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STATE-BOOK
OF
PENNSYLYANIA,
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT
OF THE
^cograplitj, fii^torg, Oouernmcnt, Hcsonrces, an^ Noteb
(G^itijens of tl)c State ;
WITH
A MAP OF THE STATE AND OF EACH COUNTY.
FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS.
BY THOMAS H. BURROWES.
PHILADELPHIA:
URIAH HUNT & SON, 44 N. FOURTH St.
1846.
9^
3DO. NO'
*3.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1846, by
T. H. BURROWES,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania.
S.TSPJEOTYPED BY L. JOHNSOK & CO.
PHILADELPHIA.
PRINTED BY J. VAN COURT.
I
1
PREFACE.
A BOOK calculated to impart to our youth a full and accurate know-
ledge of their own state, has long been deemed necessary. Whether this
will supply the want, experience alone can determine.
Consisting, as it almost wholly does, of a description of things, and a
statement of facts, there is no room for invention and little for novelty in
its composition. In the scope and arrangement of its materials, however,
a considerable departure from the beaten track will be discovered.
The counties are not treated in alpJw.bctical order, but i7i classes, accord-
ing to their form of smface, productions, and historical relation. The
strongly marked distinctive features of each group suggested this idea ;
and a desire to aid the learner by a rational and easily remembered divi-
sion of the subject of study induced its adoption. To carry out the design,
a small state map, in addition to the separate county maps, has been con-
structed with the classes of counties marked upon it. The advantage of
the change must be very small, if it do not compensate the learner for the
loss of that easiness of reference, which is the only somid reason that can
be urged in favour of the alphabetical arrangement.
Should the book succeed, it is designed to keep it up with the changes
that are continually occurring in the state, by regular periodical re\isions.
These will also afford an opportunity for correcting any errors that may
have fomad their way into this edition. Notices of such errors will at all
times be thankfully received by
The Author.
Lancaster, July, 1846.
TO TEACHERS.
This book is intended to suit different classes of pupils, and both modes
of study — that of committing the words to memory, as Avell as that of
merely impressing their substance on the mind.
Young pupils should commit so much of the first eight and of the last
three divisions of the introductory matter, as is in large type, together with
the first seven paragraphs of the descriptive matter of each of the counties.
These altogether constitute about forty pages.
More advanced classes should learn all the parts in large type, forming
about ninety pages.
The portion in smaller type is not intended to be committed to memory
at all, but to be carefully studied by the most advanced classes. Or, it
may be profitably used once or twice a week as a reading exercise.
But, whether committed to memory, carefully studied, or merely read
in class, the use of the questions at the foot of each page is in all cases
recommended. In committing to memory, they will cause the mind to act
— in studying, they will give the learner a standard by which his own
proficiency may be ascertained — and even in reading, the knowledge that
an examination is to follow, will fix the attention and improve the mind.
The county maps require no remark. The state map is merely a skele-
ton, designed, 1. To exhibit to the eye the seven classes of counties ; and
2. To ascertain the pupil's knowledge of the respective counties by caus-
ing him to point them out with their county-seats, mountains, and streams,
the names of all which have been for this purpose omitted.
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Index and Synopsis of the Counties ------ 8
I. SiTUATio?f and Extent of the State - - - 9
II. Moui^tains ..------10
III. RiYERS and Lakes ------- 13
IV. Soil 15
V. Climate -------- 17
VI. History 20-
VII. PopuLATioiir .--_---- 27
VIII. Government - - - - - - - -31.
IX. Defence -------- 37
X. EnucATioK - -.-----40
XI. Religion 42
XII. Charitable Institutions - - - - - 44
XIII. Prisons 46
XIV. Property and Productions ----- 48
XV. Animals 50
XVI. Agriculture --------54
XVII. Manufactures ------- 60
XVIII. Commerce 63
XIX. Public Improyements ------ 68
XX. Towns 71
XXI. Counties and Townships ----- 73
XXII. Natural Divisions — General Remarks on the Seven Classes 74
First Class, or South-Eastern Counties - - - 94
Second Class, or Cumberland Valley Counties - - 140
Third Class, or Anthracite Mountain Counties - - 168
Fourth Class, or Iron Blountain Counties - - - 193
Fifth Class, or Bitiiminous Mountain Counties - - 227
Sixth Class, or Western Counties - - . - 241
Seventh Class, or Northern Line Counties - - 289
Q^ To find the pages of the counties, see the first column of the table
on the next page.
7
INDEX AND SYNOPSIS OF THE COUNTIES.
Ijq
NAMES
p c
" 1-1
PROPER-
COUNTY
NEAREST
" w " -; 1
^ ^ -
O
OF
f-, a
D ^;^'
TY IN
p is s;
< o 5 tf
<
137
C0ONTIE3.
530
1645.
TOWNS.
STREAM.
H S IS D
ro (1, <i (Q
H w
Adams . . .
I8U0
23,044
4,339,53!
Gettysburg .
Rock creek .
1,908
36 S.
256
Allegheny . .
1788
750
81,235
14,6tj9,025
Pitisburg . .
Ohio ....
21,115
200 W.
266
Armstrong . .
ISOd
625
19,50u
1,618,800
Kiltanning .
Allegheny . .
702
186 W.
283
Beaver . . .
1800
650
29,368
4,073,824
Beaver . .
Ohio". . . .
551
230 W.
203
Bedford . . .
1771
1300
25,089
3,050,000
Bedford . .
Ravs Town B.
1,022
102 W.
147
B^rks . . .
1752
920
64,56')
19,874,816
Reading . .
Schuylkill . .
8,410
52 v..
206
Blair ....
1846
650
20,250
3,440,000
Hollidaysburg
Juniaia . . .
1,89G
115N.W,
298
firadford . .
1810
1170
32,769
3,075,784
Towaiida . .
North Branch
912
163 N.
117
Bucks . . .
16'<2
600
4S,I07
14,703,067
Doylestown .
Neshamii;y .
906
100 E.
2?0
Butler . . .
!800
780
22,378
2,361,289
Duller. . .
Conequenessing
861
205 W.
230
Canibiia . .
L''04
6-;o
11,2 6
770,587
Ebensbur? .
Black Lick .
353
134 W.
173
Carbon . . .
1843
400
7,500
1,291,319
Mauch Chunk
Lehigh . . .
1,200
99 N. E.
213
Centre . . .
1800
1000
20,4&2
4,980,213
Bellefonte .
Bald Eagle c. .
1,032
85 N.W.
113
Chester . . .
16S2
740
57,515
18,655,753
Westchester
Brandywine .
2,152
71 E.
272
Cl-rion . . .
1839
600
9,500
1,294,796
tlaiinn . .
Clarion . . .
60:'
187 N.W.
233
Clenrfield . .
1801
1200
7,834
798,329
Clearfield. .
West Branch .
300
127 N.VV.
236
Clinton . . .
1^39
1030
8,323
l,588,6is
Lock Haven .
West B.i-anch .
500
118 N.W.
219
Columbia . .
I8i3
575
24,267
4,260,914
Danville . .
North Branch
1,000
68 N.
277
Crawford . .
1800
975
31,724
2,881.388
Meadville
French creek .
1,319
237 N.W.
160
Cumberland .
1750
550
30,953
9,092,674
C.irlisle . .
Conedoguinet .
4,351
18 W.
154
Dauphin. . .
1785
530
30,118
8,197,491
Harrisburg .
Susquehanna .
5,980
109
Delaware . .
178'3
180
i9.:9i
7,264,721
Chester . .
Delaware . .
1,000
100 S. E.
238
Elk ... .
1843
800
2.000
367,910
Ridgway . .
Clarion . . .
200
150 N.W.
311
Ene ....
IvOO
720
31,344
3,428,588
Erie .' . .
Lake Erie . .
3,412
275 N.W.
241
Fayette . . .
1783
800
33,574
4,304,034
Uninntown .
Keclslone creek
1,710
184 S.W.
164
Franklin . .
1784
740
37,793
11,600,143
Chamhersburg
Coiiernch' ague
3,239
48 S. W.
215
Greene . . .
1796
600
19,147
2,191,592
Waynesbiirg .
Ten Mile creek
600
222 S. W.
209
Huntingdon
1787
730
19,481
4,973 085
Huntingdon ,
Juniata . . .
1,145
90 N.W.
263
Indiana . . .
1S03
775
20,782
2,142,176
Indiana . .
TwoLick creek
674
150 N.W.
269
Jefferson . .
1804
950
7,253
821,298
Brookville .
Red Bank . .
276
167 N.W.
197
Juniata . . .
1831
350
1 1 ,080
2,498,930
Mitilinlown .
Juniata . . ,
420
43 N.W.
123
Lancaster . .
1729
950
84,203
27,561,973
Lanc.ister . .
Conesioga . .
8.417
36 S. E.
151
Lebanon . . .
1813
300
21,872
7,237,563
Lebanon . .
Quilapaliilla .
ijveo
25 E.
144
Lehish . . .
1512
350
25,787
8,367,110
Allenlown .
Lehi-h . . .
2,493
87 N. E.
184
Luzerne . . .
178G
1400
33,000
4.825,081
Wilkerbarre.
North Branch
1,718
1I5N. E.
222
Lycoming . .
1795
15(;0
22,649
3,787,874
Willianisport
West Branch .
1,353
96 N.
306
M'Kean . . .
l.'-04
1100
2,500
502,643
Smethport
Potato creek .
400
210 N.W.
286
Mercer . . .
IS'O
775
32,873
3.733,742
' Mercer . .
Neehannock .
781
238 N.W.
1^9
Mifflin . . .
1789
370
13,092
3,827,454
1 Lewistown ,
Juniaia . . .
2,058
55 N.W.
176
Monroe . . .
1S36
600
9,879
l,42i,309
Stroudsburg .
Brodhead's c .
-^407
130 N. E.
121
Montgomery .
1784
450
47,241
14.298,100
Norristown .
Schuylkill . .
2.937
90 E.
140
Norlbampion .
1752
370
34,000
12,005,718
i Easlon . . .
Delaware . .
4,865
105 N. E.
IS^O ' Northuiuberlaud
1772
500
20.027
4,035,605
Sunbnry . .
Susquehanna .
1,108
52 N.
193
Ferry . . .
1820
540
17,096
'2,895,7.58
Bloom field .
Little Juniata c.
412
25 N.VV,
94
Philadelphia .
1682
120
258.037
116.985,697
Philadelphia.
Delaware . .
93,665
100 E.
28H
Pike . . . .
1814
600
3.832
670,403
Mil ford . .
Delaware . .
400
160 N. E.
303
Potter . . .
1804
1100
3,371
5.'2,621
Coudersport .
Allegheny . .
400
175 N.W.
168
Schuylkill . .
ISM
750
29,053
5,943,678
Orwigsburg .
Schuylkill . .
779
62 N. E.
227
Sonjerset . .
1795
1050
19,650
2,370,078
Somerset . .
Co.x's creek .
638
139 W.
295
Susquehanna .
1810
800
21,195
2,141,095
Montrose . .
Wyal using. .
632
169 N. E.
301
TioE;a . . .
1804
1100
15,498
1,394,449
Welbborough
Pine creek . .
369
MSN.
216
Union . . .
1813
550
22,787
5,235,053
New Berlin .
Penn's creek .
679
60 N.
274
Venango . . .
1800
850
14,500
1,109,403
Franklin . .
Allegheny . .
595
213 N.W.
308
Warren . . .
1800
800
9,278
915,739
Warren . .
Alleiiheny . .
737
250 N.VV.
248
Washington .
17SI
850
41,279
7,172,092
Washington .
Charliei's creek
2,062
210 W.
292
VVayne . . .
1798
700
11.848
1,166,790
Honcidale
Lackawaxen .
1,086
160 N. E.
253
Westmoreland
1773
1000
42,699
5,312,068
Greensburg .
Sewickly . .
800
170 W.
190
Wyoming . .
1842
400
8.500
877,782
Tunkhannock
North Branch
300
146 N. E.
133
York . . . .
1749
925
47,010
9,310,100
York . . .
Codorus . .
4.779
24 S.
8
STATE-BOOK
OF
PENNSYLVANIA.
T. SITUATION AND EXTENT.
1. Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America,
lies between 39 degrees 42 minutes, and 42 degrees
15 minutes, north latitude ; and 2 degrees 18 minutes
east, and 3 degrees 32 minutes west longitude from
Washin^on.
2. It is bounded on the east by New^ Jersey and New
York ; north by New York ; west by Lake Erie, Ohio,
and Virginia; and south by Virginia, Maryland, and
Delaware.
3. Its shape is a regular oblong ; its length is 310 miles ;
its breadth is 160 miles ; and its entire area about 47,000
square miles, or 30,000,000 of acres of land.
4. Its seat of government is Harrishurg, and its chief
commercial cities are Philadelphia and Pittsburg.
5. The word Pennsylvania is composed of the name of Penn,
the founder of the state, and the Latin word sylva, which means a
ivood or forest^ to which are added the letters nia^ a termination
used in Latin to show that the word of which they form part is the
name of a land,, or country. The whole, therefore, means Penn's
Forest country^ a term quite applicable to its appearance when
panted to William Penn, in 1681, by King Charles the Second of
England.
6. A State^ in our sense of the word, is a member of the great
North American Union, with all the rights and powers of a sove-
1 . What is the latitude and longi-
tude of Pennsylvania ?
2. How is it bounded ?
3. What is its shape, length,
breadth, and area ?
4. Name its chief towns.
5. Whut is the origin of the word
Penn?yhania ?
6. What is a State?
10
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
reign and independent nation, except such as have been intrusted
to the general government of the Union for the protection and benefit
of all the states united.
7. The powers thus transferred are chiefly those that relate to war
and peace ; intercourse and commerce with foreign nations ; coin-
ing money ; post-offices ; naturalization of foreigners ; patenting
new inventions, &c.
8. The original thirteen states of the Union were generally
divided into the Eastern, or New Eni^lnnd states; the Middle states;
and the Southern states. Under this distribution, Pennsylvania
was really a Middle state. But, owing to the immense extension
of the Union that has since taken place to the west and south,
she is not now actually a middle state, though still so called. To
indicate the new states, formed in the west since the Revolution, a
fourth class or division has been added, called the Western spates.
Those that have been created on the extreme south are still classed
with the Southern states.
9. From her original middle position, having six of the old states
on eoch side of her; from the fact, that, in a geographical point of
view, she really connected those portions together, her south-east-
ern corner being washed by the tide-waters of the Atlantic, and
hfcT north-western by Lake Erie, which separates that part of the
Union from Canada; and from her devotion to the preservation
rf the Union of the states, which has always been conspicuous and
effective, she early acquired the name of the Keystone state, as
being the point on which rests the weight, and by which is pre-
served the safety of the federal arch.
10. Let it be the duty as well as the pride of her children, to
retain for her this proud appellation.
II. MOUNTAINS.
1. The chief mountains of Pennsylvania are the Ap-paU
a'chian chain, more commonly called the Al-le-ghen' ies .
2. They enter the middle of the state, from Virginia
and Maryland on the south, principally in Bedford and
Somerset counties; and running, first, in a northerly direc-
tion with close regular ranges, then spread out with a wide
sweep towards the north-east.
3. As they approach the north, their ranges become de-
7. What are the powers transferred
to the United States ?
8. What are the divisions of the
States, a7id to which does Pennsyl-
vania helong ?
9. What is Pennsylvania called,
and why ?
10. What is the duty of her sons ?
1. Which are the chief mountains
of Pennsylvania ?
2. What is their situation and di-
rection ?
3. What change do they undergo
as they approach the north ?
MOUNTAINS. 11
pressed in height, and more scattered from each other, are
finally broken into large irregular hills in the northern tier
of counties, and v^hoUy disappear in the adjacent counties
of New York.
4. Some of their ranges that tend to the north-east tra-
verse the states of New Jersey and New York, and either
strike the Atlantic coast in New Jersey, or cross the Hud-
son into New England.
5. Their height varies from 1500 to 2500 feet above the
level of the Atlantic.
6. The several mountains composing this chain are
known by various names in different parts of the state.
These will be stated in describing the respective counties.
7. The intervening valleys of the Al-le-ghen'ies are, in
the south and east, deep and narrow, but many of them in
the middle and north are broad and fertile.
8. The South Mountain hes on the south-east of the Al-
le-ghen'ies, and about twenty miles from their exterior
ridge, which is called the Kit-ta-tin'ny mountain, and
sometimes the jYorth and sometimes the Blue mountain ;
It follows the general course of the Kittatinny, from the
Maryland to the New Jersey line, forming the south-east
boundary of the great Cumberland valley.
9. The mountainous portion of Pennsylvania forms fully
one-third of its whole area, or 16,000 square miles. One-
half of the remainder is of a hilly, or broken character, and
the other has a gently rolling surface. Little of the state
is perfectly level land.
1 0. Though the Ap-pal-a'chian chain chiefly terminates towards the
north, within this state, it extends southwardly to a great distance,
having its southern termination in Alahama. In fact, it forms the
eastern houndary of the great valley of the Mississippi, the western
being composed of the Rocky Mountains.
11. It is not to be understood that the whole of the mountainous
portion of Pennsylvania is unfit for cultivation. On the contrary,
some of our finest valleys and most productive lands are embraced
4. What is remarked of those that 1 9. What proportion of the state is
tend to the nortli-east ? mountainous, hilly, and rolling?
5. VV4iat is their general height? 10. What is said of the whole Ap-
6. Are they known by various palachian chain?
names ? 11. How much of the state is wholly
7. What is said of the valleys ? mountainous ?
8. Describe the South Mountain.
12
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
in tills region. Proljably, tlierefore, not more than one-sixlh of the
state, if so much, is wliolly unfit for the purposes of agriculture.
12. Nor is it to he supposed that the most barren ridges, over
which a plough will never pass, are valueless. Providence has
wisely and kindly formed them differently. Many of them contain,
witliin their rugged bosoms, immense and most valuable deposits
of coal, iron, and limestone. They are clothed with forests of all
the kinds of timber useful in the arts. They are penetrated in every
direction by rivers and streams, which may be used either to pro-
pel machinery, or convey to market the minerals and lumber found
on their banks. And, as has just been stated, these streams traverse
some of the most fertile valleys in the state.
13. When all these advantages are taken in view, it is only rea-
sonable to conclude, that, in a few years, the mountainous part of
Pennsylvania will contain a population equal in number and pros-
perity to that of any portion of the state.
14. The scenery of many parts of the mountainous portion of the
state, particularly where the mountain ranges are either cut through,
or skirted by large streams, is of a character for grandeur, wildness,
variety, and beauty, rarely surpassed. Many of our citizens are in
the habit of making long journeys into other parts of the Union, or
even to foreign countries, for the sole purpose of beholding their
boasted landscapes, without suspecting that within the bounds of
their own Commonwealth, there may be views worth a visit.
15. In this particular, as in every other, it is a good rule to inform
ourselves thoroughly in all that relates to our native country, before we
travel into foreign lands to become acquainted with their appearance
or condition. The American tourist along the Rhine or in Egypt,
who is unable to describe to an intelligent foreigner his own Nia-
gara, or Mississippi, or White Mountains, much less the resources
and institutions of his own state and the Union, will be set down,
at once, either as deficient in love of country, or as having com-
menced his travels without due preparation.
16. The whole scenery along the Juniata — many noble and com-
manding views from the summits of the AUeghenies — the numerous
rich landscapes in Cumberland Valley, from various points on the
Kittatinny — those presented by Wyoming Valle)^ from the sur-
rounding mountains — the Delaware and Lehigh Water Gaps — the
scenery below Clark's Ferry and about Northumberland on the
Susquehanna, with very many others that might be named, would
justify a journey by a Pennsylvanian, without detracting in tlie least
from his reputation for good taste or right feeling.
12. Are the mountains valueless 1
13. What may be expected in a few
years ?
14. TVhat is said of our sce7iery ?
15. What is a good rule for tra-
vellers ?
16. Name some views inPeiuisyl-
vania worth visiting.
RIVERS AND LAKES.
13
View of the Susquehanna River at Northumberland.
III. RIVERS AND LAKES.
1. The chief rivers of Pennsylvania all rise in the Al-
le-ghen'y mountains, and therefore possess the qualities of
mountain streams, being rapid in their descent, liable to
sudden changes of high and low water, and only per-
manently navigable for a short distance near their
mouths.
2. Those of the first class are the DEL^\-wARE in the
east ; the Sus-que-han'na in the middle ; and the Al~le-
ghen'y and Mon-on-ga-he' la, forming the 0-ni'o, in the
west.
3. The second class are the Schuylkill and Le'Iiigh, fall-
ing into the Del'a-ware ; the Ti-o'ga, West-branch, and Ju-
9*i-a/'ff, into the Sus-que-han'na; and the French- creek, Chir'-
i-on, Kis-ke-min-e'tas, YougJt-io-ghen'y, and Beaver, tribu-
taries of the Ohio.
4. The third class, sometimes called rivers and some-
L What is the general character
of the Pennsylvania rivers ?
2. Name those of the first class.
3. Of the second.
14
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
times creeks, are the Lack-aw-a' xen and Brandywine, in the
east; Con-es-to'ga^ Con-e-ioa'ga, Con-e-co-cheague' , and
C(istlema?i^Sy in the south ; Ma-ha-noy', Penn^s-creek^ Con-
ed'O-guin'etj Raystown-branch, Loy-al-han'na, and Con-e-
maugh', in the middle; Lack- aw- an' na^ Tunk-han'nock,
Pwie-cree/c, and Sin-ne-ma-ho'ning in the north; and She-
nan'go^ Red-hank^ and Ma-ho'ning^ in the west.
5. In addition to these, there are a great number of
smaller streams or creeks, and large springs; Pennsylvania
being a remarkably well watered state.
6. The lakes are few and small. Con'ne-aut, in- Craw-
ford county, is the largest lake entirely embraced in the
state. In the north-eastern corner of it there are numerous
and beautiful small bodies of standing water called Ponds.
7. Lake Erie, which forms a small portion of the north-
west boundary of Pennsylvania, is 200 miles long, and 50
broad.
8. The regret is often heard, that the rivers of Pennsylvania are
not permanently navigable. But, like all other complaints against
the works of Providence, this objection, when candidly examined,
is without foundation. For, let it be borne in mind, that though
the gentle streams of New York or Ohio present a long' course of
navigable waters from their mouths to their sources, yet, that those
sources are far below the rich mineral reo-ions from which our
mountain torrents leap ; and though difficult of ascent, that our
streams have, by the hand of enterprise and industry, been converted
into the easy means of transmitting down to the level plains of the
sister states, the inexhaustible and indispensable riches found amidst
their wild fountain heads.
9. The widely distant points, also, at which the rivers of Penn-
sylvania empty into the ocean, present another proof that she was
designed to be the great mineral storehouse of this part of the
continent.
10. From one of her counties, (Potter,) waters flow into the Gulf
of St. Law-rence, Ches-a-peake' bay, and the Gulf of Mexico; and
from nearly all those that border on the great Al-le-ghen'y moun-
tain, considerable streams fall into the two latter.
11. When it is further remembered, that twice each year nearly
Schuylkill, pronounced SkooVkill; Conewaga, Con-neh-wau' geh; Cone-
cocheague, Con-nth-co-jig' ; Mahanoy, Maw-haw-noy' .
4. Of the third.
5. Is Pennsylvania well watered ?
fi. What is said of the Lakes ?
7. Of Lake Erie ?
8. What regret is heard? Is it
well founded ?
9. Why may Pennsylvania be
called the mineral storehouse ?
10. IVhat is said of Potter and
of the Allegheny counties ?
SOIL.
15
all our streams are navigable for descendinor craft, and that the few
articles which are required to be taken up for the use of the moun-
tain counties, are of light freight in comparison with those sent
down, the objection that our streams are not pennanently navigable,
disappears before the numerous other advantages of our position.
12. Most of the streams oi" Pennsylvania retain their original
beautiful Indian names, and it is to be regretted that all do not.
The Del'a-ware, which took its present name from Lord Delawar,
a British nobleman, who was one of the early governors of Vir-
o-inia, was called Mac-ker-U-hit ian by the Indians. Man'a-yunk
was the name by which they knew the Schuylkill. Its present
name was given by the Hollanders, and is said to mean " the
Hidden River," its mouth not being visible to persons ascending
the Delaware.
IV. SOIL.
1. The soil of Pennsylvania varies with the rocks which
compose its surface ; the greater portion of the substance
of all soil being formed of pulverized rock.
2. In the limestone valleys and alluvial flats, it is equal
to any in point of fertility. These prevail in the south-
east, among the mountains of the middle counties, and in
the west.
3. Where red-shale^ slate, and some Icinds of sandstone
occur, the soil is only tolerably productive in its natural
state, but is susceptible of great and permanent improve-
ment by means of judicious farming. These form a large
portion of the surface in every quarter of the state.
4. The soil of the mountains themselves is of little value
for agriculture, except as pasture ranges. For this pur-
pose much of it will, no doubt, hereafter become useful
and profitable.
5. Some of the most valuable improvements in modern agricul-
ture proceed from the discovery, that all plants do not exhaust from
the soil, in which they grow, the same ingredients or component
parts of it ; and that no two plants of a different kind abstract the
same proportion of each ingredient.
11. What of the ascending and de-
scendintx freight ?
12. What of the names of the rivers'^.
1. Of what does the greater por-
tion of soil consist ?
2. Where do limestone and allu-
vial soil occur ?
3. What is said of red-shale, slate,
and sandstone ?
4. What is said of the moun-
tains ?
5. What valuahlc. discovery has
been made in relation to soils ?
16
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
6. Hence, beyond all question, it is established: 1st. That every
kind of soil is, in its natural state, fitted for the production of some
one or other of tlie thousand plants that cover the earth; and
2d. That the addition to it, by human labour, of those ingredients
or substances of which any soil is deficient, will fit it for the pro-
duction of the plants that require those ingredients.
7. Careful examination has also shown that silicious or flinty
matter not only constitutes a large portion of all soils, but also the
largest ingredient in the composition of o«/.s, wheat, Indian corn.,
rye and hurley. It also demonstrates that certain other substances,
of which LIME is always one, are contained in these and other
plants, a very large portion of it entering into the composition of
clooer and corn.
8. From these facts, it follows that the addition of lime to soils
from which it is naturally absent, must confer upon them the power
to produce those useful plants, especially corn and clover, so far as
unproductiveness of them was caused by its absence.
9. The same may be said of potash, soda, magnesia, and certain
acids, all of which are ingredients in most of the useful plants.
10. In this view of our soils, the presence of limestone in large
quantities, in any county, is second in value to that of no other
mineral ; not even excepting coal or iron.
11. For, as the productions of the farmer are indispensable to per-
sons in every business, and as the proper application of lime to the
soils of Pennsylvania, which are destitute of it, will convert them
into fruitful agricultural districts, the value of limestone must be
beyond that of any other mineral we possess.
12. Nor does this good effect alone follow the addition of lime,
or any other single substance of which a soil happens to be deficient.
The mixture of entire soils with each other often has the same result.
For instance, the carting of a certain proportion of the surface of
rich boggy or bottom land upon upland, or the reverse; the addition
of pure sand to stiff clay fields ; or the application of any other soil
to one of an entirely dissimilar character, has generally the same
beneficial efiTect.
13. In all these cases, the applied soil being dissimilar from that
to which it is added, the chances are, even without the certainty of
a scientific analysis, that productive substances have been obtained,
and consequently that productiveness will be increased.
14. In this way there is great truth in the remark, that in the
hands of a judicious farmer, almost every farm contains within its
limits the means of its own fertilization.
6. What conclusions have foUoioed
from it ?
7. What is said of wheat, other
grains, and clover ?
8. What of lime ?
9. What is said of potash, soda,
magnesia, and acids ?
10. What of the value of lime-
stone ?
11, Why?
] 2. What is said of entire soils ?
13. Why?
14. IV^hat remark is thus proved
true ?
CLIMATE.
17
V. CLIMATE.
1. The climate of Pennsylvania, which means the state
and influence of the weather during all the seasons of the
year, is exceedingly variable.
2. The year is usually divided mio four seasons : March,
April, and May, are called Spring ; June, July, and Au-
gust, Summer ; September, October, and November, Au-
tumn or Fall; and December, January, and February,
Winter.
3. In this state, the weather of each of the seasons in
the same year is not only so very inconstant, but those of
the different years vary so much from each other, that this
distribution often seems unsuitable to our climate.
4. Sometimes the storms of Winter begin with Novem-
ber, or endure till March ; other years delightful Spring
weather commences in February, and Autumn runs into
December. ^
5. The Summers^ however, more nearly resemble each
other, though the weather of each is also variable. The
larger number of days are hot and clear ; but violent thun-
der gusts, heavy rains from the north-west and east, and
warm showers from the south, are common.
6. The Winters are very variable. Some years snow
covers the ground for months at a time ; and during others,
enough does not fall for sleighing. But severe and long-
continued frosts are rarely wanting.
7. The prevailing Winds of summer are from the north-
west and south-w^est, the former bringing clear, and the
latter cloudy weather. South and south-east winds are
generally accompanied by w^arm, and east and north-east
winds by cold rain.
8. North-west winds also prevail in winter, generally
with clear cold weather. Northerly and easterly winds
bring snow-storms, and those from the south mild rains.
1. What is climate ?
2. Name the seasons?
3. Are they variable ?
4. What is said of spring and
autumn ?
5. What of summer ?
6. Of winter?
7. What are the prevailing winds
of summer?
8. Of winter?
2*
18
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
9. Durino; the spring and fall the winds are exceed-
ingly variable, producing the same changes of weather as
in summer and winter.
10. In the northern and in the high mountain counties
the climate is more severe, but also more regular than in
the lower and southern parts of the state.
11. Snow generally continues the greater part of the
winter ; spring sets in nearly a month later, and winter as
much earlier, than in the south ; and the nights are fre-
quently cool in the midst of summer.
12. In every part of the state the greatest heat, being
about 95 degrees by the thermometer, usually occurs in
July, and the most intense cold, which is about 20 de-
grees below zero, in January.
13. The ordinary temperature of summer is about 70 de-
grees, and in winter about 30, above zero. During spring
and fall it ranges between those two points.
14. Though so fickle, and suddenly changing from such
opposite extremes, the climate of Pennsylvania is remark-
ably heaWiful ; the amount and kind of disease being simi-
lar to those that are common to milder climates.
15. The chmate of Pennsylvania is much more severe than that
of the countries of Europe, which lie on the same parallels of lati-
tude. Neither Portugal, Spain, Italy, nor Turkey, experience the
same deorree of cold in winter that we do. Even Great Britain and
Ireland, lying from 12 to 16 degrees further north, have a milder
climate.
16. This is mainly caused by those countries being either wholly
or nearly surrounded by the sea, which usually moderates the heats
of summer, and the cold in winter. Whereas we are not only re-
moved from the sea, but connected by land, or a chain of cold fresh-
water lakes, with the frozen regions of the north. The prevailing
northern winds in winter, sweeping from this chilly source, and
passing over the intermediate snow-clad surface, reach us with a
degree of severity unknown to similar latitudes in the Old World.
17. These causes may account for the greater degree of cold,
which w^e experience in winter, than our latitude demands. Our
summer heats, however, are not beyond what a similar vicinity to
9. Of spring and fall?
10. What is remarked of the north-
ern and mountain counties ?
11. What of their spring and fall,
and nights?
12. What is the greatest heat and
cold in Pennsylvania?
13. What is the ordinary tempera-
ture ?
14. Is our climate healthful ?
15. What is said of our climate in
comparisofi with other countries ?
16. Why?
CLIMATE.
19
the line usually produces. That the countries above named have
cooler summers, is caused by the peculiarities, just noticed, in their
position.
18. Within the century and a half elapsed since its settlement,
the climate of Pennsylvania has underg-one a great change. At the
commencement of that period, and for many years after, the winters
were longer and more severe. Snow almost uniformly lay on the
ground during the greater part of December, January, and February.
Frosts occurred earlier in the fall and later in the spring. More
rain seems to have fallen throughout the year, and the summer
heats were more oppressive.
19. The change is generally attributed to the clearing of the land,
and the draining of its surface by cultivation. These causes have
rendered the earth drier^ and have, consequently, decreased the
quantity of water, w^hich, by evaporation, reaches the clouds ; re-
turnino- to chill the earth in the form of snow in winter, and to keep
it almost constantly damp, in the shape of rain, in summer.
20. This amelioration of climate, or rather decrease of moisture
on the surface, will probably advance till the whole state is cleared
and cultivated. Thus far it has had the beneficial effect of improv-
ing the health of many places. Agues and other diseases produced
by extreme heat, acting on damp and decaying vegetable matter,
are now comparatively rare.
21. But as few earthly blessings are without some alloy, this
also has its inconvenience. Many springs and wells, that used to
continue throughout the year, now become dry during the latter
part of summer and fall ; their sources being deprived of a constant
supply of water by the decrease of rain and snow%
22. The most remarkable peculiarity of our climate is that suc-
cession of mild, calm, hazy weather that commonly occurs after the
first frosts in November, called " Indian summer."
23. Some say it was so named by the first settlers, who believed
that this smoky state of the air proceeded from the burning of the
woods, leaves, and dry grass by the Indians in their autumnal fire
hunts.
24. Others suppose that the name originated from the fact, that
the Indians took advantage of this lingering remains of summer to
strike their last blow^s on the white settlements, before the winter
rendered it difficult for them to reach their victims. If this were
its origin, then the season that is so delightful to us, must have
been one of terror to our ancestors.
17. What is said of our summers ?
18. What change has talicn place ?
19. IVhat are the causes ?
20. Nffwe 07ie of its good effects.
21. Also, one of its inconvefiiences .
22. What is remarkable in fall ?
23. What do some say was the ori-
gin of the name ?
24. What do others say f
20
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Penn's Treaty with the Indians.
VI. HISTORY.
1. Before it was taken possession of by Europeans,
the territory now called Pennsylvania was occupied by
various tribes of Indians, of which the chief were the Del'-
a-ioares, Six jYations, and Shmv-an-ees' .
2. In 1643, the first colony of whites was established
by the Swedes^ under Governor John Printz. They set-
tled along the western bank of the Delaware, principally,
near the mouth of the Schuylkill. They were the first-
purchasers of the land from the Indians, and called it New
Sweden.
3. In 1655, the Dutch colony of New Netherlands (now
New York) subdued the Swedish colony, but permitted all
the Swedish settlers to remain.
4. In 1664, the English conquered the territory now
1. Who occupied Pennsylvania
before the Europeans?
2. When and by whom was the
first white colony estabhshed ?
It?
3. When did the Dutch conquer
4. When did the English ?
HISTORY. 21
called Pennsylvania, with all the other Dutch possessions
in North America.
5. In 1681, King Charles the Second granted Penns}!-
vania to William Fcnn, and gave it the present name.
6. In 1682, Penn regularly founded the province.
7. In July, 1776) Pennsylvania became a free and inde-
pendent state by the Declaration of Independence and the
formation of a state constitution. At that time it contained
about 300,000 inhabitants.
8. In 1790, the second State Constitution was adopted.
9. In 1834, the Common School Law was passed.
10. In 1838, the third and present State Constitution
was adopted.
1 1 . The Del'a-wares^ so called by the whites from the river on
whose banks they were first met, and where they chiefly resided,
were the most numerous nation in the province. They called them-
selves Len'ni Len'a-pe, or the original people. They were also
sometimes known by the name of M-gon'quins,
12. They were divided into three chief tribes : The U-na'mis, or
turtles, the Un-a-Iachl' gos^ or turkeys, and the Mon'seys^ or wolves.
The two first occupied the country south-east of the Kit-ta-tin'ny,
and the last the region north of that mountain, on the upper waters
of the Delaware and Sus-que-han'na.
13. The various bands of Delawares received different names
from the whites, according to their location, as tlie iSiis-que-han'?ias,
the Con-es-to' gas^ the Nesh-a-viin'ies^ the Nan-ti -cokes'^ ^''c.
14. The Shav,'-an-ees', a portion of a different nation, were settled
near Wy-o'ming, and some of them on the Ohio, below Pittsburg.
15. The celebrated Five Nations seem originally to have owned
north-western Pennsylvania. The On-on-rla'gas, Ca-y'u-gas, On-ei'-
das, Sen'e-cas, and Itlo'haicks first composed this remarkable and
powerful confederacy. To these were subsequently added the Tus'
ca-ro'ras, after which they were called the Six Nations.
16. By the Delawares they were called Ming'os and Mnquas, by
the French Iroquois, and by the English the Five or Six Nations.
17. Their chief residence or council-house was at On-on-da' go,
in New York, the greater part of which state belonged to them.
Onondagos pronounced On-on-daw' goes ; Iroquoi?, E-ro-quaw'.
5. When was it granted to Penn?
C. V/hen founded ?
7. When become independent ?
8. What haopened in 1790?
9. In 1834 ?
10. In 1838?
11. Who were the Delawares ?
12. How divided?
13. How subdivided ?
14. Who were the Shawanees ?
15. Who composed the Five Na-
tions ?
16. What were they called ?
17. Where was their chief rest-
de?ice ?
22
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
18. Sometime previous to the landing of the Europeans, the Six
Nations are said to have conquered tlie Dela wares. It is at least
certain, that they exercised authoritj'' over them, and that this
subjection often rendered the dealings of the colonists with the
Delawares complicated and difficult.
19. In 1756, Tee-dy-us'cund, the noted Delaware chief, seems to
have compelled the Six Nations to acknowledge the independence
of his tribe; but the claim of superiority was often afterwards
revived.
20. In 1638, the )Sioef/es purchased from the Indians the land from
Cape Hen-lo'pen to the Falls at Trenton, along the western shore
of the Delaware.
21. In 1613, they commenced settling within the present bounds
of Pennsylvania. Their Governor, John Printz, erected a fort,
which he called New Gottemburg, and afterwards a church and a
spacious house for himself, on Tin'i-cum island, in the Delaware,
below the mouth of the Schuyrkill.
22. Until 1655, the Swedish settlements regularly increased. In
that year they were taken by Peter Stut/vesanf, Governor of the .
Dutch colony of New Netherlands, now New York.
23. Nine j'ears afterwards, or in 1664, all the Dutch possessions
in America, including those on the Delaware, were conquered by
the En<rlish.
24. Being thus possessed of the territor}" by conquest from those
who had rightfully acquired the Indian title to at least a part of
it, King Charles the Second, by charter, dated March 4, 1681,
granted it to William Pen7i, a member of the Society of Friends,
in discharcre of certain larcrc claims due by the crown to his father.
Admiral Sir William Penn.
25. On the 24th of October, 1682, William Penn arrived at his
new province in the ship Wekoine. He first landed at New Castle,
in the present state of Delaware. At this time Delaware also be-
longed to Penn, by grant from the Duke of York, the king's bro-
ther, but did not long continue connected with Pennsylvania.
26. The same year he laid out Phil-a-del'phi-a, on land purchased
from three Swedish settlers; divided the province into the three
counties of Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks ; and convened the
first legislature, which met on the 4th of December, at the town of
Chester, and completed their session in three days.
27. Early in 1683, Penn entered into treaties with the Indians
18. What is said of them with re-
gard to the Delawares ?
19. What happened in 1756 ?
20. When did the Swedes pur-
chase ?
21. When and where did they
settle ?
22. When and by whom were they
conquered ?
23. When and by whom were the
Dutch conquered ?
24. When and to ivhom did King
Charles grant it ?
25. When did Penn first arrive?
26. When were Philadelphia and
the three counties laid out ?
27. What did Penn do in 1683,
and v)hat was his conduct to the hi'
dians ?
HISTORY. ^'^
for the purchase of large tracts of land west and north of Philadel-
phia, it being his honest rule to acquire the Indian title, as weil as
that of the English king.
28. In 1684, Penn sailed for England. _
29 In 1G91, a dispute arose between the provinces ot Pennsyl-
vania and Delaware, which resulted in the formation of separate
leo-islatures, and the final separation of the provinces.
'so In 1699, Penn returned to the province with his tamily, and
found it much increased in population, prosperity, and wealth.
31 In 1701, a new charter, or frame of government, more tul y
adapted to the wants of the people, was adopted, and Penn finally
returned to England. , . -^ i • i i,- r.A
32 In 1718^ he died at Eushcomb, in Buckinghamshire, aged
74 years. His last days were embittered by persecution and pecu-
niary distresses at home, and dissensions m his colonies.
33 On his death, Pennsylvania became the property ot his sons,
John, Thomas, and Richard, by whom, or their deputies, it was
g-overned till the Revolution. . .-.
34 In 1723, Benjamin Franklin, then m his seventeenth year,
arrived in Philadelphia from Boston, and soon acquired an influence,
which he exercised to the benefit of the province and his own honour
during a long life. . . ,
35. The same year the first ;w^er money was issued m the
^^S^^.^'ln 1732, Thomas Penn, and in 1734, John Penn arrived in
the province, where Thomas remained till 1741.
37 In 1739, on the breaking out of a war with Spain, the Assem-
bly refused supplies for the defence of the province, on the ground
of relicrious scruples. This was the beginning of a long contro-
versy between the legislature and the governors.
33 In 1744, the war between England and France put an e?irf to
the peace that had previously existed without any interruption be-
tween the colonists and Indians. Before that melanchoiy era, the
prudent councils of the Friends had completely saved the province
from those Indian ravages that afterwards devastated the frontiers.
39 In 1754, by the treaty of Albany, the Six Nations conveyed
to the province a large tract of land, lying beyond the Susquehanna
28.
When did he return to Eng- \ 35. When xoas the first paper mo
land 1
29. When did the dispute com-
mence between Pennsylvania and
Delaware ?
30. IVhen did Penn return ?
31. W7ie7i was a new charter
granted I
32. When and where did he die 1
33. Whose property did Pennsyl-'
vania. then become ?
34. When did FraiiUin arrive ?
ney isnned ?
36. When did Thomas and John
Penn arrive ?
37. When and why did the Assem-
bly first refuse supplies ?
3d. When and how was the long
peace between the colonists and In-
dians broken ?
39, When was the treaty of Alha-
nif, what was done by it, and what
was the consequence ?
24
STATE- BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
river and Kit-ta-tin'ny mountain, and south-west of the mouth of
Penn's creek. Being without the consent of the Delawares and
Shaw-an-ees', who occupied the territory, those tribes became justly
incensed, and joined the French.
40. In 1755, General Braddock^ while marching-, in a manner op-
posed to the advice of Colonel Washington, with a larjre force
against Fort Du Quesne, (now Pittsburg,) was attacked by the
Indians and French, and defeated with great slaughter. He him-
self was mortally wounded, and died shortly after, during the
retreat.
41. In 1758, General Forbes led a strong force from Carlisle
against Fort Du Quesne, which he found abandoned. The French
never afterwards regained any footing in the province.
42. In 1763, the Indian war, called Pon-^'^■-ac's toar, raged. Forts
Pres'qu'ile', Ve-nan'go, and Le Bceuf were taken, and Forts Pitt,
Lig-o-ni'er, and Bedford, were attacked on the same day, by strata-
gem. The exposed settlers suffered many hardships.
43. The same year the Manor Indians were killed at Lancaster
jail by the Paxton boys.
44. In 1767, the southern line of the state was finally run and
settled by Mason and Dixoji.
45. In 1768, all the remaining lands in the province, except those
beyond the Al-le-ghen'y river, were purchased from the Indians at
Fort Stanwix, now Rome, in Oneida county, New York.
46. In 1769, the civil war between the Connecticut settlers and
the Pennsylvania claimants began in Wy-o'ming.
47. In 1769, the right of taxing the colonies, without their own
consent, some years before asserted by the British Parliament, was
boldly denied by the colonial Assembly, who took strong ground
against that odious doctrine.
48. In 1774, Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, took posses-
sion oi Fort Pitt as being within the limits of his province; but his
garrison was soon expelled.
49. On the 18th of June, 1774, a meeting of 8000 persons took
place in Philadelphia, and recommended a Continental Conoress
Du Quesne piouoimccd Doo-haifi' ; Presque-ile', Pres-keel' ; Le Bceuf,
Le Btff; Ligoiiier, Lig-o-neer'.
40. What happened to Braddock 1
41. What did Forbes do, and
v>hen ?
42. When did Pontiac's war hap-
pen, and what took place ?
43. When, where, and by whom
were tlie Manor Indians killed ?
44. What is JSlason and Dixon^s
line, and v:hc?i run I
45. When was the first treaty of
Fort Sta?iwix held, and what was
done ?
46. Whefi and where did the Con-
necticut claim create a civil war ?
47. When was the right of taxing
the colonies without their own const7it
first distinctly denied by the Assent-
bly ?
48. When and why did Lord Dun-
more take Fort Pitt ?
49. What large meeting was held
in Philadelphia, wlien was it, and
what did it recommend ?
HISTORY.
25
for the vindication of the rights of the colonies, and the relief of
Boston. ^ n 1 A- *
50. On the 15th of July, 1774, deputies from all the counties met
at Philadelphia, and passed strong resolutions in favour ot the rights
of the colonies, and the holding of a General Colonial Congress.
Accordingly the Assembly appointed seven delegates to the
Congress. ^ . ^ n ^. '.
5l! In September, 1774, the first Congress met at Carpenter s
Hall in Philadelphia. , • . j i ..^
52. On the 15th of July, 1776, independence having been declared,
a state convention, in Philadelphia, met and framed a Comhtuiwn
for Pennsylvania as a Free and Sovereign State. At that time
the population was about 300,000.
53 In 1777, after the battle of Brandywine, Congress adjourned
to Lancaster, and thence to York; and Philadelphia lell into the
hands of the British, who retained it till June, 1778. In the last
named year Congress returned' to Philadelphia, where it remained
till 1800, when if removed to Washington. , , ^t-
54. In 1778, the Tories and Indians destroyed the Wyoming
optf lovn pT\tg
55. In 1779, Sullivan's expedition against the northern Indians
occurred.
56. In 1780, slavery was abolished in Pennsylvania.
57. In 1781, by the advice of Robert Morris, Congress incorpo-
rated the Bank of North America, which was the first bank in the
Union. ^ ,
58. In 1782, the controversy with Connecticut about the LiUzerne
lands was decided in favour of Pennsylvania, by Commissioners
of Congress at Trenton, after full argument and investigation.
59. In 1784, all the remaining lands owned by the Indians m the
state, were purchased from the Six Nations by treaty at Fort
Stanwix. , ,.
6C. In 1789, Harmar's expedition against the western Indians
took place. j ^z.
61. In 1790, the second State Constitution was adopted, and 1 ho-
mas Mifflin elected first Governor under it.
50. Whe7i did the first deputies
meet, and what did they recommend ?
51. When and where did the first
Congress assemble ?
52. When was the first State con-
stitution framed ?
53. TVhen did the Battle of Bran-
dywine take place, and what was its
effect on Congress and Philadelphia ?
54. When, and by whom was Wy-
oming destroyed ?
55. When did Sullivan's expedi-
tion take place ?
56. When was slavery abolished ?
57. W/ien was the first ba7ik esta-
blished, and which tvas it ?
58. When and how was the Con-
necticut controversy settled ?
59. What took place at the second
treaty of Fort Stanioix, and when \
60. iVhen did Harmar's expedi-
tion take place ?
61. When was the second State
Constitution adopted, and who was
first Governor under it 1
26
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
62. In 1791, General St. Clair, most of whose troops were from
Pennsylvania, was defeated.
63. In 1792, Pennsylvania purchased the Erie triangle of land
from the United States government.
64. Between 1792 and 1795, Wayne' s operations against the
western Indians put an end to their ravages.
65. In 1794, the Turnpike from Philadelphia to Lancaster was
completed, at a cost of $465,000, being the first in the Union.
66. In 1799, Thomas McKean succeeded Governor Mifflin.
67. In 1800, Lancaster became the seat of state government, and
that of the Union was removed from Philadelphia to Washington,
D. C.
68. In 1808, Simon Snyder succeeded Governor McKean.
69. In 1812, the seat o/"goyernme«/ was transferred to Harrishurg.
70. About 1815, the great era o/' /wr?Jp^/:e improvement, to which
Pennsylvania owes so much, was at its height.
71. In 1817, William Findlay succeeded Simon Snyder as Go-
vernor.
72. In 1820, Joseph Iliester succeeded Governor Findlay.
73. In 1823, /. ^. Shulze was elected Governor after Joseph
Hiester.
74. In 1825, the great system of state improvement by canal and
railroad was commenced.
75. In 1829, George ?Fb^ succeeded Governor Shulze.
76. In 1834, the first Common School Law was passed.
77. In 1835, Joseph Ritner succeeded George Wolf as Governor.
78. In 1836, Xhe present Common School Law was passed.
79. In 1838, the existing State Constitution was adopted, putting
an end to the life tenure of office, and taking nearly all the appoint-
ments from the Governor.
62. When did St. Clair's defeat
happen 1
63. When was the Erie triangle
purchased ?
64. When did Wayne^ s western
cam.'paipns occur 1
65. When ivas the Lancaster turn-
pike completed, and at what cost ?
66. JVho succeeded Governor muf-
fin, and tvhen elected 1
67. When did T^ancuster become
the seal of state government, and
what happened to Philadelpliia the
same year 1
68. Who succeeded Gov. ISIcKean,
a7id when ?
69. When did Harrishurg become
the seat of government ?
70. What was the date of the turn-
pike era ?
71. Who sxicceeded Governor Sny-
der, and when ?
72. Who succeeded Governor Find-
lay, and when ?
73. Who succeeded Governor Hies-
ter, and whe?i ?
74. When was the internal im-
provement system commenced ?
75. Who succeeded Gov. Shulze,
and v)hen ?
76. When was the first Common
School Law passed ?
77. Who succeeded Governor Wolf,
and when ?
78. Whemoas the present Common
School Law passed ?
79. When was the present State
Constitution adopted, and what
cha?iges did it effect ?
POPULATION.
27
80. In 1838, D. JR. Porter was elected Governor after Joseph
Ritner.
81. In 1844, F. R. Skunk succeeded Governor Porter.
82. In 1845, the great Fire at Pittsburg occurred.
^^" The local history of the different parts of the state will be
found under the respective counties.
VII. POPULATION.
1. By the census of 1840, the population of Pennsyl-
vania was 1,724,033. At the end of the year 1845 it was
probably not less than 2,000,000, being about 42 to each
square mile, or 1 to every 15 acres in the whole s'ate.
2. Though the state was first regularly colonized by
Englishmen^ principally of the society of Friends, yet
there were previously some Swedish and Dutch settlers.
Large numbers of English, Irish, German, and Welsh,
with some from France, Holland, and Scotland, have since
been added. Several counties have also almost exclusively
been settled by JVeio-Englanders.
3. In the older counties, the emigrants of each nation
generally formed separate settlements by themselves.
Hence, to this day, different languages continue to be
spoken at different places. The English, however, is the
prevailing tongue, though German is commonly used in
many counties. In two or three the Welsh language is
heard to a considerable extent, and in some few settle-
ments French is spoken.
4. In most of the Western counties the population is
of a mixed description, they having been chiefly peopled
from the older parts of the state.
5. The new counties along the Northern line are less
mixed than any, their inhabitants being nearly all of New
Enojland orig^in.
80. Who succeeded Governor EiU
ner, and when ?
8L Who succeeded Governor Por-
ter, and. ivhen ?
82. When did the Pittsburg fire
liappen ?
]. What was the population of
Pennsylvania in 1840 ? in 1S45 ? the
number to each square mile ? and
the number of acres to each person ?
2. From what nations were the
people originally derived ?
3. What is said about language?
4. What is said of the western
counties ?
5. What of the norihern?
28
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
6. Not less than one-half of the people of the state are
actually engaged in agriculture. The rest are divided
among the various pursuits connected with commerce,
manufactures, mining, and lumbering.
7. The process by which the various sections of Pennsylvania
first became settled, presents some interesting circumstances. In
tracing it we not only perceive the severities practised by the
various governments of the Old World materially hastening the
population of the New, but the distinct national characters of the
emigrants from each land thus brought into contact, singularly de-
veloping themselves.
8. Though the Svjedes and the Dutch, or Hollanders, were un-
doubtedly the first white settlers in Pennsylvania, yet the former
never extended themselves far inland from the Delaware, and the
latter can scarcely be said to have made a permanent lodgment at
all. They merely held possession, for a few years, as conquerors
of the Swedes, without adding many settlers of their own nation.
Some Swedish and a very few Dutch names of families and places
along the River Delaware, are all the remains that are now dis-
coverable of either.
9. The next influx was that of the English Friends. They were
for some years the most numerous ; but, as they offered religious
toleration to all who desired a refuge in Pennsylvania from the
same oppression that had exiled themselves, and as their number
in the Old World was small in comparison with that of others also
seeking freedom of conscience, they were soon outnumbered, and
their policy on other points overruled in their own colony.
10. The chief immigration of the Friends occurred between 1680
and 1700, but their peaceful policy governed the province till about
1740, a period of sixty years.
11. The next considerable national class of emigrants were the
Freshylerians, from the north of Ireland. These are generally
termed the Scofch-Irish, from a similarity of religion and dialect
that exists between the people of the north of Ireland and the oppo-
site part of Scot/and. They arrived here in the greatest numbers
within the first forty years of the last century, but especially about
the year 1720.
12. From 1710 till 1750, but most largely about 1740, German
settlers, now commonly but inaccurately called Dutch, came from
various parts of Germany, many being from the Palatinate. They
were nearly all of the diflferent reformed sects.
13. Both "before and after the last-named period, arrivals also
6. Plow are the people employed ?
7. What is said of the process by
which Pennsylvania has been peo-
pled?
8. What of the Srvedish and Dutch
settlers ?
9. What of the Friends 1
10. When did they chiefly arrive,
and how long rule ?
11. Who were the Scotch-Irish,
and when did they mostly arrive ?
12. When did the Germans come ?
13. What is said of other emi-
grants ?
POPULATION. 29
occurred from most of the other civilized countries of the Old World ;
hut they either took place in small numbers, or did not form dis-
tinct settlements. Their effect, therefore, is not very perceptible at
this late day.
14. The Roman Catholics of Irdaixd do not seem to have settled
in this state in very considerable numbers till towards the close
of the last century; though since that period they have become
quite numerous in every part of the state.
15. Between 1750 and 1770, south-western Pennsylvania, then
claimed by Virginia^ was entered by a number of settlers from tliat
colony and from Maryland^ and considerable improvements were
effected by them.
16. From 1762 to 1770, numerous adventurers from Connecticut
seated themselves in the north-eastern part of the province, mostly
in Luzerne county. Tliis was under a claim that the whole norUi-
ern part of Pennsylvania, from its eastern to its western limit, and
as far south nearly as the 41st degree of latitude, formed part of
Connecticut, under the o-rant from Kin^ Charles the Second.
17. Among all these various sources of population, the most in-
fluential upon the destinies of the state, have been the Friends^ the
Scotch-Irish, the Gennaiis, and the New Englanders.
18. The Friends, though not now comparatively numerous, have
impressed upon our statute-books, and our habits as a people, that
degree of mildness and of plainness for which Pennsylvania has
heretofore been noted.
19. The Scotch-Irish, with the daring energy of tlieir nation, at
once occupied the extreme out-posts on the Indian frontier. They
were almost uniformly seen in advance of all others, raising their
rude dwellings, establishing their churches, and forcing back their
savage neighbour. As soon as they became sufficiently numerous
and influential in the province, the peaceful policy of the Friends
was abandoned, and the government made to take an open part in
the hostilities against the Indians and their wily French ally.
20. As if intended to act as the pioneers of civilization, they do
not seem to have had the power of remaining long stationary.
About the year 1730, they crossed the south mountain, and entered
the Cumberland Valley throughout its whole length. But even
the Kittatinny did not long restrain them. Between 1745 and 1750,
they passed its various gaps west of the Susquehanna, and occupied
the narrow belt of limestone lands that skirts most of that portion of
its northern base. Thence they rapidly followed the main streams
■ towards the north and west, establishing themselves in the pleasant
14. Wliat of the Roman Catholic
Irish ?
15. Who first settled south-western
Femisylvania ?
16. When, where, and why did the
Connecticut men settle ?
17. Which classes of settlers ex-
tried the greatest influence 1
18. What influencehavetheFriends
had ?
I'J. Where did the Scotch- Irish
first sitile, and what change did they
effect in the policy of the province ?
20. When did they enter the Cum-
herla'id Valley, and when cross the
Kittatinny 1
30
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
valleys and flats on their banks, till they arrived at and finally
crossed the main Allegheny mountain.
21. The progress of their successors, the Germans, is no less
remarkable or regular. Still following, they have almost as uni-
formly displaced the Scotch-Irish. This singular change has taken
place in Adams, part of York, a large portion of Lancaster, and in
parts of several of the other south-eastern counties. But it is most
striking in Cumberland Valley. Every county in that pleasant
region, with the single exception perhaps of Berks, was first en-
tered by the Scotch-Irish. But their restlessness and enterprise
soon bore them onward, leaving the steadfastness of the German to
occupy the soil. This it has so completely effected, that in most
parts of the valley scarcely any memento remains of the first settlers,
except the names on a few old grave-stones.
22. While this double wave of population was sweeping on from
the south-east, the early settlements effected from Virginia and
Maryland, in the south-west, were increased by numbers from the
older parts of Pennsylvania. At the same time, the New England-
ers in the north-east had continued to advance till they reached the
extreme north-western limit of the state.
23. Thus the tide of civilization, flowing on simultaneously from
the east, the south, and the north, united finally at a point in the
middle west, where accordingly we find our latest and our most
mixed settlements.
24. Though there yet exists great diversity of habit, feeling, and lan-
guage, between the various portions of a population thus constituted,
yet the whole, when a few more generations shall have blended them
together, will probably form a community inferior to none. When
the staidness of the Friend shall have moderated the ardour of the
Iriih/iiau; the steadfast industry of the German be mingled with
the enterprise of the Ncw-En<r lander ,• and the versatility of the
Frtnchman., the sagacity of the (S'co/, and the fire of the ancient
Briton be thrown into the mass, it is not easy to perceive what
element of a superior national character v/ill be absent.
25. The result of each portion acting separately has heretofore
been propitious. It is probable that the combined effect of all, act-
ing in harmony, will be even more so.
26. The great variety of occupation, furnished by the diversified
interests and resources of the state, will also exercise an important
influence in the formation of the character of her people. Tliey
can never be either a wholly agricultural, commercial, or manufac-
turing community; but will have their intellects sharpened, their
ideas enlarged, and their habits diversified by all these means.
21. Who succeeded them, where,
and to what extent ?
22. What took place in the mean
lime in the north and south-west ?
23. Which are the latest and most
mixed settlements ?
24. JVliat is said of the elements/or
the formation of a national character ?
25. What is expected to be the
result ?
26. What is the effect of variety
of emploi/mcnt ?
GOVERNMENT.
31
27. As agriculture must ever be their main pursuit, the proba-
bility is, that the sterling virtues which seem invariably to accom-
pany that useful and noble callino-, will still predominate among
the qualities which shall ultimately constitute the state character.
28. It is not, therefore, too much to expect that when the Virtue
of an agricultural people, the Liberty of free republicans, and the
Independence of a community in possession of all the necessaries
of life, shall be fully enlightened by that Intelli<^tnce which is the
gift of sound mental and moral culture, then indeed the state motto
will become a state character which all her sons may be proud of.
29. The accomplishment of this glorious object depends on the
youth who attend the schools of the state.
VIII. GOVERNMENT.
1. The government of Pennsylvania Is a representative
republic ; that is, the power of making and executing tlie
laws is exercised by the representatives of the people,
elected or appointed for a limited time, and not in any
case for life.
2. These Powers are divided into legislative^ executive,
2Lnd judicial, each of which is kept separate from the other.
3. The Legislature, composed of a Senate of 33 mem-
bers, and a House of Representatives of 100, meets on
the first Tuesday in January annually, at the seat of
government. By the Legislature the laws of the state are
made and altered when necessary. -
4. The chief Executive authority is intrusted to the
governor of the Commonwealth. He is elected for three
years, and it is his duty to see that the laws are faithfully
executed.
5. The Judicial power, or the power to apply the laws
to particular cases, is exercised by the courts ; which are
either courts of original jurisdiction, in which suits are
brought in the first instance, or courts of appeal, in which
the decisions of the courts of original jurisdiction are
reviewed, to keep them all in accordance with the uniform
rules of law. They are also divided into civil and crinii-
27. JV/iat is expected from the pre-
valence of agricullure ?
28. Of educat ion ?
29. On lohom does this depend ?
1. What is our form of govern-
ment ?
2. How are its powers divided ?
3. How is the legislature com-
posed ? what does it inake ?
4. Who is the chief executive ?
5. What is the judicial power?
how exercised ? how many kinds ?
32
STATE-EOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
nal courts. By the former, civil rights are determined •,
and by the latter crimes are detected and punished.
6. That portion of legislative, executive, and judicial
power which Pennsylvania has delegated to the United
States government, is exercised by the national legislature,
called Congress, the national executive or President, and
the United States courts of different grades. In ftie elec-
tion or appointment of all these officers she participates in
common with the sister states.
7. The Expenses of government, which mean the cost
of all the acts performed by officers of state for the public
or common good, are chiefly defrayed by tax.
8. Tax is that portion of his property which each person
contributes yearly to support the government that protects
and aids him in the enjoyment of the remahider, and of
his rights generally.
9. The whole amount of the revenue or income of Penn-
sylvania, from tax and all other sources, is annually about
{$3,500,000 ; and the expenses of the state government of
all kinds, including interest on debt, are about the same.
10. The right of voting for public officers belongs to every white
male citizen of the state, of the age of 21, who has resided in the
state one year, and in the district in which he offers to vote ten
days next preceding the election, and paid a state or county tax
within two years, assessed at least ten days before the election ; but
citizens between the ages of 21 and 22 are not required to pay tax
to enable them to vote ; and citizens previously qualified, having
removed from the state and returned, are only required to reside six
months previous to voting.
11. In addition to the distribution of ihe powers of government,
into legislative, executive, and judicial, the officers of government
are divided into State, County, and Township officers : the constable
being as much an officer of the law and of the government as the
governor, and equally entitled to respect and obedience, in his proper
sphere.
12. The election of state and county officers takes place on the
second Tuesday in October annually ; and of township officers on
the third Friday in March in most of the counties.
6. How are those powers of go-
vernniont delegated to the United
States exercised (
7. How are the expenses of go-
vernment paid ?
8. What is tax?
9. What is the amount of the re-
venue and expenses of governnjcnt
in Pennsylvania ?
10. Describe the right of voti?ig ?
11. How are the officers of govern-
ment divided ?
13. ^Vhcn are state, county, and
toximstiip officers ttcctcd ?
GOVERNMENT.
33
13. State Senators hold their office three years, and receive $3 a
day while in session ; representatives are elected annually, and also
receive ^3 a day.
14. For the election of senators the state is divided into 28 dis-
tricts, and for representatives into 47.
15. A senator must be 25 years of a^e, and have been a citizen
of the state four years, and of the district one year before his
election.
16. A Representative or Assembly-man must be 21 years of age,
and a citizen of the state three years, and of the district one year
before his election.
17. Four months is the usual duration of a session of the leg-is-
lature.
18. No person can be Governor unless he is 30 years of age, and
has been a citizen of the state seven years next before his election.
19. The governor receives a salary of $3000 a year, and cannot
hold the office longer than six years in succession.
The other chief executive state officers are :
20. The Secretary of the Commonwealth .^ who keeps a record of
all the official acts of the governor, issues commissions to all persons
appointed by him, and to most of those elected by the people,
attends to the official correspondence of the state, &c. He is also
Superintendent of Common Schools, and as such has charge of the
common school system. He receives $1700 a year.
21. The Auditor General, who settles all the accounts of the
state. He receives $1400 a year.
22. The Surveyor-General, who has care of the public lands of
the state. He receives $1200 a year.
23. The State Treasurer, who has charge of all the money
belonging to the state. He receives $1400 a year.
24. Three Canal Commissioners, who have charge of the public
works of the state. They each receive $3 a day for their services.
25. The Adjutant General, who has the charge of the militia esta-
blishment of the state in time of peace, and in time of war is one of
the chief militia officers. He receives $300 a year in time of peace.
26. The Attorney-General, who is the legal adviser of the
governor and of the other chief executive officers ; and by himself
13. State the term of office and pay
of senators and representatives.
14. How many senatorial and rep-
resentative districts ?
15. JV/iat are the qualifications of
senators ?
16. Of representatives or assem-
blymen ?
17. The duration of a session ?
18. State the qualifications for go-
vernor.
1 9. His salary a7id tenure of office.
20. Who is the secretary of the
Commonwealth'^ what are his duties
and salary ?
21. Who is the auditor-general,
and what is his salary ?
22. The secretary of the land office,
his salary ?
23. The state treasurer, and salary ?
24. The canal commissioners, and
their pay ?
25. The adjutant- general, and sa-
lary ?
26. The attorney-general, and sa-
lary ?
34
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
or his deputies prosecutes all criminal offenders in every part of the
Commonwealth. He receives ^300 a year, and fees.
27. All these executive officers are appointed by the governor for
three years, except the state treasurer who is elected annually by
the legislature, and the canal commissioners who are elected by
the people, each for three years, one being chosen every year.
28. The chief tribunals of original jurisdiction are those of Jus-
tices cf ihe Peace in the townships, and Aldermen in the cities; and
Courts uf Common Pleas in each county. The latter are so called
when they exercise civil jurisdiction, but are termed courts of
Quarter Session when they sit as criminal tribunals. They are
composed of a President Judge, who is a lawyer, and frequently
holds court in more counties than one, and of two associates in
each county, who are not lawyers. They try all causes with the
aid of a jury of twelve men. Most civil causes involving any sum
less than $100, are in the first instance determined by justices of
the peace or aldermen, with the right of appeal to the Court of
(common Pleas in most causes. Causes over $100 are tried by the
Court of Common Pleas.
29. Justices of the Peace and Aldermen have no power in criminal
cases, except to send the accused party to prison to await his trial,
or to receive bail that he will appear at court and be tried.
30. Some counties have an additional court, called a District Courts
which is altogether of civil jurisdiction.
31. Cities have a Mayor''s Courts which is a criminal tribunal.
32. There are 21 Common Pleas Judicial Districts in the state.
33. Some Presidents of the Court of Common Pleas receive
$2000, and others $1600 a year, and hold their offices for ten years.
Associates receive $120 a 3'ear for five years.
34. The Supreme Courts the highest state court of appeal, is com-
posed of a CJuff Justice and four Associates^ who are all lawyers.
They review all causes that are brought before them from every
part of the state, without the aid of a jury. For that purpose they
meet annually at Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Sunburr/, and Pittsburg.
35. The judges of the Supreme Court hold their offices for fifteen
years. The Chief Justice receives $2666 66, and the Associates
from $1600 to $2400 each, annually. In addition to this, they all
receive from $3 to $4 a day each while holding court.
36. All the Judges in the state are ajypointed by the Governor,
with the consent of the Senate.
27. How are the state executive
officers elected or appointed, and for
wJiat terms ?
28. Slate the chief courts of origi-
nal jurisdiction, and their powers.
29. JVtiot pov)ers have jits t ices of
the peace in criminal cases l
30. Wtial is a state district court ?
31. Mtn/or^s court ?
32. IJuw many judicial districts ?
33. What is the term of office and
salary of President and Associate
judges ?
34. What is the Supreme Court 't
how many judges ? where do they
meet ?
35. What is their term of office and
pay ?
36. How are all the judges ap-
pointed ?
GOVERNMENT.
35
37. Justices of the Peace and Aldermen are elected by the people,
and hold their offices five years. They are paid for their services
by fees in each case.
38. If either party to any civil suit desire, he may have it tried
in the first instance by Arbitrators, chosen by the parties to the suit.
They determine the case without the aid of judge or jury; but after
arbitration, if either party is dissatisfied with the award, he may
appeal the case to court.
39. The Sheriff is the chief executive officer of each county. He
executes the process, sentences, and judg-ments of the courts, and is
the general guardian of the public peace.
40. The Coroner inquires into the cause of death of all persons
found dead by unknown means, and performs the duties of Sheritf
when that officer dies, or is incapacitated from acting.
41. The Prothonotary is the clerk who keeps the records of the
civil courts of the county.
42. The Clerk of the Sessions keeps the records of the criminal
courts.
43. The Register has charge of all wills, and of all proceedings
necessary in the settlement of the property of men after their death.
44. The Recorder keeps a record or copy of all deeds and con-
veyances relative to lands in the county, so that if the originals be
lost, the copies in his office may remain ; and also, that every per-
son, by examining his records, may know the condition of the land
titles.
45. The Ckrk of the Orphans' Court is the clerk of tliat branch
of the business of the Court of Common Pleas which relates to the
care of orphans and their property, the appointment and control of
guardians, &c.
46. Three County Commissioners manage the property and money
matters of each county. By the County Treasurer the money of
each county is received, taken care of, and paid out.
47. Three County Auditors examine and settle once a year the
accounts of the Commissioners and Treasurer.
48. All county officers are elected by the citizens for three years,
and are not paid a fixed salary, but receive fees from the persons
who transact business with them, except the Commissioners and
Auditors, who receive daily pay, and the Treasurer who receives a
per centage out of the money that passes through his hands.
49. In each township two Justices of the Peace are elected for
five years.
37. How are justices of the peace
and aldermen cliosen,for what term,
what is their pay ?
38. TVliat is arbitration 'i
39. Who is the sheriff 1.
40. Coroner ?
41. Prothonotary 1
42. Clerk of the Sessions ?
43. Register f.
44. Recorder^.
45. Clerk of tlie Orphans^ Court ?
46. County commissioners 1
47. County auditors ?
48. Hoio are all county officers
chosen ? for what term ? and w/iat is
their compensation ?
49. How many justices of the peace
are elected in each township'?
36
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
50. One Constable is also elected, who is the chief police officer
of the township, in which he has powers somewhat similar to those
of the sheriff in the county.
51. Each township also elects two Supervisors to keep the roads
in repair ; two Overseers to provide for the poor when there is no
poor-house in the county ; six Directors to establish and manage the
common schools ; an Assessor and Collector of county and state tax ;
a township Clerk ; a Treasurer; three Jluditors to settle the township
accounts ; and two Inspectors, and one Judge of the General Election.
52. All these officers are elected for one year, except School
Directors and Auditors, who are elected for three years.
53. In cities, a Mayor, or chief city magistrate, is elected for one
year; Aldermen for five years; Select Councilmen for three, and
Common Councilmen and City Constables for one year.
54. In boroughs, a chief Burgess, town Councilmen, and borough
Constable are elected for one year.
The chief Taxes collected in this state are :
55. The Road Tax, by which the roads and bridges of each
township are made and repaired.
56. The School Tax, by which the common or free schools are
mainly supported. .
57. The County Tax, by which the cost of the county affairs is
defrayed, such as the expenses of courts, jails, poor-houses, hospi-
tals, the erection of public buildings, large bridges, &c.
58. City and Borough Taxes in towns of those classes to sup-
port their local government.
59. The State Tax, by which, since the large increase of the
state debt, caused by the construction of the public works, the inte-
rest of the debt is chiefly paid.
60. In addition to the'State Tax, the other incomes of the state are
derived from the tolls of the public works ; store and tavern licenses ;
sale of the state lands ; auction duties ; taxes on bank dividends,
corporation stocks, collateral inheritances, writs, &c.
61. The chief expenditures of the state government are the annual
expenses of the legislative, executive, and judicial departments,
penitentiaries, militia, pensions, common schools, and interest of
the state debt.
50. Who is the constable ?
51. Who are the other township
officers ?
■■ 52. Wfuit is the term of office of
toumship officers ?
53. WJiat are the city officers, and
their term ?
54. Borough officers, and their
term ?
55. What is the road tax ?
56. School tax ?
57. County tax ?
58. City and borough tax ?
59. State tax ?
60. What are the other incomes of
the state derived from ?
61. What are the chief expenses of
the state government ?
DEFENCE. 37
IX. DEFENCE.
1. The public protection is, by the Constitution, en-
trusted " to the freemen of the CommonweaUh, who shall
be armed, organized, and disciplined for its defence, when
and in such manner as may be directed by law^"
2. This organization of the freemen is called the Mili-
tary power ; and citizens acting as officers of the civil
government constitute the civil power. To prevent op-
pression by the former, the constitution enjoins that " the
military shall, in all cases, and at all times, be in strict
subordination to the civil pow^r."
3. The military power consists of Militia and Volun-
teers.
4. The militia is composed of every free able-bodied
white male between the ages of eighteen and forty-five,
who has resided in the state one month ; except executive,
judicial and legislative officers of the United States, includ-
ing postmasters and mail-carriers ; ministers of religion,
teachers, and school directors; state judges, sheriffs and
jailers ; pilots, mariners, and ferrymen ; and persons un-
fitted to perform duty by infirmity or disability. All these
are exempt.
5. The Militiamen are enrolled into Companies, com-
manded by captains, Regiments by colonels. Brigades by
brigadier-generals, and Divisions by major-generals.
6. In 1845, there were seventeen divisions in the state,
containing 39 brigades, 174 regiments, 1509 companies,
and 231,695 men.
7. The regiments are inspected once a year by an officer
called the Brigade-Inspector, for which purpose the men
parade in battalions or A«7/'-regiments.
8. The Brigade- Inspector has charge of all matters re-
1. To whom is the public defence
intrusted ?
2. To what is the military power
always to be in subordination 'i
3. How is the military power di-
vided?
4. Who are subject to and ex-
empt from miUtia duty ?
5. How are the militia enrolled
and commanded ?
6. How many divisions, brigades,
regiments, companies and men ?
7. Who inspects them ?
8. What are the duties of brigade
inspector ?
38
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
lating to his brigade in time of peace, and makes his re-
turns to the adjutant- general of the state.
9. The Governor is commander in chief of the military
force. The other officers are elected by their respective
commands, each for seven years, except the adjutant-ge-
neral, who is appointed by the Governor, for three years.
10. Volunteers are citizens who, to perfect themselves in
military discipline, voluntarily form companies or troops,
uniform themselves, and meet frequently for drill. Their
arms are provided by the state.
11. They elect their own officers, select their uniform,
and generally adopt regulations for their own government,
subject to being called into actual service, as militiamen,
in time of war, unless they offer their services as volun-
teers.
12. In 1845, there were 509 volunteer companies in the
state, containing 32,195 men, composed of cavalry, artil-
lery, infantry and riflemen.
13. The public arms of the state are preserved in three
arsenals, one at Philadelphia, one at Harrisburg, and one
at Meadville.
14. In time of peace, neither militiamen nor volunteers
receive pay, except the adjutant-general and brigade-in-
spectors, and the captains of companies who are allowed
a small sum for enrolling the men.
15. In time of war, the number of men required is
draughted from the different regiments by lot, to serve
not longer than twelve months at any one time. They
then receive the same pay and rations as the regular army
of the United States, and are subject to military law.
16. All offences against the military law or articles of
war, are tried by a Court Martial, or board of officers,
and not by the civil tribunals of the state.
9. Who is commander in chief?
How are the other officers chosen,
and for what term ?
10. What are volunteers ?
11. What are their privileges and
duties ?
12. How many companies and
men, and what kind of force ?
13. What and where are the arse-
nals ?
14. Do militiamen or volunteers
receive pay in time of peace ?
15. In time of war, how are the
militia called out and paid ?
16. How are military oflences
tried ?
DEFENCE.
39
17. In 1845, the militia expenses of the state were
$18,831 92 ; and the amount of fines paid for not attend-
ing parade was $7,838 18.
18. It is not uncommon to hear the militia decried and their
parades ridiculed. Before indulging in this practice, it might be
well to bear in mind :
19. That during the Revolution and the last war, the militia
saved the country. Jackson and Brown were militia officers, and
conciuered with militiamen.
20. That it is better to have even a motley militia, which costs
little, and is safe, than an expensive and dangerous standing army.
21.. That the volunteer system, though good in itself, can never
be wholly relied on for the defence of the state, until it shall be
rendered certain that men will volunteer^ in time, and in sutHcient
numbers, to meet every possible emergency.
22. That the public safety requires a compulsory system of de-
fence, by which an ample force shall at all times be at the disposal
of the constituted authorities when needed.
23. That the much ridiculed militia parades are not properly
trainings or drills, but merely annual meetings at which the men
learn to know their officers and posts, in the event of being called
into service.
24. That, not being trainings or drills, the want of discipline, and
the irregularities displayed during their continuance, form no argu-
ment against the militia system.
25. That, as mere parades or roll-calls, the annual meetings of
the militia are not only proper and necessary, but form one of the
noblest of spectacles — that of freemen manifesting their readiness
to defend their rig-hts.
26. The object of the foregoing statement of facts, is not to
undervalue the volunteers, who are known to be spirited and effec-
tive troops, but to exhibit the ante-republican tendency of all con-
duct and remarks derogatory of the militia. ,
27. So long as the imperfections of human nature shall continue
to render us liable to the horrors of war, the militia system of de-
fence will be the safest and least expensive.
17. What was the expense and
income from the militia in 1845 ?
18. What is commonly said of the
militia ?
19. What services have the militia
rendered ?
20. Why are they better than a
standing army ?
21. Why camiot the volunteer sys-
tem he v;holly relied on 1
22. Why must a cotnpulsory system
be resorted to ?
23. Can the annual meetings of the
militia be properly called trainings or
drills ?
24. Are their irregiilarities any
argument against the militia system I
2.5. As mere roll-calls, are they
proper, and why 1
26. What is the object of these re-
marks ?
27. IIoxo long will the militia con-
tinue to be tJie best system of de'
fence ?
40
STATE- BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
X. EDUCATION.
1. A FREE and general means of education, called the
common school system^ is in operation in the greater part
of the state.
2. Its object is, and if faithfully administered, its effect
will be, to confer upon every youth in the Commonwealth
the elements of a sound, plain education, leaving it to pa-
rents to bestow, or personal efforts to attain, the higher
branches.
3. In 1845, there were 1227 common school districts
in the whole state, of which 1074 were accepting, and
153 non-accepting districts.
4. The accepting districts contained 327,418 pupils,
taught by 8031 teachers.
5. The schools were kept open about five months in
the year, at a cost of 31^ cents per month for each pupil,
and at the total annual expenditure of $453,155, including
the expenses of school-houses.
6. This does not include the city and county of Phila-
delphia, in which, in 1845, there were 234 public schools,
containing 36,665 pupils, taught by 554 teachers, during
the whole year, at a total expense of ?^227,205 42.
7. The branches generally taught in the common schools
are Reading^ Writings Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography,
and History.
8. The higher branches were, at the same time, taught in
about 80 academies, 60 female seminaries, and 9 colleges ;
the two former containing about 5000 pupils, and the
latter 1000.
9. There were also in the state not less than 2000 pri-
vate schools of the various grades, with about 70,000
pupils.
1. What general means of educa-
tion have we ?
2. What is its object ?
3. How many common school dis-
tricts are there ?
4. How many pupils and teachers
.in 1845 ?
5. How long were the schools
kept open, and at what cost ?
6. State the number of public
schools, pupils, duration, and cost
of instruction in Philadelphia?
7. What branches are usually
taught in common schools?
8. How many academies, female
seminaries, and colleges, and how
many students in them ?
9. How many private schools and
pupils ?
EDUCATION. 41
10. The whole number of pupils in the common schools,
academies, female seminaries, and private schools, includ-
ing Philadelphia, was about 440,000.
11. The number of young persons in the state between
the ages of four and sixteen, in 1845, w^as about 550,000.
12. There w-ere, therefore, 110,000 of our youth, over
four years, w-ho did not attend school. But, as six years
is early enough for the commencement of school instruction,
the number absent through carelessness was about 60,000.
13. It has been usual to stio^matize Pennsylvania as an ianorant
state ; but it would be well for strano-ers to ascertain whether a
large portion of the ignorance of which they complain does not
exist in themselves.
14. The language, habits, and occupations of a portion of the
people of this state are found to be different from what many citi-
zens of other states have been accustomed to. And because this
portion of our people do not happen to be acquainted with their pe-
culiar language and customs, these strangers at once pronounce us
an ignorant people. But it should be borne in mind, that the same
charge of ignorance will come with as much propriety from one side
as the other, and yet may be well-founded on neither.
15. (Still, it is admitted that the people of Pennsylvania are not
as highly educated as those of some other states. This is caused
by the diversify of language,, customs, and origin, which prevents, in
many neighbourhoods, that unity of action so indispensable to the
establishment and support of schools ; by the sparseness of populatio7i,
in many parts, rendering the effectual support of schools impossible ;
and by the easy circumstances of many of our citizens, it being
generally found that a poor people who are compelled to live by
their wits, become educated sooner than a rich one. In the one
case education may be the very nteajis of support, in the other only
an addition to ivealth. In both, however, it ought ever to be re-
garded and desired as an invaluable blessing.
16. To overcome these difficulties, and bestow this blessing upon
all, has been the great object of our law-makers since the first set-
tlement of the state.
17. In 1G83, the year after the province was founded, Governor
Pennandthe Provincial Council took measures to establish a school
10. Stale the probable number
of pupils in all the schools of the
state.
11. The number of persons be-
tween four and sixteen years.
12. The number who do not at-
tend any school.
13. IVfiat do many strangers say
cf Pennsylvania ?
4*
14. Why is tills not altogether
true ?
15. V/liy are we less educated than
some other states ?
16. Have attempts hec7i made to
overcome tliese difficulties ?
17. What vms done in 1683 1 who
was the jirst regular teacher in the
colony ?
42
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
in Philadelphia. Enoch Flower was the teacher, and seems to have
been X\\e first school-master who taug-ht in Pennsylvania.
18. The first state Constitution, framed in 1776, by a convention
of which Dr. Franklin was president, provided for the establish-
ment of one or more schools in each county, and of one or more
universities in the state.
19. The state Constitution of 1790 directed the legislature to
provide by law for the establishment of schools throughout the
state, in such manner that the poor shall be taught gratis. The
present Constitution contains the same provision.
20. Many laws were from time to time enacted to accomplish
this object, with little success, till the common or equal system
was adopted.
21. In 1834, the first general common school law was passed,
during the administration of Governor Wolf. It was found defect-
ive in'^its details, and was amended, and the system placed on its
present solid footing, in 1836, during the administration of Gover-
nor Ritner.
22. By the provisions of this law, each district (township, bo-
rough, or ward) that accepts the system by a vote of the people,
at once establishes free schools for the instruction of all the youth
therein ; the affairs of the schools in each district are managed by
six directors ; and the expense is defrayed by a fund partly derived
from the state treasury, and partly from district taxation.
23. At the end of three years, each accepting district may reject
the system, if its effects be found unsatisfactory.
24. In districts which have either not accepted, or have rejected
the system, schools for the education of poor children must be esta-
blished by the directors, and supported by tax.
25. The main deficiency yet to be remedied, in the results of the
system, is the shortness of the time during which the schools are
kept open in the year. But this will gradually decrease as the
people discover the system to be the most cheap, efficient, and equal
they can adopt.
XI. RELIGION.
1. There is no religion established by law in Pennsyl-
vania. Each person is at liberty to follow the dictates of
his own judgment in this respect, so long as he does not
violate public order and morality.
18. What did the first state Con-
slilut'wn provide ?
19. What the second a7td the pre-
sent i
20. What was attempted hy laws 1
21. When was the first common
school law passed, and during whose
admiiiistraiionl the present, and
during whose administration ?
22. What are its general outlines ?
23. 7s it perpetual ?
24. Hoio are the poor taught in
non-accepting districts ?
25. State the main deficiency in
the results of the common school sys-
tem 1
1 . Is there any established religion
in Pennsylvania ?
RELIGION.
43
2. Nearly all the citizens are attached to one or other
of the various Christian sects, the majority belonging to
those that have arisen since the reformation.
3. The most numerous of them are Methodists, Presby-
terians, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Friends,
Mennonists, Lutherans, German Reformed, and Mora-
vians.
4. These all have regular church governments of their
own adoption, with numerous pastors and churches.
Their pastors are supported by the voluntary contribu-
tions of the members of the respective congregations or
societies.
5. Thoug-h there is no established religion, or relig-ious test in
Pennsylvania, yet the moral code of the Christian system is a part
of the law of the land. Hence the Christian Sabbath is observed ;
the Christian Scriptures are used in the administration of all oaths,
unless objection is made by the person sworn ; the Christian insti-
tution of the marriage of one man to one woman is enforced ; and
blasphemy of the Christian Deity or Scriptures, tog-ether with pro-
fane cursing and swearing, are punishable by fine and imprison-
ment.
6. But thoug-h the framers of our constitution and laws were
evidently anxious to engraft the pure morality of the Christian
system into the statutes of the state, they were as careful not to
interfere with the rights of conscience. They have, therefore, not
enforced any particular sectarian creed. They have not even at-
tempted to enumerate the creeds that shall be tolerated, because that
would be only one remove from intolerance. For, if the right to
select be admitted to belong to mere human authority, the power to
reject must also be conceded ; and thus the creeds selected for tole-
ration one year might be excluded the next.
7. In addition to this, it is the height of arrogance for man to
declare that the Deity shall only be worshipped in a particular
manner; if that Being bear with the sins of his creatures, and
tolerate the errors and imperfections of their worship, it is not for
them to be less charitable to each other, or to pronounce that to be
error which he permits.
8. The safer, wiser, and humbler course, has therefore been
adopted, of declaring perfect freedom of conscience to be a common
right, leaving each person accountable in this respect only to his
Creator.
2. What is the religion most pre-
valent ?
3. Name the most numerous sects?
4. flow are they governed ?
5. What moral code is part of the
law of our land ?
6. Are the rights of conscience con-
trolled by law 1
7. What would it he for man to
prescribe a form of religion to his
fellow ?
8. Wliat is the proper course ?
44
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
9. All that the civil authority requires from the citizen, is that
he shall not disturb others in the enjoyment of their peculiar reli-
gious views ; and that his own shall not be such as to violate the
peace or outrage the great moral principles of the land.
10. In the case of young persons, the laws give the control of
their religious instruction to their parents, or such persons as their
parents shall select.
11. This right of the parent is not infringed in the least hy the
common school system, sectarian instruction being wholly out of
place in the public schools. But this salutary exclusion does not
prohibit the teaching of Christian vioraliiy in those schools. On
the contrary, such teaching is not only proper but highly necessary,
inasmuch as Christian morality is a part of the law of the land.
XII. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
1. In most of the older countieSj Poor-houses^ with work-
shops and hospitals attached, are provided for the support
and relief of the poor and destitute sick of the county.
2. Each Poor-house has a large farm connected with
it, the produce of which is applied to the support of the
inmates. The remainder of the expense is paid out of the
county treasury.
3. The affairs of the poor-house are managed by a
board of directors^ (usually six,) who hold their offices for
three years, and are elected by the citizens of the county.
4. The Directors appoint a Steward^ who resides in the
poor-house, and, under their direction, has charge of the
paupers and of the poor-house and farm.
5. In counties having no poor-house, the poor are pro-
vided for by overseers ; two, and in some instances three,
of whom are annually elected in each township.
6. It is the duty of overseers to assess a tax upon the
towTiship, not exceeding one dollar in the hundred, for the
support of the poor ; and to provide them with employ-
meni when they are able.
7. All destitute persons having a legal settlement, (which
9. What is required hy the civil
authority ?
10. Who has the sole right to
control the religious instruction of
youth ?
11. 7s this right infringed hy the
common school system ?
1. What are poor-houses ?
2. How are they supported ?
3. How managed ?
4. Who is the steward ?
5. How are the poor provided for
where there are no poor-houses ?
6. What is the duty of overseers ?
7. What is a settlement ?
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
45
generally means one year's residence) in the county or
township, are entitled to support from the directors or
overseers.
8. Admission into a poor-house, or relief from overseers,
can only be obtained by a written order from tw^o, and in
some counties one justice of the peace of the county.
9. Destitute orphan children are bound out to trades by
the directors or overseers; if males, till they arrive at tw^enty-
one years, and if females, till they arrive at eighteen years
of age.
10. In the city of Philadelphia, there are Hospitals^
Houses of Refuge^ Lunatic^ Blind, and Deaf and Dumb
Asylums, and other noble Institutions for the relief of suf-
fering humanity.
11. In many of the smaller towns there are private asso-
ciations of various kinds, that afford much assistance to
the poor and afflicted.
12. Our charitable institutions are not based on the narrow prin-
ciple, that it is better to spare a pittance to a destitute man, than to
refuse it, and thus compel him to starve or steal ; but on the plain
and nobler ground, that he has a right to be supported by his more
fortunate neighbours during his state of destitution.
13. All who possess the means are bound by every principle
of religion, morals, and policy, to aid, in a reasonable degree,
those who are in actual need. The most effectua.1 mode of doing
this, is by a tax for the purpose of providing support for all the
poor, and employment for such as are able to work.
14. If each person, while he have the means, pay this tax, he
thereby acquires a rights when his means or his health fail, to re-
ceive the same relief from others.
15. In this view of the subject, there is neither obligation nor
disgrace incurred by accepting relief at the hands of the public ;
and it should never be so understood either by him who receives or
him who gives.
16. There are, it is true, many unworthy objects of public bounty
in our poor-houses and other similar institutions ; but who will
8. How is admission or aid ob-
tained ?
9. What is done with destitute
orphans?
10. Name some of the charitable
institutions of Philadelphia ?
11. What is said of the smaller
towns ?
12. What is the foundation of our
charitable institutions ?
13. What is the duty of all who
have the means ?
1 4. What right does each acquire hy
the performance of this dutyl
15. What is said of obligation and
disgrace ?
16. What is said of unworthy ob-
jects of bounty ?
46
STATE-BCOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
venture to desifrnate them 1 and, even if certainly known, who will
dare to say, " I would have conducted myself better, if I had been
placed in their circumstances'?"
1 7. Till this can with propriety be said, the more charitable and
safe rule is to suppose that misfortune, and not crime or improper
conduct, has reduced them, and to relieve them accordingly.
18. That our charitable institutions are not only based on correct
principles, but generally well managed, is proved by the absence
of those crowds of paupers from our streets, that render travelling'
so disagreeable in other and especially in older countries.
19. It is true that the freedom of our institutions, and the abun-
dance of the necessaries of life and of employment, materially pro-
mote this happy state of things. But it is also true, that without
good and well administered laws for the relief of the poor, the
benefits of these advantages would be impaired if not lost.
XIII. PRISONS.
1. No crime is punished capitally ^ (that is, by taking the
life of the criminal,) in this state, except murder m the first
degree^ which means premeditated killing.
2. All other crimes are punished by fine or imprison-
ment^ or by both, according to the enormity of the offence.
3. Imprisonment for the lighter offences, and for less
than one year, is inflicted in the jail of the county in which
the offence was committed.
4. In the county jails, also, all persons who are only
accused of crime, are imprisoned till they are tried by the
proper court.
5. Generally speaking, prisoners in the county jails are
not obliged to labour, nor are they subjected to solitary
confinement. They are only deprived of the liberty of
leaving the jail, and their diet is bread and water, unless
they can afford better fare out of their own means.
6. Persons convicted of the more heinous offences are
confined in the state penitentiaries ^ of which there are two ;
the eastern, at Philadelphia, and the western, at Pittsburg.
17. Wkat is the safe rnlef.
18. Why may we conclude that our
charitable inatitutions are based on
correct principles ?
19. What is said of the necessity
of good laws on the subject ?
1. What is nuirder m the first de-
gree, and how punished ?
2. How are all other crimes pun-
ished ?
3. Where is imprisonment for less
than one year infhcted ?
4. What other persons are kept
in county jails?
5. How are they treated ?
6. What is a penitentiary, and
how many ?
PRISONS.
47
7. Each penitentiary is managed by a Board of Inspect-
ors^ appointed by the judges of the Supreme Court, and
under them by a loarden and other officers.
8. In these penitentiaries, the convicts are confined sepa-
rately, day and night, in their cells or rooms, and are not
permitted to see or converse with any person except the
officers of the prison. Their victuals are conveyed to them
through a hole in the door of their cell, and they are con-
stantly emploj-ed at some trade or business, the profit of
which goes to the support of the penitentiary.
9. They are neither permitted to see nor hear from their
friends or relatives ; but are provided with books proper
for the improvement of their minds; and the most careful
attention is paid to their health.
10. During their confinement, they are clad in the pri-
son dress. When discharged, at the expiration of their
sentence, their own clothes are returned to them, with a
small sum of money to enable them to reach home, or to
support them till they obtain some honest employment.
11. This kind of punishment is called solitary confine-
ment tvith labour J and is said to be very terrible. The
most daring and hardened offenders soon become subdued
by it. They complain of the awful loneliness and w^eari-
ness of being kept in the same room, day after day, and
year after year, without seeing a friendly face, or hearing
a human voice.
12. The object of punishment is three-fold: 1. To deprive the
offender of the power of repeating the offence ; 2. To deter others
from following the evil example; and, 3. To reform the offender.
13. Duty to society renders the two first imperative upon law-
makers and magistrates. The good of the individual, as well as
duty to society, dictates the last.
14. All these objects seem to be as fully promoted by the Penn-
sylvania system of solitary confinement with labour, as is practi-
cable by merely human means in the present state of human nature.
15. It is, however, melancholy to reflect, that the general condi-
7. How managed ?
8. How are the convicts confined,
fed, and employed?
9. How are they otherwise treated ?
10. How are they clad, and what
takes place on their discharge?
11. What is this kind of punish-
ment called, and what are its effects ?
12. What are the ohj eels of punish-
ment ?
13. What duties render them ne-
cessary ?
14. Are they promoted by the peni-
tentiary system ?
15. Are they counteracted hy many
of the county jails ?
48
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
tion of our county jails, and the system of discipline prevailing in
them, counteract or prevent nearly all the g-ood effects of the peni-
tentiaries.
16. All offenders, previous to trial, and most young- and first
offenders after trial, are thrown into these schools of iniquity, with
almost the certainty of coming out more depraved than when com-
mitted.
17. Every grade of criminal, from the old adept to the novice —
all sexes, and ages, and colours — the drunkard, the thief, and the
forger, are brought into contaminating contact with the merely un-
fortunate, or unjustly suspected prisoner. The result is, that the
jail, instead of being a warnin<r from, is but the preparatory depart-
ment for the penitentiary ; and when the regularly trained graduate
in vice thus finally reaches his cell in the latter, it is with habits so
hardened as to be beyond hope of reformation.
18. A few counties have redeemed themselves from this reproach.
Philadelphia, Chester, Dauphin, and Allegheny, have prisons so con-
structed as not to be schools of crime.
19. The same beneficent spirit which supports the schools of the
state at so vast an expense, for the purpose of bestowing useful
knowledge and sound morality upon the rising generation, ought to
compel the counties to provide prisons calculated at least not to
counteract reformation.
20. If cost is to be taken into account on such a subject, the de-
crease of crime, and the produce of the labour of prisoners would
soon prove the economy of properly constructed and regulated
county prisons.
XIV. PROPERTY AND PRODUCTIONS.
1. The value of property, both real and personal,
in the whole state, assessed for taxation in 1845, was
1420,296,130.
2. But as property is always assessed for the purposes
of taxation at much less than its actual value, and as a
vast amount of property is not assessed at all, the real
amount of the w^hole property, real and personal, in this
state, may be safely put down at more than double that
sum.
16. Who are throum into them?
17. What is usually the result of
this contact ?
18. Which counties have proper
prisons ?
19. What spirit ought to compel
the other counties to erect proper pri-
sons ?
20. What would he the result, even
as regards expense 1
1. What was the assessed value
of all the property in Pennsylvania,
in 1845?
2. What was its probable actual
value ?
PROPERTY AND PRODUCTIONS. 49
3. The PRODUCTIONS of a country such as ours, are usu-
ally divided into those of the Field, the S.wp, the Mine,
and the Forest.
4. Our agricultural productions, or those of the Field,
are the largest in amount, and the first in importance.
They are : wheat, corn, outs, rye, harley^ potatoes, huck-
ivheat, hay, Jlax, hemp, heef, pork, mutton, poultry, and
J'ruit.
5. Pennsylvania ranks third among the agricultural
states of the Union, Ohio being first, and N. York second.
6. The chief productions of the Mine are : coal, iron,
salt, limestone, marble, and slate ; with various other useful
and valuable minerals, which will be specified in describ-
ing the counties in v/hich they occur.
7. In mineral wealdi, Pennsylvania stands at the head
of the Union.
8. The productions of the workshop, or Manufactures,
are : all kinds of articles formed o^ grain, metal, wood, cot-
ton, wool, flax, hemp, stone, clay, leather, Sfc.
9. In this branch of industry, Pennsylvania holds about
the fourth rank in the Union, and is rapidly rising.
10. She formerly held the first place in the production
of ardent spirits, but has recently been losing rank and
gaining character in this respect.
11. The productions of the Forest, or Lumber, are : pine,
oak, hemlock or spruce, chestnut, hickory, locust, ash, wild
cherry, walnut, poplar, maple, Sfc.
12. The quantity of lumber annually floated from the
northern and mountainous counties is very great, lauking
Pennsylvania about the third lumber state in the Union.
13. The value of the productions of Pennsylvania cannot be
known by the amount exported. In some of the oppressed countries
3. How are productions usually I 9. What is our rank in this rc-
divided ?
4. Name those of the field ?
5. What is our agricultural rank
in the Union ?
6. Name our chief products of the
mine ?
7. What is our rank in mineral
wealth ?
8. What are the chief products of
the shop formed of?
spect ?
10. What is said of ardent spi-
rits ?
11. Name the different kinds of
lumber.
12. What is our rank as a lumber
stale?
13. JVhy cannot the value of our
productions be easily ascertained!
50
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
of the Old World, where nearly the whole produce of the peasants'
industry is sold to pay his rent or his taxes, this mode may pre-
sent a near approach to the actual amount produced ; little, and that
of the coarsest kind, being- left for the support of the producer.
14. Happily here it is quite different. Few people in the world
live better than those of Pennsylvania ; the first object of the pro-
ducer, especially in agriculture and the smaller mechanic arts, being
to provide for the wants of his own family and immediate neigh-
bours. The quantity actually exported from the state is, therefore,
only the excess remaining after the supply of this home consumption.
15. The same may be said of the productions of the mine and the
forest, a very large proportion of each never reaching a market be-
yond our own limits.
16. This ability in our citizens to appropriate the greater part of
the products of their labour to their own \ise and comfort, has also
had the effect of introducing a vast variety of employments among
them, and of heretofore preventing that general prevalence of any
one, agriculture excepted, which is usually the parent of excellence.
17. A poor people may be driven by necessity, or an oppressed
one by tyranny, so sedulously and constantly to devote themselves
to some particular occupation, as to become eminently proficient in
its exercise. From this kind of productive excellence, our state
has thus far been fortunately preserved. Nor is it desirable, even
if it were possible, that she shall ever become so great a manufac-
turing, or even mining community, as to destroy her agricultural
habits.
18. Her immense mineral resources, her water-power, the indus-
trious habits of her people, and the large amount of her inactive
capital, will, beyond all question, raise her high in the scale of
manufacturing productiveness. But agricultural habits, and inte-
rests, and wealth, will, it is believed, ever predominate over all
others, and preserve her present reputation for varied industry, strict
integrity, and unyielding independence.
XV. ANIMALS.
1. These are usually divided into beasts j birds, fishes,
reptiles, and insects.
2. Beasts are either tame or wild.
3. The principal tame beasts or domestic animals of
Pennsylvania, are the horse, cow, sheep, hog, dog, and cat,
14. How do the people of Pennsyl-
vania live, and wJiat portion of their
agricultural productioiis do they ex-
port ?
15. What portion of those of the
mine and the forest ?
16. What effect has this had on
(■mployme7its ?
17. Hov) may necessity be the pa-
re7it of excellence ?
18. What is said of manufactures
and of agricultural habits 1
1. How are animals divided ?
2. How are beasts divided ?
3. Which are the principal tame
beasts ?
ANIMALS.
51
which are found in great numbers in every part of the
state.
4. The chief wild beasts are : those of prey ^ as the hear^
wolf ^ panther ox catamount^ raccoon^fox^ minlt^ and weasel;
and those not of prey^ as the deer^ rabbity squirrel^ ground-
hog, opossum, musk-rat, and skunk.
5. Of these, the bear, wolf, panther, and deer, are now
exceedingly rare.
6. When Pennsylvania was first discovered, it contained
numbers of buffalo, elk, beaver, and other valuable wild
animals, but they have wholly disappeared.
7. The Birds are also either tame or wild. The tame
fowl, are : turkeys, geese, hens, ducks, pea-fowl, guinea-fowl,
and pigeons.
8. The wild Land-birds are : the bald-eagle, buzzard,
hawk, crow, owl, pheasant, partridge or quail, plover, wood-
cock, snipe, wild-pigeon, dove, robin, lark, thrush, black-
bird, mocking-bird, cat-bird, whippoorwill, wood-pecker,
flecker, jay, king-bird, inarten, swallow, pee-weet, blue-
bird, red-bird, reed-bird, snow-bird, sparrow, hanging-bird,
wren, humming-bird, with many others.
9. The wild Water-fowl are : swans., geese, many kinds
of ducks, &c. Of wild-fowl, the pheasant, partridge,
wood-cock, snipe, wild-pigeon, goose, and duck, with
some others, are used for food.
10. The ivild-turkey was formerly common in Pennsyl-
vania, but is now rarely met.
11. The Fish, of our streams are numerous. The shad,
herring, rock-fish, and eel, ascend the rivers that empty
into the Atlantic, in the spring.
12. In the other streams are found pike, perch, cat-fish,
sun-fish, suckers, carp, mullet, &c.
13. The sturgeon is taken in the Delaware.
14. In the clear mountain streams, large numbers of
excellent trout are met.
4. Wild beasts ?
5. Which are rare ?
6. Which have disappeared ?
7. How are birds divided ? Name
the tame ?
8. Name the wild land-birds ?
9. The wild water-fowl ?
10. What about the wild-turkey?
11. Which fish ascend the rivers
from the sea ?
12. Which are found in the other
streams ?
1 3. Where is the sturgeon found ?
14. Where the trout ?
52
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
15. In Lake Erie, the celebrated wkite-Jish and the
large lake trout abound.
16. In the Ohio and its tributaries, besides most of the
fresh-water fish found in the eastern streams, the large
perch or white-salmon^ the bubbler, several species of fresh
water herring, and exceedingly large cat-fish are taken.
17. Of Reptiles, none are venemous in Pennsylvania,
except the rattle-snake, copper-head, and viper. The hiss-
ing viper, black, garter, house, water, and other snakes are
harmless.
18. Land and snapping tortoises, and terrapins, are
numerous.
19. There are many kinds o? frog, as the bull, shad,
and tree frogs, and the common toad; with numerous
other smaller reptiles.
20. There are a multitude of Insects, of which the
common house fly and the musquito are the most annoy-
ing, the butterfly the most beautiful, and the locust the
most interesting.
21. South-eastern Pennsylvania is noted for teams of larg-e
strong horses, called " Cnnesfogo teams.''^ They are not of any
peculiar breed, but the fruit of good care and food. Our farmers
house and feed their colts carefully during the winter, and thus
bring them to their full size and strength.
22. In the Avestern countr)^, on the other hand, where many
horses are raised for sale, little attention is paid them, till they are
four years old. Before that age, they are permitted almost wholly
to shift for themselves, both in summer and winter. This want
of care, though it renders them hardy, has the effect of stunting
their growth,"and preventing the full development of their shapes.
23. The horned cattle of the state have been greatly improved
within the few past years. The mixture oi Durham, Devon, and
other improved blood has much increased their size, and added to
their beauty.
24. Still it is not by any means certain, that the full-blood of any
of these imported breeds is suitable to our climate, which is much
more severe than they have been accustomed to. Unless they re-
15. What fish in Lake Eiie ?
16. In the Ohio?
17. Which reptiles are venemous ?
18. What of tortoises ?
19. What of frogs?
20. What of insects? which most
annoying, most beautiful, most in-
teresting ?
21. What is said of Conestogo
horses ?
22. Why are they of large size ?
23. What change has taken place
in cattle ?
24. Does our climate suit foreign
stock ?
ANIMALS.
53
ceive better food, and creator care than the native animals require,
they do not seem to thrive. It may be, however, that when these
breeds become fully acclimated, they will be more profitable.
25. Still their importation has been beneficial, the cross or half-
breed between them and the native stock, being, beyond all question,
a very hardy and superior animal. Both size and shape are im-
proved ; maturity is hastened ; capacity for fat is enlarged ; and in
the females, the quantity of milk is increased.
26. Within the last thirty years, the number of sheep in the state
has been greatly increased, and their quality improved in the same
proportion. In some counties many thousands of Merino, Saxony,
and other fine-wooled sheep are now owned. In others, the Bake-
well, South-down, and other animals with long and comparatively
fine fleeces, and superior mutton are raised. Few farmers in any
part of the state are now without a flock of these useful creatures.
27. The breed of swine has also been greatly improved. Instead
of the old " wood-breed," with sun-fish backs, greyhound legs,
and elephant snouts, the long-bodied, short-legged, small-headed,
light-boned, Berkshire and other improved kinds are commonly
met. These are not only much more easily fattened, but can with
less difficulty be kept out of mischief.
28. In the well-settled parts of the state, hunting and fowling are
now reduced to very narrow limits. Occasionally in the fall and
winter, a fox-hunt takes place ; and in the northern counties a few
deer are still chased, and some wild turkeys are shot.
29. Partridge, pheasant, wood-cock, wild-pigeon, duck, and
squirrel shooting, in their several seasons, still aflTord sport to the
lovers of fowling in most parts of the state.
30. These seem to be legitimate game for the gunner. But the
practice of shooting robiJis, larks, black-birds, tom-tits, and other
small birds, is neither sportsman-like nor proper. Some farmers
justify the practice, on the ground that these little birds destroy
their o-rain. But if closely observed in the field, it will be found
that they are generally in pursuit of noxious insects; and, that
though they do occasionally make free with a grain of corn or
wheat, their favourite food and chief .object are the cut-worm, grub,
and fly, against whose ravages, if these friends of the farmer be
destroyed, he will have no protection.
31. Before our rivers and creeks were obstructed by dams, shad
ascended to the northern part of the state, and penetrated every
creek of any size. They are now confined to the lower waters of
25. How has the foreign blood im-
proved our stock ?
26. How have sheep been improved ?
27. Have swine been improved ?
28. What change has taken place
in hunting and fowling ?
29. What kinds of shooting are
still practised ?
30. Why oxight the smaller birds
to he spared ?
31. Do shad ascend the streams as
high as formerly ? Why ?
54
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the Delaware and Susquehanna, where, in the spring, they are taken
in large numbers.
•32. Troiit-fishin^, in a clear cool mountain brook, on a pleasant
autumn day, is an agreeable amusement.
33. As the beasts, birds, and fishes, have been permitted to man
for food, there seems to be no sound reason why the taking of
them may not be pursued in such a manner as to afford him plea-
sure. The only proper restrictions are, that no unnecessary pain
be inflicted upon the animal ; and that only so many as are re-
quired for actual use shall be taken at any one time. In other \^
words, cruelty and waste are to be avoided.
View of a Farm- House and Barn.
XVI. AGRICULTURE.
1. Agriculture means the culture of land, for the pur-
pose of raising food and other necessaries of life. It is,
therefore, the most useful of all occupations.
2. The land occupied by one family for agriculture, is
called a farm. In this state farms are about one hundred
acres in extent, and cost from $10 to $100 per acre.
32. What is said of troitt -fishing 1
33. What restrictions are. to he
observed in fowling a7id fishing ?
L What is agriculture ?
2. What is a farm ?
AGRICULTURE.
55
3. They are either grain or pasture farms, and, as each
iackidc'S a garde?!., horticulture is also a portion of the
farmer's business.
4. To constitute a farm, there must be a certain quan-
tity of land divided mio fields, in some of which crops are
raised, and in others the farm animals pastured.
5. There must also be a house for the farmer, and a ham
and stables, with cribs, pens, and yards, to contain the
crops and live-stock.
6. There must also be live-stock, consisting of horses
and oxen, to work the land, and cows, steers, sheep, hogs,
and poultry, to furnish milk, butter, meat, w^ool, eggs, &c.
7. There must also be farming wiplements, such as
ploughs, harrows, wagons, carts, scythes, cradles, rakes,
flails, or thrashing-machines, grain-fans, hoes, spades,
shovels, forks, &c.
8. And, finally, there must be di farmer and his family,
able and wilhng to use these implements; for without con-
stant human labour, a farm will soon again become a part
of the wilderness.
9. The chief crops raised in Pennsylvania are : wheat,
corn, oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, potatoes, hay, fax, turnips,
pumpkins, ^c.
10. Wheat, in good land, and with proper care, yields
about 20 bushels to the acre ; corn, 50 ; oats, 40; rye and
barley, 30 ; potatoes from 100 to 200; and hay, from 1 to
3 tons. Buckwheat, flax, turnips, and pumpkins vary
much, according to the season.
11. Wheat and rye are mostly sown in fall, and the
other grains in the spring. They are all cut or harvested
in July or August, except corn, buckwheat, potatoes, tur-
nips, and pumpkins, which are gathered in October and
November.
12. Hay is chiefly clover, timothy, or natural grass.
Clover is sown in the spring, timothy in the fall, and natu-
3. IIow many kinds of farms?
what is horiiculture ?
4. What divisions has a farm ?
5. What buildings?
fi. What animals ?
7. What implements ?
8. What persons ?
y. What are the chief crops in
Pennsylvania ?
10. What is the yield of each per
acre ?
11. When are the grains sown and
cut?
12. When the grasses ?
56
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ral grass grows spontaneously. They are all cut or made
in June, July, and August.
13. In the northern counties, and on the mountains
generally, neither wheat nor corn grow in large quantities.
The other crops succeed well in every part of the state
where the land is fit for tillas:e.
14. On pasture-farms^ the chief business of the farmer
is to provide hay and other fodder for the horses, cattle, and
sheep, during the winter. In summer, there is less work
than on grain farms.
15. Proper manure is as indispensable to a farm as in-
dustry and skill. Manures are either animal^ vegetable^ or
mineral.
16. Jiiiimal mamire is stable and other offal, guano,
ground bones, ^x. Vegetable consists of clover and other
green or dry crops ploughed down, also ashes. Mineral,
is lime, plaster of Paris, (gypsum,) or soil, either in its
native state, burned, or in the form of compost.
17. As the farmer raises more than his own family and stock
need, his prosperity must depend on the price he receives for the
excess. Experience shows that when wheat, Avhich jgrenerally
regulates the price of other articles, sells for about $1 a bushel in
market, the general prosperity, or " times," as it is called, is best.
18. When it falls materially below that sum, the cost of the la-,
hour to produce it is so great in proportion to the price, as not to leave
a sufficient compensation for the farmer, and then he suffers.
19. When it rises much above that price, many persons, who do
not raise, but buy their bread, find difficulty in procuring the means
to do so, and then they suffer.
20. This is owing to the fact, that the price of labour does not
constantly and equally change in proportion to that of bread.
21. Therefore, when bread is high and labour low in comparison,
the wages of the labourer are not sufficient to purchase enough for
his family.
22. But when bread is very low, and wages high in proportion,
the labourer does not derive so much benefit as might be expected ;
13. What is said of the northern
and mountain counties?
14. What is a pasture-farm ?
15. How are manures divided?
16. Name the manures, animal,
vegetable, and mineral.
17. On what does the 'profit of the
farmer depend, and which article
regulates the price of the rest ?
18. What is the effect of a low price
for wheat ?
19. Of a high price?
20. Why is this ?
2 1 . How does dear bread and cheap
labour affect the labourer ?
22. ^Vhy does he not derive much
benefit from cheap bread 1
AGRICULTURE.
57
for then the farmer being unable to employ him as much as when
produce brought a better price, his earnings are less in amount.
23. Hence, it seems that any arrangement that would have the
effect, either of keeping the price of wheat steady at about $1, or
of causing the price of labour to rise and fall in exact proportion
with that of wheat, would be a great public benefit.
21. In the older and well-improved counties, farms are generally
divided into about six fields. One is in grass for pasture, and one
for hay. Two are sown with wheat or rye. One is planted with
corn, and one with oats, barley, potatoes, &c.
25. In the northern counties, and in the more newly settled parts,
this arrangement does not exist, but divisions and crops are varied
to suit the soil and climate.
26. Within the few past years, the art of agriculture has been
much aided by the introduction of improved farming implements.
It would not be too much to say that the agricultural produce of
the stite has been increased at least one-third by the mere use of
the cultivator^ or corn-harrow, the horse-rake, and the threshing-
machine.
27. They have certainly decreased human labour in at least that
proportion ; and consequently, if the amount of labour, applied be-
fore their introduction, be still applied with their aid, of which there
is no doubt, a proportionate increase of produce must be the result.
28. When the various hoeings and hand-dressings required by
a corn-field, fifty years ago, are contrasted with the ease and speed
of its cultivation now, the benefit of improved implements will at
once be perceived.
29. The course or routine of crops during a succession of years,
in the older counties, has long been settled by experience. Sod or
grass land is ploughed in the fall, or early in the spring, for corn.
Next year, oats, barley, or potatoes are planted. The third year
wheat is sown with a dressinar of manure, and if the soil be not
very strong, it is then laid down in grass. But if in good heart,
wheat or rye is sown the fourth year. It is then put into grass,
mostly clover, with a small portion of timothy, and pastured or
mown for two or three years, when it is again broken up for corn.
30. If the majority of farmers be asked the reason for this par-
ticular succession of crops, they will probably answer, that expe-
rience has taught them and their ancestors, that each of these crops
yields better after the one preceding it in this order, than after any
other. But why this is so, few can tell.
23. What seems to be required to
correct these evils ?
24. Hoic many fields usually in a
farm in the older counties ?
23. In the ?iewer counties ?
26. Have farming implements heen
much improved latterly ? Name some
of them.
27. How, and how much have they
added to production 1
28. What is said of a corn-field in
old. times, arid now ?
29. What is the tisual course of
crops ?
30. What reasons are usually
given for this course ?
58
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
31. Attention to some well-settled facts and sound principles,
may lead to correct conclusions on this subject.
32. In the first place: Few soils are so rich as to yield full crops
of the same kind of plant several years in succession.
33. The reason of this is, that each plant draws from the soil
certain ing-redients proper for its own formation, and no other. If,
therefore, it be planted year after year in the same field, it must ex-
haust the field of those ingredients, and thus deprive it of the power
to support the plant.
34. In some parts of the state, there are a few river bottoms, so
rich and deep in vegetable soil, as to produce corn or wheat many
years in succession. But this only proves that those bottoms are
so exceedingly strong as to bear many crops without exhaustion.
35. In the second place: Particular classes of crops, for instance^
grain after roots, roots after grass, and grass after grain, are found
to succeed better than a succession of the same crops, or even of crops
of the same class.
36. The reason is, that each crop taking from the soil only the
particular ingredients proper for its own formation, those substances
in the soil which are not needed by it, but are needed by some othe.
crop, remain dormant in the ground till that other crop arrives to
absorb them. Therefore, a succeeding crop ought to be as dissimi-
lar from its predecessor as possible.
37. In the third place : Cerlaiti crops which exhaust the soil of the
stibsta7ices proper for their own reproduction, seem actually to enrich
it for the production of certain other crops.
38. This is said to be owing to the fact, that not only do all
plants absorb from the soil the ingredients which they require, but
that being living organic bodies, with a digestive and circulating
system, they actually reject and deposit in the earth, through their
roots, as excrement, the matter not fitted for their support And
that this rejected mattei^ though poisonous to their own class, is,
like all similar matter, calculated to promote the growth of other
classes.
39. With these facts in view, it is no longer astonishing that
wheat cannot be easily made to thrive after corn, but will grow as
well after turnips or beets, without, as after oats or corn with ma-
nure ; that the application of lime, or gypsum, (which is but another
form of lime,) promotes the growth of corn and clover, both these
plants requiring large quantities of lime ; and that permitting a field
31. Whence may rigid conclusions
be derived ?
32. Are soils rich enough to hear a
long succession of the same crops ?
33. W/iy?
34. Why are some few tracts ca-
pable of producing many crops ?
35. Are dissimilar crops found to
siicceed better after each other than
similar ?
36. Wjiyi
37. Do some crops seem to enrich
the soil for the product ioti of others
of a different kind ?
38. Wliyl.
39. What do these facts explain ?
AGRICULTURE.
59
to rest in grass several years, from the production of grain, restores
its power to yield grain.
40. There is not space here to enumerate the various component
ingredients of plants, or of soils. But these remarks may lead the
mind to other sources of information on the subject.
41. In addition to the benefit to be derived from a skilful succes-
sion of crops, productiveness is also greatly and chiefly increased
by proper manures.
42. The use and mode of applying stable manure, clover, lime,
and gypsum, are so general and well understood, as to require no
explanation here.
43. The benefit of composts is not so fully known or appreciated.
44. Compost is a manure generally composed of soil or vegetable
mould, (most frequently taken from bottom land,) mixed with small
quantities of stable manure.
45. The simplest mode of preparing it, is to cart the soil into a
large heap during the winter, and to apply the stable-manure as it
is hauled together. After remaining a few weeks, it is then dug or
turned over, and well mixed together with the spade. This pro-
cess is repeated two or three times during the summer, and then it
is applied to the wheat land in the fall.
46. This kind of manure has the advantage not only of stimuhf-
ing into action the productive powers of the land, but of adding to,
and permanently sustaining them.
47. Another and easier, but not so effectual, mode of adding to
the manure of a farm, is to cart vegetable mould to the manure heap
in the barn-yard.
48. On the whole it may be said, that though Pennsylvania is
one of the foremost farming states in the Union, and farming the
most important business pursued by her citizens, yet that the science,
and consequently the true practice of agriculture, is still in its
infancy.
40. What is the object of these re-
marks ?
41. What is another, and the chief
means of increasing productiveness 1
42. Which manures are well un-
derstood ?
43. Which is not I
44. What is compost ?
45. How is it covimonly prepared ?
46. What is the advantage of it 1
47. What is an easier way to make
iti
48. What is said of the science of
agriciilture in Pennsylvania ?
60
STATE-BOOK OF PENN^SYLVANIA .
iMaiiuyunk Factories.
XVII. MANUFACTURES.
1 . Maistufactures are of two classes : The smaller ,
which are made in private famiUes, for their own use, or
by separate mechanics for retail ; and the larger^ which are
produced in factories for wholesale or exportation.
2. In a wealthy, populous agricultural state, like Penn-
sylvania, the value of the smaller manufactures greatly ex-
ceeds that of the larger.
3. They consist of clothing, and other articles for
domestic use made in families, together with all those
made by blacksmiths, cabinet-makers, shoemakers, loeavers,
tailors, hatters, and mantuamakers ; coach, wagon, and
farming-implement makers, and saddlers; carpenters,
masons, chair-makers, painters, and coopers ; tin, copper,
tltl'A gun- smiths ; watch-makers, silver- smiths, 2jn\ jewellers ;
confectioners, tobacconists, and tallow-chandlers, &c.
4. The larger manufactures are those fabricated at
flour-mills, iron-furnaces, forges, rolling-mills, foundries,
1. Name and describe the two
classes of manufactures ?
2. Which is most valuable ?
3. Name the smaller?
4. The larger manufactures?
MANUFACTURES. 61
nail, and edge-tool factories ; cotton, woollen, and carpet
factories; distilleries, and breweries ; salt-works; glass-
factories, tanneries, and paper-mills ; rope-walks, and sJdp-
yards, &c.
5. Nearly all the articles produced by these factories
are used in the state, except flour, iron, whisky, salt, and
glass, of which large quantities are exported.
6. Manufactures of all kinds add to the actual wealth
of a state, to the amount of the difference between the
price of the raw material of which they are composed,
and that of the manufactured article ; the additional value
being the compensation for the labour expended in effect-
ing the change.
7. They also enrich the community, by causing an in-
creased home demand, and enlarged price for agricultural
and other articles ; manufacturers being obliged to buy all
they eat, wear, and use.
8. The value of all the manufactures of Pennsylvania,
great and small, in 1845, was at least $35,000,000.
9. Previous to the war of 1812, the United States, including
Pennsylvania, vrere contented to produce the raw materials, to
carry them for manufacture to other countries, and when manu-
factured, to bring them home again or deal in them in every part
of the civilized world. In other words, they were a gre?Lt pj-oduc-
ing and commercial, but not a manufacturing peop^le.
10. When the war broke out, and interrupted their commerce,
they found themselves deprived of the manufactured articles that
had before been imported from foreign countries.
11. This led to the adoption of a S3'stem of laws and measures
for the promotion of domestic or home manufactures, tliat the coun-
try might be independent of foreign supply. This was called the
tariff or protective system, by which a heavy duty was imposed on
the manufactured articles of other nations, for the purpose of secur-
ing the home market to our own.
12. During the last thirty years, this system, aided by the enter-
5. Which of their products are
consumed in the state, and which
exported ?
6. How much do manufactures
add to the weaUh of a country ?
7. How else do they enrich it ?
8. What was the value of manu-
factures in Pennsylvania in 1845 ?
9. Were the United States a manu-
facturing nation before the tear of
1812?
10. How did that war affect vs ?
11. IVhat system did this state of
things produce ?
12. iVhat has been the effect of the
tariff during the last thirty years ?
62 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
prise and ingenuity of our citizens, and the cheapness of much of
the raw material, has been so successful, that the country can now
compete, in cheapness and goodness ofmany manufactured articles,
with any nation in the world, not only at home but in foreign
markets.
13. The protective system, having thus effected its object with
regard to many articles, is no longer absolutely requisite for them ;
but others, such as iroii, ivool, woollen goods, coal, salt, &c., still re-
quire it ; though the time seems rapidly approaching, when even
they will no longer need its aid.
14. But, as it happens that the articles still demanding protection
are among the great staples of this state, her inierest in its continu-
ance, till the whole object shall be accomplished, seems obvious
and direct. Her claim to have it continued seems equally strong.
Having acquiesced in the operation of the system, while other
states and other interests required it, it is but fair that it shall now
be continued while she needs it.
15. The smaller manufactures of the state are, of course, pro-
duced in every part of her territory.
16. The larger are chiefly confined to the older and populous
districts, or to the points where the raw article is largely produced,
or fuel most abundant.
17. Hence it is, that cotton and woollen factories are most nume-
rous near Philadelphia and Pittsburg, labour being there most abund-
ant and cheapest.
18. Iron is wrought in the counties containing the mines, and
the char or mineral coal ; salt is produced where the brine is found ;
and glass is chiefly made at Pittsburg.
19. Flour-mills, which are more numerous than any other kind
of factory, are found in great numbers in every part of the state
where wheat is raised. Distilleries, tanneries, paper-mills, &c.,
are also established in almost every county.
20. Nearly all the flour-mills, except those in large towns, are
driven by water. So are most furnaces, forges, and rolling and
paper-mills. Factories and mills of all kinds in large towns are
generally driven by steam, as are some in the country.
21. The convenience of having factories in or near towns, where,
labour is abundant, is found to more than compensate for the cost
of the fuel necessary to produce steam, as a driving force instead
of water-power.
13. Which articles still requireits
protection ?
14. Are these the staple articles of
Pennsylvania ? and what claim has
she that they shall still he pro-
tected ?
15. Where are the smaller manu-
factures fabricated'?
IG. ^^here the larger 1
factories generally found near or in
large towns ?
18. Where is iron made, and why "i
salt, a Jul why ? glass ?
19. Where are flour-mills, distil-
leries, tanneries, i^c, found?
20. What factories are driven hy
water ? lohat by steam ?
21. Why is steam found to be
17. Why are cotton and woolleJil cheaper than water in some factor iesl
COMMERCE.
63
22. While manufactories give occupation to our unemployed hands,
create a demand for the raw materials produced in this or the sister
states, and increase the consumption and price of agricultural pro-
ductions, they will be highly beneficial. But, should they ever so
greatly increase as to become the chief business of the state, to the
destruction of her agricultural character and habits, it may then be
discovered, that increased business and wealth have been attained
at the expense of happiness and independence. Of this change,
however, there is little present danger.
View of a Merchant Ship.
XVIII. COMMERCE.
1. Commerce is the business of buying from them the
articles which persons or communities have to spare ; and
of selling to them others which they need, and is usually
transacted by merchants.
2. The commerce of Pennsylvania is either Foreign.,
when it is with other nations ; Domestic^ w'hen w4th our
sister states ; or Internal^ when between citizens of our
own state.
22. Hovi long will manufactories
he heneficiall under what circum-
stances may they become injuri-
ous ?
1. What is commerce, and by
whom transacted ?
2. How many kinds in Pennsyl-
vania ?
64 STATE- BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
3. Merchants are either wholesale^ who buy and sell
articles in large quantities; or retail ^ who sell single articles,
or in small quantities.
4. The Merchandise imported or brought into Pennsyl-
vania, from foreign countries, are : cotton^ woollen^ and silk
goods ; tea, coffee, and sugar ; wines, spirits, and Jinit ;
china, queensware, and glass ; cutlery and hardware of all
kinds ; salt, molasses, hides, and many other articles.
5. The articles exported, or sent to foreign countries, are :
jlour, grain, whisky, heef, pork, lumber, potashes, 8fc.
6. The foreign commerce of the state is all carried on
at Philadelphia, which is our only seaport. In 1845
the exports amounted to $3,574,363, and the imports to
$8,159,227.
7. Ihe imports have always been greater than the ex-
ports, though the difference is now gradually becoming
less, in consequence of the increase of home produc-
tion.
8. The Domestic commerce of Pennsylvania consists in
cotton, and cotton and woollen goods, tobacco, sugar, rice,
live-stock, fish, oil, pork, lard, tar, and turpentine, which
she receives from the other states ; and in flour, grain,
coal, iron, lumber, butter, cheese, and foreign merchandise,
which she sells to them.
9. Domestic commerce is carried on at Philadelphia,
Pittsburg, and Erie, and through the numerous rivers,
canals, railroads, turnpikes, and common roads, that in all
directions connect Pennsylvania with the other states.
10. The exports of this commerce are considerably
greater than the imports, though their channels are so nu-
merous that it is impossible to ascertain the precise amount
of either.
11. Internal commerce embraces all that is sold by and
to citizens of the state, at the numerous stores, workshops,
3. How are merchants divided ?
4. What foreign merchandise is
imported into Pennsylvania?
5. What are exported ?
6. Where is our foreign commerce
carried on ? State its amount in 1845.
7. Which are greater, the imports ' merce embrace ?
or exports ?
8. What are the articles of do-
mestic commerce?
9. Where is it carried on ?
10. Which are greater, the im-
ports or exports ?
11. What does the internal com-
COMMERCE. G5
mills, iron-works, factories, mines, quarries, taverns, fyc,
in every part of it.
12. The internal is vastly larger than either the foreign
or domestic commerce; but it is impossible to estimate its
exact amount.
13. All commerce is effected either by barter or sale.
Barter, sometimes called " trade," in this state, consists
in giving or exchanging one article for another. It pre-
vails to some extent in our internal commerce.
14. Sale is the giving of money, called a price, for the
article acquired.
15. Money is either specie or paper money.
16. Specie is coin composed of silver or gold ; and in
the United States is only coined and issued by the national
government.
17. Paper money, or hank notes, are promises on paper
issued by the banks, to pay in specie the sum stated on
the face of the note, whenevjer demanded at the proper
bank.
18. In 1845, there were 45 banks in Pennsylvania with
$10,107,188 18 of notes in circulation. They were then
generally able to pay specie for their notes.
19. The distinction between cash and credit forms a most im-
portant consideration in commerce.
20. Cash is the payment of money for the articles bought at the
time of pm-chase. It is the safest, cheapest, most economical, and
peaceful mode.
2\. It is safe, because by buying no more than is paid for, all
risk is avoided of being annoyed or put to cost and trouble, on ac-
count of debts which the purchaser may not have the money to
meet, when they are demanded.
22. It is cheap, because when cash is paid for any article, it is
obtained for a less price than when it is bought on trust or credit.
In the latter case, the seller always adds to the price so much as
he thinks the risk of never being paid, the loss of the use of his
money till he is paid, and the expense of collecting it, are worth ;
which he is perfectly justifiable in doing.
12. Is it larger than the foreign or
18.
How much paper money was
domestic ?
there
in circulation in 184.5 I
13. What is barter?
19.
What is an important disiinc-
14. What is sale ?
tion i?i conimerce?
15. How many kinds of money
20.
What is cash ?
are there ?
21.
Why is it a safe mode of deal-
16. What is specie?
vig ?
17. What is paper money ?
6
22.
Why cheap ?
66
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
23. It is economical, because if only such things are bought as the
cash can be paid for, the purchasing of unnecessary articles will fre-
quently be prevented, and the ready money on hand will be saved for
those that are indispensable. This rule also often prevents a waste
of necessary articles, on account of the difficulty of obtaining ready
money to purchase a new supply.
24. // is peaceful, because very many of the disputes and lawsuits
that take place are caused by misunderstandings about debts for
articles bouo-ht on trust, which would all be avoided if the cash
had been paid.
25. Still, credit is not to be altogether condemned. Within pro-
per limits, it is one of the most useful and beneficial agents in com-
merce. It is only the abuse of it that is injurious.
26. Credit is that trust which one person reposes in another when
he lends him money or sells him property, on the faith of his pro-
mise, that he will return the one, or pay for the other at the time
agreed on.
27. Interest is an inseparable incident of credit, and is that sum
which the borrower of money, or purchaser of goods on credit, pays
for the use of the money or price, while he detains it from the
owner.
28. Civilized nations always. fix by law the rate of interest that
may be charged. In this state it is six per cent., which means that
no more shall be charged for the use of money than at the rate of
six dollars for the use of one hundred dollars during one year.
This is called legal interest.
29. When more than six per cent, is attempted to be charged, it
is called usury, or illegal interest, the receiving of which is severely
punishable by law. ■^
30. No dealings on credit are either safe or justifiable, unless
the debtor or person who borrows or buys on credit is at the time
reasonably certain, that he will be able to keep his contract or pro-
mise with his creditor, or person who sells or lends.
31. When he is thus certain, such dealings are safe, beneficial,
and ought to be promoted. They form the only means of enabling
integrity, punctuality, and skill to take the place of money, and of
realizing for their possessor the actual value of a good character.
32. Banks, when sound and well-managed, are important agents
in sustaining credit. Their objects are two-fold : 1. To add to the
money or circulating medium of a country, by increasing its quan-
tity ; it being found that the wiiole amount of specie in any com-
mercial country, is generally less than the w^hole amount of the
value of the articles offered for sale, and is therefore inadequate to
23. IVhy ecoJiomical ?
24. Why peaceful ?
25. When is credit useful ?
26. What is credit ?
27. What is interest ?
28. What is legal interest in Pa. ?
29. What is usury ?
30. When is credit safe ?
31. What does credit then really
represent ?
32. What are the objects of
banks ?
COMMERCE.
67
the wants of the community. 2. To afford to persons in want of
short loans, or accommodations of money, the means of obtaining
them, on the strenorth of their credit for honesty and solvency.
33. While these objects are strictly and faithfully adhered to,
banks are safe and useful. But when they issue more notes than
they can instantly redeem in specie, without loss to the holders,
they are dangerous to the community, and highly injurious to com-
merce. So, also, when they lend out their money in large sums,
for a long time, to few persons, they cripple their own means, and
inflict a great injury on commerce. By so doing, they deprive the
smaller dealers of those short accommodations which are so neces-
sary to them, and to afford which, banks, with discounting or lend-
ing privileges, were chiefly established.
34. It has been stated that the foreign imports of Pennsylvania
are greater than her exports. This is true when all the articles
brought from foreign countries are compared with those sent thither.
But it is not believed to be the case, when the foreign articles ac-
tually used in this state are contrasted with tiiose of her own pro-
duction actutJly exported.
35. Tt must be recollected that a very large part of our foreign
imports are sold to the western and south-western states. If these
be deducted from the gross amount, it is probable that the im-
ports for our own use do not much exceed our exports.
36. At the present time, our foreign commerce is not so direct as
it used to be. In former da3^s, Philadelphia imported by her own
merchants, and in her own ships, all the articles she needed from
foreign nations. This is no longer the case. She now buys large
quantities of foreign merchandise from the importing merchants of
New York and Boston.
37. The vehicles of foreign commerce are ships and ocean steamers.
Of the latter, Philadelphia yet possesses none.
38. In 1845, 420 vessels from foreign countries entered the port
of Philadelphia, carrying about 91,313 tons.
39. About 10,000 vessels of all sizes arrived the same year from
all parts, foreign and domestic ; the chief part of which were en-
gaged in the coal trade.
33. When are they safe and use-
ful 'f when injurious and unsafe 1
34. Are our foreign bwports really
greater than our exports ?
35. Why not ?
36. Is the foreign trade of Phila-
delphia as direct as formerly ?
37. What are the vehicles of fo-
reign trade ?
38. How many foreign vessels en-
tered Philadelphia in 1845 ?
39. How many vessels arrived the
same year from all ports ?
68
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Reading Railroad, and Bridge across the Schuylkill.
XIX. PUELIC i:>IPROYEMENTS.
1. The public improvements of Pennsylvania, consist
of canals^ railroads^ turnpikes^ and bridges ; of all which
she contains more than any other state in the Union.
2. Of completed canals, the state owns 715 miles, and
of completed railroads, 118 miles.
3. There are also 380 miles of completed canals owned
by companies, and 700 miles of railroad.
4. There are 2000 miles of stoned or gravelled turn-
pike in the state, all ow^ned by companies.
5. There are at least 30 bridges across the main streams
of the state, varying from one-fourth to one and a quarter
mile in length, w^ith numerous smaller structures of the
same kind.
6. The V)hGle cost of all the canals, railroads, turn-
1. IIow many kinds of public im-
provements in Pennsylvania ?
2. What is the length of the
completed state canals? also rail-
roads ?
3. Company canals? railroads?
4. Turnpikes?
5. How many bridges ?
6. What is iho estimated cost of
'all the public improvements?
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
69
pikes, and bridges, in Pennsylvania, has been estimated at
$80,000,000.
7. The great objects of the internal improvements of
Pennsylvania are to convey to market the surplus produc-
tions of the interior of the state, and to form a connection
between the Ohio river and Lake Erie in the west, and
the river Delaware at Philadelphia in the east.
8. The following- is a list of the chief works of public improve-
ment in Pennsylvania :
The Main Line of state canal and railway, from Philadelphia to
Pittsburg, 396 miles.
9. The Susquehanna canal, from the Main Line at the mouth of the
Juniata, up the Susquehanna and North Branch, to Lackawanna
in Luzerne, 112 miles.
10. The West Branch canal, from the Susquehanna canal at
Northumberland, to Farrandsville in Clinton, 75 miles.
11. The Delaware canal, from the head of navigation on the
Delaware at Bristol, to Easton on the same river, 60 miles.
12. The French creek canal, from Franklin on the Allegheny, to
Conneaut lake in Crawford, where it joins the Erie canal, 55 miles.
13. The Erie canal, from the town of Beaver on the Ohio, to the
harbour of Erie, 136 miles.
14. The state has also a number of canals and railroads, in an
unfinished condition.
The chief company canals, are :
15. The Schuylkill Navigation, from Philadelphia to Port Carbon
in Schuylkill, 108 miles.
16. The Union canal, from the Schuylkill Navigation at Reading,
to Middletown on the Susquehanna, where it joins the state Main
Line, with an extension to Pinegrove in Schuylkill county, 82 miles.
17. The Lehigh Navigation and railway, from Easton on the
Delaware, to Wilkesbarre in Luzerne, 105 miles.
18. The Susquehanna and Tide Water canal, from the state INIain
Line at Columbia in Lancaster, to the Maryland line, 30 miles,
and thence to Havre-de-grace on the Chesapeake, 15 miles further.
19. In addition to these, there are many company canals of lesser
importance.
7. What is their object ?
8. What points does the Main Line
con7iect, and what is its length 'I
9. The Susquehanna canal ?
10. The West Branch canal?
11. The Delaware canal ?
12. The French creek canal ?
13. The Erie canal ?
14. Has the state any unfinished
ca^mls and railroads ?
lo. Describe the Schuylkill Navi-
gation.
16. The Union canal ?
17. The Lehigh Navigation and
railway.
18. The Susquehanna and Tide-
toater canal.
19. Are there other company ca-
nals ?
70 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The chief company railroads are :
20. The Reading railroad,, from Philadelphia to Pottsville in
Schuylkill, 104 miles.
21. The Philadelphia and Wilmington railroad,, leading towards
Baltimore, 27 miles.
22. The Philadelphia and Norristown railroad, 17 miles.
23. The Philadelphia and Trento?i railroad, towards New York,
28 miles.
24. The Lancaster, Harrishurg, Carlisle, and Chambersburg rail-
road, leading- through those places to the Maryland line, 88 miles.
25. The Columbia, York, and Mart/land line railroad, towards
Baltimore, 31 miles.
2G. The Carbondale and Honesdale railroad, in Luzerne and
Wayne, 16^ miles.
27. The Little Schuylkill railroad, in Schuylkill, 23 miles, with
very many others in different parts of the state.
The principal turnpikes are :
28. The Southern turnpike, leading from Philadelphia, through
Lancaster, York, Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Bedford, and Greens-
burg, to Pittsburg; with a branch from Bedford, through Somer-
set, to Uniontown in Fayette, where it intersects the great National
Road leading throug-h Washington, Penna., to the Ohio river at
Wheeling.
29. The Northern turnpike, from Philadelphia, throug-h Reading-,
Lebanon, Harrishurg-, Lewistown, Huntingdon, Ebensburg, and
B lairs ville, to Pittsburg.
30. The North-Western turnpike, from Lewistown, through Belle-
fonte, Philipsburg-, Brookville, Clarion, Franklin, and Meadville,
to Erie.
31. A turnpike from Harrishurg, through Carlisle, to Chambers-
burg.
32. Another from Philadelphia, northwardly through Easton to
Wilkesbarre, and also to the Great Bend in Susquehanna county.
33. With many others, connecting- together the prominent towns
and business points of the state.
34. The chief bridges are : seven across the Schuylkill at Phila-
delphia ; te7i across the upper portions of the Delaware ; ten across
20. Describe tJie Eeadi7ig railroad. ] 27. The Little Schuylkill rail-
21. The Philadelptiia and IVil- road.
minsrton railroad.
22. The Philadelphia and Norris-
tovm railroad.
23. The Philadelphia and Trenton
railroad.
24. The Lancaster and Chand)ers-
bur<r railroad.
25. The Columbia and Maryland
line railroad.
26. The Carbondale and Hones-
dale railroad.
28. Describe the Southern turn-
pike.
29. The Northern.
30. The North-western.
31. The JIarrisburg and Cham-
ber sbu rg.
32. The one that runs northwardly
from Philadelphia.
33. Are there others ?
34. miich are the dtief bridges ?
Tovrss.
71
the Susquehanna, and its north and west branches ; and/owr across
the Alleo-heny and Monongahela at Pittsburg-.
35. The bridge over the Susquehanna at Columbia is one and a
quarter mile long, and is the longest in the state.
XX. TOWNS.
1. There are three kinds of towns in Pennsylvania, viz.,
Cities, Boroughs, and Villages.
2. A City is a large incorporated town, governed by a
mayor, recorder, and councils ; having a Mayor's Court
for the punishment of the smaller crimes, and aldermen
who act as justices of the peace.
3. A Borough is an incorporated town, generally smaller
than a city, governed by a burgess and town council, but
having no court or aldermen.
4. A Village is a town not incorporated, and in most
cases smaller than a borough, with no separate govern-
ment, but included in that of the township in which it is
situated.
5. There m-efour cities in this state : Philadelphia, Pitts-
burg, .Allegheny, and Lancaster.
6. There are 191 boroughs, with an average population
of 600. The chief are, Reading, Harrishurg, Easton, York,
Germantowti, Carlisle, Pottsville,Chambershurg, Erie, JYor-
ristown, Hollidayshurg, Carbondale, Allentown, West Chester,
Washington, Lewistown, Columbia, Gettysburg, Lebanon,
Uniontown, Wilkesbarre, Johnstown, Williamsj)ort, Mead-
ville, Bristol, S^^c.
7. There are at least 375 villages, with an average
population of 250 in each. Many of them have a larger
number of inhabitants than some of the older boroughs,
and are increasing with great rapidity.
8. In some of the older countries of the world there is another
class of towns, called fortified^ or walled towns. We have none
such^ because our republican institutions neither require nor permit
the government to occupy fortresses by means of a standing army,
for the purpose of keeping the people in subjection. Nor is there
35. Which is the lonsest in Pa.'?
1. How many kinds of towns are
there in Pennsylvania ?
2. What is a city ?
3. A borough ?
4. A village ?
5. Name the cities.
6. How many boroughs ? Name
the principal.
7. How many villages, with what
average population ?
8. Have toe walled towns ? lohy ?
72
STATE-BOOK OF PENIS SYLVANIA.
such danger of foreign invasion as to render them necessary as a
means of defence.
9. There are, in other parts of the Union, especially along the
sea-coast and on the frontiers, a few fortified posts and forts, for
the protection of those places. But in Pennsylvania, there are none
even of these now occupied. Nor are there in any part of the
Union any large walled or fortified towns, in which the military is
superior to the civil power ; such places being unnecessary in a
country where the people not only govern but defend themselves.
10. The appearance of the cities and towns of Pennsylvania is
different from that of most other countries. They are chiefly laid
out according to the plan adopted by William Penn when he
founded Philadelphia; that is, the streets are all broad, perfectly
straight, and cross each other at right angles, and at uniform
distances.
11. The materials used in building are brick, stone, and toood.
The prevalence of the two former gives our towns a more substan-
tial appearance than those of some other states; but the want of
paint or whitewash causes many of them to have a less pleasant
appearance.
12. In building the older county-towns, the practice prevailed of
placing the court-house in the centre of a public square or street, in
the middle of the town. This inconvenient arrangement has been
avoided in the location of the court-houses recently constructed.
13. The practice of planting shade trees along the side of the
streets prevails in most of the towns of this and the other states.
In addition to the pleasant coolness afforded by these trees in. sum-
mer, they promote the health of the inhabitants by their purifying
effect on the air. It is said that the leaves of trees absorb or attract
from the atmosphere during the night certain gases, which are inju-
rious to human health, but necessary to the growth of the trees, and
emit during the day others that are beneficial to man.
14. This may be called the breathing process of the trees, and
closely resembles that of animated beings. The air, when drawn
into the lungs of the latter, is fit and necessary for their support ia
health; but when thrown or breathed out, has lost its life-support-
ing principle, and become injurious to them. In the same manner,
the leaves, which are the lungs of the trees, absorb the air neces-
sary for their support, chiefly at night, and emit it during the day,
after it has been deprived of the qualities necessary for the growth
of the trees.
15. This is but another of the numberless instances of the per-
fect wisdom and beautiful harmony of the works of Providence.
9. Are there forts in other parts of
the Union ? why ?
10. What is the general plan of the
tovms in Fennsylvania ?
11. What are their materials and
appearance ?
12. What practice prevailed in
btiildinff the older cozmty -towns.
13. Wiat is said of shade trees ?
14. How is this effected ?
15. What is it a proof of ?
COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS. 73
That which miaht be injurious to one portion is found to be bene-
ficial and necessary to another, and thus all are indeed good.
[A more minute description of the principal towns of the state
will be found under the head of their respective counties.]
XXI. COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS.
1. A COUNTY is a portion of a state, separated from the
rest for certain purposes of local government. Counties
are formed by the state legislature.
2. All the public affairs of the. county are transacted at
the county town, or seat of justice, where the courts are
held, and the public offices and prison are placed.
3. There are 59 counties in Pennsylvania, viz. ,.^dams,
Allegheny^ Armstrongs Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair,
Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Camhna, Carhon, Centre, Ches-
ter, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford,
Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette,
Franklin, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata,
Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean,
Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, ^Northampton ,
J^orthumberland, Perry, Philadelphia , Pike, Potter, Schuyl-
kill, Somerset, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, War-
ren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and
York.
4. A Township is a portion of a county set apart for the
performance of such acts of local government as do not
relate to the whole county, but only to the people of the
township, such as the repair of roads, &c. Townships are
formed by the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper
county.
5. Townships are generally also election districts, which
means that the citizens meet at one place in the district
or township, to vote for their representatives and other
officers.
6. Townships are also common school districts, for the
election of directors, and the establishment of free schools.
1. What is a county ?
2. What is a county-town?
3. How many counties in the
state ? Name them.
4. What is a township ?
5. How connected with elections ?
6. With common schools ? *
74
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
7. There are 1110 townships in the state, being about an
average of 19 in each county, though some counties have
less and some more than this number.
[The different counties will be described in detail, and their
townships designated, in the following part of this Book.]
XXII. NATURAL DIVISIONS.
1. There is a marked difference in form of surface,
quality of soil, and nature of productions, between various
portions of Pennsylvania. This is so obvious and strongly
marked, that the state naturally divides itself into seven
CLASSES or groups of counties:
2. I. The South-eastern counties, consisting of that
portion of the state which lies on the south-east of the
South mountain.
3. Eight counties form this class, viz. : Philadelphia,
Delaware, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, Lancaster, York,
and Adams.
4. Their distinctive features are: 1. A surface free
from great elevations ; 2. A soil generally capable of pro-
ductive cultivation ; and 3. Great fruiifulness of grain.
5. II. The Cumberland Valley counties, occupying
that great limestone valley, which stretches from the Dela-
ware to the Maryland line, between the Kittatinny and
South mountains.
6. The chief parts of seven counties constitute this
class ; viz. : JVorthampton, Lehigh, Berks, Lebanon, part of
Dauphin, Cumberland, and Franklin.
7. Their peculiar characteristics are: 1. Great even-
ness of surface, except where they extend up the moun-
tains on each side of the valley; 2. Uniform fertility of
soil in the valley ; 3. Abundance of all agricultural pro-
ductions, and of limestone.
7. How many townships in Pa. ?
1 . Into how many classes of coun-
ties is the state naturally divided ?
2. Which is the first class, and
where situated ?
3. What counties compose it ?
4. What are its features ?
5. Which is the second, and where
situated ?
6. Name the counties.
7. Describe its peculiarities.
NATURAL DIVISIONS.
75
8. III. The Anthracite Mountain counties, embrac-
ing that part of the state which Hes between the main
Susquehanna and the waters of the Lehigh, on the north
of Cumberland valley.
9. Including Dauphin, there are seven counties in this
class; viz.: part of DawyjAw, Schuylkill^ Carbon j Mojiroe,
JYorthwnberland, Luzerne, and Wyoming.
10. Their peculiarities are : 1. Great ruggedness of
surface ; 2. General scarcity of limestone ; 3. Abundance
of anthracite coal, which is found in no other part of the
state.
11. IV. The Iron Mountain counties, occupying the
central portion of the state, between the main Susquehanna
on the east, and the great Allegheny ridge on the west,
and extending from the Mainland line to the northern tier
of counties.
12. Ten counties compose this class ; viz. : Perry ^
Juniata, Mifflin, Bedford, Blair, Huntingdon, Centre,
Union, Columbia, and Lycoming.
13. Their distinguishing qualities are: 1. Great un-
evenness of surface ; 2. JSumerous fertile lim,estone valleys
and river flats ; 3. And general abundance of iron ore, of
a superior quality.
14. V. The Bituminous Mountain counties, extend-
ing from the top of the main Allegheny to its western
termination, and from the Maryland line to the northern
tier of counties.
15. There are five counties in this class ; viz. : Somer-
set, Cambria, Clearfield, Clinton, and Elk.
16. Their characteristics are: 1. K surface yevy much,
elevated and broken ; 2. A soil of only moderate fertility,
consisting of high table-lands and "glades;" 3. Abund-
ance of bituminous coal.
17. VI. The Western counties, embracing all those
8. Which is the third, and where
situated ?
9. What counties are embraced
in it ?
10. State the pecuhar features.
11. Which is the fourth class, and
where situated ?
2. Name its counties.
their
distinguishing
13. Describe
quahties.
14. Which is the fifth, and where
situated ?
15. W^hat counties form it ?
IG. Describe its characteristics.
17. Which is the sixth class, and
where is it situated ?
76
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
west of the mountains, except the counties along the New
York line.
18. Fourteen counties compose this class ; viz. : Fay-
ette^ Greene J Washington^ Westmoreland^ Allegheny ^ Indianay
Armstrongs Jefferson., Clarion^ Venango, Butler, Beaver,
Mercer, and Crawford.
19. Their peculiar features are: 1. JYumerous irregular
hills, with deep ravines and water-courses between ; 2. A
generally fertile soil; 3. Abundance of bituminous coal,
with iron-ore, limestone, and salt.
20. VII. The Northern Line counties, consisting of
those that form the northern and eastern boundary of the
state, from Erie to Pike.
21. Nine counties constitute this class; viz.: Pike,
Wayne, Susquehanna, Bradford, Tioga, Potter, McKean,
Warren and Erie.
22. Their distinctive features are : 1. K surface uneven
and hilly, but not often attaining the height or regularity
of mountains ; 2. A soil well adapted for pasture, but ge-
nerally too cold and thin for wheat and corn ; 3. Great
abundance of lumber, with few valuable minerals.
FIRST CLASS.
1. \n geological character^ a portion of this class, viz., the whole
of Delaware and Philadelphia, and the southern parts of Bucks,
Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster, and York, belong to the primary
formation of rocks, consisting of gneiss, mica-slate, and their varie-
ties, with granite at the extreme south.
2. The remainder belongs to the middle-secondary or transiiiun
order, and presents the red-sandstone formation, with soft red and
brown shales, bands of conglomerate, several ridges of trap, and oc-
casional large tracts of limestone.
3. The soil consequently exhibits the qualities of all these varie-
ties of rock, varying from the most fertile to nearly barren. Little,
however, occurs so barren as to be wholly irreclaimable.
4. Nearly all the tracts that used to be considered comparatively
valueless, for the purposes of tillage, are now in the process of
18. What counties constitute it?
19. State their peculiar features.
20. Which is the sevenih class,
and where situated ?
21. What counties belong to it ?
22. How are they distinguished ?
1. ^V}lat is the geological character
of the soutltern portion, of the first
class ?
2. Of the remainder ?
3. What is the general nature of
the soil ?
4. Has any improvement been e/"-
fecled ? How ?
NATURAL DIVISIONS. 77
fertilization, by means of lime and other mineral manures, and by
the use of clover. When thus reclaimed, they are found to be the
most certain grain lands in the state, and to produce heavier wheat
than the limestone farms.
5. These counties are wholly destitute of coal mines, but have
numerous veins of iron-ore of various qualities.
6. Tiie agricultural productions embrace all the varieties of grain,
meat, fowl, and fruit, common to a rich farming region, and a tem-
perate climate.
7. It is a remarkable fact, that the rich limestoiie lands of the
south-eastern and Cumberland Valley counties, were not the first
that were selected for improvement by the earliest settlers. When
first visited by Europeans, they were found nearly destitute of tim-
ber, and were then, as now, not so well watered as the slate and
shale lands in their vicinity. In parts of the Valley, some lime-
stone lands which are now worth from 50 to 100 dollars an acre,
lay unimproved for many years, and were actually called " dry
barrens."
8. It was the Germans who first discovered the superior qualities
of these tracts, and occupied them fully. Before they settled, how-
ever, considerable improvements had been effected by the Scotch-
Irish, but were chiefly confined to the banks of the larger streams.
9. The absence of timber was owing to the Indian practice of
burning the dry leaves and grass every spring, upon these favourite
hunting-grounds. This burning promoted an earlier springing of
grass for the support of the deer and other game, and prevented the
growth of trees, by which the hunters' view might be obstructed.
10. The consequence is, that though many of these tracts have
become heavily timbered since this practice ceased, yet few trees
are now found over 150 years old. This may easily be ascertained
by counting the rings or annual growths upon the stumps of the
largest trees that have been felled.
11. The south-eastern is the most densely peopled part of the
state ; and contains many towns, with numerous mills, furnaces,
factories, turnpikes, bridges, canals, and railways, and a great num-
ber of churches and school-houses. The private edifices, especially
the barns, are large, commodious, and substantial.
12. The Flour business of Pennsylvania is of great magnitude,
especially in the firsts second, and sixth classes of counties. Like
most other prominent branches of industry, it has vastly increased
in extent and facilities within a few years.
.5. Is coal found ? Is iron ?
6. What are the agricultural pro-
ductions ?
7. JVhat is said of the limestone
lands when first visited by Euro-
peans ?
8. IVho first fully occupied them ?
7
9. Why were they bare of timber ?
10. What is the general age of the
largest trees ?
1 1 . Hoto is this class peopled and
improved ?
12. I/i which classes is the four
business greatest ?
78
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
13. During- the earlier times of the colony and state, mills were
much fewer in number than now. It was not uncommon for the
pioneer settlers to carry their bag of wheat on horseback, ten or
twenty miles to the nearest mill, along bridle-paths through the
woods.
14. In those days, too, and long afterwards, a mill was a very
rude and simple machine. A clumsy water-wheel with the interme-
diate cog-wheels put the mill-stones in .notion. A hopper contained
the wheat and fed it to the stones ; and a rough bolting cloth sepa-
rated the flour from the bran. All the rest was performed by
human labour.
15. Now a complete merchant mill, such as are seen almost
within sight of each other, on every stream in the wheat counties,
is one of the most perfect labour-saving machines which man has
contrived.
16. The grain is taken from the wagons at the mill door, and
hoisted to the third, fourth or fifth story of the building, according
to its size, by means of a rope and pully^ worked by the mill-wheel.
Even then the miller has not the labour of carrying it to the proper
garner, but is provided with a small wagon or truck for the purpose.
17. Before being ground, the grain is screenec/ and put through a
smut machine, by which it is cleansed of all inipurtiies, and thence
fairness and sweetness of the flour increased.
18. It is then conveyed through tubes to the hopper, over the
stones or grinders, after passing through which the ground grain is
raised by means of elevators, to the hopper-hoy, by which it is com-
pletely cooled before passing to the holt, which separates the Ji our
from the niiddlin^s, ship-stuff, shorts, and bran.
19. Even yet, it is not but of the power of machinery, the miller
being provided with ?l press wrought by the water-wheel, by which
the flour is packed in the barrel, and weighed at the same time.
20. In a barrel there are 196 pounds of flour, which is the pro-
duce of from four to five bushels of wheat.
21. In 1845, there were about 12,000,000 bushels of wheat raised
in Pennsylvania. Of these, about 5,000,000 were converted into
1,000,000 barrels of flour and sent to market.
22. Not less than 1,000,000 bushels of the balance was re-
quired for seed, so that about 6,000,000 bushels were consumed
in the state.
13. Were mills numerous in early
times ?
14. Describe an old fashioned mill ?
15. What is a flour-mill noio ?
16. How is the grain taken into
the mill ?
17. What is done before grindifig ?
18. How is it ground, elevated,
cooled, and separated 1
19. How is it packed ?
20. How many pounds of flour
are there in a barrel, and how many
bushels of wheat make a barrel of
flour ?
21. How many bushels were raised
in 1845 ? How much flour sold ?
22. Hoto much was sotvfi, and how
much consumed in the state ?
NATURAL DIVISIONS.
79
SECOND CLASS.
1. Cumberland Valley extends from the Delaware in Northamp-
ton county, to the Maryland line in Franklin, a length in Pennsyl-
vania of about 160 miles, with a breadth of about 12 miles. South
of Pennsylvania, it passes through the states of Maryland, Vir-
ginia, and North Carolina, to Georgia.
2. In this state, it presents the appearance of a rich, broad, gently
rolling plain, with a high regular mountain barrier on the north,
and a chain of broken hills to the south.
3. The geological features of this beautiful region are very uni-
form. The large middle portion is entirely limestone. Along the
base of the mountain on the north, slate is generally found, often
extending some distance up the mountain side. Above this is the
barren silicious sandstone of the Kittatinnv, which forms the base
of the mountain range of counties. On the south edge of the val-
ley, the succession of irregular hills, forming the South mountain,
is composed of rocks of the primary class, covered, however, to-
wards its western extremity, by the hard silicious sandstone of the
secondary formation.
4. In the north-west spurs of the South mountain are found some
of the most valuable iron ores of the state ; and hence numerous
iron works are seen along the southern border of the valley.
5. The limestone portion of Cumberland Valley is noted as being
a most fruitful agricultural district. In this respect, its only de-
fects are a failure of the springs of water during the latter part of
summer and fall, and the frequent and irregular manner in which
the limestone rocks are protruded through the soil, forming what
farmers call "broken land." Large portions of the valley are,
however, free from both these objections.
6. The slate lands along the mountains form a light, thin soil,
but tolerably fertile when improved. They are better watered than
the limestone tracts.
7. The buildings and other improvements are nearly equal to
those of the south-eastern class of counties, and the population
almost as dense. The climate is the same.
8. The most valuable mineral of this beautiful valley is its lime-
stone.
9. Fifty years ago, Llme was only used in building ; and as
J. What is the extent of Cumber-
land Valley ?
2. What is its appearance in this
state ?
3. What is its geological cha-
racter ?
4. What is found in the spurs of
the South mountain 1
5. What is said of (he valley as
an agricultural district ?
6. Of the slate land ?
7. What of the improvements, po-
pulation, and climate?
8. Which is the most valuable mi-
neral in Cumberland Valley ?
9. IVliat about lime fifty years ago ?
80
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
comparatively little was needed, no pains were taken to discover
the cheapest and most expeditious mode of making it.
10. But when it was found that some lands were, by a long suc-
cession of crops, worn out, or exhausted of the rich vegetable mat-
ter that had been accumulating- upon their surface for centuries, it
became necessary to apply some new substance to restore fertility.
Animal or barn-yard manure was well known to have this effect,
but could not be obtained in sufficient quantities.
11. It was perceived that limestone sui/s, which mean soils rest-
ing on limestone rock, did not wear out like others. Hence it was
concluded, even before any correct scientific investigation had ren-
dered the fact certain, that this desirable quality must be owing to
the limestone ; and that the application of lime, as a manure, would
restore productiveness. The experiment was soon tried, and the
success was perfect.
12. Since this new and most beneficial use of it was discovered,
the demand for lime has very largely increased, and every means
have been taken to facilitate and cheapen its production. The con-
sequence is, that the cost is now not more than one-fourth of what
it was when only used for the purposes of architecture.
13. The chief good that has followed this use of lime, is the very
great increase effected in the agricultural productions of the country.
The crops of poor worn-out lands, to which it has been judiciously
applied, have increased at least four-fold ; and many impoverished
and almost deserted regions now bear the smiling appearance of
prosperity and happiness.
14. In former years, the process of lime-burning was tedious, la-
borious, and expensive. A rude, ill-shaped kiln was built. It was
then filled with limestone, and the necessary heat obtained by keep-
ing up a continued wood-fire in the eye or furnace of the kiln, till
the contents were converted into lime. This occupied about three
days, and was very laborious, the workmen being compelled to
attend the fire night and day. The quantity of wood required for a
kiln of 500 bushels was about ten cords.
15 At present, the fuel mostly used is stone-coal, and the whole
process is much easier and cheaper.
IG. Most persons still burn lime in kilns nearly similar in shape
to the wood kilns. The limestone and coal are placed in alternate
layers till the kiln is full. Fire is then applied from below, and
no further attention is needed, for, by the time that the coal is con-
sumed, the lime is burned. This usually takes place in three
days.
17. Some extensive lime-burners use what are called perpetual^ or
10. What became necessary when
lands were worn-out I
11. What was remarked in lime-
stone soils ? and the result of it ?
12. What is the effect 07i the cost
of lime ?
13. What is the effect on the pro-
ducttons of the county ?
14. Describe the old process of
mahing lime.
15. What fuel is now used ?
16. Describe the present mode.
NATURAL DIVISIONS.
81
draw kilns. These are deeper and narrower than the common kind,
but are filled in the same manner with alternate layers of limestone
and coal. When the coal in the lower part of the kiln is consumed,
and the lime consequently burned, it is drawn out from below.
The contents of the upper portion sink as this is done without ex-
tinguishing the fire; more layers of stone and coal are then thrown
in till it is again full ; and in this way the kiln is at the same time
receiving stone and coal at the top, burning in the middle, and
emitting lime below. Lime may be drawn from one of these kilns
two or three times in the twenty-four hours, to the amount of from
100 to 500 bushels a day, according to its size.
18. Burning lime in stacks is still another mode. This diflfers from
the other processes merely in dispensing with a permanent kiln.
The limestone and coal in alternate layers are piled up in the form
of a stack on the ground, with openings or flues beneath to apply
the fire, and admit a draught of air. The outside of the stack is
then covered or daubed over with stiff clay, to serve instead of the
walls of a kiln and keep in the heat. Fire is then applied at the
bottom, and in a few days the coal is burned out and the lime formed.
19. Owing to these processes and the use of coal, lime is now
sold for from 5 to 12 cents a bushel, according to the price of coal
and the convenience of limestone.
20. One ton of coal will make from 75 to 150 bushels of lime —
some stones being more easily converted into lime than others.
21. There is great difference in lime for agricultural purposes ;
or rather the foreign substances found mixed in most limestone
produce very different effects upon vegetation. Pure lime, which
very rarely occurs, is always uniform in its qualities.
22. The chief of these foreign ingredients are silictous^ or flinty
matter, iron, and magnesia. The two former do not injure, but pro-
bably improve the effects of lime as a manure. The last is gene-
rally injurious, though in some few cases of rich soils it has a good
eftect.
23. Magnesian lime is said to be injurious, because it remains
caustic or unslacked in the ground longer than any other ; it being
well established, that quick or unslacked lime is generally hurtful
to plants, while slacked lime is nearly always beneficial.
24. When limestone does not freely eflfervesce, or produce bub-
bles, in acid, is so hard as to scratch glass, and is of any shade of
colour, from clear blue to pure white, it contains silicious or flinty
matter. When it is of a deep yellow, brown or red colour, iron is
contained. And when it is of a light brown or pale yellow, not
17. Describe the perpetual kiln.
18. Describe the stack mode.
19. What is the price of lime now ?
20. How many bushels will a ton
of coal burn?
21. What is the difference in lime
caused by ?
22. What ingredients are usually
found mixed with itl
23. Why is magnesian lime inju-
rious 1
24. How is the presence of silex,
iron, and magnesia indicated ?
82
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
sufficiently hard to mark glass, effervesces slowl)^, and gives a
milky appearnnce to acid, it contains magnesia.
25. The mode of applying lime in this state varies with the soil
and object in view, actual experience being the best guide.
26. Generally it is put on sod land intended for corn. After the
ground has been ploughed and harrowed, the slacked lime is spread
over the surface, and the grain is then planted in the ordinary
manner. The good effects generally begin to exhibit themselves
the first year, but are not fully developed till the field is laid down
in grass, when they are usually most obvious and satisfactory.
27. Strong soils bear a greater quantity of lime at one dressing
than thin or poor ones. From 50 to 100 bushels to the acre may
safely be put on the former, while half the quantity is as much as
the latter will receive with advantage. In all cases it is said to be
better to apply the intended quantity at two dressings, with an in-
terval of two or three years, than at once.
28. In some parts of the state, the practice is becoming general
of putting out lime on grass or clover sod, and permitting it to lie
two or three years before ploughing. By this mode a smaller
quantity is said to produce the desired effect, and the improvement
which at once takes place in the grass crop is very marked and
profitable.
THIRD CLASS.
1. The whole mountain region of the state, including the third,
fourth^ and Jifih classes, belongs, geologically, to the secondary
formation. The rocks ransre from the lowest sandstone of the
massive series to the crowning stratum of coal, including variously
alternating layers oi sandstones, shales, limestones, slaies, and con-
glomerates. The last named are uniformly found underlying the
coals, which constitute the highest of the series.
2. The order of stratification is not uniform throughout the whole
mountain region, but certain general features everywhere occur,
that mark the identity of the formation.
3. In the Anthracite counties, iron ore is very generally found in
close vicinity with the coal, but limestone very rarely occurs in the
same neighbourhood.
4. The greater portion of the anthracite region being composed
of rugged mountains, cannot, consequently, be a very productive
agricultural district. Still it contains some fertile valleys and al-
luvial bottoms. This is especially the case, in parts of Dauphin,
Northumberland, and Luzerne.
25. What is the best guide for ap-
plyiiis lime 1
20. To what crop, and how is it
usually applied?
27. Do strong or poor soils hear
most ? and how much ?
28. What is said of putting it on
sodi
1. IVhat classes does the mountain
region contain ?
nernl ecological formation.
2. Ts this order of strata uniform ?
3. What is found near the coal in
the a?tthracife cou?ities ?
4.
racter ?
Describe their ge-
What is their agricultural cha-
NATURAL DIVISIONS. 83
5. The climate is not so mild as in the less elevated counties.
Snow falls earlier, and remains longer in winter ; and in summer
the nights are much cooler.
6. This class of counties contains a large number of the most
flourishing towns in the state ; and, on the whole, forms a rapidly-
improving district.
7. Monroe and Wyoming are classed with the anthracite coun-
ties, because, though they do not contain any of that mineral, they
possess the other features of the class, and seem to be more closely-
connected with it than any other.
8. Anthracite is that kind of coal which is hard, shining, and
of smooth fracture ; is composed almost entirely of pure carbon.,
is difficult to kindle, and burns without much flame or smoke.
9. There are three basins, or fields of this kind of coal in Penn-
sylvania : all in the eastern mountain counties ; all of a long oval
shape; all with strata mostly dipping from the sides of the basins
towards the centre ; and all running from north-east to south-west,
or, in other words, following the general course of the mountains.
10. The Southern Basin, embracing Ly kens-valley, Pine-grove,
Poitsville, and Mauch-Chunk, extends from Lykens-valley and
Stony-creek, (two points in Dauphin, near the Susquehanna,)
through Schuylkill, to Mauch-Chunk in Carbon. It is about 65
miles in length and 5 in breadth.
11. The Middle Basin, including Shamokin, Mahanoy, Hazelton,
and Beaver-Meadow, runs from Shamokin in Northumberland,
through Schuylkill and part of Luzerne, to Beaver-Meadow, in the
north-west corner of Carbon, and is about 55 miles long and 5 broad.
12. The Northern Basin, embracing the Wilkesharre or Wyom-
ing, and the Lackawanna mines, extends from Shickshinny, near
the south-west corner of Luzerne, to the vicinity of Carbondale
near the south-east angle of Susquehanna ; being about 60 miles
long and 5 broad.
13. The aggregate area of the three basins is nearly 1000 square
miles, or about one-fiftieth part of the whole state.
14. It is a singular circumstance, that not only does the anthra-
cite coal of each of these basins differ from that of the others, but
tb^t the coal of each part cf the same basin varies according to some
general law of nature. Every one who uses the article is aware
of the fact that the anthracite of Wyoming valley, the northern
basin, is harder, more difficult to ignite, and burns longer than that
of any of the fields to the south of it; that the Dauphin county,
generally called the Lykens-valley coal, which is the product of
9. How many basins are there, and
what is said of them all ?
10. Describe the southern basin.
5. Describe the climate.
6. What is said of the towns and
general condition of the district ?
7. Why are Monroe a7id Wyoming \ 11. The middle,
embraced in this class ? 12. The northern.
8. What is anthracite 1 \ 13. What is their aggregate area 1
84
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the soxiihern exiremity of the souihern basin, is the softest, the most
easily kindled, and the quickest burnino- coal of the whole anthra-
cite class ; and that the coal of the middle basin seems to hold a
medium rank with respect to all these qualities. It is also well
known, so far at least as regards the southern basin, that its coal
changes in the same manner, growing softer, burning sooner, and
being less difficult of ignition, from east to west. In further con-
firmation of this rule, coal has lately been discovered in the extreme
south-west of the coal land of Dauphin county, approaching nearly
to the qualities of the bituminous class.
15. Some of these properties are therefore most probably owing
to an increasing proportion of bitumen or mineral tar, towards the
west and south. It is well known that even in the hiiuminmts coal
region of the state nearly the same difference is perceived, bitumen
increasing in constituent proportion in the same direction. Hence
it would seem probable, that if the extensive tract intervening be-
tween the anthracite and the bituminous fields had not been denuded
of its coal by some great convulsion of nature, the two kinds would
have run into each other so gradually, that it would be impossible
to detect the point of junction.
16. It seems to be another law of nature, (or rather of Providence,
for " nature is but the name of an effect whose cause is God,") that
coal always occupies the highest position of all the other rock
strata. B}^ highest is meant last in geological formation^ though
frequently not highest in present actual position, owing to some
great disturbances that have taken place since the formation of the
coal. Hence it is in vain to search for coal below the layers of con-
glomerate rock, which are uniformly next to it in geological order.
17. Anthracite coal was first discovered on the Lehigh, within
the present county of Carbon, in 1791, by Philip Ginter, a hunter,
who found it adhering to the root of a tree that had been blown
over by the wind- Its existence in Schuylkill was earlier known.
18. In 1792, some of it was taken to Philadelphia from the
Lehioh, and tried under the boiler of the steam-engine at Centre-
square, but the mode of using it not being known, it put the fire
out. The remainder was used as gravel on the walks of the square.
19. In 1820, the Philadelphia market was completely stocked by
a supply of 365 tons, which sold at $8 40 per ton.
20. In 1845, the whole quantity transported from the three basins,
in every direction, Avas 2,012,742 tons, which, at $4 per ton in
market, produced the vast sum of $8,050,968.
21. The mining of coal is an interesting and important business.
14. What gradual change is ■per-
ceived in the coal from the north-east
to south-wesl ?
15. What inference may he drawn
from this ?
16. What is the uniform, geologi-
cal position uf coal ?
17. When, where, and by whom.
was anthracite first discovered on
the Lehi<rh ?
1 8. W lien was it first taken to Phi-
ladelphia, and what was done with it ?
19. How much stocked that market
in 1820?
20. How much teas sent to market
in 1845, and at what price was it sold f
NATURAL DIVISIONS. 85
It gives direct employment to a great number of men ; and, as the
whole time of the miners is occupied in the mines, they must
depend on others to supply their provisions and clothes. This
gives additional employment to farmers and mechanics; and thus
mining furnishes business to a great many more persons than are
actually engaged in the mines.
22. When a coal mine is about to be opened, a drift or small
tunnel is ruji into the side of the mountain, till the coal vein is
struck. The coal is then loosened by means of pick-axes and
other implements, and conveyed to the mouth of the drift in small
cars, on a railroad track laid in the shaft and through the mines.
As the coal is removed, the upper portion or roof of the mine is
prevented from falling by numerous props, made of large trees,
which the miners insert as they advance.
23. In this way, large portions of some of the mountains in the
anthracite region are undermined and actually supported on props.
In the beginning of 1846, owing to the enormous weight thus rest-
ing on the props in a mine near Carbondale, they gave way, and
about 100 acres of excavation were filled up, and fourteen of the
miners met a miserable death.
24. Where the vein of coal to be mined lies immediately helow
the level at which operations are to be commenced, a perpendicular
shaft or well is dug down, till the coal is reached. The coal is
then mined in the manner just described, but instead of being
drawn to the mouth of the mine on a level railway, it is elevated
from the bottom to the top of the shaft by steam power.
25. In the various parts of the coal region, there are now several
hundred miles of railway, under ground^ extending in every direc-
tion throucrh the mines ; and the flourishing town of Pottsville is
undermined in many places.
26. The productive coal veins are generally from 5 to 10 feet in
thickness. In Luzerne, there are some that reach 25 feet. There,
instead of using timber props, large columns of coal are left, at
regular distances, for the support of the mountain ; and the mines
are so high and open, that a stage and horses might easily enter.
Some of the veins near Shamokin are said to be 40 feet, and at
Mauch-Chunk there is one of the immense thickness of 60 feet.
FOURTH CLASS.
1. These counties belong to the secondary formation, and are the
same in geological features as those of the third class ; except that
21. What is the effect of coal min-
ing upon other business ?
22. How is coal mined out of a
mountoiit or hill ?
23. What happened at Carbondale
in 1846 ?
8
24. How is coal mined below the
level at which the mine is besiii?! ?
25. What is said of railways
under ground, and of PutlsviUe ?
26. What is the usual thickness
of coal veins ?
86
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the coal-bearing strata of rocks are nearly wanting, and that those
containinor iron ore, and the limestone strata, are more fully exposed.
2. The soil formed from the great variety of rock found in the
counties of this class is equally various in quality. The northern
part is not well adapted to the growth of wheat and Indian corn,
except in the numerous limestone valleys and alluvial river flats.
These are, however, amoncr the best farmincr lands in the state.
3. 'J'he population is generally more sparse, and the buildings
and other improvements less numerous and substantial than in the
south-eastern counties; but a marked and rapid improvement is
recently perceptible in all these respects.
4. The climate is similar to that of the other mountain reg-ions.
In the northern counties of the class, the winter is somewhat longer
and colder, and the summer nights less warm than in those of the
south. It is, however, a healthful district.
5. That portion of the state lying between the anthracite and the
bituminous mountain counties, does not generally possess the strata
of rocks that invariably accompany the coal. Whether they were
once there, and have been carried away by some tremendous con-
vulsion of nature, or whether the divine Creator originally formed
the mountains as they now are, is a question not here necessary to
be discussed. In either case their present condition is his work.
6. But the consequence is, that throughout this whole region,
though the coal and the coal-bearing rocks are nearly absent, yet
that those which come next in ffeolog-ical order and contain the no
less valuable minerals iron-ore and limestone, are at almost innu-
merable points exposed on the surface. Hence this is emphatically
called the iron region of the state ; and hence also it is said that
all these counties, if not now, must hereafter become engaged in
the iron business.
7. For the successful prosecution of this business, no country in
the world possesses greater facilities. The ore is of a superior de-
scription and everywhere abundant. Wood to form charcoal is
plenty and cheap, and if mineral coal be used, it is in great profu-
sion on both sides of the region. The numerous fertile valleys not
only produce food for the population engaged in the business, but
yield limestone, which is so indispensable in refining the metal.
In addition to all which, the streams and public works of the state
traverse the iron counties in every direction, thus affording a certain
and cheap conveyance to market.
8. The iron of these counties, known in market as the "Juniata
iron," is superior in quality to that of most others. This character
1 . How do the counties of this class
differ in geological features from
those of the third ?
2. Describe tlie soil.
3. What is said of population and
tmpruvfmetits ?
4. Of the climate ?
original
5. What is said of the
formation of these coimties ?
6. What is tlie consequence of the
absence of the coal ?
7. What are the facilities for the
iron btisiness ?
8. The quality of its iron t
i
NATURAL DIVISIONS.
87
it will probably retain. Being naturally of the best kind, and from
necessity smelted and wrought with cAarcoa/, it must continue to be
used for the finer purposes of the arts, to the exclusion of the cheaper
and less malleable metal, refined by means of mineral coal.
9. On the other hand, the latter, though inferior, being cheaper
and equally well adapted for the coarser uses, will inevitably also
come into extensive demand.
10. In this way both will be in requisition; and the barren moun-
tains of the state, yieldino" nothing- but roug-h timber, and the sterile
coal hills, will each add to her character as the chief iron state of
the Union.
11. After the iron ore is raised from the mine, it is roasted or heated
in an open fire. It is then placed in the furnace with large quanti-
ties of charcoal or stone coal (as the case may be) to melt it, and
limestone lof.ux or purge it of its impurities. The heat requisite to
smelt it is created by immense bellows^ generally driven by water-
power, but frequently by steam.
12. When a sufficient quantity is melted, it is drawn or made to
flow from the bottom of the furnace into hollows made in sand,
where it cools in shapes that are called " pigs."
13. These pi^s are then either taken to another furnace to be
again melted and formed into stoves, pots, and other articles of cast-
metal, or to X\\e, forge, to be refined into bar iron ; or to the rolling-
mill, to be drawn into rods, plates, bars, or rails.
14. At \h.e forge, the pigs are put into a charcoal fire till they are
formed into a large soft lump, and then placed under heavy ham-
mers, moved by water-power, till all the impurities are forced out,
and the mass thus purified is formed into a bar, such as is seen at
blacksmith's shops.
15. At the rolling-mill, the same, and various other shapes are
given to the iron, and in the same way, except that instead of being
hammered, the heated metal is drawn or pressed into the required
form by rollers or moulds, which do not so completely expel the
impurities of the metal as the hammer.
16. The quantity of pig metal produced in Pennsylvania in 1845,
was 275,000 tons, worth, at S30 in market, $8,250,000.
17. Charcoal, so necessary in the formation of the best iron, is
nothing but half-biirned wood.
18. The wood being cut into proper lengths, is piled in the form
of a dome, covered with leaves, charcoal-dust, and clay, to exclude
the air, and then set on fire from below. Duringr the burninrr it is
carefully wajtched, night and day, to prevent flame from burst-
ing out ; for if such a draught of air were allowed as to produce
9. Of anthracite iron ?
10. i^Vhal will be the effect of both ?
11. How is iron smelted ?
12. How formed into pigs ?
13. What use is inade of pigs 1
14. What is done at a forge ?
15. At a rolling -milll
16. How much pig metal was made
in Fennsylvnnia i7i 1845, a7id what
was its value ?
17. Wliat is charcoal!
18. How is it made ?
88
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
flame, this would carry off the substance of the wood, and leave
nothing but ashes. But so long as this is avoided, the heat merely
expels the moisture and gases of the wood, and changes it into
charcoal or carbon.
19. Being only half burned wood, charcoal is capable of being
set on fire again, and of producing a strong heat. It is the heat
caused by this second burning that is found so beneficial in the
production of the best iron ; the chief reason of which is, that it adds
to the metal the quantity of carbon requisite to convert it into mal-
leable iron.
FIFTH CLASS.
1. The geological features of these counties, being of the second-
ary formation, are nearly similar to those of the anthracite class,
except in the quality of their coal.
2. In an agricultural point of view, the soil of the bituminous
mountain counties is not so various, nor so much of it fertile as in
the sixth class. A large portion is composed of high table land,
and " glades," looking mostly to the west. It is not very fit for
the growth of wheat or corn, but is noted for the production of
grass, oats, potatoes, and buckwheat.
3. Alluvial and limestone tracts, when they occur, are similar in
fertility to those in other parts of the state.
4. Most of these counties being new, the population is thin, and
the buildings and other improvements not equal to those of the
older and richer counties.
5. The climate is similar to that of the other mountain counties.
6. Bituminous is that kind of mineral coal which contains a
large proportion of bitumen (mineral tar) and sulphur; is softer and
less shining in appearance than anthracite; and burns freely with
much flame and smoke.
7. The same remark made with regard to the geological position
of the anthracite coal applies to the bituminous. Both are always
highest or last in formation, and though in some of the latter, the
surface is actually lower than the adjoining mountains of the iron
region ; yet the strata of the highest peaks, when traced eastwardly
and westwardly, are always found to dip or pass under the rocks
which support the coal.
8. Some bituminous coal is found in portions of the iron class
that adjoin the bituminous region, but being either in small quantity
19. IVhat is its use in refining
iron ?
1 . What are the geological features
of this class ?
2. What is their agricultural cha-
racter ?
3. What is said of alluvial and
limestone tracts ?
4. What of population and im-
provements ?
5. Of climate?
6. What is bituminous coal ?
1'. What is the position of bitumi-
nous coal ?
8. What is said of the bituminous
coal in the iron counties ?
NATURAL DIVISIONS.
89
and isolated, or found in counties whose other minerals and general
productions belong properly to the iron class, they are included in
that group.
9. On the west also of the bituminous mountain counties, are
found a large class covered almost entirely with bituminous coal,
and the rocks bearing that valuable mineral. But as they resemble
the present class in no other respect, they necessarily form a group
by themselves.
10. There are marked differences between the two bituminous
classes. The surface of the western is much lower and the rocks
more horizontal than those of the eastern, thus presenting a more
suitable climate and soil for agriculture. On the other hand, the
eastern, though higher in surface, less fertile in soil, and more severe
in climate, will probably be ultimately found to possess a greater
variety of mineral wealth than the other. This is owing to the
larger number of rock strata brought to the surface on the tops and
sides of the hills, and in the valleys.
11. There seems to be some connection between the presence of
bitumen and salt. No salt wells have yet been discovered in the
anthracite region, while they are general in the bituminous.
12. Not less than 12,000 square miles, or one-fourth of the area
of the state, contain bituminous coal.
13. It is so generally present over nearly all the counties west of
the Allegheny ridge, is so frequently exposed at the surface, and
has been so lono- known *as a fuel, that there is little of interest in
the history of its discovery or use.
14. It is mined pretty much in the same manner as anthracite, but
being found at almost every point where it is needed, the mines are
not so extensive, nor the business so systematic.
15. Being mined at such a vast number of places, and applied to
so many purposes, it is difficult to ascertain correctly the quantity
annually consumed. But it is supposed, that for all purposes, in-
cluding domestic use, manufactures, and exportation, close to two
and a half millions of tons are now raised from the mines.
16. As a general rule, it may be remembered that anthracite coal
is only found east of the main Susquehanna, and bituminous, with
few exceptions, west of the Great Allegheny ridge ; the intermediate
being the iron region of the state.
9. hi the western counties ?
10. Wlial is the difference between
the two hiluminous classes ?
11. What is said of bitumen and
salt ?
12. jF/ow much of the state contains
bituminous coal ?
13. What is said of its history ?
14. JJuw is it mined ?
15. Why is it diffcull to estimate
it ? How much is now raised ?
16. What is the general rule about
anthracite and bituminous coal, and
iron ?
&
90
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
SIXTH CLASS.
1. All these counties belong to the highest strata of our secondary
formation ; or in other words, they are the same as the bituminous
coal-bearing rocks of the AUeg-heny. In the Ohio valley, of
which these counties form a part, the upper secondary rocks are
found nearly undisturbed, with an almost level stratification ; while
in the AUeghenies, they, with many of the underlying rocks, ap-
pear to have been forced up and broken into immense mountain
ranges.
2. One happy effect of this horizontal position of the rocks of
the Ohio valley, is the gentle and often navigable character of its
streams ; and a most valuable quality in the bituminous strata is,
that iron-ore and limestone of superior quality are generally found
in close vicinity with the coal. Thus all the materials for the
manufacture of that most valuable of all metals are found together.
3. The surface rocks of this class of counties are tb^ shales,
slates, sandstones, and limestones, that accompany the coal. But
in the northern parts of Mercer and Venango, and the whole of
Crawford, they are found stripped of the coal.
4. The soil formed by the decomposition of these rocks is of a
quality either highly fertile in its natural state, or easily susceptible
of fertilization. It is very productive of all kinds of grain, grass,
fruit, flax, &c.
5. From the top of Chestjiut Ridge, the last of the Alleghenies
westward, a view is obtained of the formation and character of this
part of the valley of the Ohio. The w hole country, as far as the
eye can take it in, descends very gradually towards the west. It
has evidently the appearance of having once been the bottom of
some vast lake or inland sea. The receding waters, or the streams
formed by the rains that have since fallen, appear to have worn the
nearly level surface into innumerable ravines and valleys, leaving
those rounded intervening hills that now compose the fertile, but
uneven fields of this rich agricultural region.
6. This class of counties possesses all the elements of comfort
and prosperity. The soil is almost everywhere productive. The
climate is pleasant and healthful. The streams are nearly all navi-
gable, and the waters pure; while coal, salt, iron, and limestone are
abundant. In few regions of the earth has less been left for the
hand of man to accomplish ; and in as few can the exercise of
moderate care and industry produce a more ample return.
7. The western counties are more thickly settled and highly im-
proved than the middle mountain region of the state ; but not so
1. JV/iaf format ion and xohat strata
do these counties belong to ?
2. What are the ejfects ?
3. Name tlie surface rocks ?
4. Describe the soil.
5. What is seen from Chestnut
Ridge 1.
6. What does this class possess ?
7. What is said of the population
and climate ?
NATURAL DIVISIONS.
91
much so as the old south-eastern counties. In climate they very
nearly resemble the latter.
8. The numerous Salt-works on the Allegheny and Kiskemi-
netas form a prominent feature in the industry of Armstrong, Indi-
ana, Westmoreland, &c.
9. This indispensable article is here obtained by evaporating the
natural brine by means of heat.
10. The brine or salt-water is obtained by boring into the earth
from 400 to 800 feet, till a sufficient stream of it is struck. Copper
tubes are then inserted into the hole or well thus formed, throuofh
which the brine is pumped to the surface.
11. It is then put into large shallow pans, and heat applied till
the water is driven off or evaporated, and the dry salt alone left.
12. In this process, of which the chief agent is Jlre^ the inex-
haustible coal-beds close to the salt-works are invaluable. If the
large quantities of coal necessarily consumed were to be trans-
ported any distance to the wells, the cost of the salt would be
greatly increased.
13. At some of the works, 15000 bushels of salt have been made
in one year; and in 1845, the salt works of western Pennsylvania
produced 550,000 bushels of this indispensable article.
14. In old times, when no salt was made west of the mountains,
nor good roads had been formed, this great necessary of life was
" packed" or carried across from the sea-coast on horses' backs.
15. In 1813, its manufacture in western Pennsylvania was com-
menced, by William Johnston, on the Conemough near the present
town of Saltzburg, in Indiana county.
16. He noticed the " salt licks," or oozinors of brine throuo-h
the surface, and determined to gain access to their source by boring
into the rock. He was perfectly successful, and thus conferred an
invaluable benefit upon the western country.
SEVENTH CLASS.
1. These counties generally belong to the higher series of our
secondary formation ; the rocks that compose the surface being
those that are next below the coal measures, such as shales, slates,
and sandstones. They are more nearly horizontal in their position
than in the mountain counties, their inclination being very gentle
and towards the south.
8. What are conspicuous in some
of tlie counties ?
9. JVliat is the salt obtained from ?
10. IIuw is tlie brine obtaiiicd ?
11. How is it changed into dry
salt?
12. Why is the vicinity of coal so
valuable in this process ?
13. How many barrels are annu'
ally made at some works, and in (he
whole stale ?
14. How was salt formerly taken
to tJie west ?
15. What and by whom was salt
first made in the west ?
16. How did he accomplish it ?
1. Describe the geological forma-
lion of these counties.
92 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
2. Few valuable minerals are found in this class. Along its
southern borders where it joins the coal and iron counties, some
small deposits of those minerals occur, but they are nowhere ge-
neral. The same may be said of limestone.
3. The soil is, in a state of nature, most congenial to the growth
of the valuable kinds of timber, especially the pines.
4. When improved, though not generally adapted to wheat or
corn, it yields good crops of oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, and
potatoes ; and forms the very best pasture land in the state.
5. When finally cleared of their forests, these counties will pro-
bably be devoted to the raising of live-stock of all kinds.
6. Erie is not now a lumber county to any great extent, though
it properly belongs to the class. It only differs from the others in
having a somewhat less uneven surface and more fertile soil, and
in being nearly stripped of trees. It is in reality a present speci-
men of what the best of the lumber counties will be, when more
generally cleared and improved.
7. The population and improvements of these counties are such
as might be expected in a newly settled part of the country. Most
of the' houses are of wood, which, being well painted and white-
washed, gives their towns and villages a clean and cheerful look.
8. The climate is more severe than that of the southern counties.
Winter commences nearly a month earlier, and spring is as much
latpr. More snow falls in the season, and the summer heat is less
intense.
9. At present, the chief business of these counties is that of
Lumbering, which is thus performed :
10. During the winter, and at other seasons when not differently
employed, the people cut down the trees, cross-cut them into logs
of the proper length, and roll or drag them by means of oxen, to
the nearest stream, down which they are then floated to the saw-
mill. Here they are sawed into boards or planks. Others, in-
tended for market in the shape of logs, are squared with the axe
before being removed from the woods.
11. The boards or logs are then united into small rafts, and again
floated down till they reach some large stream or river, where a
number of small rafts are united into a large one, which is often
over one hundred feet long. In this form they are " run" or floated
during the spring and fall freshets, to the large towns on the lower
parts of the rivers, for sale.
2. What is said of the minerals of
this class ?
3. What does the soil produce in county
7. Describe the population, im-
provements, and appearance of the
its natural state ?
8. The climate.
4. }Vhen improved, ichat is it best 9. What is the chief business of
adapted to? ' . ', these cou?i ties?
M'^hen whoJli/ cleared what tvill
it prohahly be applied to ?
6. What is said of Erie?
10. How is the lumber jirociired ?
11. How is it co7iveytd to mar-
ket ?
NATURAL DIVISIONS. 93
12. The men who navigate them live upon them in small cabins
of boards, cooking- their victuals as the stream bears them alongr.
They float from 20 to 40 miles a day, according to the state of the
current. They depend altogether on the stream to force them along,
never using their large oars except to keep the raft in the best chan-
nel, or to approach the shore at night.
13. The rafts are steered by means of immense oars, swung at
their front and back parts ; and through intricate passages of the
rivers they are guided by pilots hired for the purpose. I'hey never
run at niorht.
14. Frequently, at favourite stopping places, the river shore may
be seen in the evening lined for miles with rafts, and all the taverns
and boarding-houses crowded with the merry raftmen.
12. What is said of I he raflmen ?
13. How are the rafts steered and
guided ?
14. What is often seen at their stop-
■ping places ?
94
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
FIRST CLASS.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Keading-IIB^
Co^Tinibia "R-R.^ii--""-
iO°N.
1. Philadelphia, a south-eastern county^ is hounded on
the S. and S. E. by New Jersey, N. E. by Bucks, N. and
N. W. by Montgomery, and W. by Delaware county. Its
area, including the city, is 120 square miles, being the
smallest of all the counties in the state.
2. It contains neither mountains, nor large hills ; but a
low range of the latter traverses the north-western part.
3. The Streams are the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers,
and Pen-riy-pacJd , TacJo-ny, or Frankford, Po-ques'sing,
2ind Darby creeks, falling into the Delaware, and Wis-sa-
hick' on into the Schuylkill.
4. The Soil, though not naturally very fertile, has been
rendered productive by skilful cultivation. That portion
of it lying on each bank of the Schuylkill below the city,
is noted for its excellence as pasture and meadow-land.
1. State the class, boundaries, and
area of Philadelphia.
2. Its mouniains, hills.
3. And streams.
4. Describe its soil.
FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA.
95
5. It contains few Minerals of value in the arts, or for
the ordinary purposes of life, except stone and other mate-
rials for building, which are found at various points.
6. The Incorporated or hailt Districts of the county
adjoin the city, and really form part of it. They are :
the A^ortheni Liberties^ with 34,474 inhabitants ; Spring
Garden^ with 27,849; and Kensington^ with 22,314, on
the north; and Soutkwark* with 27,548, and Moyamensing,
with 14,573, on the south of the city.
7. The county also contains the Townships of Blockley, ^
Bristol, Byherry, Germaniown, King- ses' sing, Lower Dub-
lin, Moreland, Moy-a-men' shig, JYorthern Liberties , Pas-sy'-
unk, Penn, Oxford, and Roxhorough.
8. These townships, which constitute the country part,
as the incorporated districts do the town part of the county,
contain the boroughs of Germantown, Frankford, West
Philadelphia, and Man-a-yun]{! ; and the villages of Brides-
burg, Bustleton, Holmesburg, Haddington, Hamilton, Man-
tua, Sunville, 8fc.
9. The Public Improvements are : Railroads leading to
the Susquehanna, at Columbia and Harrisburg, to Norris-
town, Reading, and Pottsville, and to Trenton, New York,
Wilmingion, and Baltimore ; Canals, to the coal region in
Schuylkill and Carbon counties, and to the Susquehanna,
at Middletown; Turnpikes connecting with all the sur-
rounding towns and cities; and seven Bridges across the
Schuylkill.
10. The Population of the county (exclusive of the
city) was, in 1840, 164,372, and in 1845, at least
200,000.
11. The value of Property in the city and county,
assessed for taxation in 1845, was $116,985,697 ; but the
actual value of all the property in the city and county was
probably not less than $250,000,000.
12. The first permanent settlers of the county were
Swedes. These were followed in 1682 by English Friends,
* SoLithwark pronounced Suth'erk.
5. Minerals.
6. Name the incorporated districts,
with their population.
7. Also the townships.
8. Name the boroughs and villages.
9. What are the public improve-
ments ?
10. What vv^as the population in 1840?
what now?
11. What is the value of property ?
96
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
and others, under William Penn. Since that period, it has
become the dwelling-place of citizens from almost every
civilized nation in the world.
13. The MAIN Pursuits of the people of the incorpo-
rated districts of the county, are commerce and manufac-
tures ; of the outlying townships, /armm^ and gardening ;
and of the boroughs and villages, chiefly manufactures.
14. The Literary Institutions are a large number of
academies and female seminaries, and numerous common
schools ; with several literary and scientific societies and
institutions.
15. This county elects eight members to the House of
Representatives, and three to the Senate of the state, and
with a small portion of the city, two members of Congress.
16. The county and city form the frst judicial dis-
trict, and have a Court of Common Pleas, with four law
judges, and a District Court with three law judges ; each
court possessing similar powers with those of the same
class in the other counties.
17. The county of Philadelphia contains many thriving and plea-
sant towns, in most of which large manufactories of various kinds
have been established.
18. The borough of Frankford is five miles N. E. of the city, and
contains over 2000 inhabitants. It is in the midst of a well culti-
vated and populous country, and has in the vicinity a number of
extensive manufacturing establishments.
19. Germantown, with a present population of not less than 3000,
was laid out in 1684, and incorporated as a borough in 1689. It
was first settled by German Friends, from which event it took its
name. It contains several schools, churches, and a bank. It is six
miles N. W. from Philadelphia, with which it is connected by rail-
road and turnpike.
20. Man-a-yunk' is on the eastern bank of the Schuylkill, eight
miles above the cit5\ It is now one of the busiest manufacturing
towns in the state, and has been wholly built up, since 1819, by the
immense water-power created by the construction of the Schuylkill
canal. That work passes through it, as do the Norristown railroad
and turnpike. It now contains 600 dwelling-houses, with upwards
of 30 establishments for the manufacture of cotton, u-ool, flour, paper,
12. How was the county peopled ?
13. What are the main pursuits of the
people ?
J4. The'literary institutions?
15. How many Representatives does it
elect?
16. What judicial district does it form,
and how many courts has it?
17. What is said of the toions?
1 8. Wh n t of Fra n kford ?
19. What of Gennantoivn?
20. Manayunk?
FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA. 97
and other articles. It has five churches, and two bridges over the
Schuylkill.
21. Near Bridcsburg, a.t the mouth of Frankford creek on the Dela-
ware, the United States arsenal is erected.
22. West Philadelphia, Holmesburg, and Haddington are also pleasant
and flourishing towns, with several manufacturing establishments.
23. The Wire Suspension Bridge across the Schuylkill at Fairmount
is a noble and beautiful structure. The road-way is suspended on
immense cables, made of Juniata iron. The span is 343 feet, and
the breadth of the wagon and foot-ways 27 feet. The cost was
$55,000. It was completed in 1842.
24. The old Permanent Bridge across the Schuylkill at Market
street was finished in 1805, at a cost of $275,000. It is now a free
bridge.
25. The country portion of the county is mostly occupied by gar-
dens and small farms, producing articles for the Philadelphia market.
The immense quantities of manure annually carted from the city
have enabled the owners of the soil to render it very productive.
The fruit and vegetables supplied by them are consequently excel-
lent, abundant, and cheap.
26. This county is watered by several small creeks, all of which
aiFord considerable water-power for mills and factories. Po-que^sing
separates it on the N. E. from Bucks, and Darby on the S. W. from
Delaware. Wis-sa-hickf on flows from Montgomery, and passing
through a more hilly country than the others, presents much beau-
tiful scenery along its banks.
27. History. — Philadelphia is one ofthe three original counties esta-
blished by Penn in 1682, at which time it extended indefinitely towards
the N. W., bounded on one side by Bucks, and on the other by Chester.
Previously, and as far back as 1642, it had been partially occupied
by the Swedes and Dutch,{he former of whom, in 1677, built a church
at Wec-ca-coe', in Southwark. The county, soon after its settlement
by the English, became thickly peopled. In 1752, part of it was
taken off to form a portion of Berks. During the Revolutionary
war, it was the scene of many stirring events, especially of the bat-
tle of Germantown, which took place on the 4th of October, 1777.
In 1784, it was reduced to its present size by the formation of Mont-
gomery. Since that period, its history has been ^o intimately con-
nected with that of the city, as not to admit of separate detail.
28. The same remark applies to the many noted citizens of the
county. They will be named under the head of the city; in which
connection, also, the incorporated distj~icts of the county will be
described.
21. Bridesbi/rg?
22. Wtiat oftlie others?
2:3. What ofthe Wire Bridge?
24. Of the Permanent Bridge?
25. Wliat ofthe country portion ?
26. Of the streatns?
27. \Vhat is the history ofthe comity ?
28. What is said of its noted citizens ?
98
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
View oi" Philadelphia from the Delaware, below the Navy Yard.
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
1. The cifij proper of Philadelphia is hounded by the
county on all sides, except the east, where it is separated
from New Jersey by the Delaware.
2. It extends from the Delaware to the Schuylkill, about
two miles east and west ; and from Vine to Cedar street,
about one mile north and south.
3. It occvpies a level neck of land between the rivers
Delaware and Schuylkill ; and the whole ground plot of
the city being now nearly covered with buildings, the
town has spread north and south into the incorporated
districts of the county.
4. Including the adjoining districts, Philadelphiay)-on/s
on the Delaware about four and a half miles, and on the
Schuylkill nearly two miles.
5. It is distant 120 ip.iles from the Atlantic, by the
1. How is the city bounded?
2. What is its extent .'
3. Where is it seated?
4. What is its front on the Delaware,
and SclmylkUl?
5. How far is it from the Atlantic, Har-
risburg, Pittsburg. New York, Balti-
more, and Washington ?
i
FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA. 99
course of the Delaware river and bay, and 60 in a straight
Hne across New Jersey ; and is 100 miles E. of Harris-
burg, 300 E. of Pittsburg, 87 S. V/. of New York,
95 S. E. of Baltimore, ^and 136 S. E. of Wash-
inojcon.
6. It WB-S founded by William Penn in 1682 ; and soon
became, and long continued to be, the largest city in the
colonies and the Union. It is now the second in size,
New York being the first.
7. In 1840, the population of the city proper was 93,665,
and of the whole town of Philadelphia, including the in-
corporated districts of the county, 220,423. In 1845, the
whole population was probably not short of 260,000.
8. The streets are laid out in straio'ht lines, of rearular
Width, and cross each other at right angles ; those that
lead from the Delaware to the Schuylkill, running nearly
from east to west, and those that cross them, from north to
south.
9. The houses are generally built of brick. Most of
them hav^e white marble steps, with which material, also,
the lower story of many is faced, giving the city an ex-
tremely neat and cheerful appearance.
10. The streets are paved with stone, having the side-
walks covered with brick or flags, and are noted for their
cleanliness.
11. There are six large public squares^ viz.: Indepen-
dence, Washington, Penn, Franklin, Logan, and Ritten-
house, containing from 8 to 10 acres each, laid out in
walks, and planted with various shade and flowering trees
and shrubs.
12. The principal public buildings are the State HousSy
the Custom House, (formerly the United States Bank,)
the Merchants^ Exchange, Pennsylvania and Girard Banks,
United States Mint, with a great number of spacious and
elegant churches, halls, and other edifices.
13. Out of the bounds of the city, are the Girard
College, United States JVaval Asylum, Blockley JUmshouse^
6. Who founded it? what is its present
rank?
7. Its population?
8. How is it laid out?
9. Of what is it built? \ 13. In the county
10. How paved ?
11. How -many public .squares ?
12. Name the chief public buildings in
the city '
100
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Eastern Penitentiary^ Moyamensing Prison^ and numerous
other large and noble structures.
14. Many of the public buildings are of white marble,
and constructed after some of the purest and most beauti-
ful models of Grecian architecture.
15. The chief Literary Institutions are the University
of Pennsylvania, four medical colleges, numerous acade-
mies, seminaries, and boarding schools, and the admirable
series of public or free schools, of which the High school
deservedly attracts general admiration.
16. There is also a large number of literary and scien-
tific associations that rank Philadelphia high in the scale
of learning and intelligence. At the head of these are
the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Library, and Phila-
delphia Museum.
17. The Charitable Jn5^z7w^zo?i5, both public and private,
are very numerous. The principal are the Philadelphia
Almshouse, Pennsylvania Hospital, asylums for the deaf
and dumb, blind, and insane, for orphans and for destitute
females ; the House of Refuge for juvenile offenders, the
Friends' almshouse and Lunatic Asylum, Wills' Hospital,
with those of very many beneficial and other benevolent
societies.
18. The chief Prisons are the Eastern Penitentiary, in
w^hich convicts from the Eastern Dictrict of the state are
punished by solitary confinement, and the Moyamensing
prison, w^hich is the common jail of the city and county.
19. Philadelphia is supplied wdth abundance of pure
water, distributed in iron pipes, from the Fairmount Water-
works on the Schuylkill. These works form one of its
chief ornaments as well as greatest blessings.
20. It is lighted by gas, which is produced from bitumi-
nous coal and rosin, and purified with lime, and distributed
by pipes into every street, and into many of the houses.
21. It is noted lor the excellence of its apparatus for the
extinguishment oi fires, and for the courage and skill of
its firemen.
14. What are many composed of?
15. What are the chief literary insti-
tutions ?
16. What is said of other literary
associations ?
17. Name the chief charitable institu-
tions? 18. Prisons?
19. How is it supplied with water?
20. How lighted?
21. What ie said of fires?
FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA.
101
22. It contains several commodious covered Market
Houses, the chief of which, in Market street, is two-thirds
of a mile long. They are all noted for their abundant,
excellent, and regular supply of meat, poultry, butter, fish,
vegetables, and fruit.
23. A large number of daily and weekly newspapers
and of other periodicals are published. In the business
of book publication also, it now probably stands foremost
in the Union.
24. The main pursuits of the citizens are commerce
and manufactures.
25. The commerce is chiefly of the importing and ex-
porting, and wholesale description, Philadelphia supplying
nearly the whole of Pennsylvania, and a large portion of
the western and south-western states, with foreign mer-
chandise, and receiving their produce in return.
26. The Manufactures are principally those composed
of iron, cotton, and wool, for the profitable prosecution of
which the cheapness and abundance of stone coal, as a
fuel, afford great advantages.
27. The city elects 5 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives and 2 to the Senate of the state ; and 1 member
to Congress.
28. For state Judicial purposes, it forms, with the
county, the first District, with a court of Common Pleas
and a District Court, whose jurisdiction extends over both.
It has also a United States District Court.
29. The Government of the city proper is vested in a
Mayor, Recorder, Common and Select Councils, Alder-
men, and Constables ; the incorporated districts of the
county having each its own municipal government.
30. The city is divided into 15 wards for govern-
mental and election purposes ; each ward electing an alder-
man, constable, assessor, &c.
31. In conjunction with the county, the city elects a
sheriff, coroner, prothonotaries, register, recorder, clerks
22. Of market houses ?
23. Of publications ?
24. What are the main pursuits of the
citizens?
25. Oi" what description is its com-
merce ?
26. Its manufactures ?
27. How many members does it elect ?
23. W^hat judicial district is it in?
29. How is the city proper governed?
How the incorporated districts?
30. How is the city divided?
31. AVhat officers does it elect with
the county ?
102
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
of the various courts, county commissioners, and auditors,
for the same terms and with like powers as in other
counties.
32. So constant is the improvement, so numerous are the objects
of curiosity, and so various the interests, of Philadelphia, that it
would be impossible, even were it proper in a work of this kind, to
be full and minute in description. All that can be done, in addition
to the foregoing particulars, is to present some general views.
33. The first thing that strikes the mind, when contemplating this,
our chief commercial city, is her commanding and advantageous
position.
34. Far enough withdrawn from the sea-coast to be free from
foreign attack, yet joined to the Atlantic by her noble river; occu-
pying a middle position between the north and the south, and thus
escaping the extremes both of their climate and their feelings, yet
so placed as to benefit by the medium of both ; constituting the
commercial metropolis and sea-port of a Commonwealth, \vhose dis-
tant extremities touch the great lakes and rivers of the vast Valley
of the Mississippi, yet connected with them by the internal improve-
ments of the state ; placed low down between two navigable streams,
yet commanding the wealth and trade of their sources ; seated on a
soil affording all the materials for building, yet yielding in abundance
the productions so indispensable to a great city ; certain of a con-
stant and cheap supply of coal and iron, those main constituents of
manufacturing success, yet removed from the sterility and rugged-
ness of the regions where they are found ; with a population capable
of appreciating and improving these advantages, yet generally
steady and prudent enough to avoid the great error of over-trading,
Philadelphia possesses, in her own position and resources, all the
elements of substantial and permanent prosperity.
35. Other cities may have one or other of these advantages to a
greater extent, but none can boast of possessing them all in equal
degree with her.
36. The consequence is, that she is now the frst manvfadvring city
in the Union, if all the various branches of industry be taken into
account. This is undoubtedly the case with regard to the numerous
articles formed of iron. In the construction of steam locomotive
engines, for instance, she stands unrivalled.
37. She also possesses a very large number of cotton and woollen
factories and sugar refineries, and of establishments for the manu-
facture of leather, harness, boots, shoes, hats, caps, and bonnets ;
carriages, furniture, earthen and glassware ; liquors, tobacco, soap,
candles, drugs, and paints ; besides paper and flour-mills, marble
and brick-yards, ship-yards, rope-walks, &c.
38. Philadelphia still ranks as the second commercial city in the
, Union, and will probably retain that position. She is not only more
32. WTiy cannot a particular description
of Philadelphia be here given?
33. What first strikes the mind on ex-
ajnining it ?
34. What are those advantages ?
35. Hoic does it excel most other cities?
36. What is the consequence f
37. What are the other maniifactmes?
38. What is the rank of Philadelphia in
comtrurce?
FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA.
103
readily accessible from the rich -w^est and the south-west than any other
Atlantic city, but the great variety of articles offered by her nume-
rous and increasing manufactories, will, it is fair to suppose, induce
customers from the interior to resort to her store-houses, as well for
their supply of those articles, as of merchandise generally.
39. Before, and for some years after the Revolution, Philadelphia
owned more sea-going s/^jjjs than any port in the Union; but, latterly,
she has been falling behind in this respect. Most of her foreign
goods are now imported through New York. On the other hand,
her coasting-trade, particularly in the transportation of coal, has,
within the same period, immensely increased. She yet possesses
no ocean steamships.
40. The coal-trade of Philadelphia, though evidently yet in its in-
fancy, is already very large. In 1820, only 36.5 tons were brought
to the city from the anthracite mines. In 1845, the quantity had
increased to not less than 1,000,000 tons. It is transported on the
Schuylkill navigation, the Reading and Pottsville railroad, and on
the Lehigh Company's works, connecting with the Delaware canal
and river.
41. The chief part of the coal-trade of Philadelphia with other
pons, is transacted along the Schuylkill front of the city ; though
lately the Reading Railroad Company have established a depot and
landing at Port Rkhmoyid, four miles above the city, on the Dela-
ware, where large quantities are now exported. From the Delaware
front, some Lehigh coal is also shipped.
42. To accommodate and promote the business of Philadelphia,
there were, in 1845, 13 banks, with an aggregate capital of
$8,222,380, and a sound circulation of $4,222,000; besides many
loan companies and savings institutions ; over 20 insurance com-
panies, with capital to the amount of $6,000,000 ; together with the
Board of Trade, Merchants' Exchange, and various other institutions.
43. In charitable institutions and societies, both as regards number,
variety of object and efficiency, Philadelphia is surpassed by no
other city. Hardly any form of suflering humanity can be men-
tioned, for which she does not possess a refuge or an alleviation, so
far as human means can provide it. From the extensive and costly
arrangements of Blockley Almshouse and Pennsylvania Hospital,
down to the unpretending but useful societies for furnishing the
destitute with clothes, soup, and fuel, a charity as expansive in its
scope as it is minute in its detail seems to animate the whole.
44. There are within the bounds of Philadelphia, over 100 churches
of various denominations, with their Sunday-schools and other use-
ful and benevolent accompaniments.
45. Within the last twenty 3-ears, the impropriety of burying the
dead within the bounds of crowded cities has become so obvious,
that rural cemeteries, or country burying-grounds, are very generally
39. Wliat change has taken place?
40. What is said of the coal biisiness?
41. 'Where is it chifjfy transacted ?
42. What is said of banks, insurance
co7npanies, ifc. ^
4-3. IVhat of charitable institutions?
44. How 'tnany churches ?
45. What is said of grave-yards in
cities ?
104
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
established. In the vicinity of Philadelphia, there are two of these
beautiful and proper places of sepulture.
46. Laurel hill Cemetery is on the bank of the Schuylkill, tour
miles N. W. of the city. It is a spacious tract of land, laid out with
gravelled walks, and otherwise ornamented in a manner consistent
with the object. It contains a Gothic chapel and other necessary
buildings. It was established in 1836, and already presents many
beautiful monuments of the worth of the departed, and the affection
of the living. j o n a
47. Monument Cemetery is in the vicinity of Girard College, and
was established in 1838. It is also beautifully ornamented.
48. The most remarkable buildings connected with the city are
the Easlern Penitentiary and Girard College.
49. The Penirentiary is a huge massive structure, placed on an en-
closure of ten acres, which is surrounded by a wall 30 feet high.
The cells are on each side of long corridors, which diverge from a
common centre. From this centre a watchman commands a view
of the entrance to each cell in all the corridors. The cells are
12 feet long, 8 wide, & 10 high. They are warmed by heated air, and
supplied with water conveyed in tubes. The prisoners' food is
passed to him through a drawer without his seeing the person who
places it there. There are two stories or tiers of cells in each cor-
ridor, and to those of the lower story, a yard for exercise, 18 feet
by 8, is attached.
50. The prisoners are employed at some useful trade or business,
each in his or her own cell, the profit of their labour going to the
support of the penitentiary. They are furnished with proper books,
and with sound moral and religious instruction, but are never per-
mitted to see or communicate with each other, or with persons
beyond the walls.
51. This mode of punishment, intended also to reform the offender,
is of Philadelphia origin, and seems to have accomplished the object
in view in a greater degree than any other system that has yet been
tried.
52. The Girard College is the most costly, substantial, and magnifi-
cent structure of the kind in the United States, and has scarcely an
equal in the world. The main building is 2 1 8 feet long, 1 60 feet wide,
and 97 feet high. It is surrounded by 35 columns, each 55 feet
high, and 6 in diameter, with a richly ornamented capital. The out-
side wails, columns, floors, stairs, and roof, are all of marble, no
wood being used in the whole building, except for doors. It con-
sists of two stories, and each story is divided into four rooms,
60 feet square. This building is intended exclusively for the pur-
poses of instruction.
53. On each side of the main building there are two others,
125 feet long, 52 wide, and two stories high. One of these is in-
46. 0/ Laurel Hill?
47. Of Monument Cetnetery?
48. Which are the moat remarkable huild-
tngs .'
49. Describe the Penitentiary.
50. Hoiv are the convicts treated ?
51. Wiat is the efftct ?
52. Describe Girard College.
53. Wliat other buildings are connected
with it?
FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA. 105
tended for the residence of the professors and their families, and the
other three for the students.
54. The whole is placed on a lot of 45 acres, on high ground, a
mile north-west of the city proper. It was commenced in 1833, and
is not yet completed.
55. This magnificent college is erected under the will of the late
Stephen Girard, and, in the words of the testator, is for the education
and maintenance '< of poor white male orphans," " to be received
between the ages of six and ten, and to be bound out, between the
ages of fourteen and eighteen, to suitable occupations, as those of
agriculture, navigation, arts, mechanical trades, and manufactures."
56. In medical science, Philadelphia is now and has for years been
deservedly celebrated. Her character in this department of knowledge
has been built up by a long list of eminent teachers, among whom,
Rush, Wistar, and JPhysic may be named. Students resort to her
medical schools, not only from all the other states, but from Canada,
South America, and the West Indies. During the winter of 1845-6,
their number exceeded 1000.
57. The free schools of Philadelphia compose her chief glory. By
their agency, an education, embracing all the ordinary and many of
the higher branches, is conferred upon her youth, without cost to
the individual, and at less than one-fourth the expense to the com-
munity, that a similar course of instruction would cost in the ordi-
nary pay-schools.
58. The law regulating this noble system is not confined to the
city, but extends over the whole county, conferring its blessings
upon every district and township.
59. The instruction is so thorough, and the discipline so exact,
that admission to the High School of the series is a matter of great
difficulty, and is only conferred upon real merit and undoubted
qualification. In the High School, in 1845, there were over 400
students. The course of study occupies four years ; the acquire-
ments are equal to those of many colleges ; and the diploma,
when obtained, is a sure passport to employment, because none bat
the industrious, the studious, and the intelligent, can attain it. Al-
'ready the graduates of this school are sought by merchants and
men in large business, as clerks and assistants ; and some of them
have become partners in houses to whose confidence the High
School diploma was their chief recommendation.
60. The police regulations of Philadelphia have long been noted
for their simplicity and efliciency. But latterly the occurrence, on
several occasions, of turbulence and disregard for the laws, would
seem to indicate either that they have become relaxed, or that the
city of Penn is not uncontaminated by the unruly spirit of the age.
It is believed, however, that the sound moral instruction bestowed
by her free schools will expel the foul spirit, and teach the rising
54. Hmv much land belongs to it, and
token ivas it comtnenred ?
55. Who caused it to be erected, and for
what purpose?
56. What is said of the medical schools ?
57. Of the free schools?
5S. How far do they extend ?
59. What is said of the High School?
GO. Of the police of the city ?
106 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
generation that the first duty of the citizen is obedience to the laws, under
all circumstances.
61. History The siYe of Philadelphia seems to have been called
Coaquannock by the Delaware Indians, who occupied it before the
white men. The Swedes were its first permanent settlers. Three
sons of a person of that nation called Sve7i (subsequently known as
Swansons) held the ground on which the lower part of the city
stands, by deed from the British governor of New York, dated in
1664. Penn's grant of the province was obtained early in 1681,
an the first settlers, under it, arrived in the August of that year, in
the ship John and Sarah of London. Philadelphia not being yet laid
out, they landed at the Swedish town of Upland, (now Chester.)
62. In 1682, William Penn, having arrived, selected the site for the
city, and regularly laid it out. He procured the land of the Svens
for that purpose, by giving them other land on the Schuylkill
in exchange. He gave the new town, and the county in which
it is placed, the name of Philadelphia, which he had determined on
before he left England. It was the name of an ancient city in ^sia
Minor, and adopted on account of its indicating the harmony he
wished to prevail in the new town. It is composed of the Greek
words philos, a friend, and adelphos, a brother; and may be said to
mean the city of brotherly love. It soon grew into importance, as
many as 23 ships having arrived from various parts of Europe with
settlers, before the close of 1682. When Penn returned to England
in June, 1684, the population had already reached 2,500. He did
not again visit Philadelphia till 1699, when he found it much in-
creased and improved. The same year the yellow fever first made
its appearance in the town.
63. In October, 1701, Penn chartered Philadelphia as a city, and
'Edward Shippen was the first ma)^or. The same year, Penn finally
returned to England. The old Court House, in the middle of Market,
where it is crossed by Second street, was built in 1707. Here
the Assembly met and the courts were held. The present State
House, in Chestnut street, was commenced in 1729, and the central
portion completed in 1735. In 1731, the Philadelphia Library was
commenced by Dr. Franklin. In 1751, an Academy, which subse-
quently became the University of Pennsylvania, was founded. It was
chartered in 1753, erected into a College in 1755, and a University
in 1779. The bell procured for the State-house from England, in
1752, having been broken by accident, a new one was cast in Phila-
delphia and hung in the steeple, with this remarkable motto upon
it : " Proclaim liberty throughout the land, and to all the people thereof.^*
The same year, Pe)msy!vania Hospital was founded, chiefly by the
exertions of Dr. Franklin, the population of the city then being
about 14,000. In 1760, the population was 18,000, and in 1770,
28,000.
64. In the month of September, 1774, the first Continental Congress
met in Carpenters' Hall. On the fourth of July, 1776, Ixdepexdkncb
was publicly declared from the steps of the State-House : the Declara-
nt. Name the chief efciuts in the history
of Philadelphia till 1632.
62. From 16=2 till 1700.
63. From 1700 till 1760.
FIRST CLASS PHILADELPHIA. 107
Hon having been adopted and signed by the members of Congress,
in an apartment on the first floor of the eastern end of the main
building. The courts and public ofiices of the city and county are
now held in the State-House, but Independeuce Chamber remains in
the same condition as when the memorable Declaration was there
adopted. In 1781, the Bank of Norih America, being the first in the
Union, v/as established by Congress. In 1788, the first steamboat
was tried on the Delaware by John Fitch. In 1790, the population
of the city and adjoining districts was 42,500. In 1793, the yellow
fever carried ofi" 4041 persons, and drove the greater part of the
inhabitants from the city. In 1794, Southwark was incorporated,
and the turnpike to Lancaster completed. In 1799, water from the
Schuylkill was introduced into the city by steam, and distributed in
pipes from Centre-square, now called Penn's square.
65. In the year 1800, the population was 69,300. In 1803, the
Northern Liberties were incorporated. In 1805, the Permanent Bridge
was completed across the Schuylkill. In 1809, the Phoenix, the first
of Fnlton^s steamboats, was placed on the Delaware, from which time
steamboats continued to be used. In 1810, the population of Phila-
delphia was 95,672. Spring Garden was incorporated in 1813. In
1815, Fairmount Steam Water-works were completed. In 1818, the
existing Public School Law of the city and county was enacted. In
1819, the United States Bank (now the Custom House) was com-
menced, and completed in 5 years.
66. In 1820, the population was 117,887, and Kensington was in-
corporated. In 1822, the Fairmount Water-works, as at present in
operation, were completed. In 1823, the Eastern Penitentiary was
commenced. In 1824, the Franklin Institute was incorporated. In
1826, the Schnylkill Navigation was completed. In 1830, the whole
population was 166,270. In 1833, Girard College was commenced,
Stephen Girard having left his immense property, worth ten millions
of dollars when he died, to the city, for the erection and support of
that institution, and the improvement of the city. In 1834, the Co-
lumbia Railway was completed, and locomotive engines first used
on it. In 1835, gas for lighting the city was first introduced. In
1837, Pennsylvania Hall was burned. In 1840, the population of the
city and districts was 220,423. In 1843, a great fire happened in
Front street. In 1844, the Kensington riots occurred. In 1845, the
population of the city and districts was not less than 260,000.
67. Noted Citizens. — John Key was the ^^ firs -born'' ^ child of
European parents in the town of Philadelphia. His birth took place
in 1682, in one of the " caves" or rude dwellings formed in the river
bank, near what is now the north-west corner of Vine and Water
streets. He died in Chester county in 1767. Samuel Carpenter,
James Logan, David Lloyd, and Edward Shippen, were among the most
prominent and useful of the first citizens of the town. John Bar-
tram, the botanist, Avas born in Chester county in 1701, but early
settled in Philadelphia and established the botanic garden near Gray's
Ferry. He was a great traveller, and died in 1777. Thomas Godfrey,
64. From \77i till \SO0.
65. From 1800^7/ ISiO.
66. From Ibv'O till IHiO.
67. JVame the most noted citizens htfort
the Revolution.
108
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
(the inventor of the Quadrant, an instrument for finding the latitude,)
was born near Germantown in 1704, and died in 1749.
68. Beyijaniin Franklin, the great philosopher, and one of the com-
mittee who prepared the Declaration of Independence, was a native
of Boston, but settled in Philadelphia in 1 723, in his seventeenth year,
where he resided till his death in 1790. Charles Thomson, secretary
of the Revolutionary Congress, was an Irishman by birth, but
arrived in Philadelphia in 1739, in his tenth year, and died in 1824.
David Rittenhouse, the great mathematician, was born near German-
town, 1732, and died in 1796. Robert Morris, one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, and the financier whose abilities and
w^ealth sustained it under so many difficulties, was born in
England in 1733, but came with his father to Philadelphia m 1746.
He died in 1806. Joseph Reed, president of the state, a general in
the revolutionary army, an incorruptible patriot, and a sound jurist,
was born in New Jersey in 1741, and died in Philadelphia in 1785.
John Cadwaladcr, a gallant general who fought at Trenton, Prince-
ton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, was born in Phila-
delphia in 1742 and died in 1786. James Wilson, one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the Convention
which framed the Constitution of the United States, and one of the
judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, was born in Scot-
land in 1742, arrived in Philadelphia in 1766,and died in 1798. Thomas
Mifflin, a general in the revolutionary army, and subsequently gover-
nor of the state, was born in Philadelphia in 1744, and died at Lan-
caster in 1800. Nicholas Biddle,a. captain in the first American navy,
was born in Philadelphia in 1750. This gallant officer was blown
up with his crew, in the Randolph of 32 guns, during an obstinate
contest with the British ship Yarmouth of 64, on the 7th of March,
1778. Benjamin Rush wa.s born near Philadelphia in 1745, and died
in 1813. He was an eminent and learned physician, and medical
professor and writer;, he was also one of the signers of the Declara-
tion of Independence.
69. Wdliam JVhite was born in Philadelphia in 1748, and died in
1836. He was chaplain to the Revolutionary Congress, and author,
among other works, of " Memoirs of the Protestant Episcopal
Church," of which church in Pennsylvania he was the bishop from
1787 till his death. Sicphen Girard was born at Bordeaux in France,
in 1750, settled in Philadelphia in 1769, and died in 1831. He was
a most sagacious and successful merchant, and left his immense
estate of $10,000,000 nearly all to the city of Philadelphia. William
Bradford was born in Philadelphia in 1755. He was appointed
attorney-general of Pennsylvania in 1780; judge of the Supreme
Court in 1791, and attorney-general of the United States in 1794,
and died in 1795, at the early age of 39. He was one of the most
active and influential among the reformers of the penal code of the
state in 1790. Alexander James Dallas was born in Jamaica in 1759,
settled in Philadelphia in 1783, and died in 1817. He was an able
lawyer, and published valuable law reports and other works. In
08. Name those that distinguished them-
selves in the Revolution.
69. Those that became distinguished
sinu.
FIRST CLASS DELAWARE.
109
i814, he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury of the United States,
and in 1815 also acted as Secretary of War. Williani Tilghman was
born in Maryland in 1756, was brought by his father to Philadelphia
in 1762, and died in 1827. From 1806 till his death, he held
the important station of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the
state, and discharged its duties with an ability inferior to that of few
judges that ever sat on any bench, and an integrity above all suspicion.
Caspar Wistar was born at German town in 1760, and died in 1813.
He was a skilful physician, and an able medical professor and
writer. Philip Syng Phys^ic was horn in Philadelphia in 1768 and
died in 1837. He was a learned and skilful physician, and may be
called the father of American surgery.
DELAWARE COUNTY.
1. Delaware, the south-eastern county ^ is bounded on
the E. by Philadelphia, N. E. by Montgomery, N. W. and
W. by Chester, S. by the state of Delaware, and S. E. by
the river Delaware, which divides it from New Jersey. Its
area is 180 sq. m.
2. It contains no mountains. The north-western part
is hilly, but towards the river the surface is level.
3. Its streams are the Delaware river, and Brandywlne,
Chester^ Ridley^ Crum, Darby ^ Cobb''s, and some smaller
1. AVhat are the class, boundaries,
and area of Delaware?
10
2. Has it any mountains?
3. Name its streams?
110
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
creeks^ which nearly all cross the county from the west and
fall into the Delaware.
4. The soil was originally not fertile, but has been ren-
dered very productive by judicious farming.
5. No limestone nor very valuable minerals are met in
the county, except building stones of the granitic class,
which are sent in large quantities to Philadelphia and other
places. On Crum and Darby creeks, also, great numbers
of superior whet-stones are procured.
6. It contains 21 townships ^ 2 boroughs, and several
flourish ingf villay^es.
7. The Boroughs are : Chester, the county-seat and the
oldest town in the state, situated on the Delaware, and con-
taining about 1000 inhabitants, and Marcus-Hook. The
villages are Darby, Leiperville, Lima, Village Green, Sfc.
8. The Public Improvements are the railroad from
Philadelphia to Wilmington, which passes through the
whole length of the county ; and the Columbia railroad
through the north-eastern part. Turnpikes from Philadel-
phia to Wilmington, Baltimore, and Lancaster, also traverse
the county.
9. The Population in 1840 was 19,791, and the assessed
value of property ^7,264,721 in 1845.
10. The earliest settlers were Swedes. These were soon
followed by some Dutch or Hollanders, and they again by
large numbers of English and W^elsh, who were princi-
pally Friends.
11. The chief pursuits of the people are agriculture and
manufactures. Most kinds o^ grain are produced, but the
land is best adapted to pasture and meadow.
12. Delaware is one of the foremost manufacturing
counties in the state. It possesses a large number of cot-
ton and woollen factories ; flour, saw, and paper-mills ; roll-
ing-mills, furnaces for castings, potteries, tanneries, &.c.
13. The Literary Institutions are numerous, and of
boroughs,
4. Describe its soil?
5. Its minerals?
6 liov,' many townships,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages?
8. What are the public improvements?
9. Its population and assessed pro-
perty ?
10. By whom was it settled?
11. What are the chief pursuits and
productions?
12. lias it any manufactures ?
13. Literary inslitutions?
FIRST CLASS DELAWARE.
lit
an elevated class. They are the Friends' " Haverford
Central School," the Delaware county Institute of Science,
six Public Libraries, and several Lyceums, and other
useful institutions.
14. There are a number of respectable private acade-
mies and schools, and 61 common schools, all in a pros-
perous condition. There are 5 churches in the county.
15. This county elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Chester, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
wdth Montgomery, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the
fifteenth judicial district.
16. The Townships of Delaware are, Aston, Bethel, Binningham,
Che^'er, Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Concord, Darby, Upper Darby,
Edgmont, Haverford, Marple, Middletown, Newtown, Uj)per Providence,
Nether Providence, Radnor, Ridley, Springfield, Thornbury, and Tinicvm.
17. Chester, the oldest town in Pennsylvania, was commenced
by the Swedes, about 1643. By them it was called Uplcmd. Here
Penn held his first provincial assembly, in 1682, and passed many
wise laws. It took its name from the city of Chester, in England,
the birth-place of Pearson, one of Penn's companions. After the
laying out of Philadelphia, in the latter part of the same year, it
ceased to increase as rapidly as it had done before. It was incor-
porated as a borough in 1795, but has experienced little improve-
ment for many years. It contains a court-house, jail, market-house,
several churches, a library, and a bank. It is a pleasant, quiet
place, and is fifteen miles south-west from Philadelphia.
18. Marcus Hook is on the Delaware, three miles below Chester,
near the south-east corner of the state. It is an old town with about
400 inhabitants. During the earlier years of the province, it was a
place of some resort, large vessels frequently wintering at its Avharf.
But it has for many years ceased to be used as a port, and the town
been going to deca)% Latterly, however, it has shown some ap-
pearance of improvement.
19. Darby is a pleasant village, at the head of tide-water on Darby
creek. It is half-way between Philadelphia and Chester. It con-
tains several mills, and has a number of delightful country seats in
the vicinity.
20. The Towns of Delaware, though the oldest, have increased
less than any other, in the state. It is, however, probable that the
establishment of manufactures in the county will add to their popu-
lation and prosperity.
21. Above Chester, on the Delaware, is the Lazaretto, or station
where vessels having contagious diseases on board, or arriving from
14. Schools?
15. AVhat members does it elect, and
in what judicial district is it?
16. Name its towriships?
17. Describe Chester.
18. What is said of Marcus Hook ?
19. Of Darby?
20. Of the towns of Delaware?
21. The Lazaretto?
112 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
sickly ports, perforin quaraniivc, till the health of their crews is re-
stored, or it is ascertained that they are not infected. They are
then permitted to proceed to Philadelphia.
22. The singular curved line, which separates this county from the
state of Delaware, is part of a circle whose centre is the town of
New-Castle, from which the line is twelve miles distant. It origi-
nated in the terms of a grant made in 1784, by the Duke of York, to
William Penn, of territory south of Penns)dvania, and now forming
part of the state of Delaware. •■
23. The first Flour-mUl in the province was erected by Richard
Townsend,*on Chester creek, about one and a half mile north-west
of the town of Chester. The original dwelling-house built and oc-
cupied by Townsend is still standing.
24. The cause of education seems to flourish more generally in
Delaware than in most of the other counties. Not only are scien-
tific institutions, public libraries, and schools of the higher grades
numerous, but the common schools seem to be better managed.
Many of them are kept open the whole year.
25. The Friends' " Central School" at Haverford is an excellent
institution of the collegiate class. It has four professors, and over
50 students. Its spacious buildings and pleasant grounds are near
the Columbia railroad, a few miles west of Philadelphia. It was
established in 1831.
26. History. — Delaware, which derives its name from the river
on which it is situated, though not very long organized as a separate
county, is really the oldest setilement in the state. Its county town
was the seat of justice of the county of Chester, (then including
Delaware,) from 1682 till 1789. After the organization of the pro-
vince by Penn, the county became rapidly settled ; but little of ge-
neral interest occurred in its history for many years. During the
Revolutionary war, though no battle was fought on its soil, it was
frequently overrun by the contending armies. In 1789, it was di-
vided from the present county of Chester, the 7tew county retaining
the old name. Since that time it has gone on quietly increasing in
population, wealth, and intelligence. Latterly, its citizens have em-
barked largel)^ in manufactures, especially those of cotton and wool,
for which it is well adapted by its wealth, enterprise, dense popula-
tion, and extensive water-power. On the 6th of August, 1843, a
most destructive torrent nf rain burst upon this county, causing the
streams to swell to an unusual height, almost instantaneously, and
destroying $250,000 worth of property, aad 19 lives.
27. NoTKD CiTizEN-s. — Benjamin West, the celebrated painter, was
born in 1738, in Springfield township, five miles north of Chester.
After retaining the first rank in his art, both in the old and the new
world, during a long life, he died in England, in 1820.
y^. The curved state litie ?
23. Where and by wliom ivas the first
fioTir-mill in the province built ?
24. What of education? '21. Wlio was tlie most noted citizen?
25. Describe Haverford School.
'26. State the principal events in the his-
tory nf De/aware.
FIRST CLASS CHESTER.
113
CHESTER COUNTY.
1. Chester, a south-eastern county, is hounded on the
S. E. by Delaware county and Delaware slate, N. E. by
Montgomery, N. W. by Berks, W. by Lancaster, and S.
by Delaware and Maryland. Area, 740 square miles.
2. It has no Mountains. The hill called the Welsh
mountain forms its N. W. boundary, and the Valley hills
are N. and S. of the Great Valley.
3. The Schuylkill river separates it from Montgomery.
The creeks are the Brandywine^ Elk, Oc-to-ra'ro^ White
and Red Cloy, French, Valley, &fc.
4. The Soil is very various, but generally fertile, or
easily susceptible of improvement. The great limesk)ne
valley crosses the county from N. E. to S. W., is about
two miles wide, and highly productive. North and south
of it the land is naturally less fertile, but has been made
productive by judicious treatment. Nearly the whole
county will ultimately be cultivated.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Chester?
2. What are its hills ?
10
3. Its streams?
4. Its soil ?
114
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
5. The CHIEF Minerals are limestone^ marble, iron-ore,
and chrome.
6. It contains 48 townships, 2 boroughs, and a large
number of pleasant villages.
7. The Boroughs are, West Chester, the seat of justice,
near the centre of the county, with 2152 inhabitants, and
Oxford. The villages are, Downington, Coatesville, PhcE-
nixville, Waynesburg;, Parkesburg, J\^ew London, Kennet
Square, Cochranville, Marslialllon, ^^c.
8. The PusLic Improvements are, The Columbia and
Philadelphia Railroad, with a branch to West Chester, the
Schuylkill JYavigalion, the Reading Railroad, and the Phila-
delphia and Lancaster, Downin.irton and Ephrata, and
Wilmington and Lancaster turnpikes.
9. The Population, in 1840, w^as 57,515, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, $18,655,753.
10. The Jlrst settlers were mostly English Friends, who
came over w^th Penn. Since that period, many English,
Welsh, German, and Irish emigrants have given a mixed
character to the population. Their chief pursuits are
farming, and gardening, for the Philadelphia market,
and manufacturing.
11. The Productions are grain, beef, pork, mutton, but-
ter, ppultry, fruit, &c., to which is to be added a large
amount of manufactured articles, the county containing
many furnaces, forges, rolling-mills, and nail factories,
w^oollen factories, fulling-mills, and cotton factories, paper,
flour, and oil-mills, tanneries, &c.
12. The Literary Institutions are the Athenaeum and
Cabinet of Natural Sciences at West Chester, a number of
superior academies, seminaries, and boarding schools, and
209 common schools. Education is generally prosperous.
There are over 100 churches in the county.
13. Chester elects 3 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and with Delaware, 1 to the Senate of the
state ; and 1 member of Congress ; and is in the fifteenth
judicial district.
5. Its minerals ?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and viUaijes ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improveraeuls.
9. "What is the population and property?
10. Who settled it?
11. What are the productions?
12. The literary institutions?
13. How many members does it elect,
and what judicial district is it in?
FIRST CLASS CHESTER. 115
14. The Townships are, Birmingham, E. Bradford, W. Bradford,
E. Brandywine, W. Brandywine, E. Cain, W. Cain, Charlestoivn, E. Co-
ventry, N. Coventry, S. Coventry, Eastown, E. Falloufeld, W. Falloiv-
Jield, E. Goshen, W. Goshen, Honeybrook, Kennet, London-Britain, Lon-
donderry, Londongrove, E. Marlborough, W. Marlborough, E. Nantmeal,
W. Nantmeal, New Garden, Neivlin, New London, E. Nottingham,
W. Nottingham, Upper Oxford, Lower Oxford, Penn, Pennsbury, E. Pike-
land, W. Pikeland, Sadsbury, Schuylkill, Thornbury, Tredyffrin, Uwchlan,
E. Vincent, W. Vincent, Westown, Warwick, E. Whiteland, W. White-
land, and Willistown.
15. West Chester, so called from its situation with regard to old
Chester, in what is now Delaware county, is one of the most plea-
sant, improving, and literary towns in the state. It is placed on
high ground, five miles south of the Great Valley. It is substantially
and neatly built, and contains a number of handsome public edifices,
among which are the bank, prison, Athenmtm, Bolmar' s seminary, and
several of the churches. It has also the other requisite county
buildings, an academy, female seminary, and public library. It is
supplied with running water. The town seems to have been com-
menced in 1784. In 1786, it became the seat of justice, and in 1799 was
incorporated. It is on the state road, leading from Philadelphia to
Strasburg, and is 27 miles W. of Philadelphia, and 71 E. of Harrisburg.
16. There is a county poor-house 8 miles S. W. of West Chester,
with a large farm attached.
17. The Friends' Seminary for both sexes, at Westown, was esta-
blished in 1794. It has extensive buildings and a farm. Instruc-
tion is afforded by eight teachers. It is an unpretending, but most
useful institution.
18. The Yellow Springs is a pleasant watering-place in the north-
east part of the county, with ample accommodations for visiters.
The Springs were discovered in 1720, and a cabin, for the shelter
of visiters, erected in 1750. Near one of the hotels stands a build-
ing, known as the " old barracks," erected by General Washington
for the sick and wounded of his army during the Revolutionary war.
19. In Coventry township a forge, called Coventry forge, was built
by a person of the name of Nutt about 1720. Here was made the
first iron manufactured in the state.
20. Phasnixville, at the confluence of French creek with the Schuyl-
kill, is a flourishing manufacturing tov^-n, grown up within 40 years.
It contains a large cotton factory and extensive iron works. The
Reading railroad passes through a tunnel of 2043 feet near the
village.
21. Parkesburg is a busy growing town on the Columbia and
Philadelphia railroad. It contains the state depot, with shops for
the repair of the locomotive engines used on the road, and bids fair
to become a large place.
22. History. — Chester was one of the three original counties of
14. Name its toicnships.
15. Describe West Chester.
16. Has it a poor-house?
17. niiat of Westown ?
18. The Yellow Springs?
19. Coventry Forge?
20. PhcenixviUe?
21. Parkesburg?
116 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the state, laid out by Penn in 1G82. Chester, in Delaware county,
was the seat of justice, the two counties then forming one, with an
indefinite extent of territory westward. The county took its name
from the city of Chester in England, the native place of Pearson,
one of the companions of William Penn. When first seen by the
English, it was occupied by the Delaware Indians, from whom the
founder of the colony purchased the soil. The south-eastern part
of the county was early occupied, and gradually the whole became
settled. In 1729, Lancaster was separated from it. Few stirring
events marked its history for many years. The gentle and honest
conduct of the early Friends towards the Indians saved the inhabit-
ants from the ravages of savage warfare. The contests of 1736
and 1755, which disturbed other settlements, passed over Chester
county with little annoyance. Part of Berks county was taken off
in 1752. In the mean time, emigrants from various countries of
Europe grouped themselves in different parts of the county. The
English occupied the southern portion, the Welsh the eastern, and
the Irish the northern and western, where they were soon succeeded
by many Germans and Hollanders. These large additions of those
who were strangers to the peaceful creed of the Friends, prepared
the county to take an active part in the Revolution, some of the
most important acts of Avhich great drama were performed on its
soil. In 1775 and 1776, two regiments were raised in Chester county
to sustain the cause of the country. Of one, Anthony Wayne, after-
wards so celebrated, was the first colonel. During the war, the
county was frequently the scene of hostile movements. In 1777,
the battle of Brandywine and the massacre of PaoU occurred. Since
'the establishment of independence, little of interest has transpired
to mark its quiet course of prosperity. In 1789, Delaware was
taken from the south-east part of the county, reducing it to its pre-
sent limits.
23. N()Ti;n CiTizE^fs. — General Anthony Wayne was born in
Eastown, Chester county, January 1, 1745. He entered the patri-
otic army in 1775, and served during the war with distinguished
skill and bravery. He was a member of the state convention of
1789. In 1795, he concluded a successful and decisive campaign
against the Western Indians, and died at Erie in 1796. Thomas
i)ftA>a7i was born at New London in 1734. He was a prominent
member of the first Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and an active patriot during the whole Revolution. After
having been chief justice of the state, and subsequently governor,
he died in 1817. Dr. Hugh Williamson, born in Chester county in
1735, was an accomplished physician and natural philosopher.
It was he who, while in London in 1773, obtained possession of
the celebrated letters of Governor Hutchinson and Lieutenant-
governor Oliver, of Massachusetts, to the British ministry, which
he delivered to Dr. Franklin, the agent of the colon3% and by
M^hich the machinations of those officers were disclosed. This fact
was never discovered to the world till after his death. He finally
22. Wliat are the chief events in the his- I 23. Name its most noted citizens,
tory of Chester county ? \
FIRST CLASS BUCKS.
117
settled in North Carolina, from which state he \ras a delegate to
the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States.
He was the author of a History of North Carolina and other works,
and died in 1819.
BUCKS COUNTY.
1 Doylestown
2 Bristol.
3 Newtown.
4 Newhope.
5 Morrisville.
6 Hulmeville.
7 SeUersviUe.
8 Ottsville.
9 Quakc-rtow
1. Bucks, a south-eastern county, is bounded on the
S. E. and N. E. by New Jersey, on the N. W. by North-
ampton and Lehigh, and on the S. W. by Montgomery
and Philadelphia. Its area is 600 square miles.
2. It has no mountains^ and few Jiills^ the most con-
siderable being some of the spurs of the South mountain
in the northern part.
3-. Its Streams are, the Delaware river, separating it
from New Jersey, and navigable to the head of tide at
Trenton ; and the JVe-sha'mi-ny, To-hickfon, Durham, and
other small creeks.
1. What are the class boundaries,
and area of Bucks ?
2. Has it any mountains or hills?
3. Name the streams.
118
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
4. The Soil is very various. The northern part is ge-
nerally uneven, and not very fertile, except in some lime'
stone valleys which it embraces ; the red-shale soil of the
middle is kindly and productive ; and the southern end,
consisting of soil formed from primary rocks, is less fertile
in grain, but well adapted to grass. The w^hole county
may ultimately be made productive.
5. The valuable Minerals are limestone^ plumbago,
(called black lead,) and some iron-ore.
6. It contains 29 townships, 5 boroughs, and a large
number of flourishing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Doylestown, the seat of justice,
centrally situated, with 906 inhabitants ; Bristol, with
1448; JYew-Hope, with 820; JYewtown, with 600, and
Morrisville, with 405. The villages are J\^ewport, Yarclley-
ville, Harlington, Attleborough, Bridgetown, Centreville,
Greenville, Quakertown, Hnrtsville, &c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Delaware divi-
sion of the Pennsylvania canal, from Bristol to Easton,
connecting the Lehigh canal with tide-water on the Dela-
ware ; the Philadelphia a7id Trenton railroad ; a turnpike
from Doylestown to Philadelphia, and others in different
parts of the county; and eight bridges across the Dela-
ware at various points.
9. The population, in 1840, was 48,107. Assessed
value o^ property in 1845, $14,703,067.
10. The earliest settlers were English and Welsh Friends,
w^ho have spread over most of the southern part, and Ger-
7?ia??5, who occupy the northern, retaining their own language.
11. Their chiei^ purstdts are farming, and gardening for
the Philadelphia market ; all kinds of grain, meat, butter,
and fruit, forming the main productions. There are also
many manufactories of various kinds.
12. The Literary Institutions are 3 academies, 1
female seminary, and 152 common schools. Education is
tolerably prosperous. There are 80 churches in the county.
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
6. How many townsnips, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements?
9. What is the population and as-
sessed property ?
10. W^ho settled the county?
11. Their pursuits and productions?
18. The literary institutions ?
FIRST CLASS BUCKS.
119
13. Bucks elects 3 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and 1 to the Senate of the state; with Lehigh,
1 member of Congress ; and is in the seventh judicial
district.
14. The Townships are, Bedyninster, Bensalem, Bristol, Buckingham,
Doylestown, Durham, Falls, Haycock, Hilltown, Lower Makefield, Upper
Makefield, Middletown, Milford, New Britain, Newton, Nockamixon, Norih-
ampton, Plumstead, Richland, E. Rockhill, W. Rockhill, Solebury, South-
ampton, Sprviigfidd, Tiaicum, Warminster, Warrington, Warwick, and
Wrightstown.
15. Doylestown is a pleasant, quiet town, on an eminence com-
manding an extensive view. Its county buildings are substantial,
convenient edifices of fine sandstone. It has a bank, academy, female
seminary, .3 churches, and several weekly newspapers. It seems to
have been commenced about 1780, and took its name from the per-
sons who owned the ground. It became the county-seat in 1812,
as being more central than Newtown. It is 24 miles north of
Philadelphia, and 100 east of Harrisburg.
16. Bristol, the largest town in the county, was the first seat of
justice. It is among the oldest settlements in Bucks, and was in-
corporated in 1720. It is a neat, pleasant place, with 3 churches,
1 bank, a town hall, and market-house; and is favourably situated
for business, at the junction of the DelaAvare canal with the river.
It is a favourite resort of the citizens of Philadelphia.
17. New-Hope is a pleasant and flourishing town on the Delaware,
31 miles above Philadelphia, and opposite Lambertville in New
Jersey, with which it is connected by a fine bridge. It contains
820 inhabitants, an academy, lyceum, and several churches. It has
also several cotton factories, saw-mills, and flour-mills. They are
driven by the water-power of Ingham^s spring, which discharges a
large body of water, and falls 110 feet in two miles.
18. Morrisville is a pleasant borough, with 405 inhabitants, opposite
Trenton. The bridge over the Delaware, connecting it with Trenton,
is 1100 feet long, and consists of 5 arches. The arches are of wood,
and are above the level of the road-way, which is suspended from
them by means of iron rods. Morrisville took its name from Robert
Morris, the financier of the Revolution, who resided here some years,
in a house that was afterwards occupied by General Moreau, of the
French revolutionar}^ army.
19. The Log-college was a celebrated classical seminary, and was
one of the first of the kind established in the state. It was the first
literary institution, higher than a common grammar school, that
existed within the bounds of the Presbyterian church in the United
States. It was established in 1728, by the Rev. William M. Ten-
nent, principally for the purpose of preparing his four sons and
other promising young men for the ministry. They, with others,
13. What members are elected, and
what is the judicial district?
14. Name the townships.
15. Describe Doylestown.
16. Bristol.
17. New- Hope.
IS. Morrisville.
19. What is said of the Log-college ?
120 STATE-BOOK OF PENiNSYLVANIA.
who afterwards became distinguished, were educated there. It was
built of logs, one story high, and about 18 feet square ; and was
situated 19 miles from Philadelphia, on the Old York road, about
one mile from the present Neshaminy church.
20. History. — Bucks was one of the three original counties es-
tablished by William Penn, at his first landing in 1682. It took its
name from Buckinghamshire, (.shortly written Bucks,) Avhere Penn
chiefly resided in England. It first extended as far to the oiorth ^^as
land should be purchased from the Indians^" Before the settlement of
the whites it was occupied by the Neshaminies, a tribe of the Dela-
ware Indians. A considerable settlement had been made in it near
the lower falls of the Delaware, by some English Friends previous
to Penn's landing in 1682. His first dwelling was at the manor of
Peansbunj, on the Delaware, a few miles above Bristol. One of the
out-houses still remains. Here the founder of the state generally
resided while in the country, and held most of his conferences with
the Indians. In 1697, the town of Bristol was laid out, and was the
first seat of justice. By the pea.ceful arts' of the Friends, Bucks
long enjoyed freedom from those Indian hostilities, by which some of
the other settlements were disturbed. In 1733, the famous "walk"
was performed to ascertain the extent of an Indian purchase, from
a point near the Delaware. On this occasion Edward Marshall, a
native of Bucks, accomplished 110 miles from sunrise to sunset, of
a midsummer-day. This so much exceeded the expectations of the
Indians, that they refused to ratifj'- the contract, and it was subse-
quently abandoned. In 1752, Northampton, including the present
county of Lehigh, was separated from Bucks. Little remarkable
occurred till 1775, when the last of the Indians left the county, and
removed to the Wabash. During the Revolutionary war, its proxi-
mity to Philadelphia brought Bucks withm the scope of hostile
movements, and subjected many of its non-combatant citizens to
harassing suspicions and treatment. Since that era, it has held
on the even tenor of its way, growing populous and wealthy from
its favourable position on the Delaware, and vicinity to a constant
market for its surplus produce of every kind.
21. NoTEn Citizens. — The Rev. William M. Tenneni was born in
Ireland in 1673. He came to America in 1716, and, in 1721, settled
in Bucks county. In 1736, he became the pastor of the Neshaminy
Presbyterian congregation, and died in 1746. He was an eminent
classical scholar and founded the school, afterwards called the Log-
college. General Jacob Lrown was born in Bucks county in 1776.
About 1800, he settled in the north-western part of New York,
where he became a brigadier-general of militia. On the breaking
out of the war of 1812, the defence of that frontier devolved on
him, and he defeated the enemy at Ogdensburg, and Sackett's Har-
bour. He afterwards commanded at the battle of Niagara, and the
sortie of Fort Erie. He was a major-general at the close of the
war, and, in 1821, was commander in chief of the army of the United
States. He died in 1828.
20. State some of the hading events in\ 21. Name some of its noted citizc7is .
the history of Bucks.
FIRST CLASS MONTGOMERY.
121
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
1 . Montgomery, a south-eastern county^ is hounded by
Bucks on the N. E., Berks on the N. W., Chester and
Delaware on the S. W., ani^ Philadelphia on the S. E. Its
area is 450 sq. m.
2. It has no mountains. Its surface, especially in the
northern part, is diversified by numerous hills of no great
size.
3. The chief streams are the Schuylkill river, with Per-
Id'O'men, Wis-sa-hick'on, and Man-at-aw'jiy creeks, falling
into it, and Pennypack into the Delaware.
4. The Soil is very various. The great Chester county
limestone valley extends into its south-western townships,
constituting a fertile region. A large portion of the county
is occupied by ret? shales and sandstones, the former com-
posing a soil of easy fertilization. The whole county is
fit for tillage.
5. The principal Minerals are limestone, which is burned
in great quantities for the supply of Philadelphia, and for
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Montgomery ?
2 lias it mountains or hills ?
11
3. Which are the streams?
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
122
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
agricultural purposes; various kinds of valuable marble;
some iron and soapstone ; and formerly lead^ copper^ and
zinc were found, but the mines are not now worked.
6. It contains 30 townships, 2 boroughs, and a number of
considerable villages.
7. The Boroughs are JYorristown, the county-seat, on
the Schuylkill, with 2,937 inhabitants ; and Pottstown, also
near the Schuylkill, with 727. The villages are Sumany-
town,Trappe,NewGoshenhoppen, Lexington, and Willow-
grove.
8. The Public Improvements are the Philadelphia and
Columbia railroad, in the north-west; Reading railroad
and SchuylJdllJYavigation, along the Schuylkill ; the Phil-
adelphia and Norristown railroad ; with turnpikes passino-
through the county from Philadelphia to Bethlehem, Doyles-
town, Reading, and Lancaster; and a very large number
of substantial stone and wooden bridges, in every part of
the county.
9. 'Ihe population in 1840 was 47,241, and the assessed
value of property in 1845, $14,298,100.
10. The Jirst settlers were Swedes and Welsh, in the
south-eastern part, and Germans in the north-western,
where the German language is still spoken.
11. The chief employments of the people are agriculture
and manufactures. The soil has been very much improved
by the application of lime ; and of late years, the addi-
tion of a great variety of manufactures to their former pur-
suits has largely increased their business and wealth.
12. The Literary Institutions are 4 academies, several
female seminaries, 5 libraries, and 67 common schools.
Education is prosperous in several of the townships. It
contains many churches.
13. Montgomery elects 3 members to the House of Rep-
resentatives, and 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Dela-
ware, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the seventh judicial
district.
townships, boroughs,
county-seat, bo-
6. How many
and villages?
7. Wliich are the
roughs, aiul villages?
8. The public improvements?
9. AVhat is the population and assessed
property ?
10. "Who settled the county ?
11. What are their employments and
productions?
12. The literary institutions?
13. How manjf members are elected,
and which is the judicial district?
FIRST CLASS MONTGOMERY. 123
14. The Townships are, jlbington, Cheltenham, Douglas, Upper Dublin,
Franconia, Frederick, Givynedd, Upper Hanover, New Hanover, Ha' field,
Horsham, Limerick, Marlborough, Upper Merion, Lower Merion, Moatgo-
mery, Morcland, Norriton, Perkiomen, Plymouth, Pottsgrove, Lower Pro-
vidence, Upper Providence, Lower Salford, Upper Salford, Springfield,
Towamensing, Whitemorsh, Whi'pain, and Worcester.
15. Norristown is a neai, thriving place. It took its name from
Isaac Norris, one of the first settlers of Philadelphia, and the pro-
prietor of the ground on which it stands. It has groAvn up entirely
since the Revolution. It was laid out in 1784, and incorporated as
a borough in 1812. It contains a handsome court-house, county-
prison, 5 churches, a bank, an academy, and a public library, with
a noble bridge over the Schuylkill. The Norristown railroad, con-
necting it with Philadelphia, and the Reading railroad and Schuyl-
kill canal passmg on the opposite side of the river, have latterly
given an impulse to business and improvement, whose efiects are
already very visible. It is 16 miles N. W. of Philadelphia; 90 E.
of Harrisburg; and 150 IV. E. of Washington.
16. Among the township names, those of Merion and Gwynedd, in
the south, sufficiently indicate their Welsh origin, while Hanover,
Franco?iia, and Frederick, in the north, tell of their German settle-
ment. At Swedesford near Norristown, the Swedish emigrants chiefly
established themselves. All distinctions, however, of national
habits and language are rapidly wearing away from among the de-
scendants of the first settlers. In a few years these names will be
their only mementos, in the same way that those of Perkiomen,
Skippack, and Towamensing, are all that remain of the original Indian
occupants of the soil.
17. In the village of Trappe, which took its name from a tavern
with high steps (called in German Treppe) which stood there in
early times, is seen an ancient German Lutheran church, built in
1743, by the Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, the first minister of the Lutheran
church in the United States.
18. En the northern corner of the county, near New Goshenhop-
pen, there is a settlement of Schwenckfeldters, a German reformed
sect, who fled from persecution in Silesia in 1739. Three years
after their departure, Frederick the Great of Prussia offered them
strong inducements to return, having too late discovered the worth
of those whom he had permitted to be driven into exile. But they
preferred the freedom of their new home, and remained.
19. Valley Forge is situated about 6 miles above Norristown on
the west side of the Schuylkill, and on Valley Creek, near the Ches-
ter county line. Here General Washington, with his almost naked
army, remained in huts from December, 1 777, till June, 1 778 — the very
darkest and gloomiest period of the Revolution. But from the glori-
ous sufferings of Valley Forge, that army of patriots marched to
14. Name the toioiftiips ?
15. Describe Norristotoji ?
16. What is said of the names of places
VI the county?
17. Of the Trappe?
18. Of New Goshtnhoppen?
19. Of Valley Forge ?
124
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the hard-fought field of Monmouth, showing that no privations can
subdue those who contend in a good cause.
20. Montgomery is growing in manvfactta-ing prosperity, with great
rapidity. It contains numerous furnaces, forges, rolling-mills, and
a large establishment at Conshehocken, for making superior
sheet-iron. There are also many cotton and woollen factories, pow-
der and paper-mills, saw-mills, and oil-mills, with a great number of
flour-mills. This prosperous state of things, which is only yet in its
infancy, is caused by the enterprise of the people, and the advan-
tageous posirion of the county on the leading lines of canal and
railroad, which connect the coal and iron region of the state with
its commercial metropolis.
21. History. — Montgomery county, which derives its name from
a county of the same name in Wales, and from the gallant Montgo-
vicry, who fell at Quebec in December, 1775, formed a part of Phila-
delphia till 1784, when it was erected into a separate county. Pre-
vious to the Revolution, it shared the prosperity of the mother
county, having been saved from Indian outrages by the prudent
conduct of the Friends, till the savages had retired far beyond its
borders. During the revolutionary struggle, though not the scene
of any great battle, it witnessed many of the marchings of the
hostile troops, and many acts of individual adventure. After the
battle of Brandy wine, on the 16th of September, 1777, Washington
crossed into Montgomery at Parker^s Ford, in pursuit of the enemy,
but they eluded him and marched to Philadelphia. About the end
of September, he advanced from near Skippack creek to the attack
upon Gcrmanfown, in Philadelphia county, which took place on the
4th of October. There his well-laid plans were mainly defeated by
the obstinate and unexpected defence of Chew's house. After the
battle he returned to Skippack. It was during the winter foUowmg
this active campaign that he lay with his army at Valley Forge.
There is little doubt but that his bold occupation of that command-
ing post, during that critical winter, caused the enemy to evacuate
Philadelphia the following summer, and thus turned the tide of suc-
cess in favour of freedom. Since the separate organization of
Montgomery in 1784, its career has been marked by a quiet but
regular succession of prosperity, which, however, presents few in-
cidents of interest to persons at a distance.
22. Noted Citizens. — Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the father of
General Peter Muhlenberg of the revolutionary army, F. A. Muhlen-
ber, speaker of the lower House of Congress, and of the Rev. H. E.
Muhlenberg, a learned divine of Lancaster, was a native of Han-
over in Germany. He was born in 1711, and came to this country
in 1742, and was a learned, pious, and useful divine. He was the
father of the Lutheran church in America. After establishing
many congregations, he finally settled at the Trappe, where he died
in 1787, aged 76. General Andrew Porter, a colonel in the revolu-
tionary army, who fought with great gallantry at Trenton, Prince-
20. 0/ the maniifactures of Montgo-
mery ?
21. Repent the chhf ei-ents in its history ?
22. Name the most noted citizens, with
their actions ?
FIRST CLASS LANCASTER.
125
ton, Brandywine, and other places, was a native of this county,
where he was born in 1743. He died while surveyor-general of the
state in 1813. David R. Porter, his son, lately governor of the state.
is also a native of this county. Francis R. Shunk, the presen'
governor of the commonwealth, is also a native of this county-
He was born near the Trappe, in 1788.
LANCASTER COUNTY.
1. Lancaster, a south-eastern county, is hounded on the
N. by Dauphin, Lebanon, and Berks, W. by York, S. by
Maryland, and E. by Chester. Its area is 950 square miles.
2. Its chief Mountains are, the hills of the South mowi-
tain on the north, called the Conewaga and the Berks Hills',
the Welsh mountain, extending into the eastern part of the
county from Chester; and the Mine Ridge and Martic Hills,
crossing its southern portion to the Susquehanna. None
of them are very abrupt, or of great elevation.
3. The Streams are, the Susquehanna river, dividing
it from York on the west, into which empty the Con-es-to'ga,
1. AVhat are the class, boundaries,
and area of Lancaster?
11
2. Describe its mountains.
3. Streams.
126
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Pe-que'a, Oc-to-ra'ro, Chi-ques-a-lun'go, Con-o-win'go,
Con'oy, and Con-e-ioa' go* creeks, with their many tribu-
taries.
4. The Soil varies very much. The great Limestone
valley or tract, extending from the hills of the South moun-
tain to those of Martic, and from the Mine Ridge and
Welsh mountain to the Susquehanna hills, and occupying
fully one-half of the whole area of the county, is unsur-
passed by any land in the state for natural fertility. South
of this, the primitive slate land occurs. In its native state
it is not productive, but judicious cultivation, with the free
use of lime and clover, has converted it into a most flou-
rishing agricultural region. Through this slate tract, and
on the south of the Mine Ridge, the limestone of the Great
Chester Valley extends in a narrow belt, half-way across
the county, thus bringing the fertilizing material into the
midst of the lands that most need it. In the northern part
of the county, the red-shales and sand-stones that border the
hills of the South mountain are also susceptible of great
improvement. Nearly the whole of the county is capable
of tillage.
5. The most valuable Minerals are, limestone^ iron-
ore ^ roojingslate, marble, chrome ^ and magnesia. Copper
was formerly mined in the Mine Ridge.
6. Lancaster contains 36 townships, 1 city, 6 boroughs,
and many pleasant and thriving villages.
7. The Towns are, Lancaster city, the county-seat, near
the Conestoga, with a population of 8417 ; the boroughs
of Columbia, with a population of 2719, Marietta, Eliza-
hethtown, Strasburg, Washington, and Manheim, with from
400 to 1000 inhabitants each ; and the villages of JYew
Holland, Churchtown, Soudersburg, Georgetovm, Lampiter
Square, Leesburg, Texas, Millerstown, Bainbridge, Litiz,
Ephrata, Reamstown, Adamstown, Concord, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are: The Philadelphia
and Columbia railroad, crossing the county from east to
* Couewago, pronounced Con-nth-icau' go.
4. Soil.
5. What are its most valuable mine-
rals?
G. flow many townships, cities, bo-
roughs, and villageft ?
7. Name the county-seat and the
towns of the ditFerent kinds.
8. What are the public improve-
ments?
FIRST CLASS LANCASTER. 127
west, the Lancaster and Harrisburg railroad, the Cones-
toga navigation^ from Lancaster to the Susquehanna, where
it unites with the Tide- water canal, the Pennsylvania canal ^
from Columbia to the northern and western parts of the
state; turnpikes ivom. Lancaster to Philadelphia, Harrisburg,
Columbia, and New Holland, with one crossing the north-
ern part of the county from Lebanon, past Ephrata to
Downingtown ; and a very large number of costly and
substantial bridges^ that at Columbia being the longest in
the state.
9. The whole Population^ in 1840, was 84,203, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, .$27,561,973.
10. The FIRST Settlers were Swiss and French Hugue-
nots, who were soon followed by large numbers of German
Mennonists^ both of whom settled in the central part of the
county. Next came the Scotch- Irish, who established
themselves in the north-west, and the Friends from about
Philadelphia, who chiefly seated themselves in the eastern
townships. Many Irish settled in the southern townships.
The English is the prevailing language, but German is
spoken by a large proportion of the population.
11. The chief employment of the people is farming,
their agricultural productions being greater in amount than
those of any other county in the state. There are few
manufactories yet, except those of iron, which are very
numerous, Lancaster having been long noted for the num-
ber of her furnaces and forges. There is also a very
large number of flour-mills.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 3 academies, 3 fe-
male seminaries, many private, and 253 common schools,
with several libraries and literary associations. There are
also 150 places of religious v^^orship.
13. Lancaster elects 5 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Lebanon, 2 to the Senate of the state,
and 1 member of Congress ; and forms the second judicial
district, having also an additional court, called the District
Court.
9. AVhat is the population and property?
10. By wliom was it settled?
11. What are their employment and
productions?
12. The literary institutions?
1-3. AVhat members does it elect, and
what judicial district form ?
128
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
14. The Townships are, Bart, Brecknock, Caernm-von, E. Cocnlko,
W. Cocalico, Colcrain, Conestoga, Conoy, E. Donegal, W. Donegal, Dro-
more, Earl, E. Earl, Elizabeth, Ephrata, Fulton, E. Hcmpjield, W. Hemp-
field, Harrison, E. Lampiter, W. Lampitcr, Lancaster, Leacork, Upper
Leacock, Little Britain, Manheim, Manor, Martic, Mountjoy, Paradise,
Penn, Rapho, Sadsbury, Salisbury, Strasburg, and Warwick.
15. The town of Lancaster, which, with the county, takes its name
from the City of Lancaster in England, was laid out by Andrew
Hamilton, the proprietor of the ground, in 1730. A person, of the
name of George Gibson, then kept a tavern, with the sign of the
Hickory Tree, near the present centre of the city. In 1734, it became
the seat of justice of the county. In 1742, it was first chartered as a
borough. In 1754, it contained 2000 inhabitants. In 1759, barracks
for 500 men were erected in it by the government. In 1763, the
Manor Indians were killed at Lancaster work-house, by thePaxtonJoys.
In 1777, the ancient corporation was re-established by act of Assembly.
During the Revolutionary war, many British prisoners were confined
in Lancaster, on account of its inland position and the known devo-
tion of its citizens to the cause of independence. On the 27th of
September, 1777, Congress met in Lancaster, and next day adjourned
to York. During the same struggle, its celebrated gunsmiths fur-
nished many muskets for the army. In 1794, the turnpike to Phila-
delphia was made. In 1799, it became the seat of state governvient.
In 1800, the population was 4292. In 1812, the seat of government
was removed to Harrisburg. In 1818, it was incorporated as a city.
In 1829, the Conestoga navigation, and in 1834, the State railroad were
completed. In 1837, it was supplied with water from the Conestoga.
In 1838, the common school system was adopted.
16. It is a plain, substantially built town, with streets laid out at
right angles, containing a court-house, jail, county-offices, and a
market-house, neither of them elegant or convenient, 12 churches, an
acadcm}', female seminary, mechanics' institute and librar}^ a num-
ber of elegant common-school houses, 3 banks, 1 savings institution,
a large cotton-factory, and several iron-founderies. It is noted for the
manufacture of rifles, axes, combs, thrashing-machines, and car-
It is 36 miles S. E. of Harrisburg, 62 W. of Philadelphia,
riages.
240 E. of Pittsburg, and 100 N. E. of Washington.
17. Long before the turnpike to Philadelphia was constructed or
thought of, there were two leading roads from that city into Lan-
caster county : the " old continental road," as it was called, passing
direct to the toM^n of Lancaster, anS thence to the Susquehanna;
and the "old king's highway," laid out in 1733, now called the
West Chester road, and passing through that town and Strasburg.
The last-named, when originally laid out, led to " Postlethwaite's,"
the first county-seat, 5 miles S. of Lancaster, near which was " Cones-
toga town," an Indian settlement, where so many treaties and con-
ferences took place betAveen the colonial authorities and the Indians.
18. In 1784, a line of stage-coaches to carry passengers between
Philadelphia and Lancaster was established on the West Chester
14. Name the townships. 17. What roads first led into the county ?
1.5. Rej^eat the history of Lancaster city. 18. What is said of stage and railroad
16. Describe it- travelling?
FIRST CLASS LANCASTER.
129
road.
It made the trip regularly in three days, and was thought to
be a great convenience. Now a person may leave Lancaster at
4 o'clock in the afternoon, spend three hours in Philadelphia, and be
back in Lancaster by 5 o'clock next morning. So great is the
change eifected by the power of steam in a few years.
19. Other changes have also been efiected by the same agency.
A very large proportion of the taverns, which used to be necessary
along the public roads to accommodate the numerous travellers who
passed in carriages or on horseback, and the long line of " Cones-
toga" wagons, have disappeared. The passengers and the goods
are now carried on the railroad. This is a great benefit to society,
though the roads may seem lonely to those who delighted in the
noble teams and well-appointed wagons, with their cheerful bells
and the clear sound of the driver's whip.
30. Some of the older towns have lost much of their business from
this cause, while others have sprung into sudden existence along
the lines of railroad and canal. But the change, if properly im-
proved, need not prove a lasting injury. The borough of Strasburg
IS an instance. Most of its taverns have been discontinued, it is
true, but in their stead respectable seminaries of learning, of differ-
ent grades and for both sexes, are established. Thus, not only are
the morals and the intellects of the rising generation improved, but
even the business of the place is to a great extent sustained, though
in a difierent manner. The same gratifying change has occurred,
but to a greater extent, in West Chester.
2L Many of the old towns of Lancaster county have interesting
legends connected with their earlier history.
22. The village of Ephratn, in the north-western part, was com-
menced about the year 1730, by a religious society called "Seventh-
day Baptists" Though a reformed sect, they, to a certain extent,
adopted the monastic mode of life, having separate buildings or
cloisters for each sex. Some of these ancient structures still re-
main, and present a very singular and interesting appearance.
They are divided into a great number of small apartments or cells,
and on the outside are entirely covered with shingles. The society
early established a paper-mill and a printing-press, and published
many German books and pamphlets. They were decided Whigs
during the Revolution, and, after the battle of Brandywine, con-
verted one of their buildings into an hospital, for 500 of the wounded
soldiers, of whom near 200 died, and were buried in the vicinity.
A monument is now in the progress of erection over the graves of
these patriots.
23. Litiz, 8 miles north of Lancaster is a Moravian settlement,
noted for its schools, its neatness, and its good order. It was laid
out in 1757. The population is about 400. The town belongs to
the Moravian society, and is governed according to their own regu-
lations. The society's buildings are plain and substantial. It con-
19. ^Vhat change have railways and ca-
nals effected ?
20. What other change?
21. Wiat is said nf the older towiis ?
22. What is said of Ei>hrata ?
23. Of Litiz ?
130
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
tains a female seminary, long known as a useful and successful
institution, and a boys' academy, more recently established, but
equally flourishing.
24. Manheim is a quiet old place, 11 miles north-Avest from Lan-
caster, with 400 inhabitants. It was founded in 1761, by Henry
William Steigel, a wealthy German nobleman, who was connected
with the early iron works of the county. He erected an extensive
glass factory in his new town, which has long since disappeared.
25. Strasburg and New Holland were both commenced about the
year 1730, by Germans. They are quiet pleasant towns, each con-
taining about 700 inhabitants, and three churches.
26. Churchtown, in the extreme north-eastern part of the county,
was originally a Welsh settlement, commenced about 1725. From
this circumstance the Welsh 7uountain obtained its name.
27. Mount joy, a thriving town 12 miles north-west of Lancaster,
on the railroad and turnpike to Harrisburg, is of recent growth. It
was laid out in 1812. Its advantageous position, and the richness
of the surrounding country, have caused it to increase rapidly. It
contains two churches. In the vicinity is Dodge's female semi-
nary, a well-known institution.
28. Columbia, 10 miles west of Lancaster, on the Susquehanna, is
the second town for size and business in the county. Its position
on the river, the southern line of turnpike, the railroad from Phila-
delphia to Baltimore, and the Susquehanna canals, confers great
advantages. Accordingly, its growth has been steady and rapid.
Its population is now 2719. It contains seven places of worship,
and a town hall, and is supplied with running water in pipes. It
was first called Wright's ferry, and was laid out by Samuel Wright,
in 1788. The first settlement was made in 1728, by members of
the Society of Friends from Chester county. It was incorporated
as a borough in 1814.
29. Marietta, on the Susquehanna, 3 miles above Columbia, was
long known as Anderson's ferry. It was erected into a borough by
its present name in 1812, and increased rapidly during the specu-
lating times of that period.
It has since ceased to grow
but has
still a considerable trade in lumber, coal, and other articles floated
down the river, and on the canal which passes through it.
30. The great majority of the people of Lancaster county, are
engaged in agriculture, or the smaller manufactures and mechanical
occupations connected with it. It has long been noted for the great
amount and excellence of its grain of all kinds, for its comfortable
and substantial buildings, for the skill of its farmers, and the su-
perior quality of their horses and cattle.
31. During many years, it possessed the less enviable fame of
containing more distilleries for making whisky than any other coun-
ty ; but latterly, this branch of business has very greatly decreased.
24. Of Manheim?
25. Of Straahiirg and New- Holland ?
26. Of Chvrchtoicn?
27. Of Mountjoy?
28. Of Columbia?
29. Of Marietta?
30. What has the county been long twted
for?
31. What about distilleries ?
J*
FIRST CLASS LANCASTER.
131
32. The chief maiyifactories of the county, besides her 270 flour-
mills, are those connected with iron, for which she has long been cele-
brated. They consist of large numbers of furnaces, forges, rolling-
mills, foundries, tilt hammers, and sickle-factories. In addition to
which there are numerous small woollen and other factories, a large
number of saw-mills, and tanneries, and the extensive Lancaster
cotton factory recently erected.
33. About half a mile east of the city, is situated the house for
the employment and support of the poor of Lancaster county. It is
a very extensive building, and during the winter usually contains
near 300 inmates. Attached to it are hospitals for the sick and
insane. This useful establishment is situated on a farm of 235
acres, the produce of which goes to its support, the balance neces-
sary for that purpose being paid by the county treasur5\ The law
for its establishment was passed in 1798, and the main building
erected soon after.
34. History. — The county seems to have been chiefly occupied
by the Conestoga Indians, who had their head town near the Susque-
hanna, on the creek of the same name; but many other tribes fre-
quented it as a hunting-ground. The first permanent settlement in
the bounds of the present county, was probably made by some Swiss
emigrants who arrived about 1709, on the Pequea, near the present
village of Paradise. From 1717 till 1723, large bodies of German
Mennonists and other sects followed, together with many Scotch-Irish.
These last fixed themselves mostly in the north-west part. About
1725, a body of Welsh emigrants seated themselves near Church-
town. In 1728, a number of English Friends from Chester county,
established themselves on the banks of the Susquehanna, at what is
now Columbia. The Scotch-Irish of the southern townships settled
at a later day. In 1729, the county was separately org-amserf, deriv-
ing its name from Lancaster in England, and being the first county
formed after the three original counties erected in 1682. Before
that time it formed part of Chester, and when first organized, includ-
ing all the parts of the province lying to the west and north-west,
llie first temporary jail and court-house were built at Posththwaites',
about 5 miles south-west of the present city of Lancaster. In 1734,
Lancaster became the county seat. In 1736, a violent contest took
place between the authorities of Lancaster and those of Maryland,
about the southern boundary. About 1740, the German Lutherans
began to settle in the county. In 1742, the celebrated Moravian,
Count Zinzindorf, visited it. In 1749, York was taken oft' Lancaster,
Cumberland in 1750, and Berks in 1752. About 1760, the more ad-
vanced settlers were very much harassed by the Indians. In June,
1768, the county was visited by a dreadful hail-storm. In July,
1774, a meeting of the freemen of the county was held in Lancaster,
at which strong resolutions in favour of the rights of the colonies
were adopted, and money collected to aid the citizens of Boston. In
December of the same year, a committee of safety of 60 persons was
chosen by general vote of the freemen of the county, and from this
32. What are its chief 7namif act ories?
33. What is said of the poor-honse ?
34. State the leading events in the history
of the county^ with (heir dates.
132 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
time it efficiently supported the cause of independence; several
regiments were raised among its citizens, and fought bravely. None
of the battles of the Revolution occurred in the county, but during
the gloomy winter of 1777-8, while Washington was encamped at
Valley Forge, General Wayne, with his forces, many of whom were
citizens of Lancaster, lay in Mountjoy township, where they ^.uf-
fered almost equal hardships. During the winter of 1780-1, called
the " hard winter," the frost penetrated from four to five feet into
the ground, and the ears of the cattle were frozen. In 1785, Dau-
phin was taken off Lancaster. In 1790, the population of the county
was 30,179. In 1813, Lebanon was formed into a separate county,
and Lancaster reduced to its present size, since which time nothing
peculiar has occurred in its annals. Its progress has been one of
great but noiseless prosperity.
35. NoTKi) CiTizKxs. — George Boss, one of the signers of the De-
claration of Independence, was a respectable lawyer, born at New
Castle, Del. in 1730, settled in Lancaster in 1751, and died in 1779.
Gen. John Gibson, a brave soldier of the French and Revolutionary
wars, was born at Lancaster in 1740, and died in the western country
in 1822. He was the person to whom, in 1774, Logan delivered his
celebrated speech, of which Gen. Gibson's translation has been
spread over America and Europe. Edward Hand, a skilful physi-
cian and a brave general, during the M^hole Revolutionary war, was
born in Ireland in 1744, and settled in Lancaster in 1774, where
he died in 1802. Gen. Henry Miller was an active and gallant officer
in the Revolutionary army, having been in most of the important
battles fought in this and the neighbouring states. He was also a
general in the war of 1812. He was born in the present city of Lan-
caster in 1741, and died at Carlisle in 1824. Jasper Yeates was born
in Philadelphia in 1745, and settled in Lancaster in 1764. In 1791
he vras appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the state, and
died at Lancaster in 1817. Henry Ernest Muhlenberg, an eminent
clergymen of the Lutheran denomination, a distinguished botanist,
and the author of several botanical works, was born in Montgomery
county in 1753, but settled in Lancaster in 1780, where he died
in 1815. David Ramsay, the American historian, was born in Dro-
more township, in this county, in 1749, and died in South Carolina
in 1815. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. D., president of the Princeton
college,' an eminent scholar and divine, was born in Salisbury
township in 1750, and died in 1819. William Henry, {aiher of Judge
John Joseph Henry author of the Campaign against Quebec under
Montgomery and Arnold, was a citizen of Lancaster. It was he,
who, about 1776, in conjunction with John H. Ranch, of Warwiclc
. township, invented the Screw-auger. Wm. Henry was a man of
a strong mechanical turn of mind, and J. H. Ranch was an inge-
nious blacksmith. The first screw-auger ever made is said to be
still in existence in the neighbourhood of Litiz. Dr. Benjamin S.
Barton, the successor of Dr. Rush, as professor of the practice of
medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, and the author of vari-
35. Name the most noted citizens.
FIRST CLASS YORK.
133
ous works, -was born in Lancaster in 1766, and died in 1815. His
elder brother William, author of several works of merit, was also
born and died at the same place. Robert Fulton, the first who suc-
cessfully applied steam to the purposes of navigation, was born in
the township s^nce called Fulton, in honour of him, in 1765, and
died in 1815. Symon Snyder, governor of the state from 1808 till
1817, was born in the town of Lancaster in 1759, and died in Union
county in 1819. John Eberlc, an eminent physician, medical writer,
and linguist, was born in Manor township in 1789, and died at Lex-
ington, Ky., in 1838.
YORK COUNTY.
1. York, a south-eastern county, is bounded E. by
Lancaster and Dauphin, N. by Cumberland, W. by
Adams, and S. by Maryland. Area 925 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are the South mountain, between it
and Cumberland. The hills are the Con-e-wa'ga in the
north, the Pigeon in the west, and the Slate hills in the
south.
3. The Streams are the Susquehanna river, dividing it
from Lancaster and Dauphin ; and the Yellow-breeches
creek forming its northern boundary, the Conewaga in the
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of York ?
2. Name the mountains and hills.
3. The streams.
12
134
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
north, the Co-do' rus and little Conewaga in the middle, and
Muddy creek in the south, all falling into the Susquehanna."
4. The Soil consists of about one-fifth limesto7ie, the
remainder is slate, gravel, and 7'ed shale. Nearly the
whole may ultimately be made productive.
5. The chief Minerals are iron, limestone, and slate.
6. It contains 28 townships, 6 boroughs, and many
considerable villages.
7. The Boroughs are, York, the seat of justice, on the
Co-do'rus, with a population of 4,779 ; Hanover, Shrews-
bury, Wrightsville, and JYew Holland: the principal vil-
lages are Mechanicsburg, York-Haven, Liverpool, Dover,
Dillsburg, .Wewbury, and Peach-bottom.
8. The Public Improvements are the Susquehanna and
Tide-water canal, from Wrightsville to the Maryland line,
the Co-do'rus JYavigation, from York to the Susquehanna,
the Columbia, York, and Baltimore railway through York;
and turnpikes from York to Lancaster, Harrisburg, Gettys-
burg, and Baltimore, with a number of bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 47,010 ; and the
assessed value of property in 1845 was $9,310,100.
10. The first settlers were English, Germans, and Scotch-
Irish. The Germans now prevail, as does the German
language, in a considerable portion of the county.
11. Their chief pursuit is agriculture, but there are many
iron-works, distilleries, and tanneries.
12. The Productions are large qualities of grain, live
stock, whisky, iron, and some tobacco.
13. The Literary Institutions are an academy and
county lyceum, several private, and 110 common schools.
There are about 50 churches in the county.
14. York elects 3 members to the House of Represen-
tatives, and 1 to the Senate of the state ; and with Adams
1 member of Congress. It forms, with Adams, the nine-
teenth judicial district.
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages ?
8. The public improvements?
9. What is the population and assessed
property of York ?
10. Who settled it ?
11. What are their pursuits?
12. Their productions ?
13. Their literary institutions ?
14. How many memb; is are elected,
and what is the judicial district?
FIRST CLASS YORK.
135
15. The Townships are, Carrol, Chanceford, Lower Chanceford, Codo-
rus, North Codorus, Concwago, Dover, Fair-view, Fawn, Franklin, Heidel-
berg, Hellam, Hopewell, Manchester, West Manchester, Manheim, Monag-
han,' Newberry, Paradise, Peach-bottom, Shrewsbtiry, Springgarden, Spring-
field, Warrington, Washington, Windsor, Lower Windsor, and York.
16. York is a neat, substantially built, and wealthy town. It
contains an elegant and spacious new court-house, a jail, academy,
10 churches, a bank, and a savings' institution, nearly all of brick.
It is supplied with running water from a hill «n the south, and has
four newspapers and several common schools. It is a place of
considerable business, being connected with Philadelphia, Balti-
more, and the neighbouring towns by railway, canal, and turnpike.
It was laid out in 1741, and incorporated in 1807, taking its name
from the city of York in England. It is 24 miles S. of Harrisburg,
83 W. of Philadelphia, and 48 N. of Baltimore.
17. A short distance east of York, the large county poor-house
and hospital are situated.
18. Hanover, with a population of 1070, is 18 miles south-west of
York. It is on the turnpike from Carlisle to Baltimore and the road ^
from York to Fredericktown. It is a quiet, wealthy place, with two
churches and two newspapers.
19. Wrightsville is on the west bank of the Susquehanna, opposite
Columbia, with which it is connected by a long bridge. Here com-
mences the Susquehanna and Tide-water canal, and here, also, the
railroad leading to Baltimore connects with the Pennsylvania rail-
way. It is a pleasantly located and improving town, with 672 in-
habitants.
20. York-Haven is on the Susquehanna at the foot of the Conewago
falls or rapids, to avoid which a canal of a mile in length was con-
structed some years ago. Extensive mills were erected on the water-
power thus created, but the place has not succeeded to the extent
that was expected.
21. The limestone portion of York is chiefly a continuation of
the Lancaster valle}^ and occupies the central part of the county.
It runs into Adams, but grows narrower as it approaches that
county. It is remarkably fertile, well watered, densely settled, and
highly improved.
22. Both on the north and south of the limestone region, the soil
is thin and uneven. Except in York and Hopewell townships, it is
not yet highly cultivated ; but is susceptible of great improvement,
particularly the red shale of the north, and the slate land of the south.
23. York county contains five furnaces and three forges ; and
possesses great advantages for the manufacture of iron, in its ore
banks and extensive forests for the formation of charcoal.
24. Excellent slates for roofing are procured in the south-eastern
part of the county ; and the valuable red sandstone of the north-east
is extensively sought after for architectural purposes.
15. Name the townships.
IG. Describe York.
1 7 . Where is the poor-house ^
18. Describe Hanover.
19. Wrightsvilk.
20. York-Haven.
21. What is said of the lime'itone region '
22. What of the other portions ?
23. What of iron icorks ?
24. Of slate and sandstone?
136
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
25. In the southern part of the county is an extensive tract of
land called the "York barrens." It is not really sterile, but the
want of trees has given it this forbidding name. Many parts of it
are now in the course of being reclaimed, and under judicious cul-
tivation yield good crops.
26. History. — Previous to its settlement by the whites, York
was chiefly occupied by the Si(sqi(channa or Delaware Indians.
About 1716, some Maryland squatters established themselves in its
southern part, but they were driven olT by the provincial authorities
in 1728. The regular settlement of the county was commenced in
1729. The Indian title was finally extinguished in 1736. The first
settlers were English, Germans, and Irish. For some years they
were disturbed by the conflicting territorial claims of Pennsylva-
nia and Maryland. The sherifi' of Lancaster, to which York then
belonged, in 1736, met and defeated Captain Thomas Cresap, (pro-
bably a progenitor of him who afterwards murdered Logan's family,
near Wheeling.) This Cresap was sherifl?" of Baltimore county,
and was at the head of a large force. He was taken prisoner and
lodged m Philadelphia jail. In 1737, these conflicts were terminated
by an order of the king in council, for settling the disputed boun-
daries. In 1749, York, including Adams, was formed into a separate
county, laking its name from Yorkshire in England. In 1777, the
Continental Congress, when it adjourned from Philadelphia, met in
the old court-house of York, after a short stay in Lancaster. Dur-
ing its session there, Philip Livingston, one of the members, died,
and was buried in the grave-yard of the German Reformed Church.
In 1800, York was reduced to its present size by the erection of
Adams. Since that event, little of interest has transpired in its
history.
27. Noted CiTizEifs. — Col. James S/nilh, by birth an Irishman,
but a citizen of York, was one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence. He was the writer of the able " Address to the asso-
ciators of Pennsylvania," published by the Provincial Conference on
the 25th of June, 1776. He was a sound lawyer and an unflinching
patriot. He was born about 1720, and died at York in 1806. Gene-
ral James Kwing was born in Lancaster county in 1736, but settled
early in York. He was a lieutenant in Braddock's expedition. He
served with distinction, through the whole Revolution, and rose to
the rank of Brigadier-general. He died in York county, in 1806.
Thomas Campbell, a captain in the Revolutionary army, and a gallant
officer, w-as also a citizen of York. General John Clark was born
in York county in 1751. He served with distinction in the Revolu-
tionary army, was an aid-de-camp to General Greene, and possessed
the confidence of General Washington. William Lenhart, a pro-
found mathematician, was a native of the borough of York. Chris-
tian Gohrecht, an eminent engraver and die-sinker of Philadelphia,
was born at Hanover.
25. Of the York barrens ?
26. Repeat the chief events in the history
of York.
27. Na^ne the noted citizens, and the acts
for which each became distinguished.
FIRST CLASS ADAMS COUNTY.
137
ADAMS COUNTY.
1. Adams, a south-eastern county, is hounded E. by York,
N. by Cumberland, W. by Franklin, and S. by Maryland.
Area 530 square miles.
2. The South Mountain separates it from Cumberland
and Franklin. The rest of its surface is.uneven^ being tra-
versed by several ridges of trap rock.
3. It has no large Rivers. Rock, Marsh, and Middle
creeks, the head waters of the Mon-oc' a-cy flow southward
into Maryland ; Latimore, Bermudian, and 0-pos'sum, the
sources of the Con-e-wa'go, run eastward into York.
4. The Soil is various. In the south-east part, adjoin-
ing York and near the South mountain, there is limestone,
and of course fertile land. Of the remainder, the greater
part is red-shale and trap, both easily fertilized by lime.
The whole of the county, except the portion occupied by
the South mountain, is tillable.
5. The CHIEF Minerals are, limestone, extensively used
as a manure ; iron, which is worked to some extent, and
some copper. Potomac marble also occurs.
6. Adams contains 18 townships, 2 boroughs, and nu-
merous villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Gettysburg, the seat of justice,
1. What are the class, boundaries, I 5. Chief minerals ?
and area of Adams ?
2. Its mountains?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
i and villages.
12*
138
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
with 1908 inhabitants, and Berwick or Jihhottstown ; and
the villages are Petersburg ^ Berlin^ Littlestown, Oxford,
Fairfield^ and Cashtown.
X 8. The Public Improvements are, the unfinished
Gettysburg Extension railroad, designed to connect the
Columbia with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad ; turn-
•pikes to Chambersburg, Carlisle, York, and Baltimore ;
and many substantial bridges.
9. The Population in 1840 was 23,044, and in 1845
the assessed value of property was $4,339,531.
10. The first settlers were Scotch-Irish^ but more re-
cently the German race have increased. Their pursuits
are agricultural.
11. The Productions are, all kinds of grain and cattle,
and some iron.
12. The Literary Institutions are, Pennsylvania
College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary^ both near,
and an academy and female seminary in Gettysburg, and
85 common schools in the whole county.
13. Adams elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Franklin, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
with York, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the nineteenth
judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Berwick, Conewago, Cmnherlayxd, Frattklin,
Freedom, Germany, Hamilton, Hamiltonban, Huntingdon, Latimore, Liberty,
Menallcn, Mounljoy, Mount Pleasant, Reading, Straban, Tyrone, and
Union.
15. Gettysburg, so named from the first proprietor of the ground,
is a quiet, neat town. It was incorporated in 180G, has the usual
county-buildings, wi-th seven churches, and is supplied with running
water. Pennsylvania college and the Lutheran seminary are large
and beautiful edifices. Near it, on the north, is a county poor-house.
It has long been noted for the manufacture of carriages, and the
branches of industry connected with that business. It is 114 miles
W. of Philadelphia, 36 S. of Harrisburg, and 52 N. W. of Balti-
more.
16. Its retired position, cheap living, and moral population render
it an eligible place for the education of youth. Hence its literary
institutions are in a most flourishing condition, and are yearly add-
ing to their number of students.
8. The public improvements.
9. W^iatis the population and assessed
property ?
10. Who were the fir.st settlers ?
11. What are the productions?
12. The literary insliuitions ?
13. JTow many members are elected,
and what is the judicial district?
14. Name the. toivnships.
15. Describe Gettysburg.
16. What is said of its literary institti^
tions ?
FIRST CLASS ADAMS COUNTY. 139
17. Petersburg is a pleasant town, 13 mOes N. E. of Gettysburg.
It contains about 250 inhabitants, with a church and an academy.
18. Near Petersburg are the York springs, an agreeable summer
retreat, long frequented by many who have derived great benefit
from the pure air and healing waters of the place. Sulphur is their
chief mineral ingredient.
19. Adams is chiefly an agricultural county, and in no* part of
the state is the judicious use of lime adding more to the wealth of
the farmer. Tracts of land that heretofore scarcely repaid the
labour of tillage, are now as flourishing and productive as any part
of the state.
20. History. — While Adams formed part of Lancaster, little re-
markable occurred in its early annals. The South mountain and
the more advanced Conecocheague settlement, in Franklin, seem,
in a great degree, to have protected it from the ravages of the West-
ern Indians. Its first settlers were Scotch-Irish, who took up their
residence about 1740. They bore with them their usual love of
learning, one of the first classical schools in the interior of the state
havmg been established by them, in the Marsh Creek settlement.
In 1749, York, including Adams, was separated from Lancaster.
From this time till the end of the century, a want of similarity of
language and habits between the Germans of the eastern, and the
Scotch-Irish of the western part of the county, produced a feeling
which finally led to the formation of Adams into a separate county
in 1800. It took its name from the elder President Adams. It is
somewhat remarkable that the quiet tide of German enterprise has
since carried that class of citizens so largely over the line of
division, that at the present time their language is the common
tongue of many parts of the county which was organized to exclude
them.
21. Noted Citizens. — Captain Nicholas Bittinger, of Adams, who
died in 1804, aged 78, was amongst the first to take up arms in the
Revolution. He was made prisoner while fighting gallantly at Fort
Washington, and endured a tedious captivity and much hardship.
Capiain David Wilson, also a brave soldier of the Revolution, was
born in this county in 1752, and was recently living near the place
of his birth. WiUiajn Paxton, D. D., was born in Lancaster county
in 1760.- In company with his father, he was at Trenton with Gen.
Washington on the night of January 2, 1777. He afterwards studied
divinity, and became pastor of Lower Marsh Creek church (the
first established in Adams county) in 1792. He continued in the
exercise of the ministry at Marsh Creek till 1841, when the infirmi-
ties of age obliged him to retire. He died in 1845, and was a man
of great eloquence and clearness of mind.
17. 0/ Petersburg ?
13. Of the York spri?igs ?
19 QrLime.
20. Detail the events of the history of
Adams, ivith their dates.
21. Name the noted citizens.
140
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
SECOND CLASS.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
40'^45'N
N. JERSEY
1 Easton.
2 BetWehem.
Nazareth.
Richmond.
Williamsburg.
Cherry valle.
Wind Gap.
8 Water Gap.
1. Northampton, a Cumberland Valley county, is
bounded E. by New Jersey, N. by Monroe and Carbon,
W. by Lehigh, and S. by Bucks. Its area is 370 square
miles.
2. The Mountains are, the Kittatinny^ or Blue moun-
tain, on the north, and the South mountain on the south,
forming the barriers of the Cumberland Valley.
3. The Streams are, the Delaware river on the east,
separating it from New Jersey, and the Lehigh on the west,
from Lehigh county. Bushkill and Martin'' s creeks fall into
the former, and Saucon, Mon-oda-cy, and Hock' en-dock
into the latter.
4. The Soil is that which is common to the Cumberland
Valley counties. Among the primary hills of the South
mountain, with the exception of a few small valleys, it is
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Northampton ?
2. The mouritalnb ?
3. Streams?
4. Describe the soil.
SECOND CLASS — NORTHAMPTON.
141
not fertile. Next occurs the broad belt of fertile lime-
stone land, constituting the richest portion of the valley.
Beyond this, an extensive tract of slate land, which is of
easy fertilization by proper culture, extends to the Kitta-
tinny. The whole of the county, except the small por-
tion occupied by the Kittatinny and South mountain, is
productive.
5. The Minerals are, limestone, iron-ore, slates, and
hydraulic cement.
6. Northampton contains 15 townships, 3 boroughs, and
many considerable villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Easton, the county-seat, at the
confluence of the Lehisfh'with the Delaware, with 4865
inhabitants, Bethlehem and South Easton. The villages
are, JYazareth, Richmond, Williamsburg, Cherryville, ^t.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Delaware divi-
sion of the state canal, from tide-water on the Delaware at
Bristol to Easton, where it connects with the Lehigh JYavi-
gatlon, which follows the last-named stream into the coal
region. At Easton, also, the Morris canal commences,
leading across New Jersey to New York. There are a
number of turnpikes in the county, one of which runs from
Easton northward, through the Wind Gap, and several
large bridges. *
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 34,000, and the
assessed value oi property, in 1845, $12,005,718.
10. The earliest settlers were the Scotch- Irish ; they
were soon followed by Moravians, and other German sects.
The German population and language now prevail.
11. The main occupation of the people is agriculture,
but iron-works and other manufactures, with the trans-
portation of coal and lumber, are carried on to some
extent.
12. Their Productions, such as all kinds of grain, beef,
pork, and mutton, find a ready market in Philadelphia and
the coal region.
5. What are the minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages .
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
&. The public improvements.
9. What is the population and assessed
property ?
10. W'ho settled the county?
11. What are their occupations?
12. The productions ?
142 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
13. The Literary Institutions are, La Fayette college,
a number of academies and seminaries, and 144 common
schools. Education is in a tolerably prosperous state.
14. Northampton, with Monroe, elects 3 members to the
House of Representatives, and with Lehigh, 1 to the
Senate of the state ; and with Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and
Wayne, 1 member of Congress. It is in the third judicial
district.
15. The Townships are, Mien, E. Allen, Bethlehem, Bushkill, Forks,
Hanover, Lehigh, Moore, Upper Mount Bethel, Lower Mount Bethel, Upper
Nazareth, Lower Nazareth, Plainficld, Saucon and Williams.
16. Easton, which seems to have been so designated on account
of its eastern position in the province, was, in the early records,
called the "Forks of the Delaware," Oie Delaware and Lehigh there
uniting. It was a favourite seat of the Delaware Indians. It seems
to have been laid out in 1738, but did not receive many inhabitaats
till 1752, when the county was organized. Several councils with the
Indians were held here, and treaties made between the last named
year and 1761, in which the celebrated Delaware chief, Teedyuscund
participated. It was here that he compelled the Six Nations to ac-
knowledge the independence of his tribe. Easton was erected into
a borough in 1789. It is one of the most pleasant and thriving
towns in Pennsylvania ; its position on the Delaware and Lehigh,
with their canals, and in the rich Cumberland Valley, conferring
advantages not often equalled. It has an ancient court-house, a
county jail and offices, an academy, bank, insurance office,
6 churches, a public library, and a cabinet of minerals. In the
town, or its immediate vicinity, there are also a large number of
flour-mills, with oil and saw-mills. It is supplied with water in
pipes from a spring about a mile distant, and has bridges over the
Delaware, Lehigh, and Bushkill. It is 56 miles N. of Philadelphia,
105 N. E. of Harrisburg, and 310 E. of Pittsburg.
17. South Easton is a busy manufacturing place, with about
700 inhabitants, on the opposite side of the Lehigh, about 1 mile
above Easton. It has a cotton, a rifle, and a wire factory, a furnace
and foundery, with several flour and saw-mills, all propelled by
water-power from the Lehigh canal.
18. La Fayette College, a manual labour institution, in which the
students are enabled by light labour to pay for a portion, or the
whole of their own support and instruction, is on a hill near the
town, north of Bushkill creek. The main building is a noble edifice,
and the institution is in a flourishing condition.
19. Bethlehem, a large Moravian town on the Lehigh, 11 miles
above Easton, was founded in 1740. It is now the chief settlement
of the United Brethren, or Moravians, in the United States, and con-
13. The literary institutions ?
14. "What members are elected, and
which judicial district is it in ?
15. Name the townships.
16. What is said of Ea&ton?
17. Of South Easton ?
18. Of La Fayette College?
19. OfBethkhan?
SECOND CLASS NORTHAMPTON. 143
tains 1622 inhabitants. It is noted for its neatness, good order, and
the excellence of its boarding-schools for both sexes.
20. Nazareth, 10 miles north of Bethlehem, another Moravian
town, also contains a flourishing academy for boys, managed by the
society. This town was first commenced by the celebrated George
Whitfield in 1739. He commenced a building, yet standing, which he
intended as a school for African children ; but before it was finished,
he disposed of it to Count Zinzindorf, who completed the edifice.
21. At Gnadenthal, near Nazareth, the county poor-house is esta-
blished.
22. About two miles south of the Water Gap is an extensive slate
quarry and manufactory. Besides a vast quantity of roofing slate,
a large number of school-slates are here prepared and framed by
means of ingenious machinery.
23. The Delaware Water Gap, the Wind Gap, and the Lehigh Water
Gap, three remarkable passes in the Kittatinny mountain, all de-
serve the notice of travellers. Few combinations of mountain and
river scenery present greater attractions to the admirer of the grand
and beautiful, than the pass in the Kittatinny through which the
Delaware seems to have burst its way. The Wind Gap, about mid-
way between the two Water Gaps, is not traversed by any stream.
It is merely a remarkable depression of the Kittatinny, almost to
the level of the adjoining plain, and as such has become the point
to which the leading roads of the vicinity tend for a passage through
the mountain.
24. History. — Immediately after the noted "walking-purchase"
of 1733, Northampton, then a part of Bucks, began to be settled by
Scotch-Irish. They long bore the brunt of defending the frontier
against the Indians. In 1740, the Moravians established themselves
at Bethlehem, and succeeded Whitfield at Nazareth. The Lutheran
and other German settlers came in at a later date. The county was
erected in 1752 by the name of Northampton, after a county of the
same name in England. Braddock's defeat in 1755 reduced this
frontier settlement to great straits, and exposed it to the merciless
barbarities of the Indians. During the Revolutionary war, it ex-
perienced more than the ordinary vicissitudes of that trying time,
being directly on the termination of the war-path from the north, by
which the Indians were in the habit of descending on the lower set-
tlements. Soon after the close of the Revolution, the original Scotch-
Irish settlers began to move farther westward and northward, and
Northampton rapidly filled with German citizens. In 1798, Wayne
was separated from it. In 1799, Fries' rebellion disturbed this and
the adjoining counties. In 1812, Lehigh, and in 1835 Monroe, were
taken ofi", and in 1843, Northampton was reduced to its present size
by the organization of Carbon county.
25. Noted Citizexs. — George Wolf, governor of the state from
1829 till 1835, was born in Northampton county in 1777, and died
in 1840. He was distinguished for his unwavering advocacy of the
20. Of Nazareth? 1 '•£i. Of the ga-ps in the Kittatinny?
21. Where is the poor-house? 1 '2^. Repeat the history of the county.
22 What is said of slates ? \ 25. Na>ne the noted men.
144
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
common school system. David Brainerd, the celebrated Indian mis-
sionary, visited this and other parts of the state a number of times.
About 1745, he built a cabin at Mount Ikthd. He was a native of
Connecticut, where he was born in 1718, and died in Massachusetts
in 1747. Count TAnzindorf, the early protector and subsequently
the leader of the Moravians, also visited the missionary stations of
that society, in Northampton, a number of times between 1741 and
1743. He was born in Europe in 1700, where he died in 1760.
Ev^en before these attempts to convert the Indians, the celebrated
George Whitfield had been at the " Forks of the Delaware." As early
as 1739 he commenced his building at Nazareth. He was born in.
England in 1714, and died in 1770, in Massachusetts.
LEHIGH COUNTY.
SCHUYLKILL ^l^V^^f'/^"^
BERK
1 Allentown. 5 MillerstowTi.
2 Trexleitown. 6 Fryburg.
3 Foglesville. 7 Saegersville.
4 Emmaus. 8 Lynnville.
1. Lehigh, a Cumberland Valley county, is bounded N. E.
by Northampton, N. W. by Carbon and Schuylkill, S. W.
by Berks, and S. E. by Bucks. Jirea 350 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, the Kiitatinny mountain on the
north, and the South mountain, here called the Lehigh
hills ^ on the south.
3. The Streams are, the Lehigh river, and its tributaries
Saucon, Little Lehigh, Jordan, Copley, and Trout creeks,
with the head waters of Maiden creek, which flows west-
ward through Berks to the Schuyl/dll.
4. The Soil is the usual rich limestone and slate land
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Lehigh?
2. Its mountains ?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
SECOND CLASS LEHIGH. 145
of the Cumberland Valley ; that of the mountain is sterile.
All the rest is tillable.
5. The chief Minerals are abundance of limestone and
iron-ore, rocfing slate, some hydraulic cement, and cop-
peras.
6. Lehigh contains 13 townships, 1 borough, and se-
veral pleasant villages.
7. The Borough of Allentown, the county-seat, is on
the Lehigh, and contains 2493 inhabitants. The villages
are Em'ma-us, Miller st own, Foglesville,Trexlerstown,Frey-
burg, Saegersville, and Lynnville.
8. The Public Improvements are the Lehio-h Navijra-
tion, along the river, leading from Easton into the anthra-
cite coal region, and turnpikes from Allentown to Reading,
and Easton, with several large bridges.
9. The population, in 1840, was 25,787, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $8,367,110.
10. The EiRST Settlers were Scotch-Irish, but they
were soon followed by large numbers of Germans, who
now form the great bulk of the population.
11. Their chief Occupation \s farming, though there are
several extensive iron works, and some smaller manufac-
tories. The German language is chiefly spoken.
12. Their main Productions are grain, cattle, pork,
and iron, with some other articles.
13. The Literary Institutions are not numerous.
They are an academy, 82 common, and several private
schools.
14. Lehigh, with Carbon, elects 2 members to the House
of Representatives, with Northampton 1 to the Senate of
the state, and with Bucks, 1 member of Congress, and is
in the third judicial district.
. 15. The Townships are, Hanover, Heidelberg, LmvhiU, Lynn, Upper
Macungie, Lower Macungie, Upper Milford, Northampton, Salisbury, Upper
Saucon, Weiscnberg, N. Whitehall, and S. Wliitchall.
16. Allextows-, formerly called the borough of Northampton, is
5. Minerals ?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, and the vil-
lages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Wlio settled Lehigh ?
11. What are their employments^
12. Their productions?
13. The literary institutions?
14. How many members are elected?
What is the judicial district?
15. Name the townshix>s.
13
146
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
beautifully situated on an eminence near the river Lehigh. It is a
well built, prosperous, and remarkably healthy town, with 2493 in-
habitants. It contains a spacious court-house and county prison,
5 churches, an academy, 2 libraries, a bank, and the buildings of a
homoeopathic medical college. It is supplied with pure water from
a spring in the vicinity. There are also several mills, a foundery,
a large and substantial stone bridge over Jordan creek, and one of
wood across the Lehigh, near the town. It was laid out before the
Revolution, by William Mien, chief justice of the province, from
whom it derives its name. It was incorporated in 1811, and is 55
miles N. of Philadelphia, 87 N. E. of Harrisburg, and 290 E. of
Pittsburg.
17. Emmaus is a small Moravian village at the foot of the
South mountain, about 5 miles south-west of Allentown.
18. The Lehigh Water-Gap, at the point where the river has made
its way through the Kittatinny, forms a scene singularly grand and
beautiful. The mountain, on either hand of the traveller as he
passes the gap, rises a thousand feet. It is very steep, yet covered
with trees from the summit to the level of the river. After beholding,
from the plain, the regular chain of the Kittatinny, which stretches
away to the east and to the west, in a straight line, and then ex-
amining the sudden gap in its huge wall through which the river
peacefully flows, it is impossible not to attribute the chasm to the
agency of water; or to prevent the mind from endeavouring to
realize the power and state of the element \rhen it burst the rocky
barrier.
19. Lehigh is not only one of the richest agricultural counties
for its size, in the state, but bids fair still to increase its wealth
by means of manufactories. The beds of superior iron-ore, which
are chiefly met among the hills of the South mountain, the water
power, the cheap and constant supply of anthracite coal delivered
along its whole eastern border by the Lehigh Navigation, and
the ready access to market, present elements for the application
of capital and industry not often surpassed.
20. History. — Lehigh, so called from the river which separates
it from Northampton, is written Lecha in German, which probably
comes nearer the true pronunciation of the Indian name of the river
than its English orthography. The county formed part of North-
ampton till 1812, when it was separately organized. It pre-
viously shared the fortunes, and was embraced in the history of the
mother county. During the years 1798 and 1799, the present
county of Lehigh, together with parts of Berks, Northampton, and
Bucks, was the scene of an opposition to the laws of the United
States, called " Fries' rebellion.'" The popular feeling was roused
against paying a direct tax called " the house tax." The officers
of the government appointed to collect it were opposed and driven
ofl". Fries, the leader, was tried for treason and sentenced to be
hung, but was subsequently pardoned by the President. Others
16. Describe Alleyitown.
17. Erntnaiis.
IS. Th« Lehigfi Water-Gap.
19. TheresoK rces of LeJi igh .
20. Repeat its histori/. irith lintfx.
SECOND CLASS BERKS.
147
were fined and imprisoned, after which order was again restored.
The improvement of the Lehigh, by the Navigation Company, was
commenced in 1818. That event has added greatly to the pros-
perity of the county. In January, 1841, the company's works were
almost destroyed by an ice flood, but have since been reconstructed.
BERKS COUNTY.
1. Berks, a Cumberland Valley county, is bounded on
the S. -E. by Chester and Montgomery, N. E. by Lehigh,
N. W. by Schuylkill, and S. W. by Lancaster and Le-
banon. Area 920 square miles.
2. The Mountains are, the Kittatinny or Blue mountain,
in the N., and the South mountain in the S., the latter
being broken into many irregular hills.
3. The Streams are the Schuylkill river, crossing the
county near its centre from north to south, with its tribu-
tary creeks, Maiden^ Man-at-aw'ny, Tul-pe-hodken^ Little
Swa-ta'ra^ JYorth Killj and other small streams.
4. The Soil is various. The fertile limestone valley be-
tween the two mountain ranges, composes one-third of
1. What are the class, boundaries.
and area of Berks?
2. Which are its mountains?
3. Its streams ?
4. Describe its soil.
148 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the county. The shale land and of the South mountain
is highly favourable for cultivation ; and the slate land
bordering on the Khtatinny is susceptible of easy im-
provement. The whole county, except the mountainous
portion, will be ultimately rendered productive.
5. The most valuable Minerals are iron-ore^ limestone^
and some hydraulic lime.
6. Berks has 36 Townships, 4 boroughs, and many
thriving villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Readings the seat of justice, on
the Schuylkill, with 8410 inhabitants ; Womelsdorf^ Kutz-
town, and Hamburg; and the villages are, Mo)gantown,
Rehrersburg, Meiiztown, Slouchburgj Bernville, Pricetown^
and Unionville.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Schuylkill ca-
nal and Reading railroad^ both connecting Reading with
Philadelphia and Pottsville, and the Union canal from
Reading to the Susquehanna. There are also turnpikes
from Reading to Philadelphia, Pottsville, Harrisburg, &c.,
and numerous bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, w^as 64,569. Assessed
value of property, in 1845, w^as $19,874,816.
10. The first settlers were mostly German^ as are the
present population and language. Their main employ-
ment is agriculture^ though manufactures have latterly
much increased.
11. Their Productions are such as are common to a
rich farming district. Grain of all kinds is raised in
abundance. Many iron furnaces ^ forges^ and rolling-mills^
w^ith a large number of grain-mills and distilleries^ are
among their means of wealth.
12. The Literary Institutions are neither numerous
nor flourishing. They are 3 academies, 1 female seminary,
a number of private, and 47 common schools.
13. Berks elects 4 members to the House of Represen-
5. Name its minerals.
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages?
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty?
10. By whom was Berks settled?
n. "What are the productions?
12. The literary institutiojis?
Vi. How many members are elected,
and what is the judicial district?
SECOND CLASS — BERKS.
149
tatives, and 1 to the Senate of the state, and 1 member of
Congress ; and is in the third judicial district.
14. The Townships of Berks are, Albany, Alsace, Amity, Bern^
Upper Bern, Bethel, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Centre, Colebrookdale, Cumru,
District, Douglas, Earl, Exeter, Greenicich, Upper Heidelberg, Lower Hei-
delberg, N. Heidelberg, Hereford, Longsivamp, Maidcncreek, Marion, Max-
atawny, Oley, Penn, Pike, Richmond, Robeson, Rockland, Rusco7nbmanor,
Tulpehocken, Upper Tidpehocken, Union, Washington, Windsor.
15. REAni>'G,atavery early day, reached the full size of an ordinary
county town, and then for many years remained nearly stationary.
But the feAv past sea ons have produced much improvement. It is
delightfully seated on the Schuylkill, in a pleasant plain at the foot
of Perm's mount, from the top of which there is a noble prospect.
It is regularly laid out according to Penn's system of right angles,
and is remarkable for smooth, hard, clean streets. The gravel with
which they are covered is from the adjoining mountain, where it is'
found in a state nearly ready for use. The town is noted for its
high steeples and elegant court-house. It has the other usual
county buildings, 12 churches, 2 banks, and 2 market-houses; and
is supplied with pure runnmg water, and has seven newspapers, of
which three are German. There are a number of manufactories of
iron, such as nail, and rolling-mills, founderies, steam-engine, gun-
barrel, and auger factories ; also grain and saw-mills, with esta-
blishments for making agricultural implements, and many other
articles, all driven by steam. It was formerly noted for the manu-
facture of wool-hats, shoes, and stone-ware, which is still carried on
to some extent. The town was laid out by the Penns in 1748, and
took its name from the city of Reading, in Berkshire, England.
During the Revolution many of the citizens of Philadelphia re-
treated thither. It was incorporated as a borough in 1783; and is
52 miles N. W. from Philadelphia, and the same distance E. from
Harrisburg.
IG. Three miles S. of Reading is the large county poor-house, with
a farm of 480 acres, which at one time belonged to Gov. Mifflin.
17. Womclsdorf is a pleasant town on the turnpike, 14 miles W.
of Reading, with 849 inhabitants. It is in a rich agricultural
region near the Tulpehocken creek.
18. Kutztown is 17 miles E. of Reading, on the Manatawny. It
contains 693 inhabitants, and two churches.
19. Hamburg is on the Schuylkill, 15 miles N. of Reading. It
contains 500 inhabitants, and has a bridge across the river.
20. Sinking Spring, near the Harrisburg turnpike, 5 miles E. of
Reading, is something of a natural curiosity. The water here rises
and disappears again in the same basin. The Dragon's Cave, in
Richmond township, has one chamber 50 feet long, 20 wide, and 20
high. It is in the limestone rock.
14. Name the tow7iskips.
15. What is said of Reading ?
16. Js there a poor-house '!
17. What is said of Womtlsdorf?
13
1?. Of Kutztoivn?
10. Of Hamburg?
SO. Of Sinking Spring
Care?
*
and Dragon''s
150 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
21. Berks has many advantages of position, that must ere long
vastly increase its population and prosperity. The canal and rail-
road which connect the commercial capital of the state with the
anthracite coal region traverse its whole length. Thus not only
has it a cheap and ready means for the transportation of its rich
produce to the seaboard, but the prospect of an increasing and more
certain market among the dense and busy population that must
soon cover the coal counties on the north. In addition to this, the
establishment of various manufactures in the county will be the
effect of its vicinity to coal, its abundance of iron, and other local
inducements.
22. HisToiiT. — The settlement of Berks was commenced about
1734, by Germans, principally of the Lutheran and German Re-
formed denominations. After Reading was laid out in 1748, and
the county organized in 1752, the population increased rapidly.
Berks was formed out of parts of Philadelphia, Chester, and Lan-
caster, and at first included portions of the present counties of
Northumberland and Schuylkill. The former was taken off in
1772. The county derived its name from Berkshire, (written
Berks,) in England. For many years the inhabitants were kept in
alarm by the Indians, but this altogether ceased after General Sulli-
van's expedition against the northern Indians in 1779. During the
Revolutionary war, though the county was never the scene of hos-
tilities, it sent many of its sons forth in the common cause ; since
that period little of interest has happened. In 1811, a portion of its
territory was included in the county of Schuylkill then formed.
23. NoTKi) Citizens Conrad Weiscr was chief interpreter and
agent of the province among the Six Nations of Indians. He was
born in Germany in 1796, and emigrated in 1713, and finally settled
near Womelsdorf. On many occasions he was of the greatest ser-
vice to the province, by his influence with the Indians. The Rev.
H. A. Muhlenberg, late minister to Austria, was the son of the Rev.
H. E. Muhlenberg of Lancaster, and of a daughter of C. Weiser.
Joseph Heistcr was born in Berks in 1752. He entered the Revolu-
tionary army young; was in the battle of Long Island ; a prisoner
in the prison ship Jersey; as soon as exchanged, again in the ser-
vice of his country, and at the battles of Germantown and Brandy-
wine ; after the peace, was long a member of the state legislature
and of Congress ; and finally elected governor of the state, and
died in 1832. Colonel Thomas Hartley was born in Berks in 1748,
but early settled in York. He served with distinction in the Revo-
lution. He was long a member of Congress ; and died in York in
1800. Three of the governors of the Commonwealth were natives
of Berks : Joseph Heister, J. A. Shulze, and Joseph Ritner.
21. What advantages does Berks pos- \ 22. What is its history ?
sess ? 23. Who were the most noted citizens ?
SECOND CLASS LEBANON.
151
LEBANON COUNTY. .
1. Lebanon, a Cvmherland Valley county, is hounded
on the N. E. by Berks and Schuylkill, on the N. W. and
W. by Dauphin, and on the S. by Lancaster. Area 300
square miles.
2. The Mountains are, the Kittatinny on the north, and
the South mountain, called the Conewago hills, on the south.
3. The Streams are, the Swa-ta'ra with its branches,
Little Swatara, Quit-a-pa-hil'lay and Indian creek, dis-
charging into the Susquehanna, and the Tul-pe-hock'eji,
into the Schuylkill.
4. The Soil is chiefly the productive limestone and slate
land of Cumberland Valley. The soil of the mountains
north and south is sterile, but the proportion is not large.
5. The Minerals are abundance of limestone and con-
siderable quantities of iron-ore, the latter being met of a
superior quality in the edge of the South mountain.
6. Lebanon contains 12 townships, 1 borough, and a
number of callages.
7. The Borough of Lebanon, the county-seat, is situ-
ated near the Quitapahilla, and contains 1860 inhabitants;
the villages are Jonestown, Myerstown, Camphellstown,
Palmyra, Miller stown, Shaefferstown, JYew Lebanon, &c.
1. What are the class, boiuidaries,
and area of Lebanon?
2. Wliat are the mountains?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. f^o^v many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the couniy-seat and the vil-
lages.
152
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Union canal, which
passes near the town of Lebanon, connecting the Schuyl-
kill with the Susquehanna. It has a branch extending to
Pinegrove, in Schuylkill county. There is a turnpike from
Reading to Harrisburg, through Lebanon ; and another
through the southern part of the county, from Hummels-
town in Dauphin, to Downingstow-n in Chester.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 21,872, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, $7,237,563.
10. The earliest settlers of Lebanon, in common with
most other parts of Cumberland Valley, were Scotch-Irish.
These have latterly been almost wholly displaced by Ger-
mans. The German language is generally spoken.
11. The c\\\ei employment of the people is agriculture,
though some are engaged in iron-works and in transporta-
tion on the Union canal.
12. Their main Productions are all the kinds of grain,
cattle, and other articles, usually found in a rich agricul-
tural district ; and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are few. They are an
academy and female seminary, and 38 common, with several
private schools. There are over 20 churches in the county.
14. Lebanon elects one member to the House of Rep-
resentatives, and, with Lancaster, 2 to the Senate of the
state ; with Dauphin and Schuylkill, 1 member of Con-
gress ; and is in the tw^elfth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, N. Anville, S. Anville, Bethel, E. Hanover, Hei-
delberg, Jackson, N. Lebanon, S. Lebanon, Londonderry, Millcreck, Swatara,
and Union.
16. Lebanon is a pleasant town, and being on the Union canal,
and the seat of justice of an extremely rich, though small county,
possesses considerable business. The buildings are generally of
brick and stone. It contains a spacious court-house, a jail, a market-
house, an academy, a public library, a bank, and 6 churches. It
was laid out about the year 1750, by a person of the name of
Steitze, from whom, for many years, it was called Steitze's town. It
was incorporated in 1821, taking the present name from the town-
ship in which it is situated. It is 25 miles E. of Harrisburg, 28 W.
of Reading, 80 N. W. of Philadelphia, and 227 E. of Pittsburg.
8. The public improvements.
9. "What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled I-ebanon?
11. AVhai is their chief employment?
12. The productions ?
13. The literary institutions ?
14. How many members are elected?
AVhat judicial district is h in?
15. Name the towyiships.
US. Describe Lehatton.
SECOND CLASS LEBANON.
153
17. Near Shaefferstown, a large village, 8 miles south-east of
Lebanon, are the ruins of a castle built by Baron Sieigcl, a German
nobleman, who early established glass and iron-works in Lancaster
county, and was connected with some iron-works m Lebanon.
His usual residence was in Philadelphia, but he was in the habit of
passing some of his time at this castle, living in great style, accord-
ing to the forms of the European nobility. But the practice does
not suit our country. His property passed into other hands, and he
became the manager of one of Colemans iron-works.
18. Jonestown is a considerable village, with 3 churches. It is
7 miles north-west from Lebanon.
19. Myerstown, 7 miles east of Lebanon, is also a large village
with a Lutheran church.
20. The Union canal is the chief work in the county. It is so
called from having been constructed by a company composed of the
union of two, that had been incorporated to connect the Susquehanna
with the Delaware. The first move towards it was made in 1791,
Robert Morris, David Rittenhouse, and others, being commissioners.
After many attempts, the work was commenced in 1821, and com-
pleted in 1828, being the first considerable canal in the state. The
most remarkable part is the " summit level," which is over 6 miles
in length. This section passes through limestone rock so full of
fissures and caverns, that none of the ordinary expedients were suffi-
cient to cause it to retain water. The company were therefore com-
pelled to line the whole with plank, so that it is now in reality an
immense wooden trough, more than 6 miles long. It is chiefly sup-^
plied with water pumped by steam and water power from the Swa-
tara. At one point the canal passes through a tunnel 729 feet in
length, which was the first of any size excavated in the Union.
21. HisToiiT. — Previous to its erection into a separate county,
Lebanon formed parts of Lancaster and Dauphin, and its history
was included m theirs. It was first settled by Scotch-Irish, who
were followed into its southern portions, b}' the German Mennonists,
about 1732. From that time till the Revolution, the Moravians,
Lutherans, and German Reformed sects, entered the county in con-
siderable numbers. During the Revolution, Lebanon sent many of
its citizens to fight the battles of Independence. After the battle of
Trenton, in December, 1776, many of the Hessian prisoners were
confined in the old Lutheran and Moravian churches, in the present
town of Lebanon. Since the close of the Revolutionary war, the
early Scotch-Irish settlers have been almost wholly succeeded by
the German population. In 1813 the county was erected, taking its
name from the township of Lebanon, formerly in Dauphin, and one
of the principal townships embraced within the new county, which
was, no doubt, so named from the Lebanon of the Old Testament.
22. Noted CiTizEifs. — John Andrew Shulze, governor of the state
from 1823 to 1829, was a citizen of this county for many years pre-
vious to his election to that office, and represented it in both houses
of the state legislature.
] 7. What is near Shaefferstown ?
13. What is said of Jonestown?
19. Of Myerstown ?
20. Of the Unioji ca nal a nd summit level *
21. Detail the history of Lebanon.
22. What sovernor rtsided there?
154
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
iRt-^
1 Harrisburg.
2 Middletown.
3 Highspire.
4 Hummelsto\vn.
5 Coxestown. "
6 Linglestown.
7 Dauphin.
8 Halifax.
9 Millersburg.
10 Gratztown.
.11 Wiconisco.
12 Duncan's Isl'd.
40°1-5'N
ANCASTER
1. Dauphin, partly in Cumberland Valley and partly in
the anthracite region, is bounded E. by Lebanon and
Schuylkill, N. by Northumberland, W. by Perry, Cum-
berland, and York, and S. by Lancastert Its area is
530 square miles.
2. Th* Mountains are, on the south of Cumberland
Valley, the South mountain, called the Conewago Hills; on
the north of it, the Kittatinny ; proceeding northward along
the Susquehanna, Second, Third, Peter^s, Berry'' s, and
Ma-han-ton' go* mountains are met ; and in the north-east-
ern part, in addition to these. Short and Broad mountains
are situated.
3. The Streams are, the Susquehanna river, along the
whole western line, into which flow Swa-ta'ra,\ Paxton,
Fishing, Stony, Clarke'^s, PoweWs, Armstrong''s, and Wi-
* Mahantongo pronounced Mau-hon-ton'go.
t Swatara — Swet-tar'ra
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Daiiiiliiii?
9. The mountains ?
o. Stream^;?
SECOND CLASS DAUPHIN.
155
con-is^co creeks, with Con-e-wa'go, forming the southern,
and Ma-han-ton'go the northern boundary.
4. The Soil is of every quaUty, from the most fertile to
barren. The southern portion, ^crossed by the Cumberland
limestone valley, is equal to any in the state. North of
this, and bordering the Kittatinny, a belt of less fertile slate
land occurs. The high and abrupt ranges of mountains,
next in succession, are valuable for nothing except the
coal and other minerals imbedded in them, and the timber
with which they are clothed. But between them are many
pleasant and kindly red-shale valleys, particularly that of
LykenSj at the extreme north. About two-thirds of the
county is tillable.
5. The Minerals are, great abundance of limestone in
the south, and anthracite coal in the north, the upper part
of Dauphin properly belonging to the anthracite class of
counties. There is also some iron-ore.
6. This county contains 18 townships, 4 boroughs, and
many growing villages.
7. Harrisburg borough, the county-seat and capital of
the state, is on the Susquehanna, and has a population of
5980. The other boroughs are, Middletown, Hummelstown,
and Dauphin. The villages are, Portsmouth, Highspire,
Lingelstown, Halifax, Millershurg, Gratztown, Wiconisco,
and Coxestown.
8. The Public Improvements are, the State canal from
Middletown, where it is joined by the Union canal to Dun-
can's island, whence it extends westward up the Juniata ;
the Wiconisco canal, not yet completed, from Duncan's
island to Millersburg, where it unites with the Lykens
Valley railroad, leading to the coal region of that name ;
the Lancaster railroad, uniting at Harrisburg with the
Cumberland Valley railroad ; turnpikes from Hatrisburg to
Lancaster, Columbia, York, Duncan's island, and Leba-
non ; and many large bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 30,118, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, §8,197,491.
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
6. How many townships, boroughs and
villages?
7. Name the seat of justice, otlier bo-
roughs and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What is the population and pro-
perly?
156 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
10. The earlier settlers were Scotch-Irish, but latterly
large numbers of Germans have succeeded them. By the
latter, the German language is generally spoken.
11. The main employi\*ent of the people \s farmings
though many are engaged in raining coal, and some in
iron-works. The productions consequently are grain of
all kinds, and some cattle, coal, and iron.
12. The Literary Institutions are, an academy,
female seminary, an orphan institute, and 133 common
schools, with several private schools and seminaries.
13. Dauphin elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Northumberland, 1 to the Senate of
the state ; with Lebanon and Schuylkill, 1 member of
Congress; and is in the twelfth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Berry, Halifax, E. Hanover, W. Hanover,
S. Hanover, Jackson, Jefferson, Londonderry, Lykens, Mifflin, Upper Pax-
ton, Longer Paxton, Middle Paxton, Rush, Susquehanna, Sivatara, Lower
Swalara, and Wiconisco.
" 15. Harrisburg, the seat of government of Pennsylvania, is de-
lightfully situated on the eastern bank of the Susquehanna. Behind
it runs the Paxton, or (as the Indians pronounced it) the Paxtang
creek. The front street, or rather the front row of houses of the
town, faces the river, and enjoys one of the most beautiful prospects
in the state, during the spring and early summer. The broad river,
studded with richly wooded islands, enlivened by numerous rafts
and arks, and spanned by noble bridges, leading to the fertile lands
of Cumberland county, with the Kittatinny and the hills of the South
mountain in the distance, altogether presents a scene of remarkable
attraction.
16. Harrisburg, previously called Harris's Ferry, and subsequently
for a short time Lonisbnrg, as being the county-seat of Dauphin, so
named from Louis, the Dauphin of France, was laid out and became
the count3'-seat in 1785. John Harris, from whom it takes the pre-
sent name, was the owner of the ground on which it is built. It
was incorporated as a borough in 1808, and became the seat of go-
vernment in 1812. It is 100 miles W. of Philadelphia, 200 E. of
Pittsburg, and 110 N. of Washington.
17. As the seat of justice of Dauphin, it contains the usual
county-buildings, among which, the Dauphin county prison, lately
erected on the solitary confinement and labour principle, is a credit
both to the taste and the humanity of the citizens. It also contains
9 churches, a market-house, a bank, a savings institution, and an
10. By whom was it settled?
11. What are their employment and
productions?
12. Literary insiitutions?
13. How many members are elected, 17. What of
and what is the judicial district ? I other structures ?
14. Name the toivnships.
15. What is said of the situation of Har-
burg ?
It). ^Vllnt of its name and history?
17. What of its cou7ity-buildings and
SECOND CLASS DAUPHIN. 157
extensive anthracite iron furnace, and is abundantly supplied with
water raised by steam from the river. It recently had two noble
bridges over the Susquehanna. Of these the upper or old bridge
was constructed by Burr, the celebrated bridge builder, in 1817, at
a cost of over $190,000. The greater part of it was carried away
by the great freshet of March, 1846, tlie lower or railroad brid<re
having been consumed by fire a year before. But the usual facili-
ties for crossing the river will unquestionably soon be restoi'ed to a
point so important as Harrisburg.
18. The State Capitol forms the most striking object in Harrisburg.
It is placed on a gentle elevation in the north-west part of the town.
The main building is of brick, 180 feet long and 80 wide, two stories
in height, with a circular portico in front, supported by six Ionic
columns, and surmounted by a dome. The central portion of the
lower story is occupied by a large rotunda and the stairway ; on the
north side of the rotunda is the Senate Chamber, and on the south
the Hall of the House of Representatives. The second story is oc-
cupied by rooms for the committees of both branches of the legisla-
ture, with the State Library, Supreme Court room, and Canal Com-
missioners' ofiice.
19. The building faces the Avest, with the town and the river in
front. The view from the dome is rarely equalled for richness,
variety, and beauty.
20. On each side of the capitol is a smaller building, but uniform
in design. The one to the north contains the Executive or Gover-
nor's chamber, the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the
State Treasury, and the Auditor-General's office. That on the south
is occupied by the offices of the Surveyor-General and of the Board
of Property. The three buildings stand in a large enclosure, planted
with trees, laid out in gravelled walks, and enclosed with a wall and
paling.
21. Immediately south of the enclosure of the capitol is situated
one of the three state Arsenals, in which the public arms are pre-
served. The other two are at Philadelphia and Meadville.
22. About two miles south-east of Harrisburg is the county Poor-
House, on a large farm, on which there is also a mill.
23. Middktown, so called from its midway position between lian-
caster and Carlisle, contains 756 inhabitants. It was laid out in
1785 by George Fisher, and is on the turnpike from Lancaster to
Harrisburg. The part of it called Portsmouth, lying more immedi-
ately on the Swatara and Susquehanna, is the place of junction of
the Uaion with the State canal. Between the two towns stands the
Em'ma-us Orphan institute, founded by the will of George Ever-
hart, called Frey, who was long a citizen of Middletown, and died
about 1808. It is endowed with a large property, and is capable of
being made of great benefit to the community.
24. Hummelstown is 8 miles E. of Harrisburg, and is a quiet place
IS. Describe the state capitol.
19. Wkat of the dmm ?
20. What of the other state buildings ?
21 . What of the state arsenal i*
14
22. The poor-house ?
23. Describe Middletown.
24. Hummdstoimi.
158
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
with 480 inhabitants. Within a mile of it, near the Swatara, is a
cave in the limestone rock of considerable extent.
25. The point on the Susquehanna, called Duncan's Island, or
Clark's feiry, is remarkable in many respects. The mountam and
river scenery of the vicinity is wild and beautiful. The Juniata and
Susquehanna here meet, presenting in the boating season, even be^
fore the public works were constructed, a busy and mterestmg
scene. But now that the state canals along the Susquehanna and
Juniata are in operation, and the Wiconisco canal certain of being
completed, there are few points at which so many of the elements
of the prosperity of the state are presented at a single glance.
Down the Sasquehanna are seen gliding, either on her broad bosom
or on the canal along her margin, the lumber, the anthracite
coal, and the other valuable articles found on her head waters.
Along with these are the grain, the bituminous coal, and the lumber
of the West Branch. The Juniata, with the celebrated iron that bears
her name, the bituminous coal of the Great Allegheny, and the agri-
cultural produce of her own banks, pours out the rich produce of
the western counties and states; while the Wiconisco canal will
add the valuable coal of Lykens valley. On the other hand, hun-
dreds of boats freighted with merchandise for the north and the
west may be seen ascending the canals to supply the farmers, the
lumbermen, the miners, and the iron-men along their banks. It is
while contemplating a scene like this that the Pennsylvanian learns
to confide in the internal resources of his native state, and to disre-
gard what is called the diversion of her business into other routes.
26. The part of Dauphin county called Lykens valley, is one of
the most interesting regions in the state. It is a broad red-shale
valley enclosed between Berry's and Mahantongo mountains,-and
extending back from the river to the Schuylkill county line, except
where the Short or Bear mountain, containing the Lykens valley
coal, juts into it from the east, terminating about 12 miles from the
river. The soil is the thin, lively, easily worked red-shale land, which
is so susceptible of improvement by means of lime. The houses
and barns of the inhabitants show, both by their number and com-
fortable appearance, that the land has fallen into the right hands;
while the coal region to the east offers a certain and increasing
market for all the farmer can raise.
27. Amlreiv Lykens, from whom the valley takes its name, was the
first settler. He resided at the place now called Oakdale forge.
He and his son were famous hunters, and long a terror to the In-
dians, against all whose attacks they manfully held their ground.
28. Coal was discovered in this region in 1825, by Thomas Elder
of Harrisburg, son of the Rev. John Elder, formerly of Paxton. Un-
der his direction and that of Jacob M. Haldeman of Harrisburg, it
was thoroughly explored, in 1830, by Hugh Maxivell and Wdham
White of Lancaster.
25. For what is Dioicati's island remark-
able?
86. Lykens valley ?
27. Wliat is said of Andrew Lykens?
28. When, and by whom was coal dis-
covered '
SECOND CLASS DAUPHIN. 159
29. The coal is chiefly mined in the Bear-gap, an opening in the
southern side of the mountain, through which Bear creek flows to-
ward the Wiconisco. Bear creek runs from the east between Bear
and Big Lick mountains, (the union of which is generally called Sfiort
mowitain,) before it breaks through at Bear-gap. The whole space
between these mountains contains coal, and is in the usual form of
a coal basin, with strata dipping rapidl}' from each side towards the
centre. The veins are from 4 to 11 feet in thickness. The im-
portance of this coal region is only beginning to be appreciated.
30. The town of JViroidsco has grown up since the commencement
of the coal business here, and bids fair to be a flourishing place.
It is connected with the Wiconisco canal by means of a railroad.
The wild scenery, pure air, and trout streams of the vicinity, render
Wiconisco a pleasant summer retreat for a few days.
31. Further south, coal has more recently been discovered, be-
tween the Third and Fourth mountains. It has been mined to some
extent, and somewhat approaches the qualities of the bituminous
class. This is called the "Stony Creek" region.
32. History. — The first settler within the present bounds of
Dauphin county seems to have been John Harris, who established
himself at the place where Harrisburg now stands, about 1726. He
erected a fort or stockade, and carried on a considerable trade with
the Indians. His son, the founder of Harrisburg, was the first
white child born west of the Conewago hills. At the time of the
French war of 1755, there was a large body of settlers in the county,
which was then called Paxtang township, and formed part of Lan-
caster. The}' were chiefly Scotch-Irish. After Braddock's defeat
in 1755, the people of Paxtang were much harassed by the Indians,
and many of them murdered. Their sufterings finally led to the
vengeance which they took, upon the supposed spies of their foes, at
the Lancaster workhouse in 1763. During the Revolutionarj^ war,
the men of Paxton and Derry turned out in large numbers to sustain
the cause of Independence, and none made better soldiers. The
Germans do not seem to have moved into Dauphin in considerable
numbers till after the Revolution. In 1785, the county was orga-
nized, taking its name from the Dauphin of France, aftenvards called
.Louis the Seventeenth. From that period till 1812, when Harrisburg
became the seat of government, it increased slowly but regularly
in population and wealth. That event, and more especially the
construction of the public works in 1825, gave it a new impulse.
The discovery of coal in the county, in 1825, also added to its pros-
perity. At present, few parts of the state exhibit so many marks
of rapid and substantial improvement.
33. Noted Citizexs. — John Harris, the first settler,- was from York-
shire in England, and, judging from his boldness in establishing
himself so far in advance of the then frontiers, and the sway he ac-
quired over the savages, must have been guided by a spirit of great
energy as well as uncommon prudence. On one occasion, having
29. Describe this coal region.
30. What is said of Wicoyiisco ?
31. Where is the Stony Creek region?
32. Repeat the events in the history of
Dauphin, with dates.
33. yame the noted citizens.
160
STATE- BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
refused ruin to the Indians, they tied him to a mulberry tree in front
of his dwelling, and were proceeding to burn him to death, when he
was released hy some friendly Indians, who came to the spot just
as the others were kindling the fire. In memory of his escape, at
his own request, his remains, when he died in 1748, were buried at
tlie foot of the tree. There they still repose, though the tree itself
has long been dead, and nothing but a part of the trunk remains.
The Rev. John Elder, the first clergyman in that part of Pennsyl-
vania, was a Presbyterian from Scotland, a sound scholar, and one
of the most remarkable men of his day. He was pastor of the con-
gregation at Paxton, from 1736 till his death in 1792, in the 86th
year of his age. He was also, during pdrt of the time, colonel of
the Dauphin Rangers, a body of men organized to repel the attacks
of the Indians. He and the men of his congregation w-ere fre-
quently compelle-d to carry their rifles with them to church, so
constant was their danger from the merciless savage. Lindley
Murray, the great English grammarian, was born near Swatara
within the present bounds of Dauphin county in 1745, and died in
England in 1826. WjUium Darby, the distinguished geographer,
who is still living, was also born in Dauphin, about 1775. Francis
R. Skunk, the present governor of the state, has been a citizen of
Dauphin county since 1812.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
.^*^&£
I0<^15'N. .^-^^i^'il^
-x^f
1 Carlisle.
3 Nevvville.
3 Stoughstown.
4 Shippensburg.
5 Hogestown.
C Mefhnnicsburg.
7 Lisbiirn.
8 New Cumberland.
H Wornileysburg.
10 Fairvicw.
1. Cumberland, in the Cumberland Valley, is hounded
E. by Dauphin, N. by Perry, W. by Franklin, and S. by
York and Adams. Area 550 square miles.
2. The Mountains are, the KUtatinny and South moun-
tains^ which form its N. and S. boundaries.
3. The Streams are, the Susquehahna, which separates
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Cumberland ?
2. The mountains ?
3. Streams?
SECOND CLASS CUMBERLAND. 161
it from Dauphin ; the Conedoguinet creek, along the Kit-
tatinny, and the Yellow Breeches^ along the South mountain,
both emptying into the Susquehanna ; and a number of
large sprivgs.
4. The Soil of the valley is of the fertile limestorie
class ; approaching the mountains on each side, it is less
fertile, but susceptible of easy improvement. It is nearly
all tillable.
5. The Minerals are lim,estone and iro7i-ore.
6. The county contains 15 townships^ 5 boroughs, and
a number of villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Carlisle^ the seat of justice, in
the centre of the valley, with 4351 inhabitants; Shippens-
bui'g, 1473 ; Mechanicsburg, 670 ; J\^ewville, 654 ; J\^ew
Cumberland, 284, and the villages of Lisbuni, Fairview,
Stoughsfown J Hogestown, and Wormeleysburg.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Cumberland
Valley railroad, from Harrisburg through Carlisle to
Chambersburg, and turnpikes from Carlisle to Harrisburg,
Chambersburg, and Baltimore.
9. The population, in 1840, was 30,953. Assessed
value of property, in 1845, $9,092,674.
10. The First Settlers were from the north of Ireland.
Many Germans have since followed them. Their chief
employment is agriculture.
11. The Productions are much grain of all kinds, cattle
and pork. The county contains S furnaces, 5 forges, and
many mills.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 college, with an
academy or preparatory classical school; 138 common,
and several private schools.
13. Cumberland elects 2 members to the House of Re-
presentatives, and, with Perry, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
with Perry and Franklin, 1 member of Congress ; and is
in the ninth judicial district.
4 Soil?
.'5. Minerals?
C. Ijow many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, and other
)roughs and villages.
6. The public improvements.
14
9. What is the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Cumberland?
11. What are the productions?
]'2. liiterary institutions?
13. How many members are elected,
and what is the'judicial district?
162 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
14. The Townships are, Allen, Dickenson, Frankford, Hampden,
Hopewell, N. Middlelon, S. Middleion, Mifflin., Monroe, Newton, E. PennS'
borough, W. Pennsborough, Shippen, Silver-Spring, and Southainptoa.
15. Carlisle is a substantial and fionrishing place, with wide
streets, and a large sq^^are, aronnd which are erected the public
buildings and other edifices. It contains a spacious new court-
house, a jail, market-house, town-hall, two common school build-
ings, 10 churches, a bank, and Dickinson college: and in the
vicinity are the United States barracks, and the county poor-house.
The town was laid out in 1750, and became the seat of justice in
1753. It had previously been the site of an old fort or stockade.
In 1763, a second work of the same kind was erected, for the pro-
tection of this distant frontier settlement. The first weekly mail
from Philadelphia was established in 1757. During the Revolution-
ary war, Carlisle, owing to its distance from the scene of hostilities,
was frequently selected for the confinement of British prisoners ;
among these, at one time early in the war, was the unfortunate
Major Andre, who had been taken by Montgomery near Lake Cham-
plain. In 1782, the town was incorporated. In 1794, General
V/ashington had his head-quarters in Carlisle, while preparing the
forces sent out to quell the whisky insurrection. It is on the rail-
road and turnpike leading from Harrisburg to Chambersburg, 18
miles W. of Harrisburg; 116 W. of Philadelphia; and 184 E. of
Pittsburg.
16. Dickinson college is one of the oldest, and now one of the most
flourishing in the state. It was chartered in 1783, and named in
honour of John Dickinsoii, president of the executive council, who
was a liberal benefactor of the new institution. It passed through
many changes till 1833, when it was transferred to the Baltimore,
Philadelphia, and New Jersey conferences of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, since which time it has been in a more flourishing
condition than formerly. The main college edifice was erected in
1805, and is a spacious and substantial structure. There is also a
large additional building for the faculty and students, and another
for the use of the preparatory department. The whole number of
students is about 180.
17. The United States barracks, in the outskirts, were built in
1777, chiefly by Hessian prisoners captured at Trenton. They can
accommodate 2000 men. During the past few years, they have
been occupied by the United States dragoons, as a place of cavalry
practice.
18. Four miles north of Carlisle are the sulphur springs, formerly
a place of considerable resort. It is a pleasant, quiet, summer re-
treat, with comfortable accommodations for visiters.
19. Shippcnsburg, the oldest town in the county, is 21 miles S. W.
of Carlisle. The county courts were held here in 17r>0. It was in-
corporated in 1819.
14. Name the toionships.
In. Describe Carlisle.
10. JJicLinsoti college.
17. The United States barracks.
1 8. The siilph ur springs.
19. What is said of Shippensburg?
SECOND CLASS CUMBERLAND.
163
20. Mcchanicsburg is a thriving town on the railroad, 8 miles E.
of Carlisle.
21. Newville is also near the railroad, 12 miles W. of Carlisle. It
is a flourishing place, with two churches.
22. About a mile north of Carlisle, on the Conedoguinet creek,
there is a remarkable cave. It is in a limestone cliff, with an arch-
like entrance 8 feet high. A passage 80 yards in length leads from
the entrance to a point where the cave branches off in various di-
rections, some of the avenues extending a considerable distance.
Human bones are said to have been found in it, supposed to be
those of Indians who may have used it as a place of sepulture.
23. HisTORT. — Previous to the settlement of Cumberland, it was
occupied by the Shawanee Indians, by permission of the Six Nations.
In 1736, the latter sold this territory to the proprietaries, though set-
tlers had intruded upon it before that time. When the county was
erected in 1750, it contained 807 taxable inhabitants, embracing all
the then settled part of the province westwards. It was called Ctim-
hcrland, and its chief town Carlisle, after the shire of Cumberland, in"
England, of which Carlisle is the seat of justice. In 1755, the pro-
prietaries instructed their agents to encourage the Irish to settle in
Cumberland, and the Germans in York, in order to prevent colli-
sions between them. Cumberland was much disturbed by the
Indians till 1764, when they were defeated by Colonel Bouquet, at
Brushy-run, on his way to relieve Fort Pitt. From that time, this
source of annoyance seems to have nearly ceased. During the Re-
volutionary war, Cumberland was called on to take no part, except
that of sending her sons to fight in the common cause. In 1784,
Franklin county was separated from her, and in 1820, Perry was
taken off. She has since gone on quietly and prosperously, grow-
ing in population and increasing in wealth.
24. Noted Citizexs. — Samuel hrady, the famous captain of the
scouts, whose daring achievements have connected his name and
memory with so many spots in western Pennsylvania, was born in
Shippensburg in 1758. He commenced his career by marching as
a private to the siege of Boston in 1775, when only 17 years of age.
William Denning, who died in 1830, in his 94th year, in Mifflin town-
ship, was an artificer in the Revolutionaiy army. He was the first
to form effective icrought iron cannon. Two of them were used with
perfect success. One was taken by the British at the battle of
Brandywine, and is now in the tower of London. Thomas Duncan,
late judge of the Supreme Court of the state, M^as a native of Car-
lisle. He was a sound jurist. John B. Gibson, the present chief
justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, is a native of Carlisle,
and the son of Colonel Gibson, who fell at St. Clair's defeat.
20. Of Mcchanicsburg ?
21. Of Newville?
22. Of the Conedoguinet cave?
23. Detail the history of Cumberland,
ivith the dates.
24. Name the noted citizens.
164
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
1. Franklin, a Cumberland Valley county, is bounded
on the E. by Adams, N. E. by Cumberland and Perry,
N. W. by Mifflin and Huntingdon, W. by Bedford, and
S. by Maryland. Its area is 740 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, the South mountain^ dividing it
from Adams on the east ; the Kittatinny or Blue moun-
tain, which traverses the north-western part of the county,
and terminates near Loudon, in two abrupt hills, called
Jordan'' s and ParneWs Knobs ; and the Tus-ca-ro'ra and
Cove mountains, which separate it from Bedford.
3. The Streams are, the Con-ed-o-guin'et creek, flowing
through Cumberland into the Susquehanna, the Con-e-co-
cheagrue' ^ with its numerous branches, and the An-ti'e-tara
and Licking, running southward into the Po-to'mac, and
the Tuscarora emptying northward into the Ju-ni-at'a.
4. The Soil of the large middle portion of the county,
occupied by the Imiestone of the Cumberland Valley, is
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Franklin ?
C. The mountains ?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
SECOND CLASS FRANKLIN.
165
equal to any in fertility. The sandstone soil of the South
mountain is sterile. Bordering the mountains on the north
and west, the slate land, though not naturally fertile, is of
a kindly nature and easily improved. Nearly the whole
county is tillable. '
5. The chief j^Iinerals are, iron-ore of superior quality,
along the edge of the South mountain and in the valley,
abundance of limestone^ and some marble.
6. It contains 15 townships, 7 boroughs, and several
pleasant villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Chamhershurg, the county-seat,
on Conecocheague creek, with 3239 inhabitants ; Mer-
cersburg, with 1143; Green-castle^ with 931; Waynes-
borough^ 799 ; FaysUeville, Loudon, Fannetsburg ; and the
villages are Strasburg, St. Thomas, Roxbury, Concord, and
Green-villase.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Cumberland
Valley railroad from Harrisburg through Chambersburg, to
Hagerstown in Maryland ; and turnpikes from Chambers-
burg to Gettysburg, Carlisle, and Bedford, with one in the
southern part of the county, through Mercersburg, Green-
castle, and Waynesborough, towards Baltimore.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 37,793, and the
assessed value oi property, in 1845, $11^600,143.
10. The FIRST Settlers were Scotch-Irish, who were
soon followed by Germans. The descendants of the latter
are now numerous, and still use the lansruao-e of their an-
cestors to a considerable extent.
11. The people are chiefly employed in agriculture,
though many are engaged in iron-works.
12. The Productions are all kinds of grain in abun-
dance, with cattle and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are a college and
theological seminary, an academy, a female seminary,
and 172 common schools. The county contains over 40
places of public worship.
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, other bo-
roughs and villages ?
8. The public improvements?
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. W^ho settled the county ?
n. How are they employed?
12. AVhat are the productions?
13. The literary institutions?
166
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
14. Franklin eleds 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Adams, 1 to the Senate of the state;
with Cumberland and Perry, 1 member of Congress ; and
is in the sixteenth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Antrim, Fannet, Greene, Guilford, Hamil-
ton, Lettcrkenny, Lnrgan, Metal, Montgomery, Peters, Quincy, Southamp-
ton, St. Thomas, Warren, and Washi^igton.
16. Chambersburg, a substantial and flourishing town, is placed
at the junction of Falling Spring with the Conecocheague creek.
The first settlement in the county was made where the town now
stands, by Benjamin Chambers, from the north of Ireland, in 1730.
The town which takes its name from him, was laid out in 1764, and
erected into a borough in 1803. Its public buildings are an elegant
new court-house, a jail, 8 churches, a bank, and a spacious academy.
The creeks that pass through its bounds afibrd great water-power.
The surrounding country is rich and well settled, and the facilities
for communication by railroad and turnpikes are ample. The in-
ducements for investment in manufactories are therefore very
great. Already Chambersburg contains several flour and fulling-
mills, an oil-mill, a large straw paper-mill, an extensive edge-tool,
and a cotton and woollen, factory. It is distant 48 miles S. W. from
Harrisburg, 148 W. from Philadelphia, 152 E. from Pittsburg, and
77 N. W. from Baltimore.
17. At Mercersburg, a pleasant town in the south-western part of
the county, Marshall college, and the theological seminary of the
German Reformed church, are situated. The main building of the
latter is a large and handsome brick edifice. Both institutions are
in a prosperous state. Particular attention is paid to the cultiva-
tion of the German language and literature. Mercersburg con-
tains 5 churches.
18. Grecncasile and Wuyneshorovgh are both flourishing towns,
situated in the midst of rich and highly cultivated land. Each
contains several churches.
19. S;mv-hill, on Antietam creek, near the South mountain, is a
village of the Seventh-day Baptists, whose chief settlement was
formerly at Ephrata, in Lancaster county. The peculiar obser-
vances of the society are here maintained.
20. The County Poor-house is near the turnpike, 2 miles E. of
Chambersburg. The buildings, of stone, are large and commodious.
The farm contains about 200 acres.
21. The resources of Franklin are very considerable. In addition
to the rich agricultural productions of a Cumberland valley county,
she has recently exhibited strong symptoms of manufacturing en-
terprise. For the prosecution of this kind of industry she pos-
14. IIow many members are elected,
and what is the judicial district?
15. Name the toivnsliips.
Ifi. What is said of Chatnbersburg?
17. Of Mercersburg and Marshall college?
1 8. Of Greenrastle and Waynesborough ?
19. Of Snow-hill?
20. Of the Poor-house ?
21. Of the resources of the covnty?
SECOND CLASS FRANKLIN.
167
sesses many advantages, among which may be mentioned her
ready access to market by railroad and turnpike.
22. HisTORT. — This county, known, among the early pioneers, as
the " Conecocheaque settlement," received its earliest permanent
white inhabitants in 1730. The first settlers were chiefly from the
north of Ireland, but these have more recently been followed by
Germans. Being on the very out-posts of civilization, they were
long exposed to the attacks and cruelties of the Indians. This was
especially the case after Braddock's defeat, in 1755. During all
this period, however, the hardy settlers maintained their ground.
In time of peace, they carried on a profitable trade with the Indians,
and when hostilities succeeded, protected themselves against the
savages in the numerous forts and block-houses which their ex-
posed situation compelled them to erect. From this hardy school,
many brave and enterprising soldiers went forth to support the
cause of the country, during the war of the Revolution. In 1784,
the county was separately organized, taking the name of the great
philosopher of the age. It previously constituted part of Cumber-
land. Its prosperity was very much promoted by the construction
of the tarnpikes connecting it with Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and
Baltimore, from 1812 to 1815; and more recently, by the comple-
tion of the Cumberland Valley railroad.
23. Noted Citizens. — Col. Benjamin Chambers, the first white
settler in the county, seems to have been born in the north of Ire-
land, about 1708, and died at Chambersburg, in 1788. He was a
useful and enterprising citizen, and deservedly possessed great in-
fluence. WUliajn Findlay, who was governor of the state from 1817
till 1821, is a native of Mercersburg, where he was born about
1770, and resided till 1807, when he was elected state-treasurer.
He now resides at Pittsburg.
22. State the events in the history of
Franklin, with dates.
23. Name the noted citizens.
168
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
THIRD CLASS.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
1 Or\vi).>l)ury.
2 Pottsville.
5 Port Clinton.
6 McKofuisburg.
7 Port Carbon.
8 Tiiscarora.
9 Minersville.
10 Taiuaquii.
! 1 1 Mahaiicy.
12 Ziiniuerman's T.
13 Kiiiigerstown.
14 Pinefa"ove.
1. Schuylkill, an anthracite mountain county, is hounded
on the N. E. by Carbon, N. by Lizerne, N. W. by Co-
lumbia and Northumberland, S. W. by Dauphin and
Lebanon, and S. and S. E. by Berks and Lehigh. Area,
750 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, on the south, the Kittatinny ; then
the Second^ Sharp, and Broad mountains occur ; the Ma-
hantongo and the Line mountain are in the north-west pait
of the county, and on the north-east are Locust, Mahanoy,
and Green mountains. Between these principal ridges .-
there are many others of less size, Schuylkill being almost
wholly mountainous.
3. The Streams are, the Schuylkill river flowing to
1. Wliat are th^ clas.s, boundaries, and
area of f^chnylkill ?
2. Its mountains?
THIRD CLASS SCHUYLKILL. 169
the Delaware, with its various branches, of which Little
Schuylkill is the principal ; the Swatara in the south-west,
the Ma-han-ton' go in the north-west, and ihtMa-ha-no'yiw
the north, all flowing into the Susquehanna. In the north-
east, the Cat-a-wis' sa empties into the North Branch, and
in the south-east are some of the tributaries of the Lehigh.
4. Most of the Soil is of little value for agricultural
purposes, but there are a few small valleys of fertile land
which are cultivated ; about one-fourth of the county be-
ing fit for farming.
5. The chief Mineral is anthracite coal, in inexhaustible
abundance, with considerable quantities of iron-ore, and
some limestone.
6. Schuylkill contains 15 townships, 6 boroughs , and a
great many busy and growing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Orwigshurg, the county-seat, on
a small branch of the mahi Schuylkill, with 779 inhabit-
ants, Pottsville, on the Schuylkill, with 4345, Schuylkill
Hauen, Minersville, Pinegrove, and Ta-ma'qua; and the vil-
lages are. Port Carbon, Port Clinton, Zimmermanstown,
Friedensburg, Tuscarora, ^"c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Schuylkill J\^avi'
gation, and the Pottsville, Reading, and Philadelphia railroad,
both connecting Schuylkill w^th the latter place. Within
the county are numerous other railroads, of which the prin-
cipal are the Little Schuylkill and the Mine Hill and
SchuyUdll Haven railroad, with many shorter ones leading
to the various mines. In the south-west, a branch of the
Union canal connects Pinegrove with that work. The
turnpike from Reading to Sunbury passes through Orwigs-
burg and Pottsville.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 29,053, and the as-
sessed value oi property, in 1845, $5,943,678.
10. The FIRST Settlers were German farmers from the
counties on the south. Latterly, since the vast increase
of the coal business, manv citizens from other counties in
the state, and large numbers of miners from Wales, Ire-
3. Streams ?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements?
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county ?
15
170 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
land, Scotland, and England, have given a very mixed
character to the population, and to the language, English,
German, Welsh, and Irish being all occasionally heard.
11. Their chief employment is mining and transporting
coal to market, and the other occupations therewith con-
nected. But a small proportion of the people are perma-
nently engaged in agriculture. Some few are employed in
lumbering, and latterly several large iron- works have been
established.
12. Their main Productions are consequently coal,
with some lumber and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 2 academies, 1 fe-
male seminary, 68 common, and several private schools.
14. Schuylkill elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Carbon, Monroe, and Pike, 1 to the
Senate of the state ; wdth Dauphin and Lebanon, 1 mem-
ber of Congress; and is in the twenty-first judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Barry, Branch, E. Brunswig, W. Brunswig,
Lower Mahantongo, Upper Mahantongo, Manheim, Norwegian, Pinegrove,
Porter, Rtish, Schuylkill, Union, Wayne, and West Penn.
16. Orwigsburg, the county-town, is seated in a pleasant and fer-
tile valley, about 8 miles S. E. of Pottsville. It contains the usual
county buildings, an academy, and 3 churches. It was laid out in
1796, incorporated in 1813, and takes its name from Peter Orwig,
the proprietor of the ground. It is 78 miles N. W. of Philadelphia,
62 N. E. of Harrisburg, and 260 N. E. of Pittsburg.
17. Pottsville, the great centre of the coal business of Schuylkill
county, is a town of very recent growth, having been wholly built
up since 1825. John Pott, whose name has been given to it, was
the owner of some of the land on which the town now stands.
18. Though the history of Pottsville does not date far back, it tells
of many changes. Times of fierce and bold speculation have had
their inseparable consequences in almost utter stagnation and loss.
But now, the great business of the place being well understood and
reduced to a system, and the actual value of coal lands ascertained,
there is little danger of a recurrence of the fluctuations here-
tofore experienced. The various operations of mining, preparing,
transporting to market, and selling the coal, are well arranged.
Each has its small, though certain profit. And, as the demand for
the article constantly increases, the success, to a reasonable extent,
of those engaged in the business seems to be beyond danger. It is
at length on that foundation, which is the only safe one in trade,
yielding a small profit on a large and increasing business.
11. What are their employments?
12. Productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. What members does it elect, and
whot ia the judicial district?
15. Name the toivnships.
16. Describe Oriingsburg.
17. What is said of Pottsville ?
18. 0/its business?
THIRD CLASS SCHUYLKILL.
171
19. Pottsville is situated on the Schuylkil], just above the point
where it passes through the Sharp mountain. It was incorporated
in 1828, and contains, within the borough limits, Mount Carbon, and
several other villages. Vast quantities of coal are transported from
it on the Schuylkill Navigation and the Reading railroad, and
several iron and other manufactories are carried on. The chief
buildings are, the town-hall, academy, bank, 6 churches, and several
large hotels and elegant private residences. The town is generally
well built, and is 86 miles N. W. of Philadelphia, 58 N. E. of Har-
risburg, and 256 N. E. of Pittsburg.
20. Port Carbon, on the main branch of the Schuylkill, two miles
above Pottsville, at the termination of the Schuylkill Navigation, is
another thriving coal town. The Schuylkill Valley railroad, with its
numerous lateral roads, leads a large business to this point.
21. Mi'fiersville is on the west branch of the Schuylkill, 4 miles
N. W. of Pottsville, with a railroad, 3 churches, a flour and saw-
mill, foundery, and car factory, and 1265 inhabitants.
22. Schuylkill Haven is on the Schuylkill, at the point where the West
Branch railroad connects with the Schuylkill Navigation. It con-
tains 700 inhabitants, and is 4 miles below Pottsville. It has
3 churches, and 2 bridges over the Schuylkill. It differs from most
of the coal-towns of the count)^, in being surrounded by fertile farms,
instead of the rugged and bare mountain sides of the rest of the coal
region.
23. Tamaqua is on the Little Schuylkill, 15 miles E. of Pottsville,
between the Sharp and Locust mountains. It is a straggling, busy
place, with 465 inhabitants and 3 churches. It was laid out in
1829, by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation company, who own large
tracts of coal land in the vicinity.
24. Port Clinton is at the mouth of the Little Schuylkill, and is
connected with Tamaqua by the Little Schuj-lkill railroad.
25. Pinegrove is on the Swatara, in the south-west part of the
county, between the Kittatinny and Second mountain. The Swa-
tara branch of the Union canal terminates at this place, and joins a
railroad which leads northward into the coal region. It is a thriv-
ing place, and ships a large amount of the coal known by its name.
26. Schuylkill is the chief anthracite coal county in the state. It
is traversed by two of the three basins that enrich the anthracite
region : the southern and the middle. The southern, which commences
in Dauphin county, crosses the whole southern portion of Schuyl-
kill, from the neighbourhood of Pinegrove, past Pottsville, to Mauch
Chunk, in Carbon. The middle basin or field extends from Sha-
mokin, in Northumberland county, across the northern part of
Schuylkill to Beaver Meadow, in Carbon.
27. Schuylkill count}^ sends streams into the Delaware through
the Schuylkill and Lehigh; into the Lower Susquehanna through
the Swatara; into the Middle Susquehanna through the Wiconisco,
19.
Describe the town.
24. Port Clinton ?
20.
What is said of Port Carbon ?
25. Pinegrove?
21.
Minersville?
26. What is said of SchutjlJ:iU as a coal
22.
Schuylkill Haven ?
cou?ity ?
23
Tamaqua '
27. Of its stTf-nms'
172 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Mahantongo, and Mahanoy, and into the Upper Susquehanna, or
North Branch, through the Catawissa. In fact, the county is drained
by streams running east, west, north, and south, and must therefore
be the highest land between those streams.
28. HisTOHY. — The territory now composing Schuylkill does not
seem to have been visited by any white men, except hunters, much
before 1790, though the existence of coal was known several years
earlier. About 1787, a company was formed by General Arthur
St. Clair, (then living in Montgomery county,) Samuel Potts, Satnncl
Baird, Francis Nicholls, and some other citizens of that county, to
mine coal on the Norwegian creek, where Pottsville now stands.
They do not seem to have made any progress in the main object of
the undertaking, for their lands were soon afterwards sold. In 1790,
a few Germans from the lower counties settled in the valleys imme-
diately north of the Kittatinny. About 1806, coal began to be used
by the blacksmiths of the settlement. In 1811, the county was
erected out of parts of Berks and Northampton, taking the name
of its main stream. In 1812, and the following years, some coal
was taken to Philadelphia from the Norwegian, but did not sell. It
was sent by George Shoemaker, Robert E. Hobart, John Potts, Peter Pas-
tress, John Bailey, Nicholas Mien, and others. Some was transported
on rafts on the Schuylkill, and some on wagons. From that time
anthracite coal came slowly into use, but the coal-trade cannot be
said to have really commenced till some years after the works of
the Schuylkill Navigation Company were completed. They were
commenced in 1815, and finished in 1825. That yearthere were
6500 tons of coal transported on the navigation, and since that time
the quantity has immensely increased every year. In 1845, the
number of tons transported by the Schuylkill Navigation and Read-
ing railroad was 1,083,824. Schuylkill is now one of the busiest
and most flourishing counties in the state, and greatly promotes the
prosperity of many of the others, by affording a constant and in-
creasing market for their productions.
29. Noteh Citizens. — A blacksmith, of the name of Whetstore,
was the first who succeeded in using anthracite coal as a fuel for
smithing purposes in Schuylkill county. This was in 1795. But
his example does not seem to have been followed till 1806, when
David Berlin, another blacksmith, also was successful in using it on
his hearth. From that time many others employed it. Col. George
Shoemaker, in 1812, took nine wagon loads of anthracite to Philadel-
phia, but could only persuade the citizens to buy two of them,
and gave the rest away for nothing. Some of it, however, was after-
wards tried with perfect success at a rolling-mill in Delaware county,
and the result noticed in the city papers of the day.
28. Repeat its Imtory. | 29. Name the noted citizem.
THIRD CLASS CARBON.
173
CARBON COUNTY.
1. Carbon, an anthracite mountain county, is bounded
N. E. by Monroe, N. W. by Luzerne, S. W. by Schuyl-
kill, and S. E. by Northampton and Lehigh. Area 400
square miles.
2. The most considerable mountains Rre^Maiich- Chunk *
Broad^ Po-ko'no, Spring, and Bald-ridge, and the Kitta-
tinny forming its S. E. boundary.
3. The Streams are, the Lehigh river, crossing the
county from N. W. to S. E. The creeks are, the A-quan-
chic'o-la, Big, Lizard, Ma-ho'ning, Mauch- Chunk, A^es-
qui-ho'ning, Qua'kake, Hays, &c.
4. The quantity of ai'able Soil is small, the county being
generally mountainous. In the south there are some lime-
stone valleys tolerably fertile.
5. The chief Minerals are, anthracite coal in great
abundance, iron-ore, and some limestone.
6. It contains 8 townships, and several growing vil-
lages.
7. The Towns are, Mauch- Chunk, the seat of justice,
situated at the confluence of the Mauch-Chunk creek and
*Mauch-Chunk, pronounced Mauk-Chunk.
1 . W^hat are the class, boundaries, and
area of Carbo?i?
2. The mountains?
3. Streams?
15*
4. Soil?
5. ISIinerals?
6. How many townships and vil-
lages?
174
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Lehigh, with 1200 inhabitants ; and Beaver-Meadow, Ha-
zletoi}, Lausanne, Penn- Haven, Clifflon, Lehighton, Weiss-
port, Parryville, &c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the works of the
Lehigh canal and Slack-water Navigation Company along
the Lehigh ; the Beaver-Meadow railroad, from that place
to Parryville, and , other railroads ; and a turnpike from
Mauch-Chunk to Easton, and to Berwick on the Susque-
hanna.
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 7500, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, was $1,291,319.
10. The people are of various origin, drawn together by
the business advantages of the county. Their chief pur-
suits are minvig, lumbering, and boating. Little agricul-
tural produce is raised.
11. The Productions are anthracite coal, and lumber,
in large quantities.
12. The Literary Institutions are 29 common schools.
13. Carbon elects, with Lehigh, 2 members to the House
of Representatives, and, with Schuylkill, Monroe, and
Pike, 1 to the Senate of the state; with Northampton,
Monroe, Pike, and Wayne, 1 member to Congress ; and
is in the twenty-first judicial district.
^ 14. The Townships are, Banks, Lausanne, Mahoning, Mauch-Chunk^
E. Penn, Penn Forest, Upper Towamensing, and Lower Towamensing.
15. The town of Mauch-Chunk, named from the mountain, occu-
pies a wild and romantic position. It is a fresh-looking, busy place,
with the requisite county buildings, 5 churches, an' iron furnace,
and foundery, grain mill, and other similar establishments. It Avas
commenced in 1818, and is 91 miles N. of Philadelphia, & 99 N. E.
of Harrisburg.
16. Nine miles W. of the town are the celet)rated Summit mines,
on the top of Mauch-Chunk mountain, from which the Lehigh Com-
pany obtain much of their coal. They are connected with the town
landing by a railroad. The grade being descending all the distance
from the summit, the loaded cars come down by their own weight,
and were heretofore drawn up again when empty by mules that rode
down with the coal, feeding in the cars as they descended.
7. Name the county-seat, and other
towns.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty?
10. Who settled it, and what are their
pursuits?
11. Their productions?
12. Literary institutions?
13. How many nipmbers are elected,
and what is the judicial district ?
14. Name the toicyiships.
15. Describe Mauch-Chunk.
16. What is said of the Summit mines ?
THIRD CLASS — CARBON.
175
17. Recently, owing to the largely increased demand for the com-
pany's coal, greater facilities became necessarv'. They have con-
sequently constructed what is called the " back track," which is one
of the boldest, as well as most successful undertakings to overcome
natural obstacles yet attempted; and when fully in operation, will
probably altogether supersede the use of mules.
18. From the schutes, where the coal cars are unloaded at the
town of Mauch-Chunk, they return by their own weight, called
gravity, to the foot of Mount Pis^ah, a short distance north of the
town. They are then drawn to the top of that mountain on an in-
clined plane, by means of a stationary steam-engine. From the
head of this plain they pass by their own gravity along a railway
of six miles, to the foot of another inclined plane. To the top of
this they are again raised by steam, and thence by gravity descend
to the different workings or parts of the mine, where they are filled
with coal. When loaded they descend by their own weight along
the old railroad to the schutes.
19. The Mount Pisgah plane is 2250 feet long, with a perpendi-
cular rise of 664 feet, which is said to be the greatest elevation
overcome by any single inclined plane in the world. Instead of the
ropes used on other planes for elevating the cars, iron bands, four
inches wide, and one-eighth of an inch in thickness, are substituted.
20. The canal portion of the works of this enterprising company
was almost entirely swept aw^ay by the great flood of January, 1841,
but has since been reconstructed. No single undertaking of the
same kind in the state has opened up for the use of man so great
an extent of wilderness. In 1845, besides large quantities of lum-
ber and other articles, 429,492 tons of coal were sent to market, by
means of the Lehigh Navigation.
21. History. — The first settlement of this county, then forming
part of Bucks, was efiected by the Moravian missionaries, who, in
1746, built Gnadenhuetten, on the Mahoning, near the Lehigh, for the
residence of the converted Mohican Indians, who had been expelled
from Shekomeko in New York, and Patchgatgoch in Connecticut.
In 1 754, most of them removed to New Gnadenhuetten, (now^ Weiss-
port,) E. of the Lehigh. In 1755, old Gnadenhuetten was attacked
and burned, and 11 persons killed, by the northern Indians. This
caused the desertion of the new town. In 1756, Dr. B. Franklin
built a fort called Fort Allen, at the latter place, by order of the go-
vernor of the state. In 1760, another missionary station "was es-
tablished at Wech-que-tank, near or on the borders of Schuylkill
county. The ill-feeling of the w^hite settlers of Kittatinny valley,
towards the converted Indians, caused the desertion of Wechque-
tank in 1763, after which it was burned. These settlements having
been on or near the great " war path" leading to Wyoming, caused
the Moravian Indians to be suspected of all the hostile attacks by
the northern Indians who made their inroads by that way. In 1783,
a few scattered white settlers resided along the Lehigh and Mahon-
17. What is sai/J of the bach track ?
18. Describe it.
19. WJiat is said of Mount Pisgah plane?
20. 0/the rmjijianu's u-orks ge>ierally?
21. Kame the leading events in the history
of Carbon, with their dates.
176
STATE.-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ing. In 1791, the discovery of anthracite on the Lehigh directed at-
tention to this district. In 1792, a coal mining company was formed,
but did not effect much. From 1791 to 1816, various acts were
passed by the legislature for the improvement of the Lehigh. In
1818, the Lehigh Navigation Company, and the Lehigh Coal Company
were both incorporated. They were united in 1822, and have been
the cause of the present prosperity of the county, presenting one of
the few instances of more good to the public generally, than to the
company, being produced by such a corporation. The county was
erected in 1843, from parts of Northampton and Monroe. Its name
is derived from the Latin M^ord carbo, which means roal.
22. Noted Citizens. — Philip Ginfer was the first discoverer of
anthracite coal on the Lehigh. He found it on Mauch-Chunk
mountain in 1791. He was at the time a backwoods hunter.
Joiiiah White, long the president, and yet the chief engineer of the
Lehigh company, is the man of Carbon county. His indomitable
perseverance, intelligence, ingenuity, and skill, carried through an
undertaking that few could have accomplished. The recently con-
structed " back track," shows that the fertility of his invention is
equal to all demands upon it.
MONROE COUNTY.
1. Monroe, an eastern line mountain county, is bounded
on the N. E. by Pike, on the N. by Wayne, on the N. W.
by Luzerne, on the S. W. by Carbon, and on the S. E. by
22. Name the noted citizens.
1. Wlmt are the class, boundaries, and
area ol"I\Ionroe ?
THIRD CLASS MONROE.
177
Northampton county and New Jersey. The area is 600
square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, the Kittafinny on the south-east,
and Po-ko'no towards the centre, with Chestnut Hill, and
Prospect Hill, and other elevated ridges.
3. The Streams are, the Delaware river, separating it
on the south-east from New Jersey; the Lehigh dividing it
from Luzerne on the north-w^est ; BrodhearPs creek, (wath
its branches, Pokono^ McMickWs^ and MarshalPs,) and
Bushkill between Monroe and Pike, both emptying into
the Delaware; and the Tohyhanna in the north-w^st, and
A-quan-chic' o-la and Big creek, in the south-west, falling
into the Lehigh.
4. The Soil is very various ; a large portion of it being
mountainous is unfit for cultivation, but produces excel-
lent lumber ; in the south and east are some limestone and
slate valleys, of a very fertile kind.
5. The Minerals are not numerous. Some limestone
is found in the south-east, which is the more valuable
on account of its distance from any other body of the
same kind of rock.
6. Monroe contains 11 tow^nships, 1 borough, and a
few villages.
7. The Borough of Stroudshurg^ the county-seat, is
near the junction of Pokono with Brodhead's creek, and
contains 407 inhabitants. The village of Dutotsburg is on
the Delaware at the mouth of Cherrv creek.
8. The Public Improvements are few. A turnpike
crosses the county from the Wind Gap to Stoddartsville,
in Luzerne, on the Lehigh. The Lehigh Navigation
Company's works have also been extended as far as the
last-named place, along the north-western line of the
county.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 9879, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, $1,422,309.
10. The population is of a mixed description. That of
2. Its mountains?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
lO' Who settled the county ?
178
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the south and south-eastern part is chiefly German, using
their own language. In the north and north-western quarters
many lumbermen from the adjoining counties have lately
settled.
11. Their chief employments are agriculture and lum-
bering, and their productions of a similar nature.
12. The Literary Institutions are, an academy and
female seminary, and 69 common schools.
13. Monroe, with Northampton, elects 3 members to
the House of Representatives ; with Schuylkill, Carbon,
and Pike, 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Northampton,
Carbon, Pike, and Wayne, 1 member of Congress; and is
in the twenty-first judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Chestnut Hill, Coolbmgh, Hamilton, Jackson,
Pokono, PHre, Boss, Sinithfield, Middle Smithfield, Stroud, and Tobyhanna.
15. Stroudsburg, seated in a pleasant valley about 4 miles from
the Delaware, was regularly laid out about 1806, by Daniel Stroud,
fvum whom it takes its name. It was incorporated in 1815, and has
a quiet rural appearance. It contains a court-house, jail, an aca-
demy, and female seminary, a public library, 5 churches, a tannery,
a flour-mill, and a saw-mill. Near it is a forge for making bar-iron.
It is 85 miles N. of Philadelphia, 130 N. E. of Harrisburg, and 330
N. E. of Pittsburg.
16. The greater part of Monroe is yet uninhabited. The princi-
pal settlements are along the Delaware, and the lower parts of the
streams that flow into it in the south-east part of the county, and in
the valleys that lie near the Kittatinny in the south and south-west.
The inhabitants of these are engaged in agriculture. Further north
and north-west, the land is yet only resorted to for the lumber it
afibrds. Since the completion of the Lehigh Company's works up to
Stoddartsville, the value of that article has induced many to pene-
trate the hitherto untrodden wilds of this part of the county.
17. In the north-western part of the county, bevond Pokono moun-
tain, there is an extensive tract of land, called the" " Shades of Death."
It received this dismal name from themiserable survivors of the
Wyoming massacre, in 1778, when they were driven through its
dark swamps and over the bleak Pokono to escape the merciless
savage, and his heartless white allies. It is now becoming opened
up to the light of day, and enlivened by the sound of the woodman's
axe. The soil, though none the most productive, is capable of im-
provement; but the timber growing upon it is of the most valuable
kind.
11. What are their pursuits and pro-
ductions ?
12. Literary in.'^titutions?
13. How many members are elected,
and what is tlie judicial district?
] 4. Name the town^'ships.
15. Describe Stroudsburg.
16. What is said of the different parts of
the county?
17. Of the great swamp, what is it called ?
THIRD CLASS MONROE.
179
18. Monroe is not properly an anthracite county, but is more
closely related to that class than any other. It is equally mountain-
ous, its other productions are similar, and it borders on the Lehigh,
the second anthracite stream of the state, upon which it depends for
an outlet to market for its lumber. Its vicinity also to Carbon and
liUzerne will probably connect it more closely in business with those
anthracite counties than with any others.
19. Along the Delaware are some alluvial flats of remarkably fer-
tile land. These were probably settled as early as any other parts
of the state. Between the Kittatinny in the south-east, and the Po-
kono, a number of rich and beautiful limestone and slate valleys
occur, that have also long been occupied.
20. History. — It seems not improbable that the earliest settle-
ment made by the whites within the bounds of the present county
of Monroe, were by the Dutch, or Hollanders, from the Hudson.
Certain it is, that a settlement existed on the Minisink flats of the
Delaware, above the Kittatinny, long before it became known to the
Proprietary government; the Delaware having iXs Mininnk or Munsy
flats as well as the Susquehanna. As early as 1730, the provincial
authorities took formal measures to investigate the facts, and when
the agent sent by them arrived there, he found a settlement of Hol-
landers of some years standing, with a road leading to Esopus, (now
Kingston,) on the Hudson. The Brodheads and others early settled
on Brodhead's, or A-na-lo'mink creek, and in 1755, seem to have
gained sutficient footing to defend themselves against the general
outbreak of the Indians that took place that year. The same year
Fort Hamilton was built, near the present town of Stroudsburg, and
Fort Penn during the Revolution. It was here that the Wyoming
wanderers took refuge. From the close of the Revolution till the im-
provement of the Lehigh, and the organization of the county, which
last event took place in 1836, little of interest occurred within its
bounds. It now bids fair to become a flourishing portion of the
state. It takes its name from the fifth President of the United States,
and was formed out of parts of Northampton and Pike. In 1843 it
lost a portion of its territory by the formation of Carbon county.
21. Noted Citizens. — General Daniel Brodhead, an officer of
the Revolutionary army, and in the subsequent Indian wars, was
a son of the first settler on Brodhead's creek. In 1780, he com-
manded Fort Pitt, and was a celebrated leader of the frontier men
against their Indian enemies. He was surveyor-general of the state
during the administration of Gov. McKean. Col. Jacob Stroud, also
of the Revolutionary army, was the father of the person who laid
out Stroudsburg, and was the first settler at that place. He died in
1806.
IS. What is said of the class of Monroe?
19. What of the Delaware flats and vaU
kys?
20. What is the history of the cottnty.
with dates 1
21. Name the noted citizens.
180
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
1. Northumberland, an anthracite mountain county,
is bounded on the E. and N. E. by Columbia, N. by Ly-
coming, W. by Union, S. by Dauphin, and S. E. by
Schuylkill. Jirea 500 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, the Line, Little, Ma-hn-noi/ , and
Big mountains, in the S. ; the Sha-mo'ldn hills in the
middle, but S. of the North Branch ; Montourh ridge, cele-
brated for its iron, and Limestone ridge, N. of the North
Branch ; and the Muncy hills, in the extreme north.
3. The Streams are, the JVorth and West Branches of
the Susquehanna, uniting at Northumberland, and thence
forming the main Susqueharina, along the western border of
the county; the creeks are. Ma- h an- ton' go, Ma-ha-noy,
and Sha-7no'kin, falling into the main Susquehanna ; Roar-
ing creek into the North, and Chil-lis-qu a-que* and Lim£'
stone into the West Branch.
4. The Soil is of very different qualities. The alluvial
flats, and limestone land along the West Branch, are highly
*Chilisquaque pronounced Chil-lis-quau/ que.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Northumberland ?
2. What are its mountains ?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
THIRD CLASS NORTHUMBERLAND. 181
fertile. There is also limestone^ and consequently pro-
ductive land about Sunbury, and in some of the valleys
south of it. In many parts, slates and shales occur, afford-
ing very fertile land under a proper system of tillage. The
mountains themselves are generally barren. One half
■of the area of the county may be called farm land.
5. The valuable Minerals are anthracite coal, the mid-
dle coal basin terminating in this county ; with limestone
and iron- ore.
6. Northumberland contains 17 townships , 3 boroughs,
and a number of growing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Sunbury, the seat of justice, on
fthe main Susquehanna, with 1108 inhabitants; JS^orth-
umherland, on the point between the North and West
Branches, with 928, and Milton on the West Branch, with
1508 ; the villages are, Georgetown, Snydertown, Shamo-
kiuj McEwensville, Watsonhurg, &c.
; 8. The Public Improvements are, the North and W^est
Branch canals, uniting at Northumberland, thence extend-
ing down the river on the Union county side ; a railroad
from Sunbury to Shamokin, intended to be continued to
Potts ville ; a turnpike from Pottsville, through Sunbury
and Northumberland to Lewisburg, in Union county ; two
noble bridges over the West and North Branches at North-
umberland ; one over the West Branch at Lewisburg, and
one at Milton.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 20,027, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $4,035,605.
10. The first settlers were Irish and English. In the
southern townships, the majority are now Germans, who
use their own language.
11. Their chief Employments are, agriculture and coal
mining, with a small amount of iron business, and some
lumbering.
12. Their Productions are, grain of all kinds, cattle
and pork, coal, lumber, and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 3 academies, 1
5. Minerals?
G. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
16
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county?
11. What are their employments?
12. Productions?
13. Literary institutions?
182
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
female seminary, 80 common, and several private schools.
There are over 30 churches in the county.
14. Northumberland elects 1 member to the House of
Representatives, and, with Dauphin, 1 to the Senate of the
state; with Union, Lycoming, and Clinton, 1 member of
Congress ; and is in the eighth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Augusta, ChUlisquaque, N. Coal, S. Coal,
Delaware, Jackson, Lewis, Lower Mahanoy, Upper Mahanoy, Little Ma-
hanoy, Milton, Northumberland, Point, Rush, Shamokin, Smib^ury, and
Turbet.
16. Sunhury is delightfully situated on the east bank of the Sus-
quehanna, a short distance below the confluence of its two branches,
and just above Shamokin creek. In front of it, the Shamokin dam
of the Susquehanna canal forms a wide and lake-like basin, and on
either hand are high and picturesque hills. It is a pleasant, quiet,
old borough, built on a long green, or rather very wide street, in the
midst of which stands the court-house. It was laid out in 1772, and
was the seat of Fort Augusta during the early Indian troubles. It
was incorporated in 1797, and contains the usual county buildings,
6 churches, an academy, and a foundery. Being the terminating
point of the Shamokin railroad, considerable quantities of coal are
shipped here. The business of the place will be much increased
when that road is connected, as it will be, with Potlsville. It is 52
miles N. of Harrisburg, 123 N. W. of Philadelphia, and 220 N. E.
of Pittsburg.
17. Northumberland occupies one of the most beautiful as well as
commanding positions in the state. The scenery combines the
charms of river and mountain views in great variety, and in a high
degree. Its noble bridges, its canals, and its vicinity to the rich
lands of the West Branch, and of Buffalo Valley in Union county,
and to exhaustless coal and iron, seem to indicate that it ought to
be more than a mere place of transit. The intelligence and capital
of its citizens, when applied to manufactures, for which it has all
the elements, will make it the Pittsburg of the Susquehanna.
18. Northumberland was laid out in 1775, but shortly afterwards
abandoned, in consequence of attacks by the Indians. It was re-
occupied in 1785, and soon grew to some importance, being a
commanding trading point. The completion of the state canals
past it on the North and West Branches, deprived it of this advan-
tage. It was incorporated in 1828, and contains 5 churches, an
academy, a bank, and a town-hall.
19. 3Iilton is a flourishing town, 12 miles above Northumberland,
on the West Branch. It contains 6 churches, an academy, with
several flour-mills and founderies.
20. Shaynokin is a new coal town, built since 1834, about 19 miles
14. How many members are elected,
and what is the judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe Sunbury.
1 7. What is said of Northumherla nd?
18. Describe it.
1ft. Describe Milton.
THIRD CLASS NORTHUMBERLAND. 183
S. E. of Sunbur}^ It is in the neighbourhood of some of the most
valuable coal mines in the state, one of the veins being represented
as 40 feet in thickness. When the railroad connection with Potts-
ville is completed, it will probably become a place of great business.
21. Shamokin is situated in the south-western termination of the
middle anthracite basin, and has, in its vicinity, also large quanti-
ties of iron-ore. A promising commencement of the coal trade was
made here previous to 1840, but the change of times that then took
place checked its growth. An extensive anthracite furnace was
also erected. The place still promises to fulfil the expectations of
those concerned in its prosperity.
22. History. — Before the Europeans took possession of the terri-
tory of this county, it seems to have been occupied by tribes of the
Ddaivare and Shawnee nations, under the control of the Five Nations.
They had a town at Shamokin, now Suubury, over Avhich Shikelli-
7)ut.^, a celebrated Cayuga chief, and the father of the well-known
Logan, presided in 1731. Zi/ice/((/o// visited it in 1742, and hndnerd
in 1745. Soon afterwards, the Moravians established a mission
here ; and, the lower part of the county having been purchased
from the Indians in 1749, about 1750 English and Irish settlers
began to move into it. Braddock's defeat, m 1755, exposed them to
great hardships, and caused many to retire. The " new purchase,"
including the upper part, M'as made in 1768, and immediately after,
many Scotch-Irish from below Kittatinny, and some Friends from
the south-eastern counties, established themselves. Northumber-
land, deriving its name from the English shire of that name, was
formed into a separate county in 1772, with an indefinite extension
to the north and west. It had previously formed part of Berks and
Bedford. The breaking out of the Revolutionary war again ex-
posed the settlers to great danger from the Indians and British, to
protect themselves against whom, Forts Augusta at Sunbury, Fort
Freeland, and Fort Menninger on Warriors Run, and others up the
West and North Branches, were erected. Though many were killed,
they held their ground till the close of the Revolution, exhibiting
many acts of daring, and of devotion to the good cause. After that
event, the county enjoyed peace, and a moderate share of prosperity.
Luzerne was taken off it in 1786, Mifflin in 1789, Lycoming in 1795,
and Centre in 1800; and finally, Northumberland was brought
down to its present limits by the formation of Columbia and Union
in 1813.
23. Noted Citizexs. — Dr. Joseph Priestley, the celebrated philo-
sopher, controversialist, and author, resided in the town of North-
umberland, during the last ten years of his life. He was born in
England in 1733, and died at Northumberland in 1804. He was the
first to discover the existence of oxygen gas.
20. Shamokin
21. What is said of it with reference to
the coal trade ?
22. State the history of the county, vnth
dates.
23. Nafn£ the twted citizens.
184
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
LUZERNE COUNTY.
1. Luzerne, an anthracite mountain county, is hounded
by Wayne on the E., Susquehanna and Wyommg on the
N., Wyoming, Lycoming, and Columbia on the W.,
Schuylkill and Carbon on the S., and Monroe on the S. E.
Its area is 1400 square miles.
2. The Mountains are, the main .r]llegheny, broken
into huge irregular hills, and known by various names in
the north-western part ; across the middle portion, from
north-west to south-east, lie two ranges, the northern called
the Lack-a-wan'nock^ in the N. E., and the Shawnee and
JV'an'iicoke in the S. W., and the southern, called the
Moosic, in the N. E., and the Wyoming in the S. W.
These ranges are about 6 miles apart, and embrace be-
tween them the Wyoming or Lackawanna coal valley. In
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Luzerue ?
2. Mountains?
THIRD CLASS LUZERNE. 185
che southern quarter are JYes' co-peck and Buck mountain.
South of Buck mountain a portion of the middle coal ba-
sin is included in Luzerne.
3. The Streams are, the Susquehanna^ or North Branch
river, running through the middle of the county, and the
Lehigh forming part of its eastern boundary. The creeks
are, the Lack-a-wan'na, Wap-wal-lo'pen^ A^'es' co-peck^ Hunt-
ingdon^ Shickshinny, Hemlock, and Harvey'' s, flowing into
the Susquehanna, and Bear, with some smaller streams, into
the Lehigh. There is a number of picturesque waterfalls
in Luzerne.
4. The Soil is very various. That of the Wyoining
Valley and of the bottom lands on the streams is very fer-
tile. The mountainous portion is sterile. More than one-
half of the county may be capable of cultivation.
5. The Minerals are, anthracite coal, in vast abundance,
and some irori-ore. There seems to be no limestone in
the county.
6. Luzerne contains 33 townships, 3 boroughs, and
several villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Wilkesbarre, the seat of justice,
on the Susquehanna, in Wyoming Valley, with 1718 in-
habitants, Carhondale, near the north-east end of Lacka-
wanna Valley, with about 2000, and Whitehaven. The
villages are, Stoddartsville, Conyngham, JVescopeck^ Ply-
mouth, Kingston, Troy, and Pittston.
8. The Public Improvements are, the J\'^orth Branch
canal, from the south-eastern line of the county to the
mouth of the Lackawanna ; the railroad of the Lehigh
company, from Wilkesbarre to Whitehaven on the Lehigh,
and one from Carbondale to Honesdale in Wayne county ;
a turnpike from Stoddartsville, through Wilkesbarre, to
Tunkhannock, two in the north-east, and another across
the south-east part, and a large bridge over the Susque-
hanna at Wilkesbarre.
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 33,000, and
the assessed value of property, in 1845, $4,8.25,081.
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs
ajid villages ?
16
■'o^
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are llie population and pro-
perty?
186
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
10. The FIRST Settlers were from Connecticut. These
"Were soon followed by others from the lower counties of
Pennsylvania.
11. Their chief employments are, agriculture^ coal-
mining and luwhering; and their productions are in accord-
ance with those pursuits.
12. The Literary Institutions are, an academy and
female seminary, 137 common, and a number of private
schools.
13. Luzerne elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Columbia, 1 to the Senate of the
state, and, with Columbia and Wyoming, 1 member of
Congress ; and is in the thirteenth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Mington, Beaton, Blakely, Buck, Butler,
Carbondale, Covington, Dallas, Dennison, Dorrance, Exeter, Fuirmount,
Fraaklin, Greenfield, Hanover, Hazle, Huntington, Jefferson, Kingston,
Lackawanna, Lake, Lehman, Ncscopeck, Newton, Newport, Pittsion, Ply-
mouth, Providence, Ross, Salem, Sugar-loaf, Union, and Wilkesbarre.
15. Wilkesbarre, so called from a combination of the names of
the noted John Wilkes and Colonel Barre, two prominent members
of the British Parliament, who zealously advocated the rights of the
colonies in that body about the commencement of the war of Inde-
pendence, is delightfully seated on the Susquehanna, in the far-famed
"Vale of Wyoming." It was laid out by Colonel Durkee in 1773,
and incorporated in 1806. It contains the ordinary county build-
ings, 3 churches, a bank, academy, female seminary, and an exten-
sive rolling-mill. It has a bridge over the Susquehanna, connecting
it with Kingston. Its business facilities, by river, canal, railroad,
and turnpike, are very great. It is 111 miles N. W. of Philadelphia,
and 115 N. E. of Harrisburg.
16. Carbondale is a nourishing town at the head of the Lackawanna
Valley, built up since 1826, by the coal business. It is at the mines
owned by the Hudson and Delaware Canal Company, who trans-
port immense quantities of coal from this point, by means of their
line of canal and railroad to the city of New York. It contains
6 churches.
17. miitehavcn and Stodda7-tsville are on the Lehigh in the great
lumber country opened up by the Lehigh Navigation. The former
is the point where the railroad from Wilkesbarre strikes the Lehigh.
It bids fair to become a large busy place.
18. The coal of this county must form its chief wealth, when all
the contemplated avenues to market shall be completed. The ex-
10. Who settled the county ?
11. AVhat are their employments and
productions?
V2. I>iterary institutions?
13. W^hai members are elected, and
what is the judicial district?
14. Name the toivnships.
15. Describe Wilkesbarre.
16. Carbondale.
17. Whitehacen a7id Stoddartsvilk.
13. What is said of the probable demand
for the Wyoming coal ?
THIRD CLASS LUZERNE.
187
tension of the North Branch canal to a connection with the public
works of New York, will, above all the rest, afford such an outlet
as to render the custom of the cities and the country to the south
and east of minor importance. All western New York, and the im-
mense lake country, with their numerous towns and long winters,
will consume any quantity of coal that can be taken out.
19. The coal land of Wyoming differs from that of the anthi%cite
basins further south. They are in the midst of sterile and rugged
mountains, while it forms one of the most fertile and pleasant val-
leys in the Commonwealth. The same acre that gives employment
to the miner in his proper business, yields him the necessaries of
life. In addition to this, the whole length of the valley is watered
by the Susquehanna or the Lackawanna, thus affording, either by
natural or artificial navigation, a ready means of transporting to
market the coal, which may be run down to their banks for ship-
ment, on short railroads, requiring no power and little cost.
20. The veins are of great thickness, some of them reaching thirty
feet, with a few intervening thin layers of slate ; and the coal, owing
to its great hardness, bears the process of transportation to market,
and the various transhipments, with less loss than any other.
21. Harvey's Lake, in the north-western part of the county, is a
beautiful sheet of water, about 3 miles long. It is in a wild region,
abounding in game. Chapman's, and Upper and Lower Crystal
lakes are in the north-east.
22. HisToitY. — Previous to the time of Penn's settlement of the
province, a tribe of the Shawanees occupied the western part of the
Valley of Wyoming, still called the "Shawnee flats." About 1740,
a band of the Delawares, excluded from their residence on their own
river by the encroachments of the whites, established a town called
Waiomiiik, said to mean large meadows, just belovv' the present town
of Wilkesbarre. Before that time, the valley seems to have been a
favourite hunting-ground of the Five Natwns and other tribes. In
1742, they were visited by Count Zinzendorf, who established a Mo-
ravian mission. Soon afterwards, the Shawanees were expelled by
the Delawares, and retired to the Ohio. After Braddock's defeat, in
1755, all the Delawares of this region, except such as had been
converted by the Moravians, still soured at having been driven from
their old home, took part with the French, but were for a time pa-
cified by Sir William Johnson.
23. In 1754, certain citizens of Connecticut, advancing a claim to
the whole northernpartof Pennsylvania under their charter from King
Charles the Second, purchased Wyoming Valley from some chiefs
of the Six Nations assembled in Albany, and explored the country.
In 1762, 20V) settlers from Connecticut arrived, and after making
a few improvements, returned to that state for the winter. Next
year they came back with their families, but in consequence of
the murder of the noted chief, Teedyuscund, which was wrongfully
charged on them, they were attacked in the fall by the Indians, and
19. What of the coaUand ?
20. Of the veins and the coal ?
21. Of Honey's Lake?
22. Repeat the Indian history ofthevaUey.
23. State the origin of the Contucticut
claim, and settleanent.
188
STATE-BOOK OF PtIsNSYLVANlA.
compelled, after losing 20 men, to abandon the settlement. Peace
with France took place in 1763.
24. In 1768, the proprietaries of Pennsylvania purchased from
the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, near Oneida lake in New York, all
the remaining Indian land in north-eastern Pennsylvania. This
included Wyoming. In the same year, Pennsylvania settlers, under
proprietary grants, arrived, and laid out two " manors," one on each
side of the Susquehanna, including the improvements formerly
made by the Connecticut men. Early next year, about 40 Con-
necticut men arrived to resume the settlement. From that time,
each party being occasionally re-inforced by fresh arrivals of their
friends, a scene of constant controversy, sometimes proceeding to
bloodshed, succeeded; and both the governments of Pennsylvania
and Connecticut took part in the dispute. Connecticut recognised
Wyoming as a part of that state, and attached it to the county of
Litchfield, under the name of Westmoreland ; while Pennsylvania, on
the other hand, sent out civil officers supported by troops to expel
the intruders. During these contests, several forts were constructed,
and many sieges and skirmishes took place. This state of things
lasted till the opening of the Revolution.
25. That event compelled both parties to unite for the common
defence against the British and their Indian allies. In the contest,
the Six Nations and most of the unconverted Delawares took the
British side, causing the converted or Moravian Delawares to be
suspected by the colonists. The civil war being thus suspended,
Wyoming, w^hich had become quite populous in the midst of all con-
tentions, sent forth nearly all her able-bodied men in the common
cause.
26. In June, 1 778, while in this defenceless condition, the settlement
was attacked by a large body of British and Indians, the former un-
der Col. John hutler, and the latter, under the famous Mohawk chief,
i?rfl«/, whose Indian name was Thayendanegea. The result is known.
After a brave resistance, chiefly by old men and boys, an almost
general massacre took place. The few Avretched survivors, now
principally widows, with their orphan children, traversed the deso-
late wilderness of the Great Swamp, or " Shades of Death," crossed
the bleak summit of Pokono, and at last found rest and protection
at what is now Stroudsburg, in Monroe county.
27. The same autumn Captain Spalding, with troops from Strouds-
burg, rebuilt the fort at Wilkesbarre, and recovered possession of
the valley. In 1779, General Sullivan's expedition against the north-
ern Indians removed all further danger from that source.
28. As soon as independence was achieved, the old feud between
the Connecticut and the Pennsylvania settlers, or the Yankees and
the Pennamites, as they were then called, broke out in all its former
fury. But in 1782, the question of original title was decided at
Trenton in favour of Pennsylvania, after full and fair investigation,
by commissioners appointed by Congress.
24. Of the Peyxnsylvania ^ntlement. and 27. What happened that autumn, and
of the controversy. in 1 779 'f
25. Wiat put a stop to the latter? 2t^. When did the controversy revive, and
2'). What happened in 1776." hotvivas it filially terminated?
THIRD CLASS LUZERNE.
189
29. In 1784, the destructive ice-flood on the Susquehanna, laid
waste Wyoming, the ice having formed a dam in the gorge of the
river at the lower end of the valley, by which all the bottom lands
were inundated. In 1786, the county was erected, taking its name
from the Chevalier de la Luzerne, at that time minister from France
to the United States government. In 1799 and 1801, laws for the
final settlement of all private claims and disputes still existing
among the Connecticut and Pennsylvania settlers were passed by
the legislature of this state. In 1810, Bradford was erected into a
separate county, and part of it taken from Luzerne. The same year,
Susquehanna was taken off, and in 1842, Luzerne was reduced to its
present bounds by the organization of Wycmiing ; thus not only losing
territory, but the name that ought to belong to a soil with which
it has become associated by so many deeds of toil, of courage, and
of suffering.
30. Noted Cittzein-s. — Col. Zcbuloti Butler, the leader of the set-
tlers in the battle of 3d July, 1778, was a brave officer in the Revo-
lutionary army. He was born in Connecticut in 1731, and died in
Luzerne in 1795. Col. Dennison, the second in command, was also
a gallant soldier. He was also born in Connecticut in 1741, and
died in Luzerne in 1809. The descendants of both still reside in the
valley. Genl. William Ross was born in Connecticut in 1760, and
died in Luzerne in 1842. He was not in the battle, having gone in
pursuit of some Indians a few days before. He took an active part
in support of the state authority after the Revolution, and was greatly
esteemed for his modesty and worth. Col. Timothy Pickering, though
a native of Massachusetts, was for man)^ years a citizen of Luzerne,
which he represented in the Convention that framed the state Con-
stitution of 1790. During the Revolution, he had been an aid-de-
camp to General Washington, and in 1787 was sent by the govern-
ment of Pennsylvania to use his influence in restoring order in
Luzerne, which had the year before been erected into a county. He
held many offices under the national government. He was born in
1745, and died in 1829. Judge Obadiuh Gore, a. blacksmith by trade,
was the first, in 1769, to use the Wyoming coal. He was a Con-
necticut settler. After that time, the blacksmiths of Wilkesbarre
continued to use it. Judge Jesse Fell successfully employed it in a
nail factory about 1800. In 1808, he also succeeded in causing it
to burn in a grate in a common fire-place. From that time, it came
into general use as a fuel for domestic purposes.
29. What events occurred bettoeen 1784
and 1842 ."
30. Name the noted citizens.
190
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
WYOMING COUNTY.
1. Wyoming, a north-eastern mountain county^ is
bounded N. by Susquehanna, W. by Bradford and Lycom-
ing, and S. and E. by Luzerne. Jirea 400 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are the terminating hills and irregular
spurs of the great Allegheny^ the chief of which are,
Ma-hoo' pe-ny ^ Big and Little Mahoopejiy, Tu72k-han'?iock,
Boiomanh, and Knob mountains.
3. The Streams are, the JVorth Branchy crossing from
the north-west to the south-east ; and Twnkhannock^ Falls,
Me-shop'pe?!, and Tuscarora creeks, flowing into it on the
east, and Big and Little Mahoopeny, and Bowman''s on the
west.
4. The Soil is tolerably good. Along the streams there
are alluvial bottom,s of great fertility. Much of the high
table land and of the hill sides, is w^ell adapted for pasture
and some of the coarser grains. One half of the county
may ultimately become cultivated.
5. No valuable Minerals have yet been discovered.
6. Wyoming contains 13 townships, 1 borough, and a
few growing villages.
7. The Borough is Tunkhannock, the county-seat, on
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Wyoming?
2. Its mountains ?
3. Streams?
4v Soil ?
5. Minerals?
6. I low many townships, boronghs, and
villages?
7. Name the county-town, borougli,
and villages.
THIRD CLASS WYOMING.
191
the east side of the Susquehanna at the mouth of Tunk-
hannock creek, with about 300 inhabitants. Buttermilk
Fnlls^ Exeter^ and Scottsville, are small villages on the
Susquehanna.
8. The Public Improvements are, the unfinished JVorth
Branch canal, and a turnpike from Wilkesbarre through
Tunkhannock to Montrose, in Susquehanna county.
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 8500, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, $877,782.
10. The early settlers were from Connecticut, and at
present most of the citizens are of New England origin.
11. Their chief pursuits are agriculture and lumbering;
and ih^ix productions are some w^heat and corn, with con-
siderable quantities of oats, potatoes, and cattle, and a
large amount of lumber.
12. The Literary Institutions are 42 common schools.
13. Wyoming with Susquehanna, elects, 2 members to
the House of Representatives, and with Susquehanna and
Wayne, 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Luzerne and
Columbia, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the eleventh
judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Braintrim, Clinton, Eaton, Exeter, Falls,
Forkston, Mahoopeny, Monroe, Nicholson, Northumberland, Tunkhan7iock,
Washington, and Windham.
15. Tunkhannock, SO called from the Indian name of the creek
near which it is situated, has become a thriving town since it was
selected as the county-seat in 1842. It was incorporated in 1841,
and contains the usual county buildings and several churches. It
is remarkable for its wild mountain scenery. The Tunkhannock
valley above it on the creek, is thickly settled, and aftbrds the town
considerable support. The lumber business also adds largely to its
trade. Should the North Branch canal, which passes through the
place, be completed, it will very much promote the prosperity of the
county-seat. It is 146 miles N. E. of Harrisburg and 143 N. W. of
Philadelphia.
16. At Buttermilk Falls, near the mouth of Falls creek, there is a
thriving village. This place is remarkable for its water-falls and
immense unimproved water-power.
17. HisTORT. — Before the close of the Revolutionary war, it is
8. Public improvements?
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county?
11. W^hat are their chief pursuits and
productions?
12. Literary institutions?,.
1-3. How is it represented, and in what
judicial district is it ?
14. Name the totvnthips.
15. Describe Tunkhannock.
16. What of Buttermilk Falls ?
17. Repeat the history of the county, with
dates?
192 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
not probable that any permanent settlements were made in the
bounds of Wyoming. It may be, however, that some attempts
were made after the peace with France in 1763, and the extinguish-
ment of the Indian title to the lands in 1768. If such were the
case, the settlers were no doubt driven off b)^ the British and In-
dian incursions of 1778. In 1779, Sullivan's expedition mainly
removed this obstacle, but not' altogether ; for we learn from Major
Moses Van Campen's Narrative, that his famous escape from his
Indian captors took place within the present bounds of Wyoming,
in 1780. It is at all events certain, that immediately after the close
of the Revolution, Connecticut settlers began to occupy this por-
tion of the state, believing it to be within the bounds of their claim.
About the same time, the well-known John Nicholson, the great land
speculator, formed a settlement in the township that still bears his
name. As early as 1788, a permanent establishment was made at
the place where the county-seat now stands. From that time till
nearly the present, as a part of Luzerne, this county shared the
fortunes, was embraced in the history, and distinguished by the
men of the mother county. In 1842 it was separately organized,
assuming the name of the celebrated valley which constitutes both
the historical and physical wealth of Luzerne.
1
i
FOURTH CLASS PERRY.
193
FOURTH CLASS.
TERRY COUNTY.
1 BlooDifiekl. 4 Millerstown.
3 Petersburg-. 5 L.'indisburg.
3 Liverpool. 6 Ickesburg.
7 Newport.
8 New Germantown.
9 Buffiilo.
1. Perry, an iro7i mountain county, is bounded E. by
Dauphin, N. W. by Juniata, S. W. by Franklin, and S. by
Cumberland. Area^ 540 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, the Kittatinny, forming the south-
ern boundary, and the Tus-ca-ro'ra the northern, with a
number of smaller ridges or hills between.
3. The Streams are, the Smquehanna river, dividing it
from Dauphin on the east, and the Ju-ni-at'a, crossing its
north-eastern corner into the Susquehanna : the creeks
are, Shermaii's^ Little Juniata^ and Fishing, falling into the
Susquehanna; and Buff'alOj Little Buffalo^ Racoon^ and
Co-cal'am-uSj into the Juniata.
1. ^Vhat are the class, boundaries,
and area of Perry ?
2. Name the mountains.
3. Streams.
17
194
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
4. The Soil is various. The limestone and slate land,
which form the northern accompaniment of the Kittatinny
throughout nearly its whole course, are highly fertile. The
rest of the county, except the mountains and broken ridges,
is moderately fertile. More than one-half of its area may
be cultivated.
5. The Minerals are iron-07'e, in great quantities, and
limestone.
6. Perry contains, 15 townships, 8 boroughs, and some
growing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Bloornfield, the county-seat, near
the Little Juniata, with 412 inhbaitants ; Millerstown,
Liverpool^ JVewport^ Petersburg^ Buffalo^ Landishurg, and
JVew Germantown ; and the villages are Ick'es-burg, Dun-
cannon^ &c. "^
8. The Public Improvements are the Susquehanna ca-
nal, from the mouth of the Juniata at Duncan's island, up
the eastern line of the county, and the Juniata canal from
the same point up the Juniata ; the northern turnpike, from
Duncan's island along the Juniata ; and several large
bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 17,096 ; and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, was $2,895,758. ^
10. The First Settlers were Scotch-Irish. Many
Germans have since established themselves, and gene-
rally use their own language.
11. Their chief employments are agriculture and the
manufacture of iron. There are a number of furnaces,
rolhng-mills, forges, and nail factories in the county.
12. The productions are grain, cattle, pork, and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, 100
common, and some private schools. There are about 30
churches in the county.
14. Perry elects 1 member to the House of Representa-
tives, and, with Cumberland, 1 to the Senate of the state;
4. Soil.
5. Minerals,
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7 Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Perry ?
11. W^hat are their chief puri^uits?
12. Productions ?
1.3. Literary institutions ?
14. How is it represented, and what is
the judicial district?
FOURTH CLASS PERRY.
195
with Cumberland and Franklin, 1 member of Congress ;
and is in the ninth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Buffalo, Carrol, Centre, Jackson, Grcenu-ood,
Juniata, Liverpool, Madison, Oliver, Penn, Rye, Saville, Toboyne, Tyrone,
and Wheat field.
16. BLoo:>rFiELD is handsomely situated in a narrow fertile valley-
near the centre of the county. It was laid out in 1825, and incor-
porated as a borough in 1831. The tract of land on which the town
is built was called " Bloomfield," in the original patent or grant
from the state to the first settler. Hence the name of the town. It
contains the requisite county buildings, 4 churches, and an academy.
It is 25 miles N. W. of Harrisburg, 123 N. W. of Philadelphia, and
185 E. of Pittsburg.
17. The practice of giving distinct names to estates, or tracts of
land belonging to families, is general in the countries of Europe. It
does not suit our habits or institutions. There, an estate, owing to
the rights of primogeniture, will remain for many centuries undi-
vided in the same name and family. Here, owing to the equal claim
which each child has in the estate of the parent, and to the fact
that land is liable to be sold for the payment of debts, real estate,
(which means houses and lands,) either soon becomes divided or
passes altogether into other hands. Thus the name either becomes
lost by the subdivision of the estate, or is forgotten by some new
purchaser.
18. The custom of naming tracts was attempted to be adopted
under the provincial government, in issuing the patents, as in the
case of Bloomfield, but did not succeed. Where the names thus
given have survived at all, they have lost their exclusive applica-
tion, and are only heard in the common name of some township or
village.
19. Liverpool, on the Susquehanna, 14 miles above Duncan's
island, has 454 inhabitants, and is the largest town in the county.
There are extensive iron-works in the vicinity, which, with the
trade of the state canal that passes in front of it, aflbrd a lively
business.
20. Newport and Millerstoivn, on opposite sides of the Juniata,
are flourishing towns with over 400 inhabitants each. Below the
latter, is the rope-ferry of the Juniata canal, at which the canal boats
are drawn across a dam in the Juniata, by an ingenious application
of the water-power of the river.
21. Diinrannon is a busy manufacturing village, at the mouth of
Sherman's creek. An extensive rolling-mill, nail-factory, and other
works belong to this establishment.
22. Near Landisburg, about 8 miles south-west of Bloomfield, in.
Sherman's Valley, the county poor-house is situated.
15. Name tlie townships.
16. Describe Blootnjield.
17. WJiat is said of nmning estates ?
18. What has heeiv the effect here?
19. What is said of Liverpool ?
20. Of Newport, Millerstown, and the
Rope-ftrry ?
21. Of Duncannon?
'22. Of Landisburg?
196 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
23. Shermanh Valley, so often named in early times as the scene
of many adventures in the contests with the Indians, lies along the
northern base of the Kittatinny, and is watered by a beautiful creek,
which takes the name of the valley. It is mostly limestone land,
and though the surface is very broken and irregular, it presents the
appearance of a quiet and thriving settlement.
24. The scenery along the Perry bank of the Susquehanna, and
on the Juniata, is grand and beautiful. At Duncan's island and
Liverpool, especially, the mountains and the river present views
scarcely surpassed even by the storied localities of the Old World.
The heights, it is true, are not crowned by ancient and picturesque
ruins, neither are the streams the dividing-line between princes
whose past struggles for power have associated with them the
legends of chivalry. But they remain in all their native beauty
and grandeur, unchanged, except so far as human ingenuity has
applied their resources to the promotion of human happiness. They
remain a type of what our country's history should be, with no
change recorded, except for the common good; no monument
erected except to virtue.
25. History. — About 1730, Cumberland began to be permanently
settled. In 17.50, when erected into a county, it contained within its
then bounds about 3000 inhabitants. Sometime during the interval
between these dates, the Scotch-Irish of Cumberland Valley, began
to pass through Sterrct's and other gaps in the Kittatinny, and es-
tablish themselves in Sherman^ s Valley. So late as 1745, there was
a noted Indian town on the " Juncauta, (now Duncan's) island,'^ in
the mouth of the Juniata. For several years after Braddock's de-
feat, in 1755, at which time the settlers in Sherman's Valley had
become numerous, many were killed by the Indians, and the survi-
vors kept in constant alarm. This state of things was terminated in
1764, by Colonel Bouquet's defeat of the Indians at Brushy run, in
the west. From that period the county increased slowly but regu-
larly in population and improvements, forming a portion, and shar-
ing the prosperity of " mother Cumberland." During this period a
large number of German settlers added themselves to the popula-
tion. In 1820, Perry, honouring herself with the name of the hero
of Lake Erie, was erected into a separate county. Since that event
her population and prosperity have been much promoted, by the
establishment of numerous iron-works, for the successful prosecu-
tion of which business, the abundance and excellence of her iron-
ore, and the plenty and cheapness of wood for charcoal, afford
many advantages. -
23. 0/ Sherman's Valley? I 25. Relate the history of Perry, with the
24. Of the scenery? \ dates.
FOURTH CLASS JUNIATA.
197
JUNIATA COUNTY.
1 Mifflintown.
2 Mexico.
3 Thompsontown.
4 Ridgeville.
5 Waterford.
6 Waterloo.
7 Calhounville.
W. \ U N I
1. Juniata, an iron mountain county, is bounded E. by
Northumberland, N. by Union, N. W. by Mifflin, S. W.
by Huntingdon, and S. E. by Perry. ./3?'eaj 350 square
miles.
2. The Mountains are, Tuscarora and Turkey moun-
tains, its boundaries on the S. E., and Shade and Black
Log on the N. W.
3. The Streams are, the Susquehanna^ which divides
it for a short distance from Northumberland on the E., the
Juniata crossing its centre, and Tuscarora^ Lost, Lickings
and Co-cal' a-mus creeks emptying into the Juniata, and
west Ma-han-ton' go into the Susquehanna.
4. The Soil of the Limestone and Slate valleys is quite
productive. The rest of the county, consisting chiefly of
steep mountains and ridges, is sterile. About one-half
of its area is fit for cultivation.
5. The Minerals are, iron-ore and limestone.
6. Juniata contains 10 townships, 3 boroughs, and a
number of villages.
1 What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Juniata?
2. What are the mountains ?
3. Streams?
17
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
m
198
STATE- BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
7. The Boroughs are, Mifflmtown^ the county-seat, on
the Juniata, with 420 inhabitants, Waterford and Perry-
vilh; and the villages are, Thompsonfown, Mexico, Tam-
many town, Calhounville, and Waterloo.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Juniata canal,
which passes along the north bank of the river ; the north-
ern turnpike alongside of it, and two large bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 11,080, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $2,498,930.
10. The FIRST Settlers were Scotch-Irish. These
have since been followed by considerable numbers of
Germans.
11. Their chief employment is agriculture, iron-works
not having yet been established.
12. Their Productions are, grain of all kinds, cattle,
and pork.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
54 comiTLon schools.
14. Juniata elects, with Union, 2 members to the House
of Representatives, with Mifflin and Union, 1 to the Senate
of the state, and with Centre, Huntingdon, Blair, and Mifflin,
1 member of Congress; and is in the ninth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Beak, Delaware, Fayette, Fermanagh,
Greenicood, Lack, Milfurd, Turbct, Tuscarora, and Walker.
16. Mifflintoicn occupies an elevated situation on the bank of the
Juniata. It became the county-town in 1831, deriving its name from
that of Governor Mitflin and the old county of Mifflin, in which it
was included when laid out, which was about 1791. It has much
improved since Juniata was organized, and the county business
centred in it. It contains a court-house and jail, with an academy
and 3 churches, and has a substantial bridge over the Juniata. It
was incorporated in 1833, and is 43 miles N. W. of Harrisburg,
141 N. W. of Philadelphia, and 165 E. of Pittsburg.
17. Thnmpsontoion and Perryville are thriving places, the former
9 miles below Mifflintown, on the north bank of the Juniata, and the
latter on the opposite side, about 2 miles below the same place.
There is a noble bridge over the Juniata at Perryville, and the
mountain view below the town is remarkably fine. This, however,
is the character of the whole scenery on the river.
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty?
10. Who settled .Tuniata?
11. What is their chief employment?
12. Their productions ?
13. Their literary institutions?
14. How is it represented, and what is
the judicial district?
15. Name the tointshij)S.
16. Describe Mifflintown.
17. Tho7npsontoivti and Pem/viUe.
FOURTH CLASS MIFFLIN.
199
18. Though Juniata is in the iron mountain region of the state,
she yet has no iron-works. But she possesses all the requisites for
the prosecution of the business.
19. HisroKT. — The first settlements in Tuscarora Valley, which
constitutes the large south-western portion of the present county of
Juniata, were made about 1749. The enterprising Scotch-Irish of
Cumberland Valley were the pioneers. Some passed over the Kit-
talinny, crossing the present county of Perry, from the Carlisle set-
tlement ; while others arrived from the Conecocheague settlement,
now Franklin county. At first, they experienced the usual losses,
and suffered the usual hardships of all who occupied the out-
posts on the Indian frontier. But they finally made good their
footing in the beautiful valleys of the Juniata ; and their descendants,
now mingled with many industrious German settlers, enjoy the fruits
of their hazardous enterprise. Juniata long petitioned the legisla-
ture for a separation from MifHin county, which at length took place
in 1831, and seems much to have promoted her prosperity and con-
venience without detriment to the old county. She of course as-
sumed the Indian name of her romantic river.
MIFFLIN COUNTY.
1. Mifflin, an iron mountain county, is bounded E. by
Union, N. W. by Centre, W. by Huntingdon, and S. E.
by Juniata. Jirea, 370 square miles.
18 IVhat is said of the iron-business ?
19. Rejieat the history of Juniata, with
the dates.
1. What are the class, boundaries
and area of Mifflin ?
200
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
2. The Mountains are, Shade and Black Log on the
S. E. boundary, Stone and Path Valley^ or Seven moun-
tains ^ on the N. W., and Jack^s mountain in the middle.
3. The Streams are, the Juniata river, flowing through
the south-western part of the county, into which Kishicoquil-
las* and Jack's creeks empty on the north, and Licking
creek, through Tuscarora in Juniata county, on the south.
4. The Soil of the limestone valleys, especially that of
Kishicoquillas, is remarkably fertile. Slate and shale soils,
where they occur, are also easily improved. The moun-
tains are barren. Fully one-half of the county is tillable.
5. The valuable Minerals are, great quantities of ex-
cellent iron-ore and limestone.
6. Mifflin contains 9 townships, 3 boroughs, and a num-
ber of growing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Lewistown, the seat of justice on
the Juniata, with 2058 inhabitants, McVeytown and Hamil-
tonville ; and the villages are, Horrelstown, Belleville, Reed-
ville, and Allenville.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Juniata canal,
following that stream through the county ; the northern
turnpike taking the same direction ; and the Bellefonte and
Erie turnpike, which diverges from the northern turnpike
at Lewistown.
9. The Population of Mifflin, in 1840, was 13,092;
and the assessed value oi property, in 1845, $3,827,454.
10. The FIRST Settlers were Scotch-Irish, who were
followed by many Germans from the lower counties. The
latter still use their own language.
11. Their chief pursuits are, agriculture and the iron-
business. There are some other manufactories, and a large
number of flour-mills.
12. The Productions are, grain, cattle, pork, and iron
in large quantities.
* Kishicoquillas, pronounced Kkh^a-cok'iUas.
2. Name the mountains.
3. Streams.
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
6. How many townships, boroughs and
villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled county ?
U. What are their chief pursuits?
12. Their productions ?
FOURTH CLASS MIFFLIN. 201
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
43 common schools. Education seems to prosper.
14. Mifflin elects 1 member to the House of Representa-
tives, and, with Juniata and Union, 1 to the Senate of the
state ; with Juniata, Huntingdon, Blair, and Centre, 1
member of Congress; and is in the twentieth judicial
district.
15. The Townships are, Armagh, Brown, Decatur, Derry, Granville,
Memio, Oliver, Union, and Wayne.
16. Leicistown, one of the busiest and most prosperous towns in
the state, occupies an elevated position on the north bank of the
Juniata at the mouth of the Kishicoquillas creek. It is a well-built
town, with a spacious new court-house, and the other county-build-
ings, 7 churches, an academy, bank, two founderies, a woollen and
axe factory, and a large flour-mill. Its advantageous position, with
reference to canals, turnpikes, and a rich agricultural and iron re-
gion, has caused, and will continue to increase, its prosperity. It
was laid out in 1790, taking its name from William Lewis, a member
of the legislature from Philadelphia, who exerted himself to have it
made the county-seat, in opposition to Mifflintown, now in Juniata
county. It was first incorporated in 1795, and is 55 miles N. W.of
Harrisburg, 153 N. W. of Philadelphia, and 154 E. of Pittsburg.
■ 17. McVeytonm, formerly called Waynesburg, is a thriving place,
with 348 inhabitants, on the Juniata, 1 1 miles above Lewistown. It
contains 2 churches, and has a furnace, foundery, and forge in the
vicinity.
18. HamiltmiviUe, or 'Newton Hamilton, also on the canal, 10 miles
above McVeytown, is situated near a remarkable bend in the river,
where, after a south-eastern course of several miles, it turns sud-
denly to the north-west and approaches within a few hundred yards
of its channel above the bend. A short distance above this point is
the wild Gap through which the river passes Jack's mountain.
19. Below Lewistown is the singular reach of the river called
the ''Long Narroivs." It is a mere straight trough, 4 milesin length,
and completely occupied by the Juniata, with Black Log on one
hand, and Shade mountain on the other. Few scenes present a
more wild or grand appearance.
20. There is a number of caves in the limestone rocks of Mifflin.
HcnawaWs cave, near McVeytown, is large, and frequently contains
crude saltpetre. Alexander' s cave is in Kishicoquillas Valley, and
abounds in calcareous concretions.
21. Kishicoquillas Valley is one of the richest and best improved
agricultural regions in the interior of the state, and is noted for the
abundance and excellence of its wheat and corn. It is about
13. Their literary institutions? I 17. McVeytown.
14. How is Miiflin represented, and IS. Hamiltonville and vicinity.
what is tlie judicial district? 19. The Long Narrows.
15. Name the tou'nships. 20 The caves.
IG. Desi~ribe Lewistown. I 21. Kishicoquillas^''alley.
202
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
30 miles long and 3 wide, lying north-west of Jack's mountain, and
is chiefly settled by Germans from Lancaster and the older south-
eastern counties. It is drained by Kishicoquillas creek, which breaks
through the mountain, and falls into the Juniata at Lewistown.
22. South-east of Jack's mountain is the no less fertile Valley of
Lewistoum, which is divided into several smaller ones, through which
the beautiful Juniata pursues its winding course.
23. There are a considerable number of furnaces, forges, founder-
ies, and other works for the manufacture of iron in various parts of
Mifiiin. For the profitable prosecution of this useful branch of in-
dustry, she possesses unusual advantages, having, in addition to
abundance of the best ore, and of charcoal and limestone, a con-
stant and cheap conveyance for the article to market, by means of
the state canals and railroads.
24. HisTORT. — About 1755, some of the daring Scotch-Irish pio-
neers from Conecocheague, (now Franklin,) reached the valley of
Mifllin by way of Aughwick creek. A settlement was made that
year near where Lewistown now stands. This was broken up by
the Indians and French in 1756. After the Indian title was extin-
guished in 1768, by the treaty of Fort Stanwix, the settlers returned.
In 1769, Kishicoquillas Valley, so called after an Indian chief of that
name who resided there, was first settled, as was the south-western
part of the county. The celebrated Logan, the "Mingo chief," son
of Shikellimus, chief of the Senecas, had his lodge a number of
years on Kishicoquillas creek, near its Gap through Jack's moun-
tain. He was the friend of the white men ; yet " all of his blood"
were afterwards murdered by them on the Ohio. During the Revo-
lutionary war, this secluded settlement does not seem to have been
disturbed. In 1789, Mifiiin, deriving its name from the then presi-
dent, and subsequently governor of the state, was erected into a
county out of parts of Northumberland and Cumberland. In 1791,
a considerable contention occurred between the people of Hunting-
don and Mifflin about the boundary between the counties ; which, how-
ever, was finally settled without bloodshed. No other event of interest
occurred till 1829, when the state canal was completed as far as
Lewistown, which, together with the establishment of numerous
iron-works, has since greatly promoted the prosperity of the county.
In 1831 Juniata was taken ofl^, and Mifflin thus reduced to its pre-
sent limits.
25. Noted Citizens. — William BrownwdiS the first settler in Kishi-
coquillas Valley, and continued to be one of the associate judges of
Mifflin till his death, at the age of 91. Arthur Buchanan was proba-
bly the first settler in the neighbourhood of Lewistown. He took
up the land in 1755, for which a warrant issued in 1762.
22. Lewistown Valley.
23. What is said of the ir(nubusiness ?
24. Repeat the history of the county, with
dates.
25. Name the noted citizens.
FOURTH CLASS BEDFORD.
203
BEDFORD COUNTY.
1. Bedford, an iron mountain county, is bounded E.
by Franklin, N. by Huntingdon and Blair, W. by Somer-
set, and S. by Maryland. Jlrea, 1300 square miles.
2. In crossing the county from east to west, the follow-
ing Mountains are met, viz., Cove, Scrub ^ Sideling ^
Ray^s, Clear, Warrior, Tussey^s, EviVs, Dunning^ s, Wills\
Chestnut, and the Great Allegheny forming its western
boundary. In the northern part is Broad-top mountain.
It is perhaps the most mountainous county in the state.
3. The Streams are, the Raystown Branch of the Juni-
ata in the north, and a number of mountain streams flow-
ing to the Potomac in the south.
4. The Soil is very various. Many of the \'alleys are
of the richest limestone. The shale, slate, and sandstone
lands, where sufficiently level for tillage, are less fertile,
but susceptible of much improvement. One-half of the
county is rocky mountain, unfit for cultivation.
5. The valuable Minerals are, iron-ore, limestone, and
bituminous coal ; the latter in Broad-top mountain.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Bedford?
2. Name the mountains.
3. The streams.
4. Describe the soil.
5. What are the minerals?
204
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
6. Bedford contains 22 townships, 3 boroughs, and a
number of thriving villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Bedford, ihe. seat of justice, near
the Raystown Branch, with 1022 inhabitants, McConnells-
town, and Schellshurg ; the villages are, Woodbury, Sto-
nerstow?i, Rai7isburg, Bloody-run, 8fc.
8. The Public Improvements are, the turnpikes from
Bedford to Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Somerset. There
are neither canals nor railroads in the county.
9. The Population, in 1840, of the territory now com-
posing Bedford, was 25,089, and the assessed value of
property, in 1845, was $3,050,000.
10. The People are mainly of Scotch-Irish and German
descent.
11. Their chief Employments are agriculture and the
iron business.
12. The Productions are, grain, cattle, timber, iron,
and some maple-sugar.
13. The Literary Institutions are, an academy,
a female seminary, and 185 common schools.
14. Bedford elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Huntingdon and Blair, 1 to the Senate
of the state ; with Cambria and Westmoreland, 1 member
of Congress ; and is in the sixteenth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Air, Bedford, Belfast, Bethel, Broad-top,
Colerain, Cumberland Valley, Dublin, Harrison, Hopewell, Liberty, Lick-
ing creek, Londonderry, Monroe, Napier, E. Providence, W. Providence,
Southampton, St. Clair, Union, South Woodbcrry, and Middle Woodberry.
16. The iowvi of Bedford gives, name to the county, and is so called
after old Fort Bedford,\v\i\c\i occupied the same site, but was known
as Raystown till 1763. It is pleasantly placed on a rich limestone
tract near the head of the Raystown Branch. It is a neat and flou-
rishing place, and contains a well-built and spacious court-house,
prison, and public offices, 3 churches, a woollen factory, and several
flour-mills. It was first regularly laid out as a town in 1766, though
occupied at an earlier date, and was incorporated in 1795. Its dis-
tance from Harrisburg is 102 miles, from Philadelphia 200, and
from Pittsburg 100.
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name them, with the county-seat.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty?
10. By whom was the county settled?
11. What are their employments?
12. Their productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How is Bedford represeated, and
what is its judicial district ?
15. Naine the townships.
16. Describe the town of Be'lford.
FOURTH CLASS BEDFORD.
205
17. In a valley 1^ miles south of the town, are the celebrated " Bed-
ford Springs." The buildings and accommodations are spacious
and comfortable, and the surrounding grounds tastefully arranged.
This delightfal spot has for many years been resorted to during the
sultry summer months, by hundreds in pursuit of health and the pure
cool air of the mountains. The number has recently so largely in-
creased, that Bedford bids fair to vie, in this respect, with the most
favourite places of the kind.
18. McConnellstown is beautifully situated in a limestone valley, be-
tween Cove mountain and Scrub ridge, on the turnpike, 28 miles E.
of Bedford. It contains 2 churches and 486 inhabitants.
19. Schellsburg contains 316 inhabitants, and is situated 9 miles
west of Bedford, on the turnpike leading to Pittsburg.
20. Nearly all the valleys in Bedfordcounty are of limestone forma-
tion, and consequentl}' fertile. They are generally highly improved.
21. There are numerous iron furnaces and forges in the county;
abundance of ore, wood, and limestone, presenting great advantages
for the prosecution of the iron business.
22. History. — Long before the Indian title was extinguished, the
restless cupidity of the whites led them to encroach upon this region.
In 1750, a number of the cabins of these intruders were burned by
order of the governor and council. In 1755, the province sent out
300 men to cut a road from Fort Loudon, in what is now Frankim
county, across the mountains through Bedford to join Braddock's
road, west of the Alleghenies. The work was not completed till 1 758,
when Colonels Bouquet and Washington carried it through by
means of the large force which General Forbes was leading to the
capture of Fort Duquesne. From 1773, Fort Bedford, previously
called Raystown, became the principal depot for military stores, and
the halting-place for adventurers, between Carlisle and Fort Pitt.
Thus a small settlement around it commenced. There were at this
time several other forts in the vicinity, among which were Littleton's,
Martin's, Piper's, and Wingawn's. By 1770, considerable settle-
ments had been effected in the county, the first pioneers being from
Cumberland and Franklin. At the commencement of the Revolu-
tion, it took a decided stand against the oppressions of the mother
country, and sent two companies to Boston. The county was
erected in 1771. It then included the whole south-west part of the
state, having previously been part of Cumberland. The establish-
ment of Westmoreland in 1773, Huntingdon in 1787, Somerset in
1795, and Blair in 1846, reduced it to its present bounds. During
and for some years after the Revolution, its citizens were much ha-
rassed by the Indians. From that period, and until the era of turn-
pikes, about 1815, its growth was slow. That valuable species of
improvement added largely to the population, business, and comfort
of this and the other mountain counties.
23. Noted Citizens. — William Frazer, recently if not yet living,
17. Bedford Springs.
ly. McConnellstown.
19. Schellsburg.
20. What is said of the valleys ?
21. Of the iron business ?
22. Repeat the history of Bedford, with
dates.
23. Name the noted citizens.
18
206
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
was the first white child born in the county. His birth took place
in 1759. Thomas S?niih, afterwards a judge of the Supreme Court,
resided in Bedford at the commencement of the Revolution, and
efficiently supported the cause of freedom^ John Tod, a native of Con-
necticut, settled as a lawyer inBedford when young. He was a mem-
ber of the Senate, and speaker of the House of Representatives of
the state, a prominent member of Congress, president judge of the
court, and died in 1830, a judge of the Supreme Court of the state.
BLAIR COUNTY.
CLEARFt ELD.
1 Hollidaysburg.
2 Martinsburg.
3 Frankstown.
4 Wiiliamsbui'g.
5 Newry.
loas'.N.
C A M B R 1 A Mi
SOMERSET; B|E D F
1. Blair, an iron mountain county, is hounded E. by
Huntingdon, N. by Huntingdon and Centre, W. by Cam-
bria, and S. by Bedford. Jirea^ 650 square miles.
2. The chief Mountains are, Tussey'^s, forming the east-
ern, and the Great Allegheny the western, boundary. Be-
tween these are Lock, Brush, Bald Eagle, and others,
Blair being a very mountainous county.
3. The Streams are, the head-waters of the main Ju-
niata, the principal of which are, the Frankstown Branch,
Little Juniata, Clover creek, ^c.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Bloir ?
2. Name the mountains.
3. Streams.
FOURTH CLASS BLAIR. 207
4. The Soil resembles that of most of the counties of
this class. That of the numerous limestone valleys is fer-
tile, but the mountains are barren. About one-half of the
county may be fit for tillage or pasture.
5. The valuable Minerals are, abundance of iron-ore and
limestone^ with bituminous coal in the Allegheny mountain.
6. Blair contains 11 townships, 3 boroughs, and seve-
ral growing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Hollidayshurg, the seat of jus-
tice, on the Juniata, \vith 1896 inhabitants, Gaysport and
Martinshurg ; and the villages are, Williamsburgj Franks-
town, JWwry, Davidsburg, Laurelville, Ironville, Duncans-
ville, Waltersburg, Henrysburg, and Collinsville.
8. The Public Improvements are, the state-canal along
the Juniata to HoUidaysburg, where it joins the Portage
railroad, which extends over the Allegheny mountain to
Johnstown ; the northern turnpike across the county through
HoUidaysburg ; and a number of bridges.
9. The Population of the territory now forming Blair,
in 1840, was 20,250, and the assessed value of property,
in 1845, was $3,440,000.
10. The first Settlers were mainly Scotch-Irish and Ger-
mans. Latterly, large numbers from other counties of Penn-
sylvania, and from other states, have settled in the towns.
11. Their chief Employments are, agriculture, the iron
business, and trading on the public works.
12. Their Productions are, grain, cattle, pork, iron,
and some coal.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 75 common,
and some private schools.
14. Blair elects 1 member to the House of Representa-
tives, and, with Huntingdon and Bedford, 1 to the Senate
of the state ; wdth Huntingdon, Centre, Mifflin, and Juni-
ata, 1 member of Congress; and is in the sixteenth ju-
dicial district.
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name them, \vith the county-seat.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county?
11. What are their chief employ-
ments?
12. Productions?
13. Lilerarv institutions?
1 4. How is 6lair represented, and what
is the judicial district ?
208
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
15. The Townships are, jlUegheny, jintis, Blair, Cathenne, Franks-
town, Gi-eenfield, Huston, Snyder, Tyrone, Woodbcrry, and South Woodberry.
16. HoUidaysburg is a large, busy, and growing town on the Juni-
ata, at the head of canal navigation, and at the eastern end of the
Allegheny Portage railroad. It was laid out by Adam Holliday, a
Scotchman and early settler in the county. From him its name is
taken. In 1830, it only contained 72 inhabitants, but the completion
of the main line of canal and railroad, soon after, caused it to grow
with great rapidity. It was incorporated in 1836, and contains
6 churches, 6 public schools, several founderies, a large steam flour-
mill, and a number of immense warehouses and other establish-
ments connected with the canal trade. It became the seat of justice
of Blair county in May, 1846, by the selection of the commissioners
appointed under the act of Assembly, which formed the county; but
the county buildings have not yet been erected. It is 115 miles N. W.
of Harrisburg, 213 N. W. of Philadelphia, and 95 E. of Pittsburg.
17. Gaysport contains about 1000 inhabitants, and is only sepa-
rated by a small branch of the Juniata from HoUidaysburg. The
two boroughs in fact form one town.
18. Frankstown is on the Juniata, 2^ miles below HoUidaysburg.
It was an important point on the northern turnpike, before the con-
struction of the canal.
19. WiJliatnsburg is a flourishing town on the Juniata, 14 miles
below HoUidaysburg. It has a population of 637, with 5 churches,
and a number of mills.
20. Martinsburg is a thriving town in the rich valley, called Mor-
rison's cove, in the southern part of the county. It contains 422 in-
habitants.
21. SinJcing-spring Valley contains lead ore, which attracted con-
siderable attention during the revolutionary war. A fort was then
erected, and a number of miners were sent out to obtain a supply
for the army. But, owing to the small quantity produced, and to
the hostilities of the Indians, the undertaking was soon abandoned.
The valley derives its name from a considerable stream, called
Arch spring, which rises in the southern part of Tyrone township,
and, after flowing northward some miles, sinks into the earth and
rises again a number of times, and disappears in the mouth of a
large cave. It is supposed to pass for several miles under Brash
and Canoe mountains, and to reappear by two branches m Canoe
valley, whence it falls into the Frankstown branch of the Juniata.
Sinkmg-spring valley is also noted for the abundance and excel-
lence of its iron-ore.
22. Nearly all thevalle)'S that occur among the rugged mountains
of Blair are of the limestone class, and very productive. They
generally contain iron-ore of a superior quality, and the surrounding
mountains are clothed with abundance of timber. The consequence
15. Name the tou'n^hips.
1(5. Discrihe HoUidaysburg.
17. Gaysport.
18. Frankstown.
19. Williamsburg.
20. Martinsburs;.
21. Describe Sinking-spring valUy.
22. What is said of the valleys and tht
iron-uwks ?
FOURTH CLASS HUNTINGDON.
209
is, that iron-works are very numerous, and add largely to the pros-
perity of the county.
23. History. — Previous to 1846, the territory now forming Blair
was included in the counties of Huntingdon and Bedford, and
its history is embraced in theirs till that period. The completion
of the state canal and railroad in 1834 added so largely to its
population, business, and wealth, as to cause the citizens to
desire its erection into a separate county. This took place in
July, 1846, the name of the county being derived from that of
John Blair, of Blair's gap, who was one of the earliest settlers
and most worthy citizens of this part of the state. He was a mem-
ber of the legislature in 1825-6, and warmly advocated the improve-
ment of the state by canals and railroads. He died about 1828.
HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
■^'^v:'' "• 1 Huntingdon.
2 Alexandria.
3 Petersburg.
i Waterstreet.
5 Birmingham.
6 Shirleysburg.
7 McConnellsburg.
8 Orbisonia.
9 Ennisvillc.
1. Huntingdon, an iron mountain county, is hounded E.
* by Franklin, Juniata, and Mifflin, N. by Centre, W. by
Blair, and 3. by Bedford. ^re«, 730 square miles.
23. Repeat the history of the county.
18^
1. AVhat are the class, boundaries, and
area of Huntingdon ?
210
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
2. The Mountains are, Tiiscarora, between Huntingdon
and Franklin, next to which are Shade, Black Log, and
JacloS mountains ; in the south are Sideling-hill, Terrace
mountain, and Broad-top ; and west of the town of Hunt-
ingdon are Warrior ridge and Tussey^s mountain, the latter
forming the boundary of Blair.
3. The Streams are, the Juniata, into which fall, from
the south, the Ruystoiun Bra7ick (with its tributary Trovgh
creek) and Aughwick creek, and on the north Standing-
stone, Little Juniata, and other creeks.
4. The Soil of the numerous limestone valleys is noted
for its fertility. The greater part of that of the mountains
is barren, but where shale and slate lands occur, the soil
is easily improved. Probably one-half of the area of the
county is fit for cultivation.
5. The Minerals are, abundance of the most valuable
iron-ore and of limestone, with bituminous coal in the south-
ern part, and some hydraulic cement.
6. Huntingdon contains 19 townships, 5 boroughs, and
many villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Huntingdon, the seat of justice,
on the Juniata, with 1145 inhabitants, Alexandria, Peters-
burg, Shirleysburg, and Birmingham ; and the villages are,
Water street, McConnellsburg, Ennisville, Orbisonia, Smith-
field, Sfc.
8. The Public Improvements are, the state-canal, fol-
lowing the course of the Juniata across the county; the
northern turnpike taking the same direction ; and a num-
ber of substantial bridges.
9. The Population of the territory now composing
Huntingdon, was 19,484, in 1840, and the assessed value
of property, in 1845, was $4,973,085.
10. The FIRST Settlers were Scotch-Irish and Ger-
mans, but many have since followed from the other counties
of the state.
2. Name its mountains.
3. Streams^.
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
(>. I low many townships, boroughs, and
villages?
7. Name them, with the county town.
8. The public improvements.
9. AVhat are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county ?
FOURTH CLASS HUNTINGDON. 211
11. Their main Pursuits are, agriculture and the manu-
facture of iron.
12. The Productions are, grain of all kinds, cattle,
pork, and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, and
130 common schools.
14. Huntingdon elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives ; with Blair and Bedford, 1 to the Senate of the
state ; with Blair, Centre, Mifflin, and Juniata, 1 member
of Congress ; and is in the twentieth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Barre, Cass, Clay, Cromwell, Dublin, Frank-
lin, Henderson, Hopewell, Jackson, Morris, Porter, Shirley, Springfield, Tell,
Tod, Union, Walker, Wuirior^s mark, and West.
16. Huntingdon town is delightfully situated on the north bank of
the Juniata, near the centre of the count3% It was laid out a short
time before the Revolution, by the Rev. William Smith, Provost of
the University of Pennsylvania. He gave it the present name in
honour of the Countess of Huntingdon, a pious English lady, who
had been a liberal donor to the funds of the university, then recently
established. It had previously been the site of an Indian town,
called Standing-stone. It was incorporated in 1796, and contains a
large and commodious brick court-house, a stone prison, and other
county buildings, 6 churches, and an academy, and has a substan-
tial bridge across the Juniata. It is a place of considerable busi-
ness, and is traversed by the Juniata canal, and the northern turn-
pike ; and is 90 miles N. W.of Harrisburg, 186 N. W. of Philadelphia,
and 122 E. of Pittsburg.
17. Alexandria is a handsome town on the north side of the Juni-
ata, near the mouth of the Little Juniata, 7 miles above Huntingdon.
It contains 2 churches and 574 inhabitants.
18. Water-street is a village two miles above Alexandria. It is so
called from the fact that in early days the road passed through a
gap in Tussey's mountain which was so narrow, for more than a
mile, that the road was literally in the stream which occupied the
pass.
19. Birmingham is a thriving town on Little Juniata, 15 miles
N. W. of Huntingdon. It contains 235 inhabitants, and is in the
vicinity of the iron-works of Sinking-spring Valley.
20. Shirley sburg is 16 miles S. of Huntingdon, in Aughwick Valley,
and contains 247 inhabitants.
21. The Warm Springs are in the valley of Standing-stone creek.
It is a place of considerable resort. The water contains magnesia.
11. What are their main pursuits?
12. Productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How is Huntingdon represented,
and what is its judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe Huntijigdon.
17. Alexandria.
18. Water-street.
19. Birmingham.
20. Shirleijsburg.
21. The Warm Sprinik.
212 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
22. Huntingdon is one of the chief iron counties of the state, for
the manufacture of which valuable metal, it possesses every advan-
tage. The ore is of the best quality and in great abundance. Wood,
for the formation of charcoal, is equally plenty, and limestone is
found in every township. Water-power, for propelling the neces-
sary machinery, is abundant, and the fertile soil of the valleys pro-
duces all the necessaries of life. Added to all this, are the great
facilities for getting to market, afforded by the public works ; the
whole forming a combination of advantages not often surpassed.
The number of iron-works already in operation is consequently
considerable, and will beyond all doubt increase.
23. History. — The first attempt to settle Huntingdon county
seems to have been made by certain intruders upon the Indians in
1749. Their cabins were burned by order of the provincial authori-
ties in 1750. Fort Shirley, in the southern part of the county, was
built in 1756, but few permanent settlements seem to have been
made till after the treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1688. Immediately
after that event, the Scotch-Irish from Cumberland Valley entered
the county in considerable numbers. They held their ground
through all the Indian hostilities of the Revolutionary war. During
that contest an attempt was made to obtain lead for the supply of
the army from the mines in Sinking-spring Valley, now in Blair
count5\ Considerable labour and money were expended, but with-
out much success. In 1787, the county was erected, having before
formed part of Bedford, and took its name from the town of Hunt-
ingdon. About 1795, the iron business was introduced, and much
promoted the prosperity of the county. In 1804, part of Cambria
was taken off its western side. In 1840, there were 47 iron- works
in Huntingdon, with a capital of $780,000, employing 1357 men.
In 1846, Huntingdon lost more than one-third of its territory on the
west by the formation of Blair, but is still one of the most important
and flourishing counties of its class.
24. Noted Citizens. — Hugh Brady, at present a distinguished
brigadier-general in the United States army, was born at Standing--
stone (now Huntingdon) in 1768, and entered the United States ser-
vice as lieutenant in 1792. He served under Wayne in his western
campaigns against the Indians, and greatly distinguished himself
by his gallantry and bravery during the war of 1812. He is the son
of John Brady, who was killed by the Indians, in Lycoming county,
during the Revolution, and brother of Samuel Brady, the famous cap-
tain of the scouts, who died in 1795, in his 39th year, at West
Liberty, Ohio county, Virginia.
22. The resources of the county. | 2i. Name the most noted citizen.
23. Repeat its history, with dates.
i
FOURTH CLASS CENTRE.
213
CENTEE COUNTY.
1. Centre, an iron mountain county, is hounded E. by
Union, N. by Clinton, W. by Clearfield, S. by Hunting-
don, and S. E. by Mifflin. Jirea, 1000 square miles.
2. The Mountains are. Path-valley mountain on the
S. E., and then Brush and JS^it'ta-ny ; Bald Eagle in the
centre, and the Great Jlllegheny on the N. W.
3. The Streams are, the West Branch on the N. W.
line, into which flow Bald Eagle ^ Pennh; Mo-shan'on, and
other creeks.
4. The Soil is very various. The mountains are sterile
and generally unfit for cultivation, while the intervening
limestone valleys are equal to any land in the state. Want
of water in some parts is their only defect. More than
one-half of it is tillable land.
5. The chief Minerals are, iron-ore, of excellent qua-
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area oi Centre ?
2. What are the mountains?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
214
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
lity and in great abundance, bituminous coal west of the
Allegheny mountain, and limestone in the valleys.
6. It contains 18 townshipSj 2 boroughs, and several
villages. ^^
7. The Boroughs are, Bellefonte, the seat of justice, in
Nittany Valley, with 1032 inhabitants, and Mileshurg ; and
the villages are, Philipsburg, Potter^s Bankj Aaronshurg^
Milheim, Boalsbuig, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the unfinished Bald
Eagle JYavigatioTij from Milesburg to Lock Haven on the
West Branch canal ; and turnpikes from Bellefonte to Lew-
istown and Meadville.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 20,492. The assessed
value of property, in 1845, was $4,980,213.
10. The county was originally settled by Germans and
Irish^ and their chief employments are agriculture and the
manufacture of iron.
11. The Productions are, grain, pork, beef, and live-
stock. Iron is manufactured in large quantities, there
being very many furnaces, forges, and rolling-mills in the
county, together with several cotton and woollen factories,
and a large number of flour-mills.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, and
90 common schools.
13. Centre elects^ with Clearfield, 2 members to the
House of Representatives, and with Lycoming and Clin-
ton, 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Blair, Huntingdon,
Juniata, and Mifflin, 1 member of Congress ; and is in
the fourth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Boggs, Ferguson, Gregg, Haines, Half mom,
Harris, Hmvard, Huston, Liberty, Marion, Miles, Patton, Penn, Potter,
liush, S/inu'shoe, Spring, and Walker.
15. Bellefonte, so called from its fne spring, (that being the mean-
ing of its French name,) is placed on elevated ground in the great
limestone valley of Nittany, and presents a pleasant though irregu-
lar appearance. It has an elegant court-house, with other county-
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villap'ps.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Centre, and what are
their chief employments ?
11. Their productions?
12. Literary i)isiitutions?
13. How is it represented, and what is
the judicial district?
14. Name the totiniships.
15. Describe Bellefonte.
FOURTH CLASS CENTRE.
215
baildings, 3 churches, 1 academy, 1 cotton-factory, and several mills.
It was laid out in 1795, incorporated in 1814, and is 85 miles N. W.
of Harrisburg, and 183 of Philadelphia.
16. Philipsburg is on the high land N. W. of the Allegheny on the
Moshanon, and the turnpike to Erie. It M'-as laid out in 1797, by
two brothers of the name of Philips, Englishmen, who erected exten-
sive iron-works and a screw-factory. It is a neat town, in the bitu-
minous coal region, and in the midst of a valuable lumber country.
17. Milesburg is a small busy town at the junction of Bald Eagle
and Spring creeks, and at the head of the Bald Eagle Navigation.
It is 2 miles from Bellefonte, and contains 2 churches, several iron-
works, an axe-factory, and a number of mills.
18. The limestone valleys of Centre are among the richest and most
beautiful tracts of land in the state. Nittany, Brush, and Penn's
Valleys unite into one at the south-western end of the county, and
are all well-improved.
19. There are over 30 iron-toorks of different kinds in the county,
yielding a very large amount of the best pig and bar iron that
reaches market, neither are the facilities for its manufacture inferior
to the quality of the metal. The ore is in profusion ; wood for
charcoal covers all the mountains ; limestone for flux is found in
every v'alley ; and the valleys also afibrd abundance of provisions
for the hands employed in the works.
~ 20. The portion of the county north-west of the main Alleghany,
though rough and destitude of the beautiful and rich valleys of the
south-eastern part, contains inexhaustible quantities of bituminous
coal. Thus Centre really belongs both to the iron and coal regions
of the state.
iu' 21. History. — The first whites seem to have settled in Centre
county, about 1768, near the present town of Milesburg. It then
composed part of Northumberland. About the same time, James
Potter took up a large tract of land in Penn's Valley, where he after-
wards bailt a fort, at the place still called Potter's Fort. He and
a number of others, who had settled in the same vicinity, were
however forced to abandon their new possessions by the hostile In-
dians about the commencement of the Revolution. On the restora-
tion of peace, the settlers returned, and from that period the county,
which was formed out of parts of Lycoming, Huntingdon, Mifflin,
and Northumberland, in 1800, has presented nothing remarkable in
its progress. It owes its name to its central position in the state.
22. Noted Citizexs. — James Potter, a brigadier-general in the
Revolutionary arrny, was one of the first settlers in Centre, and a
useful citizen. Genl. Philip Beniur, who died in 1833, aged 70, in-
troduced the manufacture of iron in Centre, and took the first "Ju-
niata iron" to Pittsburg.
16. Philipsburg.
17. Milesburg.
18. What is said of the valleys?
19. Of the iron-works ?
20. Of coal?
21. Repeat the history of Centre, tvith
dates.
22. Natne the noted citizens.
216
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
UNION COUNTY.
1. Union, an iron mountain county, is hounded E. by
Northumberland, N. by Lycoming, W. by Centre and
Mifflin, and S. by Juniata. Its area is 550 square miles.
2. The Mountains are, Shade in the S., Jade's in the
W., and Buffalo and JVittany in the N., with White Deer^
forming the Lycoming boundary.
3. The Streams are, the *S'i/.59we/m?ma and West Branchy
dividing it from Northumberland ; into the former flow
Pemi's^ Middle^ and West Mahantongo creeks^ and into the
latter Buffalo and White Deer.
4. The Soil of the valleys^ especially that of Buffalo, is
unsurpassed by any in the state in point of fertility. The
mountains are sterile. The broken land in the south is
only moderately fertile. Probably two-thirds of the county
is or may be made productive.
5. The Minerals are, limestone and iron-ore^ there be-
ing less of the latter than in any of the other iron counties.
6. Union contains 15 townships^ 4 boroughs, and quite
a number of villages.
1. What are the class, bouudaries,
and area of Union?
2. The mountains ?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. ]\Iinerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
FOURTH CLASS UNION. 217
7. The Boroughs are, JVew Berlin^ the seat of justice
on Penn's creek, with 679 inhabitants; Lcicishurg on the
West Branch, with 1220; Mlffimshurg in Buffalo Valley,
with 704, and Seltnsgrove. The villages are, Hartleytorij
Middlehurg^ Swiftstown, ^^damsburg, Frecburg^ JYew Co-
lumbia^ ^'C.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Pennsylvania
canal ^ along the Susquehanna to Northumberland, where
it joins the West Branch canal ^ w^hich passes up the east
side of that river, and is connected with Lewisburg by a
cross-cut canal and a dam in the river ; a tur?ipike from
Lewisburg through Mifflinsburg and Hartleyton into Centre
county; and three large bridges over the West Branch,
one at Northumberland, one at Lewisburg, and one at
Milton. ^
9. The Population, in 1840, was 22,787, and the as-
sessed value o^ property, in 1845, $5,235,053.
10. The FIRST Settlers were mostly Scotch- Irish and
Germans from the lower counties, with some from JYew
Jersey. The German portion now form the large majority,
and use their own lano-uage.
11. Their employments are chiefly agriculture, and their
productions large quantities of all kinds of gTain, catde,
and pork. Some tobacco is also raised.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 97 common, and
some private schools. There are 30 places of public wor-
ship in the county.
13. Union elects, with Juniata, 2 members to the House
of Representatives, and with Mifflin and Juniata, 1 to the
Senate of the state, and wdth Northumberland, Lycoming,
and Clinton, 1 member of Congress; and is in the twen-
tieth judicial district.
14. The Townships of Union are, Beaver, W. Beaver, Buffalo,
E. Buffalo, W. Buffalo, Centre, Chapman, Hartley, Kelly, Middle Creek,
Pcnn, Perry, Union, Washington, and Whitedecr.
15. New Berlin is a pleasant town in the midst of Penn's Valley
and on Penn's Creek, a considerable stream which is navigable for
7. Name ihe county-seat, boroughs
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Union ?
11. ^Vhai are their pursuits and pro-
ductions?
VZ. Literary institutions ?
1.3. How is Union represented, and
what is the judicial district?
14. Name the townships.
15. Describe New Berlin.
19
218
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
rafts and arks, 50 miles of its length. It contains a commodious court-
house and county-offices of brick, a stone prison, and 4 churches.
It was laid out about 1800, and was for some time called Longstown,
after the proprietor of the ground. It was incorporated in 1837, de-
riving its name from the city of Berlin in Prussia. It is 60 miles
N. of Harrisburg, 137 N. W. of Philadelphia, and 200 N. E. of
Pittsburg.
16. Lemsburg is the largest town in the county, and is delightfully
seated on the west bank of the West Branch, at the mouth of Buffalo
creek. It has a bridge over the river, and a connection with the
West Branch canal. Being the point of business, and on the
natural outlet, of the large and rich valley of Buffalo, it is a place
of considerable trade. It is connected with Bellefonte, in Centre
county, by a turnpike, and contains four churches and a foundery.
17. Nearly all the towns of Union county possess the singularity
of TWO names. New Berlin is called Longstown ; Lewisburg, Derrs-
towii ; Mifflinsburg, Youngmanstown ; Middleburg, Swinefordstown ;
Freeburg, Stroupstown, &c. This arose from designating each by
the name of the proprietor before some finer name had been selected,
and now the original appellation generally excludes its later rival.
18. Union, though in the midst of the mountains, is one of the
richest agricultural counties in the middle portion of the state. Her
position is peculiarly advantageous with reference to the iron and
coal-trade of Pennsylvania. Having Mifflin and Centre on the
south and west, and Columbia and Northumberland on the east,
when the minerals of those counties come fairly into use, she will
have a home market for much of her produce, and for the remain-
der will still command access to a more distant market by means
of the state canals.
19. Thus, though not herself possessed of many iron-works, she
seems by her position and productions to be most intimately con-
cerned in the success of that business.
20. HisTORT. — A few pioneers had settled about the mouth of
Penn's creek between 1750 and 1755, but were driven away in the
latter year by the Indians. Soon after the treaty of Fort Stanwix,
in 1768, had extinguished the Indian title to this part of the state,
and opened it to settlers, many Irish and German adventurers from
the lower counties established themselves. The first settlements
were about the mouths of Penn's and Buff'alo creeks along the river.
They suffered many hardships from the Indians and their British
allies during the Revolution, but held their ground, and gradually
extended their improvements up the streams into the interior of the
county. After independence was achieved, as part of Northumber-
land, Union enjoyed quiet and prosperity. In 1813, it became a
separate county, under the name of that bond which binds the states
together, and has since been the scene of no remarkable occurrence.
21. Noted Citizens. — Col. John Kelly, born in Lancaster county
16. Leivisbiirg.
17. Wiat is said of the names of the
toivns ?
19. 0/ the position of Union ?
19. Of the iron-business ?
20. Repeat the history of the county, tuith
the dates.
21 . Name the noted citizvis.
FOURTH CLASS COLUMBIA. 219
in 1754, early settled in Buffalo Valley. He was a major in the
Revolutionary army, and was in the actions of Trenton and Prince-
ton, and was a brave and meritorious officer. He died in Union
county. Simon Snyder, one of the governors of the state, was long
a citizen of Union county. His residence was near Selinsgrove.
He was born in Lancaster county in 1759, and settled in Union in
1784, where he died in 1819.
COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1. Columbia, an iron 7nou7itain county, is hounded E.
by Luzerne, N. by Lycoming, and W. and S. by Northum-
berland and Schuylkill, .^rea^ bib square miles.
2. The Mountains are, Little^ Catawissa, Knob, and
JVorth mountains ; Montour^s and limestone lodges, and the
Muncy hills.
3. The Streams are, the Susquehanna, called the JVorth
Branch, Fishing, Ca-ta-wis'sa, Roaring, Ma-ho'ning, and
Chil-lis-qua' que creeks.
4. The Soil varies from rich limestone land to the bar-
ren rocky surface of the mountains. Much red-shale, clay,
and limestone soil is found in different parts of the county,
one-half of which may ultimately be cultivated.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Columbia ?
2. The mountains?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
220
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
5. The Minerals are, abundance of iron-ore and lime-
stone.
6. The county contains 22 townships, 3 boroughs, and
several thriving villages,
7. Danville, on the North Branch, with over 1000 in-
habitants, is the county town ; the Boroughs are, Bloomsburg,
Berwick, and Catavnssa ; the villages are, Mifflin, Jersey-
Ufwn^Fruitstown, Washington, Williamsburg, Moorshurg, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the JYorth Branch
canal, a turnpike to Pottsville, and bridges across the
Susquehanna at Danville, Catawissa, and Berwick.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 24,267. Assessed
value of property, in 1845, was $4,260,914.
10. Many of the earlier settlers were Germans from the
older counties of the state, whose descendants still use the
German language. Their chief employment is agriculture,
and latterly the extensive manufacture of iron.
11. The principal Productions are, grain, meat, and
iron. A large home demand for the two former is created
by the numerous iron-works, and the neighbouring mining
region of Schuylkill.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 2 academies, 1 fe-
male seminary, and 114 common schools.
13. Columbia elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and with Luzerne, I to the Senate of the state ;
with Luzerne and Wyoming, 1 member of Congress; and
is in the eighth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Bloom, Briar creek, Catawissa, Centre, Darby,
Fishing creek, Franklin, Greenwood, Hemlock, Jackson, Liberty, Limestone,
Madisan, Mahoning, Marion, Mifflin, Montour, Mount Pleasant, Orange,
Roaring creek. Sugar Loaf, and Valley,
15. Danville is one of the most thriving towns in the state. Its
position on the Susquehanna river and the North Branch canal, tlie
inexhaustible mines of the finest iron-ore in the immediate vicinity,
together with the adjacent rich agricultural country, form a combi-
nation of advantages not often equalled. It is seated on the high
western bank of the river, with the canal in its outskirts, and the
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages?
8. The public improvements?
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. AVho settled the county, and what
are their pursuits ?
11. Their productions?
12. Literary institutions?
VS. How is it represented, and wliai is
the judicial district?
14. Name the townships.
15. Describe Danville.
FOURTH CLASS COLUMBIA.
221
celebrated Montour's ridge with its invaluable iron-ore beyond.
The town contains the usual county buildings, 3 churches, an aca-
demy, several anthracite blast furnaces, one of them the most com-
plete in the United States, and other manufacturing establishments.
Its commencement seems to date back as far as 1780, when it was
laid out by the Montgomery family, and is said to have taken its
name from General Daniel Montgomery, who first established a store
where Danville now stands. In 1813, it became the seat of justice
of the new county, but has never been incorporated. Since the com-
pletion of the North Branch canal, and especially since the success-
ful use of anthracite coal in smelting iron, it has improved very
rapidly, and bids fair to become one of our largest manufacturing
towns. It is 68 miles N. of Harrisburg, 120 N. W. from Philadel-
phia, and 230 N. E. of Pittsburg.
16. Elootnsburg is a well-built and growing town, 9 miles N. E. of
Danville, and a short distance from the North Branch. It has a
population of 600, and 4 churches, and is situated in a fertile part
of the county.
17. Montour^s Ridge extends along the North Branch, from
Northumberland to Bloomsburg, a distance of 21 miles. It abounds
throughout its length both with iron-ore and the limestone so in-
dispensable in the fluxing of the metal. Since anthracite has been
used as a fuel in furnaces, the union of these three elements of
wealth forms a new era in the prosperity of this part of the state.
18. History. — Previous to the commencement of the Revolution-
ary war, there do not appear to have been any permanent settlers
in what is now Columbia county. About 1777, two brothers of the
name of Montgomery settled at the mouth of Mahoning creek.
They were soon, however, forced by the Indians to seek shelter with
their families at Northumberland, where there was a fort. On the
return of peace, they resumed their former settlement, and were
soon followed by others in different parts of the county. Berwick
was commenced in 1783. Catawissa was settled in 1787 by a So-
ciety of Friends, who have since disappeared and been succeeded
by Germans. Bloomsburg was laid out in 1802. The county was
separately organized in 1813, having before been included in North-
umberland, taking its name from the discoverer of the continent. In
1816, it received an increase of territory on the west, from North-
umberland, and in 1818, lost a portion by the formation of Schuyl-
kill. Little has since marked its history, except the oft-repeated
attempts to change the seat of justice to Bloomsburg, as being more
central.
19. Noted Citizexs. — Moses Van Campen, whose narrative of
daring and suffering, as a scout during the Revolution, is known to
most readers, performed some of his boldest feats in this region.
His father was a resident of the county.
16. Also Blooynsburg.
17. Wiat is said of MontouT''s Ridge,
and of the iron-biisiness ?
18. Repeat the history of Columbia, with
dates.
19. Name the noted citizens.
19*
222
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
LYCOMING COUNTY.
..^^^^^^^
'fSr)iirV' '•!■■ C O *-
Williamsport. 5 Ralston.
Muncy. 6 Montoursville.
Jerseyshore. 7 Shiiiersville.
Newbury. 8 Hepbuiii.
1. Lycoming, an iron mountain county, is bounded E.
by Luzerne and Wyoming, N. by Bradford and Tioga,
W. by Clinton, and S. by Union, Noithumberland, and
Columbia. Its area is 1500 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are. White Deer^ which divides it
from Union, and the Muncy Hills from Northumberland
and Columbia, both in the South ; Bald Eagle, south of
the West Branch, extending from that stream to the Clinton
line ; and the Gr^eat Allegheny ridge, here called the j\^orth
mountain, traversing the county from east to west about
its centre, but greatly broken and deeply indented by
streams. Beyond this is the usual high table-land of the
Allegheny, gradually sloping towards the north and west.
3. The Streams are, the West Branch of the Susque-
hanna, through its south-western quarter ; into which
empty, from the north. Pine, Lycoming, Loyalsock, and
Muncy creeks, with some small ones from the south.
4. The Soil is very various. That of the numerous
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Lycoming ?
2. Its mountains ?
3. Streams?
FOURTH CLASS LYCOMING.
223
limestone valleys and river flats is remarkably fertile.
Much of the rolling upland, consisting of slate and shale^
is susceptible of cultivation. The mountain sides are
^generally barren. About two-thirds of the county may
ultimately be reclaimed.
5. The Minerals are iron-ore^ limestone^ coal, and^re-
hrick clay.
6. Lycoming contains 32 townships, 3 boroughs, and
several villages.
7. The Boroughs are, WilUamsport, the seat of justice
on the West Branch, with 1353 inhabitants ; Muncy, with
662, and Jersey Shore, with 525 ; and the villages are,
JVewbury, Ralston, Jaysburg, Hughsville, Montour sville,
Fairview, and Uniontown.
8. The Public Improvements are, the West Branch
canal, following that stream throughout the county ; a rail-
road, intended to connect Williamsport with Elmira in the
state of New York, and completed from the former place
to Ralston, a distance of 16 miles ; and several bridges,
the largest of which is over the West Branch at Jersey
Shore.
9. The PoPitLATioN, in 1840, was 22,649, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, $3,787,874.
10. The FIRST Settlers were chiefly Scotch-Irish, and
Friends from the lower counties, who were subsequently
followed by Germans, and latterly by many from New
Jersey, New England, and New York. The population
is now of a mixed description. In several settlements the
German language is still spoken.
11. Their chief Employments are, agriculture, lumber-
ing, and the iron-business.
12. Their Productions are, large quantities of grain of
all kinds, cattle, pork, lumber, and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, 140
common, and several private schools.
14. Lycoming elects, with Clinton and Potter, 2 mem-
' 4, Soli?
5. Minerals ?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name ih3 county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county ?
] 1. AVhat are their pursuits ?
12. Their productions?
13. Literary institutions?
224
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
bers to the House of Representatives, and with Clinton
and Centre, 1 to the Senate of the state; w^ith Northumber-
land, Union, and Clinton, 1 member of Congress; and is
in the eighth judicial district.
15. The Townships of Lycoming are, Anthony, Armstrong, Brown,
Cascade, Cherry, Clinton, Coganhouse, Cummings, Davidson, Klkland,
Fairfield, Forks, Fox, Franklin, Hepburn, Jackson, Leuns, Limestone,
Loyalsock, Lycoming, Mifflin, Moreland, Muncy, Muncy creek, Nippenose,
Penn'SfPlunket's creek, Porter, Shrewsbury, Susquehanna, Washington and
Wolf.
16. Williamsport is beautifully situated on the north bank of the
West Branch, between Lycoming and Loyalsock creeks. It is hand-
somely built, with a number of tasteful private dwellings, an elegant
court-house, a jail, and the requisite county-otRces, 5 churches, an
academy, a bank, a foundery, and 2 large tanneries. The United
States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania is
held here alternately with Pittsburg. It was laid out in 1795, and
incorporated as a borough in 1806, and takes its name from William
Hepburn, one of the first associate judges of the county. Its position
on the West Branch canal and the Elmira railroad, together with
the rich agricultural region in the vicinity, renders it a place of con-
siderable business, which will be much increased when the railroad
is completed. It is 96 miles N. of Harrisburg, 164 N. W. of Phila-
delphia, and 196 N. E. of Pittsburg.
17. Muncy, formerly called Pennsborough, is on the north side of
the West Branch, near the mouth of Muncy creek. It is a neat
and growing town, and contains 3 churches. It is in a region ori-
ginally settled by Friends from the south-eastern counties.
18. Jersey-shore is above Williamsport, on the same side of the
river, and near the mouth of Pine creek. It has a considerable
lumber trade from the Pine creek region, and contains 3 churches,
and several elegant private residences. It was originally settled by
emigrants from New Jersey.
19. Ralston is a busy village of recent growth, at the mouth of
Stony run on Lycoming creek, 26 miles north of Williamsport. It
is the present termination of the Elmira railroad, which is in opera-
tion thus far. In Lewis tOAvnship, m which Ralston is situated, there
are a furnace, rolling-mill, nail-factory, and several saw-mills. In
the vicinity are extensive mines of iron-ore and bituminous coal,
with some limestone and fire-brick. Lower down the Lycoming
there are several other iron-works.
20. Ralston promises to be a prosperous manufacturing and busi-
ness point. The coal and iron of the vicinity, the water-power, and
the facilities for getting to market, Avhich will be very great when the
connection with the New York works at Elmira is perfected, cannot
fail to insure its success.
14. How is it represented, and what is
the judicial district ?
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe Williamsport.
17. Muncy.
lb. Jersey-shore.
19. Ralston.
20. W/iat is said of it tis a place of busi-
ness?
FOURTH CLASS LYCOMING. 225
21. One of the most remarkable localities in Lycoming is Nippe-
nose Valley, in the south-western part of the county. It is a regu-
larly-shaped oval valle_y of limestone, surrounded by high mountains,
except at one point opposite Jersey Shore, where a deep gap in Bald
Eagle mountain affords access to it. Numerous small streams de-
scend on all sides from the surrounding mountain, towards the cen-
tre, and sink through the fissures and caverns of the limestone rock.
They emerge again, however, from their subterraneous channels near
the gap, and form a large spring which flows thence to the river.
The soil of this singular valley being very fertile, it has long been
inhabited, and is traversed by several public roads. It is 10 miles
in length and about 4 in breadth.
22. When the resources of Lycoming shall be fully developed, the
business of its people will be of a very mixed description. Its coal,
iron, limestone, and abundant agricultural productions will probably
combine manufactures wath farming in such a way as to insure the
success of both.
2-3. History. — Previous to its permanent settlement by the whites,
the region now called Lycoming was chiefly occupied by the Mon-
seys, a band of the Delaware Indians, and the Shawanees, but be-
longed to the Six Nations. In 1745, the Indians were visited by
David Brainerd and the Moravians. In 1768, when the treaty of
Fort Stanwix opened it for settlement as far as Pine creek, many
Scotch-Irish from Cumberland Valley, who, in their previous Indian
expeditions, had become acquainted with the richness of the soil
along the river, eagerly took possession of it. For some 3'ears,
doubts existed as to the real bounds, westward, of the " new pur-
chase" of 1768, as it was called, and some contentions arose between
the government and the settlers. These, however, were finally set-
tled by the second treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784. Daring the first
seven years of this interval, the settlers enjoyed peace with the In-
dians, and increased in numbers; but when the Revolution com-
menced, they suffered much hardship and many lives were lost.
They took a gallant part, notwithstanding, in the war for freedom.
Some joined the patriotic forces, while others erected block-houses
or forts at home for the defence of their families. From Sunbury to
Lockhaven a line of these rude but indispensable defences was
thrown up, and each of them became the scene of many a legend
of border warfare. But the settlers did not always hold their ground.
In the fall of 1777, in consequence of a series of Indian murders,
more numerous than common, and of rumors of the advance of a
large Indian force from the north, the commander of Fort Augusta,
at Sunbury, sent directions to the occupants of all the posts above
him on the "West Branch to evacuate them, and take refuge in Sun-
bury. This caused a general panic. Every sort of craft that could
float was put in requisition, and loaded with the families and pro-
perty of the settlers. This strange fleet, gathering strength as it
floated down the West Branch, with the adult males of each family
marching along the shore, to guard the precious freight, finally
21. What of Nippenose Valley? j 2:3. Repeat its history, with dates.
22. What 0/ the resources 0/ the county?
226 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
n
arrived in safety at Sunbury, and was long afterwards talked of as
the " Big Runaway." Thus were the settlements on the West
Branch for the time abandoned. But the hardy adventurers re-
turned next year, and did not afterwards leave their homes. When
the close of the war gave safety to the tiller of the soil, the Muncy
flats and other rich tracts in Lycoming, rapidly filled with inha-
bitants. In 1795, the county was erected under the name of its
chief stream. Since that time, it has been the fruitful mother of
counties: Centre, Armstrong, Indiana, Clearfield, Jefferson, McKean,
Potter, Tioga, and Clinton, having been formed from its territory.
Yet it is still the largest county in the state.
24. Noted Citizens. — Robert Covenhoven, still living near Jersey
Shore at the advanced age of 91, is a native of New Jersey. He
settled young on the West Branch. He was in the battles of Tren-
ton and Princeton. After his return to Lycoming, in 1777, he took
a distinguished part in all the scoutings and battles with the Indians,
till peace was restored. John Brady, the father of the famous Cap-
tain Samuel Brady, and of the present Brigadier-General Hugh
Brady, of the United States army, was born in the state of Delaware
in 1733. He was one of the Scotch-Irish who early settled in Lyco-
ming, after having spent some years near Shippensburg, in Cum-
berland, and in Huntingdon counties. He built a block-house, and
resided near the mouth of Muncy creek. With his elder sons he
joined the continental army at Boston. They were also at the battle
of Brandywine. Soon after that engagement, John, the father, re-
turned to the West Branch, where he was ambushed and shot by a
party of Indians. John Borrows, who died in 1837, at the age of 77,
was born in New Jersey, and settled in Lycoming in 1794. During
his early youth he served in the revolutionary army, having been
in the military family of General Washington. He was with the
army at Long Island, Trenton, Princeton, Valley Forge, and Mon-
mouth. During his long residence in Lycoming he filled many im-
portant public ofl[ices, and ujtiiformly enjoyed the confidence of his
fellow citizens.
21. Name the noted citizeyis.
FIFTH CLASS — SOMERSET.
227
FIFTH CLASS.
SOMERSET COUNTY.
1. Somerset, a bituminous viountain county, is hounded
E. by Bedford, N. by Cambria, W. by Fayette and West-
moreland, and S. by Maryland. Area^ 1050 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, the Great JJllegheny, forming the
boundary of the county on the N. E., and thence passing
through the S. E. part ; Little Jlllegheny^ forming the S. E.
boundary ; Savage mountain in the south-east, between
the Great and Little Allegheny ; JVegro mountain, the middle
of the county in the south, and Laurel Hill forming the
western boundary.
3. Its Streams are, the Youghiogheny* forming the
* Youghiogheny pronounced Yo-a-gen'ny.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Somerset?
2. The mountains ?
3. Streams?
228
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
boundary of the south-west corner of the county, into
which empty Castlemari's river, with its tributaries Elk
Lick, Buffalo Lick, and Cox'^s creeks, and Laurel Hill
creek ; in the north Stony creek, with its branches Shade
and Quemahoning, flows into the Conemaugh ; in the east
are the sources of the Raystoum Branch ; and in the south-
east the head-waters of Wills^ creek flow into the Po-
tomac.
4. The Soil is better than might be expected in such a
high region. The southern part produces tolerable crops
of corn and wheat ; the northern is productive of grass,
oats, and potatoes. Somerset is noted as superior grazing
land ; for which purpose and for tillage probably three-
fourths of its area are fit.
5. The Minerals are, an abundance of bituminous coal,
a considerable quantity of limestone, and some iron-ore.
6. Somerset contains 16 townships, 3 boroughs, and some
pleasant villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Somerset, the seat of justice, near
Cox's creek, with 638 inhabitants ; Berlin with 525, and
Stoystown ; and the villages are, Smithfield, Petersburg,
Jennerville, Salisbury, and Milford.
8. The Public Improvements are, the JVational Road
in the south-west ; the Bedford and Mount Pleasant turn-
pike crossing the middle, and the Bedford and Greensburg
turnpike the northern part, and a turnpike passing in the
south-east from Somerset to the National Road at Cum-
berland, Md.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 19,650, and the as-
sessed value oi property, in 1845, $2,370,078.
10. The first Settlers were chiefly Germans, of
whom the greater portion of the population now consists,
using their own language.
11. Their chief Occupations are, agriculture, and the
raising of cattle and sheep.
12. The Productions are, some wheat and corn, with
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county ?
11. What are their occupations?
12. Productions?
FIFTH CLASS SOMERSET. 229
large quantities of oats, rye, potatoes, buckwheat, flax,
wool, cattle, butter and maple sugar, and some iron and
coal, the latter not being yet mined for exportation to any
extent.
13. The Literary Institutions are, an academy, 119
common, and some private schools.
14. Somerset elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Westmoreland, 1 to the Senate of the
state ; with Fayette and Greene, 1 member of Congress ;
and is in the sixteenth judicial district.
15. The Townships of Somerset are, Addison, Allegheny, Brother's
Valley, Conemaugh, Elklick, Greenville, Jenner, Milford, Paint, Quema-
Jioning, Shade, Somerset, Southampton, Stony Creek, Summit, and Turkey-
foot.
16. Somerset is a neat, healthy town on the Bedford and Mount
Pleasant turnpike, and connected by turnpike with the Great Na-
tional Road. It contains a court-house and the other county-build-
ings, 3 churches, and an academy. It was laid out in 179.5, and
was for some time called Brunerstown, from its founder, but takes its
present name from the shire town of Somerset in England. It was
incorporated in 1804. In 1833, it was visited by a devastating fire,
but has since recovered from the blow. It is 139 miles W. of Har-
risburg, 237 W. of Philadelphia, and 70 S. E. of Pittsburg.
17. Berlin, the oldest town in the county, is in Brother's Valley,
one of the earliest settlements in Somerset. It is in a fertile region,
contains 2 churches, and is near the turnpike from Somerset to
Cumberland on the National Road.
18. A great part of this county consists of what are called " glades,''
being level tracts of land with a heavy wet soil on the high table
land west of the Great Allegheny. Though too cold and moist for the
production of wheat and corn, they are celebrated for yielding supe-
rior pasture and hay. Hence, the " glade butter" is well-known in
the markets of the large cities.
19. East of the borough of Berlin, on the Great Allegheny, there
is a small tract whose springs find their way to the ocean at widely
distant points, and through various channels. Here are found some
of the sources of the Raystown Branch flowing into the Susque-
hanna, of Wills' creek into the Potomac, of Butfalo Lick creek into
the Monongahela, and of Stony creek into the Allegheny.
20. History. — Previous to 1754, Somerset county seems to have
been nearly untrodden by the foot of white men. In that year Lieu-
tenant Colonel George Washington, afterwards the Father of his
Country, was stationed at Wills' creek post, (now Cumberland, Md.,)
13. Literary institutions?
14. liow is it represented, and what is
ihc judicial district?
1.5. Name the totonships.
1(5. Describe Somerset.
17. Berlin.
18. The glades.
19. WJiat remarkable tract is east of Ber^
lln?
20. Repeat the history of Somerset, with
dates.
20
230
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
in command of a portion of the expedition, despatched by Governor
Dinwiddie of Virginia, to occupy the Forks of the Ohio, (now Pitts-
burg.) To facilitate the passage of the troops, he cut a road through
the south-western part of the count}^ near where the National Road
is now constructed. The next year, Braddock's ill-fated army
marched over the road thus opened. In 1758, Col. Bouquet opened
a similar passage across the northern part of the county, which
long continued to be the only road between Philadelphia and Pitts-
burg. Soon after the formation of these routes, some of the hardy
adventurers from Cumberland Valley commenced settlements in the
county, and a number of Germans established themselves in the
eastern part of it. When Pontiac's war happened in 1763, there
were several settlements in the county. They were, however,
all broken up by the Indians during the Revolutionary war, except
those of the Germans along the eastern line. After the termina-
tion of that contest, and of the Indian wars which succeeded it,
the county began slowly to increase in population. It was erected
in 1795, out of part of Bedford, and took its name from the shire of
Somerset in England. Since 1815, about which time the great turn-
pikes of the state were constructed, it has regularly and largely in-
creased in population and wealth.
CAMBRIA COUNTY.
*0?30:N,
1 Ebensburg.
2 Muiister.
3 Loretto.
4 Summit.
5 Johnstown.
1. Cambria, a bituminous mountain county, is bounded
E. by Blair, N. by Clearfield, W. by Indiana and West-
moreland, and S. by Somerset. Aj-ea, 670 square miles.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and area of Cambria?
FIFTH CLASS CAMBRIA.
231
2. The chief Mountains are, the main Allegheny^ which
forms its eastern, and Laurel Hill its western boundary.
The county occupies one of the most elevated posi-
tions in the state, on the broad westward slope of the
Allegheny.
3. It has no large Rivers. Conemaugh, Stony ^ and
Blacklick creeks, the heads of the Kis-kim-in-e'-tas, flow
through the south part; and in the north. Chest and Clear-
field creeks, the sources of the West Branchy pass into
Clearfield county.
4. The Soil along the streams is productive, but the
larger portion is rugged and cold, and better fitted for pas-
ture, than grain. Oats and potatoes are raised in consider-
able quantities. About one-half of the county is tillable.
5. The valuable Minerals are, bituminous coal^ iron^
and limestone.
6. It contains 13 townships^ 3 boroughs, and a few small
villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Ehenshurg^ the seat of justice,
on one of the ridges of the Allegheny, with 353 inhabit-
ants ; Johnstown, with 1377, and Loretto ; and the vil-
lages are, Summit, Munster, 8fc.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Allegheny Portage
railroad, crossing the county from east to west, and turn-
pikes from Ebensburg to Pittsburg, Kittanning,and Holli-
daysburg.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 11,256, and in 1845,
the assessed value of property was $770,587.
10. The People are of Welsh and Irish origin^ with
some Germans. The Welsh language is still commonly
spoken in many parts.
11. Their main Pursuits are, agriculture, lumbering,
and mining.
12. The Productions are, lumber, coal, some live-
stock, oats, and potatoes.
2. The mountains?
3. Streams ?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. AVho settled Cambria?
11. What are their pursuits?
12. Their productions?
232
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, and
71 common schools.
14. Cambria elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Indiana, Clearfield, and Armstrong,
1 to the Senate of the state; with Westmoreland and Bed-
ford, 1 member of Congress; and is in the tenth judicial
district.
15. The Townships are, Allegheny, Cambria, Carroll, Clearfield, Co-
nemaugh, Jackson, Jefferson, Munster, Richland, SummcrMll, Susquehanna,
Washington, and White.
16. Ebensburg is a small quiet town, with the usual county buildings,
an academy, and 4 churches, in several of which service is per-
formed in Welsh. It was laid out in 1805, b)'^ settlers mostly from
Wales. It was incorporated in 1825, and is 74 miles E. from Pitts-
burg, 134 W. from Harrisburg, and 232 from Philadelphia.
17. Johnstown, the largest town in the count)^, is seated on a flat
closed in by mountains, at the confluence of the Conemaugh and
•Stony creek. It is a well-built place, with 4 churches. It contains
the large canal basin, with its surrounding warehouses and boat-
yards, and the state locomotive depot. It occupies the site of an old
Indian town, called Kickenapawling's town, and was commenced in
1792 by Joseph Johns, or Jahns, from whom it takes its present
name. It was incorporated in 1831 by the name of Conemaugh,
which was changed to Johnstown in 1834.
18. Cambria contains that which is rare in Pennsylvania, a de-
serted village. The town of Eeulah, 2 miles S. W. of Ebensburg, was
early laid out and built, but the establishment of the seat of justice
at Ebensburg caused it to be abandoned.
19. Some of the waters of Cambria flow through the Susquehanna
into Chesapeake bay, and others into the Gulf of Mexico through
the Ohio and Mississippi. It is consequently a high county, and
its climate severe, frost sometimes occurring in the summer. Its
streams, too, are little better than torrents, which is the general cha-
racter of all those which Pennsylvania discharges towards the east.
Still these defects possess their countervailing advantages. If the
winters of our mountain counties be long, the air is bracing and
healthful, and the waters are pure, abundant, and sparkling, though
the torrents be wild.
20. Among the stupendous works by which Pennsylvania has
sought to overcome the natural obstacles of her position, and to give
outlet to the abundance of her mineral and agricultural wealth, none
exceeds in boldness or magnitude the series of vast inclined planes
and levels, called the Allegheny Portage railway, which connects
the canal basins of Hollidaysburg and Johnstown. The distance
13. Literary institutions?
14. How are they represented, and
what is ilie judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe Ebensburg.
17. Johnstown.
is. Enddh.
1 0. What is said of the position and di'
mate ?
20. Describe the Allegheny Portage.
FIFTH CLASS CLEARFIELD.
233
traversed is 40 miles; the eastern ascent 1398, and the western de-
scent 11 72 feet: the planes are 10, the longest, of 3100 feet, overcomes
a rise of 307 feet; the cars, by means of ropes, some of them over
a mile long, are raised and lowered by steam-engines at the head of
each plane ; on the route there is a tunnel of 870 feet, and a stone
arch of 80 feet span. The cost of the work was §1,500,000.
21. History. — Previous to 1797, Cambria was a wilderness, and
formed part of Huntingdon and Somerset. In that year, the first
settler took up his residence near the present town of Loretto. In
1804, it was erected into a separate county, and the ancient name
of Wales, from which a majority of its inhabitants came, given to
it. It did not increase much in population till the construction of
the public works ; since that era it has been steadily advancing.
22. Noted Citi zests. — Captain Richard McGuire was the first set-
tler in the county, and the Rev. Recs Lloyd, the first in Ebensburg.
The Rev. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, during 42 3'ears, exercised
the functions of a Roman Catholic clergyman in the county. He
was a native of Germany, and held the rank of prince in Russia.
He spent a long life in the discharge of his sacred duties on the
bleak summit of the Allegheny. He died in 1840, aged 72.
CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
1. Clearfield, a bituminous niountaiji county, is bounded
E. by Centre and Clinton, N. by Elk, W. by Jefferson and
Indiana, and S. by Cambria. Jlrea, 1200 square miles.
21. Repeat the history of Cambria.
22. Name its noted citizetis.
I 1. What are the class, boundaries, and
I area of Clearfield?
20*
234
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
2. This county is mountainous and hilly ^ without any
long or distinct ranges, except Elk mountain in the west.
It lies on the western slope of the Great Allegheny.
3. The Streams are, the West Branch of the Susque-
hanna, navigable for lumber and arks during the fresh«is ;
the creeks are, Clearfield^ Chesty Moshanon, and Jln-
derson?s.
4. The Soil of the alluvial valleys is highly productive.
The uplands are tolerably fertile, except where too rough
for tillage. The county is generally well adapted for pas-
ture, three-fourths of its area being probably fit for pasture
or tillage.
5. The Minerals are, abundance of excellent bituminous
coaly with iron-ore^ limestone^ and Jlre-brick clay.
6. It contains 19 townships ^ 1 borough, and several
villages.
7. The Borough is Clearfield ^ the seat of justice, on the
West Branch, with 300 inhabitants; and the villages are,
Curioejisville, Luthersburg, Frenchville, Karthause, and
Mount Pleasant.
8. The Public Improvements are, turnpikes to Erie,
Bellefonte, and Smethport, and some bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 7,834. The assessed
value of property, in 1845, was $798,329.
10. The people are mainly settlers from other parts of
the state, and are principally employed in farming and
lumbering.
11. The Productions are chiefly lumber ^ with some
grain and cattle. Clearfield contains about 100 saw-mills.
12. The Literary Institutions are, an academy, a
female seminary, and 76 common schools.
13. Clearfield, with Centre, elects 2 members to the
House of Representatives, and, with Indiana, Cambria,
and Armstrong, 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Butler,
2. Its mountains?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-scat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. AVhal are the population and pro-
perty?
10. W^ho settled it?
11. What are the productions?
12. Literary institutions?
13. I low is it represented, and which
judicial district is it in ?
FIFTH CLASS CLEARFIELD. 235
Armstrong, and Indiana, 1 member of Congress ; and is
in the fourth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Beccaria, Bell, Boggs, Bradford, Brady,
Burnside, Chest, Ccmington, Decatur, Ferguson, Girard, Goshen, Huston,
Jorffan, Karthause, Lawrence, Morris, Penn, and Pike.
15. Clearfield town occupies the site of an old Indian town, called
Chinklacamouse, from a small creek of that name near it. It was
laid out in 1805, and incorporated in 1840, and is a pleasant, quiet
place, with a court-house, prison, academy, and 3 churches. It has
also a bridge across the West Branch. It is 127 miles N. W. of
Harrisburg, 225 of Philadelphia, and 100 N. E. of Pittsburg.
16. At Karthause, so called from the name of the original proprie-
tor, the first successfal attempt was made in Pennsylvania to smelt
iron by means of bituminous coal. Extensive works for the pur-
pose were erected here in 1836 by a compa.ny, but owing to the re-
moteness of the position and other causes, they are now abandoned.
17. Curwensville is a stirring place on the West Branch, and on
the Lewistown and Erie turnpike, about 5 miles S. W. of Clearfield.
It has a substantial bridge across the river, and does a large lumber
business.
18. Luthershurg is a flourishing settlement, in a fertile agricultural
region, about 10 miles N. W. of Clearfield, on the turnpike.
19. Frenchville is on the north bank of the West Branch below
Clearfield, near the mouth of Trout creek. As its name imports, it
is a French settlement.
20. Clearfield abounds with bituminous coal, and has considerable
quantities of limestone and iron-ore. Though much of its surface
is mountainous and deeply indented by the water-courses, yet the
soil is naturally of a good quality, and is admirably adapted for pas-
turing. It still sends large quantities of lumber to market.
21. History. — Until the beginning of the present century, few per-
manent inhabitants were to be found in this county. It was taken
ofi" Lycoming and formed into a separate county in 1804, though for
several years it remained to some extent connected with Centre. In
1823, a small addition was made to its territory from Lycoming.
Part of the new county of Elk was taken from it in 1843. The
county and county-seat are said to derive their names from certain
clear fields, apparently old Indian corn-fields, found in parts of the
county by the first settlers.
14. Name the townships.
15. Describe Clearfield.
16. Karthause.
17. Curwensville.
18. Luthersburg.
19. Frenchville.
20. What is said of the resources of tht
county?
21. Repeat its history.
236
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
CLINTON COUNTY.
1 . Clinton, a bituminous mountain county, is bounded E.
by Lycoming, N. by Potter and Tioga, W. by McKean, Elk,
and Clearfield, and S. by Centre. Mrea, 1050 square miles.
2. The Mountains are, the Allegheny^ about the middle
of the county, but much depressed in height ; and the
Bald Eagle in the south-east.
3. The Streams are, the West Branchy crossing from
westioe?LStj?indSin-n£-ma-Iio'-ning,Bald Eagle j Kettle, and
other creeks.
4. The Soil is very various. The limestone valleys and
alluvial flats in the south-east are equal to any in the state.
In the north- wTst the sandstone soil is poor and thin. Be-
tween the two, a tolerably fertile slate and 5/?a/e soil occurs.
About one-half of its area may be cultivated.
5. The Minerals are bituminous coal ^md fire-brick clay,
west of the Allegheny mountain, with limestone and iron-
ore in other parts.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Clinton?
2. The mountains ?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
FIFTH CLASS CLINTON.
237
6. It contains 15 townships^ 1 borough, and several
villages.
7. The Borough is Lock Haven, the seat of justice, at
the junction of the Bald Eagle and the West Branch, with
about 500 inhabitants ; and the villages are, Lockport,
Dumistowrij Mill Hall, Farrandsville, Young- WomanS'
town, S^x.
8. The Public Improvements are, the West Branch
division of the state canal, finished from Northumberland
to Farrandsville; and the Bald Eagle JYavigation, from
Milesburg, in Centre, to Lock Haven.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 8,323, and in 1845,
the assessed value of property was $1,588,628.
10. The people are mostly settlers from the older parts
of the state, and are engaged in farming and lumbering.
11. Lumber and grain form their mmn productions.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
41 common schools.
13. Clinton, with Lycoming and Potter, elects 2 mem-
bers to the House of Representatives, and with Lycoming
and Centre, 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Lycoming,
Northumberland, and Union, 1 member of Congress ; and
is in the fourth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Allison, Bald Eagle, Chapman, Colebrook,
Crawford, Dunstable, G-reene, Grove, Lamar, Logan, Lumber, Pine Creek,
Porter, Wayne, and Woodward.
15. Lock Haven, so called from its position at the junction of the
Bald Eagle Navigation with the West Branch canal, where there
are a number of canal locks, and a basin or haven on the West Branch,
is a new thriving town. It contains a neat brick court-house, a jail,
2 churches, and an academy. It was laid out in 1834, became the
county-seat in 1839, and was incorporated in 1840. It is 118 miles
N. W. of Harrisburg, and 188 N. W. of Philadelphia.
16. Farrandsville, 7 miles above Lock Haven on the West Branch,
is a deserted manufacturing village. Here were expended $700,000
by a company in the erection of a nail factory, foundery, rolling-
mill, coke iron-furnace, saw-mills, workmen's houses in large num-
bers, a splendid hotel, and other costly establishments ; and all are
6. Townships, boroughs, and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perly?
10. Who settled the county, and what
are their pursuits?
li. Productions?
12. Literary institutions ?
13. How are they represented, and
what is the judicial district?
14. Name the toictiships.
1 5. Describe Lock Haven.
16. Farrandsville.
238
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
now hastening to ruin, a monument of the times. Its short history-
was completed in the period between 1830 and 1840.
17. Bituniinous coal abounds in the part of the county north-west
of the Allegheny mountain. The limestone valleys of the south-
east and the alluvial flats along the streams are very fertile. Much
of the county is still covered with forest, from which a great deal of
lumber is sent to market bym^a.ns of the numerous streams empty-
ing into the West Branch.
18. History. — In 1 768, the treaty of Fort Stan wix vested in the colony
all the lands on the West Branch to the eastern bounds of the present
county of Clinton. This brought it to the knowledge of the early pio-
neers, who shortly afterwards pushed their settlements to the fertile
bottoms at the mouth of Bald Eagle. It was then part of Northumber-
land county. The troubles of the Revolution compelled them for a
while to abandon their improvements ; but they returned with in-
creased numbers at its close. In 1794, Dunnstown was laid out, and
subsequently settlements extended themselves in different directions.
In 1795, it became part of Lycoming by separation from Northum-
berland. It continued to increase slowly, till the construction of the
West Branch canal, about 1830, gave a new impetus to improve-
ment. In 1839, it became a separate county, taking a small part
of its territory from Centre, and the rest from Lycoming. Owing
its prosperity to the West Branch canal, it received the name of
Clinton, the father of similar improvements in New York.
ELK COUNTY.
1. Elk, a bituminous mountain county, is bounded H. by
Clinton and McKean, N. by McKean, W. by Jeff'erson,
and S. by Clearfield, j^rea, 800 square miles.
17. W7iat is said of the resources ?
18. Repeat its history, loith dates.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Elk?
FIFTH CLASS ELK.
239
2. The Mountains are not in regular ridges, like those
of the other mountain counties, but broken and scattered.
Elk mountain in the south is the highest. The greater
part of the county lies on the north-western slope of the
Great Allegheny.
3. The Streams are, BennePs Branch of the Sin-ne-ma-
ho^-ning, in the east, and the head waters of Clarion river
in the west, with their various tributaries.
4. The Soil is various, about one-fifth being limestone^
and the remainder of the quality usually found on the west-
ern slope of the Allegheny, being better adapted for pas-
ture than tillage.
5. The Minerals are, bituminous coal, in great abun-
dance, limestone, and iron-ore.
6. Elk contains 8 townships and several small villages.
7. The Towns are, Ridgway, the county-seat, on a
branch of Clarion river, with about 200 inhabitants, and
Williamsville, Caledonia, Kersey, Brandy-camp, Benezette,
and St. Mary'^s town.
8. The only Public Improvement is the Milesburg and
Smethport turnpike.
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 2,000, and
the assessed value of property, in 1845, $367,910.
10. The FIRST Settlers were from the older counties of
the state, many of them being of New England origin. A
German settlement was formed in the southern part a few
years ago.
11. Their chief Employments are lumbering and
farming.
12. Their present Productions are considerable quan-
tities of lumber, with grass, oats, and potatoes, and wheat,
rye, and corn, in the southern part. Coal is not yet mined,
except in small quantities for home use.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 16 common and
some private schools.
2. Its mountains ?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. 'What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Elk ?
11. What are their employments?
12. Their productions ?
13. The literary institutions?
240
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
14. Elk, with Warren and McKean, elects 1 member to
the House of Representatives, and with Warren, Clarion,
Jefferson, Potter and McKean, 1 to the Senate of the state;
with Erie, Warren, McKean, Potter, Clarion, and Jeffer-
son, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the eighteenth judi-
cial district.
15. The Townships are, Benezette, Benzingcr, Fox, Gibson, Jay, Jones,
Ridgway, and Spring Creek.
16. Ridgway is a thriving village, selected as the county-seat in
1843. It is named after the late Jacob Ridgway, of Philadelphia,
who owned large tracts of land in the vicinity. It contains the ne-
cessary county buildings, the court-house being a large handsome
frame edifice. It is 150 miles N. W. of Harrisburg, 260 N. W. of
Philadelphia, and 110 N. E. of Pittsburg.
17. Caledonia is a thriving village on the Bennet's Branch, at the
point where the road leading from Karthause to Ridgway intersects
that stream. There is also a road from this point to Clearfield.
The town was commenced a few years ago by settlers from New
York and New England.
18. The greater part of Elk is still a wilderness, abounding in
bituminous coal and lumber. The soil is equal to that of any of
the counties similarly situated. It only wants good roads, and facili-
ties for getting to market, to become a flourishing and populous
district.
19. Deer, bears, wolves, and panthers are common in parts of
the county, and it is said that some Elk and Beaver are still met.
This is probably the only county in the state where the last-named
animals yet exist.
20. HisTOKT. — Elk, till about 1810, remained unsettled. It was
then included in Clearfield, Jefferson, and McKean. About that
time, a few pioneers, chiefly of New England origin, began to esta-
blish themselves. Of the first settlers, C. Brockway, P. Clarke,
J. Horton, J. Nicholls, B. Leggett, J. Mason, T.Dent, S.Mead, J. K}'-
ler, N. Rogers, F. Green, W. S. Meredith, and J. L. Gillis, still sur-
vive. Their numbers increased slowly till 1843, when the county
was separately organized, taking its name from Elk mountain.
Since that time, the increase of population has been more rapid. In
1842, the German Society's settlement was made a few miles north
of Kersey, and added a large number to the citizens of Elk.
14. How is it represented, and \\-hicli
IS the judicial district ?
15. Name the toionships.
16. Describe Ridgway.
17. Caledonia.
18. What is said of the resources of Elk ?
19. Of the wild ajiitnals?
20. Repeat its history.
SIXTH CLASS FAYETTE.
SIXTH CLASS.
241
FAYETTE COUNTY.
1. Fayette, a western county^ is hounded E. by Somer-
set, N. by Westmoreland, W. by Washington and Greene,
and S. by Virginia and Maryland. Area^ 800 square miles.
2. The Mountains are. Laurel Hill, forming the eastern
boundary, as far south as the Youghiogheny ; and Chestnut
ridge with its southern continuation, called also Laurel
Hill, crossing the middle of the county from north to south.
3. The Streams are, the Mon-on-ga-he'la, constituting
its western boundary, and the Yough-io-ghen'y passing
from south-west to north-east through the body of the
county. Redstone, Dunlap\s, and George'^s creeks are tri-
butaries of the former, and Indian and Jacobs of the latter.
Big Sandy falls into Cheat river in Virginia.
1. What are the class, boundaries, I
and area oi Fay«tte ? |
21
2. The mountains?
3. Streams?
242
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
4. The Soil in the north-west part is fertile, and well-
adapted for agriculture. The eastern and south-eastern
portions are uneven, and more suitable for pasture than
tillage. About four-fifths of the county maybe cultivated.
5. The valuable Minerals are, bituminous coal, lime-
stone and iron-ore.
6. Fayette contains 17 townships, 3 boroughs, and many
thriving villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Uniontown, the seat of justice,
on Redstone creek, wdth 1710 inhabitants, Brownsville,
wdth 1362, and Bridgeport on the Monongahela, and Con-
nellsville on the Youghiogheny ; the villages are, Perryopo-
lis, Bellevernon, JV'ew Haven, Germantown, Smithjield, Jfew
Geneva, Cookstown, Woodhridge, Haydentown, Mojiroe,
Mew Salem, Merritstown, Middletown, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the JYational Road, or
turnpike, crossing about the middle of the county from the
south-east to the north-west, and several bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 33,574, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, $4,304,034.
10. The FIRST Settlers were from Virginia and Mary-
land, but were soon followed by many from the more east-
ern parts of Pennsylvania. The population is now of a
very mixed description.
11. Their chief Employment is agriculture, though
many branches of manufactures, such as those of iron,
woollen, cotton, salt, and glass, and boat-building are car-
ried on.
12. Their Productions are, grain, live-stock, wool, iron,
salt, glass, ^x.
13. The Literary Institutions are, a college, an aca-
demy, and a female seminary, and 153 common schools.
Education is in a prosperous condition.
14. Fayette elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and with Greene, 1 to the Senate of the state,
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat,
and villages.
8. The public improvements ?
townships, boroughs,
boroughs,
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county?
11. Wliat are their employments?
12. Productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How is it represented, and which
is the judicial district ?
SIXTH CLASS FAYETTE. 243
and 1 member of Congress ; and is in the fourteenth judi-
cial district.
15. The Townships are, Bullskin, Dunbar, Franklin, George, Germany
Henry Clay, Jefferson, Luzerne, Menallen, Perry, Redstone, Saltlick, Spj'ing-
hill, Tyrone, Union, Washington, and Wharton.
16. UxioNTovrx is pleasantly situated on the National turnpike,
near the centre of the county, in a fertile region. It is a compact
flourishing town, and contains the usual number of neat and spa-
cious county buildings, 7 churches, Madison college, an academy,
and a female seminary, with a large hotel. Its position on the Na-
tional Road makes it a point of considerable travel and trade. It
was laid out about 1770, and incorporated in 1796, by the name of
the " Borough of Union," in commemoration of the union of the
states. It is 184 miles S. W. of Harrisburg, 282 W. of Philadelphia,
209 N. W. of Baltimore, and 59 S. E. of Pittsburg, by turnpike.
17. Brownsville, 12 miles N. W. from Uniontown, on the Mononga-
hela, where it is crossed by the National Road, and near the mouth
of Redstone creek, is a thriving town, with considerable manufac-
turing and other business. The Monongahela having been improved,
is navigable by steamboats from Pittsburg to this place. With Bridge-
port, a large borough close to it, Brownsville contains 7 churches, a
bank, town-hall, and several paper-mills, glass factories, piano facto-
ries, a foundery, rolling-mill, and nail factory, with other manufac-
turing establishments. Connecting Bridgeport with Brownsville
there is a cast-iron bridge across Dunlap's creek; and a noble bridge
over the Monongahela, 630 feet in length, erected at a cost of $50,000.
Brownsville was laid out in 1785 on the site of" Redstone old fort,"
a famous post in the early wars with the French and Indians. Near
it, was also one of those ancient fortifications so common in the
valley of the Ohio and Mississippi, whose origin is now unknown.
18. Connellsville is a thriving manufacturing borough on the You-
ghiogheny, 12 miles N. E. of Uniontown. It contains 4 churches,
and has in the town or vicinity a number of furnaces, forges, and
paper-mills, with a woollen-factory, and a bridge over the river.
19. The National Road, which crosses a portion of Somerset and
the whole of Fayette and Washington counties, connecting Cum-
berland in Maryland with the Ohio river at Wheeling, and thence
proceeding across the states of Ohio into Indiana, is the most import-
ant improvement in south-western Pennsylvania. It was constructed
by the national government for the purpose of connecting the states
that lie between the Ohio and the Mississippi with the Atlantic cities,
especially that of Washington. The design has not been completed,
but has already been of great benefit. It is constructed in the most
substantial manner, and as soon as the portion through any state is
completed, the care of it is intrusted to the government of that state,
by whom toll is collected and applied to the repair of the road.
20. Delany's cave,\r\ West Laurel Hill, is a great natural curiosity.
15. Name the toionshvps.
16. Describe Uniontown.
17. Brownsville and Bridgeport.
18. Connellsville.
19. ITie National Road.
20. Delany's cace.
244
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
It has been explored to the distance of two-thirds of a mile, and con-
tains many spacious chambers, with large streams passing through
them.
21. Ohio-pile Falls on the Youghiogheny, below the passage of the
river through the main Laurel Hill, presents a scene of much wild-
ness and beauty. The stream descends 60 feet in the course of a
mile, exhibiting great variety of wild river scenery.
22. Though Chestnut ridge, which is the last of the mountains
westward, traverses this and the county of Westmoreland, extending
into Indiana, yet they cannot be .properly classed with the mountain
counties. They are not only more similar in their mineral and
agricultural productions to the western than the bituminous moun-
tain group, but their climate, the pursuits of their population, and
their business connections, include them in the formejr.
23. History. — The western part of Pennsylvania seems to have
been chiefly occupied by roving bands of the Six Nations of Indians
previous to its settlement by the English. The lower portion of it,
including the Valley of the Monongahela with the Forks of the Ohio,
(now Allegheny county,) was supposed to be within the bounds of
Virginia, and the earlier grants of land were made under the laws
of that state. The first attempt to settle this region was made about
1748, by the Ohio Land Company, consisting of some London mer-
chants and certain citizens of Virginia, two of whom were Lawrence
and Augustine Washington, brothers of the General. Under their
auspices, Christopher Gist, (afterwards the companion of General,
then ilf«yor, Washington on his journey to Fort Leboeuf in 1753,)
explored the county, and made the first settlement within the pre-
sent bounds of Fayette county, about 1752. In 1754, Colonel Wash-
ington, while proceeding to occupy the Forks of the Ohio, was met
by the French at the Great Meadou-s, where he built Fort Necessity,
about 10 miles east of where Uniontown now stands. In the vici-
nity he attacked and defeated them in the latter part of May, 1754.
In consequence of the ariival of a large French force from Fort Du-
quesne, (now Pittsburg,) Washington found himself compelled to
surrender Fort Necessity on the 3d of July, and retreated with his
men to Wills' creek. In 1755, Braddock, while on his way with a
large force to attack Fort Duquesne, was defeated near the Monon-
gahela in Allegheny county. He died of his wounds on the retreat,
and was buried in the road near Fort Necessity, and not far from
the present National Road, 10 miles east of Uniontown. After this
disaster, the [ew settlements in the county were abandoned. In
1759, Braddock's road or " trail," as it was called, having been im-
proved and opened as far as the Monongahela, and Fort Redstone
built, settlers, among whom was the notorious Cresap, began to en-
ter the county again. They rapidly increased in numbers till 1774,
when the murder of the Indians by Greathouse and Cresap on the
Ohio, mcluding the family of the well-known Logan, renewed the
depredations of the savages, and reduced the settlers to great straits.
21. Ohio-pile Falls.
22. What is said of the class to which
Fayette belongs?
23. Repeat the history of the county, with
dates.
SIXTH CLASS GREENE.
245
During the Revolution, the settlers were kept in constant dread of
the Indians, though the chief scene of the attacks of the latter was
further west. This state of things continued till 1795. when Wayne's
successful operations entirely removed Indian warfare beyond the
bounds of Pennsylvania. In 1783, the county was separately organ-
ized, having before formed part of Westmoreland, and took the
name of the Great French Volunteer in the cause of our country's
independence. In 1794, it took a very moderate part in the Whisky
Insurrection. Its prosperous history has since been marked by few
incidents of general interest.
24. Noted Citizens. — Christopher Gist, the guide of General
Washington during his first journeys and campaigns in the west,
was from Virginia, and was probably the first settler in Fayette
county. He seems to have been a brave, sagacious, and enterpris-
ing man. Col. William Crawford, also, one of the very earliest
settlers, was from Berkely county, Va. He was a noted leader
against the Indians, and served with distinction as colonel in the
Revolution. He was taken by the Indians in 1782, while in com-
mand of an expedition against their towns in Ohio, and inhumanly
tortured to death. Albert Gallatin, still living in New York, is a na-
tive of Switzerland. He came to this country in 1780, in his 19th
year. In 1785, he settled at and founded New Geneva, in Fay-
ette, where he established glassworks. His talents soon distin-
guished him. He has been a member of the state convention of
1789 ; a member of Congress; secretary of the treasur}^ of the United
States; one of the commissioners at Ghent in 1813, and minister to
France and England till 1826.
GREENE COUNTY.
1. Greene, the south-western county, is hounded E. by
Fayette, N. by Washington, and W. and S. by Virginia.
Its area is 600 square miles.
24. Name the noted citizens.
I
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Greene?
2r
246
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
2. No Mountains are found in this county, though its
surface is generally hilly and uneven.
3. The Streams are, the Moii-on-ga-he'la, forming the
eastern boundary, into which fall Ten-mile^ Davkard,
Whitely and Muddy creeks ; and in the western part are
the head waters of Wheeling and Fish creeks flowing
through Virginia into the Ohio.
4. The Soil, though hilly and cut into deep ravines by
the water-courses, is fertile, being, however, better adapted
for pasture than tillage, except the river bottoms, which
form first-rate farm land. The whole county may be said
to be fit for the purposes of agriculture in one or other of
its departments.
5. The valuable Minerals are, plenty of bituminous
coal, with limestone and some iron-ore.
6. Greene contains 17 townships, 1 borough, and seve-
ral villages.
7. The Borough is Waynesburg on Ten- mile creek,
with 500 inhabitants, and the villages are, Clarksville, Car-
michaelstown, Jefferson, Greensburg, Mount Morris, JVew-
town, Clinton, fyc.
8. There are no canals, railroads, or turvpikes in this
county. Several state-roads have been from time to time
laid out, and bridges are constructed over the principal
streams.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 19,147, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $2,191,592.
10. The first Settlers were from Virginia and Mary-
land. They were soon followed by others from the east-
ern counties of Pennsylvania and from New Jersey. To
these have been added several German and Irish emigrants.
11. Their Employments are, farming and raising live-
stock. There are several woollen factories, glassworks,
and oil-mills.
12. The chief Productions are, all kinds oi grain, with
large numbers of cattle, sheep, swine, and glass.
2. Its mountains?
3. Streams ?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
C. Townships, boroughs, and villag^es?
7. Name the county-seal, boroughs,
and villages.
B. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and prO'
perty ?
10. Who settled the county?
n. What are their employments?
12 Their productions ?
SIXTH CLASS GREENE.
247
13. The Literary Institutions are, 2 academies and
56 common schools.
«* 14. Greene elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and with Fayette, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
with Fayette and Somerset, 1 member of Congress; and
is in the fourteenth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Aleppo, Centre, Cumberland, Dunkard,
Franklin, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Marioyi, Monongahela, Morgan, Mor-
ris, Perry, Rich-hill, Washington, Wayne, and Whitcly.
16. Wayneshurg is situated in a pleasant valley near the centre of
the county, and contains a neat brick court-house and county-offices,
and a stone prison, with 5 churches and an academy. The scenery
in the vicinity is delightful. It was laid out in 1796, and incorpo-
rated in 1816, taking the name of the hero of Stony Point and the
rescuer of the western frontier from Indian barbarities. It is 222 miles
S. W. of Harris burg, 320 W. of Philadelphia, and 45 S. of Pittsburg.
17. Greene county not having any turnpikes or other lines of pub-
lic improvement leading to the great commercial marts of the state,
has heretofore had its principal business connections with Virginia
and Maryland. It, however, annually drives large numbers of live-
stock, particularly swine, to the eastern counties of Pennsylvania.
18. The face of the county, like that of the greater part of western
Pennsylvania, is very uneven; the streams having worn deep chan-
nels or ravines through the soil and into the softer coal-bearing
rocks which form the surface. Though this operation of nature has
rendered the land somewhat less convenient for tillage, it has had
the beneficial effect of rendering easy of access the veins of coal,
limestone, and other minerals, otherwise almost too deep for profit-
able working.
19. History. — With the rest of the south-western corner of the
state, this portion being long supposed to lie within the bounds of
Virginia, was early visited by adventurers from that state and Mary-
land. For a number of years, the county continued to be the scene
of constant warfare between them and the Indians, aided by their
French allies. Many heart-rending tales of murder and devastation
are told of those trying days. In 1763, the French ceased to take
part in the contest, but the Indian ravages continued till the close
of the Revolution. From 1783, and especially from Wayne's suc-
cessful campaigns in 1794 and 1795, the quiet and safety of the
frontier being secured, Greene began regularly to fill up with emi-
grants from the older counties of this and the adjoining states. Its
more rapid increase has been only retarded by the want of greater
facilities of communication with the other parts of the state. It was
erected into a separate county in 1796, till then having been included
in Washington, and appropriately took the name of Washington's
distinguished fellow-soldier. General Greene.
13. Literary institutions?
14. How is it represented, and what is
the judicial district?
15. Name the toionship$.
16. Describe Wayneshurg.
17. What IS said of the business connec-
tions of Grtxixe ?
18. Of the face of the coiitury ?
19. Repeat its history, with dates.
248
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
1. Washington, a western county^ is hounded E. by
Fayette and Westmoreland, N. E. by Allegheny, N. by
Beaver, W. by Virginia, and S. by Greene. Its area is
850 square miles.
2. It has no Mountains, but, like the rest of south-
western Pennsylvania, is hilly, being cut into deep ravines
by the streams.
3. The Streams are, the Mon-on-ga-he'la, its eastern
boundary, into which flow the north fork of Ten-mile creek
and Pigeon creek ; in the north Chartiers* and Raccoon^
two considerable creeks, fall into the Ohio below Pitts-
burg; and in the west, the heads of Wheeling, Buffalo, and
some smaller creeks, run into the Ohio in Virginia.
4. The Soil is highly productive, and, with little ex-
ception, the whole county is susceptible of tillage.
* Chartiers pronounced Shar'teers.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
iid area of Washington?
and area ot VVashingtc...
2. Has it any mountains?
3. What are the streams?
4. The soil ?
SIXTH CLASS WASHINGTON.
249
5. The Minerals are, bituminous coal, limestone, and
some iron-ore and salt.
6. Washington contains 27 townships, 7 boroughs, and
numerous villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Washington, the seat of justice,
on Catfish run, a branch of Chartiers creek, with 2062 in-
habitants ; Monongahela, formerly called Williamsport,
Canonsburg, West Middletown, Claysville, Hillsboro, and
Greenfield ; and the villages are. West Alexandria, Bur-
gettstown, Amity, Mount Pleasant, Bentleyville, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are those in progress for
the improvement of the Monongahela Navigation ; the
JYational Road across the county, from south-east to north-
west; a turnpike from Washington to Somerset through
Mount Pleasant ; another from Washington to Pittsburg ;
and several bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was41 ,279, and the assessed
value of property, in 1845, was $7,172,092.
10. The FIRST Settlers were Scotch-Irish from the
eastern counties and from Ireland, with many emigrants
from Virginia, and subsequently considerable numbers of
Germans. But all differences of language and habits are
now rapidly disappearing.
11. Their chief Employment is agriculture, and the
raising of cattle and sheep.
12. Their Productions are, grain of all kinds, live-
stock, wool in large quantities, glass and coal, though
little of the latter is mined except for home use.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 2 colleges, with
preparatory departments, 1 theological seminary, 1 supe-
rior female academy, and 233 common schools; education
being in a very prosperous state.
14. Washington elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Beaver,
5. The minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. "Who settled the county ?
11. What are their chief employ-
ments?
12. Their productions ?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How are they represented, and
which is the judicial district f
250 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
1 member of Congress ; and is in the fourteenth judicial
district.
15. The Townships are, ./^mu'eZ^, E.Bethlehem, W. Bethlehem, Buffalo,
Canton, Carroll, Cecil, Chartiers, Cross-creek, Donegal, Fallowfielcl, E. Find-
ley, W. Findley, Hanover, Hopewell, Moi-ris, Mount Pleasant, Nottingham,
Peters, E. Pike-run, W. Pike-run, Robinson, Smith, Somerset, N. Straban,
S. Straban, and Union.
16. Washington is a large, pleasant, and flourishing town, noted
for its literary institutions and elegant public and private edifices.
They are, a spacious new court-house, with other county buildings,
those of Washington college, a large female seminary, and
9 churches. It has the advantage of the National turnpike, and
those to Pittsburg and Philadelphia passing through it, and contains
an extensive woollen factory. It was laid out in 1782, and incorpo-
rated in 1810. It is 210 miles W. of Harrisburg, 308 W. of Phila-
delphia, and 25 S. W. of Pittsburg.
17. Monongahela city, formerly called Williamsport, at the mouth
of Pigeon creek on the Monongahela, is a busy commercial and
manufacturing town, and bids fair to attain considerable size. It is
beautifully and advantageously situated, and besides 4 churches,
cnntains t^vo glass factories, with steam saw, and carding-milis, and
otr.er manufacturing establishments. Iron-ore and salt-wells, with
abundance of coal, are found in the vicinity.
18. Canonsburg is a quiet, pleasant town, 7 miles north of Wash-
ington. It is noted as a place of learning, for which purpose its
retired position, moral and intelligent population, and cheap living,
peculiarly fit it. It is the seat of Jeiferson college, and the theolo-
gical seminary of the assodatr church.
19. The two colleges of this county are, Washington in the borough
of Washington, and incorporated in 1806, and Jefferson in Canons-
burg, in 1802. They are both flourishing institutions, and have been
long known as desirable places of resort for those who seek sound
instruction, among an intelligent and orderly people, at small cost.
Both colleges have the requisite number of professors, with the
libraries, cabinets, and philosophical apparatus necessary to enable
them to bestow an education as thorough and general as can be ac-
quired in any similar institutions.
20. The production of wool has latterly become the great business
of this county; some of its citizens owning over 20,000 head of
sheep each. In 1840, the number of these valuable animals in the
county, mostly of the Merino and Saxon breeds, was 222,631, yield-
ing annually about 500,000 pounds of wool. The number has since
probably largely increased. For the successful prosecution of this
pleasant and profitable business, the mild climate, variety of sur-
face, and extensive pasture ranges of the county are well adapted.
21. HisTORT. — After the close of Pontiac''s war in 1763, pioneers
from the Scotch-Irish settlements of Cumberland Valley and Bed-
15. Name thf toimiship$.
16. Describe Washington.
17. Monojigahela city.
18. Canonsburg.
19. The colleges of the county.
20. What is said of wool ?
5J1 . Repeat the history of Washington till
1796. with dates.
SIXTH CLASS WASHINGTON. 251
ford, and from Virginia, established themselves within the present
bounds of Washington ; chiefly along the Monongahela. The land
titles of the county were for some years rendered complicated by
the claims of Virginia upon this part of Pennsylvania. This ceased
in 1774, at which period, the settlements had extended westward
to the Ohio in Virginia. In the opening of that year, the cold-blooded
murders perpetrated by Greathouse and Cresap upon the Indians,
including the family of Logan, at Captina and other places on the
Ohio, brought upon the infant settlements the series of attacks that
produced " Lord Dunmore's war." It was so called from the fact,
that that nobleman, then governor of Virginia, led an expedition into
Ohio against the Indians, which brought about a hollow peace in
November of the same year. There is little doubt but that the ex-
asperated feelings of the Indians produced by these murders were
one of the causes of that succession of attacks and inroads which
harassed the whole western frontier during the Revolution. The
advanced settlements of Virginia and Ohio sufiered more than those
of Pennsylvania from this scourge, but the latter were often dis-
turbed. Expeditions were sent out to subdue or drive off the Indians
in 1778, 1780, and 1782, but with little success. The like results
attended the attempts of Harmer in 1789, and St. Clair in 1791;
but in 1795, Wayne's efficient tactics completely secured the west-
ern frontier against Indian depredations. In the mean time, the
county of Washington had been erected out of Westmoreland in
1781, and subsequently reduced to its present size by the forma-
tion of Allegheny in 1788, and Greene in 1796; but had continued
to grow in population and improvement under every danger and
change.
22. In the famous Whisky Insurrection, between 1791 and 1794, this
county took the most active and leading part. This was an open,
and organized resistance of the people of the four south-western coun-
ties of Washington, Fayette, Allegheny, and Westmoreland, against
the collection of a tax, called an excise, of four cents a gallon upon
domestic distilled spirits, the law for the collection of which was
passed by Congress on the 7th of March, 1791. The people resisted
it because they said it bore severely upon the producers of grain at
a distance from the Atlantic market. It was impossible for them to
send the produce of their farms to the distant cities, over almost
impassable mountains, in the bulky shape of grain or flour, whereas,
in the form of distilled spirits, the produce of a farm was reduced to
a small size and weight, and could be readily transported. They,
therefore, said it was a tax upon them which eastern producers of
grain did not pay. After open resistance on their part, and several
modifications of the law by the government, for the purpose of re-
moving objections, many of the people proceeded to actual violence
upon the persons of the collectors of excise and others, in 1793 and
1794. In August of the latter year, a meeting of delegates repre-
senting the discontented from the four counties, with some from Bed-
ford county and Virginia, took place at Parkinson^s Ferry, now
Monongahela city. There, owing to the judicious management of
22. State the cause and progress of the Whisky Insnrrcction.
252
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Albert Gallatin, H. H. Breckenridge, and others, the spirit of oppo-
sition was greatly allayed, and moderate measures were adopted.
In November, an army of 15,000 men, composed of volunteers from
eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland, under
the command of Gov. Lee, of Virginia, arrived at Pittsburg. Gov.
Mifflin of Pennsylvania, Gov. Howell of New Jersey, Genl. Knox,
secretary of war, and Genl. Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, ac-
companied the army. Genl. Hand was adjutant-general. This
force had been called out some time before by President Washington
to quell the disturbance, but did not arrive till the spirit of opposi-
tion to the law had mainly subsided. Still, a number of arrests
were made, and a few persons sent to Philadelphia for trial. Two
were convicted, but soon pardoned, the chief instigators of the dis-
turbance having fled early, and thus escaped punishment.
23. Since this noted era, nothing unusual has occurred in the
annals of Washington county. It has gone on increasing not only
in population and wealth, but in learning and social order, till it is
now excelled in the last-named particulars by no part of the state.
24. Noted Citizens. — Thomas Wa^^^ow, the first president of Jefier-
son college, was a man of distinguished talent, and for acquirements
remarkable for the disadvantages under which they were attained.
He applied himself to the study of the Latin language during his
leisure moments, while attending the bar of a tavern. Struck by his
love of learning, some liberal friends of genius afforded him the
means of pursuing his studies under better auspices. He graduated
at Princeton with high reputation, and was soon elected president
of the new college, but lived only a short time afterward. Joseph
Ritner, lately governor of the state, is a native of Berks county,
where he was born in 1780, but now resides in Cumberland. He
was long a citizen of Washington, which he for six years represented
with great ability in the House of Representatives of the state, of
which body he was chosen speaker in 1824 and 1825. He filled the
governor's chair from 1835 till 1838.
23. Did any thing remarkable occur after-
wards ?
24. Name the noted citizens, with thei*
acts.
SIXTH CLASS WESTMORELAND.
253
WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
1. Westmoreland, a western county, is bounded S. E.
by Somerset and Cambria, N. E. by Indiana and Arm-
strong, W. by Allegheny and Washington, and S. by Fay-
ette. Its area is 1000 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are, Laurel Hillj forming the eastern
boundary, and Chestnut ridge crossing it from south-west
to north-east, about 12 miles from Laurel Hill. The rest
of its surface is moderately hilly.
3. The Streams are, the Al-le-ghen'y on the north-west,
the Kis-kim-in-e'-tas on the south-east, and the Yough-io-
ghen'y and Monongahela on the west. The Loy-al-han' na
traverses the north-east part of the county, and falls into
the Kiskiminetas. Besides these, there are Se-wiclvly,
Jacobus, Beaver-dam, and Brush creeks.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Westmoreland ?
2 The mountains?
3. Streams?
22
254
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
4. The Soil is fertile, except on the mountain ranges;
not more than one-fifth of it is unfit for cuhivation.
5. The valuable Minerals are, hitumlnous coal, lime-
stone, iron-ore, and salt.
6. Westmoreland contains 19 townships, 8 boroughs,
and several villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Greensburg, the seat of justice,
near a small branch of Sewickly creek, with 800 inhabit-
ants ; Mount Pleasant, JVew Jilexandria, Youngstown,
Ligonier, Adamshurg, West JYewton, and Mew Salem ; the
villages are, Rohhstown, Loughlinstown, Stewartville, Miir-
raysville, Jacksonville, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Pennsylvania
canal along the Kiskiminetas and down the Allegheny;
turnpikes from Bedford to Pittsburg, through Greensburg ;
from Blairsville, on the Conemaugh, to Murraysville ; from
Somerset to Wheeling, past Mount Pleasant ; and from
Johnstown to Ligonier ; and several large bridges.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 42,699, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $5,312,068.
10. The FIRST Settlers were Scotch-Irish and Ger-
mans, of whose descendants the present population is
mostly composed.
11. Their chief Occupation is agriculture, and their
productions are, large quantities of grain, particularly wheat,
with cattle, sheep, and swine. Salt is manufactured on the
Kiskiminetas, and iron along the base of Laurel Hill.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
168 common schools.
13. Westmoreland elects 3 members to the House of
Representatives, and, with Somerset, 1 to the Senate of the
state; with Bedford and Cambria, 1 member of Congress;
and is in the tenth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Mlcgheny, Derry, Donegal, Fairfield, Frank-
I'm, Har?nony, Hempfield, E. Huntingdon, N. Huntingdon, S. Huntingdon^
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. Townships, boroug-hs, and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty?
10. AVho settled the county ?
11. AVhat are their pursuits and pro-
ductions ?
12. Literary institutions?
13. How is it represented, and vjrhich
is the judicial district ?
14. Name the townskips.
SIXTH CLASS — WESTMORELAND. 255
Ligonier, Loyalhanna, Mount Pleasant, Rostraver, Seivickly, Salem, Union,
Unity, and Washingtoyi.
15. Greensburg, the county-town, is situated on the Pittsburg and
Bedford turnpike, in a fertile part of the county. It contains a large
brick court-house and county-offices, and a stone prison, 6 churches,
and an academy. It was laid out in 1783, and incorporated as a
borough in 1799. It is named in honour of General Greene of the
Revolutionary army, and is 268 miles N. W. of Philadelphia, 170
W. of Harrisburg, and 32 S. E. of Pittsburg.
16. Mount Pleasant is a stirring place on the Bedford and Wash-
ington turnpike, 10 miles south of Greensburg. It occupies an ele-
vated site, and contains 5 churches.
17. Youngstoivn is near Chestnut ridge on the Bedford turnpike,
11 miles E. of Greensburg. It is a pleasant town, with 2 churches.
18. New Alexandria is a smart town 10 miles N.E. of Greensburg,
on the northern turnpike, where it crosses the Loyalhanna.
19. History. — Previous to 1758, the Forks of the Ohio, which
was the great point of interest then as now in the western part of
the state, was only approached from the east by the route of the
Juniata and Kiskiminetas on the north, or by Braddock's road on
the south. Daring that year, a portion of General Forbes' army
opened a road through Bedford, the northern part of Somerset and
Westmoreland, as far as the Loyalhanna. This detachment was
commanded by Col. Bouquet. In the fall of that year he established
Fort Ligonier. When the army approached Fort Duquesne, they
found it abandoned by the French and Indians. This prepared the
way for numerous settlers from the eastern counties. They pos-
sessed the land in quiet till Pontiac's war, in 1763, caused them to
seek refuge in the forts, all of which were besieged, and some taken
by the Indians. In August of the same year, the Indians havmg
been totally defeated by Bouquet at Brushy run on his march to the
relief of Fort Pitt, then surrounded by them, quiet was restored
to the settlements of Westmoreland for some years. The county
was regularly established in 1773, at which time it included the
whole north-western corner of the state. It had befoie formed part
of Bedford, and took the name of Westmoreland from its western
position, and from the shire of the same name in England. Its
county-town was Hanna's town, about 3 miles N. E. of the present
site of Greensburg. Here it is said the first courts were held, west
of the mountains. During the Revolutionary war, the settlers were
again harassed by the savages. In 1782, Hannastown was burned
by them, and does not seem to have been rebuilt. After this event,
Westmoreland underwent the usual vicissitudes of the frontier till
Wayne's success, and the treaty at Greenville, in 1795, established
its security and that of other western counties. In 1781, Washing-
ton was separated from it, and Fayette in 1783. Allegheny took
off a part of its territory in 1788, and Indiana in 1803, In 1800, it
was reduced to its present bounds by the erection of Armstrong.
15. Describe Greensburg,
16. Mount Pleasant.
17. Youngstown.
18. New Alexandria.
19. Relate the history of the cou7ity, loith
the dates.
256
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
20- Noted Citizens. — General Arthur St. Clair was a native of
Edinourgh in Scotland, and served under Genl. Wolf at the taking
of Quebec. When the Revolutionary war broke out, having esta-
blished himself in this county, he took the side of the colonies. He
served through the whole war with credit, and rose to the rank of
major-general. In 1785, he was elected to Congress, and was chosen
president of that bod3^ He was governor of the territory north-west
of the Ohio from 1803 till 1807. During this period he commanded,
in 1791, the expedition against the Miami Indians, which terminated
so disastrously. It is but justice to his memory, however, to state
that, at the time of the attack, he was worn down by a fever, and
was obliged to issue his orders from a litter. In 1792, he resigned
his commission, and finally settled on Chestnut ridge in this county,
where he died in 1818, in his 84th year. William Findlcy, an Irish-
man by birth, was a citizen of Westmoreland. He frequentl)^ repre-
sented the county in the State Legislature, and was long a prominent
member of Congress. He was an influential member of the con-
vention that formed the state constitution of 1790.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
•ARM STRONG
' I
1 Pittsburg.
2 Allei^heny.
3 Birmingham.
4 Manchester.
5 Lawrenecville
6 Wilkinsburg.
7 East Liberty.
8 McKeesport.
9 EUzal)Cihtowt
10 Nohlesbaro.
11 Shousetown.
12 Penyvilli".
13 Stewirtvillc.
14 Bakcrstown.
15 Tarcntuni.
16 Sharpsbnrs-.
1. Allegheny, a western county, is hounded E. by
Westmoreland, N. by Butler, W. by Beaver and Wash-
ington, and S. by Washington and Westmoreland. Mrea,
750 square miles.
20. Name the noted citizens.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Allegheny ?
SIXTH CLASS ALLEGHENY. 257
2. It has no Mountains, but is very hilly, being much
broken by its numerous water-courses.
3. Its Streams are, the Al-le-ghen'y from the north,
and the Mon-on- ga-he! la from the south, uniting at Pitts-
burg and forming the Oldo, which flows to the west ; the
Yough-io'ghen'y flowing into the Monongahela from the
south-east ; and Char-tiers'^ Peters^ Pine, Bull, Turtle, and
Po-ke'tas creeks.
4. The Soil in the south-east portion of the county is
excellent, being of limestone formation ; in the north-west
lime is less abundant, but the soil being clayey, is sus-
ceptible of great improvement. It is nearly all tillable.
5. The Minerals are, bituminous coal in vast abundance
and of great excellence, and Ihnestone.
6. Allegheny contains 23 townships, 2 cities, 6 boroughs,
and many thriving villages.
7. The Cities are, Pittsburg, the seat of justice, between
the Allegheny and Monongahela, where they unite to form
the Ohio, with 21,115 inhabitants, and Jllleglieny, on the
west side of the river Allegheny, with 10,089. The Bo-
roughs are, Birmingham, Manchester, Lawrenceville, Eli-
zabethtown, McKeesport, and Sharpsburg. The other towns
and villages are, East Liberty, Wilkinsburg, Sligo, Miners-
ville, Steivartstovm , Baker stown, Jfoblesboro, Tarentum, ^"c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Pennsylvania
canal, connecting Pittsburg with Philadelphia ; iouv bridges
over the Allegheny, and one over the Monongahela at
Pittsburg, each a quarter of a mile long ; and numerous
turnpikes.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 81,235, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, $14,669,025.
10. The FIRST Settlers were chiefly Scotch-Irish,
though many Germans and others have since established
themselves.
11. In the country districts, the pursuits of the people
2. Has it any mountains?
3. Name the streams.
4. Describe the soil?
5. The minerals ?
6. How many townships, cities, bo-
roughs, and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, cities, bo-
roughs, and villages.
22
S. The public improvements.
9. What are iJie population and pro-
perty ?
10. AVho settled the county?
11. What are the employments and
productions ol the county districts?
258
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
are agricultural^ and their chief productions are grain and
cattle, ^Yith some flax and wool.
12. The towns are actively engaged in mamifactures of
all kinds, and in a large co??2me/'ce with the west and south-
west ; steamhoat-buildiiig is also extensively carried on.
13. The Literary Institutions are, the Western Uni-
versity^ 3 theological seminaries, with classical academies,
female seminaries, and numerous other literary and scien-
tific establishments. There are 241 common schools in
the county, and the cause of learning generally prospers.
14. Allegheny elects 4 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Butler, 2 to the Senate of the state;
1 member to Congress; forms the fifth judicial district;
and has a separate District Court.
15. The Townships are, Baldunn, E. Deer, W.Decr, Elizabeth, Fay-
ette, Findley, Franklin, Indiana, Jefferson, Mifflin, Moore, Ohio, Peebles,
Pine, Pitt, Plum, Reserve, Robinson, Ross, Upper St. Clair, Loiver St. Clair,
Versailles, and Wilkins.
A View of Pittsburg, taken from " Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania."
16. The city of Pittsburg, in a commercial point of view, includes
that of Allegheny, with the adjoining towns of Sligo, Birmingham,
12. Of the towns ?
l.'>. What are the literary institu-
tions ?
14. How is Allegheny represented, and
what is the judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
SIXTH CLASS ALLEGHENY.
259
Manchester, Lawrenceville, &c., having an aggregate population of
50,000, and constituting the commercial capital of Western Penn-
sj^vania.
17. Its first settlement as a tmcn seems to have commenced in
1764. In 1775, the number of houses did not exceed 30. In 1784,
Tench Francis, the agent of the Penn family, to whom the land be-
longed as a manor, laid out town-lots, which sold readily, and from
that time the place rapidly increased. It was incoi'porated as a
borough in 1794, and the name changed to Pittsburg, and as a city,
in 1816.
18. In 1811, the first steamboat on the western waters was built
at Pittsburg, where upwards of one hundred are now owned. From
that era, its increase in size, business, and importance, became
greatly accelerated, and its improvement in all the conveniences
and embellishments of a large town kept equal pace. It is supplied
with running water from the Allegheny by steam, and is lighted
with gas. It has seven daily, and twice as many weekly news-
papers. With its environs, it contains about 60 places of worship,
together with the literary institutions already noticed. The court-
house is a splendid edifice, having the county prison attached, and
cost $200,000. Pittsburg contains 4 banks, and a number of insur-
ance offices. Among its vast manufacturing establishments are
many iron-founderies, rolling-mills, forges, nail, steam-engine, and
steel factories; glassworks, steam flour and saw-mills; rope-walks
and smith-shops ; -with shops for the manufacture of agricultural
implements, carriages, cabinet-ware, paper, leather, hats, and almost
every article of use or fancy.
19. The greatest calamity that ever befel this city was the great
fire in 1845, from which, so great are its enterprise and resources,
it recovered in a few months, though one-third of the town was
consumed.
20. The prosperity of Pittsburg is the efiect of its position at the
head of the navigable Ohio, and of its exhaustless beds of coal. The
first renders it the great distributing point, to the west and south-
:west, of the articles which commerce bears overland from the Atlantic
cities ; and the second enables it to manufacture, for the same mai'ket,
other articles of indispensable use, whose carriage from abroad is
'thereby saved. These natural advantages can never be taken away-
21. Pittsburg is 300 miles west of Philadelphia and 200 of Har-
risburg, by turnpike, and 394 from the former and 286 from the lat-
ter, by canal and railway.
22. The Slate Penitentiary, for the western district, is in Allegheny
icity. It is constructed on the same plan, and managed in the same
manner, as the one at Philadelphia, but is not so large.
23. There are a great number of flourishing towns in Allegheny
county, of which only a short description can be here given.
16. What is embraced in Pittsburg?
17. Wheyi teas it laid out and incorpo-
rated ?
18. What does it contain, and what is
its business ?
19. W1iatbe/eUitinl&i5?
20. What is the cause of its ■prosperity ?
21. What is its distance frotn Philadel-
phia and Harrisburg ?
22. Where is the Western peniteiitiary ?
23. What is said of the other towns ?
260 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
24. Birmingham is beautifully situated one mile south of Pittsburg,
on the opposite side of the Monongahela. It has a turnpike connec-
tion with Elizabethtown, and a bridge to Pittsburg. It contains
several extensive glass and iron-works, and several other manufac-
tories, 2 churches, and 1554 inhabitants.
25. Manchester is a place of more recent growth, on the north side
of the Ohio, about a mile below Pittsburg. It is also a busy manu-
facturing town, with many pleasant country-seats on the high
grounds in its rear.
26. Sligo is on the south side of the Monongahela, opposite Pitts-
burg. It contains extensive iron-works, glass-works, and boat yards.
All the coal used in these establishments, together with a large
quantity for shipment, is taken out of the hill behind the town, and
let down to the factories in which it is used, or to the wharves where
it is shipped, on short railroads. Sligo contains 2 churches.
27. Laivrenceville is on the east bank of the Allegheny, 2^ miles
above Pittsburg. It contains 3 churches and 867 inhabitants, and
has many manufacturing establishments, such as woollen, paper, and
edge-tool factories, boat-yards, &c. In this town the United States
arsenal is situated, and near it are several handsome country-seats.
28. Sharpsburg is on the east side of the Allegheny, 5 miles above
Pittsburg, with the state canal passing through it. It contains
several boat-yards, and is a busy town.
29. McKccsport is 12 miles from Pittsburg, at the junction of the You-
ghiogheny with the Monongahela. It contains several boat-yards,
saw-mills, and flour-mills, and in the immediate vicinity are many
mines, from which a vast quantity of bituminous coal is annually
raised for the supply of the towns on the Ohio and Mississippi.
30. Elizabethlown is a busy manufacturing town, beautifully placed
on the east side of the Monongahela, 16 miles from Pittsburg. It
contains a number of boat-yards, factories, mills, and a glass-house,
with 3 churches.
31. Tarcntnm is on the west side of the Allegheny and on the state
canal, 21 miles above Pittsburg. There are a number of mills here
propelled by the water-power of the canal. It is a growing town,
with 2 churches.
32. Bakcrstoivn is a pleasant countiy-village on the turnpike to
Butler, and 16 miles from Pittsburg. It is in a flourishing agri-
cultural district, and supplies many articles to the Pittsburg market.
33. To this list might be easily added as many more, most of
them being growing and prosperous towns, with various manufac-
turing, mining, or commercial establishments. From this it is evi-
dent, that though Allegheny county is a rich and fertile agricultural
district, yet her commercial, manufacturing, and mining interests
exceed all others ; and that the prosperity of her farmers must be
greatly promoted by the home demand thus created for their produce.
24. Of Birmingham?
25. Manchester?
26. Sligo?
27. Laivrencecille ?
28. Sharpsburg?
29. McKcesjmrt ?
30. Elizabethtoivn?
31. larentutn?
32. Bakerstoivn?
33. What is evident from the number and
kind of towns ?
SIXTH CLASS ALLEGHENY.
261
34. History. — Long before it became permanently settled, the
territory of this county w^as known, and its importance duly appre-
ciated by the whites. Genl. Washington, on his wa)'' to Le Boeuf,
in 1753, examined the "forks" of the Ohio, (now Pittsburg,) with a
view to the establishment of a fort to check the incursions of the
Indians, and encroachments of the French. In the spring of 1754,
a body of Virginians commenced the work, but were captured by
the French, who completed and called it Fort Dvquesne. In 1755,
Genl. Braddock was defeated and killed in an attempt to retake the
post.
35. The French retained it till 1758, when it was abandoned to
Genl. Forbes. In 1759, Genl. Stanwix constructed a formidable
work, embracing the old fort, and called it Fort Pitt, in honour of
the distinguished British statesman of that name. It remained in
the possession of the English till the beginning of the Revolutionary
war, when it fell into the hands of the Americans, and with it the
control of the surrounding country".
36. During and subsequent to the Revolutionary war, its inland
position secured this county from foreign attack, but it continued to
be much annoyed by the Indians. Several expeditions were de-
spatched from Fort Pitt against them. While Genl. Brodhead com-
manded here, in 1780 and subsequently, one of the principal Indian
fighters of this part of the west was the famous Capt. Samuel Brady,
whose daring exploits are still the theme of wonder. In 1788, Alle-
gheny, including all the territory of Pennsylvania north and west
of the Ohio and Allegheny, became a separate county, taking
the name of one of its rivers. It had pre\dously formed part of
Westmoreland.
37. From 1791 till 1794, the Whisky Insurrection disturbed Alle-
gheny, in common with the other south-western counties. After the
large force sent out on that occasion had been disbanded, many of
the volunteers being pleased with the countr)'-, returned from the east-
ern counties and states, and became permanent settlers. The county
was completely freed from Indian atrocities by Wayne's campaign,
and after 1795, no further injury was experienced from that quarter.
In 1800, Butler, Beaver, Mercer, Venango, Crawford, and Erie, were
formed out of its extensive territory to the north and west, and Alle-
gheny reduced to its present limits. Since that era, its course has
been one of almost uninterrupted prosperity.
38. Noted Citizens. — Thomas Hutchins, a distinguished geogra-
pher and historian, who published several works of merit, was born
in New Jersey about 1730, but early settled in Pittsburg, where he
died in 1789. General John Neville was born in Virginia in 1731.
He was present as a lieutenant at Braddock's defeat, and subse-
quently served through the whole Revolutionary war. After the
close of that contest, he became a citizen of Allegheny, and held
several distinguished civil offices.
In 1791, when the excise law
34. Repeat the history of Allegheny undcf
the French.
35. Utuler the British.
36. From the Revolution till 1791.
37. Wiat happened then, and si^se-
quently ?
38. Name the noted citizens.
262 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
was passed, General Washington appointed him inspector under it,
hoping that his great persona] popularity might aid in allaying the ex-
citement against that unpopular act. This hope proved groundless,
for his house was burned, his property destroyed, and his life threat-
ened by the insurgents. He continued, however, to enjoy the confi-
dence of Washington during the life of that great and good man,
and died in 1803. Presley Neville, his son, was an accomplished
scholar and distinguished citizen. He was also a soldier of the
Revolution, during part of which period he acted as aide-de-camp to
General La Fayette. He removed to Ohio in 1815, where he died
in 1819. Isaac Craig was born in Ireland in 1743, and emigrated to
America in 1768. He served as captain of marines on board the
Andrew Doria, under Captain Nicholas Biddle, and subsequently
became a captain of artillery. He was present at the battles of
Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. He held im-
portant military offices during the administration of Washington
and Adams, and died in 1826. James O'llara was also a native of
Ireland. He and Isaac Craig established the first glassworks at
Pittsburg. He was also the first person who transported salt from
Salina, in New York, to western Pennsylvania. By that means, the
price of this indispensable article was at once reduced to one-half
tiiat which it had cost when packed on horseback over the mountains
from the Atlantic cities. Major Abraham Kirkpatrick was a native of
Maryland. He served during the Revolutionary war, and at its close
settled in Pittsburg. He was quartermaster-general during the ad-
ministration of President Washington, and during his whole life was
distinguished for an utter want of personal fear. Hugh Henry Breck-
enridge was born in Scotland in 1750. When five years of age, he
came with his father to America. After a variety of pursuits, he
studied law, settled in Pittsburg in 1781, and soon became distin-
guished. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the
state in 1800, and died in 1816. He was a man of great eccentricity
of character, but of considerable acquirements, and was the author
of Modern Chivalry and Law Miscellanies. Joseph Addison was the
first judge who presided in Allegheny county under the Constitution
of 1790, and was an accomplished scholar. Henry haldwin was born
at New Haven, in Connecticut, about 1776, and early settled in
Pittsburg. He was an able lawyer, and for several years a promi-
nent member of Congress. He was appointed by President Jackson
a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, which office he
filled till his death in 1844.
SIXTH CLASS INDIANA.
263
INDIANA COUNTY.
1. Indiana, a western county, is bounded E. by Can?-
bria and Clearfield, N. by Jefferson, W. by Armstrong,
and S. by Westmoreland. Its area is 775 square miles.
2. Its Mountains are. Laurel Hill, terminating in
larofe irreo^ular hills in the south-eastern corner of the
county, and Chestnut ridge , entering it from Westmoreland,
about 10 miles west of Laurel Hill, and extending north-
ward nearly half its length. The rest of Indiana presents
the usual hilly appearance of the western counties.
3. The Streams are, the Con-e-maugh' , (called the Kis-
kiminetas lower down,) forming its southern boundary,
into which flows Blacklick, with its tributaries, Twolick
and Yellow creeks. Ma-ho'-ning and Crooked creeks pass
westward across Armstrong to the Allegheny. In the east,
some of the head w^aters of the West Branch arise .
4. The Soil of the northern and western parts resem-
bles that of the western counties generally, but is not quite
so fertile as those to the south-west of it. The mountains
are of course barren. About three-fourths of its area may
be cultivated.
1. AVhat are the class, boundaries,
and area of Indiana ?
2. The mountains?
3. Streams ?— 4. Soil?
264
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
5. The Minerals are, bituminous coal, salt, iron-ore,
and limestone.
6. Indiana contains 12 townships, 4 boroughs, and a
number of pleasant villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Indiana, the seat of justice, near
Twolick creek, with 674 inhabitants ; Blairsville, on the
Conemaugh, with 990 ; Saltzburg and Armagh. The vil-
lages are, Georgeville, Home, Shelocta, Lewisville,JYichol3-
burg, Mechanicsburg, Strongstown, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are the Pennsylvania ca-
nal, along the Conemaugh ; the northern turnpike crossing
the south-east corner of the county, from Ebensburg to
Blairsville, and another from Ebensburg to Kittanning,
through Indiana.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 20,782 ; and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, was $2,142,176.
10. The FIRST Settlers were principally Irish, and a
majority of the present population are their descendants,
though many Germans have since established themselves
in the county.
11. Their chief Pursuits are, agriculture, lumbering,
and the manufacture of salt.
12. The Productions are, grain, lumber, and salt.
Many horses, cattle, and sheep are raised and driven to
the east. ■'
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, and
130 common schools. There are many churches in the
county.
14. Indiana elects 1 member to the House of Representa-
tives, and, with Clearfield, Cambria, and Armstrong, 1 to
the Senate of the state ; with Clearfield, Armstrong, and
Butler, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the tenth judicial
district.
15. The Townships are, Armstrong, Blacklick, Brush Valley, Centre,
Conemaugh, Greene, Mahoning, Montgomery, Washington, Wheatfield,
White, and Young. ^
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs and
villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. AVho settled Indiana?
U. What are their employments?
12. Productions ? _
13. liiterary institutions?
It. How is Indiana represented, and
what is its judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
SIXTH CLASS INDIANA. 265
16. Indiana, the county-town, is pleasantly seated on high ground
near the centre of the county. It is neatly built, and contains the
requisite county buildings, 4 churches, and an academy. It was
laid out in 1805, and incorporated in 1816, its name and that of the
county being formed from the word Indian. It is 248 miles N. W.
of Philadelphia, 150 N. W. of Harrisburg, 54 N. E. of Pittsburg.
17. Blairsville is a flourishing town on the Conemaugh, below the
mouth of Blacklick creek, and has principally sprung up since
the commencement of the state canal. It is a place of considerable
trade, especially in the pork business. It contains 5 churches, and
has a noble bridge, of one arch of 295 feet, over the Conemaugh.
18. Sultzbiirg is also on the Conemaugh, 10 miles below Blairs-
ville. It is so called from the numerous salt-works in the vicinity.
19. Nine miles below Blairsville, the western division of the state
canal passes through a. tunnel of 1000 feet in length, cut through the
rock. At the same point it crosses the Conemaugh by means of a
large and substantial stone aqueduc".
20. The lowest smnmit in Pennsylvania, between the waters of the
Susquehanna and thoT^e of the Ohio, is said to be in the north-eastern
part of Indiana. This point is between Cushing creek, emptying
into the West Branch, and Two-lick into the Conemaugh.
21. Near the same place was the Cherry-tree station, somewhat
noted among the early settlers of the west, as being the highest point
on the West Branch to which a canoe could be pushed. From this
place an Indian path led to the old Indian town of Kittanning.
22. Though more uneven and hilly than most of the other western
counties, Indiana possesses all the resources of that class. She con-
tains coal, salt, iron-ore, and limestone, has the advantage of vici-
nity to the public works of the state, and enjoys a pleasant climate.
She is, therefore, rapidly becoming a rich and prosperous county.
23. History. — The first permanent settlement of the county was
made in 1771, near where the town of Indiana now stands, by Scotch-
Irish from Cumberland Valley. Their numbers slowly increased,
and they seem to have enjoyed peace with the Indians till the break-
ing out of the Revolution drove the latter into open hostility. From
that period, they suffered much, and many were forced lo abandon
their improvements, till Wayne's peace, in 1795, rendered their return
safe. After that event, the county slowly became peopled. It was
separated from Westmoreland and Allegheny in 1803. Many Ger-
man citizens have since been added to the population, which has
more than doubled in the last twenty years.
24. Noted Citizexs. — William Johiston v:a.s the first to introduce
the manufacture of salt into this region. This act, in point of real
utility, exceeds most of those public services which are generally
more lauded.
16. Describe the town of Indiana.
17. Blairsville.
18. Saltzburg.
19. IVhat is said of the tunnel?
20. Of the summit ?
21. Of Cherry-tree station ?
22. Of the resources of Indiana ?
23. Repeat its history, with dates.
24. Name the noted citizen.
23
266
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
a
1 Kittanning.
2 Freeport.
3 Leechburg.
4 Warren.
5 Middletown.
6 Lawrenceburg.
1. Armstrong, a western county, is bounded E. by In-
I (liana and Jefferson, N. by Clarion, W. by Butler, and S.
by Westmoreland. ./3rea 625 square miles.
2. It has no Mountains, but its surface is generally
broken and hilly.
3. The Streams are, the Allegheny^ which traverses it
from north to south, and is navigable except during low
water, and the Kis-ki-min-^ tas which separates it from
Westmoreland. The creeks are, the Red Bank, Mahoning,
Crooked, Pine, Buffalo, Sfc.
4. The Soil is various. The rolling land in which
limestone occurs is fertile, and the river bottoms are among
the most productive in the state. Much of the residue,
forming about one-fourth of the county, is unfit for culti-
vation.
1. What are the class, boundaries and I 3. Streams?
firea of Armstrong? 4. Soil?
'2. Its mountains ? I
SIXTH CLASS ARMSTRONG.
267
5. The Minerals are, coal, iron, salt, and limestone
in abundance.
6. It contains, 12 townships, 2 boroughs, and some
small villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Kit-tan'ning, the seat of justice,
on the Allegheny, with 702 inhabitants, and Freeport, with
727 inhabitants. The villages are, Leechburg, Warren,
Lawrencehurg, Middletown, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Pennsylvania
canal, which passes along the Kiskiminetas, and turnpikes
to Indiana and Butler.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 19,500 ; and, in 1845,
the assessed value of property was $1,618,800.
10. Some of the people are of German, and some of
Irish origin. Many are from the adjoining counties.
11. Their Pursuits are chiefly agricultural.
12. The Productions are, grain, cattle, some wool, and
large quantities of lumber. To these are to be added the
considerable amount oUalt and iron annually manufactured.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
female seminary, and 152 common schools.
14. Armstrong elects 1 member to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Clearfield, Indiana, and Cambria,
1 to the Senate of the state ; with Butler, Indiana, and
Clearfield, 1 member of Congress; and is in the tenth
judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Allegheny, Buffalo, Franklin, Kittanning,
Khkiminetas, Madison, Perry, I^me, Plum creek, Red Bank, Sugar creek,
and Wayne.
16. Kittanning is pleasantly seated on the river-flat of the Alle-
gheny, with high hills in its rear. It is regularly laid out, and con-
tains the usual coimty buildings, with 3 churches. It occupies the
site of an old Indian town of the same name, which was a noted
point on the great Indian path, from the upper Ohio to the waters
of the Susquehanna. It was laid out in 1804, and incorporated in
1821. It has an ingenious wire ferry, the boat being driven across
the river by the force of the current striking against its side in an
6. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county ?
It. What are their pursuits?
12. Their productions ?
1.3. Literary institutions ?
14. How is the county represented, and
what is its judicial district?
15. Name the toicnskips.
16. Describe Kittanning.
268
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
oblique direction. Kittanning is 45 miles N. E. of Pittsburg, 186
W. of Harrisburg, and 284 of Philadelphia.
17. Freeport is a busy town with 727 inhabitants, on the Allegheny,
and on the western division of the state-canal. It is 16 miles below
Kittanning. It contains 5 churches, 2 steam woollen factories, a
steam saw and flour-mill, and has a number of salt-works in the
vicinity. .
18. Leechbnrg is also on the canal, 15 miles from Kittanning. A
dam at this point has been constructed across the Kiskiminetas,
27 feet high and 574 long, for the supply of the canal. The water-
power thus created is yet unimproved. Leechburg contains about
250 inhabitants.
19. There are several furnaces and other iron-works m operation
in the county. Of these, the Great Western iron-works in the north-
west corner are said to be among the most extensive in the Union.
There are also a number of salt-ivorks which have long been esta-
blished. On the whole, it would seem as if Armstrong bids fair to
add manufactures to her other means of wealth.
20. HisTORT. — Previous to 1756, the history of this county is the
same as that of the surrounding region. In that year, Genl. (then
Col.) Armstrong, of Cumberland county, led an expedition against
the Indian town of Kittanning, which he took and burned. In 1768,
the eastern portion of its territory was purchased by the state from
the Indians, and in 1784, that part lying west of the Allegheny. In
1780, and for some years after, it was the scene of many Indian
fic^hts, in which Samuel Brady, the famous captain of the scouts, bore
a'gallant part. It received few settlers till 1800, when it was formed
into a separate county out of parts of Lycoming, Westmoreland, and
Allegheny. It was named in honour of Genl. Armstrong, whose
family owned the site of the county-seat where he had destroyed the
old Indian town. Since 1830, the completion of the state-canal has
added to its population and wealth. In 1839, its northern end wiis
taken off to form part of the new county of Clarion.
21. Noted Citizf.xs. — Robert Orr, an Irishman by birth, settled
in western Pennsylvania in 1773, and, partly at his own expense,
raised a volunteer company in 1781, with which he joined General
Clarke's forces against the' Indians on the Ohio. He was wounded
and taken in that disastrous expedition, and remained prisoner at
Montreal till 1783. He was an associate judge of Armstrong from
its first organization till 1833, when he died.
17. Freeport.
18. Leechburg.
19. What is said of vianufactures .
20. Repeat the history of the county.
21. Name a noted citizen.
SIXTH CLASS — JEFFERSON.
269
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
1. Jefferson, a western county, is hounded E. by Clear-
field and Elk, N. by Warren, W. by Venango and Cla-
rion, and S. by Indiana. Its area is 950 square miles.
2. Though it contains no Mountains, the county is hilly
and uneven.
3. The Streams are, the Clarion and Red Bank, with
their branches in the central part of the county, the Ma-
honing in the south, and the Te-o-nes'ta in the extreme
north-west. All flowing south-westwardly towards the
Allegheny.
4. The Soil of the river bottoms is excellent ; that of
the level uplands is also moderately fertile ; but the hill
sides are generally rocky and broken. About three-
fourths of it may ultimately be fit for cultivation.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Jefferson?
2. Its mountains ?
23
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
270
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
5. The chief Minerals are, bituminous coal, with some
iron-ore and limestone,
6. Jefferson contains 14 townships ^ 1 borough, and a few
small villages.
7. The Borough is jBrooA:vi7/e, the seat of justice, with
276 inhabitants, and the villages are. Port Barnett^ Punxa-
tawny, Troy, Jefferson, fyc.
8. The only Public Improvements are, the Bellefonte
and Erie turnpike passing through Brookville, and the
state road from Kittanning to Olean Point in New York.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 7,253, and the as-
sessed value oi property, in 1845, $821,298.
10. The FIRST Settlers were chiefly from the older
counties of the state, many of them being of New England
origin, and recently a number of German emigrants have
established themselves in the southern part.
11. Their main Occupation heretofore has been lum-
bering, the county containing much excellent pine timber,
and many saw-mills. But latterly, considerable attention
is given to agriculture and the raising of live-stock.
12. Their Productions are large quantities of excellent
lumber sent down the chief streams, with a sufficiency of
grain and other agricultural produce for the support of
the inhabitants.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
73 common schools.
14. Jefferson elects, with Clarion and Venango, 2 mem-
bers to the House of Representatives, and, with Clarion,
Warren, McKean, Potter, and Elk, 1 to the Senate of the
state ; with Erie, Warren, McKean, Potter, Elk, and Cla-
rion, 1 member of Congress; and is in the eighteenth
judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Barnett, Clover, Eldred, Gaskell, Jenks, Perry,
Pine creek, Porter, Rose, Snyder, Teonesta, Warsaw, Washington, and
Young.
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. "Who settled the county ?
11. What is their chief occupation?
12. Their productions?
13. laterary institutions?
14. How is Jefferson represented, and
what is its judicial district?
15. Name the toivnships.
SIXTH CLASS JEFFERSON.
271
16. Brookville, the county town, is pleasantly seated on the sources
of the Red Bank, or Sandy-lick creek. It was laid out in 1830, and
incorporated in 1834, and, with the usual county buildings, contains
an academy and 1 church. It is supplied with running water in
pipes. It is 167 miles N. W. of Harrisburg, 265 N. W. of Phila-
delphia, and 85 N. E. of Pittsburg.
17. Punx-a-tau/ny is a pleasant little village in the southern part
of the count}', on Mahoning creek.
18. Like most of the new northern counties, Jeflferson yet contains
few towns or villages properly so called. Most of those marked on
the maps are merely settlements, or places where the population is
more dense than in other parts of the county. These scattered
hamlets usually contain a school-house, a number of saw-mills, and
occasionally a church. Many of them will no doubt become flou-
rishing towns.
19. When Jefferson shall be cleared of the heavy pine forests that
now cover a great portion of its surface, it will prove a rich and pros-
perous county. The soil, though not the most fertile in the state, is
productive, and particularly well-adapted for raising sheep and live-
stock of all kinds. It has abundance of coal, with considerable
quantities of iron-ore, and some limestone, and contains many large
streams, with abundance of water-power. All these advantages
must, before many years, produce their full efife<:t in the hands of
an intelligent and enterprising population. This result will be hast-
ened, when the distant holders of large tracts of land shall see, as
they must, the policy either of improving them, or of selling to those
who will.
20. Htstoht. — The first permanent settlement in the county was
made at Port Barnett, 1 mile east of Brookville, in 1797, by settlers
from the West Branch. From 1800 till 1804, a few others from differ-
ent places followed. In the latter year, the county was erected out
of parts of Lycoming, taking its name from the third President of the
United States; but was not regularly organized for judicial purposes
till 1830. From that time, the county began to receive settlers pretty
rapidly. A number of Germans established themselves in the
southern part, and several enterprising citizens from New England
and New York gave an impulse to the lumber trade, which has
added largely to its business and wealth. In 1843, it lost part of its
territory by the erection of Elk county.
21. Noted Citizens. — Joseph Barnett was the first settler in the
county. He was from the West Branch, and had served during the
Revolution under General Potter, and subsequently on the part of the
state in the Wyoming troubles. He settled Port Barnett in 1797.
16. Describe Bwokeville.
17. Punxatawny.
IS. What is said of the towns ?
19. Of the resources of Jeff'erson ?
20. Repeat its history, loith dates.
21. Name a noted citizen.
272
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
CLARION COUNTY.
1 Clarion.
2StrattonviUe.
3 Greenville.
4 Huling-sburg.
5 Carlcsville.
G Callenburg.
7 Sliippenville.
8 Foxburg.
1. Clarion, a western county, is bounded E. by Jeffer-
son, N. by Venango, W. by Vennngo and Butler, and S.
by Armstrong. Area^ 600 square miles.
2. It has no Mountains. The surface is hilly and rolling.
3. The chief Streams are, the Jillegheny river ^ passing
along its south-west border, and Clarion and Red Bank
creeks, both emptying into the Allegheny.
4. The Soil \s fertile and adapted to the growth of grain,
except a portion along the streams, which is much broken.
Four-fifths of it may be fit for tillage or pasture.
5. The Minerals are, bituminous coal, iron-ore, and
limestone.
6. It contains 14 townships, 1 borough, and a few
villages.
7. The Borough is Clarion, the seat of justice, on the
Clarion, with 500 inhabitants; the villages are, Stratton-
ville, Shippensville, Greenville, Carlesville, Callenburg, 4t.
8. The Public Improvements are, a turnpike from Cla-
rion to Bellefonte and Meadville.
1. AVhat are the class, boundaries,
and area of Clarion ?
2. Has it any niounlains ?
3. What are the streams ?
4. Describe the soii.
5. The minerals.
(5. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages '.
7. Name them^ and the county-seat.
8. The public improvements.
SIXTH CLASS CLARION.
273
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 9,500, and in
1845 the assessed value o{ property was $1,294,796.
10. The Inhabitants are generally from other parts of
the state.
11. They are chiefly engaged in agriculture^ and the
lumher and iron business.
12. Their Productions are those of a new fertile county,
with large quantities of lumber and iron.
13. The Literary Institutions are, an academy, and
90 common schools.
14. Clarion elects, with Jefferson and Venango, 2 mem-
bers to the House of Representatives ; with Warren, Jeffer-
son, Elk, McKean, and Potter, 1 to the Senate of the state;
and, with Erie, Warren, McKean, Potter, Elk, and Jeffer-
son, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the eighteenth
judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Beaver, Clarion, Elk, Farmington, Limestone,
Madison, Monroe, Paint, Perry, Porter, Red Bank, Richland, Toby, and
Washington.
16. The town of CZarton was only laid out in 1840, and for its time
has made considerable advances. It is a fresh-looking, thriving
place, on the turnpike leading from Bellefonte to Erie, and contains
an elegant court-house, substantial prison, and an academy. It was
incorporated in 1841, and is 187 miles N. W. of Harrisburg, 285 of
Philadelphia, and 75 N. of Pittsburg.
17. Shippensville is a pleasant village on the turnpike, 7 miles west
of Clarion. It contains 1 church, and is a place of some business.
18. Sirattonville is also on the turnpike. Smiles east of the county-
seat, with 2 churches. It is in a thriving farming neighbourhood,
and has a considerable trade.
19. Though Clarion contains abundance of coal, limestone, and
iron-ore, no part of its mineral wealth, except the latter, has yet been
made productive. Iron-works of different kinds have been erected,
and have added largely to the business, wealth, and population of the
county.
20. History. — The territory of this county was first settled about
1801. It previously formed parts of Armstrong and Venango. It
was erected into a separate county in 1839, taking the name of its
main stream, and pro raises to become a populous and wealthy
county.
9. What are «he population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Clarion?
11. "What are tlieir pursuits?
12. Their productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How is the county represented,
and which is its judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
1(5. Describe Clarion.
17. Shippe7isviUe.
18. Strattonville.
19. IVhat is said of the. mineral resources
of Clarion ?
20. Repeat its history, xvith dates.
274
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
VENANGO COUNTY.
1. Venango, a western county, is hounded E. by Jeffer-
son, N. by Warren and Crawford, W. by Mercer, S. by
Armstrong, and S. E. by Clarion. Area 850 square miles.
2. There are no Mountains in the county, but it is very
much broken into steep hills by the various water-courses.
3. The Streams are, the Allegheny ^ winding through its
centre, into which flow French and Oil creeks from the
west, and Te-o-nes'ta from the east, with their branches,
and other small streams.
4. The Soil on the table-lands, between the streams, is
good ; along the river bottom it is very fertile; but on the
steep and broken hill-sides it is of little value for tillage.
About three-fourths of the county may be susceptible of
cultivation, but it is better adapted for pasture than tillage.
5. The Minerals are, iron-ore in great abundance, bi-
tuminous coal in the southern, and limestone in the south-
western part.
6. Venango contains 16 townships^ 1 borough, and
several villages.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Venango ?
2. I fas it any mountains?
J. Which are the streams?
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
fi. How many townships, boroughs, and
villages?
SIXTH CLASS VENANGO.
275
7. The Borough is Franklin^ the county-seat, at the
junction of French creek and the Allegheny, with 595 in-
habitants ; and the villages are, TJtica, Cooperstown,
Hickory-town, Clintonville, Perryville, Teonesta, and
Wesley.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Franklin line of
the Pennsylvania canal, from the Allegheny along the French
creek to Meadville ; turnpikes from Franklin to Clarion,
Meadville, Butler, and Warren ; and a large bridge over
the Allegheny at Franklin.
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 14,500 ; and
the assesssed value of property, in 1845, was $1,109,403.
10. The FIRST Settlers were from the older counties
of the state, with some from New England.
11. Their chief Employment is agriculture, with a large
iron business, and some lumbering,
12. Their Productions are, grain and live-stock, iron
and lumber.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
124 common schools.
14. Venango elects, with Clarion and Jefferson, 2 mem-
bers to the House of Representatives, and, with Crawford,
1 to the Senate of the state ; with Mercer and Crawford,
1 member of Congress ; and is in the sixth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Allegheny, Canal, Cherry-tree, Cornplanter,
Cranberry, French creek, Irivin, Oakland, Pinegrove, Plum, Richland,
Rockland, Sandy creek, Scrubgrass, Sugar creek, and Teonesta.
16. Franklin is placed on French creek, near its confluence with
the Allegheny, and contains a stone court-house and jail, an aca-
demy and 3 churches. It was laid out in 1795, and incorporated
in 1828. It takes its name from Fort Franklin, which was erected
within the bounds of the present town in 1787. It is a place of
some business, and has a splendid bridge over the Allegheny, and
one across French creek. It is 213 miles N. W. of Harrisburg,
310 N. W. of Philadelphia, 68 N. of Pittsburg, and 62 S. E. of Erie.
17. The point of confluence of the French creek with the Alle-
gheny has always been one of note and importance. Even before
,the whites took possession of this part of the continent, it had been
occupied by an Indian town belonging to the Monseys, a tribe of
7. Name them, and the county-seat.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. AVho settled Venango?
11. What are their main pursuits?
12. Productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How is Venango represented, and
which is its judicial district?
15. Name the tov^ns/iips.
16. Describe FrayikUn.
1 7. What is said of its position ?
276 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the Delawares. The French erected a fort here about 1750, as one
of a chain of posts intended to connect their Canadian possession
with the Mississippi. It was finally abandoned and burned by them
in 1759. In 1787, the United States government erected Fort Frank-
lin at the same place. This was occupied till after Wayne's treaty
at Fort Greenville put an end to all danger of Indian hostilities.
And now it is the site of the town of Franklin, and the point where
the state-canal intended to connect the Allegheny with Lake Erie,
strikes the former. Thus, in war and in peace, by savages and
civilized men, has it always been esteemed a commanding position.
18. Utica, on French creek, and Cooperstawn on Sugar creek, both
7 miles from the county-seat, are flourishing villages, containing
saw-mills, grist-mills, founderies, carding and woollen mills, &c.
19. Only the southern part of Venango county lies in the great
bituminous coal basin of the valley of the Ohio, whose rocks here
dip towards the south and south-east. From its northern part, the
coal-bearing strata of rocks seem to have been removed by some
natural convulsion. This has exposed the strata next in order,
which are similar to those forming most of the surface of the iron
mountain counties. Hence that part of Venango is found to pos-
sess abundance of iron-ore, and numerous works for its refinement
and manufacture have already been established.
20. HisTOKT. — The greater part of the county was occupied by
the Monseys, a band of the Delaware tribe, before the French visited
it in 1749. In 1759, the latter abandoned their fort at the mouth of
French creek, and their control over the Indians. About 1767, the
Moravians, under Zeisberger, established a missionary station at
Goshgoshunk on the Allegheny, near the mouth of the Teonesta, and
afterwards further up the former stream, near the present Hickory-
town. In 1770, they removed to Friedenstadt, in Beaver county.
The county remained unoccupied from that time till 1792, except that,
in 1787, the United States government erected a fort at Franklin.
Settlers began to arrive from the older counties of the state, and
some from New England, about 1790. Much confusion prevailed
among them for some years, the claims of the large land com-
panies and land owners, and those holding under donation titles
from the state, coming into conflict with those of the actual settlers.
The county was erected in 1800, taking the Indian name of the
.<?tream now called French creek. It had before been included in
Lycoming and Allegheny. In 1805, it was finally organized for ju-
dicial purposes, and in the same year, the disputes about land titles
were terminated by the decision of the Supreme Court of the United
States. Since that time, the construction of the Franklin line of
canal, and the establishment of numerous iron-works, have very
greatly promoted its settlement and improvement. In 1839, it lost
some of its south-eastern territory by the formation of Clarion.
18. Of Utica and Cooperstawn? I 20. Repeat its history^ with dates.
19. Of the 7nineral resources of the county? \
SIXTH CLASS CRAWFORD.
277
CKAWFOED COUNTY.
1. Crawford, a western county, is hounded E. by War-
ren, N. by Erie, W. by Ohio, and S. by Mercer and
Venango. Area^ 975 square miles.
2. It has no Mountains, but is generally undulating or
rolling.
3. The chief Streams are, the French creek, (formerly
called Venango^) Conneaut^ Cassewaga, and the head-
streams of the Shenango and Oil creeks.
4. The Soil is generally fertile, but a large part of it
better adapted to grazing than the production of grain.
The whole is fit either for farming or grazing.
5. The Minerals of value are, some iron-ore and lime-
marl. Little, if any, coal occurs.
6. Crawford contains 28 townships, 3 boroughs, and a
number of growing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Meadville, the seat of justice, on
French creek, with 1319 inhabitants, Conneautville and
Woodcock ; and the villages are Harmonshurg, Cenireville,
Conneaut-town, Pottersville, Titusville, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the state-canal from
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Crawford?
2. Has it any mountains?
3. Name the streams
24
4. Describe the soil.
5. AVhat are the minerals ?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
278
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Beaver to Erie, which crosses it from S. to N., the French
creek feeder and Franklin line of state-canal, which con-
nect the Erie canal at Conneaut with the Allegheny at the
town of Franklin, and turnpikes to Erie, Mercer, and
Franklin.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 31,724; and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $2,881,388.
10. The county is generally peopled from the older
parts of the state.
11. Agriculture forms their chief Employment, and fur-
nishes nearly all their productions. Maple sugar in con-
siderable quantities is made. There are several saw, grain,
paper, fulling, and oil-mills, and few distilleries.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 college, 1 aca-
demy, and 264 common schools.
13. Crawford elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Venango, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
wuth Mercer and Venango, 1 member of Congress; and is
in the sixth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, jithcns, Beaver, Bloomfield, Conneaut, Cas-
sewaga, Fairfield, E. Fallowfield, W. Falloicfield, Greenwood, Hayfield,
Mead, Oil creek, Randolph, RicJimond, Rockdale, Rome, Sadsbury, N. She-
nango, S. Shenango, Sparta, Spring, Summerhill, Sunmiit, Troy, Venango,
Vernon, Wayne, and Woodcock.
15. Meadville is one of the pleasantest towns in north-western Penn-
sylvania. It is seated on a beautiful flat on the east bank of French
creek, and contains a number of handsome private residences. The
streets are laid out at right angles, and the public buildings placed
round a large square. They are, a spacious and substantial court-
house, with a prison, a number of churches, an academy, and other
edifices. It has also several paper-mills, an oil-mill, an edge-tool
factory, and several other mills driven by the ample water-power of
the vicinity. The town was commenced, in 1789, by David Mead,
from whom it takes its name. It was about that time the site of a
block-house built for protection against the Indians. It was incor-
porated in 1823, and is 90 miles N. of Pittsburg, 37 S. of Erie, 237
N. W. of Harrisburg, and 335 of Philadelphia.
16. About a mile north of the town, on a commanding eminence,
is situated Allegheny College, now belonging to the Pittsburg Confer-
7. Name them, and ihe county-seat.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. AVho settled Crawford?
11. What are their employment and
productioas ?
12. Literary institutions?
13. How is Crawford represented, and
what is its judicial district?
14. Name the totvnships.
15. Describe Meadville.
16. Allegheny college.
SIXTH CLASS CRAWFORD. 279
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is a noble stmcture,
and the institution is in a flourishing condition. The number of
students in all the departments is about 150.
17. In the vicinity, there is also an arsenal for the preservation of
the arms belonging to the state. It was erected in 1816, and is an
ornament to the place.
18. From the banks of Oil creek, a species of oil exudes and may
be seen on the surface of the water some distance down the stream.
The oil is burned in lamps, and is also in some repute for its medi-
cinal qualities.
19. Comieaut Lake is a beautiful sheet of water, about Smiles long
and 2 wide. It has been converted into a basin or feeder for the state-
canal, and its surface raised several feet by leading the water of
French creek into the lake. Oil-creek Lake, and Sugar-creek Lake
are also in Crawford county.
20. The greater portion of Crawford is beyond the bituminous
region of western Pennsylvania, but is admirable pasture-land.
Much of it is, however, fertile wheat soil. The prosperity of the
county will be undoubtedly promoted by the opening of th^long-
delayed Erie canal.
21. History. — The Seneca Indians seem to have occupied this
part of the state previous to 1748, when the French first visited it.
The latter had control of it in their passages from Lake Erie to the
Allegheny till 1 758. After that time, it was uninhabited by white
men till 1788, when a band of pioneers from Northumberland settled
near the present town of Meadville. The State Land Law of 1792,
regulating the terms of settlement and the claims of the large land
companies, for some years prevented the rapid population of the
county. The Indian hostilities, which took place about the same
time, also had their effect in producing this state of things. In 1795,
General Wayne's treaty with the Indians, after his. successful cam-
paign, removed the latter difficulty. In 1800, the county was sepa-
rately established, being taken from Allegheny, and deriving its
name from Col. William Crawford, one of the defenders of the west-
ern frontier, who was burned by the Indians, at Sandusky, in 1782.
In 1805, the Great Holland Company land case was decided, and
soon after put an end to the controversies about titles. Since that
period, the county has been steadily increasing in prosperity and
population.
22. Noted Citizens. — David Mead, the founder of Meadville,
seems also to have been, with his father who was killed by the In-
dians, the first settler in the county. He died in 1816, aged 65.
Robert E. Randolph, who died in 1830, aged 89, was among the first
settlers. He was a native of New Jersey. He served his country
during the Revolutionary war, and was at the battle of Germantown.
17. TTie arsenal.
18. Oil creek.
19. Contieaut lake.
20. What is said of the business of tht
county?
21. Repeat its history, tvith dates.
22. Name the noted citizens-
280
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
BUTLER COUNTY.
1. Butler, a western county, is hounded E. by Arm-
strong and Clarion, N. by Venango, W. by Beaver and
Mercer, and S. by Allegheny. JJrea^ 780 square miles.
2. It presents neither mountams^ nf)r any considerable
hills. The surface is of a rolling or undulating character.
3. No large Stream passes through this county, but the
.y^Z/eg-Ae/jT/touches its north-east and south-east corners. The
creeks are, Con-e-que-nes' sing^ Slippery-rock, and Muddy.
4. The Soil is tolerably fertile, with very little waste
land. A large portion of it is sandy, but in the south it is
more loamy and of greater fertility.
5. The valuable Minerals are, abundance of bifuininous
coal, iron-ore, limestone, and salt.
6. It contains 17 townships, 5 boroughs, and several
villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Butler, the seat of justice, on
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Butler?
2. Has it any mountains ?
3. Name the streams.
4. Describe the soil.
5. The minerals.
fi. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Nanie them, and the county-seat-
SIXTH CLASS BUTLER. 281
Conequenessing creek, with 861 inhabitants, Harmony^
Zelienopky Prospect, and Portersville ; the villages are,
Centreville, Woodville, Murrinsville, Summerville, Sfc.
8. The Public Improvements are, graded roads, called
" clay pikes," leading from Butler to Pittsburg, Mercer,
Freeport, and Harmony.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 22,378 ; and, in 1845,
the assessed property was $2,361,209.
10. The FIRST Settlers were from the other parts of
the state. Many Germans, Irish, and some Scotch have
since taken up their residence.
11. Their Pursuits are mainly agricultural, though a
number are engaged in manufactures.
12. The Productions are, grain and live-stock, with
some wool and silk. There are several iron-furnaces,
woollen factories, saw and oil-mills. Little lumber is sent
to market.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, and
152 common schools. The spirit of education is increasing.
14. Butler elects 1 member to the House of Representa-
tives, and, with Allegheny, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
with Armstrong, Indiana, and Crawford, 1 member of
Congress ; and is in the seventeenth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Buffalo, Butler, N. Butler, Centre, Cherry,
Clearfield, E. Conequenessing, W. Conequenessing, Cranberry, Donegal,
Franklin, Mercer, Middlesex, Muddy creek, Parker, Slippery-rock, and
Venango.
16. The Town of Butler occupies a high position with an extensive
prospect, near the centre of the county. It is a pleasant, quiet
county-seat, with the usual county buildings, of a plain substantial
kind. It has 4 churches and an academy. It was laid out in 1800,
and incorporated in 1817, taking its name from the county. It is
30 miles N. of Pittsburg, 205 W. of Harrisburg, and 300 of Phila-
delphia.
17. Harmony, 14 miles S. W. of Butler, is a thriving village. It
was founded by the German Society of Harmony, (who now reside
at Economy in Beaver county,) in 1804, when they first settled in
Pennsylvania. They sold their large estate here in 1814, for a con-
siderable sum of money, and removed to Indiana, whence they re-
turned to Beaver county in 1825.
S. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Butler ?
11. AVhat are their pursuits?
12. Productions?
24
l-S. Literary institutions?
14. How is Butler represented, and
what is its judicial district?
15. Name the toivushifs.
16. Describe the town of Butler.
17. Harmony.
282
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
18. Zelicrtvple is near Harmony on the Conequenessing, and 15
miles from the county-town. It is a pleasant village, with over
300 inhabitants. It is in a fertile region, abounding with coal, lime-
stone, and iron-ore.
19. Centreville is 14 miles N. W. of Butler, on the turnpike to
Mercer. It is a thriving village, of recent growth, with near 300 in-
habitants.
20. This county possesses most of the elements of comfort and
prosperity. The climate is salubrious, the waters are pure and
abundant, and the soil is kindly and generally productive. It has
also abundance of iron, coal, salt, and limestone. To these natural
advantages, numerous manufactures have been added, consisting
of iron-works, Avoollen factories, and flour, saw, and oil-mills. Some
attention has also been paid to the production of wool and silk.
21. The cultivation of the mulberry and the production of silk seem
to form an employment very suitable to the population and climate
of the greater portion of this state. The labour of feeding the silk-
worms is light and pleasant, and can be chiefly performed by females
and children, without material interruption to other business. The
business, also, is one that can be commenced at little expense. A
few mulberry-trees, some silk-worm eggs, and a book descriptive of
the means of using them, are all that is needed. With this stock
to begin with, the business can be enlarged to any extent, both the
tree and the worm being of easy propagation.
22. History. — A band of the Delaware tribe occupied the terri-
tory of Butler before its settlement by the whites. Their village,
about 10 miles N. W. of Butler, was called Kaskaskunk. This was
in 1770, when the Moravians first visited the region. No perma-
nent settlement was efi'ected till 1792, when the law for the settle-
ment of that part of the state, north and west of the Ohio and Alle-
gheny rivers and Conewango creek, was passed. Though this law
efl'ected the settlement of the county, which mainly took place about
1796, it opened a wide door for imposition upon the real settlers by
the land-jobbers, and produced numberless controversies. The
county was taken ofl" Allegheny in 1800, and named in honour of
General Richard Butler, who fell at St. Clair's defeat in 1791. In
1805, the United States Supreme Court settled the land controversies
by which the improvement of the county had been retarded. Since
that event, its increase in population and wealth has been slow but
steady.
23. Noted Citizens. — William jlyres was the first prothonotary
of the courts, and afterwards filled several honourable stations.
John Gibnore was long a citizen of Butler. He was at various times
a member of the state legislature, and of Congress, and state
treasurer.
18. Zelienfrple.
19. Centreville.
20. What is said of the resources of Butler?
21 . Of the silk busitiess?
22. Rtptat its history, ivith dates.
23. Name the noted citizens.
SIXTH CLASS BEAVER.
283
BEAVER COUNTY.
1 Beaver.
2 Bridgewater.
3 Fallston.
i Brighton.
5 Mew Brighton.
6 Rochester.
7 Freedom.
8 Pliilipsburg.
9 Economy.
10 Georgetown.
11 Hookstown.
11' Frankford.
i:> Darlington.
U Mt. Jackson.
OHIO
1. Beaver, a western county, is bounded E. by Butlei
and Allegheny, N. by Mercer, W. by Ohio and Virginia,
and S. by Washington. Jirea, 650 square miles.
2. It has no Mountains, nor any considerable hills, ex-
cept on the streams. The surface is generally rolling.
3. The Rivers are, the Ohio, which crosses the south
part of the county ; in the north the Mahoning from Ohio,
and the Skenango from Mercer unite and form the Beaver,
which joins the Ohio at Beaver. The creeks are, Slippery
Rock, Conequenessing, Racoon, and Little Beaver.
4. The Soil is fertile, particularly the river bottoms.
It may all be called farm-land.
5. The chief Minerals are, bituminous, with a bed of
cannel coal, frequent strata of limestone, and some iron-ore,
6. It contains 21 townships, 11 boroughs, and many
thriving villages.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Beaver ?
2. Has it any mountains?
3. Name the streams.
4. Describe the soil.
5. What are the minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
284
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
7. The Boroughs are, Beaver^ the seat of justice, ©n?
a high bank at the junction of the Beaver and Ohio, with
551 inhabitants ; JYew Brighton^ with 981 ; Brighton,
Bridgewater, Fallston, Freedom, Philipsburg, Darlington,
Mount Jackson, Hookstown, and Frankfort- springs. The
villages are, Sharon, Rochester, Economy, and Georgetown.
8. The Public Improvements are, the state-canal along
the Beaver and Shenango, connecting the Ohio with Erie
harbour ; the Pennsylvania and OJiio, and the Sandy and
Beaver canals, both connecting the Beaver with the Ohio
state- canal.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 29,368. In 1845,
the assessed value of property was $4,073,824.
10. The FIRST Settlers were from the other parts of
the state, with recently some Germans and Irish.
11. Their chief Occupations are agriculturQ, and a va-
riety of manufactures.
12. The Productions are those of a fertile agricultural
district, to which have recently been added some silk and
wine, and various manufactured articles.
13. The Literary Institutions are, an academy,
2 female seminaries, and 160 common schools. Educa-
tion is encouraged.
14. Beaver elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and with Mercer, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
with Washington, 1 member of Congress; and is in the
seventeenth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Big Beaver, Little Beaver, N. Beaver, S. Beaver,
Chippewa, Efono?ny, Greene, Hanover, Hopcii-eU, Marion, Moon, Ohio, Pat-
terson, Perry, Racoon, Rochester, New Sewickley, N. Scwickley, Shenango,
Slippery Ro/^k, and Wayne.
16. Beaver is an old-fashioned, quiet county-town. It has the usual
court-house and jail, and 3 churches, built around a large open
square, through which passes the long main street. It was laid out
in 1791, and incorporated in 1802. It is 28 miles N. W. of Pittsburg,
230 W. of Harrisburg, and 328 of Philadelphia.
17. The cluster of tote ns at the mouth of Beaver was suddenly pro-
duced by the speculation of 1836. The design was to enlarge the
7. Name them, \vjth the county-seat.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Beaver?
11. What are tlieir occupations?
12. Productions?
13. liiterary institutions?
14. Mow is it represented, and which
is the judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe the town of Bearer.
17. Wtat is said of the towns at the
mouth of Beaver ?
SIXTH CLASS BEAVER. 285
whole into a city, to be called " Beaver." The hope of success was
based on the position and water-power of the locality. But the pro-
ject was pushed too fast, and failed.
18. Ten miles further up the Ohio, on the same bank, is an in-
stance of the success of the opposite system. This is Economy, the
village of the Harmony Society. It was founded by George Rapp
and his followers, from Germany. They first settled in Butler
county, calling their place Harmony. The soil not suiting their
flocks and vines, they removed to the Wabash, in Indiana, about
1814. There they built a beautiful town, but the place proving un-
healthy, they returned to Pennsylvania, and finally settled v\'here
they now are, in 1825. They own about 3500 acres of land, which,
together with all their property, is held in common. They number
about 400, and are not increasing, as marriage is discouraged, and
few new members are admitted. Since their settlement at Economy,
they have greatly improved their property and added to their wealth.
They possess all the requisite buildings for the convenience of the
society, with a large steam cotton and woollen factory, flour-mill,
and also a silk-factory. The)'- pay much attention to the culture of
the vine and Mulberry. In agriculture they excel, and are famous
for their choice domestic animals. The whole is under the care of
their patriarch, Rapp, who is their spiritual as well as temporal
guide. They generally use the German language.
19. This society is another proof of the certainty of slow, com-
bined, and continued eifort in overcoming obstacles, and accumu-
lating wealth. But whether the result is a sufiicient compensation
to each member for the personal independence and domestic happi-
ness sacrificed to attain it, he alone can tell.
20. The first thing that strikes the mind on examining this county
is its commanding position, as regards communication with the
lakes, the interior of Ohio, and western Pennsylvania, and in fact
the whole Ohio valley. These outlets must ultimatel}' employ its
immense, but now nearly idle water-power, and render it a great
manufacturing point. Where water-power is absent, abundance of
coal is found to form a cheap substitute, and the fertile soil of the
county will feed almost any number of people who may engage in
the various pursuits, for which it holds out so many inducements.
, 21. History. — Zcisberger and other Moravians, v.'ho established a
mission in 1770, were the first white settlers in Beaver county.
The Indians who then frequented the region were the Six Nations,
the Shawnees, and Delawares. The same year Washington ex-
amined it to select land for the soldiers of the French war. In
1778, Fort Mcintosh, near the present site of Beaver, was built.
During the next 17 years, the county was so much infested by
the Indians, as to be incapable of habitation. This state of things
was ended by Wayne's treaty, in 1795. A rush of settlers then oc-
curred, but the land titles of the north-west corner of the state had
been rendered so intricate by previous legislation, and by the con-
18. Of Economy?
19. Of what is it a proof?
'20. What, is said of the position and re-
sources of the county ?
ai . Repeat its history, with dates.
286
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
flicting claims of the land companies and of individuals, that, for
several years, its improvement was materially retarded. In 1800,
the county was separately organized, taking its name from the river.
It was previously embraced in Allegheny. In 1805, the land con-
troversies were terminated by the decision of the Supreme Court of
the United States. Since which time, and especially since the con-
struction of the canals, its improvement has been steady.
22. Noted Citizens. — jibner Lacock was one of the first settlers.
He was self-taught, possessing scarcely the common rudiments of
learning when he first appeared in the state legislature. He filled
many honourable offices, among which was a seat in the Senate
of the United States. George Rapp, of Economy, has already been
noticed. He is now near 90, and one of the most remarkable men
of his day.
MERCER COUNTY.
1. Mercer, a western county, is hounded E. by Venango,
N. by Crawford, W. by Ohio, S. by Beaver, and S. E. by
Butler. Its area is 775 square miles.
2. It contains no Mountains, and few large hills. The
surface is generally undulating, but in some parts almost
level.
3. The Streams are, the Shenango, which traverses the
county from north to south, with its chief branches JVes-
22. Name the noted citizens.
1. What are tlie class, boundaries, and
area of Mercer?
2. Has it any mountains?
3. Name the streams.
SIXTH CLASS MERCER. 287
han'nock on the east, and Py-ina-tu'-ning on the west; the
Ma-ho'-ning touching the south-west corner, Slippery rock
the south-east, and French creek the north-east.
4. The Soil is generally fertile, that of the river-flats
and the limestone land, in the southern part, being very
productive. The whole county may be said to be sus-
ceptible of tillage.
5. The valuable Minerals are, hituminous coal, lime'
stone, and considerable quantities of iron-ore.
6. Mercer contains 17 townships, 4 boroughs, and many
flourishing villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Mercer, the seat of justice, near
Neshannock creek, with 781 inhabitants; JYew Castle, with
611 ; West Greenville, with 626, and Sharon. The villages
are, Georgetown, Pulaski, JVew Bedford, Harlanshurg, &c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Erie canal, from
Beaver to Erie, which follows the Shenango through the
whole length of the county, and a turnpike from Pittsburg
to Erie, through the county-town.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 32,873, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $3,733,742.
10. The FIRST Settlers were mostly from the older
counties of the state, with latterly many emigrants from
Germany and Ireland.
11. Their main Occupation is agriculture, and their
productions are, large quantities of grain, especially of
wheat, with numbers of horses, cattle, and sheep.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, 1 fe-
male seminary, and 214 common schools.
13. Mercer elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Beaver, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
with Venango and Crawford, 1 member of Congress ; and
is in the seventeenth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Coolspring, Delaware, French creek, Gheenc,
Hickory, Lackawannock, Mahoning, Neshannock, Pymatuning, Salem,
4. Describe the soil.
5. AVhai are the minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name them, and the county town.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. VTho settled the county ?
U. AVhat are their occupation and
productions?
12. Literary institutions ?
13. How is it represented, and which
is its judicial district ?
14. Name the townships.
288
STATE- BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
W. Salem, Sandy creek, Sandy lake, Shenango, Slippery rock, Springfield,
and Wolf creek.
15. Mcrrer,X\\e county town, occupies an elevated position near
ihe centre of the county. It has a public square, on which the
court-house is erected. It also contains an academy, 5 churches,
and a foundery. It was laid out in 1803, and incorporated in 1814,
taking:, with the county, the name of the gallant Mercer, M^ho fell at
Princeton in January, 1777. It is 238 miles N. W. of Harrisburg,
336 N. W. of Philadelphia, 61 N. of Pittsburg, and 68 S. of Erie.
16. New Castle is a flourishing town near the southern line of
Mercer, at the junction of Shenango and Neshannock creeks, and
on the Erie canal. It has abundance of coal, iron-ore, and water-
power in the immediate vicinity, and promises to be a considerable
town. It is already the seat of various manufactories, among which
are 2 founderies, a furnace, rolling-mill, and nail factor)"", and seve-
ral saw, flour, and oil-mills. It also contains 4 churches and a fe-
male seminary.
17. West Greenville, in the north-west part of the county, on the
canal, is a rapidly improving town. It contains 5 churches. Being
in the midst of valuable and extensive coal mines which are among
the nearest to Lake Erie, when the canal to the town of Erie shall
be fully in operation, there will no doubt be a large coal business
done here, in addition to the other trade of the place.
18. Mercer has heretofore been noted as one of the richest agri-
cultural counties of the west. The quantity of wheat annually pro-
duced is very great. But since the completion of the Efie canal, a
new prospect opens to her. She will not only thus have a constant
and cheap conveyance to market for the produce of her farms, but
various useful manufactures will no doubt be called into existence,
creating a profitable home market, and calling all her resources
fully into action.
19. Hi STOUT. — Mercer long remained a wilderness, but immedi-
ately after peace and security were restored to the Indian frontier,
in 1795, the southern pari of it began to be peopled. The county
was erected in 1800. About 1806, the settlements in the neighbour-
hood of the town of Mercer, principally from Westmoreland, Wash-
ington, and Allegheny, were made. Previous to that time, its pros-
perity had, in common Avith the other north-western counties, been
impeded by conflicting claims of title. But since the settlement of
these, in 1805, it has rapidly improved.
15. Describe the toivn of Mercer.
16. Newcastle.
17. West Greenville.
IS. What is said of the resources of
Merrer ?
19. Repeat its history, with dates.
SEVENTH CLASS PIKE.
289
SEVENTH CLASS.
PIKE COUNTY.
4ri5*N.
TJ E W X 31 K
T^. JERSEY *V
M N d El;.
1 Milford.
2 Dingman.
3 Bushville.
4 Darlingsville.
5 Tafton.
6 WilsonviUe.
7 Mt. Maria.
1. Pike, a north-eastern line county, is hounded N. E. by
New York, N. W. by Wayne, S. W. by Monroe, and
S. E. by New Jersey. Jirea 600 square miles.
2. The county is high and uneven, rather than moun-
tainous. A continuation of the Pokono mountain enters
from Monroe on the south-west, and crosses towards the
north-east. The highest point of it is called High Knob.
3. The Streams are, the Delaware, dividing it from
New York on the north-east, and New Jersey on the south-
east, into which empty the Lack- a- woo/ en, (with its tribu-
tary, the Waul-len-pau'pack,) together with Bushkill, Sho^
ho la, and Sawkill creeks.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Pike?
25
2. Its mountains ?
3. Streams?
290
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
4. The Soil of the alluvial flats, along the Delaware, is
very fertile, but the greater part of the county is thin and
stony. Probably not more than one-half of it is susceptible
of cultivation.
5. No Minerals of much value have yet been dis-
covered.
6. Pike contains 8 townships^ 1 borough, and a few
small villages.
7. The Borough is Milford^ the seat of justice, near
the Delaware, with about 400 inhabitants ; and the vil-
lages are, Bushville, Wilsonvilkj Tafton, Dingman^ Mount
Mariah, and Darlingville.
8. The Public Improvements are, the Delaware and
Hudson canal, along the Lacka waxen ; a turnpike from
Milford to Owego, N. Y.,and a IdLVgebridge over the Dela-
ware at Milford.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 3,832, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, $670,403.
10. The earliest Settlers were Hollanders, or Dutch,
but the greater proportion of the people are now of New
England or Pennsylvania origin, with some French, Ger-
man, and Irish settlers.
11. Their chief Employment is lumbering, though
agriculture is on the increase. Their productions are large
quantities of lumber, with some oats, rye, potatoes, and
cattle.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 2 academies and
23 common schools.
13. Pike elects, with Wayne, 1 member to the House
of Representatives ; with Monroe, Carbon, and Schuylkill,
1 to the Senate of the state ; with Wayne, Monroe, Carbon,
and Northampton, 1 member of Congress; and is in the
eleventh judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Delaware, Dingman, Greene, Lackawaxen,
Lehman, Milford, Palmyra, and Westfall.
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. Townships, boroughs, and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. "Who settled Pike ?
11. ^Vhat are their employments and
productions?
12. Literary institutions?
1.3. How is Pike represented, and
■which is the judicial district?
14. Name the totvnshipi.
SEVENTH CLASS PIKE.
291
15. Milford is a small, quiet town, built mostly of wood, %vith a
court-house, jail, 2 churches, and an academy. It was commenced
about 1800, and became the seat of justice in 1814, and was so called
from a ford in the Delaware near the town, at which the first mill
in the county was erected. It is 119 miles N. of Philadelphia, 160
N. E. of Harrisburg, and 350 N. E. of Pittsburg.
16. Wihonville is on the east side of the Waullenpaupack, at the
point where that stream is crossed by the Milford and Owego turn-
pike. It was the seat of justice of Wayne county before Pike was
separated from it. About two miles east of Wilsonville is Tafton,
a smart village of recent growth.
17. Within the bounds of Pike county, two associations or colo-
nies were established, a few years ago, on the principle of a com-
munity of property and labour. One, called the "Sylvania Associa-
tion," in the north-east part of the county, was formed principally
by citizens of the city of New York. The other, called the " Social
Reform Unity," was in the south-west quarter of the county. Both
have been abandoned.
18. The population of Pike has not increased rapidly during the
past ten years. This is probably owing to the fact, that it has nearly
become stripped of its valuable lumber, and has not yet attracted
the attention, to any great extent, of emigrants as an agricultural
region. It still contains many large tracts of wild land, fit for tillage
and pasture, that can be purchased at a low price; and, having the
advantage of a healthful climate, with tolerable facilities for reach-
ing market, the inducements presented to the settler are encouraging.
19. The Falls of the Saivkill, little more than a mile south-west of
Milford, present a scene of singular wildness and beauty. The
main fall is about 60 feet. Many other beautiful cascades are met
in diiferent parts of the county.
20. History The first white settlement within the present bounds
of Pike were probably made by Hollanders, or Dutch, who crossed
New Jersey from New York, then called New Netherlands, as early
as 1680, if not before that time. They established themselves on
the rich flats of the Delaware, near and below Milford. It is from
these early settlers that many of the creeks have obtained the addi-
tion to their names of " kill," which means a-eek in the Dutch lan-
guage. Little increase was made to the population till towards the
commencement of the present century, when the land came into
request on account of its excellent lumber. In 1814, the county
was separated from Wayne, under the name of the gallant Pike, who
had a short time previously fallen in the attack upon York, now
Toronto, in Upper Canada. In 1835, a portion of its territory, on
the south, was included in the new county of Monroe.
15. Describe Milfo-rd.
16. Wilsonville and Tafton.
17. Wliat is said of common property
associatio)is ?
18. Of the resources of Pike ?
19. Of the Falls of Sawkill?
20. Repeat the history nf Pike, with dales.
292
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
WAYNE COUNTY.
1 . Wayne, a north-eastern line county, is hounded E. and
N. by New York, W. by Susquehanna and Luzerne, S. by
Monroe, and S. E. by Pike. Jiren^ 700 square miles.
2. The chief Mountains are, Moosic, near the south-
west boundary, and Mount Ararat^ extending a short dis-
tance towards the north-east. The general surface, though
elevated, is not mountainous.
3. The Streams are, the Delaware^ dividing it on the
east from New York, into which falls the Lack-a-waoifen^
with its tributaries Dyherry^ Middle, and Waul-len-pau'pack
creeks, the latter dividing Wayne from Pike. In the north,
are Sta-ruc'ca and E-quin-unfd creeks.
1. What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Wayne ?
2. Its mountains?
3. Streams?
SEVENTH CLASS WAYNE. 293
4. The Soil is generally rough and stony. Much of it
is productive, though generally better adapted for pasture
than tillage. The greater part is yet covered with wood.
Probably about two-thirds of it may ultimately be re-
claimed.
5. No Minerals of great value have been discovered
in the county.
6. Wayne contains 16 townships^ 4 boroughs, and a num-
ber of small villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Honesdale, the county-seat, on
the Lackawaxen, with 1086 inhabitants, Bethany, Plea-
sant Mount, and Prompton ; and the villages are, Clarkes-
ville, Sterling, Stockport, Damascus, Starucca, Preston, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the works of the
Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, consisting of a
railroad from Carbondale, in Luzerne, to Honesdale, and
a canal from that place down the Lackawanna to the Dela-
ware ; and turnpikes from Milford to Owego, from Cochec-
ton to the Great Bend, from Easton to Belmont, and several
others.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 11,848, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, $1,166,790.
10. The first Settlers were mostly of New England
origin.
11. Their chief Employments are, lumbering and agri-
culture.
12. The main Production is lumber, with live-stock
and some grain.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 2 academies, 1 fe-
male seminary, and 99 common schools.
14. Wayne, with Pike, elects 1 member to the House
of Representatives, and, with Wyoming and Susquehanna,
1 to the Senate of the state ; with Northampton, Carbon,
Monroe, and Pike, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the
eleventh judicial district.
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6 How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
^
9. What are the population and pro-
pertv ?
10.' Who settled Wayne?
11. What are their main employments ?
12. Productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How are they represented, and
which is their judicial district?
*
294
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA,
15. The ToM^nships are, Berlin, Buckingham, Canaan, Cherry-ridge,
Clinton, Damascus, Dyberry, Lebanon, Manchester, Pleasant Mov/nt, Pal-
myra, Preston, Salem, Scott, Sterling and Texas.
16. Honesdale, at the junclion of Dyberiy creek with the Lacka-
waxen, and of the railroad and canal of the Hudson and Delaware
Company, is a large and growing town. It was laid out in 1826,
incorporated in 1831, and became the county-seat in 1842, taking
its name from Philip Hone, of New York, an early and promineuv
patron of the Hudson and Delaware canal. It contains the usual
county buildings, 5 churches, an academy, and a female seminary.
The houses are generally of wood, neatly painted, and many of them
built according to the New England plan, with their ends to the
street. During the year 1845, there were 273,435 tons of coal
shipped on the canal at this place from the Carbondale mines for
the New York market. It is 211 miles N. W. of New York, by the
canal and Hudson river, 125 N. of Philadelphia, and 160 N. E. of
Harrisburg.
17. i]c^/ia /!?/, till lately, the seat of justice, is 3| miles N. of Hones-
dale, on a hill. It contains 1 church and an academy, and is a
pleasant place. Near it, are extensive works for the manufacture
of window-glass.
18. Wayne abounds with beautiful ponds, or small lakes. Each
has its outlet to some of the larger streams, aftbrding numerous
saw-mill seats.
19. Wallenpaupack Fulls, in the south-eastern part of the county,
deserves to be more known and visible than it is. The stream de-
scends 150 feet in four successive falls within a mile and a half;
one of the cataracts being 70 feet perpendicular.
20. In the extreme northern part of the county, the Delaware ap-
proaches the Susquehanna, in Susquehanna county, within 10 miles.
In wet seasons, their small tributaries are said to unite.
21. Lumber yet forms the chief wealth of Wayne. The principal
kinds now sent to market are hemlock, pine, and beech. The last-
named is so abundant, that many of the forests of this part of the
state are called the " Beech ivoodsJ^
22. History. — This part of the state seems to have been first set-
tled in 1757, by adventurers from Connecticut. They were driven
ofl' in 1761 by the authorities of the province, but afterwards returned,
and proceeding further westward, made a permanent settlement in
Wyoming. From that time, settlers slowly entered the count}^ In
1798, it was organized out of part of Northampton, taking the name
of the gallant General Wayne.' In 1800, the county only contained
800 inhabitants. In 1814, Pike was separated from it. About that
time/ turnpikes began to be constructed, and added considerably to
its prosperity. This was greatly increased by the construction of
the canal and railroad about 1826; since which event, little of inte-
rest has transpired.
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe Honesdale.
17. Bethany.
18. What is said ofpotids ?
19. Of WauUenpaupack Fails ?
20. Of the Delaware and Susqudianna ?
21. Of lumber?
22. Repeat the history of Wayne, with
dates.
SEVENTH CLASS SUSQUEHANNA.
295
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
_ 1 Nf ontrose.
2 Harford.
3 Dundaflf.
■t Springville.
5 Auburn.
6 Friendsville.
7 New Milford.
8 Great Bend.
9 Harmony.
1. Susquehanna, 2i northern line county, is hounded E.
by Wayne, N. by New York, W. by Bradford, and S. by
Wyoming and Luzerne. Area^ 800 square miles.
.-2. The chief Mountains are, Elk^ in the eastern part ;
Moosic in the south-east ; Mount Ararat^ a spur of Moosic,
in the north-east ; and the Oc-qua'go in the north.
3. The Streams are, the Susquehanna, or JYorth Branch,
which enters the north-east part of the county from New-
York, and then passes back into that state, forming what
is called the "Great Bend." Lack-a-wan'-na, Tunk-han'-
nock, and Me-shop'pen creeks, are in the south ; Wy-a-lu' sing
in the west ; and Saltlick, Snake, and Cho-co'nut in the north.
4. The Soil, though not the most fertile, is productive
of grass and the coarser grains. Little of it is mountainous.
The hills are neither high nor abrupt. Probably four-fifths
of it may be reclaimed for tillage or pasture.
5. Few valuable Minerals are found. In the north-
west, an impure limestone rock occurs. There are also
some salt springs, or " licks."
6. Susquehanna contains .22 townships, 2 boroughs, and
a number of thriving villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Montrose, the county-seat, near
1 What are the class, boundaries, and
area of Susquehanna?
t Its uiouutains ?
.3. Streams? 4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. Townships, boroughs, and villages?
296
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the head of Wyalusing creek, with 632 inhabitants, and
Dundaff, near Crystal lake; the villages are, Harford.,
Springville, Jiiburn, Friendsville, Jfew Milford, Great
Bend, Harmony, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, turnpikes from Mon-
trose to Wilkesbarre, Carbondale, and Owego in New
York ; one from Harmony to Belmont, and another from
Belmont to the Great Bend ; with several bridges. There
are neither canals nor railroads.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 21 ,195, and theassessed
value of property, in 1845, was $2,141,095.
10. The FIRST Settlers were mostly from the eastern
states. A number of Friends and others from the south-
eastern counties have also established themselves.
11. Their chief Employments are, agriculture and the
raising of live-stock. Some are engaged in lumbering.
12. The Productions are, oats, potatoes, grass, cattle,
sheep, butter, cheese, wool ; some maple-sugar, and
lumber.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 2 academies and
200 common schools.
14. Susquehanna, with Wyoming, elects 2 members to
the House of Representatives, and with Wyoming and
Wayne, 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Bradford and
Tioga, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the eleventh judi-
cial district.
15. The Townships are, Auburn, Biidgewater, Brooklyn, Choconut,
Clifford, Dimock, Forest-lake, Franklin, Gibson, Great Bend, Harford,
Harmony, Hcrrirk, Jackson, Lenox, Liberty, Middhtown, New Milford,
Rush, Silver-lake, Spritigville, and Thompson.
16. Montrose is pleasantly placed on an eminence near the sources
of Wyalusing and Meshoppen creeks. It was laid out in 1811,,
incorporated in 1824, and takes its name from Dr. Robert H. Rose.
The houses are mostly of wood, painted white, and the town resem-
bles a neat New England village in appearance. It contains a
court-house, county offices, prison, bank, academy, and 6 churches.
Being at the junction of several leading roads, many stages daily
7. Name the oountj^-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty?
10. Who settled the county '
U. What are their employments?
12. Productions?
13. Literary institutions?
14. How is the county represented,
and which is the judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe Montrose.
SEVENTH CLASS — SUSQUEHANNA.
297
pass through it, in every direction. It is 165 miles N. of Philadel-
phia, and 169 N. E. of Harrisburg.
17. Dundaff is delightfully situated near Crystal lake, in the south-
eastern part of the county. It contains 1 church, a glass factory,
and 304 inhabitants.
18. Great Bend is on an extensive flat on the bank of the Susque-
hanna. It is a pleasant village, with a bridge across the river.
19. Susquehanna is rapidly assuming its proper rank as a graz-
ing county. It is too high and far north ever to be a very fertile
wheat or corn district, but for the support of herds of horned cattle
and flocks of sheep, it has peculiar advantages. Its pasture is
abundant, its waters are copious and pure, and its climate is cool
and healthful. Already, the amount of wool, cattle, butter, and cheese
sent to market, indicate the true sources of its future wealth.
20. Like the other north-eastern counties, Susquehanna is thickly
studded with small lakes. One of the most beautiful is Silver lake.
8 miles north of Montrose. It also contains a number of picturesque
water-falls, among which that on Cascade creek, near the Great Bend,
is much admired.
21. The prospect from the summit of Elk mountain is one of the
most extensive and varied in the state. Not only does it embrace
the whole county of Susquehanna, but extends to the Kittatinny in
the south, and the Kaatskill mountains in the east.
22. History. — The first settlers in the county were Connecticut
claimants, who began to ascend from Wyoming about 1785. About
1 790, John Nicholson, the comptroller of the state, and other great
land speculators, took up immense tracts. The conflicting claims
of these persons and of the Connecticut settlers, embarrassed the
land titles for a length of time. The latter were settled in 1799 and
1801, by the state laws enacted for the purpose. From that time,
this part of the state slowly increased in population. In 1810, it
was separated from Luzerne and became a county, taking the name
of Susquehanna, from the fact that the river first enters the state
within its borders. Little of interest has since occurred in its his-
tory. Being out of the course of the great lines of state improve-
ments, its citizens owe whatever of prosperity they enjoy to their
own unaided eflbrts. The numerous turnpikes of the county show
that, in so far as their means enable them, those eiforts have been
w^ell-directed.
23. Noted Citize>'^s. — Dr. Robert H. Rose was a native of Chester
county, but early settled in Susquehanna. He was a scholar, a
,poet, and a man of useful enterprise. He was the first to introduce
the raising of sheep in northern Pennsylvania, at his large farm
near Silver lake. He died in 1840. George Catlin, the well-known
Indian painter and traveller, was born at Great Bend, in this county,
where his father was one of the earliest settlers.
17. Dundaff'.
18. Gnat Bend.
19. What is said of the resources of the
county ?
20. Of the lakes?
21. Of Elk mountain?
22. Repeat the history of Sitsquehanna,
ipith dates.
23. Name the noted citizens.
298
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
BRADFORD COUNTY.
1. Bradford, a northern line county, is hounded E. by
Susquehanna and Wyoming, N. by New York, W. by
Tioga, and S. by Lycoming. Area^ 1170 square miles.
2. It has no regular Mountain chains. Many large
isolated spurs and hills of the Alleghenies are seen through-
out the county, before the whole range finally disappears
in New York. Its surface is consequently broken and
rough. ,,,
3. The Rivers Susquehanna (here called the JVorth
Branch) and Tioga, (the lower part of which is called the
Che-niung\) enter the county from New York, unite at
Tioga Point, and flow south-eastwardly into Wyoming.
Their tributaries are, Towanda^ Wysox, Wyalusing, Sugar^
and other creeks.
4. The Soil is very uniform, the rock strata being
nearly horizontal. It is chiefly of sandstone origin, with
occasional slate and shale tracts, and a small quantity of
limestone. It is only moderately fertile, except the allu-
vial bottoms, but is very suitable for pasture. Nearly the
whole area of Bradford is fit either for pasture or tillage.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Bradlord ?
2. Its mountains ?— 3. Streams?
4. Soil?
SEVENTH CLASS BRADFORD.
299
5. The valuable Minerals are, iron-ore, some bitumi-
nous coal, limestone, ?ind Jire-b rick clay.
6. It contains 31 townships, 3 boroughs, and several
small villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Towanda, the seat of justice, on
the Susquehanna, with 912 inhabitants, Athens and Troy;
and the villages are, Frenchville, Ulster, Burlington, Spring-
ville, A^ew Albany, Wyalusing, ^"c.
8. The Public Improvements are, the unfinished J\^orth
Branch canal ; a.tuj'npike through the county from south to
north, between Berwick and Elmira, New York ; and bridges
across the Chemung and North Branch, at Athens, and one
over the North Branch, at Towanda.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 32,769. The as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $3,075,784.
10. The FIRST Settlers were mostly of New England
origin, and their chief pursuit has been that of lumbering,
though agriculture is now more attended to than formerly.
11. The Productions are, oats, potatoes, buckwheat,
cattle, and some wheat, corn, and maple-sugar. But the
great article is lumber, there being over 200 saw-mills in
the county.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 2 academies and
247 common schools. Education is much cherished.
13. Bradford elects 2 members to the House of Repre-
sentatives, and, with Tioga, 1 to the Senate of the state;
with Susquehanna and Tioga, 1 member of Congress; and
is in the thirteenth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Albany, Armetiia, Asylum, Athens, Burling-
ton, Canton, Columbia, Durell, Franklin, Granville, Herrick, Leroy, Litch-
Jield, Monroe, Orwell, Pike, Ridgway, Rome, Sheshequin, Smithfield, South
creek, Springfield, Springhill, Standing-stone, Towanda, Ulster, Warren,
Welles, Windham, Wyalusing, and Wysox.
15. Towanda is pleasantly seated on the west bank of the Susque-
hanna, near the mouth of Towanda creek, from which it takes its
name. Its white wooden houses give it a cheerful appearance. In
addition to the usual county buildings, it has 3 churches, an aca-
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages ?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perly ?
10. Who settled the £Ounty, and what
are their pursuits?
11. Their productions?
12. Literary institutions?
13. How is Bradford represented, and
in what judicial district is it ?
14. Name the townships.
15. Describe Tmvanda.
300
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
demy, and a bank. It was laid out in 1812 by William Means, from
whom it was called Meansville till 1822, when it was incorporated
as a borough by the name of Towanda. It is 163 miles N. from
Harrisburg, and 180 N. W. from Philadelphia.
16. Athens, on the isthmus between the Chemung and North
Branch, about 2 miles above their confluence, is a delightful place.
"Tioga Point," below the town, was the site of an old Indian town,
and a noted station among the early traders. Athens was laid out
about 1784, and incorporated in 1831.
17. Frenchville and Jlsylum township, in which it is situated, were
both so named from the fact, that a number of Frencli emigrants
here sought an asylum during the horrors of the French Revolution,
in 1793. Some of their descendants remain, but many of the origi-
nal exiles returned to France when order was restored. The build-
ings have a difierent appearance from those of the other settlers.
18. With a soil generally, though moderately fertile, enough coal
for home consumption, and a healthful climate, Bradford must be-
come one of the most flourishing of the northern pasture counties.
The completion of the North Branch canal, or the construction of
some other adequate outlet to market, seems to be all that is required
to develope its varied resources.
19. History. — Northern Pennsylvania belonged to the Six Nations
of Indians when first visited by the whites. The upper Susquehanna
was owned by the Cayugas, but was frequented by the Munseys, Mo-
hicans, and other southern nations. In 1763, the Moravians, under
Zeisberger, established a mission at Wyalusing. Next year, they built
Freidenshuetten in the vicinity. Here they remained to the great
benefit of the Indians till the Connecticut claim, among its other
evil effects, so disturbed the country as to drive them and their con-
verts further west. They removed to Freidenstadt, the Moravian
station in Beaver county, in 1772. By the treaty of Fort Stanwix,
of 1784, the whole Indian title to this part of Pennsylvania was
finally extinguished in favour of the state. The permanent settle-
ment of the county was then commenced by some of Genl. Sulli-
van's men, who had become acquainted with the land during his
expedition in 1779. A number of squatters from New York also
seated themselves, with many New Englanders, at a later date.
These all claimed under Connecticut. For several years, the im-
provement of the county was much retarded by the conflicting
claims of the two states, and some acts of violence were committed
within its limits. During the same period, the settlers were harassed
by the Indians, who returned for some years after Sullivan's expe-
dition. In 1799, the controversy about the land titles was finally
terminated, and improvement became more rapid. The county was
taken from Luzerne and Lycoming in 1810, and called Ontario. In
1812, its name was changed to Bradford in honour of William Brad-
ford, of Phila'delphia, attorney-general of the United States.
16. Athens.
17. Fretichtown and Asylum township.
1 S. What is said of the resources of Brad,
ford ?
19. Repeat its history, with dates.
SEVENTH CLASS TIOGA.
301
TIOGA COUNTY.
1. Tioga, a nortliern line county, is hounded E. by Brad-
ford, N. by New York, W. by Potter, and S. by Clinton
and Lycoming. Area^ 1100 square miles.
2. It has no regular Mountains, but is rendered gene-
rally uneven by the hills that skirt the Alle^henies.
3. The Streams are, the Tioga river, which rises in the
county, runs northward into New York, and finally unites
with the North Branch, in Bradford, where it is called the
Chemung ; the Cow-an-es'que^ in the north, falling into the
Tioga, and the head- waters of Pine creek in the south.
4. The Soil is the slate^ shale, and sandstone, which is
better for pasture than tillage. The river bottoms are
very fertile. Nearly the whole is fit for pasture or tillage.
5. The Minerals are, some valuable deposits of hitu-
minous coal, iron-ore, and fire-clay, and small quantities
of impure limestone and marl.
6. Tioga contains 22 townships, 4 boroughs, and some
pleasant villages.
1. ^Vhat are the class boundaries,
and area of Tioga?
2. lis mountains?
26
3. Streams?— 4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. Townships, boroughs, and villages^
302 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
7. The Boroughs are, Wellsborough, \he seat of justice,
near the centre of the county, with 369 inhabitants, Co-
vington, Lawrenceville, and Horacetown ; and the villages
are, Blossburg, Tioga^Fwinajistown^Knoxville^Mixtoion, ^c.
8. The only Public Improvement is the Blossburg and
Corning railroad.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 15,498, and the as-
sessed value of property, in 1845, was $1,394,449.
10. The People are chiefly of New England origin, and
ih^iv pursuits are lumbering, (there being 150 saw-mills in
the county,) and agriculture.
11. Their chief Productions are, large quantities of
lumber, with live-stock, some coal, the coarser grains,
maple-sugar, and potashes.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
136 common schools. Education is cherished. a.'
♦ 13. Tioga elects 1 member to the House of Representa-
tives, and, with Bradford, 1 to the Senate of the state;
with Bradford and Susquehanna, 1 member of Congress ;
and is in the thirteenth judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Bloss, Brookfield, Charleston, Chatham, Co-
vington, Deerfield, Dchnar, Elkland, Farmington, Gaines, Jackson, Lavo-
rence. Liberty, Middlebury, Morris, Richmond, Rutland, Shippen, Sullivan,
Tioga, Union, and West field.
15. Wellsborough is pleasantly seated near the centre on the east
and west state road. It contains 2 churches, an academy, an elegant
stone court-house, and the other county buildings. The town exhi-
bits much neatness and taste, was laid out in 1806, and incorporated
in 1830. It takes its name from William Hills Wells, of Delaware,
who took an active part in the improvement of the vicinity ; and is
145 miles N. of Harrisburg, and 215 N. W. of Philadelphia.
16. Covington is a flourishing town on the Tioga. The state-road
and the Blossburg railroad pass through it, aifoi'ding great facilities
for business. Its lumber trade is considerable.
17. Blossburg is further south, on the Tioga. Being in the northern
edge of the bituminous coal formation, it promises to become a place
of note. A railroad leads to Corning, in New York, a distance of 40
miles, upon which 100 tons of coal are now daily transported. It
has an iron-furnace, iron-ore being found near it, and at Mansfield.
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are tlie population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled Tioga, and what are
their pursuits?
11. What are the productions ?
12. Literary institutions?
13. How is Ticga represented, and
which is the judicial district?
] 4. Name the touniships.
15 Describe Wellsborough.
16. Covington.
17. Blossburg.
SEVENTH CLASS POTTER.
303
18. On the whole, the resources of Tioga are very considerable.
With a healthful climate, a tolerably fertile soil, a sufficiency of iron
for its own consumption, and of coal for exportation, and much
valuable lumber yet remaining, it possesses most of the elements
of comfort and prosperity. Like the other northern line counties, it
will ultimately become a great pasture region.
19. History. — The territory now composing Tioga remained un-
occupied till 1796. About that time, the agents of Sir William
Pulteney, an Englishman who owned large tracts of land in the
adjoining parts of New York, opened a road from the mouth of Ly-
coming creek across Tioga into New York. This was called the
" Block-house road," from a block or log-house, built to accommo-
date the men engaged in the work. This enabled settlers, princi-
pally of New England origin, to enter the county, but the land-titles
remaining doubtful for some years, owing to the Connecticut claim,
the increase of population was slow. This obstacle was removed
in 1801. In 1804, the county was separated from Lycoming, taking
the name of its chief stream. From that event, nothmg remarkable
occurred till 1840, when the Blossburg railroad was completed,
thus affording a new outlet for its resources.
POTTER COUNTY.
1. Potter, a northern line county, is bounded E. by
Tioga, N. by New York, W. by McKean, and S. by Clin-
ton. Area, 1100 square miles.
18. What is said of its resotnce.t ?
19. Repeat its history, with dates.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area ot" Potter ?
304
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
2. Though composed of the highest table-land in the
state, it has no regular Mountains. Its surface is gene-
rally rolling.
3. The Streams are, Sin-ne-ma-ho'ning and Kettle
creeks in the south, flowing towards the West Branch ;
Pine creek and Cow-an-es' que in the east, the former to-
wards the West, and the latter the North Branch ; Gen-
nes-see' in the north, towards Lake Ontario ; and the Alle-
gheny, with its tributary the Os-way'a, in the west, towards
the Ohio.
4. The Soil is the usual slate and shale of the northern
counties, and is first-rate grazing land.
5. Few valuable Minerals occur in the northern and
middle part of the county. Towards the south, some hitu-
minous coal, limestone, and iron-ore have been found.
6. Potter contains 20 townships, and a few villages or
settlements.
7. The Towns are, Couder sport, the seat of justice, on
the Allegheny, with 400 inhabitants, with the hamlets
of Sweden, Chesterville, Millport, ^c.
8. The only Public Improvements are, the east and
west state-road, which traverses the northern tier of coun-
ties, and a ^wr??^i/fe from Jersey-shore, through Coudersport
into New York.
9. The Population, in 1840, w^as 3371 ; and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, was $582,621.
10. The People are from the eastern states and the
older counties of Pennsylvania.
11. Their chief Occupations are, lumbering and agri-
culture, and ih^iv productions of a similar description.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy, and
44 common schools.
13. Potter, with Clinton and Lycoming, elects 2 mem-
bers to the House of Representatives, and, with McKean,
Elk, Warren, Jefferson, and Clarion, 1 to the Senate of
the state; wdth McKean, Elk, Jefferson, Clarion, Warren,
2. Its mountains ?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships and villages?
7. Name the county-seat, and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10." AVho settled the county?
11. What are their pursuits and pro-
ductions ?
12. Literary institutions?
13. How is Potter represented, and
what is its judicial district?
SEVENTH CLASS POTTER.
305
and Erie, 1 member of Congress ; and is in the eighteenth
judicial district.
14. The Townships are, Allegheny, Bingham, Clara, Eulalia, Genes-
see, Harrison, Hebron, Hector, Ho?ner, Jacksoti, Oswaya, Pike, Portage,
Roulette, Sharon, Stewardson, Sweden, Ulysses, West Branch, and Wharf on.
15. Coudersport is a small thriving village on the Allegheny, where
it is crossed by the east and west state-road. It contains a handsome
stone court-house, the other requisite county buildings, and an aca-
demy. It was laid out in 1807, and takes its name from Samuel
Coudere, an European friend of the proprietor, John Keating. It is
175 miles N. W. of Harrisburg, and 245 N. W. of Philadelphia.
16. There are, properly speaking, no other towns in the county.
On the streams are a number of thriving settlements or scattered
hamlets, to which generally the names of the townships in which
they are situated are given.
17. Potter is yet one of the most thinly settled counties in the state,
but possesses considerable natural resources. In the southern part,
some coal, iron-ore, and limestone have been discovered. The soil
is generally kindly and tolerably fertile, and when it shall have been
cleared of the heavy mass of timber that now covers most of the
surface, it will form a rich pastoral region.
18. History. — Previous to 1808, this part of Pennsylvania was
in a state of nature. In 1804, it was formed into a separate county,
but was not organized for judicial purposes for many years after-
wards. It previously formed part of Lycoming, and was named in
honour of General James Potter, of the Revolutionary army. In 1809,
John Keating, and other citizens of Philadelphia, who owned large
tracts of lands in the county, caused the east and west road to be
made for the purpose of opening the county to settlers, and offered
other liberal inducements. Few, however, arrived for several years.
About 1830, the growing demand for lumber added considerably to
the population, but there are still room and support for thousands,
where only hundreds have settled.
14. Name the toioyiships.
15. Describe Coudersport.
16. What is said of the villages ?
17. Of the resources of the county?
18. Repeat the history of Potter, with
dates.
26
*
306
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
M'KEAN COUNTY.
1. McKean, a northern line county, is bounded E. by
Potter and Clinton, N. by New York, W. by Warren, and
S. by Elk. Area^ 1100 square miles.
2. There are no Mountains, but the county is rolling
and hilly.
3. The Streams are, the head- waters of the Allegheny^
into which flow the Os-wa'ya in the east, the Tan-en-gu'ant
in the north, and the Ken-ju'a in the west. In the south-
west are some of the sources of the Clarion, and in the
south-east, of the Driftwood hranch of the Sinnemahoning.
4. The Soil is the usual slate and shale lands of the
northern counties, affording superior pasture.
5. There are few valuable Minerals in the county. In
the southern part, adjoining Elk, some bituminous coal and
salt have been discovered, and in the same quarter there
are probably limestone and iron-ore in small quantities.
Wliat are the class, boundaries, and
of McKean?
1
area of McKean .
2. Its mountains?
3. Streams?
4. Soil?
5. Minerals?
SEVENTH CLASS M'KEAN.
307
6. McKean contains 12 townships ^ and some small vil-
lages, or rather settlements.
7. The Towns are, Smethport, the seat of justice, on
Potato creek, with 400 inhabitants, Teutonia, Port Alle-
gheny, Emporium^ Ceres, Keating, Bradford, Ginalshurg, ^c,
8. There are no Public Improvements of any conse-
quence in the county, except the East and West road.
9. The Population, in 1840, was about 2500, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, was ^502,643.
10. The Settlers are mostly from New England, New
York, and the older counties of Pennsylvania. Some
Germans have recently entered the county.
11. Their main Pursuits are, lumbering and agricul-
ture, and i\\e\v productions similar.
12. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
31 common schools.
13. McKean, with Elk and Warren, elects 1 member to
the House of Representatives, and, with Potter, Elk, Jeffer-
son, Warren, and Clarion, 1 to the Senate of the state;
with Potter, Elk, Jefferson, Clarion, Warren, and Erie,
1 member of Congress; and is in the eighteenth judicial
district.
14. The Townships are, Bradford, Ceres, Cory don, Eldred, Hamilton,
Hamlin, Keating, La Fayette, Liberty, Norwich, Sergeant, and Shippen.
15. Smethport is situated at the confluence of Marvin and Potato
creeks, and on the east and west road. It contains a brick court-
house, and the other county buildings, an academy, 2 printing offices,
with several mills of different kinds. It was laid out in 1807, but
not permanently commenced till 1822. It is a pleasant village,
named in honour of Theodore Smethe, a European friend of John Keat-
ing, the original proprietor of the ground; and is 210 miles N. W.
of Harrisburg, and 280 N. W. of Philadelphia.
16. Ceres, on the Allegheny, near the New York line in the north-
east corner of the county, is a thriving settlement. It contains
1 church and several mills, and has a considerable trade in lumber.
17. Teutonia is a village in the middle part of the county, 5 miles
S. E. of Smethport. It was founded by a German society, on the
principle of community of property and labour, but did not succeed.
6. How many townships and villages?
7. Name the county-seat and vil-
lages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. Who settled the county ?
11. W^hat are their employments and
productions ?
12. The literary institutions?
13. How is McKean represented, and
what is its judicial district?
14. Na7?7e tfie townships.
15. Ikscribe Smethport.
16. Ceres.
17. Tmtonia.
308
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Ginalsburg, 4 miles E. of Teutonia, belongs to the same society, and
is also a failure.
18. At present, the chief wealth of McKean consists in its lumber,
but when this shall be cleared off, it will probably become a prosper-
ous grazing county. Though wheat and corn do not succeed well
generally, yet oats, potatoes, buckwheat, and grass are produced in
large quantities.
19. HisTOKT. — The greater part of McKean county was owned,
before its settlement, by capitalists residing in Philadelphia, and
other places at a distance, among whom were John Keating and
Jacob Ridgway. Much of the land still belongs to them. The first
settlement in the county was made about 1807, by an Englishman
of the name of King, at Ceres, on the Oswaya creek. About 1816,
the distant proprietors caused roads to be opened, in order to render
their property productive, and induce settlers to buy the lands. The
county, which had been separated from Lycoming in 1804, was not
organized for judicial purposes till 1826. It was named in honour
of Thomas McKean, governor and chief justice of the state. The
population has since been slowly increasing, the great obstacle be-
ing the want of roads. In 1831, the manufacture of salt was tried
with success in Sergeant township. In 1843, the county was re-
duced to its present size by the formation of Elk.
WARREN COUNTY.
'lo'M .
1. Warren, a northern line county, is hounded E. by
McKean, N. by New York, W. by Erie and Crawford,
and S. by Venango and Jefferson. Area^ 800 square miles.
18. What is said of the resources of
McKean ?
19. Repeat its history, with dates.
1 . AVhat are the class, boundaries, and
area of Warren?
SEVENTH CLASS WARREN.
309
2. There are no Mountains, but the general surface is
hilly, and in some parts broken and rocky.
3. The Streams are, the Allegheny river, passing from
the north-east to the south-west corner of the county, into
which fall the Con-e-wan'go and Brokenstraw on the west,
and the Te-o-nes'ta and Ken-ju'a on the east.
4. The Soil along the New York line is generally of
good quality. A portion of the rest of the county is very
stony and broken ; but along most of the streams are ex-
tensive flats of great fertility.
5. Few valuable Minerals have yet been discovered.
6. Warren contains 16 toionships, 1 borough, and seve-
ral stirring villages.
7. The Borough is Warren, the seat of justice, on the
Allegheny, with 737 inhabitants; and the villages are,
Pinegrove, Sugar-grove, Sheffield^ Deerfield, Youngsville,
Columbus, Lottsville, ^c.
8. The Public Improvements are, a turnpike from
Warren to Franklin in Venango, and one to Ridge way in
Elk ; and a fine bridge over the Allegheny at Warren.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 9,278 ; and, in 1845,
the assessed value o( property was $915,739.
10. The FIRST Settlers were mostly of New England
origin, with some from the older counties of this state.
11. Their chief Employment is lumbering, with agri-
culture, the latter being on the increase.
12. Their Productions are, immense quantities of the
finest lumber, and enough grain for home consumption.
Some live-stock is also raised.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 1 academy and
86 common schools.
14. Warren, with McKean and Elk, elects 1 member to
the House of Representatives, and, with Clarion, Jelferson,
Elk, McKean, and Potter, 1 to the Senate of the state ;
with Erie, Clarion, Jefferson, Elk, McKean, and Potter,
1 member of Congress ; and is in the sixth judicial district.
2. The mountains?
9. What are the population and pro-
3. Streams?— 4. Soil?
perty ?
5. Minerals?
10. Who settled "Warren?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
11. What are their employments?
and villages?
12. Productions?
7. Name the county-seat, boroughs,
13. Literary institutions?
and villages.
14. How is Warren represented, and
8. The public improvements.
what is the judicial district?
310
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
15. The Townships are, Brokenstraiv, Columbus, Conewango, Deer-
field, Eldred, Elk, Freehold, Glade, Kenjua, Limestone, Pinegrove, Plea-
sant, Sheffield, South-west, Spring-creek, and Sugar-grove.
16. Warren is built on the bank of the Allegheny, just below the
mouth of Conewango creek. It is a delightful situation, and the
town itself a pleasant and growing place. Around the large square,
near its centre, are placed the public buildings, among which are
the court-house, jail, and academy. It also contains 3 churches,
and has a noble bridge over the Allegheny. It became the seat of
justice in 1819, and was incorporated in 1832; taking, with the
county, the name of the brave and amiable Warren, who fell at
Bunker's hill. It is 250 N. W. of Harrisburg, 330 N. W. of Philadel-
phia, and 120 N. E. of Pittsburg.
17. Pinegrove is a thriving village of about 300 inhabitants, on the
Conewango, 7 miles above Warren. It contains a number of mills.
18. Youngsville, on the Big Brokenstraw, 3 miles from the Alle-
gheny, is a busy village. It contains 1 church, and is in a fertile
and well-cultivated vicinity.
19. Seventeen miles above Warren, on the western bank of the
Allegheny, and near the state-line, was the residence of Cornplanter,
the Seneca chief. His Indian name was Ga-nio-di'euh, or handsome
lake. He was born on the Genessee, in New York, about 1732.
After taking part with the French against the British, till the former
were expelled from this part of the continent, he then sided with
the British against the colonists during the Revolution. When
independence was established, he made peace with the United
States, and by the treaty of Fort Stanwix, in 1784, induced the Six
Nations to convey all their remaining lands in Pennsylvania to the
state, reserving a number of tracts in New York for his Nation, and
the one, on which he spent the rest of his life, in Pennsylvania, for
himself. From that time, he never took any. part in hostilities
against the whites, but remained on his farm, exerting himself to
keep the Indians at peace. He died in 1836, being then, according
to his own account, over 100 years of age, and the last Indian chief
in Pennsylvania. His village was called Jen-ne-se-da'ga.
20. Lumber is still the great staple of Warren county, the quality
of its timber being very superior. The facilities for getting it out,
presented by the numerous branches of the Allegheny, and the
choice of market among the towns of the Ohio and Mississippi,
offer great inducements for prosecuting this business. The conse-
quence, probably, will be, that a few years will clear Warren of its
forests. It will then become, like the other northern counties, in a
great measure a pasture district. But, having numerous fertile
tracts of land, especially on the river flats, it will also be to some
extent a grain-growing county. It is rapidly increasing in popula-
tion and wealth, having doubled its number of inhabitants within
the ten years between 1830 and 1840.
21. History. — The territory embraced in north-western Pennsyl-
vania and western New York, was occupied by the Six Nations
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe the town of Warren.
17. Pinegrove.
18. Youngsville.
19. What is said of Cornplanter ?
20. Of the resources of Warren ?
SEVENTH CLASS ERIE.
311
of Indians, when it first became known to Europeans. The part
now constituting Warren belonged to the Seneca tribe of that con-
federacy. It remained unsettled till Wayne's treaty in 1795. Some
Scotch-Irishmen started from Philadelphia about that time, and
ascending the West Branch of the Susquehanna and the Sinnema-
honing, crossed McKean county till they struck the waters of the
Allegheny. Sailing down that river till they entered the present
county of Warren, they iinally made the first settlement within its
bounds. Their names were Robert Miles, John Russel, John and
Hugh Marsh, John Frew, and Isaiah Jones. They established them-
selves in the northern part of the county. They do not seem to
have been followed by many others for some years. In 1800, War-
ren was separated from Lycoming, but was not organized for judi-
cial purposes till 1819, having before that period been attached to
Venango. In the mean time, settlers, mostly of New England origin,
slowly arrived ; but, for several years, the prosperity of the county,
in common with the rest of north-western Pennsylvania, was greatly
retarded by the difficulties growing out of the land law of 1792, and
the claims of the land companies. The greatly increased demand
for lumber between 1830 and 1840, brought the pine lands of Warren
into notice, and added largely to its population and business. The
failure of the Lumberman's Bank of Warren, about 1838, tended
materially to arrest this career of prosperity. But the county is now
recovering her energies, and must soon become a flourishing part
of the state.
ERIE COUNTY.
1. Erie, the north-western line county, is hounded E. by
Warren and New York, N. and N. W. by Lake Erie and
21. Repeat its history, with dates.
1. What are the class, boundaries,
and area of Erie ?
312
STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
New York, W. by Ohio, and S. by Crawford. Area^
720 square miles.
2. There are no Mountains in the county. A ridge of
high- land, parallel with Lake Erie, traverses it about
8 miles from the lake.
3. The chief Streams are, the head-waters of French
creek, which joins the Allegheny at Franklin ; Con-ne-aut' ^
Elk, Walnut, and other small creeks emptj'ing into the
lake.
4. The Soil is fertile, being chiefly clay, shale, and
slate land.
5. The Minerals are neither numerous nor very valu-
able. Some iron-ore is found.
6. Erie contains 20 townships, 6 boroughs, and several
thriving villages.
7. The Boroughs are, Erie, the seat of justice, on Erie
harbour, with a population of 3412, Waterford, Girard,
JVorth East, Edirtboro, and Wattsburg ; and the villages
are, Fairvieio, Springfield, Wesleyville, Juliet, Sfc.
8. The Public Improvements are, the state-canal, con-
necting Erie with the Ohio at Beaver, and the Allegheny
at Franklin ; and a turnpike to Pittsburg.
9. The Population, in 1840, was 31,344, and the
assessed value of property, in 1845, was $3,426,588.
10. The People are mostly of New England origin,
though many are from other parts of Pennsylvania.
11. Their chief Occupation is agriculture.
12. The Productions are, grain of all kinds, cattle,
butter, and cheese ; lumber, potash, and maple-sugar. Be-
sides many grain-mills, there are several fulling-mills and
ta7meries, 1 iron-furnace, and several founderies.
13. The Literary Institutions are, 3 academies, 1 fe-
male seminary, and 250 common schools. Education is
much attended to.
2. Has it any mountains?
3. "What are the streams?
4. The soil?
5. Minerals?
6. How many townships, boroughs,
and villages?
7. ?>!ame the county-seat, boroughs,
and villages.
8. The public improvements.
9. What are the population and pro-
perty ?
10. "Who settled the county?
11. What is their chief occupation?
12. Their productions?
13. Literary institutions?
SEVENTH CLASS ERIE. 313
14. Erie elects 2 members to the House of Representa-
tives, and 1 to the Senate of the state ; with Warren,
McKean, Potter, Elk, Jefferson, and Clarion, 1 member
of Congress; and is in the sixth judicial district.
15. The Townships are, Amity, Concord, Conneaut, Elk creek. Fair-
view, Franklin, Girard, Greene, Greenfield, Harbor creek, Lebasitf, McKean,
Mill creek, Nm-th East, Springfield, Union, Venango, Waterford, Washing-
ton, and Wayne.
16. The town of Erie is delightfully placed on the lake, opposite
the peninsula of Presqu'isle, which forms the harbour. It was laid
out in 1795, and incorporated in 1805. The chief buildings are, the
court-house, jail, market-house, bank, a splendid hotel, 8 churches,
an academy, and female seminary. Its trade is already consider-
able; and now that the long expected canal is completed, there is
every prospect of a large increase. It is 120 miles N. of Pittsburg,
275 N. W. of Harrisburg, and 373 N. W. of Philadelphia.
17. The Harbour is the largest, best, and only safe natural one on
the lake. Since the first discovery of the county by the whites, it
has been a place of importance. In the fortified route by which the
early French sought to connect their possessions on the Mississippi
with Quebec, it was the first point where their soldiers and traders
left the chain of lakes. Passing overland from Fort Presqu'isle to
Fort Le Boeuf, (now Waterford,) they proceeded by Venango, or
French creek, to Fort Venango, (now Franklin,) and thence down
the Allegheny till they struck the Ohio at Fort Duquesne, (now Pitts-
burg.) Its commanding and increased facilities must still render it
a key point in the enlarged trade and travel of the present day.
18. The PmmswZa belongs to the United States government, which
has expended large sums in improving and fortifying the harbour,
and erecting a lighthouse.
19. Waterford, 13 miles S. E. from Erie, on the turnpike to Pitts-
burg and near Lake Le Boeuf, has 403 inhabitants; North East,
16 miles N. E. from Erie, has 339.
20. The Lake Eidge divides the waters that flow into the Gulf of
Mexico from those that reach that of the St. Lawrence. The soil on the
west of it is more fertile in grain than that on the east, which is bet-
ter for grass.
21. Erie contains 3 small but beautiful lakes, Con-ne-aut-tee' ,
Le Bc£uf, and Pleasant.
22. Erie, being now in a great measure cleared and settled, has
taken her proper rank in the state with reference to her resources.
She is a pasture and farming county. The former branch of agri-
cultural business better suits the portion of her soil south-east of the
Lake Ridge, than the raising of grain. But the part next the lake
is first-rate wheat and corn land. In addition to the productions of
14. How is Erie represented, and what
is its judicial district?
15. Name the townships.
16. Describe the town of Erie.
17. The harbour.
21
18. ^Vhat is said of the peninsida ?
19. Of Waterford?
20. Of the Lake ridge?
21. Of the lakes?
22. Of the resources of the. county?
314 STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA.
her soil, her position on the lake and on the state-canal, bestows
upon her citizens the profits and advantages of a commerce that
must constantly increase.
23. History. — When the white man appeared in what is now
Erie, and the adjoining counties, it was held by the Six Nations of
Indians. The French were the first actual white occupants. It was
to Le Boeuf, one of their posts, that General, then Major Washington,
was despatched, in his twenty-first year, with only three white com-
panions, on a mission to the commandant, by Gov. Dinwiddle of Vir-
ginia. This was in 1753. In 1763, Presgu'isle, then held by the
English, was, with many other forts, surprised by the Indians, in
execution of the grand designs of the celebrated chief Pontiac. Pre-
vious to 1789, there were few settlers in Erie. In that year, the
triangle of land, forming its northern part and lying beyond the ori-
ginal line of the state, was purchased from the Indians, and in 1792
from the United States by Pennsylvania, $151,640 25 continental
money having been paid to the United States. This was a most
important acquisition, as it embraced the harbour of Erie. In 1796,
Genl. Wayne died at Erie, after his successful campaigns against
the Indians, and was buried near the blockhouse, whence his re-
mains were afterwards removed to Chester county. In 1800, Erie
was erected into a separate county with its present boundaries, tak-
ing its name from the lake. Previously it formed part of Allegheny.
During the summer of 1813, in the short space of 70 days, at Erie,
was built the fleet which, on the 10th of the following September,
achieved the victory that immortalized the name of Perry, and gave
his country the mastery of the lake. After the war, for some years
the improvement of the county was slow. In 1818, Xhe first steam-
boat appeared on the lake. Since 1825, when the project of con-
necting Erie with Philadelphia by canal was broached, the county
has rapidly increased, especially at periods when the completion of
the public works seemed to be at hand.
24. Noted Citizens. — William Miles, sXiW living, resided in North-
umberland county in the early part of the Revolutionary war. He
was there captured by the Indians in 1778, and carried into Canada.
He was released at the close of the war, and on his return settled in
this county, of which he was one of the very first settlers. He has
resided in the county ever since. Col. John Reed was the first per-
manent inhabitant of the town of Erie.
23. Repeat its history, mith dates. | 24. Name the noted citizens.
THE END.
8T£RK0rYPED BY L. JOHNSON & CO.
raiLAfiXUHJA.
BOOKS
PUBLISHED BY
URIAH HUNT & SON,
AND FOR SALE AT THEIR CHEAP BOOK-STORE,
No. 44 NORTH FOURTH STRE^BT, PHII<AD.
COMPRISING
SCH00L,MISG£LLM£01IS, AND CLASSICAL BOOKS.
School Teachers and those having care of children are particularly
invited to examine this list, as it includes many books unequalled
for educational purposes.
The Classical Student will find in it several leading Latin books,
and the general reader will meet with much that is standard and
good in literature.
Country Merchants and Booksellers are supplied on the most liberal
terms with every thing the market affords in the book line.
Orders for Books and Stationery are solicited, and will receive
prompt attention.
GODMAN'S AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY.
8vo. It is illustrated by 125 copperplate engravings of animals,
unsurpassed for their fidelity to nature. 8vo, 682 pp.
Of this work the author's biographer states, " Of his works, not
immediately connected with his profession, his Natural History of
American Quadrupeds is the most elaborate. This production will
long remain a splendid monument of the genius and industry of its
author, and be regarded as a model of composition for works of that
description. It should have a place upon the table of every family,
and be put into the hands of all the youth of our country." It con-
tains also Godman's Rambles of a Naturalist, a highly interesting
and instructive book.
THE LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. With
many choice anecdotes and admirable sayings of this great man,
never before published by any of his biographers. By M. L.
Weems, author of Life of Penn, &c. 12mo, 239 pp.
This is a capital book, written in a style abounding in wit and
humour, full of incidents in both the public and private hfe of Dr.
FrankUn, and containing extracts from most of his published
writings.
1
THE HOME BOOK OF HEALTH AND MEDI-
CINE. A popular treatise on the means of avoiding and curing
diseases, and of preserving the heaUh and vigour of the body to
the latest period. 8vo, 630 pp.
The author of this work is well known to his professional brethren
in Philadelphia, as a man of great industry, excellent judgment, and
extensive practical experience. These qualifications have been
united in producing the "Home Book of Health and Medicine;"
and as families resident in the country, and persons who make long
sea voyages, require some aid in treating the emergencies of disease,
we have much pleasure and confidence in recommending this book
as the most judicious of its kind that has come under our notice. It
embraces a brief but luminous view of the various branches of medi-
cal science, and may be read with advantage, not only by those who
have the responsible charge of invalids, but also by young men who
are about commencing their medical studies, and who stand in need
of a plain and comprehensive view of the healing art.
SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON, M. D.,
Professor of Anatomy in Penn^a Medical College, (f"C. (J-c.
We have great pleasure in recommending " The Home Book of
Health and Medicine" as the best popular treatise upon practical
medicine with which we are acquainted.
W. W. GERHARD, M. D., ? pr -7 . ; , •
JAMES A. M'CREA, M. D., ^ ^'^""^e^P'^^a-
THE LIFE OF WILLIAM PENN, the settler of
Pennsylvania, the founder of Philadelphia, and one of the first
lawgivers in the colonies ; containing also his celebrated treaty
with the Indians, his purchase of their country, valuable anecdotes
of Admiral Penn, also of King Charles II., King James II., King
William and Queen Anne, (in whose reigns William Penn lived,)
curious circumstances that led him to become a Quaker. With a
view of the admirable traits in the character of the people called
Friends or Quakers, who have done so much to meliorate the con-
dition of sufl^ering humanity. To which is added the Reflections
and Maxims of Penn. By M. L.Weems, author of the Life of
Franklin, &c. 12mo, 282 pp.
JAY'S FAMILY PRAYERS. Bound in neat cloth.
DODDRIDGE'S RISE AND PROGRESS OF
RELIGION IN THE SOUL. ISmo, 288 pp.
THE AMERICAN FARRIER ; containing a minute
account. of the formation of every part of the horse, i'rom the ex-
tremity of the head to the hoof, with a description of the diseases
to which each part is liable, the best remedies to be applied in
affecting a cure, and the most approved methods of treatment for
preventing disorders. r2mo, 286 pp.
BAXTER'S CALL TO THE UNCONVERTED.
Bound in neat cloth. 18mo, 240 pp.
GOULD'S SYSTEM OF STENOGRAPHY; or,
THE ART OF SHORT-HAND WRITING. 18mo, 260 pp.
HAZEN'S PANORAMA OF TRADES AND
PROFESSIONS; or, EVERY MAN'S BOOK. Embel-
lished with eighty-two engravings. 12rao, 320 pp.
The object of this book is to give the history of the ordinary trades
and professions of men, with a description of the mode of working or
manufacture used in producing the various articles used in common
life. It is calculated to add much to the intelligence of all, particu-
larly the young, and increase their desire to know and capacity to
learn. The use of books like this and the Book of Commerce, as
reading books in classes, while at the same time they afford good
reading exercises, will impart a great amount of knowledge concern-
ing the affairs of common hfe, which is of inestimable value.
THE BOOK OF COMMERCE BY SEA AND
LAND, exhibiting its connection with Agriculture, the Arts,
and Manufactures. 12mo, 185 pp.
In this work the learner is made acquainted with the origin, mode
of manufacture, and history of all the articles used in daily life. It
treats of the articles of food, furs, woods, metals, minerals, fisheries,
glass-ware, China, pottery, drugs, banks, customs, tariff, history of
commerce, &c. It is used in the best schools in New England,
the city of Philadelphia, and other parts of the Union.
SUPER ROYAL OXFORD OCTAVO BIBLE.
Bound in sheep. The most beautiful edition of the Bible published.
This edition of the Bible is printed on a beautiful large type, in-
comparably more convenient for family use than the cumbrous
quartos. The utmost care has been used to have it free from typo-
graphical errors. It is believed to approach nearer to perfection
than any Bible extant and sold at a low price.
SCHOOL EDITIONS OF MILTON'S PARADISE
LOST, POLLOK'S COURSE OF TIME, YOUNG'S
NIGHT THOUGHTS, COWPER'S TASK, and THOM-
SON'S SEASONS. 18 mo.
These will be found the cheapest and best school editions of those
authors published.
THE UNIVERSAL CLASS-BOOK. By T. Hughs.
This work contains a selection of the best specimens of the best
English and American authors, and is offered at a price considerably
less than that of any similar book in the market.
THE LIBRARY OF POETS ; containing the works
of the most prominent English Poets, and selections from Ameri-
can authors, as follows t —
Scott's Ballads and other Poems ; Campbell's Poems ; Young's
Night Thoughts; Lydia H. Sigourney's Poems; Mary Howitt's
Poems ; Lalla Rookh, by Tom Moore ; Montgomery's Poems ;
H. Kirke White's Poems; Lady of the Lake, by Scott; Southey's
Poems ; Coleridge's Poems ; Wordsworth's Poems, edited by
Prof. Reed; Cowper's Poems; Pollok's Course of Time ; Book
of Pleasures, Hope, Imagination, and Memory; Thomson's Sea-
sons ; Goldsmith and Gray's Poems ; Elliott's Poems — the Corn-
law Rhymes ; Rogers's Poems ; Milton's Paradise Lost ; Poetry of
the Passions ; Poetry of the Affections ; Poetry of the Sentiments ;
Poetry of Flowers ; Eliza Cook's Poems ; Hon. Mrs. Norton's
Poems ; Byron's Poems ; Moore's Poems ; Burns's Poems.
These books are printed on good paper, in 32mo size volumes,
and beautifully bound in various styles. The beauty of the style in
which they are got up, with the intrinsic merit of their contents,
render them the most valuable series of gift books ever issued.
There is no one, making any pretence to English literature, but who
would know something of the authors whose names are given above.
This is the most beautiful series of gift books published ; for that
purpose, nothing can be so tasteful, and nothing more intrinsically
valuable.
LIBRARY OF FEMALE POETS; containing the
works of Mrs. Sigourney, Mary Howitt, Ehza Cook, and Mrs.
Norton. Beautifully bound, in a uniform style, and done up in
neat cases.
DAVENPORT'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED
STATES ; containing all the events necessary to be committed to
memory ; with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution
of the United States, and a Table of Chronology. 18mo, 144 pp.
The mode of teaching in this book is by question and answer.
All the important facts in the history of our country are brought
directly before the pupil's eye, by which the time and labour of
wading through many chapters of printed matter are saved, and the
learner introduced to a more thorough knowledge of his subject than
by any other means.
THE ANALYTICAL SPELLING-BOOK. By W.
S. Cardell. 12mo, 144 pp.
The arrangement of the lessons is good, the choice of words
felicitous, and the whole may be regarded as one of the most suc-
cessful attempts to supply the junior classes with a profitable and
truly " Analytical Spelling-Book." Your friend,
Jos. R. Chandler.
JACK HALYARD THE SAILOR BOY; or, THE
VIRTUOUS FAMILY. Designed for American children in fa-
milies and schools. By W. S. Cardell. 18mo, 234 pp.
This is a book unequalled in its style and moral effect, and as a
reading book in schools, unsurpassed in every particular that is
essential to such a use. To this, hosts of teachers who have used
and now use it set their seals. It is extensively used in the public
and private schools of Philadelphia, as well as in those of different
sections of the country. The following notice from individuals of
high character as teachers, is a high recommendation : —
We, the subscribers, teachers, have examined, with close atten-
tion, the story of " Jack Halyard," and feel a pleasure in acknow-
ledging our obligations to the author of this interesting work. For
the purposes designed, this publication is not, in our opinion, sur-
passed by any one that has fallen under our notice.
As a work of fiction, probably no other possesses so much of the
excellence of truth. The characters are portrayed with a master-
hand, and, what greatly enhances its practical value, their merit ie of
the imitable kind. The manner in which it fastens on the minds of the
young, the varied instruction it conveys, and the love of virtue which
it is calculated to inspire, with the beautiful simplicity of the style in
which its sentiments are expressed, render it a work of superior ex-
cellence as a class-book in schools.
Isaac Pierce, Jacob Pierce, Ejs^och Lewis,
Simon Barstow, J. Irvine Hitchcock, Seth Smith,
John H. Willets, Bishop Davenport, Joseph R. Chandler.
THE HAPPY FAMILY. By W. S. Cardell, the
author of Jack Halyard.
BIOGRAPHY FOR SCHOOLS ; or, GOOD EX-
AMPLES FOR YOUNG PERSONS. By Mrs. Robbins,
author of the American Popular Lessons. 18mo, 256 pp.
This httle book contains a biography of a number of wise and
eminent men, written in the well known happy style of the author.
While it teaches to read, it also holds up for imitation to the youthful
mind such examples as the lives of Oberlin, Sir William Phipps,
Sir Matthew Hale, William Penn, &c., afford. It also contains
sketches of several prominent female characters.
CHASE'S ARITHMETIC. The Elements of Arith-
metic for schools and academies, in which decimal and integral
arithmetic are combined, and taught inductively, on the system of
Pestalozzi. In two parts, 1 & 2. 18mo, 144 pp. & 240 pp.
This arithmetic is used in some of the New England public schools
and in some of the private schools of this city. It is pronounced
by several distinguished teachers to be a far better book than any
other now in use. The number of examples is great and varied, and
the rules clear and explicit.
• 6
RANDOLPH'S ARITHMETIC ; or, THE PRAC-
TICAL TEACHER ; being an easy and rational introduction to
arithmetic, designed for beginners of every age. 12mo, 192 pp.
The following is an extract from a notice received from a number
of teachers of Baltimore : —
We have examined, with attention, Mr. Randolph's system of
arithmetic, and take pleasure in stating that, in our estimation, it is
greatly superior, as an elementary work, to any thing of the kind
that has fallen under our notice, &c.
Recommendation from Philadelphia teachers: —
The undersigned consider Mr. Randolph's Arithmetic one of the
best productions of the kind which has fallen under their notice. It
is what it pretends to be, " An Easy and Rational Introduction to
Arithmetic." His definitions are clear and determinate. His rules
are expressed in language so plain as to be intelligible to the youngest
learner ; their application is ample and judicious, and the whole is
well calculated to sharpen and invigorate the intellect of youth, to
lighten the labour of teaching, and render the study of this important
branch of education pleasant and interesting.
Though this system is well calculated for general use, yet it
seems to be particularly adapted to female seminaries, as it aflfords
ample means for overcoming that disgust which females too often
feel for this study, and for inspiring them with an attachment for this
most useful science.
R. W. CusHMAN, W. E. AsHTON, S. W. Crawford,
C. B. Trego, William Mann, D. R. Ashton.
GREEN'S INDUCTIVE GRAMMAR ; designed to
give young pupils a knowledge of the first principles of language,
accompanied by progressive parsing lessons: the whole intended
to inculcate habits of thinking, reasoning, and expressing thought.
By Richard W, Green. 18mo, 180 pp.
VALPY'S PALEY'S MORAL AND POLITICAL
PHILOSOPHY; with questions adapted to the use of schools, by
R. W. Green ; to which are added notes from popular authors,
embracing present opinions in ethical science, and an exposition
of our own pohtical institutions ; the whole carefully adapted to
the use of schools of both sexes. 12mo, 298 pp.
Paley's Moral Philosophy is a standard book. It is found in every
gentleman's library, and is made use of as a text-book in many of
our schools and colleges. It is a treatise above all others the best
adapted to general use, both on account of its clearness of method
and aptness of illustration, and also because it contains a code of
ethics more universal in its application than any other. In the lan-
guage of an Enghsh reviewer, " it is a masterly and inimitable work."
He had many points of resemblance to Socrates ; the philosophy of
both was common sense, and their study human nature.
HAZEN'S SPELLER AND DEFINER ; or,
CLASS-BOOK No. 2, designed to answer the purposes of a
Spelling book, and to supersede the necessity of the use of a
dictionary as a class-book. By Edward Hazen. 18mo, 215 pp.
This book is extensively used in both the public and private schools
of Philadelphia and New York. The sale of it is upwards of 20,000
copies annually.
DAVIS'S MODERN PRACTICAL ENGLISH
GRAMMAR, adapted to the American system of teaching.
This work is unsurpassed for clearness and conciseness and adap-
tation to the wants of the present day. 12mo, 175 pp.
GUMMERE'S PROGRESSIVE SPELLING-
BOOK; containing a great variety of useful exercises in spelhng,
pronunciation, and derivation, including extensive tables of words
deduced from their Greek and Latin roots. In two parts: the
second part is arranged on the basis of Butter's Etymological
Spelling-Book. 12mo, 216 pp.
This book presents an exceedingly judicious arrangement of spell-
ing and reading lessons, the latter being composed of the words of
the former, thus teaching their use and signification. The second
part of the work is an etymological dictionary, giving the derivation
of words from their Greek and Latin roots. This is a highly im-
portant exercise for scholars somewhat advanced, and supplies to
some extent the necessity of learning the original languages.
THE PROGRESSIVE SPELLING-BOOK, First
Part, is intended for beginners, and contains the reading and spell-
ing lessons of the larger book. 18mo, 126 pp.
The above books were written by Samuel R. Gummere, for a
long time a very prominent teacher at Burlington, N. J., and one
every way competent, both from experience as a teacher and acquire-
ments as a scholar, to write such a work.
THE WORKS OF TACITUS, stereotype edition,
for schools and colleges.
SMART'S HORACE. The Works of Horace trans-
lated literally into English prose, for the use of those who are
desirous of acquiring or recovering a competent knowledge of the
Latin language. B. C. Smart, A. M., of Cambridge College,
England.
This is a very great aid to the Latin scholar, and is almost indis-
pensable to the acquisition of a thorough knowledge of translating.
" We believe that the examination of judicious translations like the
present will be of greater service to the learner than years of study.'
9
JACOB'S LATIN READER, First Part, with a
Vocabulary and English notes, for the use of schools and acade-
mies. Edited by George Bancroft. 12mo, 359 pp.
Editor^ s Advertiseme?it. In preparing the second edition of
Jacobs's Latin Reader, the work has undergone a thorough revision ;
notes have been added, and many words, which had been omitted in
the dictionary, are here inserted in their respective places. The
editor, in publishing this work in America, was influenced by a be-
lief, that it forms an easy introduction to the language and character
of the Roman world. He selected it as the best from many similar
works, and is happy in finding his judgment confirmed by that of
many instructors. George Bancroft.
Jacobs's Latin Reader is a standard work, and the fact that
almost every new Latin Reader that has been issued since its pubh-
cation has been but an adaptation of the editor's notes or whims to
Jacobs's text, proves it to be a super-excellent book. We beheve
no Latin Reader, but that of Jacobs under some one or other of its
various modifications, is used in the schools of this country.
GOULD'S VIRGIL ; containing the Bucolics, Geor-
gics, and the ^neid, with copious notes ; a metrical key, con-
taining a solution of the principal difficulties in scanning Virgil ; a
life of Virgil, and questions on his history, and the subjects and
incidents of his various poems. 12 mo, 491 pp.
This book is used in the Boston academies and various classical
schools in the country.
CORNELIUS NEPOS, for the use of classical
schools and academies. 12mo, 192 pp.
This is a very neat edition of this author, being beautifully printed
and well bound. It should be one of the first reading books of all
classical students.
" Cornelius Nepos is, more than any other Roman writer, suited
to be put into the hands of boys, who have made sufficient progress
to be able to read a Roman author in course. The simplicity and
classical character of his style ; the separate lives, full of interest,
and not long enough to weary ; the extent of history, of which he
gives a pleasing outline, by presenting, as in a gallery, those illus-
trious men who directed the fortunes of antiquity ; the general purity
of the moral tendencies of his writings, and the favourable moral in-
fluence which always follows from the true history of great men,
are circumstances which explain why he is so universally adopted in
the European schools, and is beginning to be introduced in so many
of our own."
THE NEW LATIN TUTOR; or, EXERCISES
IN ETYMOLOGY, SYNTAX, AND PROSODY : compiled
chiefly from the best English works. By Frederick P. Leverett,
Principal of the Public Latin School in Boston. 12mo, 350 pp.
AINSWORTH'S LATIN DICTIONARY, octavo.
This work is so well known as hardly to need a notice. Its
almost universal use in the schools and colleges of this country, as
well as in those of England, is an evidence of its superiority over
other works of the kind. It is now offered at a price much lower
than formerly, while it is manufactured in a superior manner. 1028pp,
ANTHON'S ABRIDGMENT OF AINS-
WORTH'S LATIN DICTIONARY, for the use of grammar-
schools. Into this edition are introduced several alterations and
improvements, for the special purpose of facilitating the labour and
increasing the knowledge of the young scholar. By Charles
Anthon, Professor of Languages in Columbia College, N. Y.
This work contains about the same number of words as the larger
work, the chief abridgment being in the quotations and illustrations
of the original work. From the convenience of its size and cheap
ness, it is particularly adapted for the use of beginners. 18mo, 761 pp.
THE STATE-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA;
comprising an account of its History, Geography, Resources,
Leading Incidents, and Prominent Men ; illustrated with a Map
of the state, and a Map of each county ; intended for the use oi
schools and families. By Thomas H. Bureowes, formerly Secre-
tary of State and Superintendent of Public Schools.
This work is intended more particularly to be used as a recitation
or reading book in the public and private schools of the state. It
embraces an account of the climate, soil, productions, manufactures,
geology, mineralogy, government, &c., of Pennsylvania, arranged in
paragraphs, and accompanied with questions for examination. It
is such a book as every Pennsylvanian should possess. The pupils
of our common schools could have no subject of greater interest
and practical value presented to them, while in this volume it is
presented in a style attractive and pleasing. We wish that teachers
would do us the favour to examine the book.
THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF PENMAN-
SHIP. By George J. Becker, Professor of Writing in the Phi-
ladelphia Central High-school. In Ten Numbers.
In these books the exercises progress in a regular series of ad-
vancement, from the first rudiments of writing to perfect specimens
of penmanship. The copies are printed by the Lithographic pro-
cess, and have every appearance of being executed with a pen, thus
affording an imitable copy for the learner. The use of these books
will abridge the labour of the teacher, and make better writers in
half the time usually taken.
THE INTRODUCTION TO THE ENGLISH
READER. By L. Murray. A very neat and cheap edition.
THE ENGLISH READER. By Lindley Murray.
A very neat and cheap edition.
-IJS-
iwOw
