Joseph Engles, one of the justices of the peace for Martic township, is one of the most prominent citizens He lived in the village of Mount Nebo, and has for a number of years been one of the leading merchants of the village. He is a man of commanding presence, vigorous intellect, and stern conscientiousness. Few person have a stronger hold upon the confidence and affections of the people than the subject of this sketch. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Nebo since 1859. Mr. Engles has been a justice of the peace in Martic, with slight interruptions, from 1865 to the present time.
PROVINCIAL TAX OF MARTIC FOR 1757 (INCLUDING PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP).
� s. d. � s. d.
James Reed.....................0 10 6 William Stuart.......................0 15 0
James Duncan...................1 5 0 Samuel Simson........................1 0 0
Briece Miller..................0 5 0 Thomas White.........................1 2 6
Robert Pennery.................0 10 0 John Celwill.........................0 18 0
Samuel Hilliss.................0 10 0 James Snodgrass......................0 10 0
Andrew Johnson.................0 2 6 Robert Fulton........................0 5 0
John Alexander.................0 11 6 Samuel Workman.......................0 6 0
Janet Snodgrass................0 9 0 Hugh Workman.........................0 10 0
William Leamen.................0 16 0 Robert Brutherton....................0 10 0
Robert Mathroll................0 6 0 William Brutherton...................0 10 0
Jacob Beams....................1 10 0 John Long............................1 5 0
Christian Graft................1 6 0 Arsbel Steel.........................0 7 6
Michael Graft..................3 10 0 Hugh Blear...........................0 10 0
Ulrich Yourty..................0 16 0 Samuel Mears.........................0 10 6
Jacob Graft....................3 15 0 Alexander Scoot......................0 16 0
Michael Shank..................1 12 6 William Reed.........................1 2 6
Ocly Everly....................1 10 6 David Moor...........................0 5 6
Jacob Hoover, Sen..............1 0 0 George Johnson.......................0 5 0
Hugh Long......................1 7 0 James Reed...........................0 4 6
David Wells....................0 16 0 Daniel Reed..........................0 7 6
James Robinson.................0 12 0 James Blear..........................0 7 6
Moses Nelson...................0 10 0 David McBride........................0 10 0
Thomas Nelson..................0 10 0 John McAnolty .......................0 10 0
Samuel Luckley.................0 10 0 John Alexander.......................1 12 0
Robert Luckley.................0 10 0 John Ramsey..........................1 10 0
John McMullon..................0 15 0 Adam Moore...........................0 10 6
William McGarrach..............0 6 0 Samuel McCullough....................0 18 0
John McCullough................0 4 0 James Luckey.........................0 10 3
Christian Murphy...............0 3 0 Patrick Duncan.......................0 9 0
George Coop....................0 4 0 Alexander Hunter.....................0 10 0
John Funk......................0 5 0 Arsbell Birdy........................0 4 0
Francis Taylor.................0 7 0 Thomas Smith........................ 2 15 0
Henry Stofer...................0 7 6 John Alexander.......................0 2 0
William Folk...................1 0 0 William Snodgrass....................1 2 6
Jacob Loughman.................0 10 0 George Campble.......................0 7 6
John Good......................2 5 0 Arsbell Brownlee.....................0 4 6
Henry Lines....................1 7 0 John Graft...........................1 7 0
John Stofer....................1 5 0 Jacob Brant..........................0 15 0
William Hover..................0 3 0 George Kinkead.......................0 5 0
Jacob Whitter..................0 18 0 John Garvin..........................0 7 0
Andrew Armstrong...............0 10 0 William Snodgrass....................0 15 0
Samuel Erwin...................0 10 0 Matthew Cuningham....................0 12 0
Joseph Bloar...................0 7 6 Peter Paterson.......................0 5 0
Widow Erwin....................0 7 6 John Snodgrass.......................1 0 0
Widow Steel....................0 12 0 William Snodgrass....................0 14 0
Samuel Dixson..................0 13 0 James Snodgrass......................0 12 0
John Grimes....................0 18 0 John Leeman..........................1 0 0
Thomas Cully...................0 7 0 George Sutter........................0 5 0
Andrew Pagon...................0 15 0 Samuel Rogers........................0 10 0
George McLaughlin..............0 14 0 James Clark..........................1 7 0
Alexander McLaughlin...........0 16 0 Hugh Cilwell.........................0 14 0
Robert Lees....................0 7 6 Hugh Blear...........................0 7 6
James Moore....................0 13 0 Edward Gilbert.......................0 9 3
Thomas Black...................0 12 0 Samuel Mears.........................0 10 0
Daniel McDryon.................0 10 0 Alexander Scott......................0 15 0
George Reed....................0 14 0 William Reed.........................0 10 0
Alexander Baldridge............0 10 6 William Neely........................0 2 6
John Muckle....................0 3 6 William Reed.........................0 8 0
William Reynolds...............0 10 0 David Reed...........................0 12 0
William White..................0 4 6 James Nixson.........................0 5 0
Thomas McCulley................0 7 0 Hugh Reynolds........................0 5 0
Martin Funk....................0 12 0 William Diven........................0 2 6
Widow McGachey.................0 5 0 John McBride.........................0 17 0
Widow Lusk.....................0 5 0 Thomas Whorry........................0 10 0
Peter Clark....................0 5 0 John Onall...........................0 12 0
John Duncan....................1 7 0 James Clark..........................0 7 6
Robert Duncan..................0 6 0 John Lowman..........................0 7 6
Hugh Gray......................0 10 0 Samuel Byrs..........................2 0 0
John Gaby......................0 7 6 Jacob Winter.........................0 17 6
Robert Gill....................0 14 0 Jacob Storer.........................2 10 0
William Stuart.................0 5 0 Patrick McCleare.....................0 10 0
John Hunter....................0 10 0 Jacob Bear...........................0 16 0
William Clark..................0 7 6 John Graft Jr,.......................1 2 6
James Pagon....................1 5 0 John Winter..........................0 6 3
Widow McCleroy.................0 7 6 Adam Tomous..........................0 14 0
Harry Blecher..................0 14 0 Henry Stare..........................2 5 0
Michael Blecher................1 2 6 Martin Byrs...................... .0 10 0
John Hannow....................0 8 0 Frederick Shouler....................0 9 0
John McClean...................0 4 0 Jacob Brubacker......................1 8 0
Christian Shank................1 5 0 Francis Taylor.......................0 10 0
Benjamin Arsball...............0 5 0 Henry Hover..........................1 2 6
Dinis McMackon.................0 5 0 Alexander McCalestre.................0 7 6
Thomas Boyd....................1 0 0 John McDowel.........................1 0 0
John Baldredge.................0 10 0
Freeman
John Clark.....................1 0 0 Patrick Brubak.......................1 0 0
Andrew McHaffey................1 0 0 James Brownlee.......................1 0 0
James Long.....................1 0 0 John Brownlee........................1 0 0
Samuel Whorry..................1 0 0 William Nixon........................1 0 0
William Leaman.................1 0 0 John Boyd............................1 0 0
William Clark..................1 0 0 Hans Adams...........................1 0 0
William Gabbey.................1 0 0 William Fullertown...................1 0 0
Robert Stuart..................1 0 0
WARRANTEES OF LAND IN MARTIC PRIOR TO 1800
Anderson, William, June 19, 1745, 200 acres between the mouth of Conestoga Creek and Mount Massey.
Armor, Thomas, Feb. 25, 1772, 40 acres, on Susquehanna River, next to George Stevenson; owned in 1883 by R. Brubaker.
Armstrong, Andrew, March 20, 1753, 100 acres, including improvements, next to Humphrey Benner and Ulrich Yartz, in Martic.
Atkinson, Michael, May 13, 1748, 50 acres, next to James Clark and James McFerson.
Baar, Jacob, Feb. 15, 1754, 50 acres, next to John Robison and George Turner.
Baldridge, John, Dec. 14, 1750, 100 acres, next to John Ramsey and others.
Barnard, Jeremiah, Dec. 12, 1745, 150 acres on branch of Muddy Creek, near Susquehanna.
Bleecher, Michael, Feb. 28, 1759, 20 acres, next to his other land.
Bowles, Thomas, June 19, 1744, 200 acres, next to John Taylor, over Susquehanna.
Boyd, John, Jan. 17, 1750, 50 acres, next to Thomas White and James Moore. This property remained in the family until the death of W. C. Boyd, when it was sold to Milton Wike, of Columbia (present owner).
Boyse, Jacob, March 6, 1743, 100 acres, next to Samuel Boyse. Now owned by Martic Forge.
Boyse, Samuel, March 6, 1743, 50 acres, next to his other land. The old forge property.
Duncan, James, Aug. 22, 1753, 150 acres, bought by Samuel Stevenson in 1819, sold by his son, John Stevenson, in 1858, now owned by Ellen Kehoe.
Erwin, Samuel, Sept. 30, 1755, 50 acres, next to Robert Boyd and William Goay.
Forsyth, Robert, Dec. 28, 1742, 50 acres, next to Widow Middleton and Sanders Scott, improved in 1739.
Gibson, Patrick, Dec. 22, 1744, 50 acres, next to Henry Hoover and Leonard Benson, improved in 1737.
Gwin, John, Jan. 3, 1750, 60 acres, next to John McDrewins.
Gross, Andrew, Nov. 29, 1745, 50 acres, next to Mike Grove.
Grunde, Jacob, Nov. 7, 1755, 20 acres, next to John Smith.
Johnson, George, Nov. 8, 1743, 50 acres, next to John Logan.
Johnson, Benjamin, Oct. 18, 1787, 14 acres, next to J. and S. Boyse, or Boyer.
Kinkead, John, Dec. 14, 1750, 50 acres, next to William Forbes and Widow Roads.
Laske, Elizabeth, Jan.31, 1750, 100 acres, next to Robert Steele and T. White, now owned by David Eshleman.
McAnaulty, John, Dec. 20, 1750, 100 acres, next to Widow Snodgrass, now owned by George M. Steinman.
McCall, Samuel, March 27, 1764, 50 acres on Susquehanna.
McCullough, Samuel, Feb. 14, 1750, 100 acres, now owned by David Miller.
972HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY
McLaughlin, George, Dec. 1, 1750, 30 acres.
McLaughlin, Alexander and George, May 24, 1753, 150 acres, now owned by J. S. Harner.
McLaughlin, Alexander, Feb. 12, 1755, 20 acres. The two McLaughlin brothers owned at one time a large tract of land comprising at present the farms of Thomas E. Ambler, John S. Harner, Isaac J. and W. H. Wentz, and Thomas Robinson.
Mears, Samuel Dec. 14, 1750, 40 acres.
Middleton, George, April 13, 1737, on east side of Pequea Creek.
Middleton, George, Feb.. 5, 1745, 50 acres, improved in 1737.
Ramsey, John, March 20, 1743, 100 acres, , returned in Drumore.
Read, James, Jan. 3. 1754, 30 acres, next to his other land, now owned by Rolandus Brubaker.
Read, James, March 10, 1743, 50 acres, over river.
Read, James, July 1, 1755, 70 acres, in Martic.
Read, James, Nov. 26, 1756, 50 acres, next to Joseph Reed.
Read Joseph, Jan. 4, 1759, 50 acres, next to James Reed.
Robinson, James, May 5, 1752, 100 acres, included in his improvement, now owned by Jesse Shoemaker's heirs.
Schollas, Frederick, March 30, 1756, 50 acres.
Smith, Abraham, March 11, 1737, 200 acres, next to Jacob Boyer and J. Middleton.
Snodgrass, James, Sept. 6, 1751, 20 acres, now owned by J. N. Massey.
Snodgrass, John, Dec. 20, 1750, 100 acres, next to James Patterson's, now owned by George M. Steinman.
Snodgrass, Janet (widow), Dec. 20, 1750, 100 acres, next to John McAnaullty, now owned by George M. Steinman.
Steel, Robert, Nov. 28, 1753, 90 acres, next to his other land, sold to John Simpson in 1821. The present owners are the heirs of John Simpson.
Stewart, James, July 17, 1742, 50 acres, including improvements by Thomas Stewart.
Thomas, Adam, Jan. 3. 1759, 25 acres, next to his other land.
Warry, Thomas, Feb. 28, 1750, 100 acres, now owned by Dana & Miller.
Wentzel, John Adam, May 24, 1748.
Wilson, Samuel, Nov. 25, 1751, in his improvement of 1745.
Yorty, Uriah, Dec. 21, 1750, 100 acres.
NON-ASSOCIATORS FOR MARTIC TOWNSHIP, 1777
Thomas Whiry Martin Byers
Samuel McCoulough Peter Miller
William Clark Peter Toots
Hugh Barr Henry Hebel
Henry Stofer John McGinnis
Christ. Stofer William Turner
Chriley Lame Frederick Heble
James Reiburen John Heble
Arthur Rody Conrad Heble
Jacob Whitman Henry Bleeker
Alexander Kegy James Harris
Christ. Kegy John Smith
Henry Kegy Woolery Smith
Alexander Kegy, Jr. Samuel Keeder
Martin Byers, Jr. Jacob Bear
John Bughanan
TAXABLES IN 1807 OF WHAT IS NOW MARTIC TOWNSHIP
Ankrim, James, tanner Connelly, Henry, laborer
Alexander, John Cramer, Peter
Allen, William, collier Dorouch, Thomas
Ankrim, Samuel Denning, William, merchant
Brine, Edward, Esq. Dout, Roger
Brown, James, innkeeper Dout, Samuel
Brannin, Margaret Dout, Robert
Black, Widow Debuts, Hugh
Byers, Henry, doctor Dunkle, George
Byers, Jacob Douglas, John, wood-hauler
Blair, John, weaver Elliote, Samuel
Cully, Widow Eale, Henry, collier
Campbell, Patrick Frayzer, Widow
Campbell, George Farmer, Gregory
Clark, Widow Furgason, John, laborer
Clark, James Fullerton, Alex, wood-hauler
Cartilo, John, forgeman Galen, James
Cherry, George, cordwainer Gardner, Valentine, tanner
Crow, George, steel-maker German, Lawrence, cordwainer
Coil, Henry, collier Good, John
Harris, William Miller, Abraham
Heston, Henry Miller, Peter
Harris, John, innkeeper McConnel, Oliver, blacksmith
Hagen, John, forgeman Moore, John, collier
Hemmelrick, Jacob, laborer McCall, Robert, collier
Hart, Benjamin, tanner Neel, James
Hart, John, tanner Nogil, John, forgeman
Herr, Emanuel Neilson, Stephen, laborer
Huber, Abraham, Oldfield, David
Heston, John O'Donnel, Hugh.
Henry, Richard, mason O'Neal, Charles
Irwin, William, collier Patterson, John
Jones, Richard, distiller Penny, James, joiner
Johnston, John, hatter Porter, James, joiner
Kline, Henry Patten, John
Kelly, Samuel, cordwainer Pagen, James
Kirk, Lentilus, wagoner Penny, Hugh
Kepperly, Jacob, mason Paul, James
Kepperly, Frederick Robison, John
Lines, Samuel Robison, Thomas
Lamburn, George Robison, James
Lamburn, Townsend Robison, John, Jr.
Long, Hugh Reed, John, Esq.
Lemon William Rice, Peter, wagoner
Leard, John, tailor Robison, John, weaver
Lines, Christian Seigaint, Jane
Miller, Martin Sides, George
McCouch, Robert, tailor Snodgrass, James
McMullin, Steward Swagert, Felix
Moore, Adam Steer, Michael, wagoner
Mackey, Thomas Seabrook, Henry, collier
Miglaughlin, William Seabrook, William, wood-chopper
Miglaughlin, George Spencer, John
McCandles, John Shoff, John
McKee, William Swagert, Sebastian
McCullough, Samuel Shank, Christian
McNear, Archibald Seabrook, William gunsmith
McCreary, John Shoff, Jacob
Morris, John, forgeman Shank, John
Mayley, James Wallace, John, tailor
Mayberry, Sylvanus Wents, Joseph, miller
Moore, William, collier Williams, Robert, hatter
McCarty, John, blacksmith Young, Peter, distiller
FREEMAN
David Smith, merchant Samuel Snodgrass
Isaac Smith, merchant Thomas Clark
James Pendry, sickle-maker Philip Gardner
Robert Francis Robert Douglas, collier
Joseph Reid Owen Connelly, collier
Thomas Shindleton Patrick Connelly, collier
Edward Pennel John Connelly, wood-chopper
Samuel Stevenson Anthony, Kernes, cordwainer
Thomas Black, tanner Joseph Meginnes
James Black David Irwin
John Ryley Samuel McConnell
Peter Polen George Warfle, cordwainer
John Cramer, collier William Doub
Joseph Penny Hugh Black
John Dunkle John Long
Powley Dunkle Samuel Snodgrass
Justices of the Peace.-Since the adoption of the State Constitution, authorizing townships to elect their own justices of the peace, the following-named person have been elected in Martic township.
Ryland, McCalister, April 14, 1840 Thomas Wentz, April 1864
John Good, April 14, 1840 Joseph Engles, April 1865
James Black, April 15, 1845 Elias Aument, April 1869
R. B. McAllister, April 15, 1845 Joseph Engles, April, 1870
Henry Rush, April 9, 1850 Jacob Reese, April, 1874
F. Henry Andrews, April 11, 1854 Abraham Good, April, 1876
John Rawlins, April 11, 1854 Joseph Engles, April, 1877
John McClune, April 12, 1859 Hugh Armstrong, April 1879
Henry Andrews, April 12, 1859 Joseph Engles, April 1882
Jacob L. Lehman, April 12, 1864
973
MARTIC TOWNSHIP
Martic township contains four villages of considerable size.
Marticville is situated in the northern part of the township, about nine miles south of the city of Lancaster. It contains about two hundred inhabitants, one Methodist Church, two stores, one of which is the post-office, one good hotel, and one public school. The village is pleasantly located in the midst of limestone region, noted for the productive quality of its farms. This village was commenced early in the history of the township, being started upon the road leading from Conestoga Centre to the present village of Marticville, and was originally called "Frogtown," the western part still retaining that name. The population is principally of the Dutch element, and retains to a great degree the customs of its ancestry.
To see an 1875 map of Martic Township, click here. This is a scaled (60%) copy of the map, to see the full version choose it from the maps menu.
Rawlinsville is situated in the eastern part of the township, on the road leading from Lancaster to McCall's Ferry, about thirteen miles from the former and five miles from the latter place. It contains about one hundred inhabitants, two stores, two hotels, one Methodist Church, and one public school. We have been unable to obtain any authentic data as to when the village was settled, but it was probably made the site of a village very early in the history of the township. It is situated in the midst of a fine farming region, the people being noted for their thrift, devotion to the cause of education, and general intelligence.
Bethesda is situated in the southwestern part of the township, about one mile north of the famous ferry on the Susquehanna River, known as McCall's Ferry. It contains about one hundred inhabitants, two stores, one Methodist Church, one resident physician, and one public school, and a post-office.
Mount Nebo is situated near the centre of Martic township, about fourteen miles south from Lancaster, and about two and two-thirds miles east from the Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad. It contains two general stores, two churches, one Methodist and one Presbyterian, cabinet-shop and furniture warerooms, and one public school. It contains no hotel, and it is a remarkable fact in the history of this village that it never did contain a hotel.
It is situated in the midst of a region noted for the grandeur and beauty of its landscape scenery. From Armstrong's Hill, a little to the east of the village, may be seen one of the grandest landscape scenes to be found anywhere within the limits of the county. Looking to the north from this point of observation, you behold an extended view of hill and dale, dotted with smiling fields, sleeping groves, isolated farmhouses, and an every-varying panorama of beauty, until the view is lost became the eye does not possess the power to pierce the distance beyond. On the northwest the observer has a magnificent view of the Susquehanna River, bordered with wooded slopes, and, taken as a whole, this view, especially in the summer season of the year, is really enchanting. Mount Nebo is remarkable also as being the seat of the oldest Methodist Church in Martic township. The inhabitants are noted for their hospitality to strangers, devotion to the cause of religion, general intelligence, and zeal in the cause of common school education. As an evidence of the truth of this latter statement we may mention the fact that the school district of which Mount Nebo forms a part has within the last three years sent out five common school teachers, all of whom were trained to the profession at the public school in this place.
Closely identified with the history of Mount Nebo is the Hagen family. For the last sixty-five years the name has been prominent in every enterprise, and they are numbered among the most valuable citizens of the village. Joshua Hagen (recently deceased), the eldest son of John Hagen, was a man of note, holding a number of positions of honor and trust. Though never married he was a householder all his life, and was noted from his hospitality and enterprising spirit. Davis Hagen, who learned the trade of axe-making with his brother Joshua, spent the greater portion of his life in this village working at his trade, which he taught to his five boys; viz: Henry Bascom, John, Albert, Davis and William. Of these five sons John is at present working at blacksmithing in Rawlinsville, William is carrying on axe-making in Mount Nebo, and Albert is engaged at his trade (blacksmithing) in this village, and at present is a member of the board of prison inspectors of Lancaster County.
Schools.-The common school law of Pennsylvania was passed in 1834, and adopted by Martic township in 1836. From that time until the present there has been a steady and gradual improvement in her school system. At the date of the acceptance of the common school law by Martic she had 616 taxables inhabitants, including Providence township. In 1837 she had 9 school-houses 9 teachers, 484 pupils, and the tax levy for school purposes amounted to $800; state appropriation, $1162.81; total receipts, $1605.58; expenditures, $1167.41; expended on building, $525. Tax collector Joshua Hagen collected the first school tax levied in the township. The most notable improvement in the history of the common schools of this township was made between the years 1861 and 1883. In 1861 the aggregate amount of taxation for school purposes was $1900; term of school, five months; number of school-houses, 7; amounts paid to teachers ranging from $18 to $25. From that time until 1880 there appeared to be a standstill in the history of this township, when at that period a new impetus was given to the cause of education. In the above-named year the taxation aggregated $2800, the term of school six months, and the salary ranging from $30 to $37. At present, through there has not been much increase in taxation, Martic now boasts 10 schools, a term of six months, and a salary ranging from $34. to $50.
974HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Church History.-The church history of Martic township commences with the Muddy Run Presbyterian Church. The land upon which the church stands was taken up or patented in 1742 by David Jones, John Marshall, and William Andrews, and a log house built the same year. There are no records to show who was the first pastor, as some years after its erection nearly all the settlers left, on account of a difficulty with the Indians, and removed to South Carolina. The second house, also log, was built in or about the year 1760. In the year 1820 a man by the name of Gregory Farmer, an eccentric character, living upon the banks of the Tucquan Creek, near the farm now owned by Henry Galen, conceived the idea of erecting a stone church in place of the "Old Log House," then in a very dilapidated condition, and although building-stone was very plenty in the vicinity and nearly valueless, he would accept nothing as a gratuity, but paid for everything entering into its construction with his own means. A man by the name of Annans was pastor of the congregation, and to show the relation existing between pastor and people at that time the following anecdote may be related: A member of the church, David Stewart by name, was leader of the choir. In endeavoring to sing the psalm read by the minister he missed the tune. After several ineffectual attempts to right himself, the preacher's patience became exhausted, and he peremptorily ordered him to close the "Beyuk," saying, "You shan't abuse the word of God so." This command ended the psalm-singing for that day. The fourth and present house was built in 1853. This house was also built of stone, but still at this late day it is known as the "old Log church." Mr. Annans was succeeded in 1826 by Rev. William Easton as pastor, who preached there regularly until the year 1877, a period of fifty one years, during which time he had seen laid to rest in the quiet graveyard adjoining the church almost the entire congregation that was present to listen to his first sermon. The present pastor is David Anderson, who preaches here the second and fourth Sabbaths in each month.
Methodist Episcopal Church, Mount Nebo.-The second church in point of age is the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mount Nebo. Methodism, in its struggle for a foothold in this township, had many difficulties to encounter. The strong leaning to the doctrine of the Mennonites by the inhabitants of the northern part of the township, the religious fervor of the Scot-Irish Covenantors in the southern section, made this section of the county a barren field for a time for the inculcation of the doctrines of Wesley. In 1817, however, we find that Jacob Harnish, of Conestoga township, leased a lot to James Neal, Valentine Gardner, John Read, and William McCreary, for a term of ninety-nine years, the yearly rent, being one pepper-corn, to be paid upon the ground if desired, upon which was erected a house to be used for church and school purposes. In the year 1818 Methodist meetings were held at the house of David Sockett, at which a man by the name of King preached. Sockett lived upon the property now owned by David Miller, near Muddy Run. After this occasional meetings were held in the public school-house and in private dwellings until 1834, when the zeal and influence of Isaac Greist and others caused a Methodist Church to be erected in the village of Mount Nebo, it being the first Methodist Church in this part of the county. The ground upon which this church was erected was deeded, the deed bearing date Aug. 2, 1834, by Jacob Harnish and wife, to Isaac Greist, John Miles, Isaac Wentz, John Owens, and Robert Bruce, who constituted the first board of trustees. In this connection Isaac Griest should receive more than a passing notice. The cause of Methodism never had a warmer friend or a stronger advocate. He gave liberally of his means whenever called upon. He had for some years before his death contemplated leaving his property to the church at Mount Nebo, but he died before his wife, namely, March 18, 1876. His wife, however, who died Nov. 1, 1879, carried out the wishes of her husband, and bestowed the bulk of her possessions to the trustees at Mount Nebo for the purpose of erecting a new house, the corner-stone of which was laid Aug. 17, 1882, and the house dedicated to the service of God Aug. 12, 1883. Revs. J. S. J. McConnell and George Cummins preached the dedicatory sermons, assisted by Rev. J. C. Wood, of Marietta, and others.
The present structure is built of brick and furnished in a substantial manner. The church is fifty-five feet long by thirty-four feet wide. Samuel Jones, of Rawlinsville, Martic township, was contractor. The names of the building committee were as follows: John A. Alexander, Rev. B. K. Hambleton, James Clark.
The following-named gentlemen constitute the present board of trustees: John Crawford, president; James Clark, secretary; J. A. Alexander, treasurer; F. Young, B. K. Hambleton, Rolandus Brubaker, William Armstrong, I. N. Massey, Samuel Alexander. Present membership, forty-four.
Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church.-The deed of land upon which this church is erected was obtained from John Creamer and wife. The deed was made to the following-named persons, who constituted the first board of trustees; William Mayberry, Henry Hart, John Wentz, Isaac S. Wentz, Lewis Wilkinson, Daniel Swift and Harrison Potts. It is built of stone, and was built by subscription in 1843. James Hahn, the first preacher in charge at this place, who was a carpenter by trade, was the builder. William McLaughlin did the carpenter work until the church was under roof. It was finished by Christian Creamer and Lewis Wilkinson. The present board of trustees consists of the following person: Thomas Wentz, Jesse Harner, J. O. Dunkle, William McLaughlin, L. R. McClune, John H. Carter,
975
Martic Township
Hugh Armstrong, William H. Wentz, James Ecklan. Present membership, ninety.
Rawlinsville Methodist Episcopal Church.-This is a frame structure, erected in 1875. The land was obtained from B. F. Miller, and deeded by him to the following-named gentlemen, who constituted the first board of trustees: John Monteith, Elias Aument, John Hart, Jacob Hart, H. L. Thompson, Abraham Creamer, Samuel Drumm, Lewis Volrath, Washington Drumm. Contractor and builder, Samuel Jones, of Rawlinsville. The present number of communicants is thirty-two. The Methodist Circuit, of which Martic forms a part, was formerly called the Fulton Circuit. It was subsequently divided, the western part taking the name of the Mount Nebo Circuit. From its division to the present time (1883) the following-named persons officiated in the churches in a ministerial capacity: Joseph Magee, ____ Mauger, H. H. Bodine, N. W. Bennum, G. L. Schaeffer, Joseph Gregg, Samuel Harwell, W. W. McMichael, Frederick Illman, F. M. Collins, Thomas Montgomery, and Robert C. Wood.
Marticville Methodist Episcopal Church.-The first Methodist congregation in the northern part of the township was organized at Marticville in 1836. The congregation held their meetings in private houses, and occasionally in the public school-house until the year 1863, when they held meetings at a place known as Huber's Hall. The meetings were held in this place from 1863 to 1874, when the first Methodist Church was erected in Marticville. The land upon which the church is erected was purchased from Eli Eshleman, and was deeded to Henry Brooks, Samuel Bookman, Matthias Myers, Henry Charles, Abraham Charles, and John D. Sensenig, the first board of trustees. The church is built of stone, and was completed and dedicated to the worship of God in 1874. The members of the present board of trustees are Henry Brooks, David S. McElhaney, Gabriel Spence, David Fehl, and James Creamer. These persons who officiated at this church in a ministerial capacity, from its erection, in 1874, till the present time (1883) are Rev. John Herr, Rev. Frederick Brady, Rev. John W. Harkins, and Rev. J. A. Amther, the present incumbent. The communicants number at the present time forty-two. This church is in the Safe Harbor circuit.
Mount Nebo Presbyterian Church.-This place of worship is chartered under the name of the Presbyterian Congregation of Mount Nebo. It is located at what is commonly known as Clark's graveyard, an old burial ground of the forefathers of the present generation. When the first interment took place we have no means of knowing. The oldest tombstone in the yard bears this inscription, "William Neil, 1 Feb. 9, 1814," although, as is well known, it was used as a burial ground long before that time. The charter was granted April 23, 1854 (D. W. Patterson, attorney), to John Bear, York County, Maris Hoopers, John J. Porter, Thomas Stewart, and George Campbell, who composed the first board of trustees. This board held their first meeting May 15, 1854. The church was dedicated in Oct. 1855. Rev. Alfred Nevin preached the dedicatory sermon, assisted by Rev. Lindley C. Rutter. The church was supplied with preaching by Rev. L. C. Rutter, of Chestnut Level; Rev. Mr. Farquhar, of Chanceford, York Co.; by Rev. Mr. Gamble (Farquhar's successor), and occasionally by others until the installation of the first pastor, Rev. Ezra S. Heaney, who was installed in June, 1879. The present board of trustees are George Campbell (president), Joseph Clark (secretary and treasurer), Joseph Armstrong, A. L. Pegan, Lewis Jenkins, and Isaac Walton.
Graveyards.-The oldest graveyard in this township is the one attached to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Marticville. The date of the first interment is not definitely known, but it antedates the French and Indian war. It was used as a burying-ground by the miners who worked the mines now known as the Pequea Silver Mines, in Pequea township.
The next in point of age is the one attached to the Muddy Run Presbyterian Church, better known as the "Old Log Church." The first interment, according to the inscription upon the tombstone, is that of William Duncan, whose interment bears date 1744. This is followed by Sarah Rannels interment, bearing date 1750; William Leaman, interred in 1760; and Hugh Gray, in 1760.
The old graveyard at the Mount Nebo Presbyterian Church, known as Clark's graveyard, has also been used for a long time as a place of interment, but as the date of the first burial at this place has faded from the recollection of the oldest inhabitants, we have no other data by which we might be able to fix the exact time at which its spot was used as a place of burial for the dead.
There is also a graveyard adjoining the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mount Nebo, which was occupied as such as early as the building of the first Methodist Church at that place.
Kosciusko Lodge, No. 374, I. O. O. F.-This lodge was instituted Sept. 29, 1849, and was at that time located in the village of Mount Nebo. The first officers consisted of the following: N. G., Mifflin Elliott; V. G., John Hess; Sec., George Campbell; Assist. Sec., George McCombs; Treas., Samuel Harnish. The lodge continued to meet in the hall at Mount Nebo until 1853, when, to secure more commodious quarters, the hall of the Sons of Temperance at Rawlinsville was purchased and the lodge removed there.
1. William Neil was at this time constable of Martic township, and in attempting to arrest Hugh McFalls, met his death in the following manner; McFalls warned him to stay away or he would shoot him. Neil endeavored to arrest him before he could load his gun, and as McFalls had not time to put a load of shot in his gun, he turned quickly and shot him with the ramrod.
976HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Since its removal to Rawlinsville the lodge has enjoyed a degree of prosperity seldom equaled by lodges outside the cities. At present the lodge owns its own hall, and has between four thousand and five thousand dollars at interest. This lodge is centrally located, in a good neighborhood, and must continue to prosper in the future as it has done in the past. Below we give the names of those who have filled the chair of Noble Grand from September, 1849, to October, 1883;
Mifflin Elliot, John Hess, Samuel Harnish, J. Proudfoot, Thomas Stewart, Benjamin Gontner, William Crawford, F. Shoffstall, L. D. Taylor, Hugh O' Neal, John Alexander, John Monteith, Thomas Labezius, J. C. Otto, Frederick Hill, D. M. Dunkle, William Ramsay, T. R. Johnson, H. Harmon, F. Brenneman, William N. Gibson, John Conrod, C. T. Soulsby, John McFalls, W. B. Langert, Elias Aument, D. M. Moore, C. A. Derrick, John Galen, S. C. Stevenson, J. B. Laird, David Smith, Henry Shoffstall, Albert Hagen, Hugh Armstrong, B. F. Armstrong, J. B. Dunkle, Brice Clark, Henry Brenberger, Amos Groff, F. S. Hess, George A. Dunkle, William Heaps, Ambrose Singleton, James S. Ewing, Alfred Stewart, William K. McFalls, John H. Carter, C. H. Armstrong, David Ernhart, T. J. Armstrong, B. F. Jones, Samuel Hart, J. R. Shank. The following named members have served as secretary for the terms set opposite their names: George S. Campbell, one term; W. H. Conway, one term; William A. Crawford, four terms; Franklin Young, one term; Samuel Allison, one term; John Alexander, one term; J. W.. Deaver, one term; Mifflin Elliot, seven terms; George Tangert, four terms; L.D. Taylor, one term; D. M. Dunkle, one term; William N. Gibson, one term; F. Brenneman, one term; John Conrad, four terms; Thomas Lebazius sixteen terms; John Galen, six terms; S. C. Stevenson, seventeen terms.
Treasurers for the same time have been as follows; Samuel Harnish, two terms; John Monteith, thirty-one terms; Richard Donaldson, two terms; Amos Groff, four terms; Mifflin Elliot, one term; Hugh O'Neal, eleven terms; Thomas Lebazius, six terms; Frank Breneman, four terms; Jacob Reese, six terms. Present membership of this lodge, one hundred and forty-three.
Pliny Lodge, No. 423, Knights of Pythias.-This lodge was organized March 11, 1874. It meets at Rawlinsville in the Odd-Fellows Hall on Wednesday evening of each week. It was organized with thirty-six charter members. The lodge is at present in a very prosperous condition, numbering eighty members. The following persons have filled the chair of Chancellor Commander from its organization, in 1874, to the present date (1883): Samuel Jones, S. C. Stevenson, S. A. Wright, D. M. Moore, B. F. Armstrong, J. F. Yost, M. D.; L. R. McClune, William H. Wentz, Amos McFalls, Daniel Creamer, George W. Shade, John Duffy, F. P. Duffy, H. C. Cloud, B. F. Huber, C. H. Armstrong, Daniel Armstrong, Bayard Reinhart, John Drumm.
Martic Forge.-The oldest industry in Martic township is the iron industry, which commenced in the township at Martic Forge, prior to the Revolutionary war. The records of the first establishment of this place of business are lost, and hence we have no means of arriving at the exact date of the starting of this place. In looking over the records, as far was they have been accessible to us, we find that on March 17, 1737, a warrant was issued to Abram Smith, James Smith, and Thomas Smith. This is probably the first recorded sale of any portion of the property now known as Martic Forge. For the purpose of showing through what changes this property has passed we subjoin the following brief of title:
Sept. 6, 1769. James Webb, Esq., sold furnace and forge and 3404 acres of land in Martic township to Ferguson & McIlvaine, as the property of Thomas Smith & Co.
Sept. 12. Ferguson & McIlvain sold furnace and forge to Adam Hoopers.
June 2, 1770. Adam Hoopers and wife conveyed furnace and forge to John Malcolm, George Monroe, Samuel Patterson, and John McCalmont, to each one-forth.
May 23, 1771. John McCalmont and others sold the one-eighth part of Martic and 1275 acres of land to Joseph Musgrove.
June 22, 1772. John McCalmont and others sold the one-forth part of Martic Forge to John Fox and Daniel Longstreth in trust for William Juto, Robert Morris, James Haldane, William Hazelwood, Nicholas Bernard, Stacy Nepham, Peter Sutter, James Fulton, Alexander Gresham, John Kidd , Peter Young, Anthony Yeldale, James Berwick, James Longhead, John Clark, Zachariah Neiman, Robert Graves, and the said John Fox and Daniel Longstreth, William Hazelwood, Peter Sutter and Alexander Gresham each to have one thirty-fifth part, the rest to have two thirty-fifths parts each.
Feb. 18, 1774. John Malcolm and others sold one fourth part of Martic Forge to William Montgomery and Matthias Wilkins, to each a moiety of the fourth part. John Malcolm and others sold one-eighth part of Martic Forge to Michael Hilligas.
Feb. 23, 1775. John Malcolm and others sold one-eight part of Martic Forge to Michael Welsh.
Sept. 28, 1777. Matthias Wilkins sold a moiety of one-forth part of Martic Forge to William Montgomery, who then sold one forth part of the forge and land.
Dec. 8, William Montgomery sold one-fourth part of Martic Forge to Michael Hilligas.
Sept. 5, 1777. Joseph Montgomery and wife sold his one-fourth part of Martic Forge to Michael Hilligas.
To the preceding conveyance to Michael Hilligas
977
MARTIC TOWNSHIP
the one undivided fourth part of Martic, equal to six twenty-fourths, purchased from William Montgomery, the one-eighth part, equal to three twenty-fourths, purchased from Joseph Musgrove, and the one-fourth part, equal to six twenty-fourths, purchased from James Fulton and others, amounting in the whole to fifteen twenty-fourths parts, were purchased by the said Michael Hilligas, in partnership with Matthias Slough and George Ege, though the deed was in the name of M. Hilligas alone, there are only conveyances for twenty-one thirty-fifth parts of the fourth purchased from James Fulton and others, the remaining fourteen thirty-fifths parts being unclaimed or released.
June 26, 1783. George Ege released his interest, amounting to five twenty-fourths parts, to Matthias Slough, who then held ten twenty-fourths parts.
Sept. 27, 1792. Michael Hilligas conveyed to Richard Footman and others, surviving assignees of Mathias Slough, then a bankrupt, the interest which Matthias Slough owned in the works, the title to which was in his own name, as well as Mr. Ege's share, which had previously been sold by him to Slough, amounting in the whole to fifteen twenty-fourths parts of the forge, etc.
March 11, 1793. Richard Footman and others, surviving assignees of Matthias Slough, sold his share in the estate (viz., ten twenty-fourths parts thereof) to George Ege.
March 13, Michael Hilligas sold to Robert Coleman and George Ege the one-eighth part, equal to three twenty-fourths, purchased from John Malcolm and others, and his one-third part of fifteen twenty-fourths, equal to five twenty-fourths, which he held in partnership with Matthias Slough and George Ege, the whole amounting to eight twenty-fourths.
Sept. 30, 1793. John Miller, sheriff, sold the one eighth part of Martic Forge and land to Robert Coleman and George Ege, late the property of John Welsh.
July 8, 1803. George Ege sold to Robert Coleman his one-half of all the Martic lands purchased and held by Robert Coleman and George Ege in company, or granted and conveyed to them in fee as tenants in common; purchase-money two thousand five hundred pounds.
Same day. George Ege sold to Robert Coleman all the share and interest in the Martic property which formerly belonged to Matthias Slough, and which he purchased from the assignees; consideration money four hundred pounds.
Jan. 30, 1804. Robert Coleman, his one undivided half part of forge and lands to Edward Brien, for six thousand five hundred pounds.
1825 or 1826. James Coleman inherited Martic Forge from his father's estate, and in 1831 he erected a steel furnace. This property at that time consisted of six thousand four hundred and seventy-four acres, valued at $72,160.
1855. Heirs of James Coleman sold the forge to George Steele.
1858. Assignees of George Steele sold the forge to Robert Potts.
1862. Sheriff of Lancaster sold Martic Forge to the firm of Davis & Potts, the present owners (1883).
Robert S. Potts, the present manager of the Martic Works, is a relative of Isaac Potts, who is mentioned in Weems' "Biography of Washington" as being a man of note during the struggle of the colonies for independence.
What was known as Martic Furnace was not within the present limits of Martic township, but was situated in what is now Providence township, near the present site of Breneman's mill. The forge, down to and during the time of Edward Brien, was run mainly by slave labor. The burial ground of these slaves may still be seen in this township, in a piece of wood on the left hand side of the public road leading from Marticville to Mount Nebo.
Distilleries.-the next oldest industry of the township were the distilleries. The first distillery was on the road leading from Bethesda to Snavely's mill, on Muddy Run. The date of its establishment, owing to the lack of records, cannot be ascertained. A second distillery was operated in the neighborhood of Martic Forge. A third stood upon the property now occupied by David Fehl, near Marticville. A fourth was in existence on the property now owned by John G. Good. Of three of these, namely, the one upon Fehl's property, the one at Martic Forge, and the one upon Good's property, no authentic date of their erection and discontinuance can be given, in consequence of the paucity of the records relating thereto. A fifth distillery was operated upon a piece of land now owned (1883) by the Goods, and known as Good's mill. It was built by a man named Shank, and was called Shank's distillery. This last named distillery was built in 1793, discontinued as a distillery in 1830, and converted into a flour and feed-mill, which is carried on at the present date. (1883)
The Hagen Axe-Factory.-A third industry for which this township is noted, and which is peculiarly a child of the township, was the manufacture of the celebrated "Hagen Axe." The exact date at which the manufacture of this instrument was commenced is not definitely known. John Hagen, the grandfather of the present Hagen family in this section was the first person of the name who manufactured these axes in this township. He died before this oldest son, Joshua, was of age. This son learned the trade and taught it to his two brothers, Davis and Elijah. Elijah Hagen discontinued the trade, but David continued to work at the business until within a short time of his death. He taught the art to his five sons, Bascom, John, Albert, Davis and William. These descendants of the pioneers of this business continue
978HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY
the manufacture of the Hagen axe in the neighborhood of Mount Nebo at the present day.
Brick-Yards.-A fourth industry carried on in the township in the neighborhood of Marticville is the manufacture of brick. This business is carried on upon the spot where the first brick-yard was opened. The first brick made here was made by Isaac Heiney in 1813, but the first brick-yard was opened by D. S. McElhaney in 1847, and continued by him up to the present day. The clay from which these brick are made is a lacustrian formation covering an area of about ten acres, and the brick made from it are in demand all over the county.
Furniture Manufactory.-A fifth industry is the manufacture of furniture, carried on at Mount Nebo by S. C. Stevenson. At this place are manufactured all kinds of bedroom and kitchen furniture. The proprietor of the furniture warerooms is also engaged in the business of undertaking, and in a period of fifteen years has committed to the earth more than five hundred persons.
Other Trades.-The following-named persons carry on the trades of blacksmith and wheelwright; Marticville, James Creamer, blacksmith; Albert Guiles, wheelwright. Rawlinsville, wheelwright, Henry Heiney; blacksmith, John Hagen. Bethesda, blacksmith, John W. Sweigart. Drytown, blacksmith, John Miles. Mount Nebo, Albert Hages, wheelwright; John Brown, Blacksmith..
Mills.-Martic township has three mills, situated as follows: One near Marticville, called Good's mill; Snavely's mill, on Muddy Run, and Wentz's mill, also on Muddy Run, not far from the village of Bethesda.
Hotels.-The first hotel within the limits of Martic township was called the Cob Hotel, and stood upon the road leading from Mount Nebo to Rawlinsville, about one mile from the latter place. The ruins of this hotel may still be seen upon the farm of John Seigfrieid, near Rawlinsville, and the hill near the site upon which the hotel stood still retains the name of Cob Hill. Though the memory of this, the first hotel, still lingers, the recollection of the date of its building has faded from the memory of man. Another famous hostelry was one in the village of Rawlinsville, known as Oldfield's Hotel, from the circumstance of a man named Oldfield having been the proprietor for a number of years. The house in which this famous place of entertainment was kept was erected about the beginning of the present century. It still stands in the village of Rawlinsville, and is now used as a horse-stable. It was the first, and for a number of years the only building in the village. We append the following list of hotel licenses granted in Martic township for the years named:
The tavern licenses granted in Martic in 1804 were as follows: Sebastian Swiegart, "Seven Stars" on the road from Lancaster to Martic Forge; James Brown "Mermaid," on the road from Lancaster to McCall's Ferry.
In 1805; John McCanless, "Spread Eagle," on the road from Lancaster to McCall's Ferry'; Sebastian Sweigart, "Seven Stars", on the road from Columbia to Frogtown; James Brown, "Mermaid", on the road from Lancaster to McCall's Ferry.
In 1806: John McCanless, "Spread Eagle, " on the road from Lancaster to McCall's Ferry; Henry Herr; Thomas Robinson; Sebastian Sweigart, "Seven Stars," on the road from Lancaster to Martic Forge.
In 1809; John Sheup, on the road from Lancaster to McCall's Ferry'; Mary Sweigart, "Seven Stars," on the road from Shenk's Mill to Newport; James Brown, "Mermaid", on the road from McCall's Ferry to Christiana.
A hotel was opened about the year 1780 upon a property now occupied by Daniel Carrol, about one mile east of McCall's Ferry. It was opened by Willliam Patterson, and sold by him to William Neal in 1810, who discontinued the hotel. A hotel was erected at McCall's Ferry, on the Susquehanna River, and continues at the present day. The present list of hotels is as follows: F. B. Groff, "Cross-Keys," Marticville; Crispin Taylor, "Exchange Hotel", Rawlinsville; Amos McFalls, "Rawlinsville Hotel," Rawlinsville; Christian Uffleman, "Hotel de Uffleman", McCall's Ferry; "Fairview", better known as the "Slab".
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