USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
MANORS.
The first surveys made for the Proprietaries were called Manors, in accord- ance with the custom established by William Penn, and continued by his sons, till the close of the Proprietary Government.
THE FIRST SURVEY.
The first survey ever made in this region was the Manor of Pomfret, including the land on which Sunbury now stands. It was surveyed on the 19th day of December, 1768, and contained 4,766 acres and allowance. The line started at the mouth of Stillhouse Run; thence southward 280 rods; thence over the Catawissa hills, eastward 844 rods; thence southward neross the Shamokin ereek, 400 rods; thence a little south of the creek, westward to the river, and then up the river to the place of beginning, including all the land from the mouth of Shamokin Creek to Stillhonse Run, and eastward about two-and-three-fourth miles.
SUNBURY LAID OUT.
The town of Snabury was Inid out by John Lukens, Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania, on the second, third, and fourth days of July, 1772, on the level plain a mile south of Fort Augusta. The first house in this new town was erected that same year by Mr. Lukens, and was a frame structure, situated on the north-west corner of Market square. Soon afterwards, another honse was built by William Maclay, of stone, which is still standing and is in u good state of repair. It is located on the north side of Arch street, fronting that street and the river. It is now occupied by S. P. Wolverton, Esq.
The third house was built of logs on the south side of Market street, between Third and Fourth streets. The lot is now the property of' Muelny Gearhart. At that time, Mungo Reed resided ou what was then called Sha- mokin Island, near the confluence of the two rivers, a few yards nhove the fort. Thomas Grant, and Colonel Hunter, commander of the fort, lived ou farms which they had taken up close by. Robert Murdock, also, had a farm here. These are considered among the first bona fide settlers at this point, who formed the nucleus arouud which the other emigrants clustered.
SUNBURY IN 1772.
In 1772, according to the best and most reliable information obtainable, there was hat one house where Sunbury now stands; one at Fort Augusta; one at the Grant farms; one at Shamokin Island; one at Northumberland ; and but four between that point and where Milton now stands, where there was one. Between Milton und Muncy hills there were six families, and not more than eight or ten on the river above.
The following correspondence explains itself and may be of interest.
HARRIS'S FERRY, December 2511, 1772. "Sir :- As the six months allowed for patenting the lots in Sunbury are very near expired, I have enclosed a list of all the persons who have taken lots since my last letter to you on the same subject. I have likewise deter- mined not to grant any more until I receive further instructions from yon. . All the tickets which I have signed are dated 3d July last, and should I con- tinne to grant more, unless I altered the date, there would be a manifest inconsistence in them with regard to the time of patenting.
"As there are not yet any instructions for selling of the Island nor laying out of the ont-lots, I would be very well pleased to have liberty to clear out an old Indian field above and adjoining the Gut, which goes out of the east brunch. This field is a mie-and-a-half from Sunbury, and as there is nothing but underwood grows in it at present, the cleaning of it would not be destructive of timber. It is true Captain Hunter would readily give me all the leave I could desire, as it will not by any means interfere with him; but I think it best not to meddle with it without at least nequainting you of it. I have enclosed the fees of entrance which I received from the persons mentioned in the list.
" As to the affair of dividing your land on Chillisquaque, I never intended to make any charge respecting it; nur will I. I am very sensible of more important services which you have rendered me, and am only sorry that the land fell so very far short of your own and every other person's expectations respecting it. I am sir, with real respect,
Your most humble servant,
Mr. Tilgham. WM. MACLAY."
FORT AUOUSTA, June 5th, 1573. " Sir -- I sometime ago mentioned to you in one of my letters my desire of having the right of pre-emption of a mill-sent on Shamokin Creek, abont a mile-and-three-quarters from Sunbury. I am since informed that sundry others have applied for it, aud one man has been declaring his intention of settling and building without any leave. The mill would be of very grent service to the town. Jacob Haverling, a mill-carpenter, has offered to be my partner and undertake the building, and as I now have some money which I could spare, I am strongly inclined to join him if the mill-seat could be pro- cured. I must question whether it will be in your favor to give me the an- swer which would be most agreeable relating to this matter, and indeed would not have troubled yon with this, had it not been at the pressing in- stance of the person who proposes the partnership. I apprehend fifty acres would answer the purpose, including the mill-seat, and if such a thing would be agreed on as to let me have it, I would seud down the price of it to Mr. Physiek immediately. But as the burthen of advancing the money will be entirely on myself, I would havo the grant only to myself. If convenient, I would be glad of a line from you, or a message by the bearer.
" A considerable number of people are very urgeut to get lots in Sunbury, and some of them are here with their families who would build immediately. I have prevented some of them from going down by telling them that I would, by this opportunity, write down for leave to grant any of those lots which have never heretofore been granted. A great number of houses are building, and many more would if workmen could be got.
" Vast numbers of people are daily crowding up, and we are happy in the pleasing prospect of having our valleys filled with inhabitants. This is re- markably the ease with prospect to the west branch. But alas! we have an east branch, too, which throws a damp over all our expectations. This, however, cannot always last. I am in haste and with the utmost respect,
. Your much obliged and humble servaut,
James Tilgham, Esq. WM. MACLAY."
THE FIRST STORE
In Sunbury, was opened by William Dewart, iu 1775, in a log building, ou Chestnut street, between Second street and Center alley, on the site of the present residence of Miss Anu Billington. He afterwards purchased a lot on Market street, where he erected a store and residence.
Mr. Dewart was born in Ireland, in 1740, and emigrated to this country in 1765. He died in 1814.
MIE FIRST WEAVER
Was also William Dewart, who had his loom in one corner of the above- named store.
THE FIRST HOTEL
Was kept by Judge Shaffer, who opened a public house ns early as 1793, on the corner of Front and Spruce streets, near the old ferry. The building was a two-story log structure, and contained four or five rooms.
THE FIRST WATCHMAKER
Was Juhu Beitzel, who came from Chambersburg and opened the business on what is now Front street, somewhere down town. He afterwards carried on the business in the county jail, where he was put for bigamy.
11
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THE FIRST COURT.
The first court within the present limits of Sunbury, was held at Fort Augusta, April 9th, 1772, before Judge William Plunket and his associate justices. This was the "Court of the Private Sessions of the Peace," and was held under the auspices of the English government. It was called in the twelfth year of the reign, and by the authority of George the Third, hy -
the grace of God, King of Great Britian, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc.
Twelve judges were appointed to hold court, but only six of them, to wit: William Plunket, Samuel Hunter, Caleb Graydon, Thomas Lemon, Robert Moodie, and Benjamin Weiser, then appeared, and were sworn in and took their seats as judges. Eight lawyers were nt the same time sworn in as at- torneys of said court, to wit: James Wilsoo, Robert Magraw, Edward Burd, George Noarth, Christian Hoake, James Potts, Andrew Robeson, and Chas. Steadman-the three last named having been first examined in the usual form, touching their fitness to practice law as attorneys of said court. Ed- ward Burd was the first Prosecuting Attorney, and William Maclay the first Prothonotory of the County. The judges were equal to each other in authority, hut William Plunket, the first one named in their commis- sion, acted as the President of the Court. George Nagel, then high sheriff of Berks County, acted as the sheriff of Northumberland County, until bis place was supplied by Waliam Cook, who was the first regular sheriff of our County. John Brady was the foreman of the first Grand Jury, which sat at Fort Augusto, in August, 1772.
The vault of the old fort was used as a jail. The first suit was James Patton v8. James Gally ; Magaw, for plaintiff, and Wilson and Noarth, for defendant.
The first jury trial was William Simpson vs. Cornelius Atkinson, verdict for defendant in ejectment.
Among the carly suitors, were Christinu Gundy, ancestor of the late Super- intendent of Schools, in Union County w. Lodwick Derr, owner of a farm where Lewisburg now stands, afterwards called Deerstown, then Lewisburg.
The first deed was recorded June 8th, 1772, in Deed Rook A, page 1. William Lee to S. Young and William Giffin, for 300 acres of land of Penn's Creek. It was acknowledged before Esquire Hunter, at Fort Augusta. The deeds recorded since have filled 63 volumes.
The first mortgage was recorded August 31st, in Deed Book A, page 7. William Scull to Edward Riddle and others, covering 1544 acres where Northumberland now stands.
The first letters of administration were granted to Magdalena Welant, on the estate of her husband, Michael Welant, dee'd., on the 18th day of De- cember, 1772.
The first will recorded was on the 4th day of August, 1774, by Joseph Rotten. The witnesses to this will, were James McCoy and Samuel Mather. Mr. Rotten gave his eldest daughter a bed and a black cow.
The first motion made in Sunbury court was to divide Northumberland Conuty into townships. In pursuance of which, it was divided into Penn, Augusta, Turbut, Buffalo, Bald Eagle, Muncy, and Wyoming. Out of these seven townships have since hcen taken twenty-six of the counties of the State. The first coustoble in Augusta township, then including Sunbury, was Alexander Graut.
The first road petition was for a highway leading from here to Muney. The first licenses for the sale of intoxicating drink were grauted in 1776- nine in number. The first Commonwealth suit brought in Sanbury court, was the King vs. Thomas Williams, alias Thomas Adams, for larceny. The second and third suits were against the same man for the same offence. He plead not guilty, but the jury thought he was mistaken, and he was sentenced in ench case to return the stolen property, to pay a fine of five pounds, and receive over his bare back at the commons whipping-post twenty-one lashes, and stand committed in the magazine of the fort until the sentence was com- plied with. The whippings were ordered for the 30th of September, and the Ist and 2d of October, 1772. This was a prescription on the cumulative plan, and might have been very unpleasant for Thomas, bad he not managed to break jad.
The first Prothonotary, Register and Recorder, (then one office,) was Wil- liam MeClay. He was also the first representative in Congress from North- umberland County. The first Sheriff was William Cook. The first Treas- urer was Alexander Hunter. The first District Attorney was Edward Burd. Hunter was also the first representative in the Legislature of Pennsylvania.
In 1778, the massacre at Williamsport occurred, and the people came pouring into Sunbury from all the regions ahove. Men were shot or toma-
hawked, women scalped alive, and children killed or carried into the wilder- ness. The Sunbury people received those who escaped, and provided for them as best they could. Colonel Broadhead, with one hundred and forty men came to their relief.
On the 8th of August, 1778, James Brady, sou of Captain John Brady, was brought to his mother's house in Sunbury, having been scalped below Williamsport, hy an Indian whose name he gave. His brother afterwadrs killed the Indian on the Allegheny. In the same or the following year, Robert Lyon was sent with a canoe londed with stores up to Wyoming. There were some very pretty daughters of a Mr. Fisher, living at Fishing Creck, and Robert, forgetting that he was captain of the first grand inland and international line of communication up the north hranch, left his boat and cargo at the water's edge, and went to see the girls! In this way many a young man has got himself into trouble, aud Robert was not an exception, for the Indians came and took him to Erie and made him run the gauntlet. He there fell into the hands of a British officer who proved to be a long-lost brother, and was released. On the 28th of July, 1779, one hundred British Regulars and two hundred Indians took Fort Freeland, under John Lyttle. Captain Boon, with the Chillisquaque Rangers, went to their relief and were captured, and every post north of Sunbury fell into the enemy's hands. The excitement here was great, and'tales of butchery nud horror came from every settlement.
PUNISHMENT OF CRIMINALS.
The following extract from the Sessions Docket of August, 1784, will be of interest.
1
RESPUBLICA Indictment for Felony. Defendant arraigned, plead not guilty. A jury of the country being called, same to wit:
Jos. DISBERRY.
Peter Hosterman, Adam Grove, Geo. Shaffer, Philip Frick, John Har- rison, Michael Grove, William Clark, Adam Christ, Robert Irwin, Paul Baldy, John Shaffer and Alexander M. Grady, who, being duly elected, tried and sworn upon their ouths, respectively do say that Joseph Disbury is guilty of the Felony whereof he stouds indicted.
Judgment-that the said Joseph Disberry receive thirty-nine lashes be- tween the hours of eight and six o'clock, to-morrow; to stand in the pillory one hour; to have his ears cut off and nailed to the post; to return the prop- erty stoleu or the value thereof; remain in prison three months; pay a fine of thirty pounds to the Honorable the President of this State for the support of the government, and stand committed until fine and fees are paid.
At February Sessions, 1785, Patrick Quinn was sentenced to receive "twenty-one lashes ou his bare back at the common whipping-post, on Fri- day the 20th day of February, 1780, at nine o'clock in the morning, for stenling a tow linen shirt of the value of ten shillings."
In 1781, the Lee family were scalped and tomahawked in Dry Valley. Lee was brought to Sunbury in a dying condition. Two soldiers from the fort while acting as carriers in benring his remains to the grave, commenced quarreliug and finally begau to kick euch other under the coffin. Colonel Hunter quelled the disturbance by seizing a whip and lashing them over the sboulders.
The last white man killed near here by the Indians was a Mr. Taylor, on Shamokin Creek.
THE FIRST FERRY.
The following is a copy of petition filed in the Archives at Harrisburg : To the Honorable the Representation of the Freemen of the State of Pennsyl- vania, in General Assembly met at Philadelphia the twenty-second day of October, A. D. 1787.
The petition of the subscriber, an iuhabitant of the town of Sunbury, in the county of Northumberland, and State of Pennsylvania, most bumbly showeth,
That there was a graut made by the Honorable Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esqs., unto Robert King his executors, administrators and assigns by their patent, bearing date the 14th of August, 1772, for the keeping a ferry over the main river of Susquehanna, at the town of Sunbury, in suid county, aud the sid patent being conveyed by Robert King to Adam Haverling, on the 30th of November, A. D. 1773, and by the said Adam Haverling conveyed uuto Stophel Getting, on the 17th day of April, 1775, and hy the said Stophel Getting conveyed unto Abraham Dewitt, on the 9th day of October, 1779, and by Eleanor Dewitt ( Alias Coldern), administratrix of Abraham Dewitt, deceased, conveyed unto your petitioner, on the 25th day of October, 17-, and as he hath water craft made on purpose for snid ferry
45
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
before there was any on Sunbury side, and now hath sufficient craft in good order, and having the rights as transferred by sundry reeitals, and is in peace- able possession, therefore humbly requests of your honorable body to grant him the privilege of keeping snid ferry upon the terms your honors shall think just and reasonable for a term of years, and your petitioner us in duty bonnd, will pray. JOIIN LYONS.
We, the under-named subscribers do certify that the above petitioner, John Lyon, hath had said ferry some time in possession, and that he hath attended to the same regularly, and hath kept his water craft in good order.
We therefore request of your honors to grant his request, and you will oblige, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants :
Jas. Crawford,
Wm. Bonham,
Daniel Montgomery, Samuel Wallis,
Benjamin Lyon,
James McCune,
Jas. Buchanan,
Abraham MeKinney,
Daniel Reese,
Enoch Skeer,
James Davidson,
Jacob Anderson,
Wm. D. Brady,
John Kidd,
Robert Wilson,
John Mcad,
Benjamin Lewis,
Henry Lebo,
John Harrison,
Augustus Stoner,
Wm. Adam,
Daniel Sheesley,
John Bell, John Black,
Chas. Gobin,
Geo. Wolff,
Wm. Geary,
Jack Robins,
Win. Murdock,
John Young,
Joseph Wallis,
Jacob Keberling,
John Watson,
Daniel Beatty,
Henry Landerslice,
Robert Coldern,
John Diekiuson.
EARLY STAGES.
The early stages to Harrisburg crossed the river here by ferry, went down the west side to Montgomery's Ferry, two-and-one-half miles below Liver- pool, and there re-crossed. After the completion of the Centre turnpike, the stages went over the town hill to Reading and Philadelphia, being just a week on the round trip to Philadelphia and return. The semi-annual meet- ing of the Board of Directors of this old pike is still kept up, and a little of that convival business so important to the inspiration of old memories and good fellowship, is still transacted.
The following advertisement from an old paper refers to one of the first stage lines :
MAIL STAGE. DANIEL LEBO,
REGS leave to inform the public, that after the first day of October next, bis Stage will leave Rending every Wednesday afternoon, and arrive in Hamburgh, nlins Carter'stown, the same evening ; from whence it will proceed on Thursday morning, and arrive in Sunbury, on Friday at 12 o'clock. On the Saturday, following, it will return to Reading, to arrive there on Sunday afternoon.
Passengers going to Philadelphia, are requested to take notice, that Mr. Coleman's Stage will leave Reading every Monday morning for thut city.
September 23, 1608.
THE OLD IRON CANNON.
From the best information obtainable, it seems that this piece of ordnance was brought from Fort Harris, (now Harrisburg,) and placed upon the ram- parts of Fort Augusta, in the year 1772. From there it was taken to Fort Muncy, where it remmined until 1774, when it was brought back to Augusta. In the year 1775, when Colonel Hunter was ordered, with his command, to report at Harris Ferry, the cannon was ordered to be spiked and thrown into the river, which was done, when the fort was evacuated. In 1798, it was taken from the river by George and Jacob Mantz, Sumnel Hann, and Henry Shoop. Several cords ot hickory wood were burned in taking the temper out of the file, with which it was spiked, so that it could be drilled out. In 1824, it was stolen from the river bank, at Sunbury, hy citizens of Selinsgrove, then Union County, and hidden away in Mr. Beeker's cellar, and in 1825, George Weiser, Esq., of Sunbury, having business in Selinsgrove, by some means discovered where it was hidden, bribed the maid, who was also from Sunbury, to have the cellar door unlocked, and the dog removed from the premises, when a company from Sunbury, consisting of George Hileman,
John Epley, John Weaver, John Pickering, James McCormick, Jucob Diehl, and others, went to Selinsgrove on the night of the 3d of July, with a good wagon, and a fast team of horses, took the cannon from the cellar, and started for Sunbury; and when a short distance above the Penn's Creek bridge, they fired a few rounds, thus raising the alarm in Selinsgrove; and, as they expected to be pursued, they hurried up in double quick time, crossed the river in a flat that was in readiness, hurried up to the hotel, then kept by John Weaver, at the corner of Third and Market streets, in the stone build- ing now owned by Win. H. Miller, carried it up to the attie, placed a bed over it, on which Joseph Eisely, then a boy fourteen years of age, who was bar-keeper at the hotel, slept nutil morning, when it was bronght dowu and usedl at the celebration that day (July 4th.) Dr. Morris composed an appro- priate poem on the subject, which was sung at the celebration, and was after- wards published in one of the papers. It was said that Mr. Becker killed his dog the next morning, when he discovered the loss of the cannon. In 1830, it was stolen by citizens of New Berlin, then Union County, named Charles Awl, Samuel Kesler, Charles Baum, Elias Hummel, Michael Kleck- ner, Thomas Hallabush, Samuel Winter, and Thomas Getgen. After some time, George and Ezekiel Follmer, and Jacob Keefer, went to that place to recover it. They returned without accomplishing anything, save the sprain- ing of Keefer's back, by the breaking and fulling of the platform on which the cannon was placed. The next fall, a party of men headed by George Prince, went over and captured the trophy. In 1833, some persons from Selinsgrove, pretending to have a claim, came and captured it. It remained in that place until July 4th, 1834, when Dr. R. H. Awl, Charles Rinehart, H. A. Simpson, Edward Lyon, George Mahan, Peter Zimmerman, Thomas MeEwen, Jerry Mantz, Jacob aud John Rheichtine, and Weiser Zeigler, laid a plan to re-capture it.
Two of the boys were sent to Selinsgrove in disguise, to find where the cannon was hid, at night, which they found no difficulty in doing. They all met at the red bridge that night, stole a horse from Mrs. Rhinebart, and a wagon from Hugh Bellus, loaded the cannon, stole the ferry-flat, crossed the river, and started on their way to Sunbury. One of the boys stole a keg of powder, and at daybreak, on the 5th of July, opened fire, on the river bank, in front of Esquire Levy's residence. Mr. Levy became very enthu- siastic over the victory ; so much so, that at evening, when there was danger of being attacked by Union County, he came out with musket and drawn sword, and offered to command the defense, but the assaulting party failed to appear. In 1849, about thirty young men from Danville, undertook to capture it.
Jerry Hall, of Sunbury, who was then clerk in the Danville post-office, learning the plot of the Danville boys, confiscated a horse belonging to Dr. Updegraff, and a saddle of G. M. Shoop, the Donville post-master, and pre- vailed upon Clinton Fisher to go to Sunbury, in haste, bearing a letter from said Hall to H. D. Wharton, notifying him of the plot. Mr. Wharton noti- fied Captain C. J. Bruner, who was commander of the forces, which Dnm- bered some Iralf-dozen men. The Sunbury people rallied their forces, and placed piekets on duty. The cannon was in the cellar of the house adjoining the old ferry-house, then occupied by Benjamin Krohn. Wm. B. Martin had the post of honor, being in front of the house. When the Danville party presented their appearance, they were surprised to find that they had been outgeneraled. They were advised to retire, and get out of town as soon as possible, otherwise some of them might return feet foremost. Mrs. Krohn and several other ladies, had their weapons in good condition-said weapons consisting of several kettles of boiling water.
SUNBURY IN 1794.
There were, in 1794, three stores in Sunbury. One kept by Wm. Dewart, grand-father of Hon. Wm. L. Dewart, on the spot now occupied by the coal- office of James Boyd & Co. ; another by John Buyers, grand-father of Capt. John Buyers, on the lot south of the three-story MeCarty building; and the third by James Black, grand-father of Hon. John B. Packer, two lots fur- ther north. The house in which I. T. Clements now lives, was built for n hotel in 1796, by James Smith, grand-father of the present post-master, John J. Smith. There had been a building in the same place two years earlier, but in the attempt to burn shavings in the cellar, the flames done a little extra labor on their own account, and the house went up in smoke.
At that time, there were no buildings on the south side of Market square, and a foot-path went across lots from our present court house to the old depot. The land around the gus factory and northward was covered with birch, knurled-oaks and grape-vines, with occasional pools of water full of pheasants, ducks, etc. The husin lots were full of' bushes, logs, bogs and frogs.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.