USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 51
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Although the inhabitants were from the time of the first settlements constantly on their guard against the Indians, yet the principal troubles. commenced at the breaking out of the revolutionary war. A frontier life at that time was one constant scene of strife and danger. Bedford. county was at that time the Allegheny frontier, and her inhabitants were, consequently, exposed to the full force of savage fury, and se -. verely did it often fall upon them. The following incidents of those. times are well authenticated.
The oldest native of the county living [in 1843] is Wm. Fraser. His father left Fort Cumberland about 1758, and came to the fort at Bed- ford. He built the first house outside the fort, and Wm. was the first. white child born outside the fort. He was born in 1759, and is now about 84 years of age. He was in my office a few days since. He. had come about 14 miles that morning, and intended returning home the same day ; this he frequently does.
The original white population was composed of Scotch-Irish, and their descendants, constituting the frontier settlers. It is said by one, whose opportunities for accuracy of research, were favorable, "that
44
518
HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
he county did not prosper much until 1780, or thereabouts, when the Germans from Franklin, Cumberland, York and Lancaster, began to pour into our fertile vallies and caves. This was not until the Indians had ceased to be a terror to the settlers." The Germans here now own much of the best land, and form a great proportion of the present pop- ulation.
The religious denominations are Lutheran, German Reformed, Pres- byterian, Episcopal Methodist, Protestant Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, United Brethren, Evangelical Association, Quaker, Mennonites, Dun- kards or German Baptist, Seventh Day Baptist, Church of God or Winebrennerians. The Lutheran, German Reformed and Methodist, are the most numerous.
The cause of popular education had been long much neglected among the people of this county ; but of late, an increased attention has been paid to this all important cause, and seems to advance stea- dily.
The common school system has been adopted in every township ex- cept Londonderry, Napier, St. Clair, Southampton and Union. Eigh- teen districts have adopted it, in which 127 schools are open for about 4 months in the year, employing 127 male and 1 female teacher ; 2,770 male and 2,001 female scholars are taught. A district tax of $5,227 63 was raised in 1844; the State appropriation was $4,813 00. Cost of instruction $6,450 51.
Provision for the poor, or paupers, is made in this county. A poor- house within the town of Bedford has been established within the last 4 years. There is connected with it, a farm of upwards of 600 acres. The average number of poor is between 30 and 40.
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
ADAMS COUNTY.
Adams county organized-Controversy-Extract of Court Records- Geological features & Geology of-General statistics-Productions ; various kinds of, &c .- Synopsis of census of 1840-Streams in th county-Notice of public improvements.
When York county was erected, by an act of Assembly, passed Au- gust 19, 1744, it embraced " all and singular the lands lying within the Province of Pennsylvania, to the westward of the river Susque- hanna, and south ward and eastward of the South mountain-bounded north ward and westward by a line from the Susquehanna, along the ridge of said South mountain, until intersected the Maryland line, southward by the said Maryland line, and eastward by the said river Susquehanna," then embracing an area of little more than 1400 square miles.
The ample limits of this old county, were however reduced, but not without some considerable opposition from, and was nothing uncom- mon at that early period ; or at even an earlier period.
As early as 1735 there was a contest between the Marylanders and a number of settlers on the west side of the Susquehanna. One Tho- mas Cressap, a restless, quarrelsome individual, and some 50 or 60 of kindred spirits with him, resolved upon displacing the first settlers who had located under Pennsylvania titles, and to divide their pos- sessions according to the agrarian laws of Rome-" To distribute the property of the conquered among the victors ;" for Cressap, the head of this motly host, had promised his consociates in plunder, 200 acres each. Affrays, as a consequence, were the result. Several lives were lost .- [See His. York co].
In the vicinity of McSherrystown, similar affrays occur at the sacri- fice of life.
As early as 1790, the subject of a division of the county of York, was agitated, and soon eventuated in a controversy, between the in- habitants of the eastern, or lower end, and the western, and upper end of York county, touching a division of the " Old county ;" or the or- ganization of a new one, to be taken from the west end. From the na- ture of the subject, and disposition of those engaged in it, the contro versy grew warm-much zeal was manifested by both the pro and anti new-countv-men .- Long and ardent debates ensued-essays, for and against the division, were written, published and industriously circu-
-
520
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
lated. Public meetings were called-petitions for, a remonstrance against the erection of a new county were circulated, signers thereto obtained, and presented to the legislature. Finally, however, after much debating, the antagonist party was satisfied and reconciled to the organizing of a new county. The legislature passed an act, January 22, 1800, for dividing Adams county from the western part of York.
These Commissioners, to mark and run the line, were appointed by Thomas Mckean, governor of Pennsylvania-these were Jacob Spang- ler, deputy surveyor of York county, Samuel Sloan, deputy surveyor of Adams county, and Mr. William Waugh.
The separation of the county wasagitated, 1790, commissioners had been appointed, namely, James Cunningham, Jonathan Hoge, and James Johnston, to fix upon a site for the county seat ; they selected a tract belonging to Garret Vandsdal, in Strabane township between the two roads leading from Hunter's and Gettys' towns to the brick house, including part of said road. In 1791 the subject was a second time agitated. The Revd. Alexander Dobbin and David Moore, senior, were appointed trustees for the county of Adams, with full powers, for them or their survivors, to take assurances of all offers for the payment of money, or the conveyance or transfer of any property, in trust for the use of erecting public buildings in the town of Gettysburg.
The county then contained 2741 taxables. The first court of Quarter Session was held on the second Monday of June 1800. The following are extracts from the Record of Court.
"At a Court of General Quarter Sessions of Peace, opened and held at Gettysburg, for the county of Adams, on the second Monday of June, A. D. 1800, before William Gilleland, John Agnew and William Scott, Esqrs., Associate Judges, &c.
Proclamation being made, the commissions of the judges were sev- erally read from the Books of Records.
Nicholas Gelwick, Esq., High Sheriff for the county of Adams at- rended, but as there could be no precepts, or processes to him directed at this court, the constables were then called as per list.
Berwick township, Jacob Noel ; Mount Pleasant, Joseph Lindsay : Mountjoy, Samuel Adair ; Cumberland, Emanuel Ziegler ; Heidelberg, Jacob Trine; Hamilton Barr, Henry Ferguson ; Reading, Valentine Hollinger* ; Straban, Samuel M. Reed ; Franklin, Charles Good ; Hun- tingdon, John Wireman ; Manallen, Daniel Rice ; Tyrone, Nicholas Wertz ; Germany, Martin Hoffman.
At a Court of Quarter Sessions, &c., Monday, August 4th, 1800, the following were Grand Jurors, viz : Alexander Russell, Esq., Walter Smith, Esq. John Dickson, Esq. James Brice, George Lasshells, David Scott, Thomas Abbott, Peter Ickes, Robert Doyle, Jacob Wertz, Alex- ander Cobean, Esq., Henry Kuhn, William Baily, Samuel Russell, sen. Henry Walter, Nicholas Dietrick, Robert Campbell, Jacob Greenamay- er, Alexander Irwine, John Lees, William Miller.
The court appointed the following named persons as overseers of the poor of the county, viz :
For Cumberland township, Adam Black and James Sweney ; Ham- ilton Barr, Robert Ray and Thomas Merideth ; Liberty, Barnabas Mc-
* Valentine Hollinger has been constable from 1800 to 1845, till the day of his death.
521
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Sherry and John Adcur; Franklin, Nicholas Peasecker and Charles Shisler ; Menallen, John Wright and Henry Petter ; Tyrone, William Walker and John Duffield ; Huntingdon, John Muntorff and Benjamin Wireman; Reading, Jacob Brugh and John Vance; Berwick, John Null and Peter Marshall; Straban, Robert Graham and John Graft; Mount Pleasant, Nicholas Shiely and Cornelius Lott; Mountjoy, Fran- cis Allison and Jesse McAllister ; Germany, Joseph Stealy and Leon- ard Seitzinger.
Adams county is bounded on the north by Cumberland, east by York, south by the state of Maryland, and west by Franklin. Length 27 miles, breadth 24 miles ; area 528 square miles-containing about 338.000 acres. Population in 1800, 13,172; in 1810, 15,152, in 1820, 19,370; 1830, 21,378 ; 1844, 23,044. The aggregate amount of pro- perty toxable, in 1844, was $4,339,531 00.
The geological features of this county are diversified. A belt of limestone passes through the southeast corner from near Hanover in York county, by Littlestown, nearly to the Maryland line, when it comes to a point, being overlapped by the middle secondary red shale and sandstone. This latter formation prevails over the greatest por- tion of the county, being broken, however, in many places by ridges and dikes of trap rock, which form rough and rocky hills. In the upper portion of the red shale formation, near the base of the South moun- tain, is a belt of calcareous conglomerate, similar to the famous varie- gated Potomac marble, which, in some place, would yield blocks sus- ceptible of a fine polish. It occurs in great variety and beauty, near the village of Fairfield or Millerstown. The South mountain, with its protruding ridge, consists chiefly of a hard white sandstone, accompa- nied by a variety of curiously altered rocks, highly interesting to the scientific geologist. Native copper, together with the blue and green carbonate of this metal occurs in the South mountain-and epidote, asbestos, zeolite and other minerals are found here. Iron ore occurs in several parts of the county, but is not much used. The soil partak- ing of the several rock formations is of three kinds. The limestone is in the south-eastern part, and highly improved.
The face and soil of this county is diversified. The soil is princi- pally of three kinds as stated before, partaking of the several rock for- mations, viz : limestone, red shale, trap or sienctic, also flint, sandstone and gravel. Limestone is principally found in Conewago and Hun- tingdon townships. Agriculture has been much improved within the last ten years. The broken portions are not well adapted for cultiva- tion. Some of the best, as well as the very worst soil in the state, is to be found in this county. The county contains about 338,000 acres of land; whereof about 20,000 is limestone, very productive and much of it in a high state of cultivation. The other portion is susceptible of improvement ; and no doubt will be much improved when the system of farming has reached so near a state of perfection as in some coun- ties of the State. The application of lime as a stimulating, with other manures, and a judicious rotation of crops will conduce much toward the improved of the soil. When lime has been tested, it produced great changes. It is worth from 15 to 20 cents a bushel as a manure.
Twenty or twenty-five years ago considerable quantities of bread stuffs, and feed for horses were brought into this, from other counties ; but in 1840, there were raised in it upwards of 200,000 bushels of
44*
522
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
wheat ; nearly 300,000 bushels of rye ; also nearly the same quantity of corn, and between 5 and 6,000 bushels of buckwheat, and between 20 and 25,000 tons of hay, also about 70,000 bushels of potatoes.
According to the census of 1840, there were in this county, three furnaces, which produced 50 tons of cast iron, and consumed 50 tons of fuel ; employed ten men including mining operations ; capital in- vested $10,000.
Live Stock-6,376 horses and mules ; 9,343 neat cattle ; 9,140 sheep; 31,583 swine ; poultry of all kinds is estimated at $7,377.
Cereal Grains-216,666 bushels of wheat ; 1,660 bushels of barley; 274,960 bushels of oats; 88,561 bushels of rye ; 5,404 bushels of buck- wheat ; 290,724 bushels of corn.
Various products and crops-26,618 pounds of wool ; 69,915 bushels of potatoes ; 22,809 tons of hay; 172 pounds of silk cocoons; 1,982 cords of wood were sold ; value of products of the dairy $25,875; value of products of the orchard $1,770 ; value of home made goods $7,313 ; value of tobacco manufactured $1,100; value of hats and caps manu- factured $8,900; 28 tanneries tanned 21,160 sides of sole leather, and 5,348 of upper ; all other manufactories of leather, saddleries, &c. 15 ; 4,000 pounds of candles were manufactured.
Distilleries 18 ; produced 80,600 gallons ; two breweries, which pro- duced 2,120 gallons : 8 potteries, value of manufactured articles $3,350; value of produce of nurseries and florists $1,520.
Retail dry goods, grocery and other stores 59; 2 lumber yards; 13 butchers ; 72 barrels of tar manufactured ; brick and lime manufactu- red, value of $18,577; 3 fulling mills; 5 woollen manufactories ; 5 printing offices ; 5 weekly papers printed ; I book bindery ; 42 flour- ing mills ; 76 saw mills ; 4 oil mills.
MALES.
FEMALES.
Col. po.
. CENSUS of 1840 of ADAMS CO., PA.
under 5
5 and under 10
10 and under 15
15 and under 20
20 and under 30
30 and under 40
40 and under 50
50 and under 60
60 and under 70
70 and under 80
80 and under 90
under 5
5 and under 10
10 and under 15
15 and under 20
20 and under 30
30 and under 40
40 and under 50
50 and under 60
60 and under 70
70 and under 80
80 and under 90
Males of all ages.
Females &c.
Berwick,
117
117
80
69
114
73
56
35|
15
0
115
86
97
85
137
78
58
37
24
co
12
8
Conewago,
73
63
50
43
79
39
30
31
17
7
2
67
55
55
58
79
56
36
23
14
12
5
7
Cumberland,
92
66
67
45
89
62
52
36
22
00
4
98
70
58
57
100
60
42
36
15
11
65
57
Franklin,
143
121
103
93
146
85
63
49
40
A
3
112
120
109
97
154
87
52
46!
24
00
15
12
Freedom,
42
38
34
18
21
25
26
12
16
1
32
45
33
18
23
27
22
3
5
5
9
11
Gettysburg,
123
90
102
178
198
102
40
15
4
3
123
114
91
81
154
111
751
31
22
14
3
59 |
103
Germany,
110
196
109
85
92
72
60
18
29
22
12
1
90
75
69
60
77
70
46
27
22
11
2
58
46
Hamilton Ban.
114
128
90
60
107
74
63|
29
00
4
110
96
95
70
100
81
50
34
11
00
2
12
13
Huntingdon,
122
93
93
82
118
84
48
45
30
5
2
114
93
87
73
144
75
54
47
33
10
0
9
2
Latimore,
85
71
64
54
79
51
441
34
13
2
3
78
69
65
63
86
56
37
25
10
1!
13
00
Liberty,
67
60
54
42
33
55
35
78
7
6
3
66
41
49
49
66
34
30
19
9
00
3
29
28
Menallen,
197
154
127
123
173
112
74
67
34
15
7
200
170
134
127
193
122
74
62
22
12
3
5
ão
Mountjoy,
116
91
61
36
69
55
44
29
14
6
1
88
66
57
56
92
49
42
25
15
5
1
17
30
Mount Pleasant,
138
117
107
78
88
83
70
44
14
138
124
94
95
120
75
72
35!
0
0
00
30
Reading,
96
78
76
55
79
46
50
31!
15
41
70
69
59
64
94
51
44!
20
17.
6.
0
or
0
Strabane,
112
85
.02
61
93
64
59
37
24
10
89
101
85
63
126
94
42
37
18
12
9
20
0
Tyrone,
50
62
44
39
59
35
32
28
11
6
55
37
66
46
55
44
36
23
14
2
3
2
0
Total Population. 1872 1630 1432 1217 1741 11491
928 648 361 157 46 1780 1552 1396 125111925 1247
896 573 332 169 38
340
348
5
Hamilton,
75
70
69
56
82
54
49|
54|
3
135
12ł
93
89
125
80
81.
38
20
13
5
812
12
co
72
27
19
12
25!
19
7
C
TOWNSHIPS.
A SYNOPSIS OF THE CENSUS OF 1840, OF EACH TOWNSHIP.
CENSUS OF 1840
Furnaces.
Flouring mills.
Grist mills.
Saw mills.
Oil mills.
Tanneries.
Distilleries.
Horses & Mules
Neat Cattle.
Sheep.
Swine.
Bushels of
Wheat.
Rye.
Indian corn.
Oats.
Barley.
Potatoes.
Tons of hay.
Pounds of wool
Bushels of
Value of the
products of the Idairy.
TOWNSHIPS, ETC.
1. Berwick,
0
3
3
2
0
3
3
327
954 906
765 1833 18132 650 417 1605 20260 958 3445
8381 9780 1121 38011
16538 14014 19139 20665 7106 5320 24003 26932 58501
4120 432
0
170
24 766
150 576
0
130
6. Gettysburg,
1
0
0
0
0
2
4
1
3
] 334
992
737 1775
8254|
4034
8690
76
3279| 4444 3363 5942
1499 1785
919
800
10. Huntingdon,
0
0
3
5
0
2
6
2
0
6
0
0
21 245
631| 522 1289.
992.
7370
5210
60
0 0 0 5397| 2210 1810|
307
1013
13. Menallen,
0
8
8 23
I!
0
1
3
0
01 344| 968
837 1663 8874 364 1651 1339 2790 19929
17418 17707 10485 8335 5305. 3723 27620 25308 9964 8645! 22507 23273
01
1278
644| 452
75
1214
14. Mountjoy,
0 5089
2075 1878
363
3316
15. Mount Pleasant,
0| 3504
1943 2198
165
2672
16. Reading,
17. Strabane,
1
1
0
2
1
649 1886 1971 3102 21507 10145
36675 35087
0 16032
2122 3740 1030
4097
> 18. Tyrone,
1
1
0'
21
01
332 1035 1106 1816 9368 4628 15858 156661
0 4542
1338 1875 771}
1549
4
5
2
0
0
2
268
1
2
222
682
549
737
305
1346
00
600
9760 I2278
0
1171 1416 1229 3400
164
0
9. Hamilton Ban.
2
1
0
8
0
6
0
423
916 1165 1703 14958
1923
16955 14124| 898|
01
0
45821
1884 2103
495
1414
11. Latimer,
0
4
0
4
0
2
0
3 309
838
908 1373 14748
1899
18959
8. Hamilton,
0
1
0
5
0
6
0
2
0
0
01
1 154
0 107
71
00
146
654
7. Germany,
0
3
4
3
0
0
6
0
12757| 2352 2736 0 0
484 50
0
5. Freedom,
0
2
0
125
550
139
$1959
2. Conewago,
0
3. Cumberland,
0
3
4. Franklin,
0
5342 3557 637
1449 1534 1111 444
0 265
260
0
838
raised.
Buckwheat.
000
0
0
0
0!
1
0 458 1346 1512 1982 18423
3
3
3
0
0
0
11
375 1089 1527 1833 12350
6134 6877 1855
16440 15704 18511|21025
12. Liberty,
66
0
513 1725 1544 2389 15064
0
2
2
4
13 98
1790
1004
422|1326 2120 1971 10899
1386
530|1793 1471 2618 18444
531
3271
OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Bushels of
480 152
525
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
The streams, though numerous, are not large. The Bermudian creek rises in Cumberland county near the boundary line ; flowing through Tyrone, Hunting and Latimore townships ; it receives several small streams in its course-it continues its way into York county, and emp- ties into the Conewago creek. Its entire length is 22 miles-affording water power to 6 or 8 mills.
Latimore creek rises in Cumberland county, flowing a southerly di- rection, and empties into the Bermudian. Muddy creek rises in Hun- ting township; flowing in a northeastern direction, it forms the boun- dary line between Reading and Latimore townships, and empties into the Bermudian in York county.
Conewago creek rises south of Green Ridge in this county-receiv- ing in its course, Oppossum creek, Plum run, Miley's run on the north; Beaver dam run, Swift run, Little Conewago, Deep run and Beaver creek on the south side-running north and northeast enters York co., between Paradise and Washington townships-emptying into the Sus- quehanna. It affords abundance of water power for mills, &c.
Oppossum creek rises near the northern boundary of the county, in Menallen township, and empties into the Conewago. Plum run-there are 2 streams of this name in this county, one a tributary of Rock er., on the line between Strabane and Mount Pleasant townships; one of which rises near the head of Muddy run and is a tributary of the Con- ewago. Miley's run rises in Reading-flows south a few miles and empties in the Conewago creek west of East Berlin. Beaver dam run rises in Straban township, flowing a circuitous course by Hunterstown; it empties into the Conewago creek. Little Conewago creek rises in the southern part of the county, in Germany township, near the Mary- land line ; flowing in a northern direction receives many small streams. Its whole course is 16 miles. Swift run rises in Mount Pleasant twp., and in its course receives Brush run, and empties into Big Conewago. Deep run rises in Berwick township, and empties into Conewago crk. Beaver creek rises in the Pigeon Hills; flowing northward, and emp- ties into the Conewago creek, affording water power to several grist mills, saw mills, and one or two factories. Rock creek rises in Stra- ban twp .; flows southward, and receives in its course, eastward, Plumb run, Little's run, and several other streams : its entire course through this county is 14 miles. Little's run rises near Little's tavern, in Ger- many township, and flows 3 or 4 miles westward, and empties into Rock creek. Rock run rises in Cumberland twp .; flowing a southern course of 4 miles, and falls into Rock creek. Hunter's run rises in Mountjoy twp. flows 6 miles in a southern course, enters Maryland & unites with Rock creek. Piney creek rises partly in Maryland and partly in Germany twp. In its course, it flows 5 or 6 miles through the southern part of this county, and then enters Maryland. Mar-h creek rises south of the Green Ridge; in its course receives North Branch and Willoughby's run. Its course within this county is about 17 miles. Willoughby's run rises in Franklin twp .; flows 6 or 7 miles south and empties into Marsh creek. Middle creek rises south of Green Ridge in Hamilton and Ban twp., flowing south, and receives in its course Muddy run and several smaller streams. Flat run is a small stream, rising in Liberty twp. and flows into Maryland. Tom's creek rises north of Jack's mountain in Hamilton and Ban twp .; flowing south through Liberty twp. it receives several streams.
-
526
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
The several streams of this county afford ample water power for 40 or 50 flouring mills, 45 grist mills, 80 saw mills, numerous oil mills, and factories of various kinds.
The public improvements are several turnpikes .- The York and Gettysburg rail-road was commenced in 1818, is about 29 miles long. It was completed 1820 at a cost of $4,000 per mile. The turnpike road from Hanover to East Berlin passes through the eastern part of the county ; another from Carlisle to Hanover, passes through the north- eastern and eastern part, by way of Petersburg and York springs. The Chambersburg and Baltimore turnpike passes nearly diagonally from the north western to south east part of the county. There is also an- other from Gettysburg to Mummasburg. There is an unfinished rail- road, the far-famed Gettysburg Extension, which was designed as a connecting link between the Philadelphia and Columbia rail-road at York, and the Baltimore and Ohio rail-road, and the Chesapeake and Ohio canal near Williamsport, Maryland. More than half a million of dollars were expended upon in grading the road, before it was sus- pended, or perhaps abandoned. From its circuitous route, some whose optics were "vermiculated," styled it " The Tape Worm."
The common roads are usually kept in good condition, these with the turnpikes, and some 15 or 20 well built bridges, afford access to every portion of the county, adjacent counties, and to the metropolis of this State, and Maryland; the latter being the principal market whither the farmers go to sell their surplus produce, and the merchants to lay in stocks of goods.
CHAPTER XL.
GETTYSBURG, PETERSBURG, &c.
Gettysburg, the county town, its locality, census of 1840, &c .- The Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary-Pennsylvania Col- lege, &c -- Petersburg-York sulphur springs-East Berlin-Ab- botstown or Borough of Berwick-New Oxford-Hampton-New Chester or Pinetown-Hunterstown or Woodstock-Fairview or Mil- - lerstown-Cashtown-Mummasburg-Heidlersburg -- Bendersville, or Wilsonsville-Bonaghton-Little town or Peterstown or Peters- burg-McSherrystown.
Gettysburg is within sight of the South Mountain, and cannot be surpassed for its beautiful scenery and salubrious air. It has ever been esteemed as one of the healthiest districts in Pennsylvania. It is the county seat, and rather in the southern part of it, in Cumber-
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HITORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
land township between Marsh creek and Rock creek. It is one of the best and most travelled routes between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, being 114 miles distant from the former, and 180 from the latter place. It is about 52 miles from Baltimore, 25 from Frederick city, 30 from Hagerstown, and 35 from Harrisburg; with all these places the com- munication by public stages is frequent and easy, so that it offers pe- culiar facilities to persons desirous of passing through, or coming to it, from every point of the compass, east, west, north or south, or any intermediate point, or from the interior part of Pennsylvania.
It is as favorable a location,as any other in the Union, for literary and theological institutions. Its advantages, in that respect, are presented in the sequel.
The borough of Gettysburg contained in 1830, a population of 1,473 ; in 1840, 1,908.
The town contains about 300 dwellings, which are generally neat and substantial, though not expensive. The public buildings, the Court House and public offices are of brick. The inhabitants are in- dustrious and enterprising, many of whom are devoted to mechanical pursuits, and particularly to the manufacture of carriages of every de- scription, a branch of business which has been commenced here since 1817.
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