Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-08-19

the Ledger as q matter OF interest TO many
OF our readers. The writer is disposed 10
be censorious, and is not quite as well post
ed up as he might BE-, in relation TO The
court house and public buildings:
tcorespondencs o. the Pubie Ledger
LETTER FROM mNoRTHUMBERLAND'
The Ancient Town Of Northumberland
Churches. Court House, &C., Se.-Lyo"s
Isiand-Blue Hill Mountain DIR Joseph
Priesity--His Residence aud Burial P'asf'
&c, &c.
NoRrpuMpEnLAsp, Pa, Aug. 10.
Me.R,. Eprrons.-If there is any place
in the Union whereihe tense OF creation is
fully enjoyed all the year round without 'ne
aid of "proclamaiion." il must be ms 4'ie'
little Town of Northumberland, which has ior
more than quarter of century preserved
its reputation as 'Sleepy Hollow ot the GUS
ouehanna." lis grass grown streets, It's ven
erable and dilapidaied buildings faithfully
attest the age and finish Of place which
however tempting and inviting TO The reeiuse
has few chances for the man oil business OF
the seeker OF pleasure. But this quiet onrgn
has many interesting associations connected
with i; TO en,iie il TO a visit from The his'o'
rian and the lover of science. Here memo
rable events in our Revolution transpired, and
in this very spot lived. labored and died, the
distinguished philosopher Joseph Prieslly.
The ancient town Of Northumberland is
beautifully situated al the junciure oil The
north and west branches Of the Snsquehanna,
nearly opposite Sunbury. The place was laid
ont in 1775, on a very extensive scale, BY
Reuben Haines, of Philadelphia The sur.
veyor doubtless imagined that at no distant
day, Northumberland would be the great in
terror city of Pennsylvania.
The town progressed but slowly, for during
The revolution all the inhabitants, 10 escape
being murdered by cruel foe, were com.
PEELED 10 desert the place, and flee for refuge
10 Fort Augustus, since known as Sunbury.
In 1884 the town was again occupied, and.
up TO the year 1900, was the most flourishing
settlement, in this section OF country. l, be-
came borough in 1928, but its being incor-
pora,ed did not save it from the decay into
which it was rapidly falling. NorIhumber-
land can muster abou, thousand inhabitants
and can boast of some half-dozen places Of
worship, Two acadamie., and courthouse.
The Bank Of Northumberland is located here /;
this building is the only one OF public char.
acler having any prelensons 10 architectural
beauty.
Lyons Island, a long and beautiful Island,
is directly opposite the Town, in the North
Branch. 1t is connected with the main land,
on either shore, by Two extensive and sub
sian,ial bridges. This spot is famed place
of resort for pc.nic., sc. From the Blue
Hill Mountain, near by, those fond Of the
picturesque can enjoy magnificent, pros
pect Of The two valleys. The scenery, fol
miles around Northumberland, is of the mos
enchanting and romantic character, and wher
railroads now in progress shall have beer
completed, the mountains, hills, and valley!
of this vincinity vii! be properly appreciated
and visited by the tourist.
DR.. Joseph Priesly, The eminent Philoso
pher and Theologian, passed the latter year:
Of his life in Northumberland. His iheolo
gical views had rendered him obnoxious 10
few narrow minded members of the Es,a.
blshed Church al Birmingham, England, who
in 1874 destroyed his valuable library and
apparatus, and compelled The DR.. 10 seek re.
fuge from religious tyranny. Shortly afier.
wards he fed 10 the United States, and sci,
tied at this place, where he continued 10 pur.
sue his theological ami scientific pursuits un.
I'll his death in 1901. He founded the Uni.
tartan society here which continues respec,a
bic in numbers and in influence. The large
mansion erected by him is still standing, and
is in possession OF his family. Few mer
were more respected and esteemed by the
LIBERAL OF every creed than DR.. Priesly.
siAg'e headslone, with this inscription, mark,
'hs resting place of this grea, and good man
"To the memory of
The Rev. DR.. Joseph Priestly,
Who Departed this Life
On the 9th of February, 1904,
Anno Aetatis II.
"Rs!urn unto thy rest, o my soul, for The
Lord hath dealt beautifully with :hee.
VIII lay me uo"h III peace, anu sleel
till awake in the morning of the Resurrec
tion."
Northumberland has some signs of life ye
lett, and by The aid of railroads, &C., ma,
yet be resusci'ated. She has wealth, and
she will only contribute OF her abundanc,
towards the Improvements which some o
he' most enIerprisiug citizens have SO fre
9ue"uy suggested, she may yet rank, next Il
Da"'i"e' The most lourishing Town in tn
A VIsITER.
"'''N'Al fARMISG.-Horace Greedy, i, i
wen known, has ,aken TO farming -.
year. when IN Massachusetts, at,endin, ~
poultry show, he bought half dozen nns. p.
ui "n eu'"S Eggs al 50 dollars dozen, whicl