Area History: Clarion County History by Peter Clover, 1877: Clarion Co, PA
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Copy of some historical notes prepared by Judge Peter Clover of Corsica.
Judge Clover was Associate Judge in the district embracing Jefferson and
Clarion Counties. He was born in 1804 in the settlement on Brush Run-the
earliest settlement in Clarion County. Judge Clover died Oct. 8, 1887.
These historical articles were published by the Clarion Democrat in 1877;
the papers were preserved by Mrs. R.M. Corbett (Elizabeth Fleming) who lived
at the brick house on Rte. 322, one-half mile west of Corsica. Through the
kindness of her daughter, Miss Nancy Corbett of Brookville, the papers were
made available.
Also published in Caldwell's Illustrated Historical Combination Atlas
of Clarion Co., Pennsylvania
Published by J. A. Caldwell, 1877.
(From the Clarion Democrat, July 20th, 1877. By Judge Peter Clover of Corsica, Penna.)
History of the Earliest Settlement of Clarion County. by Peter Clover.
Messrs. Editors:
Having been requested again and again by numerous friends to write
something concerning the first settlement of Clarion County, I have at last
yielded to their entreaties, feeling sensible that abler pens than mine have
preceded me in this work, yet by much younger men who have had to depend
entirely upon information gathered from various quarters, many names being
omitted-mistakes as to dates occurring in consequence of lack of personal
knowledge.
Although in the 74th year of my age, I find my mind clearer with regard to
names and early dates than during the more active years of my life while
engaged in business pursuits. There is no truer saying than that "first
impressions are lasting." While looking back today, scenes of my childhood
and early youth came before me with almost perfect distinctness, and I well
remember the faces and forms of the early settlers as they came to my
father's house, either on business or pleasure, and I do not think in going
back that I have made any mistakes either as to names or dates.
Those who expect to find flowery language or poetic thoughts in connection
with what I have written, will be mistaken, as my object has been to state
facts and give correct dates that the present generation may know who
deserve the credit for the hardships which were endured that the "wilderness
might blossom as the rose."
In the year 1801, with a courage nothing could daunt, ten men left their
old homes and all the comforts of the more thickly settled and older
portions of the eastern part of the State, for the unsettled wilderness of
the more western part, leaving behind them the many associations which
render the old homes so dear, and going forth strong in might and firm in
the faith of the God of their fathers, to plant homes and erect new altars
around which to rear their young families. Brave hearts beat in the bosoms
of those men and women who made so many and great sacrifices in order to
develop the resources of a portion of country almost unknown at that time.
When we look abroad today and see what rapid strides have been made in the
march of civilization, we say all honor to our forefathers who did so great
a part of the work! It would be difficult for those of the present day to
imagine how families would move upon horseback through an almost unbroken
wilderness, with no road save an "Indian trail", the women and children
mounted upon horses, the cooking utensils, farming implements, such as hoes,
axes, ploughs, and shovels, together with bedding and provisions, placed in
what were called pack-saddles, while following upon foot were the men with
their guns upon their shoulders ready to take down any small game that might
cross their path, which would go toward making up their next meal.
After a long and toilsome journey, these brave pioneers halted in their
course in what was then called Armstrong County (now Clarion County) and
immediately began the clearing of their lands, which they had purchased of
Gen. Potter (General James Potter) of the far-famed "Potter Fort" in Penn's
Valley in Centre County, familiar to everyone who has ever read of the
terrible depredations committed by the Indians in that part of the country
at an early period of its history.
The names of the men were as follows:
William Young, Sr.,
Philip Clover, Sr.,
John Love,
James Potter,
John Rall, Sr.,
James McFadden,
John C. Corbett,
Samuel Wilson, Sr.,
William Smith, and
Philip Clover, Jr.
Samuel Wilson returned to Centre County to spend the winter, but death removed
him. In the following spring of 1802, his widow and her five sons returned,
namely: Robert, John, William, Samuel, and David. Those who did not bring
their families along in 1801, yet built their cabins, cleared some land and
put in wheat, raised potatoes and turnips, put them in their cabins and
covered them over with earth for safe keeping for the next summer's use, and
when they got all their work done in the fall, they returned to their
families in Centre and Mifflin Counties; they came back in the spring of
1802. There were some others who also came at an early date: James
Laughlin and Frederick Miles who built a sawmill in 1804 at or near the
mouth of Piney Creek and were the first to run lumber to Pittsburgh. I would
just mention here a useful man, by name, John Simkins, who came at a
somewhat later date. He was a wagon-maker--also made ploughs and harness
and sleds: they being articles for hauling, there being not a single wagon
in the country. He also made door and window frames-sash for windows not
being needed, as glass was a luxury not to be thought of. (oiled paper was
a substitute and much cheaper).
In the year 1801 other parties came from Westmoreland County. Their names
were James Maguire, Alex, John, and Thomas Guthrie, William Maffett, Harmon
Skiles, his mother - a widow lady, moving as the others had done, upon
horseback: also the Widow Fulton and her three sons, James, Cochran, and
Henry. I will give a little circumstance in connection with this family.
One morning, early, my father was out in pursuit of wild game, when, much to
his surprise, he heard a cowbell. Starting immediately toward the sound, he
soon came upon a small clearing and cabin, together with the widow's family.
They were a much surprised as he, not knowing that anyone was living near,
save their own company. In the same year Samuel C. Orr, Tate Allison,
William Cochran, Robert Warden, Peter Pence, Thomas Meredith, John Sloan,
Sr., Mark Williams came. In 1802, Hugh Reid, also the Rev. Robert McGarrah
- of whom I will speak more fully hereafter. In 1804 Thomas Brown, Richard
Nesbit, William Adams, - the above names settled near where Reidsburg now is. On
Leatherwood Creek, in 1802, settled Robert Travis, John, William, and Robert
Beatty. Christian Smathers, Nicholas Polliard, Michael Harriger and the
Delp family in 1804-5 and in the vicinity of Curllsville in 1802-3-4 Abram
Stanford, Henry Benn, William Monks, William Binkee, John and Isaac
Stanford, Abram Coursin, William Wilson, Thomas Watson, John Anderson,
Samuel and William Austin, John McKee, Samuel Nelson. In Toby township,
Alexander McKain, Joseph Rankin, Matthew Hosey, Ephraim Gardner, William
Steward, James McCall, David and Thomas McKibben, and on Cherry Run,
Alexander Wilson, Levi and John.
And further on, toward the Allegheny River, were the Hagans, Pollocks,
Everts. All the above named came from 1801-6, bearing with others the heat
and burden of the day. In addition to the above, I would also mention John
Clugh, Isaac Fetzer, Joseph McEwen in Monroe Township and John Hindman who
settled on the farm now owned by R.M. Corbett, adjoining the Jefferson
County line and Moses Watson on the farm now owned by William Cowan.
The first settlements on Red Bank Creek were made in 1801-2-3-5 by Archibald
McKallip, Henry Nulph, Jacob Hetrick, John Schaefer, John Mohney, Jacob
Miller, the Doverspike family, Moses Kirkpatrick, William Latimer, John
Ardery, John Wilkins, John Washy, Calen McNutt. Some of the above came from
Westmoreland, some from Lehigh and some from Northampton.
First settlers of Clarion Township, together with their occupations: Philip
Clover was a tanner and shoemaker; John Love, a weaver; John Corbett, a
surveyor; Philip Clover, Jr., a blacksmith; John Roll, a cooper; James
Maguire, a scythe maker and the balance followed farming, although they all
owned farms. The Guthries, Maffetts, Skiles and Maguires bought their land
from the Bingham heirs. There was some land yet vacant which was taken up
by the settlers and warranted by them. In 1807 Joseph Bony, James McMaster
and Joseph Gathers came from Westmoreland and settled the Agey, the Brisbin
and the McMaster farms. James McMaster brought the first wagon to the
county.
Alexander McNaughten settled near where Highland Furnace now stands. He
came from the Highlands of Scotland and always called himself "Highland
Alex"; from that appellation Highland Township and Highland Furnace took
their names. He was an auctioneer and at an early date was taken many miles
for that purpose. In 1802 the widow McConnell and family came from Center
County.
The food and raiment of the first settlers made a near approach to that of
John the Baptist in the wilderness. Instead of locusts, they had wild
turkey, deer and bear meat and their raiment consisted of homespun linen,
woolen and tow cloth. The wool and flax being all prepared for weaving by
hand for many years after its first settlement, then woven also by hand.
When woolen cloth was wanted for men's wear, the process of pulling was as
follows: a required quantity of flannel was laid upon the bare floor and a
quantity of soap and water thrown over it, then a number of men seated on
stools would take hold of a rope tied in a circle and begin to kick the
flannel with their bare feet. When supposed to be pulled sufficiently, the
men were released from their task, which was a tiresome one, yet a
mirth-provoking one, too, for if it were possible, one or so must come from
his seat to be landed in the midst of the heap of flannel and soap suds,
much to the merriment of the more fortunate ones. Flax was prepared by drying
over straw, braking, skutching and hackling before being ready to spin.
Linen and tow cloth supplied the place of the muslin and calico of the present
day. That which was for dress goods was wove striped, either lye color or
blue through the white which was considered a nice summer suit when made into
what was called a short gown and petticoat which matched very well with the
calf skin slippers of that day. The nearest store was at Kittanning, 35 miles,
and calico was 50 cents a yd.; the road was but a pathway through the woods.
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Some comments: The Henry Nulph mentioned re: Redbank Creek settlement was
known as "Gum" Nulph. He was a colorful character and New Bethlehem, PA was
originally known as "Gumtown". Today there is a park, so named, along the
banks of the Creek where houses, storage buildings and the Scout Hall stood
for many years. In 1996 a fierce flood efficiently cleared everything to
make way for the park.
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Men appeared at church in those days in linen shirts with collars four
inches wide turned down over the shoulders; linen vest--no coat in summer.
Some wore cowhide shoes, others moccasins of buckskin, others again--with
their feet bare. In the winter men wore deerskin pantaloons and a long,
loose robe called a hunting shirt, bound round the body with a leathern
girdle and some a flannel wamus--which was a sort kind of coat. The women
wearing flannel dresses almost exclusively in the winter. During the first
two years after the settlement, the people had to pack their flour upon
horseback from Centre County, Westmoreland, and Indiana Counties, also their
iron and salt (which was $10 a barrel); iron was 15 cents a pound. Coffee
and tea were but little used, tea being four dollars per pound, coffee 75
cents; these articles were considered great luxuries, both from the high
price at which they came and the difficulties attending their transportation
through the woods following the Indian trail. As to vegetables and animal
food, there was no scarcity as everyone had gardens and the forest abounded
with wild game and there were some expert huntsmen that kept the settlement
supplied with meat. Those who were not "sure shots" themselves would go and
work for the hunter while he would go out and supply his less fortunate neighbor.
Many, however, got along badly, some having nothing but potatoes and salt for
short intervals.
I know one hunter who killed one hundred and twenty deer and twenty bears in
the first two years of the settlement, besides any amount of small game.
When people began to build barns and larger houses, one would start out and
invite the whole country for miles around, often going ten and twelve miles,
and then it often took two or three days to raise a log barn, using horses
to help get up the logs. Persons from Clarion Township went to Kapps and
Sigworth's in Washington Township to help put up their buildings, a distance
of sixteen miles. The only blacksmith shop was at Philip Clover's in
Clarion Twp. near where the stone house now stands.
When the first townships were laid out, there were but two between Redbank
and the Clarion River, and the line between them started near the Clarion
bridge and ran from there west of Curllsville. The line is now the line of
Monroe Township. The eastern township was called Redbank ; the western,
Toby. The election in Redbank Township was held at Col. John Sloan's and in
Toby at the house of James McKelvy.
The militia held their reviews at Abram Stanford's near Curllsville, twice a
year and a gay time it was, with plenty of whisky and gingerbread. The
uniforms were not all UNIFORM, neither were the arms all ARMS as some
marched with one kind of clothing on and some with another, and while some
had guns, others marched with sticks or cornstalks or anything that looked
like guns at a distance. The field officers were well uniformed and looked
well such as brigade inspectors, generals, colonels, etc. The free
circulation of the above named whiskey caused any amount of black eyes and
bloody noses for there were men then as now, we are sorry to say who only
needed some whiskey to stir up all the evil that was within them.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS.
The first child that was born in the county was Mary Guthrie and the next
was Thomas Young. The house where he was born stood under the shade of the
old oak tree, near the residence of William Young, between Strattanville and
Clarion. The first couple married was William Bloom and Mary Roll in 1802.
The next was Robert Wilson and Sarah McConnell in 1803. The first death was
that of James McFaddin of Clarion township. The next was an infant son of
Philip and Sarah Clover, named Paul. The above occurred in 1802.
PUBLIC ROADS.
The first public road that was laid out and made was what is called the old
State Road. It was laid out and opened in 1805 and was bridged in 1806 by
John, Henry and Robert Allison and Thomas Guthrie. It was laid out and made
by the State as a military road from Sunbury to Fort LeBoeuf, the old French
fort at LeBoeuf Lake at Waterford, for the transportation of munitions of
war, and in 1812, seven hundred and fifty soldiers marched to Erie after
Hull's surrender.
The next public road was laid out from the Jefferson county line to a point
on the Allegheny River at Parker's Ferry (now Parker City). Then a road was
laid out from the Parker road at John Roll's (now Samuel Frampton's) to a
point called "Austin's Gap" on the Esquire Means farm near Curllsville,
thence to Watterson's Ferry on the Allegheny River. The next was laid out
from Joshua Rhea's to intersect the other road at Curllsville, passing by
Samuel Orr's, Christian Smathers and Churchville.
GRIST MILLS
The first grist mill was built at the mouth of Mill Creek by Thomas
Gutherie. The next by Hugh Reid, where Reidsburg now stands. The next was
built by John and Isaac Corbett on Brush Run. Before these mills were
built, the people had to take their grain to Oil Creek to get it ground.
Some when to a horse mill on Bear Creek below Parker's Landing. Those who
went to Oil Creek could not make the trip in less than three or four days.
Their camping ground was at the Big Meadows in Venango County. When staying
out they would spancel the horses so that they could not get away. They
crossed the Clarion River at Furman's Eddy. Speaking of Furman's Eddy
reminds me of the first man who was drowned in the Clarion, his name was
David Gregg, who in 1804 fell off a float. His body was found after some
time near where the water-works now are. He was buried at the mouth of a
little run which ever after was known as Gregg's Run.
MAIL ROUTE.
The first mail route that was opened through this country was established in
1801 from Bellefonte to Meadville and was carried on horseback on the Old
State Road as far as the Clarion County line and then took the road leading
to Parker's Ferry on the Allegheny River and from thence to Franklin, thence
to Meadville. The first contractor's name was James Randolph from
Meadville, next by Hamilton of Bellefonte, then by Ben Hartshorne and others
until the turnpike was completed, and then the first stage contract was
taken by Clark of Perry county. He sent on his coaches by John O'Neal and
from that time until the present the mail has been carried through this
country, and in 1812 we got our war news from a Meadville paper edited by
Thomas Atkinson, called the Crawford Weekly Messenger. The nearest
postoffice west was Franklin and east Curwensville.
All papers that came through the country were carried outside the mail and
delivered by the mail carrier. Our nearest postoffice south was at
Kittanning, Armstrong county, and when anyone in the neighborhood would go
there, they would bring the news for all and distribute the same.
As late as 1816 a mail route was laid from Kittanning to Roseburg, a town
laid out by Dr. Rose on the farm of Alexander Guthrie, deceased. John
McGonagle, Sr., P.M. at that place and Hugh Reid at Hughlingsburg (now
Reidsburg).
CHURCHES.
The first church that was organized was the Presbyterian. The first pastor,
the Rev. Robert McGarrah. When he first began to preach, I do not know,
but it must have been early as 1803. He was ordained in the year 1806 at
Thomas Brown's near Reidsburg. A word here with regard to that good and
God-fearing man, highly educated and able in prayer, yet, like Moses he was
slow of speech, often taking him two or three hours to deliver a sermon. He
preached without notes, and with great earnestness-pleading with his hearers
to forsake their sins, the error of their ways and turn to the Lord. So
earnest would he become at times that the great tears would roll from his
eyes to the floor. It was often said that he preached more effectively by
his tears than by the power of his elequence. The first house that was
erected for public worship was on land donated by Rev. Mr. McGarrah near
where the Secedar Church now stands, in view of Mechanicsville, together
with a burying ground, which was the only burial place for many miles around.
Side by side, there rest great-grandparents, grandparents, uncles, aunts,
cousins, nephews and nieces, the first generation with a great number of the
second. The first elders that were elected were Tate Allison and Alexander
Guthrie, Sr., both God-fearing men and an honor to the church. The name of
the church was called (New) Rehoboth, Rev. Mr. McGarrah also officiated at
Licking church, now Churchville, and occasionally at a church called Concord
in Perry township. The elders of Licking church were: John Henry, Thomas
Watson and James Laughlin.
The next church was the Secedar, near Mechanicsville, still in use. The
Rev. John Dickey was pastor, he was a Scotchman, with a good education and
was a very able preacher, but very tedious--preaching two sermons a day. It
was generally sundown when the people got home. John Love was one of the
elders. The first Methodist preacher's name was Francis Asbury Montjar (or
Mont. Jr.) His first sermon was preached at William Young's at an early
day. The first Baptist preacher was named Holmes from Carlisle. He
baptized Mrs. Meredith and Mrs. Clover in 1810. The above named were all
the denominations that were in the county at that time.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
I will give you a description of one of our schoolhouses, which was built of
round logs and about eight feet high and with five corners, one of which was
part of the chimney. Up as high as the mantel board and from that to the
square it had four corners and roofed with clapboards and logs laid
crosswise to hold on the boards. The building was chincked-as they called
it - between the logs and then daubed with clay or mud. The fireplace was a
large backwall of stone and the chimney was built out of small poles and
clay as high as was required. The floor was laid with hewed puncheon. The
upper floor was laid with the same and covered with earth to keep out the cold.
The seats were made of long slabs, round side down, and about high enough to
prevent the children's feet from touching the floor.
The writing-desks were made by putting sticks in the wall with hooks on the
ends and a board laid across. These were placed at an angle of about
forty-five degrees. In place of windows, a piece of log was taken out and
sticks put across, over which oiled paper was fastened in order to let in
light. In such houses we received our education.
Our teachers happened to be Scotch-Irish, very fortunate for us, as their
accent was rather broad for the English language. Among the first teachers
were: Gabriel Glenn, William Kelly, Job Johnson, Joseph Reid, John Ball.
Schools were supported by subscription at the rate of six dollars per
scholar per year, the teacher boarding around amongst the scholars.
For the benefit of YOUNG teachers I will give the mode of correction. The
teacher invariably kept what was called toms, or more vulgarly,
"cat-o-nine-tails" all luck being in odd numbers. The instrument of torture
was made with an oak stick about twelve inches long to which was attached a
piece of rawhide, cut in strips and twisted when wet, and then dried. This
instrument was freely made use of for correction- and those thus corrected
did not soon forget, some carrying the marks through life. Another-and no
less cruel-was a green cow-hide, which I well remember, still carrying marks
made by the same.
Comment upon the above is useless, as the words CRUELTY and BARBARITY will
suggest themselves to the minds of all who read this.
For text-books we had Dilworth's and the United States speller and our
readers were the good old Bible and Testament. The Western Calculator was
all the arithmetic that was in use, and the one who got through the "rule of
three" was called tolerably good in figures and the lucky wright who got
through the book was considered a graduate in mathematics. Grammer and
Geography were not taught in common schools, being considered higher branches.
FIRST STORE.
The first store was kept at Curllsville by a good old man by the name of
James Pinks in 1812. People from a great distance went there to make their
purchases.
THE WAR OF 1812
At the breaking out of the war of 1812, there was a draft made in Clarion
County and a number of our friends were drafted into the army. It was a sad
day for all. I well remember, as a boy, the morning they started they were
all to meet at my father's and when they were all ready to go, they
discharged their guns into a tree-top that stood near-by and, amid tears,
they marched away. The army was gathered along the lakes and at the
different forts, this being after Hull's surrender. The names of those
drafted were:
Capt. John Guthrie,
Alexander, Thomas and William Maffett,
Robert Allison,
John Jones,
Joshua Rea,
John Wilson,
Jacob Fiscus, and
Hugh Reid.
Henry Goheen and James Guthrie went as substitutes for William Maffett and
Hugh Reid. Capt. Guthrie was discharged at Pittsburgh, Capt. Wallace taking
command. Out of all who went, none were lost.
THE TURNPIKE.
The Susquehanna & Waterford turnpike was located in 1818 by commissioners
elected by the stockholders. The following were elected: James Harriet,
James Harrington, from Crawford county; Marlin from Venango county; Philip
Clover from Clarion County; Joseph Barnett from Jefferson county and Robert
Maxwell from Clearfield county. The commissioners employed John Sloan,
Esq., to make the survey and grade the road. They began the survey in the
spring and finished in the fall of 1818; a distance of 104 miles. The State
took one third of the stock. James Harriet took the contract to build the
road and gave it out to sub-contractors; some took five miles, some ten and
son on. Work began in 1821 and was completed in 1822. The bridge over the
Clarion was built in 1821 by Monroe from Northumberland county. It was
built with a single arch. As soon as they finished five miles of road, a
toll-gate was put up to begin to pay expenses.
CLARION TOWN.
Although not belonging to the early history of the county, yet I have
thought it might interest many to know a little of its early history. The
county was organized in 1839; the town laid out in 1840. The donors of the
land for the county-seat were: Philip Clover, Esq., James P. Hoover, Levi
G. Clover, Judge Myers and Judge Clover. The above named gentlemen donated
the Public Square. The survey was made by John Sloan, Esq.
The first house was built by Philip and Peter Clover in 1840 out of hewn
logs and stood at the western end of the town, near the brick house formerly
owned by J.R. Clover, between First and Second Avenues. The first hotel was
built by J.W. Goulter and was called "The Great Western."
CONCLUSION
In closing the history of our county, I will give a statement of the
survivors of all those who were of mature years when they first came to the
country. Also those who were children when they first came and those who
were born soon after the first settlement. Of those who were of mature
years, none are left. The last survivor having died within the last three
years. Her name was Martha Smith whose maiden name was Clover; her age
was 93. Of those who were children 14 remain, namely,
Margaret Corbett, formerly -------;
Elizabeth Wyncoop, formerly Corbett;
Hannah Clover, formerly Roll;
James Hasson,
Philip and Camaliel Clover,
Robert Allison, together with five brothers and sisters.
The youngest of the above is 77 years of age.
Of the third generation or those born soon after the settlement, there are
but three living who were born in Clarion township in about 1804; Nancy
Gilliland, formerly Potter; Hugh McGuire and the writer of this. Thus have
passed away almost three generations and in a few years more "the places
which now know them will know them no more forever"; their places will be
filled by others who are younger and abler to bear the burdens of life.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
As stated in the outset, I will give a brief account of the first settlement
of Jefferson County. In 1799 Joseph Barnett and Samuel Scott settled 40
miles west of Curwensville, Clearfield county. They were men of great
energy and industry and soon made valuable improvements. They built a saw
mill which was a great help to the people, providing them with boards, etc.
They settled amongst the Indians, some of the Seneca and some of the Mamsy
tribes, who, however, were civil.
Joseph Barnett was a very eccentric, highminded man and took a leading part
in all the business transactions of the day; a man long to be remembered by
those who knew him. Shortly after this was made, perhaps as early as 1802,
Henry Fir, a German, and a number of other families settled west of
Millcreek. Jacob Mason, Luder Long, John Dickson, Freedom Stiles and a very
large negro by the name of Fudge Vancamp, whose wool was as white as the
wool of a sheep and whose face was black as charcoal, yet he was married to
a white woman.
In about 1802 John Scott came to the County and settled on the farm where
Corsica now stands and about 1805 Peter Jones and John Roll, Sr., and the
Lucas and Vasbinder families and Eliza Graham and in 1806 John Matson and
some others settled near where Brookville now stands.
In the southern part of the county near Mahoning was a man of iron will and
great perseverance, afraid of neither man nor beast and was a mighty hunter.
Moses Knapp was also an early settler. "Port Barnett" as the settlement of
Barnett and Scott was called was the only stopping place from Curwensville
for all who came in 1801-2 to Clarion County. We imagine their buildings
would have a very welcome look to those foot-sore and weary travelers- an
oasis in the desert, as it were.