Union County History Annals of the Buffalo Valley by John Blair Lynn Pages 487 thru 522 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. 1826 LOTTERY ADVERTISEMENTS - FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION - MURDER OF JACOB SWINEFORD - WEATHER RECORD - BISHOP NEWCOMER'S DEATH - POLITICAL - OBITUARY. JANUARY 7, prices current in Philadelphia: Wheat, ninety cents; rye, fifty-eight; corn, sixty-two; whisky, twenty-six. Samuel Baum, postmaster at. New Berlin, in April; Alexander Graham, at Lewisburg; Jacob Maize, at Mifflinburg. February 13, the coldest day of the year. The Democratic-Republican convention met at New Berlin. Robert Taylor, president; John Bossier, secretary; William Forster and Henry C. Eyer were appointed delegates to the State convention, with instructions to support the re-nomination of Governor Shulze. February 18, Judge Seth Chapman, who was impeached for misdemeanors in office, was acquitted by the Senate, twenty-six Senators voting not guilty, five voting guilty. March 13, James F. Linn admitted to the bar. April 10, the turnpike company incorporated to make a road from the end of the Lewisburg bridge to Mifflinburg. Commissioners, William Hayes, James Geddes, Jacob Maize, Henry Roush, and James Duncan. Lottery advertisements fill the county papers this year. John A. Sterrett was agent for the Union Canal lottery, at New Berlin, and James Appleton, at Mifflinburg. New Berlin lottery, by Peter Smith. In Mifflinburg, one by John and Henry Orwig; James Cummings, Samuel Roush, John Ray, James Appleton, George Bogar, and Conrad Grove, managers. William Wolfinger advertises the Selinsgrove lottery. Andrew Reedy, one at William Taggert's, Buffalo 488 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1826. Cross-Roads. Two prizes of $3,000, one of $2,000. Severe drouth which continued until the 23d of June, when it rained so excessively as to spoil much hay.* 28th, a great freshet on the river. The old market house, on Market street, in Lewisburg, taken down. 4th of July celebrated at New Berlin. Reverend J. H. Fries delivered a discourse from Psalm lxxxv: 10 and 11 verses; Charles A. Bradford, Esquire, an oration. The singing was under the direction of Mr. Hickok. After which the company repaired to Gross' spring, where Mr. Eilert had prepared a dinner. Abbot Green was then made chairman, George A. Snyder, secretary, and a number of toasts were read. Murder of Jacob Swineford. Jacob Swineford, Esquire, of Middleburg, in this county, was murdered on the night of the 4th of July, in Lebanon. The facts, as far as we can learn from a German paper published in that place, are as follows: Swineford and his son had been, for some days previously to the 4th, in the vicinity of Lebanon, with a drove of sheep, consisting of about three hundred and eighty, which he had disposed of, except about fifty, with which he arrived in Lebanon on the morning of the 4th, where he spent the day. In the evening he met with a Mr. Greenawalt, an old acquaintance, at the tavern of a Mr. Williams, where they drank together, after which Swineford asked Greenawalt to walk with him. They went, and when they came to an alley in Hill street, they were suddenly attacked by three men, by one of whom Greenawalt was knocked down twice, but succeeded in making a retreat, calling to Swineford to run also. Immediately afterwards, some boys, while passing, discovered some one lying on the ground. Light was immediately brought, and it was found to be Swineford, who was then in the agonies of death, and expired immediately afterwards. He had received two blows on his head, which occasioned his death. The deceased is supposed *At the time a farmer in West Buffalo made several attempts to haul in his bay, only to be disappointed by sudden showers. Finally he had a load Within a short distance of his barn, when a terrible storm came on. In his wrath, he swore he would have some hay in dry at any rate, and grabbing from the wagon as much as he could carry in his arms, he ran for the barn. Unfortunately for him, the creek intervened, and as he was running with all his might, his foot slipped at the middle of the foot log, and he plunged, with his hay, into the stream. 1826.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 459 to have had between $400 and $500, in a large pocket-book, which was missing. About $80 in a small pocket-book was found about his person. Two men were arrested on suspicion of having committed the crime, but were afterwards discharged. The deceased has left a wife and six children to mourn his untimely end. - Times, July 14. In August it became very sultry, with no rain. Dust followed the plow, and a great deal of sickness prevailed in the Valley. In September, fever and ague prevailed extensively. In December, there was a great deal of snow and good sleighing, and the river was frozen, and crossed by sleds. The first snow fell on the 4th of November. September 28, Bishop Newcomer visited the Valley for the last time, on his return from a trip into Canada, staying at Martin and John Dreisbach's. He died at his own home, in Hagerstown, on 12th March, 1830, aged eighty-one. "Long will he be remembered by thousands. Many, very many, souls will, at the great day, own him as the instrument, in the hand of God, by which they have been turned from the error of their ways, and have been brought from darkness to light." Utica for girl's name having become quite common, it is, perhaps, proper to state its origin. In this year, Captain John Snyder went on a visit to New York, taking with his newly-married wife, Margaret. Having a race-horse with him, he was lucky enough to win a match at Utica, in memory of which he named his daughter, born within the year, Utica, and the name, through mere fancy or personal liking, became quite the rage. Political. September, Democratic convention at New Berlin, Michael Rathfon, chairman; Samuel Aurand, secretary. William Forster, junior, and George Aurand nominated for Assembly; Elias P. Youngman for commissioner; Andrew McClenachan and William Kessler, senatorial conferees, with instructions to support Ner Middleswarth for Senator, and indorsed the nomination of Governor Shulze. At a county meeting, held on the 20th, Frederick Gutelius, chairman, Dan Caldwell and John Montelius, secretaries, John Ray was 490 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1826. nominated for Senator; James Madden and Robert Willet for Assembly: John Montelius, commissioner; Conrad Grove, James K. Davis, and Simon Shaffer, standing committee. The congressional conference met at the house of William A. Petriken, in Pennsborough. Henry Yearick and Jacob Hummel, conferees. George Kremer, Samuel McKean, and Espy Van Horn nominated for Congress. 25th September, a senatorial conference met at Randall Wilcox's, in Lewisburg, and John Ray was nominated as a canal man. Governor Shulze had no opposition in the county, receiving 1062 votes, nor had Van Horn, McKean, and Kremer. For Senate, John Ray received 929 votes; Middleswarth, 785. Marriages. 2d February, by Reverend T. Hood, John Chamberlin to Elizabeth, daughter of William Hayes, of Lewisburg. 21st February, James Caldwell, of Lewisburg, to Isabella, daughter of James Duncan, of Centre county. 11th April, Jonathan Reedy to Miss Amelia Buchner. July 20, by Reverend T. Hood, James F. Linn, Esquire, of Lewisburg, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Hugh Wilson, of Buffalo township. 17th August, by Reverend T. Hood, Thomas Grier to Mrs. Rachel Stratton, of New Berlin. In New York, by Reverend Doctor Roberts, John Snyder to Miss Margaret Hammond. 31st October, John Devling to Mary Wilson, daughter of Judge Hugh Wilson. 19th October, by Reverend T. Hood, James Merrill, Esquire, of New Berlin, to Miss Sarah Hepburn, of Northumberland. 22d October, by Reverend J. H. Fries, Jesse Mauck, of New Berlin, to Miss Catherine Crotzer, of Mifflinburg. November 14, by John Nesbit, Esquire, William Alsbach to Catherine Shively. December 26, by Reverend John Dreisbach, John Yost, of New Berlin, to Miss Sarah Shaffer, of Buffalo. Obituary. Samuel Templeton died at his residence, near New Berlin, on Sat- urday, February 18, aged seventy-two. He was born in Ireland, and came to this country at the age of nineteen, and has since then resided in this neighborhood. He has been for many years an elder 1827] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 491 in the Presbyterian church, and, by an exemplary life, gave evidence that his profession of religion was sincere. He departed, after a long and distressing illness, in full possession of his mental faculties, and relying on the mercy of God, through the merits of our Redeemer, for salvation. His children were: Alexander, David, Reverend James, Ann, and Nancy, married to Doctor Chariton. On Monday morning, February 20, after a lingering illness of several months, John Mumma, Esquire, aged twenty-eight. His remains were interred with masonic honors on Tuesday last. At her residence, in Centre township, February 20, Mrs. Mary Wales, consort of James Wales. - Times, February 25. 1827. CANAL MEETING - DEBATING SOCIETIES - MIFFLINBURG ACADEMY ESTABLISHED - BOROUGH OF MIFFLINBURG INCORPORATED FLOUR in Philadelphia, in January, $6 per barrel. The newspapers note the winter of 1826-27 as the coldest since 1782. February 16, a public debate between the Lewisburg Debating Society and the Mifflinburg Debating Society took place at William Taggert's tavern, at the Cross- Roads. George A. Snyder, the president, awarded the victory to the Mifflinburg society. A little newspaper war between the societies resulted. William Cameron, Esquire, president of the Lewisburg society, and Doctor William Joyce, secretary, cudgel the Mifflinburg society in a pretty lively way, in the Times. February 20, a meeting in favor of canals was held at Lewisburg, president, Andrew McClenachan; secretary, James Dale; committee on resolutions, Dan Caldwell, Doctor Thomas Vanvalzah, and William Hayes. 492 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1827. April 2, Honorable George Kremer moved from Lewisburg to the Stees place, adjoining Middleburg, and Joseph Hutchinson opened store in the Kremer building. Under the act erecting circuit courts, Judge Molton C. Rogers held the first circuit court in New Berlin, on the 9th of April. On the 10th, Peter Gearhart was put on trial for murder; Bellas and Bradford for the Commonwealth, Lashells and Maus for the defendant. (May 16, George A. Snyder remarks: "Took Judge Chapman two and one half days to try Henry Frock for stealing walnuts, while Judge Rogers, in April, tried a murder case, two fornication and adultery cases, in three days.") 14th April, act establishing the Mifflinburg academy. - Pamphlet Laws, 322. Henry Yearick, James Appleton, Jacob Maize, James Merrill, John Forster, Joseph Musser, Michael Roush, Thomas Vanvalzah, and John F. Wilson, trustees. Three trustees to be elected annually by the people of the county. April 13, the borough of Selinsgrove incorporated. - Pamphlet Laws, 278. 14th April, the borough of Mifflinburg incorporated, by the following boundaries: Beginning at a post on line of the heirs of Jacob Brobst, N. 2º W. 362; thence along line of the heirs of George Rote, deceased, N. 76º E. 118; by the same, S. 2º E. 145 thence, N. 88º E. 120, to a post in the center of the road leading from George Rockey's to Mifflinburg; thence along the center thereof, S. 2º E., in a line between Michael Bartges, John Charles, Conrad Mull, et al., 210; thence along the north side of Limestone hill, S. 88º W. 240, to beginning. - Pamphlet Laws, 305. These boundaries embrace the whole of Ensign Meen's, the south half of Ensign Forster's, and part of the Elias Younkman warrantees. July 30, John Musser's (Kelly township) still bursted, and scalded himself, James Wilson, and the stiller. They applied to Jonathan Spyker to "hex" the fire out of them. August 2, William Hayes' store robbed of $100 The taker confessed, and Mr. Hayes let him off. Some few years since a person from Lewisburg stopped over night at a farm-house in Ohio, and recognized in the owner of the fine farm the penitent subject of Mr. Hayes' clemency. August 25, Lafayette Lodge, New Berlin, appropriated $40 to the Greek fund, "to be applied in accelerating the cause of liberty in 1827.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 493 Greece," and James Aiken returned to Lewisburg, after an absence of two years. Doctor E. Appleton, of New Berlin, made a great sensation about a recipe he had made for curing drunkenness. It had a great run for awhile, but proved of no account. 10th September, Peter Nevius, constable, took charge of a party of town boys convicted of an affray at Poak's, to convey them to jail at New Berlin. On the Shamokin hill he pretended something was wrong with the harness, and got out to fix it. The boys saw their opportunity, and ran off. As some of them became prominent citizens, remarkable for good works, it is not worth while to say who they were. 9th October, John Dreisbach, Ner Middleswarth, Jackson men, elected to the Assembly, over James Madden and R. P. Maclay. 14th, masonic procession at New Berlin. Sixty-seven appeared in regalia. Reverend Fries and James Merrill, Esquire, addressed them. 11th November, John Sheckler's barn burned; fired by his aunt, who is deranged. 21st November, snow storm, ground covered. December 4, Ner Middleswarth chosen Speaker of the House. Marriages. February 13, John Yarger to Miss Margaret Kelly, of Hartley, by Samuel Haupt, Esquire. April 19, Thomas Wilson, of Kelly, to Mrs. Drake. May 10, John Housel to Margaret Musser, daughter of Jacob, Esquire. June 5, Saul McCormick to Catherine, daughter of Reverend Thomas Hood. August 30, John Magee to Susan Struble. Deaths. Thomas Shipton, Esquire, died in Middleburg, February 4, aged seventy-four years. He officiated as justice of the peace for upwards of thirty years, and was very highly esteemed. Honorable John Macpherson died on the 2d of August, at his residence, near Winfield. He served in the navy of the Revolution, was badly wounded, and, on that account, received a pension from the State. He was associate judge of Northumberland county for twenty-three years. 494 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1828. September 26, Mrs. Conrad Foutz, aged eighty-eight, mother of Mrs. Charles Cameron, was buried at Lewisburg. Her husband was one of the rangers who, with the Groves and Samuel Brady, were a great terror to the Indians. Conrad Foutz's grandson, General Simon Cameron, was Secretary of War under Abraham Lincoln, and his great-grandson, J. D. Cameron, Secretary of War under General Grant. 1828. LIST OF ATTORNEYS - CANAL LOCATED -LEWISBURG AND MIFFLINTOWN TURNPIKE LOCATED. JANUARY 5, Frederick Evans and Robert P. Maclay, delegates to the State convention which nominated Andrew Jackson for President. List of attorneys attending February court, Union county James Merrill, John Lashells, John A. Sterrett, John Wyeth, Charles Maus, Jacob H. Horning, and James F. Linn; from Northumberland county, Hugh Bellas, Ebenezer Greenough, Alexander Jordan, Charles G. Donnel, Samuel J. Packer, and Samuel Hepburn; Lycoming, William Cox Ellis, James Armstrong, and Robert Fleming; Schuylkill, Charles A. Bradford, Esquire. There was not snow sufficient for sleighing during the entire winter, and arks passed down the river as early as the 10th of February. 22d March, public debate at Lewisburg on the question: "Will the present Government of the United States decline and fall?" Affirmative, Isaac Slenker, J. F. Linn, and Jackson McFadden; negative, James Aiken, Doctor William Joyce, and William Nesbit, Esquire; presiding judge, Reverend George Richmond; associates, Doctor Thomas Vanvalzah, John Vandyke, Frederick Pontius, T. R, Lewis, John Machemer, and John H. Hickok. People from 1828.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 495 New Berlin, Milton, and all the Valley attended. A majority of the judges decided for the negative, Vanvalzah and Lewis dissenting. The debate was continued all the afternoon and evening. 26th, news arrived that grain had fallen rapidly at Baltimore. All the merchants lost heavily. Worth only sixty-five cents. Hayes settled with his customers at seventy-two cents per bushel. Sunday, 13th April, north-east snow storm prevailed. Laird Howard, Francis Wilson, and James F. Linn, only, put in appearance at Buffalo church. Mr. Hood thought it not worth while to preach to three men. This snow storm did a great deal of damage to fruit. 30th, Judge Rawle, Robert Faries, and William Wilson, engineers to locate the canal, arrived at Lewisburg; Rothrock, draftsman Paul Geddes and Joseph Green, chain-carriers. *May 13, Isaac Slenker admitted to the bar. Judge Chapman remarked that he passed the best examination had before him in five years. July 13, Elijah Bacon made his appearance, and preached in the Union church. August 28, Messrs. Hayes, Caldwell, Cameron, Joyce, and Vanvalzah, who were representing the interests of the west side, returned from Harrisburg, and reported that the canal would be located on the east side; Rawle estimating that the west side would cost $340,000 more. Our people, however, believed it the result of intrigue and good management. September 11, James F. Linn surveyed a route for the turnpike between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg. Alexander Graham, James Geddes, William Wilson, William and Daniel Cameron, Jackson McFaddin, Robert Hayes, John Reber and, Thomas McGuire, went along all the way. Started at eight, and reached Mifflinburg half-past four, where Joseph Musser and John Machemer met the party with wagons, and took them back. Straight course between the two places, S. 71º 39' W., distance, eight miles thirty-four perches. 12th, the mill, house, and barn, late Adam Wagoner's, on Rapid run, (now Cowan,) belonging to Jacob Baker's heirs, burned at one o'clock last night. Family escaped with difficulty. This was the *Honorable Isaac Slenker studied law with the late James F. Linn, Esquire. In 1862 be was elected Auditor General, and served from May 4, 1863, to May 1, 1868. He died at New Berlin, April 17, 1873, aged seventy-three years. 496 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1828. second time the mill was burned in Wagoner's time, having been burned once fourteen or fifteen years ago. Supposed to be the work of an incendiary. October 1, West Branch division of the canal let at Milton; and a horse-race between Petriken's gray and Doctor Getz's mare. The gray led three or four lengths; stakes, $400. September 28, Isaac Bockener, who lived on Colonel Ruhl's place, died from the effects of an injury received at David Linn's clover-mill. The water-wheel caught his leg, stripped the flesh off, and gangrene set in. This mill was erected during this summer. October 31, presidential election. Jackson electors had eighty- seven, Adams six votes, in Lewisburg. November 4, Subscription to the turnpike completed. Wheat rose to $1 25. 29th, the committee met to draft a petition for a cross-cut canal to Lewisburg: William Hayes, James Geddes, William Wilson, Doctor Joyce, and James F. Linn. December 22, James F. Linn commenced surveying the turnpike. 29th, he commenced locating, and got as far as James Harris'. Finished on the 30th. Marriages. 3d January, William Miller, of New Berlin, to Miss Elizabeth Myers January 16, by Mr. Hood, Jacob Derr to Isabella Hunter. 13th March, John Hans, late deputy sheriff, to Margaret Roush, of Mifflinburg. April 8, Mrs. Abigail Iddings, widow of Isaac, married to old Mr. Mackey, by James McClellan, Esquire. 28th May, by Reverend Richmond, Abner Metzgar to Eleanor Lawshe. November 6, by Reverend T. Hood, Hugh McLaughlin to Frances, daughter of George Derr. 11th, by same, John Forster, to Margaret, youngest daughter of Doctor Robert Vanvalzah. 20th, Joseph Chamberlin to Nancy Deal. December 9, by Mr. Hood, David Duncan, of Centre county, to Miss Susan Hayes, of New Berlin. [End of page 496.] 1829. UNION HICKORY NEWSPAPER - SUPREME COURT PERSONNEL - AN UN-PUBLISHED OPINION. THE winter of 1828-29 particularly unpleasant; rain fell daily for seventy days, and spring was fifteen days later than usual, when the weather became suddenly warm. June 17, most of the farmers commenced mowing. Market price of wheat in May, $1 40. January 27, the turnpike let to John Maclay for $3 90 per perch, the whole distance from Lewisburg to Mifflinburg. February 17, a large meeting held at New Berlin to appoint delegates to 4th of March convention. George Weirick and William Kessler, Esquire, appointed delegates, with instructions to support, first, for Governor, George Kremer; second, Ner Middleswarth; third, Samuel D. Ingham; and, if neither succeeded, to unite in nominating a Jackson man, no way connected with the present Administration, by blood or otherwise. 3d March, an appropriation made by the Legislature for the improvement of Penn's creek. May 5, William Carothers moved the Union Hickory newspaper press from New Berlin to Lewisburg, and continued its publication till April 13, 1830. In May, James F. Linn surveyed and laid out the river road from Lewisburg to Selinsgrove. Jacob K. Boyer, of Reading, who had done a large mercantile business, and bought a great deal of wheat through Buffalo Valley, was convicted of passing counterfeit money. He was said, by the district attorney, to be 498 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1829 guilty of the most expert, extensive, and wholesale counterfeiting ever known within the United States. June 26, Supreme Court personnel: Gibson is a large, portly man, somewhat corpulent, small eyes, black hair, clean shaven, noble countenance. Rogers, small, thin-faced man, dark hair, no whiskers, very intelligent countenance. Huston, tall, awkward, prominent eyebrows, eyes deep set, large nose, iron gray hair, and short whiskers. Tod, short, corpulent, red complexion, light hair, very little of it, and that frizzled. Smith, short, fat, white headed, large nose, large rolling eyes, stooping a little as he walks. An Unpublished Opinion. Sunbury, June 27, the news arrived of the nomination of Joseph Ritner for Governor, by the Anti-Masonic convention, at Harrisburg, yesterday. Justice Frederick Smith took his seat in the court-house some time before the meeting of the court. Justice Rogers next ap- peared to whom Smith said: "Well, Mr. Rogers, whom think you the Anti- Masons have nominated?" Rogers: "I have not heard; have you ?" Smith: "Yes, they have fixed on Joseph Ritner." "Why, the damned fools, what do they think they can do with him. He wont get ten thousand votes. Oh, the damned fools, ha! ha! ha!" Justice Tod came in next, when Smith went on: "Well, Mr. Tod, have you heard whom the Anti-Masons have nominated for Governor?" Tod: "No; have you?" Smith: "Joseph Ritner." Tod: "Joseph Ritner! Joseph Ritner! Joseph Ritner! Well, I'll vote for any Anti -Mason, any Anti-Jackson, Anti-canal candidate; but Joseph Ritner, I won't vote for him, by God! " Then in sauntered Chief Justice Gibson, and Smith began again: "Mr. Chief Justice, have you heard whom the Anti-Masons have nominated for Governor?" Gibson: "No; who is it?" Smith: "Joseph Ritner." Gibson : "Oh, hell! " The chief justice whistled a slow march, and took his seat without further remark. Justice Huston did not enter until the court had proceeded to business, so that he delivered no opinion on this momentous subject. G. A. S. This year is noted for its tremendous Anti-Masonic excitement. September 15, Reverend J. H. Fries delivered an address before the Masonic Wolf meeting, in New Berlin, when George Kremer and 1829.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 499 John Dreisbach were nominated for Assembly. August 29, the Anti- Masonic convention nominated Ner Middleswarth and Philip Ruhl. George Bogar, president. Delegates were, Union, Charles Maus and George Bogar; East Buffalo, William L. Harris and Peter Voneida; Hartley, Michael Peters and Daniel Speigelmyer; White Deer, Jacob Sypher and Christian Reichly; Kelly, Joseph Spotts and George Moyer; Mifflinburg, John Montelius and John Van Buskirk; West Buffalo, Henry and David Jordan. Joseph Ritner recommended for Governor; county commissioner, William Betz. In October, the Ritner vote in Union county was 2,068; Wolf, for Governor, had 764; Middleswarth and Ruhl had each 1,914; Kremer, 810; Driesbach, 971. For Governor, Ritner had 61 votes in Lewisburg, Wolf had 58 votes. Horse races very common this year in and about Lewisburg. August 20, occurred the one between Sargent's sorrel and "Tamany," of Milton. The Milton people came down and bet all the money they had on their favorite; watches, knives, and, in fact, everything they had about them. Sargent's horse won by five to six lengths. J. P. Ross used to relate the scenes of this day, and laugh until the tears ran down his cheeks. He said the Lewisburg fellows had to lend the Milton men money to pay their toll going home. October 3, race between John Forster's horse and Silverwood's. Thomas Sawyer and family left the Valley for Ohio. Road from Chamberlin's mill to Kelly's saw-mill laid out. Farm of Benjamin Schrack, deceased, appraised at $15 per acre. General Green bought the Stedman farm, opposite Lewisburg, one hundred and forty-seven acres, at $36 per acre, cash. December 4, the first snow fell. December 28, turnpike managers met, and the commissioners appointed by the Governor reported it completed. Marriages. 17th January, William Wilson (son of Judge Hugh) to Ruth Waddell, of Centre county, by Reverend Mr. Todd, at Mifflinburg. 20th, Walter Devling to Eliza, daughter of Judge Hugh Wilson, by Mr. Hood. February 17, Doctor Joseph F. Grier to Margaret, daughter of A. Graham. February _____, Peter Strayhorn to a daughter of James Cornelius. Robert Forster to Miss Jane Rutherford, of 500 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1830. Harrisburg. February 27, Abraham Amberg to Charlotte Brookes, of Chillicothe, Ohio, formerly of New Berlin. 28th April, Simon Grove to Miss Mary Miller, of Reading. 20th May, C. H. Charles, of Hartley, to Juliette Mann, of Tioga. 28th May, by Reverend T. Hood, Robert Hayes to Emily Fields, (daughter of the bridge-builder.) 31st, by Samuel Wilson, Esquire, Henry Benner to Miss Moyer, of Union. 11th June, George Aurand, Esquire, to Mrs. Mary Royer. 23d, by J. F. Linn, Esquire, John Shaw to Margaret Baker, at Jacob Musser's hotel. July 2, Daniel K. Hill to Barbara A. Musser, Lewisburg. By Reverend James Kay, Christopher Woods, junior, to Miss Maria Little, of Lewisburg. July 14, Israel Zentmyer to Eve Snook, daughter of John, of West Buffalo. 4th August, by James F. Linn, Esquire, Henry Myers to Hannah Walter. 11th August, L. B. Christ, Esquire, to Esther Bogar. September 22, by Reverend Nathaniel Todd, John A. Vanvalzah to Miss Rebecca Chambers. 1830. WEATHER RECORD - JOHNNY MORTON - CENSUS OF 1830 ON the 16th of May, oak leaves made their appearance - a very early spring - blossoms all off the trees by the 30th of April, except apple, which were in bloom two or three weeks since. The month of July was excessively hot. The 18th, 20th, and 22d, were the warmest days. Saturday morning, in shade, ninety-three degrees; Monday, ninety-five degrees; Wednesday, ninety-five degrees. Officers of Lafayette Lodge: H. W. Snyder, W. M.; George A. Snyder, S. W.; John Seebold, J. W.; Doctor John Baskins, secretary; Henry C. Eyer, treasurer. January 11, the New Berlin Anti-Horse-Race Association formed. 1830.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 501 Peter Beaver, president, John Mauck, secretary. February 22, James Sargent fell off Kremer's boat, at the mouth of Brown's run, and was drowned. March 2, a union agricultural association formed at R. H. Hammond's, in Milton, embracing Columbia, Lycoming, and Union counties. Dan Caldwell chosen president. March 12, Samuel Reber opened hotel at Lochiel now. May 1, Daniel Gottshall issued the first number of the Lewisburg journal. May 28, the Mifflinburg Anti-Horse-Racing Association formed; Henry Yearick, president, Frederick Gutelius, secretary. The road between Lewisburg and Mortonsville vacated, and the Turtle Creek road, at the latter place, extended to the turnpike. June 12, William Linn sold his farm in Kelly to Adam Stahl, for $34 per acre. October 15, farm of C. Nevius, deceased, sold to his son- in-law, Samuel Wilson, at $40 per acre. October 21, George Ritter's farm, in Buffalo, sold to Roan McClure for $36 25 per acre. August 10, Anti-Masonic ticket formed at New Berlin: E. Greenough for Congress, S. J. Packer for Senator, Ner Middleswarth and Philip Ruhl for Assembly, Peter Hackenburg for commissioner. Democratic ticket: Lewis Dewart for Congress, Samuel Bloom for Senator, John Dreisbach and Jacob Wittenmeyer for Assembly. October 26, the first agri- cultural fair was held at Milton. December 16, Abner C. Harding, a student at law with James F. Linn, Esquire, was admitted to the bar.* Johnny Morton. Johnny is now dead. I wonder that he lasted so long. Although everybody called him "Johnny," he never suffered himself to be so called, without displaying a sense of offended dignity. "My name is John," he used to say; "Johnny is a boy's name." He disliked also the name of beer; beer was trash, only fit for hogs; "a bier was a thing for the dead." *General Abner C. Harding was born in East Hampton, Connecticut, educated at Hamilton, New York, studied law at Lewisburg, and settled finally in the State of Illinois. He was a member of the Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1848, and served in the State Legislature in 1849-9-50; and was for ten years engaged in managing railroads. In 1882 he enlisted as a private in the eighty-third Illinois, and having been appointed colonel, served at Fort Donelson; was made a brigadier general, and had Command at Murfreesboro' in 1863. In 1864 he was elected to the Thirty-Ninth Congress, serving with Honorable George F. Miller, another student of Mr. Linn, in that Congress. He died at Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois July 19, 1874, worth, it Is said, over $1,000,000. 502 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1830. Johnny's love of whisky and his hatred of beer afforded abundance of amusement to the idle boys of New Berlin and Mifflinburg, who flocked around him as soon as he made his appearance in the streets, as did the small birds around the owl, who happens to be overtaken in the daylight. "Johnny! Johnny! do you want any beer?" was shouted by the blackguards; to which Johnny replied with curses, and sometimes with stones. Johnny came to New Berlin one day, and having drank, and run the gauntlet of the boys, laid himself down upon the door-steps of the jail. The sheriff found him here, and, with the assistance of two or three others, carried him into the dungeon,* and made all fast. A few hours afterward one of the sheriff's family went to the door to make observations, and heard Johnny beginning to stir, probably just waking. After muttering something to himself, he was heard to say, "I wonder where I am?" and after a brief pause, "Well, I guess I am in hell," and, seemingly satisfied with this conjecture, quietly laid himself to rest until the sheriff came to release him. - G. A. S Census, 1830. White Deer 1,295 Lewisburg 924 Kelly 739 Buffalo 2,130 Mifflinburg 663 Centre 1,952 West Buffalo 1,404 Beaver 2,280 Hartley township, 1,730 Union 2,085 Washington 1,097 Penn's 2,304 Perry 1,050 Chapman 1,094 Total, 20,747 One male and two female slaves. *In all old jails was a room from which the light was altogether excluded, called the dungeon, a relic of barbarism or popery now, happily abolished. [End of page 502.] 1831. CROSS-CUT CANAL - FIRST TEMPERANCE SOCIETY FORMED IN THE VALLEY - BETHEL CHURCH ORGANIZED. MARCH 22, news of the passage of the improvement act, and its signature by the Governor, which includes the Lewisburg cross-cut, reached Lewisburg. The town was illuminated, cannon fired, and toasts drank. Northumberland Bank incorporated. Pamphlet Laws, 298. April 12, A. Reedy's, deceased, stone house at Buffalo Cross-Roads sold by his administrators to John A. Vanvalzah, for $586. May 10, price of grain in Philadelphia, $1 25. May 12, Messrs. Cameron, Vanvalzah, and Joyce returned from Harrisburg, having succeeded in getting the cross-cut canal under contract. "A Penny saved is a Penny made - Old Adage. - Canal boat 'Merchant's Choice,' Captain Blair, arrived here on Monday last, in nine days from Philadelphia, with merchandize for Messrs. Comly and Cadwallader. Her cargo was twenty tons. 12 for C. Comly, at $10, . . . . . $120 8 do. S. Cadwallader, . . . . . 80 $200 "These twenty tons by wagons would come to 600 dollars, at 30 dollars per ton, or $1 50 per cwt., the usual price. Now, what is saved to us, the consumers, in this single trip? Why, only $400. Sugars we used to pay 12 1/2 cts. per lb. is now sold for 10 cents. This is what we call canal politics." - Frick's Miltonian, May 14, 1831. 504 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1831. Mowing commenced in the Valley as early as the 8th of June. 4th July celebrated by the Lewisburg Guards and citizens, at Brown's spring, below Lewisburg. James Aiken made an address. 28th September, the first temperance society formed at Lewis- burg. Reverend Seiwers delivered an address. Only seven persons, John Nesbit, Esquire, James Aiken, James F. Linn, Caroline Graham, Mary Irwin, Elizabeth Irwin, and Abner C. Harding joined. During this year, the Bethel church in White Deer was organized from members of the Buffalo Cross-Roads church; elders, Andrew McClenachan and Matthew Laird. Deaths Mrs. Sarah Kelly, wife of Colonel John Kelly, 2d January. She went to bed in her usual health the night before; got up in the night and made herself a cup of tea; was heard to groan, and complained of pain in her stomach. By the time the family were awakened she was dead. She was a daughter of James Poak, sister of Mrs. Darraugh. 23d May, Thomas Wilson, of Kelly, died. He was injured on Thursday, 19th, by a log falling from the top of a wagon-wheel upon him. [End of page 504.] LEWISBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BUILT - LAURELTON CHURCH ORGANIZED - SKETCH OF COLONEL JOHN KELLY. MARCH 4, General Abbot Green, delegate to the State convention to form an electoral ticket. 5th, A. C. Harding addressed the temperance society and sixty-eight names were added. 17th March, over $3,000 subscribed to build a Presbyterian church in Lewisburg, and General Green, Alexander Graham, James Geddes, Thomas Clingan, William L. Harris, Doctor Thomas Vanvalzah, and William Nesbit directed, as trustees, to go on with the building. 4th May, Samuel Oaks, Colonel Thomas Smith, and Abraham Straub appointed to run the county line of Lycoming and Union: Beginning at a marked red oak, 58 perches above Lafferty's run, S. 89º W., until it intersects the original division line between Northumberland and Lycoming; thence along the same to the Centre county line. - Pamphlet Laws, 458. July 4, thirty-seven survivors of the Revolution still living in Union county. Twenty-six joined in the procession at the celebration in New Berlin to-day; among them were John Linn, Frederick Bingaman, Hugh Wilson, George Engle, Christopher Seebold, and John Wilson. Isaac Slenker, Esquire, delivered an oration, and afterwards entertained the old soldiers at his house. Ice was then just coming into use, and one old gentleman was observed picking the pieces out of his brandy. He thought it was glass. August 9 was observed as a day of fasting and prayer to avert the 506 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1832. cholera. On the 16th Doctor Ezra Styles Ely preached at Lewisburg. His delivery was rapid, but his discourse he seemed to make very plain to every one. The Laurelton church was organized - an offshoot of the Buffalo Cross-Roads Presbyterian church. Colonel John Kelly. Colonel Kelly died on the 18th of February, aged eighty-eight. The following sketch of him is taken from an address made by James Merrill, Esquire, on the 8th of April, 1835, when the monument, purchased by his relatives, was put in position with public ceremony. Colonel John Kelly was born in Lancaster county, in this State, in February, 1744. After the purchase from the Indians of 1768, and before the opening of the land office in 1769, he came to Buffalo Valley, then a part of Berks county. Here he suffered all the hardships and privations, which are inseparable upon the first settle- ment of a new country. He was tall, about six feet two inches in height, vigorous and muscular, with his body so inured to labor as to be almost insensible to fatigue, and a mind so accustomed to dangers, that dangers ceased to alarm. In the prime of manhood, and in the vigor of health, with intelligence to understand correct principles, and with firmness to adhere to them, it may well be supposed that he took a commanding position among his fellows. He was a captain, and a major at twenty-seven years of age, and when his country called on her sons to save her from the fangs of a tyrant, he was ready. At the very darkest period of the revolutionary war, when all was lost, but honor and hope, and when hope was almost buried in despair, in the fall of 1776, he volunteered to assist in the protection of New Jersey. He was present at Trenton, when the Hessians surrendered, and assisted in that most masterly movement on Princeton, by which the chain of communications of the enemy was broken, all their plans deranged, and their army compelled to return to New York and its neighborhood, and to leave New Jersey free to avenge her wrongs. When we consider the depression of public spirit, how public confidence in the final success of our cause was shaken by the battle of Long Island, and the losses of Fort Washington and Lee, with most of our military stores; when we consider that at onetime the American army numbered less than two thousand men, we would 1832] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 507 not think it wonderful if all should have been given up for lost - and so it would, if the stake had been less. But our people believed that they had no right to abandon their cause of liberty. They were bound to protect it for themselves, and upon their success depended the freedom of their posterity. They must decide, whether or not, their children should be slaves. They must decide whether all people must bow their necks to the iron yoke of despotism, or whether they might anticipate a time when free institutions should prevail through the world. Our friend and his confederates of that day might have retired into an ignoble and contemptible security. They might have said, what is New Jersey to us? We have homes and firesides, which may be endangered. But they argued better: if we refuse to come to the rescue, we cannot expect security. We cannot propitiate the monster tyranny, by shrinking from our duty. Influenced by these considerations, our friends went to the rescue of our sister State. Our friend joined the army fully resolved to do his duty. Then was the time to test his vigor of body, as well as the firmness of his mind. For three days at one time, there was no regular service of provisions, and for more than thirty-six hours, at another time, they were constantly on the march, or in action, without a moment's sleep or giving up their arms. In the course of one of their retreats, the commander-in-chief, through Colonel Potter, sent an order to Major Kelly to have a certain bridge cut down to prevent the advance of the British, who were then in sight. The major sent for an axe; but represented that the enterprise would be very hazardous. Still the British advance must be stopped, and the order was not withdrawn. He said he could not order another to do what some might say he was afraid to do himself; he would cut down the bridge. Before all the logs on which the bridge lay were cut off, he was completely within the range of the British fire, and several balls struck the log on which he stood. The last log broke down sooner than he expected, and he fell with it into the swollen stream. Our soldiers moved on, not believing it possible for him to escape. He, however, by great exertions, reached the shore through the high water and the floating timber, and followed the troops. Incumbered, as he must have been, with his wet and frozen clothes, he, on his road, made a prisoner of a British scout, an armed soldier, and took him 508 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1832. into camp. What did Curtius do more than this? If such an instance of devoted heroism had happened in Greece or Rome, the day would have been distinguished from all other days. A medal would have been struck, and every means used to secure the everlasting remembrance of such a deed. In England such a man would have been made a knight or a lord, with the thanks of Parliament. In our poor devoted land such instances were too common to receive especial notice. History mentions that our army was preserved by the destruction of that bridge; but the manner in which it was done, or the name of the person who did it, is not mentioned. It was but one of a series of heroic acts, which happened every day, and our soldiers then were more familiar with the sword than with the pen. As we have met to erect a marble tomb over the remains of that individual, it is right for us to bring out this act into more bold relief. Let it be borne in mind, that at this time no arrangement had been made respecting prisoners; that the British commanders only admitted that they arrested rebels, and not that they took prisoners of war. Thus all who fought on our side, in addition to the common dangers of war, might expect, if taken, to suffer an ignominious death. After his discharge, Major Kelly returned to his farm and his family, and during the three succeeding years the Indians were troublesome neighbors to this then frontier settlement. He became colonel of the regiment, and it was his duty to keep watch and ward against the incursions of hostile Indians, through our mountain passes. At one time our people were too weak to resist, and our whole beautiful country was abandoned. Colonel Kelly was among the first to return - for at least two harvests reapers took their rifles to the fields, and some of the company watched while others wrought. Colonel Kelly hid the principal command of the scouting parties in this Valley, and very often he was out in person. Many and many nights has he lain among the limbs of a fallen tree to keep himself out of the mud, without a fire, because a fire would indicate his position to the enemy. He had become well skilled in their mode of warfare. One circumstance deserves particular notice. The Indians seem to have resolved on his death, without choosing to attack him openly. One night he had reason to apprehend that they were near. He rose in the morning, and, by looking through the crevices of his log-house, 1832.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 509 he ascertained that two, at least, if not more, were laying with their arms, so as to shoot him when he should open his door. He fixed his own rifle, and took his position, so that by a string he could open the door, and watch the Indians. The moment he pulled the door open, two ball came into the house, and the Indians rose to advance. He fired and wounded one, and both retreated. After waiting to satisfy himself that no others remained, he followed them by the blood; but they escaped. For many years Colonel Kelly held the office of a magistrate of the county. In the administration of justice, he exhibited the same anxiety to do right, and the same disregard of self gain, which had characterized him in the military service of the country. He would at any time forgive his own fees, and if the parties were poor, pay the constable's costs, to procure a compromise. While, by industry and economy, his own pecuniary circumstances were comfortable and easy, he seemed to desire the prosperity of all men, and most anxiously to desire, that all neighbors should be friends. No man ever in vain sought his interposition to reconcile conflicting interests, to soothe angry passions, to stand, as the defender and protector of the poor man, the widow, and the orphan. He obeyed the injunction, "be given to hospitality." There are few middle aged men in this country, who have not experienced the cordial welcome, which every friend received at his house. It is true, that so general is the hospitality of his neighborhood that the want of it would be considered a great vice; but in him it was a part of the same character, indicating a freedom from selfishness, an inability to enjoy fully God's bounties alone; a feeling that a good thing is rendered far more valuable by participation; and a conviction that the diffusion of happiness is not merely right in itself, but the source of great joy to every well-regulated mind. Colonel Kelly was an affectionate husband, and a kind and judicious father, as well as a friendly and hospitable neighbor. Thus have we seen our venerable friend performed his domestic, social, military, and political duties in such a manner as to entitle himself to the love and esteem of his neighbors, and to the thanks and honors of his countrymen and of posterity. It may be asked, could a man so punctiliously perform all those duties, and leave out of his regard his obligations to his Maker? No, indeed, my friends, 510 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1832. he did not lack that crowning virtue. He was a sincere and an exemplary Christian, and he adorned all his other virtues by exhibiting a pattern of humility well worthy of imitation. Having no anxieties who should be greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, he had no striving who should be greatest in the Church on earth, his profession of religion was well sustained by his practice. Towards the end of a long and active life, Colonel Kelly became, by disease, incapable of much motion, and seldom left his home. He seemed to be retiring from public view, and preparing to leave this world when he should be called. He had that true characteristic of bravery, an indisposition to fight his battles over again, and that feeling of humility, that where a man has only done his duty, boasting has no place. It is in some measure owing to this reserve that our notice of his life must be so brief and so imperfect. He seemed not to know, that other men would have done differently from him; but to believe that whatever distinguished him from others, arose mainly from the circumstances under which he acted. We are of another generation, and his contemporaries have either gone down to the grave, or through lapse of time and failing faculities, are unable to give particular details. From himself, but a few gleanings from a life long and full of incidents, have been obtained. His last end proved his character to be consistent. He met the grim messenger calmly; "for he knew in whom he had trusted;" and he could "walk through the valley and shadow of death, fearing no evil." Age brought its weakness, no doubt. The frame was bent, and the muscles relaxed; but the mind - the immortal mind -could not be obscured. It brightened more and more "unto the perfect day." He has passed beyond "that bourne, whence no traveler returns." He has gone, we humbly trust, to that Heaven where "there remaineth a rest for the righteous, and where the wicked cease from troubling." Emphatically may it be said, that after a life well spent, and in firm hope of a resurrection to immortal glory, at the age of eighty-eight years, he departed, leaving his memory to our care and his virtues for our imitation - James Merrill, Esquire's, Address. Colonel Kelly's children were: James, who moved to Penn's valley, and died there. He was the father of Honorable James K. Kelly, United States Senator, of Portland, Oregon; John, who also 1833.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 511 moved to Penn's valley; William, who married a daughter of Archibald Allison, of Centre county, and died, January 27, 1830; Andrew, a bachelor, who was born 1783, and died on the old place, September 24, 1867, aged eighty-four; Samuel Kelly, of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, married to Simeon Howe; Maria, married to John Campbell, of Lewisburg; Robert, who died April 12, 1865, aged seventy-seven; Joseph, died March 2, 1860, aged sixty-six; David H. Kelly, Esquire, deceased, late county commissioner of Union county. I note, also, the death of Reverend Thomas Smiley, aged seventy-three, born (in Dauphin county now) in 1759, of Scotch-Irish parentage. Served in Colonel Curtis Grubb's battalion of militia. Ordained in December, 1802. Settled in White Deer in 1808, where he established the first regular Baptist church within the bounds of Union county. 1833. METHODIST CHURCH IN LEWISBURG DEDICATED - THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH COMPLETED, AND THE GERMAN CHURCH COMMENCED - RAIN OF FIRE - COURT AND LAWYERS. JANUARY 5, the new Methodist church, on Third street, Lewisburg, consecrated. The weather was so warm that the windows had to be opened. Sunday, 6th, Reverend Mr. Steele preached in A. M., in the new church. Mr. Hood in P. M. Weather still very warm. The 11th of January was probably the coldest day of the year. January 30, David Myers, of East Buffalo, who was kicked in the abdomen by a horse, on Monday, 28th, died to-day. March 21, J. F. Quay, J. F. Murray, and David Rockefeller appointed to run the division line between Lycoming and Union counties. 512 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1833. May 31, Jesse Cornelius, miller, at Trester's old mill, on Turtle creek, was caught in the machinery. Ribs, breast bone, &c., broken. He died immediately. July 26, Ephraim Darraugh's widow buried at Lewisburg. 31, Presbyterian church building completed, and on the 4th of August Mr. Hood preached the first sermon therein, on the text, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." August 31, Thomas Clingan, William Nesbit, Esquire, Robert H. Laird, and James F. Linn were elected elders. September 30, Reverend Mathew Laird married, at Mr. Hood's, to Miss Harriet Myer, school-teacher at Lewisburg. They sailed, on 15th October, as missionaries to Africa. October 15, Thomas Jones, inn-keeper, died. 18, Roan McClure, after fifteen minutes' sickness. November 4, a subscription was started, for the purpose of building a Union German Reformed and Lutheran church, on Third and St. Lewis streets, in Lewisburg, to be called St. Lewis church, "in honor of the original proprietor of the borough, and the benefactor, (Ludwig Derr,) who gave three lots for religious use." On 19th May, 1834, John Reber, John Snook, and Henry Noll, elders; Henry Noll and Ludwig Long, deacons of the German Presbyterian congregation, entered into an agreement with Jonathan Spyker and John Gundy, trustees of the German Lutheran congregation giving the latter "the same privilege of the German burying-ground, which Ludwig Derr, in his lifetime, gave to the German Presbyterian congregation, being on lots Nos. 121, 123, and 125, as well as an equal privilege of the church built or building on said ground, to be tenants in common, &c. See deed book K, pages 173 and 174, (at Lewisburg.) In the year 1851, the Lutheran congregation bought out the interest of the German Reformed, the latter having built on the corner of St. John and Third streets. November 13, from two o'clock until daylight occurred a firestorm, or the fall of small particles of fire, which appeared to extinguish a few feet from the ground. It was observed all through Buffalo Valley. December 7, the first boats passed through the Lewisburg crosscut. December 29, Lorenzo Dow preached at Lewisburg. 30th, John Clark, Esquire, of Beaver, a member of the Legislature, from 1834.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 513 that county, visited Lewisburg. He is a son of Walter Clark, de- ceased, one of the first settlers on Buffalo creek. 31st, Mrs. Hayes, mother of William, (merchant formerly,) died suddenly. Court and Lawyers. At September term the grand jury of the county, William Forster, foreman, petitioned the Governor for the appointment of William W. Potter, Esquire, of Bellefonte, as president judge, vice Seth Chapman, resigned. On the 16th of December Judge Ellis Lewis' commission as president judge was read, who, with Hugh Wilson and General Adam Light, associates, comprised the court. George F. Miller and Samuel Weirick, Esquires, were admitted to the bar on the 15th of May. 1834. ECLIPSE OF THE SUN - ANTI-SCHOOL MEETING - ELECTION RETURNS. PRICE of wheat in Philadelphia, in May, $1 10; in September, $1 04; corn, 64; rye, 65. There was no snow during the month of February, and the weather was as mild as it usually is in April. On the nights of the 31st of May and the 1st of June occurred a black frost so severe as to kill the leaves of almost every species of plants in this part of the country. Even the locust, a hardy tree, did not escape. Cherries, apples, peaches, and all orchard and garden fruits, except currants and gooseberries, perished. Bears, missing their summer supply of whortleberries, came down from the hills to feed upon the green corn, and were killed in unusual numbers. It was interesting to see robins, woodpeckers, and other birds now searching among the limbs of the trees for caterpillars and other insects; fortunately the 514 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1834. caterpillars were prodigiously numerous. During the summer, bitu- minous coal was received at Lewisburg from the western part of the State, by the canal, and sold at twenty-five cents per bushel. At Hartleton, R. H. Kerr was postmaster; and J. H. Seiwers was principal of the academy at Lewisburg. February 2, Lorenzo Dow died at Georgetown, D. C. March 18, Charles Sargent (son of John, inn-keeper,) found drowned below Brawn's mill. Has been missing since the 16th. He was deranged. 30th, Mr. Hood preached his last sermon as pastor. April 10, John Moore, merchant, of Lewisburg, died. Reverends Henry Tarring and Oliver Ega, Methodist ministers for this circuit this year. April 21, Joseph Evans, of Lewisburg, found drowned in the canal at Selinsgrove. Job Harvey, a young preacher of the Christian church, preached his funeral sermon. May 19, corner-stone of German church in Lewisburg laid. J. H. Fries, pastor. June 19, Howard Vanvalzah, son of Doctor Thomas, fell from the steeple of the new German church to the ground, striking the timbers as he fell, his thigh and leg broken. He fell forty-five feet. (He is still living at Lewistown.) June 30, news arrived of the death of Reverend Matthew Laird and his wife, missionaries in Africa. He died on the 4th of May, his wife on the 3d. Wednesday, 9th July, thermometer at ninety-nine degrees in shade. July 28, John Geary, an apprentice of David Ginter, drowned at the upper landing in Lewisburg, last night. November 13, Presbytery met at Lewisburg, and ordained and installed Reverend P. B. Marr, pastor of that church. Sunday, 30th November, eclipse of the sun. Began quarter before one, went off twenty-five minutes past three. During its greatest obscuration it became very cold, and it seemed like a bright, moonlight night, and one star was visible. Anti-School Meeting. Agreeably to public notice, the citizens of Union county opposed to the school law passed at the last session of the Legislature, met at the court-house, in New Berlin, on Thursday, the 18th September, when Henry Yearick, Esquire, was called to the chair; Robert Taylor, Esquire, was appointed vice president; and John Montelius and John Snyder were appointed secretaries. On motion of the Honor- 1884.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 515 able George Kremer, a committee of fifteen were appointed to draft a preamble and resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting; whereupon, the following persons were appointed, viz: George Kremer, Peter Richter, Doctor John G. Piper, Frederick Pontius, Abbot Green, John Boyer, Frederick Kremer, John S. Ingram, George Schnable, John Zigler, James Madden, Henry Roush, Henry C. Eyer, John Snyder, John Reber, junior. After retiring a short time, returned and reported the following, which were unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, The Legislature of Pennsylvania, at their late session, passed a law known as the common school law, the principles of which we consider dangerous to our rights and destructive of our interests; therefore, be it Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, it behooves us to use every honorable means in our power to procure a prompt repeal of the law in question. Resolved, That the chair appoint two persons from each township or borough in the county, as the case may be, whose duty it shall be to act as delegates for their respective districts, and bring with them the election returns, which will take place to-morrow, for the adoption or rejection of the school law, and report the same to this meeting. Resolved, That should a school man, by mistake, be selected by the chair, he shall be rejected by the anti-school delegate of that district, &c. who shall have full power to supply his place with a man opposed to the school law. Resolved, That this meeting adjourn to meet again at the courthouse, in New Berlin, on Tuesday next, at one o'clock in the after-noon, and that the present officers are again requested to preside, to adopt further measures in relation to this oppressive law. The following persons were appointed by the chair, as delegates from the several townships, to meet in New Berlin, on Tuesday, the 23d instant, viz: East Buffalo - Philip Ruhl, Peter Voneida. Lewisburg - William Hayes, Jacob Zentmire. Kelly - Laird Howard, George Meixell. White Deer - John Rank, Jacob Sypher. Union - John S. Ingram, Michael Benfer. 516 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1834. Chapman - Frederik Kremer, John Snyder. Washington - John Boyer, Henry Hilbish. Penn's - Peter Richter, George Miller. Perry - George Shetterly, senior, Joseph Schnee. Centre - George Kremer, Henry Bolender. Beaver - John Highley, John Shipton. Centreville - Stephen Bruce, George Weirick. Hartleton - James Madden, George Ruhl. West Buffalo - Robert Taylor, John Reber, junior. Mifflinburg - Henry Yearick, John Montelius. - Times, September 19, 1834. Anti-School Delegate Meeting. At a meeting of the delegates appointed by the anti-school meeting of the 18th instant, held at the court-house, in New Berlin, on Tuesday last, Henry Yearick, Esquire, presided; assisted by John Montelius and Captain John Snyder, as secretaries. The names of the delegates having been called, the following gentlemen were present, representing the different townships, as follows: Union - John S. Ingram, Michael Benfer. Hartley - James Madden, Esquire, George Ruhl. West Buffalo - Robert Taylor, John Stees, junior. Mifflinburg - Henry Yearick, John Montelius. East Buffalo - Philip Ruhl, Peter Voneida. Lewisburg - George Schnabel, Jacob Zentmire. White Deer - Jacob Sypher, Samuel Baker. Kelly - John Hummel, Joseph Spotts. Chapman - John Snyder, Frederick Kremer. Penn's - Peter Richter, George Miller. Perry - George Shetterly, Joseph Schnee. Centre - George Kremer, Henry Bolender. Beaver - John Highley, John Shipton. Washington - John Boyer, Henry Hilbish. On motion of James Madden, Esquire, a committee of nine delegates were appointed by the chair to draft a preamble and resolutions, expressive of the sentiments of the delegation. Whereupon, the chair appointed George Kremer, John S. Ingram, 1834.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 517 Peter Richter, Henry Hilbish, George Schnabel, James Madden, Jacob Sypher, Philip Ruhl, and John Reber, junior. The committee retired a short time and reported the following, which were unanimously adopted: Preamble and Resolutions. FELLOW-CITIZENS: Your committee view with deep interest the law of our last Legislature, creating a system of education by common schools. They consider it as affecting the interests and encroaching upon the rights of the honest and industrious citizens of the Commonwealth. They view the system as unwarranted by the Constitution, and at war with the interests of every useful member of the community; as a system of education was only asked, and not one of unjust and unequal taxation. For these reasons, and others, we oppose the bill, urging our constitutional objections, and will merely here state its local effects upon the county of Union. The $75,000 appropriated for common school purposes, of which Union county will be entitled to about $1,100, is a fund arising from the unpatented lands in this Commonwealth. Owing to the scarcity of money, the law has, from year to year, been extended; but as this amount is now appropriated, and will be drawn out of the treasury, consequently, all those whose lands are unpatented, will now be compelled to pay, as the finances of the Commonwealth will not warrant a longer credit. All men know its enormous debt and embarrassed condition. By the law in question, Union county must raise $2,200, double the amount of the appropriation, to entitle them to the proffer made by the Legislature. To this add our already exhorbitant State tax, of about $3,000, and we have upwards of $5,000 to pay by taxation, for merely receiving the bill. Agreeable to the law, the six directors are to divide each township into as many school districts, and build as many school-houses as they may think proper; and this additional debt you will be bound to pay by taxation, which will amount to at least $800 for every township in the county, making a sum total of $17,000, adding the other taxes imposed by this bill. To this may be added the teachers. Suppose each township have six teachers, who cannot be engaged at a less expense than $250 518 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1834. per annum, each, making a gross amount of $1,500 per annum for each township, the whole cost for this purpose in the county would be $22,500. Deduct from this the $1,100 proffered by the Legislature, and the people have $21,400 to pay for teachers, $17,000 for buildings, $2,200 for accepting the proffer - making a sum total of $40,600, all to be paid by the people by various taxations. Resolved, That five persons be appointed a committee to draw petitions to be signed by the citizens of this county, praying the Legislature to repeal the school law for Union county. Resolved, That the chair appoint two persons in each township, who shall have authority to appoint as many more as may be necessary in each township to solicit subscribers to said petition. Resolved, That the chair appoint a committee of five persons, a corresponding committee to correspond with other committees in this Commonwealth to procure a repeal of the school law in this Commonwealth. On motion George Kremer, John S. Ingram, and Philip Ruhl were appointed a committee to prepare and publish a petition for a repeal of the law in question. The chair then appointed Peter Richter, John S. Ingram, George Kremer, George Schnabel, and John Reber, junior, a committee of correspondence, in accordance with a resolution of the committee of nine. On motion, it was then Resolved, That the delegates of this con- vention act as township committees to circulate and procure signers to the petitions praying for a repeal of the school law. On motion of John S. Ingram, the secretary was called upon to report the votes at the different township elections held on Friday, the 19th instant; which was carried, and the following result exhibited viz: Townships Against For Townships Against For School School School School Union 205 --- Perry 63 --- Hartley 144 30 Centre 170 --- West Buffalo 187 7 Beaver 192 --- Mifflinburg 67 41 Washington 85 --- East Buffalo 87 3 Lewisburg 55 71 1620 267 White Deer 26 52 267 Kelly 70 7 ___ Chapman 71 1 Balance vs. school 1353 votes Penn's 198 55 1884.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 519 Political. Delegates to the 4th of March convention, "to oppose executive usurpation," Simon Shaffer, William Cameron, Ner Middleswarth, William L. Harris, George Weirick, and R. P. Maclay. Delegate Meeting. - On Tuesday last the delegates from the different townships of Union county, representing the Anti-Masons, assembled at the court-house, in New Berlin. Samuel Paulding, of Penn's, was called to the chair, and Solomon Engle, Esquire, of Centre, appointed secretary. As soon as the meeting was thus organized, George Aurand, Esquire, of Centre, rose, and moved that no delegate be received in this convention, unless he be a pure Anti-Mason. This motion, however, was postponed until after the credentials had been presented. The credentials were then presented, in regular order, which comprised the following delegation: Centre - George Aurand, Solomon Engle. Union - Henry Frock, George Schnee. Mifflinburg - Jacob Haus, David Eckstein. Lewisburg - Doctor I. S. Vorse, G. F. Miller. East Buffalo - Peter Wise, Robert Laird. West Buffalo - Samuel B. Barber, John Kutz. Hartley - William Glover, Jacob Snyder. Kelly - John Hummel, Joseph Lawson. Penn's - Samuel Paulding, Philip Gemberling. Beaver - Archibald Thomas, John Reger. Washington - J. P. Hackenberg, Jacob Garman. Perry - Michael Gougler, John Weimen. Centreville - Jonathan Farnsworth, S. Bruce. The credentials being thus presented in due order, when Lewisburg came in turn, Doctor Vorse rose and stated that a motion had been made to expel any member of the convention who was not an avowed Anti- Mason. He said he did not wish to act the hypocrite, and consequently he would inform the convention that he was not an Anti- Mason - that he was an anti-Jackson man - that he came here to represent that portion of the borough of Lewisburg who were opposed to Jackson, and that while he would perform such 520 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1834. incumbent duty, he wished it to be distinctly understood that he had no claims to the character of an Anti-Mason. Mr. Aurand then stated that as he was not a political Anti-mason, he would move that he be not permitted to occupy a seat in the convention. Mr. Miller, his colleague, then rose, and hoped that the convention would not act rashly on this subject; that Doctor Vorse was not in an individual capacity, but serving as the representative of the party in Lewisburg; that he had his instructions and would conform to them. He hoped such a vote would not be taken. Mr. Aurand, however, persisted in the vote, which was taken, and resulted as follows: For rejection 23 votes. For retention 2 votes. Doctor Vorse was, therefore, ejected from the convention. He rose, and returned his thanks to the meeting for their kind treatment; and while he expressed his regret at having put the gentlemen to so much trouble, he retired from any participation in the proceedings, considering the decision a very curious one. Mr. Miller then moved that Lewisburg be entitled to a full repre- sentation, by suffering the remaining delegate to have two votes; but on the question, "Shall Lewisburg have a full representation?" it was decided in the negative. The convention then proceeded to make nominations, which resulted in the following ticket: For Congress - Samuel J. Packer. For Senate - Robert P. Maclay. For Assembly - Simon Shaffer and Ner Middleswarth. For Coroner - Jacob Aurand and Daniel Winter. For Commissioner - James Harrison. For Auditor - Jacob H. Hummel. For Trustees - Israel Gutelius, John Kutz, and Samuel Wright. Mr. Aurand then offered the following resolution; which was adopted: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to address James Merrill, Esquire, on the subject of Masonry, and to request an explanation on that subject, in terms which he may think most proper. 1834.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 521 Whereupon the chair appointed George Aurand, J. P. Hackenherg, and J. H. Horning, Esquires. On motion, William Glover and George F. Miller were appointed conferees, to meet other congressional conferees at Milton. On motion, David Eckstein and Solomon Engle, Esquire, were appointed senatorial conferees, to meet similar conferees at Lewisburg. The following persons were then appointed a standing committee for the ensuing year, viz: Jacob Fryer, Jacob Haus, Joseph Lawson, Matthew Brewer, S. Weirick, George Schnee, and Jacob Snyder. It was then Resolved, That the convention adjourn, and that the proceedings be published in all the papers. - Times, August 8. Democratic Convention. On Tuesday last, the following delegates, from the different townships of Union county, met at the court-house, in New Berlin, to form a ticket for support at the next general election, viz: Union - Jacob Spangler, Jesse Beaver. Buffalo - Hugh Wilson, junior, Samuel Reber. West Buffalo - Robert Taylor, Thomas Forster. Penn's - C. M. Straub, Isaac Hottenstein. Chapman - John Snyder, Philip Herold. Mifflinburg - Michael Schoch, Thomas McCurdy. Lewisburg - John Nesbit, Joseph Hutchinson. Centre - George Kremer, John Bower. Hartley - George Roush, Andrew Cook. Beaver - George Swartz, Thomas Youngman. Perry - Philip Benner, George Shetterly. Kelly - Alexander McClure, John Young. White Deer - Samuel Baker, William Mackey. The convention was organized by electing Captain Alexander McClure, president; Robert Taylor, Esquire, vice president, and Joseph Hutchinson, secretary. On motion, it was unanimously Resolved, That no candidate, for any office, should be considered nominated, who had not a majority of all the votes of the delegates present. 522 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1834. The following nominations of candidates were then made, and resulted as follows: Senator, Isaac Slenker. Assembly, Captain Jacob Hummel and James McClure. Commissioner, Peter Beaver. Auditor, Martin Dreisbach. Coroner, Jacob McCorley. Trustees of the Mifflinburg Academy, Philip Pontius, Samuel Barber, and William Irwin. - Times, August 15. OFFICIAL ELECTION RETURNS. CONG'SS. SENATE. ASSEMBLY. SHERI'F Anthony | Packer | | Slenker | | | Maclay | | | | McClure DISTRICTS. | | | | | Hummel | | | | | | Middleswarth | | | | | | | Shaffer | | | | | | | | Cummings, jr. | | | | | | | | | Barbin Union, 216 120 241 88 150 220 188 101 207 142 White Deer, 93 47 105 31 55 79 79 55 95 47 Kelly, 45 43 64 24 21 56 74 34 61 22 Lewisburg, 105 55 134 17 100 85 73 45 125 27 East Buffalo, 158 137 148 123 186 122 174 96 123 148 West Buffalo 117 86 114 78 101 90 106 104 135 66 Mifflinburg 86 48 75 56 88 78 41 58 84 34 Hartley 192 112 191 99 153 169 138 132 230 80 Centreville 6 73 5 73 12 7 71 66 25 60 Penn'S 254 124 233 141 148 233 216 143 281 133 Centre, 76 171 55 189 61 77 181 173 69 187 Beaver 61 242 49 253 33 76 249 247 99 230 Washington 109 68 100 76 95 102 82 78 122 73 Chapman 115 31 102 32 108 120 31 24 122 29 Perry 82 41 84 40 78 85 42 40 88 46 Total 1716 1398 1700 1320 1389 1599 1745 1396 1866 1324 Honorable Joseph B. Anthony was elected to Congress in the district composed of Union, Northumberland, and Lycoming, by a majority of 2,218, and Mr. Slenker in the district composed of Union and Northumberland, by a majority of 1602. September 12, John S. Ingram retires from the Times, and James M. Kuester took charge. He retired December 19, and Gabriel Yearick became editor. [End of page 522.]