History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 141

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104


USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 141


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PINE GROVE CHURCH.


Pine Grove Church is located about three miles south of York, east of the Baltimore Turnpike, in York Township. Reis H. Alt- house and Benjamin Hengst were the first ministers of this church to preach in the vicinity. The religious services which they conducted were held in a school house. A very comfortable and convenient church was built some years ago. A Sunday school of ninety-five members regularly meets in it, and is superintended by Rev. G. Jackson.


MANUFACTURES.


York Paper Mills are located on a branch of the Codorus, about three miles southeast of York. Nearly a century ago the manu- facture was begun at this place, and has since been carried on by various parties. They are now owned by W. Irving Clark, of New York City, and superintended by F. P. Mar- shall. The site is a good one for washing the raw material from which paper is made. The present owner manufactures different varieties of tissue paper out of jute and hemp. The jute is obtained from the East Indies; only the lower part of the jute stock is used for paper, the upper part is valuable for bagging and for ropes. The thread of this paper is formed by water combining with the pulp of the material used. The- capacity of the mill is 1,200 pounds a day. It is in operation both day and night. Cylin- der machinery is used, which makes the grain of the paper one way. The machinery is run by a fifteen horse-power engine, and the entire mill by an eighty horse-power en- gine. Manufactured paper is shipped direct to consumers from the mill. Seventeen. workmen are employed, under the direction, of A. J. Mckeon, as foreman. A dwelling house and forty acres of land belong to the paper-mill property.


A well-grounded tradition has it that the place now known as Yost's Mill, on the east branch of the Codorus, is the site of a very old mill, built when the Indians, with wonder and admiration, came from the neigh- borhood to observe this curious improvement over their slow and imperfect method of grinding the corn they raised. It was prob- ably built in the year 1752, as nearly as can be determined, and was the only one of the kind for a long distance around. The first known proprietor was Henry Sence, who worked it for many years during the last century. The following persons, in order, have since pos- sessed it: Jacob Keiser, Jr .; Jacob Keiser, Sr .; Daniel Leather, Michael Hartman, John Glessick, Samuel Flinchbaugh and Jacob Yost, who has been the owner for a period of twenty-five years. The original mill had but one pair of stones; the one now standing is the third that has been built on the same site.


Henry's mill up the same stream a few miles, is also an old one, as well as Kridler's down the stream. Near Dietz's Mill stands. a dwelling-house, formerly occupied by Abra- ham Yost; it is one hundred and tweny-six years old. Arnold's Mill was built ninety-five years ago. Sixty years ago, and for many years before, a pious Quaker, named John Thomas,,


724


HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.


successfully taught an English school among the Germans, near Yost's Mill.


Keystone Woolen Mill and Cotton Factory, along the Codorus, was once an important in- dustry in the township. There is now a saw- mill in that locality.


George Musser, in his day, was familiarly known as "pan-smith Musser" in York, and over the entire county. He was a lively, good-natured individual, who owned a saw- mill and a forge for the manufacture of iron implements, located on his farm along the Peach Bottom road, now owned by Harry Strickler, and situated a few miles southeast of town. He made iron pans and ladles in large quantities, and sold them by wholesale. The firm of P. A. & S. Small, early in their business career, purchased a great many of those valuable utensils.


The York Powder Works in this township sere once an important industry.


PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


York Township has twelve public schools as follows: Stiles' Innersville, Jessop's, Taylor's, Brenneman's, Kohler's, Sprenkle's, Mark's, Keener's, Adamsville, Nace's and Croll's. The State appropriation for 1884 was $518.83.


THE TOWNSHIP OF WINDSOR.


A PETITION was presented to the court York in 1757, signed by John Wright, Jr., and others, asking that "Hal- lam Township be divided by a line on Stony Ridge, running across the valley to the next ridge of hills on the south side of Grist Creek Valley, and also eastward along the last named ridge to the river Susquehanna." The above mentioned line formed the northern and eastern boundary of the new township of York, which then included what is now Windsor, Lower Windsor, York and a portion of Spring Garden. York Township, thus formed, was very large: consequently, in 1758 the following petition was presented at the April session of court: "We, your hum- ble petitioners, hereby state that when the Townships of York and Hallam were in one, a division line was obtained which did not prove convenient or satisfactory; therefore we request that commissioners be appointed by your worshipfuls to lay off the new town- ship." The presiding justice, Thomas Ar- mor, then appointed John Shultz, John Schy- rack, Christian Shank and Michael Bart, to


view and run the boundary lines, which, ac- cording to their confirmed report at the next session of court, was as follows:


Beginning at the plantation of Peter Peterman, thence with the road to David Hunter's, thence with the same to Shrewsbury Township (now Springfield and Hopewell), thence with the same towuship and the township of Chanceford to the Susquehanna, and up the same to Hallam Township, thence along the middle of that ridge of hills to Peter Peterman's plantation and place of beginning; which last de- scribed township is to be called by the name of Windsor.


The township thus described constituted what is now Windsor and Lower Windsor, which formed one district for nearly 100 years. Upon the erection of Lower Wind- sor in 1838, the limits were contracted to its present area. The beautiful and historic name "Windsor" was doubtless suggested by Thomas Armor, a man of great force of char- acter, and who was then a large land owner.


Windsor in 1880 had a population of 2,154; valuation of real estate in 1884 was $813,000; number of taxables 590.


The population of the original townshipin 1783 was 1,118; number of barns that year 190; number of houses 184; number of mills 10; number of acres of assessable lands 22,054.


The following is a list of the taxables for 1783:


George Addick, still, 200 acres. £278


George Able, 88 acres. 117


Michael Albright, ground rents, 50 acres. 69


William Allison, 100 acres. 129


Christian Althous. 13


John Arndt, 175 acres. 194


George Anstein, 300 acres .. 343


Philip Byer, 2 stills, 112 acres. 536


John Barr, 1 mill, 212 acres 570


Widow Bengel, 90 acres. 88


Michael Baymiller, 10 acres.


45


Henry Barr, 141 acres.


631


Conrad Beverson, 5 acres.


14


Nicholas Baker.


30


Conrad Brubaker, 1 saw-mill, 136 acres.


558


Tert Bonher, 169 acres.


251


George Bonher, £6 ground rent.


23


Henry Busser, £9 ground rent.


Jacob Berckle, 175 acres.


173


Widow Cross, 50 acres.


100


John Dellinger, 100 acres.


100


Jacob Dellinger, 100 acres.


120


George Deisson, 100 acres. 122


Abraham Demuth.


Henry Dohm, 150 acres


136


Thomas Diaon, 60 acres. 68


Ulrich Elleberger, 150 acres.


Sebastian Edie. . .


34


Jacob Erb, 149 acres 851


Jacob Erb, 59 acres


199


Jacob Ethert, 100 acres. 394


Nathan Forsythe, 100 acres.


Philip Fry. 36


145


Frederick Felty, 120 acres.


Corrad Fry, 83 acres. 101


Peter Fry, 53 acres. 74


Barnet Fry, 110 acres. 144


John Eby, 120 acres.


117


725


WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.


Freddila Foster, 160 acres. 133


Jacob Fister, 187 acres. . 262


Jacob Fry, 2 stills, 80 acres 112


Frederick Fry, 4 stills, 52 acres. 65


Widow Grove, 100 acres. . 391


Andrew Galbreath, 124 acres. 208


George Garduer, 84 acres .. 104


Rudolph Goldstet. 16


Jacob Gipe. 10


Abraham Gallagher, 144 acres. 138


Philip Gohn. . 43


Jacob Geiger, 160 acres. 290


Adam Gohn .. . 40


Widow Gohn, 250 acres 281


David Good. 50 acres 100


David Good, Jr., 200 acres. 316


Frederick Glasbrenner, 150 acres. 136


Widow Geiger, 172 acros. 103


James Heines, 101 acres. 101


James Herrington, 140 acres. 280


John Holder, 160 acres


318


Jacob Heltzel, 200 acres 340


Widow Hershinger, 200 acres. 369


Adam Heindel, 210 acres. 311


Stoffel Heindel, 130 acres.


180


John Heckendorn, 175 acres. 349


John Jones, 20 acres. 62


Peter Imsweiler, 126 acres. 130


Anthony Keller, 100 acres 169


Michael Kauffelt, 275 acres 381


Kegeritz, 110 acres. 54


Kaltreiter, 110 acres. 140


Jacob Kauffelt, 285 acres. 469


Jacob Kimmerly, 97 acres. 119


Frederick Leberknecht, 40 acres. 68


John Liphart, 200 acres


269


Jacob Leber, 116 acres.


129


John Landis, 200 acres.


285


Samuel Landis, 200 acres


299


Andrew Lautz, 200 acres.


233


William Liggett, 50 acres. 72


Jacob Myer, 112 acres. 700


Henry Michael, 100 acres.


170


John Mann, 200 acres ..


John Mckesson, 300 acres.


Philip Milhole, 173 acres


195


Abraham Mosser, 142 acres. 186


John McCoy, 150 acres 153 Jacob Neas. 200 acres. 208


Frederick Oleweiler, 50 acres. 125


Jacob Oleweiler, 116 acres. 107


George Oberdorf, 100 acres 96


Benjamin Tyson, Esq., 120 acres 200


John Schmuck, 100 acres 170


Baltzer Shenberger, 150 acres. 200


Moses Scott, 300 acres. 310


Michael Tush, 390 acres. 300


Jacob Dritt, 146 acres. 200


Philip Thomas, 90 acres. 139


Abraham Dem, 100 acres 129


Jacob Weltzhoffer, 170 acres. 672


Wendal Golf. 20 Michael Weiland. 20 Samuel Wright, 400 acres. 1,850 Jacob Witmer .. 73 John Wright, 500 acres, 2 slaves. 2,055 William Willis. 20


Solomon Williams.


78


John Wyland, 99 acres 235 John Steiner, weaver. William Holtzinger 20


Simon Holtzinger 20 Michael Fonkennen 43


Widow Morgan, 200 acres 450


Tikabat Stater. 20


Solomon Williams. 20


James Williams 20


Abraham Bruckhardt, 300 acres. 394


SINGLE MEN.


Christian Reist, weaver. Casper Wolf. Michael Derstein.


Joseph Reed.


Jacob Longenecker, black- smith.


Godlil Rupp.


John Armend.


Jacob Shultz, blacksmith. John Auble.


Martin Huber.


Jacob Griegelbaum.


Henry Bannise, weaver. Michael Glessner.


Henry Geip.


Randall Cross.


John Fitz. weaver. James Cross.


John Peterman.


John Cross.


John Ewing.


Jacob Keyser.


John Strickler, Jr. John Robinson.


WINDSORVILLE.


Windsor Postoffice, or Windsorville, is located in the southern part of the township. There was a postoffice by that name a distance south of the site of the present village as early as the year 1832. William S. Corn- well, of Manor Furnace fame, was its post- master then. He was succeeded by Rev. Peter Herrman, who kept it many years. Michael Anstine was the next postmaster for thirty-one years, until his death, when Dan- iel K. Ruby received the appointment. An- stine's store was a central point of interest for more than thirty years. Around it, in a rather attractive little valley, has lately grown up a thrifty village of about forty nicely painted and attractively built dwelling houses. Most of the inhabitants are engaged in the tobacco and cigar business. We re- frain from giving the original name of this apparently prosperous hamlet, or recording the legend from which it was obtained; if the name was practical it was not poetical, and we omit it. The village schoolhouse is a comfortable building. John N. Flinchbaugh is the present postmaster, and has a store of general merchandise, and Jonathan Shindle a similar store. Some of the mechanical trades are represented in the village.


FRYSVILLE.


This settlement obtained its name, as is self evident, from the early inhabitants. Its antiquity is known from the time-worn tomb- stones in the historic old churchyard, within whose sacred portals slumber the remains of several patriots of the Revolution. Many graves are unmarked, except by sunken mounds; some by illegible inscriptions in German. The oldest tombs have the names carved in English. On one of them the name Anna Frey, who died 1748; on anoth- er, Mary Nichols, about the same year, are plainly marked. The oldest one visible died


Conrad Leber, 10 acres.


83


Philip Lantz, 113 acres .. 170


350


280


Nicholas Hertzly.


George Druck.


726


HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.


1747, but the name cannot be deciphered. This hamlet has but a half-dozen houses. The manufacturing of cigars is an important business here.


CHURCHES.


Emanuel's Lutheran and Reformed Church, familiarly known as "Frysville Church." is located in the southern part of Windsor, and according to the deed and re- cords, was founded March 28, 1771. The surrounding land was owned by Conrad Fry, an early settler, who on the date mentioned deeded a church lot containing one and a half acres, for 5 shillings, to Jacob Segner, Adam Heindel, Jacob Ruby and Stephen Slifer, in trust for the "Lutheran and Pres- byterian congregations." (At an early date the German Reformed Church was thought to be the same as the Presbyterian, except that the worship of the former was conduct- ed in the German language.) A log church was first built. The spaces between the logs were "chunked," and had no outside plaster- ing, according to the custom of those times. The gable end and window frames were painted red. The door and inside were painted white. The church was heated by a heavy plated stove, long enough to receive cordwood full length. From the boxed door- sill to the floor inside was a step of unusual' height, over which full grown persons could step without much difficulty, while the chil- dren delighted to jump from the door-sill down on the floor inside. About 1820 the building was much improved. It was made higher, weather-boarded, an end gallery add- ed, and used until 1852. when the present brick church was built, about three hundred yards from the site of the first building. Some of the land surrounding the present church was used as a burying ground as early as 1745. Some of it was deeded by M. Deis to Simon Anstine, Peter Steffy, Peter Lefever, Peter Schmuck and Conrad Fox, in trust for the two congregations. In 1884 two and one-fourth acres adjoining were purchased from Henry Stein. The church was remodeled in 1884 and was recently rededicated. The names of all Reformed ministers who have served here cannot be given. Revs. Adam Ettinger, C. Becker, Jacob Scholl, Jacob Moyer, H. Habilston, J. Forscht, John Reineka, William F. Van- dersloot, William A. Good, David Bossler, R. Smith, E. G. Williams and A Wanner, D. D. The last named took charge of the congregation April 1, 1882. (The author is under many obligations to Dr. Wanner for the kindly interest he took in collecting ma-


terial of church history and furnishing it for this book). The Lutheran congregation was served generally by the same pastors who officiated at the church in Lower Windsor.


Zion United Brethren Church is located near Springvale. In the absence of records, it is difficult to give exact dates, yet it is known by the oldest members of the church, that as early as 1820 such of the fathers of the denomination as Rev. John Neidig, Christian Newcomer, John Schneider, Sam- uel Huber, William Brown, John Kroch and others preached in houses and barns of the neighborhood of the above named house of worship. A quarterly conference held in 1843, appointed Adam Stahley, Adam Strayer and Frederick Grove a board of trustees, under whose administration that year was built the first church of the United Brethren in Christ in York County on the lands of Adam Stabley; Rev. John Russell, then pre- siding elder, dedicated this church, assisted by Rev. Christian Crider, then preacher in charge of the circuit. The present beautiful church was built in 188L; Rev. Geo. W. Lightner was then the preacher in charge. Jonathan Smiech, Jacob Stabley, John Stab. ley, John Seitz and John Neff were trustees. Rev. J. C. Smith of York officiated when corner-stone was laid. Rev. Ezekiel Light of Lebanon, Penn., dedicated the church. Rev. J. C. Smith of York is present pastor (1885). The pastors before him have been Christian S. Crider, Henry Greenblade, J. S. Wentz, Tobias Crider, W. H. Craumer, J. H. Young, Peter Carl, A. H. Rice, Samuel En- terline, Isaac Coomes, W. B. Raber, Jesse Cline, and L. Kohr. Church membership is seventy-two; number of pupils in Sunday school is seventy-five; superintended by Mr. Cramer.


Bethlehem Church .- A class was formed in the vicinity where this church is, about the year 1835; services were held in the pri- vate houses of the members very frequently in the dwelling of Daniel Oberdorf, Sr., now deceased. The organization was frequently called " Oberdorf's Class." Bishop Seymour and Rev. G. Dunlap were among the clergy- men who ministered to the spiritual wants of the first members.


A church long known as the "stone pile " was built in 1853, and dedicated by Rev. Philip Wagner, P. E., March 16, 1854. Rev. George Dellinger was the preacher. The title given was "The New Bethlehem Evan- gelical Church of Windsor Township." John Landis, who subsequently moved to Ohio, gave the land. The trustees then were Dan- iel Oberdorf, Sr., Joseph Strayer and Aaron


727


WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.


Snyder. Revs. Bennington, Wilson, Zulauf, H. A. Stoke, M. J. Carrothers, Z. Horn- berger, A. Longsdorf and A. Krause preached in the first building. In 1871, the second church was built, and was dedicated by Rev. Swengel of York. The trustees then were Bar- nitz Knisley, Samuel Barshinger and Joseph Strayer. The senior pastors who have officiated in the new building have been Revs. Man- beck. H. Conrad, S. Aurand, A. Yearick and H. N. Greninger. The junior pastors have been Revs. A. W. Shenberger, Lilly, Brown- miller, D. Kline, G. Carrothers, H. W. Gross, C. W. Finkbinder, C. H. Goodling, M. J. Snyder and L. E. Crumbling. The class leaders are Benjamin Craley and Dan- iel Oberdorf. The membership is forty five. The Sunday-school was organized March 16, 1854, with eight teachers aud seventy-four pupils and has been kept up since ..


Union Church. - This church is located near Windsorville. Rev. Charles Stabley of the United Brethren in Christ organized the first class. For many years the preaching was held in the house of Michael Heindel, Sr. In 1853 the present brick church was built, the first trustees were Michael Heindel, Michael Anstine and Jacob Allison. Rev. J. C. Smith, of York, was the pastor in 1885. The previous pastors were the same as at Zion Church. Trustees in 1885 are John Slenker, G. W. Gable and J. Flinch- baugh; church membership thirty-five; Sun- day school, sixty pupils; G.W. Gable, superin- tendent.


Windsor Bethel .- This church is located about a mile north of Windsorville. The congregation that worships here is a part of the. "Lower York Mission" of the Church of God, it being the only building of this de- nomination in the lower end of York County. The sect to which it belongs is an order of Baptists, and originated in Lancaster, Penn. in 1830, under the leadership of Rev. John Winebrenner. For about twenty years preaching in Windsor was held in the house of Daniel Holtzinger and Gotlieb Barley. The first visiting clergyman, Rev. Keller, preached several times and baptized some members. During the early history of this denomination in Windsor, the preaching was supplied by ministers of the West York Cir- cuit from Goldsboro .. The church was built in 1876, at a cost of $1,400, and was dedi- cated by Rev. John Weishampel of Lancas- ter the same year. The clergymen, who have served since that time are Revs. Stone- seifer, Hackenberger, Hiss, Albert, Long and Still. Samuel E. Herman of Red Lion is the present pastor. The membership is thirty.


Locust Grove Church .- The Reformed Church by this name was built in 1866, at a cost of $1,500; much of material and work were voluntarily contributed by generous persons. The building committee were Dan- iel Kaltreider, J. W. Landis and D. Armold. The congregation was organized in 1874 with thirteen members by Rev. R. Rahauser. He was succeeded by Rev. E. G. Williams. In the spring of 1884, by order of Classis, Rev. A. Wanner, D. D., became the supply. The Sunday-school now kept in the church was organized in 1866 with 125 pupils and teachers. J. W. Landis has for many years been superintendent. The congregation has about thirty members.


PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


The names of the fourteen schools of Windsor are as follows: Diehl's, Cross', (Raubs), Anstine's, Frysville, Cedar Hill, Gehley's, Wambaugh's, Brilhart's, Tyson's, Miller's, Grove's, East End, Smalls' and Fairview. The members of the school board during the past year were David I. Witmer, president; J. T. Flinchbach, secretary; Will- iam Flinchbach, treasurer; Solomon Frey, David S. Smith and Daniel K. Anstine. Joel Kauffman of this township has taught school twenty-seven years. J. T. Fiinchbach, now a member of the board, and Amos Hengst, a merchant, taught many years.


IRON ORE INTERESTS.


Windsor,as well as its neighbors, York, Hel- lam and Lower Windsor, has valuable veins of iron ore. Samuel Hengst's bank was opened about twelve years ago, and 3,050 tons of brown hematite taken out. Moser's new bank, near Longstown, was opened in 1866 by Mr. Myers of Marietta, and considerable buff lim- onite secured. Near the York and Windsor line is Moser's old bank, four miles south- east of York. It was opened about sixty years ago by the York Furnace Company, and worked second by John A. Wright & Co., third by Schoenberger, Musselman & Co., in 1850; fourth by Musselman & Watts, and fifth by Musselman & Sons. Since 1850 there were 42,090 tons of lump and wash ore ob- tained from this bank and reduced in the Musselman Furnace at Marietta. The bank is nearly 300 yards long, and the excavation of great size. The best ore here makes forty per cent metallic iron.


What is known as Ore. Valley, extending into York Township, has yielded ore in large quantities at different places.


728


HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.


HISTORICAL AND INDUSTRIAL NOTES.


Before the division of Windsor the vot- ing place for the general election was at. David Leber's tannery, and the spring election at George Overdorff's mill, now owned by William Fishel.


Windsor was a great hunting ground for deer many years ago, especially the lower part of it. Leber's tannery is located at the extreme lower end of the town along the "head of Kreutz Creek." Henry Leber, father of Nathaniel Leber, purchased the property in 1824, of John Kauffelt, who for many years before conducted the same busi- ness. Charles A. Leber is now the proprie- tor. There are two other tanneries in this township in operation, one owned by Daniel Stine and the other by D. W. Gehly. Amos Hengst has for a number of years conducted a store of general merchandise near the cen- ter of Windsor.


Spring Vale Postoffice was established in 1877. Noah Goodling was the first postmas- ter; John Seitz succeeded.


One of the few woolen factories of this county now in existence is owned by Daniel L. Gehly of Windsor; as a fulling-mill it has been run since 1780, or possibly earlier. Large quantities of the "linsey-woolsey " of olden times was manufactured here before cloths, flannels, cassimeres and casinets were common in this country. John C. Gehly, a son of the owner, is the present proprietor. The woolen factory department was started in 1851. A large business is now carried on at this place. Stocking yarn, flannels, blank- ets, cloths, satinets and carpets are made in considerable quantities.


Jacob Wallick, who was enlisted as a sol- dier in 1814, now eighty-eight years old, lives in Windsor. He belonged to Capt. Hare's company, which formed at York, and marched toward Baltimore in September, 1814, when the British threatened that city. When his company, together with many others, had gone as far south as Shrewsbury, news was brought to them that the English had retreated; hence, they returned to York and were soon afterward discharged. Mr. Wallick is a pensioner. His health, during the summer of 1885, was very good and he was strong and vigorous. He shot, during his younger days, twenty-six deer in Windsor. He is the father of nine children, has lived fifty-one years where he now lives, and on the day of our visit to him was on his way to the woods to shoot squirrels. He voted for James Monroe for president of the United States, and afterward voted three


times for Andrew Jackson for the same office. He is one of the three soldiers of the war of 1812 now living in York County. The other two are William Cowan, aged ninety five, of Lower Chanceford, and Robert Ramsay, aged ninety-three, of Delta.


A PRISON FOR BRITISH AND HESSIAN SOLDIERS.


A short distance north of the York and East Prospect road and in the northeastern part of Windsor, is the site of the Revolutionary pris- on. This land is now owned by Isaac Kauff- man. For nearly three-fourths of a century it was owned by Jacob Holtzinger. The prison "pen," as it was called. was built in the form of a circle. Posts, fifteen feet in length, were erected in close proximity, so that the entire prison resembled an Indian fort; within this enclosure the prisoners built huts. One-fourth of a mile distant from the large pen, was a smaller one. Farmers afterward used these posts for fence rails and an occasional one can yet be seen. This historic spot, though very rugged, is now nearly all farmed over, so that it is difficult to identify it unless pointed out by some old citizen of the neighborhood. There were a great many British and Hessian prisoners at different times kept in Lancaster, York, Carlisle, Reading and Lebanon, and event- nally a number were sent to western Mary- land and Virginia. A few were imprisoned in the town of York. The object in locating this prison four and one-half miles southeast of the town doubtless was to avoid the prevalence of contagious diseases and to obtain a secure place. The first prisoners sent into central Pennsylvania arrived December, 1775. Some of them were capt- ured from British vessels along the coast of New Jersey, and some by Gen. Montgomery on his Canada expedition. Of the last were eight officers and 200 men of the Seventh Royal Fusiliers. Dr. John Kearsley was brought to York a prisoner, October 25, 1775, and delivered to the Committee of Safety for endeavoring to procure British troops to invade the colonies. He was a man of abili- ty and was allowed a clerk and a servant to attend him during his imprisonment. March 14, 1776, it was decided to remove British officers and other prisoners of war from Lan- caster to York and Carlisle. On account of sickness in York, many who were to have been sent here, were taken to Lebanon, where some of them escaped.




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