Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice
History of Bradford County by H. C. Bradsby, 1891
Bradford County PA
Chemung County NY
Tioga County PA
Chapter XLVIII - Terry Township
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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches

By H. C. Bradsby, 1891

CHAPTER XLVIII. Terry Township
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CHAPTER XLVIII.

TERRY TOWNSHIP.

THIS township lies on the west bank of the Susquehanna river, opposite Wyalusing, and contains about fifty square miles. Will, exception of the valley along the river, which is narrow, it is mountainous and hilly; has much good grazing land and fine meadows. At one time this township had more valuable white pine than any other township in the county, and for many years immense quantities were annually shipped. The two postoffices in the township are Terrytown, lying on the river above Wyalusing, and New Era, in the west part of the township on the head-waters of Sugar Run creek. This creek empties into a large pond near the south line of the township.

Terrytown is beautifully situated on a gravelly ridge, and the buildings are scattered along near the bank of the river until they mingle with those of Sugar run. Beautiful scenery surrounds the place, and across the river Vaughn's hill rises four hundred feet with varying escarpment. In the village is a Union meeting house, called "The Tabernacle," where worship the Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists. It has been in use thirty-six years. In the place is a wagon factory and steam works, a shoe shop, two general stores, and the Horton Flouring Mill.

This dreamy old village is one of the oldest places in the county, made immortal by Capt. Jonathan Terry, who was the first permanent settler, in 1787, and who founded the place. It is said that Benjamin Budd build a cabin here as early as 1774.

Stephen Durell had built a cabin in 1786, near the mouth of Steam Mill creek.

Israel Parshall, Maj. John Horton, Lebius Garner, Parshall and Jonathan Terry, all these with their wives were in Forty Fort the night after the battle . . . Jonathan Terry was commissioned a justice, and for four generations, with but slight intermission, the office passed from fattier to son. Jonathan Terry had eight sons and three daughters. His son Uriah was the first white child born in Terrytown, where he lived for nearly ninety years.

About 1794 Parshall Terry' built a small gristmill on the small stream passing through a farm occupied by J. W. Van Anken. Par shall and Uriah Terry were for many years the noted men of Terrytown. Parshall was a tailor and made very many good coats for a dollar each. He was once jailed by the Pennamites at Easton, but escaped to the woods.

Uriah Terry was a schoolmaster and a poet of no mean ability Maj. John Horton was a lineal descendant of Barnabus Horton wfio came to America in 1638. He settled in Terrytown in 1792 and improved the place, where he died in 1848. He built the first frame dwelling in the township and owned the first two-horse wagon that ever came to Terrytown, also the first fanning mill, and built the first frame barn in 1805. He served in the Revolutionary war.

Maj. John Horton, Jr., was born in Terrytown March 23, 1793. He was a, prominent merchant and an active business man; was a constable when quite young; was also elected and served as county treasurer one term; was a democratic elector in 1848; became a captain and then a major in the militia, and was brigade inspector from 1828 to 1835.

A prominent feature of Terrytown is that for the number of inhabitants it contained, it turned out more eminent men than any other spot in northern Pennsylvania.

New Era is a hamlet about five miles southwest of Terrytown. It was here the French refugees built a house for the purpose of secreting the king and queen of France when they should come over.

Charles Hornet, Sr., settled at this point, and remained some time before he went to Frenchtown. Isaac Shoon over succeeded Mr. Homet. Jason Horton was one of the earliest permanent settlers at New Era. John Morrow and N. T. Horton had a store there in 1830-31, but soon left. Lawrence Williams and Henr y Gaylord lived there 1839-43, Gaylord occupying the house where had lived J. A. Record. In 1837 Jonathan Harrison settled beyond New Era. . . Jonathan Buttles. a manufacturer of wooden bowls, lived there many years. . . J.L. Jones was a justice and an early settler at New Era. Ebenezer Brock was for years the carpenter and joiner at New Era.

John Dyer kept a furniture store and undertakers' shop. . . John Huffman was a farmer near New Era.. There is a hotel in the place, two sawmills, one grocery store, and an Odd Fellows Hall.


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