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 45
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Methodist Graveyard .- A year or two later, ground for n burial place nud eburch was given to the Methodist congregation by Andrew Straub. It was situated on the north side of Lower Market street, just north of the present school-house. It has been many years since any interments were made there, and all the remains have been transferred to other grounds.
It is now in disuse, and a lumber yard occupies its site.
The Old Presbyterian Graveyard was donated to that society by Daniel Seudder, Esq,, about 1820. Very few hurials are now made there, and many of those buried in earlier times, have been removed.
The Milton Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1863. Their grounds contain ten acres, beautifully located on a high swell of land, just outside the enstern limits of the borough, and beyond the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. They are enelosed by a handsome paling fence, and are taste- fully laid out with avenues and walks. Much pains has been taken to beau- tify this last resting-place, by the planting of trees, shrubbery, and flowers, and many handsome and expensive monuments have been reared by sorrow- ing friends,
The cemetery is a beautiful one, and most ereditable to the citizens of Milton.
The Harmony Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1860, Abrabum Straub was the first president, and was succeeded, in 1864, by C. C. Straub, who still holds the office.
The first interment was thut of a child of William Derrickson, which was buried there, even before the laying out was completed.
The cemetery is a tract of ten aeres, lying on a beautiful southerly slope, bounded by the borough limits on the west, and by a public road on the east.
The grounds are laid off' in sections, fronting south-westerly, and thenee running to the rear line upon the erest of the ncclivity. Avenues run eu- tirely around the enclosure, and divide the sections from each other, Foot- walks are laid between the avenues, and give necess to all the burial lots.
The plan and the embellishments are in the true spirit of the modern idea- that the home of the departed should be made attractive to the eye, and freed from the gloom, with which our forefathers were too apt to invest it. No "naked rows of graves, und melancholy ranks of monuments" are here,
PLATE XXVIII.
PROPERTY OF JOSEPH EMRICK , LOWER AUGUSTA TP., NORTH ? CO., PA.
RES. & MILL OF JOHN SHIPMAN, HUGHES STATION , NORTHD CO , PA.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
but flowers are springing npon the green sod, and the willow trails its long pendants over the pure white marble. The larch, the ash, and the maple, wave their graceful brunches above the mounds; the walks are hordlered with shrubbery, and a living helge of honey-locust encloses the whole.
" Peace to the dust, that In silence reposes Beneath The deep shade of the cypress and yew : May Spring deck the spot with her eurliest roses, And Henven wash their lenves with Its hollest des."
The Catholic Cemetery is about two miles enst of the town. Its area is about five neres, enclosed by a substantial brick-wall. Within the enclosure is an old brick building, which was formerly their church. It is now in decay. The interments are very numerons.
These are the cemeteries of Milton, but her dead are not all here.
There is another, and a wider burial-place-stretching from the loeust- fringed Potomac to the sand beaches of the Gulf-and all over that broad ground, all along the slopes of Virginia, and on the ridges of Georgia and Tennessee, her soldier sons are sleeping in unmarked graves; and there they will slumber on till the reveille of the archangel awakens them.
NORTHUMBERLAND BOROUGH.
THE FIRST SETTLER.
The first settler on the site of Northumberland was Robert Martin, who was originally from New Jersey. He first settled at Wyoming under the Pennsylvania title, but, being unable to live there in pence, removed to Northumberland. He erected a house and kept tavern here, as enrly as 1760. His house, at that time, and a number of years subsequent, was the only one to be seen about Northumberland Puint, or even on the other side, except at Fort Augusta.
After Penu's purchase of land from the Indians, in 1768, Martin's tavern was thronged with unmerous speculators, pioneers, surveyors, and adven- turers, who came to view and settle upon the lands of the west branch. Mr. Martin was the father of the wife of Captain Grant, who had command of a fort on the frontier during the Revolutionary war, and Martin himself became a noted character, for he was a member of the Penusylvania Pro- vincial Conference, in 1776, and a member of the State Convention, that formed the State Constitution, and also a member of the State Legislature of 1778-79.
The following statements are taken from an old deed, now in the possession of Mr. Priestly, of the borough of Northumberland :
" The Town of Northumberland is laid out upon four tracts of land, two of three hundred acres each, and two of five hundred acres ench, in the forks of the north-east and west branches of the Susquehanna River, called Sarah's Delight, Essex, Nottingham, and Townside.
" Sarah's Delight-Patent July 7th, 1770. The Proprietaries to Sarah Loudon, enrolled at Philadelphia in Patent Book A., volume II. page 360, 1771, April 23d. Decd. John Loudon and Sarah, his wife, to William Espy, recorded at Sunbury, in book C, page 239.
" 1771, April 23d. Deed. William Espy to John Loudon, recorded at Sun- bury in book C, page 238.
" 1772. Loudon und Patterson lay out the town called Northumberland. "1775, March 20th. Deed. Jolin London to Reuben Haines, recorded at Sunbury, in book C, page 240.
"Essex-1772, London and Butterson lay out the old town of Northum- berland.
"1775, Jun. 7th. Patent to Esther Patterson, the wife of William Patter- son, enrolled in the Patent Book A. A., volume I5, page 57.
"1775, April fith. Deed. William Patterson and Surah, his wife, to Reu- ben Haines, recorded at Sonbury, in book A., page 248.
" Nottingham-1772, Sept. 14th. Patent to Richard Peters for Bve hun- dred acres along the north-east branch, enrolled in Patent Book A. A., vol- ume 13, page 256.
"Townside-1772, September 16th. Patent to Richard Peters, for 500 acres along the west brauch, enrolled in snine book, page 259.
" 1773, December 17th. Deed. Richard Peters to Reubeu Haines, for the above mentioned tracts, recorded in Philadelphia, Deed Book I, volume 13, page 126."
The title to these four tracts being thus in Reuben Haines, he enlarged the town plot, and recorded a general plan of Loudon and Patterson's town,
with his own additions, at Sunbury, in book B, page 273, April 24th, 1781, which was afterwards recorded by John Boyd, May 10th, 1808, in book C, pages 367 and 368.
Reuben Haines died, and devised his estate by will, proved at Philadel- phia, to his four children, Caspar Wistar Haines, Josiah Haines, Renben Haines, and Catharine Haines. Reuben Haines, Jr., died, and devised his estate to his two brothers and sister, who make partition; and Caspar W. Huines, and Catharine Haines convey, among other things in partition, the unsold lots in the town of Northumberland, by deed, dated March 24th, 1795, recorded at Sonbury, in book G, page 481, to Reuben Haines.
At first the progress of the town was slow, as all its inhabitants, during the Revolution, to escape being murdered by a eruel enemy, were obliged to flee and seek refuge in Fort Augusta. It was not until 1784, or 1785, that Northumberland was re-occupied, and in 1796, it numbered nearly one hun- dred houses. In 1847, it contained ubout one hundred and sixty. The country expands behind the town in a semi-circular form, rising in gentle swells towards Montour's Ridge, which erosses between the two rivers at a distance of about three miles. Opposite the town, in the north branch, is a long and beautiful island, called Bird's Island, which is connected with the mnin land, on both sides, by two railroad bridges. In 1814, there was a highway bridge built, in two parts, one of which was on each side of the island. It was built by a joint stock company, and cost ninety thousand dollars, of which the State subscribed fifty thousand. The part on the east side, however, was washed away in March, 1875. Another bridge crosses the west branch at its mouth. At the sonthern end of this latter bridge, rises the steep and precipitous sant-stone of "Blue Hill," from which a mag- nificent prospeet is enjoyed of the valleys of both rivers. The town is well laid out with spacious streets, and to those who love quiet, is a pleasant spot to reside.
INDEPENDENCE AT NORTHUMBERLAND.
In 1776, the question of Independence or no Independence became so warm at Northumberland, that it was decided to have a discussion on the subject. A scaffold was erected near where the market house nser tu stand, aud the discussion took place. Colonels Cooke and Hunter took the stand on the side of liberty and independence, and Dr. Plunkett and Charles Cooke took the side of loyalty. Considerable warmth was manifested on both sides.
FIRST IRON FOUNDRY.
The 6rst iron foundry in the Shamokin region was established in North- umberland, in 1827-28. An ingenious workman from New York, unmed David Rogers, came to the place, bringing with him a quantity of patent seale- beams, of which he was the inventor, or owned the right for this portion of the State. Mr. Shannon assisted him in erecting a small foundry in which to enst the necessary irons. As he succeeded very well, it was his intention, in conjunction with Mr. Shannon, to enlarge the business and muke other and larger castings. Owing to pruet and wicked tricks played on him, Rogers became deranged, and the business was discontinued, Mr. Shannon not being acquainted with the sume.
JOHNNY MASON'S LEARNING HOUSE.
Opposite the borongh of Northumberland rises a high promontory, called " Blue Hill," on the top of which, many years ago, a very add building was erected by an ercentric old bachelor, by the name of Johnny Mason.
This eurions structure, the emanation of an eccentric mind, was located leaningly, at an angle, probably of thirty degrees, apparently, over a fright- ful precipice of upwards of five hundred perpendicular feet in heighth, per- haps the greatest natural perpendicular heighth in Pennsylvania. The west branch winds gracefully around the angle of Blue Hill at this point, and when visitors stoud apon the still further projecting portico, nothing but the bine bosom of the river wus visible helow. Thirty years ago, it was u great place of resort for the young people of Sunbury, Northumberland and Lew- isburg, and even later, it has been an attractive place fir pie-nie purposes, the beautiful scenery, as well as the romance with which it was surrounded, through the mysterious old man who dwelt there, making it such. Few per- sons visited the place who did not inscribe their names somewhere upon the building, and in the last days of the existence of the old fabric, bat little room was left for names. About ten years ago, some years after this place became a railroad centre, this curious structure was destroyed by a number of railroad attachees, strangers, who were led to the spot through curiosity, and conceiving the mischievous idea of its destruction by throwing it over the precipice, they loosened it from its moorings, and in a few moments the
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
air was filled with the detached parts of the old house, ballowed by time and the associations of early youth. Nothing but the iron fastenings remain. The citizens of Northumberland offered n reward, but the culprits remain undiscovered.
Mason was born at Philadelphia, in 1768, and died on his Long Reach farm, nenr Newberry, Lycoming County, in 1849, aged upwards of eighty years, and his remains lie buried under a chestnut tree, near where his Blue Hill leaning summer-house used to stand.
THE FIRST FRUIT TREES
Planted in Northumberland were brought from Lancaster, Pa., about the year 1771, by William Hoffman. One of these trees, called the " Centennial Pear Tree," is still standing in the yard of' what is now known as the Burr House, and still bears fine pears.
THE FIRST WELL
In the borough, was dug by Mr. Hoffman, and is still in use on the premises of the Burr House. It has never been known to become dry.
THE FIRST BIRTH
Of a white child, on the west side of the Susquehanna, occurred in North- umberland, about the year 1772, and the subject was Elizabeth, daughter of William Hotfinan.
BOROUGH CHARTER.
The Act of Assembly, erecting the town of Northumberland into a borough, was signed by Ner Middlesworth, Speaker of the House, and by Daniel Stur- geon, Speaker of the Senate, and was' approved April 14th, 1828, by J. Andrew Shultze, Governor of Pennsylvania. It contains forty-eight sections. Section thirty-eight is as follows:
"Section 38. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the town of Northumberland, in the County of Northumberland, comprising the original plan of said town, and so much of the adjacent laod as is embraced in the following hounds, to wit: Beginning at the point at the jouetion of the north-east and west branches of the Susquehanna River; thence up the north-east branch of the same, the courses and distances thereof, four hun- dred and sixty-eight perches, to a stone at low-water mark ; thenee by land of Joseph Nourse, north forty-two degrees, west one hundred and ten perches, to the road leading from Northumberland to Daoville; thenve along said road, thirty-nine degrees east, thirty-six perches, to a small bridge; thence by land of Joseph Nourse, north fifty-one degrees, west one hundred and fitty perches, to a pine in a line of Johu Lighow; thenee by Jand of Lighow and C'owden, south seventy-six degrees, west one hundred and seventy-four perches, to a stone heap in a line of Philip Frick; thenee by the same, south thirty-nine degrees, west sixteen perches, to a stone heap; thence north fifty-one degrees, west sixteen perehes, to a post; thence by Jand nf Tens and Eckard, south thirty-nine degrees, west two hundred and twenty-uine perches, to n road; thence by land of William A. Lloyd, south fifty-one degrecs, east sixteen perches, to a street marked Eighth street, in the town of Northumberland; thence along the said street, south thirty-nine degrees, west ninety-four perches, to another street in the town of Northumberland, murked in the plan thereof by the name of ' West Way;' thence along said street, south fifty-une degrees, east seven perches to a post; thence by land of William A. Lloyd, smith thirty-nine degrees, west eighty-eight perches, to low-water mark on the west branch of the Susquehanna River; thence down the courses and distances of the same, two hundred and ninety-three perches, to the place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby erected into n borough, which shall be called the borough of Northumberland."
FIRST TELEGRAPH.
'The first telegraph office in Northumberland was established by the Sus- quelmuna River and North and West Branch Telegraph Company, in 185], A. C. Goell, president; George M. Leslie, secretary; T. O. Van Allen, treasurer.
Mixs Agnes Forsyth, now Rev. Mrs. Isane Cornelison, was the first operator. Miss Forsyth was sneceeded as operator by her sister, Mury Alive Forsyth. The third operator was Miss Harriet Wenk. The present operator is Mr. J. J. Howell, who took charge in May, 1871.
The total receipts of this office, for the year ending June 30th, 1876, were four hundred and thirty-nine dollars and seventy-eight cents, of which five dollars and sixty cents were from other liues. The total number at messages sent was one thousand three hundred and twenty-four, of which thirty-six were half rate, and forty-seven dead hend.
EDUCATION,11 ..
The borough of Northumberland can hoast of one of the finest school buildings in the State. It is a brick structure, two stories high, and sixty- five by one hundred feet. It is located on Second street, in the eustern purt of town ; was ereeted in 1872, and cost, with the furnishings, nud ground on which it stands, ahout twenty-seven thousand dollars. The present superin- tendent is Prof. William M. Boal, and the corps of tenchers numbers ten. "There is no regularly organized high-school, but this waut is supplied by a higher department, in which some of the higher branches are taught.
The State School Law was adopted by the borough shortly after its pas- sage, in 1834. In 1871, the schools were graded, and the erection of the new building, in 1872, marked an era of improvement. Previous to this time, the place had but three small one-and-a-half story buildings. In 1875, the schools enrolled about six hundred and thirty pupils. The following gentlemen constitute the present Board of Eduention : William II. Leighow, president; Daniel Sterner, secretary; J. O. Tracy, William Elliott, Jacob Paul, nud John Seholvin.
The Presbyterian Church in Northumberland was established about the year 1789, and the first preacher of this denomination was Rev. Morrison. It is also supposed that he was the first English preacher who ever held ser- vice here.
About this time, a church edifice was erected, which was a log structure, and stood on the corner of King street and Church nlley. In 1841, it was superceded by a brick building, upon the same site. Its dimensions were forty by sixty feet, and cost abont four thousand dollars. It is now used as a town hall.
The First Presbyterian Church of the borough was organized in 1838, with twenty-seven members. The first pastor was John Patton. A Sunday- school was organized at the same time.
In 1844, a church edifice was built at n cost of abont six thousand five hundred dollars. In September, 1870, the two Presbyterian churches united, and the onion is now known as the First Presbyterian Church of Northumberland. The membership is about one hundred and seventy-five. There is also connected with the church n large and flourishing Sunday-school.
The Unitarian Church was organized in 1790, by Dr. Joseph Priestley, who was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Robert Christy. Until 1825, the church held services in the houses of other denomination, and io 1826 erected a brick church edifice at a cost of about one thousand dollars. The present membership is about forty, and Rey. H. D. Catlin is the present pastor. There is connected with the church a flourishing Suudny-school of about one hundred members. The library contains about six hundred volumes.
Lutheran Church,-About the year 1817, a Lutheran church edifice was erected in Northumberland, on the corner of Queen and Third streets. Quite a number of years previous, a church organization was effected. The first pastor was Rev. J. P. Shindel, who had bis residence at Sunbury, aud also supplied a church at that place.
In 1847, the church building was remodeled. The present church mem- bership is about one hundred and forty-three.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first church edifice of this denomination here, was a frame structure, built about the year 1820, at a cost of about two thousand dollars. It atorul ou Third street, between King and Orange. The present house of worship is a brick building, and was erected in 1856, and cost, including the lot on which it stands, ahout seven thousand dollars. The present pastor is Rev. George Warren. The present membership is something over three hundred.
The Sunday-school was organized in 1828, and now enrolls upwards of two hundred members. L. M. Morgan is the superintendent, there are about five hundred volumes in the library.
Baptist Church .- The Baptist Church was organized in 1841. Rev. D. C. Wait was one of the first preachers of this persuasion. The following gentle- men, among others, huve served this church as pastors: Rev. C. A. Hewitt, Rev. Mr. Davidson, and Rev. John S. Miller.
The first church building was ereeted in 1842, on the corner of Second and Queen streets. It was a small brick structure, costing abont one thousand five hundred dollars. In 1870, it was taken down, and the present beautiful brick-house of worship ererted on the same site. When completed, it is esti- tonted that its cost will be about nine thousand dollars. The church mem- bership is abont seventy, and the Sunday-school enrolls some fifty. The present pastor is Rev. David Williams.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church,-This church was organized in 1847, and the corner-stone of the church edifice was laitl on the 20th of October, of the same year. The building is a frame structure, and stands on the corner of Second and Queen streets. It was enlarged in 1875, nt a cost of four thou- sand dollars. Its original cost was about five hundred dollars.
The first rector was Rey. B. Wistar Morris, now Bishop of Oregon. The next rector was Rev. William B. Musgrave. After he ceased to officiate, a period of some twenty years followed, in which services were held from time to time by Rectors Lewis W. Gibson and Charles H. Van Dyne, und others, of St. Matthew's Church, Sunbury.
The next regular rector was Rev. William Moore. The last rector was Rev. Charles G. Adams, who served but n short time. The society at present (July 1876) has no rector. The membership numbers forty-six. The Sunday-school was organized at the same time with the church, and now numbers some seventy. The superintendent is J. O. Tracy.
First National Bank .- This Bank was organized September 29th, 1864, with a capital of une hundred thousand dollars. A. E. Kapp, president, and J. H. Jenkins, enshier. The Board of Directors consisted of A. E. Kapp, John MeFarland, D. M. Brautigam, A. H. Stone, John Taggart, D. G. Drieshach, W. Leighon, Joho Youngman, Renjamin Hummel, Isaac Bidelspaeh, J. B. Smith, D. G. Voris und Washington Lee, Jr.
They first occupied as their place of business, a room in the present resi- dence of Joseph Bird, on King street, which was formerly ocenpied by the old Bank of Northumberland.
The present officers are: J. W. Cake, president, and Fred. Rurkenbine, cashier. The present directors are: J. W. Cuke, A. H. Stone, W. T. Forsyth, S. A. Burkenbine, D. G. Driesbach, John Martin, S. R. Yearrick. The present bank building was erected in 1868, und occupies the south-east corner of King and Water streets.
Northumberland Iron and Nail Works .- This manufacturing establish- ment was erected in 1867, by Messrs. Vnu Allen & Co. The mill and fite- tory building is three hundred and five feet long, and sixty-five feet wide. The foundry, machine-shop and keg-factory, eighty feet long and thirty-four feet wide.
The establishment contaios seven single puddling-furnaces, one henting- furnace, one train of rolls, twenty-one nnil machines, with other necessary machinery for the manufacture of nails.
The product of these works is nails, nail-plate, mnek and serap-bars, and some sizes of bar-iron. The annual capacity is live thousand tons of muek- bar, and fifty thousand kegs of nails, A coal yard and store is also con- nected with the establishment. It gives employment to about one hundred and forty hands. The proprietors are T. O. Van Allen and G. M. Leslie.
Lumber Interests .- Quite ao extensive establishment for the manufacture of lumber, is locatedl here under the firm of Chamberlain, Frick & Co. The mill was built in 1866, and is fifty by one hundred feet. It has an annual capacity of bill lumber of about five million feet. It is located on the south- west corner of West Way and Sixth streets. The property of the firm is estimated at about forty thousand dollars.
The borough has also a large flooring-mill, built by D. A. Finney in 1874, . at ut cost of about nine thousand dollars. It hus a capacity of some twenty barrels per day.
The machine-shop of A. H. Stone is also an industry of considerable importance.
Hotels .- Northumberland is well supplied with hotels, of which the follow- ing are the principal ones, The Van Kirk House, on the north-west corner of Second and Queen streets. Charles F. Hess, proprietor.
The Burr House, on Kingstreet, between Second and Third. Jacob Hun- seeker, proprietor. The Eckert House, on Duke street opposite the dlepot. George E. Eckert, proprietor. Washington House, on the north-east corner of King and Railroad. J. F. Stamm, proprietor.
WATSONTOWN BOROUGH.
If we stand upon the high ground, which rises abruptly to the eastward of Liberty street, in Watsontown, we see at once the whole of the borough. Its length is unusually great, in proportion to the brendth, for the space between the river and the acelivity is but narrow, and therefore the inerense of the town must be made longitudinally.
The chimneys of the manufactories, and the spires of the four churches, stand out as promnoent objects, and then the leser buildings, and the trees,
and the water, fill the picture. The Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, and the West Branch Canal traverse the town lengthwise, and the river, sweep- ing down from Money, pusses io Troot and then trends away to the south- east.
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