MONROE COUNTY. 1105
Big Bushkill rises in the vicinity of High CHAPTER IX. Knob, in Pike County, flows southeasterly of Greene township, in Pike MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP. through a portion County, into Barrett township, where it forms a
General Description.—This township is junction with the east branch of the Bushkill, bounded on the north by Price township and and continues its course southeast through Bar- Pike County, east by Pike County and the Del- rett, Price and Porter townships (the latter in aware River, south and southwest by the Dela- Pike County) into Middle Smithfield. It con- ware and Smithfield township, and west by tinues a southeasterly course through this town- Price township. It is separated by the above ship, and pours its waters into the Delaware at river from the State of New Jersey. The sur- Bushkill. face of the township is generally hilly and brok- Marshall Creek, named after the noted pe-
en. The soil in its southern portion is a rich destrian of the Indian Walk, Edward Mar- loam, with comparatively little stone and very shall, rises in the northwest part of the town- productive. Just north, in the vicinity of the ship, flows southerly, and running through
Coolbaugh settlement, is a limestone ridge, and Smithfield, empties into Brodhead Creek.
in its neighboring locality a slate deposit, though Pond Creek, which is an outlet of Coolbaugh not suiSciently rich to be worked. A strata of Pond, flows westerly in a parallel line with the red shale, extending from Pike County, also stage road and forms a junction with Marshall crops out in this vicinity. The soil in the north- Creek, at Marshall Creek Post-Office. Willow
ern portion is stony, and not adapted to cultiva- Creek rises north of Echo Lake and, flowing
tion. It is a fine timber-land, and has thus been easterly, joins the Big Bushkill at Shoemaker made available to settlers. Beech, chestnut, Post-Office. Long Shore Creek rises in the east- maple and oak, with some hemlock and pine, ern part of the township and flows southwest grow here, the most luxuriant growth being into Pond Creek, on land of Adam Overfield. that of the oak, which has been much in de- Shawnee Creek rises on the northerly side of mand for tanning purposes. In early years the Flat Brook Ridge and, flowing south to the vil- timber was cut and rafted down the Delaware, lage of Shawnee, empties into the Delaware. but modern railroad enterprise, has superseded Seeley Lake, more recently christened Echo this primitive method of transportation. There Lake, is located within two miles of the eastern was formerly considerable low-lands, which, by boundary of the township, and about one-fourth draining and reclaiming, has been made very of a mile north of the stage road. It covers an productive. The staple grains and grass grow area of twenty acres, is at the centre at least
in abundance, as also the principal fruits found forty feet in depth, and is fed by imperceptible elsewhere in the State. springs along the eastern bottom. Its waters In 1844 more than ten thousand acres of un- are remarkably clear. seated lands were offered for sale by the treas- Coolbaugh Lake, originally Jayne Lake, urer of the county to pay arrears of taxes and lies about two hundred rods west of Echo Lake, cost of sale. The populous portion of the town- and is fed by springs along its banks. Both
ship is chiefly confined to the southern section. these lakes abound in pickerel, perch and bass, Although extended in its area. Middle Smith- promoted by the enterprise of the Coolbaugh
field contained, in 1830, a population of but one family, who brought them at some cost from thousand, which was increased in 1840 to eleven streams and lakes in New Jersey. hundred and forty-four. The real and personal Middle Smithfield and the adjoining region property in 1844 amounted to |163,159. Its was the scene of many depredations committed present population is thirteen hundred and thir- by the Indians, from 1755 to 1764, which are ty-nine. treated of in Chapter IV. of this work.
WxVTBK-CoURSES. —The township abounds Early Settlemen't,s.—It is not possible to in streams, of greater or less importauce. The determine with certainty who was the first set- 110 :
1106 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA. tier in Middle Smithfield, though among the ty, New York, and passing through the Mama- earliest were William and Isaac Jayne, two kating Valley, established itself in the perilous brothers, who made the township their residence and wild region of the Minisink. William after having taken up several large tracts. Wil- Coolbaugh had ten children, namely : Moses, liam Jayne had two sons, Daniel and Peter, and born in Monroe County, Pa., died and was buried one daughter, Mrs. George La Bar. The sons at Wysox, Bradford County, Pa., February 22, both settled in the township, Peter having mar- 1814, aged sixty-two years. Cornelius, who ried Mary Bush and had children,—Isaac, Ann, married Sarah Everett, of New Hope, Bucks Maria, Lorinda, Henry, Daniel, Milton, Susan County, Pa., and is buried at Smithfield. John, and Caroline. AD of these are either deceased born September 14, 1760, died September 25, or have removed from the township. Daniel 1842, aged eighty-two years. Married by Rev. Jayne had one son Julius and two daughters, Elias Van Benschoten, September 14, 1788, to one of whom, Mrs. Daniel Bush, resides at Susannah, daughter of John Van Campen. Marshall Creek. She was born at Shawnee, October 23, 1758, John Dewitt came from Esopus to the town- died January 31, 1829, aged seventy years. ship and purchased five hundred acres of un- Her father, John, was a son of Col. Abraham cleared land formerly owned by a man named Van Campen, of Pahaquarry, N. J., whose his-
Humphrey. He was by trade a blacksmith, tory is given in the " History of Warren and and opened a shop on the land, burning his Sussex Counties, N. J." John Van Campen coal for the purpose near by. He had four married Sarah De Pui, and here was a mixture sons —John, Levi, Jacob and Cornelius—and of the Holland and Huguenot blood. They daughters Sarah and Elsie, the last-named son had three children besides Susannah, viz.
having died in early manhood. Jacob remain- Abraham, born September 8, 1769, died No- ed in the township and settled on his patri- vember 28, 1806, aged thirty-seven years;
mony, the property being now owned by his Mary, wife of George Bush ; and Blandina, wife grandson, Henry Dewitt. John Dewitt mar- of Henry Shoemaker, of Pahaquarry. William, ried Betsey Johnson, whose children were John, born at Smithfield, Bucks County, settled at Samuel, Jacob, Joshua, Maria, Elsie and Cath- Wysox, Pa., died in Yates County, N. Y., his erine. John settled on the homestead and mar- wife being Susannah Shoemaker. Peter settled ried Sarah Miller, whose two sons, Samuel and at Wysox, thence moved to Luzerne County, Henry, are resident farmers in Middle Smith- Pa., and died there. Hannah, who married field. a Mr. Tanner, had two children, Mark and Henry Shoemaker owned the property now Jane. Mark lived in Bucks County and died occupied by Frank H. Smith. He sold to about 1879. Jane died a short time before. George Michaels and removed to Warren Coun- Mr. Tanner died and Hannah married Silas ty, N. J. The Coolbaugh family were among Barton and had four children,—Britta, George the earliest settlers of the township. They were and Benjamin (twins), and William. Britta
of German origin and the name is said to be died in Monmouth Co., N. J., in 1873. George identical with Coolbrook. The original an- lived in Charleston, South Carolina, and was cestor in the country was William Coolbaugh, killed on a steamboat. Benjamin lived in a sea-captain, who married Sarah Johnson, and Philadelphia and died 1874. Hannah died and
first located in Hunterdon County, New Jer- was buried at New Britain, Bucks County, Pa.,
sey. Subsequently he removed to Monroe 1804. Benjamin, born at Smithfield, settled at County, Pa., following the tide of emigration Wysox, died and was buried there February 13, which worked its way through Bucks and 1815, aged forty-eight years, his wife being Northampton Counties to the valley of the Jerusha Runyan. Sarah married Aaron Mor-
Minisink, where it was met by and merged ris and lived in Philadelphia ; had four chil- with the tide of settlement which had left the dren,—John, Eliza, Ann and Hiram. She died old pioneer location of Esopus, in Ulster Coun- in 1847, and was buried in Monument Cemetery, ;;
MONEOB COUNTY. 1107
Philadelphia. Rachel married Christopher February 16, 1793, married, January 2, 1816,
Cowell of Wysox, and lived and died there. Margaret (born December 5, 1796), daughter of And Nancy who married a Barton, of Mon- Andrew W. Dingman (who is still living, the mouth County, N. J. last of her generation), operated a grist-mill, John Coolbaugh was the grandfather of the engaged in farming and had one daughter, Su- subject of thi.s sketch. He performed active sannah Van Campen, who became the wife, service in the Revolutionary War, and was January 25, 1844, of Rev. Andrew TuUy, a
present at the battle of Monmouth, New Jer- Presbyterian clergyman ; Sarah, married Wil- sey. After his marriage to Susannah Van liam Overfield, of Middle Smithfield, and left
Campen he purchased a tract of land lying a large number of descendants ; Hannah, mar-
priaoipally in what is now Middle Smithfield ried Solomon Westbrook, and had six children, township, Monroe County. His first residence (including John C, prothonotary of Pike Coun-
was a log house, which stood where George ty ; Margaret, who married John B. Stoll, of
Bush's barn afterwards stood. Sussex County, N. J. ; Hiram ; Lafayette, sev- In 1792 or 1793 he built the house now oc- eral times a member of the State Legislature
cupied by his grandson, Moses Frank Cool- Moses C, of Blooming Grove ; and Susan, who
baugh, which is the old homestead property of married William H. Bell, of Sussex County,
the Coolbaugh family. He was one of the N. J.) ; John Y. is the father of our subject most prominent and influential of the early Susan became the wife of William Brodhead, settlers, and at an early period was an associate of Pike County, and had Franklin, Sarah (who judge of Wayne County, which then included married Peter De Witt, of Somerville, N. J.) Pike and a portion of Monroe Counties. In John (a civil engineer in Kentucky) and Mary
going to and returning from court, at the old (who died in Milford) ; and Moses W., married county-seat of Bethany, he rode on horseback, Mary, daughter of John Nyce, of Pike County, and frequently rode for fifty miles without see- and had a large family, of whom William Fin- ing a house. His landed property stretched for ley subsequently became a leading banker in several miles along the old stage-road, and at Chicago. his death, in 1842, he left his children good John V. Coolbaugh, the father of Abram V., farms around him, and passed away as the was born, in 1796, on the old homestead. He in- patriarchs of old, surrounded by a large family herited many of the characteristics of his father;
and in the possession of a large estate, which was one of the first and for many years an he had accumulated throughout a long, active elder in the Presbyterian Church at Middle and busy life. He formerly owned the land Smithfield, and one of the successful and pros- upon which the present village of Bushkill perous farmers of his township. He erected a now stands. He was a man of good judgment homestead property of his own, where his son, and superior executive ability, kind and con- Andrew J. Coolbaugh, now lives, near the old siderate to his neighbors, whom he often assisted family mansion, and his house was always open in their troubles; of pious habits and inclina- to his friends and acquaintances. He avoided
tions, and closely identified with the material public office and devoted his chief energies to development of his section. He and his sons the promotion of the welfare of the church and were the virtual founders of the Presbyterian congregation of which he was a member. He Church of Middle Smithfield, and the -early died in July, 1874. He married Mary, only meetings were held at his house. His door was daughter of Andrew Eylenberger, of Middle always open to the stranger, and his hospitable Smithfield township, and had children—Eliza- home became a sort of public-house, at which all beth, wife of Charles R. Peters, of Bushkill • worthy people might stop without money and Andrew J., who occupies the home farm, now " ;" without price. His children were Abraham known as Willow Grove Abram V. ; Sarah v., Sarah, Hannah, John V., Susan and Moses who married Darwin E. Martin, of Bradford Susan, W. Coolbaugh. Of these, Abraham V., born County ; who became the wife of Daniel 1108 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.
Peters, of Middletown, Pa.; Vaia Caiupen, self upon a farm of his father's, near the Pi-es- who resides Rev. at Middletown ; Cornelia B., resid- byterian Church, and now occupied by ing on the home farm with her brother ; Mar- Mr. Van Allen. There he resided for eighteen garet D., wife of Luke W. Brodhead, proprie- years, engaged in farming, lumbering and sur- tor of the Delaware Water Gap House ; Moses, veying, which latter vocation he has steadily residing at Pittston, Pa. ; Emma, wife of Rev. followed since 1846. Since that period he has Charles E. Van Allen, pastor of the Presby- surveyed extensively in Pike, Monroe, Wayne
terian Church of Middle Smithfield ; and James and Bucks Counties, in Pennsylvania, and C, who died in August, 1885. Warren County, New Jersey, and at one time Abram V. Coolbaugh was born on the orig- owned over four thousand acres in Monroe and
inal family homestead October 8, 1822. He Pike Counties. His present landed possessions passed his boyhood on his father's farm, attend- cover some three thousand acres. He owns ing the neighborhood schools in the primitive and operates a saw-mill on the Big Bushkill, in log school-houses of the day, and subsequently Pike County, and farms in Porter township, engaged in teaching for a few years himself. that county, and Middle Smithfield, Price and After reaching manhood he remained with his Barrett townships, Monroe County. In April, father until 1856, and in December of that year 1876, he moved to Stroudsburg, where he has married Jane W. Freese, step-daughter of John since resided. He has erected a great many H. Wallace, of Milford, and established him- saw-mills, school-houses and private residences, MONROE COUNTY. 1109 and (lone niueh toward the material develop- John Tokn, the younger, was born on the ment of the county. He has never aspired to farm where he now resides, in Middle Smithfield public office, but has always been a regular at- township, July 23, 1821. He was reared upon tendant of the Presbyterian Church, and a his father's homestead farm in Middle Smith-
liberal supporter of that and other worthy in- field, and enjoyed the benefits of only a common- stitutions. He is a man of character and has school education. From the age of twenty to
never used tobacco or liquor in his life, nor that of twenty-three he assisted in running a taken a dose of medicine. He has enjoyed the raft on the Delaware River to Philadelphia, delights of hunting since boyhood, and has and then rented the home farm for ten years brought down many a fat buck or doe with his and entered upon the life of a farmer. He
unerring aim. In this connection it may be subsequently became the owner of the farm, mentioned that he has become a successful tax- and has continued to reside thereon since 1844. idermist, having acquired the art for the pur- He has confined himself strictly to legitimate pose of preserving some of the choice specimens farming, avoiding speculative enterprises of all he has secured. His children are three in num- kinds, and what he has acquired of this world's
ber, namely : Lizzie, residing at home ; William goods has been from the production and sale of C, professor in the commercial department of the fruits of the soil. He has added by pur-
Pennington Seminary, New Jersey ; and Annie chase to the original tract, and now owns about Coolbaugh, at present attending Claverack Col- two hundred and twenty-eight acres of good lege, Columbia County, New York. A son, land. His residence was built by his father in
John C, was instantly killed, August 8, 1883, 1832, and the barn in 1833, and together with by a gun-shot while out hunting with a com- the other improvements of the farm, has been
panion in Ohio, and is buried in the family plot kept in good repair by him. No man in the in Stroudsburg Cemetery. township enjoys a higher reputation for upright- John Turn emigrated to this country with ness of character and sterling integrity than Mr. his parents, and about 1790 was bound out to Turn. He has always avoided political prefer- George Bush, of Shawnee, to learn the trade of ment, though a consistent supporter of Demo- a carpenter and cabinet-maker, and was the cratic principles. He has been a member of the
first undiertaker in the township. At a late Presbyterian Church of Middle Smithfield since
date he purchased eighty acres of land in early manhood, and is at present an elder and the township, to which he added from time liberal supporter of that church. He married to time until he possessed one hundred and Ency, daughter of Melchior Depue, and has seventy acres, now the property of his son nine children, namely—Henry, who I'esides in John. He was a hard-working, industrious Wyoming County, Pa.; Sarah, wife of Edward
man, of a peculiarly reticent and taciturn Bush, of Marshall Creek ; M. Depue, residing
nature, indifferent to the holding of public in Middle Smithfield ; Samuel, William D.,
office, but ever ready to defend himself George B., Frank, Elizabeth and Charles R. against insult and oppression. He was one of Turn.
the first two elders of the Middle Smithfield Melchior Depue came from Warren County, Presbyterian Church, of which he was one of N. J., and located on the farm now owned by the founders, and with which he was closely Joseph Overfield. He married Eliza Gon- identified until his death. He married Julia saules, of the same township, and had children Ann, daughter of Henry Shoemaker, of Warren —Ency (Mrs. John Turn), Sarah (Mrs. Dim- County, N. J., and had children,—Elizabeth, mock Overfield), Samuel, Moses, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Samuel Miller, of Wy- William, Henry and Philip. William Depue
oming County, Pa. ; Henry S. (deceased) ; John, is a resident of Pike County. Two daughters,
living on the home farm ; Samuel S., of Mrs. Turn and Mrs. Overfield, reside in the
Naples, N. Y. ; and Blandina, who married township. Emanuel Miller, of Smithfield, and is dead. Robert Hanna settled on a farm near Seeley —
1110 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.
Lake. His children were Isaac, Robert, Beuja- of Jacob Place, married Mary Overfield and niin and several daughters. Robert married has eight children—John M., Jacob, Morris and had children, of whom Benjamin formerly R., Lydia, Eliza, William, Sarah and Martin, resided in the township. of whom John M., resides in Blairstown, N. J. George Michaels, on his emigration from Isaac Quigley came from Trenton, N. J., to Germany, settled in Forks township, Northamp the township and purchased the farm now ton County, Pa., and later purchasing three owned by George Walter. His children were farms in Middle Smithfield, located, with his Elijah, Isaac, Robert, Samuel and one daughter. three sons,—Peter, George and John,—on the One son, Elijah, now in his ninety-first year, spot now the house of George M. Michaels. John resides in the township with his son-in-law, Michaels married a Miss Suable, of Northamp- Charles Strunk. He married Mary Bunnell, ton County and had children,—George and whose children were four daughters,—Eleanor,
John > and eight daughters, of whom "three re- Jane, Mary and Catharine,—all of whom are side in the township,—George, Lydia (Mrs. residents of Middle Smithfield. John M. Overfield) and Kate (Mrs J. H. Jonas Hanna purchased a farm in the Eylenberger). The grandsons of Peter Mich- northern portion of the township and married aels, now residents of Middle Smithfield, are Barbara Mann. Their children were Benja- Peter and Andrew. A son of George Michaels, min, Hiram, Jackson, Philip, William, Charles, named John, now in his ninety- fourth year, John, Susan, Ellen, Mary, Betsey, Sally and resides in the State of New Jersey. Susan, of whom William and John still reside in Joseph Gonsaules, who was of Spanish birth, the township. John married Elizabeth Castard, first settled at Bushkill. One of his sons, and now resides with his children. William Emanuel by name, married a Miss Utt, whose married Elizabeth Overfield and has seven children are Samuel, Margaret (Mrs. Cort- children. right) and Emanuel. The last-named removed Paul Overfield, on his emigration from Ger- to the township and located on the farm now many, first settled in New Jersey. Prior to owned by his son, Emanuel H. He married the Revolutionary War he removed to Middle Sarah, daughter of William Cortright, of the Smithfield, and located on a farm situated upon same township, his children being James, the banks of the Delaware, now the property Samuel, Elizabeth, Anne, Margaret, Mary, of Samuel Dewitt, where he died and was Susan, Emanuel H., William and Sarah. buried. He had children—William, Martin, Three of these—William, Emanuel H. and Paul, Benjamin and two daughters, Mary and Susan (Mrs. Martin Overfield) —are still in Sarah. Martin married Elizabeth Utt, of the Middle Smithfield. same township, and had children,—William, James Place, who was formerly a resident of Paul, Adam, Mary, Sarah and Samuel. Of Esopus, N. y., settled on a farm now owned these, Sarah (Mrs. John Mosier), now in her by Martin Cortright, where his death occurred. ninety-fifth year, resides in the township. He was united in marriage to Phebe Winans, Adam, who has passed his ninety-first year, whose children were Jacob, William, Rebecca, married Mary Harman, and has children, Rosanna, James, John, Mary, Eleanor, Isaac, William, George, Martin, Moses, Frederick, Ann and George. Jacob, whose birth occurred Adam, Elizabeth and Rebecca, all but two of in 1786, settled on the farm now owned by his whom reside in the township. Mr. Overfield son, Martin Place, having married Mary Over- still occupies the old homestead. field, whose children are Eliza, William, Sarah, Jacob Shoemaker, who came from North- Rebecca, Martin, James and Mary Ann. Mr. ampton County, married Hannah, daughter of Place died at the early age of thirty-five years. Rudolphus Troch. His children were Jacob, John Place, brother of Jacob, married Martha Charles, James, William, Andrew, John, Bunnell, and located on an adjacent farm, now Emanuel, Magdalena, Sally Ann, Helen and owned by his son Benjamin. Martin, the son Jacob. Mr. Shoemaker settled at Shoemaker —
MONROE COUNTY. nil
P. O. One son, Andrew, and two daughters in Buffalo, N. Y., and a daughter, Hannah, Sally Ann (Mrs. Philip Peters) and Helen wife of Peter S. Williams, of Stroudsburg, who (Mrs. Samuel Dewitt)—still reside in the town- has one child, a daughter, Lena. ship, the remainder of the family being either John Smith, the son of Isaac Smith, and the residents of other localities or deceased. Near grandson of John Smith, removed to Middle the house of Mr. Shoemaker is the farm of Smithfield in 1839, having purchased a farm George Peters, whose wife was a Miss Miller. on the banks of the Delaware. He married Their children are Henry, John, Jacob, Philip, Elizabeth, daughter of Aaron Hankinson, also William, George Washington, Daniel and of Middle Smithfield, and formerly of New several daughters. John, Philip and George Jersey. To this union were born three children Ay. still reside in the township. —Frank H., George H. (deceased) and Martha, John Pipher was formerly a resident of North- wife of Frank C. Bunnell. Frank H., who ampton County, and on his arrival in the town- resides on the homestead, married Mary, daugh- ship settled on the farm now occupied by his ter of Daniel Brown, of Smithfield, and has granddaughter, Mrs. Van Horn. His children children—Louis B., Nelly, Edward F. and were Samuel, .Jacob, John, Sarah (Mrs. Smith), May. Julia (Mrs. Smith), Elizabeth (Mrs. Place) and Eaely Roads.—The first settlements in the Loretta (Mrs. Walton). Jacob married Julia township were made along the banks of the Transue, whose children are Horace H., a resi- Delaware, and, as a consequence, the earliest dent of Stroudsburg ; George, who resides in roads were cut through the forests in that por- the township ; two sons, who have removed to tion of the township. One of the first, if not other localities ; and two daughters. the first, was in early times used as a bridle- Rodolphus Smith resided in a log house in path. It followed the river from Bushkill to
Middle Smithfield before the French and Shawnee, where it diverged to the northwest Indian War. During that conflict his family and pursued a direct course to Stroudsburg. fled to New Jersey for safety, and on their re- Another road, known as the Minisink road, turn resided in a cob log house built by him. or the Milford and Stroudsburg road, ran from His children were Catherine, wife of Anthony Bushkill southwest through Smithfield town-
Van Etten ; Maria; Jemima, who removed to ship and thus on to Stroudsburg. the West ; and James. The latter, an only son, A highway known as the Middle road was a farmer in the township, married Lydia Bert- laid out about fifty years ago, having for its rand, daughter of Daniel Bertrand, an early objective points Bushkill and Shawnee. At settler, and survived until her one hundredth the latter point it intersected the river road. year. Their children are Rodolphus, David, Several roads connected the river road with Daniel, Samuel, Simon, Benjamin, Jonas, John, the Minisink road, among which was one William, James, Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Van beginning at the residence of John Turn, cross- Why) and Jane (Mrs. John Stuart). All the ing the Middle road and terminating at the sons with the exception of Jonas, who removed farm of Frank Coolbaugh. to the West, located in the vicinity of the home- A road starting at Moses W. Coolbaugh's stead. runs northeast to Pike County, and is still used Dr. Thomas Grattan emigrated from Ire- as a mail route. land in the year 1832, and settled in IMiddle The Coolbaugh road runs north from Cool- Smithfield township, where he began tiie prac- baugh Post-Office to Coolbaugh's mill, in Porter tice of his profession, that of medicine. By township, Pike C!ounty, and intersects the old his marriage to a Miss Jackson were born two factory road in Price township. sons—Frank and Matthew George. Frank Villages and Post-Offices.—There are married a Miss Jackson and Matthew George no settlements that may be dignified by the was united to Miss Mary M. Shoemaker, to name of villages in Middle Smithfield. The whom were born a son, William, now residing hamlet of Maple Grove, in the southeast part 1112 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONKOE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA. of the township, consists of a tavern, kept by of the mill a direct line until it reaches the saw-mill late the property of William Wells, Esquire, thence Jacob H. Place, a store, by Samuel Turn, a a due northwest course until it intersects the northern grist-mill, by Jacob Place, and a few dwellings. line." It has no post-office, most of the inhabitants Which report was read and confirmed by receiving their mail at Bushkill. the court on the 12th of August, 1794. On the Nearly three-quarters of a century ago, 11th of November, 1794, the court named the through the influence of John Coolbaugh, a township so cut oS Middle Smithfield. By the act post-office was established known as Coolbaugh erecting Wayne County, Middle Smithfield Post-Office, the commission as postmaster having township was divided, and the part thereof set been held by various members of the family off to Wayne County was to retain the original until the present time, when Rev. Charles Van name Middle Smithfield. Allen has the appointment. The mail was Middle Smithfield, as it existed after Wayne carried in a sulky, drawn by a single horse. County was erected, extended from the Dela- Some years later a two-horse conveyance was ware River to the Luzerne County line, with added for the accommodation of the lumbermen an average width of five and one-half miles, on the Delaware in making their return trips. being bounded southward by Northampton As the lumber business increased, greater facili- County and northward by Delaware township. ties for travel became necessary, and the owners Its boundaries remained unchanged while it of the mail route from Easton to Milford, via was a part of Wayne County. the Water Gap, about 1828, placed on the route Expense Account for 1793-94. —The fol- an elegant coach drawn by four sleek horses, lowing account of John Coolbaugh for the di- and accommodating from twelve to iifteen vision of the township of Lower Smithfield, passengers. Notice of the arrival at postal was laid before the freeholders of Middle Smith- stations or points for changing was given by
field : blowing a bugle, the melodious sound of the 1793. £ s. d. horn being a source of no little concern to Nov'r 4. To one day myself and horse go- men, women, and especially children, as the ing about with petition 10 imposing vehicle approached. " 15. To cash paid the lawyers 3 To my attending court same time Another post-office is located near the Pike 4 days 14 County line, and known as Shoemaker Post- Expenses 1 17 6 Office, with Shoemaker as postmaster A. J. A Interest on the aboxe sum until general store at this point is kept by Simeon March, 1796 19 7 Decker. 1794. Jan'yl6. To my time,4 days, goingto court, 1 4 Organization.—In the year 1794 Middle To my expenses same time 17 6 Smithfield was erected from the northern part Orders paid for 15 of Lower Smithfield. The following facts con- Interest for same till March, 1796, 7 9 " cerning its erection are taken from the court 26. To cash paid Surveyor 3 To 2 chain-bearers 2 5 records of Northampton County : " 2 Cutters passing line 2 days, 1 " Oa the 12th of August, 1794, Samuel C. Seely, " Cashpaid&Order of Court... 9 John Biddis and Hugh Forsman, who were appoint- " 3 Qts Spirits 9 ed by the court at April Sessions last, upon the peti- " 1 day going after Surveyor... 10 tion of the inhabitants of the upper district of Lower " Boarding the hands 14 Smithfield township Commissioners to view the said township and report whether it would be expedient £19 8 4 to divide the same, and if so, in what manner, made re- The following amount was allowed by the
port : That a division is highly necessary, and that freeholders of said township, April 3, 1796, the division line begin at the north of John Van £1 5, 3s. Od. Camp's mill-creek, and that the creek be the line un- Civil List.—The list of township officers for til it runs up to the tail-race of said Van Camp's grist-mill, and u|) said nace until it strikes the west Middle Smithfield from the year 1 840 to the
end of the mill, and thence from the westmost corner present time is here given : MONROE COUNTY. 1113
JUSTICES OF THE PEAQB. J. H. Place 1876 A. Overfield 1882 1876-78 Samuel Turn 1884 James Gunsaules 1840-56 Emanuel H. Gunsaules... 1861 Rudolphus Schoonover.... Benjamin Place 1885 Simeon Schoonovor 1845 Michael Kintner 1866 Moses Strunk 1879 Franklin Anglemoyer 1881 J. H. Eylenberger 1850-65 Daniel C. Clark 1870-76-81 Rudolphua Smith 1850-55 iC. Strunk 1880-85 John Clark 1860-65-75 Bueial-Places.—A very old burial-ground eCHOOL DIRECTORS. is located on the farm of John Turn and was Jacob Shoemaker 1842 JohnDewitt 1860-65 formerly in use by the Dewitt family. John Henry Albert 1842 Frederick Oyerfield 1860 Timothy Van Why 1843-48 Charles Walter 1862 Dewitt and wife, his two sons, Cornelius and K. Smith 1843 John Place 1863 Levi, the wife of Jacob Dewitt, and one Parker William Clart 1844 Samuel Pipher 1863 George Peters 1844 John June 1864-74 are buried here. John Willis 1845-70 Simon Bush 1864 is on Martin 0. Mosier 1845 ErastUB Eilenberger 1865 A burial-ground equally as old situated JonasSmith 1846 W. Overfield 1865 the Jacob Michael farm, and many of the older John Smith 1847-49 S. D.Bush 1866 Chailea Shoemaker 1847-59 llenry Miller 1866 members of the Michael family find here a last John 1848 Hoffman Samuel Decker 1867 resting-place. A number of re-interments have Jacob Tetter 1848 Philip M. Peters 1868 Barnet Walter 1848 Wm. M. Overfield 1868 been made from this ground, and the bodies re- Christian Pennell 1848 Emannel G. Mosier 1869 moved to the cemetery connected with the Budolphus Smith 1843^9 H. B. Frutchey 1869 JohnW, Wells 1849 George W. Peters 1870 Lutheran Church and elsewhere in the town- Moses W. Coolbaugh 1849 LeviHofflnan 1872-B4 ship. J. H. Eylenberger 1849-68 Charles Abbit 1873
Frederick Eylenberger. . 1849 John Terpenning 1874 The ground known as the Cemetery of the Henry Albert 1850 MilesOverfleld 1876 Adam Overfield 1851 Henry Bush 1875 Presbyterian Church embraces a lot given by the Emanuel H. Gunsaules.. 1850-51 Moses Overfield 1876 Jaynes family, to which an additional tract was John C. Strunk 1851 Alfred Miller 1876 Barney Decker 1852 Daniel Custard 1877 added by the Coolbaugh family, and three acres Charles Shoemaker 1852 Byron Wood 1877 subsequently purchased by the congregation. Jeremiah Mackey 18.54 M. V. Coolbaugh 1878 Webb Wallace 1854 Joseph Woolbei-t 1878 It is neatly inclosed, and now the principal A. J. Coolbaugh 1853 Alfred Albert 1879 place of interment in the township. It is the JohnMichaels 1853 Alfred Miller 1879 George W. La Bar 1865-56 John Overfield 1880 burial-place of the Jaynes family, the Cool- Francis K. Dunbar 1855 Samuel Strunk 1880 baughs. Bars, Henry Overfield 1866 M. T. Turn 1881 La Frutcheys, Piphers, Places, J. W. Kintner 1856 James J. Place 1881 Quigleys, Hannas, Overfields, Turns and Martin Place 1856-67-72 Fi-ank Van Gordon 1882 Charles Wagner 1857 E. G. Mosier 1882-83 many others. Jonas Place 1857 Samuel Strunk 1882 Early Schools.—Very little can be said JohnHanna 1858-77 Jacob Place 1883 A. V. Coolbaugh 1858 Henry Place 1884 of the educational interests of the township at Solomon Walter 1859-62 Mason D. Cortright an early date. There were very few schools, of TOWNSHIP CLERKS. an inferior grade, and these were sustained al- Samuel H. Smith 1843 Michael Kintner 1865 George W. la Bar 1844^-45-46 John M. Eylenberger. ..1864-66-68 most entirely by a few leading families of the S. G. Shoemaker 1848-49 72-73-74-76-76-77. township. The school buildings were small, Andrew I. Coolbaugh 1850-51 Charles W. Angle 1869-80 Charles Decker 1852 John Place, Jr 1870 uncomfortable and frequently built of logs, in the J. H. Eylenberger 1853-54-65 Benjamin Place 1878-79 most primitive fashion. Under these circum- 56-58. Michael Miller 1881 John Fern 1857 John Demmick 1882 stances it was not unusual for the inhabitants to John Coolbaugh 1859-60-61 F. B. Overfield 1883 secure a teacher and donate a room in their E. H. Shoemaker 1862-67 A. J. Coolbaugh 1884 own John Eylenberger 1863 Samuel Turn 1885 more attractive dwellings to purposes of instruc- ASSESSORS. tion. The earliest teacher remembered was one John Hanna 1840-54 William Frankenfield 1858 MasterChesuey, who exercised a vigorous disci- XeviDewitt 1841 Emanuel G. Mosier 1860 Samuel 6. Shoemaker 1842-44 Moses Overfield 1861 pline in a school-house that stood on the farm of M, G. Grattan 1843 Obadiah Townsend 1862 John Turn, his Peter Michael 1846 Miles Overfield 1863 services having been secured by E. G. Gunsaules 1847 Amos Schoonover 1864 subscription. At a later date a school-house was Jacob Van Auken 1848-66 Daniel Coss 1865 built Rudolphus Smith 1849 Jacob Bush 1866 on the same farm, then known as the De- 1850 John Turn William F. Bush 1867 witt property, and the school taught at various James Place 1851 E. H. Gunsaules 1868 Martin Place 1852 M. D. Cortright 1869-70-83 times by two brothers named Hoffman, one of Michael Kintner 1853 Philip Depue 1872 whom, named Charley, was a man of exceed- Washington Overfield 1866 J. M. Eylenberger Rouse 1857 William Graver ingly convivial William D. 1874 habits ; he indulged, however, 111 :
1114 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONKOE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA. only during the vacation periods. Moses Depui, Peter Michael Henry Stringer 86 Geo. J. Michael Jas. Swallow a man of fine attainments, also officiated in this John Michael John Transue 20 school-house. Paul Overfield 45 Elias Transue 25 school A building was erected at an early Martin Overfleld 25 Peter Trach 50 date one-half mile from the residence of Frank Gabriel Ogden 30 Jonas Turner 55 Coolbaugh, the school being for some time David Ogden John Took 35 15 Jacob Vanauken....;. 50 taught by Mason Dimmock, a young man from Robert Patterson Joseph Pennel 80 Casper Vanauken 30 the State of Connecticut. Jas. Place 256 Benj. Vanauken 80 A very early school was opened at Maple Peleg Place 4 Herman Vanauken Grove, on the Pike County line, the original Peter Quick Jas. Vanauken 80 building being now a part of the dwelling of Philip Riggs 70 Moses Van Camp 8 Simeon Schoonover. Jos. Reamer Henry Vandemark.... 10 Abram Reamer Henry Van Why 30 The school territory of the township is now John Landers 25 John Van Etten 50 divided into ten districts, which are presided (cooper). Elizabeth Wills 42 over by seven male and three female teachers. Rodolphus Smith 30 Jacob Winans 10 The number of scholars on the roll is two hun- Wm. Smith 50 Matthias Winans (weaver). dred and twenty-eight, and the average attend- DanielSmith Rodolph'sSchoonover 80 Jas. Winans 25 ance one hundred and thirty-nine. Jas. Stringer 5 Isaac Winans total of tax levied in the town- The amount Jas. Smith Peter Welfelt ship for school and building purposes is $1,206.- Philip Shrawder 60 (smith). 70, and the State appropriation $281.86. The Benj. Stringer amount paid in salaries to teachers is $974. Single Men. Taylor. Tax-List foe 1796.—The following is a Henry Mack. Wm. Valentine Boyer. John Taylor. list of taxable citizens of Middle Smithfield for Andrew McCauley. Rudolph Kintner. 1796, together with the lands and occupation. David Bartron. John La Bar. Those not otherwise designated are presumably Chas. Van Why. Samuel Depue. farmers Henry Man. Wm. Depui. ACEER ACRES. Abstract of Gentlemen's Land. Anthony Asiah 20 John Doley ACRES (tailor). John Dewitt 75 Jacob Stroud 1080 James Barton . 20 Nicholas Depue 250 Benj. Depue, Esq 200 Daniel Barton . 60 Cornelius Depue 100 Gabriel Ogden 400 Christian Eisenberger 40 Isaac Tielman 200 (millwright). Azel Fields Dr. Tobias Hirt 800 Wm. Bensley . 10 Samuel Gonsaules 30 John Jarvis 400 (weaver). Benj. Gustin 30 Joseph Morris 200 Israel Bensley 10 Benj. Hall Samuel Rees 200 Henry Biles (carpenter). Dr. Thomas Burton 170 (weaver). Benj. Hanna 30 Dr. Thomas Burton, land discovered Benjamin Bunnel . 70 Robert Hanna 25 and sold him by David Jayne 6800 Gershom Bunnel . 60 Jesse Horrenton 5 John Bunnel John Hoagland 18 Tax-List FOE 1840.—The following tax-list Geo. Brotsman 20 Richard Horton for 1840 gives the names of property holders John Chambers .150 John HuflF. 4 in the township at that date : Moses Chambers Isaac Jayne 75 John Carton Ebenezer Jayne 55 James Alleger. Isaac Beckley. Jas. Cortright David Jayne 75 Michael Arnst. Joshua Brink.
Solomon Casebier . 15 Wm. Jayne 45 John Arnst. Barnet Bunnel. Henry J. Countryman Sara Jayne George Ace, Sr. Jacob Buys. Isaac Countryman.... Conrad Kristner 50 Peter Ace. David Buys. John Cortright Geo. Labar 80 Simon Ace. Philip Buys. Wm. Cortright 15 Philip Man 50 William Ace. Wm. Brodhead. Susanna Countryman Jas. Murry John Ace. George Bush. Henry Countryman... 30 Geo. Michael 230 Edward Beloof. Jacob Bush. MONROE COUNTY. 1116
John Beloof. Emandus Gunsaules. James Newman. Daniel Schoonover. John V. CoolbauRh. Emanuel Gunsaules. John Nely. Jacob Stroud. Wm. Clark. Samuel Gunsaules. John N. Overfleld. John Shoemaker. Jacob Cuntraman. James Gunsaules. John Alderman. Leonard Shoemaker. Benjamin Cortright. George Grabe. Henry Overfleld. Jonas Smith. Abraham Cortright. Jacob Grabe. Peter Olbert. Wm. Smith. Samuel Cortright. Thomas Grattan. Philip Olbert. Simeon Smith. Moses Cortright. Matthew Grattan. Henry Olbert. Jacob K. Smith. Daniel Cortright. Jonas Hanna. Joseph Olderman. Wm. Smith. Cobea Cortright. Chas. M. Hanna. W. Overfleld. John Smith. Benj. Cramer. John Hanna. Adam Overfleld. John Swartward. S. Coonrad. Peter Hay. Wm. Overfleld. John Smoke. Jacob Casler. Chas. Hoffman. Martin Overfleld. Wm. Struck. John T. Cross. Heller & Clark. Chas. Olderman. Joist Spinner. Emanuel Courtright. David Hanna. Benjamin Place. George Labar. John Courtright. Fred'k. Harman. George Peters. David Labar. Moses Coolbaugh. Rebecca Harman. Henry Peters. John Turn. JohnCoolbaugh, Sr. John Harman. Martin Place. John Trible. Martin Courtright. John T. Howey. James Place. John M. Trible. John Countryman. John Huffman. Jacob Pipher. Peter Trible. Isaac Countryman. Abraham Huffman. John Pipher. George Trible. Samuel Countryman. Peter Jane. Samuel D. Pipher. Henry Turn. Albert Countryman. C. Jimmings. John Place. Chas. Trible. George Countryman. Daniel Jane. Joseph Kennel. Wm. Ult. Joseph Casebier. John Jereloman. Christian Kennel. Wm. Van Auken. John Chambers. John H. Jereloman. Elijah Quigley. Daniel Van Auken. Thomas Clark. Michael Kintner. John Biggie. Anthony Van Auken. Wm. Clark. Conrad Kintner. Daniel Ehou. Abra'm Van Auken. H. S. Countryman. George W. Kintner. James Smith. Benj. Van Auken. John Decker. Charles La Bar. Daniel Smith. Jacobus Van Auken. Barney Decker. Depue La Bar. Jacob Shoemaker. Elijah Van Auken. Melchoir Depue. George W. La Bar. James Shoemaker. Joseph Van Auken. Levi Dewitt. George La Bar. James Schoonover. Timothy Vanahy. John T. Dewitt. John Lesh. Wm. Schoonover. Israel Vanahy. Moses Depue. Jacob Lesh. Corn's Schoonover. Arthur Vanahy. Gabriel Davis. Samuel Lesh. Elijah Schoonover. David Vanahy. John Dewitt. Hiram Lits. James Schoonover. Jacob Van Auken. John Dimmick. John Moser. Chas. Shoemaker. Barnet Walter. Elijah Deck. John Miller. Mary Smith. David West. Elias Dietrick. S. Michael. Rudolph Smith. Edward West. Samuel Dietrick. George Michael. Jacob Smith. John L. Wells. Francis Dunbar. Peter Michael. Ludwick Smith. John Walter. Chauncey Dimmick. Samuel Michael. John Smith. Adam Wellfett. Elijah Depue. Henry Mann. Joseph Stritler. Jeffrey Wells. Joseph Dietrick. Samuel Moser. Isaac Smith. Jacob Yetter. John Dietrick. Martin 0. Moser. Peter Smith. Gabriel Yetter. Moses Eylenberger. Adam Moser. Simeon Schoonover. Aaron Yetter. David Eylenberger. John Michael. Benj. Schoonover. Jesse Ships. Fred'k. Eylenberger. George W. Michael. Samuel Schoonover. Isaiah Ships. Chris. Eylenberger. John J. Michael. John Snyder. Benj. Vanwhy. Jacob Eylenberger. Jacob Miller. Societies Jacob Evest. D. McBerth. and Orders.—Zebulon Lodge Wm. Frutchey. E. Mills. No. 179, F. and A. If.—This lodge, according to Jacob Finicle. John Merrihew. minutes which have been preserved in the hall David Merrihew. John Frutchey. occupied by the lodge, was organized on the 3d Wm. Frutchey. Henry Miller. day of September, 1821, by the Grand Master Andrew Frutchey. David Miller. of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, John Finicle. Philip Mann. Bayse Wra. Flemming. Thomas Newman. Newcomb, with John Coolbaugh as Worshipful ;
1116 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONKOE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.
Master, Daniel W. Diugman as Senior ancient structure was the height of its windows,
Warden and Cornelius Cooluaugh as Junior the .sills coming above the heads of the standing Warden. Its list of members embraces the worshippers, so made to prevent the possibility
following names : of the Indians firing in upon the congregation during resort was had to its John Coolbaugh. Benjamin Hanna. worship, or when Daniel W. Dingman. William J. Troch. strong walls as a refuge from their frequent Cornelius Coolbaugh. John Utt. murderous raids. The site was also chosen Samuel De Puy. John Stroud. with reference to this defensive feature, being William Overfield. Andrew Van Campen, an abrupt elevation of a little more than a hun- Mason Dimmock. Isaac Quigley. dred feet the river flats, the ground Abram V. Coolbaugh. Benjamin Bunnel. above Orrin Sanford. Simon Heller. sloping aWay from it on every side. Solomon Westbrook. James G. Force. Unfortunately, however, the history of this
Henry Decker. John Westbrook. church in these early times is almost entirely George Bush. Moses W. Coolbaugh. involved in obscurity. Not even can the names John V. Coolbaugh. Aaron Decker. of the early pastors or missionaries be ascertain- Henry V. Bush. Israel Binsley. Samuel Quigley. Jason Bradley. ed. The records are lost. The corner-stone George V. Bush. Samuel Shoemaker. remains fixed in the south wall of the Presby-
Garret Coolbaugh. Henry Peters. terian Church built upon its site in 1853. This David Medoch. stone shows the date of its erection to have Daniel McBeth, Emanuel Gonsaules, Adam been 1752 ; but how long before that the con- Overfield, Henry Merceilus. Its first oificers gregations had been organized, whether or not were John Coolbaugh, W. M. ; Daniel W. Ding- there had been originally a triple union of man, S. W. ; Cornelius Coolbaugh, J. W. ; Mason denominations, the third being the Dutch Re-
Dimmock, S. D. ; Abram V. Coolbaugh, J. D. formed, which is very probable, since many, if
William Overfield, T. ; Samuel De Puy S. not the majority, of the original early settlers The meetings were held in a lodge fitted for were of that creed, where the money was secured the purpose in the house of John Coolbaugh. for so expensive a structure, and many other
As there is no record of a meeting held later things it would be interesting to know, are than June 1827, it is presumed that the lodge matters of vague conjecture. was discontinued after that date. The earliest church-book known to be in Zion's and St. Paul's Evangelical existence, now in care of the pastor of the Lutheran Churches of Smithfield and Smithfield Lutheran Churches, bears date of Middle Smithfield.—These two distinct May 18, 1798. The illuminated title-page has
organizations constitute a single parish, and this inscription : their histories, being identical in essential "Das allgemeine Kirchen-Buch der Unter- respects, can be given together. schmidtfeldter Lutherischen und Reformirten An especial interest attaches to these churches Gemeinden in Northampton County in dem as being the outgrowth of the ecclesiastical orga- Staat Pennsilvanien." nization in the county. Many years before This book contains, among other things, a Monroe County was formed, and the only set- record of baptisms with dates running back tlement in all this region north of the Blue even to 1787. Rev. John Mann was pastor of Ridge was at the point now occupied by the the Reformed congregation from 1798 until pretty village of Shawnee, the Lutheran and 1800. The name of the Lutheran pastor serv- Reformed settlers in that locality erected there ing at that time does not appear. The record a Union Church,—the first, and for many years seems to have been kept with tolerable regular- the only, house of worship in the county. The ity until about 1805, when probably the church building was of stone, of fair dimensions, with had no regular pastors, and occasional preaching the inevitable goblet pulpit, surmounted by a was furnished by ministers from Easton and high sounding-board. A peculiarity of this New Jersey. Among these occasional preachers —
MONEOE COUNTY. 1117
appear the names of Thomas Pomp, Eeformed, Reformed, resided any longer in the immediate of Easton, James Romeyn, " minister to the vicinity, and as a new church edifice became
Low Dutch Church in Hackensack, N. J.," and an absolute necessity, it was deemed prudent to others. select some other more eligible locality for its Rev. John Caspar Dill, Lutheran, assumed erection. But the membership had become so charge during the summer of 1806, and served widely separated that no agreement could be the congregation until 1810. During his pas- reached as to the most suitable place. It was torate, and previously, the building was sadly decided, therefore, to build two churches,
out of repair ; the dcors and windows were de- Zion's about four miles farther up the river stroyed, the roof leaked, and unfit for use as a from Shawnee, to beconvenient for residents on
place of worship, the sheep and other animals the Jersey side ; and St. Paul's, at Craig's
occupied it at will. Preaching was done, there- Meadows, about five miles northeast from fore, for a number of years in private houses Stroudsburg. The last services held in the old in the neighborhood. Some time between 1810 stone church, of which a record was kept, were and 1815, during the pastorate of Rev. Charles confirmation services on July 26, 1851, when the W. Colson, Lutheran, the young men of the Rev. George Heilig confirmed eighteen persons, two congregations thoroughly repaired the and a communion service on the following day,
church, and services were resumed in it, which when eighty persons partook of the sacrament were kept up regularly until within a few of the Lord's Supper at his hand. On the 23d months of its demolition, in 1852. of March, 1850, a meeting was held at the Rev. Peter Rupert, Lutheran, brother-in-law house of George M. Michael " for the purpose
of Peter and John Zimmerman (who still of appointing trustees to act as a building com- survive), and Rev. Theodore L. Hoffeditz, mittee to build a church near the house of Reformed, pastor of a congregation in Mt. George Michael, to be called " Zion's Evangelical Bethel, commenced to serve the two congrega- Lutherau and German Reformed Church." tions simultaneously in 1815. Rev. Rupert's Henry Strunk, Jr., on the part of the German pastorate ended about 1827, although during Reformed congregation, and Samuel Michael his time, in the years 1820 and 1821, a Luth- and John Michael, Jr., on the part of the eran minister by the name of Henry Kurz con- Lutheran congregation, were appointed such firmed a number of persons and administered committee. the sacrament of the Lord's Supper several Money and material were gathered that year, times. Rev. Hoffeditz continued until 1833, and on the 16th of June, 1851, the corner-stone when he was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Decker, was laid by the Rev. George Heilig, who whose resignation occurred in 1849. It was preached on the occasion in the adjoining grove. during the pastorate of Rev. Decker that the The bricks used in the construction of the Reformed congregation, which had been much church, which were of very superior quality, the stronger, numbering at least ninety commu- were made by members of the congregation on nicant members, began seriously and rapidly the farm now occupied by Andrew Treible, to fall away. He was the last Reformed pastor within a half-mile of the church. The building who regularly officiated in the old church. was finished and dedicated in the fall of the Rev. P. Rupert was followed by Rev. same year, Rev. George Heilig preaching the
John Nicolas Mensch, who served the Lutheran sermon and performing the service. The first congregation from 1830 until 1842. In the confirmation service held in the new edifice was fall of 1842 Rev. George Heilig, who had been on May 30, 1852. called that year from Centre Square, Mont- In December of the following year (1853) a gomery County, commenced serving the con- meeting was held at Jonas Metzgar's, when the gregation. It was during his pastorate that erection of St. Paul's Lutheran and German the venerable church (just one hundred years Reformed Church at Craig's Meadows was old) was abandoned. Very few Lutherans, or definitely decided upon. On the part of the — ;
1118 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.
Lutherans, Charles M. Hoffman and David to exist. There never were any Reformed ser- Yetter, and on the part of the Reformed, Jonas vices held in the Zion's Church, and at an early Metzgar constituted the building committee. period in the history of the reorganized charge In February of 1854 lumber was brought from the few members of that denomination in the " The Beech," bricks were secured, and by the neighborhood united with the Lutheran con-
1st of April all necessary material had been gregation. At St. Paul's . Rev. Charles Becker conveyed to the spot. The building was finished continued to serve the Reformed congregation during that year, and dedicated on the 1st day from the date of the dedication of the church, of January, 1856. Rev. George Heilig per- January 1, 1855, until some time in 1859. formed the dedicatory services, assisted on the Rev. George B. Dechant followed him, serving occasion by Rev. Charles Becker, who had been the congregation from 1860 until the spring of chosen as pastor of the Reformed congregation. 1871. The year succeeding this the congrega- It is conceded that to Charles M. Hoffman tion had no pastor. Rev. Horace Daniels be- the only surviving member of that committee came their pastor in 1872, serving for one year. more than to any other, is due the success of the He was the last of the Reformed pastors. Since enterprise, who gave to it all his time and the date of his withdrawal (1873) the few remain- energies, overcoming by his indefatigable efforts ing members of that congregation, who have not the many obstacles with which it was beset. removed or united with the Lutheran congrega- Rev. George Heilig resigned in the latter part tion, have been absorbed by the Methodist and of the year 1856. He was succeeded by Rev. Presbyterian Churches of the neighborhood. Rumpf, who remained in charge scarcely a year. Both church buildings have been repaired and re- Rev, S. S. Klein followed him, whose pastorate painted within the last ten years, and are neat extended a little over two years. Rev. The- and commodious structures. The communicant
ophilus Heilig was called in the summer of 1861. membership at Zion's is eighty ; at St. Paul's, He assumed charge October 13th of that year, one hundred and twenty. The church council his father, Rev. George Heilig, having supplied at Zion's consists of Elders John Zimmerman
his place several months previous to his arrival. and Henry Treible ; Deacons, Hiram Zimmer- His pastorate ended April 24, 1864. Rev. D. man, Christian Kantz and James Treible
M. Henkel succeeded him, entering upon his Secretary, Moses Strunk ; and Treasurer, Samuel
duties as pastor in connection with the Strouds- Strunk ; Sunday-school Superintendent, Chris- burg Lutheran Church building enterprise, tian Kantz. The oificers of St. Paul's are the
April 4, 1867. His pastorate ended in 1869. following : Elders, Harmon Kurtz and Theo-
Rev. Luther A. Fox followed him, continuing dore Y. Hoffman ; Deacons, Jacob Ruster, in charge until October 15, 1871. He was fol- Andrew Hoffman and Henry Fenical; Secre-
lowed by Rev. J. H. Fritz, whose pastorate ex- tary, Luther Hoffman ; Treasurer, John Yeisley
tended from November 5, 1871, to October 31, Sunday-school Superintendent, John Yeisley. 1874. Rev. George Diehl Foust immediately The charge belongs to the " Evangelical Luth-
succeeded him, assuming charge November 1, eran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent
1874. On his retirement July 1, 1880, the States," a synod of the General Council of the present pastor. Rev. Theophilus Heilig for the United States. At this date the steady progress
second time, entered upon the duties of the of the two churches is characterized by harmony pastorate, a mutual exchange of parishes having and prosperity. been effected with the Rev. Foust, who at once The Middle Smithfield Presbyterian removed to North Wales, Montgomery County, Church." —I can search back into the past, for to take charge of St. Peter's Ijutheran Church, anything in reference to the Church of Christ Rev. T. Heilig's late parish. in this region of country, only about one hun- Although these churches were built as Union dred and thirty-five years. A hundred and Churches, in the course of time the Reformed
congregation, as a distinct organization, ceased 1 By the Rev. Chai-les E. Van AUea. MONEOE COUNTY. 1119 fifty years ago the rude red man " chased the shaw and Rev. Mr. Sturgeon. Rev. Mr. bounding deer " over our mountains, and pad- Hyndshaw was with us last year and stated dled his light canoe in our waters. A very few that he preached at the " old stone meeting- whites were scattered here and there, struggling house" at Stroudsburg and in John Cool- for subsistence in the forests, and among their baugh's kitchen. He traveled up and down savage brethren. They made little history and this country off and on for several years, and
wrote less, so that very little is extant. The married several couples still living among us. earliest account of any ministerial service that Preaching was also held at this time by others : I possess is that of Rev. Azariah Horton, in by Mr. Field, Mr. Force and Mr. Sturgeon, in May, 1742. A hundred and thirty-five years the barn of the late Elder John V. Coolbaugh, ago he was sent out as a missionary through in the absence of any church building. Sup- the Delaware Valley by the Presbytery of plies were obtained whenever and wherever New Brunswick. He prepared the Indians they could. Rev. Messrs. Talmage and Charles and the few whites, in a measure, for the com- M. Dickey also preached here about this time. ing of David Brainard. David Brainard Of the date of the organization of the Middle
labored up and down the Delaware, and in all Smithfield Church there is no record, but it was the country adjacent, in 1744. After him fol- doubtless organized at or about the same time
lowed Revs. Messrs. Boyd, Clark and McCrea, the church at Stroudsburg was. The first
at different intervals, as time and circumstances minutes of this church, dated November 1, " would permit. The oldest church of which we 1832, read thus : The Presbyterian Church have any record was an old stone meeting- and Congregation of Middle Smithfield had house at (now) Shawnee. William Allen gave been organized several years ago, but no min- five acres of ground to this church in 1750. utes of its proceedings are extant. At the This was occupied by different denominations time of commencing this record the following
for many years, and it is a matter unsettled to- individuals were members in full communion
day between the (Dutch) Reformed Church and in the church, viz. : John V. Coolbaugh, John
the Presbyterian Church, both claiming it. No Malvin, John Turn, Elders." Then follow record is made of supplies until 1761, when the names of twenty-five others, all of whom Mr. Clark, Mr. Tennant, Mr. Lyon, Mr. have gone to their final resting-place and Hannah, Mr. Schenck and others were ap- eternal reward, save Mr. Elijah Quigley, who pointed by Presbytery to missionate through stands as the venerable sentinel of the century this whole region of country. Rev. Mr. Pep- rolled into eternity. Presbytery sent as the pard visited here, and after him Rev. Peter first stated supply Mr. Samuel Sturgeon, who Wilson, up to some time about 1800. Very preached at Stroudsburg, at the " old stone little is known of any of their labors, no record meeting-house," at Shawnee, and in the barn of having been kept so far as is known and their Mr. Coolbaugh, at this place. He was stated labors being at so long intervals. In 1813 Rev. supply in 1829 and 1830. In 1831 and 1832, John Boyd was appointed to preach in Smith- Rev. Charles Tappan occupied this same field.
field, then embracing this whole region of In November, 1832, Rev. Mr. Field was called country and in 1816 he reorganized the "old to the Middle Smithfield Church and Stroud. stone meeting-house," at present Shawnee. He burg, each church receiving half of his minis- established the first Sabbath-school in the terial services. The next spring (March 11, school-house near the present residence of 1833) the session met at the house of John James Place. After him Mr. Field preached a Coolbaugh, and twenty-seven additional mem-
short time, then the Rev. David Tuttle, Rev. bers were added to its connection, making in all Nathaniel Conklin and Rev. J. Force. In fifty-two at this time, while Stroudsburg, the 1825 Rev. Mr. Leek and Rev. Dr. John M. other half of the charge, had forty-eight mem- Dickey preached for a short time, and in the bers. In this year the Middle Smithfield
same year he was followed by Rev. Mr. Hynd- Church building was erected, and in the fol- 1120 WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA. lowing year was incorporated by the State Middle Smithfield by the Presbytery of New- Legislature as the " Middle Smithfield Presby- ton as a temporary supply. He remained as terian Church." Elders Coolbaugh and Malvin such until October 31, 1865, when he was or- were the committee to procure the incorpora- dained and installed pastor by a committee of tion. Mr. Field continued as the joint pastor the Presbytery of Newton. It being but a part of this church and Stroudsburg for seven years, of the former pastorate of Stroudsburg, and lat- or until the spring of 1840. He was succeeded terly of Shawnee, it was, from the circumstances by Rev. Dr. John McNair, who supplied Mid- of the case, very weak and feeble. The church dle Smithfield and Stroudsburg Churches for then numbered only sixty members, and the three months. In the fall of 1841 Middle Sabbath-school less. The church was depend- Smithfield and Stroudsburg Churches called ent upon the charity of a fund left by a Mrs. Rev. Baker Johnson. He continued his labors Goodwin to the Presbytery of Newton and also until 1846, when he confined his labors to Mid- to the home missions. When the sustentation dle Smithfield, and Stroudsburg called Rev. scheme took effect she availed herself of aid William Scribner. Mr. Scribner remained in from that source until she outgrew the gar-
Stroudsburg until 1849, when Mr. Johnson ments that board offered her, and became self- was re-called and continued the pastor of Mid- sustaining in 1874. dle Smithfield and Stroudsburg Churches, The present officers are John Turn, Samuel preaching also at Shawnee until the spring of Bush, Samuel Dewitt, Levi Hoffman, G. W.
1853. In the summer of this year Mr. John- Peters, F. H. Smith, elders ; Samuel Dewitt, son removed, leaving vacant Middle Smithfield Samuel Bush, C. F. Smith, Henry La Bar, and Stroudsburg, and an important preaching- G. W. Peters, trustees ; Henry Dewitt, Edwin point in the "old stone meeting-house," at Bush, Henry La Bar, John Q. Strunk, direc- Shawnee. The little congregation was con- tors. nected with this church, there being but one Methopist Episcopal Church.—It is im- organization up to 1853. In 1854 Stroudsburg possible to obtain from the records a full history called Rev. Mr. Miller, and Middle Smithfield of this organization. On the 28th of December, made out a call for Rev. Thaniel Condit, of 1863, the property was deeded to the following
Stillwater, N. J. In the mean time the congre- board of trustees : William Clark, William gation, now gathered at Shawnee, resolved to Frankenfield, Adam Wellfeldt, William Decker reorganize and rebuild the ancient church of and William Smith. It is probable that the that place, which had stood for over a century. same year the edifice was erected and regular The present church at Shawnee was accord- services held from that date. The pastors, so ing built in the summer of 1853 and in the fall, far as can be determined, have been Reverends of this year was organized by the Presbytery of William Clark, William H. Dickerson, Reuben Newton as the " Shawnee Presbyterian Ch urch." Van Sickle, Henry Litz, J. T. Strock, B. H.
Mr. Condit declining the call of Middle Smith- Senderlin, N. Van Sant, E. Meacham, J. I. field Church, the Presbytery of Newton sent Boswell, J. W. Hartpence, S. D. Harris, Henry Rev. J. Kirby Davis as stated supply for Mid- Bice, J. D. Frazee, John Frome and Jacob H. dle Smithfield and Shawnee Churches. In the Carpenter, the last-named being the present following spring a joint call was made out for pastor. There are about one hundred names his ministerial services, and on the 14th day of on the membership roll of the church, with November, 1854, he was installed pastor. He which is connected a flourishing Sabbath-school continued thus until 1863, and in May of this of fifty scholars and a proportionate number of year a committee of the Presbytery of Newton teachers. The present trustees and stewards dissolved the pastoral relation of Rev. Mr. are Elijah Detrick, Jacob Eylenberger, James Davis and the Middle Smithfied Church. Place, John K. Place, Silas Hannas, Benjamin The church remained vacant until April, 1865, Place and Benjamin Albert. when Rev. Charles E. Van Allen was sent to Sand Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. —
MONROE COUNTY. 1121
—There are, apparently, no records in existence Rudolph Schoonover has an inviting house
belonging to this organization. It is an older near Maple Grove, with a capacity of twenty- church than the one previously mentioned, the five guests. edifice having been erected in 1836, but neither Among other popular summer retreats that pastor nor officers are able to communicate any are invariably well-filled are those of A. Jack- facts relative to its history. It has a member- son Coolbaugh, Newton Place and M. F. Cool-
ship of seventy-five, and numbers among its baugh. trustees and stewards Miles Overfield, Thomas
Gonsaules and James Depue. Its first pastor was Rev. Mr. Mains, the present incumbent CHAPTER X. being Rev. J. H. Carpenter. STROUD TOWNSHIP. Summer Rbsoets and Boaeding-Houses.— The beauty of the scenery and the exceeding General Description. —The township of healthfulness of the climate make Middle Stroud, so called from one of the first settlers,
Smithfield very popular as a retreat for city before the borough was incorporated, is bounded residents. As a consequence, some of the most on the north by Price township, east by Smith- attractive boarding-houses in the county are field township, south by Northampton County, found within its boundaries. Among the most southwest by Hamilton and northwest by
prominent are the Echo Lake House, kept by Pocono townships. Paradise touching it on the Rev. Charles E. Van Allen, and situated but a north and Jackson on the west. short distance from that beautiful sheet of water. The application to erect Stroud as a separate Mr. Van Allen has a spacious mansion, well township was made to the court of Northamp- furnished, with fine lawn, ample verandas and ton County in 1816, and the order establishing
other attractions that add to the popularity of it as a township granted on the 22d of January, his home. Boats are at the disposal of his 1817.
guests, and excellent fishing and bathing may The surface of the township is partly hilly be found in the lake. It is a favorite resort of and partly level, a portion of the soil being of Philadelphians. a gravelly character, and the remainder a lime-
The Buena Vista House is kept by Mrs. Wil- stone ridge. Much attention is paid to agricul- liam Schoonover. It has a capacity for thirty ture, many of the farms being well improved guests, and is very desirably located, with a fine and abundantly productive. The southern
view of the Delaware. portion, known as CTierry Valley, which is Maple Grove Hotel is kept by Jacob Place. chiefly a limestone ridge, amply repays the It is located in the southeast portion of the labor of the harvestmen, while the northwest township, is conveniently arranged and can, corner is stony and less productive. Corn, rye, without difficulty, entertain forty guests. oats and hay are the chief products, while most Dr. Gruer has a health resort, recently built, fruits are raised in abundance. The population fitted with all the modern improvements and of the township in 1820 was 1143, in 1830, complete in its accommodations. 1631, and in 1840, 1206, exclusive of the The Oak Grove Cottage, kept by C. F. Smith, borough. The tax valuation of real and per- is situated about five miles from Stroudsburg. sonal property in 1844 was $248',8]6. The It is very desirably located, on the edge of an present population is 1680. attractive oak grove, with ample lawn, through Two railroads pass through the township which the Pond Creek meanders, broad piazzas, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Rail road and all the appointments requisite to comfort. and the New York, Susquehanna and Western The Mountain View House is owned by D. Railroad—the nearest depots being at East M. Turn. Its site is picturesque and its sur- Stroudsburg and Stroudsburg, respectively. The roundings attractive. Twenty-five guests can county fair-grounds are also located in the be comfortably cared for. township, in the suburbs of Stroudsburg. 112