USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania > Part 16
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
sistent boundary lines, and in order to rectify this discrepancy the line in question was again defined, September 30, 1779. As thus established, the southwest boundary of Northumberland, beginning on the Juniata at the terminus of a north line from the gap in Tuscarora mountain near Path val- ley, coincided with that river as far as Jack's Narrows, where it deflected to the north along the summit of the watershed between Kishocoquillas and Standing Stone creeks; from the head of the latter it extended westward along the summit of Tussey's mountain, the ridge separating Bald Eagle and Little Juniata, and Chestnut ridge to the head of the southwest branch of Bald Eagle, thence a direct course to the head of Moshannon creek, and down that stream to its junction with the West Branch. Considerable territory was thus added to this county.
Although a large county as originally formed, it is problematical whether Northumberland was the largest in the State at that date. If not of equal or greater extent, Bedford was certainly scarcely inferior in size, but West- moreland was formed from the latter in 1773, and from that time until 1795 the position of Northumberland as the most extensive subdivision of the State is uriquestioned. Its greatest proportions were attained in 1785, when, by the act of April 9th, all that part of the purchase of 1784 east of the Cone- wango creek and Allegheny river was placed within its limits. The county thus extended along the northern line of the State from Conewango creek to the line of Wayne county and from the Lehigh river to the Allegheny, with a maximum breadth equal to nearly two thirds that of the State. The extent of this region exceeds that of several States of the Union.
The first curtailment of this generous domain resulted from the erection of Luzerne county, September 25, 1786. West of the Susquehanna the first county to which Northumberland contributed was Mifflin, erected on the 19th of September, 1789, but the part taken from Northumberland, with additional territory from Northumberland and other counties, was erected into Centre, February 13, 1800. The formation of Lycoming county, April 13, 1795, deprived Northumberland of the large extent of territory acquired under the purchase of 1784, with a considerable part of its original area. The line of division was described as follows :---
From the Mifflin county line, on the summit of Nittany mountain, thence running along the top or highest ridge of the said mountain to where the White Deer Hole creek runs through the same; and from thence by a direct line, crossing the West Branch of Susquehanna at the mouth of Black Hole creek, to the end of Muncy hills; thence along the top of Muncy hills and the Bald mountain to the Luzerne county line.
Northumberland was thus reduced to the position of an interior county, and with the opening of the present century its original boundaries remained undisturbed only on the south. Bounded on the east by Luzerne, on the west by Centre, on the north by Lycoming, and on the south by Mifflin,
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ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
Dauphin, and Berks, its location with reference to the area of the State was nearly central. Although somewhat irregular in form, its proportions did not lack symmetry; its territory was nearly equally divided by the Susquehanna and the West Branch, while the location of the county seat was central to the population and conveniently accessible from all parts of the county by the natural highways of the region. But in the first decade of the century there was a marked increase in population, and with the growth of settle- ments at the extremities of the county arose the desire and necessity for further territorial subdivision. A movement for the erection of a new county seems to have taken definite shape in the region west of the Susque- hanna first; the agitation in the valley of the North Branch for the accom- plishment of a similar object was begun a little later, and in the pursuit of interests so closely allied the promoters of the two projects rendered mutual assistance. At length the popular will found expression in the election of State representatives favorable to division, and with friends at court the' desired end was consummated in the passage of two acts, erecting Columbia and Union counties, respectively, which were approved, March 22, 1813. To the former was assigned that part of the former area of Northumberland west of the Susquehanna and the West Branch; the boundaries of the latter were described as follows :-
Beginning at the nine-mile tree on the bank of the Northeast Branch of the Sus- quehanna, and from thence by the line of Point township to the line of Chillisquaque township; thenee by the line of Chillisquaque and Point townships to the West Branch of the river Susquehanna; thence up the same to the line of Lycoming county; thence by the line of Lycoming county to the line of Luzerne county; thence by the same to the line of Schuylkill county; thence along the same to the southwest corner of Cata- wissa township; thence by the line of Catawissa and Shamokin townships to the river Susquehanna; and thence down said river to the place of beginning.
The formation of two new counties had been effected, but not to the entire satisfaction of the dismembered territory. The townships of Chillis- quaque and Turbut had been separated from the parent county in opposition to the wishes of nine tenths of their inhabitants, who remonstrated strongly and at length secured their re-annexation to Northumberland county, Feb- ruary 21, 1815. The question had not reached a final adjustment, however; the real issue involved was the separation of sufficient territory from North- umberland to render Danville eligible as the county seat of Columbia, and on the 22d of January, 1816, that part of Turbut and Chillisquaque west of the following line was again annexed to Northumberland :-
Beginning at the corner of Point and Chillisquaque townships in the line of Columbia county; thence by the lines of said townships along the summit of Montour's mountain to where what is called "Strawbridge's road" crosses said mountain; thence by said road to where the road from Wilson's mills to Danville intersects said road; thence to the bridge over Chillisquaque creek at James Murray's; thence by what is called " Harrison's road" past Chillisquaque meeting-house to the corner of Turbut and Derry townships in the line of Lycoming county.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
This line constitutes the present eastern boundary of the county north of the river. A history of the roads mentioned is given in this work in the chapter on Internal Improvements. The location of these roads changed in course of time, and thus the line became a subject of dispute, greatly to the inconvenience of township officers in Northumberland and Montour counties. At length petitions were presented to the courts of both counties praying for a resurvey, in compliance with which a commission was ap- pointed, composed of George W. West, of Danville, A. J. Guffy, of Watson- town, and C. D. Eldred, of Muncy, by whom the line was resurveyed, February 22-25 and August 22-25, 1881. Their report,* showing the courses and distances of the line from the southwest corner of Montour county on Montour ridge to the line of Lycoming county, received the con- current approval of the courts of the respective counties, and is the author- itative description of the line in question.
The eastern boundary of the county south of the North Branch was run and marked in 1830 by Elias Hoyt and Joseph Whitacre, commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of April 7, 1830, whose report gives the following as its courses and distances :-
Beginning at the Susquehanna river at the mouth of Little Roaring creek; thence up said creek the several courses and distances thereof, establishing said creek as the boundary line, to a white oak tree by a spring at the head of said creek; thence east, following a ridge of land most of the way, seven hundred sixteen perches to a hemlock on Big Roaring creek; thence up said creek, the south branch thereof the several courses and distances thereof, establishing said creek as the division line, to Yarnall's path; and thence from a white oak on said path south twenty degrees east fourteen hundred perches to the line of Schuylkill county.t
The line of separation from Lycoming was established in 1795 by the formation of that county. On the west Northumberland includes the channel of the river, as the townships originally formed on the eastern side extended to the western bank. The southern boundary, originally estab- lished in 1772, was again defined by legislative enactment, April 17, 1795, by which the Governor was directed to appoint three commissioners for running and marking a line "Beginning at the forks of Mahantango and Pine creeks at the place called the Spread Eagle, and from thence north fifty-six degrees east until the same shall intersect the line dividing the counties of Berks and Northampton, and from thence the same course to the Lehigh creek; thence along the east bank of the said Lehigh creek to the head thereof; from thence a due north course to the boundary of the State." Northumberland and Luzerne counties were north and west of this line; Dauphin, Berks, and Northampton, south and east of it. As commissioners the Governor appointed Philip Myer, John Eckman, and John Reese; under date of June 1, 1796, they presented their account to the commissioners of
*Quarter Sessions Docket of Northumberland County, No. 1, December Sessions, 1880.
+Quarter Scsslons Docket of Northumberland County, April Sessions, 1831.
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ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
Northumberland county, from which it appears that the survey required forty days, at a total expense, including the services of the surveyors and their assistants, pack-horses, etc., of three hundred sixty-seven pounds, four shillings, nine and one half pence.
The present area of the county, as given in Smull's Legislative Handbook, is four hundred sixty-two square miles.
The following is a list of counties situated wholly or in part within the limits of Northumberland in 1785: Armstrong, Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Elk, Forest, Indiana, Jeffer- son, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mckean, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, and Wyoming-a total of twenty-eight. It is with eminent pro- priety, therefore, that Northumberland has been called the "Mother of Counties."
INTERNAL SUBDIVISION.
At the time of its erection the larger part of the present area of North- umberland county was included in Augusta township, Berks county, which extended eastward to the line of Northampton and embraced the incipient settlements about the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Sus- quehanna. The present line of Dauphin and Schuylkill, extended in a north- westerly direction, was the southwestern boundary of Augusta; and the tri- angular area inclosed by this line (then the line of division between Berks and Lancaster), Mahantango creek, and the Susquehanna river was part of Upper Paxtang township, Lancaster county.
On the 9th of April, 1772, at a court of private sessions of the peace, the county was divided into seven townships, for which the following boundaries were respectively established :-
Description of Penn's Township .- Beginning at the mouth of Mahantango on the west side of Susquehanna; thence with the county line up Mahantango creek to Meteer's spring; thence with the same line to the top of Tussey's mountain; thence along the top of the same easterly to Penn's creek and down Penn's creek to the mouth thereof at the head of the Isle of Que; thence down Susquehanna to the place of beginning.
Description of Augusta Township .- Beginning at the mouth of Mahantango on the west side of Susquehanna; thence with' the county line crossing Susquehanna to the mouth of Mahantango on the east side; thence with the same county line up Mahantango to the Spread Eagle in the forks of said Mahantango; thence with the said county line east-northeast to the old line formerly run for a division between Berks and Northampton counties; thence by the same old line northwest to the East Branch of Susquehanna; thence down the same to Fort Augusta; thence crossing Sus- quehanna and down the same to the place of beginning.
Description of Turbut Township .- Beginning on the east side of Susquehanna at Fort Augusta; thence /up the easterly side of the Northeast Branch to the old line formerly run for a division between Berks and Northampton counties; thence by the
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
same line northwest to the top of Muncy Hill; thence along the top of the same west- erly to the West Branch of Susquehanna, and crossing the same to the west side, and down the same to the junction of the branches, and crossing Susquehanna to the place of beginning so as to include the forks and island.
Description of Buffalo Township .- Beginning at the mouth of Penn's creek at the head of the Isle of Que; thence up the same to the forks; thence by a north line to the West Branch of Susquehanna; thence down the West Branch of Susquehanna to the forks; thence down Susquehanna to the place of beginning.
Description of Bald Eagle Township .- Beginning at the forks of Penn's creek; thence by a north line to the West Branch of Susquehanna; thence up the same to where the county line crosses it; thence by the county line south to the head of Little Juniata; thence down the same to the end of Tussey's mountain; thence along the top of the same easterly to the place of beginning.
Description of Muncy Township .- Beginning on the west side of the West Branch of Susquehanna opposite the end of Muncy Hill; thence up the West Branch to oppo- site the mouth of Lycoming; thence crossing the Branch up Lycoming to the head thereof; thence by a southeast line to the Muncy Hill; thence along the top of the same to the West Branch, and crossing it to the beginning.
Description of Wyoming Township .- Beginning at the heads of Lycoming; thence southeast to Muncy Hill; thence along the top of the same westerly to the old division line between Berks and Northampton ;* thence southeast along the same line to the present county line; thence by the lines of the county to the bounds of the present purchase near Chenango; thence westerly by the bounds of the present pur- chase to the beginning at the heads of Lycoming aforesaid.
The policy of the court in the formation of these subsidiary divisions was analagous to that of the legislature in the erection of the county. In both instances political autonomy was conferred upon territory vast in extent, comparatively unexplored or sparsely inhabited, and comprehended within vaguely defined boundaries. "Magnificent distances" were a characteristic of the various townships no less than of the county at large. Of the original townships east of the Susquehanna the smallest were Turbut and Muncy: Turbut included all of Northumberland and Montour counties north of the North Branch, with a portion of Columbia, while Muncy embraced that part of Lycoming between Lycoming creek and Muncy hills. Augusta, consisting of the present area of Northumberland and Montour south of the North Branch, with adjoining territory in Columbia and Schuylkill, ranked next in size. The most extensive was Wyoming, comprehending within its ample limits the whole of Luzerne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wyoming, and (probably) Sullivan counties, with portions of Bradford, Columbia, and Schuylkill. Of the three townships west of the Susquehanna, Penn's, embracing nearly the whole of Snyder county, with considerable adjacent territory, was the small- est; Buffalo included nearly the whole of Union, with the contiguous por-
* It is problematical winether this line was ever regarded as the western boundary of Wyom- ing. When Mahoning was formed in 1775 Fishing creek was declared its eastern limit; in 1785 Augusta is represented as extending "from the town of Sunbury till near the plains of Wyoming;" and Fishing Creek, formed in 1789 entirely from Wyoming, was bounded on the west by the stream of that name. When Wyoming was restricted to that part of its original territory north of the North Branch and east of Fishing creek can not be satisfactorily determined from existing county records.
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ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
tions of adjoining counties; while Bald Eagle comprised the extensive region west of Buffalo and northwest of Penn's.
The first change in the internal geography of the county was the forma- tion of Potter's township, May, 1774, from Penn's, Buffalo, and Bald Eagle. Sometimes it appears as "John Potter's township;" the name still retains political significance as applied to a township in Centre county.
East of the Susquehanna the disintegration of the extensive townships originally formed began in 1775. In the territory south of the North Branch the new township of Mahanoy was formed at February sessions in that year from the southern part of Augusta, with Mahanoy mountain as the boundary line. A decade elapsed before Augusta was again curtailed; but when, at August sessions, 1785, Catawissa was erected, the parent township was reduced to a comparatively narrow area with Gravel run as its eastern limit. Three years later Ralpho was formed from Catawissa, receiving a year after- ward the name of Shamokin; but Catawissa was still thirty miles long and fifteen miles wide, and Mifflin was formed from the eastern part of its terri- tory before the close of the century. Sunbury borough was erected into a township in 1803, and Mahanoy was divided at August sessions, 1806.
North of the North Branch the disintegrating process also began at Feb- ruary sessions, 1775, when Mahoning was erected from the southern part of Turbut, with Chillisquaque creek and Fishing creek as its northern and eastern limits, respectively. At February sessions, 1786, Point was formed from the southwestern part of Mahoning, and has retained its original bound- aries substantially unimpaired longer than any other subdivision of the county. At May sessions following Turbut was further reduced by the erection of Derry and Chillisquaque: the former was taken entirely from its territory, with "the road leading from Muncy Hill to Montgomery's mill" as the line of division; Mahoning contributed partly to the latter. The forma- tion of Luzerne county in 1786 divided the extensive township of Wyoming, and at August sessions, 1789, it was ordered that so much thereof as remained in Northumberland should receive the name of Fishing Creek. Green Brier Creek was formed from its southern part in 1797; in the following year a movement was made to divide Brier Creek, and Bloom was formed. At August sessions, 1799, Greenwood was erected from the northern part of Fishing Creek. In 1801 proceedings were instituted for the division of Mahoning, subsequently resulting in the formation of Hemlock. At April sessions, 1812, a third division of Fishing Creek was petitioned for; no decision was reached until January sessions, 1814, when Harrison was erected. This was the last case relating to the territory beyond the present limits of Northumberland county that was considered by her courts; and it is worthy of mention that popular choice ultimately overruled the decision of the court in this instance, as the township in question, the most northerly in Columbia county, now bears the name of Sugar Loaf. 1
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
In the meantime important developments were in progress west of the Susquehanna in the extensive region within the jurisdiction of the county courts. White Deer township was erected at February sessions, 1776, com- prising that part of the former area of Buffalo north of Buffalo and Spruce creeks. It thus extended along the West Branch from the mouth of Buffalo creek to Bald Eagle township; and within the next decade the population had increased sufficiently to warrant the inhabitants north of White Deer mountain in asking separate municipal privileges, which were accordingly conferred, the new township receiving the name of Washington at August sessions, 1785. At this time Bald Eagle extended through Clinton and Cen- tre counties a distance of seventy miles, and was, with the exception of Wyoming, the largest subdivision of the county. Three townships were formed from its original territory at May sessions, 1786, under the respective names of Nippenose, Bald Eagle, and Upper Bald Eagle. Penn's was con- siderably curtailed by the erection of Beaver Dam and Mahantango, the for- mer at February sessions, 1787, the latter at April sessions, 1795, but this was partly compensated at February sessions, 1789, by the annexation of that part of Buffalo within the forks of Penn's creek and the Susquehanna. At the last mentioned term of court that part of Potter's remaining in North- umberland county after the formation of Mifflin received the name of Haines. West Buffalo was erected at August sessions, 1792; Centre, (from Penn's,) at August sessions, 1804; and Hartley, (from West Buffalo,) at April ses- sions, 1811.
North of the West Branch the purchase of 1784 and subsequent legis- lation extended the administration of the county courts over a vast territory. At August sessions, 1785, a petition was presented setting forth the absolute necessity that this territory should be organized "for the purposes of order and a civil state of society," and praying the court "to erect that part between Lycoming and Pine creeks, being near fifteen miles, into one town- ship; and from Pine creek upwards into another township;" which was accordingly done, the former receiving the name of Lycoming, and the latter that of Pine Creek. In this same region Loyalsock was formed at Feb- ruary sessions, 1786, from that part of Muncy above Loyalsock creek.
In 1786, when the county extended from the Lehigh river on the east to the Allegheny on the west, with the line of New York as its northern bound- ary, there were twenty-one townships within its comprehensive limits, the names of which were as follows: Augusta, Buffalo, Bald Eagle, Catawissa, Chillisquaque, Derry, Loyalsock, Lycoming, Mahanoy, Mahoning, Muncy, Nippenose, Penn's, Pine Creek, Point, Potter's, Turbut, Upper Bald Eagle, Washington, White Deer, and Wyoming. The county was deprived of nearly the whole of Wyoming township by the erection of Luzerne in 1786; the whole of Upper Bald Eagle and half of Potter's were embraced in Mif- flin at its organization in 1789; and after the formation of Lycoming and
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ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
Centre, in 1796 and 1800, respectively, Muncy, Loyalsock, Lycoming, Pine Creek, Nippenose, and Bald Eagle were also beyond its limits.
The counties of Columbia and Union were organized in 1813: twelve townships-Bloom, Brier Creek, Catawissa, Chillisquaque, Derry, Fishing Creek, Greenwood, Hemlock, Mahoning, Mifflin, Sugar Loaf, and Turbut- were apportioned to Columbia; nine-Beaver, Buffalo, Centre, Hartley, Ma- hantango, Penn's, Washington, West Buffalo, and White Deer-to Union; leaving to the "Mother. of Counties" but six-Augusta, Lower Mahanoy, Point, Shamokin, Sunbury, and Upper Mahanoy. Turbut and Chillisquaque were reannexed to Northumberland in 1815, as previously stated in this chapter.
In the political development of the county since the year 1813 that part of its territory south of the North Branch has been principally affected. Four large townships-Augusta, Shamokin, Upper and Lower Mahanoy --- with the borough of Sunbury, comprised this territory at that date. Little Mahanoy was formed in August, 1813, from Augusta and Shamokin, extend- ing longitudinally across the county from near the Susquehanna to the Schuylkill line, with Upper and Lower Mahanoy on the south the entire dis- tance. In August, 1819, Rush was erected from the northern part of Sham- okin, receiving its name in compliment to Benjamin Rush, the distinguished physician, and Jacob Rush, first president judge in this county under the constitution of 1790. January 6, 1836, Jackson was formed from Upper and Lower Mahanoy, with Middle creek as part of its eastern limits. Its south- western boundary was identical with the present northeastern line of Lower Mahanoy. In November, 1837, Coal was formed from Shamokin and Little Ma- hanoy; the latter was thus restricted to its present area, while the new township became one of the most extensive in the county at that date. Cameron was formed from its territory in 1851; Zerbe, March 11, 1853, and Mt. Carmel, in 1855. Jordan was formed in August, 1852, from that part of Jackson and Upper Mahanoy south of Jacob's ridge; these two townships also con- tributed to the territory of Washington in 1856. After a long continued agitation, Augusta was divided in 1846; Limestone valley was transferred from the lower to the upper division, November 4, 1846, and Rockefeller was formed from the eastern part of Lower Augusta, May 7, 1880. Three years later (February 5, 1883), Shamokin was divided and Ralpho erected from that part of its former territory adjacent to Columbia county. Gearhart was erected from the northern part of Rush, September 10, 1890.
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