Union County History Annals of the Buffalo Valley by John Blair Lynn Pages 405 thru 442 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. 1812 DIVISION OF THE COUNTY AGITATED - LEWISBURG INCORPORATED - ROAN'S JOURNAL - ROLLS OF CAPTAINS JOHN DONALDSON'S AND NER MIDDLESWARTH'S COMPANIES - REVEREND JUST HENRY FRIES, PASTOR AT MIFFLINBURG. MEMBERS of the House of Representatives elected in October, Samuel Bond, Andrew McClenachan, Leonard Rupert, and George Kremer. Treasurer, Andrew Albright. Commissioner elect, Henry Vanderslice. February 9, Frederick Evans writes to George Kremer: "Musser gave me petitions amounting, in signatures, to seven hundred and eighty-nine. Get the next sent forward as early as possible. I think John Swineford and Seebold would interest themselves to get signatures, as Buffalo has agreed to their proposals; that is, to have the seat of justice fixed not more than three miles from the center of the inhabitable part. By the time you receive this, no doubt you will hear that a resolution recommending the petitioners in the Forks to the early attention of the next Legislature, on the subject. If it should dishearten the favorers of a division, you can inform them that if the west side only sends down five hundred signers more, the Forks petition will be re-considered, and things will go on fortunately yet. Had the west side petitions came in as early as the Forks, the county would, by this time, have been divided. However, there are still hopes. If five hundred more signatures cannot be obtained, send on as many as can be got. Four hundred and fifty-one would be a majority of the taxables. I am glad you are willing to clear out of Derrstown. I will leave the place before long, at all events." 406 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1812. May 25, Methodist church organized in Lewisburg. Sermon at Gordon's house; text: 1 John, iii: 1. June 18, President Madison's proclamation declaring war. The first bridge was erected over the North Branch to Northumberland, during this and the following year, by aid of a State appropriation. The division question was the all-absorbing one. By combining with Derry people, and others in favor of the erection of Columbia county, the division ticket, Bond, Kemer, &c., was elected. It was, however, bitterly opposed, and an able paper against the division presented, which, among other things, urged that if the soldiers' vote at Meadville had been counted, that ticket would not have been elected. Borough of Lewisburg. March 31, the act incorporating the directors of streets, &c., of Lewisburg was passed. The first election held under this act for directors of streets, lanes, and alleys of the town of Lewisburg was held at the house of Andrew Billmeyer, on Saturday, the 17th day of October. Henry Spyker, John Martin, John Lawshe, John Gordon, and William McQuhae were elected. October 23, the directors elected John Lawshe president, and Henry Spyker secretary. James Geddes was appointed supervisor, Andrew Sherrard constable, George Knox overseer of the poor. The first ordinance passed was one requiring the opening of the streets, the most of which were fenced in and cultivated at that time. They were finally opened in 1813, except in the case of Doctor Charles Beyer, who, May 5, 1813, represented that he had not rails to fence with, and if he opened the streets he had inclosed in his lot, it would be to the great damage of his grain; and the directors agreeing that this was so, let him off, upon his agreement to pay two bushels of wheat and two of rye, immediately after harvest, for the use of the corporation, after which they were to be opened. Simon Wehr purchased his tavern stand, in Limestone township now, and William Pancoast erected his blacksmith shop in Buffalo, so long known as Ritter's. 1812.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 407 Incidents from Roan's Journal. April 25. Christopher Johnson vs. Mathew Irvine, tried. Verdict for plaintiff, $150. 29th. Beyers for Sarah Wister vs. Clark tried. Duncan squealed a long time for Sarah. 30th. Dance in the courthouse tonight. May 19. George Clingan went to Mr. Hood's to see Mr. Wright married to Miss Lewis. Mr. Hood got $2 for the job. [Mrs. Wright was a few years since living in Stevenson county, Illinois. She was a daughter of Paschal Lewis.] 21st. Billmyer executed a deed for his land to Gebhart. June 4, Thursday. This is Nimrod Hughes' day, but he is mistaken about the dissolution of the world. Went to the meeting of the regiment, at Reedy's, about drafting men for the war. 9th. Captain Patrick Hayes called. Went with him to Billy Clark's, and then to Esquire Gray's. Met John and Robert Hayes there, and Judge Macpherson. Thursday, 11th. James Sanderson married, on Tuesday, to Miss Griffen. He gave Mr. Hood $20. 12th. Libby Robinson married to John Bell, of Chester. July 7. Visited my father's grave, in Derry church-yard, Dauphin county, with Captain P. Hayes. Tomb-stones are still good. 23d. Set off to James Moore's funeral, but was too late. 30th. Continental fast-day. Mr. Hood's text, Jeremiah, xiv: 7. Old Captain Kearsley spent the evening here. [Captain Kearsley, of the Revolution, died March 22, 1830, aged eighty-one, at Middle Spring, Cumberland county.] 31st. Went with Captain K. Called at Roan McClure's, at Derrstown; Judge Wilson's; then at Jones' tavern, Northumberland. Went to see the new bridge building over the river. August 20. President Madison's fast-day. Jared Irwin's rifle company paraded, and went to the German church. Drank wine at Enoch Smith's, with Judge Cooper, Mr. Bradford, Gray, Brady, et al. Took tea at Mr. Finney's. September 7. Three hundred enlisted troops left Milton, to join General Dearborn's volunteers and drafted men. Have orders to march to Meadville. 8th. Great consternation in the Valley about the volunteers going away. 9th. Volunteers from our neighborhood went as far as Derrstown to-night. 10th. Volunteers on their march. A number of our neighbors among them. 16th. Delegates met at 408 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1812. Derrstown, and formed two tickets. 20th. Three hundred soldiers passed through Milton. October 10. Rob. Smith came from Meadville. Troops had reached that place, and were in high spirits. 13th. Went to Derrstown. Left my horse at James Geddes', and clerked the election. Three, A. M., before we got through. 17th. Borough officers elected in Derrstown. 25th. Five doctors tapping Davy Reasoner. 26th. D. R. died. 30th. Clerked at presidential election at Derrstown. Governor Snyder's daughter visiting at Kremer's. November 1. A big bear made his appearance near Billy Clark's to- day. 3d. Andy Steel shot at a bear in the meadow at Tommy's place. 5th. Tommy returned from Philadelphia. Made trip in eleven days. 6th. Clerked at Esquire Gray's vendue. 8th. Mrs. Colonel Chamberlin had a young son. This is his twenty-third child. Fourth wife. 19th. Young Doctor Kennedy fined $4, for assaulting Doctor Martin. 22d. Roan Clarke came for Kremer. His wife has a young daughter. 27th. Biddle & Dougal vs. Cochran, about some land, below Milton. Cochran argued his own case, and spoke nearly all day. [Surveyor General Cochran.] Hall, Duncan, and Watts against him; Fisher and Hepburn for him. Cochran got a verdict. 30th. Betsy Myers and Hetty Shaffer came here to spin. December 8. Bill Morton went to hustling match at Myers'. Flavel at Mr. Hood's chopping frolic. 13th. Three volunteers went past, probably deserters from Canada. 14th. More volunteers went by. John Forster, the widow's son, a volunteer from Canada, here to-night. He says, General Smythe being a traitor, is the reason of volunteers returning. 16th. Sam Lytle, another volunteer, breakfasted here. 21st. Twenty volunteers passed Green's house. 25th. Great quilting and ball at William Wilson's to-night. 31st. At Shaffer's tavern, at Sunbury. Got little sleep. They were shooting away the old year all night. Roll of Captain John Donaldson's Company, Pennsylvania Militia, Colonel Snyder's Regiment, September 25 to November 24. Captain - Donaldson, John. Lieutenant - Chamberlin, Aaron; Hall, John. 1812.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 409 Sergeants - McFadden, John; Johnston, Abel; Eilert, Jacob; Cimfort, Henry. Corporal - Alsbach, Jacob; Jones, Samuel. Fifer - Dennis, Michael. Drummer - Parks, Robert. Privates - Auple, Christopher; Barbin, James; Barklow, Francis; Black, Robert; Bower, Joseph; Chamberlin, Uriah; Clements, Uriah; Cornelius, William; Cosier, Jonathan; Culbertson, Jacob; Curtis, Thomas; Frederick, Samuel; Frederick, Peter; Frederick, Jacob; Frock, Jacob; Forster, John; Forster, William; Forster, William, junior; Gibson, John; Gile, John; Glover, John; Gray, Robert H.; Harman, Benjamin; Hoff, James; Hollinshead, Francis; Jodon, George; Johnston, William; Jones, Benjamin; Kelly, John; Kimple, Philip; Kline Daniel; Klingaman, Jacob; Klingaman, John; Klingaman, George; Klingaman, Peter; Linn, David; Lytle, Samuel; Lytle, William; McGinnes, John; McKinley, John; McKinley, James; Magee, John; Martin, Peter; Meekert, Daniel; Mies, Jonathan; Miller, Thomas; Miller, Henry; Nelson, Daniel; Norman, William; Parks, John; Pearson, John; Rearick, John; Reeder, Henry; Reininger, Henry; Renner, Michael; Renner, Henry; Seebold, Christopher; Shaw, Samuel; Slear, John; Snook, Peter; Stine, Frederick; Struble, Peter; Struble, Henry; Stuttle- bach, Jacob; Thompson, Samuel; Turner, John; Vanhorn, William; Walker, John; Wartz, George; Weaver, Benjamin; Weikel, Henry; Wise, John; Wright, John; Zimmerman, David. It was to this company that Reverend J. H. Fries preached, September 10, in Elias church, from Joshua, xxiii: 6, 11. It marched to Meadville and Erie; thence to Black Rock. "You will think strange to hear that all of our volunteers are returned home. They give different accounts of the proceedings at Black Rock, but all say that they came off without being discharged, and all agree that General Smythe has acted the part of a traitor." - Roan Clark's Letter to George Kremer, December 14. [End of page 409.] 410 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1812. Roll of Captain Ner Middleswarth's Company, Eighth Riflemen, Colonel James Irwin's Regiment, September 25 to November 24, 1812. Captain - Middleswarth, Ner. Lieutenant - Youngman, Thomas, and Kline, John. Sergeants - Wise, George; Zigler, George; Devore, Daniel, and Schwartz, Daniel. Corporals - Nerhood, Adam; Bremenger, Henry; Heater, Adam, and McNade, John. Bugler - Huick, George. Privates - Baker, George; Bong, John; Bristol, Peter; Brunner, Henry; Clements, John; Devore, Andrew; Devore, George; Doebler, Daniel; Etzler, Benjamin; Fete, Simon; Frock, Henry; Frock, Jacob; Frock, Benjamin; Harbster, David; Hassinger, David; Hassinger, Jacob; Heter, John; Hammer, Andrew; Hummel, George; Kaler, John; Krebs, Samuel; Layer, Peter Layer, David; Love, William; Lowder, Peter; Lowder, Michael; Mook, Henry; Moyer, George; Nerhood, Jacob; Peter, Leonard; Shay, Timothy; Stewart, Thomas; Stock, Peter; Stock, Melchoir. Reverend J. H. Fries was called, 27 April, 1812, to Buffalo Valley. Early in June, Mr. John Reber an elder* in the Dreisbach church, left home with his team, and proceeded to York county to bring up the new minister. Often have we seen this worthy man in his old age, renew his youth, while he related, in the most circumstantial manner, the varied events of this eventful journey down into a strange country, with much anxiety, and back again, with a precious load and a glad heart. Having arrived safely in Mifflinburg, Mr. Fries entered upon his duties in his new field on the 17th of June, 1812. His field extended east and west from Brush valley, and the lower end of Penn's valley, to Bloomsburg, and up and down the Susquehanna from Muncy to Selinsgrove. His first regular charge was composed of Mifflinburg, Dreisbach's, New Berlin, Aaronsburg, and Brush Valley. Besides these, he preached at many *John Reber was a warm and staunch friend of the church and her ministers, whose house was always open to God's servants; and who for his generous hospitality and piety, is held in grateful rememberance by all who knew him. 1812.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 411 other points, in school-houses, gradually laying the foundations of future congregations. - Harbaugh. Marriages. February 2, David Black with Catherine Berrey. February 11, John Maclay to Annie Dale. February 12, Aaron Chamberlin to Betsy Dale. February 12, Michael Engleman with Barbara Gilman, daughter of Jacob. February 25, by Mr. Hood, Robert Fruit to Maria Nevius. He was the youngest of eleven children, and Maria the oldest of eleven. March 1, James Kelly with Hannah Seitz, daughter of George. "March 19, James Lawson to Nancy Clingan. Calf and two turkeys killed. Twenty-six strangers at the wedding. March 26, Thomas Barber to Betsy Clingan. Groom came with fourteen attendants; thirty-seven strangers, altogether. 27th, twenty strangers, beside the bride and groom, breakfasted at Clingan's; twenty-two of us left Clingan's with the bride and groom; four joined us at Doctor Vanvalzah's; went to Esquire Barber's, where there was a very large party and much dancing, although Quakers."* November 1, John Grove with Sarah Montgomery, daughter of John. Deaths. January 5, Colonel Thomas Youngman, aged forty. Left wife and seven children. March 9, John Steel, of White Deer. July 7, John Walter, born January 6, 1749. Charles Sechler, East Buffalo. Children: Jacob, John, George, Daniel, Catherine, wife of C. Reichly. Alexander McGrady, second, shoe-maker, of White Deer township. His widow, Elizabeth, died in Ohio, in 1861, aged ninety-six. Children: Polly, Margaret, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Nancy, and Isaac. They all moved to Ohio in 1819. Thomas was in Lewisburg in 1863. Isaac was in the army, near Corinth, then. *From Flavel Roan's Journal. [End of page 411.] 1813. UNION COUNTY ERECTED - OFFICIALS - EFFORTS FOR A UNION OF THE ALBRIGHT BRETHREN WITH THE UNITED BRETHREN - SCHOOL-HOUSE LOT IN UNION - LEWISBURG IN 1813 - RE-SURVEY OF THE TOWN. MEMBER of Congress, Jared Irwin. Members elected in October, Samuel Bond, Leonard Rupert, Thomas Murray, junior, and George Kremer. President Judge, Seth Chapman. Associate, Hugh Wilson, appointed October 11. First sheriff of Union county elected, John Ray. Prothonotary, Clerk of the several Courts, Register and Recorder, Simon Snyder, junior, commissioned October 14, 1813. Deputy, John Lashells, Esquire. District Attorney, William Irwin, Esquire. November 11, County Commissioners sworn, Daniel Caldwell, Frederick Gutelius, and Philip Moore. Clerk, Flavel Roan. Coroner, John Dreisbach. March 22, the act erecting Union county out of Northumberland passed. The territory was that part of Northumberland west of the river; the act to go into effect after the first of November. Courts to be held at Mifflinburg until the commissioners appointed by the Governor should determine the locality of the county seat. The commissioners were directed in the act to select the most central point. March 23, Governor Snyder appointed James Banks and Henry Haines commissioners to fix the site of the court-house, &c. March 29, election place for Buffalo, &c., changed to Andrew Reedy's, at Cross-Roads. Washington and White Deer, north of a 1813.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 413 line from Spruce run, at Matthew Laird's, to John Boal's, at the river, to hold their election at Dan Caldwell's. As the tax-books are at Lewisburg, it is unimportant to take further account of them in these Annals. April 21, Bishop Newcomer reaches Martin Dreisbach's again. The Albright brethren had their conference here. Eighteen preachers in attendance. He stayed with them until the 24th. They discussed the practicability and propriety of a union between the two societies. He laid the discipline of the United Brethren before them for examination. They made no objection, but, on the contrary, appeared to cordially approve of it. They delivered to him a written communication on the subject, addressed to the conference of the United Brethren. On the 10th of November, he was again in the Valley, held a meeting at John Walters', and preached at Mr. Mack's, near New Berlin, from Psalm xxxiv, last four verses. On the forenoon of the 11th, Christian Crum, Joseph Hoffman, Jacob Bowlus, and himself appeared for the United Brethren, and Messrs. Miller, Walter, Dreisbach, and Mebel for the Albright Brethren. The consultation continued until the 13th, but they were not able to effect a union. The greatest stumbling-block appeared to be this: According to the United Brethren's discipline, their local preachers have a vote in the conference as well as the traveling preachers. This was a sine qua non which the United Brethren could or would not accede to, so we parted and came to Youngmanstown. - Newcomer's Journal. October 25, John Snook and wife conveyed the school-house lot in Union township to Christian Gundy, et at., trustees, bounded by Macpherson, Jenkins, Epler, &c. November 12, the county commissioners met at Mifflinburg and elected Flavel Roan clerk, at $1 33 per day while on duty. Hired a room of George Roush for the prothonotary. Standard of valuation of first-rate land: East Buffalo, $40; West Buffalo, $40; Beaver, $30; Centre, $30; Hartley, $40; Penn's, $40; Mahantango, $40; White Deer, $40; Washington, $30. March 30, Henry Beck came to Lewisburg from Earl township, Berks county. Then Frederick Freedley owned Brown's mill; George Knox had Hull's tan-yard; Henry Spyker lived in the brick house at the river; Robert Smith, a boatman, where James S. Marsh lives; 414 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1813. Mathias Shaffer, in a two-story house, where M. Halfpenny now lives; Richard McClure, where his grandchildren do now; William Evans, where Joseph Housel now lives; on the opposite side lived Evans' sister. These were all on Front street. Garman kept ferry at the stone house, now Martin Hahn's; John Sargent had a nail factory, where F. Davis now lives; Andrew Shearer kept at Weidensaul's; William McQuhae had a store, where C. S. Wolfe now lives. George Kremer's was the only store-house on the river; James Black had a distillery, and kept store just above the latter, and where Norton's coal-yard now is; White Roost, now M. Halfpenny's, was occupied by Billman; the old Albright tavern by William Poak. At the mouth of Buffalo creek there were three houses, owned and occupied by John Pross, Valentine Miller, &c. Leisenring, a potter, lived opposite John A. Mertz's; Mrs. Nicely's lot was occupied by John Lawshe, senior; J. B. Linn's, by John Metzgar; Esquire Cameron's, the Black Horse, was kept by John Lawshe, junior; George Kremer had a store, where Jonathan Wolfe now lives. Second street was then vacant down to Joseph Glass' lots, lying in common, and pine trees growing on them. The brick house of Joseph Glass was built by Henry Beck in 1823; Joseph Bennett lived where the Union National Bank now is; on part of Peter Beaver's lot, Henry Burget kept a tavern; George Metzgar lived where Captain Brooke has his jewelry store, and had a hatter shop; an old log house, in from the street, next Jonathan Wolfe's, was occupied by John Montgomery; old Mr. Kimmell kept store in the next house; William Hayes kept store where Peter Nevius' widow now lives. Doctor Beyers lived on the corner of Third and St. Catherine. No house from there to Market. Alexander Graham lived and kept store on Doctor Harrison 5 corner. There were no houses on Third street north. On the Billmyer lot, depot lot, &c., was a large pond, where they often shot ducks. On Fourth and St. Louis, Betsy Ammon's house was built this year. There was an old house at the race at St. George, and one at the east end of Fourth, occupied by Strickland; Doctor Wilson's lot was occupied by Mr. Espy, who kept tavern; on William Moore's, Thomas Poak kept bachelor's hall, and a brewery; William Shearer lived in the old house, lately standing on Cherry alley, and followed weaving; opposite C. Gemberling's, Caleb Fairchild had a blacksmith shop; north was a stone house, occupied by Daniel 1813.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 415 Rees as a tavern; C. Beyers' was occupied by a family named Seydel; next was Sam Grove, a boatman; Adam Grove lived on Thomas Nesbit's, deceased, lot; he was the youngest of the Grove brothers, Indian fighters, and followed boating; James Geddes lived on the corner of Fourth and St. Anthony, and had a saddler shop; next, north, John Norton, and the next Burgets' house, which Henry Beck moved into. On the opposite side lived John Moore, famous many years as a blacksmith; George Snider, father of widow Strohecker, lived where John Bieber lately resided; there was an old tan-yard on the property. The streets were re-surveyed in the spring of 1813, and a slight angle made to suit the buildings. James Geddes and Thomas Fisher carried on a tannery. Peter Nevius, Joseph McCool, and Andrew Best were their apprentices. John Musser lived at the Slifer mansion farm. High's mill, at the fording, was then abandoned. George Derr had built another mill where Joseph W. Shriner's now is. In repairing it, some years ago, Mr. Shriner found an old stone, with date of 1778 carved upon it, no doubt the date of Gundy's mill, a few rods above it. On Derr's farm lived Abram Troxell and William C. Davis; John Guyer, on the Shuck place; Thomas McGuire kept tavern at the old ferry, now George F. Miller, Esquire's; Jonas Butterfield kept school in the Market street school-house, now Presbyterian parsonage; Breyvogel kept where the Lutheran parsonage now stands; Charles Cameron lived on Front and St. Mary's. Among those who enlisted in the regular army, Doctor Beck recollects of Valentine Miller, George Christ, Dennis O. Boyle, John Buck, and Alexander Hutchinson. Abram Fry lived at the boat-yard; Granny Phillips kept cakes and beer next the Revere House, on late Judge Schnable's lot; John McFadden kept tavern where Charles Penny now lives. John Rees, John Beyers, and James Forrest succeeded Jonas Butterfield, as school-teachers. May 16, Justice Spyker fines Henry Burket, Edward Morton, and William Keller each $20, for horse-racing on Market street, Lewis- burg, on oath of Andrew Shearer, John McFadden, and Thomas Fisher. June 1, The inhabitants of the town met and resolved that the president, secretary, and directors should serve free gratis, and this agreement was to remain in full force for ever. The same day, John 416 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1813. Hayes' account for surveying the town was examined and allowed. One item was a gallon of Geneva whisky, one dollar. The duplicate for 1813 and 1814 amounted to $96 88. Expenditures on streets and survey, in full, $103 o6. November 2. George Sweeny commenced the publication of the Columbia Gazette, at Northumberland, a strong war paper, and the Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette of A. Kennedy was suspended. Kennedy was a Federalist, and the war feeling was too strong for that paper. Chillisquaque and Northumberland county up to the Lycoming line had been erected into Columbia county, accounting for the new name. In 1815 this territory was put back to Northumberland. Marriages. January 24, Jacob Bulman to Charity ______,daughter of Caleb. February 4, Paul Goodlander with Rachael Heckel, daughter of Andrew. February 11, Jesse Dickson to Polly Merkel, daughter of Christian. April 1, Philip Lesher to Polly Billmyer, daughter of Andrew. April 4, Alexander Donarchy with Fanny Seitz, daughter of George. April 6, Daniel Keenly with Maria Richter, daughter of John. May 16, Samuel Dersham with Susanna Shadel. August 1, Levi Burd with Eve Winegarden, daughter of Henry. August 12, Francis Jodon with Elizabeth Cherry, daughter of Charles. August 26, Hugh McLaughlin with Elizabeth McClister. Deaths. February 1, John Sierrer, leaving a widow, Lucy, and the following children: Jacob, Catherine, married to Jacob Reedy, John, Elizabeth, married to John Frantz, and Sarah to George Smith. William Irwin, Esquire, member of Assembly during the Revolution. He left all his property to William, son of John. William Clark, an original settler, leaving widow, Elizabeth. Children: George, Mary, (who married James Forster, and was dead, leaving Jane, married to Thomas Smith, John, William, and Ann, married to George Monroe,) Rebecca, Roan, Sarah, William, Walter, Flavel, and James. 1814.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 417 February 21, David Watson, father of late David, John C., and William Watson, aged sixty-one. March 27, Henry Deal. Family: Henry, junior, Elizabeth, married to Jacob Maize; Mary, to John Grossman; Nancy, to Jonathan Waters; and three grand-daughters, children of John: Nancy William, and Elizabeth. Nicholas Egbert, West Buffalo. May 18, John Bishop, aged seventy, buried at New Berlin. Christopher Seebold. September 13, Honorable Thomas Strawbridge, aged eighty-two. John Walter, of Buffalo. Children: John, Benjamin, William, George, Jonathan, Elizabeth, married to Focht; Catherine, with George Reed; Margaret, with Adam Witmer; and Mary, with John Rodman. His widow, Margaret. 1814 LEWISBURG BRIDGE CHARTERED - FIRST COURTS HELD AT MIFFLINBURG - BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA - CAPTAIN EVANS AT FORT MCHENRY - ROSTER OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL GEORGE WEIRICK'S REGIMENT - ROLLS OF CAPTAINS HENRY MILLER, JACOB HUMMEL, VALENTINE HAAS, JOHN BERGSTRESSER, AND NER MIDDLESWARTH'S COMPANIES. SENATOR, Thomas Murray, junior, elected in October. Members, David E. Owen, Robert Willett, Joseph Hutchinson, and Henry Shaeffer. On the 21st of March, the Houses passed, over Governor Snyder's veto, the act regulating banks. One was allowed for Northumberland, Union, and Columbia, to be called the Northumberland, Union, and Columbia Bank. It was located at Milton. John Dreisbach was one of the commissioners for this bank. On the 26th of March, the charter of the bridge over the Susque- 418 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY [1814. hanna at Lewisburg, was granted by the Assembly, under the corporate name of "The President, Managers, and Company for erecting a Bridge over the West Branch of Susquehanna, at the Town of Lewisburg," and John Dreisbach, Jacob Brobst, William Hayes, William McQuhae, James Geddes, and Andrew Reedy, appointed commissioners to open subscription books. On the 28th, the act transferring all suits, and all unsettled estates where the defendant or decedent resided in the territory of Union to its courts, was passed. Roads laid out - From Mortonsville, by Hugh Wilson's and Derr's mill, &c., two and one half miles; from Rockey's mill to Reznor's saw- mill, five miles; from Reznor's saw-mill to the Brush Valley and Mifflinburg road, four miles one hundred and forty-one perches. The first court was held at Mifflinburg, on the 14th of February. First grand jurors, John Boal, Adam Regar, Arthur Thomas, Jacob Musser, John Fisher, James Madden, Robert Chambers, Valentine Haas, Jacob Houseworth, John Nogel, James McClure, John Williams, Aaron Chamberlin, Levi Zimmerman, Philip Gemberling, Frederick Wurtz, James Caldwell, Andrew Grove, David Simmons, Abraham Tenbrooke, Henry Ramstone, John Aurand, John Seidel, and John German. The commissions of Judges Chapman and Wilson were read. On motion of Enoch Smith, for himself, E. G. Bradford, Samuel Hepburn, Ebenezer Greenough, Charles Mans, William Irwin, and John Lashells, were sworn in as attorneys. On motion of Mr. Lashells, John Johnston, and Ethan Baldwin. William Irwin sworn as deputy attorney general. On motion of Mr. Bradford, Charles Hall, George A. Frick, Alem Marr, and Hugh Bellas were qualified as attorneys. The survivor of this bar, George A. Frick, Esquire, of Danville, died at Danville, June 10, 1872, aged eighty-five. April 21, Gideon Smith sold his farm on Buffalo creek to William Young. Andrew Kennedy, junior, commenced a paper at Mifflinburg. He sold out to Henry Shaup, in 1815, and the latter removed the press to New Berlin. The month of May was remarkable for the appearance in the Valley of locusts in vast numbers. June 28, James Banks, of Mifflin county, Henry Haines, of Lancaster, (Edward Darlington not acting,) commissioners appointed by Governor Snyder, met at Selinsgrove, and explored the county, generally, and viewed a number of different situations which had 1814.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 419 been in contemplation. After considering advantages of each, and having due regard to territory and population, they reported the village of New Berlin, alias Longstown, the most eligible and proper situation in the county of Union for the seat of justice therein, and fixed the site of buildings, of court-house and public offices, on a lot belonging to C. Seebold, Esquire, and the site for a prison on a lot belonging to John Solomon. Battle of Chippewa. CAMP AT FORT ERIE, WEST CANADA, July 28, 1814. DEAR SIR: Blood, carnage, death, and destruction of men are the contents of this painful letter. On the 22d, we had orders to reduce our baggage, allowing one tent to ten men, and two shirts to each officer. The surplus was sent across the Niagara, at Queenstown, where we then laid, to be sent to Buffalo. On the 24th, we marched to Chippewa. On the 25th, the enemy appeared on the heights, near the Falls of Niagara, two miles distant from our camp. At three o'clock, we were ordered to parade. At five, our brigade, under General Scott, marched out. At six, the action commenced, when, great God l to tell the details from that time till ten o'clock at night, is impossible. Could I converse with you for the length of time we were engaged, I could give some idea of it, but to make an attempt will, doubtless, not be unsatisfactory to you. Our brigade fought a much superior force, under great disadvantages, for one hour and a half, and we were completely cut up, more than half the officers and men being killed and wounded, when the second brigade, commanded by General Ripley, came to our assistance. The enemy, at the same time, received reinforcements, which made the action again severe. General Ryall and a number of prisoners were, previous to this, taken by our brigade. Colonel Brady was wounded before we were fifteen minutes engaged, and commanded the regiment till the action was nearly closed. I assisted him off and on his horse during the engagement, when he was like to faint from loss of blood. We got possession of the heights, and kept them till we got off our wounded. The British made three different charges to gain them, but they were as often beat back. Our brigade made three charges, in the last of which we lost three officers of our (the 420 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1814. twenty-second) regiment, our brave General Scott heading each charge. He was severely wounded in the shoulder near the close of the action. General Brown was also wounded. When we returned from the ground, there were, of our regiment, Major Arrow-smith, myself, and thirty privates, that marched into camp. The balance were killed, wounded, missing, and in camp. Colonel Brady can inform you that I was the only platoon officer of our regiment that kept the ground to the last, and marched in with the men. For the satisfaction of your friends and yourself, I inclose you a copy of our report of the killed, wounded, and missing; likewise, the officers' names who were in the action. Our wounded are at Buffalo, in good quarters. Let me hear from you. I am yours, sincerely, SAMUEL BRAY, Twenty-second Infantry. Captain BETHUEL VINCENT. N. B. Our total loss in killed, wounded, and missing on that day must have been eight hundred. The British loss no doubt exceeded that, as General Ryall acknowledged that they were whipped when he was taken, and we fought two hours after that, and took nineteen British officers. You shall see the report in my next. I wish you to show it to my friends, but it must not be published. 13th September, occurred the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Baltimore. Frederick Evans was then a captain in the second regiment of artillery. His commission is dated 23d July, 1812, to rank from the 6th. Mrs. George Kremer told me he assisted in building the fort, and was one of its noble defenders. He often described the scene inside as terrific. Three bomb-shells struck and exploded inside of the fort, and he remarked one man shaking as if he had a chill. He asked to sit under one of the cannon. Evans gave him permission, when shortly another shell struck inside and killed him instantly. Another man was killed within three feet of him. Their coffee ran out, and they had very little to eat for three days. He spoke of a woman who brought water for them. A bomb-shell hitting her, exploded, and she was blown to atoms. He brought a small piece of her dress home with him, the largest part of her remains that he could find. The fourth shell that came in was 1814.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 421 marked "a present from the King of England." This did not explode. It weighed within two pounds as much as an ordinary barrel of flour. This he brought home with him, and it may still be seen at Evans' mill, in Juniata county. He said only four shells fell inside. Muster Roll of the Field and Staff Officers belonging to the Regi- ment, or Detachment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Weirick, Brigadier General H. Spearing, First Brigade, Second Division, in the service of the United States. Lieutenant Colonel - George Weirick, September 24, 1814. Majors - William Taggert and Jacob Lechner, September 24, 1814. Adjutant - George Coryell, September 24, 1814. Surgeon - John Y. Kennedy, September 24, 1814. Surgeon's Mate - Thomas Vanvalzah, September 24, 1814. Quartermaster - George Clingan, October 31, 1814; Quartermaster Sergeant, John Reehl, November 5. Sergeant Major- Daniel Rohrer, October 5. Aid-de-camp to General Spearing - Hugh Maxwell. Camp Marcus Hook. November 14, 1814. Roll of Captain Henry Miller's Company. Pay-roll of the company of infantry from Union county, under the command of Captain Henry Miller, attached to the regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 1814: Captain - Miller, Henry. Lieutenant - McMillan, John. Sergeants - Williams, Benjamin; Rearick, John; Ruhle, Philip; Francis, William. Corporals - Specht, Adam; Wilson, Foster; Spangler, George; Robinson, Richard. Privates - Baker, George; Baker, Peter; Barber, John; Bitting, Charles; Bobb, Conrad; Bobb, John; Black, Robert; Bossier, George; Cooke, Andrew; Coryell, George, appointed sergeant major, September 26, 1814; Crossgrove, Samuel; Dar, Elias; Dreis- 422 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1814. bach, John; Dreisbach, Thomas; Dunsipe, Daniel; Egbert, Cyrus; Eilert, William; Farres, Garrett; Forster, William; Fought, George; Fought, Jacob; Fox, Conrad; Fry, John; Gearig, Jacob; Gearhart, Samuel; Gill, John; Gill, William, discharged October 26, 1814, died at Bellefonte, November 21, 1876, aged eighty-nine; Hanius, Peter, (called Panier;) Herger, Henry; Hasenplugh, Henry; Hasenplugh, Samuel; Kleckner, Abraham; Kleckner, Anthony; Kleckner, Isaac; Maclay, John, appointed assistant quartermaster general, October 9, 1814; Mangel, David; Mayer, John; Moyer, John; Moyer, William; Myer, William; Norman, John; Phelps, Francis; Rearick, John; Reichly, William; Ritter, Henry; Rote, John; Royer, Henry; Saunders, Michael; Shaffer, William; Shaffer, Jacob; Smith, John; Snyder, Michael; Sleer, George; Shaw, Samuel; Slough, Benjamin; Stitzer, David; Spangler, Christian; Speer, David; Spiegelmeyer, Daniel; Solomon, Abraham; Thompson, James; Weight, John; Zimmerman, Jacob. Roll of Captain Jacob Hummel's Company. Pay-roll of the company of infantry under the command of Captain Jacob Hummel, attached to the regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 1814. Captain - Hummel, Jacob. Lieutenant - Brady, Walter. Ensign - Swartz, Francis B. Sergeants - Baldy, Stephen; Eisely, John; Hammer, John; James, John S. Corporals - Gordon, John B.; Petery, John; Leisenring, Jacob Martin, James. Privates - App, John Applegate, John; Armstrong, John; Barnhart, John; Bear, William; Bestler, Henry; Born, John; Buckner, John; Burn, Henry; Buyers, John; Campbell, John; Caruthers, Andrew; Conor, Daniel; Crutchle, John; Delany, Daniel; Espy, George; Forly, George; Furman, Jona; Gearhart, Daniel; Haupt, Henry; Hedrick, Jacob; Housel, John; Hoy, Lockwood G.; Huff, Benjamin; Hull, Isaac; Lowdon, Zachariah; McCloughen, Joseph; Mahoney, William; Marsh, Griggs; Mettler, William; Mirely, Balser; More, David; Morgan, Joseph; Morgan, 1814.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 423 James; Masteller, John; Newcomer, Abraham; Overdurf, Peter; Redline, John; Renn, John W.; Rinehart, Frederick; Ringler, Daniel; Roadarmel, John; Sterner, Henry; Stroh, Jonathan; Wagner, Christian; Warner, James; Weaver, Frederick; Willet, William; Willet, Samuel; Woodruff, Elias; Woldigan, William; Zeluff, David. Roll of Captain Valentine Haas' Company. Roll of the company of infantry from Union county, under command of Captain Valentine Haas, seventy-seventh regiment Pennsylvania militia, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 1814. Captain - Haas, Valentine. Lieutenant - Shedle, Samuel. Sergeants - Eckhart, Jacob C.; Hosterman, George; Boyer, Henry; Hendricks, Andrew. Corporals-Johnston, John; Kieckner, Jacob; Richter, Frederick; Overmyer, David. Privates - Alter, Joseph, discharged October 5; Bachman, Lorenzo; Bear, Isaac; Berger, Joseph; Berman, Anthony; Benfer, George; Binckly, Jacob; Bous, Frederick; Bosler, Jacob; Brous, Henry; Buttenstine, Philip; Clendinin, John; Doebler, Ludwig; Derk, Jonathan; Doffe, John; Duke, Jacob; Duke, George; Ever- hard, Barnes; Everhard, Philip; Fetter, Benjamin; Folk, John; Foltz, Joseph; Gordon, Willis; Gaugher, Jonas; Grim, Henry; Haas, Henry; Haas, Daniel; Hentricks, E.; Herrold, Philip; Hobb, Frederick; Hummel, John H.; Jarrett, Jacob; Karstetter, George; Keely, John, discharged October 22; Kesler, Michael; Kreisher, Henry; Kreitzer, Frederick; Kuns, John; Miller, Daniel; Mowrer, Jacob; Moyer, Philip; Neitz, Jacob; Pontius, Henry; Rettig, William; Richenbach, John; Rusher, John; Shedler, Jacob; Shoemaker, Peter; Smith, Abraham; Smith, John; Smith, Joseph; Sold, Philip; Spaid, Henry; Stahl, Henry; Stimeling, George; Stock, Peter; Swartz, Peter; Swartzlender, George Trester, John; Wagner, George; Weaver, John; Weller, Isaac Witmer, Samuel; Woodling, Henry; Wool, Daniel; Yeager, John; Yeager, Adam; Yeisly, Henry: Verger, Philip; Yordon, John; Young, Ludwig. 424 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1814. Roll of Captain John Bergstresser's Company. Pay-roll Union county company of militia, attached to the regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 18, 1814. Captain - Bergstresser, John. Lieutenant - Fisher, Thomas. Ensign - Noll, Henry. Sergeants - Silsby, Uriah; Reedy, Philip; Gillaspy, John; Rengler, Daniel; Merwine, Samuel; Sargint, John; Clingan, George. Corporals - Nevyus, William; Vartz, John; McCorley, Jacob; Lutz, John. Privates - Aikey, Lewis; Anderson, James H.; Baldy, Benjamin; Bellman, George; Bennage, Samuel; Bennett, John; Bidleman, Abraham; Bower, William; Bower, George; Bower, John; Campbell, William; Campbell, John; Campbell, Joseph; Clarke, Joseph; Clark, Flavel; Clark, Francis; Clark, William; Darraugh, John; Dempsey, Jonathan; Darsham, Ludwig; Diefenderfer, Philip; Egburd, Jesse; Flickingner, Charles; Frederick, Peter; Frederick, Jacob; Frederick, Samuel; Gilman, Jacob; Goodlander, Paul; Hufford, John; Heiser, Frederick, discharged October 2; Herrendon, William; Housel, Joshua; Hubler, Jacob; Irwin, John; Irvin, William; Jamison, John; Jodun, William; Jodun, Benjamin; Johnston, Thomas; Jones, John; Kaufman, Jacob; Kelly, Andrew, discharged October 28; Kimmell, Adam; Kunts, Daniel; Kline, Abram; Kline, George; Lilley, Peter, discharged October 3; Lutz, Samuel; McClure, Richard; McGuire, Richard; McKinley, Hugh, McLaughlin, James; Maughamer, Daniel; Magee, James; Mizener, John; Mengel, George; Mowry, Peter; Myers, Peter; Moyer, Henry; Quinn, Michael; Rees, John; Ranck, Jonathan; Rorabough, Christopher; Rorabough, Philip; Rose, Adam; Shaffer, Daniel; Shaffer, Henry, substitute for John Hummel; Sheckler, Jonas; Sheckler, Simon; Smith, Jonathan; Smith, Adam; Steel, Richard; Steel, David; Stoner, Daniel; Strickland, Samuel; Struble, Peter; Sypher, Jacob; Vanderhoof, Henry; Vanderhoof, William; Vanhorn, William; Vanhorn, Abram; Wallace, James; Walters, John; Welch, Nicholas; Williamson, Gideon; Wilson, Thomas, Wilson, Samuel; Young, Abraham; Zearphus, George, (Sarphus.) 1814.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 425 In Captain Robert McGuigan's company, November 12 to 24, we find the names of - Egbert, John; Hafer, James; Haslet, Joseph; Ranck, Adam; Stadden, William; Vanlew, Peter; Whitacre, John; Wurtz, Daniel. Roll of Captain William F. Buyers' Company. Roll of the Northumberland County Blues, volunteer company, attached to the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 1814 Captain - Buyers, William F. Lieutenants - Jenkins, Thomas S.; Scott, Samuel H. Ensign - Hepburn, John. Sergeants - Wilson, Samuel H.; Wallis, Joseph T.; Sweeney, A. M. Corporal - Reehl, John. Fifer - Armor, William. Drummer - DeLong, Samuel. Privates - Armstrong, Jacob; Black, David; Bonham, Thomas; Buyers, George P.; Cameron, William; Campbell, Robert; Chapman, Edward; Cooke, William; Cook, Adam; Cramer, Joseph B.; Cramer, Abram; Dale, Henry; Dieus, William; Dougal, James S.; Frazier, Charles; Gale, William; Grant, Mact; Grant, Thomas, junior, discharged October 23; Grant, William M.; Gray, William; Harris, Thomas; Hendershot, Isaac; Hopfer, Jacob; Huffman, Joseph; Jones, William; Jones, Jeremiah; Latherland, William; Layton, William; Lebo, Daniel; Lyon, Robert; Lyon, Jeremiah; McCord, Isaac; McPherson, John; Mastin, John; Mans, Charles; Oliphant, James; Prune, George; Quinn, John; Reininger, Henry; Rockele, Theodore J.; Ross, John; Watson, William; Weisner, John; Weitzel, George; Wilson, Samuel. Jacob Armstrong, John Martin, Robert Campbell, and William Dieus, drafts in Captain Hummel's company, joined my company on 29th. They have been in service the same time our company has. WILLIAM F. BUYERS, Captain Northumberland County Blues. The following memoranda are from Lieutenant Colonel Weirick's order- book, now in possession of M. L. Schoch, Esquire, of New Berlin 426 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1814. General Order, dated at Headquarters, Fourth Militia District, Philadelphia, October 19, 1814. The advance corps will consist of the light brigade, under Briga- dier General Cadwalader, who will report directly to the commanding general, and act alone under his orders, and those of the War Department. Colonel Irvine's regiment of regulars will support the advance. The army of the center will consist of Brigadier General Spearing's, Smith's, and Snyder's brigades, forming Major General Worrell's division. The volunteers and recruits at Bush Hill will form the reserve. The New Jersey troops, under General Elmer, form the left wing. The officers and men of the fifth United States infantry, at camp near New Castle, will form a detachment, under the immediate command of the senior officer, and act under Colonel Irvine. By order of Major General EDWARD P. GAINES. Major General Isaac Worrell's headquarters were transferred to Marcus Hook, on the 20th of October. Henry Sheets, major general, second division; Brigadier General Henry Spearing commanding first brigade, second division, - drafted militia, Northampton, Montgomery, Lehigh, Pike, Northumberland, &c.; Hugh Maxwell, aide-de-camp Thomas J. Rodgers and W. C. Rodgers, brigade majors. November 13, Ensign Farnsworth transferred to Captain Miller's company. November 15, Lieutenant Colonels Heister and Weirick, and the field officers of their respective commands, ordered to report, at twelve o'clock, at General's quarters, to decide their precedence of rank by lot. John Campbell, Griggs Marsh, and David Moore, who have been absent without leave, have come this day, and joined their companies. I, therefore, order the same to be entered on the regimental book. GEORGE WEIRICK, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding. November 16. The above, who have been reported as deserters, are to be tried as absentees. GEORGE WEIRICK, Lieutenant Colonel. 1814.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 427 November 16, lot determined in favor of Lieutenant Colonel Weirick, who is hereby announced first lieutenant colonel in first brigade, second division, Pennsylvania militia, under the command of Brigadier General Henry Spearing, and is to be obeyed and respected accordingly. It was determined to mutual satisfaction that Major Taggert was properly entitled to the first rank and Major Lechner to the second rank in Colonel Weirick's regiment, and will hereafter take precedence accordingly. November 17, the lot for rank of captain resulted: first captain, Miller; second, Hummel; third, Haas; fourth, Bergstresser. The court- martial held at Adjutant Coryell's marquee, John Bergstresser, president, Lieutenants John McMillan and Samuel Shedle members, Thomas Jenkins, judge advocate, sentenced John Campbell, Griggs Marsh, and David Moore to stand camp guard every other day, and to be within the limits of the camp during the remainder of their tour. November 23. The German troops in Major General Sheetz's division will be formed upon the parade to-morrow, at ten o'clock, with their side arms, for divine worship in German. The last orders in the book are dated at Marcus Hook, December 1: The sick troops are to be discharged on furlough to their respective homes until further orders. Adjutant of the day, Coryell. The discharge of Peter Myers, signed by Captain John Bergstresser, is dated Philadelphia, December 20, 1814, and I presume that is the date of the muster out of the regiment. Pay-roll of the Union Rifle Volunteers, commanded by Captain Ner Middleswarth, attached to the Rifle Battalion, commanded by Captain John Uhle, in the Light Brigade, commanded by General Thomas Cadwalader, in actual service at Camp Dupont, October 27, 1814. Captain - Middleswarth, Ner. Lieutenants - Mertz, Isaac; Aurand, John. Ensign - Devore, Daniel. Sergeants - Fryer, Jacob; Weiser, Daniel; Stees, Frederick, junior; Weikel, George. Corporal - Frederick, Abraham; Layer, Daniel; Swineford, Albright; Long, Jacob. 428 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1814. Privates - Beitler, Jacob; Bird, John; Bowersox, Daniel; Boyer, Samuel; Campbell, Elias; Carroll, Henry W.; Clemence, George; Dreese, Henry; Ely, Asher; Freedley, Ludwig; Gilbert, Jacob; Gill, Jacob; Gilmore, Robert; Grubb, Jacob; Kaley, Abraham; Katherman, John; Kratzer, Henry; Kuhns, John; Loehr, Joseph; Loehr, Peter; Martz, Samuel; Miller, Daniel; Miller, Jacob; Mitchell, John; Moyer, George; Moyer, Jacob; Shneb, Henry; Smith, James; Stock, Melchior; Troxell, Jacob; Thurston, Israel; Wakey, John; Wales, John; Weirick, Henry; Wient, George. Marriages. 22d February, John Beeber married to Miss Anna Baker, by H. Spyker, Esquire. Deaths. At Lewisburg, January 16, Charles Cameron, father of the late John Cameron, William Cameron, Esquire, General Simon Cameron, Mrs. A. B. Warford, of Harrisburg, Mrs. Boggs, of Indiana, Colonel James Cameron, who was killed at Bull Run, and of Daniel, who died in the naval service. August 23, Reverend Isaac Grier, died at Northumberland. Born 1763; graduated at Dickinson college in 1788; licensed December 21, 1791. He taught the academy, and was father of Honorable R. C. Grier, Isaac Grier, D. D., &c. John Turner, tailor, of Lewisburg. He left a widow, Elizabeth, and daughters, Christena and Matilda. Jacob Wolfe, of Buffalo, leaving a widow, Catherine, and children, Catherine, Elizabeth, Jacob, John, Jonathan, and Samuel. August 29, Adam Laughlin, of Hartley township, aged sixty-six. Wendell Baker, of East Buffalo. Children: John, Jacob, Mrs. Mathias Alsbach. Grandchildren: John and Ann Mizener. October 14, Paul Collins, of West Buffalo, aged seventy-nine. Adam Struble, of West Buffalo. [End of page 428] 1815. COURTS HELD IN NEW BERLIN - UNION TOWNSHIP ERECTED - ST. PETER'S CHURCH, KELLY - DEATH OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM GRAY, OF BUFFALO. ACT 8th March provided that after the first Monday of May, the courts should be held at New Berlin, in the court-house, provided a full and sufficient deed be made, for the consideration of sixty-seven cents, to the commissioners, before the first Monday in April, for the court-house and lot. The original receipt for sixty-seven cents may be seen in the commissioner's office, at Lewisburg. 11th March, Washington township annexed to Lycoming. - P. L., 119. April 1, Hugh McLaughlin's land, in Kelly, was sold to John Gotshall for $36 per acre, and the Japhet Martin place, East Buffalo, now Frederick's, appraised at $48. 15th April, Reverend C. Newcomer arrived at Michael Maize's. "On 16th preached at Martin Dreisbach's, 17th at George Miller's, and on the 18th had a long conversation with Messrs. Miller and Niebel on the union of our respective societies, but we could not bring it about." Union Township Erected. September sessions, upon the report of Andrew McLenachan, Hayes, and Adam Wilt, Union township was erected, with the following boundary: Beginning at a double walnut, on the West Branch, (below Jenkins' mill,) S. 73º W. 3 miles 100 perches to stones on the top of Shamokin ridge; along same, S. 75º W. 3 miles 10 perches, to chestnut oak; N. 15º W. 1 mile 200 perches to top of 420 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1815. Limestone ridge; S. 75º W. 2 miles 100 perches to line between Buffalo and West Buffalo; along same, S. 150 perches to head of John Stees' spring; thence down same and Switzer run to Penn's creek; down Penn's creek to the line between Buffalo and Penn's; thence along the same to the river; thence up the river to the mouth of West Branch; thence up West Branch to beginning. St. Peter's Lutheran Church, in Kelly. On the 4th of November, Christian Zerbe and George Reininger, trustees in the conveyance made by Jacob Lotz, executor of Philip Stahl, granted, permitted, allowed, and confirmed the full right, liberty, and privilege unto the members of the Presbyterian congregation (German Reformed) of White Deer township, in common with the members of the Lutheran congregation of; in, and to the aforesaid premises and church, when built, in consideration of the German Reformed congregation contributing to the purchase of the lot and building of the house, &c. Marriages. Daniel Shannon with Christena Pross, February 23. March 23, Samuel Strickland with Elizabeth Turner. April 2, Jonathan Ranck with Catherine Long, daughter of Joseph. May 30, Jacob Wehr with Margaret Sassaman. June 25, Jacob Pees and Elizabeth Williamson, in presence of her brother, Gideon. September 3, Elisha Barry with Elizabeth Herbst, daughter of Henry. October 12, George Mook with Julia Fastnock, daughter of Adam. All by Henry Spyker, Esquire. Deaths. 4th April, Catherine, wife of John Dreisbach, born 11th March, 1785. Married 18th April, 1811. 11th April, Elizabeth, wife of William Wilson, aged fifty-seven. June 27, John Freedly, (miller,) found this morning lying in a water sluice, in his meadow, dead. George Knox, George Schnable, John Lawshe, senior, George Metzgar, Henry Colway, Philip Lesher, Alexander Graham, George 1815.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 431 Kremer, Robert Smith, Alexander Morton, Jonathan Spyker, and James Knox, a jury empaneled, found he came to his death by accident, and not by violence." (He was the owner of Ludwig Derr's mill.) Captain William Gray, one of the first settlers in the Valley, died. His children were: Sally, Mrs. Mary Dunlap; Susanna, married first to William Hudson, after his death, to Andrew Forster; Eleanor, to John Robinson; Margaret, to John Hayes, Esquire; Nancy, widow of Hudson Williams; Jane, widow of William Wallace, married to Samuel Hutchinson. Hugh McLaughlin, White Deer. He lived, adjoining William Clingan's, owning a farm of seventy acres. His children: James Eleanor, wife of William Cameron, Esquire; Hugh, who recently (1871) died at Lewisburg, and Margaret, who died unmarried. Japhet Morton, East Buffalo. Children: Edward, William, John, Alexander, Isabella, married to Thomas McGuire, and Rachel and four grandchildren, sons of Thomas, deceased: Martha, Betsey, Polly, and Japhet. November 1, Christian Nevius, aged fifty-six. He left a widow, Lucretia, who died January 19, 1841, aged seventy-five. Children: Peter, John, Ann, Ralph, Aaron, Elizabeth, Phoebe, and Sarah. [End of page 431.] 1816. HENRY SHAUP'S NEWSPAPER - SUSQUEHANNA BIBLE SOCIETY FORMED- LEWISBURG BRIDGE BUILT - A NEW CHURCH AT CROSS-ROADS -PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - SIMON SNYDER'S LETTER TO GEORGE KREMER - JUDGE COOPER TRANSFERED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. ITEMS taken from Henry Shaup's Union Newspaper - Markets in Philadelphia: wheat, $2.20; rye, $1.45; corn, $1.50; butter, 14 cents pound. Proposals are published by Frederick Gutelius, James Dale, and John Bower, county commissioners, for building the jail. Israel Inman was the principal store-keeper in New Berlin. George Spring notifies all persons having lots in the town of Springfield, to come forward on the 1st of April, and lift their deeds or give up their tickets. James Merrill, practicing law at Mr. Maurer's, opposite the New Berlin hotel. William Poak kept hotel at Hartleton. John Grove's vendue at New Berlin. James Monroe and Daniel D. Tompkins nominated for President and Vice President, by the Republican members of Congress. Simon Snyder had thirty votes in caucus for Vice President. Aaron Chamberlin elected colonel, vice George Weirick, resigned. Philip Franck, watch-maker, New Berlin. George Eisenhuth, merchant. William Dale and John Leany, executors of Samuel Fisher, of White Deer, advertise his land on White Deer creek for sale. A public market held in New Berlin on the 20th of June, continuing three days, for the purpose of selling horses, horned cattle. " Here the weary peddler was invited to repose a few days, with his pack, and at the same time vend jewelry to his advantage; the lovers of music and dancing, to spend the careless hours in pleasure. Boxers and gamblers are not invited, 1816.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 433 but may attend at their own risk." A bear beat is also advertised as one of the attractions. An association formed to suppress horse- racing, Abbot Green, treasurer. John Sargeant and Robert Smith were brought before Henry Spyker, Esquire, who fined them $20 each. He notes in his docket that "the judges of Union county say this is wrong, and have reversed my proceeding. After this, the judges may fine the horse-racers themselves." July 23, Ann Smith, alias Carson, arrested above Harrisburg, with two companions, who called themselves Owen Jones and Nathaniel B. Bard. She had formed plains to abduct the Governor, and extort by violence a pardon of Richard Smith, convicted of the murder of Captain Carson, or, failing in this, to seize some member of his family. Susquehanna Bible Society formed at Milton, John B. Patterson, president; vice presidents, Reverend Thomas Hood and Judge Andrew Alhright. Shaup thus notices the demise of the The Advocate of the Union, Hugh Maxwell's paper: "Union county has lost an Advocate, Saturday, 27th September, after a lingering illness of one year and seven months. The remains, we understand, have been removed to Bellefonte." August 24. Adam Wilt made a plan of New Berlin, showing the original as laid out by George Long, and the additions made by Christopher Seebold, Christian Miller, Henry Gross, Alexander and James Beatty. This plan was signed by the lot owners of New Berlin, and recorded as the proper plan of the place. Deed book "C," page 198. Improvements. 15th March, supplement to the Lewisburg bridge charter passed, authorizing the Governor to subscribe four hundred shares for the State. June 19, the company organized. July 4, contract made with Reuben Fields for the erection of the bridge for $52,600. $2,400 was afterwards allowed, in addition to the contract price. The jail at New Berlin was erected this year by Frederick Hipple, of Centre township. Contract price, $4,000. The stone furnished by Henry Gross, at twelve and a half cents per perch, measured in the wall. 23d February, Buffalo Cross-Roads congregation met, William Clingan called to the chair, James McClellan, secretary, 434 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1816. and resolved to build a stone meeting-house sixty by thirty-five. The trustees altered it to fifty-two by forty; four rows of seats, and pulpit in the end. Jacob Hartman contracted to do all the carpenter work and painting for $625. William McLaughlin to do the mason work at seventy-five cents per perch. This stone church stood within the limits of the present grave-yard, north-west corner. The corner-stone was laid on the 23d day of July. It was completed by the 29th of December, when Mr. Dunham preached the first sermon in the new church, from Nehemiah, iv: 6: "For the people had a mind to build." 19th March, 1817, Mr. Hood preached the first sermon in the new pulpit. Text, John, vi: 38 and 39, showing the reasonableness of the doctrine of predestination. 27th April, Peter Burg conveyed to Conrad Philips and John Walters, a lot on Walnut street and Apple Tree alley, in New Berlin, for a grave-yard for the use of the Union County Evangelical Association. At the October election, the candidates for Congress were George Kremer, William Wilson, David Scott, Charles Maus, and Captain William F. Buyers. William Wilson and David Scott were elected. At this election, one thousand six hundred and twelve votes were polled. Democratic majority nearly seven hundred and fifty. At the November election, Monroe and Tompkins received six hundred and one votes, against one hundred and two for the opposition or Independent Republican ticket, on which were the names of Andrew Gregg, Christian Brobst, Daniel Montgomery, and others, as electors. October 11, Reverend C. Newcomer arrived again in the Valley; preached at old Mr. Eyers'. 12th, at Mr. Dreisbach. Sunday, 13th, had meeting in the forenoon and at night. 14th, conference of the Albright brethren commenced. 15th, attended a funeral at Mr. Gilmore's; at night preached at Solomon Betz's. 16th, preached at Youngmanstown and lodged at Mr. Con's. Mail arrives at New Berlin once a week. Extracts from a letter from Governor Snyder to George Kremer, 24th November: "I should like much to see you pitted against that arch fiend, Lieb, in the House of Representatives; but unless Brobst resigns, I cannot see how the Speaker could constitutionally issue a writ for the election of another. A writ of lunacy could be awarded 1816.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 435 by the court of Union county, and thereupon a writ might issue for a new election. The people might memorialize the House, that, through mental derangement, the act of God, one of their Representatives is disqualified to represent the wisdom of the county. This, accompanied by certificates from regular-bred physicians - Doctors Dougal, Vanvalzah, &c. - would undoubtedly bring the question fairly before the House, and a precedent established in his case, if there is not one already, in this country or in England. But, if he has any interval of sanity, this might be embraced to procure his resignation. Thus all difficulty would be removed, and make room for your election, which, I suppose, would be certain, if the Longstown interest does not oppose you. Whatever may be done, it will be all-important to keep out of view his having been mad before his election, or that the people were so who elected him." The letter refers to Jacob Brobst, who became insane. He lived just above Mifflinburg, where he died. The path the poor old man tramped in his fearful spells and struggles was visible many years after his death. December 6. Judge Thomas Cooper, late professor at Dickinson College, Carlisle, was elected professor in the University of Pennsylvania. Marriages. 17th January, Daniel Shriner with Catherine Funston, daughter of William. June 6, John Hayes with Jane McFadden, daughter of John. June 23, Titus Kemp with Betsey Huntingdon, in presence of her cousin, Gabriel. Eo die, William Francis, widower, with Catherine Gettig, widow. November 7, Henry Moyer with Polly Strickland. December 19, John Walters with Susanna Moyer, daughter of John, in presence of her brother, Peter. December 31, by Reverend J. H. Fries, Jacob Strayer to Rachel Harmony, of New Berlin. In August, John Johnston, (painter,) of New Berlin, to Elizabeth Kress, by H. Yearick, Esquire. Deaths. 9th March, Mrs. Elizabeth Weirick, wife of Colonel George Weirick, aged thirty-six. 436 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1817. Peter Bower, East Buffalo, aged sixty-eight. Killian Dunkle, East Buffalo. John Hoover, of West Buffalo. Children: George, Jacob, Ann, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, Susan, and Christena. Philip Gebbart. Widow: Mary. Children: Jonathan, George, John, Henry, Michael, Elizabeth, Sally, and Mary. Daniel Rees, of Buffalo, left widow, Catherine, and children, Catherine and George W. October 15, Thomas Sutherland, father of Mrs. Doctor Thomas Vanvalzah, aged eighty-four. (His widow, Jane, died July 9, 1819, aged eighty-two.) 1817 POLITICAL - ELECTION RETURNS - LEWISBURG BRIDGE - HENRY SPYKER, ESQUIRE - COLONEL WILLIAM CHAMBERLIN. JOHN SNYDER, United States Collector Internal Revenue. Postmasters: Lewisburg, A. Graham; New Berlin, James Merrill; Mifflinburg, John Orwig; Hartleton, James Madden. Republican Standing Committee, Henry Yearick, James Geddes, and P. F. Deering. 19th February, Democratic Republican Convention held at New Berlin. John Gross, president; Henry Yearick, secretary. Ner Middleswarth and James Dale appointed delegates to the State Convention, and William Findlay, of Franklin, recommended for Governor. 4th March, William Findlay nominated at Harrisburg, and Joseph Hiester by the Independent Republicans, at Carlisle. June 19, Stephen Hughes, chairman, John Mauck and Lewis Bertram secretaries of the Hiester meeting, held at the house of John Solomon, in New Berlin. July 12, Findlay meeting held at New Berlin; John Wilson, president; James Geddes and Christopher Seebold secretaries. Vigilance committees: Hartley, Adam Wilt and Henry 1817.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 437 Roush; West Buffalo, Michael Schoch, John Dreisbach, Christopher Johnston, John Ray, and Robert Forster; East Buffalo, James Dale, John Reber, Andrew Reedy, and George Knox; White Deer, Colonel Aaron Chamberlin, A. McClenachan, Major John Ranck, and Dan Caldwell; Union, Alexander Boveard, Michael Waggoner, Jacob Kline, and William Kessler. 10th September, convention at New Berlin; John Orwig, chairman; Isaac Mertz, secretary. Joseph Hiester nominated for Governor. Assembly, Fred Stees and Joseph Stillwell; commissioner, Mishael Lincoln; auditor, Samuel Baum. Delegates: Union, George Eisenhuth; Hartley, Abbot Green and William Reed; West Buffalo, John Orwig and Daniel Reeser; East Buffalo, Christian Sterner and William Hayes. 20th September, General Adam Light nominated by the Independents for Congress. ELECTION RETURNS. GOV'NR. CONG'SS ASSEMBLY. COMM'R. J. Heister | W. Findlay | | A. Light | | | J. Murray | | | | F. Stees DISTRICTS. | | | | | J. Stilwell | | | | | | J. Ray | | | | | | | N. Middleswarth | | | | | | | | M. Lincoln | | | | | | | | | A. McClenachan Union 192 145 192 141 167 184 165 152 134 141 East Buffalo l16 222 96 229 102 98 236 228 111 219 West Buffalo 173 115 173 114 173 167 123 116 172 113 White Deer 45 200 23 218 43 43 202 201 87 204 Hartley 103 108 99 111 101 87 110 113 102 109 Beaver 171 70 71 162 159 79 79 167 68 Centre 204 35 3 232 192 186 47 46 104 35 Perry 92 39 48 48 70 67 59 68 87 45 Freeburg 163 49 156 55 157 157 51 53 160 50 Penn's 248 351 182 49 238 242 44 40 246 113 Total 1507 1018 972 1268 1405 l390 1116 1096 1320 1011 February 6, prices in Philadelphia: Wheat, $3 per bushel; rye, $1.60; corn, $1.70. February 13, Methodist church, at New Berlin, dedicated. A great assemblage of people. Over two hundred sleds and sleighs. March 13, ice broke on the river, and obstructed the stages. 9th August, Limestone Run bridge, in the town of Mil- 438 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1817. ton, swept out, with large portions of the road, by a sudden freshet in that stream. Lewisburg Bridge. November 1, superstructure up, and teams cross the Lewisburg bridge. James Lee, the old tavern-keeper, at Northumberland, in a suit, Burr vs. McCay, 6 Barr, 149, about the " Burr bridge patent," testified to the following facts, in regard to the building of this bridge and others on the Susquehanna: "In May, 1816, Theodore Burr was at my house, in Northumberland, and I asked him whether he proposed attending the letting of the Lewisburg bridge. He said he had enough bridges on hand, and recommended Reuben Fields as a first-rate builder, who worked with him on the Harrisburg bridge. I went to Harrisburg, got an introduction to Mr. Fields, who came to Lewisburg the week following, to look at the points for material, contiguous to the site. A few days before the letting, he brought up a plan and draft for the bridge. Theodore Burr advised Fields and myself to build on that plan. We presented the plan to the company on the 3d of July, 1816, together with our proposals. The day following, Mr. Hepburn drew the contract between the Lewisburg Bridge Company, Fields, and myself, and on the 7th we commenced excavating the foundation for stone-work. In September we had got up two piers, and the two abutments halfway. Mr. Fields came up that fall, and commenced the wood-work. Early the next spring one of the reaches was up, and another part raised on the east side," &c. Theodore Burr commenced building the Northumberland bridge In 1812. Finished it in two years. In 1814 he commenced the Harrisburg bridge, and finished it in two or three years. Marriages. February 20, by Henry Spyker, Esquire, Peter Long to Sarah, daughter of Jacob Moore. June 19, by Reverend J. H. Fries, Samuel Roush, Esquire, to Miss Elizabeth Dunkle. September 9, by Reverend Peter Kessler, Jacob Alter to Miss Ann Kessler. October 24, George Mitchel to Eliza Anderson. May 22, by Reverend John Pitterson, Andrew McBeth to Ann Linn. 1817.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 439 Deaths. February 6, Enoch Smith, Esquire, attorney-at-law, Sunbury, Pennsylvania. February 19, Flavel Roan, Esquire, born July 31, 1760. Son of the Reverend John Roan, and brother of Mrs. Clingan. He was buried in the Presbyterian grave-yard, at Lewisburg, near the pavement, a little east of the present church. The grave being unmarked, it was lost sight of when the church was built. March 17, Elizabeth, wife of Reverend J. G. Heim, born April 17, 1776. April 17, Elias Youngman, born August 15, 1738. Married, January 11, 1763, to Catherine Nagle. His children were: George, father of Elias, of Jersey Shore; Thomas, who died, (Thomas' widow married Robert Forster,) and Catherine, married to John Dreisbach. Elias Youngman was a hatter, in Sunbury, in 1775. Moved into the Valley in 1783. April 27, Jacob Dunkle, who bought the Heberling mill at sheriff's sale, as the property of Captain John Bergstresser, was killed near Bear Gap, as he was coming home with the team from Philadelphia. His horses ran off, and the wagon wheels passed over his head, killing him instantly. He was the grandfather of Charles C., of Lewisburg. He left a family of seven sons and five daughters. He was married, November 24, 1789, to Ann C. Shoemaker. July 1, Henry Spyker, Esquire. His children were: Mrs. Alexander Graham, Jonathan Spyker, &c. He was a son of Peter Spyker, who was president of the courts of Berks county in 1780. The Spykers, Christs, Kadermans, &c., came over with Conrad Weiser to New York, in 1710, from a place called Herrenburg, in Wurtemberg, Germany. In 1729, they all removed together to Tulpehocken, where Henry Spyker was born, 29th August, 1753. He was adjutant, in 1776, of a militia regiment on duty at Amboy, New Jersey, where he heard the thunder of the battle on the 25th, 26th, and 27th. His manuscript journal is yet in the possession of his granddaughter, Mary Spyker, at Lewisburg, together with many valuable papers, a complete file of almanacs from 1756 down. He was paymaster of the militia from October 1, 1777, to July 27, 1785, during which he disbursed £122,847 7S. 6d., and accounted satis- factorily for every cent. He was afterwards member of Assembly for Berks, 1788-90. In 1797, when Jonathan was twelve years old, just the age of Lewisburg, he removed to Lewisburg, where he en- 440 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1817. gaged in store-keeping for a few years; was then appointed a justice, which office he exercised until within a few days of his death. He used to tell of two Germans of the Valley, who came to his office to make some sale, and have a note written, and when through, the party who was to have the note told the other to keep it, and he could then know when it was due, and come and pay him. August 21, Colonel William Chamberlin. He came from Hunterdon county, New Jersey, where he was born, September 25, 1736. He served as lieutenant colonel in second regiment, Colonel David Chambers, his commission bearing date 9th September, 1777, in November of which year, by order of Governor Livingston, he was directed to call on Messrs. Penn and Chew, at the Union ironworks, to conduct them to Worcester, Massachusetts, and deliver them to the Council of that State. He was also directed to purchase, in Connecticut or Massachusetts Bay, twenty thousand flints for the Council of New Jersey. He participated in the battle of Monmouth, 28th June, 1778, where his eldest son Lewis was killed by a cannon ball. He moved into our Valley in 1793, and on the 16th of August, 1794, married his fourth wife, Mary Kemble. He was the father of twenty-three children, fifteen of whom were born in New Jersey. Of his children, Nelly married John Lawshe, senior; Ann, John Ross; Lucretia, Christian Nevius; William, Enoch, Tenbrooke; Sarah, married to James Wilson; Uriah; Elizabeth, married to William McCreery; Aaron, came with him. His fourth wife's children were: John, James, Lewis, Mary Frances, married to John Linn; Joseph P., James D., and Moses, the latter still residing at Milton. James Marshall, of White Deer. [End of page 440.] 1818. DELAWARES AND SHAWANESE REMOVE WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. WILLIAM FINDLAY, Governor. February 8, prices current in Philadelphia: flour, $10 per barrel; wheat, $1 80; rye, 95 cents. 9th, the first toll was taken on the Lewisburg bridge. On the 5th and 6th of May, David Yoder had the town of New Columbia surveyed and laid out in streets and lots. During this summer, the Christian chapel, a frame building on Fourth street, between St. John and St. Anthony, in Lewisburg, was erected. I note, September 17, the treaty by which the Delawares and Shawanese cede their lands in Ohio and Indiana, and agree to take locations on the Arkansas river. The Delawares resided principally on Stony creek, a branch of the Maumee; the Shawanese on the Auglaize river, where it empties into the Maumee, in north-western Ohio. The election this fall did not manifest any material change in the political situation of the State. Ex-Governor Simon Snyder was elected Senator from Northumberland, Union, &c., without any opposition. Marriages. Among marriages are: February 24, James Dale to Eliza Bell, of Hanover, Dauphin county. June 11, John Snyder, Esquire, to Miss Mary Kittera, daughter of late Honorable John Wilkes Kittera, deceased. November 4, Lieutenant R. H. Hammond, fifth U. S. infantry, to Miss Eliza C. Gloninger, of Lebanon. 442 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1819. Deaths. Among deaths: March 30, Christopher Weiser, East Buffalo, aged sixty-one. May 25, Sarah Barber, wife of Robert, aged sixty-five.