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.

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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.

INDEX TO COUNTIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES.

Adamsburg, Union co., 636
ADAMS COUNTY, 55
Adamstown, 413
Adamsville, 259

Adamsburg, Westm'd co., 688
Alexandria, 373

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, 63
Allegheny city, 65

Fairview, Cumber'd co., 272 Hunterstown, 61

Germantown, Phila. co., 593 Klingletown, 503

Calhounsville, 387

CAMBRIA COUNTY, 178
Cambridge, 259
Campbellstown, 421
Canaan Corners, 679

Canonsburgh, 668
Canton, 148

CARBON COUNTY, 184