AREA HISTORY:  Conclusion, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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CONCLUSION – Page 771

THE county of York existed nearly a century and a half before this or any other attempt was 
made to write an extended history of it and of its people.  This being the case the preparation 
of the present volume, with minute details of local history, was accomplished under great 
difficulties, and only after a persistent effort to reach all the sources or original 
information accessible.  Old documents and books were sought, and some of their historic 
contents used.  Church records were searched; many of them were in German script, which 
required translation.  Every nook and corner of the county was visited to obtain available 
information, and much time and labor spent in the rooms of various historical societies.

The authors of this volume being “native here, and to the manner born,” had an abiding interest 
in the work, and hence used every effort to accurately and authentically record the most 
interesting and most valuable facts of our county’s history.  A verdict of the success attained 
is left to the calm judgment of the good people of this calm judgment of the good people of 
this ancient bailiwick, trusting that the difficulties encountered in the preparation of such a 
work within the space of one year will be borne in mind before passing judgment upon it.

Certain articles on special subjects were written by persons whose name will be found in 
connection with them.  All of these persons are residents of the county, except Dr. Persifor 
Frazer, of Philadelphia, who prepared the “Geological Sketch of York County.”  This article is 
a very valuable one, as its author, who recently completed his work on the State survey, is one 
of the ablest geologists in America.

For favors granted the author of the Special History and the Borough and Township History is 
under many obligations to the distinguished genealogist Gilbert Cope, of West Chester; to the 
unassuming yet famous antiquary, Abraham H. Cassel, of Montgomery County, this State, who 
freely gave access to his invaluable collection of rare books and documents, which contained 
rich treasurers of ancient lore; to Dr. William H. Egle, of Harrisburg, author of the “History 
of Pennsylvania;” to Samuel Evans, Esq., of Columbia, author of the “History of Lancaster 
County,” and to James M. Swank, secretary of the American Iron and Steel Association; to the 
clergy of York County, who gladly allowed the use of church record books, or furnished material 
for church history themselves; to the officials in the court house for courtesies extended 
while searching among the ancient county records, and to a score or more of venerable citizens 
in every section of the county, who have spent nearly a century within its bounds, and who 
faithfully assisted “to trace the tale to the dim past, where records fail.”

            G. R. P.