USA > Pennsylvania > The Historical journal : a quarterly record of local history and genealogy devoted principally to Northwestern Pennsylvania > Part 20
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Mr Adlum Lickewise thought it best to Proceed with the survey to the top of the hill; and we proceeded accordingly but before we had gone a half a mile further we plainly saw that our Gides were utterly at a Loss. and in a short time Cassidy himself Declared that there could not be a road made there, and Longe Before we had Reached the Top of the mountain, we were all willing to return back the best way we could find through the Laurel. We got down a little below the forks of the run and took up our Quar- ters, heartily tired of Road hunting. Cassidy and Pringle would not stay with (us) all night, though they were invited.
TUESDAY, September 7th .- We returned to Cassidys and got there a little before 11 oclock. Were oblidged to wait some time in order to procure horses to bring forward our Baggage and had to send one of our people to Mr Blair's mill to get a fresh supply of flour. This Detained Mr Ad!um all night at Cassidys. After
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Dinner I took two men to Carrey Chain, and began the survey of the Frankstown Branch at the mouth of Poplar run, and Proceed Down a's far as Franks old town,* When night came on, and not meeting with any of our people, Colonel Matlack and I went to Lowery's and staid all night. When I Left off surveying I had sent the chain carriers up to one Tituses to see whether any of our people had come there. On their way they met with N. St Clair who Mr Adlum had sent with our Blankets and part of the Bag- gage ; but the night was so dark that they could not find the road to Lowerys. They therefore took up camp on the Branch.
WEDNESDAY, September 8th .- Left Lowery's after Breakfast, and came to the camp that the men had made on the Branch; where Mr Adlum had Got Before us. We were still at a Loss for the means of conveying our Baggage. Mr Adlum had hired Cassidy's Boy to bring our Baggage to Frankstown, and he agreed to take it a little further. We then proceeded with the survey; Cassidy's Boy carried our Baggage about two miles Down the Branch, where he left us to shift. We then prevailed on a Duchman to Lend us a Canoe: into which we packed our things and proceeded about 1} miles further, and encamped. Colonel Matlack Bough(t) some motton from a Duchman to be Delivered in the morning, and was Liekwise in Treaty with the same man for a canoe.
THURSDAY, September 9th .- Rec'd the motton and Bought a canoe provided we Lieke it when we see it; and are preparing to set out again. Set of(f) and came to where the canoe was. We were oblidged to take it altho it was as ugly a one as possable. We got our Baggage on Board and Proceeded down the River;t we found the water so low that the men were obliged to Drag nearly
* Frankstown, Blair County, is probably the oldest place on the Juniata River, traders having mentioned it as early as 1750. The Indian town was located at the month of a small run, and at one time contained a considerable number of inhabi- tants. The Indian name was Assuncpachla, which signifies a meeting of the waters, as several streams unite here and form the Juniata. The Indians aban- doned it in 1755. The name Frankstown comes from an old German Indian trader named Stephen Franks, who lived contemporaneously with old Hart, after whom Hartslog Valley was named. Franks was a great friend of the Indians and lived and died among them, and it was after his death that one of the chiefs took his name, which caused the erroneous impression that the name was given to the town in honor of the chief .- Jones' Juniata Valley, pages 324-5. + The Little Juniata.
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one half of the Distance which Delayed us Exceedingly. We went on and pitched upon a camp and Kindled a fire, but the men were so Exausted with the Extream Fatigue that it was past Eight oclock before the could reach the place, altho we had come only about 3 miles.
FRIDAY, September 10th .- We continued our survey down the River & made about 6 miles this Day; the water Low, and the Banks of the River Rocky and Bushey.
SATURDAY, September 11th .- Continued the survey of the River and with all the Exercesions we could make we only got seven miles with our survey. The walking on the river bad & the water too Low.
SUNDAY, September 12th .- Proceeded down the River with our survey. Colonel Matlack and myself walked along the shore with the surveyor(s) untill we got below the place called the Fiddle Strings. We then concluded. as there was no obstruction in the River from there to Water Street, that we would take the road, which we did accordingly and came to Water Street .* Came down through the narrows to the house of one Brown, where we intended waiting for Mr Adlum and the canoe; but after some time we were informed by Brown that Coll'o Cannon was to start the next morning for Phila'd. We concluded to leave a note for Mr Adlum with Brown and go on to Coll Canuon's. We did so; came to Coll Cannon's; found that he was at meeting. However we found means to procure a dinner. After some time the family came home, and Expresed their Satisfaction at seeing us & treated us with kindness. We then learned that the Col'o had a Brother Lately arrived from Ireland, whose family was then near W(il)- mington; that he was going down with a Horse to assist them in coming up. Coll. Matlack determined to take this oppertunity to get on his way as far as Lancaster. Night came on and not ac- count from Mr Adlum and our canoe party.
.
* Two miles above Alexandria, Huntingdon County. Water Street is an old . place and was settled prior to the Revolution. A stream of water from Canoe Mountain, supposed to be the Arch Spring, of Sinking Valley, passes down a ravine and empties into the Juniata at this place. For some distance through a narrow defile the road passed directly through the bed of this stream, a circum- stance which induced the settlers to call it Water Street .- Jones' Juniata Valley, page 301.
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MONDAY, September 13th .- Early in the Morning Mr Adlum came to us at Col'l Cannon's. He had compleated the survey yes- terday at 3 oclock and came down part of the way with the canoe, but stopt to speak with a man on the road near a Bent in the River; then went on to the next Bent where the water appeared in good order for canoeing, & after Looking up and Down, and not seeing the canoe, concluded that they were ahead and went on to one Mitchells where they were to stop. When he came there they were not come nor did they come that night. He therefore Dis- patched Hicks, this morning to Look for them. After Breakfast we all walked down to the river, and found they were just arrived. We then concluded as it was so Difficult to proceed with the canoe to leave her and all our Baggage, our Coats and Papers Excepted, and make the best of our way home. Col'l Matlack was Provided with a horse: and Mr Adlum and myself Determined to take part of our Baggage on our Backs aud foot it home. We got all our Baggage on shore and got the things that were to be left carried up to Coll Cannon's. We packed the other things up in order, took our Back Loads and set out. Col'l Cannon was so oblidging as to accomodate us with a horse as far as Huntingdon, where we arrived at 3 oclock. We spent some time with Col'l Matlack in arranging our bussness and set off for Kishacoquillis at -* oclock with our Baggage on our Backs; we had one half of the City to admire us, -* they looked at us with attention. We walked 4 miles came to one Silles and took up our Quarters for the night; attempted to procure a man and horse to carry our Baggage (and have ?) hopes of Success.
TUESDAY, September 14th .- Though we had hopes last night of procuring a packhorse, yet when the morning came, the man would not go; we therefor took up our loads and set off; traveled 6 miles to the Improvement of a Duchman, who for half a dollar agreed to carry our things into Kishicoquillis valley. Agreed with him. put the Baggage into a horse Load, fixed it on and made the best of our way. Came into the valley to James Logan'st who with one
* Torn off.
t This beautiful valley was named after Kishicoquillas, an old Indian chief who had his cabin there at an early day. Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief, afterwards dwelt in the valley. But the Logan alluded to by Mr. Maclay could hardly be the famous son of Shikellamy. Mr. Maclay did much surveying in the valley, and afterwards some of his descendants lived and died there.
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* horses carried our things to John Wilson, who carried theni to Robert MeLain; where we all arrived a little after.
WEDNESDAY, September 15th .- Agreed with Robert MeLain for a horse and boy pr Day to carry us to Buffaloe and set off in the -* Mr Adlum and myself stopped this day at Mr -* , and sent the men with the horse forward.
THURSDAY, September 16th .- Set out from -* in the morn- ing and about 4 oclock overtook -* with the Baggage. Trav- eled about 3 miles further to -- # newcombers in Mussers Valley and put up for the night.
FRIDAY, September 17th .- Set off in the morning; walked very (constantly ?) untill one oclock, when I reached home. Found my family all well and at Dinner. Our men came about 2 hours afterwards.
REPORTS ON THE SURVEY.
In 1789 the "Society for Promoting the Improvement of Road and Inland Navigation" was formed, and had in a short time one hundred members residing in various parts of the State. Surveys of the Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Juniata and other streams were , authorized, with the view of ascertaining the cost of the proposed water ways to connect with the lakes, to bring the trade to Phila- delphia. In 1791 the Society, through Robert Morris, submitted a report and memorial to the Legislature, giving a comprehensive view of the various routes for canals and roads, with estimates of the expense. It may be curious to compare their ideas and views, and estimates, with those entertained at the present day, so far as the same routes have been pursued. Extracts from the report of Maclay, Adlum and Matlack are given herewith:
Susquehanna navigation, as connected with the Schuylkill on the east, and Ohio and the great lakes on the west. From Philadelphia to Pittsburg:
Miles. Chs.
Up Schuylkill to the mouth of the Tulpehocken.
61 00
Up Tulpehocken to the end of the proposed canal 37 09
Length of the canal. 4 15
Down Quitapahilla to Swatara 15 20
* Torn off.
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Miles. Chs. Down Swatara to Susquehanna
23 00
Up Susquehanna to Juniata 23 28
Up Juniata to Huntingdon 86 12
From Huntingdon, on Juniata, to mouth of Poplar Run. 42 00
Portage to the Canoe Place on Conemaugh .. 18
00
Down Conemaugh to Old Town at the mouth of Stoney Creek. 18 00
Down Conemaugh and Kishkiminetas to Allegheny River. 69 00
Down Allegheny River to Pittsburg on the Ohio. 29 00
Total
425 84
ESTIMATE OF THE EXPENSE.
Schuylkill from the tide water to Reading, by David Rittenhouse and
others £ 1,147 00
By Benjamin Rittenhouse and John Adlum 1,519 13
Clearing the Tulpehocken by do. 1,419 90
The canal from Tulpehocken to Quitapahilla, 20 feet wide and 7 feet on an average .*
The Quitapahilla and Swatara .. 18,900 00
Susquehanna from Swatara to Juniata 300 00
The Juniata to Frank's Town.
2,320 00
Canal or lock navigation to Poplar Run (if found necessary, which will probably not be the case). 7,000 00
Portage of 18 miles to Conemaugh at £20 per mile. 360 00
Conemaugh and Kishkiminetas to Allegheny .. 7,150 00
In order to reach Presque Isle by the Juniata, Conemaugh, Allegheny and French Creek ronte the following estimate was submitted:
Miles. Chs.
To the mouth of Kishkiminetas, by the same route as above. 397 04
Up the Allegheny to French Creek 83 43
Up French Creek to Le Bœuf. 65 40
Portage from Le Bœuf to Presque Isle.
15 40
Total
561 27
The sum of £500 for French Creek, and £400 for the Portage, is all the addi- tional expense in the navigation from Kishkiminetas to Presque Isle or the lakes.
FROM PHILADELPHIA BY WEST BRANCH.
From Philadelphia to Presque Isle by the West Branch of the Susquehanna, Sinnemahoning and Conewango:
Miles. Chs.
From Philadelphia to Swatara as above.
140 44
Up Susquehanna to the West Branch, at Sunbury. 65 00
· Up the West Branch to the mouth of Sinnemahoning. 106 00
Up Sinnemahoning to the Forks. 15 20
* Hcre the Society left a blank.
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Miles. Chs.
Up the North Branch of Sinnemahoning. 19 40
By the Portage to the head of Allegheny River. 23 00
Down Allegheny River (partly through New York State) to the mouth of Conewango 76 00
Up Conewango to New York line 11 miles-thence up the same through
the State of New York 17 miles to Chautauqua Lake. 2S
00
Across Chautauqua Lake to its head. 17 00
Portage to Lake Erie at the mouth of Chautauqua Creek. 9 20
Along Lake Erie to Presque Isle.
25 00
Total
524 44
Another route to the lake is also given as follows:
Miles. Chs.
From Philadelphia to the Forks of Sinnemahoning, as before. 326 64
Up the West Branch of Sinnemahoning. 24 00
Portage to Little Toby's Creek. 14 00
Down Little Toby's Creek to the main branch. 10
00
Down the main branch of Little Toby's Creek to the Allegheny 70 00
Up the Allegheny to French Creek 35 00
Up French Creek and the Portage to Presque Isle. 81 00
Total
560 64
No estimate of costs accompanies these routes.
ROSWELL FRANKLIN.
BY REV. J. N. HUBBARD.
R OSWELL FRANKLIN was one of the early pioneers of the Valley of Wyoming. He, with others, from Connecti- cut, came when the title to the land was in dispute between parties whose claims seemed to be very nearly, if not quite, identical.
Connecticut claimed this section of country under a charter given by James I. to the Plymouth Company in 1620; this included lands west of New Jersey, between certain parallels running west- ward to the ocean. The Valley of Wyoming, being within these limits, was regarded as hers.
Pennsylvania claimed this same land under a grant subsequently given by Charles II. to William Penn, in 1681.
To strengthen these claims each bought likewise of the Indians, . who doubtless received little enough, though they sold the land twice. Still further support was claimed, by each, from legal de- cisions obtained in England.
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Those who came from Connecticut here to form a settlement, had undoubted faith in the validity of the title held by their State.
The Pennsylvanians likewise had full confidence in their own title, and were resolved to maintain their right to the possession of this valley. Angry feelings were aroused, bitter words passed and blows were given, and finally there was a resort to arms; and one party overcame and dispossessed the other by turns, until the Revolutionary war began to absorb every other interest, and lay a supreme demand upon the patriotism of all in every State.
Mr. Franklin first came here in the spring of 1770. The ex- tent and beauty of the valley must have awakened his admiration, for after viewing the land, he decided upon settling here. He may not have known the difficulties he would have to encounter, or the strong determination of the Pennsylvanians to break up the settle- ment already commenced. Yet he had an inkling of this on his way toward home. He with others stopped for the night on the Jersey side of the Delaware River, and while there were surprised and captured by a party of Pennsylvanians, who took them across the river and lodged them in jail at Easton.
They were not aware of having committed any crime, yet this evinced the strong feeling existing at the time, and the deep de- termination to prevent any settlement here, other than under the authority of their own State.
Mr. Franklin and his comrades were not unkindly treated, but were provided at first with a variety of food and in sufficient quantity. But when it was rumored that their friends intended to come and rescue them, a change was made, and they were fed simply on bread and water. The precaution was taken also of bringing into the jail twenty-five muskets, and a supply of ammu- nition, and men were engaged to be in readiness to assist the jailor in case of an attempt at rescue.
These Yankees, however, were not altogether suited with their board, and had little fancy for close confinement, and it is not strange they should entertain the idea of not stopping here very long.
But they were carefully guarded, occupying the second story of the jail, and were well secured by bolts and iron bars. Twice a day they were taken down stairs, and allowed to walk in the back
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yard, four only going at a time. It occurred to them they might devise some plan of escape at one of these seasons, when they were having a little airing.
Yet this would require them to act in broad daylight, when an alarm might summon the people to prevent their escape, and oblige them to fight their way through. Still they were determined to make the attempt, though at the risk of life.
To forward their design, one of the prisoners feigned sickness and was taken below for medical treatment. His object was to find where the front door key was kept, as this would give them the easiest and most direct way out. He found that instead of putting it in one, they had different places for it. This knowledge gained, his recovery was rapid, and he was soon taken up stairs again to his companions.
Further consultation resulted in fixing on a day, near at hand, when their contemplated effort to escape would be made. Mr. Franklin was chosen as their leader, and they agreed to follow his directions.
On the day appointed four of them were let down, at an carlier hour than usual. Two or three men came in to help the jailor about something. One of them was a blacksmith, and brought his hammer, and laid it on the window sill. They then went into the yard where the prisoners were usually allowed to go, and his wife came with her knitting, and sat down in the door.
Franklin had previously directed his three companions to keep near to each other, watch his movements, and be ready for action at any moment. He then stepped up to the jailor, who was a well disposed man, laid his hand familiarly on his shoulder and said, "Though I have been shut up here so close, and fed on such weak stuff as bread and water, I'll bet a trifle, after all, that I can beat you at hopping."
He then made a mark near the door, and hopped as far as he could at three hops. Then came the jailor's turn. "Stop," said the other, " till I come back and see that you start fair." As soon as the jailor commenced his hop, Franklin jumped to the door, gave it a violent swing, sweeping the woman with her knitting into the yard, and immediately turned the key that was in the door, thus for a time imprisoning the wife, her husband and the two or three attendants.
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The next thing was to liberate the other prisoners. He seized the blacksmith's hammer in the window, ran up stairs and with heavy blows broke the locks and liberated the men. Having suc- ceeded in this, they had still to hunt for the key to the front door. It was found in a drawer, which they broke open.
While these movements were going on, the jailor and others in the yard were crying at the top of their voices, "murder! murder!" and the people began to come together in crowds before the jail, in the street. But the prisoners armed themselves with the guns that had been brought into the jail to prevent a rescue, and Frank- lin directed his men to form in line right after him, and be pre- pared to fire. if the circumstances should require it.
The door was opened: a crowd of citizens was before it. Hap- pily, in their haste, they had come unarmed. The order was given to seize hold of the prisoners. But seeing that these men were resolute. and well armed, there was a hesitation to obey. The prisoners moved forward. One man stepped out as if to arrest the leader, Franklin. It was a critical moment, but he did not hesi- tate; pointing his gun, he said to him: "Sir, it is a case of life or death ; if you lay a hand on me you are a dead man !" The man drew back, the crowd opened, and in solid column the men marched through. none attempting to molest them; not a hand was raised, nor another word spoken, and while deep silence reigned, this little band of heroic men passed out to a point where they considered themselves safe.
But there is a wide difference between the ability to act with courage on a given occasion and the disposition to use wisely the advantages thus gained. These men, after passing beyond the bounds of the village and where they could not be seen by their enemies, seemed to be intoxicated with the idea of their release from prison, and regarded themselves now as free from all danger. " No," said Mr. Franklin, " we are not out of danger, and will not be until we are beyond the reach of our enemies."
He endeavored to impress upon them the necessity of keeping together, of being constantly on their guard, with loaded guns, and that by marching thus in a body they might soon reach a point of safety. They were not disposed. however, to regard his counsel, and exulting in their freedom, spurned the idea of danger. That
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was all over, and they could now take care of themselves. Mr. Franklin, perceiving that further expostulation was useless, handed his gun to one of the men, saying they might take their own way and he would his, hoping they might come out all right, but as for himself he would rather take the risk of going alone. So he left them, and it turned out very much as he anticipated; after a few days they were all retaken, and put back in the jail again.
Mr. Franklin sought a place of concealment, where he rested till dark. He arose, cut a good-sized hickory that would serve as a staff to support, or as a club to fight with. if occasion required. and passed directly through Easton to the Delaware River, where he found a canoe and paddled across into the State of New Jersey. Darkness, silence and loneliness reigned around him. He heard nothing save the low murmuring of the river. He wandered on, uncertain as to his course, but fearing to remain where he was. Morning at length came. He found he was still in the vicinity of Easton, for he could hear the drums beat, to call the people to arms. Hungry, wet, without a coat to shield him from the cold, weakened from insufficient food, the heavy mental strain that had been upon him, and the great physical exertion he had sustained, he regarded his life as of little worth, and had not the thought of wife and children and home reached some latent springs of re- maining strength, he would have felt indifferent as to what was before him, whether life or death. Thinking he might as well die in one way as another, he ventured to call at a house that was near, not knowing whether he would find friends or foes.
He accosted the man of the house in a way to ascertain, if he could, how he felt towards the Connecticut men that were trying to found a colony in the Valley of Wyoming. So far as he could judge, the man appeared to be friendly, and he frankly told him all that related to his present condition and wants; how he had escaped from the jail, and his desire to reach his home and friends without being betrayed or placed again in the hands of his enemies.
He was kindly received, assured of protection, supplied with re- freshments and a place of rest, where he passed a few hours in refreshing sleep.
His kind host advised him as to the best course to reach his home, and, with heartfelt expressions of gratitude, he departed,
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and in due time safely reached his home in Woodbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
THE COUNTY OF MCKEAN.
T HE last number of that excellent monthly, the Petroleum Age, published at Bradford, contained an article on the early history of Mckean County, and the founding of Bradford, which is worthy of being reproduced in THE HISTORICAL JOURNAL. It says:
The county of Mckean was formed from that of Lycoming, by act of the Legislature, March 26, 1804. Its original area was 1,442 square miles. It parted with a portion of its territory when Elk County was formed in 1843, and another portion was taken from it for Cameron County in 1860. It now contains about 1,000 square miles, or 640,000 acres.
The northwestern portion of this State was owned and occupied by the warlike Seneca Indians, and was ceded by them to the Gov- ernment in the treaty made by the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., October 23, 1784. By this treaty the Indians surrendered all their claims to lands in the State of Pennsylvania, except a small area on the banks of the Allegheny River, twelve miles north of Kinzua village, which was reserved to Cornplanter, the well- known Seneca chieftain. Here he settled about 1790 and resided until his death in 1836.
Mckean County was named in honor of Thomas Mckean, who for nine years was Governor of the State. At its formation it, together with the county of Clearfield, was placed under the juris- diction of Centre County, and its records were kept at Bellefonte. In August, 1804, Mckean was erected into a township called Ceres by the quarter sessions of Centre County. Roads were laid out by the court in 1806, and in 1810 Sargeant Township was formed.
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