History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 82

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

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690

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

passed over the State road from Newberry to the place where the colony was to be founded in the wilderness. On the 10th of September, 1807, Hey deeded fifty acres to Maggs in consideration of $150. It was located near Moore's mill, on the Wills tract; on the 12th of the same month he conveyed 200 acres to Henry Hews for $600, on the tract called Lenox; and on the 20th 1,200 acres to Enoch Blackwell for $3,600, on the tract, called Maple Bottom-now known as Oregon Hill. Jabez Hay purchased 200 acres, June 10, 1808, for $600, and Joshua Blackwell paid $450 for 150 acres.

When these emigrants settled here there were no improvements. It was a dense forest. They were unused to the hard work of clearing land covered with heavy timber, and to use the language of a descendant, "they did not know how to cut down big trees!" Winter came on before they had scarcely succeeded in erecting cabins to shelter them, and as their scanty stores were soon exhausted, starvation began to stare them in the face. Their first winter in the wilderness was a dreary one. Summer came on and they did a little better, but they soon began to realize their condition and they felt that if they had not been deceived, it was cruel to lead them into the gloomy forest where it was almost impossible to subsist. Had it not been for the abundance of game some of them must have starved.

Sherborn and Wells were the first to leave the settlement. Others soon followed. In the meantime Enoch Blackwell was working hard to clear up a farm, and a few others followed his example. But becoming discouraged, Enoch Blackwell, his son William, and family left Oregon Hill in 1811, and settled on Pine creek, at what is now known as the town of Blackwell's, just outside of Lycoming county. When they came there they found A. P. Harris and George Bonnell living on their land, which was embraced in their purchase from Hey. The Blackwells proved their title and commenced to make improvements. They early engaged in lumbering and prospered. Enoch died at Jersey Shore in 1816, aged sixty-five, and was buried in the Davidson burial ground near the mouth of Pine creek. William, his son, succeeded to the estate, and died at Blackwell's, December 6, 1859, aged seventy years. Enoch, son of William, and grandson of Enoch the pioneer, lives there to- day. He was born, January 29, 1824, and has lived to see wonderful changes and improvements not only on Pine creek, but on the hill where his ancestors first settled in 1806.

The first death in the settlement occurred in 1808. John Crook, while hunting, was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun in his hands. He was buried on his own land and his grave was pointed out for a long time.

The first child born in the settlement was Sarah, daughter of Peter Blackwell, in 1806. When she grew to womanhood she married Capt. George Davis of the merchant marine service and went to live in New York.

One by one the original settlers departed. Henry Hews sold his 200 acres to Jacob Warren, September 13, 1815, for $400, a loss of $200, and left. He died at Trout Run, as may be seen in the review of Lewis township. Maggs settled at Jer- sey Shore and died there. Nathaniel Blackwell also reached Jersey Shore in time and settling on a farm owned by John A. Gamble, carried it on for him till old age compelled him to cease work. He died at the house of his son, J. M. Blackwell, in Jersey Shore, May 31, 1882, in his eighty-sixth year. He was only about nine years

Geo. W. Cente

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PINE TOWNSHIP.

of age when he accompanied his parents to the English settlement, and never forgot the horrors of their residence in the wilderness.

The settlement being abandoned by nearly all the original emigrants, and Rev. John Hey having died, the land passed into the possession of the Keims, of Read- ing. Jacob Warren, an Englishman, was then appointed their agent. He came to Philadelphia, but in 1816 took up his residence in Brown township near the lands. He died there in 1831 and was buried at Oregon Hill. Thomas Lloyd, also an Englishman, succeeded him. He died in 1859, when Enoch Blackwell, of Blackwell's, became agent for the Keim estate and he only succeeded in closing up the business in 1877. Such, in brief, is the history of the English settlement in what is now Pine township. It was an unfortunate affair and caused much suffering and misery for those who were concerned in it.

Oregon Hill .- But there is a silver lining to every cloud. Oregon Hill is now a beautiful and thrifty hamlet of twelve or fifteen houses, two churches, Evan- gelical and Methodist, two stores, and one blacksmith shop. Finely cultivated farms, yielding abundantly, surround the settlement and travelers are surprised at the fertility of the land and the prosperity of the people. In the cemetery are buried some of those who were identified with the colony.

A postoffice, called Oregon Hill, was established there September 20, 1869, and Hiram G. Mattoon was appointed postmaster. His successors have been as follows: James E. Brown, appointed February 8, 1877; Hiram G. Mattoon, August 3, 1881; Orison J. Graham, November 2, 1886. He is the present incumbent.

It is difficult to explain how the place got the name of Oregon Hill. Mr. Enoch Blackwell, who was born near there, and is familiar with its history, is unable to account for it. He says that in 1844 a few Mormons settled just over the line in Tioga county and the people called their settlement "Nauvoo." Soon after this a lumbering camp was started a few miles further down the stream and named "Texas," because it was about the time of the war with Mexico; and later the name " Oregon " was given to the hill region, being suggested probably by the phrase, " fifty-four, forty, or fight," used in connection with the dispute with England regarding the boundary line in Oregon, the " hill " being added because you have to make an ascent to reach the settlement-and then it was originally settled by English people.

English Centre .- The largest village in the township is English Centre, so named because it was the center of the settlement of those bearing the name of En- glish. It is located on Little Pine creek about twelve miles from its mouth, sur- rounded by high mountains, which lend an air of extreme wildness to the place. Years ago Jeremiah English used to operate a large saw mill there, but it has entirely disappeared. This place is also the terminus of the Larry's creek plank road English Centre contains one church, several stores, three hotels, one licensed, the others not, and the tannery of Samuel Davidge & Company. This is a large indus- try giving employment to one hundred or more men. A splendid iron bridge crosses the creek near the licensed hotel, kept by Mr. English, and there are two more a short distance below. The three most numerous families living on the creek are the Carsons, Callahans, and Englishes.

English Centre suffered severely during the great flood of June 1, 1889. Many

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

houses were overturned, fences destroyed, and all the bridges carried away. The water came down the narrow ravine in which the town is situated in a mighty tor- rent, filling it from hill to hill, and the inhabitants were forced to fly for safety. This being the central point for lumbermen, there is considerable stir at times and much business transacted.

English Centre is an old settlement. As early as October 25, 1844, a postoffice was established there and called Little Pine Creek, and John M. English was appointed postmaster. His successors were: Ellis English, appointed August 15 1846; William Boatman, September 16, 1846; Claudius Boatman, July 14, 1849; David Kelly, May 19, 1854; Benjamin Kirk, May 16, 1855; James M. English, July 19, 1855.

Little Pine Creek was changed to English Centre, February 29, 1856, and Jacob C. Resse was appointed postmaster. His successors have been as follows: Jere- miah English, January 7, 1862; Eugene A. Miller, February 7, 1871; Bruce Elmore, October 9, 1874; Isaac Gildersleeve, August 7, 1876; Harry Harling, May 5, 1879: Edward Hardenburg, April 23, 1880; John R. Hartwell, April 11, 1881. He is the present incumbent.

Schools .- There are seven school houses in this township, named as follows: English Centre, graded; Oregon Hill, graded; Callahan, Chestnut Grove, Snow, Glen, and Texas. The report for 1891 shows six and one-half months taught by three male and eight female teachers.

M'HENRY TOWNSHIP.

As early as September, 1845, the movement to create a new township in the Pine Creek region was commenced. At that date, on petition the court appointed A. H. McHenry, William Porter, and George Quiggle, all of Jersey Shore, as view- ers on a proposed new township to be made out of parts of Cummings and Porter. Their report was favorable, but the matter seems to have been dropped, as we find no further reference to it. The project was not renewed again till January sessions, 1855, when James M. English, Warren Evans, and others petitioned the court pray- ing for a new township to be erected out of parts of Brown and Cummings, to be called English. On the 7th of February, 1855, the court appointed James Wilson, Samuel G. Morrison, and Jacob W. Pfouts, all of Jersey Shore, viewers. Nothing seems to have come of this movement, as the official records are silent. The move- ment was revived again next year, for we find that James Wilson, William H. Miller, and Robert Crane, all of Jersey Shore, were appointed to view a proposed new township to be made out of Brown, Cummings, and Cogan House. They performed their duty and made a favorable report November 15, 1856, and on the 18th it was confirmed nisi, and named Kingston.

Soon afterwards a meeting of citizens was held at the Kingston House, English Centre, and they resolved that "out of the respect and esteem they entertained for Alexander H. McHenry, Esq.," it should be called McHenry township.

Still there seems to have been opposition to the creation of the new township, and the movement "hung fire," for at January sessions, 1861, a petition was pre- sented praying for a new township to be formed out of Cummings and Brown. The court appointed A. H. McHenry, E. D. Trump, and Thomas McCurdy, all residents of Jersey Shore, to serve as viewers and report the result of their investigations.

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M'HENRY TOWNSHIP.

They reported favorably and the court ordered an election to be held July 20, 1861. The majority of voters favored the division, whereupon the court, on August 21, 1861, made a decree erecting the new township and directed that it be called Mc- Henry. This was in honor of A. H. McHenry, late of Jersey Shore, the veteran surveyor. The fight had lasted for a period of sixteen years before victory was secured, and a township named after him.

This township lies in the Pine Creek mountains, is the third in size in the county, and covers an era of 42,920 acres, with a population of 608 by the census of 1890. It is bounded on the east by Cummings and Pine, on the north by Brown, on the west by Clinton county, and on the south by Cummings. Pine creek sweeps through it from the northwest to the southeast corner. Its principal tributaries are Mill run on the east, and Trout run, Harris's run, and Pine Bottom run on the west.

The region of country lying within the borders of McHenry township is wild and broken, and at many points the mountain scenery is bold and imposing. It con- sists of formations (Nos. XI, XII, and XIII), which occupy the northeast corner- being the western end of the Pine Creek coal basin. A small area of the same formation is formed in the southwest, and all along the western boundary of the Jersey Shore and Coudersport turnpike there is a narrow belt of these rocks. Among them are quite large areas of the mountain plateau lands of Mauch Chunk (umbral) red shale (No. XI). Some of these areas are quite fertile, while other portions are known as "barrens," containing much iron ore.

Along the valleys of the streams some fair bottom land is found; on the side hills and at the heads of the streams, there are quite large areas of Catskill red shale (No. IX) with its accompanying breccia, or corustone, of which a good section can be seen in the cuts of the Fall Brook railroad, just above Cammal station. Here this peculiar formation can be studied, and its mode of thickening and thinning in ellipsoid or concretionary forms can be plainly observed from one to six feet or more in thickness. There are good exposures for flagging and building stone, and coal, fire clays, and iron ore abound quite extensively in the undeveloped coal basins.

Settlement .- Notwithstanding the wildness of this region explorers made their way up Pine creek quite early. The first warrant was No. 456, to John Nixon, dated May 17, 1785, and the survey was made September 26, 1785, for 5194 acres. The line commenced a short distance above the site of Jersey Mills and extended up Pine creek to the mouth of Tront run, four miles. Claudius Boatman settled at the mouth of Callahan's run, October 17, 1785. His son-in-law, Comfort Wanzer, settled about the same time a short distance below on the same tract that was subsequently settled by Abraham Harris in 1802. Boatman, the pioneer, was a Frenchman by birth. He came from Buffalo valley, where, it will be remembered, his daughter Rebecca was scalped by the Indians while making one of their last forays. She was found and cared for, and recovered. In after years she married Isaac Smee and had three sons, Charles, John, and Alpheus, and two daughters; Mary married Louis Hostrander; Elizabeth, John Shaner. Their mother lived to a good age, but never had any hair on her head after being scalped.

It is claimed that the first child born within the present territory of McHenry was William Boatman, son of Claudius and Esther Boatman, in 1787. They had

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

several children besides this son and Rebecca. Another daughter named Fanny married John English, who had located as early as 1784 on what has since been known as English island in Pine creek. He was warned by "Shawney John," a friendly Indian, to leave as the savages were about to make a descent on Pine creek. He heeded the warning and remained away about a year, when he returned.

Esther Boatman, wife of Claudius, was a very useful woman in the settlement. She was a nurse and physician and quite successful in her ministrations to the sick. She was a very large woman, weighing about 250 pounds. Fanny, her daughter, also became very stout. Another daughter named Jane married James English, who was a Revolutionary soldier and settled on Pine creek, and her sister Margaret married John Morrison, who resided at Horse Shoe bottom opposite Cedar run. William, their brother, settled in 1832 about two miles below the present village of English Centre.

Claudius Boatman removed from the place where he first settled to the spring opposite Jersey Mills in 1796, where he died about 1802 at the great age of ninety- eight. When his wife died is unknown. On a slight elevation, a few rods east of the first fork of Pine creek, repose the remains of Claudius Boatman and wife, Comfort Wanzer and wife, and William Hamlin, father of Rev. Benjamin Hamlin. Probably other members of the family were buried there. A grove of young timber surrounds their graves. When Waterville was laid out Capt. James M. Wolf directed the engineers not to disturb their graves.

Lumbering has been largely carried on in this township. As early as 1810 a saw mill was built on Tront run by Jeremiah Morrison and brother, which was run several years. In 1810 Abraham Harris built a mill on Harris's run, which was operated until 1846. Two mills were built on Mill run-one in 1812, and the other in 1840-by George and Abner Campbell. The first was burned in 1835, and the second disappeared about 1848. In 1848 a large gang mill was built at Harris's island by Crane, Day & Baldwin. It changed hands many times, but did a large business. In 1849 McHenry & Bubb started a mill which they operated for several years. George Brown & Sons put up a mill on the site of the Abraham Harris mill in 1849. A steam mill was erected in 1870 by C. M. Laporte three miles up Harris's run, which was operated two or three years and then removed on account of the scarcity of timber to Upper Pine Bottom run. It was burned in October, 1875. About 1850 Lucius Truman built a steam mill on Bark Cabin run, which he operated for some time. Nearly all of these mills have disappeared or crumbled into ruins.

A railroad is now (1892) being built from Cammal to English Centre via Oregon Hill, a distance of fifteen miles, by C. E. Thomas & Company, of Shenandoah, for the purpose of getting out "prop timber " for the mines. It is to be standard gauge, and on account of the steep grades, a "stem winder " locomotive will be used. This road will afford an outlet for a large amount of timber and lumber.

Postoffices .- A postoffice was established at Jersey Mills, January 19, 1855, and Levi Fisk was appointed postmaster. His successors appear as follows: William Stoddard, October 9, 1855; John J. Coolidge, October 14, 1870; M. Bonnell, April 5, 1875. He is the present incumbent.

"Cammal," which is a contraction of the word Campbell, was established Sep-

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

tember 16, 1884; James Lamison was appointed postmaster, and he is still the. incumbent. The Campbells are old settlers here, and a little village is growing up around the railroad station, which is called Cammal. Lodge No. 1001, I. O. O. F., was recently instituted here.

Okome, the last postoffice, was established April 7, 1890, and Carl P. Carlson was appointed postmaster. He is the present incumbent.

Schools .- The first school within the limits of the township was taught by Rob- ert Young in 1804, and the first school house was built about half a mile above where Claudius Boatman settled in 1808. The township now has four school houses, viz: Jersey Mills, Cammal, Ross, and Mt. Zion. The report for 1891 shows seven months taught, with four female teachers receiving an average of $27.50 per month.

CHAPTER XLVII.

JACKSON AND COGAN HOUSE.

JACKSON .- ORGANIZATION-STREAMS -- GEOLOGY -SETTLEMENT-BUTTONWOOD - EDUCATION- CHURCH.

COGAN HOUSE .- FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-DRAINAGE-GEOLOGY-PIONEERS-PIONEER LUMI- BERMEN-POSTOFFICES-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

A T February sessions, 1824, a petition from "divers inhabitants of Lycoming township " was presented, setting forth that the said township of Lycoming is "about eight miles in breadth on the river and extends over the Allegheny mount- ain a distance of nearly twenty-five miles; that the inhabitants who reside on the north and northwest side of the Allegheny, and the inhabitants up Lycoming creek, are subject to great inconvenience by being connected with the inhabitants on the river, where the township officers generally reside. Therefore they pray for the court to appoint a view to divide said township."

The court appointed Andrew D. Hepburn, Phillip Krebs, and Mordecai Heyl- mun as viewers, with instructions that if " they saw proper to divide said township by an east and west line, to commence on Lycoming creek about eight miles from the mouth, to report at the next term of court."

The viewers reported favorably at September sessions, and recommended that a new township be erected and called Jackson, after the illustrious hero of New Orleans, whereupon the report was approved and the township came into existence. Since that time, however, its territory has been greatly curtailed by the erection of other townships.

As it is now constituted it lies in Liberty valley, the Tioga and Lycoming county line passing through the southern portion or limb thereof. It is bounded on the east by MIcNett, on the north by Liberty township, Tioga county, on the west by

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Pine, and on the south by Cogan House township, and is the central one of the five in the northern tier of Lycoming county.

Jackson is the fourteenth in size in the county and contains 21,120 acres. It embraces a large portiou of Laurel Hill, a spur of the Allegheny mountain. Block House fork of Little Pine creek heads on the southern slope of Brian Hill, another spur of the Alleghenies, on the north side of the valley, and runs south and west to its confluence with Big Pine creek at Waterville. Next in size and importance is Roaring branch, which heads in the township, runs along the north side of Laurel Hill in an easterly direction, and finally empties into Lycoming creek at the village of Roaring Branch. Its principal tributaries are Big and Little Elk Lick runs, which head in Liberty township, Tioga connty, and run south until they join the waters of Roaring branch at the foot of Laurel Hill.

The greater portion of the township is composed of valley plateau lands of Red Catskill (No. IX) lying at a general elevation of 1,500 to 1,700 feet above tide. In the northeast corner, along Roaring branch, there is an exposure of the Chemung measure, (Nos. VIII e and VIII f,) with their associated fossil iron ore. In the eastern part of the township at an elevation of 2,100 feet above tide, formations (No. X, XI, XII, aud XIII) occur, being the western end of the McIntyre coal basin; while on the western end there occurs the same formation, the eastern end of the Pine Creek coal basin. These two may each contain some of the lower productive coal beds.

There was an attempt made to utilize the calcareous breccia of (No. IX), but owing to the red rock selected containing much iron, it was not a success. At the head of a fork of Pack Horse run there was observed a heavy wash of manganese, which stained the rock and gravel many rods down the stream. On being followed to the head of the run the pocket in the gravel and loose shaly sandstone was found, containing in all about 250 to 300 pounds of fine semi-crystallized manganese ore, which analyzed seventy per cent., but no more was found here. There is a report of its presence in two adjoining townships in greater quantity. It would be of value to the commercial interests of the county should a permanent bed of this excellent mineral be found.

There are good localities for obtaining fossil plates and casts on Roaring branch and its tributaries. Coal and fire clays may be looked for in the coal basin. Good building and flagstone also abound. The surface of the township is generally roll- ing. In the southeast and southwest it is mountainous. The glacial moraine left marks of its presence, and a hill of glacial drift occurs at Buttonwood, just above the postoffice, near the county bridge. At Sawyer's (formerly Sechrist's) mills is a small natural dam and falls. The rock is cut out to form the channel of the stream about fifty feet in depth.

Settlement .- It is strange to relate that at the present time there is neither a grist nor saw mill in the township. The lumber being exhausted there is no further use for saw mills. The Jackson people get their milling done at Liberty, Tioga county, and Trout Run and Roaring Branch. As early as 1811 Peter Sechrist, one of the sturdiest of the early pioneers of the valley, moved from Liverpool, Perry county, over the Williamson road, to what is now Jackson township and opened up the farm now owned by Hiram Sawyer, Esq., lying on the Block House fork, about

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COGAN HOUSE TOWNSHIP.

one mile south of the county line, and erected a grist and saw mill. They were the first of the kind in Liberty valley and for many years did good service, but they finally succumbed to the ravages of time, and to-day not a vestige of either remains, excepting the old mill stones. Daniel Sechrist, born in 1812, was the first white child to see the light of day in that dreary wilderness. He was born before the cabin in which they afterwards lived was completed, and he still lives to recount the stories of privation and sufferings the family endured in his youthful days. A fine dwelling house, with neatly kept grounds, commodious outbuildings, and well tilled fields surrounding it, now stands near the site of the old mill. It is owned by Hiram Sawyer.

Other settlers soon followed Sechrist. About 1814 Jacob Beck, Daniel Beck, and George Miller started from York county on a prospecting expedition. They reached Williamsport in due season, where they remained for a short time, but were not entirely satisfied. Three years later (1817) they rode over Laurel Hill, following the Williamson road from Trout run to the Block House. Daniel Miller (still living) soon afterwards followed and joined them. They selected places in what is now the eastern part of Jackson township, in the dense wilderness, made improve- ments, and finally founded homes.

The census of 1890 gives the township a population of 619. The inhabitants are noted for their hospitality, thrift, industry, and sobriety. It was through their territory that Charles Williamson cut his famous road in 1792 and built the Block House, just across the Tioga county line, which has been a noted landmark for a hundred years.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 82

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