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Miscellaneous Matters

History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
Edited by F. Ellis and A. N. Hungerford.
Published in Philadelphia by Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886
Pages 667-679

CHAPTER II.
Miscellaneous Matters—Progress of Settlement—Oddities from the Old Records—Election Districts—Negro Slavery.
By A. L. Guss.

PROGRESS OF FIRST SETTLEMENT.—Statistical tables generally make very dry reading; but if the reader will study and analyze the following figures, he will find food for some very interesting reflections on the beginning and progress made by the early settlers. It shows that even during the trying times of the Revolutionary War there was a steady advance in clearing and stock-raising, and no doubt much stock was driven to the army, and taken farther west by the onward-moving settlers, especially about the close of the war. The number of persons owning stock is the best index to the number of actual settlers. Subtracting the stock-owners from the owners of land, leaves mostly non-resident land-owners. A very few names appear without either land or stock. The land speculators mostly lived at Carlisle, Lancaster and Philadelphia.

There must have been a good many residents not taxed, as they appear and disappear so often without any apparent cause. In 1766 Rev. Charles Beatty says there were eighty-four families residing then in Tuscarora Valley; but the assessment of 1767 does not show more than seventy. He also speaks of there being fifty families on the north side of Juniata who meet together for worship; yet the Fermanagh list for 1767 does not show more than forty residents “below ye Narrows.” It seems pretty certain that in these early days poor people who had no land or stock were generally not placed on the assessment lists. Judging by the population given in 1784, which gives a ratio of 5.72 souls to a dwelling, there must have been not far from forty families, in the three townships, of whose presence there is no evidence upon the tax-lists of 1785. Many were drifting westward, hardly tarrying long enough in one place to get on a tax-list. It is apparent, however, that during the decade covering the Revolutionary War the population about doubled itself.

	Owners of Land.	Owners of Cleared Land.	Acres of Cleared Land.	Taxables.	Single Freemen.	Owners of Stock.	Horses.	Cows.	Sheep.
1763.
Lack	71	….	….	77	7	….	….	….	….
Est. for Milford¹	43	….	….	44	5	….	….	….	….
Fermanagh	51	….	….	51	1	….	….	….	….
Do. Est. for part²	32	….	….	32	1	….	….	….	….
1767.
Lack	82	67	625	84	3	61	110	107	60
Est. for Milford¹	60	48	475	62	2	48	80	82	40
Fermanagh	109	86	758	115	1	83	156	142	32
Do. Est. for part³	55	43	403	52	1	36	66	58	3
1768.
Lack	96	78	587	104	10	70	85	96	45
Est. for Milford¹	61	54	412	65	6	47	57	65	28
Fermanagh	73	60	327	73	12	41	50	48	10
1769.
Lack	54	23	184	55	9	24	29	27	….
Milford	73	57	426	77	11	49	61	55	….
Fermanagh	86	63	541	87	17	46	56	61	….
1770.
Lack	58	34	220	63	4	35	42	49	34
Milford	69	50	611	75	10	47	61	65	29
Fermanagh	86	68	620	98	23	52	69	81	62
1771.
Lack	54	34	232	60	5	30	31	32	6
Milford	68	61	429	69	10	54	82	67	39
Fermanagh	102	80	769	106	21	58	66	79	31
1772.
Lack	62	40	239	67	7	32	20	28	….
Milford	79	73	817	85	21	67	95	90	56
Fermanagh	89	73	1048	93	19	56	75	87	….
1773.
Lack	69	39	502	69	12	34	47	46	16
Milford	79	76	945	81	8	73	79	98	69
Fermanagh	76	66	892	84	15	62	71	82	17
1774.
Lack	63	49	380	64	6	35	47	47	….
Milford	89	85	1010	93	12	83	104	112	83
Fermanagh	105	90	1108	107	12	84	101	123	60
1775.
Lack	80	48	702	91	10	44	71	89	42
Milford	113	91	1331	118	11	89	137	139	125
Fermanagh	103	88	1013	108	10	85	97	117	72
1776.
Lack	84	48	627	97	9	48	66	66	33
Milford	117	111	1247	137	17	107	145	166	….
Fermanagh	97	88	1989	108	27	73	85	104	61
1778.⁴
Lack	76	57	826	83	15	53	74	88	50
Milford	103	97	1697	125	17	92	96	122	69
Fermanagh	112	99	2264	137	24	114	67	209	162
1779.
Lack	105	….	….	126	10	63	90	99	….
Milford	124	….	….	182	25	142	243	323	….
Fermanagh	152	….	….	198	23	152	280	327	….
1780.
Lack	108	….	….	122	11	79	128	162	….
Milford	123	….	….	167	30	134	253	353	….
Fermanagh	147	….	….	185	32	154	292	402	….
1781.
Lack	115	….	….	142	15	96	187	246	….
Milford	129	….	….	186	38	156	303	410	….
Fermanagh	144	….	….	179	36	183	303	384	….
1782.
Lack	97	….	….	125	15	88	171	195	143
Milford	133	….	….	193	31	170	278	319	155
Fermanagh	165	….	….	245	31	194	334	428	401
1783.
Lack	121	….	….	146	20	96	159	183	167
Milford	136	….	….	193	13	157	258	259	211
Fermanagh	159	….	….	187	20	128	232	295	….
1784.⁵
Lack	….	….	….	….	15	….	178	210	188
Milford	….	….	….	….	33	….	290	331	275
Fermanagh	….	….	….	….	17	….	254	331	345
1785.
Lack	115	….	….	136	21	91	169	173	….
Milford	144	….	….	184	61	152	235	260	….
Fermanagh	180	….	….	222	33	163	295	330	….

¹An estimate of that portion of Lack which fell into Milford.
²An estimate of that part of Fermanagh west of the Cocalamus.
³An estimate of that part of Fermanagh below the Narrows. In the summary of 1767 only this estimate of the Juniata County part is included. The seeming decrease in the number held by the several individuals, especially in Fermanagh, as given by the assessors, which was done, perhaps, to reduce the taxes as much as possible.
⁴In 1777 no assessment seems to have been taken. It was not because the settlers were driven out by the Indians, as was the case in 1764-66, but because of the chaotic condition of civil affairs incident to the Revolutionary changes in the government.
⁵The 1784 list was not recovered; but a summary found gives us the following facts, some of them being particulars not found on any other list:
Lack has 122 dwelling-houses, 69 other buildings, 549 inhabitants, 3 stills, 2 grist and 2 saw-mills, 17,828 acres; taxes, £216 16s. 5 d.
Milford has 175 dwelling-houses, 178 other buildings, 986 inhabitants, 1 tan-yard, 14 stills, 9 negroes, 3 grist and 3 saw-mills, 21,231 acres; taxes, £394 13s.
Fermanagh has 137 dwelling-houses, 75 other buildings, 948 inhabitants, 6 stills, 1 fulling and 7 grist and 8 saw-mills, 9 negroes, 25,834 acres; taxes, £504 6s. 10d.
Greenwood as then constituted had 118 dwelling-houses, 125 other buildings, 498 inhabitants, 1 tan-yard, 2 stills, 2 grist and 4 saw-mills, 2 negroes, 124 horses, 142 cows, 119 sheep, 19,390 acres; taxes, £192 16s. 4d.
From this data we would estimate that in 1784 there were within the present limits of Juniata County 450 dwelling-houses and 2575 inhabitants.
The taxes for 1786 were as follows: Lack, quota for United States government, £65 5s. 6d.; State tax, £70 4s. 6d.; county tax, £14 11d. Milford quota for United States, £121 11s.; State tax, £133 17s. 2.; county tax, £26 15s. 5d. Fermanagh, quota for United States, £168 2s. 4d.; State tax, £172 13s. 7d.; county tax, £34 11s. 4d. Greenwood (mostly now in Perry County), quota for United States, £70 11s. 4d.; State tax, £77 7s. 5d.; county tax, £15 9s. 6d.

YEARLY SUMMARY.

	Owners of Land.	Owners of Cleared Land.	Acres of Cleared Land.	Taxables.	Single Freemen.	Owners of Stock.	Horses.	Cows.	Sheep.
1763.	122	….	….	128	8	….	….	….	….
1767.	140	110	1028	136	4	97	176	165	63
1768.	169	138	914	177	23	115	135	144	55
1769.	213	143	1151	219	37	119	146	143	….
1770.	213	161	1451	236	37	134	172	195	125
1771.	224	175	1430	235	36	142	179	178	76
1772.	230	186	2014	245	47	155	190	205	….
1773.	224	181	2339	234	35	169	197	226	102
1774.	257	224	2498	264	30	202	252	282	143
1775.	296	228	3046	317	31	218	305	345	239
1776.	298	247	3861	342	53	228	296	336	….
1778.	291	253	4787	345	56	259	237	419	281
1779.	381	….	….	506	58	357	613	749	….
1780.	378	….	….	474	73	367	673	929	….
1781.	388	….	….	507	89	435	793	1040	….
1782.	395	….	….	563	77	452	783	942	699
1783.	416	….	….	526	53	381	649	737	779
1784.	….	….	….	….	65	….	772	872	808
1785.	439	….	….	542	115	406	699	763	….

THE REGION IN 1775—FITHIAN’S JOURNAL.—The following interesting account of a journal made from Path Valley, through the whole length of Juniata County, to Sunbury in 1775, is taken from the diary of Rev. Philip Fithian. He was a graduate of the College of New Jersey in 1772, and licensed to preach by the first Presbytery of Philadelphia, November 6, 1774. There being no vacancies near home, he received an honorable dismissal, and at a Presbytery held near Mercersburg was commissioned to visit Central Pennsylvania as a supply to the scattered churches. May 9, 1775, he left his home at Greenwich, N.J., on horseback, for a tour through Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. His journal is all interesting, but we give place to only that part which relates to Juniata County. It was addressed to his sweetheart, Miss Elizabeth Beatty, whom he afterwards married after his return, October 25th. In June following, he became chaplain of Colonel Newcomb’s battalion of New Jersey militia, and died of dysentery at Camp Fort Washington, October 8, 1776. He kept his journal up until after the battle of Long Island, the last entry, on Sunday, September 22d, being: “Many of our battalion sick; our lads grow tired and begin to count the days of service which remain.” We start with him in Path Valley, Franklin County,--

“Thursday, June 22, 1775.—This valley is in many places not more than a mile wide; it is level, and the land rich; the mountains are both high and so near, that the sun is hid night and morning an hour before he rises and sets. I rode on to one Elliot’s [Francis Elliot, at whose house the Rev. Charles Beatty stopped in 1766, on his return from the Ohio.], he keeps a genteel house with good accommodations. I saw a young woman, a daughter of his, who has never been over the South Mountain, as elegant in her manner and as neat in her dress as most in the city. It is not place, therefore, but temper makes the person. In this valley we have many of the sugar tree; it is very like a maple; the bark is more rough and curled. It grows in a low, level, rich land. They told me there has been frost here two mornings last week.

“Friday, June 23.—Expenses at this tavern, 4 ½ shillings; distance from Philadelphia computed, 160 miles west. We passed from this valley by the Narrows [This is the gap at Concord and opening out toward Waterloo.], into Tuscarora valley, a most stony valley; two high mountains on every side. The passage so narrow, that you may take one stone in your right hand and another in your left and throw each upon a mountain, and they are so high that they obscure more than half of the horizon. A rainy, dripping day, more uncomfortable for riding among the leaves. On the way all day was only a small foot-path, and covered all with sharp stones. After many circumlocutions and regradations through the woods, it raining all day, we arrived about five in the evening, although besoaked, at one James Gray’s [James Gray, in Spruce Hill township, who was a brother of John Gray, whose wife was carried off by the Indians in 1756.], in a little hamlet in the woods. He was kind, and received me civilly; he had good pasture for my horse, and his good wife prepared me a warm and suitable supper. Forgive me, my country! I supped on tea! It relieved me, however, and I went to bed soon. Distance rode to-day, 28 miles; course, N.N.W.; expenses at small tavern, 1s.

“Saturday, June 24.—Before breakfast came in a Scotch matron with her rock and spindle, twisting away at the flax. The rock is a long staff on the end of which is her flax, like a distaff; the spindle is a peg about 8 inches long, sharp at the end where the thread is twisted, and large at the other where it is rolled on. Expense here, 2s. I rode on after breakfast to Mr. Samuel Lyon’s [Samuel Lyon, Esq., third son of John, lived on the John Kelly place, in Milford. Houses with glass windows were yet a rarity in this region.], twelve miles yet in Tuscarora. He lives neat, has glass windows, and apparently a good farm. Here I met Mr. Slemons on his way down. From Mr. Lyon’s I rode to the Juniata, three miles, forded it and stopped just on the other side at John Harris, Esq. [Founder of Mifflin.] He lives elegantly. In the parlor where I was sitting are three windows, each with twenty-four lights of large glass.

“Sunday, June 25.—Cedar Springs, Cumberland county. A large and genteel society, but in great and furious turmoil about one Mr. Kennedy [The “genteel society” was the Presbyterian Church, near the residence of David Diven.], who was once their preacher. Poor I was frightened. One of the society when he was asked to set the tune, answered: ‘that he knew not whether I was a Papiast or a Methodist, or a Baptist or a Seceder.’ I made him soon acquainted with my authority. It is now sunset, and I am sitting under a dark tuft of willow and large sycamores, close on the bank of the beautiful river Juniata. The river, near two hundred yards broad, lined with willows, sycamores, walnuts, white-oaks and a fine bank—what are my thoughts? Fair genius of this water, O tell me, will not this, in some future time, be a vast, pleasant and very populous country? Are not many large towns to be raised on these shady banks? I seem to wish to be transferred forward only one century. Great God, America will surprise the world. [Think of this observant and reflecting young man on the bank of the Juniata, at Mifflintown, under the willows and sycamores that lined the water-edge, anticipating the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, “only one century forward.” Had he been “transferred” no one would have been so much surprised as himself; and a century hence will equally surprise us if we live to see it.]

“Monday, June 26.—I rose early with the purpose of setting off for Sunbury. I had an invitation to a wedding in the neighborhood, but my business will not permit me. After breakfast I rode to one Mr. Bogle’s [This was Joseph Bogle. He lived and owned the tract called “Hibernia,” where McAlisterville is now located. The Bogles left that section in 1778.] a well-disposed, civil and sensible man. He entertained me kindly and acquainted me largely with the disturbance with Mr. Kennedy. I dined with him and his wife. She looks very much in person and appears in manner like my much-honored and ever dear Mamma. Thence I rode onward through a dark, bleak, path, they called it ‘bridle-road,’ to one Mr. Eckert’s, a Dutchman [German]. He used me with great civility and politeness. Distance rode to-day, 25 miles; course N.E. I met on the road a tinker, on the way to what is called the ‘New Purchase.’ [The region embracing the valleys of the North and West Branches of the Susquehanna had been purchased from the Six Nations in 1768.] He has been at Cohansie. Knew many there, at Pottsgrove, Deepel and New England town. He told me that he had been acquainted in Seven Colonies, but never yet saw any place in which the inhabitants were so sober, uniform in their manners, and every act so religious as at New England town, and Mr. Ramsey was his favorite preacher. He spoke of religious matters with understanding, and I hope with some feeling.

“Tuesday, June 27.—Rode from the clever Dutchman’s [It seems a little strange that an educated man like Fithian, who could tell a Scotch woman on sight, should call the Germans by the title of Dutch. The Dutch are not more nearly allied to the Germans than the English, and in enterprise and intelligence were at that period not inferior to either. Yet it was used at that day already, as it is still used, implying a degree of contempt and superiority in the speaker, and stupidity and inferiority in these “Dutchmen.” The best comment on this stigma attempted to be cast on these Germans in the old days is the fact that descendants of the “Dumb Dutchmen” now own the farms of those who once spoke with epithets of reproach. It is simply astonishing to see how this Teutonic tide, which entered the county at the east end on the Susquehanna, has swept through the county to the western limits.] to Sunbury over the Susquehanna, fifteen miles. I think the river is a half a mile over, and so shallow that I forded it. The bottom is hard rock. Sunbury is on the northeast bank. It is yet a small village, but seems to be growing rapidly. Then I rode on half a mile to one Hunter’s [Colonel Samuel Hunter. Fort Augusta was at Sunbury.], within the walls of Fort August. Then I rode onward to Northumberland about a mile, but on the way crossed the river twice.” [The old fording crossed by the large island in the North Branch of Northumberland, which made the journey seem as if crossing the river twice.]

FIRST APPEARANCE OF GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES ON THE TAX-LISTS.—At first geographical names are used as pointers to lands unoccupied, but they soon give place to adjoining residents. The following selections only prove that they were so used and spelled. How long before this use they were in vogue must be learned elsewhere.

Lack.—Name spelled “Leck” in 1763, and also in 1767. Ralph Sterrett has land “adjoining Hicory Leek” in 1769, and “Hickory Lick” in 1770, and the same occurs twice in 1799. David Elder has land “adj. Head of George’s Cr.” in 1769; David Magaw on the same in 1770; and Barnaby Bains in 1774. John Patts has land “adj. Bigham’s Gap” in 1769; Samuel Scott on same in 1772; and Francis West at “Bigam’s fort” in 1774. The spelling “Bingham,” used by some writers, does not occur in the tax-lists, nor does the name of Samuel Bigham, who built the fort, appear in any of the lists of taxables. Rev. George Duffield has land “at Head of Tuscarora” in 1770. James Glenn has land “adj. Trough Spring” in 1774; and Robert Livers a tract “near trough springs waters” in the same year, and Robert Magaw a tract on “Wood Run.” “Waterford” is named in 1809.

Milford.—Joseph Jacobs had a tract “adj. Shade Mountain” in 1770; it is taxed to him and his heirs from 1768 to 1782, when it is styled “Jacob’s (Land Jobbers),” and under his name and that of “Jobbers’ Land” it is carried up to 1796. It is located “on the waters of Licking creek” in 1792. Sometimes it is taxed to George Jacobs and “joining John Cunningham.” It had six hundred acres, and again eleven hundred acres warranted, and sometimes it was in three tracts. Jacobs lived in Philadelphia. Major William Beale, John Holmes, Thomas Say, Moses Bartrim, Jonathan Carmalt also had tracts “joining James Stewart on Licking Creek” in 1796. In 1772 two John Andersons are distinguished by “Licking creek” and Tuscarora.” A “lot in St. Tamany” is taxed to Abraham Wilson in 1799. William Campbell in 1829 lived in “Tar Hollow.” Rittenhouse in 1791 had “167 acres land deeded adjoining lands of Thomas Gallaher and lying on the top of a high hill, norwest and bewest of said Gallaher.” This was the Forge Hill, as Duncan McCormick had one hundred acres “joining Beale & Sterrett, Thomas Gallaher and Conrad Shuey.”

Fermanagh.—In 1769 Charles Cox has a tract “adj. Cedar spring ridge.” In 1767 Francis West had a tract “at Cedar Springs” and another “above ye Narrows.” About half of the Fermanagh list of 1767 is made up of settlers and land-owners “above the Narrows” in the present Mifflin County. The lower part was “in Mr. McClay’s district,” and the upper part “in Mr. Tea’s district.” They were the surveyors. William Wallace had large tracts in both. Isacher Beavens has land in 1770 “adj. Narrow’s Mt.,” and John Cox has a tract “adj. William Riddle in the forest.” Rev. Thomas Bartrim has three hundred acres “on Doe Run” in 1774; and John Wilkins on the same stream in 1772. In 1782 James Henderson had one tract “on Lick Ridge.” Peter Tysinger has two hundred and fifty acres “Barrens” in 1799. In 1791 James Hamilton, Esq., has land on “Heads of Lost Creek.” In 1794 James Purdy and William Magaw’s heirs also have tracts in that locality. Galbraith Patterson has a tract in 1794 “at the Roaring Spring.” This tract lay “between Tuscarora Mountain and Juniata River, west of Poultney’s land.” This long strip, south of the river, was part of Milford township prior to 1791. Peter Bright has land on “Heads of McCormick’s Run,” in 1794; and there are five thousand acres taxed to “Shade Mountain.” In 1799 the assessors say: “Harrison, William and 35 others in tracts of about 400 acres each on Shade Mountain. The whole of this land that is not valued is Mountain land, and we assessors can not with propriety lay any value on it.” In 1794 Samuel Jackson and John Martin’s heirs have lands “near Thompson’s Town.” So prominent an object and location as the island above Mifflintown only appears first in 1808, and is called “Harris’ island,” and again in 1810, when it is occupied for William Harris by William Nesbit; and passing to William Bell in 1814, is marked “island” after his name in 1819. No other mention of it is found on the lists, except that Christian Myers is marked “Island” in 1828.

Greenwood.—In 1769 and 1774 John Patton has a tract on “Delaware run” and another “near Cocalamus;” Joseph Jacobs also “adj. William Boyd on head-waters of Cock,” and in 1770 “on Cockolamus.” In 1772 Wallace and Jacobs have tracts “on Delaware run” and “on the head of Cockalamus.” In 1773, John Cox has land “on Caukelamus.” William Patterson, Esq., had land in 1769 “on Cockalamus” on which he built a saw-mill. In 1796 we have the spelling “Cocalmus.” Drinker and James, from 1779, for many years figure as owners of a large tract on “north (of) Delaware Run.” Henry Sellers has neine hundred acres “on Moughantanggo” in 1773. Joshua Bean, in 1796, has two hundred acres “near Machantango,” and, in 1829, Peter Osborne’s heirs have a tract “near Makentongo.” A few years ago the Post-Office Department wrote the postmaster at Mifflintown to know how to spell this name. John Lukens has three hundred acres on “Dog Run,” in 1773. Robert McAlister had land in “Slim Gut” in 1820. In 1819, John McGary is taxed with “half an island in Thompsontown;” and in 1823 he has “half an acre in the Juniata river.”

Nugent’s Meadows.—The tax-list of Wayne township, Mifflin County, for 1792, gives Samuel Wallace & Co. as owning one thousand acres “on the head of Licking creek near the road leading from Wayne T. (McVeytown) to Carlisle.” Also, Arthur Nugent fifty acres “on Licking creek.” There was at one time a gang of robbers and horse-thieves infested the country, who had their headquarters in “Nugent’s Meadows, on the head of Licking creek.” This reminds us of a record at Carlisle, which states that, on July 22, 1760, Thomas Nugent and Curtis Smith were found guilty of felony, and sentenced to restore the goods stolen, pay a fine and go to jail until paid; “and shall be publicly whipt, each of them, at the Public Whipping Post, this evening, between the hours of five and seven of the clock, with fifteen lashes on their bare backs, and each of them to be whipped the 31st day of July at the same place and hour, and likewise again on the 7th of August as aforesaid.” There are records at Carlisle of several persons living in the old days in the present Juniata County who were publicly whipped according to the ancient laws and customs.

FACTS AND ODDITIES FROM THE TAX-LISTS.—The tax-lists from 1763 to 1789 are at Carlisle, and from 1790 to 1831 at Lewistown. The writer has recovered a complete copy, covering these sixty-eight years, prior to the organization of Juniata County. Some of these have been badly taken care of, and have suffered mutilations. The following could not be found: For 1764-65-66 and 1777 none were taken. The first was due to the war of the “Pontiac Conspiracy,” and the last was caused by the chaotic condition incident to the change of government during the Revolution. The following have been lost: Lack for 1808, and single freemen for 1801, ’02, ’11; Milford for 1802, ’06, ’08, and single freemen for 1800, also one leaf from the end of Milford for 1770, and the second page of 1782; Fermanagh for 1801, the first page and single freemen of 1806; Greenwood for 1800, ’01, ’08, and single freemen for 1817. With great patience and labor the names on the recovered lists have been arranged alphabetically, and the township and articles taxed indicated. In this way many facts, incorporated in this work, were recovered. Some additional facts and oddities are of sufficient interest to be preserved.

The lists from 1767 to 1778 give the number of acres of cleared land owned by each man. These show the original little holes cut in the woods, and the progress in getting rid of the forest. It is probable that the amount of cleared land was always underestimated, as all the tracts certainly were given in at greatly reduced figures. The lists also from the beginning, for a great many years, but with irregularity, gave the right the taxable held to his land, whether by patent or warrant of survey, from the proprietaries of the province, or by the simple squatter-right of location and improvement. Those having only the latter rights were, of course, actual residents at first, but soon the improvement rights were sold by bills of sale, or even personal deeds, and passed from man to man for many years before warrants were taken out for the tracts. The application for the warrant is the first record, and it is usually impossible now to tract the rights of improvement. At the time, however, these rights were usually respected, and public opinion enforced their recognition, even by the Land Office. All non-resident land speculators’ claims were worthless unless at least covered by warrants. The patent, of course, was the end of all controversy. Prior to 1784 sheep were enumerated, as well as horses and cattle. Though moving into a wilderness infested with howling wolves, yet the pioneer settler brought his few sheep along as if part of his household goods. Some of the early settlers have the words “poor” or “sickly” written after their names, even when they had several hundred acres of land. They could not eat the land, nor get money out of it for taxes. Few even would buy lands, for there was yet plenty to be had for their own labor and warrant fees.

A comparison of the lists of 1775 and 1785—before and after the Revolutionary War—reveals a tremendous increase in the population, and tempts one to think that some of them came to the backwoods to avoid service in the army. On the other hand, it is known that a few Tories left the country to join the British.

In 1778, and yearly afterwards to 1783, a Continental tax was collected for the use of the United States. The amount apportioned to Cumberland County in 1778 was £117,225, 18s. 6d.; for 1779 it was £111,968 10s. 3d. The taxes, not being realized, became complicated with the issue of paper scrip. The act of November 25, 1779, provides for a tax monthly, for eight months, from January to August of 1780, to raise twelve million, five hundred thousand dollars for the United States. By act of December 19, 1780, Cumberland was to pay £6,980 12s. 6d. yearly for six years, and by act of March 27, 1782, for effective supplies, she was given £31,332 15s. to raise in four payments. Hence, we find on the Lack list for 1780 this indorsement,--“This is the third Continental and eighth mo. Tax,” and in 1782, “pound rate, seven pence half-penny for effective supplies; county, one shilling per pound out of State tax.”

There were no Germans among the first settlers west of the river. On their first advent they were regarded with some curiosity, and in Milford in 1776 it was sufficient to tax one under the name of the “Dutchmen.” His descendants are too numerous now to be designated in this way. There was a peddler passed through Milford, and finding a vacant tract, took it up, and it appears taxed to the “peddler” in 1781, “pedlar” in 1782, “pedlar’s land” in 1783, “peddler’s land” in 1785, and under this advanced progressive spelling up to 1798. It lay along the foot of the ridge between the present residences of Shelburn Robinson and George Guss. The lists of 1782 incidentally prove that stock-raising, under the stimulus of the war, had become quite a brisk business; at least there were then no less than fifteen “Drovers” in Fermanagh, and more than five in Milford township.

Nothing could better illustrate the changes of modern days than the great number of “weavers” named on the old tax-lists. Skilled labor and improved machinery have driven these old artisans of the loom out of existence. The first mention of such tradesmen as painters, plasterers, cabinet-makers, about 1825, show other changes in the style of living. The first druggist is Samuel Pannebaker, in 1799.

Formerly the assessor returned a list of poor children between five and twelve years of age, whose parents were unable to provide them with education. This was by act of 1809, and allowed such children to attend school at the expense of the county. In 1824 the law was made to provide for three years’ schooling between the ages of six and fourteen, under trustees. In 1826 this law was repealed and that of 1809 revised. The lists begin in Lack in 1821; in Milford in 1822; in Fermanagh in 1811; in Greenwood in 1813. They were probably made out generally on separate pieces of paper, and hence most of them are no longer with the tax-lists. In 1823, in Lack, Thomas Winn, Sr., and Jr., basket-makers, are noted for numerous “poor children,” including twins.

Then, as now, people in the old days suffered from fire occasionally. A few cases are noted on the lists by way of excuse for non-payment of taxes: Thomas Whary, of Lack, in 1806, had hs barn burned, including all his grain; in 1809, William Wright had his house burned; Widow Jean Patterson, of Fermanagh, had her house burned in 1821; Andrew Nelson had his house burned in 1812, and Joseph Fetterman in 1813—both in Fermanahg—the latter likely in Mifflintown; in Greenwood, William Leonard had his house burned in 1806; Isaac Sutton’s grist and saw-mills were burned in 1821, in Greenwood, and the saw-mill of John McAlister in 1828. George Wilson’s mill-dam in Milford, was “broke” in 1807.

Some odd occupation are named: Charles Hoyt (Hite), of Milford, in 1830, is said to be a “water-smeller;” Samuel Stuart, of Fermanagh, is said to be a “very lazy man,” in 1807. Then we have John Feigle, as an “oyster-seller,” as early as 1828. There is a “clock-smith,” a “tar-burner,” a “turnpiker,” a “basket-weaver,” a “nusence,” a “fiddler and grog bruiser,” and finally the first “gentleman” makes his appearance in Greenwood in 1820 in the person of James Winning.

The assessments, rates and levies were for the first time made in dollars, instead of pounds, in 1799. The decimal dollar system had been considerably in use prior to that date. On the Lack list the “a siston sesears” certify that they “made the valuation according to John Knox’s return in dollars,” on May 11, 1799. The tax-lists were not made out as early formerly as they are now. The appeal for 1799 for Fermanagh was held at the house of Zachariah Doerst, on September 24, 1799, as directed by the commissioners on August 13, 1799.

In Lack, in 1795, the officers called themselves “Cessers;” in Milford, in 1797, the “laid on our cota of tax;” in Greenwood, in 1790, the “assessments” made “by Samuel Osborne, seser,” was in 1791, made by “Sessars,” and, in 1792, “to the best of our scill,” and it was not until some years later that the school-master came around. He must have come earlier into Lack; for on the list for 1799 we find the following valuable arithmetical rule which somehow has escaped the notice of the composers of our arithmetics. We would not be wicked enough to spoil it by adding or altering a letter:

“Q. how do you mulyply the parts of aney Nomber instead of the hul?

“A. When the multyer is such a Nomber that aney Tow figers being multiplied together will make The said multyplyer, it is shorter to multy the Given Nomber by one of these figers, and that Product by the other, As 5 times 7 is 35. You must have the Multy Ply Casion table By hart.”

It often happened that there were two men in the same township who had the same name. It became necessary to distinguish them on the tax-lists in some way. In addition to “Senior” and “Junior,” there were many other terms used. One is called “Scotch,” “Irish,” “Big” or “Little.” There is Henderson, John, “Cooper” and “Lost Creek;” Riddle, John, “Narrows” and “Skin Dyer;” Wilson, Thomas, “River” and “Mountain.” One John Kauffman bought a farm of a man named Peffer, and was afterwards designated as “Peffer John.” A man’s trade was often used to distinguish him, and the young John was often styled the “Son of” the old John.

Among the “Lands Improven, but not property sufficient for discharging the Taxes” in Fermanagh, in 1790, was the “Glebe” belonging to the Presbyterian Church, styled “Cedar Spring Congregation” and “Congregation, Mifflin and Lost Creek.”

There is great trouble often in tracing up some names on the successive lists on account of the great variation in the spelling of the names. Each assessor spelled, or rather mis-spelled, after his own fashion. This often involved the first letter and caused a misplacement in the alphabetical order, as, for instance, when Right was written for Wright; Tuchman for Doughman; Carr for Kerr; Ennis for Innis; Geffries for Jeffries; Eakin for Aikin; Occar for Auker; Kingrich for Gingrich, Ginnings for Jennings; Cepner for Kepner; Simmerman for Zimmerman. It seems sometimes as if there was a studied effort to vary the spelling of names. Meredith is turned into Mereddy and McReady; Randolph into Reynolds; Beale into Bales; Turbett into Torbet; Midick for Meddaugh; McClay for Maclay, and so on ad infinitum. Some are so bad and so variously spelled that the correct orthography cannot now be determined. In 1800 ther appears on the list of Milford the name Jacob Piglow; in 1801 he is Piglo; in 1802, Pigsler; in 1805, Pegseller; in 1807, Pigesler; in 1810, Picksler; in 1814, Pixler; in 1822, Pigslow; in 1823, Picksler; in 1826, Pixler.

At the end of the list for 1785 is a strange admixture of what should partly have been at the head of the list, and to this is added a jurat dated after the work was performed:

“We, the subscribers, being duly chosen by the inhabitants of Lack township to assist Andrew Ferrier in levying the tax of said township for the year 1785, which we have done according to the best of our knowledge and judgment, which are as follows, vix.: We do nominate and return Benjamin Wallace and David Bail for collectors. Given under our hands this 2d day of March, 1786.
“Andrew Ferrier,
“Benjamin Wallace,
“Robert Gray.”

“Personally appeared the above-said freeholders and assessor, and was duly sworn according to law before me, one of the justices, &c., for Cumberland County, March 11, 1786.
“Thos. Beale.”

At the end of the list for Milford for 1786 we have this amusing postscript: “N.B.—The calculations in this book not to be depended upon.” Also, “for collector, Robert Hogg—Charles Kenny.” Fermanagh list is closed in 1785 with: “Freeholders recommended as Collectors, Christian Lintner and George Rea. The above return and valuation of property we—the subscribers, do declare to be just according to the best of our skill and understanding. Samuel Cowen, David Walker, Samuel Sharron. (Addressed:) Messrs. John Jordan, Ephraim Steele, Commissioners, Carlisle, fav’d P. Mr. David Walker.” The list of Greenwood for 1785 closed with the following: “January 12, 1786, Henry Toops, Samuel Osborne and William Cook Met and Laid the tax according to the Best of our Judghment, as Witness our hands.” The amount of the taxables of the township of Greenwood for this year is nineteen thousand four hundred and thirty-two, which at three half-pence to the £, with the young men’s tax amounts to the sum quoted on our township.” The list of Lack for 1792 closes with a statement that the lands of Robert Croan is occupied by John Evans, that of John Cook’s heirs by David Scot, that of John Glen by Matthew Hunter, “who would not return the land to me,” that of William Gray by Robert Gray, that of James Stackpole by John Silverthorn. “These Five Tracts above last mentioned is in possession of men that some of them is not able to pay the tax. We therefore submit your better judgment whether seated or not seated.” At first sight it may seem trite, if not very bright, but in modern light all men will unite that it was not right John Right for Wright, as the assessors often did. There is often written after a man’s name “Dead,” “Gone,” “Removed,” “Absconded,” “Left the twp.,” “run away to Union County,” and in the case of William Rorabacher, of Lack, in 1828, “left these United States and went to Centre County.” To the names of single freemen there is often added “married,” while one assessor is more specific and says “married lately” and “married some days ago.” In 1791 Robert Taylor, of Milford, “made no return when demand was made by assessor;” and Peter Shalenberger, of Greenwood, in 1826: “This return is doubtful—perhaps one-half the land is withheld—it is valued higher on that account.” Frederick Deearing, in Lack, in 1823, is: “Should pay no tax on account of two idiot children he has to support and an old man.” William Webster, in Fermanagh, in 1806, is “supposed not to be able to pay.” “Caleb Worley’s Heirs by the last wife” are called upon for tax, in Walker, in 1829. In Greenwood, in 1806, two men are “unhealthy,” and another is “judged not proper to tax.” In 1803, in Fermanagh, there are “forty-four acres lost by an old survey,” and a tract of “Ridge land not returned before,” and “land omitted in the original warrant.”

This bill is appended to the Greenwood list for 1819: “November 27th,--to four days and the half of three nights diligent labor, in assisting to lay on the following assessment and valuation—say, five dollars each.” In 1797 a day’s work on the roads in this township was rated at three shillings and six-pence. Matthew Rodgers, the assessor of Fermanagh for 1806, evidently believed in rotation in office, as, in returning the names of two freeholders, from which one was to be selected for tax collector, he gives this reason: “As neither of them has served in this township.” The men named were Thomas Sturgeon and Andrew Mitchell. One assissor, in 1794, taxes land to “name unknown,” and in 1803, “nobody in place of Jonathan Fry;” and Isabella Lake lives on “Burchfield’s old improvement,” in Greenwood in 1814.

Lots and houses first appear on the Fermanagh tax lists in 1794. These indicate Mifflintown. Lots in Mexico are mentioned in 1814. In 1820 John S. Blair, a cooper, who kept a tavern in Mexico, owned a “house and lot in Mifflinburg.” This now extinct, but once rival of Mifflintown, will be noticed elsewhere. Mifflin County made an effort to collect the tax-lists and record them in large blank-books. They are not complete; some of the original lists seem to have been then already missing, while some original ones still existing were overlooked. On the list of 1805 for Milford we find this facetious indorsement: “Recorded, August 10, 1822, by E. Banks, at the quiet and peaceful desk, while the duelists, Cummings and McDuffie, are shedding each other’s blood.”

Of all the assessors of the old days, John McGeary, postmaster, inn-keeper and justice of the peace at Thompsontown, certainly was the most observing and minute in details. In his list for 1822 he describes one man as having an “old gray horse blind of one eye,” valued at three dollars; and another “a poor, lame, blind old mare,” valued at one dollar. His keen optic was equally “good for man or beast,” for it took in “an old soldier schoolmaster, and blind of an eye,” valued at one cent; and “an old soldier blind of one eye, and sometimes weaves a little,” valued at twenty cents. He also describes a “poor old weaver,” two “turnpikers,” a “hunter” and “a drunken tailor of Thompsontown,” while one man has “gone to the State of Ohio,” another’s land is “lost by court action,” and to sum up his virtues to the unfortunate, he omits altogether the musical cognomen of John Nineteenhills, who figures on the lists, more or less, from 1810 to 1831. McGary describes another tavern-keeper, Michael Hollman, as an “inn-keeper and waterman.”

McGary gives us the only item of party politics on all the tax-lists. He says Lewis Evans is a “magistrate, but scorns to act under old Jo,” and Jacob Hoffman is a “magistrate, but won’t act under old Jo.” He values the official profits of the office in each case at six cents. Finally, in assessing the “divorced wife of Dr. J. B. Smith,” this facetious, hawk-eyed assessor gives us the only tax-list picture of domestic infelicity.

ELECTION DISTRICTS AND ELECTIONS.—In the Provincial Conference held in Carpenter’s Hall, June 18 to 25, 1776, there were two committeemen from the present Juniata, viz.: John Harris and Hugh McCormick, Cumberland having in all ten committeemen. They resolved that in reference to the resolution of the Continental Congress of May 15, 1776, “that the present government of this Province is not competent to the exigencies of our affairs;” and they proceeded to name places and districts for an election on July 8th, to elect representatives from each county to meet and form “a new government in this province on the authority of the people only.” They made three districts for Cumberland County,--the first to vote in Carlisle; the second, in Chambersburg; the third division was composed of the townships of “Tyrone, Tyboyne, Rye, Milford, Greenwood, Armagh, Lech, Derry, Fermanagh, to be held at Robert Campbell’s, in Tuscarora.” William Brown, Alexander Morrow and James Taylor were appointed judges to hold the election. No one could vote unless he first took an oath renouncing allegiance to Great Britain and favoring a free government. John Harris was one of the eight delegates thus chosen for Cumberland to frame the first constitution for this commonwealth. Imagine the hosts of Perry, Juniata and Mifflin and part of Centre gathering at the house of Robert Campbell, at the Middle Mill, on Licking Breek, to cast their ballots! It took some patriotism to make a journey of three or four days to swear in a ballot, and it was wise and well that there was a grist-mill at hand, so that the voters need not go home empty. Before they met the “Fourth of July” had already been born, but the news did not reverberate among the mountains for some days afterwards, though the spirit had been there wit the foot-steps of the first white man, for, as Franklin wrote, “Liberty thrives best in the woods.”

The act of June, 1777, provided that Cumberland consist of four election districts,--the first to be held at Carlisle; the second at Chambersburg; the third at William McClure’s, Esq., in Tyrone, for the townships of Tyrone, Tyboyne and Rye (Perry County); the fourth, “the freemen of the townships of Milford, Greenwood, Armagh, Leck, Derry and Farmanagh, at the house of James Purdy (Cuba Mills), in Farmanagh.” Augusta, Penn’s and Mahoney were the First District of Northumberland and voted at Sunbury, Buffaloe, White Deer and Potter; the Third District at Pfoutz’s Mill, in Buffaloe. The act of March 23, 1778, provided that because “it hath been found very inconvenient to the freemen of the townships of Armagh and Derry to attend the annual election,” they shall hereafter constitute the Fifth District, and meet at the house of Arthur Buchanan (Lewistown), in said township of Derry. An act of March 29, 1779, was to ascertain the number of taxable inhabitants in each county of the State; and the act of September 24, 1779, appointed representation in the Assembly according to this number of taxables. The act of September 20, 1780, provided that whereas it had “been found very inconvenient” for the people to meet at James Purdy’s, “that henceforth the freemen of the Fourth District shall meet at the house of Thomas Wilson (Port Royal), in the township of Milford.” The act of September 13, 1785, was “to reduce into one act” the various provisions relating to elections. It provided for four districts in Cumberland, the formation of Franklin County having taken away part of the territory,--the First District to vote at Carlisle; the Second for Perry, at the same place above given; “the freemen of the townships of Greenwood, Fermanagh, Leck and Milford, being the Third District, shall hold their election at the house of Thomas Wilson, in the township of Milford aforesaid;” and Derry, Armagh and Wayne, being the Fourth District, at the house of Arthur Buchanan. The act of September 19, 1786, made no changes in the five counties here treated, but made a district of Potter township (Centre County), to meet at George McCormick’s, in Penn Valley. The act of September 10, 1787, provided for a separate (Sixth) district for the townships of Greenwood and Rye, the election to be held “at the mill late the property of David English, and known by the name of English’s Mill, in the township of Rye.” The act of September 26, 1788, made the Sixth District of Northumberland County out of the townships of Penn’s and Beaver, the election to be held at Albright Swineford’s, in Penn’s (Middleburg), and the Third District at Andrew Bellmyer’s house, in Buffaloe, instead of Foutz’s, or Green Mill. The act of September 19, 1789, forming Mifflin County, continued the election districts, except that the part of Northumberland which fell into the new county, and which is now in Centre County, and embracing Potter and Bald Eagle townships, was to hold elections at the house of Enoch Hastings. By the act of September 29, 1789, it was provided that the part of Greenwood lying in Mifflin County, by the act forming said county, be a separate district, and hold elections at the house of Henry McConnel, in said district. The same act also provided that Lack township be a separate district and hold elections at the house of James Stackpole, in said township. [see act of April 9, 1791.]

NEGRO SLAVERY AND SERVITUDE.—The tax-lists furnish the following information concerning slaves and servants within the present limits of Juniata County. Besides the Negroes and mulattoes held slaves for life, prior to the act of March 1, 1780, there were servants to the age of thirty-one years, and others held for seven and a less number of years. The line between slaves and servants is not clearly kept up in the tax-lists, as the same person is sometimes termed a slave and again a servant. The value set upon them was very variable, rising very high in 1779, in the depreciated Continental scrip. No effort is here made to locate the persons taxed beyond the four original townships. All owners not here given as taxed for “servants” are taxed for Negro slaves.

LACK TOWNSHIP.
Grahl, Peter, silversmith, 1799, value £12.
Gray, Robert, 1788, servant, £20.
How, Robert, weaver, 1785, servant, £16.
Neely, William, 1792, £7.

MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
Beale & Sterrett, at the Freedom Forge, 1792-94; Cahill, Edward, 1796; Sterrett, William, 1798-99; value £3 in 1792; £10 in 1794; £30, 1796; £10, 1798; £10, 1799.
Bell, William, Esq., 1775, servant.
Campbell, Robert, 1775, servant.
Campbell, Robert, 1779-83; £40 in 1781-83.
Crawford, James, 1780, servant.
Evans, Isaac, 1790, servant, £2 10s.
Gordon, Joseph, 1779, and two 1780, servants.
Graham, William, 1775-76, servant.
Hardy, Hugh, 1796-97, servant; £4, 1796; £15, 1797.
Harris, Thomas, 1781-85, £30, 1783; £10, 1785.
Henderson, John, 1775, servant.
Horrel, Clement, 1770, servant.
Kearsley, Samuel, 1775, servant.
Kepler, Benjamin, Sr., 1775.
Kepler, Benjamin, Sr., 1779-80, servant; £4, 1779.
Kerr, John, 1774, servant.
Lyon, John, 1774-75, servant.
Lyon, John, Jr., 1779-93; £150 in 1779; £60, 1781; £30, 1785; £15, 1790; £20, 1793.
Lyon, Samuel, Esq., 1774-75, servant.
Lyon, Samuel, Esq., 1779-80; £150, 1779.
McClelland, John, 1775, servant.
McClelland, Joseph, 1797, servant, £10.
McDonal, Duncan, 1770, servant.
McKee, John, 1825, has one negro girl.
McNair, Duncan, 1786, £10.
Moore, Elizabeth, 1820, T., one black girl, $50.
Moore, George’s, heirs, 1821, T., have one negro girl.
Moore, Jane, 1826, T., one slave, $100.
Okeson, Daniel, 1786-88, servant; £6 in 1786; £10 in 1788.
Patterson, William, Esq., two, 1767-69; three in 1770; £8 for two, 1769.
Patterson, John, merchant, 1804, $30.
Patton, William, 1798, servant.
Pollock, Charles, 1769-80, servant; £1, 1769.
Pollock, Charles, 1773.
Poltney, Joseph, 1773, 1783-87; £35 in 1783; £25, 1785; £22, 10s., 1787.
Poltney, Thomas, 1782, £50.
Quigley, Hugh, 1770, servant.
Rodman, James, 1786, servant, £5.
Smith, John, 1769, two, 1797-98, servants; £15 for two, 1797; £6 for two, 1798.
Stewart, George, Esq., 1775, servant.
Stewart, George, 1775-78, three 1779-82, two 1783-87; widow, two 1788-90; £600 for three, 1779; £240 for three, 1781; £100 for two, 1783; £50, 1787; £40, 1789; £30, 1790.
Stewart, John, 1791-1803, two, 1804; a girl 1809; £20, 1791; £90, 1796; $100 for two, 1804; $20, 1809.
Styles, Abraham, 1797, servant, £15.
Taylor, Robert, 1783-98, mulatto; £20, 1783; £17.
10, 1785; “Black George,” £10, 1787; £11, 1792; £6, 1798. Styled a servant sometimes.
Thomas, Widow, 1798; servant, £12.
Turbet, Thomas, Ed., 1786, servant, £6.
Wilson, Thomas, 1774-75, servant.
Wilson, Thomas, 1779-96; £150 in 1779; £60, 1781; £25, 1785; £12, 1790; £90, 1796.
Wilson, George, Esq., two in 1804, $80.

FERMANAGH TOWNSHIP. Allen, David, two in 1803; three in 1812; two in 1813; value $16 in 1802; $600 for three, 1812; $110 for two, 1813.
Alricks, James, 1808, $25.
Barr, James, 1793-94, servant, £15.
Bell, William, Esq., 1811-13, $30, 1811; $40, 1813.
Bryson, Samuel, Esq., 1788-99; £35 in 1788; £20, 1793; 60, 1799.
Bryson, Widow Ann, 1800-17; two 1808; $70, 1800; $10, 1804; $100 for two, 1808; $18, 1812; $75, 1817.
Bull, Thomas, Capt., 1778.
Cookson, Joseph, 1790, servant, £15, a boy for five years.
Davis, Joseph, 1795, Widow Sarah, 1802-3; £5, 1795; $50, 1803.
Fargison, Thomas, 1767, in Mifflin County.
Fry, Gabriel, 1776, servant.
Gamble, John, 1767, in Mifflin County.
Gallaher, James, 1779, £100.
Hamilton, John, 1775, servant.
Hamilton, John, 1778; and two 1780-87; £23 for two in 1781; £55 for two, 1785; a wench, 1810-23, and two in 1812; $50, 1810; $40, 1813; $100, 1817; $75, 1820; $50, 1822.
Hanson, John, 1780-82; £12 in 1782.
Harris, John, Esq., 1776; two 1786-88, servants; £18 in 1786; £5, 1788.
Harris, John, Esq., 1780-92; widow 1793-1800—a wench; £15, 1781; £30, 1785; £40, 1790; £15, 1795; $60, 1799.
Harris, William, 1799-1802; $50 in 1799, $60, 1802.
Jordan, Stephen, 1767, servant.
Kepler, Benjamin, 1779-83; two in 1782; £260, 1779; £20, 1781; £25, 1783.
Kepler, John, Jr., 1780, servant.
Kinslow, Widow Thomas, 1802, $60.
Knox, James, Esq., 1808-13; $30 in 1808; $50, 1813.
Lackins, John, 1767.
Larrimore, Ebenezer, 1793, servant boy, £15.
Logan, William, Rev., 1790-1800; £30 in 1790, £19 10s., 1795; $60, 1800.
Logan, William, Rev., 1790, servant, £6—a girl for four years.
Lowery, Jacob, 1785-86; widow, 1804, “an invalid” and 1812; £30 in 1785.
Maclay, William, Hon., 1769, servant, £1 10 s.
Moore, John, 1788-1809; £20, 1788; £15, 1794; $70, 1800; $50, 1809.
McCamant, William, 1808-10, a wench; $30, 1808; $50, 1810.
McElwaine, Samuel, 1785-87, servant, £10.
McKeever, John, 1769, servant, £1 10s.
McMeen, Robert, 1800-2; two in 1811; $70, 1800; $40, 1808; $100, for two, 1811; $150, 1812.
Nelson, Robert, 1768-70 and 1785-88; £4 in 1769; £30, 1785; £25, 1788.
Nelson, Robert, 1768, servant.
Patterson, James, Capt., four in 1767-69; three 1770; one 1771; vaue of four in 1769, £16.
Patterson, James, Capt., 1769; servant, £1 10s.
Patterson, Widow Jean, 1772-83, 1795-1804; two in 1779 and 1783; three in 1782; in 1804 “an invalid,” value in 1779, £100 each; £20, in 1781; two in 1783, £45; in 1795, £15, in 1799, $60 each; in 1804, $50.
Patterson, William, Esq., 1771-72.
Patterson, William, Esq., 1772, servant.
Patterson, James, Jr., 1782-89, a wench, £15 in 1783; £60 for two, 1787; £45, 1789.
Patterson, George, Esq., 1788-91; two 1792-1806; three in 1808; £20 in 1788; £25 each, 1792; $60 each, 1799; $25 each, 1806; $100 for the three in 1808.
Rankin, John, 1785-86, servant, £8.
Sterrett, William, 1789 and in 1802 struck off at appeal; same Negro taxed to Beale & Sterrett at the forge in Milford; £45 in 1789.
Stewart, John, Esq., W., 1824, $25.
Tardevance, Peter, 1780.
Taylor, James, Esq., 1772-74 and 1793, servant; £15 in 1793.
Walker, David, Esq., 1788, servant.
Watson, John, Esq., two, 1808 at $75.
Wiley, Samuel, 1793, servant, £10.
Wright, John, 1783-94, servant, £15.
Wright, Jacob, 1806, ’11, ’12, ’20 ’24, a mulatto boy $30; $30, 1806; $60, 1811; $!50, 1812; $200, 1820.

GREENWOOD. McAlister, William, Esq., 1791-1820, a wench aged 45 in 1815 and named Phillis; also a mulatto girl in 1813.
McAlister, John, a wench, 1823-27. No doubt this is the same Phillis owned by his father William. Value £20 in 1791; £30, 1795; $30, 1799; $25, 1812; $50, 1814; $1, 1820; $6, 1823; $5, 1825, and six cents in 1827.
Montgomery, John, inn-keeper, 1831, 1 mulatto slave, $10.

The number of slaves in Pennsylvania in 1790 was 3737; in 1800 there were 1706; in 1810 there were 795; in 1820 there were 211; in 1830 there were 175.

In 1790 Mifflin County had 59 slaves and 42 other colored persons. Nearly all of these were in the upper part of the county. In 1793 there were we slaves held in the county.

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