Union County History: Annals of the Buffalo Valley by John Blair Lynn Pages 244 thru 281 Contributed for use in USGenWeb by Tony Rebuck 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 submitter PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to state and county table of contents. 1787 FAMILIES IN WHITE DEER HOLE VALLEY - ANDREW GREGG's WEDDING - CALL TO REVEREND HUGH MORRISON - MEMBERS OF HIS CONGREGATION. MEMBERS of Assembly: Samuel Maclay and John White. Sheriff, Thomas Grant. County Commissioners, John Lytle, Walter Clark, and William Gray. Buffalo township: Constable, John Clark; Overseers, David Watson and Michael Vought; Supervisors, Thomas Forster and Andrew Billmyer; Assessor, William Irwin, Esquire; Assistants, William Moore and Flavel Roan; Collector, John Sierer. Among residents - Anderson, William; Barber, Thomas; Barber, Samuel; Baum, Charles; Carothers, William; Dixon, Sankey; Getz, Adam; Irwin, Matthew; Johnson, Christopher; Nevius, Christian; Pickle, Jacob; Wales, Henry. White Deer, additional residents - Falls, James; Farley, Caleb; Farley, John; Laird, Matthew; Marshall, Richard. Washington - Grub, Peter; Hagerman, James; Lawson, John; Sips, Joseph; Swan, Samuel. Penn's, among residents, &c. - Ball, George; Bickle, Simon, distillery; Biegh, Frederick; Burkert, John; Bright, Michael; Ditzler, 1787.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 245 John; Grum, Jacob; Herrold, Simon, hemp-mill; Hertz, John; Kremer, Daniel; Lutz, John; Manning, Nathan; Miller, Widow, saw-mill; Motz, John, oil-mill; Mumma, John; Reedy, Peter; Ruch, John; Snyder, John; Stump, William, with distillery; Swineford, Albright, taxed with a slave; Zieber, Adam. Isle of Que: Weaver, Michael, junior; Wayland, George. Sketches by John F. Wolfinger, Esquire. In 1787, White Deer Hole valley had fourteen families of white settlers, whose names and places of residence were as follows: 1. Rachel Weeks, an old English widow woman, occupied a small log hut or cabin, near the mouth of White Deer Hole creek, between the bank of the river and where the fine brick mansion of John S. Smith now stands. Rachel had six children, named Jeth, Job, Hanna, Jemima, Naomi, and Annie. 2. Thomas Weisner, occupied a cabin on the river bank, near where the bridge at Uniontown now crosses the river Susquehanna, about half a mile north of Rachel Weeks'. Thomas, who had a wife and six or seven children, afterwards moved away to parts unknown. 3. John Rumsey, occupied a cabin on the river bank, north of Wiesner's, and had a wife and nine children, and a small farm here. He is supposed to have come here from the State of New York, and soon after returned to that State. He talked English. 4. George Gray, occupied a cabin on the river bank, about three quarters of a mile north of Rumsey's, and had a wife and three chil- dren. He talked English, and worked at little jobs around among his neighbors, but moved away about two years afterward to parts unknown. 5. Marcus Huling, occupied a cabin on the river bank, about three hundred yards north of Gray's, and had a wife and five children. He talked English, and worked at his trade, being a blacksmith. He afterwards moved higher up, or west, into the Valley, and from thence to Newberry, and from thence again to Youngmanstown, (Mifflinburg,) and finally into York State. He is supposed to have been a cousin of the Marcus Huling, also a blacksmith, who lived at the town of Milton at that day. 6. Cornelius Vanfleet, a New Jerseyman, occupied a cabin that 246 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1787. stood on the White Deer Hole creek, a little west of the widow Weeks' He acted as a justice of the peace for many years, and died here on the 7th of December, 1841, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. His remains lie buried in the Presbyterian grave-yard. 7. Peter Dougherty, an Irishman, occupied a cabin on the White Deer Hole creek, about a mile and a quarter above the mouth of the creek. He had a wife and children, and afterwards moved farther west into the Valley, and finally out to the State of Ohio. 8. Eleanor Brown, commonly called "Nellie Brown." She was the widow of Matthew Brown, already noticed, and occupied a cabin on the White Deer Hole creek, about two and a half miles west of its mouth. She died at her son's, William Brown's, cabin, that stood about half a mile west of her own cabin, on the 9th of August, 1814, and her descendants are still found in this Valley and its adjacent parts. 9. Samuel Swan, occupied a cabin that stood about two hundred and thirteen yards due west of Eleanor Brown's. Swan talked English, had a wife and children, and afterwards moved away to parts unknown. 10. Seth McCormick, an Irishman, occupied a cabin on South creek, a branch of White Deer Hole creek, about a mile west of Swan's cabin. Seth died here on the 17th of January, 1835, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. His remains lie buried in the old Presbyterian, (now Lutheran,) grave-yard, at the "stone church," on the south-west side of Penny Hill. He left a wife and nine children, and his descendants are still living here, and occupy a part of their great ancestor's estate. 11. Thomas McCormick, an Irishman, and a brother of Seth's, occupied a cabin on South creek, about half a mile from Seth's. He seems to have acted as a justice of the peace for some years. He died on the 6th of October, 1826, aged seventy-two years, and his remains also lie buried in the old grave-yard, near the above "stone church." 12. Jesse Weeks, a son of the widow Weeks, already noticed, occupied a cabin that stood on the north side of "Spring creek," the northern branch of White Deer Hole creek, and about four miles west of its junction with "South creek." Jesse Weeks died here, but his age and place of burial are unknown. 1797.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 247 13. Daniel Sunderland, an Englishman, occupied a cabin that stood about a mile further up on Spring creek, and he died there. 14. John Farley, a New Jerseyman, came here in 1787, from the State of New Jersey, with a wife and seven children, named Jacob, Barbara, Minard, John, Davul, Naomi, and Fanny. He immediately built himself a log cabin, and occupied it, on White Deer Hole creek, about two hundred feet from where the dwelling house of the late Charles Gudykunst now stands, and being an active and enterprising man, he soon afterwards built himself a log grist-mill here, the first one in the Valley, as already stated. I have obtained all of the above facts relative to these fourteen families, (excepting what relates to their times of death and places of burial.) from Mr. John Fancy, a son of the above John Fancy, and who is still living in our Valley. a venerable white haired old gentleman, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, whose house I visited for that purpose on Tuesday, the 17th of July, 1870. He says: "I was born in Tewksbury township, Hunterdon county, State of New Jersey, on the 9th of July, 1783, and came here into this Valley with my father, John Fancy, in 1787, when I was four years old. And I have resided here ever since, for the long space of eighty-three years, and knew and remember the names of all the white settlers that lived in this Valley in the spring of 1787, when I came here, and where their log huts or cabins stood, and how their cabins were made. My father built one of the same kind of cabins here in 1787, and four or five years afterwards he also built a small log grist mill here, with but one pair of grinding stones in it; the first grist-mill erected in this Valley. In the year 1800, my father, after living here thirteen years, moved back to the State of New Jersey. But he died here in this Valley in June, 1822, while he was up here on a visit to me and my family. He was upwards of seventy years of age when he died, and my brothers and sisters are all dead. and I am now the only one left of all my father's family. Very great changes have taken place in the appearance of this Valley, its farms, houses, barns, &c., since I came here; changes far greater than any I ever expected to see here, and all for the better." John Swineford opened the first hotel at Middleburg, Snyder county. 10th June, George Derr sells George Knox as much water 248 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1787. as will run out of an inch hole at the bottom of the race, two poles from Derr's house. 29th January, Andrew Gregg was married by the Reverend John Hoge to Martha Potter, daughter of General James Potter, at the latter's residence, the first farm above Jacob McCorley's, Esquire. Mr. Gregg rode up from Carlisle on horseback, and brought Mr. Hoge with him. There were then no Presbyterian clergymen settled in this part of the country, and some sixteen or seventeen couples took advantage of Mr. Hoge's presence, hurried up their matches, as Mr. Hoge had to return to Carlisle within a limited time. Andrew Gregg moved to Oldtown, now Lewistown, where his first daughter, Mary, afterward Mrs. McLanahan, of Greencastle, was born, November 3, 1788. In 1789 Mr. Gregg moved to Penn's valley, within two miles of Old Fort. In 1790 he was elected member of Congress, and by seven successive elections for several districts, as they were arranged from time to time, including one by a general vote over the whole State, was continued a member of that body for sixteen successive years, and during the session of 1806-1807 was elected a member of the Senate of the United States. In December, 1820, Governor Hiester appointed him Secretary of the Commonwealth. He died in Bellefonte, on the 20th of May, 1835, aged eighty years. He had removed there some years previous, for the purpose of educating his children. His wife died in 1815. He was born on the Conodoguinet creek, near Carlisle, July 10, 1755, and received a classical education; was tutor for some years in the University of Pennsylvania, and first settled at Middletown, Pennsylvania, where he kept store. He had a fine library, containing all the Greek and Latin classics, most of which are still in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. Margery Tucker, of Lewisburg. His grandchildren, Governor A. G. Curtin, General D. M. Gregg, and General John I. Gregg, have flung far forward into the future the light of their family fame. In May, 1787, a call was given to the Reverend Hugh Morrison,* by the Buffalo Cross-Roads congregation, in connection with the con- *The Reverend Hugh Morrison, the first regular pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this Valley, came from Ireland, Presbytery of Root, in 1756. Among the records of the Synod, under date May 18, 1756, "the Presbytery of Donegal reported that they had, since our last meeting, admitted Hugh Morrison, a licensed candidate from the Presbytery of Root In Ireland," &c. 1787.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 249 gregations of Northumberland and Sunbury, and among the records of the Synod, May 22, 1788, is the following: Carlisle Presbytery reports that it has, since our last meeting, ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry Mr. Samuel W. Wilson, in the pastoral charge of "Big Spring" congregation, and Mr. Hugh Morrison, in the pastoral charge of the Sunbury, Northumberland and Buffalo Valley congregations. The following is a copy of the call, for which, with other material in reference to this church, I am indebted to Isaac Grier, D. D., of Mifflinburg: "Mr. HUGH MORRISON, Preacher of the Gospel: SIR: We, the subscribers, members of the united congregations of Buffalo, Sunbury, and Northumberland, having never in these places had the stated administration of the Gospel Ordinances, yet highly prizing the same, and having a view to the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ, and the spiritual edification of ourselves and families, have set ourselves to obtain that blessing among us. And, therefore, as we have had the opportunity of some of your labors in these places, and are satisfied with your soundness, piety, and ministerial ability to break unto us the bread of life, we do most honestly and sincerely, in the name of the Great Shepherd of the flock, Jesus Christ, call and invite you to come and take the pastoral charge and oversight of us in the Lord. And for your encouragement, we do promise, if God shall dispose your heart to embrace this our call, that we will pay a dutiful attention to the word and ordinances of God by you administered; that we will be subject to your administrations and reproofs, should our falls and miscarriages expose us thereto; and will submit to the discipline of the Church, exercised by you agreeably to the word of God. And, also, that we will treat your person with friendship and respect, and behave in all things towards you as becomes a christian society to behave towards their pastor, who labors among them in word and doctrine. Further, we are persuaded that those who serve at the altar, should live by the altar. We do promise, in order that you may be as much as possible freed from worldly incumbrances, to provide for you comfortable and honorable maintenance, in the manner as set forth in our subscription papers attending this our call, during your continuance with us as our regular pastor. In witness of our hearty desire to have 250 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1787. you settle among us, we hereunto set our names this 315t day of May, 1787." Signed by seventeen from Northumberland, eight from Sunbury, and forty-eight from Buffalo. On it is the following deputation: "We, the undersigned, do nominate, appoint, and intrust the Reverend Mr. Wilson with the annexed call for the Reverend Mr. Morrison, to be by him presented to the moderator of the Carlisle Presbytery, for the purpose mentioned. Signed: William Gray and Abram Scott, for Sunbury; William Cooke and James Hepburn, for Northumberland; and William Clark, for Buffalo." In October, Reverend Hugh Morrison became pastor of the Buffalo Cross-Roads Presbyterian church. The congregation engaged to pay him £75 per year. From a list of contributing members found in the treasurer's book, I gather the following names: Anderson, John; Allen, Joseph; Baldy, Christopher; Barrett, James; Black, Thomas; *Boyd, James; *Brady, John; *Buchanan, James; *Charters, William; Clarke, Captain John; Clark, Robert; *Clark, Walter; *Clark, William; Cox, Samuel; Cox, Tunis; Davis, David; *Davis, John; Derr, George; *Douglass, William; Dugan, William; Elder, Thomas; Evans, Joseph; *Farley, John, Fleming, William; *Forster, Andrew; *Forster, James; *Fruit, Robert; Graham, Edward; *Gray, John; Gray, Captain William; Green, Joseph; Grogan, Charles; Hammersty, George; *Holmes, Jonathan; Hudson, Joseph; Huntsman, James; Hutchinson, Thomas; Irvine, William; Irvine, Matthew; *Irwin, William, Esquire; Johnston, Christopher; Kennedy, Alexander; *Kelly, Colonel John; Knox, George; Laird, Matthew; Lewis, Paschall; Links, George; *Linn, John; Lowdon, Captain John; McClenachan, William and Andrew; McDougal, William; McGrady, Alexander; Maclay, Samuel; Magee, James; Marshall, William; *Miller, Benjamin; Milligan, John; Montgomery, Samuel; Moore, George; Nichols, William; Poak, Charles; *Poak, Joseph; *Poak, Thomas; Poak, Widow; Porter, Samuel; *Ray, John; Rees, Daniel; Reznor, John; Roan, Flavel; Rodman, Widow; Rorison, Alexander; Scroggs, Allen; Sherer, Richard and Joseph; Sims, William; Snodgrass, David; Steele, Alexander; *Thompson, Captain James; *Thompson, John; Vanvolsan, Levi; *Watson, David; Williams, William; and Wilson, William. Shortly after Mr. Morrison's arrival, an election for elders re- 1787.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 251 sulted in the choice of Walter Gark, John Linn, William Irwin, David Watson, John Reznor, and Joseph Allen. The subscriptions by the more wealthy attendants upon service were Andrew Forster, £2; Samuel Maclay, John Lowdon, and William Irwin, each, £1 10s. William Irvine £1 6s.; James Forster £1 2s. Those marked (*) were signers of Mr. Morrison's call, and as such, in 1803, were sued for back stipends. The principal and interest and costs, when they made the last payment, in December, 1810, was $1,179.30. September 17, the Constitution of United States was adopted, and on December 12, the State Convention ratified it. The delegates to the latter from Northumberland county were Colonel William Wilson and his partner, John Boyd. They then kept store in the town of Northumberland. In 1791, Colonel Wilson built the Chillisquaque mills, at the mouth of that creek, and moved to that place. At November sessions, the road commencing at the head of Penn's valley; thence through Aaronsburg to the road at Richard Lowdon's barn; thence down the same to John Davidson's ferry, was laid out. Deaths. Alexander Beatty, of New Berlin. Children: Jane, Agnes, Hugh, John, Hannah, Sarah, James, and Alexander. The deceased carried on the first tannery in the Valley, on site of present town of New Berlin. Matthew Young, of Buffalo. Children: Margaret, (see her capture, related 1781,) still living, in 1787, John, Sarah, and Agnes. One of his daughters married Robert Dixon. Sarah was residing in Westmoreland county, in March, 1796, when she gave Colonel Kelly and Captain Thompson a letter of attorney to draw her share under her father's will. John Snyder, original owner of Selinsgrove, brother of Simon, subsequently Governor. John McClung, of Buffalo. Children: John, James, Matthew, Charles, Rebecca, Esther, and Elizabeth. Sebastian Kerstetter, of Beaver. Children: Martin, Lenhart, Peter, Sebastian, Catharine, and Margaret. James Thom, of Buffalo. [End of page 251.] 1788 DREISBACH CHURCH - ROADS - HOUSES IN LEWISBURG - MATTHEW LAIRD'S FAMILY. MEMBER of Council, William Maclay. Members of Assembly, Samuel Maclay and John White. County Commissioners, William Gray, Peter Hosterman, and John Lytle. Treasurer, John Buyers. By act of 26th of September, the Buffalo election place was changed from Fought's to Andrew Billmyer's tavern, on the road mentioned below. In August, Christian Van Gundy, William Irvine, John Thompson, David Watson, and Andrew Billmyer reported that they had laid out the road, beginning at Derrstown, on the West Branch; thence to the meeting- house, in Buffalo; thence to Thompson's mill, on Buffalo creek; thence to the east side of George Rote's lane, where it intersects the road leading from Davidson's ferry to the narrows; distance, nine and a half miles. (Thompson's mill became Rockey's in 1789.) This is the road leading past the late Francis Wilson's, (by old Billmyer place,) to Mifflinburg. In November, John Clarke, John Lowdon, and Philip Voneida reported a road from Michael Shirtz's, at the narrows of Penn's creek, past Peter Kester's, on the Cole place, to a pine tree at the end of Colonel Clarke's lane. This is still the main road down Penn's creek, through Laurelton, Hartleton, and then south of the turnpike to Mifflinburg. Additional Residents of Buffalo - Betz, Abraham; Bogenreif, Christopher; Caldwell, Samuel; Dobbins, Robert; Miller, Chris- 1788.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 253 tian Sims, William, weaver, at Alexander McGrady's; Vanvalzah, Doctor Robert Yentzer, Christian. Lewisburg - Eaton, John; Grove, Wendell; Kendig, Jacob, (Isle of Que;) McCracken, Widow; Scroggs, Allen; Wise, Frederick. Improvements in White Deer - John Bear's saw-mill. Among Residents - Adams, Joseph; Bennage, Samuel; Denning, Samuel; Derr, Frederick; Henning, Philip, distillery; Hoover, John; Linn, William, on Joseph Brundage's place; McLanahan, Andrew; Perry, Thomas. Single Men, taxed 10s. each - Black, Timothy; Hammersly, James; Iddings, Isaac; Iddings Henry; Laird, Moses; Scott, Thomas; Smith, Ludwig. Penn's Township - Bickle, Tobias, grist-mill; Brownlee, William; Bowerman, Daniel; Buchtell, John; Carstetter, Bostian; Eberhart, Philip; Howell, Adam; Kay, Frederick; Koons, John; Meiser, Henry, saw- mill; Miller, Widow, saw-mill; Miller, Benjamin; Notestone, John; Neiman, Weiand; Pyle, George, distillery and saw-mill; Quinn, William; Quinn, Thomas; Rush, Daniel; Shipton, Thomas, distillery; Shock, Jacob, grist and saw-mill; Snyder, S.; Spade, David; Spade, Jacob; Swineford, George. The following memorandum, relative to the Dreisbach church, is derived from the late John Schrack, Esquire: "In this year the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations united in building a log church, where the Dreisbach Church now stands. John Pontius had set apart some land, on the south end of the Bucher tract, for a church and burying-ground, (the family burying-ground is still there,) but Martin Dreisbach, senior, offering to donate seven and a half acres for that purpose, it was judged best to accept that. On the part of the Reformed, John Aurand and Elias Younkman were trustees; Martin Dreisbach and Jacob Grozean were elders; Peter Frederick and Henry Dreisbach, deacons. On the Lutheran side, Herman J. Shellhart was pastor; Christian Storms and Adam Christ were trustees; Casper Bower and Henry Meizner, elders; Jacob Metzgar and John Sierer, deacons. The names of some of the members of the Reformed Church were: Aurand, George; Aurand, Henry; Barnhart, Matthias; Barnhard, Henry; Brown, John; Dreisbach, John; Dreisbach, Jacob; Frederick, George; Fisher, George; 254 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1788. Mook, Jacob; Michael Vought, and John Pontius. Of the Lutheran, John G. Buch, George Bower, John Hiltman, Stephen Duchman, Jacob Gebhart, John Meizner, Leonard Welker, Mathias Alsbaugh, Adam Kreichbaum, William Rockey, Peter Fisher, Leonard Groninger, George Smith, Christopher Wagner, Adam Meizner, George Buch, Christopher Bickel, Jacob Welker, Christopher Baldy, John Crider. In 1839 the log church was taken down, and a brick building erected. Among the pastors of this church were Dietrick Aurand, Gentzler, Pfriemer, Shelihart, Geisweit, William Ilgen, John C. Walter, and Herbst, but the dates of their service are unknown." In November, William Gray, Esquire, deputy surveyor, made a re- survey of Lewisburg, and in his plan indicated the roads then existing, and the lots built upon, with their occupiers. The road from Sunbury to Muncy is marked as along the bank, on the opposite side of the river, and Captain John Brady's house as immediately opposite Strohecker's landing. Thomas Rees is marked as the owner of the house at Strohecker's, and the road to Penn's valley, as running directly west from it. The road from Sunbury to Buffalo and Penn's valley is marked as intersecting the last mentioned road, some distance from the river, and crossing Limestone run, opposite Third street then entering Fourth street, and running along it out to the creek, it crossed the creek at Colonel Slifer's upper farm, the site of the new iron bridge built there, then the site of High's saw- mill, the remains of which are yet visible, where it intersected a road leading up to Gundy's mill above, and thence up the Valley. From High's mill at the creek it ran over to William Gray's, (there was no road then crossing Buffalo creek at its mouth;) thence by Robert Fruit's, &c. There were no houses west of Fourth street, and the first one on it is where John Griffin built a fine house, (1871.) Alexander Steele had a house where John Beeber resided, and a tan-yard, on that square. Edward Long lived opposite, on the Charles Buyer lot, and next to him, north, was Wendell Grove. John Bolinger had a house on the alley behind William Nogel's present residence. John Hamersly lived on the corner of Third and St. George, where Reverend Job Harvey now lives. There was also a small log house, burned down some thirty-five years ago on the same lot. On Second, George Troxell lived, and owned the adjoining lot. 1788.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 255 Doctor Buyers built the present house, on the corner of St. Cathe- rine's, where Troxell lived. There was a house also on Spyker's corner, opposite James S. Marsh's new residence. Jacob Welker lived on the site of Marsh's new house. David Snodgrass lived on the Chronicle lot, opposite where his widow afterwards kept a cake and beer saloon. Nicholas Smith occupied the only house on Market, now Jonathan Wolfe's lot, west of his residence. The two lots where the depot now stands are marked "Roman Chapel." On Front, Joseph Evans, cabinet-maker, had the only house, on the lot now owned by William Cameron, Esquire. Joseph Sherer lived on the corner of Water street, where Halfpenny's woolen store or warehouse now is. William Williams had a store where Martin Hahn's stone house is now. Ellenckhuysen's ferry was opposite to it. Henry Conser, probably, lived where Spyker's heirs now live. He was the grandfather of Reverend S. L. M. Conser, so James Kelly tells me. Thomas Armor, probably, lived on the Griffin lot, and the only other inhabitant of Lewisburg, Flavel Roan, lived in Derr's tenant house. Where that was I do not know. Roan owned three lots, James Walls, John Nesbit, and Henry Frick's, lying close together, and had the ferry over Buffalo creek. George Derr, of course, lived at the mill. The old house stood in what is now the garden, just two rods north-east of the place where Hull's tannery water-pipe taps the race. George Knox, father of Mrs. William Armstrong, probably, made his tan-yard this year, where E. J. Hull now has his. In July of 1787, George Derr conveyed to Knox, for tan-yard purposes, as much water as will run out of an inch hole, at the bottom of the race, two poles from Derr's house. October 1, William Maclay and Robert Morris, first United States Senators from Pennsylvania, elected. A paper of the day says: "The landed and commercial interests of the State will be well represented." The Congressmen were elected on a general ticket, and not from districts. Matthew Laird, who came to the Valley this year, is the ancestor of a large generation. He came originally from Ireland, where his son James was born. He was a wagoner with General Braddock's army, and was in Colonel Dunbar's camp when the news came back of General Braddock's defeat, 9th July, 1755. [See his statement in 256 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1788. the Colonial Records, volume 6, page 482.] He says, "a wounded officer was carried into camp on a sheet; then they beat to arms, on which the wagoners and many common soldiers took to flight, in spite of the sentries, who forced many to return, but many got away, among them, this examinant." His daughter, Isabella Black, was twelve years old when he came to White Deer. Matthew Laird died in August, 1821. His children were James, John, Isabella, married to James Black, Moses, (father of R. H. Laird, Esquire,) who died in Derry, in January, 1816, Margaret, married to John Blakeney, Matthew, who died in Tiffin, Ohio, Elizabeth, and Ann. Moses married Jane Hayes, and their son, Reverend Matthew, married a Miss Myers, and went out as missionary to Africa, dying there, May 4, 1834. Their other children were John, Mrs. McCalmont, Mrs. Joseph Milliken, of Clinton county, _________, married William Caldwell. Deaths. Leonard Groninger, leaving widow, Elizabeth. Children: Leonard, Daniel, Jacob, Susanna, Margaret, and Elizabeth. Jacob Aurand. John Rearick, senior. Children: Mary and John. Margaret Green, wife of Joseph. 1789. BOUDE FAMILY - FIRST RESIDENTS OF BEAVER TOWNSHIP. FIRST GERMAN REFORMED PASTOR - MANUFACTURERS, &c. - DEATHS OF MAJOR LAWRENCE KEENE AND GENERAL JAMES POTTER. PRESIDENT of the State, Thomas Mifflin. William Wilson, member of the Supreme Executive Council. Samuel Maclay and John White, members of Assembly. William Montgomery, President Judge. Abraham Piatt, William Shaw, &c., Associates. July 28th, Jasper Ewing, Esquire, appointed Prothonotary, vice Major Lawrence Keene, deceased. John Simpson, re-appointed Register and Recorder; Frederick Antes, Treasurer; Martin Withington, elected Sheriff. County Commissioners, John Lytle, Peter Hosterman, and William Hepburn. Commissioner's Clerk, H. Douty. Bernard Hubley, Lieutenant of the county. On the 7th of January, the first election for presidential electors resulted in the choice of General Edward Hand, Colonel George Gibson, John Arndt, Colinson Reed, Lawrence Keene, James Wilson, James O'Hara, Colonel David Grier, Samuel Potts, and Alexander Graydon. November 19th, Daniel Brodhead, Surveyor Genera], appointed the following deputy surveyors: Henry Vanderslice, for part of Berks; Joseph J. Wallis, for part of Northumberland; James Harris, for part of Mifflin; William Gray, part east of the Susquehanna. Officers of Buffalo: Constable, C. Baldy; Overseers, Isaac Hanna and Wendell Baker; Supervisors, William Williams and James Watson; Fence Viewers, John Crider and Benjamin Miller. 258 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY 1789. Additional Taxables of Buffalo - Mathias Alsbach; Henry Fulton, merchant at Lewisburg; Philip Grove, Jacob Kephart, Joseph Oldts, George Oldts, William Rockey, John Rengler, (grist and saw-mill,) Henry Sassaman, John Shuck. Officers of White Deer - Constable, Robert Clark; Supervisors, John Lackey and Samuel Dale; Overseers, Thomas Hutchinson and Richard Irwin. Additional resident, Roan McClure, (taxed with a negro.) Caleb Farley built the grist-mill on White Deer Hole creek, late Charles Gudykunst's. January 1st, Paschall Lewis married to Elizabeth Boude by Colonel John Kelly, justice. The Boudes were a highly respectable family, from Lancaster county, one of whom, Major Thomas Boude, distinguished himself as an officer in the revolutionary war, and stands connected with some of the largest and most respectable families in our Valley. Thomas Barber's wife, Mary, and Robert Barber, Esquire's wife, Sarah, were Boudes, sisters of Mrs. Lewis. Names of the Residents of Beaver Township, taken from an Assessment made by Daniel Hassinger, in April, 1789. Albright, Jacob; Aupel, Peter; Barnes, John; Beak, Frederick; Beard, Jacob; Bell, George; Bopp, Conrad; Boutch, Anthony, distillery; Breiner, Philip; Briesenger, Conrad; Carrel, Hugh; Carrel, Frederick; Christy, James; Clark, James; Deininger, Frederick; Deward, Francis; Dido, Frantz; Diese, Michael; Dries, John; Dries, Jacob; Dries, Peter; Everhart, Barnard; Everhart, Frederick; Gift, Adam; Gooden, Moses; Gothers, Henry; Grim, Jacob; Hall, Matthew; Hartz, John; Hassinger, Jacob; Hassinger, Daniel, saw-mill; Hassinger, Frederick; Herbster, David; Houser, Jacob; Kern, Yost, (Joseph;) Kline, George; Kline, Christopher; Kline, Stophel; Kricks, Jacob; Krose, Henry; Krose, (Gross,) Henry, junior; Krose, Daniel; Laber, John; Lepley, Jacob; Lewis, Thomas; Manning, Nathan; Mattox, Jacob; Maurer, Michael; Maurer, Michael, junior; Meek, Andrew; Meek, Peter; Meyer, John; Meyer, John, (weaver;) Meyer, Mary; Michael, Jacob; Mook, George; Moon, Nathaniel; Moriarty, Francis; Mumma, John; Nerhood, Henry; Newcomer, 1789.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 259 Peter; Nyer, Nicholas, grist-mill; Oatley, Edward; Oatley, Asa; Philips, Benjamin; Poe, Jacob; Reger, Adam; Reger, Elias; Reigelderfer, Adam; Roush, Jacob; Royer, Stephen; Royer, Bastian; Sharred, Jacob; Snyther, John; Snyder, Peter; Stock, George; Straub, Andrew, grist-mill and two distilleries; Strayer, Mathias; Stroub, Jacob; Stull, Mathias; Stump, William, distillery; Thomas, John; Thomas; George; Treminer, Paul; Vanhorn, Daniel; Walter, Jacob; Wannemacher, Casper; Watts, John; Weiss, Stophel, grist-mill; Wiant, Jacob; Woods, John; Yost, Widow; Young, Matthew. Single men taxed ten shillings each: Collins, Joseph; Gift, Anthony; Gross, John; Haasinger, John; Hassinger, Henry; Lewis, Stephen; Lewis, Enos; Manning, Elisha; Manning, Nathan; Phillips, Benjamin; Sherrard, George; Strayer, Mathias. In March or April, the German Reformed Churches of Mahony, Sunbury, Middle Creek, and Buffalo Valley, united in a call to Reverend Jonathan Rahauser, which he accepted, and accompanied by Mr. Jacob Meyer, he arrived in his new field September 22. He only performed such duties as come within the province of a licentiate until the 27th of June, 1791, when he was ordained, at Lancaster, by the coetus of the church. It is well to observe here, that all regular ministers of the German Reformed Church in the United States, although they had a coetus, or assemblage of ministers, of their own, from the year 1748, were under the care, and received their authority from the Church of Holland until about the year 1791. Mr. Rahauser was one of the first ordained without authority from Holland. His application having been transmitted thither, and no reply received. In October, 1792, Mr. Rahauser removed to Hagerstown, Maryland, and took charge of the congregation there. He died there September 25, 1817. He was a very energetic and laborious pastor, and caught his last sickness, in crossing a swollen creek, to fulfill one of his appointments. He was the first regular German Reformed clergyman who performed stated services in our Valley. He died at the early age of fifty-two. Harbaugh's "Fathers." At May Session, Samuel Mathers, Colonel John Clarke, John Macpherson, Christian Shively, and William Moor make report that they have laid out the road from the second hollow in the Big Blue 260 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY [1789. hill to Hardey's house, where Peter Kester now lives, on the road from Davidson's ferry to Penn's valley. On the 19th of October, a convention was held at Paxton, to take measures for the improvement of the river. Charles Smith, Anthony Selin, William Wilson, Frederick Antes, Aaron Levy, Andrew Straub, and others, were delegates. They resolved to do it by subscriptions, to be received in money, grain, or produce of any kind. Boyd & Wilson's store, in Northumberland, Yentzer & Derr, at Lewisburg, Selin & Snyder, in Penn's township, &c., were designated depositaries. Review of manufacturers, &c., in Buffalo Valley, in 1789 - Jona- than Holmes, tan-yard; John Dreisbach, gunsmith; James Watson, saw and grist-mill; William Jenkins, grist-mill; Christopher Weiser, fulling- mill; William Rockey, saw and grist-mill, formerly Fought's and John Rengler's grist and saw mill; George Wolfe, saw-mill; Benjamin Miller, merchant; George Knox, tan-yard; George Derr, two grist and two saw- mills; Henry Fulton, merchant; William & Alexander Steele, tan-yard; Joseph Green, grist and saw-mill; Wendell Baker, saw mill; Jacob Groshong, saw-mill; David Smith, saw and grist-mills; Benjamin Herr, merchant; Alexander Beatty, tan-yard. Distilleries in White Deer - William Gray, Philip Henning, Samuel Huston, Robert Carnahan, Matthew Laird, and Robert McCorley. The old log church at Buffalo Cross-Roads was repaired and somewhat enlarged in October. Deaths. March 10, Dreisbach, Anne Eve, wife of Martin, aged sixty-seven. In July, Lawrence Keene, prothonotary. He served in the Revo- lutionary war as captain, in the eleventh Pennsylvania, commissioned February 3, 1777, and as aid-de-camp to General St. Clair; promoted major, and mustered out November 3d, 1783. His wife was Gainor Lukens, a daughter of John Lukens, Surveyor General. He left three children, Samuel L., who died in Philadelphia, May 11, 1866; Lawrence, who married Maria Martin, daughter of the celebrated Luther Martin, and died August 13, 1813; and Jesse L. Keene, who died November 27, 1822. 1789.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY 261 David McClenachan, of White Deer. Adam Smith, of Buffalo, whose children were Adam, Mary, George, Catherine and Barbara. Major General James Potter died in the latter part of November or beginning of December. James Potter, junior's, letter to Chief Justice McKean is dated Penn's valley, December 10, 1789, in which he states, "doubtless before you receive this, you will have heard of the death of my father. - Pennsylvania Archives, volume 11, page 661. He was assisting in building the chimney of one of his tenant houses, in Penn's valley, and, in turning about suddenly, injured himself internally. He went to Franklin county, to have the benefit of Doctor McClelland's advice, and died at his daughter's, Mrs. Poe, and is buried in a grave-yard at Brown's Mills, near the present rail- road station of Marion, in that county, with no tablet to mark his grave. He was a son of John Potter, the first sheriff of Cumberland county, and in January, 1758, was a lieutenant, with William Blythe, in Colonel John Armstrong's battalion. He next appears in command of a company in pursuit of the Indians, who had murdered, that morning, July 26, 1764, a schoolmaster, named Brown, and ten children, near where the town of Greencastle now stands. He married a Miss Cathcart, sister of Mrs. George Latimer, of Philadelphia, who died, leaving a son and daughter. He then married Mrs. Chambers, sister of Captain William Patterson. He resided principally on the Ard farm, in White Deer township, just above New Columbia, though, no doubt, he changed his residence on account of the Indian troubles. One year, 1781, he resided in the Middle Creek settlement, now Snyder county, as the assessments show, and family tradition has it, his eldest son, John Potter, died there. In 1786, Pickering visited him at the Ard farm, and in 1787, Mrs. Gregg, his daughter, was married there. In personnel he was short and stout, with a hopeful disposition, which no troubles could conquer. In a letter, dated May 28, 1781, he says, "look where you will, our unfortunate country is disturbed, but the time will come when we shall get rid of all these troubles. His eldest daughter married Captain James Poe. Mary married George Riddles, who died March 14, 1796, and is buried at Northumberland, in the Presbyterian church-yard. Their daughter, Mary 262 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1789. A., married W. H. Patterson; Eliza, Doctor Joseph B. Ard, whose heirs still own the old place in White Deer; Martha, married Mr. Gregg. General Potter's son James married Mary Brown, daughter of Judge Brown, of Mifflin county. Of their children: 1, General James Potter, (third,) married Maria, daughter of General William Wilson, of Chillisquaque; 2, William Potter, Esquire, late of Bellefonte, attorney-at-law; 3, Mary P., married Doctor W. I. Wilson, of Potter's Mills; 4, John Potter; 5, Martha G., married to Abraham Valentine; 6, Peggy Crouch, married Doctor Charles Coburn, of Aaronsburg; 7, George L. Potter, Esquire, who practiced awhile at Danville, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Andrew G. Curtin, who is a daughter of Doctor W. I. Wilson, of Potter's Mills, is a great-granddaughter of the revolutionary general, and the Governor is a great-grandson, on the Gregg line of descent. John Lukens, Surveyor General of the State, died in October, and was succeeded by Colonel Daniel Brodhead, on the 3d of November. John Lukens' estate, at this date, (1877,) is still before an auditor for distribution. Charles Lukens Barnes, an heir, lived and died in Lewisburg, making his living sawing wood, while waiting for his share of this veritable Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce. [End of page 262.] 1790. OFFICIALS - SURVEY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA FOR INLAND NAVIGATION - NEW CONSTITUTION, AND ELECTIONS UNDER IT. THE following is a list of the county representatives and officials during the year, under the Constitution of 1776, which was superseded by the Constitution adopted September 2, 1790: William Wilson, Councilor; Samuel Maclay and John White, members of Assembly; William Montgomery, Presiding Justice; Jasper Ewing, Prothonotary; Martin Withington, Sheriff; Peter Hosterman, John Weitzel, and William Hepburn, County Commissioners. Officers of Buffalo: Constable, C. Baldy; Supervisors, George May and Alexander McCaley; Overseers, Peter Zeller and John Macpherson. Of White Deer: Constable, Robert Fruit; Supervisors, Joseph Poak and Alexander Stephens; Overseers, William Clark and Robert Martin. Additional Taxables in Buffalo - Betzer, William; Boveard, William; Cress, Conrad; Carroll, William; Campbell, John; Caldwell, William; Depuy, Hugh; Dunlap, William; Hempstead, Joshua; Jones, Benjamin; Lourey, Samuel; McDaniel, Daniel; Oatley, Isaiah; Porter, Samuel; Shreiner, Nicholas; Sherer, Joseph; Wilson, John; Clarke, Joseph; Mann, Philip; Wilson, Hugh, (father of Francis.) Additional Taxables in Penn's - Evans, Frederick; Metterling, Baltzer; Reiber, John; Stees, Frederick; Snyder, John S.; Weirick, Peter; Zerber, Peter; Snyder, Simon, (son of Henry.) 264 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY [1790. At February Sessions of the quarter sessions of Northumberland county, the name of Potter township (now in Centre) was changed to that of "Haines." In May, Josiah Haines and John Thornburg started a store in Lewisburg. Prices of grain at Philadelphia, in July, were, wheat, 9s. 6d.; rye, 6s.; oats, 3s. 5d.; Indian corn, 3s. 9d.; buckwheat, at 2s. Survey of the Susquehanna. On the 6th of April, Timothy Matlack, John Adlum, and Samuel Maclay were appointed commissioners to survey and examine the Swatara, part of the Susquehanna, Sinnemahoning creek, and the Allegheny river, with a view to the promotion of inland navigation. The commissioners started in May, and were engaged most of the summer in their work. Mr. Maclay's journal of this expedition is in the possession of his grandson, Doctor Samuel Maclay, of Mifflin county. On the 26th of April he started with James McLaughlin's boat, him, Edward Sweney, and Mathew Gray taken into pay. They went first down to the Swatara, which, it appears they were to examine, to see whether it could be made navigable; got to Herrold's on the 27th, where breakfast and a quart of whiskey cost him 5s. 2d.; then to Harrisburg and Lebanon. The commissioners, however, for some reason, failed to meet him. He, with the rest of the commissioners, came up on the 17th of May, and at Herrold's one of Erwin's boats came up, and they raced from that to Sunbury, McLaughlin's boat coming out ahead. From there they came up to the point at Northumberland, and dined with Colonel Wilson. Mr. Maclay then went over to visit his family, in Buffalo Valley. May 19, he says: Colonel Matlack detained the boat at Northumberland, to carry Josiah Haines' goods up to Derrstown, where he and one Thornburg are erecting a new store. The boat then came up to T. Rees', where Mr. Maclay wanted some things landed. At Derrstown they met with Captain Lowdon, who told Matlack that Rees had sent for Mr. Maclay, but Matlack would not wait. So he had to shoulder his baggage and follow on foot. He trudged through the rain and bad roads, up to James McLaughlin's, opposite the mouth of Warrior run, where he arrived at ten o'clock, and found the boat landed. 1790.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY 265 Major Adlum was detained at Northumberland until the 23d, when he joined them at Loyal Sock. He speaks of leveling the race-ground at Wallis's Island, (near Muncy, I suppose.) Sunday, 23d, they reached the mouth of Bald Eagle, at sunset, and stayed there on Monday, baking bread and providing horses. There they breakfasted with Mrs. Dunn. They leveled the Sinnemahoning, and also made canoes there. From "canoe place" Mr. Adlum and part of the men started and run a line to the Allegheny. The object of the expedition was to determine what method of communication the country would admit of, between the eastern and western parts of the State. He speaks of catching beaver, and of the large wolves that frequently crossed their track, in a very indifferent manner. On the 14th, he surveyed the West Branch of the Sinnemahoning, and got a little above Boyd's whetstone quarry. 15th, got to Bennett's cabin, three quarters of a mile above the forks. July 2d, they reached the Ohio, and went down it, having an Indian, named Doctor Thomas, for guide. At the State line, Con-ne- Shangom, the chief, had gone to Venango, but Captain John makes them a speech of welcome, which he inserts in full in the journal. Near this place Mr. Maclay met a Dutchman, who had been taken prisoner by the Indians in the last war, and chose to continue with them, and was living among them. July 7th, they had an interview with Cornplanter, at Jenoshawdego. The Indians were very jealous of them, until they explained their business. Cornplanter then welcomed them in a speech, which Mr. Maclay inserts. He says, we were addressed by an orator, on behalf of the women. The principal points were, that as they, the women, had the hardest part of the labor of making a living, they had a right to speak, and be heard. They welcomed them, because, they were the pioneers of the good roads that were to come, and make intercourse easy and merchandise cheaper, and they hoped good correspondence would make them all one people in the future. Colonel Matlack responded to this speech. They then went down to Captain John O. Beales' town, and "had the honor of his company for supper." July 14, they struck the old French road to Erie. He says the ruts were quite plain yet. He says, Lake Erie is a fresh water sea. "You can see the horizon and water meet;" They arrived at Fort Franklin, on the 20th. The commanding offi- 266 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1790. cer, Lieutenant Jeffries, was very polite to them. He speaks of kill- ing a cat-fish with Mr. Adlum's Jacob staff, which weighed ten and one half pounds. 2d of September, the new constitution was adopted by a convention, convened at Philadelphia, 24th November, 1789. Simon Snyder and Charles Smith,* Esquire, were the delegates from Northumberland county. The first election under the new constitution took place on the 12th of October. In Northumberland county, for Governor, Thomas Mifflin received 865 votes, to 68 cast for General Arthur St. Clair. William Montgomery, elected State Senator without opposition, having 1,029 votes. Samuel Maclay and John White were elected members of Assembly, over Samuel Wallis and Alexander Hunter; Martin Withington, sheriff, over Charles Gobin, John Boyd, and Flavel Roan; Joseph Lorentz, coroner; and Daniel Montgomery, county commissioner. John Simpson was re-appointed register and recorder. It having been decided that the powers of the House of Assembly and State officers were superseded by the constitution, on the 2d of September, the house in a paper filed, September 4, declined acting longer. On the 20th of December, the Executive Council ceased acting, and on the 21st, Governor Mifflin was inaugurated. February 17, by Reverend Hugh Morrison, Hugh Wilson married to Catherine, daughter of Captain William Irvine. Deaths. George Troxell, of Lewisburg. Christopher Haney, of Haines township. He was a private in Captain Clarke's company, in 1776. His children were Hieronimus, Christopher, Adam, John, Eve, Elizabeth, and Frederick. John Black, of Sunbury, (brother of James, of Lewisburg.) Ulrich Lotz. His children were John Jacob, Anna Maria, and Catherine. In his will he recommends his children to adhere strictly *Charles Smith was the third son of Doctor William Smith, Provost of the College at Philadelphia. He was admitted to the Sunbury bar, In 1786, and married, in 1791, to a daughter of Jasper Yeates, Esquire. He was the compiler of Smith's laws, and afterwards president judge of the Cumberland and Franklin district. He died in Philadelphia, In 1840, aged seventy-five. 179O.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 267 to the advice which Tobias, in fourth chapter, gives, "Keep God before your eyes," &c. Peter Burns, senior, of Buffalo. Jonas Fought. Children: Michael, Barbara, Ann Elizabeth. John Wierbach, (who lived upon the place next above Weidensaul's mill, in Hartley now.) He left a widow, Catherine, who died in 1804, of cancer. Sons: John, Nicholas. One daughter, married to Frederick Wise, who moved to Brush valley, Centre county. One married to John Hoover, and moved to Clearfield, and one married Philip Dale. One of his daughters was taken by the Indians. (See 1781.) Charles Grogan, of Buffalo, was returning home, from a wood- chopping, with a yoke of oxen, one cold night this winter, and, becoming bewildered, was frozen to death. He left a widow, sister of James Burney, and two sons, Alexander and James, and two daughters. His widow, after some years, married Henry Van Gundy, and removed to now Clinton county. James and Alexander Grugan, as they now write their names, became the heads of quite large families. Grugan township derives its name from this family. Honorable Coleman Grugan, late associate judge of Clinton county, is a grandson of Charles Grogan. - Maynard's Clinton County, page 153. [End of page 267.] 1791. LIST OF STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS - ADDITIONAL TAXABLES - DEATH OF DOCTOR WILLIAM PLUNKET - Mrs. SAMUEL MACLAY'S FAMILY LINEAGE. GOVERNOR, Thomas Mifflin. Judges of the Supreme Court, Thomas McKean, Edward Shippen, Jasper Veates. Attorney General, Jared Ingersoll. State Treasurer, Christian Febiger. Receiver General, Francis Johnston. Secretary of the Land Office, David Kennedy. Surveyor General, Daniel Brodhead. Secretary of the Commonwealth, A. J. Dallas. Deputy Secretary, James Trimble. The Judges of the several Courts were, Jacob Rush, President; William Montgomery, Joseph Wallis, Thomas Strawbridge, and John Macpherson, Associates, commissioned August 17. Jasper Ewing, Esquire, Prothonotary, August 17. Member of Congress, Andrew Gregg, representing Bedford, Northumberland, Huntingdon, Franklin, and Mifflin. Senator, William Montgomery. Members of Assembly, Samuel Maclay and John White. September 3, Flavel Roan was commissioned a Notary Public; he was sole notary in the county until his death; John Teitsworth succeeded him, April 26, 1815; Flavel Roan was commissioned Sheriff, October 18; William Hepburn, John Weitzel, and Daniel Montgomery were County Commissioners; Bernard Hubley, Lieutenant of the county; Justices of the Peace commissioned, Colonel Kelly, August 31; Simon Snyder, October 26; William Irwin, August 31; Captain William Gray, December 30; for Penn's and Beaver Dam, John Bishop, August 31. Frederick Evans was Deputy Surveyor of Peters, in Mifflin county, Haines, Beaver Dam, Penn's, and that part of Buffalo south of the 1790.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY 269 Indian purchase of 1754; Christopher Dering appointed Collector of Excise, September 1. Officers of Buffalo: Constable, Henry Pontius; Supervisors, John Crider and Peter Kester; Overseers, John Reznor and William Irwin White Deer: Constable, John Bear; Supervisors, Richard Fruit and Thomas Hutchinson; Overseers, Robert McCorley and John Steel. Martin Withington opened hotel in Mifflinburg. Additional residents in Lewisburg - Black, James, (ferry;) Ellen- huysen, Joseph; Lewis, Alexander; Metzgar, Jacob, innkeeper; Moore, John, blacksmith; Poak, William; Stroh, Nicholas. 27th May, Andrew Kennedy, senior, commenced the publication of the Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette, at Northumberland. This paper was extensively circulated in the Valley, and continued up to 1813. Among those assessed in Buffalo township - Barnhart, George; Barn- hart, Henry; Black, William; Book, George; Bower, Casper; Bower, George; Caldwell, Thomas; Cox, Tunis; Frantz, Lewis; Fox, Andrew; Gettig, Frederick; Getz, Peter; Getz, Andrew; Gibbons, Edward; Glover, John; Gooden, Moses; Graff, (Grove,) Philip; Grimes, Samuel; Hixon, John; Hudson, George; Kelly, Hugh; Kemmerling, Jacob; Leitzell, Anthony; Lowry, Andrew; Lowry, John; Lowry, Robert; Lowry, William; McElrath, Robert; McMurtrie, Hugh; Meizner, Adam; Metzgar, John; Patton, John; Richard, Henry, (name which disappears from the assessment after 1784, re-appears again with the supplement "thief," which is carried all through the assessments afterwards;) Rees, Daniel; Roan, Flavel; Sarvey, Jacob; Struble, Adam; Thornburg, John; Thompson, John, erects a mill to be driven by the water from Thompson's spring; Van Gundy, Christian; Van Gundy, Henry; Van Gundy, John; Weeker, William; Wilson, Hugh; Yentzer, Christian; Zimmerman, Christian; Zimmerman, Jacob. 4th August, 1791, Christopher Baldy, William Irwin, and Christian Yentzer, assessors. Robert Barber erects a saw-mill at White springs. Penn's - Adam, Widow; Berry, Jacob; Bishop, Jacob; Grove, Adam; Goy, Frederick, distillery; Gwynn, Hugh; Heimbach, 270 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY [1791. Peter; Housel, Peter; Oberdorf, Andrew, grist and saw-mill to Anthony Selin; Snyder, John, tan-yard; Stees, Frederick, grist, saw, and oil- mill; Thornton, John; Witmer, Peter, distillery, ferry, and saw-mill. Beaver - Bopp, Conrad, hemp-mill; Collins, David; Edmunson, William; Hassinger, Jacob, tan-yard; Johnston, John and James; Myer, Henry, grist and saw-mill; Myer, Jacob, tan-yard; Knepp, George; Sherrard, Jacob, grist and saw-mill; Wise, John, grist and saw-mill. Buffalo Cross-Roads Church. In October we find the pews in the Presbyterian Church at Buffalo Cross-Roads rated and rented for the first time. There were thirty- six pews or seats. No. 1, probably reserved for the minister's family; No. 2, rated at £3 5s., taken by David Watson, Colonel John Clarke, Alexander Kennedy, and Joseph Clark; No. 3, Thomas Forster, Andrew Forster, Robert Forster and Robert Chambers; No. 4, £3, Christopher Johnston; No. 5, Captain James Thompson, William Thompson, Samuel Porter, and James Boyd; No. 6, £2 15S., Arthur Clellan; No. 7, Robert Clark, Richard Sherer, and Joseph Allen; No. 8, Samuel Dale, Esquire, and Joseph Evans; No. 9, John Reznor and David Tate; No. 10, Samuel Mac- lay, (this seat he retained until his death, in 1811;) No. 11, John Steel, Joseph Hudson, and William Steele; No. 12, Joseph Green, £1 9s. 6d.; No. 13, James Irwin and Matthew Irwin; No. 14, William Irwin, Esquire, £2; No. 15, John Thompson; No. 16, Benjamin Miller; No. 17, John Ray, William and Thomas Black; No. 17, Roan McClure; No. 18, Mr. Lincoln; No. 19, George Knox; No. 20, Walter Clark; No. 21, William Irvine; No. 22, Jonathan Holmes and Joseph Sherer; No. 23, James Poak, William Poak, Widow Poak, and Thomas Poak; No. 24, Edward Graham and John Davis; No. 25, William Wilson and James Black; No. 26, vacant No. 27, John Linn, John Gray, and Joseph Patterson; No. 28, Robert Fruit and Gideon Smith; No. 29, William Gray and Thomas Howard; No. 30, William Clark, James Forster, and Widow Forster; No. 31, Thomas Elder, David Buchanan; and Robert Elder; No. 32, Charles Pollock, Thomas Hutchinson, and William Williams; No. 33, Colonel John Kelly and Captain Joseph Poak; No. 1791.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY 271 34, Samuel Demming, James Moore, (Widow Moore,) George Moore, Widow Fleming, Thomas Rodman, James Meginness; No. 35, Adam Laughlin, Widow McGrady and James Clelland; No. 36, Matthew Laird and Andrew McClenachan. With the meeting of Congress, at Philadelphia, on the 14th of October, we note the division of the people into two great parties, the Federalists and Democrats, the funding of the public debt, chartering the United States Bank, and other measures, inflaming the States Rights or Democratic party so much that, at this session, they, for the first time, appeared in open and organized opposition to the administration. - George Bead's Life, page 536. Notice of William Plunket William Plunket, the first presiding justice of Northumberland county, died in the spring of this year. He resided, as early as 1772, a little above Chillisquaque creek, at his place called "Soldiers' Retreat," now owned by Mr. Solomon Walters. He was the father of Mrs. Samuel Maclay, whose lineage is traceable to John Harris, senior, whose grave is yet to be seen on the bank of the river at Harrisburg, in front of the residence of General Simon Cameron. Near it are the remains of the mulberry to which he was tied by the Indians, to be burned. I will only add to the story, that it was his negro slave, Hercules, who crossed the river, and brought the neigh- boring Indians to his rescue, while the drunken Indians were about applying the fire to him. For this he gave Hercules his freedom, and directed his burial on the same spot. John Harris, senior, died in 1748. His wife, Esther Say, was a lady of rare endowments, who came from England, in the family of Judge Shippen. Among their children were John, the proprietor of Harrisburg; Samuel, who settled at the outlet of Cayuga lake, New York, and a daughter, who married Doctor William Plunket. Doctor Plunket, at the time of his marriage, resided at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and his daughters, four in number, were born there. His wife dying, he remained a widower, which fact gave rise to Meginness' mistake in stating that he was a bachelor. His daughters were Eliz- abeth, born in 1755, married to Samuel Maclay; Isabella, born January, 1760, married to William Bell, Esquire, of Elizabethtown, New 272 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY [1791. Jersey; Margaret, married to Isaac Richardson, removed to Wayne county, New York, then known as the Genesee country. She left four sons and two daughters. Israel J., in Delaware, Ohio, and David H., of Monroe county, New York, of her sons are still living. Hester Plunket, the youngest, married Colonel Robert Baxter, of the British army, and died about a year after her marriage. Her daughter, Margaret, married Doctor Samuel Maclay, of Mifflin county. John Harris' wife, Elizabeth McClure, said to have been the most lovely woman of her day, died young, from fright and grief, at the report, brought her by a neighbor, of her husband's death. He saw a man shot, and fall off his horse, in attempting to swim the river, and supposed it was Mr. Harris. It proved to be a young physician, whom Mr. Harris had taken up behind him (25th October, 1755.) Her daughter, Mary Harris, who inherited much of her mother's beauty, married Senator William Maclay. A miniature likeness of her is now in the possession of her granddaughter, Mrs. Eleanor M. Brinton, of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Samuel Maclay and Mrs. William Maclay were cousins, and married brothers. The late William C. Plunket, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, was a nephew of Doctor Plunket. A brother of Doctor Plunket came to this country, bringing with him a daughter, Margaret, who married Samuel Simmons, of Pine creek. His name was Robert. Another brother, David Plunket, settled at Baltimore, and was lost at sea on a voyage to the West Indies. Doctor Plunket served in the French war as a lieutenant, and secured for his services six hundred acres of land, part now owned by Judge Dreisbach. He owned large bodies of land, and was one of the leaders in the Pennamite war. He lived afterward and died in the office owned by Ebenezer Greenough, and lately occupied by David Rockefeller, Esquire, at Sunbury. His will is dated January 3, 1791, and proved May 25, 1791, in which he mentions his granddaughter, Margaret Baxter, one of the most beautiful and accomplished ladies of the State, who died at Milroy, Mifflin county, July 6, 1863. The three sisters, Mrs. Maclay, Mrs. Bell, and Mrs. Richardson, survived to a good old age, and resided together, in Mifflin county. Mrs. Maclay was a Presbyterian, Mrs. Bell an Episcopalian, and Mrs. Richardson a Quaker. They were all three remarkable ladies. Mrs. Bell was a very handsome and highly polished woman. She had a 1792.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 273 boarding-school at Albany, New York, where Mrs. Catherine Sedgwick, and many of the celebrated ladies of the time, received their education. 1792. EAST AND WEST BUFFALO TOWNSHIPS ERECTED - MIFFLINBURG AND NEW BERLIN LAID OUT - NOTICE OF REVEREND J. G. PHREEMER, - SIMON SNYDER'S DAM CONTROVERSY - DEATH OF CAPTAIN ANTHONY SELIN AND M. J. ELLENKHUSEN. MEMBERS of Assembly, Samuel Dale and John White. January 13, General William Wilson appointed Associate Judge, vice Joseph Wallis, resigned. February 23, Samuel Maclay appointed Associate, also. Flavel Roan, Sheriff. John Weitzel, Daniel Montgomery, and Robert Fleming, County Commissioners. 18th January, Joseph J. Wallis appointed Deputy Surveyor of Charles Lukens' and William Scull's district, (both of whom are deceased,) and of that part of William Maclay's district north of Penn's creek, and of Upper Bald Eagle, in Mifflin county. Officers of Buffalo - Constable, C. Baldy; Supervisors, Adam Christ and John Sierer; Overseers, William Irvine and Henry Dreisbach; Fence Viewers, Philip Voneida and George Frederick; Collector, Christian Yentzer; November 29, Robert Barber commissioned Justice of the Peace for Buffalo; School-teachers in Buffalo, Alexander Templeton and George Paget. The latter taught many years at a school-house near Michael Grove's, the former in New Berlin. Officers of White Deer - Constable, William Robb; Supervisors, Andrew McClenachan and John Gray; Overseers, Robert Finney and Robert Clark. 274 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1792. Additional Taxables of White Deer - Charles Nogel, Gideon Smith. East and West Buffalo Townships Erected. At January Sessions, William Irwin, Samuel Dale, John Thompson, Christopher Baldy, Benjamin Miller, and Henry Pontius were appointed viewers to divide Buffalo township. They commenced the line at two gum saplings, on the south bank of Spruce run, at the line of White Deer and Buffalo, a little west of Daniel Rengler's old saw-mill, (Applegate's;) thence south to the head of the spring at Andrew Pontius'; thence down Switzer run to its mouth, at Penn's creek, (Philip Seebold's,) and the townships were called East and West Buffalo.* The first officers of this township were, Robert Forster, constable; John Reznor and Thomas Forster, overseers; Elias Younkman, supervisor; Andrew Forster and Robert Chambers, fence viewers. At January Sessions, the road from Brush valley, by way of French Jacob's old mill, (now Heberling's,) to James Irwin's, was laid out. George Langs, Henry Dreisbach, Matthew Irwin, were of the viewers. It commenced at a black oak, near the gap of Buffalo mountain, by way of said mill to a corner of Wendell Baker's field, where it intersected "the meeting-house road." Distance, six miles fourteen perches, (now road by way of Cowan.) Improvements of this year - Wendell Baker's saw-mill, (at Cowan;) Alexander Beatty's tan-yard, at New Berlin; Christopher Weiser's fulling-mill, on Turtle creek, now Peter Wolfe's. Lower ferry, at Lewisburg kept by James Black. At November Sessions, the road from Wolfe's tavern (afterwards Lyon's, on the Cumberland road, leading to Sunbury) to Jenkins' mill, thence to Derr's town, at the south end of Second street, along Second to Market, to Front, by way of St. John's, to the mouth of Buffalo creek, laid out. Mifflinburg, laid out by Elias Younkman, in the summer of this year; and New Berlin, laid out by George Long, Frederick Evans, surveyor. The dates of the first deeds for lots in these places I can find on record are 30th Novem- *East Buffalo always Went by the name of Buffalo among the people; is so called in deeds and elsewhere, except on the assessment books, until the erection of the present Buffalo. 1792.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 275 ber, 1792, lot No. 55, in Mifflinburg 18th January, 1793, George Long to Adam Snyder, for No. 53, in New Berlin. John Hager built one of the first dams on Penn's creek, about one half mile below App's present mill, according to William Gilt's recollection. Samuel Dale, Esquire, moved from where New Columbia now stands to his place, now in Kelly, owned by his grandchildren. Reverend John O. Phreemer. The Reverend John G. Phreemer, who was connected with the religious movement which resulted, at length, in the Sect of the United Brethren in Christ, and sometimes professing to be a minister of the German Reformed Church, made frequent and extensive tours through middle Pennsylvania. The aged Mrs. Fulmer says that about this year, 1792, Andrew Straub and Michael Weyland used to push their canoe, containing their families and others, across the river, where Milton now is, in order to worship under a tree on the opposite side. The tree stood at Hoffman's, (1854,) a short distance above the bridge. On such occasions, the preaching and service were conducted by Mr. Phreemer, and afterwards by Mr. Phreemer and Deitrick Aurand. Mrs. Fulmer often crossed herself to attend worship under this tree. Phreemer leute, or "Phreemer people," was a common expression in Buffalo Valley at an early day. He was very fanatical. A very pious old man once told me he had the people act the fool by his preaching. He is said once to have remarked that he could preach the Devil out of hell. Abraham Brown said he saw him in Ohio, in 1814, where Phreemer was on a visit. He was then residing in Kentucky, and associate judge of the court there. He died at his home in Harrison county, Indiana, in 1825. - Harbaugh's Fathers. Selin and Snyder's Mill-Dam. On the 28th of December, a petition was presented to the Senate on the part of Simon Snyder and Anthony Selin's heirs, to enable them to maintain a dam across Penn's creek of the height of two and one half feet. This aroused the settlers along the creek and 276 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1792. produced a remonstrance) read in the Senate, March 4, 1793, which is interesting from some statements it contains. It states "that Simon Snyder, and Anthony Selin, before his death, erected a dam across the main current of Penn's creek; that there were no less than ten mills within nine miles of Snyder's, some of which grind the year round unobstructed by ice, and they subjoin a list of the mills, with their distances from Snyder's: Lauterslager's and Pickle's, within three miles; Moore's, three miles and a half; Shock's, four miles; Rush's, five miles; Hickadron's, six; Maclay's, seven miles, Swineford's, ditto; Weitzel's, eight; and Frederick Stees', nine miles. This being the case, we consider it highly injurious to stop the whole navigation of Penn's creek, in order to promote the individual interest of Simon Snyder, Esquire," &c. This petition is signed by James Beatty, George Long, Christian Miller, Alexander Beatty, Samuel Templeton, William Fisher, Benjamin Griffith, Robert Tait, David Tate, Robert Barber, Thomas Barber, John Green, Paskel Lewis, John McMullen, James Davis, Peter Kester, William Douglass, Adam Laughlin, John Glover, John Thompson, junior and senior, David Burd, Alexander Connel, Andrew Lowery, Joseph Green, Ludwig Schmidt, James McKelvey, Martin Trester, &c. Notwithstanding this remonstrance, the Legislature, April 10, 1793, passed an act authorizing the dam. [See Dallas' Laws, volume 3, page 364.] Deaths. Alexander McGrady, died in May. His children were Alexander, William, Agnes, wife of Eli Holeman, Jane, wife of James Johnston. Samuel Barber, who lived at the mouth of Switzer run, was killed by the falling timber of an old barn he was taking down. One of his daughters married William McConnell, the other Swinehart. His widow, Martha, lived on the old place (now owned by Philip Seebold) as late as 1812. Captain Anthony Selin, founder of Selinsgrove. He was commissioned by Congress, December 10, 1776, captain in Ottendorff's corps, afterwards attached to Armand's legion, and was still in service in 1780, at Wyoming. His children were Anthony, Charles, and Agnes. His wife was a sister of Governor Snyder, and Selin pur- 1792.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 277 chased the ground on which the town now is, at the death of his brother-in-law, John Snyder. Finding Snyder's plot would not fit, he re-surveyed the ground, laid it out anew, and named it. His son, Anthony Charles, was a major in the war of 1812. The widow of the latter, Mrs. Catherine Selin, died at the residence of her son-in-law, Robert Swineford, in Selinsgrove, November 3, 1868, aged eighty-two, the last of the family name in the United States. George Hudson, of White Deer. James Fleming, of Buffalo. He left his property to his wife's children, Samuel, Jane, and Benjamin Rodman. Abel Rees died, (at Strohecker's now.) James Thom, of West Buffalo. His children were Robert, Arthur, Annie, married to John Boude, Sarah E., married to James Robb, Elizabeth, and Mary. At Lewisburg, July 17, 1792, Mathias Joseph Ellenkhusen. He came to Lewisburg in 1790, was the son of Carl Ellenkhusen, who had purchased the principal part of the town, and was sent over by his father from Amsterdam, Holland, to look after his interests, or to found a family in the western world. The principal notice we have of the son and his wife are from the recollections of Mrs. Mary Brady Piatt, taken down by O. N. Worden, Esquire. Mrs. Ellenkhusen was short in stature, considerably pock-marked, very lady-like in manner, spoke the Low Dutch language, and astonished the people by her elegance and passionate fondness for skating. She and Mr. Ellenkhusen took that method of visiting the different towns on the river. She married John Thornburg, who also soon died. She afterward married Mr. Moore, and removed to Erie, Pennsylvania. Ellenkhusen was a man of very genteel address, and fond of society. His father had given him the town site, and a good outfit of clothing and money, hoping, no doubt, he would build up a fortune; but emigration suddenly declined, and the convivial habits he had acquired, probably before leaving Europe, shortened his days. Personally, he was much esteemed. He was quite an artist, and often drew with pencil striking likenesses of his companions. Sheriff John Brady was a joker. He had found a cannon near Muddy run, and he told Ellenkhusen that he would present it to him if he would take care of it. On cleaning out the mud which covered the muzzle, two large black snakes came out, greatly to the horror of Mr. Ellenk- 278 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY, [1793. husen. He told Brady the circumstance afterward. " Why," said Brady, " they were my pets; I would not have lost them for a $100," and Ellenkhusen, no doubt, died in the belief that he had let loose some play-fellows of Brady's. Ellenkhusen and Thornburg were both buried beneath what is now the vestibule of the Presbyterian church. The annalist recollects well the wild cherry tree that stood near, and the brick wall inclosing these graves. The tombstone of Ellenkhusen was preserved by the late James F. Linn, Esquire, and is in the cellar of the church. Its inscription is: "Here lie the body of Mathias Joseph Ellenkhusen, who departed this life July 17, 1792, age thirty-eight years and three months." "Since it is so we all must die, And death no one doth spare; So let us all to Jesus fly, And seek for refuge there." 1793 ADDITIONAL TAXABLES - YELLOW FEVER IN PHILADELPHIA - FALL ELECTIONS - DEATHS IN THE VALLEY. ANDREW GREGG, Member of Congress. Josiah Haines and James Davidson, members of Assembly. Daniel Montgomery, Robert Fleming, and Richard Sherer, County Commissioners. John Brown was commissioned a Justice of the Peace for Washington township March 13. Number of taxable inhabitants in Northumberland county, three thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight. Additional taxables, East Buffalo - Barber, Martha (Widow;) Baily, John; Betz, William; Brown, Christian; Carstetter, Martin; Covert, Luke; Dale, Samuel; Dunkle, Jacob; Doty, Doctor; Gass, George; Gelitzler, William; Getz, Adam; Hayes, John; 1793.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 279 Hummel, John; Miller, Christian, (Berlintown;) Morton, Thomas; Myer, George, (Berlintown;) Ray, John; Reedy, Conrad; Seebold, Christian, grist-mill, formerly James Watson's; Sheckler, Daniel; Sheckler, Tobias; Speddy, Jeremiah; Stahl, Philip; Wilson, Thomas. List of Residents in Lewisburg - Black, James; Caldwell, Thomas; Deering, Francis; Delong, Edward; Donachy, John; Dunlap, John, (ferry;) Ellenckhuysen, Clara; Evans, Joseph; Groninger, Leonard; Grove, Adam; Grove, Wendel; Heineman, Samuel; Holdship, George; Kemble, Lawrence; Knox, George; Links, George; Lewis, Alexander; Metzgar, Daniel; Poak, William; Russell, David; Sherer, Joseph; Snodgrass, David; Swinehart, Lewis; Thornburg, John; Troxel, Abraham; Wells, Benjamin; Wells, Joseph; Yentzer, Christian. Christopher Baldy commenced the tan-yard at Buffalo Cross-Roads. Doctor Charley Beyer practicing medicine in Lewisburg. Still-houses - Andrew Billmyer's, Andrew Blair's, John Beatty's, George Gass', on John Aurand's place, Peter Leonard's, Henry Pontius', Daniel Rees', Levi Vanvolsen's. New Saw mills - John Hager, Michael Moyer. Additional Residents in White Deer - Adams, James; Chamberlin, Colonel William, of Anvil township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, bought the mill known as Bear's, and moved into the Valley; Dale, Henry; Fruit, Richard; Howard, Thomas, one slave; Howard, David; Miller, Samuel; Marshall, Stephen, lived on George Riddle's place or General Potter's place, late Doctor Ard's; Rose, Andrew Stillwell, Daniel; Williams, William. Stephen Marshall and James Adams, above, were grandparents of late Honorable James Marshall. Philip Heany moved to Penn's valley. First Residents in Mifflinburg - Dreisbach, John; Holmes, Robert; Holmes, Jonathan; Longabaugh, Henry; Longabaugh, Michael; Reedy, Nicholas; Sampsel, Nicholas; Youngman, George; Waggoner, Christopher. West Buffalo, State of Improvements, &c. - Thomas Barber, sawmill; Jacob Grozean, grist and saw-mill; Joseph Green, grist and saw mill; William Rockey, grist and saw-mill; Michael Shirtz, grist and saw- mill at Penn's Valley narrows, finished this year 280 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1793. Christopher Seebold, grist, saw-mill, and still; David Smith, grist and saw-mill. Stills - Robert Barber, John Boude, George Rote, Elias Younkman. Slaves: One taxed to Colonel John Clarke, named Mel, and one to David Watson, named Kate. Additional Residents - McCreight, John; Shriner, Henry; Wilson, Hugh, on General Irvine's land, late Solomon Kleckner's; Zippernock, Frederick. Penn's Township - App, Mathias; Aurand, Daniel; Bastian, Daniel, Michael, and George; Blasser, ______; Burchfield, Charles; Clements, Peter; Dusing, Nicholas and John; Gable, Frederick; Grogg, Peter, saw- mill; Hager, John, saw-mill; Hershey, John; Highlands, John; Hoffer, Elizabeth; Hummel, George Adam; Jasemsky, Reverend Frederick William; Kern, Mathias; Kendig, Jacob; Krebs, John; McKinney, Abraham; Nyhart, David; Pfiel, Henry, saw-mill on Middle creek; Ram, Nicholas; Rhoads, Francis, junior; Shatzburger, Christopher; Shawber, Christopher, junior; Silverwood, James; Snyder, John, tan-yard; Snyder, Simon, junior; Solt, David; Strausser, John N.; Sutherland and Vanvalzah, grist and saw-mill on Penn's creek; Trester, Michael, saw- mill; Walter, John, Jacob, junior, David, and Philip; Weirick, William, saw-mill; Witmer, Peter, junior, saw-mill; Wolfe, John and George, junior; Young, George; Zering, John. March 28, petition presented to the House, asking Buffalo creek to be declared a public highway up as far as Rockey's mills. In September, the yellow fever prevailed so badly, that the Supreme Court held no session in Philadelphia. It broke out early in August, and continued its ravages until November. Over four thousand deaths in that period, out of a population of fifty thousand. In October, Thomas Mifflin re-elected Governor. Vote in North- umberland county, Mifflin, 1443; Muhlenberg, 514. The candidates for Senate were William Hepburn, Daniel Montgomery, Evan Owen, Samuel Wallace, and Bernard Hubley, and William Hepburn was elected. The candidates for Assembly were Josiah Haines, James Davidson, William Cooke, Samuel Dale, John White, Jacob Fulmer, and John Weitzel. The candidates for County Commissioner were Chistopher Dering, John Buyers, David Ireland, Robert Clarke, John Thornburg, Charles Gobin, and William Bonham. 1793.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 281 December 12 was observed in the churches as a day of humiliation and thanksgiving, for removing the plague from Philadelphia. In December, the court-house and jail at Sunbury were in such ruinous condition, that the president and associate judges threatened the commissioners with prosecution, "unless new buildings are commenced next year." Deaths. Nicholas Smith, White Deer. George Barnhart, East Buffalo. James Ferguson, Buffalo. His children were Mrs. William Thompson, Mrs. Hugh McConnel, Mrs. Charles Hummel, and a son, John, married to David Hanna's daughter. In West Buffalo, 22d April, Daniel Campbell, a soldier during the whole war of the Revolution. He married Catherine Klinesmith, who was wounded, as described ante page 190, and had by her two children, John and Ann. John died near Mifflinburg. Ann married Samuel B. Barber. Campbell had received a land warrant for one hundred acres, and, in order to locate it, Barber and wife had to make proof of their identity. Catherine Chambers, the widow, and Baltzer Klinesmith, junior's, depositions were taken on file at Lewisburg. Robert McCorley, of White Deer, died in the fall. Left widow, Anna, and children, Isabella, wife of William McLaughlin; Mary Seidel, Robert, James, Roley, (still living, 1877,) and Jacob, afterwards member of Assembly. Levi Vanvolsen lived in Dry valley, and had a distillery. A girl, living with him, took one of his children into the still-house, and placed it upon a barrel, and went to draw some beer. The child fell off into a vessel of boiling mash, and was scalded to death. The girl, Nancy Grimes, afterwards married Jeremiah Speddy. [End of page 281.]