Chapter Iii. Muncy Manor-Pine Creek-Fair Play

CHAPTER III. MUNCY MANOR-PINE CREEK-FAIR PLAY MEN- PINE CREEK DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. FIRST SETTLEMENT-SAMUEL WALLIS-REDEMPTIONERS--RUSH OF SETTLERS -EARLY TOWNS-NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ERECTED IN 1772-IN- CLUDED PRESENT LYCOMING COUNTY-REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND ITS EFFECT-TIADAGHTON CREEK-FAIRPLAY MEN-HOW CHOSEN-MEMBERS -METHOD OF PROCEDURE-PINE CREEK DECLARATION OF INDEPEN- DENCE-REV. PITMIAN. The first settlement in Lycoming County was made about the year 1760 on what was known as the Muncy Manor. Sev- eral claims were made to this land by different individuals but as the claims had been taken up before the opening of the land office, none of them was recognized by the Penns. Among these claimants was Samuel Wallis, who afterwards became the larg- est landowner in the county. Wallis brought suit for the lands, but it was decided against him and the title confirmed in Sam- uel Harris, son of John Harris, after whom the city of Harris- burg was named. A house was built on this land and this was undoubtedly the first dwelling erected in the West Branch Valley west of the Muncy Hills. Samuel Wallis, who laid claim to the property, was a promi- nent man in his day and afterwards purchased a tract of land lying a short distance above the hamlet of Halls where he built a pretentious mansion in 1769 which is still standing and is the oldest house in Lycoming County. Subsequently Wallis became possessed of large tracts of land extending along the river bottom from Muncy to Jersey Shore. 79 80 HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY Wallis was a slaveholder, as were many of the wealthier men of that day, and also had in his employ a number of redemptioners. These were immigrants who, being unable to pay their way from the old to the new world, sold themselves for a term of years in consideration of the payment of their passage money. They were slaves to all intents and purposes but as the expiration of their indenture generally included a proviso that at the end of their term they should be given a certain sum of money and enough farm animals to enable them to start for themselves, many of them became prosperous and excellent citizens. Some of the leading citizens of the state are descend- ants of these redemptioners. Beginning with the year 1760 settlers began to pour into the valley from many different sections, some with valid claims and some with no claims at all. Squatters were numerous and some of them settled on the best lands and were prepared to hold possession of them by force of arms. Among those making claims to the whole valley were a number of people from Connecticut who claimed that their grant extended to the Wyoming Valley and beyond and a large body in command of Zebulon Butler poured into the territory. Their invasion was vigorously resented by the Penns and they soon took measures looking to their expulsion. Settlements had been made by the invaders on the North Branch and the names of Charleston and Judea given to the towns. Orders were issued for them to leave. These were disregarded and then an expedition commanded by Colonel William Plunkett was dispatched to the scene and after a short engagement the Connecticut invaders were driven out and their settlements burned. Settlements were now being made so fast in the lower section of the Susquehanna Valley that the necessity for a new county became urgent. The territory was then embraced within the limits of Berks and Cumberland counties and their HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY 81 seats were too far away. Residents on the east side of the river above Lancaster belonged to Berks and those on the west side to Cumberland. Northumberland County was therefore erected on March 9, 1772, with the county seat at Fort Augusta, afterwards Sunbury. It was divided into seven townships, one of which was named Muncy and included practically all of that portion of the territory now embraced within the limits of Lycoming County. About the first business that came before the courts of the new counties was the consideration of petitions for highways, of which the whole county was in great need. The construc- tion of a road up the river was ordered at October term, 1772, but it was some years later before it was actually completed from Sunbury to the limits of the Indian purchase of Fort Stanwix. It is the same road which is now covered by the famous Susquehanna Trail. During the year 1772 the valley of the West Branch was traversed by a band of Moravians who were traveling from Wyalusing to Ohio to make a new home for themselves. There were a large number in their party headed by Bishop John Ettwein. They crossed through swamps and thick under- growth in what is now Sullivan County and from there to the Muncy Valley. They then proceeded up the river, passing the Indian villages of Otstuagy, at the mouth of Loyalsock Creek, French Margaret's Town at the mouth of Lycoming Creek and Queneshougheny at Linden. From here they proceeded on up the river to Great Island, opposite Lock Haven, from whence they passed over the mountain and on to Ohio. With the breaking out of the Revolutionary war great ex- citement prevailed throughout this section of the province but it did not halt the tide of immigration. The fame of the "New Purchase" of 1768 had gone far afield and settlers continued to come in from everywhere. With the beginning of the Revo- lution the provinces ceased to exist and the state government 4-VOL 1 82 HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY took its place. The people of what is now Lycoming County were intensely patriotic and were ready to tender their services in whatever capacity they were desired. Committees of safety were organized in all sections and meetings held at which the usurpations of Great Britain were denounced and the colonies urged to fight for independence. The inhabitants of this section were, for the most part, expert riflemen and many of them afterwards joined the famous Mor- gan Corps. One of the first companies of the Continental line was raised in Northumberland County. It was commanded by Captain John Lowden and contained fourteen members from what is now Lycoming County. They left Sunbury in the latter part of July and reached Cambridge, Mass., on the eighth day of August, where they were attached to Colonel William Thomp- son's battalion and subsequently became a part of the First Regiment of the Continental line. 1768 The western limit of the Purchase of 467 was designated as Tiadaghton Creek. But where was Tiadaghton Creek? The Indians claimed it was the present Lycoming Creek but the proprietaries always insisted that the present Pine Creek, located fourteen miles farther west, was the true Tiadaghton. Between these two streams lay some of the most fertile lands in the valley. During the progress of the dispute, from the year 1773 to May 1, 1785, when the state land office was opened for applications under the purchase of October 23, 1784, these lands which consisted principally of the rich bottom lying along the river, were settled by large numbers of "squatters," who knew that they were Indian lands and not within the control of the proprietary government. They therefore established a government of their own which was one of the simplest known in history, but, according to all accounts, was one of the most effective and is a striking example of the efficacy of government by commission. HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY 83 In March of each year three commissioners were chosen by the ballots of the settlers to serve for one year and these commissioners were known as "fairplay men." It was their duty to see that each member of the community had "fair play." They settled all disputes that arose between individuals, tried and punished all who violated local law, made rules and regula- tions for the government of the community and, in short, exer- cised at the same time, executive, legislative and judicial functions. They made the laws, they saw that they were enforced and they punished those who violated them. If anyone questioned one of their decisions he was put into a canoe, without paddle, towed to the middle of the river and set adrift. "The fair play men" had no regular time or place of meet- ing, but assembled whenever the exigencies of a particular case required their action. Their laws were very few, very simple and founded, as all laws should be, but many are not, on common sense and common honesty. "The fair play men" also levied whatever taxes were neces- sary for the common benefit, but as the community had not gone crazy over public improvements, the advancement of civilization and the development of its mighty resources they were kept at a minimum. The people lived cleanly, they had few wants and these were easily supplied. Each did his share of the work and they were better ruled and governed than many a larger community of the present day with all the improved governmental machinery which a more advanced and enlightened civilization is supposed to supply. It is not known whether the "fairplay" men kept any records, but if so, they have, unfortunately, been lost, which is greatly to be regretted as they would have been of great interest to all lovers of good government. From the character of those who are known to have served as "fairplay men" it is certain that the very best men in the 84 HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY community were chosen for the office and it is recorded that their decisions were rarely questioned.

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