GEOGRAPHICALLY, the township of Barclay is situated between the townships of Franklin on the north, Le Roy on the west, and the Schraeder branch of Towanda creek, which separates it from Overton on the south, and whatever of eastern boundary it has is Monroe. Topographically, it is mountainous; the Schraeder branch of the Towanda creek bein -its only stream of water. Geologically. it is coal-bearing, being essentially and specifically a mining town. Historically, it is a recent organization, being formed from Franklin in 1867. Its entire area is owned by the coal mining and Barclay Railroad companies, and it is said that it has not within its limits a solitary resident freeholder. Its chief interest lies in its coal mines and their development, which are fully described in the general history of the county

The first settlement, or movement, therefor, in the township was made in the fall of 1856, by the Towanda Coal Company. There are at the present time five settlements in the town, tile most northern one called Graydon, next South Dublin, Barclay postoffice still further south, Fall Creek a little way east of the postoffice, and a settlement at the foot of the incline of the railroad.

Graydon has a school-house and store; at Barclay there are a postoffice, a Presbyterian church, a school-house, stores, the works of the Towanda Coal Company, and freight and engine houses of the Barclay Railroad Company. At Fall Creek there are a school-house and store, and in the settlement at the foot of the incline there is a school-house. -Foot of Plane is a station on the Barclay Railroad.

Coal was discovered in the Barclay mountains by Edsal Carr, who supposed be had found iron. Jared Leavenworth was the first blacksmith to use the coal, which was first brought down the mountain side on sleds. John Fox, father of Miller Fox, hauled the first load to Towanda.