For 127 Years, 1800-1927, Watsontown Had A Ferry
Daniel Calwell established the first Ferry between Watsontown & the White Deer Mills in 1800.
Caldwell propelled his boats across the river between Watsontown and White Deer Mills by poles in low water and oars when the river ran high.
Caldwell propelled his boats across the river between Watsontown and White Deer Mills by poles in low water and oars when the river ran high.
The Watsontown/White Deer Ferry, transporting a horse and wagon, 1908
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| The Ferry At Watsontown, After the 1889 Flood |
Calwell "settled in Northumberland County in an area which, in 1813, became Union county. Initially they lived in Turbut Township where he bought land in Warrior Run. Later he moved to White Deer Mills where he bought the Grist Mill in 1810. He operated the mills for 25 years. Here he became an enterprising, wealthy and prominent businessman and amongst his outstanding achievements was the establishment of a ferry in 1800.This was a great advantage for the settlers in the vicinity of Watsontown in the crossing of the river into Union Co. and vice versa."
The Bly Farm was located on the east bank of the river just north of the present day river bridge. When Capt John Bly died in 1883, his son William purchased the farm and ferry.
On May 3 1823 the owners of the ferry [between Watsontown and White Deer] ran an advertisement in the Miltonian in which they advised all delinquent subscribers for ferriages to pay up what they owed. "Having, hitherto been imposed upon, we hereby give notice that after this date we will no longer continue to ferry (gratis) those who go to attend Divine Worship upon the Sabbath; and particularly as we have hitherto been prevented from attending worship ourselves by attending to our neighbors"
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| 1873 |
Calwell's ferry was operated and propelled across the river during low water by using poles. The poles were placed with one end on the river bottom, and other against he ferry to push it across. During high water, large oars, or "sweeps" were used.
When High purchased the ferry, he tried stretching a 1 3/4 inch rope cable from shore to shore, to keep the ferry from drifting so far downstream as it crossed. The rope expanded and contracted in the weather, sometimes the rope drug in the water. Raftsman, bringing their lumber through, would take an axe to the rope if it got in their way. High finally abandoned the rope idea, and went back to using oars and poles.
1871 Map Showing the Wire Rope Ferry at Watsontown
When Bly and Watson purchased the ferry in 1854, there was a new Wire Rope being manufactured by John Roebling, of NY. Bly & Watson purchased this new wire rope and strung it across the river - finding it worked much better than the old regular rope system.
This time it was a success and the ferry line flourished for many years.
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| Moonlight Series Post Cards were popular between 1907 & 1910 |
In July of 1896, William Bly christened his new ferry The Red Swan.
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| November 1912 |
David Bly ran the ferry from 1905-1918. David was a grandson of Capt. John Bly, and was the nephew of the previous owner, William Bly.
In 1918, the Ferry was discontinued.
I don't know how long the Ferry was out of operation, but the May 1921 Miltonian reported that Russell Smith, the owner of the Watsontown Ferry, had sold the property to Erb Weaver and James Good, "who now are giving the operation of the boats their personal attention."
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Ferry on the right, in photos taken by Nelson Caulkins of the "Ice Going Out", abt 1918
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| 1924 |
In August of 1924 the Lewisburg Journal reported that the "Watsontown Ferry Resumes"
The Watsontown Ferry, which recently went to the bottom of the river when the cable broke, is again in service. Much work was required to place the ferry in proper condition for service."
A piece of the wire cable used for the Watsontown Ferry, on display at the Watsontown Historical Society.
On July 9th 1924, as the ferry crossed the river between Watsontown and White Deer, the cable snapped. Paul High, and Ralph Smith were the only two on board at the time, although the ferry was also carrying Smith's Fort truck.
As the ferry got to the middle of the stream, one of the "fall boards of the ferry went down, and the boat was caught by the deep, swift, current. The flat was swung towards the White Deer side"
The two men were able to get to the row boat attached to the side of the ferry and row to safety. The ferry, with the truck, floated down the river the length of the cable, about a quarter of a mile, before both sank to the bottom of the river.
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| Ruthe Werner & Isabel Weaver on the Ferry At Watsontown |
In 1990, B.L. Strickland gave an interview, recalling his many rides on the ferry.
Strickland would board the "Bly Ferry" at 6am, six days a week. The trip would cost him a nickel each time, and would take about 15 minutes to cross.
From there, Strickland walked to the Reading Railroad Depot, where he would take the train to work at the Montgomery Manufacturing Factory.
"When Jim Bly owned the ferry, I'd yell across the river to him when I needed to travel quick. " recalled Strickland. "Illustrating his point, Strickland cupped his hands over his face and yelled 'OOOOOOVVVER'"
"Then Bly would make his way across the river pretty soon. The ferry ride was pretty. Sometimes the river would be so clear that I'd look down and see a big fish swimming."
Strickland recalls that ferry rides ended when the Watsontown Bridge was constructed. The bridge was built in 1928, but not open to traffic for several years. See more photos of the bridge being constructed here:
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| The Watsontown Ferry House, possibly after the 1936 flood "The old ferry house, which withstood the flood of 1889, showed a water level 18 inches higher than in '89. The rear of the building, however, was torn away.." - The Mount Carmel Item, March 1936 |
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Owners/Operators
- 1801-1836 Daniel Caldwell
- 1836- Henry High
- 1854- John Bly & John Watson
- 1873 Captain John Bly
- 1883 William Bly, son of Capt. John Bly
- 1905 David Bly, Nephew of William Bly (Grandson of Capt John Bly)
- 1918 Ferry Discontinued
- 1921 - Russell Smith sold the ferry to Erb Weaver & James Good
- 1924 - Operated by Paul High
1912 -
"When ferryman James Bly of Watsontown rowed his boat across the river Sunday morning about 7 o'clock, he noticed a man's clothes on the bank opposite that town. In a pocket was found a card that identified them as having belonged to Frederick Tyson, aged twenty, who had bargained with Bly to leave a boat on the west side of the river so that Tyson could get home from a festival at White Deer.
Tyson's body was found in six feet of water close to shore. He had removed his clothing and attempted to swim the river. Apparently attacked with cramps he had succumbed.
According to arrangements with Tyson, Bly had left a skift at 12:30 o'clock Sunday morning on his last trip with his ferry boat, but the craft was appropriated by others and when Tyson reached the bank he trusted to his powers as a swimmer.
A brother of the drowned man was killed four years ago by falling from a bridge."
Frederick W Tyson was born at Watsontown October 19, 1891, the son of Frank and Lydia Josephine Tyson. He was 20 years old when he drowned in the Susquehanna.
His brother, Harry W Tyson was born December 12, 1889. His death certificate states he died from meningitis following a brain injury received from a fall down an embankment. He died at the Williamsport Hospital December 22, 1908 at the age of 19. Both are buried in the Watsontown Cemetery, lot 32, section 22, graves 3 & 4.
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| February 1894 |
DAVID CALWELL
DAN CALWELL, was born in Pennsylvania, USA , on the 7 Dec 1775. He was the son of John and Elinor Calwell and grandson of Daniel Calwell, whom an earlier researcher found migrated from Donegal, Ireland. Once married his parents John and Elinor were said to have lived in Lancaster near the home of President Buchannan . Dan Jr, our subject, had four siblings. A brother James, who never married and three sisters. Martha (who married John Shannon), and Mary (husband unknown ), a sister Elinor died in 1807 and is buried in the Warrior Run cemetery.
By 1790 some members of the family had settled in Bart Township, Lancaster Co. John, Dan's father, was found in the first U.S. census of Pennsylvania for Lancaster Co. and in the 1800 Septennial census Dan himself was recorded and his occupation was carpenter. In 1796 Dan and his brother James joined the second Battalion of the Lancaster Co Militia under Cap Paxton. Dan's brother, James, is buried in the Octorara Coventer Presbyterian cemetery, Bart Twp, having died in 1858. It is thought that our family were Presbyterian, and like many others had escaped religious persecution.
Dan settled in Northumberland County in an area which, in 1813, became Union county. Initially they lived in Turbut Township where he bought land in Warrior Run. Later he moved to White Deer Mills where he bought the Grist Mill in 1810. He operated the mills for 25 years. Here he became an enterprising, wealthy and prominent businessman and amongst his outstanding achievements was the establishment of a ferry in 1800.This was a great advantage for the settlers in the vicinity of Watsontown in the crossing of the river into Union Co. and vice versa.
By about 1806 Dan had married his first wife Elizabeth Woods and they had five children. James, John, Samuel, Mary and Eleanor. Elizabeth died in 1820 aged 35 and all of their children died in childhood and early youth of tubercular trouble with the exception of James. All except Mary are buried with their mother in the old Warrior Run Burial ground. James married Rebecca Silsby and with their four sons settled in Milton.
Caldwell was a civic leader and served on Union County's first Board of Commissioners in 1813. He was appointed a JP on 26 March 1813, was elected to the Legislature in 1820 and represented Union County in the House of Representatives in the years 1820/21, being a member of the Binnite Party. During his term in office he was appointed to a committee on roads and inland navigation, presented a petition from the inhabitants of Union County concerning obstructions to the navigation of the Susquehanna River and was a signatory to another petition from the residents of White Deer Twp., Union Co. relating to the place of holding the township elections.
On 21st October, 1822 Dan married Jane Huff near Harrisburg . Jane was born on 1st January, 1801 on a farm near Milton, Pennsylvania and had been employed by the Calwell family since the age of thirteen. Jane may have had a German background, although her parents were both born in America. We haven't as yet been able to determine her exact ancestry. Dan and Jane had the following children;
George Washington Calwell born 1823
Sarah Ann Calwell born 1824
Dan Calwell Born 1826 and died 1828
Joseph Calwell 1828
Dan McGrew Calwell 1830
Davis Calwell 1832
Elizabeth Jane Calwell Born 1834
Martha Ellen Calwell Born 1836
Dan was often mentioned in the book "The Annals of the Buffalo Valley." He was involved in the making of many decisions. In 1826 Dan was elected as an officer at a political convention at New Berlin. In 1826/ 27 he was elected as Secretary to a canal meeting at Lewisburg. In 1828 he attended a canal meeting in Harrisburg. In 1830 he was chosen president of Union Agriculture Association, formed at Milton, Union County, to include Columbia County , Lycoming County, and Union County. In 1835 he became an owner of the Jersey Shore bridge, in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, PA, named "The Lewisburg and Jersey Shore Turnpike Road and Bridge Company." He was to serve as a member of the constitutional convention of 1837 but died before taking his seat.
Daniel built a fine mansion in Watsontown, later called the "Old High Mansion". Henry High had purchased the house after Dan died hence its name. It was later bought and added to by Dr W. F. Danowsky and his son Augustus. It was still standing and being looked after in 1962 by the granddaughters of a previous owner; Mrs Lee Showers, Judge Showers' wife of Lewisburg and Mrs James Gemmel whose husband was the son of a Presbyterian Minister in Allenwood. They state it is a beautiful old house with fireplaces in every room, nice mantels and 6 bedrooms.
Source - These details were provided by a former postmistress of White Deer to an unknown person who was a friend of the grandson of Joseph Calwell namely Dr Joseph Fox.
In 2007 the house still stands and a photo has been obtained by Jane Shuman. It is in Leiser Rd, White Deer twp.
Calwell was also a champion of Public education and led the battle for White Deer's acceptance of the law. He was a member of the first school board and was serving a second term at the time of his death.The tribute of his colleagues on the board has been preserved and reads in part: "His high sense of public and private duty in matters pertaining to the welfare of our community, will linger as a standard for each generation. He knew that virtue and intelligence are the pillars of republican government....consequently he was the sturdiest active friend of the Free public School Law...May the school children of White Deer revere his memory and emulate his devotion to the cause of public instruction".
Dan died on 16th December,1836 and is buried in the old Warrior Run cemetery along with other members of his family. His sons James, Samuel, John and Dan are memorialised on the same monument as their father. Dan's father John, died in 1804. He was 69 years old, and on his grave is a flag stating he was a Revolutionary War soldier. Elinor Calwell, Dan's mother, died on 16 Sep 1806 and is buried with her husband.
Dan Calwell left no will, but there were papers of his estate found in Union County courthouse, Lewisburg PA and is as follows;
Dan Calwell estate- disbursements
James calwell, Administrator
Jane,Widow
Wards:
George W. Calwell
Sarah A.
Martha E.
Joseph.
Dan
Davis
Elizabeth.
Guardians: Samuel Henderson[for Martha]
Charles Gudykunst for rest
NOTE Charles Gudykunst was from a well known Milton family, his father having migrated from Germany. Charles later owned and operated a grist mill on White Deer Hole creek, in White Deer Hole Valley, Lycoming County.
At a meeting of the Covention of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Mr Merril of Union, rose and said :
Being altogether unacquainted with the rules of deliberative assemblies, I can say nothing as to the propriety of any course of proceeding on an occasion so melancholy. As a citizen of the same county in which the deceased resided, it would be proper for me to say, that I had known him long, and respected him highly, and I fully concur with all that has been said in his praise. He was undoubtedly a man of integrity and intelligence; and though we sometimes differed on political questions, our long and intimate acquaintance and personal friendship, had been uninterrupted. No man belonging to this body stood fairer or higher, and no man among his friends and acquaintances, enjoyed more of their respect and regard than Mr Caldwell. Whatever evidences of respect, it would be proper for this convention to manifest for the memory of any of its members, were fully deserved by him.
His death has been a serious affliction to his family and friends, a loss to the society in which he moved, and of which he was a prominent member; and in the performance of those high and important duties, which have devolved upon us, his council and assistance might have been very useful. He was a kind warmhearted man, an exemplary parent, and a firm undoubted friend of his country and her institution. The loss of such a man creates a chasm in society which cannot be easily filled up.
I most cheerfully concur in any course of proceedings or any eulogism which the convention may think due to his memory.
Footnote
Muncy Luminary of 27 Sept. 1845
On Thursday morning of last week at about one o'clock, the Woollen Factory of Samuel ROGERS, at the mouth of White Deer Creek, Union Co., accidentally took fire and was totally consumed. He had his machinery insured by Lycoming Co. Mutual Insurance Co., to the amount of $1800. The building belonged to the estate of Daniel CALDWELL, dec'd, and was not insured.
Whilst tracing this family we have to be ever mindful that the name Calwell is consistently and incorrectly spelt Caldwell. Any official records are generally correctly spelt.
Compiled by Jennifer Marsh
Information provided by:
Ancestry.com
Swisher family bible extracts obtained by Arthur Caldwell.
Information provided from a book" Union County Pennsylvania A Celebration of History"
Information from "Annals of Buffalo Valley"
Hi Heather, thanks for this great article! I’d love to ask you a question about it - what’s the best way to contact you? Thanks, Victoria
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