Valley Girl Views: Pennsdale, Lycoming Pennsylvania

History, Stories and Photos of Pennsdale, Lycoming County PA
An Index

Originally named Pennsville, then Hicksville. A Post Office was established and called Penn's Dale, at which time the community took that name.

==============

HISTORIC HOMES

The Adlum House

The Adlum House, Wolf Run House, & Bulls Head Tavern [House Of Many Stairs] were three of the homes used in the Underground Railroad.

1967 Guide and Map of the Old Quaker Fieldstone Houses

in Pennsdale and the Muncy Area.

Wallis, Bailiff, Edgend, Friends Mtg House, Adlum, Wallis Cemetery.

"William Kent Lathey was the first physician to locate in Williamsport in 1798. He had previously practiced in the neighborhood of Muncy and was well known in that vicinity. He married a daughter of Samuel Wallis and afterward built a stone house at Pennsdale which is still standing." Lycoming County History By Lloyd, ch 20

==============

CHURCHES & SCHOOLS

Friends Mtg House

Manuscript journal of James Kiteley, first schoolmaster in Lycoming County, and early Quaker preacher at Pennsdale; displayed at the 1895 Lycoming Centennial

"The broad and fertile basin thus partially environed by the Muncy Hills is mainly the Muncy Valley; in which are pleasantly located the peaceful hamlet of Pennsdale – with its plain but very substantial Friends' Meeting House, built about 110 years ago – and the enterprising towns of Muncy and Hughesville..." - Snapshots By Gernard

Y. W. C. T. U.

[Young Womens Christian Temperance Union]

"Photograph of Y. W. C. T. U. Hall, Pennsdale, built by the young ladies."

==============

INDUSTRIES

Pennsdale Milling & Power

"About 1829, Job Parker started an industry he called the Elizabethtown Pottery. When he died, a man named Fox took over the pottery, but it failed to attract customers in sufficient number, so it was abandoned." - Bloomsburg Morning Press 1976

Blacksmith Shop

====================

THE POST OFFICE

Upstate post office weighs its parcels on meat scales PENNSDALE (AP) In the Country Store in Pennsdale, Thomas L. Springman moseys across the room and weighs a parcel on the meat scales, the ones that just weighed the pork chops, then returns to his pigeonholed niche. "Could have used the balance scales instead," he said, pointing to a contraption on top of a filing cabinet. "They could be a hundred years old, but they're just as accurate and they never break down." Springman runs the Pennsdale Rural Branch of the Muncy Post Office. But nobody calls it that. They call it the Pennsdale Post Office, ZIP Code 17761. "We can do almost anything here that a big post office can," Springman said proudly. There's no reason to doubt that and there's no reason to doubt that Springman knows' what he's doing, because he's been licking stamps practically since the day he was born back in 1920. "My dad was a postmaster here from 1905 to 1941, '42," Springman said. "When he died, my mom took over and ran it 'til she retired in the late '60s." Then, with years of "apprenticeship" behind him, Springman took his turn. "Mom still tries to boss me now and then, though," he said. His mother, now 86, lives with him and his wife in a house just across the lawn from the post office. "I'm sure a lot of people wonder why I've stayed in Pennsdale all my life," said Springman, who sports a wondrous white mustache that would have made him right at home in the days his dad was running things. "Well, I just love it here. I don't know anything I'd rather do more." The Country Store itself was put up in '39. That's 1839. It's bright red, like the cheeks of the folks who shop in it on a wintry day to buy its famous scrapple, sausage and bacon. Once in a while, postal patrons show up to pluck their letters or magazines from one of the pigeonholes, or to send something to a far-off one place of the like Arizona. They always smile and Springman always smiles 1. back, and they almost always exchange small talk with him. That is one of the advantages of the Pennsdale Post Office ZIP Code 17761 - the personal contacts. "Plus," Springman added, "their mail is always safe and dry when they come and get it." People who came to the Pennsdale branch recently were treated to still another extra, an "art exhibit.' Amy Ruth, Springman's granddaughter, had her kindergarten drawings displayed on the post office door and wall. The postal folks down in Washington, who have been phasing out rural post offices in recent years in an economizing move, are not usually impressed by smiles, small talk and art exhibits. They like to look at the bottom line. But Springman has them there, too. "It would cost a heck of a lot more if you had to hire a carrier to deliver the mail," he explained. - "There's no reason to shut down." Springman isn't least bit worried about the Pennsdale Rural Branch of the Muncy Post Office. they'll balance be scales, around the a pigeonholes and good old 17761; good while yet.

===========

RAILROAD

127 North Middle Road - Williamsport & North Branch R.R. Station - today a home.

The Station is in it's original location, but was turned, and now sits "across the grade".

=============
MAPS

1873 Atlas

Of Lycoming County

1892 Map of

Lycoming County

Showing Pennsdale

Pennsville, in the 1873 Atlas Of Lycoming County

The Adlum Wallis Map

=============

Biographies/Residents/Genealogies

Dr. Thomas Lyon

Out Of The Past, Pennsdale - 1974

=================

HISTORIES

================

"The first deed recorded in Lycoming County is for a property in Muncy Township. It is from Reuben Haines to Catherine Greenleafe for a large tract of land. Early in its history members of the Society of Friends settled in the township and gave the name of Pennsdale to the little community they established. At first it was known as Pennsville and then Hicksville. In 1829 Job Packer established a pottery there which he called "The Elizabethtown Pottery." But the name did not stick and eventually the little hamlet became known as Pennsdale, and that name has clung to it down to the present day.

Many of the descendants of the original settlers are still living in the village. In 1779 a meeting house was built which is still standing, and is one of the oldest places of worship in this section of the state. The original congregation of this meeting house was made up of such families as Ecroyd, Parker, Warner, Wallis, Ellis, Haines, Atkinson, Whitacre, McCarty and others whose names have become a part of the history of the section in which they lived.

Many distinguished Quakers from abroad have visited the old Friends meeting house at Pennsdale, among them James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Among the characters who resided in the town was James Kitely or Father Kitely as he was better known. He taught school in the village for many years and was a man of high intellectual attainments. " - History Of Lycoming County by Lloyd

====================
MISC UNSORTED ITEMS REGARDING PENNSDALE
=======================

September 1914

1974

================

Letters About the Wedding of Elizabeth Warner and Joseph Reece Whitacre

at the Muncy Meeting House, 1862

John writes "Attached are two letters which genealogy trails com readers hopefully will find of interest. Both letters describe life in the Lycoming County's Muncy Valley, a century and half ago and what it was like for two young ladies from Philadelphia to attend and participate in a Friends ( Quaker) wedding in March 1862 at the Friends Muncy Meeting House, Pennsdale."

Introduction:

This 1862 wedding ceremony at the Muncy Society of Friends, Pennsdale ('Quaker') Meeting house was similar to any other Meeting for Worship. Those attending (See page 4 for wedding certificate and list of names) would gather for silent worship with Sally and Joe sitting in front of the meeting. In accord with Friends custom, "Sally" (Elisabeth Warner (1842-1927) and 'Joe' (Joseph Reece Whitacre (1836-1882) simply exchanged promises with each other. Such promises, while not described in these letters, were typically short and simple. Traditionally, Friends do not swear or make vows, because they intend to tell the truth at all times. There is no reference to a clergyman or minister since Friends have no clergy; there is no one person to 'marry' couples. As described below, Sally and Joe Whitacre declared themselves married before God and those gathered. Usually, there are no bridesmaids in the traditional sense although the bride and groom would invite their special friends (as in this case) to sit on the bench near them.

After the exchange of promises, Joe and Sally signed their wedding certificates which, for the purposes of the Muncy meeting, mean they were then married. All those present are invited to share messages with the gathered meeting as they feel inclined (as in any other Meeting for Worship). At the close of worship all of those present at the meeting are asked to sign the wedding certificate as witnesses. Certificates such as these were hung prominently in the home of the couple as a reminder of the promises they made, and of the people they shared that moment with. Both the Warner and Whitacre families were prosperous farmers who had lived in the Muncy valley for generations. The first letter was written by Hannah Mary Smedley Taylor (born 1842) to her cousin Deborah Allen. Neither letter is dated but was most likely written contemporaneously with the occasion they describe.

In both letters, Muncy Valley is described in somewhat idyllic terms, however, the Civil War was beginning to make its presence felt even in this peaceful valley. Both the Warner and Whitacre families, like other Friends, gravitated toward pacifism. There was strong support especially among the Pennsdale Friends for the abolition of slavery.

Sally Warner's family had worked actively with the Underground Railroad, while two of Edward Whitacre's sons chose to fight for the Union (Alfred Whitacre (1840-1932) joined the 50th New York Volunteer Regiment and fought throughout the war. His younger brother, Henry Philip Whitacre (1843-1863), joined the 143rd Pennsylvania Regiment in 1863 and died of typhoid within two months). But, these trials were in the future. These two wonderful letters allow us to share the deep love and ties of affection that kept this remarkable community together.

=============================

My Dear Cousin D. First Day Morning

I suppose thee has looked for an account of the Muncy trip before this, but as thee probably knows I have been enjoying that delightful disease - the measles- thee will excuse the delay.

We had a delightful time; indeed it was so nice that it is almost indescribable, but as Lydia (Yarnall) says" its most time for me to get my things on to go to meeting". I will wind up, till afternoon when I hope to give thee a tremendous account of affairs in general and Muncy in particular. Yours truly.

Meeting is over and I have taken my pen to finish my confabulation, not withstanding the probability of being summoned to dinner every minute. Another interruption- dinner this time; won't thee step in and partake? Dinner is over now there is nothing to hinder my finishing this only I 've eaten too much. I expect I have already exhausted thy patience with regard to the relation of said trip but it will come; now for it! The 28th of last month Lizzie (Branson) and I left the depot Broad and Callowhill at eight o'clock A.M. bound for Muncy a station on the Cattawissa R.R., 197 miles from the city of Philadelphia. We had a very romantic ride through the same tunnels we went through together years ago (how aged we are!) passed Port Clinton about noon, where we ate our dinner, which we took with us, and consisted of sandwiches (is that right?) lady finger, oranges and apples; it tasted right good too for we were pretty hungry. We did not wait long at Port Clinton and after we left there the ride was perfectly magnificent. At Tamqua we commence ascending the mountain at a 60 foot grade and it was 60 miles to the summit where we waited to meet a train; it seemed as if we were entirely out of the world away up there, it was grand then. I think it must be something more in summer time. After we left the summit we commenced to descend; we crossed six bridges from mountain to mountain and after all that and considerably more of the same description, we arrived at Muncy station at 6 P.M.

When we stepped off the car I had to deliver up the check meanwhile I heard Lizzie say "there comes Sallie" and I just pushed the check into the fellow's hand and turned round and there were Sallie and Lizzie in each others embrace (touching) where I was not long getting; we were introduced to "brother Ben" and then seated ourselves in large tow horse sleigh for a ride of five miles to Pennsville where the Warners reside.

We stopped in Muncy (a town about the size or a little larger then Media) to get some groceries & arrived at home about 7 1/2 P.M. where we found tea waiting.

We were warmly welcomed by Father and Mother Warner (Ben ain't married) Sister Mary Mendenhall (married) Tachie and Ira Parker who boards there and teaches not far off. After partaking heartily of " that that was good and plenty of it" we adjourned to the front parlor and said , "yes , a very pleasant journey," " not very tired thank thee' and all the rest of those silly little phrases so generally made use of by strangers on their first introduction. We retired early after a great many injunctions not to get up early as there was nothing to hurry us (they not being farmers).

Next morning (7th day) we unpacked our trunks and fussed around a little viz; sat on the floor in our nice warm room talking with Sallie about her man and our men & etc. After dinner we fixed up and, in acceptance of the invitation from Ira to visit his school, were starting off to walk there, when brother Ben appeared at the door with "girls if you will wait about five minutes I'll take you up in the old Blue Hen" (a sleigh that caused lots of fun). As thee knows "we are not to refuse good offers" of course we went back and accepted. We did not stay long at the school for Ben had been at Ecroyds and Whitacre's and had a sleigh or rather a sled ride planned for evening.

We hurried home and had an early tea and then Ben geared tow horses to large sled, (like the Del. Co. people haul wood on only larger) put some straw in the bottom and some buffalo robes on it ( no seats mind only the driver's ) and then Lizzie, Sallie Tachie ( Sallie's sister) and I got in and went to the Whitacre's where we added to our load Joe Whitacre ( Sallie's husband now) his two sisters Kate and Mary and ( my man) Nehemiah and Jim Rote quite and addition wasn't it ? We then went Ecroyd's and got Annie and Richard Ecroyd (Lizzie's man) and their cousin Abbie Gould (thee knows her) from Rhode Island. I forgot to say that Sallie's cousin Sallie T. Warner and Ira helped make up our load. We went within a mile of the Allegany Mts. O it was delightful only the sled was so crowed we could hardly tell which our feet were. Joe sat on one of mine and Rich Ecroyd on the other so that they were both pretty sound a sleep by the time we reached home which thee may imagine was not amazing early.

Next day being first day we went to meeting where Sallie introduced us to as many as she could and what she could not came to us, "I suppose these are Sallie's friends from Phila." "When did you arrive" & etc. They were very sociable. Mary Mendenhall (Sallie's sister) and her husband and son came home with us for dinner and after dinner as we sitting in the parlor little Johnny says "there comes Uncle Parvins" and my what a running there was, for thee must know "Uncle Parvin" is sister Debbi's husband and they live 30 miles from Muncy consequently do not get home very often and now they had come to attend the wedding.

Second and Third days we were helping round most of the time and the Third day eve Nehemiah and Rich and the girls came, and N, R, Lizzie and I sat the tables for the coming morrow we became very well acquainted with said gents before they left which they did promising to come early next morning. Fourth day came not entirely clear but it was clear in the house, and with it Joe, Nehemiah, Ben, Rich and Annie. Ben and Annie first bridesmaid and groomsman, Nehemiah, and I second, Rich and Lizzie third Sallie T. Warner and Joe W. Eves fourth.

As N. and I were to sit at the upper end of the bench it was fixed for us to go in meeting first and then Ben and Annie, Joe and Sallie or in other words bride and groom , then Rich & Lizzie then Joe and Sallie T. In that way we did not have to pass the bride and groom after they were seated but each one came in their right places. Sallie was dressed in white and looked sweeter then ever, and the ceremony was never better said by anyone I don't think. When we got home from meeting we had to change our dresses ready to wait on table. We had more fun waiting tables then all the rest of the company. We expected to find the gentleman real backwoodsman but I tell you they are perfect gentleman and so polite and kind and entertaining and very lively, why Rich Ecroyd kept us laughing all the time nearly.

Wedding afternoon was spent very pleasantly chatting & etc but we had not much afternoon as it was nearly four when we got through with dinner and we had to get tea pretty soon.

Fifth day we were invited to spend at Father Whitacre's . It was only a mile drive from Warner's but thee knows it was sleighing time so we took a short cut of sixteen miles and arrived at Whitacre's at 12N. We had to wait table so we hurried down and put things on the table and invited them out. We had lots of fun in the afternoon and evening and when we started home we only went eight miles to reach Warner's as it was evening.

Next day (sixth) we went to Williamsport, the county town of Lycoming Co. about twelve miles from Pennsville; we went to the U.S. Hotel to dinner and visited the court house& etc. and then while the gents went to get the horses, Lizzie, Annie and I went to get Nehemiah and Rich some Philoponea presents. I owe each of them one and Lizzie owed Nehemiah. I got a pipe for Rich and a box of snuff for it, Lizzie got N. a pair of ugly old spectacles. And Rich presented me with an exquisite little black doll baby. They afterwards gave us a beautiful little black book a piece bound in leather.

We arrived at Ecroyd's (where we were invited for tea at about 6 P.M.) and as we were going to wait on tables there, too, we found the dining room where we found the table ready set just waiting for us to put the things on, cut the cake & etc. There were several young people there we had not met with before among the rest Jim Taylor, (W. Longstreth's brother-in-law), but I'll tell thee more of him when I see thee.

Seventh day we were invited to Mary Mendenhall's to tea but we first took a ride to Buck's Hill from which we had a magnificent view.

First day we went to meeting, to Father Whitacre's to dinner and Warner's to tea. Second day morning left for Phila. We left Sally crying and everybody else we knew saying they wished we would stay longer. Came home by Harrisburg but it was so foggy we could not see the Capitol.

My arm as thee may well suppose is very tired. I have given thee the outlines of our delightful trip, the rest I will tell thee when we meet which I hope will be before long.

Thee knows what I have been doing since my return. I have not been out till Sixth day when I went to Branson's; was at Debbie's (Kirk) yesterday (by the way little Laura has the measles) and at meeting today. Lydia wants me to go with her to see H. Llewelyn, who has the measles, taken from me, but it is too damp. I expect to go to school tomorrow if it's clear.

If thee reads any of this letter to Uncle Wm. please leave out the part about the philopoenas will thee?

Please write very soon to me and tell me all the news. If my arm was not so tired I could easily fill this sheet but I think thee will willingly excuse me, indeed I expect thee will be glad to see there are some signs of my stopping.

With love to all not forgetting to keep a double share for thyself. I remain as ever thy own loving cousin,

Hannah Mary

231 Jacoby St.

P.S. I forgot to say that Joe Whitacre is as nice a man as we could wish Sallie to have. They are both universal favorites.

This letter describing the same occasion was written by Elizabeth Whitacre Cope who describes her trip to Muncy with Hannah Mary Semdley :

Trip to Muncy

2nd Mo. 28th 1862. At about eight o'clock the cars started and we were on one of them, feeling very lively as the morning was bright and clear. The first station we came to was Manayunk then Conshohcocken, but between the two we passed the Falls of Schuylkill. At Norristown some passengers had to change cars, we passed through a tunnel just before C_____. But the longest, main one was some distance further. At Valley Forge the conductor showed us the old stone house that was General Washington's headquarters during the Revolution. Phoenixville seemed to be composed of iron foundry's principally. When nearing Pottstown we saw Mr. Neighs school where H.M.'s pupil, H.W. Talmage spend one winter as a boarder and scholar. The mountains began to appear now. H.M. showed me Monocquacy hill near Reading which looked just like a mountain. I was much surprised to find Reading so large a town. It reminded me of Burlington N.J. The citizens are principally Duth most of the signs indicated. We were detained some time just out of Reading for some cars to pass us. It was just noon when we reached Port Clinton and changed cars, so that we thought it about time for dinner and enjoyed our sandwiches and etc. very much; we found we were favored with another kind and polite conductor and were made very comfortable with footstool, etc. At Tamaqua there is little to be seen but coal and coal cars, through the town is of some size but small houses. Soon after leaving T. The conductor informed us we were going up a mountain of 60 foot grade and we very soon found we were as high up in the world as we ever were; it really looked very frightful. Sometimes when we were winding around the side of a mountain and could look on one side down it seemed for a mile or more and as far and farther up on the other; then the bridges we crossed were so far above the valleys below. It really was alarming but we went very slowly and passed five of them safely. We came through as many as five tunnels but it did not take long to come through them. We were told when near the Summit House we were at a height of about 1200 feet above the city of Philadelphia and we felt elevated too.

At Catawissa we lost the only passenger that had come all that distance with us and as she was a very nice woman we were right sorry to have to part there as we had nearly fifty miles further to go; after waiting for three trains (not passenger trains) to pass us, there, we were once more started and reached Danville about half past four o'clock, but were truly glad when we arrived at Montgomery and the nice little conductor came to us and said, "Now we will soon have you at Muncy." And sure enough by five minutes after six, there we were as we saw Sallie waiting for us the first thing was to speak to her, and as H.M. says, "Oh! What a scene!" We were all overjoyed to meet again. After a little chat and a very cold ride we reached her father's where we were kindly welcomed and soon made very comfortable indeed. Had a very good rest that night and felt as bright as could be next morning.

Spring 1st

This morning was having unpacking, writing home, and watching the sleighers. Have had no calls yet but have seen R. Ecroyd and others go by-also J.W., Sallie's intended.

3rd M .2nd. Soon after dinner yesterday it was proposed that we go to the school-house and as we all agreed Sallie, H.M., Benjamin, and I started in the Blue Hen. Had a pleasant time singing geography while with Ira and then came home. That evening, right after supper, came the anticipated sled ride. It was grand; there were fourteen of us in one sled and we rode about fifteen miles I guess; we stopped at the Continental of the Alleghenies to warm and rest ourselves; and then started back, singing most of the time. As we met with many we had never seen before we made several very pleasant acquaintances.

This morning being First-day we did not do much before meeting (which commenced at 11) but talk about the wedding date & etc (N.R.W., B.W., and we three girls). At meeting we were introduced to most all there. And in the afternoon as J.R.W. and S.T.W. came over, and best of all, Parvin and Debbie M. and Tillie and Willie came from Benton, we had a very nice time. Were sleepy enough, though, to retire about 9 o'clock.

3rd Mo. 3rd. A dull rainy morning and spent principally in sewing and baking for the wedding. The evening in sewing, singing and talking by we four girls.

4th - Baking, sweeping and firing up rooms the order of the day. Had a call from Richard and expect to go to Muncy this P.M. Went to Muncy with Debbie and Ben. Ben took me all through the place and I saw all the fine building & etc., bought some things for Sallie then came back. That evening Joe and Nehemiah, Joe Eves, Dick, Sallie T., Annie, Abbie and some others were here and the tables were fixed and set (in the parlor) ready for the next day, did not get to bed till very late.

5th of 3rd Mo. - Our dear Sallie's wedding day and quite clear and bright. Were very busy dressing Sallie and ourselves. The gentlemen all came early and one-half after 11 o'clock we started for the Meeting House. Sallie seemed to feel pretty badly, but by the time Joe had his glove off she was prepared and I never heard a couple speak better. Sallie particularly spoke so distinctly and did not fail at all. As soon as Thomas Mendenhall had finished the certificate we all marched out and were soon back home. Had not been gone an hour hardly; then we dressed for the table (after parading into the parlor to wish the bride and groom much joy & etc.) And N. and H.M. invited them out, while Dick and I helped seat them. We had real fun waiting on the table and began to enjoy it already. After our dinner we went into the parlor, talked and laughed an hour or two. Then we four went out again and set the tea table (in the back parlor), waited on two tables then and had our tea just by ourselves. After clearing it away spent a pleasant evening in the parlor and retired (after all had gone) at about half past one. There were about fifty at the wedding.

6th - Fifth-day. Were all invited to Edward Whitacre's but took a fine ride first. Were there about noon, waited on two tables then ate by ourselves, spent a nice afternoon and following the same plan of waiting at tea. We were all very tired by night, took a sleigh ride by moon-light and returned about 12 o'clock I guess.

7th - Sixth-day. According to previous arrangements we met at Whitacre's (here we left Joe and Sallie, and Joe Eves and Sallie T.) to go to Williamsport. Were off (in carriages) about eleven o'clock and after a cold ride reached Williamsport and took dinner at the United States Hotel (kept by V.S. Doebler), staid there awhile, then went over to the court house, walked around and bought Philomena presents and came home. Did not get to Ecroyd's (were we were to be at six o'clock) until night and fund all the others there, about twenty-five in all. After waiting on one table, ate our own suppers and went into the parlor where we spent a delightful evening and then came home but not until we had taken a splendid sleigh ride of some miles, retired that night about three.

Seventh-Day A.M. Are mending torn dresses, packing trunks and talking this morning. No one here beside H.M. and I but Joe and Sallie and Dick called a few minutes ago. About two o'clock we started for our ride. J. and S. (not H.) and J. and Rachel and concluded afterward it was the finest we had had; being among rocks called by some the Picture Rocks. We gathered quantity of moss and went up to the top of Buck's Hill were we had the finest view we had had at all. After enjoying that to the full etc. we went on to William Mendenhall's where we took tea and spent a pleasant evening.

First Day - 9th. Our last day and we all felt rather dull. I got the folks to write in my autograph book which R. gave me eve before. Went to meeting, took dinner at Whitacre's, tea at John Warner's and retired early. Ne. was hurt by the horse just before tea.

10th. Were up early and finished packing, all felt dull and gloomy, the weather was also dull. Ne. was not able to be out so Rich alone took us to the depot and saw us safe in the cars.

When reaching Northumberland we were surprised and pleased to meet with Jas. Taylor who is engaged on the road. He continued with us until we arrived at Harrisburg where we changed cars at half past one o'clock. Ate our dinners after getting started again. Jim showed us the Capitol from the car window before crossing the river (Susquehanna).

The ride from Harrisburg down was not very interesting as the scenery was poor compared with what we had been seeing and we being very tired were not in a talkative mood and were very glad when about 6 o'clock P.M. we reached Philadelphia depot at 11th and Market Street. Were soon home after that and were joyfully welcomed by all. Told lots of news and then retired feeling we had had a fine visit but were glad to be home again.