ABBOTT: "History of Crawford County, PA, 1885." File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Joseph Patterson (jpatter@epix.net) USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. ____________________________________________________________ ABBOTT: "History of Crawford County, PA, 1885." On pages 465 and 466, history of Titusville: "The value of farms within the limits of the supposed oil district rose to fabulous sums, and fortunes were made in a day. William Barnsdall sold one-half of his one-third interest in the first Crawford County well to William H. Abbott a few days before oil was struck for $10,000. The success of these first wells led to the sinking of many others within the borough and surrounding country." On page 471, history of Titusville: "It was not long after the discovery of oil that its refinement became the leading industry of Titusville. The first refining of petroleum is said to have been done by James McKeown and Samuel Kier, of Pittsburgh. The first refinery at Titusville was built by Parker, ABBOTT & Barnsdall about 1862. It was situated on the north bank of Oil Creek. Two grades of illuminating oil, the white and the common yellow, were produced. Benzine, tar and other products which are now held valuable and utilized, were emptied into Oil Creek. This refinery was operated for several years." On page 484, history of Titusville: "St. James Memorial Church, Protestant Episcopal, was organized as a mission in June, 1863, by Rev. Henry Purdon, the first and present rector, with a small membership, composed exclusively of women. Rev. Purdon held his first service here June 8, 1862, but a year elapsed before the congregation was organized. Through the efforts of W.H. Abbott, George M. Mowbray, Col. E.N. Drake, and other early friends of the church, a handsome building was erected soon after. Its corner-stone was laid in September, 1863, by Bishop Stevens, of Philadelphia, and it was consecrated in October, 1864, by Bishop Alonzo Porter. The edifice is a fine, gothic, stone structure which, with improvements since made, cost about $20,000. It is located on the northeast corner of Franklin and Main Streets. In 1865 a brick chapel was erected on the same lot, at a cost of $8,000, and in 1868 a rectory, at a cost of $5,000. Dr. Purdon has now been pastor for twenty-one years, and has in his care a congregation which numbers about 100 members." On page 559, history of Hayfield Township: "The United Brethren Church was organized in 1870, with four members: J.D. Christ, F.D. Gill and T.P. ABBOTT and wife. The first meetings were held in the schoolhouse, and in 1871-72, the meeting house, a neat brick structure, 36x48, was erected on a lot donated by John Gelvin, at a cost of about $3,000. It was dedicated October 5, 1872, Bishop J.J. Glossbrenner officiating. The membership is about forty. The pastors of the church have been: Revs. P.W. Ish, Frank Reynolds, Rufus Smith, Charles Evarts, Samuel Evans, G.W. Franklin, Hiram Bedow, A. Meeker, N.C. Foulk, D.C. Starkey and T.J. Butterfield." On page 585, history of Oil Creek Township: "The Hydetown Methodist Episcopal class was organized in 1847 with the following members: Joseph Spaulding and wife, Oran Davenport and wife, Thomas Titus and wife, and Mrs. Baugher, by Rev. John ABBOTT, then pastor of the Oil Creek Circuit. The membership has fluctuated with the change in the population of Hydetown, and now numbers about sixteen. Among the leaders have been: Oran Davenport, Andrews, Joseph Spaulding, Beatty and Adolphus Spaulding. The society holds meetings in the school hall. Hydetown charge was organized by Rev. John Peat, P.E. in 1874, with Bethel, Hydetown and Tryonville classes. In 1877 East Troy, of Sunville Circuit, was added. The other three were previously part of Titusville Circuit. The pastors of Hydetown Circuit have been: Rev. S. Fidler, 1874-75-76; Rev. J.F. Hill, 1877-78; Rev. J. Abbott, 1879; Rev. Alva Wilder, 1880-81; Rev. J.E. Roberts, 1882-83." On page 512, history of Cambridge Township: "The Riceville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. Forest, in 1849, with four members: J.W. Gray and wife, Myrom S. Staring and Mrs. Lorena Austin. Meetings were held for about five years in the old red schoolhouse, then in a hall and afterward in the Congregational Church, until the present church edifice was erected in 1874. It is a handsome frame structure and cost about $4,500. The membership of the church is about forty-five. Riceville Circuit was formed in 1851 and appointments were made up to 1872, as follows: W.R. Johnson, 1851; J. ABBOTT, 1852; J.N. Henry, 1853; C. Irons, 1854; G.M. Eberman, 1855; A. Barris and F.W. Smith, 1856; W. Hayes and W. Bush, 1860; J.K. Mendenhall, 1861; E. Hull, 1862; A.L. Miller, 1863; J. Allen and G.W. Patterson, 1864; J. Crum, 1865; A.H. Bowers and E. Chace, 1866; A.H. Bowers, 1867-68; E. Chace, 1869; G.M. Eberman, 1870-71; L.F. Merritt, 1872. Since the last named date Riceville has been attached to Centreville Circuit." On pages 539 and 540, history of East Fairfield Township: "The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. William Patterson in January, 1839, with twelve members, of whom E.P. Slocum is the sole survivor. The church building located on Pine Street was built in 1843 at a cost of $900, and remodeled in 1870. Cochranton Circuit was formed in 1855, and has had the following pastors: 1855, S.S. Stuntz; 1856-57, R. Gray; 1858, J. Marsh; 1859, J. ABBOTT; 1860, N.C. Brown; 1861-62; J.C. Sullivan; 1862, W.A. Clark; 1863, J.W. Hill; 1864, P.B. Sherwood; 1865-66, P. Burroughs; 1867-68, B.F. Delo; 1869-70, L.D. Williams; 1871, G.H. Brown; 1872, not filled; 1873, J. Abbott; 1874-75-76, R.C. Smith; 1877, J.W. Wright; 1878-79, J.F. Perry; 1880-81, M.V. Stone; 1882, George W. Clark; 1883, W. Hollister. The circuit has been frequently changed, and now consists of three appointments: Cochranton, Kingsly Chapel of East Fairfield Township, and Mumford appointment of Fairfield. The membership of the Cochranton Church is about ninety." On page 545, history of East Fallowfield Township: "Hanna's Corners Methodist Episcopal Church, the only other religious edifice in the township, is located in the southern part of Tract 22. It is a frame, built in 1872 at a cost of about $1,700. The former meeting house of this society stood about one and a half miles southeast, and was known as Keen Church. It was built about 1830. Prior to its erection the class worshipped in a hall built over John Keen's wood-house and fitted up by him for this purpose. The class was organized prior to 1815, and numbered among its early members: Adam and Dinah Keen, Joseph Mattocks and wife, the Siselys, Polly Henry and John McEntire. Early meetings were held on week days and occurred only once in four weeks. The society now numbers 112 members and is connected with Salem Circuit, the recent pastors of which have been: J. Abbott, 1870-71; J.A. Hume, 1872-73-74; J.L. Mechlin, 1875-76; A.R. Rich, 1877-78-79; J.F. Perry, 1880; James Foster, 1881-82-83." On page 577, history of North Shenango Township: "There are three churches within the limits of North Shenango. The Methodist Episcopal at Espyville was organized with seven members at the house of Aaron Herriott in 1831. Early services were held in the schoolhouse, and in the autumn of 1833, a house of worship was erected, which was superseded in 1870 by the present commodious two-story frame structure, 38x68 feet, erected at a cost of $6,000. A revival in the autumn of 1883 added more than 100 to the membership, which is now about 200. Espyville Circuit, formed in 1851, includes four charges, Espyville Center Chapel, North Bank, in South Shenango, and Hartstown. Its pastors have been: D.H. Jack and H.M. Chamberlain, 1851; D.H. Jack and H. Luce, 1852; W. French and H. Luce, 1853; W. French and J.B. Orwig, 1854; S.L. Wilkinson and J.B. Orwig, 1855; R. Gray, 1856; I. Scofield and J.C. Sullivan, 1857; A.H. Bowers, 1858; A.L. Miller and G.M. Eberman, 1859; John ABBOTT, 1860; A.J. Merchant, 1861; J. Flower, 1862-63; S.S. Stuntz, 1864; J.W. Hill, 1865; R. Gray, 1866-67; G.H. Brown, 1868-69-70; I.D. Darling, 1871-72; A.R. Rich, 1873-74-75; J. Eckels, 1876-77; L. Wick, 1878-79; T.P. Warner, 1880-81-82; A.W. Decker, 1883." On page 585, the history of Oil Creek Township: "The Hydetown Methodist Episcopal class was organized in 1847 with the following members: Joseph Spaulding and wife, Oran Davenport and wife, Thomas Titus and wife, and Mrs. Baugher, by Rev. John ABBOTT, then pastor of the Oil Creek Circuit. The membership has fluctuated with the change in the population of Hydetown, and now numbers about sixteen. Among the leaders have been: Oran Davenport, Andrews, Joseph Spaulding, Beatty and Adolphus Spaulding. The society holds meetings in the school hall. Hydetown charge was organized by Rev. John Peat, P.E. in 1874, with Bethel, Hydetown, and Tryonville classes. In 1877 East Troy, of Sunville Circuit, was added. The other three were previously part of Titusville Circuit. The pastors of Hydetown Circuit have been: Rev. S. Fidler, 1874-75-76; Rev. J. F. Hill, 1877-78; Rev. J. ABBOTT, 1879; Rev. Alva Wilder, 1880-81; Rev. J. E. Roberts, 1882-83." On page 748, in the Biographical Sketch - Meadville: "Prof. Abiel ABBOT LIVERMORE, Meadville, was born in Wilton, N.H., October 30, 1811, second son of Jonathan and Abigail (ABBOT) LIVERMORE. His grandfather, Jonathan Livermore, was the first minister of the town, and his great-grandfather of the same name reached the age of one hundred years and seven months. Our subject passed his boyhood on the farm, attended the district school, and encountered the usual experiences of a country lad. At the age of fifteen he left home to attend school in Chelmsford, Mass., and afterward was prepared for college at Philipps Academy, Exeter, N.H., entered Harvard College in 1830, and graduated in 1833. In June, 1883, he celebrated with fourteen of his classmates the fiftieth anniversary of their graduation. The next three years after graduation were passed in the Cambridge Divinity School in preparation for the Christian ministry. After the usual candidating, he was ordained November 2, 1836, over the Congregational Unitarian Church in Keene, N.H. He was married May 17, 1838, to Elizabeth Dorcas ABBOT, daughter of Rev. Jacob ABBOT, of Windham, N.H., who died in South Boston, Mass., September 13, 1879. Though not blessed with children, several young persons were brought up in their family and were cherished with parental love. Prof. Livermore was invited in 1850, after a happy ministry in Keene, to settle over the Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, Ohio, and he removed to that city in May. In 1856 he was invited to New York to the editorship of the Christian Inquirer, and at the same time became pastor of the Unitarian Church in Yonkers, N.Y. These offices he filled till 1863, when he was invited to the Presidency of the theological school in Meadville, Penn., which he still holds. The works which Mr. Livermore has published are a "commentary" on the whole New Testament in six volumes, "The Courses," "A Marriage Offering," and occasional sermons, addresses and reviews. The latest publication was in 1884, called "Anti-tobacco." It looking over the changes and chances of so many years he finds one great lesson written over al his life, of gratitude to God and sympathy with mankind. On June 18, 1883, he was married to Mary A. MOORE of Meadville." Page 985, in the Bio Sketch - Sadsbury Township: DONE "John Andrews, retired farmer, PO Evansburg, was born in Vernon Township, this county, April 6, 1816, son of Robert and Sarah (Chidester) Andrews, who had eight children, five now living. Robert Andrews was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland; came to America in 1784, locating at Harrisburg, Penn., from thence moving to Allegheny County in 1792, and finally to what is now Crawford County. Here he made a clearing on French Creek, Vernon Township, and erected a building. In the fall of 1792 he and a number of others started for Harrisburg, Penn., but got lost, their pack horse died of starvation, and they were obliged to subsist on a couple of snakes which they found and a deer-skin that was roasted after the hair had been burned off. After innumerable privations they reached their destination. On their return home they employed an Indian guide to conduct them to Franklin, but in him the party placed little confidence, being in constant dread lest he should betray them. When within a day's journey of Franklin they came to a camp fire, a little beyond which they discovered a horse. After resting a day in Franklin they met there a man named Vansickle, who informed them the horse they had seen was his; that he and two comrades, named Power and Wallace, were surprised at the camp fire by Indians firing on them from an ambuscade. Power and Wallace were killed, but Vansickle showed the savages his heels, and although chased by one of them armed with a tomahawk for a considerable distance he succeeded in outrunning the Indian, who then gave up the pursuit. Robert Andrews returned to his clearing in Vernon Township the following spring (1793) in order to hold his title, as the law was that "a settler must have smoke on his premises every day for five years." This farm is till owned by his descendants, and on it John Andrews was born and reared. Our subject learned milling as an occupation. He was married June 2, 1847, to Mary D. ABBOTT. By this union were born six children, three now living: Eva B., Sadie and Ella. The sons are all deceased. Mr. Andrews is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he is also an Elder. His nephew, James M. ABBOTT, with whom he spends many leisure hours, does a hardware business at Evansburg." Here are more ABBOTT folks found in the "History of Crawford County, PA, 1885." On page 552, history of Greenwood Township: "Greenwood Township lies on the southern border of the county, between East Fallowfield and Fairfield. It was organized in 1829, from portions of Fallowfield and Fairfield, and lost a small portion of its territory by the formation of Union. The place authorized by the Assembly in 1829, for holding elections, was the cabin of Thomas ABBOTT. Its area is 19,336 acres, valued on the tax duplicate of 1882 at $359,494. The population in 1850 was 1,127; in 1860, 1,729; in 1870, 1,782; and in 1880, 1,614." On page 553, history of Greenwood Township: "Among the earliest settlers in the western and central parts of Greenwood were James ABBOTT, Abraham Martin and John McMichael, who paid tax of chattel property in 1798; and Samuel and Joseph Anderson, Abraham ABBOTT, Robert Adams, Hamilton Armour, Graviner Bailey, Alexander Clark, John Cook, Arthur Dillon, Robert Hood, John Harkins, Moses Logan, Thomas McMichael, Robert Power, Samuel Power, Uriah Peterson, Francis Porter, Thomas Ross, John Sutton, Cornelius Smock and William and Asher Williams; all of whom had settled prior to 1804. A little later John Anderson, Jonathan Culver, Isaac Hazen, Andrew Mellon and Thomas Peterson were settlers." On page 554, history of Greenwood Township: "John McMichael came from the Susquehanna to Meadville in 1797, and in the following spring removed to the northwestern part of Greenwood, where he remained until his death in March 1817. James Abbott, hailing from New Jersey, came in 1797 or earlier, and his brothers Abraham and Thomas soon after joined him, the latter in 1802. They all remained in the township till death. John Sutton, also from New Jersey, settled on the site of Geneva in 1803, and remained until his death in old age. The entire journey was made in a wagon." On page 556, history of the Borough of Geneva, Greenwood Township: "Geneva, a borough of about 400 people, 346 by the census of 1880, is situated in the northern part of Greenwood Township. A petition praying for its incorporation and signed by thirty-two citizens representing that the proposed borough contained not more than forty-six free-holders, was filed August 10, 1871. It was approved by the grand jury November 9, 1871, and the report confirmed by the Court January 23, 1872. It was further directed that the first election be held at the schoolhouse on the third Friday of March, 1872, and for that purpose William W. Gelvin was appointed to give due notice of the election. DeWitt Harroun was appointed Judge, and William Billings and Alfred M. ABBOTT, inspectors. The first officers were Jonathan Smock, Burgess; J.D. Christ, Cyrus Carman, Cyrus Adsit, D.E. Smith and J.H. Tiffany, Council; J.H. Tiffany, Clerk; James Hood, constable. Subsequent Burgesses have been D.W. Harroun, 1873-74; A.B. Cushman, 1875; W.W. Gelvin, 1876; R.U. McEntire, 1877-78; J.D. Christ, 1879; W.H. Graham, 1880; R.U. McEntire, 1881-82-83; J.D. Christ, 1884. "The Methodist Episcopal Church of Geneva is the succession of a class which met and worshipped, as early as 1820, in a schoolhouse located about a mile east of Geneva. A log church was afterward built just east of the borough, succeeded by a frame church on the same locality, built about 1843. The present building in Geneva, a frame 40x50, was completed in 1858, at a cost of $1,200. It was commenced a year or two earlier, during the ministry of Rev. Isaiah Lane. Thomas Abbott, Wyram Newton and John Sutton were early members. In its earliest history this appointment was connected with Salem, Mercer County, Circuit. It is now a part of Evansburg Circuit." On page 559, history of the Borough of Geneva, Greenwood Township: "The United Brethren Church was organized in 1870, with four members: J.D. Christ, F.D. Gill and T.P. ABBOTT and wife. The first meetings were held in the schoolhouse, and in 1871-72 the meeting house, a neat brick structure, 36x48, was erected on a lot donated by John Gelvin, at a cost of about $3,000. It was dedicated October 5, 1872, Bishop J.J. Glossbrenner officiating. The membership is about forty. The pastors of the church have been Revs. P.W. Ish, Frank Reynolds, Rufus Smith, Charles Evarts, Samuel Evans, G.W. Franklin, Hiram Bedow, A. Meeker, N.C. Foulk, D.C. Starkey and T.J. Butterfield."