USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 67
USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 67
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 67
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 67
USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 67
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David Allen was a soldier of the Revolution, after which he came to this section of country, 1783 ; soon after married Mary, a daughter of Robert Nelson, and bought eighty acres of land, I on which he settled. A largetract of land, con-
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
taining four hundred and twenty-three acres, which was warranted March 8, 1755, to Wil- liam Curran became in part the property of Tench Coxe. This property was re-surveyed in 1802, and the west part, containing two hundred and eleven acres, was assigned to Coxe, and was sold to David Allen. The remainder of the tract, two hundred and twelve acres, re- mained in the estate of William Curran.
In February, 1816, a draft of land was made for David Walker of three tracts, of which one contained one hundred and fifty acres, war- ranted to Samuel Armstrong, May 26, 1767, one of one hundred and eighteen aeres, war- ranted to John Boner, Jannary 21, 1772, and one of one hundred and one aeres, warranted to James Armstrong November 14, 1767. These lands were divided between David Allen and David Walker, of which the latter received sixty-six acres of the JJames Armstrong warrant and David Allen the remainder. He died Augn-t 18, 1839, aged seventy-eight years, and his wife, February 28th, the next year. The lands are now owned by Jerome Thompson, and prior to 1816 they had been known as the Wil- liam Cookson lands.
The children of David and Mary Allen were Martha and Jane; the former became the wife of James Thompson, of Mexico, and the latter the wife of Mitchell Thompson, who resided about two miles below Thompsontown.
The Rev. William Logan became the possessor of about two hundred acres of land soon after his settlement in 1777. His death occurred in 1805, leaving a widow, Mary, who, April 28, 1810, sold it to John Kepner.
The Rev. Hugh Magill settled upon the glebe land in 1779, and remained there nntil near his death, in 1805. He had two sons, and a daughter who married Samnel Curran and settled in the vicinity.
John Bower, in 1770, was assessed on a tract of two hundred acres of land, which he war- ranted January 21, 1772. Ile resided upon this land until Jime 3, 1773, when he sold it to George Amend. A tract adjoining was granted on an order of survey to James Armstrong, De- cember 5, 1766. This last tract was also sold to George Amend, who, on 21st of April, 1777,
sold them to Joseph Cookson. They were said to be located on D. O. Run. In reality they are nearer Delaware Run, but the water upon the land flows to D. O. Run, which probably determined the location.
The Armstrong tract, in 1791, came to David Wright, and the other, in part, to William Cook- son, and in February, 1816, they were all plot- ted to David Walker, who received sixty-six aeres, and the remainder passed to David Allen. John, William and James MeMim, as young men, were living on the Banks farm before 1812. About 1815 they moved to the David Walker farm. Jolm settled near there and at- tained considerable influence; was a member of Legislature from this county, and about 1850) opened a store at Slabtown (afterwards Van Wert). He continued in business until the store was destroyed by fire, in 1860. Hle died in 1876, leaving no descendants.
The name of James Boner is first found in the roll of taxables in 1770, and he, with Fran- eis West, is assessed on two hundred acres. It is not known to whom the original warrant was granted, but as early as April, 1755, West bought the land at sheriff's sale, and held until sold to Boner in 1770.
From 1780 until his death James Boner had two hundred and twenty-seven acres. It was on this land that the tent in which the Rev. William Logan preached was located, and in 1792 the trustees purchased the land on which the church was built, an account of which will be found in the history of the United Presbyterian Church of Mexico. In 1813 the farm in part was owned by Nathaniel Boner, and a part of the farm is now owned by the descendants of James Boner.
In 1789 Robert Hays purchased the greater part of the James Boner tract and adjoining lands, which he patented as " Hayfield," Febru- ary 9, 1790, containing two hundred and fifty acres. There was at this time a school-house on the traet, which is mentioned in a road petition of that date. On May 10, 1792, Hay> sold to James Barr, who also owned on the river. The land passed respectively, in 1801, 1802 and 1822, to Anthony Dearduff, David Kanflinan and Abraham Kuisely; the last, March 30,
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JUNIATA COUNTY.
1835, sold to Samuel Sieber, whose son, Mich- ael Sieber, now owns it.
In 1790, Capt. Matthew Rogers settled where his grandson, Matthew, now lives. He was captain of a company that went out from this section in the War of 1812-11. The company was in service from May 5, 1813, to November 5th, inclusive, and was under command of Col. Rees ITill.
John Moore was born in Adams County, and served in the Revolutionary army when eighteen years of age. His father was a Quaker, but entered the army and was killed at the battle of Brandywine. His son John came to this region in 1788, and in that year purchased fifty acres and owned one slave. In the next year he owned one linndred acres. He married Eleanor, the daughter of William Cur. ran and sister of Samuel and Margaret Curran .. He had three sons, of whom Robert and Wil- liam settled on the home farm, near to Samuel Curran's farm, and whose descendants are still there. Dr. James Moore, a son, settled in Ful- ton County.
The first of the family of Adams to settle in Walker township were three brothers,-John, William and Jacob. Their father, Jacob Adams, however, settled in what is now Fay- ette township, in 1795, on a farm adjoining that of Robert Wilson, where he lived until his death, in 1808. His wife was the widow of James Wilson, a blacksmith, and an older brother of Robert. Mary, a danghter of the Widow Wil- son, became the wife of the Hon. Daniel Christie in later years.
In the year 1817 the three sons-John, Wil- liam and Jacob-rented, of Christian Stouffer, the old Robert Wilson farm, and continued there until 1825, when they were advised by Daniel Christy to purchase the farm of Samuel Custer, he having recently died. This farm was a part of the old James Boner farm. The brothers purchased the farm and settled upon it, where some of their descendants now reside. John Adams married Jane, a danghter of Cap- tain Matthew Rodgers; William married Sarah, a danghter of William Curran; and Jacob be- came the husband of Margaret, a daughter of Robert MeMcen.
William Stretch was the possessor of two hundred and two acres of land, two horses and one cow, in 1780, and lived upon it until 1795. It was in the limits of Walker town- ship. A part of this land come to Michael Bashore March, 2, 1816, who bought, at the same time, a tract adjoining, of Epenetus Hart. These two tracts were both warranted March 8, 1786.
In the strip of land on the west side of the river, and which was annexed to Fermanagh in 1791, and now belongs to Walker, Joseph Poultney resided from 1769 to 1775, and for several years prior to and after 1790 he was running a ferry, which had its landing on the east side about opposite Van Dyke Station. Of others who may have lived there are John Arnold, from 1792 to 1794; Peter, from 1795 to 1804; Michael Eecord, from 1779 to 1799; and John Stephenson, from 1788 to 1792.
Joseph Poultney also bought land on D. O. Run, which was taken by Peter Frig, which he sold to William Riddle June 1, 1768. It was adjoining Riddle's other land and land of Fran- cis West.
Thomas Poultney owned lands now Dr. L. E. Atkinson's.
John Thompson, son of William Thompson, who settled at and laid ont Thompsontown, abont 1801, purchased a tract of land, opposite Van Dyke Station, of the heirs of Joseph Poultney, and was patented as the "Happy Banks of Goshen." A road was laid out in 1813 from James Thompson's mill to the Goshen road, which then ran along at, or near, the foot of the hill from opposite to Thomp- sontown to near Port Royal.1 Mr. Thompson, who settled here, was known as Goshen John, to distinguish him from Bridge John, who lived below Thompsontown. The school-house now on that side of the river is known as the Goshen School-house. The land is now owned by - Bazer or Bashore.
CHURCHES .- The Free Spring German Bap- tist Church, located near Van Wert, was built of brick in 1861. The congregation embraces two hundred and seventy-five members, and is under the charge of the Rev. Solomon Sieber.
! See account of Goshen rond in Turbell lowuship.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
The Evangelical Church at Locust Run, was built in 1861, and is under charge of a cir- cuit, with a parsonage at Thompsontown, Ser- vices were held at the place several years before the church was erected.
There are several burial-places in the town- ship, which were the sites of carly meeting- honses. Cedar Spring burial- place was chosen as a place for a meeting-house in 1763, and a meeting-house begun, but discontinued by reason of Indian troubles, and in 1767 two hundred and thirty-two acres of land were secured and a house built, which was used until about 1805. The history of this congregation will be found in the sketch of the Presbyterian Church of Mifflintown.
The United Presbyterians were organized in 1777, and preaching was held in various places, and in 1790 in a tent on the site of the old grave-yard near the Adams place. The land was bought in 1792 and a church building erected, which was used until about 1840. An account of this congregation will be found in the sketch of the United Presbyterian congre- gation of Mexico.
In a survey made in 1801 a meeting-house is laid down as being abont two hundred rods from the great road and on the ridge in rear of the tract then belonging to John Hamilton's heirs, now to Samuel Yeager and John Mertz. This old meeting-house was for the use of all denominations, and was in use many years. A meeting-house formerly stood in the old burial- ground near the property of Mrs. Sarah Wetzel, in the ridges at the north side of the township.
Senoots .- The first mention of a school- house in what is now Walker township is found in road record of 1790, where a school. house is mentioned as being on land of Robert Hayes (now Michael Seiber). In 1838 a school was taught in old Seceder Church, near the house, which was taught by - Brown.
One of the first-mentioned school-masters in what is now Walker is JJosse Meredith, who is assessed as such in the year 1781, and continued until past 1831. In the year 1798, June 11th, an article of agreement is made be- twoen Henry MeCallongh and subscribers, by which he is to teach the pupils sent to him for
the amount subscribed, and the subscribers are to provide " a sufficient school-house and every other equipment suitable." The sum fixed for each pupil was E1 68. 8d. The names and mmmber of children sent by each subscriber are here given : John Teays, 1 ; David Walker, 3; William Cookson, 2; William Kowles, 1; Gavin Frow, 1; William Riddle, 1; James Riddle, 1 ; John O'Bryan, 1 ; William Hinton, 1 ; John Moore, 1 ; John Riddle, 2; Matthew Brown, -; James MeKinstry, 1; William Adams, 1 ; James Watres, --; Thomas Me- Len ; Thomas Warwick, 2; Martha Johnston, --; Caleb Griffith, 2; John McKee, -; John Love, 1 ; David McClelland, -; Jacob Shear- er, 1; Christopher Wills, 2; Cornelius Con- ner, -
Heading the subseribers' names are the fol- lowing lines, written evidently by Mr. McCul- longh :
" These lines wrote on the other side, My friends in them you may confide. If you put the house in repair, I will discharge my duty there."
The school-honse in which Mr. McCullough was to teach was on the land of David Walker, and on the 28th of November in this year, 1798, David Walker leased it for twenty-one years to James Riddle, JJohn Moore, William Cook- son and John Riddle, trustees for schools, who were appointed for that purpose. The terms of the lease were for occupancy for twenty-one years from April 1, 1799, with privilege of cutting dead wood for the use of the school- house, and privilege of use of the spring by the pupils, for which the trustees were to pay one cent per annum, and to collect money " in order to discharge the workmen's bills and other in- gredients that has been applied to said school- house preceding this date," and to keep the house in good repair during the terms of the lease.
In 1810, and for several years after, Andrew Banks was a teacher at this school-house. The subscribers to an agreement dated December 11th are Isaac Williams, Elizabeth Lintner, Catha- rine Adams, Daniel Christy, James Cunningham, Richard Bell, Barney Valentine, Christy Irvin, William Miller, Michael Bashore, Elizabeth
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JUNIATA COUNTY.
Shirk, Robert MeMeen, John Brown, William Dill, David Walker, James Banks and Samnel Belford. A school-house, about 1800, stood near Van Wert, on the old Curran farm, and in 1886 school was kept there by William Knox, and in 1838 by John Caveny, both of whose names are found in different parts of the county as teachers. The Clearfield school- house was first built of logs about 1827, was burned down, rebuilt of stone, and is owned by Jacob Knisely. The frame honse was the third one in the neighborhood and was built at Centreville. The present one, of brick, was built in 1878.
The school-houses in Walker township are Centre, Mexico, Mt. Pleasant ( Dogtown), Swamp (pack of Mexico), Red Rock, Free Spring ( Van Wert), Locust Run (on Locust Run), Flint (beyond Ridge), Goshen (on west side), Early Peach Blossom.
MEXICO.
The tract of land on which this village is situated, was taken up by James Patterson, February 5, 1755.
The D. O. Run passes through the tract and the town was laid ont on the west side. The Patterson mill was on the east side of the run, and was the first on the north side of the river in the county. After the death of Captain James Patterson, his son James sold the lands on the ca-t side of the run, that extended back from the river. also one enibracing four hundred and forty-one aeres, including other lands than the original tract, to Galbraith Patterson, a son of William. He sold the traet to Ludwig Zim- merman, who had it surveyed Angust 19, 1792, and sold three hundred and fifty-nine acres to Christopher Crowe, by whom it was divided be- tween himself and Henry and George Crowe. The whole tract, however, April 3, 1802, was sold to Tobias Kreider, who settled upon it. William Thompson, of Thompsontown, pur- chased the Patterson property, on the east side of the run, abont 1809, and also a part of the land on the west side of the run, and in 1810 erected the present stone grist-mill. It was evidently the intention at that time to lay ont a town at this place, and a date-stone was
built into the new mill bearing the following inscription :
" New Mexico Mill, built by William Thompson, 1810.
S. Vines, Mason,
Virtne, Liberty and Independence be thine, antecess to Farmers and Mechanics."
In the year 1770 a road was laid out from the Lost Creek settlement, past the Cedar Spring, to James Patterson's mill. In 1808 the line of stages of the Inniata Stage Company be- gan running past the place. In 1810, Tobias Kreider established a ferry, which he continued until 1821. In 1813 a road was laid ont from James Thompson's mill to the Goshen road. In 1818 the turnpike was built through the place and completed in 1822. James Thomp- son, who settled at the place upon the comple- tion of the mill, in 1810, was the son of William Thompson, of Thompsontown, and married Martha, a daughter of David Allen, by whom he had three sons, -- Charles 1., Allen A. and Jerome, of whom the latter is living on part of the Kreider tract. The mill property came to the sons after their father's death. Samuel Thompson, a brother of James, was engaged in merchandising at the place with his brothers umtil about 1827.
In the year 1812 Tobias Kreider laid ont the town of New Mexico, on the Crowe lands, on the west side of the run. Main Street was on the west side of the present turnpike, and was the one on which the first buildings were erected. The laying out of the turnpike in 1818 changed the village somewhat. Tobias Kreider began the sale of lots in December 22, 1812, and on that date sold to Thomas Henderson lot No. 28, and to Abraham Wilson lot No. 30, and April 16 and 26, 1813, a lot to John Hammel. In 1820 John Swan Blair opened the tavern known as the Old Tavern-Stand. Blair kept the tavern for many years, and the building stood on the site of Jacob Richenbaugh's pres- ent residence ; two other buildings were used as taverns at different times. In 1814 James Thompson began a store at the place and con- tinned many years, and in 1821 a post-office was established and he became the postmaster, and continued until his death. He was succeeded
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
by Charles Thompson, Jacob Frank houser, William Gingrich, Jacob Richenbangh, Sr., Jacob Richenbaugh, Jr., and William Hetrich, which last is the present incumbent. Francis Jordan sunk a tan-yard on the lot now owned by John Motzer in 1812, which was continned until 1856. Evan Evans carried on a fulling- mill in the place from 1818 to past 1831. IIngh Knox, a blacksmith, carried on a shop there from 1814 to 1830. William Turbett, a mason, built one of the stone houses in the town about 1828. The stone houses in the town were all, with this exception, built by the Thompsons. Samnd Vine, also a mason, was living in the township, and built the Thompson mill in 1810, and in 1819 built a stone bridge over D. O. Run, which later was washed away. Samuel Thompson was a store-keeper at the place with James Thompson from 1814 to 1827. In 1857 Charles Thompson, Samuel Laird and Smith Blair were cach keeping store, the latter at the canal, and in that year John Motzer and Jerome Thompson opened a new store at the upper end of Main Street, and continued many years.
The stores at present in the town are kept by William Hetrich and by W. HI. Kurtz. The mill, after the death of James Thompson, was run for several years by his heirs, and sold to Jerome Hetrich, who operated it until his death, in 1877, and it is now owned by liis heirs.
The foundry, now unused, was built by Charles Thompson abont 1836, and was run for about thirty years.
Jerome Hetrich, son of Peter, began business about 1856, in the store with Blair, on the canal-bank, which was kept until his death. The mill property afterwards came into his possession.
The United Brethren of this region erected a meeting-house in Mexico, in 1845, on a lot bought of James Thompson October 12, 1814, which was burued down about 1857 aud re- built. The congregation is under charge with others, and is without a regular pastor. The old Thompson cemetery lies on the hill back from the town, and is now unused. Another cemetery, now nunsed, is on the Jerome Thomp- son firm. The Union Cemetery, that is located on the road from Mexico to Millintown, is where
the dead of this section of country are mostly buried. About 1837 the old church back of Mexico, known as the Logan, having become dilapidated, it was deemed advisable to build a new one at Mexico. The following is an anthen- tie history of the congregation since its organi- zation, in 1777 :
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- It is derived from the epitaph to the Rev. William Logan that he began preaching to this people in 1777, in which year the church was organ- ized. It is tradition that the first preaching- place was near Jericho. The first trustworthy information is found in a road record in a petition for a bridle-path :
MARCH, 1790.
" From Sunbury road through Lost Creek Settle- ment, to the tent where the Rev. William Logan preaches on the land of James Boner, over the Cedar Ridge ; from thence to the school-house on land of Robert Hayes, thence to Joseph Poultney's Ferry on the Juniata."
How long the tent of William Logan had been used is not known. On the first of May, 1792, James Boner and wife sold to
"James Taylor, Esq., James Barr, David Walker, David Davidson and John Campbell, chosen as Trus- tees for the Presbyterian congregation in Fermanagh township, under charge of the Rev. William Logan, one and one-sixteenth acres of land joining Robert Hayes, and on the great road leading from Robert Nelson's house to David Miller's Ferry on the Juniata River."
In this deed a right of way was given the congregation to a certain spring of water for their use, and which has been used within the memory of many.
A hewed-log honse was erected on the lot and need until about 1842, when it was aban- doned, a stone church building having been erected in 1837 at Mexico. The Rev. William Logan served the church until his death, May 19, 1805. Ile and his wife are buried in the church-yard. He was succeeded in 1808 by the Rev. Thomas Smith, a native of Ireland, who also had charge of the Tuscarora congrega- tion at MeCoystown, where he resided. Ile remained in charge until his death, February 12, 1832. The Rey. James Shields was in- stalled pastor June IS, 1835, and died August, 19, 1862. The Rev. Joseph McCartney was
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JUNIATA COUNTY.
installed May 18, 1863, and resigned July 10, 1867, when the present pastor, the Rev. Fran- cis MeBurney succeeded, and was installed Sep- tember in that year. The house is long since gone, but the grave-yard is still used, and many of the carly families are resting there. An ad- dition was made to the grave-yard, May 4, 1813, by the purchase of land of Nathaniel Boner by David Walker, William Curran, Jr., and James Thompson, trustees. The old grave-yard con- tains the remains of many of the old families. The slab that marks the resting-place of the Rev. William Logan, so loug pastor of the con- gregation, contains the following :
"Interred is the dust of Rev. William Logan. Scotland was the place of his birth and education The sacred ministry his choice. He was born in the year 1743, arrived in America Nov., 1773, died sud- denly on Sabbath day, 19th of May, 1805, in the 63d year of his age, after preaching that forenoon. For twenty- eight years, with diligence and fidelity, he discharged the duty of his office to his flock in Fermanagh and Raccoon Valley. Prudence, Piety, Moderation, Good Sense and Sound Patriotism were some of his characteristics. A faithful husband and a steady friend. ' But he is gone from us. Blessed is the dead who die in the Lord.'
" Mortals who read the matter duly weigh, In this uncertain world you cannot stay. Seek readiness for death without delay."
There were two school-houses built in the town before 1830, which were used until 1860, when they were both abandoned and the present double house erected.
Several rope ferries have been kept across the river since 1821, and latterly by William Fowles, who kept an iron-rope ferry, and by Franklin Frankhouser. The bridge was built in 1883 by the bridge company.
MIFFLINBURG, OR TAYLORSTOWN.
About three-quarters of a mile below Mifflin- town, and on the river, is one house ; an almost unnsed road runs from the river eastward. The older citizens remember the locality as Taylors- town, and but few are aware that at one time it was a regularly laid-ont town, yet such is the fact. The tract on which it was laid out was warranted by Robert Campbell on the 8th day of September, 1755. The plot contains two hundred and seventy acres, with six per cent.
allowance. It was " Resurveyed the 12th day May, 1767, according to the old lines made by Colonel John Armstrong in Pursuance of a War- raut from the How'ble Proprietaries to Robert Campbell, Bearing date at Philada, the 8th day of Sept, 1755." The survey was signed by William Maclay. The land was bounded on the west by the Juniata River, on the north by Alexander Lafferty's land (now Mifflintown), on the cast by Jolm McGinty's land. It was seized on an execution and sold by the sheriff to Francis West, June 3, 1757, who, on July 21, 1769, conveyed to James Taylor, who first ap- pears on the tax-roll of the county in 1770, and in 1772 he has two hundred acres, one servant and a horse.
At the convention held at Carpenter's Hall, in Philadelphia, in 1776, James Taylor was ap- pointed judge of election of the Third District of Cumberland County. The election was held at the house of Robert Campbell, who then owned the Middle Mill, in Milford township. The election was held on the 8th of July, at which time they had not heard the Declaration of Inde- pendence. On the 9th of June, 1777, James Taylor was appointed justice of the peace of Fermanagh township, and served as such till his death, about 1808. The exact time James Taylor, Esq., laid out a town upon this plot of land is not known, but it was about 1789, and named " Mifflinburgh."
In 1790, one year before Mifflintown was laid out, " Mifflinburgh " is marked separately in the assessment roll of Fermanagh township, and John Fright, Alexander and Sammel Jack- son and John MeChuire are cach assessed on lots in that new town.
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