History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 178

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 178

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).

999

LOWER CHANCEFORD

teen years; Jacob Kehm, Jacob Ziegler. persons who slip off and leave them as soon Rev. I. S. Weisz was the pastor until 1894.

The first Lutheran preacher known to have ministered here was Rev. Albert, who was then pastor at Hanover. Rev. A. G. Deininger succeeded him and preached fifty-two years. Rev. Daniel Sell was pas- appointed John Sample, Patrick Purdy and tor for many years.

The church erected in 1845 was used as a house of worship by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations of this vicinity until 1888, when the Lutheran congrega- tion withdrew and built a church nearby. In 1892 the Reformed congregation still occupying the old church building, decided to erect a new one. Meantime the pastor, Rev. I. S. Weisz, died, and the church was completed and dedicated in 1894 under the pastorate of Rev. O. P. Schellhamer. This building, constructed of brick, cost $15,000. It

was dedicated as Trinity Reformed Church, but is still familiarly known as "Pidgeon Hill Church." The congregation contains over 300 members.

Christ Lutheran Church was erected about a quarter of a mile north of the original church, in 1888. It is a handsome brick structure, built at a cost of several thousand dollars. Rev. Daniel Sell was the pastor of the congregation at this time. He was succeeded by Daniel Stock, L. K. Sechrist and Fred. A. Geesey, who was the pastor in 1907. The congregation has a membership of about 300.

Pleasant Hill German Baptist Church is situated in Jackson Township on the road leading from Menges Mills northward to the Gettysburg turnpike. The church was built in 1904. The preachers at this place are Moses Mummert and David Hoff, and the membership is increasing in numbers.

LOWER CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP.

The Township of Lower Chanceford was surveyed in 1805. A petition signed by a large number of citizens of Chanceford set forth

"That your Petitioners have, for a long time, labored under many disadvantages arising from the great length and contracted breadth of our township; many of our citi- zens never attend the township meetings; the supervisors cannot examine into the state of the roads; our collectors also fail in collecting the several taxes from transient

as they hear of the collectors being in the neighborhood. These, with other reasons have induced your Petitioners that a divi- sion of Chanceford Township be made."

The court, John Joseph Henry, presiding, James Gordon, commissioners, to view and make the division.

The surveyor, Jesse Cornelius, wanted the upper section called "Sharron" and the lower part retain the name Chanceford. The viewers wanted the upper section named "Centre". The same difference of opinion prevailed among the citizens, whereupon the court decided on the names which these districts now bear. According to the draft when the division was made, Lower Chanceford contains fifty-two and one-half square miles or 33,600 acres. The southwest end of the division line began at a chestnut tree along Muddy Creek on the land of James Gibson, and from thence ex- tended in a direct line northeast seven and four-fifth miles to a point thirty rods above Burkholder's Ferry.

The eastern part of the township, as at present formed, is drained by Otter Creek, Saw Mill Run, first called by Maryland sur- veyors John's Run, and other smaller tribu- taries of the Susquehanna; the western part by Orson's Run, Tom's Creek and other smaller tributaries to the Muddy Creek, which stream washes the entire southern and western boundaries and separates this township from Fawn, Hopewell and Peach Bottom. The York and Peach Bottom Ferry Road, laid out in 1748, diagonally crosses Lower Chanceford on the watershed which separates tributaries of the Susque- hanna from those of the Muddy Creek.

These streams furnish a plentiful irriga- tion and excellent water power for the numerous mills. The cereals are grown with success in Lower Chanceford. Since 1860, more wheat is grown to the acre than was raised on ten acres during the preceding half century. Since 1875, tobacco has been cul- tivated. It is one of the most important farming products. The land grows an ex- cellent quality and yields abundantly.

In 1820, Lower Chanceford had a popu- lation of 965; in 1830, 1,051; 1840, 1,232; 1850, 1,637; 1860, 2,150; 1870, 2,306; 1880, 2,471 ; 1890, 2,512; 1900, 2,345.

1000

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Chanceford Chanceford Presbyterian Church. Church is situated a short distance southeast of the vil- lage of Airville, and its early history was intimately con- nected with the Slate Ridge Church, of Peach Bottom Township, the two con- gregations being served by the same pastors for many years. The exact time curately ascertained, though references are made to it in official records as early as 1751. The first settlers of this interesting section were a worthy class of Scotch-Irish, many of whose descendants are now mem- bers of the church. The first house of wor- ship was known as the "tent," which was removed and a substantial church built in 1850.

Rev. John Strain was installed pastor in 1762 and served until his death in 1774. Rev. John Slemons 'was installed in 1781, and served the congregation until 1799. Rev. Samuel Martin, D. D., was installed in Lower Chanceford congregation was or- ganized March 26, 1771, by Rev. John Cuth- bertson, the first Covenanter minister in this country as a Covenanter or Reformed Presbyterian congregation. 1799 and remained until 1845, when he died. Rev. John Farquhar was ordained and in- stalled in 1846 and remained until his death in 1866. He was highly educated, and some of his published sermons and other writings The services were held at the house of Daniel St. Clair, on the farm now owned by Jesse Gilbert. William Gabby and Daniel St. Clair were ordained as ruling elders. There had, however, been preaching ser- vices held more or less regularly for twenty possess high merit. Sketches of the clergy- men preceding him will be found in the his- tory of Slate Ridge Church in Peach Bottom Township. The next pastor was Rev. Robert Gamble, who was installed in April, 1867, and served until September 20, 1882. Rev. years previous to this time. Among the first

C. B. Cross was installed in 1883. He was a graduate of Princeton. The congregation built a fine stone church in 1885, near the former church, at a cost of $17,000.

The parsonage is located near the church, surrounded by ten acres of church land. The congregation is large and composed of in- telligent and prosperous people. In the ad- joining cemetery rest the remains of the former members of the church, including a number of Revolutionary patriots.

Rev. C. B. Cross retired from the pastor- ate of this congregation in 1889, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Polk, 1890-1893; Rev. James Drummond, 1893-1900; Rev. Albert E. Stuart, 1901.

United

Presbyterian

Church.

The United Presbyterian Church traces its origin to Scotland. It is a lineal de- scendant of both the Cove- approved the union.

Presbyterian nanter or Reformed Presbyterian and the Associate Presbyterian churches. When immigrants came to America, many of both these churches settled in the same neighborhood. As they believed prac- tically the same fundamental truth, many in these churches felt that a union would be a great advantage. Efforts, extend- ing over several years, were made in of its organization could not be ac- this direction, which resulted in their union

in 1782, at Pequa, Lancaster County, form- ing the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, taking the names of both the churches. But, as sometimes happens, in- stead of forming one church, it resulted in three. All the ministers of the Reformed Presbyterian church joined the union but some of the congregation did not, so that it was still continued as a church. Only a part of the ministers and congregations of the Associate Church went into the union, hence the Associate Reformed Church was still maintained.

names mentioned by Mr. Cuthbertson in his diary soon after his arrival in this country were those of William Wilson and Hugh Ross. John Duncan and John Reed seem to have settled in this neighborhood about the year 1760, whose descendants re- side in Lower Chanceford. Mr. Cuthbert- son was a Scotchman. He had labored in the north of Ireland for a few years, and came to this country in 1751, and labored faithfully till his death, March 10, 1791. His last sermon was probably preached at William Maughlin's, September 20, 1790. He baptized John Maughlin in 1788. Mr. Cuthbertson has been styled a famous mis- sionary, a name which he justly deserved. At the time of the union referred to above Lower Chanceford became an Associate Re- formed Presbyterian congregation, having

IOOI

LOWER CHANCEFORD

The Rev. Charles Campbell, of Ireland, Reformed Church already referred to, some became pastor in 1801. He was the first of the members thought to unite with regularly installed pastor. He gave two- Guinston Associate congregation and se- thirds of his time to Lower Chanceford and cure, if possible, a part of the pastor's time, one-third of his time to Hopewell. These the Rev. Alexander Gordon, in Lower two congregations were in one pastoral Chanceford. Arrangements were made to charge till 1858. He remained about four this effect and quite a number joined the years when he died, and was buried in Associate church and Mr. Gordon gave them Lower Chanceford.

Rev. Josiah Wilson, of Ireland, became pastor of Lower Chanceford and Hopewell in 1808 and remained about four years, until his death. He was buried in the old ceme- tery at Hopewell. Mr. Wilson lived on the farm near Muddy Creek Forks, later owned by Francis Grove whose wife was a granddaughter of Mr. Wilson.

In 1810 there were eight elders in this session. After Mr. Wilson's death, the con- gregation was vacant for thirty-one years. They made efforts to secure a pastor, but were unsuccessful until 1843, when the Rev. D. B. Jones became pastor of Lower In May 1858, at City Hall, Pittsburg, Pa., Chanceford and Hopewell. He remained the Associate Presbyterian Church and the about four years, when he resigned and labored in other places for a number of years. During this long vacancy, the con- gregation secured what supplies they could and on vacant Sabbaths met together for prayer and conference.

The Rev. William Carlisle became pastor of the two congregations in 1848 and re- mained about eight years, when he resigned on account of ill health. He afterward acted as supply when the pulpit was vacant. Mr. the Associate Reformed congregation in Carlisle assisted the present pastor at his first communion, May 2, 1875, and delivered the charge to the congregation on the day of installation. He died June 3, 1890.

The Rev. Joseph Boyd became pastor of these congregations in 1857, and remained about one and one-half years when he re- the lot where the parsonage now stands and signed. He filled different pastorates and died at Carlisle, Iowa, in 1902. .

Rev. T. F. Baird became pastor of Lower Chanceford in 1861, and remained about four years. He died and his body was taken to Cambridge, Ohio, for interment.

Rev. D. G. Bruce was chosen pastor in 1869 and remained about three years, when he resigned. He has filled different pas-

one-fourth of his time in Lower Chanceford. A congregation was organized here in 1822 by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Mr. Gordon resigned in 1825.

The Rev. John Adams became pastor of Guinston and Lower Chanceford Associate congregation in 1833 and remained until 1855 when he resigned. He died in 1862 and was buried in the cemetery at Guinston.

The Rev. F. McBurney became pastor in 1856 in connection with Guinston. He re- signed the Lower Chanceford charge in 1857 and became pastor of Hopewell in connec- tion with Guinston.

Associate Reformed Presbyterian church united and formed the United Presbyterian church. The Associate Reformed and the Associate congregations of Lower Chance- ford approved of this union, and formally agreed to become one congregation on Au- gust 18, 1859. Both congregations were weak before the union and though united, were not strong afterwards.

The first house of worship was built by 1804. Previous to that time the services had been held at the private houses, or at the "tent" as it was called, which was in the open air with a covering probably for the minister, while the people sat on benches or logs. The first church was located on

near the same place. It was still standing at the beginning of the present pastorate. It was built of logs and some years after- ward weatherboarded. It is said that for some time there was no stove or fire place in this old church. It was used for services till 1858 and occasionally after that time, as late as 1867.

After the organization of the Associate

torates and is now living in Iowa. Rev. A. church in 1822 both congregations wor- of years, arranging their days so that they S. Aiken, has been the efficient pastor since shipped at the old log church for a number January 1, 1875.

During the long vacancy in the Associate would not conflict. The Associate congre-

1002

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

gation built a church in Airville in 1842 on the lot where the United Presbyterian Airville church now stands. This church was re- Circuit. paired and remodeled in 1872.

The present church was erected in 1888 at a cost of about $4,000. The parsonage was built in 1883 at a cost of $1,500, on the site of the "log" church.

Pine Grove Presbyterian Church is situated in Lower

Pine

Grove Chanceford on the wagon

Presbyterian. road, leading from York to Peach Bottom, twenty-five miles southeast of the former and five miles northwest of the latter place.

Rev. Samuel Park, who had completed and resigned a pastorate of sixty years in Slate Ridge Church, began to hold meetings in the vicinity of Pine Grove schoolhouse in 1851. preaching every Sabbath afternoon private houses, Zech. Jordan, John W. Cronin, William Hank, Isaac Collins, Penfield Doll, Asbury Harden, Oliver Ege, Thompson Mitchell, in and subsequently in Pine Grove school- house. July 28, 1853, a few Pres- byterian families, residing in the vicinity, James R. Durborrow, George Berkstresser, who felt the inconvenience of the dis- Alfred Wiles, Joseph S. Morriss, J. W. Cul- tance to be traveled over in reaching the churches above named, resolved upon erect- ing a church edifice (40x35 feet) on land donated by James Barnett. The building was finished in 1857. and October 30, 1857, the church of Pine Grove was organized by a committee of Presbytery appointed for that purpose. There were then five mem- bers and two ruling elders. James Barnett and Herman Snyder were the first elders and filled the position for many years. The deaconate was introduced into this church in 1876.

The Rev. Samuel Park continued to preach until 1859. Rev. T. M. Crawford, while pastor of the church at Slateville, filled the pulpit of Pine Grove Church from 1859 to 1895, except for a few years when Alexander F. Morrison, Samuel Park, John

Salem Methodist Church is historic as being the oldest in this section of the coun- ty. It is situated in the extreme lower end Farquhar, Robert Gamble, J. D. Smith, D. of the township near the old Castle Fin M. Davenport, at different times supplied. Forge on the York & Peach Bottom public About 1885 quite a number of families be- road. A church was built on the site of the present one in 1820. It stood until 1867 when a frame building was erected at a cost of $2,500. The cemetery adjoining the church was laid out many years ago, and contains a large number of tombs. longing to Chanceford Church joined Pine Grove and it became a much stronger con- gregation than it had been. A new house of worship was built on a lot of ground bought from Hugh W. McCall, at Sunny- burn. The pastors succeeding Rev. Craw- ford have been R. J. Rankin. J. W. Camp- bell, J. L. Hynson and C. B. Eby.

Airville Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church embraces

Salem, McKendree, Bethel and Pleasant Hill Churches. The first two are in this township, the third in Fawn and the last in Chanceford. The original name of the charge was Castle Fin Circuit, which name was held from 1825 to 1883, when the present name was adopted. June, 1825, to 1840, Castle Fin Circuit included the present charges in Harford County, Maryland, Shrewsbury, Stewartstown and Wrightsville. The parsonage was lo- cated near Castle Fin, and was burned in 1872. In 1877 a parsonage was built at Airville. The following is a list of pastors of this circuit from 1825 to I907: Revs. P. D. Lispcomb, John Monroe, R. Barnes, James Ewing, William Butler, E. Nicodemus, Joseph Parker,

lum, John Stine, E. D. Owen, Samuel Ellis, T. B. Lemon, John McKinley, John Mc- Farland, James A. Coleman, Samuel Corne- lius, E. W. Kerby, Charles Clever, Asbury Rilley, John Anderson, Job A. Price, P. E. Watters, William G. Furgeson, Joseph S. Lee. J. F. Brown. Wesley Howe, John B. Mann, Albert Hartman, John S. Clarke, John A. McKindless, Elisha Butler, Harry White. Frederick Crever, John Z. Loyd, Henry Webster, H. H. Minnich, Lewis H. Clark, Thomas Wilcox. Josiah P. Long, Levi S. Crone, A. W. Decker, William Gwynn. R. L. Armstrong, S. A. Creveling, E. G. Baker, Joseph Clemens, J. H. Mat- tern, W. A. Carver, and J. F. Glass.

McKendree Methodist Episcopal Church is situated on the York and Peach Bottom public road near Airville, and is one of the

1003

LOWER CHANCEFORD

oldest Methodist churches of the lower end The first post office of the vicinity was called Lower Chanceford. William Cowan, who died in 1886, at the age of ninety-six of the county. Religious meetings were at first held in barns and houses by mission- aries. The first church was built in 1825, years, was postmaster in 1828, and for sev- and the second one in 1867 at a cost of eral years later. The office was then a mile $2,400.

In 1904 a church was erected on the site of the old one, at a cost of $4,500.

Airville lies near the centre of

from the site of the present town. The mail for many years was carried on horse- back by a dwarf called "Little Philie Cole," over a route extending from York to Bel Air, Maryland. It took him one week to make the trip. "Little Philie" was a brave boy, and was afraid of nothing but thunder. If he saw an approaching storm, he would go into the nearest house and at once con- ceal himself in a feather bed, till it sub- sided.

Airville. Lower Chanceford Township. The original name was McSher- rysville. Joseph McSherry built the first house. He came to this township in 1896, when a small boy, and grew to manhood in the family of a Frenchman, who was a nail- maker. McSherry learned the art of making wrought nails which were used extensively Joseph McSherry succeeded William Cowan as postmaster, and moved the post office to Airville. A change in the national administration made James McCall post- master, who moved the office to McCall's Ferry. The other postmasters since have been E. P. Skelton, and Frederick Mc- Sherry in 1865. From 1869 10 1885 Joseph Pearce held the office. S. B. McSherry was by the farmers of Lower Chanceford. After his marriage, at the age of twenty, he built a house and turned the nail factory into a blacksmith shop. He pursued that trade for ten years, when he procured a license and opened a hotel, which business he followed for thirty years. Early in the history of Chanceford Township, a number of free negroes settled in this vicinity, coming here appointed in 1885, and his successors have been Alexander Galbreath and Collins C.

from the south. Acquilla Montgomery, an intelligent colored man, was McSherry's Smith.

first neighbor. He built the second house Dr. Hugh McDonald of Hopewell was in Airville. Jackson McSherry built the one of the early physicians of this vicinity. third house, but some time after he and his He was succeeded by Dr. Alexander Gor- family occupied, it, McSherry decided to don, who first settled in Hopewell and later move to Warrensburg, Missouri, where he in Lower Chanceford. A biography of Dr. lived for the remainder of his life. Fred- William F. Smith will be found on page 530.

erick, son of Joseph McSherry, erected a

Orson's Mill, erected in 1810, was an

dwelling and opened a store in 1846 on the early industry in Lower Chanceford. It site where Joseph Pearce afterward con- has been used for many years by D. W. ducted a mercantile business. Frederick Grove. McSherry moved his store to another part In 1820, and later, John Patterson made of the village and filled the office of post- wooden chairs in large numbers near the master during the years 1867-8, under the site of Airville.

administration of Andrew Johnson. John Manifold was also an early merchant at Centreville.

this place and Robert McCollum opened a store a short distance up the York Road.

Centreville, familiarly known as "The' Jack," stands along

the old Peach Bottom road, two miles south of Airville. It is an inter- esting spot fertile in historic memories to the intelligent people of Lower Chanceford. Jack Dougherty, in honor of whom the place was first named, owned 400 acres of the surrounding land. In 1849, William C. Colvin purchased this property and erected

Joseph Pearce, who was born in Chester County came to York Furnace in 1855, where he kept a store. In 1860, when he moved to Airville, he purchased a farm in the vicinity, and began the general mer- chandising business at Airville. He be- came one of the leading citizens of the a large hotel. He conducted the hotel and township, served as postmaster and carried a store in his own name for many years. on the store business the remainder of his It was a prominent stopping place for trav- life, a period of thirty years. elers who crossed the river at McCall's

1004

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Ferry and for wagoners on the way from a season; a fine apple orchard; a merchant Peach Bottom to York and return. The mill recently built, furnished with buhr and hotel at Centreville has always had a repu- country stones; a saw mill rebuilt three tation as being a well kept hostelry. Samuel years ago. This mill is forty-five miles D. Fry, of McCall's Ferry, erected a large from Baltimore." store building in 1904, and has since carried on a general store.

Muddy

Muddy Creek Forks has been a centre of trade and business in this

Creek section for more than a century.

Forks. Nicholson's Mill was situated a

short distance from this place. In early days it was one of the four voting places in York County. The grist mill has long since disappeared. Nearby stood a nail factory and a fulling and carding mill where wool was made into rolls to be spun into yarn, and where much of the product was woven into woolen goods to be worn by the families of the farmers.

A postoffice was established at Muddy Creek Forks, March 4, 1835, when John Manifold was appointed postmaster. He held this position until March 1878, when J. P. Moffit was appointed. Alexander M. Grove purchased the Moffit property, erected a large store, and has been doing an extensive business in general merchandise, coal fertilizers, feed and flour from the mill operated by him. A canning factory was built here a few years ago which has been doing a large business.

Woodbine. Woodbine, an interesting vil- lage lies along the Maryland A charcoal iron furnace was built on Otter Creek, called in the Maryland patent Rapid Creek, in 1830, by James Hopkins and Pennsylvania Railroad, twenty-eight miles from York and twelve of Lancaster. The Furnace was originally miles from Delta, near the boundary line called "Speck." It was so named from the fact that when it was being built the work- men had a grievance against the boarding between Lower Chanceford and Fawn. The name Woodbine originated when the railroad was completed in 1875, and con- house mistress' meat, and seizing the supply firmed when a postoffice was estabished. the masons walled up a quantity of flitch or salt bacon in the furnace stack. James Hopkins named it York Furnace to dis- tinguish it from his other charcoal furnace in Drumore Township, Lancaster County, called Conowingo. T. Z. H. Murphy opened a general store, bought grain and sold fertilizers. The sur- rounding country was long known as Spring Valley farm. An interesting story is told in the following advertisement, which appeared in 1792 in the Pennsylvania Herald published in York. John Donnell advertised for sale the farm "of 400 acres fit for grass, hemp or wheat equal to any land in the southeast end of county, a fine growth of oak and hickory, and 100 acres of undergrowth of hazel, and thirty acres of timothy grass that could be mowed twice

Orson's Glen, nearby, is a resort for pic- nic parties. The scenery along Orson's Run is quite romantic.

Sunnyburn is a prosperous village one mile below Centreville, on the York and Peach Bottom road. Pine Grove Church is located here and Wiley Gemmill con- ducts a general store. There is a large can- ning factory at High Rock, one mile above Muddy Creek, on the Maryland and Penn- sylvania Railroad. Manifold & Wallace have a general store at this place.

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.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 178

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372