USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 42
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444
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Congress money. The poor soldier, on his return, had poor money ; but the rich boon, Liberty, was a prize to him far more valuable. So late as 1808, I hauled some materials to Oliver Evans' saw mill at Pittsburg. I was astonished to see a mill going without water. Mr. Evans satisfied my curiosity, by shewing, and explaining everything he could to me. He looked earnestly at me and said "you may live to see your wagons coming out here by steam." The words were so impressed, that I have always remembered them. I have lived to see them go through Cumberland county, and it seems to me, that I may see them go through to Pittsburg; but I have seen Mr. Evans' prophesy fulfilled, beyond what I thought possible at that time ; but things have progressed at a rate much faster than the most gigantic mÃnds immagined, and we are onward still.
* Yours, truly, &c., THOMAS CRAIGHEAD, JR.
MILLTOWN, or Cedar Spring mills, on Cedar Hill, in Allen township, consists of a cluster of some 14 or 15 houses, a church, grist mill, saw mill, clover mill, several mechanics' shops, pleasantly situated in a dell, three miles south west of Harrisburg. Casper Weber erected a mill here more than seventy-five years ago
FROGTOWN, at the head of Cedar Spring, three fourths of a mile south of Shiremanstown, consists of a few houses, all owned by Jacob Markle.
SPORTING HILL, or " Kreutzer's Stand," consists of a cluster of six houses, a store, tavern, 52 miles from Harris- burg, on the turnpike road leading to Carlisle.
During the French and Indian war, a man was shot by the Indians near this place. Several persons had met on public business, at Mr. Wood's, late John Eberly's; one of the company went down towards McMean's (Kreutzer's) spring, when he was shot and scalped. He had been re- cently married-they sent for his wife-she was, to use the language of Mr. Silvers', present at the time, almost dis- tracted, casting herself upon the corpse of the deceased, ex- claiming, "Oh ! Oh ! my husband ! my husband !"
(Mr. Silvers communicated the facts to George Rupp, senior, more than fifty years ago, from whom I have them.)
445
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
At the time when the first immigrants settled in this coun- ty they were surrounded by Indians in alliance with the Six Nations, with whom they lived on terms of intimacy for some years. The pioneer settlers were principally from the north of Ireland, with some few from Scotland, and some from England. They were, with few exceptions, Presby- terians, and ardently attached to the church of their fathers ; to that end they early made provisions for the support of spiritual instructors, and the erection of churches at suitable places. In the lower part of the county a church was built, at Silvers' spring ; one on the Conodoguinet creek, called the Meeting House spring ; not a vestige of either of the two, remains ; another was built near Newville; and one at Middlespring, in the vicinity of Shippensburg-and several in the western part of the county (now Franklin).
Silvers' Spring Church-The present one was built in 1783. A wooden one had been erected here forty years be- fore. The Cemetery is the oldest place of interment in the lower part of the county. The following epitaphs I copied Dec. 1844.
Here lies the body of William MacMean, who departed this life in the year 1747, aged 35 years.
Here lies the body of John Hamilton, who departed this life Dec. 29, 1747, aged 47 years.
In memory of James Wood, who departed this life, Feb- ruary, 24, 1750, aged 41 years.
In memory of the Revd. Mr. Samuel Gavon, who depart- ed this life, Nov. 9, 1750, aged 49 years.
Beneath this tomb are deposited the remains of Margaret, wife of Samuel Mateer, born in the north of Ireland, county Down, departed this life, July 3d, 1802, aged 100 years.
Besides Presbyterians were some of the Church of Eng- land, or Protestant Episcopal Church, and a few Catholics. Of the latter there were in Cumberland county, 1757, twelve; six males, and six females (see pa. 49). A few German Reformed and some Menonites, had settled in Antrim town- ship (now Franklin county ;) some of the latter were Swiss.
The custom and habits of the first settlers were, "as the country," susceptible of change. Men wore hunting shirts and moccasins, homespun and home-made. From necessity, they practised, upon the principles :
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446
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Selbst gesponnen, selbst gemacht ; Rein dabey, ist Bauern Fracht.
Or, as a certain writer of that day expressed himself:
Despicit exoticas que dapes, vestesque superbas, Contentus modicus vivere pace suis- Esuriens dulces epulas depromit inemptas Et proprio vestes vellere tarta placet, Parva humilisque domus, etc., etc.
Which when versified, reads --
He scorns exotic foods, and gaudy dress, Content to live on homely fare, in peace- Sweet to the taste his unbought dainties are, And his own homespun, he delights to wear. His lowly dwelling, &c.
Carpets they had none. The floors were not made of sawed and planed boards, but of split wood and hewed; and many a cabin had the earth for a floor. "Their chairs were benches," their tables of the rudest kind, and the furniture of the table for several years after this county had been set- tled consisted, among those in easier circumstances, of a few pewter dishes, plates and spoons; those in more ordinary circumstances, also had dishes, plates, and spoons, bowls, trenchers, noggins, but theirs were all made of wood. And as substitutes, gourds and hard shelled squashes, made to suit their wants, were deemed sufficient. Iron pots, knives and forks, especially the latter, were never seen of different sizes and sets in the same kitchen.
For some thirty or forty years when they first settled in the lower end of the county, and for a longer time in the western part of it, bears, wolves, deer, panthers, wild cats, squirrels, wild turkeys, &c., were abundant in the woods and copse. The otter, muskrat, and other amphibious ani- mals, were numerous on, and along the rivers, creeks, and rivulets, which teemed with the finny race. The luscious shad, in countless myriads, came up the Susquehanna, and its tributaries-fish of all kinds were taken in boundless profusion, in almost all the streams, both small and large .- Thousands of shad were taken in the Conodoguinet creek, some ten or twelve miles up from its mouth, within the re- collection of some of our old citizens. Many of them, as
447
HISTORY ( F CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
well as other fish, were taken with rude nets or seines, made of boughs or branches tied to grape vines. A seine of this kind was called a "Brush net."
The first settlers were for some years greatly annoyed by the ravenous wolf, which attacked sheep, calves and cows. Several individuals are still living in the lower part of the county, who well remember when wolves came prowling about their houses at night and looked through the openings of their rude, log dwellings, howl about the premises, and destroyed sheep and cattle, that were not protected or sta- bled.
The compiler's father, an aged man, informed him, that when he was a lad, he saw from his father's house, wolves pursuing deer a mile or more in the direction of Mechanics- burg. It should be borne in mind that the region of country between the Conodoguinett and Yellow Breeches, from the Susquehanna, to ten or twelve miles westward, was a Bar- rens ; not a tree to be seen on a thousand acres.
Wolves were not easily taken with a steel trap; pens, built of logs or stout poles, shelving inwards on all sides, were preferred. After the pen had been erected, a bait, usu- ally a half devoured carcass of a sheep, upon which they had previously a meal, was placed in it. The wolf could easily clamber up the exterior of the trap, and enter at the top, which was left open ; but when once at the bottom, glutting his voracious appetite, he was held "in durance fast."
Mr. Gramlig, an old gentleman, pointed out to me, on my father's farm, more than thirty years, the spot where a wolf was taken in this way by his venerable father-and it was the last taken in the lower end of Cumberland.
The sufferings, difficulties and trials the first settlers en- dured from the privations of the luxuries of life, if they ever had enjoyed them, bear however no comparison with the suf- ferings they had to endure during the French and Indian war. To attempt to describe these would prove a failure. The reader may form a more adequate idea of their suffer- ings, &c., by carefully reading the preceding part of this compilation.
The present population is composed of the descendants of the early Irish, Scotch, English and German settlers; and descendants of French Huguenots-of these are the Scher- bahns, Youngs, and Le Fevres. The Germans began to
448
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
immigrate into this country about the year 1760. Their de- scendants, at least many of them, still speak the language of their fathers-however, not with that purity. The German, as now generally spoken, is a kind of patoi, or as we would say in German, kauderwelsch, i. e. jargon. Taken collec- tively, the inhabitants of this county, are a moral and indus- trious people, favorably disposed to encourage institutions, having for their object the advancement of education, relig- ion, arts and sciences.
Education .- The common school system has been adopted in every township in this county. There are eighteen school districts, and one hundred and twenty-two schools in the county. In these schools, one hundred and eight males, and nineteen female teachers are employed. In 1844, 4,192 males, and 3,074 females received instruction. Of this num- ber, only 24 were learning German. A district tax of $$12,673 27 was raised, and the state appropriation was $7,033 90. Total cost of instruction, $14,107 04 ; fuel and contingencies, $1,191 95.
These schools, with their powerful auxiliaries, Sabbath schools, lyceums, &c., aided by an independent press, if pro- perly conducted, must prove the cordon to ignorance and its concomitants, vice and immorality.
Religious denominations .- These are Presbyterian, Pro- testant Episcopal, Lutheran, German Reformed, Associate Reformed, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, Uni- ted Brethren in Christ, German Baptists, Mennonites, Re- formed Mennonites, Evangelical Association, Disciples of Christ, New Jerusalem Church, Church of God, and Advent- ists. These all have regular and stated places of worship.
Provision for the Poor .- About 2 miles west of Carlisle is the Poor House; and, says Miss Dix, remarkably well sit- uated, and has a well managed, productive farm. In October (1844) there were one hundred paupers, seven of which were insane. At that time none were constantly in close confine- ment. The "crazy cells," in the basement, I consider unfit for use in all respects. Chains and hobbles are in use !
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
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CHAPTER XXX.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ERECTED, ETC.
Franklin erected-Act touching the boundary, &c .- Lines of division defined-Trustees for the county appointed-Present boundary- Geological aspect-Geology of the county-Land, different kinds of; limestone, slate, &c .- General statistics, agricultural, &c .- Synop- sis of census of 1840-Streams, descriptive of-Natural curiosities -Public improvements, railroad, turnpikes-Common roads-Tax- ables in 1752.
Franklin county is, in time of order, the thirteenth county organized in the state, and was established by an act of As- sembly, September 9th, 1784; having previously been the southwestern part of Cumberland county; designated by the name of " The Conococheague settlement," so called from the principal stream, the Conococheague creek.
The following counties had been organized before Franklin, viz : Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester, in 1682; Lancaster in 1729, York 1749, Cumberland 1750, Berks and Northampton 1752, Bedford 1771, Northumberland 1772, Westmoreland 1773, Washington 1781, Fayette 1783, then Franklin.
The first section of the act says, "Whereas, many of the inhabitants of the southwestern part of the county of Cumberland have, by their petition to General Assembly of this State, represented the inconveni- ences and hardships which they suffer, by the large extent of the said county of Cumberland, and the great distance at which the said peti- tioners dwell from the town of Carlisle, where the courts of justice, and the public offices of the same county are held, and kept, and that by reason of snch remoteness of the said courts and offices, the recov- ery of their just debts is rendered difficult and disagreeable, and and in some cases is unequal to the pains and costs which they would be put to in prosecuting and suing for them ; and that felons, misdoers, and other offenders, from the same causes, often escape the punish- ment due to their demerits .- Smith's Laws, ii. 264.
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450
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
The boundaries and limits in the act are, " That all and singular the lands lying, and being within that part of Cumberland county, which are bounded as followeth, that is to say; beginning on the York county line in the South mountain, at the intersection of the line be- tween Lurgan and Hopewell townships, in Cumberland county; thence by the line of Lurgan township (leaving Shippensburgh to the east- ward of the same) to the line of Fannet township; thence by the lines of last mentioned township (including the same) to the line of Bedford county; thence by the line of Bedford county, southwardly, to the Ma- ryland line ; thence by the said line, east, to the line of York county; thence by the line of York county, along the South mountain, to the place of beginning, be, and hereby are erected into a county, named, and hereafter to be called, the county of Franklin."
.James Maxwell, James McCalmont, Josiah Crawford, David Stoner and John Johnston were appointed for the county, who were directed to take assurances of and for two lots of ground, in the town of Cham- bersburg or Chamberstown, in Guilford township, for the seats of a court house and a county jail or prison-and thereupon to erect a court house and prison, sufficient to accommodate the public service of the county.
The line between Franklin and Cumberland, being doubtful, it was explained by an act of March 27, 1790, in the following manner, "that a line beginning at York county line, in the South mountain, at the intersection of Lurgan and Hopewell townships; thence by a line composed of part of the original line of Lurgan township, and one to be run, so as to leave the tract of land, now, or late of Edward Ship- pen, whereon the town of Shippensburg is erected, within the county of Cumberland, to the line of Fannet township; thence by the lines of the last mentioned township (leaving the same in Franklin county) to the line of Bedford county, shall be the boundary line between the counties of Cumberland and Franklin."
By an act of 29th March, 1798, "all that part of Bedford, commonly called the Little Cove, and lying eastward of a line to begin in the Maryland line, near the Great Cove, or Tuscarora mountain ; thence running northeasterly, along the summit of said mountain, until it in- tersects the present line between Bedford and Franklin counties, was annexed to Franklin county, and to be considered as part of Montgom- ery township."
Commissioners were appointed to run the boundary line at the ex- pense of Franklin county .- Smith's Laws.
Franklin county is bounded on the west by Bedford ; northwest by Huntingdon ; northeast by Perry and Cumberland ; east by Adams, and south by the State of Maryland. Its greatest extent from North to South is 38 miles, and from east to west 34 miles, containing an area of 734 miles, or 469,760 acres. Population in 1790, 15,655 ; in 1800, 19,638; 1810, 23,173; 1820, 31,892; 1830, 35,037; 1840, 37,793-at present 40,000. Aggregate amount of property taxable in 1844, was $11,600,143 00.
The first court was held September 15, 1784, before Humphrey Ful- lerton, Esq., Thomas Johnston, Esq., and James Finley, Esq .- Ed. Crawford, clerk.
December 2, 1784, the second court, was held before William Mc- Dowell, Esq., Humphrey Fullerton, Esq., and James Finley, Esq. Jer-
451
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
emiah Talbot, sheriff. The Grand Jury was James Poe, Henry Paw- ling, William Allison. Wm. McDowell, Robert Wilkins, John McCon- nell, John McCarny, John Ray, John Jack, jr., John Dickson, D. Mc- Clintick, Joseph Chambers and Joseph Long.
The county belongs to the great central transition formation, and the greater part consists of an extensive valley of fertile land, well cultivated and highly improved, amply repaying the husbandman for the labor bestowed upon it.
The eastern portion of the county; especially parts of South Hamp- ton, Green, Guilford, Quincy and Washington townships, are hilly, bordering on the South mountain, the elevation of which, above the middle of the valley, is from 600 to 900 feet.
The north and northwestern townships are mountainous. The Tus- carora mountain forms the boundary between Bedford, Huntingdon and Juniata counties. In Fannet township are several prominent hills, besides the Kittatinny mountain ; such as the Round Top, near Con- cord ; the Dividing mountain ; Clark's knob. Metal township lies be- tween the Tuscarora mountain and the Kittatinny. Jordan's knob and Parnell's knob, about two miles south of Loudon, which is said to be nearly I200 feet high, are both in Peters' township. Cove mountain separates Warren and Montgomery townships. In the south and west- ern part of the latter township, are two prominences, called Clay Lick and Two Top Mountains.
In the mountainous and hilly portions are several villages, such as Burns' valley, between the Round Top and Dividing Mountain ; Path valley, partly in Fannet and partly in Metal township, is bounded northwest by the Tuscarora mountain, which is about 1700 feet above the middle of the valley, and southeast by the Dividing mountain, which separates it from Amberson's, which lies between the Kittatinny and Dividing mountain. In ;Amberson's valley is a noted Sulphur Spring. Horse valley extends from St. Thomas township into Letter- kenny.
The geological features are briefly stated in the following extract- " The irregular chain of hills, called the South mountain, consists, in this county, almost entirely of the hard white sandstone, which lies next above the primary rocks. In the valley westward of this is the great limestone formation, extending throughout the whole length of this valley, from Easton on the Delaware line. In this county, as else- where, interposed beds of differently colored slates are found in lime- stone, and sometimes also sandstones are met with in a like position. Along the eastern side of the limestone range, and its junction with the mountain sandstone, are valuable and extensive beds of iron ore, which supply the furnaces in operation in that region. Ore is also found at many places in the valley, most of which of that variety called pipe ore, is of superior quality.
The soil of the south mountain is sandy and sterile, and not favora- ble to the culture of grass or grain. It is a wild and desert region, covered with forests which yield fuel for iron works on its borders, and offers but little attraction to any except the woodcutter and the hunter. But on reaching the great limestone valley, on the west of these hills, a most striking contrast is presented. A soil of almost unsurpassed fertility, highly cultivated farms, neat and even elegant buildings, an industrious, intelligent, and happy population, gladden
452
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
the eye of the traveller as he passes through this beautiful, favored region.
On the northwest and west of the limestone formation next above it in geological position, the line of junction passing from a little north- ward of Shippensburg, southwestward by Chambersburg and Green- castle, to the Maryland line. In the southwestern part of the county, however, in the neighborhood of Mercersburg, owing to the disturbance consequent upon the elevation of the mountain chains, we find the limestone again appearing in belts which stretch across east of the Cove mountain, between Parnell's and Jordan's knobs on the north, and Two Top and Clay Lick mountains in the south.
The mountain ranges in the north and west of the county, are com- posed of the gray and reddish sandstones which belong to the forma- rion next in order above the dark slate last mentioned, and which is found in most of the valleys at their base.
In Horse valley, however, there is a synclinul axis, where the moun- tain sandstone, dipping from both sides towards. the centre of the val- ley, is overlaid by the red shale, next above in positiou. So in the Lit- tle Cove in the southwest corner of the county, we have the same red shale, together with the overlying limestone and the olive slate. A furnace has been erected in this secluded valley, which is supplied with ore from its immediate vicinity."
Franklin county, lying between the North and South mountain, is characterized for its diversity of aspect and soil. The greater propor- tion of it is limestone. It abounds in the following townships, viz: Antrim, Guilford, Montgomery, Washington, Quincy, also to some ex- tent in Greene and Metal, &c. According to the agricultural statistics of 1838, there were limestone cleared, 101,020 acres; limestone un- cleared 31,140 ; slate land cleared 72,640 ; slate land uncleared 40,840; gravel land cleared 19,560 ; gravel land uncleared 13,930 ; sand land uncleared 12,670; mountain or rock 98,250; known to contain iron ore 1,530.
The whole quantity of cleared land of all kinds 204,720 acres; the whole of uncleared land, but fit for cultivation, 67,010 acres; unfit for cultivation and not cleared 86,870 acres. A greater proportion of all the cleared land is in a high state of cultivation, and principally by the owners of lands themselves. The farms are of different sizes, from one to three hundred acres.
The average value, per acre, of cleared land is $35 ; of uncleared land $30 ; though some of the best improved farms would sell for $100 per acre. The average value per acre, of woodland, unfit for cultiva- tion, is $4 and $5. The whole of the cleared land was valued in 1838 at $6,656,430 ; of all the uncleared land $1,898,130. The whole num - ber of farms two thousand and sixty-four.
According to the census of 1840 there were 8 furnaces in this coun- ty, which produced 3,810 tons of cast iron ; 11 forges, bloomeries and rolling mills, produced 1,125 tons of bar iron ; the furnaces and forges consumed 8,552 tons of fuel, and afforded employment, including min- ing operations, to 518 hands ; employing a capital of $258,500.
Silk .- Sixty-four pounds of reeled silk, valued at $115; a capital invested of $1100. Tobacco .- Value of manufactured articles $6,200; employed seventeen hands, with a capital of $3000. Hats, caps, bon- nets, &c .- Value of hats and caps manufactured $20,300 ; value of
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
bonnets $500 ; giving employ to 35 persons ; capital invested $9,900.
There were 37 tanneries ; tanned eighteen thousand and seventy sides of sole leather; eight thousand and seventy sides of upper ; em- ployed 94 men ; capital invested $90,000. All other manufactories of leather, saddleries, &c., 21 ; value of manufactured articles $50,200; capital invested $8,300. Soap and Candles .- Number pounds of soap 28,642; tallow candles 39,334 pounds ; employed 2 men ; with a cap- ital of $3000. Distilleries 40; which produced 522,000 52 gallons of spirituous liquors ; one brewery which produced 13000 gallons of beer; the distilleries and the brewery employed 75 hands ; capital $73,500.
There were 5 potteries ; the value of manufactured articles amount- ed to $4,200 ; employed 5 men ; with a capital of $1,540. Retail dry goods, grocery, and other stores 111; with an aggregate capital of $524,400 ; employed 191 men. Bricks and lime manufactured to the value of $7,860 ; employed 17 hands. Seven fulling mills ; 9 woollen manufactories ; value of manufactured goods $6,950; employed 41 persons ; capital invested $2,150. One paper manufactory ; value of all other manufactures of paper $15,000; employed 38 hands ; capital invested $105,000. Four printing offices ; three binderies ; 4 weekly and I semi-monthly newspaper ; employed 24 hands ; capital $8,300. One ropewalk; value of produce $3000; employed 6 men; capital $1500. Carriages and wagons ; value of manufactures $23,700; employed 60 men ; capital invested $11,500. Flouring mills, 33; barrels of four manufactured 63,943 : 64 grist mills ; 119 saw mills ; 7 oil mills ; valne of manufacture $18,192 ; employed 144 men ; capital $109,020.
Furniture manufactured to the value of $5,000 ; employed 22 hands; capital invested $2,300. Brick and stone houses built 119; wooden houses 89 ; employed 58 men ; value of constructings the buildings $20,950. Value of all other manufactured articles not above enumer- ated $400 ; capital invested $600. Total capital invested in manufac- tures $436,610.
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