 |
|
MILLTOWN
Late in the last century a street was laid out in the north part of Athens,
on the ridge, extending up to the State line, and a settlement made which was
called Milltown. The lots were very large, and houses were built for a
physician, a clothier, a tanner and shoemaker, blacksmith, carpenter, and
deerskin leather dresser, which with the mills, store and public house, made it
quite a business place.
The burying ground was laid out as it now is, and a large log
schoolhouse erected upon it, which from its first opening was an institution of
importance. Dr. Prentice, an educated and useful man, was the first
teacher employed there. He removed his family from New London, Conn., to
Pennsylvania in 1797. A house was built for him on the hill, near the
creek, and a drug store connected with it; a part of the original building still
remains.
He was one of the sufferers in New London at the time that city
was burned by Arnold the traitor, in 1781, and continued there some years in the
practice of his profession. He was an uncle of John Shepard, and much
beloved by him. There was no place of resort that afforded so much
pleasure as the house of Dr. Prentice, across the way, where visitors were
entertained with books, interesting stories and ancient curiosities. Among
the latter were the bed curtains, painted by Mrs. Prentice herself, on pure
Irish linen. On the head curtain sat the King and Queen, crowned with
regal dignity, with fruits and flowers surrounding them. On the side
curtains were lesser dignitaries, with vines and grapes and flowers. On
the valance was a vine extending the entire length, with clusters of grapes,
ripe plums and pears. The work was neat and elegant, and the design
ingenious. But what was more than all, their crowning value was that they
were much scorched and damaged at the time New London was burned by Arnold the
traitor during the Revolution.
These were brought out only on extraordinary occasions to
entertain visitors and particular friends. An elegant toilet cover, also
stitched with the needle by this ingenious woman, and the antique silver cup and
elegant china punch bowls, were among the curiosities exhibited, saved from the
wreck of Arnold’s depredations. Some of them are yet to be seen in the
possession of children’s children.
Mrs. Prentice was the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Owen, of Groton,
a friend and contemporary of President Edwards.
Dr. Prentice practiced medicine in this country several years.
He died suddenly, in August, 1805, much beloved and much lamented.
His son, William, who was well educated, came into this country
in 1798. He had been admitted to the bar in New London, and practiced law
in Lycoming County, at Williamsport. A little more than a year after his
father’s death, on his return from court, he was taken sick with fever at his
boarding house (Squire Saltmarsh’s), went to his home at Milltown, and died in a
few days, in the fall of 1806. He was a young man of good talents and fine
personal appearance. He wore his hair braided, hanging on his shoulders,
according to the custom of the times. In his death the high hopes of his
family and friends were suddenly blasted.
Dr. Prentice’s eldest son was a physician, and settled at Sag
Harbor, on Long Island.
Another son was a tanner, and had an establishment a little
above his father’s, opposite the residence of Mr. O. B. Spring. He went
west with his family many years ago.
One of the daughters married Dan. Elwell, of Westchester
County, N.Y., a carpenter, who lived many years at Milltown. They outlived
most of their children. Some still living hold high positions. The
surviving daughter, who had the care of her father many years, is living at
Vanettenville, where he died, April 19th, 1868, at the age of 94 years.
Mrs. Elwell died many years ago.
Dr. Prentice’s second daughter married John Spalding. He
was first Sheriff of Bradford County, and lived at Athens, opposite the village,
until his death.
The third daughter married J.F. Satterlee, who was a merchant
at Milltown, and afterward at Tioga Point, where Mrs. Satterlee died.
Mrs. Prentice was a lady of intelligence and of a cheerful
temperament. When living alone, after her husband’s death and children’s
marriages, she would often, notwithstanding her advanced age and bereavements,
entertain her company by dressing herself in her rich damask, with long bodice
waist and sleeves tight to the elbow, with wide lace ruffles and a long trail to
her skirt, thrown over her arm, as was the style of her early days
Dr. Spring succeeded Dr. Prentice as physician of Milltown.
He also taught school a long time in connection with his practice.
The first schoolhouse was on the north side of the road, on the
burying ground lot, near the present entrance. There the youth of that day
were taught the rudiments of education, and many were graduated there. The
school was sometimes visited by New England missionaries, who gave the pupils
excellent instruction, and presented them with good books.
The school had been taught by Dr. Prentice, Amos Franklin,
brother of Colonel Franklin, Dr. Satterlee, and several New England men of
education and refinement.
But this seat of learning passed away suddenly. One
morning early we were terrified by seeing it in flames, and the cumbrous logs
one after another fell to the ground. Some businessmen from Philadelphia
were at once at Mr. Shepard’s, when his young son, Isaac, was called upon to do
the writing. “Where was your son educated?” inquired one of the gentlemen,
when he saw his penmanship. Mr. Shepard pointed to the log school house
and said, “It was there my son was educated.”
Captain Thomas Wilcox came from Tyringham, Mass., near the
beginning of this century, and settled at Milltown. He was a blacksmith by
trade, and commenced life with small means. He purchased a valuable tract
of land of Mrs. Shepard, for which he succeeded in paying by close application
to his trade, and by transporting goods across the country from Catskill,
bringing supplies, dyestuffs, machinery, and various articles for the mills.
Mrs. Wilcox was a humble and devoted Christian.
Francis Snechenberger was a German, who came from Philadelphia
in 1799. He bought a lot of land in Milltown, containing about three
acres. Mr. Snechenberger was a deerskin leather dresser. Loads of
deer skins were taken to him, and there dressed and manufactured into mittens,
moccasins and breeches, until a load was made out, which he peddled about the
country, bringing home money and necessaries for his family. The day he
was 70 years old he drowned by falling into his spring.
His wife was an Irish woman, who sometimes entertained us with
her adventures. In early life she left her home in Ireland, which did not
suit her ambitious mind, and worked for her passage across the ocean. When
she arrived at Philadelphia she went first to the house where Major Andre was
imprisoned a little previous to his execution. She understood the
circumstances of his case, and her sympathies for him were greatly moved.
She was afterwards directed to the house of Dr. Willson, and Katie became the
nurse of the infant James P. Willson, subsequently the Rev. J. P. Willson, D.D.,
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church on Independence Square, Philadelphia,
and the predecessor of Rev. Albert Barnes.
According to her own story, she received much kindness and many
favors from the good mother, “Madame Willson,” yet sore offense did she give
this honored lady, when on arriving at womanhood she yielded her consent to
become the wife of Francis Snechenberger, a German, who fell in her way.
When Katie timidly revealed the case to her mistress, the Madame, with much
feeling, exclaimed, “Hang the men.” She was loath to give up her faithful
nurse and kind handmaid. Katie had been a great reader, and brought with
her to this country a mind stored with royal lore. Kings and Queens,
Princes and Dukes, with their retinues and historical peculiarities, were as
familiar to her as her books and family intimates.
She had access to some medical works at Dr. Willson’s, by which
she acquired much knowledge of medicine. After her marriage she came to
this place, and conceived the idea of becoming a female physician and nurse.
She soon acquired celebrity and had an extensive practice. Some of her
garden herbs still yield abundantly by the wayside. She had one daughter,
who married William, son of Philip Cranse.
Another remarkable character was Mrs. Mead, said to have been a
hundred years old when she died. She was a native of Dutchess County, and
married a man much inferior to herself.
During the Revolutionary war the British came suddenly upon
them and were about to take away her husband as prisoner. She affirmed
that her husband was an idiot, and would be of no possible use to them, and must
remain under her care. The argument prevailed, and she was ever after the
sole director of their domestic affairs, which under the management of this
energetic woman afforded them a comfortable living. Her family made one of
the first openings on the surrounding mountains, on a sightly spot back of
Waverly, which is still called “Mead’s Hill.”*
Josiah Crocker removed from Lee, Mass., to Milltown in 1808,
and engaged with Mr. Shepard in building a fulling mill and saw mill across the
State line, on the Thomas tract. Carding machines were added afterwards.
Mr. Crocker had a large family of sons and two daughters, well
trained after New England customs. The first object with him was to have
the schoolhouse rebuilt.
* Site of Waverly Water Works.
It is said that this good man when he went into the woods with his line and
plummet knelt down by the first timber that was felled, and prayed that the
house they were about to build might be one for the honor and glory of God and
the good of the people. A snug schoolhouse was soon erected on the
opposite side of the road from the old one, where the higher branches as well as
rudiments were taught, and foundations laid for future development. Some
distinguished men, both in Church and State, have received their education
there. It also served as a church, and the then young and talented, now
the aged and venerable, Dr. Wisner, of Ithaca, first preached there and at the
academy at “The Point” alternately, on the Sabbath, in 1812-15, but after
serving two generations the house was demolished. The district having
become reduced by the removal of families toward the Susquehanna River, another
schoolhouse was built, near Wheelock’s factory, which has superseded the old one
of cherished memory. Mr. Crocker built a small house for himself on the
ridge, near Factoryville, opposite the mill where he and his numerous boys were
engaged in carding wool, dressing cloth and sawing lumber. The morning and
evening sacrifices were daily offered there, and it was pleasant to see on the
Sabbath this long train of neatly clad and well-instructed children following
their parents to the place of worship. They removed west in 1818.
The earliest record we have of the burying of the dead in this
place is that of the soldiers of General Sullivan who fell in the battles with
the tories and Indians at Chemung in 1779.
It is said that thirty of them were killed, but it is not known
that more than six were brought to Tioga for interment. The presumption is
there were more.
Mr. C. Stephens, whose family came here as early as 1788, says
that the dead, both whites and Indians, were buried along the ridge, where the
burying ground was laid out by the Connecticut settlers, and afterwards given to
the town by Mr. Caton, the Pennsylvania claimant and proprietor. It is not
known that Mr. Caton ever gave a formal deed. The lot was fenced and many
were buried there before the close of the eighteenth century. It was at
first enclosed by a splint rail fence.
A brisk northwester once caused such vibration of the splinters
as to produce a doleful moaning which some thought resembled the voice of an old
Indian woman, who had recently been buried there, and her superstitious enemies
verily thought she was coming again to take vengeance upon them. Some
persons of courage ventured to investigate the mystery, and reported to the
troubled one---much to their relief. This was one of the legends of early
days. As we enter this hallowed place, solemn and thrilling remembrances
steal over us. Here are gathered the friends of early days, with whom we
have “taken sweet counsel and walked to the house of God in company.”
Families in their narrow house here rest peacefully with only the cold marble
and the dull earth to mark their possession. Men of business have here
laid them down to rest, wearied of the turmoil of life, the fruitless greed of
gain, and the ambition which rules, but never satisfies. Pastor and
people, in a “Congregation which ne’er breaks up,” are here assembled---faithful
fathers and tender mothers, blooming daughters and noble sons, until the earth
is moistened by tears and hallowed by sacred affection. Little children,
too, are here, the music of their voices hushed; little feet tire, little hearts
grieve no more, for “He who gathers the lambs with His arm and carries them in
His bosom, has safely garnered them into His upper fold.”
“There are treasures, deep hid in this mouldering earth.
Precious gems laid tenderly down.”
“Who is that coffin for?” said a young man as he entered a cabinet shop in
this place. He was in the flush of youth and health, and gave promise of
many years of life and labor. “It is for you,” was the careless and jocose
reply. “I am not ready for it yet,” rejoined the youth. He was much
nearer death, the coffin and the grave, than he then thought. In a few
days he was seized with a violent fever, which in a short time terminated his
career, and he was buried in the same coffin over which those thoughtless
remarks were made so recently.
“Walk solemn on the silent shore
Of that vast ocean we must sail so soon.”
A new cemetery has been recently opened on the Plains, which
will be made both ornamental and attractive, but the old burying ground should
be carefully guarded and sacredly venerated, as the resting place of those who
have served their generation faithfully and left to us so goodly a heritage.
The Milltown burying ground, in the north part of the town, was
given to the public by John Shepard, Esq., in the last century.
He has been buried there many years, with numerous descendants
and friends around him. The ground has been neatly enclosed by Mr. O. B.
Spring, and ornamented with trees, giving additional beauty to the surrounding
neighborhood.
From the first settlement of Athens, by the Connecticut people,
their attention was given to the education of their children. As early as
the survey of the township, in 1786, we find on a map of that date public lands
appropriated for that object. This lot of several acres was situated north
of the Susquehanna Bridge road, the river on the east, and the road leading to
Milltown on the west. It was thickly covered with pines on the north.
Soon after the settlement of the town the first schoolhouse in the township was
built on this land, near the location of the present district schoolhouse.
It was a small building of logs, suited to the wants and
circumstances of the inhabitants at that time. The first school was taught
by Benedict Satterlee. He was a Connecticut man, of good education and
standing. As the country became settled, and a larger house was in demand,
another schoolhouse was built on an improved plan, of hewn logs, on the street
leading to Milltown. This school was taught by Daniel and Elias Satterlee,
brothers of Benedict. Elias Satterlee afterward studied medicine and
removed to Elmira. Mr. Samuel Satterlee was also a man of education, and
taught at Athens, and was at one time a member of the Legislature.
This was the only literary institution for many years. It
is said to have been a very good school. This schoolhouse was burned early
in the century. A school was afterward opened in the large log building
formerly occupied by Mr. Alexander, on the cross street, north of Chemung
bridge, and extending through the Paine lot, to the Susquehanna River.*
*No remains of this once important street are left. On it there have been two stores, a dwelling house, school room, and place for religious meetings, and near by a distillery, altogether making it quite a prominent street.
This was taught by a Mr. Thompson. The room was sometimes
used for religious meetings, until the academy was in progress.
The old academy records, commencing with the date, Tioga,
February 11th, 1797, have furnished the following account of its first
commencement, written by Mr. Daniel Alexander, one of the earliest residents:
“Whereas, it is the earnest wish of many of the inhabitants of
this town that a public building should be erected for the accommodation of an
Academy, or seminary of learning for the accommodation of youth, and also be
occasionally occupied as a place of public worship, or other public purposes;
and whereas the erection of such a building on Tioga Point, and making other
public improvements, would not only be of great use and convenience to the
inhabitants, but would also have a tendency to enhance the value of land and
other property, the subscribers to this agreement do therefore mutually covenant
and agree to form themselves into an association for the purpose aforesaid, to
be subject to the following regulations.”
Then follows a series of resolutions, common upon the
organization of such associations, fourteen in number.
The 12th resolution is, “the building contemplated shall be
erected on one of the public lots in the township of Athens, on Tioga Point, and
the construction thereof shall be as follows: It shall be forty-two feet
in length, twenty-four in width, and two stories high. The second story
shall be formed into one entire hall, to be arched and finished in a handsome
manner.”
Committee reported that they had decided upon a building lot.
It was built by subscription, and divided into shares of thirty dollars each.
The names of the subscribers were Noah Murray, Sen., Chester-Bingham, Joseph
Spalding, Levi Thayer, David Alexander, Nathan Thayer, John Shepard, David
Paine, Joseph Hitchcock, Elisha Mathewson, Ira Stephens, Elisha Satterlee,
Samuel Campbell, John Spalding, Nathan Buel, Clement Paine, Julius Tozer,
Jonathan Harris, Joseph Farlane, Daniel Satterlee, Simon Spalding, Thomas
Overton, John Jenkins, George Welles, John Franklin, Warton Reid, Stephen
Hopkins.
March 2d, 1797. At a meeting of the stockholders of
Athens Academy, held agreeable to notification at the house of Captain Elisha
Mathewson, on Thursday, March 2d, 1797, voted that Noah Murray, Esq., be
chairman, that Clement Paine be secretary of this society. Voted, that
Major Elisha Satterlee, Messrs. John Spalding and John Shepard, be trustees of
this society. The name decided upon was that of the Athens Academical
Society.
March 3d, 1798. Resolved, that this society will petition
the Legislature for an act of incorporation, and also the grant of a lottery.
Resolved, that the society will petition the Susquehanna Company, at their next
meeting, for a grant of land, to be appropriated as a fund, for the said
seminary of learning.
The frame was raised and enclosed, but the work dragged
heavily. After raising the frame and making some progress, their funds
were exhausted, and the building remained unfinished for a length of time, and
was used, so tradition says, by merchants and others for storing surplus
property or goods, and that it actually became a depository for hay, flax,
skins, and the like articles. This kind of testimony, though not reliable,
would seem in the present case to be corroborated by a petition on record in the
archives of said institution, from the “proprietors” to the trustees, requesting
them “to prevent any person whatever from putting hay, flax, or any other thing
whatever in said building.”
The fact that it remained for some length of time in a
neglected condition gave occasion to apply to it the language of a traveling
poet:
“Their only school house quite in ruin lies.
While pompous taverns all around them rise.”
It must be confessed there was too much justice in the
criticism in regard to the schoolhouse, but it may be averred the writer took
quite a poetic liberty with the taverns.
May, 1808, they passed a resolution, and “authorized the
trustees to advertise the academy for sale, to be sold on credit of twelve
months, the purchaser giving judgment bonds with approved security.”
July 20th, 1808, they “agreed that the vote of May last, for
selling said building, be rescinded and of no effect.”
In 1809 “Clement Paine was requested to repair the building,
and put the same in a good state of preservation, with a balance of one hundred
and forty dollars due him, which he held as a lien on said building until paid.”
The upper room of the academy was occupied by the Masonic
society, and was under their control.
1813. In consequence of a petition of several members of the Athens
Academical Society, presented to the Assembly of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, by Henry Welles, Esq., a member thereof from Athens, an act was
passed giving the trustees of the academy full control of everything
appertaining to it as an institution of learning, and a grant of $2,000 to the
trustees of said academy, which should by them be invested in some safe and
productive stock, the interest of which they should apply to the purposes of the
institution. The academy to school four poor children, not exceeding two
years each, gratis; provided there is application made for them. The act
passed 27th February, 1813.
June 20th, 1813, Henry Welles was chosen trustee, to supply the
vacancy caused by the death of George Welles, his father.
AN ORDER FROM THE TRUSTEES ON STATE TREASURER
“July 10th, 1813. We have deputed Henry Welles, Esq., or
order to receive the money from the State and his receipt shall be an adequate
voucher. John Franklin, Julius Tozer, Abner Murray, Stephen Hopkins, David
Paine, John Saltmarsh, John Shepard, Clement Paine.”
1814. Mr. Henry Welles recommended and engaged a young gentleman at
Harrisburg for teacher, with a salary of five hundred dollars—Mr. Sylvanus
Guernsey. Notice of school was advertised in the Wilkesbarre Gleaner and
Towanda papers.
On Monday, the 25th of April, 1814, Mr. Guernsey commenced the first school
taught in the academy. Left March 6th, 1815.
In 1820 the trustees “voted that the funds appropriated by the
State, amounting to $2,000, should be applied to aid the company for the
erection of a bridge over the Tioga River.”
March 5th, 1842, the academy was consumed by fire, together
with quite a valuable library, philosophical apparatus and cabinet of
curiosities.
In 1843 the academy was rebuilt, under the superintendence of
H.W. Patrick, Esq., at a cost of $2,000.
In 1829 the bridge stock was sold to Judge Herrick.
NAMES OF PRECEPTORS AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
Mr. Guernesey ………………..1814 Mr. Baldwin…………..1839-40
Mr. Welles…………………….1815 J. Marvin………………1840-41
Nathaniel P. Talmadge………..1815 Mr. Merchant………….… 1842
Mr. Bush………………………1815 L.M. Pert……………….…1845
Mr. Wellington…………… 1816-17 F. Hendrick……………… 1847
Mr. Kee…………………... 1818-19 Rev. C. Thurston………… 1849
L. Butler…………………...1822-23 E.I. Ford…………………..1851
Rev. J. Williamson……………1824 J.G. French………………..1852
L.S. Ellsworth…………………1825 A. Dunning………………..1852
G.A. Mix……………………... 1825 J.G. and Wm. French……...1855
E. Marsh………………………1828 J.S. Hopkins……………….1856
Ezra Stiles………………1829-30-31 F. Bixby…………….1859-60-61
Dr. Wm. McDougal……………1833 J. M. Ely………...1862-63-64-65
D.M. Bennet…………………...1835 A.M. Loutrell…………..1866-67
Bennet and Patrick…………….1836 C. Mullock……………..1868-69
A. Williams……………………1837
XIX
POSTOFFICE AND STAGES
Previous to the opening of the new century, letters were
conveyed by private individuals, and packages of letters were sent by the boats.
It was sometimes attended with considerable labor to open and distribute these
packages, which was always done at Hollenback’s store. The mail was looked
for as often as a boat arrived, and distributed with as much order as
circumstances would permit.
No post office had been established at Athens until the summer
of 1800, when Mr. William Prentice, son of Dr. Prentice, late of New London,
received the appointment of postmaster. His office was in Hollenback’s
store. He was a young man of much promise, and his services in public life
were held in high estimation. He acquitted himself honorably for a little
more than five years, when he died suddenly of fever. From this time there
seems to have been no appointment made for two years. Col. Samuel
Satterlee officiated pro tem, when Mr. David Paine was appointed postmaster in
1808, and served until 1818, when he was re-appointed, and continued postmaster
until April, 1824, when he resigned in favor of D.A. Saltmarsh. Ebenezer
Backus, appointed April 3d, 1827; Lemuel Ellsworth, 1831; John Judson, 1840; O.
D. Satterlee, 1841; C.S. Park, 1844; C.H. Herrick, 1845; N.C. Harris, 1848; W.
Olmsted, 1853; C. H. Herrick, 1856; Wm. Fritcher, 1861; S. B. Hoyt, incumbent,
1864.
Ebenezer Backus, Esq., was engaged for the government as
traveling agent in the post office department, and resided at Athens with his
family many years. He married Miss Lindsley, a sister of Mrs. Dr. Hopkins.
Soon after he came to Athens he bought what is now called the Backus house,* of
Jeremiah Decker, built in 1816. The north wing, as it now is, was part of
the first frame house in this place, built by Dr. Hopkins, near the close of the
last century. It was in this wing of the house that the Congregational
church was formed in 1812. Mr. Backus had a large family of sons, and
three daughters, two of whom married merchants of this place, Mr. Tompkins, who
afterwards removed to Binghamton, and Mr. Ellsworth, who removed to Chicago.
Mr. Backus was very genial in his temperament, and this characteristic was
hereditary in the family.
*The Backus house was bought in 1901 by Hon. E.H. Perkins, who removed the house and included the land in his fine lawn.
An early settler states that his first recollection of a mail
carrier is of one Bart. Seely. For several years he made his appearance
once a week on horseback, with a small mailbag. Then came Conrad Teter,
who commenced carrying the mail in 1811 with a one-horse wagon. He soon
became the owner of two horses and a covered vehicle, and transported the mail
several years from Wilkesbarre to Painted Post and back, once a week.
After that he became the owner of a covered Jersey carriage, drawn by four
horses, which ran between Wilkesbarre and Athens.
In 1814 Samuel Ovenshire commenced a line from Athens to
Chenango Point, with a one-horse wagon, which he ran for about three years.
In 1816 Conrad Teter went with his improved carriage and four
horses to Owego, and started a line once a week from Owego to Newburg. It
required two weeks to perform the trip. At the same time his
brother-in-law, Horton, carried the mail for him, from Wilkesbarre to Athens.
From thence to Painted Post it was carried by the Saltmarsh brothers.
In 1817 Justin Forbes commenced carrying the mail from
Wilkesbarre to Athens, and continued four years. About this time Stephen
B. Leonard ran a stage with the mail from Owego to Painted Post, by the way of
Athens.
In 1820 the route from Wilkesbarre was extended to Ithaca.
Mr. Forbes retained his interest in the route to Wilkesbarre, and the Saltmarsh
brothers ran a light two-horse wagon from Athens to Ithaca.
In 1824 Forbes and Saltmarsh resumed the contract to Ithaca,
until they went South to engage more extensively in carrying the mails.
In 1825 John Magee, of Bath, started a line with coaches twice
a week from Owego to Bath. He was succeeded by his brother, and he by
Cooley and Maxwell.
In 1849 the mails were first carried west by the Erie railroad,
and stages no longer run north and south since the opening of the Southern
railroad in 1867.
XX
SHAD FISHERY
Within the purchase of the Howel tract by Mr. Shepard and Mr. Cranse, in
1806, there was a beautiful island in the Susquehanna River, well calculated for
a fishery, and one was established by them forthwith.
Mr. Cranse had the superintendence of it, and in the spring of the year his
family were much occupied with making preparations for fishing. Shad came
up the river immediately after it was clear of ice. They were of the
finest quality, and in great abundance. They were caught on the point of
the island, nearly opposite Mr. Cranse’s door, and afforded entertainment to the
many spectators that gathered there to see the process of fishing, as well as
profit to the fishermen. First, a net of two or three hundred yards long
and thirty three meshes wide, made of strong linen twine, with weight on one
side and buoys on the other, was taken into a large canoe. The canoe was
then pushed up the river half a mile, leaving another canoe on the shore holding
one end of the seine, while the first pushed across the Susquehanna, the men
letting off the seine as they crossed to the opposite shore; when both moved
silently down the river, pressing the unwary fish backward until they came to
the island on either side, where was a general onset, the men jumping into the
water, drawing up the seine, the fish floundering as they were thrown upon the
point of the island by hundreds, and sometimes more than a thousand at a haul,
while many by bounding over the net or breaking through it would make a joyful
escape.
Then came the process of dressing and dividing them among such as were
entitled to their share, and often have the poor felt rich and the rich glad, as
they carried home their several portions with the prospect of having fresh shad
for supper, and a supply for days to come. At one time the shad were so
abundant that the fishermen agreed not to sell for less than three dollars a
hundred, but a purchaser coming on the ground, a man who had a quantity for sale
told him he could not sell them for less than three dollars, but he would give
him a gross hundred—one hundred and twenty-five.
These shad came up the river in shoals, and the fishermen understood when
they were approaching. Many barrels were packed in salt and sent to
market.
This luxury had been the blessing of the red man from time immemorial, and
of the white man for many years, until the dams in lower Pennsylvania were
built, for the accommodation of the canals. The Susquehanna River shad
were said to be equal to those of the Hudson and Connecticut. There were
other fisheries of some importance near this place—one on the Chemung River,
which sometimes yielded a bountiful supply. Boys of former years, as well
as of later days, will always remember their fishing parties, and the enthusiasm
with which they have engaged in them both day and night.
XXI
TROY AND ADJACENT TOWNS
Sugar Creek, a stream emptying into the Susquehanna at Towanda,
formerly gave name to the region of country lying along its banks.
The Indian name, according to Mr. Maxwell (who was interested
in Indian history), was “Oscoluwa.” Conrad Weiser, a noted Indian
interpreter, when on an embassy from the government to the Six Nations at
Onondaga, in 1739, found the Indians living at the headwaters of this stream
destitute of food, and subsisting chiefly on the products of the maple tree,
which they freely shared with him.
The banks of Lycoming and Sugar Creeks, approaching each other,
were a thoroughfare for the Indians from the West to the north branches of the
Susquehanna River, and after the natives were removed, the white people,
following their track, found a promising and inviting country on these streams,
and located farms, and established mills at a very early period.
Great quantities of maple sugar were made in this region, and
also in Springfield and Smithfield, which, with the immense yield of native
blackberries and other wild fruit, afforded luxuries which the early inhabitants
of the more cultivated parts of the country did not enjoy.
But large and thriving villages are now springing up on the
banks of these streams, and churches, schools and valuable machinery are
indications of substantial improvement.
Troy, pleasantly situated on Sugar Creek, about twenty miles
from its mouth, is a very flourishing village, containing many handsome
buildings, and is a place of considerable thrift and importance. Among the
first settlers were Smead, Rundel and Case.
Joseph Powel opened the first store in Troy, and an Englishman
by the name of Philips kept the first tavern. The names of Ballard,
Pomeroy and Long, are of later date.
A Baptist Church was erected here more than fifty years ago.
This church was been well sustained, and is now the largest religious society in
the place. Their Pastor, now 78 years of age, Elder Sheardown, is said to
be a man of talent, and his labors have been much blessed during the long period
of his ministry.
An institution of learning lately erected in Troy is an
ornament to the place, and will do much toward promoting intelligence and
refinement.
Numerous villages are springing up on the line of the Northern
Central Railroad, between Elmira and Williamsport, which opens up the beauties
of the country, and illustrates the truth of the stanza:
“Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey,
Or men as fierce and wild as they,
He bids the opprest and poor repair
And builds them towns and cities there.”
Smithfield was an unbroken wilderness until about 1795, when the
first permanent settlement is said to have been made by Reuben Mitchel.
In 1801 Samuel Kellogg, Nathan Fellows and Solomon Morse, of
Poultney, Vermont came to this uncultivated region and bought lands of the State
for one dollar an acre, and settled with their families.
They were organized into a Congregational Church before leaving
Vermont. They had a little money, with which they purchased some supplies,
which they brought with them, and when their resources failed, they were obliged
to leave their families and go to a neighboring town, where provisions could be
obtained.
Squire Kellogg, when 80 years old, related some incidents of
his new country life. At one time he went away to work for bread, leaving
as he thought a sufficient supply until he should return. He toiled hard
about three weeks, earned twenty or thirty bushels of grain, and took it to
Shepard’s mills to be ground, then hired a team to carry it a part of the way
home, where it was left on the river road in safe keeping until he could return
for it. It was becoming dark, and he started for home on foot, through the
dense forest, five or six miles. He arrived home about twelve o’clock at
night, and found that his family had eaten their last morsel. Expecting
her husband with a supply that night, the mother had borrowed a half a pint of
Indian meal to make porridge. The children went supper less to bed; the
mother awaiting anxiously the sound of her husband’s footsteps, and remembering
her promise to the children, that when their father returned they should be fed.
What was her dismay when he arrived to find he had brought no supplies, and the
weary father retraced his footsteps over this dreary way at midnight to provide
food for his perishing family. Through the woods and snow, amid the
howling of wild beasts, he went and came alone. He arrived home about
daylight. The mother was watching and waiting, ready to prepare
nourishment for the family, of which they partook with cheerful gratitude and a
hearty relish.
The little church planted in Smithfield was like an “ apple
tree among the trees of the woods,” which continued to grow and bear fruit.
Rev. Seth Williston was one of the first missionaries among them.
About 1805 Nehemiah Tracy and family moved into the place, and
gave much strength to the little church and community. There was soon a
change in the appearance of the country. Stately trees bowed before these
active woodmen, and in the openings here and there might be seen cheerful faces,
domestic comforts, and abundance of wild fruit, together with any quantity of
maple sugar, made by their own hands; and more than all, the family altar was
erected in every humble dwelling. In 1812 they began to build a house of
worship, which cost about three hundred dollars, and was accomplished by much
effort. The lumber was drawn from the mills on the river, over a very
rough road, and it was said that Nehemiah Tracy sold his last cow to buy nails
and glass for the building. The house near the site of the present church.
Rev. John Bascom was their first pastor; he married the sister of Mrs.
Clement Paine. Mr. Bascom died in Lansing, N.Y., where he was preaching,
many years ago. His son, John Bascom, is a professor in Williams College.
Mrs. Bascom is now living at Ludlowville, N.Y., and is more than 80 years of
age. Rev. William Franklin preached in Smithfield five or six years, and
died there. Rev. C. C. Corss has been their pastor many years.
The articles for the Congregational Church of Smithfield were
drawn up by the Rev. Lemuel Haines, a distinguished colored preacher, at the
time of its formation in Poultney, before the members emigrated to this country.
This certificate reads thus:
“Samuel Kellogg, Esq., Solomon Morse, and Nathan Fellows, having manifested
a desire to be dismissed from the particular watch and care of this church, and
to unite in a distinct church, being about to remove to Smithfield,
Pennsylvania, County of Luzerne (Bradford). The church accordingly voting
their dismission; they took upon them the solemn covenant of the Church, chose
Mr. Kellogg their moderator and clerk, and were commended to God by prayer.
“The subscribers being present and assisting them in the
solemn transaction.
“Elijah Norton,
“ Lemuel Haines,
“ Ministers of the Gospel.
“ Poultney, Vt., February 11, 1801.”
Mr. Haines was pastor of the principal
Congregational church in Poultney, and afterward in Rutland, Vt., over which he
presided many years, much respected and beloved for his good sense and
Godliness.
Rev. Dr. Sprague, of Albany, in his “Lives of Eminent New
England Divines,” speaks thus of Mr. Haines:
“Rev. Lemuel Haines was a minister of color, and the most
eminent Negro preacher ever known in this country. He was the pastor of
intelligent churches. In spite of all he had to contend with, he became a
man of mark, respected for his piety, talents and usefulness, and was admired
for his keen and ready wit.”
A physician of loose principles in a contiguous town was about
to remove to a distant part of the country. As he passed through Rutland,
where Mr. Haines lived, they met. Mr. Haines said to him, “Doctor, I am
owing you a small debt and want to pay you.” The doctor said to him, “Mr.
Haines, you have been a faithful preacher, and received but little support, I
give you the debt,” but continued, “you must pray for me and make a good man of
me.” Mr. Haines quickly replied, “Why, Doctor, I think it would be easier
to pay the debt.”
Springfield, south of Smithfield, was named by settlers from
Springfield, Mass. It was formerly called Murraysfield, for Noah Murray,
whose descendants live in this region. He purchased a large tract of land
adjoining Smithfield, and gave name to the town, and died there about 1812.
Ridgeway lies on the northern boundary of the State, directly
west of Athens, and is about the same size. Much of the land was
originally covered with pine timer, which has been converted into lumber, and
sold at very small prices. There is now in the township a very respectable
Irish settlement. Thirty or forty years ago some of the Irish laborers on
the Erie Canal were inducted to buy lands in that place. Many of them went
there and commenced clearing the woods. They were very prudent and
industrious, and by dint of hard labor and severe economy, some of them have
become quite extensive landowners.
Litchfield Township was surveyed about 1795. John Pierce,
father of Jack Pierce, who was deaf and dumb, and well known hereabouts, gave
the name to Litchfield, after the town of the same name in Connecticut.
Thomas Park was the first settler, in 1795. Samuel Park was the first
child born in the town.
J.D. Leray de Chaumont, a Frenchman, was a Pennsylvania
landholder, and owned a great part of Litchfield, and a considerable part of
Athens, east of the Susquehanna. Colonel Kingsbury, who was his agent, was
extensively known among the early settlers, and sold to the people in Athens
their back lands at State prices—about three dollars per acre.
Eleazer and Solomon Merrill came to Litchfield from a county of
the same name in Connecticut, in 1803. They came for the purpose of
locating bounty land due their father, Eleazer Merrill, who was a soldier in the
War of the Revolution. They settled on an elevated spot in Litchfield,
near the Susquehanna River, made an opening in the forest, built a log cabin
near a spring of choice water, and after a season of hard labor preparatory to
bringing their families, they returned to Connecticut. It was a long and
wearisome journey in those days, but they braved it through, and returned to
their place of destination in Pennsylvania. They all ascended the
mountain, the aged father and mother, sons and wives, and numerous children and
entered the humble dwelling that had been provided for them. Soon they
branched out into other homes.
Being provident, they brought with them sundry comforts, a
variety of seeds for planting, even flower seeds, which literally made the
wilderness to blossom as the rose; and a little money for necessaries, to serve
them until their corn began to grow. They found the wild deer in
abundance, and a variety of game and berries, affording them food and luxuries.
The location has proved to be favorable to the families. Some of them are
now said to be wealthy.
Fifty years have made a great change in Litchfield. It is
now settled by many prosperous farmers and valuable inhabitants, with good
schools and churches. Lands which were then sold for three dollars are now
worth twenty-five dollars per acre, perhaps more.
Added to Tri-Counties site 21 JAN 2007 by Joyce M. Tice