Local History: XLVIII - Townships of Williams, Forks, Plainfield, Moore, Lehigh and Upper Mount Bethel: Davis's 1877 History of Northampton Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan Walters USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. HTML Table of Contents may be found at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/northampton/davistoc.htm _______________________________________________________________________ HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† 244 (cont.) WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP-(1750). THIS township is bounded on the north by the Lehigh River, separating it from Palmer township and the Borough of Easton; on the east by the Delaware River, separating it from New Jersey; on the south by Bucks county; and on the west by the Township of Lower Saucon. It was erected as a township of Bucks county, in the year 1750. For a number of years prior to its erection, the county records mentioned the name of this township as Williamstown, a name which is presumed to have been given it for John Williams, an early and prominent settler. Settlements were made as early as 1725. When Easton was being settled in 1752, William Parsons, in December of that year, remarked, "that most of the provisions supplying the infant town are brought from Williams and Saucon townships, which contain a considerable number of inhabitants." The first settlements were made in Williams, probably about 1725, though it was stated in a report made to the Legislature some years later, that there were settlements above Durham Furnace, in 1723. In 1730, there was a population of about fifty persons within the present limits of the township. In 1740, the number had increased to about ninety, and at the time of the erection in 1750, the population was fully one hundred and fifty. Among these were: John Williams Melchoir Hay Michael Shoemaker Philip Bossart Martin Lehr George Raub Uri Best Nicholas Best Adam Merkle Jeremiah Best George William Keils George Best, all of German stock, while there were some of the name of Richard and others of the English-speaking race. A large amount of land in the township was held by William Allen, of Philadelphia, under a deed from the Lord Proprietaries, dated August 29th, 1728. It was from him that the Bests-Jeremish, George, and Nicholas-purchased their lands; and their purchases must have been made earlier than 1740, as their names, as property holders, are found mentioned in an old survey of this portion of Bucks county, which was made in that year. About the year 1764, Jacob Best, great-grandfather to John, Josiah, and Peter Best, built the stone house now occupied by Josiah Best. Also, in 1762, Christian Best, built the stone house now owned by Christian Cullmer. Both these houses are in a good state of perservation. 245 In those years, these old settlers worked at their clearings during the day, with their rifles always within easy reach, and at night they crossed to the Jersey side of the Delaware to meet other white settlers for mutual protection against Indian attack. The seventh generation are now living on the land originally bought by the Bests, and which has never been out of the possession of the family. There are some Indian traditions in this township, but they must be read with the due allowance, after being handed down verbally for several successive generations. It is said that the kitchen now attached to the Valley Hotel, at Glendon, was once used as a place of refuge and defence against the Indians. This was built in 1740, and wits perforated with loop-holes through which to fire on the savage enemy. The door was of white oak, six inches thick, and in it were deep marks, supposed to have been made by battering rams. We have been unable to gather any fact that would show that any such a fight occurred, though it is not impropable. The last family of Indians living in Williams's township, resided on the banks of the Lehigh, where the Keystone Iron Companys Works now stand. The foundation of their hut was ploughed up and thrown off during the memory of John Best. He also remembers hearing his father say that before the Indians left, he saw them one day on the flat near a large walnut tree fighting among themselves; when one made an attack upon his companion and, to save himself from danger, ran around the tree. The other, reversing his course, struck him with his tomahawk and killed him instantly, and then buried him on the spot where lie fell. They all left the neighborhood a short time thereafter. The spot where this occurred was covered by the tow-path of the Lehigh Canal. The first tavern opened in Williams township was built in the year 1770, and kept by a Widow Morgan. Perhaps the reason why the township was without a public house for so many years after its first settlement was on account of its proximity to the town of Easton, where taverns were rather overabundant than otherwise. In the year 1773, the total valuation of real estate in the township was £966 = $2,576, The taxes in that year amounted to £9 5s 10d., and the number of taxables, seventy-eight. The "single men" of the township then numbered only five. There were at that time two grist-mills in Williams, one owned by Henry Moritz, and the other by Jacob Riech. In the year 1760, the population: of the township had increased to two hundred and forty in 1770, it reached a little over four hundred in 1780, it was five hundred and fifty in 1790, it was seven hundred and twenty-six in 1800, it had grown to eight hundred and forty-six in 1810, it was very nearly 1,200 it 1820 was 1,590, in 1830 2,707 in 1840 1,937 in 1850 2,634. In the last named year, Williams township produced 16,272 bushels of wheat 11,365 bushels of rye 22,830 bushels of corn 8,570 bushels of oats 340 bushels of buckwheat 11,085 bushels of potatoes 1,645 tons of hay 42,150 pounds of butter There were 446 families 444 dwelling houses 107 farms in the township The assessment of 1853 was as follows: 11,442 Acres of Land (av'g $55.34 per Acre) $633,218 Money at Interest 63,212 313 Horses and 523 Cows value, 20,934 Stock in Banks, ect., 3,160 106 Pleasure Carriages 3,290 ______ Total $723,814 ________ ________ State Tax $2,180 11 County Tax 1,937 52 Road Tax 1,000 00 School Tax 700 00 ________ ________ Number of Schools 10 Number of Teachers 10 In 1870, the population of Williams was 2,428, an apparent decrease of two hundred and four since the year 1850, but it must be remembered that at that time, the population of both South Easton and Glendon was included in the township figures, which was not the case in the last census. The land now comprised in Williams township, was, when first settled, heavily clothed with fine timber of white and black oaks, walnut, hickory, and chestnut; the latter being found principally on the hills. The ridges of the Lehigh Hills cover a good portion of the township. Among these is one known for a century and a half, as the Hexen Kopf (witches' head, or knob), in the interior of the township, "an isolated prominence on one of the ridges of the South Mountain. It affords an extensive view of the surrounding country, and having been regarded by the first German settlers, with superstitious awe, as the fancied scene of the witches revelries, has become a place of resort for pleasure parties." The soil along the rivers is limestone land, which is naturally very productive, while that of the hills is more gravelly and not so fertile, although many of the farmers, by taking advantage of their easy access to lime, have raised their farms to a high state of cultivation. The springs, on the mountain and hills, cannot be surpassed for their quality of clear mineral water. There has been considerable attention paid by the inhabitants to the planting of good qualities of fruit trees, and in this respect the township is, perhaps, equal to any in the county. Mr. Seitz's grapery, near South Easton, is well stocked with the choicest varieties of vines, which reflect credit to the township as well as to the proprietor. RAUBSVILLE Is a hamlet of about fifteen houses, situated in the eastern part of the township, on the Delaware River and canal. It was named for the family of Raubs, who were the first settler, in that vicinity. The first tavern was built there in 1805, by one of that family; and, on the establishment of the Raubsville Post Office, George Raub was appointed first postmaster. Stouts Post Office is in the southwestern part of the township. MINING Along the foot of the mountain, on the north side, and Dear the Hellertown road, leading from the Delaware to the Saucon line, is a rich deposit of hematite iron-ore, stretching the full length of the township. These ore-beds have been worked for years and yield a very good quality, and thousands of tons have been mined annually, of which the greater part has been manufactured into iron at the Glendon, Keystone, and Redington furnaces. The location of the first mines, or the time of their opening, is not known, but that iron was discovered, and mining commenced, in the early history of the county, is shown by deeds in possession of Major John Best, showing the transfer of a tract of land, in the locality of the Keystone Iron Works, from Thomas and Richard Penn, to Philip Bossart, between the years 1742 and 17-53, wherein provisions are made in regard to mines, minerals, quarries, etc. Among the oldest hematite mines, now worked, are those on property of Adam Horn, and on John Brotzman's property, now worked by the Glendon Iron Company. The ore is found from a depth of sixty to two hundred feet, and as no pumping is necessary, they have been principally worked by horse-power, although three of the mines are worked by the use of engines-to by the Glendon Company, and the other by Thomas Richard & Sons. Shaft. have been sunk and ore mined the whole distance from the Delaware to the township line, and are being worked extensively, at present, by the Glendon Company, Henry Fulmer & Hager, Adam Horn & Sons, Thomas Richard & Sons, and others. Bougher Hill Mines-Hematite ore is also found in the southeast portion of the township, on the north side of Bougher Hill, commencing at the Delaware River extending wen, and has been developed as far as property of B. Hoover. Ore, in this region, has been extensively mined on properties of Jacob Hartzell, formerly owned by F. Unangst, L. Lake, C. Rice, B. Hoover, and others. The ore from these mines is shipped principally to the Durham Iron Works, in Bucks county, about three miles distant, Major John Best was the first contractor who worked the Unangst mines extensively. He struck ore at the depth of forty-five feet, and shafted to the depth of one hundred and eighteen feet, which was the level of the Delaware River. He had a contract to furnish the Durham Iron Company 5,000 tons of ore in the year 18-58, and furnished them 5,600 tons in the time specified. No pumping was necessary in these mines, and the ore was raised by horsepower, which is true in regard to all mines in this locality, no engines being employed to the present time. Saylor Hill Mines-The mines on the north side of Saylors Mountain also of hematite ore-were opened upwards of twenty years since, by the Glendon Iron Company, and are now worked extensively by the Durham Iron Company. Magnetic Iron Ore-During the War of 1812, magnetic ore was extensively mined on the summit of the mountain, about three and one-half miles from Easton, along the Old Philadelphia road, on what is known as the "Kline property," now owned by the Glendon Iron Company. This ore was carted to the Delaware River aud shipped, by Durham boats, to Trenton or Philadelphia, That a number of these shafts were sunk, previous to 1 812, there seems to be no question, but at what time the first developments were made, cannot be ascertained. There have been other slight developments of magnetic ore in this township. 246 Ochre.-On property owned by J. Nolf Sr., situated along the hematite iron-ore region, is a clay or ochre mine, which has been worked to some extent, being washed and prepared for market at the mines. It produces a very good quality of clay, bringing from twelve to fifteen dollars per ton, during the war, for the manufacture of paint, paper, and soap, and will be worked, from time to time, as the demand warrants. THE KEYSTONE FURNACE Was commenced June 5th, 1873. Now in possession of Henry Fulmer. The original cost of the works was about $240,000, and the additions, now in progress, will add about $18,000 more. Men employed at works and in me-, will average about sixty. The furnace production will be about 12,000 tons annually, There are also two other furnaces in this township. LIMESTONE This township has an inexhaustible supply of limestone along the Delaware, and Lehigh rivers. William Best, in the borough of Glendon, has perhaps the most extensive quarry in that vicinity, and furnishes stone for the Keystone Iron Works. UHLER'S LIME-KILNS Are situated on the Delaware Canal, where large quantities of lime are manufactured and shipped, by the canal, to the various markets. The kilns were established by Michael and John Uhler, in 1850 and 1855. The quarry is one of the best in the State. WOODRING GRIST-MILL This mill is a stone structure, situated about one mile from the Lehigh River, and was built in the year 1810, by W. Woodring. The power is furnished by a stream of spring water, which takes its rise only about one mile above. This property has never passed out of the Woodring name, being owned successively by William, Nicholas, Jacob, Enoch, and Amandus Woodring, the present owner. There are five other grist-mills in the township; two saw-mills, one distillery, and one brewery. SCHOOLS The first school taught in the township, of which we have any information was held in a log house owned by Peter Lattig, and Mr. Bittenberider Spangemberger was the teacher. There are now nine School houses in the town ship. The present school buildings are principally built of stone. The schools are kept open about six mouths in the year, and employ mate teachers during the winter session. ANCIENT CHURCH In Williams township, a short distance from the Borough of South Easton, in a field, on the southeast corner of the junction of the old Philadelphia and Hellertown roads, stood a church, known as the Old Forks Lutheran Church. This was one of the first churches built in Northampton county. All traces of this building, except the foundation, had been gone before the remembrance of the oldest citizens reared in this vicinity. We are indebted to Mrs. William Miller, an elderly lady, in whose possession the site is located, for pointing out to us the exact spot where the building had stood, and for showing us what had once been its corner-stone, now forming a part of the rear wall of her residence. She distinctly remembers her grandmothers, Mrs. Lattig and Mrs. Crutz-who were taken in church there-say that it was a rough, log building, and was suffered to go to ruin when they were still young; the logs being used for fuel by the inhabitants. There are no records from which we can ascertain when this church was built, but it must have been fully one hundred and forty years ago. Rev. Rudolph Schrenck, it member of the Muhleuberg Association, was preaching at this olden-time church, in 1752. Soon after, it was demolished. OLD WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP CHURCH. The church known by this name is located near the Saucon township line, and took the place of a log church, in 1813. It has recently been remodeled, and present,, at present, a splendid appearance. It has always been used by both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations. Among the early pastors were the Revs. William Yeager William Kemmerer - Pump the former being the first pastor. ST. JOHNS CHURCH. This is a stone structure, built by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, A. D. 1844. There is a fine cemetery connected with it. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This church is situated on the old Philadelphia road, and. was built in 1872. It is a frame building, with stone basement, and is, all imposing edifice. The first church was erected on this site A. D. 1839, being also a frame building. There is a cemetery connected. STOUT'S VALLEY CHURCH. This is a small, frame building, built by the Methodist denomination, located in Stouts valley. There are no regular services held at this place. RAUBSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Is located at Raubsville, and was recently erected. FORKS TOWNSHIP-(1754) THE township of Forks is bounded on the north by Plainfield Township on the northeast and east by Lower Mount Bethel, and the Delaware River, which separates it from the State of New, Jersey on the south by the Borough of Easton and Palmer township; which last named also bounds it on the west. Formerly, the township extended westward to the townships of Bethlehem, and Lower and Upper Nazareth and southward to the Lehigh River, including the entire area of Palmer, which was not separated from it until the year 1857; the Bushkill Creek being then adopted as the line of division. Forks township is watered, and well supplied with water-power, by the Bushkill, and the smaller streams flowing into it, and into the Delaware. There are few streams in this section of country which furnish water-power more abundantly than the Bushkill. It also formerly abounded in fish, and was the home of the trout, but this is no longer the case; probably on account of the numerous mills on the stream. Some of the small streams which watered the township in the olden time have entirely dried up and disappeared. One of these which, a hundred years ago, took its rise near Schoeneck, and emptied into the Bushkill, near the old homestead of Frederick Lerch, has long since ceased to exist, although it was of considerable size, and was esteemed a fair fishing stream by the inhabitants of the vicinity, in the last century. Another similar instance was that of Deer Creek (so named by Jacob Kemerer, who believed it to be a favorite resort of the deer), which took its rise in a tract of land known as "the Jew's lot," then owned by Conrad Kocher, and which, from being a quite considerable stream, dwindled away, year by year, and was finally lost. The old Bushkill, however, still plunges noisily over its rocky bed, not perceptibly diminished in volume since the days of the red men, and performing the work of hundreds of horses, in its course from the hills to the Delaware. On the advent of the white man into the territory of Forks, he found the Indian there, as everywhere else in the region of the Lehigh and Delaware. One of these whose name has become historical, was "Moses" Tatemy, a Delaware chief, who, strange to say, never proved treacherous, but always remained the friend of the white man, and who, for his friendship and services, received a full title to three hundred and fifteen acres of laud in the township, on one of the streams flowing into, the Bushkill. He acted as interpreter to the missionary Brainerd for a time, and also for the Governor and Proprietary agents, at the Indian treaties at Easton. He died in or about the year 1761, and was buried in the burial ground 1 of the old "Forks Church"-supposed to have been the first interment in that ground. In many of the oldest documents, up to about 1750, the Bushkill was spoken of as "Tatemys Creek." It is said that a number of the Indian inhabitants of the township were buried on land formerly of Daniel Wagener, now of heirs of David D. Wagener. During the life of the elder Wagener, these graves were cared for and well kept, but the traces of them are now nearly obliterated. It is related that it Mr. Bittenbender, the great-great-grandfather of Mr. Shultze, recently Chief Burgess of Easton, was tomahawked and scalped by the Indians here, and that his brother, Conrad Bittenbeuder, was captured by them, but was afterwards rescued, and subsequently served in the Revolutionary War. __________________________________________________________________________ 1. In foot-note, page 43, of this work, it is incorrectly stated that Tatemy was buried in Williams township-the word Williams having been inadvertantly inserted instead of the word Forks, as was intended. 247 The first settlers in the limits of Forks, were chiefly Germans, and that has always been the preponderating nationality in the township. Their descendants (in some of the seventh generation) still occupy the lands which the Teutonic pioneers first settled, and reclaimed from their original wilderness. Among, the names of those first settlers, of Forks, are found those of Melchoir Stecker George Stecker Michael Messinger Jacob Shoemaker George Messinger David Owens John Lefebre, (a French Huguenot) Jacob Young Joseph Potts William Bingham Samuel Powell John Van Etten James Young John Young William Smith Jacob Uhler John Nicholas Kemerer Frederick Lerch Valentine Uhler John Koehler, Sandt Werkheiser Schwartz Fraunfelder Sigman Kocker Rippel Raesley, and others. Jacob Arndt, a noted man of Forks, was not among the first comers; he having removed from Bucks county to this township in 1762. James Searle was the first surveyor residing in Forks township, and occupied a dwelling on John Van Ettens land. The first Constable was Thomas Clarke. John Van Etten, Esq., lived near where, Stockertown now is. He served for several years as Justice of the Court, and held the rank of General in the French and Indian War. There is a burial ground on what was then his land: three of his sons lie there, and their grave, are marked by stones hearing English inscriptions. Mrs. Stecker, wife of Melchior Stecker, was also buried in the Van Etten ground. Her tombstone bears date of 1776. Her husband became possessor of the "Tatemy tract," after the death of that old chief. John Nicholas Kemerer, one of the earliest settlers, lived on the farm now owned by A. Dewalt. This farm was owned after Mr. Kemerers death by his son Jacob, and still later by his grandson, the Rev, William Kemerer, then by Freeman F, Lesher, the present owner. Valentine Uhler, Sr., purchased one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land, A. D. 1786, of William Smith, for £548. He willed this tract of land to his two sons John Levan Valentine Uhler, Jr. the former having the old homestead. When Mr. Valentine Uhler, Sr. bought this property there was a one-story log dwelling on the place, which he raised to a two-story house. This being the homestead, was occupied by John Levan Uhler until his death, and then passed into the hands of Paul Rader, then to Barney Wetzel, who is the present occupant and owner. Valentine Uhler, Jr., built for himself a house on his portion, which he is still occupying, at the age of eighty-two years. On this is a large tree, standing alone in a field, which has been preserved by its owner, on account of an incident which occurred long ago, in which the old tree bore a part. About seventy years ago, when Valentine was a boy, a bear was one day seen prowling about, not far from the dwelling. John Stecker seized his rifle and started in pursuit. Bruin retreated, and sought refuge in this tree, where he was killed by Mr. Slacker, who is said to have been an excellent shot. It is also related, that the weapon with which he killed the bear, was the first rifle owned in the township. Michael Messinger, Sr. purchased a tract of five hundred acre of land from John Potts, in 1711, His descendants, Joseph S., Lorenzo, Andrew Samuel Messinger, still occupy a portion of this tract. There is, in the possession of John M. Lerch, Esq., a deed dated March 19th, 1771, "In the eleventh year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith," etc., from Joseph Potts and his wife. Sarah Potts, formerly Sarah Powel, granddaughter of Samuel Powel, the elder deceased, conveying to Michael Messinger, of Forks township, in the county of Northampton, half of a certain tract, in the Forks of the Delaware, cornering with land granted to an Indian, by name Tatemy Fundy, containing five hundred acres and ninety-four perches, and the allowance of six acres on every one hundred for roads, highways, &c., also in consideration of £1,050. This land was conveyed by the Lord Proprietors to, Samuel Powel, in 1740, and descended by will to the said Sarah Pott, granddaughter of the said Samuel Powel. Another deed dated 1776, conveys two hundred and eighty acres and ninety-two perches, from Wm. Smith to Jacob Arndt, for the sum of £5011 1 And in 1790, Jacob Arndt conveyed the same tract to Frederick Lerch, for the sum of £1,300. An old stone building situated in Forks township, on property Dow owned by R. C. Weaver, is supposed to be the oldest stone dwelling standing in the county; this statement comes down from Michael Messinger through his descendents. It is said to have been built in the year 1740, by Weygandt. The walls are massive, windows very high from file ground, door, unusually thick, and casings double, and all the wood work is of solid oak, It is supposed to have been built with a view to defence against file Indians. The first blacksmith, in Forks was Jacob Shaffer, on farm now owned by Henry Laughenour, now in Palmer township, near the Bushkill Creek. A very old blacksmith shop was located near the present residence of John K. Lerch, and was carried on by John Adam Willaur, before A D. 1800, John Lerch, father of John M. Lerch, learned the trade in this shop with Mr. Willaur, and carried on blacksmithing there. from 1801 until his death, in 1841. The first store known to have been kept was at Arndts Mill, by Arndt & Lambert, on property now owned by Michael Walter. Seipt Tavern. -Mr. George Noll, flow residing in Williams township, in his eighty-ninth year, was reared in Forks township, and says the first public house,2 he remembers to have been kept in this township, was on the road leading from Easton to Nazareth, known as Seip's Tavern, kept by James Seip and further says, that this was the only tavern between Easton Nazareth at that time. License was granted to Philip Messinger, who kept, tavern in 1797, on road leading from Easton to Wilkesbarre. This building is still standing, owned and occupied by Peter Werkheiser. Among the list of soldiers of Forks township who served in the old wars, were Jacob Arndt, who was captain, and afterwards colonel in the French and Indian wars, and Valentine Ulder, Sr., George Sleeker, Henry Loux, John N. Kemerer, Henry Stocker, Andrew Stocker, and others, who served in the Revolution. All these were, buried in the Salem Church Cemetery with the exception of Colonel Arndt, (who as well as his son, John Arndt, of Revolutionary fame) was buried to the burial-ground of the, Arndt and Messinger Church. The inscriptions above their graves are as follows: "Here are deposited the remains of Colonel Jacob Arndt, who, in his lifetime, faithfully served his God, his King, and in after life in the Revolution and the Republic. Born in Germany, 12th of March, 1723, and departed this life 3d of Aug., 1805 aged 80yrs. 4 mos., & 10 das." Capt, John Arndt, to whose memory this stone is erected, was born on the 3d of June, 1748, and died the 24th of May, 1814, at the age of 65 yrs., 11 mos., and 1 day, Closed an active life of public usefulness and private. Upon another tombstone in the same ground is the inscription; Here, rests in God, the body of Michael Messinger, Both in Germany, 10th of Nov. 1719, and died Oct 24th, 179l, aged 71 years, 11 months, and 17 days", Jacob Arndt and Michael Messinger were the donors of the site of the burial-ground, where repose then, earthly remains. George Lesher was a member of Captain Jarrett's Light Horse in the War of 1812. He died in 1875, at the age of eighty-six. George Nolf who was in the War of 1812, will be eighty-nine years of age, on the eighth of May, 1877. Christian Metzgar Philip Metzgar William Waited Conrad Walted Peter Stocker Daniel Stocker Charles Stocker, also served in that war. And there were several from Forks who fought in Mexico; among whom were Thomas Butter Jacob Miller Joseph Nicholas The population of Forks, increased from about fifty in 1740 to about one hundred and fifty, in 1750 two hundred and fifty, in 1760; and more than four hundred, in 1770. The valuation of the real estate in the township in 1773, was £1,185, and the amount of tax was £13 3s, 10d. There were sixty-nine persons subject, to taxation, and eleven "single men." There were then in operation in the township, two grist-mills; one owned and run by Jacob Arndt (formerly spelled Orndt), and the other by H. Lesh. In 1780, the population had increased to about 600 In 1790, 722 in 1800, 884 in 1810, 1,294 in 1820, 1,659 in 1830, 1,939 in 1840, 2,166 in 1850, 2,321 In the last named year, there were in the township, 391 dwellings 418 families 152 farms The amount of wheat produced, was 47,640 bushels of rye, 33,490 bushels of corn, 65,780 bushels of oats, 17,780 of potatoes, 16,075 bushels of buckwheat, none of butter, 65,500 pounds of hay, 2,788 tons Statistics of the township assessment of 1853, were as follows: Valuation, Real Estate, 15,839 Acres (average $74.18 per Acre), $1,185,038 Valuation, 578 Horses, 785 Cows, 40,408 Valuation, 200 Pleasure Carriages, 10,133 Money at Interest 134,814 Stocks in Banks, 111,720 Watches, 365 State Tax $4,015 68 County Tax 3,402 70 Road Tax 1,000 00 School Tax 1,350 00 ________ ________ Number of Schools, 13 Number of Teachers, 13 Number of Scholars, 650 Number of Taxable, 632 The population of Forks township at the last census was 1,450 __________________________________________________________________________ 1.It must be borne in mind that this was in Continental money, which, at that time, stood in the proportion of seventy-five dollars for one dollar in silver money, 2. This, however, was by no means the first tavern in Forks. John Lefebre kept public house near the Bushkill, in the township, at the time of the laying out of Easton, which was thirty-eight years before Mr. Nolf was born. 248 MILLS, ECT. The Friedensthal mill is one of the first put in operation in the county. It was built by the Moravians on a portion of the Whitefield tract, probably about 1746. In 1791 the old mill gave place to a stone structure, built by John Eyerly, It has passed successively through the hands of Philip Weiss, Heller, and Coryell, and George Bier, to Charles Mann, the present owner. The mill, originally in old Forks township, fell within the bounds of Palmer, at the division in 1857. It is about two and a half miles from Nazareth, and one ofthe largest and best mills on the Bushkill, Jacob Arndt, owned and carried on one of the oldest mills in Forks. It stood above the Kepler mill, on the Bushkill, and was built about 1763. It was destroyed by fire, some ten years since, but was rebuilt by Jacob Walter, who is now doing a thriving business. This is known as Mr, Walter's lower mill. The upper mill owned by him, now in Palmer township, was built by Michael Messinger, about the year 1760. He sold the mill and business to Nathaniel Michler, one, of the most prominent and enterprising men of the time. In 1825 he erected a distillery, adjoining this mill, and the distilling was carried on for many years with great success. This property passed into the hands of Peter and Thomas Michler, his sons, and remained in the hands of Nathaniel Michler for over a half century. It is now owned by Jacob Walter. Jacob Shoemaker's fulling-mill, on the Bushkill, was built and started prior to the Revolution, It was located about two miles from Easton, opposite the mill now owned by T. Kepler. The "Rock Mill," now owned and operated by J. A. Gerhart, is the first in Forks township, above Easton, on the Bushkill Creek. It is a very old site, and was in possession of George Messinger about the year 1756. The present structure was erected in 1807, by Jacob Seiple, and has passed through the hands of Philip Odenwelder, Michael Butz, and others, to its present ownership. W. Zuck owns the mill erected by John Kemerer in the year 1829. From Kemerer it passed into the hands of his father, David Kemerer, from him to George Able, and from him to the present owner. The mill now occupied by Solomon Knecht, and owned by Mrs. Newlin, was built by her grandfather, the late Judge Daniel Wagener, A. D., 1809, the date is still on it stone on the building. He carried on milling at this place for a few years, after which he retired the mill to his sons-in-law, Joseph Burke and Philip Meixell. At the death of the Judge, his son inherited the property, containing some three hundred acres of land, which afterwards passed to Mrs. Newlin, his daughter, the present owner. On the premises now owned by Peter Woodring, there stood, in former days, a saw-mill, supposed to have been built by John Van Etter, Esq., as it is on a the tract originally owned by him. This saw-mill was taken away by Sydney A. Cleywell, about the year 1840, to give place to a grist-mill; afterwards sold to Peter Woodring. This mill was recently destroyed by fire, but was re-erected by the present owner, Mr. Woodring. On the property of Michael Messinger's heirs, north of the old Judge Wagener mill, there stand the ruins of a mill built by Michael Messinger, A. D. 1815, as it plaster, clover-seed, and wool carding-mill. North of these old ruins is the agricultural machine-shop, owned and worked by S. S. Messinger, who is doing it thriving business. Near this machine-shop stands a bridge, built in 1797, which has withstood the floods and ice eighty years, and is still in good condition. The contract for building this bridge was taken by John Messinger, for the sum of $500, though it is said the cost of the bridge was not less than $1,000. A short distance above this bridge, on what was originally known as the Kings highway, a stone bridge is still standing, erected directly after the laying out of this road. SCHOOLS About the year 1780, there were three school houses in the old township of Forks; two of these being within the present bounds, and the other in what is now Palmer. They were log buildings with very small windows, tough doors, with wooden hinges and fastenings, and leather latch-strings. In 1817 there was erected, on land then owned by John Rasely, an octagonal building of stone, which was considered it very fine structure in those days. It was, however, torn down, thirteen years later (1830), and the furniture, etc., disposed of at auction. The Knecht school house was built on the same plan. About the same time there was one erected at Seipsville, which is still standing The Arndt Church was used as a school house in 1826, There are now eight schools in the township. THE ARNDT AND MESSINGER CHURCH This church is so named in honor of Jacob Arndt and Michael Messinger, who donated the site for church and cemetery purposes. The burial-ground was laid out and used for fifty years before a church was erected. The first interment in the ground was that of Mrs. Arndt, wife of one of the donors, She was buried there January 31st, 1776 The ground has been materially enlarged since the first laying out. The first church building was a stone structure, erected A.D. 1826. It was intended to serve as a school house as well as a church. Large doors were hung on binges, in the ceiling, separating the church from the schoolroom. These doors could be raised and the two rooms thrown into one when occasion requited. This building was demolished and a new one erected, on the same site, in the year 1855. The church has been occupied by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations since its erection, and they have been presided over by the following pastors, viz: Reformed- Rev. Thomas Pomp Rev, Max Sterns Rev. D. F. Brendel Lutheran- Rev. John Aug. Brobst Rev. George Wentzell Rev. Weldon Rev. Philip Phatteiger Rev. David Kuntz SALEM COMMUNION OR FORKS CHURCH This church is situated in the northern part of the township, and was the first church erected in old Forks. It is a stone structure, built A. D 1812, and remodeled in 1856. It was occupied by the Lutheran and Reformed denominations. The following have been their pastors from its organization, viz: Reformed- Rev. Thomas Pomp Rev. Theodore Hoffiditz Rev. E. W. Remecke, their present pastor Lutheran- Rev. Andrews Rev. John N. Brobst Rev. Mark Harpel Rev. Smith Rev. J. B. Rath Rev. Wagner Rev. David Kuntz, the present pastor SABBATH-SCHOOL The first Sabbath-school was established at the school house, in Johnson's district, in 1832. James Lewis was the first superintendent, and was aided in the work by Miss Mary Miller, the originator, who is now living in South Easton. This school has been continued to the present time, There are other schools, held at different school houses in the township, and a Union Sunday-school is held at each of the churches. These schools are furnished with good libraries, and are well attended. 249 PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP- (1762) PLAINFIELD is bounded on the north by Monroe county on the east by the townships of Washington and Lower Mount Bethel on the south by Forks and Palmer on the west by Bushkill township It is watered chiefly by the east branch of Bushkill Creek. The name Plainfield was given to it as best describing its appearance when the first settlers came. It was almost devoid of timber, except on the margins of the water-courses, with a few dwarf oaks and stunted evergreens, growing on the higher lands. The surface of the township, however, is by no means a plain, but is quite rolling in the southern part, and in the north mountainous. The Blue Mountain forms a natural barrier, and stretches, in an unbroken ridge, along the northern border. There is a singular opening or pass through the mountain, called by the German settlers, Die Wind Kaft (the Wind Gap), through which no stream passes, but the almost level crest-line of the mountain is here depressed nearly as low as the country on each side, forming a notch on the mountain of peculiar convenience for the passage of travelers and teams, and is the only crossing for wagon-roads, from this township, across the Blue Mountain. The first settlers were Hollanders, and cattle in here very early; probably not long after 1740. No authentic record of their names can e found, except. those of the families of Bender and Heller. German settlers immediately followed, and the descendants, of those are among the inhabitants of Plainfield until the present time. On the twenty-fourth of December, 1762, a decree of court authorized and ordered the laying out and erection of the township. Upon this a survey was made, embracing the present limits, and this was accepted and confirmed by the court March 22d, 1763. The entire length of the boundary lines was thirty-four and a quarter miles, and within these, at that time, was a population of a little more, than three hundred souls. One of the first dwellings of the settlers was a log house, built upon the spot where new stands the brick house of George Hann. There were, doubtless, others built as early, and perhaps earlier than this but this was the oldest habitation in the township whose site can be definitely and authentically located. During the Indian wars, a temporary fortification was built and occupied by some ten or twelve families as a place of refuge. The strong-house, within the works, was afterwards used as a permanent dwelling. The location of this was, as near as call be ascertained, on the farm now owned by Jacob Ruth. The Indian path, leading from their villages on the Susquehanna to the Falls of the Delaware and the lower settlements-the same which crossed the Lehigh, below Bethlehem-passed through the Wind Gap, and traversed a part of Plainfield, crossing the present farm of J. P. R. Heller. The first grist-mill in the township was built by Adam Helmer, about the year 1770, on land owned at present by John Stoppel. Traces of the old dam and race-way can still be seen. The oldest, distillery, of which there is any account, was built on the farm now owned by George Bruch, and occupied by Salomon Florey in the year 1773, the valuation of real estate in Plainfield township was £512. The total amount of taxes in that year won, £6 19s,. There were sixty-four taxables and nine single men, and there were two mills; the grist-mill, built, by Helmer, and so saw-mill, erected about the same time, by Jacob Heller. The population of the township had then increased to more than five hundred. In 1780 it had risen to nearly seven hundred, and in 17190 it was eight hundred and eighty-seven. The first physician in the township was probably Henry Sibley, a Hessian, who was captured at the battle of Trenton, and who chose to establish himself here rather than return to the service. Belfast was the first part of the township which came to be regarded as a village. Hellerville was laid out into village lots in 1796. There are three other villages in the township Penargil, in the northwest part, where are located the extensive quarries of the Pennsylvania Slate Company Blue Mountain, in the eastern part Wind Gap, in the northwestern part, of the township At the commencement of the present century, the population of the township was 1,157; in 1850 it had increased to 1,753. In that year there were 319 families 304 dwellings 207 farms There were produced, in the township 5,507 bushels of wheat 26,608 bushels of rye 28,600 bushels of corn 15,291 bushels of oats 9,993 bushels of potatoes 48,360 pounds of butter 1,9631 tons of hay The assessment figures for 1853 were as follows: Valuation, Real Estate, $352,977 00 Valuation, 308 Horses, 545 cows, 18,053 00 Valuation, 122 Pleasure Carriages 2,805 00 Moneys at Interest, 23,105 00 State Tax 1,200 73 County Tax 1,075 76 Road Tax 600 00 School Tax 500 00 __________ __________ Number of Taxable Persons 417 Schools 9 Teachers 9 Scholars 324 And there were four grist-mills three saw-mills two distilleries one oil-mill seven stores seven public houses The population of Plainfield, at the last census, was 1,988. Tile hotel, now owned by John F. Uhler, was built by Jacob Heller, at a very early day and is said to be the oldest public house in the township. The Hellersville Hotel, now owned by Colonel J. P. R. Heller, was built in 1797, by George Keener: it is one mile from the Wind Gap, on the Wilkesbarre turnpike-the oldest regularly laid-out road in the township. Bushkill Creek Lodge, No. 878, I. O. of O. F., located at Belfast, was instituted, with twenty-three charter members, June 22d, 1874. The first officers were J. Coroling, N. G. A. J. Uhler, V. G. H. S. Santee, Sec. Charles Jasper, Asst. Sec. T. Lehr, Treas. Present number of members, sixty-eight. Value of lodge property, five hundred dollars and fifty-two cents. ST. PETER'S, REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CHURCH. This congregation dates back, probably, to the middle of the eighteenth century, Indications of this are extant in the cemetery of the church; and, incidentally also, in the congregational records. The first, regular record, however, and the first regular organization, seem to go back only to A.D. 1763. In this year Rev. Caspar D. Weyberg became pastor, and he installed, as elders of the congregation, Adam Dietz Jacob Sorwer Caspar Doll Peter B. Hahn Deacons Peter Metz George Dietz Leonhard Kern Nicholas Doll From this time on the congregational records are without break. The congregation was originally wholly ofthe Reformed faith. In 1805, the first Lutheran services were held; and in 1832, the Reformed congregation granted to the Lutherans equal rights in the church and landed property, and from that time it has been practically a Union church. The original founders of this congregation were principally Palatines, though there were some Swiss and French Huguenots. The congregation had, from the beginning, a considerable endowment of landed property, There are two land-warrants still in existence dated October 18th, 1750, and August 27th, 1791, by which sixty acres and seventy perches, and allowance, of land, were deeded to the legal representatives of the congregation. In 1832 this land was all sold, except about ten acres, which now belongs to the Union Reformed, and Lutheran congregations. The pastors of the congregation, on the Reformed side, were: Revs. Caspar D. Weyberg, D.D., Frederick L. Henop - Pithahn J. W. Weber J. W. Ingold L. F. Herrman -Vandersloot Thomas Pomp C. G. Eichenberg E. Helfrich E. H. Reinecke, the present pastor The Lutheran pastors were: Revs. John C. Lung - Niemeyer L. H. Colson, - Rupert Henry Kurz John A. Brobst A. Fuchs G. A. Struntz Charles Weber K. J. Kramlich, the present pastor. In 1832, the third church edifice was erected, on the same tract of land. It is of brick, and will seat 1,000 persons. It was repaired in 1870. The congregation also own a two-story dwelling house, for the organist and teacher. As when first organized, the congregation support their own school. MOORE TOWNSHIP-(1765) THIS township is bounded on the north by Carbon county on the east by Bushkill township on the south by the townships of Upper Nazareth, East Allen, and Allen on the west by the township of Lehigh. It comprehends a territory nearly six miles square, containing thirty-five square miles, about 22,506 acres of land, drained by the springs and headwaters of Hokendauqua and Monocacy creeks. The face of the country is hilly and rolling, and the soil either gravel or slate, but made by judicious culture to yield a fair return of tile cereals, especially buck-wheat and rye. In 1752, when Northampton county was erected, this portion of it was a part, of the "Adjacents of Allen." Moore received its present bounds, and was erected a township in 1765. At one time it was proposed to call the township Penn. Its present name was given it in honor of John Moore, to representative of the county, in the Provincial Assembly, in 1761 and 1762. Smiths Gap, one of the three passes in the Blue Mountain, is on the northern line of this township, and as this was one of the Indian highways, it laid the inhabitants open to special danger from their incursions. In January, 1756, they entered this township, and committed a series of depredations and murders, firing Christian Millers, Henry Diel's, Henry Shopp's, Nicholas Heip's, Nicholas Shopp's, and Peter Doll's, houses and barns, killing one of Heil's children, and a man named John Bauman, whose body was found two weeks after the maraud, and interred in the Moravian burial-ground, at Nazareth. The first white settlements, were made in Moore township, between 1740 and 1750. In the latter year, about fifty persons-men, women, and children were, living within its present limits. In 1760, the number of inhabitants exceeded three hundred, and in 1770, the number had increased to about five hundred. In 1773, there were in the township three grist-mills; one owned by Adam Mersch one by M. Scholl one owned by Caspar Erb, who was also the proprietor of a saw-mill. Another saw-mill was owned by Adam Deemer. In 1776, the total amount of taxes paid in the township was £6 8s. 2d., about $17.09 250 At the commencement of the century, the population of Moore had reached 881, and during the next decade, the number was increased to 1,250. In 1820, its population numbered 1,645 in 1830, it was 1,853 in 1840, 2,389 in 1850, 2,615. At that time, there were in the township, 487 dwelling houses 505 families 207 farms The amount of wheat produced was 4,572 bushels of rye, 4,333 bushels of corn, 32,088 bushels of oats, 16,336 bushels of buckwheat, 6,366 bushels of potatoes, 14,928 bushels of buffer, 61,610 pounds of hay, 2,318 tons The statistics of the township assessment of 1853, were as follows: Valuation, Real Estate, 20,401 Acres(average $20.06 per Acre), $409,325 Valuation, Occupations and Professions 54,100 Valuation 422 Horses, 732 Cows, 22,646 Valuation 180 Pleasure Carriages, 4,786 Money at Interest, 30,150 _______ _______ State Tax $1,526 82 County Tax 1,479 21 Road Tax 700 00 School Tax 800 00 One Church (Lutheran and Reformed) 700 seats 5,000 00 One Church 200 Seats, value 500 00 ________ ________ Schools 12 Teachers 12 Scholars 408 There are six small villages within the township: Dannersville, in the southern part, contains a school house, one hotel, a store, and about thirty houses Klecknersville, about the territorial centre, has about thirty dwellings, one store, two hotels, a blacksmith-shop, wagon-shop, and shoe-manufactory. Beersville, in the extreme southwest, has a hotel, a school house, an Evangelical church, and about fifteen dwellings Point Phillips, in the northern part, has about twelve houses, a school, two hotels, a blacksmith-shop, and two saw-mills near the village. Moores P. O., is near the eastern line. It contains a hotel, school, and two stores. Salem Church is also located here Youngsville, near the western line, is a village of a few houses, and a school house. Christ Church is in the immediate, vicinity of the village There are in the township seven saw-mills five grist-mills eleven slate quarries These quarries are mostly in the vicinity of Chapman borough, and three of them are within the borough limits. The schools of the township are fifteen in number, and there is an academy in the vicinity of Klecknersville. The population of the township at the last census was 2,938. LEHIGH TOWNSHIP-(1765) THIS township is bounded on the north by Carbon county on the east by Moore township on the south by Allen township and Lehigh county, and it is watered by Indian Creek, a also on the west by the same county branch of the Hokendaqua, and by other small streams which flow into the Lehigh River. The Lehigh Water Gap, at the northwestern corner of, the county, where the river flows between the headlands of the Blue Mountain, is a point of great interest to tourist and geologist. There is also within the limits of the township, another mountain gap, called by the Germans, Die Kleine Kaft, or Little Gap. Lehigh township originally extended from the Lehigh River as far east as the old Minisink road, on the eastern line of Bushkill, and was, until 1752, called the "Adjacents of Allen." Its present metes and bounds were finally fixed in 1765. The earliest record of this part of Northampton county, is one touching the surveys and laying out (in 1735, by order of Thomas Penn) of 6,500 acres, of land on which he designed to settle all the Forks Indians; which tract, hence, was known as the Indian Land. Penns project was never realized. This and the Manor of Fermor were the only Proprietaries reservations in present Northampton county. This township suffered much during the Indian war, and at times was almost depopulated; the inhabitants fleeing to Bethlehem and Nazareth, for safety and protection. Benjamin Franklin, on his way from Bethlehem to Gnadenhutten (Weissport), in January, 1756, writes from the first place as follows: As we drew near this place, we met a number of wagons and many people moving off with their effects from the Irish settlement and Lehigh township. Franklin was about setting out with seven companies of Provincials, in command of Captains Foulke, Mclaughlin, and Wayne, to build Fort Allen. The family of Driesbach was prominent in this section before as well as during the Revolution. James Dreisbach was-Colonel of the 3d Battalion of Militia, in 1775, and Simon, a member of Assembly, from 1776 to 1779. The first settlers of Lehigh township were Germans, as was the case in a majority of the townships of Northampton. A few were here at it very early date, and it has been said by some, that they had established a church here prior to the organization of the church at Craig's settlement, in Allen; but there is doubt as to the truth of this statement. Certain it is, however that the settlement in Lehigh, though small in number, was among the first in the county. In the year 1740, it numbered only thirty souls. During the following decade, they received accession by immigrations from the Palatinate, and in 1850, the population was over one hundred, which at the end of twenty years (1770,), had been increased to three hundred and fifty. In the year 1773, the valuation of real estate in Lehigh was £853, and the total amount of taxes was £10 3s. 4d. There were then eighty-eight taxable persons, and ten single men, in the township, which also contained three grist-mills, owned respectively by Thomas Wilson, Jost Driesbach, and George Driesbach, of whom, the last named, also owned a saw-mill; and there was another saw-mill, and an oil-mill, of which the names of the owners are not known. In 1780, the population exceeded 500 in the year 1800 it was 884 in 1820, the number of inhabitants was 1,550 in 1830, 1,659 in 1840, 2,049 in 1850 it reached 2,343 these being comprised in 427 families the number of dwelling houses being 400, the number of farms 149 The township then produced 5,545 bushels wheat 22,128 bushels rye 19,779 bushels corn 14,132 bushels oats 4,241 bushels buckwheat 18,292 bushels potatoes 33,850 pounds of butter 1,787 tons of hay Following are statistics of the township ASSESSSMENT OF 1833 Valuation of Real Estate, 15,815 Acres of Land, averaged at $23.80 per acre, $376,395 00 Valuation of Occupations and Professions, 46,704 00 Excess of, ditto, 3,000 00 Value of Pleasure Carriages (151 carriages), 6,645 00 Value of Horses and Cattle (398 horses, 663 cows) 25,375 00 Value of Stocks of Bank 7,450 00 Moneys at Interest, 45,900 00 State Tax, 1,399 01 County Tax, 1,211 98 School Tax, 950 00 Road Tax, 1,000 00 One Church (Lutheran and Reformed), 1,000 seats cost, 2,600 00 One Church (Methodist), 200 seats cost, 700 00 __________ __________ Number of Taxables, 568 Schools, 12 Teachers, 12 Scholars, 876 And there were within the township at that time 19 stores 12 taverns 5 grist-mill 6 saw-mills 1 tannery 1 clover-mill 1 hulling-mill 2 distilleries 2 slate factories, 1 slate quarry The population of Lehigh township at the last census was 3,496. It contains, at the present time, five churches one Lutheran three Evangelical one United Brethren, one Catholic sixteen school houses nine stores eight grist-mills two slate factories nine slate quarries. SLATE QUARRIES. The Little Gap Slate Quarry, at Danielsville, was started by Owen Jones and Owen Williams, on the property of Mr John Henry. Charles B. Daniels bought the lease of them in 1848, and worked it, in connection with his Christian Springs Quarry, until 1862 or 1863, when he sold it to William Henry Harper, who is still working it. While Mr. Daniels operated it, he also owned most of the property in the vicinity; and as he was working it extensively, getting out from 12,000 to 15,000 squares per year, and employing a large number of men, he erected several buildings near by, adding so much to the prosperity of the place, that the inhabitants, in gratitude to him, named it Danielsville. The Heimbach Quarry, leased by Caskil & Emack, employs from eighty to one hundred hands. They manufacture school, roof, and mantel slate, and find their market principally in Europe. The Eagle Quarry, operated by Hower Brothers, is located about four miles east of Slatington, and two northeast of Cherryville. The Hower Brothers employ about eighty hands at their works. Market-United States and Europe 251 Roberts & Griffith are running the Harper Quarry, which is located four miles east of Slatington, and one south of the mountain. Market -United States and Europe. First, National, or Henrys Quarry, leased and operated by Roberts & Lerch, is located one mile southeast of Danielsville, and seven east of Slatington. Twenty hands are employed by this firm. Market-UnitedStates and Europe. The Welsh Quarry, owned by William P. Williams, of Rockville, was opened during the year, and is now forty-five feet deep. The slate of this quarry are equal to any in the country, and never fade. H. W. Harper's slate factory is located four miles east of Slatington, and two southeast of Danielsville. It turns out about 2,000 cases a year, which are sold principally in America. Mr. Abraham Lerch is now operating a slate factory which turns out about 3,000 cases of slate per year, which find a ready market in fill parts, of the world. He is also proprietor of one of the largest stores in Lehigh township, Mr. Lerch commenced business here in 1840. EARLY CHURCH ORGANIZATION. There was a church organization in existence in this township in 1762, during the reign of George the Third. The gospel, at this time, was supplied by the Rev. Johannes Andrew Frederick, and the elders were Michael Keppel, Conrad Genisel, and Jacob Roth. The first child baptized was William Weldon, A. D. 1762. It seems they were without, a church at this time, but, erected one in 1772, ten years later. The minister who preached in 1772 was John Conrad Steiner, and the Elders Jacob Bowman Jacob Leinberger Nicholas Snyder John Balliet The third church has been erected during the past year, on the site where the others stood of 1772, This is the old Indian Land Church.