USA > Pennsylvania > The Historical journal : a quarterly record of local history and genealogy devoted principally to Northwestern Pennsylvania > Part 29
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From this time till 1820 this church was occasionally supplied by Presbytery. On the 18th of April, of that year, the Rev. Nathan- iel R. Snowden, of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, applied for admittance to the Presbytery of Northumberland, and, on being received, presented a call from the Lycoming Church, which was put into his hands and accepted by him. He was installed in due
* See old minutes for 1817.
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time. On April 15th, 1823, this pastoral relation was dissolved. Mr. Snowden was, after some time, put on trial before Presbytery for some misconduct, for which he was ordered to be admonished by the Moderator. On October 7th, 1825, Mr. Joseph Painter, a licentiate of this, the Northumberland Presbytery, was called to this church, and he was shortly after ordained and installed. In April, 1828, we find a resolution in the minutes of Presbytery requesting " the Moderator to preach in Mr. Painter's congregation, and address the people on the subject of his ministerial support." The Moderator, that year, was the Rev. George Junkin, afterward the Dr. George Junkin who acted so prominent a part in the Crisis, or proceedings of the General Assembly, that resulted in the division of the Church into New and Old School. No doubt the people of the Lycoming Church had the subject very fully and plainly put to them. At this same meeting of Presbytery " Mr. Painter read a history of the Lycoming congregation, which he was directed to record in the beginning of the sessional records of that church as amended."* This was in obedience to a reso- lution of Presbytery, at a former meeting, requiring all pastors to write and record the history of their respective congregations. Mr. Painter seems to have been the only member who complied with this requirement, and his history of the Lycoming congrega- tion cannot now be found. At the meeting of Presbytery, October 20th, 1829, Mr. Painter "applied to Presbytery for advice with regard to leaving his congregation, and after hearing his reasons for such a step, Presbytery agreed unanimously that it seemed to be his duty to remain with them." The reasons for this appli- cation were perhaps their failure to pay his salary, and the many discouraging effects of such delinquency on pastoral work. On the 17th of April, 1831, Mr. Painter made formal application to Presbytery to dissolve his pastoral relation to this church, which was granted. Thus we see that from the beginning the pastoral relation has not been very long continued in the Lycoming Church. For a series of years after Williamsport began to grow, and the church there became active and self-sustaining, Lycoming became more feeble and had a hard struggle to sustain a pastor ; changes be- came more frequent than ever, and the prospects for a time were
* See old minutes for 1828.
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discouraging. But a great change has taken place in its surround- ings since the rapid growth of the city of Williamsport began to develop itself in this direction. The population has largely in- creased; Christians are active and aggressive, and the church has advanced in all the elements of successful work. Their late pastor, the Rev. Alexander Henry, who recently, much against his own will and the will of the people-under the pressure of broken health-left them, was enabled to extend the area of church-work to take in some destitute communities in the vicinity. The tem- perance reformation meets with a hearty response to all its claims, and some of the noblest examples of female workers in the tem- perance cause are to be found among its women. A large and beautiful addition to the church edifice has recently been built, which amply accommodates the large Sabbath School and a part of the regular Sabbath congregation; while there is no longer any need to request the Moderator of the Presbytery to preach to this congregation on the subject of their pastor's support. Their pres- ent pastor, the Rev. J. W. Boal, finds willing hearts and hands among them for all the requirements of church-work.
THE ORANGEVILLE CHURCH .- This church was organized in 1842. It is located in territory which originally belonged to the Old Briar Creek Church, and is one of the daughters of this ven- crable mother. which, after a struggle in its earlier days to sustain life, seems to have a somewhat promising future before it. The town of Orangeville is situated in a part of Columbia County, Pa., not favored with public improvements, or having much pros- pect of a future increase ip population; but it is a comfortable little village, and has a considerable country around it to support the business of a town of its kind with a limited population. Soon after the civil war the State government supported a school there for the education of the children of deceased soldiers for a short time. After this school was removed the Rev. C. K. Canfield opened an academy in the vacated building, which for several years was very popular and prepared a large number of youth for college. This was a great help to the town in several respects. Mr. Canfield occupied the pulpit while he conducted the academy, but, finding the labor of the two positions too arduous. he finally gave up the school and confined his labors to the church. His
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work has been attended with success, and he deserves great credit for his judicious and efficient management. This little church has had many pastors; usually it has been united with other neighbor- ing churches in supporting its pastors. The following have been its pastors and supplies in the order here stated, viz .: Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., from 1842 to 1843; the Rev. Charles Williams, from 1843 to 1847; the Rev. G. W. Newell, from 1847 to 1858; the Rev. W. P. Teitsworth, from 1858 to 1859; the Rev. Nathaniel Spear, from 1861 to 1875; the Rev. D. J. Waller, Jr., from 1876 to 1877, and the Rev. C. K. Canfield, from 1877 to the present time. Its original elders were Samuel White, John B. Edgar and William Patterson.
( CONTINUED NEXT MONTH.)
THE WAR OF 1812-LOCAL INCIDENTS.
BY J. H. MCMINN, WILLIAMSPORT.
O N the 4th of June, 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain. The grounds alleged were the im- pressment of American seamen and the violation of neutral rights. On the 19th of August following, General Hull surrendered troops, stores and valuable territory in Michigan, without resistance.
Although the wisdom of going to war, at that time, was seriously questioned, yet this cowardly affair so aroused the indignation of the whole country as to precipitate an carnest and determined campaign. John Else. now living in Montoursville at the age of 92 years, distinctly remembers the intense feeling aroused in this valley, and that many enlisted and hurried to the seat of war.
Some five full companies, and many officers, went from Buffalo Valley and adjacent parts of Northumberland County. Lycoming was declared to be a frontier county, and only those were taken who volunteered to go. A large number undoubtedly went away, as our oldest citizens remember several families that became desti- tute on account of absent providers, and were compelled to appeal to their more fortunate neighbors for relief. John Else was then living on the." Robert's place," Spring Island, near Coffee Town.
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and watched the troops march along the public road toward Tea Town .*
These same troops entered Williamsport by way of East Third Street, and at William Street turned down to the river bank, which was then a large, grassy, public common. They went into camp and remained six weeks, after which the line of march was resumed toward Black Rock, on the Niagara River. They marched up William to Fourth Street, thence westward, at Hepburn Street crossing the borough limits, and by the main road proceeded to " Amariah Sutton's place," where they turned to the north by the main road up Lycoming Creek.t At the distance of about a mile they crossed the stream by the new bridge# and continued their march to Trout Run, where they divided, one detachment continu- ing up the creek towards their destination, while the other marched up Trout Run, through the Blockhouse settlement, to Wellsboro and the north.
Small squads of recruits frequently passed up the creek, and they would encamp near Caldwell's mill (now John Good's), when the people would pity them and give them supplies. On one oc- casion a wagon train was passing in front of the old Sutton house. when one of the guards ran his bayonet through a goose and threw it into his wagon. Mr. Samuel Williams, now living in Mon- toursville at the age of 80 years, stood by, a little boy, and watched the whole proceeding.
Eliza Vananda was a young girl at home and would often listen
* At that time a cluster of three or four houses stood near Loyalsock Creek, and another of similar number about a mile eastward-both on the main road to . Williamsport. Owing to a social customi of tea'drinking at the former place, the people of the other village derisively named the place "Tea Town," whereupon they retaliated by calling their neighbor "Coffee Town." These names have stuck to them until the present day, although both are now within the borough limits of Montoursville-a name conferred in 1832, when the first post-office was established and Solomon Bruner appointed postmaster.
+ The "Old Sutton Farm" is now owned by the Hon. R. J. C. Walker. All the old landmarks have been removed; even the creek that formerly flowed close by the barn, in a deep, narrow channel, is now several hundred feet away, and the old bridge spans a shallow depression that is dry most of the year.
#This structure was probably one of the first timber arch bridges in this section of the country. It was built by Anthony Moore, Peter Vananda and James Wil- son, in 1810 and 1811, and stood until 1865, when it was carried away by the remarkable flood that occurred on St. Patrick's Day.
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with the other children to hear a gun go off, when they would ex- claim, "There goes more soldiers."*
Joseph King and George Reighard were drafted, but Colonel Samuel Stewart (of Nippenose) decided that they should remain at home to assist in protecting the frontier. Peter Arp, whose son's family reside in this city, was a soldier from one of the lower counties. Major James H. Huling, father of Major Lewis G. Huling, was a wagonmaster from this valley and went to Wells- boro with the troops. Cornelius Corson, grandfather of William T. Corson, lived in what is familiar to the present generation as the "Joe Gilmore place." He had Conestoga wagons, four and six horse teams, with which he twice a year made trips between Phil- adelphia. Pa .. and Geneva, N. Y., hauling all kinds of freight and merchandise for merchants and others. He had the contract for hauling the provisions and stores for the troops from this point to the North.
Three detachments of infantry passed through this place in one body, numbering altogether about 600 men, under command of Lieutenant Colonel McFeeley. Colonel Hugh Brady commanded the Pennsylvania troops: Colonel Bosley the Virginia troops, and Colonel Randolph the Maryland troops. One company, known as the " Mob boys," had destroyed the printing establishment of an offensive citizen in Baltimore, and had enlisted to escape the clutches of the law. They were notorious thieves. In one night they stole eight or nine hens and a rooster from Joseph Wallis. One of the men baited a fish hook with a grain of corn and threw it among a flock of geese near Front and West streets. After one of them had swallowed the bait, the soldier ran wildly into camp yelling and screaming, " that old gander's after me, he's after me!" not forgetting to hold fast to the string until his captive was landed
*" Mammy Fernander," wife of Peter Vananda, mentioned above, together with her large white dog and heavy cane, will be remembered by many sedate fathers of to-day, who once teased the old lady until almost frantic, by picking her berries on the ground now occupied by the Catholic cemetery. She died at . the age of 96 years. at the old homestead that stood opposite the entrance of the new Jewish burying-ground, on Cemetery Street. Every vestige of the old mansion has been obliterated. The daughter Eliza, referred to, died May 29th, 1887, at the residence of her son, James V. Hinkle, No. 15 West Street, at the age of almost $6 years.
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securely behind his tent, amidst the cheers and shouts of his com- rades. On one occasion Captain Montgomery ordered out his company for drill. Of the one hundred men in his command, seventy-five were too drunk to be of any service. One of them, a very large, clumsy fellow, was placed in charge of a detail of two men, who were ordered to take him to the river and duck him. He submitted until they undertook to carry out the sentence, when he turned upon them and ducked them until the captain became alarmed for their lives, when he sent two more men to assist their comrades. These he also ducked thoroughly before he was over- powered, after which they administered the punishment so effec- tually that he was taken out almost lifeless and was with great difficulty resuscitated.
Apollos Woodward had just slaughtered three hogs that, together. weighed 2,100 pounds. He sold the hams to the officers above mentioned, and when the sergeant, sent to weigh them, reported the result he was met with the reply, "the devil they did," imply- ing that the weight was incredible. Judge Woodward had a valuable young horse, and "Sammy " Grier, who disliked him. got some men to go down and press the horse into the military service. Woodward refused to give him up, and the party nudged John Heively to go and take him, whereupon Woodward knocked him down and locked the stable door. So they went off without the horse, and having proceeded irregularly, Woodward got the horse away out of their reach.
One day as Sam. Titus, who is yet with us at the age of over 92 years, stood watching the soldiers, with half a notion to enlist, . Michael Ross touched him on the shoulder and said: "Samuel, never enlist ; those men are ordered around like a lot of brutes." Samuel's patriotism was effectually subdued.
During the war Colonel John Cummings was the recruiting officer and Tim. Gray was in charge of the barracks. The fire. wood mysteriously disappeared night after night, so Tim had a stick bored and a charge of powder plugged in it. On the follow- ing day the stove of a man named Bailey had its "ten plates" blown in as many different directions. This Bailey was the son of . a man known as " Beggar Bailey," from the fact that he had formerly lived on Lycoming Creek, where he had been burned out, after which he took to begging.
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The post headquarters and barracks were located in an old log house that stood on the northeast corner of Pine Street and Black . horse Alley. When a recruit would commit a breach of discipline, he would be taken out into the back yard and flogged. George Duitch remembers when he and the other small boys would be attracted by the yells and cries of murder, &c., and they would peep through the crevices to see the performance.
During the war "Jimmy" Cummings kept tavern at the Heively stand, near Burrows' hat store, and being opposed to the war, was called a "Federalist." When the news came of Perry's victory, the public held a grand celebration, firing anvils and guns, and at night illuminating their dwellings, but "Jimmy" Cummings stoutly refused to participate, which so incensed Samuel Titus, Isaac Suth- ard and George Dale, three boys indentured to Thomas Alexander, "to learn the art and mystery of the carpenter trade," that they loaded up an old shotgun with gravel and peppered his "lion " through the shoulder, as it held its proud head aloft upon his tav- ern sign.
The "boys" were fond of singing a song that recited the vic- tories of the campaign, one verse of which has been preserved :
"It was a Hornet of whose stuff I'll be bail, That tickled the Peacock and lowered his tail.
CHORUS-Bubble ru duddle ru dandy whale, &c."
Hector Burns, Thomas Martin, Robert Davidson and Oliphant Martin, residents at or near Jersey Shore, were appointed as lieu- tenants in the United States Army, through the influence of Andrew Gregg, of the United States Senate. Tunison Coryell, who lived there at that time, had been named, but on account of his broken leg his mother remonstrated so strongly that he gave it up. The others went at once into active service, and accompanied the army into Canada. Davidson fell under Scott; Thomas Martin and Hec- tor Burns returned after the war, but Oliphant Martin was never heard from.
Captain Allison, a distinguished lawyer, of Huntington, had raised a company of infantry volunteers, who were ordered to the front at Black Rock. They marched by way of Jersey Shore, where they tarried over Sunday. Tunison Coryell suggested that the citizens provide them with supplies during their stay, and contrib-
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uted a fat steer to the fund, on condition that the scheme be carried out. It might be added that "it was accomplished in first-class style," which the captain acknowledged in a patriotic speech. When they reached the border all but a few refused to cross, and the majority deserted and started back home. On the way many were attacked by camp fever, and when they reached Jersey Shore appealed to the kindness of the citizens. Many of them died, and the disease was contracted by several persons who were caring for the sick, of whom some died. One was John Ramsey, a hotel keeper.
These soldiers doubtless marched up Pine Creek by the new public road that was being built between Jersey Shore and Wells- boro about that time, under the supervision of Joseph Williams, grandfather of S. N. Williams, an efficient and experienced sur- veyor of that day.
In 1815, when the news was received that "peace " had been de- clared, the bell in the court house steeple was rung with such vehemence as to be heard at a distance of eleven miles. This bell hangs in the belfry of the court house of to-day, and faithfully responds to the hourly strokes of the town clock. It is made of bell metal, and is two feet four inches across the open end. and two feet high, weighing probably five or six hundred pounds. It bears the following inscription :
George Hedderly made me in Philadelphia Anno Di. 1804.
It was hauled on a wagon from Philadelphia to Williamsport by General John Burrows, who had been elected county commissioner in 1802. John Burrows was appointed by Governor Snyder, in 1811, as Major General of the Ninth Division of Pennsylvania Militia, to serve for seven years.
ONLY one of the old cannon which used to frown from the ramparts of Fort Augusta is known to be in existence. It belongs to a Sunbury fire company, and is strapped to the floor of their engine house with iron bands, to prevent it from being stolen by rival companies. It is a precious relic of the days that were dark and bloody.
THE HISTORICAL JOURNAL.
Two Dollars per Annum, in Advance. Single Numbers, Twenty Cents.
A monthly publication, devoted entirely to the preservation of scraps of local history in Northwestern Pennsylvania, with reference occasionally to statistics, finance and manufactures.
Address all letters and communications relating to literary matters, subscrip- tion or advertising to
JOHN F. MEGINNESS, Editor and Publisher, WILLIAMSPORT, PA.
WILLIAMSPORT, FEBRUARY, 1888.
A HISTORIC HOUSE.
At the foot of Park Street, Williamsport, stands an old-fash- ioned brick house, yet in a good state of preservation. It is two stories in height, and is so surrounded with board piles that a stranger could hardly find it without being conducted to the spot. This was the residence of Hon. William Hepburn, who was a State Senator from Northumberland County in 1794. At the close of that year he introduced the bill for the erection of Lycoming County. It passed both houses of the Legislature and was ap- proved by Governor Mifflin, April 13th, 1795. Senator Hepburn was one of the first settlers in this valley and took a prominent part in the early struggles with the Indians. He purchased a large tract of land in what is now the upper part of Williamsport, which was afterwards known as the "Deer Park Farm." Near where this brick house stands he first erected a log dwelling. In 1801 he built the brick house, the brick for which were burned a few yards from where it stands. At the same time enough brick were
made to erect the first court house. When this house was built it was considered one of the finest buildings in this part of the country. In it and the log house Senator Hepburn's large family of nineteen children were born. He died June 25th, 1821, aged 78 years, and is buried in the old graveyard on Fourth Street. Senator Hepburn was twice married. His first wife was Crecy Crownover (called Covenhoven at that time). She died in 1800,
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aged 71 years. His second wife was Elizabeth Huston, and she died November 21st, 1827, aged 48 years. Out of the nineteen children only two survive-Hon. Huston Hepburn, of Williams- port, and Mrs. Harriet Hart, of Elmira. The latter was born in 1804 and the former in 1817. Senator Hepburn was the first judge of Lycoming County, and it is a singular historical fact that his son Huston was the last associate judge. This house is now a famous landmark. Around it cluster many interesting historical associations. The owner was distinguished for his hospitality, and as he had a wide acquaintance he was visited by many prominent men of that time. The house was surrounded with fine grounds, which made it attractive. A wide lane led from the north front to the public highway, now known as Fourth Street. For some dis- tance this lane was lined on both sides with thrifty cherry trees- then followed poplar trees, which continued to what is now Fourth Street. It was an inviting retreat in summer-time, and there are a few yet living who remember it well.
SINCE the announcement in the last issue of THE HISTORICAL JOURNAL, that if seven hundred subscribers could be obtained the History of the West Branch Valley would be reproduced in monthly parts, a goodly number of names have been received. It is proposed to issue this work, revised and greatly improved, be- ginning with the May number, 1888, and ending with the April number, 1889, inclusive. Forty pages will be published monthly, and it will be completed in twelve numbers. The price will be $3, payable in advance. Those wishing to secure the work must send their subscriptions to the editor of THE HISTORICAL JOURNAL, as it will not be sent to any one unless ordered. The cost of the enterprise will be heavy, and the author does not expect to realize any profit from it worth speaking of. Those who wish a copy of this old work are reminded that this will be the only chance to obtain it. and they are respectfully requested to send in their orders at once, as a limited edition of not exceeding eight hundred copies will be printed.
IN answer to an interrogatory in THE HISTORICAL JOURNAL for January, Isaac Craig, Esq., of Allegheny, writes as follows: " An- dastes is the French name of the Susquehannock Indians, once the
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greatest and most war-like tribe. They at one time extended over the country from Virginia to Lake Erie. About 1676 they were conquered and almost exterminated by the Five Nations, aided by the French. Afterwards the remnant of the tribe became known . as the Conestogas."
OLD LETTERS AND ACCOUNTS.
The following copies of old letters and accounts will give the reader an idea how they transacted business with the government nearly a hundred years ago. The originals are in the hands of Isaac Craig, Esq., of Allegheny City:
UNITED STATES
To Congress an Indian Dr.
26th February 1796. To Bringing in two Stray Horses Delivered to Geo. Fowler A. Qr. M .. .$4.00
Fort Franklin 26th February 1796 Received of Isaac Craig D. Qr. M. General by the hands of George Fowler A. Q. M. four dollars in full of the above account. Dollars 4.
Duplicate Congress X his mark
Attest John MeClary
THE UNITED STATES
To John Morrison Dr.
For Services as runner with public dispatches from Fort Franklin. to Cussawaga from the 1st January to 30th June, 1796 at five dollars per month .... Dollars 30
Fort Franklin 31 July, 1796, Received of Isaac Craig D. Q. M. General thirty Dollars in full for the above account
30 Dollars.
John Morrison
THE UNITED STATES
To Zephaniah Branch Dr
For fifteen thousand Joint Chestnut Shingles for covering the Block houses & other buildings at Presqu' Isle at five & a half dollars per thousand Dolls. 82.50 cents
Presqu' Isle, 26th July, 1796, Received of Isaac Craig, D. Q. M. General Eighty two dollars & fifty cents in full for the above account.
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