Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-08-15
TO Years in Chill;suuauue.

Z creek, III NoFtnuHlocTtauu C"untSs oNSt
seventy years ago. That is net long time
in the history of tue world, but it hs. been
occupied by many and startling events. A
few statements Of matters as then existing,
when compared with the present, will not
| be without interest. He says:
"About May, 1855, my parents moved
into Chillisquaque from Chester county. |
was then qnite boy, and recollect coming
with our plantation wagon aud four horses,
crossing at Chambers ferry, below Harris
burg. which then was few houses only.
We started some twenty light miles below
Lancaster, and were eight days in coming
Some Of the family came, horseback, over
Peters mountain, then very difficult to
cross Our household goods came in
boats, aud were four to SIX days on the
way. We thought We were coming
"away into the woods" 1t was then cal.
Leo ";ac Shamckin country" We settled
on firm that had been improved, and
found 8 or 10 acres ready for use. A
tract Of $40 acres, above what is now
Rloomsburg, on the river, recoilect Vas
sold for 10 shilliugs per acre. We found
cabin of hewed logs, the roof made of
unshaved split strips. We put up hewed
log barn, about 30 feet by 20, which was
thought to be little extra in those days
We found good water, and bad pure air.
The Indians were pretty much gone, and
did not trouble u.s. Often heard how ling
of woives-s5me few ran,hers killed
and when times were hard in the mouE-
tains, the bears came around the settlers
iu search Of better living. Deer were
plenty. One hard winter the snow was
so deep, and such crust, that the ppor
deer were almost extermiha'ed by men
and dogs. Wild pigeons were sometimes
prnty-also wild geese Ea,tlcsnakes
aud copperheads were ofteh seen in the
woods. The winters for few years seem
ed harder than any since. Snow fell knee
deep about the l7th of November, and
did not 90 away uutil March. We had
good sleighing in those days. But roads
were few aud poor in summer, and We bad
nothing to ride in but big wagons and
seds, so that most of our journeys for bu-
sncss or pleasure were horseback. The
Asue was considerably bad aloug the
Rivers
The first settlers had been harassed,
burnt out, and driven off by the Indians
in the Revolution, aud those who re-occu-
pied the land were generally poor. Most
Of the settlers then were Scotch Irish-but
very few Germans. They were not rich,
were widely scattered, but perhaps had as
much real contentment as those now living
in ease and opulence. Wolves often killed
the sheep, aud wool was comparatively
scarce, but they were very diligent in raj
sing fax, and were not so particular about
dress, anyhow. Dancing was very COM
mon amusement, and fiddle one OF the
Essentials" of society; but it was no.
thing derogatory to see gentlemen then
dancing in their tow shirts, and even bare
footed-making up in force and heartiness
what they lacked in fnery and fashion.
Besides this amusement, they had Bstta-
lions and 4th of July celebrations in those
times they we're "great days" but gene
rally too much whiskey got loose, and
fight closed up the day. There was very
little political excitement during Washing
tons administration.
Five shilIipgs was thought to be grea.
price for wheat, which they at once began
TO raise, but for a long time had little to
spare, the new settlers wanting it all.
Corn was also required at hone at first,
aud no distilleries near for some time !;
spirits brought in in small quantities, aud
not used generally. Shad were very plenty,
almost every family getting supply
geuerally not over 81 hundred before
sailing, sometimes less. Almost every
house then had loom. Store clothing
dearer than now, and not so much OF It,
Danville, Bloomsbury, Milton and Lew
isburg were then small towns, half dozen
or dozen houses each. Northum berand
was the principal place for all kinds OF
business. The oldest post Offices re-
member, we're Bcthuel Viaccnt's in Mill
town (uow Milton) and John Cowden's in
Northumberland. The mail was carried
once q week in saddle-bags. The first
paper | recollect was q very small one,
printed for s. per year by Andrew Ken
uedy the elder, a. Northumberland. 1t
was counted four days ride to Philadelphia
on horseback, and news got to be pretty
old, and pretty dear at 8 cents little
sheet, half the size Of the penny papers
VIC now get only a half day old, with
news from everywhere by lightning.
| Day schools we're not organized ut hrsf'
but were soon established By subscription
A Presbyterian house Of worship bad
ho.u nm. nm hef,re tho Revolution, but