LOCAL HISTORY: STOREY, Henry Wilson. HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PA. Vol. 1 The Lewis Publishing Co., 1907. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Martha Humenik. There is an HTML version of this book, with page images, on the county web site: http://www.camgenpa.com/books/Storey/v1/ Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm _______________________________________________ CHAPTER X. FIRST SETTLEMENTS. Solomon and Samuel Adams were the first settlers in the county, locating their grist mill on Solomon's Run, now the Seventh ward of Johnstown, prior to 1770. They were soon followed by Captain Michael McGuire, who in 1789 settled at Loretto. Between 1797 and 1808 there were five villages founded, the first being Beula in 1797; Johnstown and Loretto in 1800; Ebensburg in 1807; and Munster in 1808. The people appear to have clustered around these localities, and as late as 1816 there were no other villages. We follow with the details of these respective communities. JOHNSTOWN IN 1790. The people of Johnstown, and indeed all those residing in the Conemaugh valley and down the river to where the Kiskiminetas empties into the Allegheny river near Freeport, are indebted to Mr. John F. Meginness, of Williamsport, publisher of the notes of the "Journal of Samuel Maclay, while surveying the West Branch of the Susquehanna, The Sinnemahoning and the Allegheny Rivers, in 1790." Samuel Maclay was born in Lurgan township, Franklin county, June 17, 1741, subsequently locating in Buffalo valley, in what is now known as Mifflin county. Be was a brother of the Hon. William Maclay, who was the first United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Maclay was the ancestor of the late William Maclay of this city, father of Mrs. R. R. Murphy and Mrs. John Tittle. Samuel Maclay held various public offices in the Colony of Pennsylvania; he was a member of the Vth Congress, and was Speaker of the State Senate, where in 1803 he presided at the impeachment trial of Judge Addison; he was also elected United States Senator, December 14, 1802. He died October 5, 1811; his grave is within sight of the turnpike, a short distance west of Lewisburg. On April 9, 1790, Samuel Maclay, Timothy Matlack and John Adlum were commissioned by, the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania to examine the headwaters of the Vol. I-13 194 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Susquehanna, explore the streams of the then new purchase from the Indians, and to discover if possible a route for a road to connect the waters of the Allegheny with the West Branch of the Susquehanna. On Monday, April 26, 1790, Mr. Maclay started from home to meet the other commissioners. On May 19th they were at Watsontown, then called Warrior Run. On June 14th they began to survey the West branch of the Sinnemahoning, about ten miles below Driftwood. We quote from the Journal: "Thursday, August 19th, 1790.--Got Ready Early in the morning started up the Kishacaminitas River. Saw two white men on the River in a canoe. Continued to make all the speed we could untill night, and then took up our camp on the west side, or rather south-west side of River at the foot of a Rocky hill near the mouth of a small spring. "Friday: August 20th.--Continued our Jorney up the River and arrived at the mouth of Loyalhannon at one oclock; and as we had had several days of showery weather and continued moistness in the air, our Cloathes of every kind were Damp and Disagreeable, and as the afternoon was a fine one we agreed to let the men rest and Dry their Cloathes, and ours. We had this day been attempting to procure some fresh Provisions on our way up, from the Inhabitants along the River, and had been unsucksesful; we therefore sent off two of our men in order to procure either Butter or meat of any kind. They Returned with (out) Sucksess." The Loyalhannon to which he refers is the Loyalhanna, which rises in the Laurelhill, above Fort. Ligonier, and flows in a northwesterly direction through Westmoreland county and empties into the Conemaugh river at Saltsburg, and forms the Kiskiminetas river. From Saltsburg to Johnstown the river is properly called the Conemaugh; sometimes it is designated as the Big Conemaugh, to distinguish it from the Little Conemaugh, which meets the Stonycreek at the point in this city. The distance from Johnstown to Saltsburg by the way of the river is about forty-nine miles, and to Blairville about thirty-three mile. The Journal continues: "Saturday, August 21st.-As all our attempts yesterday to procure provisions had been fruitless, we were obliged to stay this day in order to get a supply of Both flour and meat; we were Luckay enough this morning to get the half of a Veal from one Samuel Hoy, who lives a little way below the mouth of Loyalhanning, and sent off a man and horse to Denison's 195 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. mill which is eight miles up Loyalhanning creek, in order to procure some flour; the man is not yet returned. "A little after Dark the man sent to the mill returned and brought us a small supply of flour and a few pounds of Butter. We have to acknowledge our obligations to Col'o Will'm Perrey, who furnished us with a horse and sent his son to mill for us for the flour. He lived just above the mouth of Loyalhanning. "Sunday. August 22d.--The morning cloudy but so much time already Elapsed we must make every possable Exertion to get through our Bussness; we proceeded up the River above 10 miles and encamped for the day." The place where they camped must have been about where the Black Lick empties into the Conemaugh, near Social Hall, a few miles below Blairsville. The Journal: "Monday, August 23d.--Proceeded up the River; met with great difficulty; on account of the low water were obliged to drag our canoes over the Ripples and were able to get only about 8 miles. This day Encamped above an old Indian field on the southwest of the River; this field is Remarkable for the Great number of Bones we found in it." The field referred to is about a mile east of Blairsville. “Tuesday, August 24. Pursued our Jorney up the River, and with all the Exerscions we could make it was 1 o'clock before we had Got 3 1/2 miles, & the men were quite Exhausted with the Labour of Dragging the Canoes up the Ripples. We came on shore to Dine and before we had done, a rain came on which induced us to pitch our tents for the night. We employed the afternoon in trying to procure pack horses to carry our Baggage to Frankstown and happily succeeded. "Wednesday, August 25th.--This morning we were Busseyley employed in adjusting the Loads for the horses. As soon as this was done we took our packs on our Backs, and started at 11 o'clock and made the Best of our way up the River. We had got but a little when we were overtaken by a smart shower at a place where we had no shelter of any kind. We proceeded up through the narrows where the River Cuts the Chestnut Ridge; these narrows are five miles in Length and the hill(s) come Down close to the water edge, so that we were obliged often to wade the river, and had Exceeding Bad walking as there was scarcely any Beech and the Rocks and Laurel come close to high water mark. We had Likewise several heavy shower(s) so that Between the wading the River and the Rain we were wet Indeed. About sunset we came to a house where one David Ingard lives, and took up our Quarters for the Night having Traveled about eight or nine miles." The narrow gap was the "Packsaddle" west of Bolivar. 196 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. "Thursday, August 26th.--We set off early in the morning and proceded up the River. Had much better walking this day and a fine clear day. we kept close to it, and arrived at the mouth of Stony Creek [Johnstown] a little before sunset, and went up the Stoney Creek half a mile to where one Daniel LaVere Lives, who Received us with an oppen Countenance. We this day came through the narrows formed by the Laurel Hill and found it in Gineral Good walking; we this day walked 19 or 20 miles. "By appointment our Pack horses were to meet us at the mouth of Stone- Creek, but we found they had been unable to Reach the place; we therfor took up our Quarters with Daniel LaVere for the night. As we were in a part of the country were none of us had ever Been we were obliged to hire a man and send off for one Clark to conduct us the nearest and best way from the Mouth of Stoney Creek to the mouth of Poplar run on the Frankstown Branch, through the Alegina mountain. We did in the evening after we had taken up our Quarters. As this messenger has to walk 18 miles to where Clark Lives, we can hardly Expect him to Return before the 28. "Friday, August 27th.--Gersham Hicks came to us this morning and in informed us that the horses and Baggage were comming; that they had been unable to Reach the fork Last night, the Road had been so Bad. After some time the horses came but on the way had Lost one of our Tents, for this tent two of our people were sent back who are not yet Returned. In the afternoon they Returned but could not find the tent altho they went back as far as the place they had Lodged the night Before; but they heard that a man and a Boy from the Jerseys had passed along the road between the time that our people returned to seek the tent, and as those people were in want of Cloathes as its said, no dout they played us a Jersey Trick. "Saturday, August 28th.--We continued in our camp waiting the Return of young Levoy whom we had sent for Clark He returned after sunset and with him a Daniel Clark, the man who had been Recomended was gon a hunting, and this man was the only person he could get to come who had any knowledge of the country through which we had to pass. This day we spent in Baking Bread and preparing for Crossing the Alegina, mendin Mokossins &c. "Sunday, August 29th (1790).--Agreeable to the Resolution of the Last night we prepared this morning to survey the Conemaugh, as Mr. D. Clark had refused to conduct us over the Mountains without we would Engage to pay him 10 shillings for every day that we would be from home. This we all agreed was unreasonable as he himself confessed that he was not fully acquainted with the country through which we must pass. We therefor paid for the day he had spent in comming and for 197 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. another to go home in, 10 shillings, and prepared to go up through the narrows, and survey the creek, and sent our Baggage Round by a Better way with order to mett us Monday Night at the forks of Connemaugh; and as it was Expected they would be able to gain the forks much sooner than us, we set out first and proceeded up the creek as far as we could that day. Had bad walking and at night could scarcely find a spot to encamp on, for the Land which came to the waters edge for some miles together. We at length found a spot in the Laurel Large enough for us to lie on and took up our quarters. Not long after Night rain came on and we were unprovided with any kind of shelter. This not only kept me uneasy for the moment but in pain in consequence as I was but verry imperfectly Recovered from my former attack of the Rheumatism, brought on in the same manner; and there I was in a country unsettled, without either canoe or horse. "Monday, August 30th. (1790). Dryed my Cloathes with all the care I could, and took my Bundle on my Back, and so did my companions and we proceeded up the Creek with our survey and Gained the first forks of the Cr By 1/2, past 1 O'clock; there eat our Dinner and proceeded on untill night and encamped on the upper end of a Rock Bottom about two miles below the forks where the pack horses were to meet us. As we had given order to the pack horse men in case that we Did not Reach the forks on Monday night that Hicks should be dispatched down the Creek on Tuesday morning to meet us with Provisions, as we had taken only two Day(s) Provisions, we in order that they might know we were comming fired a Gun Twist after dark, but had no answer. "Tuesday, August 31st. (1790). After Breakfast we went on with our survey and Reached the forks after 10 oclock but found our people had not reached the place. We then enquired into the state of our provisions, and found that the whole we then had with us was not more than one scanty meal. We then judged it advisable to make the best speed we could to Frankstown and not wait Longer for the packhorses as we were certain either some mistake or misfortune had happened, or they would have been there before us. We accordingly set off at a N. E. course and surveyed 8 miles before Dark, but to our surprise we had not yet reached the State Road. The evening was Cloudy and we encamped by the side of a Laurel Thicket near a small Branch of the Connemaugh. "Wednesday, September 1st, (1790) The evening before we had divided our Provisions into Equal Shares, and though we had walked the whole day, yet each man's portion when we had it was so small; and not knowing how far we must travel before we could meet with any supply, none of its ventured to eat any supper. This morning every man cooked his own Chocolate with the utmost care and attention, and in General eat with 198 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. the Chocolate about one-half of our Bread; and so we set out and in about 1 1/2 hours we came to the State Road about Eight miles N. W. of Blair's mill. "After traveling about 4 miles on this Road we eat the Remainder of our Provisions and Reached Mr Blair's mill a Little after 12 oclock; where we were Rece'd with Great kindness by Mr Blair's family, who gave us our dinner, as neither Mr Blair nor his wife were at home. In the Evening Mrs Blair came home; and to my surprise Soon informed me that she knew something of me and my connections. Upon enquiring she is the daughter of a Mr. Sims, who was a friend and acquaintance of Mr R. Plunketts in Ireland, and came to this country the same year that Mr Plunket came to the country; and is a verry decent, well Breed woman, and was very oblidging and attentive to us. In the Evening we sent one of our men over to Patrick Cassidy's with a Note, Requesting him to come to us in the morning." In Dr. Eagle's "History of Pennsylvania" he refers to John Blair, Jr., the person above mentioned, and for whom Blair county was named, and states that his home was some four miles west of Hollidaysburg, on the Huntingdon, Cambria and Indiana turnpike, formerly known as the "Northern Pike." This would be a short distance above Duncansville. "Thursday, September 2d. (1790) After Breakfast Mr Cassidy came and informed us that he was unacquainted with the Ground between this and Connemaugh further than the head of the Poplar Rim, but he was of the opinion that the Poplar Run Gap was a much Better Gap than the one in which the Road is now made; and informed us that if we pleased he would Go with and Likewise procure some other person who knew the country all the way, to go with him and us in order to view the Poplar Run as far as the forks of Connemaugh. He likewise promised to assist us in getting horses to carrey our Baggage down as far as Water Street, and his assistance in Procuring us some fresh Provisions, "Friday, September 3d. (1790) After Breakfast we Recd a note from Mr Cassidy that he had the promise of two horses and two sheep for one of which we sent one of our people. Not until 4 oclock this day did we hear anything from our Pack horses. Then they came in. They had mistaken the forks of Connemaugh where they were to wait for us and stopped at the first, insted of going on to the second, and by that mistake have Lost us 2 days. Some time after night our man Returned with a Mutton. "Saturday, September 4th. (1790) This morning we sent off a part of our Baggage to Mr Cassidy's by a son of McCunes who brought us the mutton. Mr Adlum was this morning Im- 199 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. ployed in protracting our works from the mouth of Stoney creek. After Breakfast and after I had finished coppying my note(s) I took 2 hands, and Began at the 50 mile Tree above Mr Blair's and surveyed the Road to Patrick Cassidys, and from thence to the mouth of Poplar Run, which Bussness was some time Delayed By the Rain, which fell this Day. Mr Adlum finished his work and Joined us in the afternoon. We Likewise Got a horse fom Mr Cassidy and Got another Load of our Baggage brought over this day from our camp at Mr Blair's, but Gersham Hicks with the Remainder was still Behind at the Camp. "Sunday, September 5th. (1790). We Dispatched Seymor with a horse this morning to Mr Blair's to bring forward Hicks and the Remainder of our Baggage; and took the necessary measures in order to Explore the Ground up through the Poplar Gap, and thence to the forks of Connemaugh. The man we sent is not yet Returned. In the mean time we had verrey differant accounts of the Ground through the Poplar Gap. Patrick Cassidy told us that he had been at the head o£ the Poplar run and five miles further towards the forks of Connemaugh; that so far it was Excelent Ground for a Road; much Better than the road through the other Gap, and insinuated that undue means had been exercised or the State Road would have been taken through the Poplar Gap. This representation was Coroberated by one William Pringle who undertook to show us an Exceeding Good way for a road up through the Poplar Gap. To this a young man, a hunter, of the name of Shirley Replyd, that he knew the Poplar Gap well; that he had a hunting camp on it near the head; that there was no place there that would admit of a Road; that if Pringle could find a Road there, then he Shirley would Give them his head for a foot ball. But he informed us that there might be a Road had to Conemaugh by Beginning at the East end of a Ridge that is south of the Poplar run and keeping that Ridge up to the Blue Knob a mountain so called in those parts, and from thence by keeping the dividing Ridge, but this way was objected to by Cassidy and others as Going quite too far out of the way. Shirley further informed us that Pringle, who was to be our Guide, had some time before undertaken to conduct a Company over to Conemaugh & had Lost himself and with Difficulty found the way home. From all these circumstances, and acct taken together we were Determined to see the Ground and set out with our party and survived about 2 1/4 miles up the Poplar run through Low swampy Ground Inclined to be stoney. "Monday, September 6th. (1790). Continued our survey up the poplar run through stoney swampy Bottoms, much cut into Gulleys by the water for about 2 miles; then took over a hill and struck the run again. Found the Ground much the same up the second forks, where Pringle told us we must take the 200 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. mountain which we did and found it much too steep to answer for a road. However we continued our survey untill we came in sight of a cove in the hill. I then in order to save time proposed to leave the compass and walk up to the top of the hill in order to obtain a view of the hills around us as by this time I had abundant Testimony that we could place no Dependance upon the Information of our Gides. When we had Reached the top of the first Rise or Spur of the mountain I planely saw that admitting the Ground to have been good to the Bottom of the hill there was no Possability of making a Road and therefore under these circumstances Gave it as my opinion that to prosecute the Bussness farther would be misspending our time and wasting the Publick Money; Cassidy still Persisted that there could be a fine Road trade there and Colonel Matlack said he had wished to have Discussed this matter among ourselves, as Commissioners and not other persons, and concluded with Expressing a Desire of seeing the top of the hill but added that he would not bear an imputation of wasting the publick money. I Replyd that for my own part I had seen sufficient to fix my opinion; if he or any other person had not, that an hour or two would be Sufficient for the purpose, that under these considerations I had no objections to going on to the top of the hill. "Mr Adlum Lickewise thought it best to Proceed with the survey to the top of the hill; and we proceeded accordingly but before we had gone a half mile further we plainly saw that our Gides were utterly at a Loss, and in a short time Cassidy himself Declared that there could not be a road made there, and Longe Before we had Reached the Top of the mountain, we were all willing to return back the best way we could find through the Laurel. We got down a little below the forks of the run and took up our Quarters, heartily tired of Road hunting. Cassidy and Pringle would not stay with (us) all night, though they were invited. "Tuesday, September 7th. (1790) We returned to Cassidys and got there a little before 11 o'clock. Were oblidged to wait some time in order to procure horses to bring forward our Baggage and had to send one of our people to Mr Blair's mill to get a fresh supply of flour. This detained "Mr Adlum all night at Cassidys. After Dinner I took two men to Carrey Chain, and began the survey of the Frankstown Branch at the mouth of Poplar run, and Proceed Down as far as Franks old town When night came on, and not meeting with any of our people, Colonel Matlack and I went to Lowery's and staid all night. When I left surveying I had sent the chain carriers up to one Tituses to see whether any of our people had come there. On their way they met with N. St Clair who Mr Adlum had sent with our Blankets and part of the Baggage; but the night was so dark that they could not find the road to Lowerys. They therefore took up camp on the Branch." 201 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. The following is the mileage and the estimated expenses for the construction of a highway consisting of canals and roads, from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, made by Messrs. Maclay, Adlum and Matlack: * * * Miles. "From Huntingdon, on Juniata, to mouth of Poplar run 42 Portage to the Canoe Place on Conemaugh 18 Down Conemaugh to Old Town (Johnstown) at the mouth of Stonycreek 18 Down Conemaugh and Kishkimmetas to Allegheny river 69 Down Allegheny river to Pittsburg on the Ohio 29 ESTIMATE OF THE EXPENSE. Canal or lock navigation to Poplar Run (if found neces- sary, which will probably not be the case) £7,000 Portage of 13 miles to Conemaugh at 20 pounds per mile 360 Conemaugh and Kishkiminetas to Allegheny 7,150" AN OLD SETTLER'S REMINISCENCES. (This article was prepared by James M. Swank in 1869, from notes made by the pioneer, Peter Goughnour.) Peter Goughnour, who was born in Maryland in 1773, and died in Conemaugh township in 1855, left a statement of his early recollections of what was in old times called "the Conemaugh country," which statement is now before us. It is much to be regretted that there is not in existence an authentic history of the early settlers and settlements of the Conemaugh country, and with a view to fill a portion of this blank in our annals we will compile from Mr. Goughnour's statement such facts and incidents as we think worthy of preservation. Mr. Goughnour states that the first white settlers in the Conemaugh country were two brothers, Samuel and Solomon Adams. At the time of their settlement, about 1770, the Indians were quite numerous, who hunted and fished on the banks and in the waters of the Conemaugh and Stony Creek. Samuel Adams lived about two miles south of the confluence of the two streams, on Sam's Run, from which it derived its name. Solomon's cabin was located about midway between the junction and his brother's cabin. Solomon's Run took its name from him. Samuel Adams and an Indian warrior killed each other with their knives while fighting around a white oak tree on Sandy Run, about five miles east of the junction. Their bodies were buried in one grave, under the tree. Mr. Goughnour settled in what is now Conemaugh township in 1798. Cambria county was then a wilderness and not known to geographers. At the date of Mr. Goughnour's settlement the Indians had departed from their Conemaugh hunting grounds, but he states that he found monuments of stone erected over Indian graves, flint arrows, elkhorns and other relics of 202 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. their presence. Some few monuments are still standing on the banks of the Stony Creek above Johnstown. Jacob Stutzman, who died in 1816, occupied in 1794 the Conemaugh bottom, now the site of Johnstown, and to which the Indians had given the name of Old Town. Mr. Stutzman was the first white man who ever occupied the bottom. A son of his was killed by an ox-team which was scared by a rattlesnake. The body of the boy was buried on the left bank of the Stony Creek, where Water street in Kernville is now located. Joseph Johns, or Yahns, a professor in the Amish communion, and an industrious and honest man, laid out Conemaugh bottom into town lots about 1800. Those who assisted him to lay out the town and who became its first citizens were Peter Goughnour, Joseph Francis, Ludwig Wissinger and a few others. They named it Conemaugh-town, but it was generally called Johnstown. Mr. Johns died at an advanced age in Conemaugh township, Somerset county. Dr. Anderson and William Hartley opened the first store in the new town, and Isaac Proctor the second. The necessaries of life at that time rated very high. Coffee was 50 cents per pound; pepper, allspice and ginger, 50 cents per pound; shad, 50 cents each; salt, $5.00 per bushel; Wheat, $2.00 per bushel. All other articles rated accordingly. Wages were from 40 to 50 cents per day. There were at that time no roads through the wilderness to older settlements, and nothing but canoes for navigating the streams. Beasts of burden were rare, but wild beasts of the forest were quite numerous. Panthers, wolves, bears, etc., howled at night around the cabins of the settlers. Nevertheless, the settlers, in Mr. Goughnour's language, "had fine times hunting and fishing," as the forest was alive with game and the clear and placid streams filled with finny beauties which pious old Isaak Walton would have delighted to capture. The bottoms in the vicinity of Conemaugh-town were covered with luxuriant verdure, and presented a wild and romantic appearance. The hills were grand beyond description, with their glorious old forests; amid which the woodman's axe had never rang. Peavines, wild sunflowers, and other unnamed representatives of the vegetable world twined around and waved between the giant oaks, and spruce and hickories. What a paradise was that "Conemaugh country" to its first settlers, some seventy years ago! Still these pioneers had their troubles, and those forests and bottoms had their drawbacks. Growing among the tall grass was a noxious weed, resembling garlic in taste and appearance, and called "ramps" by the settlers, which, when eaten by the cows was sure to sicken then and put a stop to the supply of milk and butter. The grass, from some cause not stated, did 203 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. not make good hay, and as the cultivation of corn, oats, rye, etc., was exceedingly limited, the result was that in the winter time the cattle found Jordan a hard road to travel. The settlers, in order to prevent their cattle from starving, were forced to cut down trees so that they could browse upon the buds and young branches. The women were required to clean land and do rough farm work, such as harrowing, harvesting, hoeing corn, etc. They were also accustomed to perform other hard labor incident to a pioneer life. Large quantities of maple sugar and molasses were in a few years manufactured by the settlers of the Conemaugh country, and packed to neighboring settlements. Venison also became an article of export. In exchange for these commodities the Conemaughites received necessaries which they could not produce themselves. Bedford was the principal market for the settlers. In the course of time the population of Conemaugh-town increased, as well as the number of farms in its vicinity. A log inn for the entertainment of travelers was erected in the village. A road was opened through the wilderness to Frankstown, below Hollidaysburg, upon which pig metal as hauled to Conemaugh- town, and shipped in the spring of the year in flat-bottomed boats to Pittsburg. Conemaugh-town now became a place of some business, and it was found necessary to erect another inn. In 1808 the village was overflowed by a sudden rise in the Conemaugh and Stony Creek, and the inhabitants were compelled to fly to the hills for refuge. The village was again submerged in 1816. The event was termed "the punken flood," owing to the fact that it swept away the whole pumpkin crop of that year. Much damage was done by the flood. Fences were swept away saw-logs and lumber disappeared forever, and many horses and cattle were drowned. The settlers suffered severely from this dispensation of Providence. About 1812 the village boasted a grist-null and a small forge on Stony Creek. In 1826 the first keel boat was built by Isaac Proctors on the right bank of Stony Creek, near where the Union Graveyard is now located. Rafts were also constructed at the same place. While laborers were digging the race for another forge, on Conemaugh, old fire-brands, pieces of blankets, and earthen smoke-pipe and other Indian relics were discovered at a depth of 12 feet below the surface of the earth. Notwithstanding the improvements mentioned, the village was still small when, in 1827, the Commonwealth commenced the construction of the Public Works. Since that time it has steadily prospered and gradually become a place of some note and business importance. 204 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. BEULA--A DESERTED VILLAGE. Morgan John Rhys was born December 8, 1760, at Graddfa, Glamorganshire, South Wales, and died in Somerset, December 7, 1804. He was ordained a minister in the Baptist church in 1787, and became an eminent divine and patriot. When sixteen years of age he was imprisoned at Carmathen for two years, and was twice in the pillory for his advanced political views. Coming to America in October, 1794, he made his home in Philadelphia for two years, when he purchased a tract of land in Somerset county from Dr. Benjamin Rush, founded the village of Beula, on the south branch of the Blacklick creek, three miles west of Ebensburg, and had the township of Cambria created, giving to it the name which means "The Land of Freedom." The plot of the village was on a very large scale, being substantially laid out after the plan of the city of Philadelphia, with its wide streets, squares, cross streets and alleys. At that time there was quite a movement to make the new county of Cambria, and Rev. Rhys desired to make Beula the new county capital. A number of his fellow countrymen having come with him to make their new home, some sixty log houses were constructed in the business center of the embryonic town, which later contained hotels, stores, church, mill, school and a library of about six hundred volumes, for a population of three hundred souls. The price of the lots ranged from ten to fifty dollars in state currency, and the deeds made by Morgan John Rhys spell the word "Beula" without the letter "h." The struggle between Ebensburg and Beula for the county capital was vigorous, but immediately upon the selection of the former the decline of the latter began. The fact that neither the Frankstown road, the Northern turnpike, nor the Clay pike passed through Beula, gave it an unfortunate location beside. With these obstacles it could not hope to succeed, and soon became what it has been for many years--a deserted village, the only reminder of which remains to us this day being the station of the Cambria and Clearfield division of the Pennsylvania road called "Beulah." Some of the persons who located at Beula with Morgan John Rhys were John J. Evans, William Rees, Simon James, Miles Phillips, William Williams (South), Thomas Griffith, John Thomas, John Roberts (Pembryn), John Roberts (shoe- 205 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. maker), David Rees, Robert Williams, George Turner, Thomas Griffith (farmer), James Evans, and Griffith Rowlands. The bachelors were David Edwards, Thomas Lewis and David Davis. After 1808 the village was substantially abandoned; however a few families engaged in farming continued to reside in that vicinity. Thomas W. Jones, a surveyor and the justice of the peace, died there March 14, 1808, aged thirty- six years; Elizabeth Jenkins on September 20, 1828, aged fifty-one; Elias Rowland, on July 24, 1858, aged ninety-three, and Catherine, his wife, on April 24, 1840, aged sixty-seven; William Roberts on January 7, 1822, aged fifty-one years. EBENSBURG. The Rev. Rees Lloyd was the founder of Ebensburg. John Lloyd, his grandson, who is in his eightieth year, states there are two traditions in the family in reference to the origin of the name. One is that it was named for his Uncle Ebenezer, and the other is from the good old hymn "Here I'll raise mine Ebenezer." Rees Lloyd was born May 1, 1759, in the parish of Llanboidy, Wales. He was ordained a minister in the Nonconformist church in 1780, and was, called to the pulpit at Ebenezer, near Pont-y Pool, which may be the origin of the name. In 1795 he disembarked at Philadelphia with his wife Rachel and family. In the following year he located on the land where he founded the county seat. It seems that he purchased the land from William Jenkins on an article of agreement, inasmuch as Lloyd's deed was given by his heirs and executed in Washington City on September 30, 1805. It was known as the Benjamin Rush tract, and contained 103 1/2 acres, and cost $400. It was described as being on the headwaters of the Blacklick creek, in Bedford and Somerset counties. At that time there was much confusion as to the line between Somerset and Huntingdon, but not as to Bedford at that place. Mr. Lloyd did purchase a tract of land called "Mere" from Benjamin Rush, August 8, 1804, containing over 401 acres, for $578.83, but it was the Thomas Martin warrant. In 1808 he sold several lots to Nathaniel W. Semple, who replotted them, but the deed avers they were a part of the William Jenkins land. Mr. Lloyd died May 21, 1838, at Paddy's Run, Butler county, Ohio, where he had resided since 1817 when he left Ebensburg. He organized the Congregational church at Ebensburg in 206 HISTORY 0F CAMBRIA COUNTY. April, 1797, which was the first house of worship in what is now Cambria county, and named it "Ebenezer Chapel." It was soon followed by the churches of Morgan John Rhys at Beula, and that of Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin at Loretto. Some of Mr. Lloyd's early neighbors were: Thomas Phillips, Theophilus Rees, William Griffith, Daniel Griffith, David Thomas, George Roberts, John Jenkins, John Tobias, William Jenkins, Evan Roberts, James Nicholson, John Jones, Evan Jones, Thomas W. Jones, Esq., and Isaac Griffith. Many descendants of these families reside in that vicinity and in the town. In the chapter on the organization of the county, reference is made to the ground donated to the public for the use of county buildings. The strife between Ebensburg and Beula, for the location of the county capital was conducted with energy. The plot of the town was probably made in 1807, as it was acknowledged on July 17 of that year. It consisted of two hundred lots, each being four rods in width and sixteen rods in depth. In addition there were subsequently laid out north of Homer street thirty-six lots or parcels containing from one to two and one-quarter acres. As stated, Ebensburg was the first borough incorporated in the county, bearing date of July 15, 1825. The first organization was: Richard Lewis, burgess; Philip Noon, John Murray, Moses Canan, Owen McDonald and Silas Moore, members of council, which met at, the house of Mr. McDonald on March 21 of that year. John Lloyd was treasurer. In the following borough election there were thirty-four votes cast by Richard Lewis, Moses Canan, David H. Roberts, James Rhey, Philip Noon, Silas Moore, David Davis (carpenter), Rowland Humphreys, Johnston Moore, Rees Morgan, John Williams, James Murray, Thomas Ownes, John R. Evans, John Walsh, Jeremiah Ivory, William David, John Dougherty, Robert Roberts, Stewart Steele, David Harris, Griffith Rowland, David Jones, Henry Davis, Evan Davis, John Ivory, John Rodgers, John Lloyd, Robert Young, John Thomas, Peter Mooney, Samuel Wesey, John Evans (Smith), and John Carrel. All other elections were held in Cambria township until 1852, when the first presidential vote is given for the borough as 59 for Pierce and 91 for Scott. The first firemen were Jeremiah Ivory and Owen McDonald, who were appointed by the council March 28, 1826. In 1846 it purchased a hand engine for the Friendship Fire Company, and in 1872 the present Dauntless Fire Company was or- 207 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. ganized. The completion of the old stone or northern pike in 1820 made Ebensburg prosperous, as it was a favorite stopping place for the stages and the Conestoga wagons. This continued until the opening of the old Portage railroad, but as it, with the canal system, could only be operated in the warm season, the winters in Ebensburg were made lively. The borough was divided into two wards by the Act of May, 1, 1861, in which Center street was the division line. The Act of April 14, 1868, authorized three members of Council from each ward. The term of service for the burgess was one year until 1893, when it was extended to a three year period. The several officials were: Richard Lewis, 1825; James Rhey, '26; Moses Canan, '27; Stewart Steele, '28; John Lloyd, '28; Richard Lewis, '29; Moses Canan, '30; Arnold Downey, '31; John Williams, '32; James Murray, '33; Michael Dan Magehan, '34; David H. Roberts, '35; Richard Lewis, '36; Michael Dan Magehan, '37; Richard Lewis, '38; Johnston Moore, '39 to '41; David H. Roberts, '41; Michael Dan Magehan, '42; Charles Litzinger, '43; A. McVicker, '44; Wesley Bateman, '45; Richard Jones, Jr., '46; Robert L. Johnston, '47; Ezekiel Hughes, '48; Michael Hasson, '49; John Williams, '50; David H. Roberts, '51; George C. K. Zahm, '52; Wesley Bateman, '53; Samuel D. Pryce, '54; John Thompson, '55; James Myers, '56 to 58; David H. Roberts, '58; John D. Hughes, '59; Andrew Lewis, '60; David J. Evans, '61; George Huntley, '62; James Myers, '63; A. A. Barker, '64; C. T. Roberts, '65; J. Alexander Moore, '66; T. Blair Moore, '67 to '69; Abel Lloyd, '69; Samuel W. Davis, '70; T. W. Dick, '71; George A. Berry, '72; F. H. Barker, ' 73; D. H. Kinkead, '74; George Huntley, '75; Samuel W. Davis, '76; Thomas J. Davis, '77; John E. Scanlan, '78; Edward J. Humphreys, '79 to '82; C. T. Roberts, '82; F. H. Barker, '83; J. S. Davis, '84; F. H. Barker, '85; T. Mason Richards, '87 to '89; George C. K. Zahm, '89; Evan E. Evans, '90; James T. Young, '91 to '93; Festus Lloyd, '93; T. Mason Richards, '94 to '97; F. H. Barker, 1900; Edmund James, '03, and Alexander J. Waters, 1906. The following gentlemen have been Postmasters at Ebensburgh, with the date of their appointments. The letter "h" was dropped from the name September 28, 1893: John Lloyd, October 1, 1807; John R. Lloyd, January 1, 1808; John Lloyd, June 17, 1818; Rees S. Lloyd, September 13, 1838; Rees J. Lloyd, February 24, 1843; Milton Roberts, April 21, 1849; Frederick 208 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Kittell, February 19, 1853; Michael C. McCague, June 27, 1853; Harriet M. McCague, February 20, 1860; Mathias S. Harr, April 18, 1861; John Thompson, May 6, 1861; Edward J. Mills, September 13, 1866; Rees J. Lloyd, August 17, 1867; James T. Hutchinson, March 27, 1869; John Thompson, June 27, 1871; Edmund James, April 23, 1878; James G. Hasson, October 8, 1885; Florentine H. Barker, August 29, 1889. Philip G. Fenlon, September 28, 1893; Festus Lloyd, February 25, 1898; John G. Lloyd, January 22, 1907. The Hudson and Morrison map of 1816 gives the population of Ebensburg as 150; Munster, 80 and Johnstown, 60. The Act authorizing the organization of the county directed that the county capital should be within seven miles of the center of that territory. Beula was about three miles southwest of Ebensburg, which brought it within the limitation. The precise location of the latter is forty degrees thirty-four minutes and twenty seconds north latitude, and one degree forty-five minutes and forty-four seconds longitude, west from Washington City. The altitude above sea level at the main entrance to the court house is 2138 feet. It will be observed the center of population was about the county capital, as these four villages were within ten miles of each other from the most distant point. As late as 1816 Loretto was the most northerly settlement. However, McGeehan's grist mill on the Chest creek was a few miles to the north. Elder's and Storm's mills were on the Clearfield creek, a few miles east of Loretto, but about the same latitude. William O'Keefe, the deputy surveyor general, resided just east of Ebensburg at this time. Messrs. Hudson and Morrison stated in their return of the survey that "The Conemaugh could be easily connected with either the Clearfield or Chest creeks between Ebensburg and Munster, and even this route would be shorter and better than to connect with any of the higher branches of the Allegheny river." After the opening of the Old Portage railroad the mountain was a favorite place for visitors during the summer season. The Mountain House at Duncansville was moved to Cresson about 1854; the Fountain Inn was located in the forest on the old Northern pike a few miles east of the Summit. The Summit has always retained its advantage but is limited as to its popularity. After the opening of the branch railroad Ebensburg became a desirable place to live, and since the closing 209 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. of the Mountain House at Cresson it is the leading summer resort of this vicinity. LORETTO. This pretty village is the second oldest settlement in the county. As we have noted elsewhere, Captain Michael McGuire located there in 1788, when it was a part of Huntingdon county, and died there November 17, 1793. It was known as the "McGuire Settlement" until in 1799 Father Gallitzin established a Catholic mission there and named it Loretto, for the famous Loreto on the Adriatic coast, Italy, which seems to have been spelled with one "t." On the occasion of the centenary celebration of the parish on October 10, 1899, the Rev. Ferdinand Kittell published a souvenir of Loretto, prepared with skill and carefulness. It is a volume of 405 pages, with much detail of family and church history, which included a chapter on Captain Michael McGuire, by William A. McGuire, Esq., a lineal descendant. Loretto was originally in Frankstown township, Huntingdon county, but after the organization of Cambria it was a village in Allegheny township. In 1816 it was plotted into town lots by Father Gallitzin, as he acknowledged the map "to be his act and deed." It consisted of one hundred and forty-four lots in three tiers, divided by two streets sixty feet in width, and three cross streets of equal width. The central row of forty-eight lots are one hundred and sixty feet in depth, and the others two hundred feet. Loretto is about seven miles in an easterly direction from Ebensburg, and was incorporated as the borough of Loretto by the Act of March 8, 1815. Among the early settlers with Captain Michael McGuire and his wife Rachel Brown, were Cornelius McGuire, William Dodson, Michael Rager, John Storm, John Douglass, William Meloy, Luke McGuire who married Margaret O'Hara, Richard Nagle, Richard Ashcroft, James Alcorn, John Trux and John Byrne. The souvenir of Loretto contains the names of all the families, and those of the children, with dates of birth and death from November 17, 1793, to October 10, 1899, which renders it very valuable for genealogical purposes. The surnames are: Adams, Bradley, Brown, Burgoon, Burke, Byrne, Christy, Conrad, Coons or Kuhns, Dimond, Vol. I-14 210 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Dougherty, Eckenrode, Flick, Glass, Hertzog, Litzinger, McConnell, McCoy, McDermitt, McGough, McGuire, McMullen, Miller, Myers, Nagle, Noel, O'Neill, Parish, Skelly or 0'Skelly, Smith, Hoover or Huber, Kane, Kean or Cain, Kaylor, Kelly, Little, Stevens, Storm, Sweeney, Weakland and Will. There were twenty- five families by the names of Bradley and McGuire; Dougherty, twenty-two; Eckenrode, twenty-three; Glass, twenty; McConnell, twenty; Myers and Noel, each, twenty-three; and Will, twenty. The aggregate number of families represented is 2143. MUNSTER. The Village of Munster is about five miles east of Ebensburg, and was plotted for a town by Edward V. James in 1808. It is said to have been a rival for the county capital, but there is no evidence of that fact. It was an Irish settlement. The town plot was extensive, but it never prospered. The lots were sixty-six feet in frontage and about one hundred and eighty feet in depth, and sold for $16 specie. It is near the headwaters of the Little Conemaugh river; and one of the streets was named Conemaugh. It was located on the first road made in the county--the Frankstown, or the old Galbreath road, which is noted elsewhere. It had the advantage over Ebensburg, Buela and Loretto at that time, as neither of these localities had a good road east or west. About twenty years after the town was plotted there was an effort to make a new township to be named Donegal, but it caused so much friction the court declined to create it. Some of the freeholders were John O'Gara, Hugh McWilliamson, Hugh Gara, Moses Noon, Michael Burns, William Manly, Edward Smith, John Nickson, Patrick Dawson, Dennis Lynch, John Rhey, John Miller, Philip Noon, John D. Kerney, Jacob Glass, John Curren, Peter Storm, Bartholomew Kearney, Cornelius Freel, Joseph McGeehan, James Kean, James O'Kean and John Boyle. The descendents of Kearney and the Glass and other families still reside in that vicinity. However, there were few houses erected. The village is on the crest and western slope of the divide.