and fam- ily and several other friends, started for the West Branch. This was in August, 1784. Stewart settled in Nippenose bottom. On their way up, the men traveled on foot and the women and children rode the horses.

Duffy, having previously purchased a pre-emption right, through his cousin, Capt. Hugh Duffy of the United States artillery, to a small improvement on the west side of Larry's creek of the heirs of Capt. Simon Cool, settled there. When the Land Office opened he obtained a warrant, May 13, 1785, for a tract of land which surveyed 308 acres and twenty-four perches, and a patent was obtained in August, 1807.

When he settled at Larry's creek the only road was the Indian path, and over it the public highway was afterwards constructed. This path passed the cabin of Robert King and it crossed Larry's creek near the cabin of Larry Burt. The country was very wild at that time and the cabins of the settlers were far apart. One night as Duffy was returning to his home over this path he was attacked by a pack of hungry wolves. He cut a stout stick and defended himself and horse till morn- ing, when they fled. On account of the extreme exertion in defending himself and the great excitement he was subjected to, Duffy contracted a violent cold, which terminated in quick consumption and death in 1795. His encounter with the wolves is supposed to have taken place in the "big glen," just east of Mt. Zion church. As it is still a gloomy place, what must it have been over a hundred years ago?

The death of Peter Duffy was a severe blow to his wife and six children. His eldest son James was about sixteen years old, and a youth of more than ordinary energy and promise, but unfortunately soon after as he was attending a wedding party (in February, 1807,) at Culbertson's mill (See chapter on DuBoistown) he was accidentally killed. This sad affair was another hard blow for the widow, but she bore her affliction with Christian fortitude and triumphed over all her troubles.

Peter Franting

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 79

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