History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 80

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

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673

PIATT TOWNSHIP.

About the year 1800 Catharine. the second daughter, married Samuel Torbert and they removed to Meadville and settled. The four remaining children never married. When their mother died in 1803 they remained together and held their property in common. Each one had a particular branch of the business to look after. Mary Ann, the eldest, had the general management of the tavern which they built on the east side of the creek; Bernard, of the out-door business, the saw mill on Pine creek, and the mail contracts; Margaret, the management of the house affairs; Peter had charge of the farm and stock.

The Duffy tavern, with an almost full length painting of General Jackson on the sign, became a famous stopping place for travelers in those early days, and many men of note tarried there over night on their way east or west. In this way the inmates became acquainted with men of prominence. Among the public men of the time who were in the habit of stopping there were Hon. William Wilkins, judge of the United States court, and Maj. John M. Davis, United States marshal and aid-de camp to General Jackson in 1815, on their way from Pittsburg to Williamsport. The stage coaches also stopped at the Duffy tavern.

As manager of the tavern Mary Ann Duffy had some rules which she never departed from. They kept a public bar and a general assortment of liquors, and any person of good repute could get one drink while stopping there, but no more! She was a woman of great firmness and decision of character, and commanded the respect of all her acquaintances. Margaret, the housekeeper, had a phenomenal memory. On returning from church she could speak in detail of the exercises, repeat the hymn, and recite the greater portion of the sermon verbatim. Bernard was a mail con- tractor and his brother Peter carried it on horseback to Coudersport and other points around the country. The deaths of the brothers and sisters occurred as follows: James. February, 1807; Catharine, at Meadville, date unknown; Mary Ann, August, 1842; Bernard, May, 1844; Margaret, October, 1847; Peter, November, 184S. They were buried in private ground on their own premises, on a little knoll over- looking the river, but their graves were disturbed when the Fall Brook railroad was built. and to-day the spot can scarcely be recognized, as no memorial stones were ever set up.

John Knox was a lineal descendant of John Knox the Reformer. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1769, and came to America when about ten years of age. After living a short time in Philadelphia and in Carroll county, Maryland, he learned the trade of a millwright and settled in Cumberland county. In course of time he followed his Scotch-Irish friends to the West Branch, where he was engaged at his trade for several years. About 1799 he built a grist mill on Pine creek, now known as Safe Harbor, and in 1800 he assisted in building the State road from New- berry to the New York State line; in 1SOS he rebuilt the mill at the mouth of Larry's creek, which was destroyed by the great flood of 1889. He married Cath- arine Stewart, danghter of Charles and Elizabeth Stewart, who was born April 22, 1780, in Cumberland county, and died January 5, 1842, on Larry's creek. They had three sons and one daughter, Jane. All are deceased but the latter. She mar- ried E. H. Russell, Esq., who died December 2S, 1865, at the old mill at the mouth of Larry's creek. Mrs. Russell, who is now over eighty years of age, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Harris, in Jersey Shore. They had three sons and six daughters.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

One of the former and two of the latter are deceased. Capt. Evan Russell, one of the surviving sons, is now chief of police of Williamsport.

The Thomas brothers-John, George, William, and Samuel-were early settlers on the creek. The elder was known as "Iron John Thomas," because he was iden- tified with the furnace and forge. George became a minister of the gospel, and Will- iam and Samuel assisted their elder brother at the iron works. They left numerous descendants, some of whom still live in the township, and others are scattered over the county and the United States. Charles Thomas, son of "Iron John," lived and died on the creek at Millville. He was an extensive farmer and owned a saw mill. In 1848 a grist mill was built near his house by Crane & Caldwell, which is still in existence. It is now operated by Simon Kiess. The Thomas farm is owned by John Kline.

That magnificent sweep of country lying in the bend of the river, and known from the earliest times as " Level Corner," on account of its peculiar location, has had several historic characters resident within its borders. In the lower corner, on the bank of the river, once dwelt Isaac Smith. The exact time when he settled there is unknown. He came from Chester county. According to the inscription on his tombstone he was born in 1760. He married Sarah Brown, daughter of Matthew and Eleanor Brown, who were early settlers in White Deer valley, and lie buried in private ground in Washington township. Before 1800 Isaac Smith was an elder in the Pine Creek Presbyterian church under the pastorate of Rev. John H. Grier. He was a millwright by trade but turned his attention to farming. He had two sons and five daughters. One son was drowned when small; the other, named Isaac, became the owner of the patrimonial farm, and afterward sold it to John McLangh- lin. It has since been divided among his heirs. Of the daughters, Eleanor married Gen. David McMicken; Ann, the second, Samuel M. Simmons; Jane, Charles McMicken; Hannah became the first wife of John Hamilton, and Mary became the second wife of Samuel M. Simmons.

Isaac Smith was a prominent man. In 1813 he was chosen a member of Con- gress and represented this district for two years. He died, April 4, 1834, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. His wife followed him, July 23, 1834, aged seventy- six. Both are buried in the old Pine Creek graveyard and plain headstones, with inscriptions, mark their resting places. The great flood of June 1, 1889, carried away the house and barn on the farm where they lived, and nothing now remains to indicate the spot but a pile of stones!

Within the confines of Piatt lived for many years the celebrated Robert Coven- hoven, whose name is associated with many of the most stirring events in our colonial history, and to whom frequent reference has been made. He was of Hollandish descent and was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, December 7, 1755. His father was named Albert and with his wife, three sons, and two daughters came to the West Branch and settled at Loyalsock in 1772. On the breaking out of the Revolution Robert entered the army and was present at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In the spring of 1777 he returned home and became actively engaged in the defense of the frontier. As a scout he excelled and had many narrow escapes from the savages. He accompanied Colonel Hartley on his memorable expedition up Lycoming creek and across the country to Tioga Point, where they destroyed

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" Queen Esther's Palace," Covenhoven himself applying the torch. He was bold, fearless, and active, and thoroughly acquainted with the wiles of Indian warfare. Such qualifications peculiarly fitted him for the duties of a spy and scout, and as he never shrank from the post of danger, his services were constantly in demand. His family suffered greatly at the hands of the Indians and at least one brother was killed.

Robert Covenhoven married Miss Mercy Kelsey Cutter, February 22, 1778. This was soon after his return from the campaign in New Jersey. Soon after peace was restored he purchased a tract of land in Level Corner of James Hepburn for £310 15s 8d. It was called " Conquest." The deed was made August 11, 1790. Hep- burn had acquired the land by pre-emption warrant dated September 3, 1785, and on being surveyed it was found to contain 191 acres and sixty-seven perches. Here Covenhoven and wife lived and reared their family of eight children, three sons and five daughters. Mrs. Covenhoven died, November 27, 1843, aged eighty-eight years, ten months, and eight days, and was buried in the old cemetery on West Fourth street, Williamsport. He did not long survive the death of his wife. Borne down by the weight of years and the infirmities of age, he soon went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Nancy Pfouts, near Northumberland, where he died, October 29, 1846, aged ninety years, ten months, and twenty-two days, and was buried in the Presbyterian burial ground in Northumberland. It is now an open common, but the headstone of the veteran soldier and scout stands as firm and erect as a sentinel on the post of danger.

George Crane, a son-in-law, was the executor of the will of Robert Covenhoven, dated March 27, 1843, and he sold the farm to William Covenhoven, the only sur- viving son, for $5,500. He afterwards sold it to William McGinness and moved to Loyalsock, where he died. The farm was afterward sold to John D. Cowden. It now belongs to Jesse B. Carpenter and is in excellent condition.

Before the veteran died the spelling of his name underwent a change, and was written Crownover. By this name the members of his family were known. Many descendants still survive and some of them reside at Loyalsock and in Williamsport. An excellent oil painting of the veteran, now owned by George L. Sanderson, a grandson, shows him to have been a man possessing a powerful and well knit frame, with a broad forehead and a countenance indicative of firmness and courage. Mr. Sanderson also possesses several relics which belonged to him, among them being a scalping knife, with his initials, "R. C.," cut on the handle, a pocket compass, and an old fashioned pistol with flint lock. The knife was made from an old file, is symmetrical in its proportions, and on the back are nine notches, which, probably is the record of the number of savages slain. The old hunters and scouts kept their records in this way. The knife is susceptible of a keen edge, has a neat wooden handle, and is a formidable looking weapon.

Another family, of more modern date but deserving mention on account of its historic associations, is the Riddell family of Piatt. The Riddell farm, which origi- nally belonged to Mr. Shaw, adjoined the Duffy estate on the east. William Rid- dell, well remembered as sheriff of this county in 1844 and commissioner in 1867, was born on Warrior run, Northumberland county, April 10, 1795, and died April 8, 1879. He married Mary Berryhill in the Shaw house in 1827. She was a native

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

of Harrisburg, and came here in 1819 to live with her aunt, Mrs. Shaw. When the latter died she willed the farm to her niece. Mrs. Mary Riddell, nee Berryhill, was a remarkable woman. Born April 23, 1800, she remembered many of the leading men and women of eighty years ago. Gen. Simon Cameron was an intimate acquaintance, and she recalled William Maclay, who was one of our first United States Senators (1789-91) and died at Harrisburg when she was quite small. With the exception of less than two years, she resided continuously in the house where she was married. She died, February 20, 1892, in her ninety-second year. She was always noted for her sterling good qualities, executive ability, piety, and social dis- position. Mrs. Riddell was the mother of three sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased but two sons, John and Charles. The latter lives on the home- stead farm. He is also the agent of the Fall Brook railroad and postmaster at Larry's Creek. John resides near Linden, Woodward township.

John Martin was an early settler. By dint of hard work he reclaimed much bill land and founded several good farms. He also had a distillery. His sons were named Alexander, Thomas, and William. The estate was divided among them and their descendants occupy it to-day.

The Marshall family also was among the early pioneers to locate in what is now the northern part of the township. The descendants are numerous.

Industries .- Isaac Seeley, an early settler on Larry's creek, three miles from its mouth, is credited with having built the first saw mill. It stood on or near the site of the present mill at Millville. This was as early as 178S.

The main stream running through the township is Larry's creek, with Canoe run, Hanford's run, and Seeley's run as tributaries. For ninety years Larry's creek has been an important stream for lumbermen, and it was early declared a public highway by act of Assembly. But it never was used for rafting purposes on account of the insufficiency of water. Manufactured lumber had to be hauled to the canal at the mouth of the creek. No statistics were ever kept of the annual quan- tity of lumber delivered there, but the total would foot up into the hundreds of millions of feet. The decline commenced several years ago, and to-day the ship- ments, which are now only made by rail, are comparatively small.

A grist mill was erected at the mouth of the creek in 1804 by Abraham Straub. It afterwards became the property of John Knox, who settled on Larry's creek about 1800 and engaged in farming and lumbering. It was owned by him for many years and became quite a landmark. After his death it passed through many hands and continued to be run up to June 1, 1889, when it was destroyed by the great flood. A pile of stones now marks its site. Mr. Knox, about 1801 or 1802, erected a mill half a mile up the stream, near his residence, which he carried on several years until it was burned. A woolen mill was erected on the site in 1848 by John Hillier. He carried it on several years and then sold out. After changing hands once or twice it became the property of Capt. Daniel Artman, who ran it until 18SS when it was destroyed by fire.

As early as 1805 or 1806 John Thomas started a furnace on the creek, which he operated for several years and then turned into a forge. After he ceased to operate it a man named Cripps ran it for some time. Then E. H. Russell took hold and carried it on for some years. After it was abandoned a saw mill was

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PIATT TOWNSHIP.

started. When it ceased the site lay idle for a time. A grist mill was then built by John Cowden. He sold it to Joseph Gray, who was running it when the flood of June 1, 1889, damaged it so badly that it was abandoned. The site is once more lying idle.

Postoffices. - A postoffice was ordered to be opened at Larry's Creek March 19, 1858, and James M. Blackwell was appointed postmaster. His successors have been as follows : Amzi H. English, appointed January 27, 1877; John H. Nice, March 24, 1879; Irvine T. Williamson, November 17, 1881; William E. Nice, March 6, 1883 ; Charles B. Riddell, February 27, 1886. He is the present incumbent.

Since the opening of the railroad a hamlet of seven or eight houses has grown up at Larry's Creek, not counting the station, store, and postoffice and the steam grist mill of Joseph Gray. The trains of two railroads, the Fall Brook and Beech Creek, stop at the station, and a stage from Salladasburg meets certain trains.

On the 20th of February, 1892, a postoffice was established in Level Corner, near the residence of Tucker Stone, on the Fall Brook railroad, and called Golden Rod. George M. D. Kennedy was appointed postmaster. On the 4th of April following the name was changed to Level Corner.

Churches and Schools .- The first religious meetings were held by Rev. Richard Parriott, an early Methodist minister, near the present residence of Capt. Daniel Artman in 1791. He had charge of the Northumberland circuit. There are two Methodist churches in the township now. The first was erected on the public road one mile east of Larry's creek in 1843, and is called Mt. Zion. The second was built at Millville in 1870. These churches are in the Salladasburg charge and their pulpits are supplied by the minister at that place.

Education is carefully looked after. As early as 1796 a school house was built at Level Corner and a school taught there, but the name of the pioneer teacher has been forgotten. To-day there are four school houses, viz : Level Corner, Martin's, Cement Hollow, and Millville.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLVI.

BROWN, CUMMINGS, PINE, AND MCHENRY.

BROWN .- ORGANIZATION -PINE CREEK-SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT-LUMBERING VILLAGES-POSTOFFICES-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

CUMMINGS .- ORIGINAL AND PRESENT BOUNDARIES -- SURVEY AND SETTLEMENT-INDUSTRIES WATERVILLE-ENGLISH MILLS-RAMSEYVILLE-PADUCOHI-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS.

PINE .- ERECTION-PHYSICAL FEATURES-A SEMINARY IN THE WILDERNESS-THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT-OREGON HILL-ENGLISH CENTRE-SCHOOLS.

McHENRY .- SUCCESSIVE EFFORTS BY WHICH THIS TERRITORY ACQUIRED SEPARATE POLITICAL AUTONOMY- GEOLOGICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES-LUMBERING-POSTOFFICES- SCHOOLS.

BROWN TOWNSHIP.

HIS township was set off from Mifflin and Pine Creek May 3, 1815, and directed to be called Brown, "in memory of Major General Brown, who commanded the armies in Canada." It lies in the extreme northwestern part of the county, and is the fifth, going westward, of the northern tier. Excepting two notches in the south- eastern corner, it is almost a perfect rectangle in shape. Brown is the fifth township in size, and contains 41,560 acres, with a population of SS5 by the census of 1890. It is bounded on the east by Pine township, on the north by Tioga county, on the west by Potter county, and on the south by McHenry township, Lycoming county.

Pine creek, which rises to the dignity of a mountain river, divides the township into two nearly equal parts. It flows through a narrow ravine for many miles, with mountains on both sides rising to a height in several places of 2,000 feet above tide. The scenery is exceedingly bold and picturesque, and before the advent of the railroad there was no wilder place in the State. At times Pine creek becomes a mighty torrent carrying off an immense volume of water from the extensive mountain regions which it drains. At the point where it enters Lycoming county it . is S20 feet above sea level. It has numerous tributaries, some of which are streams of considerable size. Those on the east side are named as follows: Trout run, Jacob's run, and Hilborn's run. On the west side, ascending, we have Callahan's run, Tomb's run, Slate run, Miller's run, Gamble's run, and Cedar rnn. Slate and Cedar are both streams of some importance and have long been utilized for lumber- ing. Babb's creek, just across the northern line of the township, is known as the second fork of Pine creek.

The geological study of Brown township possesses considerable interest. The rocks belong to formations (Nos. IX and XIII). There is a small area of coal measures along the western and northern margin adjoining the Jersey Shore and Couders- port turnpike, and it also takes in a small area of the Pine Creek coal basin in the southeast corner. There is observed an exposure of the Mauch Chunk shales (No. XI) up Slate run, carrying the umbral iron ores with the accompanying fire clays.

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BROWN TOWNSHIP.

Much of the mountain plateau is 2,000 feet above tide and is covered with the exposed rock floor of the Pottsville conglomerate (No. XII) in some places in immense blocks fifty by one hundred feet in size, and in others the entire surface is covered for acres with the conglomerate rocks, which, lying on each other, form natural chambers of sufficient capacity to shelter from five to thirty persons, while a large portion of the area is Pocono sandstone (No. X). There is some very fair land for agricultural purposes along the creek bottoms, a small area of valley pla- teau, and red shale lands (No. IX) along the valleys of the smaller streams. The face of the township, however, is mostly very rough and mountainous. There is some good flagging and building stone found along the line of the railroad.

Settlement and Development .- White settlers penetrated this wild region at an early date, attracted no doubt by the fine fishing and hunting it afforded. Jacob Lamb is credited with being the first settler at the mouth of Slate run. He moved his family from Milton up the river and creek in ten canoes, and reached his point of destination in November of that year. Benjamin Lamb, son of Jacob and Jane Lamb, was born in the month of March, 1795, at the mouth of Slate run, and he is believed to have been the first white child born that far up Pine creek.

Jacob Lamb was an active and enterprising man. He erected a grist and saw mill in 1796. They were small improvements, no doubt, but they met the demands of the times. His mills were the first of the kind in what is now Brown township.

William Blackwell settled near the county line in 1805. He was soon after followed by Andrew Gamble, John Morrison, and Jacob Warren. Philip and John Lamb, sons of the pioneer, erected a saw mill in Black Walnut bottom in 1811, which was operated by them for several years, when it passed into the hands of Bernard Duffry. About 1819 Jacob Warren built a mill about a mile above Upper Trout run, on Pine creek, and about 1840 a mill was built on the same site by Chad- wick & Company. Another was built by John R. Bowen & Company about 1847 below Cedar run on Pine creek. Several other small mills, on different streams, were built forty years ago, ran a short time, and then ceased to be operated.

The Tomb family was also among those who settled early on Pine creek. Philip Tomb in his "Pioneer Life, or Thirty Years a Hunter," says that in 1791 his father purchased land far up the creek, and hired men to build a house. They did not execute their contract fully. On the 1st of November, 1791, Tomb started up the river with his family and goods in a keel-boat, and when they reached Pine creek the water was found to be too low for the boat to ascend. He hired ten canoes and started for such articles as they most needed. It was the 20th of November when they reached their destination. They found the house unfinished and they nearly perished with cold. No chimney had been built nor floor laid. They managed to pass the first night. The next morning all hands went to work and in two days they had the house far enough finished to make it comfortable.

On the 25th his father commenced to build a mill, having brought the irons with him. He split and hewed the logs, dug a race, built a dam, and had the work all finished by the 1st of March. It was thirty miles to the nearest mill, and before he got his mill started they had to pound their corn in a block or mortar.

He relates some marvelous hunting, fishing, and snake stories. . Panthers came close to the house some times, bear prowled about, and droves of elk were often

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

seen crossing the creek. He describes how his father, with the assistance of two or three others, once caught an elk alive, on a bet of £250, and took it to Stephenson's tavern near the mouth of the creek. The feat was regarded as a very daring one among the hunters. This was the first elk caught. It was sixteen hands high, and had horns five and a half feet long with eleven branches.

The stream was filled with large trout, and rattlesnakes were so abundant at some places that it was unsafe to travel. On one occasion a party going up the creek " found the rattlesnakes so numerous that they were obliged to anchor their canoe in the creek and remain in it over night. On the third day they arrived at the larger rock on the west side of the creek and found as many as thirty snakes lying on it sunning themselves. They pushed to the other shore, and when passing the smaller rock discovered on the top of it a pile of rattlesnakes as large as a bake oven!" Mr. Tomb's hunting and snake stories excel anything related by Munchausen. In course of time he sold out, and crossing the Alleghenies, located in Warren county, where he died. Members of the Tomb family still reside on Pine creek, but they are not given to relating such wonderful stories as their great ancestor.

Another of the very earliest settlers on Pine creek was Daniel Callahan, who came from Ireland in 1750, and after the French-Indian aud Revolutionary wars, in which he took part, settled on Pine creek and became a noted hunter. Among his children was John Callahan, born January 17, 1791. He always lived on the creek within a few miles of the place of his birth. When he grew up he became a great hunter like his father. Bear, deer, elk, and smaller game abounded here in early days, and the creek was full of the finest fish. It was the abundance of game and fish that attracted the few early settlers into what was then a gloomy wilderness.

John Callahan married and became the father of seven sons and six daughters. all of whom are living but five; and on the 17th of January, 1891, at the house of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Gamble, the one hundredth anniversary of his birth was fittingly observed. All his children, but one daughter, were present, and it was an interesting sight to witness the descendants of the venerable centenarian assembled around him. There were thirty-four grand and twenty-three great-grandchildren, the representatives of four generations present on this memorable occasion. The patriarch was in fairly good health, but a few days after the reunion he fell seriously ill, and on January 28, 1891, passed to the Great Beyond.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 80

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