The bridge over the Corodus, and the Baltimore Railroad, are seen in the center. The Market House is in the Center Square, where once stood the old Court House occupied by Congress, in 1777-78. tent of nearly 7,000 acres, including its site, was originally taken up by John Digges, a petty nobleman, under a title from the proprietor of Maryland. Being so near the boundary, it was quite doubtful-until Mason and Dixon's line was run in 1768, and the proprietary proclamations confirmed it in 1774-whether "Digges' choice" or "Digges' manor," was in Maryland or Pennsylvania. It became consequently for some years a sort of rogues' resort, where they could defy the jurisdiction of sheriffs. McAlester once seized a number of robbers, who had broken into his store, and took them to York jail, but the sheriff there refused to admit them, saying to him, "You of Hanover wish to be independent; therefore punish your villains yourselves." Wrightsville is situated on the right bank of the Susquehanna, at the western end of the Columbia bridge. It occupies an elevated site gently sloping towards the river, and commanding a view of the most magnificent scenery. The borough was incorporated with its present name on the 14th April, 1834. It had previously been known as Wright's ferry, but the construction of the bridge, like the marriage of a lady, changed the latter part of the name. Population in 1840, 672. "It was at one time in contemplation to make this place the site of the capitol of the United States. Gen. Washington earnestly advocated its selection, urging its beauty, its security, &c., but a small majority prevailed against him. Several incidents connected with the early history of this vicinity will be found on page 407. 66 LEWISBURY is agreeably situated among the pleasant "Red Lands," on a small tributary of the Conewago, 14 miles northwest from York, and 10 miles south of Harrisburg. It was incorporated as a borough 2d April, 1832. It contains a Methodist church, and there is one in the vicinity for Lutherans and Reformed Presbyterians. There are several mills in the place, one of which is for boring and grinding gun-barrels. The place took its name from Ellis Lewis, by whom it was founded. DILLSBURG is near the base of South mountain, 20 miles northwest from York, and 12 from Harrisburg. It was incorporated as a borough on the 9th April, 1833. Population in 1833, 244. SHREWSBURY, formerly called Strasburg, was incorporated as a borough on the 9th April, 1834. It is situated on the Baltimore turnpike, 13 miles south of York. Population in 1840, 340. YORK HAVEN is situated on the right bank of the Susquehanna, at the foot of the Cone wago falls, 10 miles north of York, and 14 from Harrisburg. A canal of about a mile in length, around the falls, terminates here, and permits the descending trade to avoid the dangers of the rapids. Great expectations were formed of the prosperity of this place; large mills were built, and the capitalists of Baltimore made extensive preparations for sustaining a wheat-market here; but when the Pennsylvania canal on the other side, and the Tidewater canal below, were constructed, the glory of York Haven departed. The other villages of York co. are, DOVER, FREYSTOWN, FRANKLIN, JEFFERSON, LIVERPOOL, LOGANSVILLE, NEWBERRY, NEW HOLLAND, NEW MARKET, ROSSTOWN, SIDDONSBURG, STEWARTSTOWN, or MECHANICSBURG, STRINESTOWN, and WEIGELSTOWN. These are, many of them, pleasant villages, some of an ancient date, and are adapted to the trade and wants of the agricultural regions around them. ELK COUNTY. THE new county of ELK was separated from Clearfield, Jefferson, and McKean, by the act of April, 1843. It comprises the region watered by the sources of Bennet's Branch of the Sinnemahoning, formerly in Clearfield co., and that on the head branches of Clarion river, formerly the northeastern part of Jefferson co. and the southern part of McKean co. The county derives its name from Elk mountain, an eminence formerly in the northwest corner of Clearfield co. The greater part of the county is still covered with the primitive forest. Large tracts of wild land are to be had here at a moderate rate; and the county, with its new organization, offers a fine field for industrious pioneers. A description of the surface, soil, and timber, would not vary materially from those already given of McKean, Clearfield, and Jefferson counties. Judge Geddes, who surveyed the Clarion and Sinnemahoning summit some 12 years or more since, with a view to a canal route, says "At the head of Bennet's Branch of the Sinnemahoning is an extensive marsh called Flag Swamp, from which, in wet seasons, the water flows both ways, and where, at such seasons, the summit might easily be passed by a canoe. This point is remarkable as probably the only one in Pennsylvania where the beaver may be found. Everywhere else, they have been driven out by the approach of human footsteps. In the same region a few Elks still remain." A road leads from Karthauss, on the West branch of the Susquehanna, to Ridgway. At the intersection of this road with Bennet's Branch is CALEDONIA, a thriving village, started a few years since by the pioneers from New York and New England. A road leads from this place to Clearfield. KERSEY is another village on the same road, about 12 miles northwest from Caledonia. Kersey's Mill, on one of the sources of the Clarion river, was established here some 20 years since, and is probably the oldest settlement in the co. A few miles north of Kersey, the German Union Bond Society (Roman Catholics) have recently purchased 35,000 acres from the U. S. Land Co., -sometimes known as the Boston Co. The settlers are principally from Philadelphia. Thirty-one families went out and commenced the colony in the autumn of 1842, 33 more followed in the spring of 1843, and 33 were to go in the fall; and so on until they number 200 families, or possibly 350, which will give 1,000 acres to each family. When they have paid for their land, they can, by a vote of the members, divide the shares; and this is believed to be their intention. RIDGWAY is a thriving settlement of New York and New England people, chiefly lumbermen, made some years since on the Little Mill cr branch of Clarion river, about 12 miles northwest of Kersey. It took its name from the late Jacob Ridgway, who owned large tracts of land in the vicinity. There is a road from this place to Brookville. Ridgway was selected as the seat of justice by the Commissioners who ran out the boundary lines of the new county, in September, 1843. Aaronsburg, 206 INDEX TO COUNTIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES. Adamsburg, Union co., 636 Adamsburg, Westm'd co., 688 ALLEGHENY COUNTY, 63 Allentown, 425 Amity, 670 Armagh, 379 Andalusia, 151 ARMSTRONG COUNTY, 93 Astonville, 456 Asylum, 148 Athens, 143 Attleborough, 171 Auburn, 624 Carbondale, 446 Carlesville, 229 Carlisle Springs, 271 CENTRE COUNTY, 200 Chambersburg, 349 CHESTER COUNTY, 206 Clarksville, or Can'n Cor., 679 Claysville, 670 CLEARFIELD COUNTY, 230 Clearfield town, 232 Clifton, 199 Clinton, 362 CLINTON COUNTY, 234 703 Fairview, Cumber'd co., 272 Hunterstown, 61 Fallston, 109 FRANKLIN COUNTY, 347 Freeburg, 636 Freedom, 110 Freeport, 98 Frenchtown, 148 Friendsville, 622 Gap, the, 200 Georgetown, Beaver co., 114 Germantown, Phila. co., 593 Klingletown, 503 Gettysburg, 57 Cookstown, 345 Gibson, 624 Cooperstown, 647 Ginalsburg, 460 Cornplanter, (village,) 653 Girard, 327 Gnadenthal, 520 Goshenhoppen, 488, 503 Kreidersville, 520 Kutztown, 135 Birmingham, Allegh'y co., 89 Coudersport, 600 Birmingham, Hunt'n co., 373 Coventry, 224 Blairsville, 378 Blockley, 543 Bloody Run, 125 Bloomfield, 540 Covington, 627 CUMBERLAND COUNTY, 262 CRAWFORD COUNTY, 249 Curwensville, 233 Bloomsburg, 244 Bradford, 460 BRADFORD COUNTY, 136 Bridgepoint, 171 Bridgetown, 171 Bristol borough, 164 Grapeville, 688 Great Bend, 623 GREENE COUNTY, 358 Greensburg, Greene co., 361 Greenville, Bucks co., 171 Halifax, 288 Harmony, Susqueh'a co., 624 Bridgewater, 109 Brighton, 108 Dempseytown, 647 Hamburg, 135 Bristol township, 543 Donnegal, 410 Hamiltonville, 472 Brockway, 382 Dover, 701 Hanover, 700 Brooklyn, 624 Downingtown, 222 Hanstown, 413 Brookville, 381 Doylestown, 161 Harford, 624 Brownsburg, 171 Duncannon, 541 Harmony, Butler co., 176 Brownsville, 341 BUCKS COUNTY, 150 Buckingham township, 155 Burlington, 148 Caledonia, 233, 702 Callensburg, 229 Calhounsville, 387 CAMBRIA COUNTY, 178 Canonsburgh, 668 CARBON COUNTY, 184 Dunnstown, 239 Elizabethtown, Allegh'y, 91 Emmaus, 427 ERIE COUNTY, 308 Harmonsburg, 259 Hartztown, 259 Evansburg, Montgom. co., 502 Horsham Square, 503 LANCASTER County, 387 Landisburg, 542 Laughlinstown, 688 LEHIGH COUNTY, 422 Lewisberg, 633 Lewisbury, 695, 701 Lewistown, 468 Ligonier, 688 Line Lexington, 171, 503 Liverpool, Perry co., 542 Lowrytown, 199 M'Connelsburg, 374 |