USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 2
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It will be noticed that this differs some- what from our statement, that in 1794 Mr. Priestley sent Molyneux, Bird and Warren to make a clearing at the Forks. It is proper, therefore, to give our authority, who was Moses Rogers (father of Judge Rogers), and whose statement was made to the writer many years ago, and taken down by him at the time in writing, which mem- orandum is still preserved. Those who knew Moses Rogers will attach great weight to his statement, for he was a clear-headed, truthful man, and had an excellent mem- ory. We will quote still farther from M .. Pardoe's interesting history: "I under-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
stand that in coming here these settlers came over the mountain from Muncy, past Abram Webster's and struck the Loyalsock at or below Hillsgrove. It is told that they forded the Loyalsock thirteen times from Hillsgrove up. That everything had to be packed on horseback or on their own backs, and as horses were scarce they frequently had to go on foot to Muncy, their nearest trading place (only thirty miles), and bring back what few store goods they were com- pelled to use. The mortar and pestle was the only mill they had for years."
These pioneers selected lands on the Little Loyalsock adjoining each other. Although William Molyneux apparently pur- chased his land in 1794, the land was not conveyed to him until january 18, 1803. The Molyneux farm had a large amount of bottomn land. The village of Millview now stands on this tract.
After the clearing was made for Priestly at the Forks, Molyneux commenced clear- ing on his own land. He built a cabin on the opposite side of the creek from where Millview stands. He lived there several years without his family. One day while attending a deer-killing at the creek, on his return he found no cabin-it had taken fire and burned up. He then built a house of hewn logs, near the present site of the Molyneux sawmill, and having made a house that seemed comfortable, returned to Eng- land for his family. His wife died before his return, but he brought three of his chil- dren with him, viz .: John, Thomas and Elizabeth. Edward was left at that time; but came afterward. He built the third house on the bank of Strong's Run in the limits of the present village of Millview, and only a few yards south of the Molyneux homestead. Elizabeth kept house for her father until she was married to William
Snell some years afterward. William Moly- neux and his son John then kept house for themselves until 1823, when John married Martha Saddler. William Molyneux lived until 1848, and died in his eighty-ninth year.
The land of John Warren adjoined the Molyneux land, being the next farm up the Little Loyalsock creek. Warren's first house stood about half way between the present residence, formerly the Warren homestead, and the creek, on a bench of land near where an old log building stood until a short time ago. The second house was built just across the road from the present residence on that farm, which was the third and last Warren homestead. John Warren died April 17, 1813, being the first of the original settlers to pass away. His good wife, Mary Ward Warren, the first woman who came there, lived until May 14, 1840. The Warren farm is now owned by the descendants of William Molyneux and Powell Bird.
The land of Powell Bird adjoined the Warren land, and still farther up the creek still goes by his name. It is now owned and occupied by his grandson, John K. Bird. The first house built by Powell Bird stood only a few rods from the residence of John K. Bird, across the mountain brook which runs between the house and the barn, and nearer Bird's creek than the present residence. Powell Bird died April 13, 1829. His wife, Lydia Hannant Bird, died Jan- uary 29, 1832. Powell Bird's descendants are numerous and have always been among the most substantial and respected citizens of the county.
Thomas Huckell brought his family to the Forks in 1797. He had contracted with Priestly for four hundred acres of land lying on both sides of the Loyalsock at the
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
Forks. He lived only one year after he came there, and his widow being unable to complete the payments due on the land, surrendered to Priestly that part of the tract which lies on the side of the creek now occupied by the business part of Forks- ville. The part which she retained was afterwards owned by her grandson, D. T. Huckell. The homestead on which the widow resided until her death was on the left side of Little Loyalsock, about a fourth of a mile from the church. Daniel T. Huckell, grandson of Thomas Huckell, was accidentally killed a few years ago. He was a man of fine talents, and extensive information, active in all good works. He was one of the most eloquent public speak- ers who ever resided in this county.
The farm in Hillsgrove where Wheeler Green now lives, was settled on in 1793 by .John Huckell. It is not known whether or not he was connected with others in the county of the same name. The old settlers called him " the little Englishman." He was not successful. His wife and two daughters died. He then started to go back to England but took sick and died at Muncy. His son, an officer in the British ariny, had started to bring his father home, but contracted a fever and died on the ship. In 1796 Joseph Huckell settled on the land below Hillsgrove. His son, Benjamin Huckell, who was an excellent farmer and a inan of great intelligence and influence, succeeded to the farm, and lived there all his life. He raised a large family and has many descendants. The Snell farm, now owned by Ezra S. Little, on Elk creek, was first settled by Joseph Warren about 1796. John Snell purchased the land in 1833. Mrs. Ezra S. Little, a daughter of John Snell, has lived on the farm since 1837.
THE GENESEE ROAD.
The Genesee road was opened about the year 1800-so called because it afforded the first road for emigrants from southern Penn- sylvania to the rich valley of the Genesee river, New York. This road ran from Muncy (then- called Pennsburg), passing the house of William Ellis, on Wolf Run, and of Abraham Webster, near Hunterville; thence over the Alleghany by Highland lake and down the Ogdonia creek to the Loyal- sock; thence up that stream, passing Hill's to Elk creek, which it followed to Lincoln Falls; thence over the ridge to King's creek, which it followed for some distance, then turned eastward, passing Eldred's and went over Burnett's Ridge and down Millstone Run to Shrader's Branch and down that to Towanda creek, where it connected with other roads to Tioga river.
AT THE FORKS.
In 1802, Samuel Rogers, Sr ; purchased the one hundred and fort: acres of land surrendered by the widow of Thomas Huck- ell, and made considerable improvements. His sons, Samuel, William and Jonathan, erected a woolen factory, which stood a few rods below the bridge, on the south side of the creek. The factory was in operation until 1816, when it was swept away by a flood. The Rogers family had been engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in Eng- land, and thoroughly understood the busi- ness of making cloth. Previous to the es- tablishment of this factory each family in this region had done its own spinning and weaving. The factory proved a great help to the neighborhood by giving employment to people, and making a ready market for their wool. When the war of 1812 came, they obtained contracts from the government to furnish kersey cloth for the army. Sev-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
eral teams were constantly employed in transporting their goods to Philadelphia, and bringing back raw material. So thor- ough was the destruction of this factory by the raging stream that nothing remained to . show the place where it had stood except a single log imbedded in the gravel at the bottom of the creek. The only thing ever found of the building and its contents was a dye kettle which was discovered some months after the flood in a deep hole about a mile below the Forks.
Samuel Rogers, Sr., brought a family of ten children to the Forks. His youngest son, Moses, who was born in 1806, took the land after his father's death, and occupied it for many years. He laid out the village of Forksville in 1854, and lived to see it a prosperous town. He was a quiet, unob- trusive, but highly intelligent man, who was greatly respected in the county. He died in February, 1879. His sons were Saddler S., M. Austin, Isaac, J. Wesley and Will- iam. Saddler S. is now acting as county commissioner; M. Austin was an associate judge of the county for five years; J. Wes- ley Rogers is an acting justice of the peace; William Rogers enlisted in the army, and was killed in the service; W. C. Rogers, a grandson of Moses, has served as a repre- sentative in the Pennsylvania legislature.
The first store started in Forksville was in 1848, by Alonzo Potter, in the old school- house. The next year, having built a new store, his goods were removed to it. In 1850 he sold out to William J. Eldred, who continued the business until 1853. In 1855, M. A. Rogers, having erected a new store building, commenced the mercantile busi- ness, which he has continued to conduct until the present time, and has probably been longer in business than any other merchant in the county.
Soon after the first improvements were made at the Forks, Priestly sent a good many settlers to the Elklands. Among them were William Snell, William King, William Bingley, Edward J. Eldred, James Ecroyd, Jesse Haines, David Thomas, Jonathan Hartly, Joel McCarty, Francis Boyles and Charles Mullen. The name of Elklands was adopted at an early day, because elk were found in that region.
William King came to America about 1799, being then about twenty-six years of age. He stopped at Northumberland a short time and then went to Elkland to work for Ecroyd. About the year 1803 he bought the land now occupied by George WV. Glidewell and built a cabin a few rods south of a fine flowing spring. As he was unmarried, he sent to Northumberland for his father and mother to come and live with him. Their names were Thomas and Esther King, and they brought with them their youngest daughter, Sarah, who after- wards married George Bird. In 1817 they built a better house. Esther King died in 1832 and her husband died some time be- fore. Two years after the death of his mother, William married Polly Crandal, and lived with her until the time of his death in 1852. William King left no chil- dren, but his brothers and sisters have numerous descendants still living.
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William Snell made the first clearing on the land since occupied by Robert and James Hart. William Bingley made his commencement on the farm since owned by Joseph Whitely. . Bingley's house had a panel door,-the first ever seen in Elkland.
Charles Mullan first settled the land now known as the " Peck place." David Thomas went to Elk Lake, which was then called Thomas' Lake. Francis Grange was also an early settler, and exceedingly do-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
mestic. In 1828 he went to Northumber- land to make a payment on his land, and he then told Joseph Priestly. Jr., that he had been married forty years, and that was the first time he had passed a night away from his wife. It is stated that he lived with his wife for seventy years, and that both lived until they were upwards of nine- six years of age.
James Ecroyd, who commenced an im- provement near Hillsgrove, removed to Elkland about 1800 and built a sawmill and gristmill, under one roof, on King's creek. This creek was also called Mill creek. He and Jesse Haines were Quakers, and influenced others of that denomination to move there.
Joel McCarty was born on the 16th of December, 1771. His wife, Ellen, was born on the 14th of May, 1781. They were married in 1798, and had one child, Aaron, when they moved to Elkland, in 1801, and took up land near Elk lake. He made one of the best farms in Elkland town- , ship. At an early day he made a profitable business in hunting panthers and wolves. There was a bounty of eight dollars on each wolf killed, which was afterwards raised to twelve dollars. Mr. McCarty had a family of eleven children, and his descendants set- tled around him until it was called the Mc- Carty settlement. Many of his descendants remain in the county.
FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE.
David Thomas, James Eckroyd, Jesse Haines, Ezra Haynes and Joel McCarty were active in erecting a Friends' meeting house in that vicinity. This meeting house was in use previous to 1805, and was located north- west of Eldredsville, and a half mile south of Ecroyd's settlement, on lands afterwards taken up by Thomas Baker, and now in-
cluded in the farm owned and occupied by Mahlon C. Mercur. The old road leading to the church has been for some time va- cated; a thicket of small timber has grown up around the site. The scattered stone from the fallen chimney marks the place of its location, and a noble spring of water is very near the stone pile. Near the point now known as Lincoln Falls a settlement was made prior to 1800 by Joseph Reeves.
CONDITIONAL SETTLERS.
The first twelve settlers in Elkland were each granted one hundred and fifty acres of land free of cost, on the following condi- tions: First, that they would within one year build a substantial log house, com- pletely clear, fence and improve ten acres in five years,-only one family to settle on a tract of four hundred acres, -and they were to have the privilege of purchasing the remainder of the tract at two dollars and fifty cents per acre; hence the first set- tlers were at some distance from each other.
Francis Bull, who was a carpenter, married a daughter of Robert Lambert. The Bull farm was long the home of Joseph Pardoe, and was afterward owned by Barton Luther. In 1825 Charles Mullan erected at his own expense, in Elkland, a house to be used for school, scientific and religious purposes, which was for many years the. central place for religious and educational gatherings in that township. Miss Zelpha Mason taught the first school in this build- ing. The next winter James Green, an Englishman, taught, and later Nehemiah Ross, and a Mr. Woodruff, from Monroton.
FOX SETTLEMENT.
A number of settlers went farther west into the territory since known as Fox town- ship. They were induced to go by the gift
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
of one hundred acres of land to each family. Among the first who went there, were Joseph, Amos, John, Jonathan and Samuel Hoagland; Philip, Anthony and Henry Kil- mer; Brumley and Thomas Williams; Arch- elaus Luce, and Marshall Battin.
Philip Kilmer was of German descent, born in the Mohawk valley, New York, about 1781, and moved from there to Fox town- ship with oxen and wagons. He and his two sons, Anthony and Henry (who were of age), were three of the first ten settlers in . the township who each received the gift of one hundred acres of land from the land- owner. His other children were Charles, Martha, Rosina, Philip, Jr., Peter, Hannah and George. At the time of their settle- ment, the nearest gristmills were at Muncy and Canton. A. B. Kilmer, a grandson of Philip Kilmer, Sr., is now a resident of the township and is a justice of the peace.
The settlement established there was composed chiefly of Friends, and the name of Fox was given to it, in memory of George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends. A Friends' meeting house of hewn logs was built near the present Fox Center.
Marshall Battin cleared a large farm and was a leading man in the new settlement. He was a consistent Friend and contributed largely to build the Quaker meeting house. His sons, so far as we have their names, were Joseph, John, Joshua, Reuben and Samuel. These sons reinained in the county, were good farmers, and substantial citizens, and have many descendants. John Battin held the office of county commissioner for three years.
In 1805 an English traveler named Robert Sutcliff visited Elkland, and a few extracts from his journal will serve to illus- trate life in Elkland at that period:
"Twefth month, 13th, I spent the after-
noon at Jesse Haines', whose family were busily employed in making maple sugar. J. H. is a minister in good esteem, has an agreeable wife and a group of fine children who have plenty of employment in clearing and cultivating his plantation in the wilder- ness; which, however, appears to be an ex- cellent soil, and the situation being dry and healthy, on a rising ground, there is every probability that at some future day this may become a property of great value.
"Twelfth month, 14th, I visited at E. H.'s (Ezra Haines, afterward of West Chester), a nephew of J. H.'s. He, with his wife and one fine child, had but lately come into this country, and had cleared only a few acres, but which appeared to be well managed and very productive. He had just nailed up the skin of a large bear against the side of his house. He had shot . the beast while in the act of seizing one of his hogs, having been led to the scene of action by the shrieks of the poor animal while under the rude embraces of the bear. By E. H.'s attention the tables were quick- ly turned in favor of the hog, which was rescued and was in a fair way of recovering from his wounds.
" Twelfth month, 15th, I attended Elk- land's meeting. During the sitting of it, a company of hunters came in and, leaving their rifle guns at the door, behaved in a becoming manner until the meeting was broke up.
" Twelfth month, 16th. I spent this day at my relation's. In the course of it I saw two of his men cut down a hemlock tree, which is a species of pine. This tree was four yards in circumference, and fifty yards in length; yet it was of but little value here. The timber which most abounds on this farm is the sugar maple, the beech, the locust and oak. This day I saw a fam-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
ily from near Derby, England, of the name of Lambert, who I understood were likely to do well.
"Twelfth month, 17th, I rode from Elkland to Muncy, across the Alleghany mountains, in company with J. H. and one of his neighbors. When near the top of the Alleghany mountains, we passed the company of hunters who had attended the meeting at Elklands. The principal objects of their pursuit were deer, although they had no objections to meeting with a bear or a wolf. In passing down the Alleghany mountains we came near the house of a man of the name of Webster who had killed thirty-six bears the last season."
Edward J. Eldred came to Elkland in 1800. He was from London, England, had studied law, and been admitted to the bar; afterward engaged in business as a whole- sale tea merchant, in which he was not very successful. He decided to come to America in 1798, and was two and a half months on the ocean. After staying some time in New Jersey and in Kingston, Pennsylvania, he went to Northumberland. with letters of in- troduction to Joseph Priestly, Jr., who in- duced him to go to Elkland as his agent.
At first he lived in a log house belong- ing to William King, Sr., but as soon as possible went on the land he had purchased from Priestly, and erected a comfortable frame house thereon. In this house he afterward entertained many travelers who were passing through on their way to the Genesee county. He soon became a lead- ing man in that section, surveyed, and sold land, wrote deeds, wills and contracts, viewed and laid out roads. When the needy re- quired assistance he was among those who rendered aid, as may be seen by an agree- ment in his handwriting which shows the kind feelings of other early settlers toward
each other and their willingness to give as- sistance to the unfortunate. The agreement is as follows:
To the Men of Elklands :
Since one of our number, Edward Jones, has the misfortune to be afflicted with lame- ness, and consequently unable to do that for himself which the situation of a settler in this country requires; under these circum- stances it is but a fellow-feeling to give our assistance, for we are all liable to the like affliction. It is therefore suggested that we should, as many of us as are so disposed, meet together at Edward Jones' house, on the first Monday in April (taking our own provisions along), there to cut over for him a piece of woods; and should his lameness continue, then to meet again at his house, on the first Monday in May, to log off and clear the said piece for planting.
[Signed] EDWARD j. ELDRED, DAVID BARRINGTON, WILLIAM MOLYNEUX, PETER DOMINIQUE, JONATIIAN FRISBEY, POWELL BIRD.
March, 1801.
When the first death occurred in Elk- land, in 1802, -the death of Felix Powell, -Mr. Eldred was called to make an address at the funeral. On the 29th of March, 1808, Edward J. Eldred was appointed a justice of the peace, and from his well-kept docket, which is now in the hands of Ulysses Bird, Esq., many interesting facts have been obtained. All the marriages solemnized by him are there recorded, and attested by the signatures of witnesses .. present. All certificates that were given for bounty on wild animals killed are noted, and we find, among others, that John Youns, Joseph Reeves, John Rogers and Samuel Bill each killed a panther; that George Bird killed seventeen wolves, Joel McCarty six wolves, and William Molyneux, Aaron McCarty, John McCarty, Powell
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
5
Bird and John Snell each killed one wolf. All of these animals were killed in that vicinity within fourteen years.
The first school in the county that we have any record of was commenced in 1804 in a log house owned by John Warren. The teacher was named John Bull, and, as his name indicated, he was a stalwart Eng- lishman. He conducted his school on a strict and summary method. Though a severe disciplinarian, Mr. Bull did great serv- ice from 1804 to 1811. He taught wher- ever he could obtain scholars. Provision was made by the settlers for the tuition of children whose parents were too poor to pay the teacher. The docket of Esquire Eldred records an affidavit, dated April 24, 1811, in which John Bull gave the names of those who were unable to pay .- evidently for the purpose of obtaining payment from a fund provided for that purpose.
AT THE FORKS.
In 1816 Mrs. Sarah Huckell conveyed half an acre of land to Samuel Rogers, Powell Bird and William King, trustees of the Loyalsock school. The 4th of July that year was celebrated by a bee for clearing off the land for a school-house. The building was completed, and a school commenced on the Ist of December, 1816, John Warbur- ton being the teacher. This was the first building erected especially for school pur- poses in Sullivan county.
In 3819 an organization was formed es- tablishing a Sunday-school in the Elklands. The agreement, which is still preserved, shows that it was the work of very intelli- gent men. It provided for a Sunday-school to commence at eight or nine o'clock in the morning, with an intermission of two hours, and to close at four or five o'clock in the afternoon. In the intermission preaching
was allowed by ministers of various denom- inations. The pupils in the Sunday-school were to be taught reading, writing, and the fundamental rules of account. The mem- bers of the association were to act as teach- ers in turn: The signers of this agreement were William Russell, E. J. Eldred, James Royle, John Snell, William King, Francis Bull, Francis Boyles, Joseph Pardoe, John Raper, Thomas Baker, John Grange, Charles Mullen. Richard Snell, James Hardy, John Huckell and John King. A library of excellent books was contributed by John Vauglin, of Philadelphia. Afterward the 'members themselves assisted annually to increase the library. This school was main- tained for twenty-three years, and during this period Edward J. Eldred and William and John King served as three of the five members of the executive committee; Jo- seph Pardoe, and John Snell having served part of the time. Charles Mullen was librarian for a number of years.
The condition of the country and the people in 1818 was described by Thomas Merideth, a land agent who traveled through the settlements. He said: "The settle- ments were few and scattered and the roads poor; they were so narrow that the branches of the trees interlocked and formed a shade impenetrable to the sun. The bridges were composed of round logs or poles thrown carelessly down with the bark on and open- ings between them. The poorer class of people, with whom I had much to do, re- sided in log cabins-dark, smoky and cold. The furniture was of the rudest kind-a bench for a seat, a deal board for a table, a couple of sticks set in the logs, and tough bark cut in strips and crossed for the straw bed to rest upon. This was a luxury; it was more common to lie on the floor on a straw bed, often wrapped in a blanket. I
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
have seen fifteen to twenty men, women and children crammed into one room in this manner. As mills were at a distance, flour was a rarity. The family frequently lived for a length of time on pounded corn, milk and potatoes with venison, if the good man could find time to kill it."
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