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* LUTHER S. hIOFPB¶AN i , ~

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Gift of C. Russell Smith

[. Pa --; . irs - F ate Pe ily Xj

CONTENTR

Page Monroe County ...... 3 Smithdeld Township ...... 4 Villages ... 11 Marshall's Creek ...... 14 California ...... 14 Tinkertown ...... 14 Assessments ...... 16 Battle of Brodhead's Manor ...... 16 Old Buildings and Families ...... 17 Citizens ...... 21 Health and Doctors ...... 34 Churches ...... 4f Schools ...... 46 Post Offices ...... 51 Stores ...... 53 Roads ...... 55 Bridges ...... a7 Mill and Factories ...... 60 Trees and Their Products ...... 62 Cemeteries ...... 69 Names and Sayings ...... 71 Slavery and Service ...... 78

NOTE: Mathew's history of Monroe County 1886, gives the name of Joseph Houser as the builder of the stone house at the foot of Minisink Hill; but according to the records kept by my grandfather who did the carpenter work, It was Joseph Houser. The date of the first church at Shawnee should be 1752. Editor.

-1 FOREWORD

1938 Having been born and lived in Smithfield Township until I became twenty-eight years of age, I therefore know many facts and sayings besides many which have been handed down by tradition relating to the early history of Smithfield Township. I, who followed the plow and worked over many of the hills and valleys, cannot help remembering the past years of early life, when I attended and took part at funerals, vendues, camp meetings, political meetings, frolics (bees), listened to arguments and stories in country stores and taverns, went chestnuting, hunting rabbits, squirrels and wild pigeons. How on frosty mornings when doing the work at the barn we would arouse the sleepy cows from their beds and stand on the warm spot to get our bare feet warm. All of this endears Smithfield Township to me. There is much that has occurred in the early settlements of any community that has not been recorded and is forgotten, and much has been handed down by tradition and eventually will be forgotten unless it can be preserved in a more tangible form than what exists today. It may be that at some future date some one will gather all the odds and ends, now recorded in a half dozen or more small histories and make one complete history of Smithfield Town- ship. as well as that of Monroe County. In recording the unwritten history of Smithfield Township, we have tried not to repeat anything that has already been recorded in other histories, and in the genealogy and memoirs of the Hoffman and Smith families, except where it is necessary to explain and develop the story we are trying to tell. If in the future so)ne one takes up the task of assembling and writing a history of Smithfield Township, all histories should be consulted with all facts contained therein and combined with other historical e:ents which may be de- veloped at that time. We should hold our ancestors in veneration and be profoundly thankful for the heritage they have passed on to us, and should prove o. rsel:es their worthy descendants.

PRINTED IN U. S. A. By THE ARTCRAFT PRESS FAST STROUDSBURG. PA. EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

Chapter I.

Monroe County The first attempt to form a new county above the Blue Mountains was in 1794. The petition was signed by 114 petitioners. Most of the signers lived in what now is Smithfield Township. It was 42 years before their desire for a new county was gratified-1836. It is said that when this petition was written the date was omitted, through an oversight, and in after years when it was discov- ered that it was without a date, the year was made certain by referring to Dr. Francis Josephus Smith's signature, which he always ended with a scroll and the date within the scroll. I have Dr. Smith's signa- ture he made when he signed my great grandfather's will in 1794, which verifies the above statement. Much has been said about the result of the vote to establish the county seat for the new county (Monroe) in 1836. At the first elec- tion, Dutotsburg of "Monroe Center," so named by those who favored the county seat at that place, received only 82 votes, was eliminated. At the second election, Stroudsburg won out by -a majority of seventy votes. Then charges of fraud were made, particularly against Middle Smithield election board, John Place and Samuel Gunsaulus. It is without a doubt but what the charges of stuffing the ballot box were well founded from the fact that at the county seat election there were 345 votes cast for Stroudsburg and 2 cast for Kellersville, a total of 347 votes, while four years afterwards at the Pres-dential election, Harrison received 2 votes and Van Buren received 208 votes, a total of 210 votes. We are pleased to know that our native township, Smithfield, shows a clean record. The vote at these two elections is as follows: At the county seat election, Smithfield cast 224 votes for Stroudsburg and 2 votes for Kellersville, a total of 226 votes; while four years afterward at the Presidential election, Harrison received 42 votes while Van Buren received 1833 votes, a total in the township of 225 votes. After the election suit was brought aganist the election board of Middle Smtihifield and since there was no court house in Monroe County and the court had not been full organized, the case was taken to Pike County for trial. It was tried before Judge David Scott, president judge of the eleventh judicial district, and associate judges of Pike County, Daniel W. Dingman and John Coolbaugh. Dingman was a very eccentric man of great native intellect, great force of character, but uneducated. It is said that he came into court without a coat and with bare feet.

(3) 415852 EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

Judge Scott quashed one or two counts in the indictment, where- upon he left the bench for a few minutes. During his absence, Judge Dingman took upon himself and told "Bub" Coolbaugh, he always called him "Bub," that they would quash the other indictment. "I know the law, for I have been to the Legislature," and laying his hand on a copy of pamphlet laws said, "Bub and I will quash the other indictment on the grounds of the Legislature." Many stories are told about Judge Dingman. One which inter- ested me has been handed down as it happened at a hearing of a col- ored man charged with stealing. After the witnesses were heard, Judge Dingman pronounced sentence on the defendant: "Nigger, stand up. You are charged and found guilty of the crime of larceny. You are a bad nigger. I know all about niggers. You ought to be hung, but the sentence of this court is that you be banished from the face of the earth. Go get off the face of the earth." "Why massa," said the darky, "How ken I git off de face of dis yere earth?" You can go," said Dingman, "to Jersey, and if you ever come back you will be hanged." Judge Dingman must have had an opinion about New Jersey like I. When a boy, heard people remark disparingly about Jersey, when they would say, "Otit of the United States over in Jersey," "Jersey Lightning," meaning apple-jack whiskey. "Jersey match," a team of horses, one white, the other black. "Blue bellied Jerseymen," meaning a person who thought himself a little superior to his fellow- men. Smithfield Township

In 1746, the first action was taken for the formation of Smith- field Township, the first municipal division north of the Blue Moun- tains. The petition contained the names of twenty-seven landholders. The township comprised all the settlements above the mountains. In 1752, when Northampton County was set off from Bucks County, it comprised all of Smithfield which included what is now Lehigh, Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. So when we read about an event which took place in Smithfield during the latter part of the 1700's, we must remember it may have happened anywhere within any of the five counties. In an old deed dated 1745, Nicholas Depui sold his son Aaron a farm which he describes as the John Smith farm (now the Croasdale or River Farm.) In other old papers he calls it the "Smith fields." So without a doubt the name for Smithfield Township originated in that way. John Smith who lived near Mt. Bethel Northampton Coun-

(4) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP ty, before the Revolutionary War, and is mentioned as selling this farm, had nine sons and four daughters. After the war, he and sev- eral of his sons came above the mountains and settled on farms cut from large tracts of land on both sides of the Delaware River from Shawnee to above Bushkill Hence we had before Pike County was erected, Lower Smithfield, Middle Smithfield, and Upper Smithfield. When Pike County was erected, Upper Smithfield was cut into two lownships and named Dingman's and Milford Townships.

THE IIAPPY LIFE-'I'HE LIFI II)DEAL T1'( SMI'I'IIFIELD B0YS

The township has no large natural lakes, but is well watered by the Delaware River washing the southeastern side of the township. The Delaware has bcen called by a variety of names. T1'he Con- federated Indians ca]lDd it "Lenapewiiio Much," Lenape River. In a deed to William Penn in 1682, it is named "Mackeriskickon.' The EARLY HISTORY--SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

Indians at the head of the river called it "Lamasepose," signifying Fish River. The Hollanders named it "Zudt," or South River. As we all know it derives its name from Lord De la Ware. The Delaware as it washes the southeast coast of Smithfield, contains sev- eral islands. Beginning at Delaware Water Gap there is the island known as the Shellenberg Island, only used for camping, containing some three acres. North of this the largest island known by various names, but generally as "Great Shawnee." This island contains 210 acres. At one time it was divided into a number of sections of six- teen and more acres and was farmed by the various owners. The lower part is now used for bungalow sites and the upper part for the Buokwood golf course. It is said and has been confirmed by old people that this island was never covered by high water, but in 1903 the entire island was covered except a small portion of acre. perhaps an Further north we find the next largest island, Menwallamunk or Depui Island. This island was owned and farmed by the Depui family from 1725 when Nicholas Depui settled in what is now known as Shawnee up to the death of Robert Depui in 1898. This island was vigorously cultivated by the Depuis who raised immense crops of grain and hay. This island contains 160 acres. Further up the river near the line between Smithfield and Middle Smithfield Township is a small island of a few acres, only used for camping now for the Boy Scouts. This island is known as "Deer- bone." In an old deed and map it is known as Tock's Island. There is no doubt but what it is so named for a man by the name of Tock who lived about Shawnee in 1814, since his name appears as one of the trustees of the Presbyterian congregation at that time, although there is no deed or record showing that he ever owned it. It may have been for some other reason. This island has come very much in the lime- light recently, since it has been proposed by the T.V.A. for a dam site. The Dutch in the Minisink valley do not seem to have adopted the Indian names very readily, of the local streanrs, but chose rather Imaiv l U VaLAIi Lilul uw1 WUiu tAili Ur All lur Crumbi', an~u wilenl~fie sees a kill overgrown with trees and bushes and the phenomenon of the sparkling waters issuing from beneath the overhanging bushes, meets his eyes, he exclaims, "Bosh kil" (Bushkill) and he notes, "Bosh kil" empties into the Zuydt (Delaware.) But when he finds a smaller stream flowing into the discovered "Bosh kil" he is puzzled what to call that stream, so he calls it a little "Bosh kil" (Bushkill.) Therefore, we have Big Bushkill and Little Bushkill. Up to about 1884, large quantities of logs, sawed timber, shaved wood hoops, barrel staves, and railroad timber were made into rafts at the river and run down the stream during the early spring freshets. I can well remember when we could count a half dozen

(6) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP or more rafts floating down the river, in an hour's time. Most of these came from up the river near Lackawaxen. I often heard my father tell about rafting days. It was about the only way to earn some ready cash in early spring. They would get from five to ten dollars for a trip. It all depended upon the point -at which they could get a raft. At Lackawaxen, Port Jervis, Dingman's and Water Gap, there were eddys in the river and rafts could be landed for the night and change hands if necessary. Transportation was very limited in those days, so it was necessary to walk to those points. If they would go with the raft to Easton or Trenton there was a fair chance of getting back by stage. In going to get a raft and coming down, it would take a week, for which they would receive from five to ten dollars and board while running the raft. It was customary in early rafting days to change steersmen at the Gap, as it was thought impossible that one man could possess a knowledge of all the points on the entire course of the river. Benja- min Bonham kept a small Inn a little way below Dutots saw mill and later on George Detrick built a larger house a short distance below in the Gap for the accommodation of raftsmen who had to wait for their turn to take a raft. Detrick was a tall man, six feet and six inches and built propor- tionally large. In 1814 when he as captain of a company of soldiers from Smithfield passed through Philadelphia on their way to Marcus Nook, was greatly annoyed by the boys shouting, "Here comes Goliath." He was very erect and made a fine appearance. Daniel Skinner was the first person who descended the Delaware River from Cocheton with a raft. His first adventure was soon after the French and Indian War, 1764. Skinner, by general consent, was constituted "Lord Admiral" of the river. No one was free to engage in the business without his sanction, and this was obtained by pre- senting him with a bottle of wine. Then after making several trips with the "Admiral" they were authorized to steer a raft to Phil- adelphia. Skinner discovered the idea of rafting logs to Philadelphia. His first attempt was a failure, but his next trial was a success and he sold his raft to a good advantage. The average raft of round timber was 65,000 feet. The largest raft ever taken down the river up to 1851, was 300 logs 16 feet long. J. Depui LeBar of Shawnee began to run rafts at the age of sixteen years, it is said, and became one of the most expert steersmen. He declared that he would run the largest raft down the river that had been floated. He built one so large that it scraped both shores. Some years 50,000,000 feet of lumber was shipped down the Delaware. In speaking of rafting, an incident comes to mind which took place at Zimmerman's landing when I was a very young boy. -Two Ger-

(7) EiA~LY EHST'O:)R--Ai MIAl1-I-EL'D CTuWXSftP mans;, Contad Peters and Francis Lill, were helping load a raft, when by some means a small fish was killed and it floated on -the water near the raft. At noon time when Lill opened his dinner pail he found the dead fish in his pail. He immediately accused Peters Of putting the dead fish into his pail, which acquisition he denied. An argument ensued and bad words passed between them when Lill stabbed Peters, not seriously, and Lill served a short sentence in jail. Lill was a French German, with a very high temper and any one who would disagree with him he was ready to fight to kill. It was not a very pleasant job in cold spring weather, and be- sides when' the raft would go through rifts or rapids, it would dip and some part of the raft would be under a couple feet of water, and they most likely would be soaked to their knees. 'Brodheads Creek in early days was called Smithfield Creek, from where the McMichaels and Pocono Creeks join it, to where it flows int6fth6-Delaware River. In early days small rafts were run down this stream to the river, then a number were lashed together to make one large raft. These small rafts were called "Broadheads Creek Colts." Marshalls Creek is the second largest stream in the township. It rises in Middle Smithfield Township and flows southeast into Brodheads 'Creek'near its mouth. It was named after Marshall,'the man who figures in history. so prominently by walking in one and a half days fromn Wrightstown in Bucks County to the foot of the Pocono Moun- tains, to carry out an agreement between the whites and the Indians for the pirchase of all the land between that line of walk eastward to the Delaware River. Marshalls Creek is one of the most beautiful and scenic streams in the township and perhaps in Pennsylvania. De- side its beauty, it was an invaluable aid to the early settlers in fur- nishing power for ther mills during the latter part of the 18th and the early part of the 19th century. -The Indians never forgave Marshall for what they claimed' was a "run" instead of a "walk." They followed and persecuted him as long as he lEved. Seven years before the Indian War broke out they attacked his family and killed one of his sons. After the war broke out he moved across the Delaware nto New Jersey, having lived be- fore that time in Pennsylvania, about where the town of Slateford is now located. In 1757 a party of sixteen Indians attacked his home while Mar- shall was away and shot a daughter, took his wife, who was not in condition to travel, and after leading her some distance, kIled and and scalped her. Marshall himself escaped the venegeance of the Indians and lived to be an old man, about 90 years of age. Marshall claimed he never received his reward-five pounds in money. and .500. acres of..lantd,

(8) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP as was promised him for his service. Marshall's great feat of walking some sixtylfive miles in one and a half days has caused his name to live in history and Smithfield has honored him by naming of of her most beautiful streams and a village for him. At one time there were two sawmills, five gristmills, two tan- neries and two cloverseed mills on this stream, all being operated by the power generated by the water of this stream. A few years ago, the drive from the source to where it empties into Brodheads Creek was one of the most beautiful in this part of the State, but when an improved highway was built it was diverted from the course of the creek, thus destroying a beautiful drive formed by trees overhanging and dripping their branches into the water.

Three beautiful falls dron the water to a lower level on its way down. Marshalls Falls, above 1i\arshall's Creek village, Twin t alls, about two miles further down, and still further down is Buttermilk Falls. A number of rapids and still waters add beauty to the stream as it winds its way through the valley and finally reaches the water of the Delaware River. Pond Creek rises in Middle Smithfield and flows southeast into Marshalls Creek at the town of Marshalls Creek. It derives its name from taking its source in two lakes-Coolbaugh and Echo, formerly called Seely's Pond, so named for Samuel E. Seely, an early settler in Middle Smithfield. He wvas one of three commissioners appointed

(9) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP by the court to view the township. Sambo, or as it was called before 1875, Nigger Creek (why the name, no one living seems to know), rises in Middle Smithfield Town- ship, flows south into Brodheads Creek at East Stroudsburg. It is the water supply for East Stroudsburg. Pompey Creek rises in Middle Smithfield Township, flows south into the Delaware at Shawnee. The water of this creek furnished the power to operate the first mill in the present confines of Monroe County Depui built a grist mill at Shawnee on this stream and it was operated up to about twenty-five years ago, when it was razed, and now a small power house occupies the site. The origin of the name is not known.

BUTTERMILK FALLS

Cherry Creek rises near Saylorsburg, on the east side of a water shed and flows through the southeastern part of the township into the Delaware River. The early name of this creek as found in an old deed given by Thomas Penn to Samuel Depui in 1738, was Solomon's Creek. In 1768 and for some time afterwards it was called "Ned Cherry's" Creek. Then later Cherry Creek. The name was derived from one of the old settlers along the Creek. While Cherry Creek is starting out from the foot of a water shed and flows east, less than a mile away the Aquanchicola rises and flows southwest into the Lehigh. Caldeno Creek rises up on the side of Mount Minsi and on its mad rush down, just before it takes the last leap to get to the river, it

(10) EARLY HISTORY--SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP forms the beautiful Caldeno Falls as seen in passing through Delaware Water Gap. All these streams at one time were well stocked with fish. Large numbers of shad were caught at one time in the Delaware, but they became less and less until 1912. I was one of a party that year that caught only twelve and one big bass which weighed 61/2 pounds. Eel, bass, suckers, and sunfish still are caught in limited numbers. Brod- heads Creek was one day a great stream for trout, suckers, catfish, and eels. There is still quite good trout fishing from the State bridge up. When I was a boy, Marshalls Creek was good fishing ground for suckers, eels, catfish, and pike from the village of Marshalls Creek down to its mouth. At that time we fished by giging and a scoopnet. We would make up long fagots from dry pine wood and place them at different places along the banks of the creek. Then, after dark (dark moon was the best time) we would start at the lower end of the stream and fish up by the light of the wood torches. The person who carried the torches would walk between two persons who used the gigs. (Some called them spears). The flaming torch would light up the river and blind the fish so that they very easily could be giged. The man with the scoopnet came on behind and would scoop all that would be missed by the giger. This way of fishing was great sport. Fishing on the ice was great sport, too. Cut a hole in the ice about two feet square. One or two men go up the stream and slowly come down, pounding on the ice w'th an axe or heavy stick, driving the fish to the hole where they would be hooked by the man at the hole with a pole with four large hooks tied on the end. Fishing in this manner is for- bidden by law. The upper part of Marshalls Creek is a very good trout stream at the present time. Villages The township contains six villages or hamlets. Shawnee, the old- est, was settled at a very early date and was possibly the first per- manent settlement in the state. It was settled by the Dutch who came down the Delaware Valley from the settlement of Esopus. When sur- veyors were sent above the mountain to survey the land for Penn- sylvania in 1730, a well defined settlement was found, with orchards containing large apple trees. Whether these tr es had been planted by Dutch settleis, and the settlement became vacant when the Eng- lish subdued the Dutch in 1664, or whether the Mliisi Indians, a branch of the Lenapes, who had a village on Shawnee Isanrd, had planted the trees, se2ms to be a question which has yet to be aiswerd. But it does scem that the former conjecture is correct. Delaware Water Gap was originally called Dutotsburg. It was

(11) EARLY HISTORY--SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP so named by the first settler who, in i793, bought a large tract of land and laid out a town. The last vestage of his ideal city is a part of the public square this side of the Presbyterian Church where the houses set back from the street. Anthony Dutot, the first settler of Delaware Water Gap, was a Frenchman who came from St. Domingo. He was a man possessing a high temper, and was constantly at law and quarreling with his neighbors, especially with Ulrick Hauser who 'lived on the now Croasdale Farm. Hauser would call his little city "Hard Scrabble." Then the quarrel would begin. When my father was thirteen years of age, he worked for Mr. Hauser on his farm. I heard him tell how Mr. Hauser and his men would tease an'd torment Dutot by telling him that they were so poor in "Hard Scrabble" that they only had one griddle greaser, and they had to wait for breakfast until their turn came to have use of the greaser. A beautiful, yet a most tragic legend is told about Winona, daugh- ter of Wissinoming Indian, Chief of the Minsi branch of the Lenapes who lived on Shawano (Shawnee) Island. Hendrick Van Allen was sent from Holland to look after their interest here in America. His duties took him down through the Minisink where he met Winona and fell in love with her. When the English subdued the Dutch here in America, Hendrick was called back to Holland. To break this news to Winona was a difficult task. They paddled down the river in her canoe and landed in the Gap on the Pennsylvania side. They wandered up the mountain side until they came to a high ledge of rock where they seated themselves. Here, he broke the news to her. She arose and addressed him with words beginning: "Winona's sun has set for- ever! She awakes from a beautiful dream." In a moment, she rushes to the cliff. Hendrick caught her in his arms. They reeled on the precipice and since then the rocky cliff on the side of Mt. Minsi is known as Lovers Leap. About the year 1900, Delaware Water Gap was incorporated as a borough. A strong fight was waged against it by the township, since it took a large slice of tax income from the township. Also, it cut into that end of the township, leaving a narrow strip on the southwest between the proposed borough and Stroud Township. One of the most active promoters of incorporating, was Mr. Jesse Graves. Since he was a tall, lanky man, he was called Jeff Davis, seceeding from the Union (township). In 1836, Delaware Water Gap figured in the contest for the county seat for the new county-Monroe. She lost out in the first ballot. In 1868, Water Gap and all the surrounding country was thrown into a fever heat of excitement when two men, giving their names as Willaim Brooks and Charles Orme (later it was asserted that these were fictitious), robbed the K~ttatinny House. When they were ap-

(12) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP prehenddd, they shot and killed Theodore Brodhead and wounded Thomas Brodhead. They were tried for murder and were sentenced to be hanged. Before the day of execution they broke jail. Orme was caught and hanged. Nothing was ever heard of Brooks. Before Orme was hanged, he made a confession to Reverend W. M. Ridgeway, pastor of Stroudsburg M. E. Church at that time, and Thomas J. Bell. This confession was printed and distributed by the American Tract Society. Copies of this confession are still in some of the older families in Stroudsburg. The first telegram that came from Easton to Stroudsburg by the way of Delaware Water Gap was in 1847. The office in Water Gap was in Frank Brodhead's store, he being the operator. A tradition from the Indians is that silver was so plentfuil in the mountains at Water Gap that the Whites could shoe their horses with it instead of iron. Craigs Meadows is a cross road settlement on the Milford high- way. It received the name Is now bears from the early owner Craig. It was called "Corners" by many of the early people in that vicinity as it is located at four cross roads. The hamlet at one time contained a general store, a hotel, a school house, a community church, several farm houses, and a Lutheran Church which was built in 1854. The store and community church have now disappeared. All the land from Marshalls Creek down to East Stroudsburg was at one time owned by Beekley of England, who owned large tracts of land in Monroe and Pike Counties. The little Baptist Church in Stroud Township, built in 1843, is known as Beekleyville Baptist Church.

(13) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

Chapter II Marshall's Creek Marshall's Creek, located on a creek by that name, derived its name from Marshall, the man who, in 1737, continued to the end in the walking contest for one and a half days, walking from Wrights- town in Bucks County, to the foot of the Pocono Mountains. The village, in the early 1850's contained two flour and feed mills, one owned by Dr. P. M. Bush, and the other by William Brown. Bush was a radical Democrat and Brown was equally as radical a Republican. Be- cause they disagreed on politics and were competitors in business, they had good excuses for quarrels and lawsuits. Brown secured his power to run his mill from a dam in the nearby creeks. Bush claimed that Brown's dam backed water on his property. So the trouble started and went to the courts for a decision. In this village was a general store which did a thriving business in exchanging dry goods and groceries for railroad ties, hoop poles and barrel staves. There was also a blacksmith and wheelwright shop and a dozen dwellings. In later years a licensed hotel and several boarding houses were built. At one time, a small factory was op- erated for a short time, but it is now used for a sales an'd repair room for refrigerators. The village is well located, being at the junction of the Milford Pike and the Seven Bridges road, and also at the junc- tion of the Resica road and Milford Pike. California The crossroads which for many years was called California, is not known by that name by the present generation. It is situated on the road leading from Minisink Hills to Buttermilk Falls where it branches to the right to Delaware Water Gap. It came by that name after two men, Edward Yetter and John Trach, came home from the "49V' rush to the gold fields of Calfornia. Yetter built a small brick house which still stands there, and Trach bought a farm above Shawnee. How much gold they brought home is not definitely known. For a long time, the place was called "California." I really think the name was applied with a tinge of sarcasm. At that time there was only two houses in the village. Tinkertown How this name came to be applied to this little hamlet of some 'dozen houses no one of this generation seems to know. The hamlet

(14) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP came into existence when the D. L. & W. R. R. was built in 1855. The railroad built small shacks for the Irish emigrants they brought here to build this section of the road. Many of these shacks were im- proved and remained after the road was completed to house- the em- ployees of the Lackawanna Iron Co. of Scranton who quarried lime stone on what is now Croasdale Manor -Farms. This lime stone was shipped to Scranton to be used in the manufacture of iron. After the Iron Company ceased using the stone, the buildings, one after the other, passed away untl at present there are only three remaining. Many of the workers who helped to build the road remained and be- came sturdy citizens in building the new town, now East Stroudsburg. The honesty of these Irish people and early inhabitants of East Stroudsburg is demonstrated by the following incident: Some time after the road was built, and it was necessary to have a watchman at Brown's crossing, near the freight house, Mickey (Michael) McFadden was given the job. At that time, the D.. L..& W. R. R. paid their employees in money. The pay car stopped -at the passenger station; the men were handed their envelopes containing their month's pay, and then the car sped on to the next pay station. As it was the duty of the man who watched the crossing to examine the tracks after a train had passed, Mickey, in his tour of inspection, found a large roll of money. He took it home at night and he and his wife counted it until the small hours of the morning and still they could not tell how much there was. They were very much afraid with so much money and did not know what to do with it; they finally hid it in the clock until morning. When they came downstairs .n the morn- ing, the clock had stopped. Right then they decided the money did not belong to them and that they should find the owner. It was not long before they heard that the pay car, by some way, had lost a k'rge roll of money. Mickey was glad to get rid of the money. The railroad awarded Mickey a life job watching Brown's crossing. "Dutch Hill" is not a distinctive village, but the name means a particular road leading up from.Shawnee over the range of mountains toward Bushkill. The first settlers in that sect'on were of German descent and spoke Pennsylvania Dutch-hence the name. Branchville, now known as Minisink Hills, was founded by George Zimmerman near the year of 1802. He took up a large tract of land comprising all that which lies along Brodheads Creek and the Dela- ware River, north half way to Shawnee, thence west to Marshalls Creek, comprising 561 acres of land. He operated a general store and did a large business, since the store was located where the road turned off to go to Zimmermanys landing on the Delaware, where large amounts of logs, timber, hoop poles and barrel staves were made into large rafts and floated down the river to market. Zimmerman built a large stone house, which is still standing, a

(15) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

large stone flour and feed mill, a store house, several tenement houses, besides all of the necessary farm buildings. The store was operated up to about forty years ago. Now it is a licensed hotel. The mill was operated up to about twenty-five years ago, at which time it was de- stroyed by fire. Assessments In 1761 a tax of three pence per pound sterling was laid on the inhabitants of Smithfield Township which included all settlements from Lehigh River to New York, to defray the expenses of the General Assembly and for destroying wolves and foxes. In 1814 assessments for taxes were as follows: First quality of improved land per acre ...... $ 20.00 Second quality of improved land per acre ...... 12.00 All other improved land per acre ...... 5.00 Unimproved land per acre. 50 Houses, tanneries, distilleries, ferries, manu- facturers, to be assessed at the discretion of the assessor. Negro slaves per head ...... $ 40.00 Oxen per head ...... 25.00 Milk Cows ...... 12.00 Each Judge of Court ...... 100.00 Prot:honotary ...... 200.00 Sheriff ...... 100.00 Attorney at Law ...... 100.00 Each Justice of the Peace ...... 25.00 Treasurer of County ...... 100.00 Carpenters, joiners, shoemakers, masons, brick- layers, coopers, gunsmiths, sawyers, and weavers, each ...... 20.00 Tavern keepers at the discretion of the assessor. Single men above 21 years ...... $100.00 Deputy and surveyors ...... 100.00 Battle of Brodheads Manor The provincial authorities had failed to read in Bradocks defeat, a warning of the danger that was imminent in the Eastern part of the State until the butchery of the Moravians at Guaden Huetten, now Weissport, then at the twelfth hour they began to pacify the Indians, and at the same time began to build a line of forts for de- fense and organizing troops. Gov. Morris decided to call the Indians to a conference. He appointed Aaron Depui, Charles Brodhead and Benjamin Shoemaker, of Smithfield to deliver h-s message. Depui was sick and the conference for a treaty did not materialize. In the meantime the first organized hostility in the Minisink Valley was

(16) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

started by an attack on the Brodhead settlement in Smithfield Town- ship. When the warning had been given the settlers of the coming attack, they fled to the Brodhead fortified house, located where the present General Hospital is now. Here, besides Brodhead and his several stalwart sons, Ephrim Culver, Francis Jones, the McM'chaels, the Carmichaels, and Joseph Payne, who had fled there, made a vig- orous defense for they were well armed and accustomed to the use of the rifle. The Indians could not steal up and fire the house for eyes and rifles commanded every approach. When the Indians found they could not capture the fortified house, they burned the barn and other out buildings, Culver's mill and the Mission house. All day long mingled with the sound of the flames and the crash of rifles, resounded the hideous yells of the savages. At evening they dispersed without satisfying their thirst for blood. It is without a doubt some of the Indians were killed by the shots from the house, as the Brodhead boys were fine shots, but if any were killed, it is not definitely known for the Indians carried their fallen from the field. The battle was fought on the 11th day of December, 1755. The Indians had been friendly with the whites up to 1737 when the land obtained by the "Walking Purchase" from Wrightstown in Bucks County to the foot of the Pocono Mountains. The Indians claimed that a straight line at right angle to the Delaware River, which would have been a short distance below the Delaware Water Gap, instead the whites ran the line in a Northeastern direction to Lackawaxen on the Delaware above Port Jervis. Old Buildings and Families The oldest house, still standing, is the stone house at Shawnee, built by Nicholas DePui, about the middle of the 1700's and was owned by members of the DePui family up to the death of Robert DePui 1898, when Charles C. Worthington, who is the present owner, bought it. Another stone house was built in Shawnee in 1810 by Phlip Shrawder and used for a store building for a number of years. It is now known by the name of Wilson house. Samuel Detrick built the stone house now owned by Robert Heller, at what date is not known, but it may have been about 1845. A store was opened in this building by Walker and Heller and later by A. D. Frees. The old stone part of the Croasdale Manor was built by Ulrick Houser in the latter part of the 1700's. This house was a hotel and a post road house where mail and passengers were changed. In 1821, Philip Hoffman built the brick house on the Transue Hollow road. The property is now owned by the Shawnee Club. The

(17) EARLY HISTORY SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP carpenter work was ThC, potatoes. 36c, beef, 6c, linsey-woolsey, 65c per yard, rye flour, 3c per pound, whiskey, 121'2 per quart. The oldest log house still standing in the tow nship weas built in 1795 by George A. Yeisley. He, with his family and small outfit of cooking utensils, furniture and tools, came up from near Easton, Pa. They came by way of Wind Gap, made their wvay over trails and through thick forests, and settled along Marshalls Creek. The log house he built is 32 feet long, 24 feet wide, and one and one-half stories high. The first story is divided into two rooms-kitchen and living room. The kitchen is 12 feet by 24 feet and has a large fire- place and two windows. The lIving room is 20 feet by 24 feet with three windows. The second floor is orp large room, with the rafters and shingles forming the ceiling. In this house, he reared his family of seven children. When his oldest son, Peter, was married, he (George A.) retired from farmng and built himself a stone house a little way up the creek. Peter and his wife began farming and at the same time children were born to them, until sixteen boys and girls were crowded in that small house. Then there was a break made by building a frame addition 16 feet by 24 feet. This made an extra room on both the first and second floor.

YEISLEY LO)G lloUS4:-i~95

All of these children grew Lit) and mrarri cl except one son who died at the age of 18 years. Not being satised with what they had done to populate the world, they reared a grandson whose fathei had died in the early 1830's. (18) EARLY HISTORY--SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

Substantial stone and frame houses were built. John Casebeer built the stone house on the road from Buttermlk Falls to Craigs Meadows. He also built two frame houses on Franklin Hill and afterwards sold them to the Hoffman brothers. John Brown built the house along the Milford road which is now owned by Russell Mer- vine. About 1830, carpenter work was 85c, meat fat, 614'e, tallow, 10c, vinegar, 12'/2c, whiskey, 40c per gallon. The stone house at the foot of Minisink Hill was built in 1833. As

I 11

I to.

II; , ;' I I I I 1 I

WORM FE'NC'E

nou pass this house and turn towards De'aware WeIler Gap, you will See a short way down the road on the leot-hand s'de the rema ns of an

(19) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP old lime-kiln. At this place. a negro siave belonging to Jacob Houser, the owner of the house, met his death while tending the fire. It was night and the weather was cool, so in order to keep warm he laid down at the top of the kiln and fell asleep. He was never to awake again for the fumes coming tip through the lime stone asphyxiated him.. At this time, carpenter work was $1.00 per day. An apprentice boy earned 40c. Rum was $1.00 a gallon. A plug of tobacco cost 3c.

. .~~~~~~~~~~.

STONE, FE4NCE'I

NMeat was 9e per pound. The first two stories of the stone house at the Analomink paper

(20) I;ARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP mlill was built by Bell and Thomas about 1829. The stone house at Minisink Hills, now owned by A. M. Price, was built by George Zim- nerman in 1827. At this time, carpenter work was 75c, rye 50c, pota- oes, 371,',, and buckwheat 40c. These and many others succeed the rly log houses. In addition to the one large family just mentioned, the following .ire a few of the many more large families in Smtihfield Township (luring the early 1800's: Dr. Philip Bush, 7 children; Benjamin Taylor, 11 children; Bennet Mhorgan, 8 children; Jacob Treible, 14 children; Isaac Smith, 14 chil- ,'ien; Henry Smith, 11 children; Jacob Brotzman, 10 children; David \ye, 9 children; Anthony Transue, 9 children; Henry Albert, 22 ldildren; John Smith, 14 children; George Kautz, 10 children; John ;,orge Zimmerman, 15 children; John Metzgar, 10 children. Most of these large families were reared in small two and three ,om houses and many of them did not even have an outside toilet. hley had one open fireplace and perhaps a ten-plated stove. Father nd( mother and one of the small children slept in a large bed in one the rooms on the first floor. Two or three of the larger children limp n a trundle bed in the same room. The balance of the family p1 on the second floor, in most cases in only one room. If the room did not have a good roof, the floor would be covered !1i several inches of snow in the morning after a snow storm during night. Some of the old houses built more than a hundred years ago, do , squarely face the roadway, but they were located by the compass, iiat is north, west, south and east, so that when the sun came to the it hwest corner of the house, it was noon. The house in which I ;is born, on Franklin Hill, was built by John Casebeer who located I)y the compass. Clocks and sun dials, a hundred years ago, were very tonsive. This might have been the reason for having a building some stationary object to get some idea of the time of day. So I.s the number of hours to work, the time did not bother the e'erls. They worked as soon and as long as they could see. \ good story is told about some of the early settlers of Wolf hlow. They worked as long as they could see at night and then, o'nthey waent to bed, they slept on their hands and knees so that wn they fell over, it was time get up. Alany of the dates and prices mentioned were taken from an old hook of my grandfather's, beginning in 1815. The prices (quoted those true at the time the buildings were built.

Citizens The citizens of tne township are descendants of French, English,

(21) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

German, and a few Holland Dutch, Most of them came above the mountain from the lower counties in search of cheap land or following out the wanderlust so common to early settlers. The greater influx came between 1800 and 1825. Some of the names of the most sub- stantial early settlers are still found in the township. Such as: Metzgar, Brotzman, Bush, Kaul, Transue, Ruster, Posten, Hoffman, LaBar, Zimmerman, Yetters, Yeisley, Fenner, Brodhead, Smith, Depui, Bell and Houser. Most of the evidences of their hard labor to make a home have passed away before a higher civilization. In driving over the Brushy Mountain road, you see remnants of the "worm" fence which en- closed most of the early cleared fields, immense stone walls, eight feet wide, four or more feet high, still enclose small fields!. We cannot imagine the many sore fingers and lame backs this tremendous task of picking these stones from the land in order to raise a crop, has caused. Where did these early settlers live while the construction of their homes was in progress? Did they live out in the open under a big tree? Did they cut small logs and stand them on a slant to shelter them from the elements of the weather? Or, did they have covered wagons and live in them? No record has been left as to how these early pioneers did live until they had built a log house with tools such as an axe, saw, a chisel, and perhaps an auger or two. Split trees for a roof, mother earth for a floor, an opening for a window. This' must serve them until they had time to go to a saw mill which ma! be forty or fifty miles distance. The trip would take the greater part of a week as there were no roads, only blazed trails through the forests, and an ox team for transportation. Most of the early settlers had ox teams instead of horses, since horses cost more and their upkeep was more expensive. The ox team could be worked until noon or night and then turned loose in the field or woods until time to begin work. Very little grain was re- quired for their upkeep. After a spot of ground was cleared of the trees and burned over, a home-made plow, called a shovel plow, was used to stir up the ground between the stumps to sow a future crop of rye or buckwheat. A tree top was used for a harrow. The early shovel plow was made from a crotch of a small tree, with two small saplings fastened on the sides of the horizontal or beam of the plow, for handles. The lower end of the upright of the frame was pointed with a heavy piece of iron for digging or stirring up of the ground. Their sugar was obtained from the maple tree. They tanned their own leather in wooden troughs, made soap from wood-ash lye, made plows from a natural crook of a tree, harrow teeth were wooden pegs, sleds were made from split logs, and brooms from tough hickory

(22!) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP saplings. The loyalty of Smithfields inhabitants has never been questioned. During the Revolutionary War, Smithfield and Middle Smithfield raised a company of men and took part in the battle of Long Island. Many privates in Capt. John Arnrdts Company, First Batallion, Northampton County, commanded by Colonel Hart, were from Smithfield Township. In 1779 when General Sullivan was sent from Easton to the Wyo- ning Valley to drive out the French and Indians, Smithfield Town- ship played an important part when Edwin Redwood went from Bush- kill to Easton, down the Delaware River on a small raft.. On nearing Easton he was captured by friendly Indians and turned over to Gen- eral Sullivan as a spy. After being examined, he was acquitted of the charge. He enlisted in General Sullivan's army as a runner and spy. He did most valuable service in that capacity and came through the whole campaign with some hair-breadth escapes. Also fighting in this campaign were two brothers from Smith- field, John and Henry Pensell. The one brother took sides with.the French and Indians, the other with the cause of the colonies. They accidentally met in the woods near Wyoming. The Tory brothers had a gun, the other brother was unarmed. The armed one called his brother a rebel and declared he would shoot him. The unarmed brother fell to his knees and begged the other to spare him as a brother, declaring that he would serve him all the rest of his life. The Tory brother swore at him and shot. The story is vouched for by Rev. Rodgers, chaplain in General Sullivan's Army. After the Revolutionary War, the country had hardly settled down lo build up prosperity, when the alarm was sounded over the land that a second war with England had been declared. Smithfield Town- ship at once responded by forming a company of 33 volunteers with George Detrick as captain and Cornelius Coolbaugh as lieutenant. Most of the privates also were from Smithfield. For some time after the Mexican War, men formed a company and met during the summer months to train and drill in marching and tactics of war. These drills were held at some central place and usually at a place where whiskey was plenty. At that time it cost only 50 cents per gallon. The result was that before the day was over, there would be one or more fights, different from those they ,ad gathered to 'drill for. Peter Yeisley was captain of this company, named "Township Patriots." He was known and called captain up to the time of his leath. My father related an incident which took place at one of these drills held at the John Brown farm, now owned by Russell Mervine, Esq. This farm is located on the Milford Pike, half way from East Stroudsburg to Craigs Meadows, on the left side of the road going

(23) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD -TOWNSHIP

north. Just beyond the house is a large rock with a very steep in- cline rising to some eight feet in height. Up the steep incline of this rock one of the spectators rode his horse to the top, turned his horse around and came down without accident. My father said if he had been sober he could not have done it. When the news reached this part of the country that the United States Army had won the battle which was fought at Reseca de la Pa~lma with Mexico, an interesting incident occurred. A large number of workmen were building atannery and other necessary buildings for Messrs. Mackey and Miller on the Big Bushkill about five miles above Marshalls Creek when the news of the victory came. Some of the men had gone to bed. These were soon routed from their sleep and told the news of the great victory. They all formed into a com- pany (those who had gone to bed were in their night shirts), gath- ered sticks for guns, tin pans for drums, and the parade began with shouts and songs. Thus the place was named Resica, now known as Resica Falls-May, 1846. Many of these workmen who were constructing those buildings (the remains of many of them may yet be seen) were men from Smithfield. During the Civil War the inhabitants of the township responded to every call for men, whether for volunteers or draft. The quota was always filled with very little resistance. However, there was one man shot at Delaware Water Gap for resisting the draft. Four sons and a son-in-law of Abraham LaBar's family volun- teered and went to the front; five died for the cause of maintaining the Union. During the World War, Smithfield did her share in sending mnen to the front. Tradition said that a boy was born in Smithfield and afterwards became Governor of Kentucky. This story has never been widely circulated because most every one thought it was a myth. In order to verify the truthfulness of the story, we wrote to the historical society at Frankfort, Kentucky, and received a letter which cleared up any further doubt. It was as follows: May 6, 1938 Mr. L. S. Hoffman, East Stroudsburg, Pa. Mr. Hoffman: In answer to your letter of recent date concerning the Desha family, we wish Ito inform you that Joseph Desha, Governor of Kentucky, 1824-1828, was born in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1768. In 1781 his father emigrated to Kentucky, but removed, in the following year, to Tennessee. In 1789, Joseph Desha married a daughter of Col. Jesse

(24) EARLY HISTORY--SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

Bledsoe, and in 1792 they settled in Mason County, Ken- tucky. It is said he was a soldier in the Ind'an Wars, or border warfare, in Tennessee and Kentucky at fifteen years of age, and continued in pioneer companies until after his marriage.- In 1794 he served under Gen. Wayne against the Indians. Such was his distinction as a soldier, and his fine qualities as a gentleman, that he was kept by his country people in the Legislature of Kentucky for nine years. In 1816 he was sent to Congress, and re-elected until 1819. In 1824 he was elected Governor of Kentucky. He was an aristo- crat and a very proud one; he thought the high places of the nation should be held by men "to the manor born"-and when Thomas Metcalf was elected to succeed Gov. Desha-he said he would refuse to give up the Governorship to him. Desha did not like Metcalfe, politically or otherwise, as a successor to his honor as the Governor of 'Kentucky. Metcalfe was a stone mason, by trade, and Desha thought that too low a trade to rise to the Governorship of the State. Desha de- clare'd he did not intend to give up the gubernatorial chair to that Stone Hammer, as Metcalfe was called. But his better judgment and better feeling prevailed, and a week after Gov. Metcalf had qualified for the office, Gov. Desha deliv- ered up the seals to "Stone Hammer Metcalfe'' and retired to his home in Harrison County, never.again to enter public life. He died at Georgetown, in Scott County, Kentucky, Oct. 11, 1842, aged 74. If there is further help we can give you on this Desha line, we will ge glad to do so, if we can. Sincerely, BAYLES HARDIN, State Historical Society, Frankfort, Kentucky.

(25) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

CHAPTER III The pioneers who settled in Smithfield Township before 1800 and for some time afterward came through the Wind Gap to Brink- ers Mill, now Saylorsburg. At that point they turned sharp to the right through Cherry Valley to Shaws Meadows, later known as Abraham Fetherman's farm. There the road or trail turned to the left to Little Kunkletown, thence to Stroudsburg. There is no doubt but what the road continued past the Brodhead Manor, now East Stroudsburg, over Minisink Hill towards Buttermilk Falls, turning to the right leading to the Shoemakers, later the Zimmerman Farm, and then to Shawnee. There were two men and their families who came to the east- ern part of Smithfield Township in the early 1800's and bought large tracts of land, who did more for the development of the township at that period than any other two men. George Zimmerman bought on the eastern side of Brodheads Creek and founded Branchville. He did extensive farming, did a thriving general store business and operated a flour and feed mill. Zimmerman's place of business was located at a very convenient point for the accommodation of people living in that vicinity, but especially so for lumbermen from ex- treme ends of the township. In order to get their products, barrel hoops and staves, sawed lumber of all kinds, logs and railroad ties, to a market which was at Philadelphia, they had to bring their prod- uctA to the Delaware River to make them into rafts so as to float them 'down the river. Zimmerman had an eye for business and since he owned a large river front, he opened up a road to the Benne-kill and gave plenty of land to unload their lumber before making it into rafts. As this road turned off from the main road at his store, he naturally would get their trade at his store and mrll, and if he took their products in exchange for his goods, he not orgy made a profit on his goods but also a profit on their lumber when he ran it down the river and sold it in a city market. The business was carried on after George Zimmerman's death in 1828 by two of his sons, Daniel and John in the store, and another son, Peter, in the mill. A farm for each Jacob and Joseph was carved out of the six hundred or more acres which he had bought in 1802. James Bell, Sr. located about the same time on the west side of Brodheads Creek as Zimmerman settled on the east side. I-e, too, built a large stone house and a flour and feed mill. HIe installed in the mill a new process for making flour. It is the opinion of sonei that the name for the post office, Experiment Mills, was derived from th's experiment of flour making. The business was carried on under the firm name of Bell and Thomas. Bell and Thomas shipped much of their grain products to Phil- adelphia in Durham boats by the way of the river. Since these two

(.6) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP

early pioneers were in the same business, a strong rivalry sprung up between them, and even led to a lawsuit over a small island which was located in Brodheads Creek. This was before the D. L. & W. R. R. changed the course of the creek. Nevertheless, both men were fine Christian citizens-one a Lutheran, the other a Quaker. The place of landing of the Durham boats was at the mouth of Brodheads Creek, known as the "Flower Garden," for what rea- son we are not informed; then when the boats began to land, it was known as "Armats Landing," for Thomas Armat who owned the land, then after the boats ceased to run the Delaware, it was known as the "Rye Field." The first Durham boat was built in 1750 at Durham Furnace, be- low Easton. Van Campen, who operated the Depui mill at Shawnee was the first one to use these boats in 1758. Later on at the beginning of 1800's, Zimmerman and Bell used these boats for the transportation of their manufactured products of their mills. Bell and Jordan also used these boats to ship their iron products which they made at what is now known as "Forge Cut" on the D. L.. & W. R. R., near East Stroudsburg. After James Bell, Sr. died, James Bell, Jr. carried on the estab- lished business of his father, adding to it lime kilns and keeping summer boarders. The house built by his father was too small for the accommodations of his increasing guests, so in 1867 he built another story on the already two story building. Besides the other varied businesses in which he was engaged, he became the first and only postmaster up to his death. When the property changed owners and after the first part of the Analomink paper mill was built, the stone flour mill was torn down to make room for further develop- ments. The only monument remaining to mark the place where once a great business had been located is the old stone house. As a business man, Bell was strictly honest, only wanting what was due him and giving anything which rightly was not his. My father related an incident which happened between Bell and a well-to-do farmer by the name of Peter Kurtz. Kurtz sold Bell much of his farm products and in exchange bought goods from Bell's store. These Transactions were carried on their books until the end of the year, when a Settlement was made and accounts balanced. At the end of the last year of their doing business, Bell had a charge against Kurtz of one cent which was for an awl for mending shoes. Kurtz denied he charge and refused to pay it. An argument ensued and ended by neither one giving up. Bell lost Kurtz's trade and Kurtz lost a market for his farm products. We consider both men honest but they did not wish their honesty disputed. The above incident shows the high standard of honesty that prevailed in the early days. We have mentioned a few men who were prominent and did much

(27) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP for the development of the township physically, morally and spiritual- ly. It would make a large volume to record all the noble deeds they did and the great sacrifices they made to make the wilderness fit for us to live in. There are many more worthy of mentioning, but many of these have been written up in different histories in past years, therefore, I will confine myself to a few who have been but casually mentioned. In 1842 a man by the name of Kenzie sold his property in Smithfield and removed to Pike County and bought stock in "The Sylvanian Society," founded by Horace Greeley. Greeley had ad- vocated common ownership in his editorials in "The New York Tribune" and also by pamphlets, until he had enough stock sold to buy 7,000 acres of wild land in Lackawaxen township. This society was planned on the same principle as the communist of today. All members must own at least one share of stock worth $25.00 They built a large frame building which contained a dining room, social hall and work rooms. A wheel'right shop, blacksm th shop, sawmill and a number of small cottages to house the people. In 1843-44 the colony contained about 300 people. No denominational instruction was allowed, but any preacher could be invited to preach. The trouble began when young men from the city, sent there by their parents, who had bought stock in order to make a reformatory home for their wayward and diSkipated sons, refused to do manual labor. Then too, the wild country, the many large rattle snakes, one was killed, the skin of which was large enough to make a pair of slippers, which was given to Mr. Greeley.: On the night of July 3, 1845, frost froze all the crops so that on the mrorn'ng of July 4th, all vegetation was black. Starvation stared themn in the face and they were so discouraged that after a few days, not a single person remained in Ihe Colony. Kenzie must have been a man of great perservance and will power, as it is said that he went to New York to get some satis- faction from Greeley for his money he had invested and lost. He met Feeley in his office and made known his errand, expecting that he would be ordered out of his office, but instead Greeley, without any words wrote a check for the full amount. This so pleased Kenzie that he changed from a Democrat and ever afterward voted a Wig ticket. Philip Shrawder-We have not been able to learn where this man of business qualities came from when he arrived into Smith- field and made his home in Shawnee. The first account we have of him was when he was made captain in the Revolutionary War. Then in 1784 he led a company against the Connecticut settlers at Wy- oming. Then from 1797-1816 he dealt heavily in land, built a store house in 1810 and kept store in Shawnee which at that time was called "Bushtown." He had a fine education including mastery

(28) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP of several languages. In looking over old deeds we find many of them give the boun- dary lines as joining lands of Shrawder. He died late in the 1830's. His property was sold in 1840. He may be bur'ed in Shawnee cemetery. Smiths-While many Smiths or Smyths settled early in Smith- field, two John Smiths stand out very prominently as men possessing great foresight in investing in lands of a new country and ability to develop the same. John Smith No. 1 was given title, 1730, by Allen who had been given title to a vast amount of land by Penn, above the Blue Mountains, on both sides of Cherry Creek including Croas- dale Manor. From that time on there is a connecting title to the "Manor." While Smith did not remain on the property and become the first settler in Pennsylvania, he evidently has the honor of leav-

SHOVEL PLOW

ing his name to the township which bears his name. Tradition does tlot infor.,n us as to his doings after he sold the property to Nicholas De'ui. John Smith, No. 2 came up from Mt. Bethel, Northampton County after the Revolutionary War and dealt largely in lands on both sides of the Delaware from Bushkill up, from 1778-1790. He served as a private in Join Arnst company. First Battalion of North- .impton County commanded by Colonel Hart, July 9, 1776. He had nine sons and three daughters and for most of them he provided a farm. In a deed he made for a piece of land, in 1788, to Hardenberg

(29) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP and Dubois he signed his name "Smyth." Most of the transfers made about this period were executed by Col. Wm. Wills, who came from Tyrone County, N. Y., in 1780 and lived on the Milford road near Marshalls Creek. It is said that at one time he was a man of some considerable wealth, but had lost it during the Revolutionary War by exchanging his gold for continental money. He had a fine educa- tion, served asl justice of the peace, and he rarely charged for his services, from this fact he performed many marriage ceremonies. It is related that on one occasion he performed the marriage ceremony *when he and expectant bride and groom were on opposite sides of a flooded stream, the bridge had been carried away by the high water. Now we wish to mention a few men who were not born or lived in Smithfield, but we wish to show that heredity and educational training received from Smithfield played a big part in starting these men to high honor and distinction in after life. Hon. M. M. Dimmick was born in Milford, Pike County, about 1812, being the grandson of Dr. Francis Josephus Smith (Aertz) of Smith- field. (A sketch of him later). Mr. Dimmick came to Stroudsburg about 1841 and practiced law very successfully. He was elected to Congress, 1848-50. In 1854 he removed to Mauch Chunk. It was while he was in Stroudsburg that he earned the best title to distinction. Honorable Samuel Smith Dreher, born in Stroudsburg in 1824. His mother was Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of Adam Smith of Smithfield who lived on the farm, now owned by George Spangen- berger, a part of East Stroudsburg. Adam Smith came from Ger- many and bought land enough for his two sons, John and Christian, from the Brodhead Manor. Judge Dreher finishing education was under the tutorage of Charles Hoffman, a German itinerate school teacher who taught pri- vate school in a log school house on Franklin Hill, Smithfield. He was admitted to the bar in 1846. He was elected President Judge of the then Judic al District comprising Pike, Carbon, Wayne and Mon- roe counties, in 1870. It was while he was judge of this district that he became known as a jurist, not only in the four counties forming the district, but all through the central, and eastern part of the United States, when he presided over the trials of the notorious gang of "Mollie Maguires" who operated in Carbon County. William Stroud Rees was born in 1819. His education, up to twelve years was what he received from a subscription school_ a few months in the winter; and the only schooling he got after he was *sixteen years of age was four months in the winter 1838-39 in the little log school house on Franklin Hill, Smithfield Township, taught by Charles Hoffman, a German itinerate teacher. In this school he received the necessary training for his career in after life.

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HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES -of the- ZIMMERMAN FAMILY John George Zimmerman came to Smithfield Township from Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1802. His family consisted of his wife, Margaret, and ten children. They were: John George, Isaac, Margaret, 'Elizabeth, Daniel, Salome, Henry, Catharine, Joseph and Benjamin. In after years, five more were born. They were: Peter, Mary, Jacob, a daughter who lived only three days, and John. John George in life was known as George. You will note that ten of the children were given Biblical names, which indicates that the parents were Bible students. Zimmerman bought from Daniel Shoemaker 561 acres of land for 4,000 pounds. It is said that the pound was not a pound sterling but a pound used at that time in Pennsylvania was worth $2.66 2-3, making the cost of his property $10,666.66. Daniel Shoemaker was a miller and operated the old mill at Shawnee. The following is the line of title as it came down from Wil- liam Penn, Sr. William Penn, Sr., in 1712, gave his grandson, William Penn, Jr., 10,000 acres along the Delaware River and Brodheads Creek, and as trustees for the same, Richard Hill, Isaac Morris, Sam- uel Preston and James Logan were named. In 1727, William Penn ordered Jacob Taylor, surveyor general, to survey it. In 1728, William Penn, Jr., sold the 10,000 acres to William Allen for 741 pounds and 15 shillings. Between 1728 and 1733 Allen came up from Philadelphia and found some of the land occupied by Nicholas Depui. In 1733 Allen leased Depui three tracts of land containing 2211½ acres for one year, for 5 shillings. A short time afterwards Allen sold Depui the same land for 350 pounds. In 1744 Depui sold Ben- jamin Shoemaker this 221½ acres which later became a part of the Zimmerman tract. Some of the 10,000 acres must have gone back to the State, for there were patents granted by the State to Shoemaker. Benjamin Shoemaker willed all his possessions to his two sons, Elijah and Daniel. Elijah sold his interest to Daniel. He sold the 561 acres to John George Zimmerman. When Zimmerman bought the property it had on it two log houses and a log barn. He soon built a feed mill and a saw mill where the building now stands and is a li- censed road house, near the stone arched bridge, near the culvert of the N. Y. & S. R. R. The dam was at the bend of Marshalls Creek backing the water up over where the Carraen dance hall now stands. These mills he operated until 1815 when he built the large stone mill which was destroyed by fire some years ago. The dam to furnish water for power was built a short distance up the creek and was in use

(31) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP for many years until it was destroyed by a flood. Then a smaller dam was built up the creek, diverting the creek into a "tale-race" to the mill. At the same time he built the flour and feed mill, he built a clover mill just south of the flour mill. These mills, in conjunction with his farm were operated by him until his death in 1827. In this same year he built his stone house which he never occupied. After his death, his sons Daniel, John, Peter, and Joseph, operated the farm and mills. At the same time, Daniel, John and Joseph opened a little store at the foot of Laurel Hill and afterwards built the building, now used for a road house, for a Store and dwelling. The other children had been provided for by division of lands and other renumerations. In 1845, the sons who had been operating the mills, decided to sell. Peter bought it at a price too low to suit Joseph, so he upset the sale. Then Peter, by some twist of the law, had it sold by the sheriff, Andrew Storm. Joseph and John Michaels bought it for $3675. In 1851, Michaels sold his interest to Joseph Zimmer- man for $420, all of the money he had in it. These transactions made hard feelings between Joseph and Peter. Joe knew nothing about running the mill, and consequently he lost both trade and money. In the early 1850's, Peter built a new mill up the creek about one mile, at a place now known as Silver Lake. In 1866, Joseph Zimmerman, Jr., son of Joseph, Sr., brought about a sale of the stone mill and the clover mill to Peter Zimmer- man. After Peter became owner, he tore down the clover mill, built a sawmill, and added a third story to the flour mills. He operated all mills until 1870, when he sold the flour mill and sawmill to Heller and Smoyer. NOTE: The above was compiled from a history of John George Zimmerman by a grandson, Joseph Zimmerman, Jr., written in 1894. This history is owned by Mrs. Clifford Heller, Stroudsburg, Penn- sylvania, a great granddaughter of John George Zimmerman. His son, Peter, was one of the most remarkable men of his time. He was a great Bible student and could remember what he read as well as that which he heard. His pastor, the late Reverend Theophilus Heilig, related an incident as to his wonderful memory. Reverend Heilig had been very busy during the week and did not have time to write a new sermon, so he turned his "barrel of ser- mons" upside down and selected a sermon he had preached some- time before, making a few changes to fit the occasion. After the services had closed, Peter informed Reverend Heilig that he had preached a very good sermon, but not as good as the one he had preached from the text a year ago. He was a great believer in vic-

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torious prayer and dreams. In an address, Reverend Heilig gave to the Brotherhood in Philadelphia, which was later printed, he related several incidents in which his prayers. were immediately answered. One of these incidents occurred in 1841, when the Smithfield bridge was swept away by high water, and a man was drowned. His body was swept towards the river. Rev. Heilig had prayed at night that the body might be found and restored to his family. That night he dream- ed just where the body could be found. In the morning he and his brother went in a boat to the mouth of the creek where it empties in- to the river and there found the body. He (Peter) always had a Bible in his mill, and when customers would come for the flour or feed he had ground for them, he would visit with them and read and quote passages of scriptures and ex- pound the meaning to them. It was thought by some that he was quite eccentric and peculiar in some respects, but with his pecularities he was a devout Chris- tian and a great Bible student. I A true story demonstrates his peculiarities. Among his many friends in Stroudsburg were David Keller and John B. Storm, whom he had invited on several occasions to call on him at his home at Buttermilk Falls. So one day Keller and Storm decided that they would 'drive over and see their friend Zimmerman. They found Peter busy at his work in the mill. They greeted him and informed him that they had come to make a call. Peter informed them that it was not at all "su-t-a-ble." Peter Zimmerman was a great walker. He would walk from Branchville, his home, to Easton, transact business there and come home the same day. One day when he went to Easton by stage, he thoug1ht it was not making very good time, since they had to stop at different places to take on and discharge passengers. He told the driver that he would walk on until the stage caught up to him. He walked and arrived in Easton before the stage. He said that if you wished to make time in walking, you should walk in a straight line, not cross back and forth over the road, and take all curves on the inside. He was also a great man for improvements, building mills and houses, planting orchards and trees. He employed men when there was little or no work to 'do. He died, poor, at the age of 84 years, working up to the last, His memory remains, but in many respects, the vacancy he left has never been filled. Daniel was a systematic farmer and business man. I gathered this information from some of his old accounts loaned to me by his grandson, Daniel, of Minisink Hills. He kept a copy of his order for goods as well as of business and social letters. In 1849 he planted corn on May 21 and 22. He adds that there was a new moon on

(33) EARLY HISTORY-SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP the same day at 2:45 P. M. Then, on June 4, he planted again after soaking the corn for three days in Saltpeter water. He stated that there was a new moon on the 5th, at 5:27 P. M. In 1852, he notes, he had 252 bushels of wheat, very little smutty. In 1847, he finished harvesting on July 20, at 12:00 noon. The wheat was ripe on the 17th, but he could not get any hands. He had 166 shocks-1660 sheaves. In 1854, his wheat crop had failed. Rye middling, 117 bushels. Corn, not a half crop. Potatoes were good. Here are some of the store prices: New England rum, Port, and Lisbon wine, $2.50 per barrel; cigars, 4 for a cent; half Spanish cigars, 2 for a cent; all Spanish cigars, 1 for a cent. Health and Doctors As far as is known the general health of the inhabitants of the township has always been good. No great epidemic has ever swept over it. In 1870, however, a great scare and excitement spread over the entire township when a number of cases of small pox were re- ported in three different parts of the township. Abraham Burrell, of Delaware Water Gap, who built a summer hotel-Lenape House, now the brick part of the River View House, was, one of the three fatal cases. Another fatal case was that of Jacob Transue who lived on the road from Buttermilk Falls to Craigs Meadows. The farm is called "The Golden Rule Farm." The third fatal case was that of Frederick Transue of Shawnee. A young son of Mr. Transue's, Philip, contracted the dreadful malady and supposely died, but when his body was being prepared for burial, life was dis- covered. He was revived and lived to quite an old age. So one of the most dreadful and horrible deaths was avoided by the keen and ob- serving eyes of those in charge. The nursing of the sick and burying of the dead was done by two men who had in sometime of the past had the loathsome disease- Samuel Casebeer and George Yiesley. Mrs. Susan Bunnell Zimmerman, who is now past 86 years of age, related to the writer how the small pox was brought into the town- ship. A man traveling through the country stopped at the home of Abraham Walter, a few miles above Shawnee, and obtained lodging for the night. The next day Mrs. Walter washed some bedding from the bed in which the man had slept and withn a short time she be- came sick, not knowing at first what the disease was. By the time they knew it was small pox, some of their friends had called and soon it spread to the families of James Bunnell and Frederick Transue in Shawnee, and also to Jacob Transue. Everybody took precaution and was vaccinated. By so doing, the disease was confined to a few families.

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1iiw Zimmern ian related another instance as told her by her mother Then a young girl who had typhoid fever and apparently had died. Friends halI gathered to pay their last respects to the departed and to sympathize with the family when life returned and she lived to be of old age. It makes us shudder to think what may have happened in years past when a physician was not called in to verify a death, and before embalming was done. The earliest doctor in Smithfield to care for the ills of the early settlers was a Doctor Smith. All that is known of him has been handed down to us by tradition. He was an early settler in Smith- field Township and lived on the road lea&-,g fromth *ie iouserville road over Franklin Hill. Tfr ,bniy vestage of his humble home is some lemon lillies so cnrzgiaon to the early settlers' homes. Since he had been a great Suiferer of the gout, he made a request that his b6oif0<`b '6uried in a cemetery, so that on the day of resurrection people would not be tramping on his feet. His request was carried out and his body was taken about a mile up on the hill, which at that time was a forest. His grave is on the south side of the Morgan farm, now Marvin's, joining lands of Peter Kurtz. His grave is marked by a field stone. It is not known at what time the doctor adminis- tered to the ills of the people in that community, but no doubt the time was immediately after the Revolutionary War. Dr. Pell was the next doctor who went up and down through Smithfield and Middle Smithfield Townships, treating sick people with medicine he made from herbs he found in the forest. His salves he made by combining the grease from skunks and rattle snakes with extracts obtained from different kinds of roots. It was said that he treated many of the ordinary ailments very successfully. His son took up the work of his father and did service until the late 1800's. Neither of these doctors had a license or even saw the inside of a medical college, but they did fill in 'during those days and no doubt many a patient was very grateful for alleviating their pains and restoring their health. Dr. Philip Bush came on the scene in 1835 and served the people of the two Smithfields and Stroud Townships for fifty years, up to the time of his death, in 1885. Dr. Barnes located in Shawnee in the early 70's and practiced successfully for a number of years. Major operations were thought impossible up until about 1856, when a young doctor, A. Reaves Jackson, located in Stroudsburg and began to 'do major operations. He was called for consultation at the home of Jacob Transue, of Buttermilk Falls, whose wife was suffer- ing from a growth in her abdomen. Dr. Jackson claimed it was a safe operative case, but the local doctor said the woman would die during the operation. The family took the local doctor's advice and she died

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