HISTORY: Warner Beers, 1886, Part 2, Chapter 31, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XXXI. NORTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP. 328 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. NORTH MIDDLETON was originally a portion of Middleton until that township was divided into North and South Middleton, in 1810, when it became a separate township. It then embraced also Middlesex, which was formed from it subsequently. It lies just north of Carlisle, bounded on the north by the Blue Ridge or the North Mountains, on the east by Middlesex, on the south by South Middleton, and on the west by West Pennsborough and Frankford Townships. The Conodoguinet Creek flows, with very abrupt and irregular curvatures, through the southern portion of the township, the land lying on the south side being the usual limestone, and on the north slate, formation. There are very many fine farms in the township, and particularly on the south side of the creek. EARLY SETTLERS. This township, like all or most of the others in Cumberland County, was originally settled by the Scotch-Irish, but at a later period many Germans came into it, so that, to-day, very few of the descendants of the original settlers are left. In this sense it stands in marked contrast with some other sections of the county. One of the very earliest settlers, not only in this township, but among those who first pushed their way into the North Valley, was Richard Parker, many of whose descendants are still living. He, with Janet Martha, his wife, emigrated from the Province of Ulster, Ireland, in 1725, and settled three miles from Carlisle, acquiring land by patent near the Presbyterian Glebe Meeting-House on the Conodoguinet Creek in 1730. That the Parker family settled west of the Susquehanna in 1725 there is sufficient evidence in the land office, where, among the records, is the application of Richard Parker in 1734 (the year his tract of land was surveyed to him), for a warrant for the land on which he had "resided ye ten years past," which would carry the date of his settlement on the Conodoguinet Creek, near Carlisle, back to 1724. And indeed it is probable that even at this early period there were quite a number of settlers between this point and the Susquehanna. In 1729, when the county of Lancaster was organized, which then included Cumberland, there were "over Sasquehanna," Hendricks, Macfarlane, Silvers, Parker and others, who claimed a residence of from five to ten years, and possibly some periods which were still further back, but which are now unknown. Emigrants did not wait for the purchase of the lands by the proprietaries from the Indians, especially the aggressive Scotch-Irish, who were "not wanted," where the lands had already been acquired, but were directed to push forward to the frontier. Thomas Parker, the son of Richard, was also born in Ireland, but came over with his father. He died in April, 1776. A number of the members of this family served in the Revolution; and the widow of one, Maj. Alexander Parker, who laid out the town of Parkersburg at the mouth of the Little Ka- 329 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. nawha, and who is buried at the Meeting House Springs, afterward married Charles McClure, near Carlisle, one of whose children, Charles, who was secretary of the commonwealth under Gov. Porter, married Margaretta Gibson, the daughter of Chief Justice Gibson, of Pennsylvania. Comparatively few of the names of the early Scotch-Irish settlers in this township are within the recollection of the living. At an early period Patrick and William Davidson, William Gillingham, James Kilgore, Joseph Clark, Peter Wilkie and John McClure owned land near the proposed site of Carlisle, and portions of it had to be bought back by the Proprietaries. "William Armstrong's Settlement," on the Conodoguinet, was just below the Meeting House Springs. David Williams, a wealthy land-owner and the earliest known elder of that church, James Young and Robert Sanderson were probably included in that settlement. In following the creek, Thomas Wilson resided further to the east, near Henderson's mill, while adjoining him on the east was James Smith, and on the south Jonathan Homes, by the spring and on the land now owned by Mrs. Parker. Turning westward again upon the creek, just one mile or more north of Carlisle, and just to the left of the "Cave" hill, was the home of Col. Ephraim Blaine,* an officer in the Indian war, a patriot in the Revolution, and the grandfather of the Hon. James G. Blaine, of Maine. Turning northeasterly from Carlisle, at some early period, Com. O'Brian owned a large tract of about 700 acres, including the tract upon which the almshouse stands and several farms. Mr. Stiles afterward came into possession of about 300 acres of this tract, where the almshouse now stands, and erected his home, which was known as Clermont." It was afterward purchased by the county for its present purpose. On the glebe belonging to the Meeting House Springs, was the Rev. Samuel Thompson (1798), near which were lands belonging to John Davis, Esq., who at one time (1777) commanded the Second Battalion of Cumberland County troops in the Revolutionary war. Still further up the creek were William Dunbar and Andrew Forbes, near which place a mill was afterward erected by William Thompson. Among the Scotch-Irish who, in the 1793, lived in the surrounding neighborhood of the Meeting House Springs, were the following: James Douglas, John Dunbar, Alexander Blaine, John Gregg (died 1808 or 1809), Robert Sanderson, John Logan, James Milligan, Ross Mitchell, John Forbes; and at a still earlier period than this, Stuart Rowan, who died there. Other names we meet, with the dates, are as follows: William Parker and David Williamson, 1794; William Templeton, 1795; Alexander Logan, 1797; Andrew Logan, 1798; William Douglas and William Dunbar, 1799; George Clark, 1803; John Reid, William Dinney, James Cameron, 1895; Samuel McKnight, 1807.** But there is a list of still older names of the "heads of families" in this section, for which we are indebted to a manuscript fragment, made by the Rev. Dr. Robert Davidson, who, in connection with Dr. Charles Nesbitt the first president of Dickinson College, was the first pastor over the United Presbyterian congregations of Carlisle. The manuscript is dated November 26, 1816, and is headed, "Names of the Heads of Families belonging to the different districts of the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle."*** The list, which is possibly unfinished, is as follows: John Templeton, Andrew Logan, Matthew Agnew, Margaret Logan, David Parker, Andrew Gregg, John Forbes. *He lived also in Carlisle, and, it is said, that it was at his house that Washington stopped during his brief visit at the time of the insurrection. The old stone homestead, just west of the Cave hill, is still standing. **These dates, taken from authentic documents, indicate that the parties lived in these years, but how much earlier or later (often) we do not know. ***All of these early Scotch-Irish were Presbyterians. 330 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. And these notes of a few families as they were then (1816) constituted: (1) John Templeton and Jane Templeton, May McKee and Sarah Kennedy. (2) Alexander Logan and Jane Logan, William, Alexander, John, Mary Jane and Elizabeth - three young children. (3) Margaret Logan, Margaret Davidson and Eleanor Logan, with black man Coesen. (4) Mathew Agnew and Rebecca Agnew - two small children. Families living north in the township, in 1793, in the neighborhood, including Crane's Gap, were as follows: Richard Crane, William Clark, John Sanderson, John Templeton, Widow Stuart, Robert Chambers, Robert Patton, Widow Harper, William Fleming, Patrick Davidson, James Sanderson, Widow Randolph, Joseph Kennedy, William Davidson, Jr., James Douglas. We meet the names with dates attached, as follows: Joseph Kennedy, 1795; Hugh McCormick, 1795; Thomas Guy, 1797; John Kincade, 1797; John Fleming, 1798; James Mooreland, 1799; James Flemming, 1801; John Stewart, David Williamson and Job Randolph, 1802; John Williamson and Robert Blaine, 1803; Davidson Williams,* 1804; Joseph Clark, 1805; John Goudy, 1805; Paul Randolph, 1806. Some of these families consisted, in December of the year 1816, as follows: (1) Patrick and Ann Davidson - George, Patrick, John, James, Sarah, Eliza and two small children. (2) Richard Crain, Sr. - Elizabeth Crain, William Crain, Abner Crain and Maria Dill. (3) Joseph Clark and Mary W. Clark - Mary Clark, Ralph Simson, George Crain, and servant girl, Margaret. (4) Thomas and Sarah Guy. (5) Samuel and Elizabeth Guy - two children. (6) Paul Randolph - William, John, Ann, Susan. (7) James and Margaret Flemming - William, John, Margaret and a girl. (8) Rebecca Sanderson - Mrs. Simkins, Miss Sanderson, Mr. and Mrs. McMichael. (9) Richard Crain, Jr., and Sarah - Jane, Eliza Ann, Sarah, Richard. (10) Job Randolph - William, Sarah, Eliza Ann, Fanny, Paul and Job. (11) R. Clark and Ann - Alexander Gregg, Widow Crain, Margaret Crain, John, Robert, Ann and Margaret. (12) John and Deborah Kincade - Jane and Susanah, and Francis Kelly. (13) William Manwell and wife - Sarah, Jane, Elizabeth and Mary.** THE CAVE. One of the greatest natural curiosities in the county is "The Cave." It is just one mile north of Carlisle, on the Conodoguinet Creek, in a large limestone bluff, which is covered with evergreen trees. The entrance to it is a symmetrical, semi-circular archway, about eight feet high and ten feet wide, from which there is a nearly straight passage of about 270 feet to a point where it branches in three directions. The passage is high enough to admit the visitor erect until he reaches this point. The passage on the right is broad and low, but difficult of access on account of its humidity. It leads to a chamber of the very considerable length, which is known as the Devil's Dining Room. The central one is narrow and tortuous, and can not be entered for more than a distance of thirty feet, when it terminates in a perpendicular precipice. The passage on the left, at a distance of three or four feet, turns suddenly to the right, and measures in length about ninety feet, with a sufficient opening to permit a small lad to creep along it, after which it becomes too narrow for further progress. About seven feet from the entrance are several small pools, probably caused by the drippings from the roof, which are called the Seven Springs. Apart from the picturesqueness of the spot, traditions and legends have been asso- *At this time deceased. **Here ends the manuscript of Dr. Davidson; for which we are indebted to the Rev. Dr. Joseph Vance, the present pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Carlisle. 331 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. ciated with it. It has been stated that human bones have been found in it. It was a place of retreat for Lewis the robber, and probably for Indians at a still earlier period. Several examinations have been made of it, and organic remains of many species of animals were found in it. Among the bones were found those of almost every species of mammals of the State, besides those of one or two species not now found in Pennsylvania, but known in regions not far remote. The bones seem to indicate that the size exceeded that of the same species of the present time. It is stated that, within the recollection of many living, the cave has grown smaller, probably on account of the accumulation of earth in it. MEETING HOUSE SPRINGS. About two miles northwest of Carlisle there is a beautiful spring of crystal water, which flows from under limestone rocks, at the bottom of a bluff on the south side of the Conodoguinet Creek. Near this spot, on the high ground, the Presbyterians, about the year 1736, erected a log church in "West Pennsborough," as it was then called, by reason of which the place has ever since been known as the "Meeting House Springs." The church was one of the very earliest erected in the valley, and years before the formation of the county or the existence of Carlisle. No vestige of this building now remains, nor are there any of the oldest surviving inhabitants of the neighborhood who are able to give anything like a satisfactory account of it. All has passed away. The members of the large congregation which worshiped within its walls, have all, long ago, disappeared, and with them the memory of the venerable edifice and the interesting incidents which were, doubtless, connected with its history. THE GRAVE-YARD AT MEETING HOUSE SPRINGS. The old grave-yard, however, still remains, with its dilapidated and neglected tombs, needing the chisel of some modern antiquary to make plain their almost illegible inscriptions. Some of them which are still decipherable are dated as far back as 1736. On some there are armorial bearings, which indicate the fondness of our fathers for the family distinctions of their transatlantic home. Some families claim to know the spot where their ancestors are buried: such are the Agnews, Forbeses, Dunbars, Lairds, McAllisters, Greysons, Parkers, Youngs and others; but, in many cases, the inscriptions do not tell us who are buried here. The place reminds us forcibly of the quaint words of an English writer: "Gravestones tell truths scarcely sixty years; generations pass while some trees stand, and old families last not three oaks." As a matter of interest we may state that not more than sixty years ago there was a woodland which began within, probably, half a mile northwest of Carlisle, and extended all the way to Meeting House Springs. This burial place is in a handsome grove of lofty trees, and is inclosed with a stone wall on the high ground of the almost precipitous limestone bluff which rises above the creek. The tombstones are of an extraordinary character; one small one remaining, of dark slate, most of limestone or brown sandstone, with rude lettering, and some having upon them the rude sculpturing of animals, faces, Masonic emblems or coats of arms. Many are reclining, some lying down. In order that some who have lived and are buried here shall not wholly be forgotten, we have attempted, with considerable difficulty, to decipher some of the inscriptions. On a leaning granite one, which stands alone in the northeast corner, in large, rude letters some nine inches long, we read: "Here lys the Body of 332 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. John and Alexander McKehan." It has no date. Others are as follows: "Here lys ye Body of Janet Thompson, wife of ye Rev. Samuel Thompson, who deceased Sep. ye 29, 1744, aged 33 years." "Alexander McCulloch, who deceased January ye 15, 1746, aged 50 yrs." Another reads: "Here lies the body of James Young, seiner, who parted this life Feb. 22, 1747, aged 79 years." Another reads: "Here lys ye body of Meyr donnel, who departed this life Oct. 15, 1747, aged 64 yrs." On a small, dark slate stone, on which is sculptured a round, cherub face, we read in letters still distinct: "Thomas Witherspoon, who departed this life Mar. 22, 1759, aged 57." The flat tomb, which is without date, reads: "Sacred to the memory of Major Alexander Parker and his two children, Margaret and John." Others are as follows: "Ronald Chambers, died Dec. 24, 1746, aged 60." "William Graham, died April 24, 1761, aged 67." "John Flemming, died April. 22, 1761, aged 39." "James McFarlan, born Dec. 24, 1685, died Oct. 31, 1770." "John Kinkead, died Aug. 4, 1772, aged 51." "Mary Kinkead [daughter], died Aug. 1758, aged 17." "James Weakly, died June 6, 1772, aged 68." "Jane Weakly [wife], died Nov. 30, 1768, aged 53." "James Weakly [infant son of Samuel and Hetty], died Sept. 4, 1777." Besides these, of later date, we find the names of Drenna, Saunderson, Crocket and others who were well known. The remains of an Indian, it is said, were discovered a few years ago in digging a grave near the stone wall in the western portion of this burial ground. Among those buried in this grave-yard in the present century is Samuel Laird, Esq., who died in September, 1806, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He was an associate justice in 1791, and one of the commissioners for the county to collect money which non-associators were expected to contribute in lieu of military service in 1778. Upon his tomb we read: "Of simple manners, pure, and heart upright, In mild, religious ways he took delight; As elder, magistrate or judge he still Studied obedience to his Maker's will. A husband kind, a friend to the distressed, He wished that all around him might be blessed: A patriot in the worst of times approved, By purest motives were his actions moved." MISCELLANEOUS. Col. Ephraim Blaine erected a mill, lately known as Henderson's mill, on the Conodoguinet Creek, about a mile north of Carlisle. Within the past year this mill has been taken down. On its corner-stone was the following mark: Er B 1772 which is construed to mean that it was erected by Ephraim Blaine, 1772. There are six schools in the township, several mills, four bridges (one iron) over the creek, many roads, some of them in good condition. There is no town or railroad within the township, Carlisle and the Cumberland Valley Railroad lying just on its southern border; but there are fine farms every where, even on the rolling lands which extend back to the North Mountains. There is a postoffice in the township named Grissinger.