The history of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Part 8

Author: Sanford, Laura G
Publication date: 1862
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 396


USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > The history of Erie County, Pennsylvania > Part 8


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27


The following touching story, which we have condensed, is found in the Chardon Gazette. Those who emigrate from New England to Ohio in these days, (about 1830,) when thirty-five steamboats plow the waters of Lake Erie, and hundreds of white sails are spread to the breeze, and pride themselves on their enterprise and self-denial, would do well to consider a case of real endurance and privation which occurred on the Reserve in 1796.


Between Utica and the French settlement on the River Raisin, there were not half a dozen white families, when we except a few scattering infant settlements in Western New York, and the military post at Presqu'ile. Mr. K., the father of one of these families at Conneaut, had important business with the Connecticut Land Company, and was compelled to make the journey before winter. His family


91


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


had subsisted on provisions brought from New York, with fish and game, and it was supposed a sufficiency was in store until his return. The oldest male member of the family, a boy of fifteen, having been placed in charge, he took his departure. On his return to Buffalo the winter had fully set in, the snow being two and a half feet deep. His absence had already been prolonged-the family might be in a starving condition, and there seemed to be no alter- native but to venture into the wilderness. Having loaded his horse with such necessaries as could be procured for his family, he pursued his course on foot, following the beach of the lake. At an Indian settlement on the Cattaragus he employed a guide, Seneca Billy, as the projecting bluffs pre- vented his following longer the shore. After camping out several nights on the snow, he reached Presqu'ile and dis- missed his guide. Here he purchased a bag of corn, pay- ing for it three dollars per bushel, and set out for home on the ice. At a fire spring near the mouth of Elk Creek, the horse broke through, and was so injured as to be of no fur- ther use, and taking his corn upon his back he reached home the same day. But it was only to consummate his grief, for the family were nearly in a famishing condition. An infant being deprived of its natural nourishment by the low diet of the mother, slowly expired of starvation. The Connecticut Company having a small store of provisions for the surveyors at Cleveland, Mr. K. made a journey there on foot, and re- turned with a barrel of salt beef. This, with the assistance of the man who related the story, he conveyed home on a hand-sled.


A circumstance worthy of note occurred in Erie, Decem- ber 15th, 1796, which was the death of General Anthony Wayne at the garrison. For six years the Indians north- west of the Ohio, consisting of the Delaware, Shawnee, Miami, and other tribes had greatly annoyed the United States, being instigated by Great Britain. A peace was finally negotiated by our Minister, Mr. Jay, and Lord Green-


92


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


ville, and signed at Greenville in 1795. As the English were dispirited by the brilliant achievements of General Wayne, and the Indians had lost confidence in them, and withdrawn their assistance, the terms of the treaty were advantageous to the United States, and the peace estab- lished proved permanent. General Wayne, on his return home, was everywhere welcomed as the savior of his country ; at Philadelphia all business was suspended, the streets fes- tooned with evergreens and flowers, and all classes partici- pated in the general joy.


The next year, (1796,) General Wayne received an appointment from Government to conclude a treaty with the North western Indians, and having accomplished this ardu- ous task, embarked at Detroit, in the sloop Detroit, for the purpose of returning to his home in Chester County. Soon after leaving port he was violently attacked by his old mal- ady, the gout, and the usual remedy, brandy, through an oversight of the steward, not being at hand, he became very much prostrated, and in this condition was landed at Erie. As there was no resident physician of any repute, Dr. J. C. Wallace, a skillful surgeon of the army, then at Pittsburg, was sent for with the greatest dispatch, but on arriving at Franklin, met a messenger with the news of his death.


When General Wayne was brought into the garrison, he expressed a wish to be placed in the northwest block-house, the attics of the block-houses being comfortably fitted up and occupied by the families connected with the garrison. Captain Russel Bissell probably had command at the time, and it is said the illustrious sufferer met with every possible kindness.


A fit death-bed and silent resting-place for a brave officer and patriot was the old military post of Presqu'ile and its picturesque bay. He named the spot for his grave at the foot of the flagstaff. "A. W." on a single stone was placed at the head, and a ncat railing inclosed it.


The remains were removed in 1809 by a son, Colonel


93


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


Isaac Wayne, of Chester County, and deposited in Radnor churchyard, (St. David's Episcopal Church,) which is four- teen miles west of Philadelphia. Dr. J. C. Wallace super- intended the disinterment of the body, which was found in a remarkable state of preservation.


On a monument erected by the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati is found the following: "Major Anthony Wayne was born at Waynesboro, in Chester County, Penn- sylvania, in 1745. After a life of honor and usefulness, he died in December, 1796, at Erie, Pennsylvania, then a mili- tary post on Lake Erie, Commander-in-chief of the Army of the United States. His military achievements are con- secrated in the history of his countrymen. His remains are here deposited."


CHAPTER VIII.


Eric Connty from 1785 -- Organization in 1803-Its Geography, etc .- Original Townships-Changes -- Extent of Townships and Population- Population decennially from 1800-Census Items-Vote of 1808 and 1860-Receipts and Expenditures do .- Extract from Auditor-General's Report-Post-offices in 1830, 1856, 1860-List of Judges-Members of Congress - State Senate -- Representatives - Prothonotary-Register and Recorder-Sheriffs-Coroners-First Section incorporated-Court- houses-Act for Public Landing-Borough Charter altered in 1833 --- Canal Basin - Peninsula - Poor-house - Several Acts-Government changed to that of a City-Present Population and Business-List of Burgesses and Mayors-Collectors of Customs-Postmasters in Erie.


WE find Erie County, or rather that part south of the " Triangle," included in Westmoreland County by act of April 8th, 1785. It reads as follows: "That all the land within the late purchase from the Indians, not heretofore assigned to any other particular county, shall be taken and deemed, and they are hereby declared, to be within the limits of the Counties of Northumberland and Westmoreland, and that from the Kittanning up the Allegheny, to the mouth of


9


94


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


Conewango Creek, and from thence up said creek to the northern line of this State, shall be the line between North- umberland and Westmoreland Counties in the aforesaid late purchase."


September 24th, 1788, we find the northwestern part of the State, being parts of Westmoreland and Washington Counties, constituting the new County of "Allegheny," with Pittsburg for the seat of justice.


March 12th, 1800, Erie County was erected into a separate county, and Erie designated as the place of holding courts of justice. At the same time, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Warren, and Erie were constituted temporarily one county, with all county privileges, called Crawford, Meadville being the seat of justice.


April 2d, 1803, Erie County was organized for all judi- cial purposes ; this took place at the house of George Buehler, on the corner of Third and French Streets. [This


M'CONKEY HOUSE IN 1861.


house is still standing, though in ruins, and has been known for many years as the "McConkey House." In 1813 it was


95


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


Duncan's and Perry's headquarters ; next the house was kept by Thomas Rees, Jr., and lastly by James McConkey. ] Judge Jesse Moore held the first court.


Erie County is 36 miles in length and 20 in breadth, with an area of 720 square miles, or 460,800 acres; its central latitude is 42º north, and longitude 3º west.


Its principal streams are Four Mile, Six Mile, Twelve Mile, Sixteen and Twenty Mile Creeks; west it has Walnut Creek, Trout Run, Elk, Raccoon, and Crooked Creeks. Mill Creek empties into the lake within the city limits. French and Le Bœuf Creeks empty into the Allegheny River. Conneaut Creek flows through the southwestern part, and also, for a short distance, Conneauttee.


These streams afford abundant water power for manufac- turing purposes; and while the valleys and rivers are some- times wild and picture-like, as at Elk, Walnut, and 20 mile Creeks, the broken and unproductive acres in Erie County are few indeed.


It has three small beautiful lakes : Conneauttee, in Wash- ington township ; Le Bœuf, in Waterford ; and Pleasant, in Venango township.


The dividing ridge which crosses from south west to north- east (particularly described elsewhere) marks a striking dis- tinction in the county on each side. The bank of the lake at Erie and in the vicinity is about sixty feet in height, and the surface rises gently from ten to twelve miles back, which is the summit of the level between the waters of the lake and the Allegheny River. The southern portion produces excellent grass, but is not fertile in grain ; the northern slop- ing to the lake is well adapted to wheat. One hundred bushels of corn, 30 bushels of wheat, 35 bushels of rye, 60 bushels of barley, 50 bushels of rape, and 500 bushels of potatoes have been raised to the acre.


The original townships were sixteen in number, namely : Mill Creek, Harbor Creek, Northeast, Greenfield, Venango, Brokenstraw, Union, Le Bœuf, Waterford, Conneanttee,


AREA AND POPULATION OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF ERIE COUNTY.


TOWNSHIPS.


Greatest Greatest Length . Breadth.


Area in Acres.


1820.


1830.


1840.


1850.


1860.


Amity ..


7


5


22,400


385


560


739


1016


Beaverdam.


7


515


24,640


142


443


Conneaut ...


81/2


6


32,640


631


1324


1796


1942


Conneauttee ..


7


5


22,400


53


225


652


882


1255


Elk Creek ..


8


7


35,840


288


562


1645


1535


Fairview ...


8


7


23,040


536


1529


1481


1760


Greenfield.


6


516


19,200


281


664


7.98


731


Harbor Creek ..


8


51%


23,800


555


1104


1843


2084


2033


Le Bœuf.


8


5


25,600


505


554


876


990


1483


McKean ..


7


32,280


440


984


1714


1921


1600


Mill Creek


/2


7


24,960


1017


1783


2682


3064


Northeast ...


7


51/2


19,200


1068


1706


1793


2379


1900


Springfield.


8


6


24.320


896


1520


2344


1916


Union ..


7


5


22.400


200


235


593


1076


1954


Wayne ..


7


5


22,400


197


738


1122


1224


Waterford ..


7


5


22.400


579


1006


1144


1545


1950


Venango ..


6


51/2


21,120


290


683


812


1019


1301


Girard ....


€16 613


6


Greene ...


5


41%


Washington


61/2


Franklin ..


5


5


635


1329


3412


5858


11,113


Erie ..


Waterford Borough.


Northeast


Girard


Wattsburg


Edinboro


232


363


474


Albion


443


in 1854.


The present number of townships is twenty-one.


neauttee in 1834 ; Greene from Beaverdam in 1840; Franklin was formed of parts of Mckean, Washington, Fairview, and Elk Creek in 1844; and Summit, of Greene and Mckean


tracts of land adjoining. Washington was changed from Con-


96


McKean, Beaverdam, Elk Creek, Conneaut, Springfield, and Fairview. Brokenstraw, in 1820, was changed to Wayne and Concord. Amity was taken from Union in 1826. Girard was set off from Springfield and Fairview in 1832, and received its name from Stephen Girard, who had large


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


403


498


900


339


386


400


616


132


227


337


2660


2443


2453


Summit ..


10 8 1943


1551


1706


686


979


1081


1542


1450


51/2


72


8


31,360


438


743


Concord ..


880


2


2


-Population of Townships in-


560


97


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


In 1800 the population of Erie County was 1468; in 1810, 3758; in 1820, 8553; in 1830, 17,041; in 1840, 31,344 ; in 1850, 38,742 ; and in 1860, 49,697. From 1840 to 1850 the increase in Erie was nearly 100 per cent., equal to that of Harrisburg and Norristown, (comparing it with those cities,) and greater than Lancaster.


In 1850 the cash value of farms was $4,782,858, and of farming implements and machinery, $294,726. The number of horses, 7014; of milch eows, 16,575; of sheep, 66,705; of swine, 15,417; and the value of live stock, $1,070,519. The quantity of wheat raised in 1850 was 147,825 bushels ; of rye, 10,203; of Indian-corn, 433,692; of oats, 433,765; of tobacco, 8000 pounds; of wool, 179,103; of peas and beans, 3141 bushels; of potatoes, 171,855; of sweet pota- toes, 170 bushels ; of barley, 42,352; of hay, 69,422 tons ; clover seed, 1720 bushels ; grass, 1253; hops, 1260; flax, 3729; flax seed, 860; buckwheat, 27,272; orchard pro- duets, 17,327; 129 gallons of wine were made, 252,843 pounds of butter, 754,452 of cheese, 333,748 pounds of maple sugar, 1875 gallons of molasses, 23,239 of beeswax and honey. The value of home mannfactures was estimated at $28,581.


In 1860, the farms in the county numbered 4474; manu- facturing establishments, 383; dwellings, 9759. The amount of property subject to tax, fixed by revenue commissioners in March, 1860, was $4,475,857.


In 1808, the full vote of the county for Governor was 589; 345 for Simon Snyder, and 244 for James Ross, Fed- eralist. Erie and Mill Creek polled 156 votes, and next in the order they are mentioned came Waterford, Mckean, Springfield, and Fairview.


In 1860, the vote for Governor was 8082-for Andrew G. Curtin, Republican, 5613; for Henry D. Foster, Dem- ocrat, 2469. One month after, the whole vote for President was 8798-6160 for Lincoln, 2531 fusion, 90 for Bell, and 17 for Douglas.


9*


98


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


In the report of the Auditor-General of Pennsylvania for the year 1860, ending November 30th, are the following items relating to Erie County :-


Tax on real and personal estate. $11,006 91


Tavern licenses


315 00


Retailers' licenses 2,090 02


Brokers' licenses 228 00


Theater, circus, etc., licenses. 76 00


Distillery and brewery licenses 254 28


Billiard room, bowling saloon, etc., licenses ...


105 00


Eating-house, beer-house, and rest. licenses ...


671 00


Patent medicine license


67 00


Pamphlet laws


19 00


Militia tax


10 61


Millers' tax


65 10


Tax on writs, wills, deeds, etc.


513 30


Tax on foreign insurance agencies 200 00


Common schools. 3,514 41


Abatement of the State tax


536 84


Value of real and personal estate ..


4,475,857 00


Assessment of tax.


11,501 42


Population 49,697 00


Taxables


11,335 00


In 1808 the receipts of the county were $9890 31}; of this, $4055 843 was in the treasury, 31st December, 1807. The county expenses amounted to $2763 15. The same year $1178 47} was expended in building and materials for the court-house, and $20 20 appropriated to clear French Creek.


In 1860 the receipts of the county were $58,178 51, and the expenditures $50,592 91.


POST-OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS IN ERIE COUNTY IN 1830.


Beaverdam


Samuel Smith.


Elk Creek. Joseph Wells.


Erie. James Hughes.


Fairview W. W. Warner.


Gray's Settlement Amos Graves, Jr.


Greenfield Elijah J. Woodruff.


Harbor Creek Daniel Goodwin.


Lexington David Sawdy.


99


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


Northeast


Jas. Smedley.


Northville Orrin Wyllys.


Phillipsville James Phillips.


Springfield # Roads J. P. Woodworth.


Union Mills. William Miles.


Waterford.


Joseph Derrickson.


Wattsburg


Levi Wilcox.


Wesleyville.


Almond Fuller.


Post-offices in Erie County, July 1, 1856, and the revenue in 1855, showing the business importance of every town. The figures at the right hand show the net revenue of the office to the Department ; left hand column the compensation of the postmaster.


POST-OFFICES.


POSTMASTERS.


COMP'N.


REV'E.


Albion.


Josiah Sullivan ..


$164 57


$1 65


Belle Valley


Joseph Vance, (estab. in 1856.) ..


...


......


Carter Hill


David White.


8 38


4 51


Cherry Hill


Ira Harrington.


18 79


9 87


Cook ..


Harvey Davis.


26 10


12 64


East Greene


Joseph Smith.


4 00


2 50


Edenville.


Robert H. Frisbee.


......


......


Edinboro


Marcus Saley


159 40


90 61


Elk Creek


Daniel M. Wood.


42 02


26 81


Erie, (C. H.)


B. F. Sloan


2000 00


2 59


Fairview .


Daniel Weidler


1 5 11


€3 23


Franklin Corner.


Ivory Hawkins.


10 32


5 26


Girard


Monroe Hutchinson. Wm. P. Barbie


11 93


7 58


Harbor Creek.


Clarilla Stimson.


78 01


36 19


Le Bœuf.


Pery G. Stranahan.


9 29


3 96


Lundy's Lane


Wallace Sherman.


73 58


41 86


McKean


Titus D. Chillis


86 38


32 06


Moorheadville.


J. T. Moorhead.


33 27


8 47


Northeast


Mrs. Rebecca Brawly


318 48


244 46


Northville


John Taylor.


50 €1


21 56


Platea


Samuel Cisson


113 95


39 22


Sterrettania.


Elias Brecht ...


13 04


7 16


Stewart


Robert McCrea, 4th


11 00


3 21


Swan Station


Samuel Selden ...


51 89


27 05


Union Mills


Roswell H. Brown


94 81


39 48


Waterford


Henry Colt ..


372 14


234 21


Wattsburg.


W. B. Williams.


167 59


71 93


Wayne


Roswell B. Adams


55 80


23 65


Well's Corners


IIenry Hill.


22 21


9 66


Wesleyville


Samuel L. Potter.


82 36


23 83


West Springfield.


Gilbert IIurd.


82 63


59 08


Springfield ₭ Roads


Timothy S. Cowles,


153 92


75 22


345 04


267 00


Greenfield


In 1861 one other office was added, that of Oak Grove.


The distributing office at Erie was discontinued after January 1st, 1838; afterward restored, and again discon- tinued in 1858.


100


IIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


In order to defray expenses in 1860, the boxes were rented at two dollars per annum.


Courts and Judicial Districts. - Erie being a part of Crawford, for all county purposes, from 1800 to 1803, it belonged to the fifth judicial district.


By the judiciary act of February 24th, 1806, Butler, Mercer, Venango, Crawford, and Erie composed the sixth judicial district.


In 1818 Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Warren composed the sixth.


In 1830 Erie, Venango, Mercer, and Crawford were the sixth; and afterward Erie, Crawford, and Warren became the sixth.


Jasper Yates held a circuit court in Erie on the 15th of October, 1806; Judge Breckenridge one in October, 1807.


In 1839 Crawford, Erie, and Venango had a district court, which was in 1841 extended also to Mercer County. Judge James Thompson presided. The court expired by limitation in five years.


David Derrickson was elected an additional president judge, with the same associates, in 1856.


A session of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court was held in Erie in 1854. Judges present: Lewis, (President,) Woodward, Lowrie, and Knox.


President Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions .- Judge Addison, 1800; Jesse Moore, 1803; Henry Shippen, 1825; N. B. Eldred, 1839; Gaylord Church, 1849; John Galbraith, elected in 1851. Judge Galbraith died in 1860, and Rasselas Brown was appointed by Gov. Packer to fill the vacancy until the next election. S. P. Johnson was elected in 1860.


Associate Judges .- Myron Hutchinson, John Brawley. In 1851 James Miles and J. M. Sterrett were elected; and in 1856, Samuel Hutchins and John Grier.


Eric is annexed to the western district of the Supreme Court.


In 1810 Erie, Beaver, Mercer, Crawford, Warren, and


101


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


Venango constituted a congressional district. In 1820 Beaver was apportioned to another district.


In 1830 Erie County, with Crawford, Mercer, Warren, and Venango formed the Eighteenth Congressional District.


In 1843 Erie, Warren, Mckean, Potter, Jefferson, and Clarion were constituted the Twenty-third Congressional District. It was styled the "Gerrymander," from Elbridge Gerry, as it was supposed to have been thus divided for po- litical purposes. The Whigs, notwithstanding, elected their candidate, C. M. Reed, by a majority of forty the same year.


In 1852 Erie, Crawford, and Warren became the Twenty- fifth Congressional District.


Members of Congress .- William Hoge ; Samuel Smith ; Robert Moore ; Thomas Wilson ; Abner Lacock ; P. Far- relly, 1820; P. Farrelly, 1822, died, and T. H. Sill was elected to fill his unexpired term of one year ; Stephen Bar- low, 1824; T. H. Sill, 1828; John Banks, 1830; John Galbraith, 1832-34; A. Plumer, 1836; John Galbraith, 1838 ; A. Plumer, 1840; Charles M. Reed, 1842; J. W. Farrelly, 1848; James Thompson, 1845; C. B. Curtis ; John Dick, 1852-54-56 ; Elijah Babbitt, 1858-60.


In 1801 the State apportionment included twenty-five Sen- ators, and Crawford, Venango, Mercer, Warren, and Erie (forming one county under the name of Crawford, for all county purposes) elected one member, the returns being made at the court-house in Meadville.


Eighth of March, 1815, the State had thirty-one Senators, and Mercer, Erie, Warren, Venango and Crawford still had but one. In 1830 Erie, Crawford, and Mercer constituted the Twenty-third Senatorial District. In 1843 Erie and Craw- ford became the Twenty-Seventh, and entitled to one member. An apportionment in 1856 gave the State thirty- three Senators, Erie and Crawford being still entitled to but one. In 1836 Erie and Crawford became the Twenty-first District. It is at present the Twentieth District.


·


0


102


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


Members of State Senate .- William McArthur, 1801; William Bell ; Wilson Smith, 1809; Joseph Shannon, 1813; Henry Hurst, 1817.


In 1820 the Twentieth Senatorial District was composed of Erie, Crawford, and Warren. Jacob Herrington, 1821- 22-23; John Leach, 1825 to 1827; Thomas Cunningham, 1829 to 1836 ; J. M. Sterret, 1837 to 1839 ; J. W. Far- relly, 1842 ; Elijah Babbitt, 1844 ; James D. Dunlap, 1845 ; J. B. Johnson, 1846; J. H. Walker, 1849-51; James Skinner, 1852-54; Darwin A. Finney, to 1860.


House of Representatives .- In 1800 Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, and Venango jointly elected two Representatives.


The House of Representatives in 1801 consisted of eighty- six members, the Counties of Crawford, Venango, Erie, Warren, and Mercer being entitled to one member.


In 1815 it had ninety-seven members, and the representa- tion from Erie, Crawford, Venango, Warren, and Mercer was increased to three.


In 1843 Erie and Crawford were entitled to two members in the House.


In 1856 Erie became entitled to two members.


Representatives. - Alexander Buchanan, 1801; John Lytle, Jr., 1802; Wilson Smith, 1805 ; John Phillips and James Herrington, 1808; John Phillips and Roger Alden, 1809; John Phillips and Patrick Farrelly, 1811; James Weston and James Burchfield, 1813; Jacob Herrington, James Weston, and Ralph Marlin, 1815; S. Hays, R. Mar- lin, and J. Herrington, 1816; S. Hays, Thomas Wilson, and R. Marlin, 1817 ; J. Herrington, James Cochran, and J. Hackney, 1818 ; W. Smith, James Cochran, and William Connelly, 1819.


From the district composed of Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Warren-Wilson Smith, William McConnelly, Jacob Herrington, 1820; David Brown, James Cochran, George Moore, 1821; James Weston, 1822; T. H. Sill,


103


IIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


from Erie and Warren, 1823 ; General John Phillips, 1824 ; Stephen Woolverton, 1825-27; George Moore, 1828-29 ; John Riddel, 1831 ; J. H. Walker, 1832-35; E. Babbitt, J. K. Miller, 1836 ; Charles M. Reed, David Sawdy, 1837 ; William M. Watts, Samuel Hutchins, 1838; S. Skinner, J. D. Dunlap, 1840; Stephen Skinner, L. Robinson, 1842; J. D. Dunlap, David A. Gould, 1843; J. D. Dunlap, Mark Baldwin, 1844; J. B. Johnson, L. Robinson, 1845 ; William Sanborn, D. A. Gould, 1846 ; G. J. Ball, William Sanborn, 1847; G. J. Ball, T. Ryman, 1848; J. C. Reid, L. Hart, 1849; J. C. Reid, A. W. Blaine, 1851; C. W. Kelso, A. W. Blaine, 1851; C. W. Kelso, H. A. Hill, 1852; W. Warner, G. J. Ball, 1853 ; G. J. Ball, James Thompson, 1854; G. J. Ball, M. Whallon, 1855; J. W. Campbell, W. Laird, 1858; J. Gunnison, H. Teller, 1859; H. Teller, G. J. Ball, 1860.


Previous to 1840, the offices of prothonotary, register, and recorder were united, and the incumbent appointed by the Governor.


The first appointment was of Callender Irvine, 1803; James E. Herron, 1808; John Kelso; Thomas Wilson, 1820, who died in 1824, and was succeeded by E. J. Kelso ; William Kelley, 1836; James C. Marshall, 1839; Wilson King, 1842 and 1845 ; James Skinner, 1848 ; Samuel Per- ley, 1851; Alfred King, 1854; James Skinner, 1857 and 1860.


In 1839 E. D. Gunnison was appointed first register and recorder, and held the office until after the fall election. William Kelley was elected 1839 and 1841; Thos. Moorhead, Jr., 1845; R. J. Sibley, 1849; D. McAllaster, 1851 and 1854 ; William P. Trimble, 1857 ; Samuel Rea, Jr., 1860.


Sheriffs .- Samuel Smith, 1804; Jacob Carmack, 1809; Jacob Spang, 1812; David Wallace, 1813 ; James Weston,*


* James E. Herron received the same number of votes; the Gov- ernor being a Democrat, it was decided in favor of J. Weston.


104


HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.


1815; John C. Wallace, 1818; Stephen Woolverton, 1821 ; Thomas Laird, 1824; Stephen Woolverton ; A. Thayer, 1826; A. W. Brewster; William Fleming; Thomas Me- haffy, 1835; A. Scott,* 1838; E. M. W. Blaine; William E. McNair; M. W. Caughey, 1846; Peter E. Burton, 1849; Thomas Vincent, 1852; J. Killpatrick, 1855; John W. McLane, 1858.


Coroners .- Abraham Smith, October 26th, 1803 ; John Milroy, November 14th, 1806; John Gray, November 17th, 1807; John C. Wallace, November 8th, 1809; John Mc- Cord, December 21st, 1813; John Morris, April 23d, 1816; Benjamin Russell, January 8th, 1822 ; Rufus S. Reed, Feb- ruary 8th, 1825; William Fleming, 1827; David Wallace, 1830; David McNair, 1833; Samuel Keefer, 1836; J. K. Caldwell, 1839; H. Bates, 1841; Thomas Dillon, 1845 ; S. L. Forster, 1848; S. Dunn, 1851; D. Burton, 1854; T. Dillon, 1857 ; R. Gaggin, 1860.




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