Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-01-21

At this time Mung Reed resided on yha
was then called Shamokin island, near th
~ confluence of the two rivers, and a fe,
yards above the fort. Thomas Grant an
Colonel Hunter, commander of the fort
lived on two farms which they had take
up close by. Robert Murdock also had
farm here. These gentlemen are consider
ed among the first iona fde settlers at thi
point, who formed the nucleus aroun
which the other emigrants clustered
The Grant family were identified, to
considerable extent, with the history of th
eventtul period of the Revolution. Mr.
Grant was Captain in the Revolutionar,
War, and had command of frontier fort
His widow was a remarkably fine woman
or great mind and resolution, and uniyer
sally esteemed and beloved by all VIII
knew her, for her many solid virtues. Sh,
Is well remembered, and feelingly spoker
OF, by many of the old people now living
when Sherman Day visited her, abou
1910, he describes her as a venerable ole
lady, livingin fine mansion, surrounded
by her children and grand children Hel
memory extended back for a period o
eighty years, yet he did not appear to BE-
over fifty.
Robert Martin, originally from New
jersey, was the father of Mrs. Craft. He
first settled at Wyoming under the Penn
sylvania title, but being unable to live there
IN peace, abandoned his farm, and removed
TO Northumberland. He erected q house,
and kept tavern here previous to the pur-
chase of 176S. His house, at that time
was the only one to be seen about North
umberland Point, or even on the other side.
except in Fort Augusta. lie was un-
doubtedly the first settler on the site of
Northumberland, near eighty years ago.
After the purchase Of 1769, his house was
thronged with numerous spectators, pio-
neers, surveyors, and Adventures, who
came to view and settle upon the lands of
| the West Branch.
Colonel Hunter is distinguished in the
history of that period. He had command
| oil Fort Augusta during the time of the
Revolution, when it was the great point TO
which all the settlers of both Branches
conveyed, when compelled to abandon
their homes in the wilderness, by the at
tacks of the savages. a the forts erected
along the West Branch were under his su-
pervisiOn, and the duties that devolyed
upon him were great. He may be consid-
cred the watchful guardian of the frontier.
Scenes of the most thrilling character were
enacted at that period
\ fine brick mansion now stands on the
identical spot formerly occupied by the
fort, it is owned by Miss Hu nter, lineal
descendant of the old Colonel. Truly, it
is built on sacred ground.
In 1712, according to the best and most
reliable information that l have been able
to collect, there was but one house where
Sunbury now stands, one at Fort Agusta.
and one on the Grant farms, one OF Sha-
mokin island, one in Northumberland, but
ttRpr ttRpr belReen that paipt and where y tMilten
Milton and Muncy hills there were six fam
lilies, and not more than eight or ten on the
river above.
Captain Lowden, and Mr.. Patterson,
it appears, became owners of the land at
Northumberland. They afterwards sold
part to Reuben Haynes, brewer, from
the city of Philadelphia, who laid out the
town of Northumberland, in 1775. This
was at very gloomy period of our history.
And it made but slow progress for several
years. The settlers were often compelled
to abandon their homes, and fly to Fort
Augusta for protection.
Ludwig Derr, German, settled in Buff
falo Valley, where Lewisburg now stands,
about 1772 or 1I773. a patent for a tract
of land containing three hundred and
twenty acres, was granted to Richard Pc
tiers, August 11th, 1772 and on the 18th
of November 1913. it was decided to Lud-
wig Derr.
Colonel John Kelly, distinguished hero
of the Revolutionary period, settled in
Buffalo valley, as early as 17GS, imme-
diately after the purchase from the Indians. |
He was one of the first pioneers in this re-
gion, and endured many hardships.
Captain John Brady, with large family, /
also immigrated TO the West Branch, about
1872 ,and located opposite where Lewisburg |
now stands. This family was one of the |
most remarkable that ever resided in the |
romantic vale of the Otzinachson, and their |
history, replete with some of the most dar- |
ing and thrilling events, will occupy large /
space.
The following persons were also among |
the early settlers Samuel and Joseph |
Wallis, William Hutchinson. Cornelius
Atkinson Moses Kirk, John and Robert
Eson, Captain Gray, Robert Frait Walton
and VIM. Clark, VIM. Wilson, Robert
Clark, James Studman, SCOTS, &c.
Captain Simpson was among the first set
tiers in Sunbury. He participated in the |
dastrous battle of Wyoming. His decen-
dants still live there.
Paul Brady also located here at very
early period. He erected log house, and
it is related by some of the citizens of the |
present day, that he traded with the In
dams through the cracks of the building
not daring to permit them to enter the |
door.
Of the troubles and priyatiOns endured |
by those settlers, we can scarce form a, Just /
conception. 1t is related that during the |
time of the Indian wars, when hideously |
painted savages skulked like demons thro'
the forest, many of the first settlers about |
Sunbury, were often Obliged to take their |
families in canoes, and move them i'll the |
middle of the river during the night, to es- !
cape the scalping knife of the ever vigient
foe Contrast those times with the peace |
tIa