USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Mount Pleasant in Wayne County > History of the township of Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, Pennsylvania : a discourse delivered on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1855 > Part 4
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ward down by Mr. Geer's log-house, near the large spring, and then over the Lackawaxen, a few rods above Mr. Baker's residence. As this was a prominent road previous to the construction of the turnpike which took its place, it may be of interest to notice the inhabitants on it, beginning with Mr. John Tiffany. On leaving his house westward was Nathan Rood, Solomon West, Henry Newton, Benja- min Newton, Silas Tanner ; next, a frame school- house ; then Joseph Tanner and Benjamin Dix. As it passed Mr. Dix's, it bent southward, and passed down as before mentioned. Just before it reached the stream it connected with another road that came up in the direction of the present Bethany road, and passed the dwellings of Messrs. Benjamin King, Ru- ben Carr, and Elijah Dix. Here the two roads unit- ing, passed over the Lackawaxen. Then they parted to accommodate two taverns at the top of the hill, kept by Mr. Stanton and Mr. Mumford, on the north and south road.
There are five turnpikes, which either commence or pass through this township. The Cochecton and Great Bend Turnpike, incorporated March 29, 1804, passes through it from Cochecton to Great Bend .* The following terminate in this town: " Bethany and Dinginan's Choice," incorporated March 2d, 1811.t " Belmont and Easton," incorporated March 13th, 1812. " Belmont and Ochquaga," incorporated Febru- ary 26th, 1817. "Lackawaxen Turnpike," incorpor- ated January 17th, 1828.
· See Appendix, No. 8.
+ See Appendix, No. 9.
·
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VIII. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE TOWNSHIP.
At the time this place was settled, it was, together with this and the county of Pike, included in the un- defined regions of the town of Upper Smithfield, in Northampton County. At that time, the elections for this region were held in the house of Nicholas Depuis, in the vicinity of Stroudsburg. The polls were so re- mote (about 70 miles) that no votes were ever cast by any of the people here at any election in that county. They were so isolated from all civil jurisdiction, that no tax was levied, and no officer reached them, or was appointed, with one exception : this was the appointment of Mr. Samuel Stanton, by the Governor, in 1796, to act as a Justice of the Peace here for Northampton County. Thus things continued till this town was organized, in 1798, the same year in which Wayne County was set off from Northampton. This county then embraced all of Pike County and nearly one half of Monroe. This was one of ten town- ships constituted by the Legislature with the county. The five following were in the present territory of Wayne County : Canaan, Palmyra, Buckingham, Da- mascus, Mount Pleasant. This township had origi- nally a territory of twelve miles north and south, and eight miles east and west, containing about 96 square miles. It included one-seventh and five-tenths of the entire county. The territory first included in this county was divided into three election districts. The third and northern included all of the present Wayne County and about one half of Pike. This district com-
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prised six of the original townships. In the same ter- ritory there are now nineteen townships and four bor- oughs. The polls for this district were opened in this town at the house of Elijah Dix, during the years 1798 and 1799. To this place all the inhabitants on the Waullenpaupack and north of the Shoholy Creek, came to vote. They came up the Lackawaxen to the junc- tion of the Dyberry, where Honesdale now stands. This was then a dense, uninhabited wilderness. Leaving the stream, they proceeded through Bethany by mark- ed trees, and so found their way to Mount Pleasant. Citizens on the Delaware found their way hither by bridle paths. Here, for the first time, the scattered inhabitants of the wilderness met from all parts of this extensive district to choose the State and county officers. The polls were held open in the log-house of Mr. Elijah Dix. It stood a few rods east of Mr. Ebene- zer Richardson's late residence. This log-house served as a residence, a school-house, a meeting-house, and now for an election-house. It is to be regretted that not a single relic of this house is now to be found .* Pre- vious to the organization of this town, the settlement was usually called Stantonville. In regard to the origin of the name it now bears, it is obvious that no created being gave it. The Hand that formed these hills and clothed them with their beauty, wrote its name. Man has only read it here. It could be called nothing else. The men who struck the first blow in the wilderness found it here. It is said that one
* A framed house now standing a few rods west of the old founda- tion, was built in 1801.
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Robert L. Hooper, in surveying his lands here in 1775, while overlooking the township from one of the elevations of the Moosic Mountains, was charmed with its beauty, and exclaimed, "This is Mount Pleasant." On this point there never has been a question. Mr. Stanton saw that the Creator had named it, and, therefore, the impropriety of connect- ing his own name with it. And what stranger even that overlooks these hills and valleys in their verdure, . but must also say this town could be called by no other name ?
About the time this village was becoming the cen- tre of business for the township, a few individuals named it Centreville. It never was fully adopted, and has long since become obsolete.
By an act of Legislature of March 27, 1845, this village was incorporated as a borough, embracing a mile square, under the name of Pleasant Mount. On the 7th of May, 1855, that act was repealed, and the village was again merged into the township. The Post-Office, however, still retains the name of Pleas- ant Mount.
The slow progress made during the first period of this township did not meet the expectation of the early settlers. Some of them who had made large purchases on the expectation of a rapid growth, suf- fered embarrassment. This expectation, which had become general and confident, induced. them to pay extravagant prices for land. At the date of the first settlement here this whole region had been surveyed, and was held by men who had bought to sell at an
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advanced price. They had projected and opened the North and South Road, which, it was expected, would become a great thoroughfare. Plans already entered upon would, it was thought, make two large places of business in this vicinity. One of these was on the Delaware, at Stockport, the other on the Susquehanna, at Harmony. These expectations, which were never realized, induced the first settlers to purchase at too high prices. Mr. Stanton paid for his first purchase at the rate of one hundred pounds per one hundred acres. He could have bought Government land at the same time at the rate of twenty pounds per one hundred acres .* The growth of the township has therefore, from its origin, been gradual, though uni- form. Its population in 1800 was 188, which ex- ceeded that of any other town then in this county It was not, however, as large, nor as favorably situated to secure a rapid settlement, as many others. It has been diminished on the northeast and south sides to form, or be added to, other townships. It now con- tains fifty-seven and a half square miles. The popu- lation of this town in 1850 was 1,737. At the present time it is about 2,000. The number of taxables in 1855 was 360.t The last assessment gives the follow- ing estimate of property :
Real Estate,. $74.078 00
Personal Property, 24,056 00
Aggregate, . $98,134 00
* See "Act" of Oct. 3d, 1788, Sergeant's " Land Laws of Pennsyl- vania," page 274.
t When this town was organized in 1798, there were residing in it thirty-four taxables.
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The greater part of the inhabitants are engaged in agriculture. Considerable attention is given to dai- rying. In 1850 there were made 35 tons of butter, and in 1855, 70 tons. Of grain there was raised in .1850,
12,100 bushels of Oats.
5,400 66 Indian Corn .*
6,831
Buckwheat.
. There are ten saw-mills in this town, which cut an- nually two million feet of lumber ; three flouring and grist-mills, having nine run of stones, which grind annually 30,000 bushels of grain ; three turn- ing-mills, which use 225,000 feet of lumber ; two wagon-shops, five blacksmith-shops, two tanneries, and one carding and cloth-dressing machine.
There are also five stores, in which there is an annual trade of $50,000.
IX. RELIGIOUS EVENTS.
As we have already seen, the Gospel was early preached in this town. The first minister of Christ who preached the Gospel here, was Elder David Jayne, who then lived on the Tunkhannock. He came by request of Samuel Stanton and others, in July, 1795. The next year, on the 28th of June, a Free Communion Baptist Church was organized. A number of persons of this denomination in New Eng- land had joined together, and agreed with Mr. Stan- ton to proceed into some new country and purchase a lot of land, and they would take portions of it and
· See Appendix, No. 10. 3*
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form a settlement. But on hearing of the isolated situation of his purchase, they all declined settling with him. Others, however, of this denomination, from New England, were induced to settle here, which led to the organization of this church. It was constituted with six members .* In the spring of 1793 the regular and public worship of God on the Sabbath was commenced, which has never ceased to the present day. Having no minister of the Gospel to preach to them, they read printed discourses. Among those often read, were the sermons of Whit- field and Stennett.
Missionaries, in passing through this region, would spend one or two Sabbaths and preach to the people of this new settlement. The Rev. Daniel Thatcher, a missionary of the General Assembly of the Presbyte- rian Church, visited them, and on the 9th of July, 1797, administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per. This was the first time this truly Christian ordi- nance was ever administered in this town.t It is spoken of in a record made of it by Mr. Stanton, as a very interesting and profitable season. Several other missionaries of the General Assembly, in passing through this region, tarried over Sabbath and preach- ed to the people of this settlement. Among them we notice the names of Rev. Messrs. Aaron Condit, James Boyd, Asa Hillyer and Robert H. Chapman.
The first resident clergyman settled here in 1800. His name was Epaphras Thompson. He was from Bristol, Connecticut. He was a Close Commun-
* See Appendix, No. 11.
t See Appendix, No. 12.
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ion Baptist. A few months after his arrival, he attempted to induce the Free Communion Church he found in this settlement to adopt the Close Commun- ion faith. Failing, however, in this attempt, he united with them, and preached to them for several years. In 1806 Mr. Elijah Peck was ordained by this Church as a Gospel minister. In 1807 he, with Elder Thomp- son and seven or eight other members of this church, separated and formed a Close Communion Church, which became very numerous under his ministrations. Both of these churches declined, and were some years ago disbanded. No vestige of them now remains.
In 1806 the first Methodist clergyman preached in this township. This was the Rev. Annon Owen. He had a circuit extending from Wilksbarre through this region to the Delaware river. The first Methodist So- ciety was organized the same year in the house of Abram Cramer. Among the various clergymen who have been successively appointed over this charge, we notice the Rev. George Peck, D. D., and the Rev. Benjamin Ellis.
On the 26th of January, 1814, a Congregational Church was organized in this town by the Rev. Ebe- nezer Kingsbury and Rev. Worthington Wright, mis- sionaries of the Connecticut Missionary Society. It was organized with seventeen members in the house of the late John Tiffany. In 1831 this church changed its form of government, and became Presbyterian, which form it still retains. At first the church was supplied occasionally by missionaries. Public worship was, however, uniformly sustained when destitute of a
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minister. During the greater proportion of the early history of this church, they were able to support the public preaching of the Gospel by uniting with some neighboring church. The first pastor settled over this church was the Rev. Henry A. Boyce. He was installed July 8th, 1835. He labored but a little more than a year, when he was called away by death. Rev. Anthony McReynolds succeeded him as pastor, and remained about two years. The next pastor was the Rev. Daniel Higbie. After a very acceptable and useful pastorate of six years, he was called away by ill health, The writer of this history was the next succeeding pastor of this church. It is now upwards of ten years since he commenced his pastoral labors in this congregation.
A few years after the organization of this church, it became obvious that they must have a house of public worship. All the private houses where they had been accustomed to worship, had become " too strait " for them. A house was consequently built on the first North and South Road, east of the village, connecting the Newburg and Bethany turnpikes. Its size was 48 by 24 feet. It was formed by building an addition of twenty-four feet square to a school-house of the same size. The two parts were thrown into one by a swing partition. In this effort, all denomi- nations cordially united. So perfectly did this plan commend itself to all the citizens, that the same week it was suggested all the materials were brought upon the ground, and during the next week it was so nearly completed, that it was occupied for the purpose in-
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tended on the following Sabbath. This was in the year 1822, and it was the first house of public wor- ship ever built in this town. Poor as it might now be considered as a place of public worship, it was then regarded as a valuable accomplishment. Many persons from six to seven miles distant regularly wor- shipped in this house. It was common for many of them to walk this distance to and from the meet- ing. Some of them who still survive have their hap- piest seasons of religious worship associated with that old house.
" How charming is the place Where my Redeemer, God, Unvails the glories of his face, And sheds his love abroad !"
" There from his eyes I met the heavenly beam, That kindled in my soul this deathless flame."
The Presbyterian congregation erected a church edifice in 1830 .* This building is 45 by 55 feet. With the exception of the church in Bethany,t this was the first Presbyterian Church built in Wayne County. It was refitted and improved in 1850 at a cost of $700. In 1833 a colony of 31 members went off from this church to form another church of the same denomination in an adjoining town.
In 1832 the Methodist Society erected a plain and commodious house of worship about two miles east of the village, on the Bethany turnpike, and dedicat- ed it on the 4th of July of that year. It was refitted and greatly improved in 1851.
* A charter was granted them September 21st, 1831.
t The Presbyterian Church in Bethany was erected in 1823.
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In 1835 there was a Roman Catholic Church erect- ed in the northeast part of the town. Since its erection, their number has greatly increased. There is now a large congregation statedly meeting in that house.
A Sabbath School Society, auxiliary to the American Sunday School Union, was organized in 1833. This society became very efficient and useful in establishing schools in different parts of the town. It continued for many years to elicit an increasing interest. We are much indebted to its early efforts for the elevated position this cause has to the present time occupied in the hearts of this community.
There was also a Tract Society organized in the same year. Much was done by this society, while its purposes were carried out in circulating religious tracts among the families of the township.
A Bible Society, auxiliary to the Wayne County Bible Society, was organized in 1838. Vigorous ef- forts were made, by appointing visitors in every school district in town, to raise funds and circulate the Scriptures without note or comment. The first officers of the society were William R. Stone, Presi- dent, and Anson Chittenden, sen., Vice-President.
There were early efforts made in this town in the cause of temperance. The first society, called the " Mount Pleasant Temperance Society," was organ- ized on the 9th of February, 1830 .* Mr. Jacob Eaton was the first president of the society, and Mr. Wil- liam R. Stone, secretary. Mr. Stone continued to be an efficient and able secretary of this society for * See Appendix, No. 13.
----
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twenty years. It was organized on the principles of abstinence from distilled spirits ; but in 1837 the pledge of total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks was adopted. When organized, the society had nine members :*
In 1835 it had 240 members.
" 1840
384
" 1845 66 401
" 1850
550
The whole number of names enrolled to the pres- ent time is 610.
X. COMMON SCHOOLS.
Though Pennsylvania has been tardy in waking to the importance of Common Schools, many of the towns in this part of the State have not overlooked their value. Without aid from the State they have erected school-houses, and supported schools, even while in the infancy of their existence. The first school in this town was taught by Miss Lucy Stearns in the summer of 1794. It was held in Mr. Elijah Dix's log-house. She had twelve scholars, and re- ceived six shillings a-week as her wages. The first male teacher that ever taught in this township was Mr. John Tyler. He taught in the winter of 1799 and 1800. His school was in a log building which had been erected and occupied by Mr. Geer, but which then having no family in it, was used for the school. This was the only school in town, and num-
* See Appendix, No. 13.
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bered about twenty-five scholars. The next winter a school was taught by Mr. Richard Perkins, on the old road running north of the village.
The first framed school-house was built in 1804 .* It was the next building eastward of Joseph Tanner's residence. The first school in it was taught by Mr. Truman Wheeler.
In 1834 the State passed a law for a general sys- tem of education by Common Schools. In the same year there was a Board of School Directors chosen in this town under that law. The first officers were Truman Wheeler, President, and William R. Stone, Secretary. There are now in this town fourteen Common Schools, and 500 scholars. The school- houses are generally well built and commodious. One is of stone, one of brick, and others of wood, well finished and painted.
There have never been permanent provisions made in this town for a higher education than what is ob- tained in the Common Schools. We notice several, however, who were born and spent their youth here, that have overcome obstacles, and with an education more or less extensive, have entered some of the pro- fessions. These are Rev. Wesley Miller, a clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He graduated at the Wesleyan University in 184S. We may also notice Mr. Jacob Eaton, who is a member of the Presbyterian Church in this place, and also of the Theological Department of Yale College. He is now
" The author has been informed that a log school-house was erect" ed in 1798. It stood in the vicinity of Philo Spencer's residence.
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about entering the last year of his preparatory studies · for the ministry. In the legal profession, we notice Mr. Henry L. Palmer, who is practicing law in Mil- waukie, Wisconsin. Of physicians, we notice Drs. Lowell Lillibridge, who died in California, Solomon Essary, who is practicing medicine near Chester, New York, Charles T. Wheeler, who is a practicing physician in Indiana, William H. Wheeler, who is now dead, and Jirah Rogers, who is practicing medi- cine in Wisconsin.
For a greater diffusion of knowledge among the people, there has been for many years a circulating library in town. It consists at the present time of 157 volumes.
XI. RESIDENT PHYSICIANS.
The first resident physician in this township was Dr. Asa Parks. He lived in a house which stood east of Mr. John F. Sherwood's residence, on the farm now owned by Mr. Arthur. The old chimney stack is still to be seen. He resided here three or four years, and was considered a good physician. He was afterwards a successful practitioner in Montrose for many years. Before he came here the people em- ployed Dr. Chandler, who resided in Gibson, about sixteen miles west of this place. His ride extended beyond here twenty miles to the Delaware river.
The next resident physician was Dr. John P. Ken- nedy. He came in 1811, and left in 1815. He lived in a house which stood nearly opposite Mr. John F. Sherwood's.
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In 1814 Drs. Jonathan French and Uriel Wright began their residence in this town. Dr. French was from Newburyport in Massachusetts, where he had very successfully devoted his efforts to his profession for fifteen years. He was a skilful physician, possess- ing a finished education, and refined in his deport- ment. He came here to relieve himself from an ex- hausting practice. He designed, also, to engage in the lumber business. He had, however, while here, many professional calls. Not succeeding in lumber- ing to his expectation, he remained but two or three years. Dr. Wright, who came at the same time, was then a young man from Berkshire County, Massachu- setts. He has consequently practiced medicine here forty-one years. Part of this time he has had a ride of fifteen or twenty miles around, often through a deso- late wilderness. Though the frosts of many winters have whitened his few remaining hairs, he may still be seen breasting the storm with a resolute spirit to reach the sick and suffering.
In 1834 Dr. Edwin Eldridge came, and had a limit- ed practice of about two years.
In 1837 Dr. Rodney Harmes began his practice of medicine in this place. He was from Sullivan County, New York, and had recently entered upon his profession. Ile still resides here as one of the physicians of this township.
Dr. Frederick Tracy began the practice of medicine here in 1851. After a practice of about two years he removed his residence from this place.
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»XII. HUNTERS.
There is another class of men who deserve a no- tice in the history of this town. They do so from the fact that their work is now done. If, therefore, - it is not written, it must be left to an uncertain tra - dition. I refer to the hunter. There are emergen- cies in a hunter's life which educe the qualities of the man. There are few men who are or can be hunters. * A thoughtless boy can shoot an innocent robin or a merry squirrel, who gives you a lively chirp before he dodges into his underground room : but he is no hunter. There are emergencies in a hun- ter's life which require the most sterling traits of character, such as would make him a Leonidas or a Bonaparte, if in their circumstances. He must be a man of the utmost coolness in the midst of the most terrific scenes, quick and judicious in his movements, and of indomitable perseverance and bravery. The men who have proved these qualities in conflict with the fierce animals of the wilderness deserve our notice.
The first instance, though somewhat amusing, shows the tenacity with which a hunter will cling to his prey. It seems Mr. John Tiffany and Mr. Elijah Peck were hunting deer, and shot at a large buck. He fell to the ground. Mr. Tiffany imme- diately ran to cut his throat and remove the blood. When he had grasped his horns, with one foot on each side of his body, the animal instantly rose with him upon his back, and ran off at the top of his
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speed. He still clung to him, and vanished in the distance, crying out to his companion, "'Lijah ! 'Lijah !! 'Lijah !!! But in that perilous flight Elijah could afford him no assistance. He soon relinquished his grasp, and was very unceremoniously alighted. He was found by his companion uninjured.
( Mr. George McMullen settled in this town in 1800, and is of Scotch descent. He is tall, bony, yet com- pactly built,) has a Roman nose, broad capacious mouth, a dark expressive eye, which is usually rest- less in its socket. He is animated in conversation, commanding in his general appearance, and disdains to be outdone. He has the natural qualities for a successful hunter. He has engaged in it more or less the greater part of his life. He has not done it for the profit of it so much as because he is passion- ately fond of it. Though now in his seventieth year, he will travel from ten to fifteen miles a day in pur- suit of a deer. He is full of animation in this his favorite sport. Said he a few days ago, after return- ing from a chase, "The smell of the woods excites me when I have my rifle in my hand. I am ready for anything." (His life is full of stirring incidents. He has had many bloody battles with the ferocious animals of this county in its wild state. / He will entertain you for hours in relating them with such vivacity and excitement that you will think your- self in the midst of them. /A few of these must serve the present occasion. On one of his hunting excursions he was out with another hunter and two dogs. They discovered a panther, and the dogs treed
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