2'0 T H E J O U R N A L

NEW MEN[BERS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1959-60

Mr. and Mrs. Guy M. Baldwin, Lnporte, P.]. Miss O[ive Moyer,347 AcademySt., Wi] Misses Margaret and Carol Barker, 1205 liamsport, Pa. Locust St., Williamsport, Pa. Mr. W. Clyde Mussina, 1022 W'. Fourth Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brunner. 319 So. Main St., Williamsporc, Pa St., Jersey Shore, Pa. Mr. Charles M. No11, I E. Central Ave., Mrs. David Busey,131 BennettSt., Wil- So. 'Williainsport, Pa. liamsport, Pa. Mrs. Helen Gann Snyder,7 Holt)lhurst Ave., Mr. and Mrs. Zehnder H. Confair, 1327 Coatesville28, Maryland Race St., Williamsport, Pa. Mr. Thomas P. Gerber. 172I Williams Road, Mrs. Wn). Spangle,1000 Woodmont Ave., Williamsport, Pa. Williamsport, Pa. Dr. and Mrs. R. M. Gingrich, 500 Highland Mr. Charles Spuler, 1212 Cherry St., Wil- Terrace, Williamsport, Pa. liamsport, Pa blr. and Mrs.Walter J. Heim, 112 So.Broad Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Thomas,1515 Ryan St., Montoursville, Pa. Ave., Williamsport, Pa. Miss Aileen B. Hendly, 416 Pine St. Wil Mr. George Walkers, 1601 Warren Ave., liamsport, Pa. Williamsport, Pa Mr. Richard W. Krinam, 820 Vallainont Mr. Guy Wheeland, 1206 Shiffler Ave., Drive, Williamsport, Pa. Williamsport, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Von E. Mertz, 1947 Foy St., Mr. and Mrs. Willard L. Snyder, t026 Williamsport, Pa. Rural Ave., Williamsport, Pa. Miss JessieMiddaugh, 94 Union Ave., Wil- Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Donachy,700 Rural liamsport, Pa. Ave., Williainsport, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. James M. Morin, Cog:tn Dr. and Mrs. John C. Winter, 505 Hawth- Station, Pa. orne Ave., Williamsport, Pa. THE

FROM THE WILLIAMSPORT SATURDAY EVENING REVIEW November11, 1893 b/JOURNAL SECRET SOCIETIES OF THE PerseveranceConclave No. 114, improved man,O. S. Kelsey,C. A. Byers,F. J Order of Heptasophs, which meets regu- Burrows, Samuel Wilson, F. E. Gleam larly in the Mussina block on Market Street J. G. M. Long, J. H. Boyer:,William Vickers, is in a highlyflourishing condition. The T. L. Jarrett,William F. Mitterer,J. C. LYCOMING HISTORICALSOCIETY order is protective and beneficial,safe and Kuntz, J. J. Galbraith, William M. I)uFour sound in every respect. Mr. Herman Hinck- M. D., William Slack, John P. Hilscher: ley is rhe Archon, and Mr. Cyrus Heller George F. Jackson, William H. Kilbourne is secretary.The following are the namesof Chai:lesF. Fullmer. Peter S. Dentworth some of the gentleJnen composing the order Louis G. Baker, M. D., W. H. C. Huffman in this city: G. W. Renninger, Jacob B. Russel J. Hutchinson, Charles Harman Shultz, James B. Denworth, W. S. Ster- Austir] A. Heller. William Neuschafer ner, DanielLongsdorf, J. P. Blush, J. N George E. Renta, Mart H. Wirth, John W. VOLUMEI JANUARY Kline. 1). R. Forcsr)lan.Paul Mcbride, Frank Villinger, William Ed Page,Albert A. Dit( Fullnlcr, W. B. Foresinan, Abner P. bores mar, James Thomas, Henry H. Vlilinger. NUMBER TEN 1960 the J OURNAL of the 3 LYCOMING HISTORICAL SO CIE TY THE WILLIAMSON ROAD PUBLISHED BIANNUALLY IN WILLIANISPOl\T PENNSYLVANIA by CharlesG. Webb

]v[ISS \IAI\GAI\ET E. I]OItN, SECT\ETAI\Y \v. CL\,DE HAI{ER, PI\EVIDENT To the local historians of Tioga and rhe Genesee lands. In 1788 the sale was NIISS BLANCIIE M. NEFF, TI{EASUI\El\ JOSEPH G. 'kVINTON, IST. VICE PItESn)ENT Lycoming Counties the Williamson Road consummated ar)d Phelps and Gorhman pur- CTIAI\LES S. STOEVER, 2ND. VICE PI\ESII)ENT N'laSSZELLA G. PXPI,EttXIAN,AsST. Tl\Ef\SUl\El\ is an old story. It has been told many times chased all of New York State west of the \'IICnAEL M. WAI\GO, 3l\D. VICE PI{ESIDEN'r in county and regional histories and in Seneca Lake f or the sum of $100,000 proceedingsof local historical societies.But Massachusettsmoney. It was an empire of Dll\ECTOl\S 1958-1960 DIRECTORS 1959-1$)61 about 6,000,000 acres. 3 l like all goodstories it is alwaysworth the NIOI\RIS ]-I. IIOUSEL \[I\S. S\,LVIA ]3. 1]AYS retelling. It is to be observed though that It was then necessaryto clear the Indian \4/ni,LiAXt l\. Sixth \II\S. nOBEl\'r COCnItANE {llost of the accounts of it deal with the title. Mr. Phelps travelled [o Buffalo Creek blISSXIn,DI\ED E. KEI.I,Y NIISS \'tAI{GAI\ET B. COI\I'ELL personalities involved and the settlement ind after prolongednegotiations the Indians of the Genesee Country. Very little has finally ceded their title to Phelps and Gor- 1)1\.DAVID L. McXloi\i\is ever been told of its actual construction hanato all that areabounded on the west and no one has ever described in detail its EX OFFICIO by the GeneseeRiver; on the north by courses.In retellingthe story,I will en- Lake Ontario; on the south by the Pennsyl- GIBSON (;. ANTES deavor to partly fill in some of these gaps vania-NewYork line, and on the east by In the late 1780's, all of New York Scare Seneca Lake. This area amounted to EDITOllS west of the Seneca Lake was a tractless 2,600,000 acres. The Indians refused to cede \II{. XIICI{AEL M. WAI{GO Dl\. LEtVis E. Tlixiss wilderness.There were a few buildings at the land west of the Genesee.4 After these N'tI{. L. ROBB,IAN 'WUI\STEIN XI{SS\IILOI\ED E. KEI,LY Kanadesaga(modern Geneva). Jermina negotiations Phelps and Gorham found they Wilkinson and a small colony of "Friends were unableto pay Massachusettsthe entire had located on the west bank of the Seneca ExLnl Copies of 'l'he Journal Fifty Cents Each purchaseprice for all westernNew York Lake. There were two or three Indittn and compromisedby paying f or that part traderson the GeneseeRivera and a few ceded by the Indians. The land west of the squattersupon the Geneseeflats; a feu Geneseewas later sold to Robert Morris fanailiesin or near the present city of and comprisedthe lands later ownedby Buffalo. All else was Seneca occupancy.i the famous Holland Land Company Af ter the Revolution both Massachusetts In 1788 after Phelps had concluded his and New York claimed Western Neu York purchase from the Indians, he selected the becauseof the conflicting provisionsof their foot of CanandaiguaLake as a central lo- colonial charters. In 1786 these two states cality and createda scorehouse there. A at a convention in Hartford compromised town almost immediately sprang up there C O N T E N TS their differences. By the terms of their which was called Canandaigua. Other set- agreement New York retained the sover- tlers came into this region and Phelps and The Williamson Road by Charles G. Webb 3 eignity and Massachusetts the ownership Gorhmarl sold off pairs of it.S of the land. In other words, New York took Robert Morris had becomegreatly inter- 15 rhc right to govern and Massachusettsthe estedin this land and finally on November An UnhonoredHero -- by Clark B. Kahler right to se]] the land.Z 19, 1790 entered into a contract to purchase Oliver Phelps, a native of Windsor, Con- from Phelps and Gorham the entire tract, 17 Lycoming County Post Offices necticut, had been an ardent patriot during Jesswhat they had sold amountingto the Revolution and had had numerous 1,100,000 acres f or 30,000 pounds in New Sullivan County Post Offices 18 contacts with Robert Morris. Through York currency.6 Morris he met in Philadelphia Adam Hoops The contract had hardly been signed when Letter re Little Family -- by SusanH. Little 18 uho had been aide to General Sullivan in Robert Morris sent William Temple Frank- his invasion of the Geneseecountry. It lin, Benjamin Franklin's grandson, post New Members 20 was during the interview with Hoops that haste to England to peddle this newly pur- lle becamefavorably impressed with the chased land richness and fertility of the region. Close relations with England were funda- Soon after Massachusettshad settled its mental to the plans of Alexander Hamilton, differences with New York, Phelps to- who was then Secretary of the Treasury. In gether with Nathaniel Gorham and others Order to knit the old business ties, it seemed tl)proacllcd the Massacllusctrs Legislature [o linn necessaryto cnlisrrhc aid of British with the view of purchasinga portion of Investors in American aff airs. He wished 4 T H E J O U R N A L 5 [o make Americans independent of British the rank of Captain.He had resignedhis Creek andlto extend up to the 109th mile- vagrants". There were not more than 3 or 4 manufacturersand at the sametime he commission and sailed for America in 1781, stoneon the New York boundary.He was farmers among them. io About 300 of them hoped to draw foreign capital to the United angled with letters of recommendation to unsuccessful in Chat the legislature only sailed in two ships in the spring of 1792. States by the sale of laid and securities.7 Lord Cornwallis.The ship he was on was appropriated a hundred poundsiZ a mere These ships heading for New York be RobertMorris was a willing ally in this captured and he arrived in Boston a prisoner pittance. came separatedand Berczy with one policy. of war. He lived comfortably in Roxbury, In the late spring, Captain Williamson Massachusetts until the end of the war and contingent of 132 landed in Philadelphia on Young Franklin was well equipped to moved his family to Northumberland on August 3, 1792. He likewise immediately while here he met and wed Abigal Newell. approach Anglo-American capitalists in After the war u-asover he returnedto his rhc edgeof the wilderrless.This wasto be presented himself to Robert Morris. Morris England. He had been much in England their home and base of operations until the native Scotland. was now pressedwith what to do with with his grandfather and had considerable road was built. them. After considering the possibility of diplomatic training there. One of his father's It was during his enforced stay in mis Between the Susquehanr)a and the Gen- sending them to the Geneseecountry by rhe friends was James Lowther, political boss countrythat he developeda firila faitll in way of Wilkesbarre and the North Branch the economicfuture of America eseelands lay nearly a hundred miles of of Westmoreland. Lowther had been politi- rractless wilderness. Except along Lycoming of the Susquehanna,he hit upon the plan cal patron of the Scottish Johnstons, one of During the sulniner of 1791 Williamson Creek and the lower waters of the Tiogft [o employ them to build the road from the whom was William Johnston Pultney, rushed ahead with his preparations, his it had never been explored except perhaps Susquehanna to the Genesee. Berczy agreed master of Bath house and one of the headfull of schemesand ideas. Early in by occasionalhunters and surveyorsfollow- and he and Morris entered into an arr;nge- wealthiest iden in England. August he sailed with his wife and children ing the old Indian trails from Lycoming ment that each working man was to have Franklin soon engagedthe attention of and landed in Norfolk in November 1791, Creek to the Tioga. It abounded with bear, two dollars per week for a sevenday week. Pultney and his agent Patrick Colqulloun tnuch worn by 17 weekson ship board. As wolves, panthers and rattlesnakes.There Morris advanced Berczy 800- pounds and Colquhoun had spent several years on the quickly as possiblehe took his family to were two mountain ranges, Laurel Hill and arranged transportation for rhe entire con- Eastern shore of Maryland and had had Baltimore. Brian Mountain, to be crossed, both rocky, tingent to the Loyalsock.19 long experiencewith American affairs. Both Before the first of the year he was off steep and densely forested In the meantime, Governor Mifflin. he and Pultneywere friends of American pose haste to Philadelphia. Practically his No onebut a man of Williamson'scou pursuant to the Act of Assembly passed in rapprochement. first order of business was to become an rage, optimisna and energy would ever dare April, appointed William Wilson and Pultney became interested in what Frank- Americancitizen, for he took the oath of dream of opening a communication across William Gray on June 28, 1792 commis- lin had to sell. He in turn interested one citizenship before Judge Yeats in open these mountains. Everyone on all sides arose sionersto lay out the road from the Loyal William Hornby, a i:erurned official from court on January 9, 1792. This was neces- against it." Sock to the Cowanesqueand to extend up India. Colquhotm conducted the negotiations sary because no alien could own real estate, Undaunted and impatient, Williamson to the 109th milestone.20 However. William with Franklin which he did with great and it had been decided by the Association jumped off into the wildcrt)ess on June 3, Gray was involved in other work and could skill and finally by the middle of February char legal title to all this land would be 1792 with four companions.He had with not attend to the master that summer and 1791, Pultney made up his mind placed in Williamson's name him Benjamin Pattersoni4 and George fall, so Wilson appointed George Bailey in The mather was finally concluded. Col- This doughty Scot could hardly wait to Bailey.IS The others were probably Robert his place. Nothing was done during the quhoun arranged co buy Morris' 1,100,000 inspectthe Geneseecountry, so early ih Patterson and Robert Covenhoven. After st.inliner acresfor 75,000 pounds or $275,000.At 26 February,against the will and judgment of 10 days of arduous travel and labor blazing . On September 3, 1792 the surveying party cents an acre this furnished a sizeable ad- his associates,he sct out for Albany. He a trail theycame to the n'akersof the finally left Sunbury. There were 8 in the vance over the prices paid by Phelps and leff Albany and plunged into the wilderness Cowanesquewhich they followed up and party: William Wilson,George Bailey, the Gorham and by Robert Morris.8 on February 15, the dead of winter, f ollow- came to the Genesee country16 and on the surveyor Samuel Scott, two chain carriers, A 1,/12 interest was given to Colquhoun ing the old Indian trails. He passedthrough junction of the Genesee River and Canas- two markers auld one pack horse driver f or his services in negotiating the purchase Geneva, Canandaigua and continued west eraga Creek. Here he decided to locate the Three pack horsescarried their equipment William Pultney had a 9/12ths interest as far as the GeneseeRiver. The more he town of Williamsburg at the terminus of Their diet, while substantial, must have been and Hornby a 2/12ths. These men formed saw, che more enthusiastic he became.n rhe proposed road. a little tiresome for they took with theirs what was called the "Association' In April he was back in Philadelphia I)urine the summerof 1791,while Wil- only bacon, rice, sugar, flour, potatoes, and The next step was to find a suitable conferring with Robert Morris. He had been liamson was waiting to sail, Colquhoun had whiskey (eight gal16ns of it).21 No doubt agent to go on the ground and promote impressedby his tour of inspectionand also not been idle. Through a Baron Damar he they supplemented this by venison, and the sale of the land to settlers. Colquhourl by his contacts in Baltimore of the great became acquainted with one William bear meat had suchperson in mind. He was a Scotch- advantagesthat would accrue by opening Berczy, a German. He concluded ar] agree- The party started their survey at the uppe! man and his maine was Charles Williamson I road from the Pennsylvania settlements ment with Berczy whereby Berczy was to ford on the Loyalsockwhere the main road Among Williamson's qualifications was over the Alleghcnys to the Geneseecountry supply German farmers as colonists under leading from Sudbury to Great Island his knowledge of both the Americans and the Robert Morris promised to use his influence an arrallgement whereby the colonists were crossedit. From there they went north- British.0 At the time of his appointment to get a law enactedauthorizing the opening [o serve 6 years in America at a stipulated wesrerly over the old Sheshequin trailZZ ta he was 34 years of age, of engagingand of such a road and granting financial aid wage and after 6 years would receive a grand the Lycoming Creek just south of the charming manner. He had tremendous for the project. of 25 acres each.17 Modern Powys. Here they met Bcrczy and energy, enthusiasm and optilnisrn and what Morris was successfulonly in part. On Berczy immediately enrolled a motley crew his Germans was more he was a natural born protnoter.lo April 10, 1792,the Governor signed a bill of idle vagabonds off the screedsof Ham- They plunged into the wildernessfrom Williamson lead entered the 25th Regi- [o ]ay out and survey a road from the Loyal burg who lind bccrl rhrcarencclby a Ham- here and surveyed our the trail Captain nlcnt of rhe Bririsll Army and had risen to Sock Creek to che Towilnisco ( Cowancsque) burg decree to "sell them into bondage as Williamson had mai'kedin June over rhc 6 T H E J O U R N A L 7

Allegheny mountains, down the Tioga [o because of his contact with Hepburn and on his way to Northumberlandfrom the the road co Pine Creek Valley,now called the Cowanesque and up the Cowanesque his distrust of Tower. declined. As a result, Geneseecountry and had come over the Block House Creek. Here the Germans nd TroupeCreek to the New York line Tower tried co stir up trouble for Berczy route of the proposed road. He had not been built a block and store house It the 109thmilestone. It took them over amongthe inhabitants.This was the [o the Susquehanna since he had started The block house was madeof round three weeks.They were back on the beginningof the bad blood which later out to blazea trail on June 3. While at logs and was 20 by 40- fcec with a large Susquehanna by October 1. Captain Gray developed between Berczy and Williamson. Williamsburg he had contractedche Gene- bakeoven in front of it. This was at ti;e from Scots notes made a map which for- The work on the road went on. In three see fever (Malaria) and fallen ill on his presentday Liberty in Tioga County tunatelystill existsand is amongthe weeks time they only built four miles. way to Albany and lay f or several weeks Williamson had left the road markers Turnpike papersin the Division of Public Berczy complained bitterly about this and at the cabin of a settler at Newtown, (El- beforethey had reachedthis place.The Records at Harrisburg blamed the surveyorsfor putting the line mira) Neu York. It was here thad he learned from Morris of the Germans' arrival and work continuedup over Briar Hill. Wil- Berczy and his Germans arrived at [oo high on che hills and compelling them liamson i:eturned in the meantime [o dig a very bad 'hill. This was roughly Morris' plan to use them to constructthe Northumberland on August 22. It was here road The fall rains had come and Berczy be- he met Janaes Tower, Williafnson't agent rhe distance between Powys and Trout Run. came apprehensive over the flooded condi- It was apparently mutual dislike at first They spent ten days here while Tower was On Septen)ber 21 came a spell of cold tion of Lycoming Creek and the difficulty arranging for wagons and teamsters:He weather and snow which covered the ground sight. Berczy said of this meeting, ''Not- of securing supplies. Leaving Williamson assured Berczy th;t he had arranged for for 2 days. This discouraged the Germans withstanding he behaved very friendly and ftt the block house he started for the cordially, I would easily see by some prop- necessai:y pi:ovisions on his way and gave whose morale had been low f oi: a long Susquehanna. The creek was so high char him $150.00. The provisions that Berczy time anyhowand they beganto riot. It ositions which he mademe that he was in found as he moved toward the Lycoming some respect preoccupiedagainst me by it was impossible [o cross it with wagons. took all of Berczy'sjnfluence and persuasion He had great difficulty crossing it even on was only a little flour. Ac no place could to quell it. The thought of winter and the Tower". Williamson gave this version of horseback he find ' any arrangementshad been made long distance over the rugged mountains this meeting, ''about 6 weeks after Berczy At the Susquehanna, after great endeavors, at all had begun his operationsI went down to [o the Geneseecountry had been too much he succeeded in getting 6 week's provisions The Germansfinally got to the mouth Lycoining, he had, I understood been there Berczy was much back and forth these 6 weeks ac work in all and had advanced forwardedto Kyles.On his return to Kyles of the Lycoming on August 26th, disgusted days between the road builders and the only 5 miles--it was by this time the middle he idea Williamson going south who gave and disillusioned. He quartered his people mouth of the Lyconaing.Hepburn was de- of Octoberand had 50 miles or more to him $100.00 and the assurance that there in and around 'WintersZ3 Tavern near the manding payment and Berczy had no money would be plenty of suppliesf or him at mouth of Lycoilning Creek. He learned of Tower complainedof the amountsand re- cut to the settlement of the Genesee.Berczy's Painted Post when they got there management had been so uniformity foolish a Colonel Hepburn whom he immediately fused payment. Hepburn was finally mol- [llat I was astonished and I told him unless New difficulties presented themselves. corltacced and arranged to have Hepburn lified on Berczy'sdirection to sendthe bill The new road had been spoiled by the rains supply him with flour in the immediate to Robert Morris in Philadelpllia, who uas I made solnc exertion they would all perish which could not be properly settled in so future. at that time accepting drabts for the Pultncy in the woods, he insisted they could go through but I saw the inapossibility and short a time. In order to ger the supplies I'he next day Berczy started for Kyles, Association. to the Block House from Kyles he ha;l to which was 10 miles from Winters. in order By the first weekin Octoberthe road from Berczy's behavior thought Chat the engage several wagons and pack horses to examinethe roadwhich he fbund only had been finished to a short distance beyond appearance of accident he had some Af ter these arrangements had been made schemes of keeping the people from reach a horse path and partly a sled road. A great the present day village of Trout Run. Berczy ing their settlementthat season;I however Berczyrode all nightand got backto his quantity of fa]]en trees ]ay across it, blown moved his camp near the mouth of that camp early in the morning Run and built a block house. very stiffly told him that I would procure over by a heavy wind. On the 25th he put people of the country and open the road He had been gone severaldays but found his men to work cleaning ouc the road. The day after they had moved camp the wagon road had been completed to the They got asfar as Thompson'son the first Berczy and Benjamin Patterson and one and he and the Germansmight do as they South Branch of the Tioga 25 miles from pleased day, a distance of 4 miles- The next day of the more intelligent Germanswent ahead Kyles. Berczy built another block house here they finished it to Kyles. That night he [o find out the best course over Laurel Berczy remonstrared strongly against my with rhe idea of making it his main camp met there Bailey and Wilson, the surveyors, Hill as Berczy did not have any confidence interferences and with utmost passion ex- This became known as Peters Camp, named in the surveyor's line. They struggled all claimedthat after he and his peoplehas after Peter (he baker. This was at the and also Benjamin Pattersonwhom Wil- so much trouble I had come to take all the liamson had sent down from the Genesee day over rocks and fallen trees and got modern town of Blossburg. Tradition has to act as a guide.24The next day he brought nearlyto the top at night, wherethey honor, etc. I immediately procured 30 good it thathere Benjamin Patterson first dis- camped. The next day from that elevation axe men and two overseersand set them covered coal. up also the woilaenand children and made [o work before the Germans.2S. his base camp there. Af ter this was done they could overlook all the country. They It was mid-November by now aitd Berczy he discharged aJI his wagoners but five, f ound an easier and more gradual descent. Williamson went on to Northumberland was getting apprehensive.It grew colder which he kept to move the campsfrom place They returned that night greatly heartened. but soon returned with the 30 AJlnerican every day and the rains interfered with the to place This lifted the spirits of the Germans and axemen.By this time the Germanshad road building. He sent Patterson out ahead The camp having been settled, Berczy they went to work again with renewed finished digging the side hill. The work to look over the country and determine what returned to the mouth of the Lycoming to energy. By the new course they had only went on rapidly now up over Laurel Hill rhe prospectswere of finishing the road that buy cattle for beef auld also some mitch about a mile of side hill to dig and down the other side.Williamson stood fall. Pattersonreturned with a report that cows.Again he met Ton'er who gave him It was while they were digging this mile by for severaldays while mis parr of rhe great difficulty ]ay ahead because of rhe $200.00 more. Tower offered to provide chat Williamson and Berczy first met. Tt road was being built rough broken country llinl flour in the future, wllicll offer Berczy, wits at Colonel Hepburn's. Willianasoil wits About November I rl)ey lind completed Bcrczy Ellen realized Clint he faust gct his 8 T H E J O U R N A L 9 making final arrangements for a quick get- with terror and loudly refusedto entrust had been grlawed dowd by beavers.29 But peopleout of the wildernessas quickly at least it was a line of communication be- as possible. He chose 15 of his strongest away at a moment s notice. themselves to such shells. The woodsmen, Germans and sent them ahead as choppers Hoping to meet Patterson, he headed however, got the women, children and the tween western New York and the Susque- to open a pack horse road with Patterson down the trail. They met near an advarlce sick into the canoesalmost by main force hanna. and launchedforth into the river while as f8i:eman ' The rest of the Germans and camp of che main body of axeinen, which Taverns immediately sprung up along it. the Americans he divided into three parties was located at a place which became knoll n rhe men followed by land. Patterson told We know something about three of them with three different overseers with orders as CanoeCamp, and has borne that name Chemto keep the Indian trail but as this The first and most famous was the one at partly to work on the pack horseroad and ever since. Here Patterson gave him the sometimeswent back upon the hills and rhe Blockhouseat Liberty. In 1793, one partly to dig and finish the wagon road. first good news he had received. He had $ out of sight of the river they dared r)ot Anthony or Anthonyson, took possession of He then went over Brian Hill to the block- gotten to Scarlett lust in time as Starrett follow it for the fear of being lost. So Berczy's Blockhouse and converted it into house at Pine Creek Valley where the greater was about to send his grain to Had:isburg they scrambledalong rhe shoresas best a tavern stand. Sherman Day, in his His- part of the provisions, as well as many the ncxt day. Starrett had agreed to deliver they could, keeping rhcir eyesfixed on torical Collection,has this to sayabout it; women and children with the baker, still [wo tons of flour at the Painted Post rhe flotilla as if their lives depended upon This house was kept in the primitive remained. He prepared everybody in both Orders were given the American laborers it. They stumbledover the banks; they limes by one Anthonyson, a sort of half camps for a speedy march [o build six large canoes and Patterson was tripped up over roots; where the shores French and half Dutchman. Anthony These arrangements having been made he given detailed instructions to bring all the were rocky they waded in the cold water according to his own story, had spent started out to overtake the 15 choppers. He women and children to his advance camp below. But the canoesglided med'ily most of his life as a soldier, during tbe found them 10 miles north of the camp The provisionswere to be loadedin the down and wheeledat last into the Che- stormy nines of the French Revolution; on the Tioga. He spendthe day with them canoesand womenand children were to be nlung and the men also acceptedtheir and he had thereby neither improved his and the next day went on down the Tioga. broughton pack horsesand the empty tedious travel along the share, emerged morals nor his f ortune. He made no from the wilderness and beheld with joy Near the junction of Crooked Creek and the wagon horses. rhe little cabinsclustered around the scruple, by way of amusing his guests, of Tioga, where the Borough of Tioga now is, boasting of his boldfaced villany-- there Berczy left the next morning for Painted Painted Post.26:- he encountered one Petit Roberts who had Post on horseback. He had to abandon his was no one of the ten commandnaents settled there. This was the first settlement horse before he got to Lindldy's and go by The Germanswere through with road which he had not specifically broken, beyond Kyles. Forty-three miles of uninhab canoe because waters were so high and the building. They had been anything but a time and time again.With the habits of ited wilderness lay between them. path was so covered by snow that he could howling success.If it had not been for the old soldier, he had little disposition Here Berczygor a shock.He learnedthad not find it. At the end of the second day Patterson and the 30 American axemen they [o get his living by tilling rhe ground; nothing was provided at Painted Post ex- he got to Painted Post where he hired all would not have accomplished neat what they and found rhe military mode of pillage cept b;ef catde.He bought and coaxedall rhe canoeshe could get and sent them to did, and they would have probably perished much more to his taste.He raised no oats. the flour and meat Roberts had [o provide Robert's to bring down the women, child- at Canoe Camp. They spent the winter at but always charged travellers f or the use f or the 15 choppers whom he expected ren and the baggage.On December5 the Painted Post and moved on the next spring of his troughs, and for sleeping before would soon be along with Patterson. entire contingent arrived safely at Painted [o Williamsburg. Their attempt to settle his fire. Whiskey was the staple com- On he went down the Tioga, acrossthe Post and without mishap, except for the and colonize on the Genesee u as a complete modity of his house, serving both as merc Cowanesque, until he came to Colonel baggage in one canoe that had capsized failure. It was a series of misunderstandings, and drink. Many of the early emigrants Eleazer Lindley's, who had settled about 2 Berczy greeted them with open arms.zo charges, counter-charges, lawsuits arid riots [o the Genesee country drove their young miles across the Pennsylvania line in New But to go back to Canoe Camp. Fortuna- Suffice [o say that it cou]dn't ]a$t long. In cattle along. There was a wide ti.ack tely Bcn Patterson left some account of 1793, gradually they found their way in of some fearful tornado, not far from York State. Lindley confirincd Roberts' story Anthony's house,in which he had con- aboDEthe lack of provisions at Painted Pose what happened. The following is quoted small groups acrossthe border into Canada. By this time Berczywas in a towering rage from McMasters History of Steuben County Miss Helen Cowan,uho made the most trived to cut an openspace, with a nar- and soundly berated Williamson to Lindley. He found his people in utter despair. thorough study of '(williamson and the Gen- row passage into it; making a kind of Back to Roberts he hastenedwhere he found They lay in their tents bewailing their esee country, reaches the conclusion that unseenpen. To this spot the cattle of his guestswere very apt to stray,in the his 15 choppers and Patterson had already misfortune and said that the Englishman this whole scheme was an impossible one arrived had sent them there to die. He had sent under frontier conditionsat that time--that night. In the morning the poor emigrants On his way down to Lindley's he had been a ship to Hanaburg,he had enticed them Willianason couldn't fulfill Colquhoun's were hlmting, far arid near, for their informed by a settler that one Henry Starrett from thai: homes,he had brought them promises, and that Berczy was unable to cattle, with Anthony for their guide; but who lived near Newtown. New York, and over the oceanon purposethat he might realize that fact.27 on such occasions he never happened to who should have 1000 bushelsof thrashed send them out into the wilderness to But to get back to rhe road. As we have mink of the windfall wheat and rye. Berczy dispatched Patterson starve. They refused to stir and begged seen,the wagon road was completed by the The unsuspecting guests, after [wo or by canoedown the Tioga to Starrett to see Patterson to let them die. But he was Germans to the Tioga at Blossburg in rhe three days of fruitless search, Rould leave, if he could get the grain and have it shipped even yet merciless. He blustered about fall of 1792. Williamson tells it was paying roundly for their detention, and to Painted Post. Hle then went up stream without ceremony,cut down the tent-pole completed clear to W ilJiamsburg, New York instructing the old scotmdrelto hunt the cattle. and when found. to write to a to his camp on the Tioga. All the women with his tomahawk, roused the dying to by August 1793.28it could not have been and children had by this tilde apparently life, and at length drove the whole colony much of a road--really it was nothing more certain address, with a promise of reward abandoned the blockhouse on Pine Creek to the river bank. Chana carawayand a poor one at that. An for his trouble. Anthony never had occa- (Liberty) ance rejoined the others on the Worse and worsen When the Germans old gentlemanwho cameover the road in sion [o write; but it was always remarked I'ioga (Blossburg). He stayed here 4 days saw the slender canoes they screamed In carly day saysrhe treeslooked as if they chat lle kept his smokelaousewell supplied 10 T H E J O U R N A L 11 with what he called elk-meat.When or and wonderfullyadapted to bring the Fhe favorable publicity which this fluenced the customs. institutions and tone where he caught the elks was never atnazing hemlocks, pines and other pro- contact brought Agent Williamson was of theSociety of CentralNew York known. SaDIe lone travellers, who stopped duce, to markets on the tide waters. After immediately reinforced by the appearance For 30 years it was the great thorough- at his house, it is strongly suspected, ascending and descending a very formid- )f h\s Description ot tbe Genesee Conntr} fare betweensouth and west New York never reached their intended destiny able spray (sic) of the Allegheny This pamphlet of five letters reached and central Pennsylvaniaand it contributed t100.''JU mountain, we arrived at Dotson's on the South by a meanswhich contempor- more toward the settlementof that country The next one was probably at Peters Mud Creek. (Next day they went on to aries describe merely as 'runners'. Changes than any other one thing Bath Lake) Camp, now Blossburg. This was Berczy's in Maryland and Virginia economy com- It seems appropriate before we conclude, blockhouse on the Tioga. It uas first kept (November 19, Returned) Pi.acceded on to the PaintedPost. Crossed the bined with the piece of advertising [o take a final glance at the hero of the by a worthlessfellow by the nameof l [o send into the Genesee country piece--Charles Williamson. As a promoter Gaylord ar)d afcei: 1802 by Aaron Blass.3i Col)octon, Canistiere, Tioga and Cown- caravans of settlers which filled Agent he was an unqualifiedsuccess, but as a Benjamin Ives opened a tavern where the esky . . . Next morning (Nov. 20) rode Williamson with pleasureand the New business man he was a failure. He was W'illiainsonroad crossedthe Tioga River [en miles to breakfast, then for twelve England backbone of population with lavish in his expendituresfor improvements miles saw no human inhabitants: but the at the presentday village of Tioga in 1794 amazement and sometimes disapproval and purchases of land, and lax in his ex- He sold it to a Thomas Berry who stopped country was inhabited by wolves, deer Since Patterson's scouts cut the first tensions of credit to the settlers. He also thee:eon his way to the Geneseecountry lnd bears, which their numerous paths gashes for the new road, Pennsylvania becameheavily involved in his own personal from Maryland in 1796. It WRS conducted in the snow abundantly evidenced. Also, and New York pioneers had seen nothing financial aff airs. All the Association had by Berry and his widow for nearly40 years. for several days, we het with no animal foodbut venison.We calledat half like this. Their furniture, mahogany, tools, [o show for the ten years attempt to colonize The first voting place in Tioga Township, clothes piled in great wagon)s,drawn by was debts. In 1801 the Association replaced Lycoming County, which then comprised all dozen houses to buy some bread, to sup- twenty or more horses,one family of Williamson with Robert Troup, a lawyer of present Tioga County, was established port us through the wilderness, but could forty persons, white and colored advanced at this tavern.3z and an able businessman.Robert Troup not obtain a singlecrumb;--the inhabi- up the road from Maryland, across Penn- by careful management,ultimately paid oif tants generally subsisting on mush, made sylvania to New York State. Rumor all the Association's debts ar)d showed them We have an accountof a trip over the of corn beat in a mortar Williamson Road by one Jacob Lindley in spread through the backwoods of mighty a profit by the year 1812.36Williamson i79.7 which gives us some idea of what it We i-ejoicedto take our leaveof the bivouacks of migrating Southerners, one returned to England in 1803, insolvent and was like. The following is an excerpt from waters of the Tioga, having ascended hundred persons, thirty wagons in one estrangedfrom his wife. In 1805his father this jo«mal them for upwards of thirty miles, and encampment. That the natives begrudged died and he inherited a large fortune which 'October 18, 1797 . In the after crossedit twelve times in twenty miles the newcomersthe deer,fish and birds put him again on easy-street and enabled Then encounteredthe rugged Alleghany they took as they 'flanked it ' beside the noon proceeded along a road to Lycoming, Mountains, to the famed Block-house. Fed him to pay off his debts- He died 3 years then took a northerly route . Arrived lumbering caravans seem probable. Cer- later, in 1808, from an attack of fever while at Kyle's before sunset, having passed our horses, and called for supper, which tainly the restless Southerners enjoyed on shipboard enroute for Cuba on a mission through two little towns, one on the east was served up; coffee, without cream, rhe exciting variety of the new frontier for rhe British government buckwheat cakes, without butter: and lands side of Lycoming Creek, called by thee What more fitting memorial could we name. and the oehei: on the west side. venison broiled, without gravy. Over it came the Fitzhughs and the here in Pennsylvaniahave for this able and called Newberry. Next day, being the 21st. Set out at break of day; ascended Carrots of Virginia and Maryland, and over energetic man than by contirluing to call fourth of the week.we set out after find descendeda very large rugged moun it carle Colonel Nathaniel Rochesterwho a part of one of our countries main arteries rain, to Trout Run, the head source of break of day we travelled a rich was to found the city of Rochester,New of transportation--the Williamson Road valley for seven or eight miles, then as- Lycoming Creek; which stream we fol- York.as Over it also marched troops during cendedand descendedseveral f ormidable lowed to its junction with the west rhe War of 1812 APPENDIX Allegheny hills, over mire and stones, branch of Susquehanna, thence crossing It is doubtful if many of these early At this late date it is impossible [o trace and rourld about huge trees, chat had been the Loyal Sock, we proceeded to the hos- emigrants stopped in Pennsylvania especially the courseof the old Williamson Road as blown up by the roots eighteenmiles, pitable mansion of our kind friend, in the first twenty years. Towns along rhe Samuel 'Wallace."33 it was originally constructed with mathe- [o the Block-house. Refreshed there. and road, particularly in Tioga County, were matical certainty went on, over very miry, stony,rough, Few emigrants cameover tile road during slow in developing. Peter's Camp, or Bloss- However, from a combination of old rocky and hilly roads, to Peters Camp, a its four years. But in 1797 the threat of an burg, had no more than a tavern until maps, contemporary documents, and an ex- feeding place on Tioga River. Thence Indian War had abatedby reasonof the 1826. There was no village in Mansfield Battle of Fallerl Timber and after Wil- amination of the ground, a pretty fair descending Tioga branch, our road was until the 1820's.The sameis true of Cov- approximation can be made. True, we have much improved, through exceedingly liamson's intensive advertisi1lg campaign ington and Liberty. rhe original survey, but that was made rich vallies,amid as high toweringpines throughout the East and South had its effect, It is hard to estimate the value of this before the road was constructedand we do and hemlocks as I ever beheld. The man they cameliterally by the thousandsfrom great improvementand its advantagesin know that it was not followed in its entirety where we lodged said he had measured New Jersey, Nlaryland, Virginia and Penn- the next few years[o this country.It by the road makers.37The original survey them upn'ards of two hundred feet in sylvania.This continuedfor the ncxt opened up for settlement millions of acres shows it as starting at the Loyal Sock and height. several years. of land in westernNew York and northern going over the hill to Lycoming Creek to Thence, we proceeded down the Tioga, Helerl Cowan describedit in her Biog- Pennsylvania. It saw a great influx of emi- a point just south of Powys, but mac this crossed the Cowensky, Canistiere, and raphy of Cllarles Williamson.34 She said at grants from the South who mingled willa was riot constructed at the time is evident Cohocton, each larger than Brandywine, p2tge 229: tllose from New England and thereby in- from Berczy's Journal.38 12 T H E J O U R N A L 13 1. 0rsamus Turned ' -- History of the Pioneer A road of sorts already existed from che bridge and kept on that streamabout Covington, Canoe Camp to Mansfield its Settlement of Phelps and Gorham Purchase Newberry to Powys (Kyles) when Berczy a rnilc or in che vicinity of Five Mile course with perhaps slight alterations is (Rochester, 1851) p. 128. ind his men arrived. This road was cleaned rhe present main highway, or Route 15. Its Hollow.4S Here it crossed the stream again 2. Helen 1. Cowan Charles Williamson, Gen- out and used as part of the Williamson course was thad of the railroad. It crossed esee Promoter -- Friend of Anglo American Road. This was undoubtedly the old Indian to the castside.46 it kept on the eastside Corey Creek lust east of the railroad bridge Rapprochement, Rochester Historical Society Trail. That an old Indian trail followedup of Five Mile Hollow to Deep Hollow, where going up on higher ground f or half a mile, Publications Vol. XIX (Rochester, 1941) p. 3 it turned west into that hollow and started then coming down and crossing [o the west 3. Turner, op. cit. p. 136.Co'wan, op. cit. p. 3. Lycoming Creek is shown on several of the [o zig zag for about a mi]e up the last steep 4. Turner, op. cit. p. 139. return of surveysin the Land Office in sideof the fiver. It kept on the west side 5. Turner, op. cit. p. 163 pitch to the top of Laurel Hill. After it for another half mile re-crossing opposite 6. Cowan, op. cit. p. 4. Harrisburg. reached the top of Laurel Hill it followed It probably began near route 220 in the old Asa Mann Homesteads3 and fol- 7. Cowan,op. cit. p. 5. the present forest road about 2 miles along lowed the old township road ( now vacated), 8. Cowan, op. cit. p. 13 Newberry or ' near the western end of the rhc plateau of that hill by the present three tenths of a mile north where it joined 9. Cowan,op. cit. p. 21 bridge on Memorial Avenue in Newberry Laurel Hill Rod & Gun Club. Opposite this 10. Cowan, op. cit. p. 23 rhe presentmain highway,or Route 15. lc 11. Documentary History of New York, Vol. ll and followed generally the present main camp stood an old tavern which burned road up Lycoming Creek for a little more kept on this seventenths of a mile to its (Albany, 1850) p. 658 thana mile to a point almosta quarterof dowd as recently as 30 years ago. Its foun- intersection with Legislative Route 58044, 12. Pennsylvania Statutes at Large, Vol. XIV, dation can still be seen.A few yards beyond which it followedhalf mile into the village P. 301. a mile south of the first bridge across 13. Documentary History of New York, Vol. ll this hunting camp it bore off easterlyfrom of Lambs Creek. In the center of this village Lycoming Creek, where it bore easterly and P. 658. present first road, crossing it again about it leff Route 58044 which turns East, and crossedthe creeknear the foot of the moun- a iy2mile beyondand a short distancedown 14. Cowan, op. cit. p. 63 tain.39 it followed close to the mountain continued on a township road north through 15. Letter of William Wilson to Governor Mif. che north slope of Laurel Hill. After the village of Lambs Creek and close by the elin, October 30, 1792. Original in Pennsylvania for about a mile when it again crossed crossingthe road it bore northwesterlyfor Department of Public Recoi'ds,Harrisburg, Penn- Tioga for three quarters of a miie54 where sylvania. Lycoming Creek near the Hayes House.40 about fifty rods, then swung to the north- it crossed to the west side of that river. It It rejoined the present highway here and east and dropped gradually down the north 16. DocumentaryHistory of New York. Vol. ll followed it another mile or more where it kept on this westside for about 2 miles, P. 658 slope of the hill for about half of a mile, where it re-crossed about half a mile south 17. This agreement set forth in "The Williamson again crossed the creek at .Hepburnville. It and near the bottom of the hill turned north of the mouth of Mill Creek.SS From here Road '' by Kline D'A Engle. Proceedings of then followed the old macadam road through Northumberland County Historical Society, Vol. for about a quarter of a mile and came on it proceeded northwesterly and crossed Mill rhe village of Hepburnville all the .way [o Xll, P. 85 (1942) to the southern intersection of a township Creek much nearer co its mouth than the ].8. Memorandum of Charles Williamson dated Cogan Station. From here it followed pretty road and Legislative Rouge41122 at Moun- August 20, 1793as quoted in Kline D'A Engle closely the present railroad track,4i crossing present road s6 and intersected the present tain School.Here it crossedroute 41122 OP. cit. P. 96 Lycoming Creek to the west side near the and went north along the township road township road about a quarter of a mile 19. Letter of Robert Morris to Charles William- Halecka Club and still followed the course north of that stream,which it followed a son as quoted in Kline D'A Engle op. cit. p. 93. a quarter of a mile until it again intersected mile and a half and crossedthe Tioga River of the railroaduntil it recrossedto the East route 41122. It then f ollowed this route, 20. Comn)ission in the Department of Public into Tioga Borough near the present Records, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania side of Lycoming Creek at Powys.4Z which is a blacktop,north over Jew Hill bridge.S7 it was at this crossing on the 21. Bill of Commissioners to the Commonwealth. It was at Powys where the construction and down into the Borough of Liberty, the north side where Berry's Tavern)stood. After Original in the Department of Public Records, of the Williamson Road really started,and site of the old Blockhouse, where it crossed Harrisburg, Pennsylvania here it was that Kyle lived and where the crossing the River it went almost duc north 22. See Article by Dr. T. Kenneth Wood, ''Ob- U. S. Route15. 47it left Liberty up on the along the main street of Tioga for I arid servations made by John Bartram in his Travels Germans built their first camp. From Powys present township road by the Cormllunity one half miles and crossed Crooked Creek from Pennsylvania to Onandago, Oswego and Lake it f allowed generally parallel to the present Building and on over Shaffer Hill, where Ontario in 1745'' in Now and Then. Vol. V, p. 89. road up the west side of Lycoming Creek practically at its mouth.S8 After it crossed 23. Winters Tavern stood on West Fourth Street it joinedU. S. Route15 a half mile South this creek, it followed the present Township in Williamsport, Pennsylvania between Rose and as far as the Valley of Trout Run, a disrancc of the village of Sebring. From this point road down the west side of the River until Cem.etery Streets of about 4 miles, although slightly highe! to the top of Briar Hill, or BlassMountain, it intersectedRoute 15 at the southern end 24. Letter of Charles Williamson to Mr. Har- as it is now known, it f allowed almost ex- up on the hill than the present route 15.43 of the Borough of Lawrenceville.SO From rison dated November 2, 1793as quoted in Kline It turnedup the Valleyof Trout Run actly the presentRoute 15. 49From the top there it kept on this route which is also D'A Engle op. cit. p. 96 and crossedtiiat streamabout 300 rods of Blass Mountain it followed generally the 25. Kline D'A Engle op. cit. p. 96. the main street of the village a distanceof 26. The foregoing account of the construction from its mouth. It also crossed the present present road for about 2 and one half miles three quarters of a mile until it crossed ingo of the road and Berczy'spart in it, unlessother- Route (U. S. Route 15) at about the same where it bore off to the east and crossed New York State. xx,isenoted, is derived from the Journal of distance from the mouth of Trout Run and Bellman Run, near where Long Run flows William Berczy,the original of which is now in From here it went dou'n the Tioga to MontrealUniversity Library, and which was followed parallel to it, about 20 feet higher into it. It then gradually dropped down hill Painted Post, up the Cohocton through Bath edited by A. J. H. Richardsonand Helen 1. Cowan up on the bank, northerly f or about 2 miles folloxx'ing the side of the mountain for al- and pul)lashedin Vol. XXll Rochesterllistorical to near where the present highway crosses most 3 and one half miles until it crossed to Cohoctorland Wayland,and over the Society Publications (1942).Photostat of variant Trout Run.44The oid road can still be seen the Tioga a few yard! south of its con- hill to Dannsville, up the east side of Cana- copy is among collections of Pennsylvania Hlis- fluence with Coal Run. Here was built seraga Creek co its confluence with the torical & Museum Commission at Harrisburg, Pa is one drives along route 15 when the 26a. As quoted in W. W. Clayton's "History leaves are off the trees. It was still used Peter's Camp orl the East side of the River.SO GeneseeRiver, where the town of Williams- of Steuben County, N. Y." (Philadelphia 1879). From Peter'sCamp it followed down the burg was built and which was its terminus. 27. Helen 1. Cowan--''Williamsburg Lost Village as a highway until rhe concrete road was In ]804 much of this road was relocated built around 1921 or 1922 present main street of Blossburg arid crossed on the Genesee '' Rochester History, July 1942. The old road alsocrossed to the west the Tioga again at or near the present bridge uld mltrly <)f rhc river crossingswere cliril- 28. Documentary History of New York. Vol side of Trout Run about 40 rods north of in the cellterof town.51Frottl heretllrough inated.60 11, P. 658. 14 T H E J O U R N A L 15 29. Turner, op. cit. the confluenceof Coal Run 'with the Tioga River. 30. Sherman Day Historical Collections--1840 51. The original survey in the Department of P. 625. Public Records at H.arrisburg, Pennsylvania show,s AN UNHONORED HERO 31 Sherman Day Historical Collections -- 1840, the road as going on the east side all the way P. 625. down the Tioga River until it crossedneal' the by Clark B. K.ahler 32. History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania. by present borough of Tioga. However, it is this Jol)n MeginnisBi'own & Co. 1897,p. 506. investigator's opinion that it crossed the River in the Borough of Blossbui'g near the present While cleaning che attic, which was gave mc was one of the most amazing and 33. Jacob Lindley's Journal as printed in Pub- highway bridge in the center of town. The plot lications of the Buffalo Historical Society, Vol. as filed with the roadpapers in the Courtof littered with old papers and trash, my unusual ones I have ever heard. While the VI, P. 169 ff. Quarter Sessionsof Lycoming County, Pennsyl- curiosity was arousedby the finding of a old man talked, I was busy writing notes 34. Cowan -- Charles \williamson, p. 229. vania showing the alterations of 1804shows the letter. It was addressed to Mr. Volney Shaw, of the information he gave. Here was the 35. Cowan -- Charles Williamson, p. 230, 231. road crossing the Tioga whet'e it does now, as of Muncy, Pa. and was from Hon. Edgar very thing that was needed and eagerly 36. Cowan Charles Williamson, p. 293. does the 1816imap of Tioga County. It should 37. Beiczy's Journal, op. cit. p. 163. R. Kiess, then Congressman from our dis searched for also be noted in this connection that in Jacob tract 38. Beiczy's Journal, op. cit. p. 159. Lindley's Journal as cited in the text he speaks From personsmentioned by Mr. Whit- 39. Reading Howell Map of Pennsylvania 1792 of crossing the River 12 times from Peters Camp: The contents of that letter seemed to mire, the samefacts were related.and I Map of Lycoming County dated 1817in Pennsyl- or Blossburg,in the 20 miles immediatelynorth. vania land office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. puzzle mc and learn lnorc about the mean- finally contacted CongressmanKress. Mr. 40.Return of Survey of Warrant recorded in 52.The original survey in the Land Office at ing of its contents-Since both iden were Keiss was very cooperativewhen he learned Land Office copied surveys Vol. F. at page 227. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania shows this road to be known to me, it mademe feel that here of my interest and about the old letter. 41. Return of Survey of Warrant issued to practically the same as the present highway. The presentroad follows the highest ground in was something worthwhile. He immediately referred to his correspon William Webb for 3081Xaaci'es dated July 17, the valley betweenthese points and would be dance files and furnished line with verifica 1786 and recorded in Book D-26-288 The following quote is taken from the don of the facts at hand. and further 42. Reading Howell Map of Pennsylvania--1792. the natural locationfor the old road. letter, "We have examined the File Records 53. History of Tioga County published by \V. \V. 43. Berczy's Journal p. 159 and Draft of the of the War Deparunenc, and have the name. explained the situation regarding the pension Road beginning at Loyal Sock Creek, leading Munsell & Co., New York, 1883at page 287.This problem involved is the only evidencethat could be found about The Bureauof Pensionsinforms me that thence to the 109th Milestone on the New York Realizing that here was one of the most State Line. 1792 -- Original in Turnpike Papers this part of the road. The original survey does you are not entitled to a pension.However in the PennsylvaniaDepartment of PublicRec not show this road as crossingthe river in the I shall try to have a bill brought before amazing accounts of military service, and olds at Harisburg, Pennsylvania townof Mansfieldbut it doesshow it did not rhe House to Justify your case,as soon as fully documented, ic would be a shame to 44.Return of Surveyof Warrant No. 648dated go straight through the town as it does now possible." The letter was signed, "Edgar R. let it pass unnoticed and untold, I will pass 1793 on file in the Land Office at Harrisburg, 54. The records among the road papers in Kress. on the facts as I learned them Pennsyjvania Tioga Countyshow that no road was opened During the Civil War, JeromeShaw, a 45. Return of Survey of Wai'rant No. 5668, dated to the east side of the side hill where the present For thosewho do not know Volney Shaw brother to Volney, was drafted into the 1794on file in the Land Office at Harrisburg, road goes prior to 1853. he was a very ' well known and familiar Pennsylvania. 55. Return of Survey of Warrant No. 5260dated armed service of our. country. He answered 46. Return of Survey of Warrant No. 5667dated 1802in the Land Office at Harrisburg, Pennsyl. characterof Muncy, Pa. To me he was one the call and passedthrough his period of 1794 on file in the Land Office at Harrisburg, vania of the old timers of the town, and many training as requiredat the time. Beforehe Pennsylvania 56. Road papers in the Court of Quarter Ses- times he had been seen marching in the was to be sent into action at the front. 47. The course of the road along the top of sions of Tioga County, Pennsylvania for the year Laurel Hill, down the north slope and into ranks of the G.A.R., as they paraded on he was granted furlough to return home, 1819. A plot is among these papers showing Memorial Day to the cemetery. Liberty was shown me by Bela Brion, an aged both the old road and the alter'anon. chat he might arrange affairs and any other resident of Liberty Township, Tioga County, 57. The original survey in the Department of Memories of those scenesmade me won- chinas important. This was the common Pennsylvania. Francis Roupp, Emerson Brion and Public Records, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania coin- der why Mr. Shawwas not entitled to a 1:.helate Frank Snyder also gave invaluable aid cides almost exactly with the present highway practice of the day, and his arrival was a in ti'acinigthis part of the road. The block house road betweenthese points. pension, so it was decided to seek some of surpriseto his family and friends. stoodon the westside of Route15 on the site 58.Original Survey among tile Turnpike Pap- his friends if possible,and learn more about Neighbors upon learning of his arrival, occupiedby residencesof the late Frank Snyder ers. This coincidesu,ith the presentroad. him. Sincehe wasdead and only a couple held a welcomehome party for him, at the and Fred Snyder 59. Original Survey among the Department of of his intimate friends remained. the task 48.This was the only road leading north out Public Records, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Shaw home Hc was a very popular young of Libertyup until the constructionof the con- long standing tradition. of learning the truth was discouraging. inal] and the party lastedquite late that crete road around 1921 or 1922. 60. A plot showing alteration is among road Years passed by and then at a time and night. Tired from travel and the party, 49. Return of Survey of Warrant No. 1176dated papers for the year 1804 in the Court of Quarter place, least expected, the reward came ro Jerome retired before all the guests ladd 1793 on file in the Land Office at Harrisburg: Sessions of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania me while or] a good deed mission.While departed.However Volney, a much younger man. remained with friends and talked 50. This road between the top of Blogs Moun- AC KNOWLEDGME NTS making a sickroom call upon Mr. Charles tain and Blossburg has been changed and altered Dr. Paul Wallace of Annville alas been most Whitmire, who was living with his daugh- about his love toward his brother, Jerome; so many times that it is difficult to tell exactly helpful in my attempt to trace the course of ter, at Elimsport, Pa., I had mentioned the and that it would be a shameto send such where the original road was. The course as the old road, particularly in calling my attention Shaw house in response to a question. The a fine fellow into combat, and perhaps be cited here is based upon the original survey to the Warrant Surveys in the Pennsylvania killed. in the Department of Public Records, Hlarrisburg, Land Office in Harrisburg. old gentJetnan immediately became alert Pennsylvania. That it crossed the Tioga River I cannot adequately express my debt to John and ask about the home he had often After cbe friends had departed,Volney several rods south of the present highway bridge W'ittoft for his trouble and time in the prepara- visited as the friend and guest of his old Shaw went upstairs to go to bed. As he in tile soutlaend of Blossburgis clearlyevident tion of the map of the road accompanyingthis pal, Volney Shaw. went into his room. there he saw Terome from the map of Tioga County dated 1816 and article. on file in ithe Land Office in Harrisburg, Penn- I also 'wish to thank Miss Helen1. Cowan for her Reca[[ing the letter, ] asked Mr. Whitmire in deep slutnber, and his unifonn carefully sylvania, as does the map of Tioga County pub- kindnessin permittingme to quotefrom her if he could give me any information upon hanging on rhe pegs against the beds'oom lisltcct by 11. F. Wailing in 1863. These maps show book ''Charles Williamson, Genesee Pi'ontotel '-- rhe military record of Volney Shaw, or wl)y wftll. Tlaen a thought cameinto his mind that the road crossesthe Tioga River south of Friend ol Anglo American Rappioachement. he was tlcnicd a pension. TI)e account he lnd as rhe family slept, Volney lllade :1 16 T H E J O U R N A L 17 decisionthat that night was very rare in- demanded proof of his claim, it sounded point: To have granted legislation [o open regardingthe man.His son Harry of Phila- deed. [oo fantastic to believe. rhe case. under such circumstances. would delphia,having decidedto pay his father Shedding his clothes, he dressed in the His company officers and many of his have set a precedence and a loophole, a surprise visit, went to the hospital and brothers uniforiaa and gathered up his army comrades gladly made affidavits, that he whereby unscrupulous persons could make madeinquiry. He had not seenhis father papers.Then quietly he wrote a node,which was rhe Juan who had servedwith them like claims. And in the years to come, f or some years, but he knew he was in the he pinned to his own clothesand hung in during the various battles; chat they knew would or could cost the government great institution. He was askedif he wantedto rhe place of his brothers. The note wns the Jerome Shaw, who had been granted sums of money in claims and litigation. see his father:, [o which he replied, yes. found the next morning telling of his de furlough but had not returned. They seated Thus Volney Shaw was never given a He was seatedand in a short time was told cision, and thad he had departed for his chat this was the man who had returned pension, due to a technical error, although that if he had been a few minutes later it brothers regiment, to answer for combat and had answered to the name of Jerome he servedwell his country in a very critical would have been impossible. His father was duty, in place of Jerome. Shaw at roll call in his place. Many friends period,at the time of the Civil War. dead and was about to be buried by them. The Shaw family now faced a serious and neighborsin the town upon learning Even the declining years of this [nan, The son then claimed the body and ar- and perplexing problem. Volney was gone of his plight, made affidavits adnaitting Volney Shaw, seems to me to have a touch ranged burial at Danville, Pa. His son re with the uniform and military papersof their knowledge of this substitution of sadnessand defeat in them. His children called trac his father had been a member jerome, and Jerome could not return with- The case was carefully investigatedby did not care or look after him, and his of the 1.0.0. F. Lodge,so contactedthat out facing arrest and perhaps courtmartial rhe government and the facts as stated in honk was sold. while he was committed organization there, and the old gentlemen trial. If Jerotne did noc return, he would the affidavits were acceptedas true, bur to the DanvilleState Hospital. Not for was given burial in the Odd Fellows be classedas a deserterand could be shoe rhe presence of the real Jerome Shaw was reasons of insanity, but feebleness and for Cemetery, with lodge services. However he or imprisoned. necessary to substantiate his claim. Jerome want of care. He died at mis institution was not given a military burial, buc the brother that he substitutedwas. and rates The family decided the best course was WASdead, nor could any affidavit be made some years later, at a ripe old age. to remain silent upon the matter, until by him A rather odd circunastance appears again, the American Flag. Volney returned or was heard from, since Proof of the death of Jerome Shaw was substitution was common and permissible. demanded by the Pension Bureau, which After awhile came a letter. Volney had was promptly furnishedthem. Here the arrived in Jeromes company; was answering case mct with a decision. for into the in Jeromesname at roll call, and was in Pension Records was written the proof of Lycoming Clounty Post Offices active combat duty at the front the death of Jerome Shaw, a pensioner and ?Alvira. 1857 Level Corner, 1893-? (Goldenrod.) Back home Jerome took to civil life the case closed against a grant #Bastress.1867-1904. Level Corner, 1832-1845.(Linden) again, but the real facts were kept a sceret Volney now turned to his Congressman, Balls Mills. 1859-1874. Little Pine Creek, 1844-1856. by the Shaw family, f or fear of the con- che Hon. Edgar R. Keiss, in hopes that he Beaver Lake, 1899-1906. Lords, 190-2-1905 sequences; while the friends and neighbors might be able to secure some kind of legis- Bellewerd,1878-1879. Lucullus, 1905-1917 Cook it to be merely a case of substitution lation to reopen the claim. Mr. Keiss ex- Billman, 1881-1887. (S. W'mspt. ) Lungerville, 1896-1907. for the brother. amined the Records of the War Files. which Black Hole, 1836-1853.(Monte.) Mengwe, 1892-1903. Throughout the war, Volney allswered contained the service records under the name #Bodineville, 1867-1887. Mott. 1893-1905 for Jerome Shaw, and at the close was of Jerome Shaw, and forwarded them to Brompton, 1901-1922 Nippono, 1893-1894. honorably discharged, under the salnc name the Pension Bureau. Again affidavits and Brookside. 1885-1924 Nippenose, 1.857-1891 of his brother. Even af ter the war was records were produced; and Congresstnan Burlingame, IS86-1903. North Mountain, 1881-1913. over and Volney was back home again, the Keisstried to get a bill passedin the House, Carpenter, 1871-1904. Oakville, 1838-1839.( Ralston) Shawfamily kept meir secret,and no one to enable a legal claim to be made, but Chemung, 1890-1905. OpP, 1887-1937 was any wiser, about what had actually the bill was refused. Thus no pension was #Chestnut Grove. 1867-1875 Otter Run, 1875-1879. happened. ever granted to Volney Shaw for his service Cogan House, 1867- Palo,1898. (1 yr.) Years passed and pensions were granted to his country,in the time of wars. #Collomsville. 1867-1933. Perkinsville, 1854-1857. (White Pine. ) to veterans, and Jerome Shaw received his Mr. Keiss explained that the Pension Corsons. 1854-1861 Phillipsdale, 1898-1900 pension. Not until af ter the death of Jerome Bureau had taken the stand, that Jerome Clinton Mills, 1853-1860.(Monte.) Ramseyville, 1890-1914. did Volney reveal the true circumstances Shaw was legally dead, and as such was Crescent. 1871-1874. Redburn, 1893-1915. of his military service.Love and devotion f orever closed. Had Volney Shaw made Day, 1883. ( I yr.) South Williamsport, 1888-1903. f or his brother had kept him silent. Now known to his officers at the start of his Engleton, 1889-1890. Smiths Mills, 1831-1833.(Moreland.) it was different and Jerome could not be service as a substitute, or had he answered Farragut, 1888-1903. Steuben, 1893-1912. harmed [o his own nameat roll call. his casewould Funstonville, 1852-1855 ( Lairdsville. ) Standard, 1881-1887 Volney Shaw was now much older, his have been granted. Glen, 1913-1918. +Texas, 1867-1878 wife had died. his children all married or The Congressmantold me that the various Goldenrod. 1893-1903 Tombs Run, 1867-1903. away from home, and he was alone and departmentswere well satisfiedand con- Grays Run, 1891-1911. Uceter, 1881-1887 failing in health. He petitioned the gov- vinced by the truthfulnessof all the affi- ) Haneyville, 1867-1879 White Pine. 1867-1933 ernment for a pension, stating rhe true davits and statements regarding the service Harbor Mills. 1885-1898 Wilson, 1896-1900 facts regarding his scrvicc. Tile War anti of Volncy Shaw. However, the naaln rea- Hepburn, 1889-1906 Pension Departments doubted h;s story and son f or not allowing lbs gr2tnt was this Kellyburg, 1869-1933. best. Prior to 1867 18 T H E J O U R N A L 19 Shrewsbury Township was renamed by came down the Loyalsock near Hillsgrove Sullivan County Post Offices TheophilusLittle, that being the township Major Theophilus, then 70 years old, moved wherethe Little family camefrom in Mon- from New Jerseyto EaglesMere. His wife, Birch Creek,1875. ( I yr.) Murray, 1906- mouth County. At that time it embraced Mary Po[hemus, died the same year, 18]5. Colley, 1867- Muncy Bottom, 1867-1875 the whole of what is now Sullivan County. He died in 1825. They were buried at Newell, 1892-1,897. Coreytown, 1894-1895. On July 2, 1804, Joseph Priestley, wife Eagles Merc with all their children except Davidson, 1867-1887. Ogdonia, ]890-1893. Elizabeth of Noi:thumberland deeded to Thomas Plunkett, 1871-1885. EaglesLake, 1900. ( I yr.) Theophilus Little for a "paid consideration The glass factory planned by George EaglesMere, Chautauqua.190 1-1903 Piatt, 1887-1908. of $6750all the tractsof land lying on the Little wasnever a success.How couldit Emmons, 189)-1910. RingvilJe, 1879-1894. waters of Loyalsockand Muncy County be, located far from markets with poor roads Lake Run, 1877-1900. Sciotavale, 1908. ( I yr.) containing 4,000 acres.These deeds are re- to haul goods?Those men were old for their corded in Lycoming County Court House, time--nearing 70 years. Of course they Williamsport. The same day, July 2, 1804. dreamed dreams" that never came true. If he deededto Little's nephew,Peter Knots they could see EaglesMere and the Loyal- JUNZ 26, i959 been a John and Thomas in every genera- Dear Mr. Housel of Shrewsberry,N. Y., 1051acres adjoining sock Valley now, it would not be as they tion--way back in Scotland.Also the Theo- had dreamed. philus was often found, though lately that Major Little's purchase for $1576. Also on I just want to say how much I enjoyed July 2, 1804, Priestley deeded to John G the tour last week. You are a good leader. has been dropped. My husband was John, One writer said of Judge John, ''He was Holmes, who had married May Little's the owner of several thousand acres of While we stoppedat the Priestleyhouse-- nay son Thomas and grandson John. niece (Mary Knock) 600 acres near the land, a grist mill, and' saw trill, twelve you asked if I would write something about Col. John Little and his son Judge John Little purchase.These tracts total 6iS-l the relationof the Little family in their were both appointed as Judges of the court. or more negro slaves, considerable livestock acres. and other personal property. He was knoll n travels to Joseph Priestley. When lgot They were devout-ScotsPresbyterians--who as the "rich Little home, I read in our history "Little family believed in religious as well as political After makinghis purchasein 1804,Major from Monmouth County, New Jersey, freedom. Serving as officers in the colonial Little returned to New Jersey where he I've neverknown any other Little to have began to dispose of his properties. His two or covet that title. However, they are aJI n,ritter by Donald C. Little of KansasCity wars against the French. In the old Tumanc sons Daniel and Tobias came with their whosefather Edward Little of Abilene. Kan- Church at Freehold indy still be seen the comfortable and self supporting. Not many are on farms sas had gone to Scotland to look up some church record showing John Little, Trustee, families and set up a saw mill and began inf ormation about his ancestory--Mr. Ed- also the pews of the Littles, Longstreets, [o improve the land. Of the five sons, they All this wasbrought to hind whenI ward was at trac time a congressmanand ind Knotty. In the State house at Trenton were the only ones to stay on the land. John heard the Priestley lecture neverhad the book publishedso after his we found the will of John Little. came down to Muncy Valley, near Sones- SusanH. Little town. Thomas stayedin Penne.only a short death,his son Donald,an attorney,who is Now why am I going back to all tllesc time. then went to Granville, Ohio, where 816 Diamond Street also interested in family history and tradi- things--just being reminded by the talk tions came last and visited the "Kin f oaks' at Northumberland, about Priestley? his descendants still live. Theophilus Jr. Williamsport, Pa here. Then my daughterand I went with As early as 1799 Mayor Theophilus Donald to New Jersey,spending four days Little (son of Judge) in company with visiting old churches at Freehold, Shrews- George Lewis of New York and Joseph berry, Allentown-Museums at various places, Priestley made an examination of lands in DEDICATION OF going over the placesnumbered in the Lycoming County, Penne. It has been said records from Perth Amboy along the east that George Lewis, who was investing OF ALLSAINTSCHURCH coastto Barnegat.Wc evenwent to old money in America for capitalists, Joseph cemeteries near the old Presbyterian church- Priestley, who had purchased many thousand November 4, 1893 es that had beers established by the early acres in this area, and Major Theophiltis Littles--ar one place we found they were Little originally intended to found a settle- The dedication of the All Saints Mem- Trinity EpiscopalChurch: Messers. Mer- improving" (?) the church lawn and had ment around Lewis Lake, now Eagles Mere, orial Church. corner of Scott and Beaver riman. Hon,ard.Nielson. Nelson Smith, taken up some scones-The minister said Pa. The immensestands of timber were screeds,took place last Wednesdaymorning Bentley, Wagner, Beck, Williatns, and Can I help you? Does Tobias Polhemus to be cut and floated down the Loyalsock The church, as the tablet on the right of Crocker. mean anything to you?" We counted back ind Muncy Creek. Factories were to be the chancel indicates, was erected by Mr. Mr. Nielson read the request to conse- four generations and said "yes." He was built on the lake: settlers were to be en- W'illiam Howard in memory of his wife, crate the church. The Bishop read the first our great, great grandmothers brother." The couragedfrom New Jerseyand from Eng- Mary Woodward, and the lot upon which part of the consecration services,after which book I)onald had published was principally land. This settlementwas to bc the county che church stands was donated by Mr. Rob- Rev. Mr. Foley read the sentenceof con- of the Littles from about 1700 to 1812.The seat of a new country ert Nielsen in memory of his wife. The secration. Rev. Mr. Rex of Renovo opened later oneswho came to Lycoming County Apparently Major Little was encouraged chul:chis a precrystone building, not vei:y the services. The lesson was read by Rev. Mt. are written about in a copy now being in their investment by his brother-in-Jaw large, but well arranged, and the whole Mulf ord of Danville. Rev. George C. Foley prepared--The work of a committee of John Col)nelly a director of rhe Second properly is valued ac $9,000 made a few remarks. and the dedication which.Jean Little is a part: it is a long Bank of the United States.In 1814.Little At ]0:45 the Right Reverend Bishop sermonwas preachedby Rev. Mr. Wood of story of Jolla Lirrlc, Sr. a.td then John, Jr. clccdcd 900 acres of his purchase to Coiiitclly Rulison entered the church, preceded by Lock Haven. Bishop Rulison then addressed lnd Thomas. By rhe way, there has always for $1478. the following gentlemen, Vcstrymcn of the congregation 2'0 T H E J O U R N A L

NEW MEMBERS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1959-60

Mr. and Mrs. Guy M. Baldwin, Laporce,P.t. Miss Olive Moyer, 347 Academy St. wil- Misses Margaret and Carol Barker, 1205 liamsport, Pa Locust St., Williamsport, Pa Mr. W. Clyde Mussina,1022 W. Fourth Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brunner, 319 So. Main St., Williamsport, Pa St., Jersey Shore, Pa. Mr. Charles M. Nail, I E. Central Ave., Mrs. David Busey,t31 Bennett St., V7il- So. Williamsport, Pa liamsport, Pa. Mrs. Helen Gann Snyder,7 Holmhurst Avc Mr. and Mrs. Zehnder H. Confair, ]327 Coatesville 28, Maryland. Race St., 'Williamsport, Pa. Mr. ThomasP. Gerber, 172I Williams Road, Mrs. Will. Spangle, 1000 Woodmont Avc., Williamsport, Pa. Williamsport, Pa. Dr. and Mrs. R. M. Gingrich, 500 Higllland Mr. CharlesSpuler, 1212 Cherry St., Wil- Terrace, Williamsport, Pa. liamsport, Pa Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Heim, 112 So.Broad Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Thomas, 1515 Ryan St., Montoursville, Pa. Ave., Williamsport, Pa Miss Aileen B. Hendly, 416 Pine St. Wil Mr. George Walters, 1601 Warren Ave., liamsport, Pa. Williamsport, Pa. Mr. Richard W. Krinam, 820 Vallamonc Mr. Guy Wheeland, 1206 Shiffler Ave., Drive, Williamsport, Pa. Williamsport, Pa Mr. and Mrs. Von E. Mertz, 1947 Foy St., Mr. and Mrs. Willard L. Snyder, 1026 WiJliainsport, Pa. Rural Ave., W illiaialsport, Pa. Miss JessieMiddaugh, 94 Union Ave., Wil Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Donaclly, 700 Rural ]iamsport, Pa Ave., Williamsport, Pa Mr. and Mrs. James M. Morin, Cogan Dr. and Mrs. John C. Winter, 505 Hawth- Station, Pa. orne Ave., William)sport, Pa.

FROM THE WILLIAMSPORT SATURDAY EVENING REVIEW November11, 1893 SECRET SOCIETIES

PerseveranceConclave No. 114, Improved man,O. S. Kelsey,C. A. Byers,F. J Order of Heprasophs, which meets regu- Burrows. Samuel Wilson. F. E. Gleinl larly in the Alussina block on Market Street J. G. M. Long, J. H. Boyer, William Vickers is in a highlyflourishing condition. The T. L. Jarrett,William F. Mitterer,J. C order is pri)receiveand beneficial, safe and Kuntz, J. J. Galbraith, William M. DuFour sound in even:yrespect. Mr. Herman Hinck- M. D., William Slack, John P. Hilscher: ley is the Archon,and Mr. CyrusHeller Geri:ge F. Jackson,William H. Kilbourne is secretary.The following are the namesof Charles F. Fullmer. Peter S. Dentworth some of the gentlemen composing the order Louis G. Baker, M. D., W. H. C. Huffman in this city: G. W. Renninger,Jacob B. Russel J. Hlutchinson, Charles Harman Shultz,James B. Denworth, W. S. Ster- Austin A. Heller, William Neuschafer ner, DanielLongsdorf, J. P. Boush,J. N George E. Rentz, Mart H. Wirth, John W Kline. D. R. Forcsnlan,Paul Mcbride, Frank Villinger, William Ed Page,Albert A. Ditz Fullmer, W. B. Forest)an, Abner P. Fores- mar, JatncsTlaomas, Henry H. Villingcr