Folks

• William S. ADAMS - farmer, b. 17 June 1827, s/o James & Letitia CANNON Adams; (Letitia was the d/o James & Eleanor McELHENEY Cannon); m. (first) on 23 April 1850 to Martha MARTIN, d. 1851, age 20, d/o John & Mary FOSTER Martin; they had one son, William M, a resident of Astabula, O. On 18 Mar 1852 William married 2nd to Martha RUSSELL, d/o Wilson & Isabel McMASTER Russell and had issue: Charles; Henrietta M., m. Leander COUSINS; James W.; Caroline I, m. W.H. HULBURT; Angeline, and one who died in infancy. William was married a third time to Martha J.
• Information about Weldon Adams and John Adams are found under Sandy Creek Twp.

• David BARR - b. Aug 1805 near Utica and later resided in Franklin; m. Sarah GREENLEE, b. abt. 1803 near Utica, d/o James & Ann PATTERSON Greenlee; children: Silas, b. 1822, m. Elizabeth DUFFIELD; Jane, b. 1829, m. John BOLE; Annie, b. 1830, m. David RUNNINGER; Isabella, b. 1833, m. Conrad RUNNINGER; Elizabeth, died in infancy; Margaret, died in infancy; Hettie, b. 1837, m. Elias CLAYTON; Mary, b. 1842, m. Frank SUTLEY; Maria, b. 1844, m. Robert C. LONGWELL.

• Henry CLULOW - farmer, b. 18 Oct 1817 in England, s/o William & Sarah SMITH Clulow; resided in the area of Polk in 1845; m. in 1844 to Mary Ann NICKLIN, d/o William & Frances Nicklin of Mercer Co., PA; children: James; Thomas, m. in 1868 to Jane BELL; Daniel; Sarah F., m. John SNYDER; Mary A., m. Milton OHLER.

• Elias COZAD - built one of the first sucker rod factories in Utica during the oil excitement in that area; m. Rosannah; known children; Anna May; Hannah V.

• B.Frank CRAIN - merchantile business in Utica; b. 8 Dec 1835, s/o James & Julia SNYDER Crain; m. in 1866 to Mary NESBIT, d/o John & Anna MATTHEWS Nesbit; children: Thomas S., b. 1866, m. Maud HENRY; Ethel Grace, m. Rev. H.B. MARKS.

• William DUFFIELD - b. 1743, d. 7 Apr 1827, s/o Philip & Margaret ARMSTRONG Duffield; came from Centre Co. abt. 1798 and settled on land just southeast of Utica; m. in 1777 to Elizabeth HASSAN/HASSON, b. 1754, d. 1838, who he met on the ship coming to this country; children: Jane, b. 23 Nov 1779, m. David JOHNSON & John COCHRAN; John, b. 12 Aug 1781, m. 1808 to Nancy JOHNSON; Mary, b. abt 1783, m. Thomas SMILEY; Armstrong, b. 17 Jan 1786, m. Elizabeth GILMORE, they both died 12 Sep 1851 ; William, b. 25 May 1788, m. Margaret HUNTER; Isabella, b. 2 Oct 1790, m. John McQUAID; Esther, b. 15 June 1792, m. John COOPER; James, b. 11 June 1794, m. Jane LINDSAY; Margaret, b. 4 Oct 1796, m. John L. HASSON, s/o Hugh & Elizabeth McCLAVE Hasson; Elizabeth, b. 7 Dec 1798, m. Charles Lacey COCHRAN. William and Elizabeth Duffield are buried in Pioneer Cem, Franklin, Venango Co., PA

• Armstrong DUFFIELD - farmer near Utica; b. 17 Jan 1786, d. 21 Jun 1851, s/o William & Elizabeth HASSAN Duffield; m. Elizabeth GILMORE; children: James; John Gilmore.b. 1823, m. Frances HESHMAN; Brice, b. 9 July 1824, d. 15 Sep 1906, m. Susan GOULD & Angenette COTTON; Nancy, m. Horace CRAM; David; Ruth, m. in 1856 to John CRAM; Elizabeth, b. 19 Dec 1829, d. 11 Apr 1835; Robert, b. 12 Jun 1840; Jane, b. 8 Aug 1834; Willliam, b. 1831; Charles, b. 1841.

• John L. DUFFIELD - farmer; b. 25 June 1823, d. 1893, s/o James & Jane LINDSAY Duffield; purchased own farm in 1868 just south of Utica; m. 7 Apr 1846 to Harriet E. ADAMS, 1827 - 1893, d/o James & Eliza Adams; children: Montrose, b. 1846, d. 1908; Lavinia H.; Lewis C.; Annette, m. H.W. WILSON; J.C.; Albert W., b. 22 Feb 1848, d. 7 Oct 1863; Lizzie J., b. 1861, d. 1863; Ernest L., b. 1868; Cora C., b. 19 Jun 1872, d. 30 Dec 1888. Many members of this family are buried in Millcreek Cem. Utica, PA

• William DUFFIELD -b. 25 May 1788, s/o Wm. & Elizabeth HASSAN Duffield; m. Margaret HUNTER; children: John, b. 16 Dec 1818, d. 1879, m. Henrietta SHOUP ; Isabella, m. John REESE; Mary, m. David McCOY & Joseph WOODS; Elizabeth, m. Silas BARR; Arnold Plumer, m. Susan W. HURD & Maria CROUCH; Jane, b. 21 Aug 1830, m. John CROSGRIFF; Margaret, died unmarried; William, died unmarried.

• James GILLILAND - d. 1853, age 38; arrived abt. 1804 and was a teacher in the French Creek school that was located about a mile above Utica on French Creek; m. Margaret McCLARAN, d/o James McClaran; children: James; Jane, m. __BILLINGSLY; Mary, m. _HUGHES; Joseph, b. 1818, m. Elizabeth BUNNELL; Alexander C. From a previous marriage, James had children: Hannah & Eliza.

• Joseph GILLILAND - b. 4 Dec 1818, s/o James & Margaret McCLARAN; m. in 1841 to Elizabeth BUNNELL, d/o Isaac & Elenor CANNON Bunnell of Sandy Creek Twp.; children: Lewis; Samuel I; Ellen M.; Ursula J.; John A.; Frances E.; Joseph P.; William B.; Daniel B.; Rankin S., m. Aletta LAW; Ada ; Robert L.

• Rev. Robert GLENN - b. 2 Mar 1802 in Wolf Creek Twp., Mercer, Co., s/o Samuel Glenn; was pastor of the congregations at Mill Creek, Amity, Sandy Lake and Big Sugar Creek; married 1. to Rebecca WYCOFF of Mercer Co.; children: William Wycoff; Samuel M.; John B.; Eliza B., m. Rev W.W. McKINNEY of MD; Sarah J, m. in 1857 to Thomas ALEXANDER; Caroline F.; and Mary E., b. 1835 and died in infancy. Rebecca died in 1846 & Robert married 2. to Mary Ann McCRACKEN who died shortly after their marriage. Robert married 3. in 1849 to Harriet FINDLEY of Crawford Co, PA; children: James C., died in infancy; Robert F.; Harriet A.; George Stuart, b. 12 Aug 1855 and died at age 17.

• James Patterson GREENLEE - b. 13 Oct 1805 near Raymilton, which was then part of Frenchcreek Twp., now Mineral Twp., s/o James & Ann PATTERSON Greenlee; m. 1. in 1830 to Elizabeth GREENLEE, d/o Robert & Margaret PORTER Greenlee and had the following children: Margaret, b. 1831, m. James JEWELL; Robert, m. Sophia FLICKNER; Ann, b. 1839, m. George W. NOEL; Elizabeth, m. Seth TEMPLE; Samuel, m. Harriet BURCH; Jane and James. Our subject m. 2. Margaret McGINNIS, b. 1826, d/o Wm. & Mary DOUSMAN McGinnis and had the following children: Mary Ellen, b. 1850, m. Alvin C. MAY; John William; Sarah Luretta, m. Joshua ALEX; James Madison and Jesse Stewart.

• John HANNA - b. in County Down, Ireland; arrived abt. 1802 and settled at the BLAIR farm which was later owned by George C. McCLELLAND. Hanna then developed the "Hanna Gap" just below Utica on Mill creek; m. Jane STEWART; children: William; James; Stewart, m. Sarah __; John; Mary, m. John GILMORE;Jane, m. William HAYS; Nancy, m. Isaac TALLMAN.

• Hugh HASSON - b. 1744 in Ire, d. 1815 in Frenchcreek Twp.; arrived abt. 1800 to area; m. Elizabeth McCLAVE; known child is John L., b. abt 1792, d. 5 Feb 1884, m. in 1816 to Margaret DUFFIELD, d/o William & Elizabeth HASSAN Duffield. John L. & Margaret removed to Canal Twp., Venango Co. abt 1824.

• James C. HAYLETT - b. 25 May 1824, d. 9 Jan 1906, s/o Robert & Elizabeth THURAFALL Haylett, of Norfolk, England; settled in Wilmington, DE and in late1849 removed to area near Utica; m. Apr 1849 to Mary Jane RUSSUM, b. 30 Jan 1828; children: William, b. 1850; Benjamin D., b. 9 Feb 1851, m. Linda HEDGLIN; Robert, b. 16 Mar 1853, m. Matilda McCAM; William Henry, b. 22 Dec 1854; Anna E., b. 2 Mar 1857, m. Willis MOOK; John W., b. 8 Sep 1859, m. Ida S. ANDREWS; James C., Jr., b. 3 Sep 1861, m. Elva Francis HASSON; Thomas Lindsay, b. 16 Apr 1865, m. Elizabeth A. WHITMAN; Burton Rolett, b. 19 July 1868, m. Mary Jane PADEN; Harvey, b. 1870, d. 1874; Elizabeth, died in infancy.

• James C. HAYLETT, Jr. - b. 3 Sep 1861, d. July 1928, s/o James C. & Mary J. RUSSUM Haylett; m. Elva Francis HASSON, d/o John C. & Clara WRIGHT Hasson; children: William Harvey, b. 24 Sep 1885, m. Leatha Blanche HETTENBAUGH; Clara A. , m. Earl BARNES; Ethel I., m. William A. KELLER; Gracie May, died in infancy; Bertha Pearl, b. 28 Aug 1894, m. William V. PHIPPS; John J. 'Jack', who lived on the home farm at J.C. Haylett Corners on Georgetown Road.

• Thomas Lindsay HAYLETT - b. 16 Apr 1865, d. 8 Feb 1936, s/o James C. & Mary Jane RUSSUM Haylett; lived near Utica on Mill Creek; m. Elizabeth A. WHITMAN, d/o John & Sarah Ellen COXSON Whitman; children: Clarence Dean, b. 27 Oct 1886, m. Gertrude M. BLAIR, d/o Charles Hawkins & Florence L. LASHER Blair; Sara Jennie, b. 6 Mar 1891, m. 1. Charles H. BLAIR, s/o C. H. Blair, m. 2. Homer C. STEVENS; John Thomas, b. 30 Jan 1893, m. Hallie E. FISHER.

• James J. HAYS - b. 20 Nov 1844 in Plum Twp.; removed to area of Polk abt. 1884 where he went into the lumber business and later a general hardware store; married in 1870 to Rose CARNAHAN; children: Minnie; William B.; George B.; HarveyJ.; James N.

• Edward HUGHES - b. 1790 in County Down, N. Ire.; immigrated at age 28 to USA through Boston Harbor in July 1818 and settled in Philadelphia; removed to Venango Co. in 1828 where they established the Hughes homestead of 110 acres in this twp.; m. Eleanor __ ; children: Edward Jr., b. 20 Jan 1824; Johnston, b. 1826, d. 1844; William, b. 1832, d. 1863; Francis, b. 1834, d. 1915; Hugh, b. 1837, d. 1902, m. Sarah HAYS. Edward and Eleanor Hughes are buried in Old Sandy Cemetery, Sandy Creek Twp.

• James JEWELL - b. 18 Dec 1830 near Polk, s/o Jonathan & Harriet McGINNIS Jewell; resided in Raymilton, Mineral Twp. (this area was Frenchcreek Twp. until 1870); m. Margaret GREENLEE, d/o James Patterson & Elizabeth GREENLEE Greenlee; known children: Milo J.; Samuel C.; Frank; Newell; Robert; Walter; Chester; Hattie.

• John LASHER, Jr. - farmer & carpenter; b. 12 June 1821 in Crawford Co., PA, s/o John & Mary M. PFEIFFER Lasher; m. 1844 to Mary Aurelia STRAW, d/o Philip & Leah GEHR Straw; children: Clara Josephene, b. 1850, m. Thomas NESBIT; Sarah Exelona, b. 1851, m. George ABRAMS; Senatus Phillip, b. 1853, m. Jane CRAWFORD; Alcy Alphiditus, b. 1855, m. Lucinda CROWELL; William Vanranceler, b. 1857; Nancy Jane, b. 1860; David Andrew, b. 1863; Florence Leah, b. 1864, m. Charles Hawkins BLAIR; Mary Edna, b. 1866, m. James BURFORD; John Morgan, b. 1869, m. Hattie B. HICKMAN.

• James LEE, Jr. - b. 26 Apr 1817 in England; s/o James & Charlotte BIRTENSHAW Lee; accompanied parents to Mercer Co., PA and in 1844 purchased farm in Frenchcreek Twp. just west of Utica; m. in 1838 to Susan ZOVER, d/o Andrew & Rebecca Zover; children: Alexander, b. 26 Nov 1838, m.in 1859 to Anna A. Blair, d/o Thomas & Jane Blair of Mercer Co., PA. & second to Florence PELLMAN; James; Andrew; Annis, m. Sarah Ann FLINN; Brice G., m. Sarah J. ___; William S.D., d. 1858 age 6; and John A.

• David LEYDA - b. 14 Aug 1832 in Mercer Co., PA, s/o James & Jane REED Leyda; David located southwest of Utica in 1868; m. in 1856 to Eliza Jane REED, d/o Stephen & Jane Reed of Mercer Co.; children: Jennie, m. Addison LUPHER; Odessa, m. Albert THOMPSON; James A.; Sarah, m. Joseph McCANDLESS; Lottie; laurla L; Alice; Cora M.; Benny.

• Frank Mortimer McCLELLAND - physician in Utica; b. 1 Dec 1859 in Mill Creek Twp., Mercer Co., PA, d. 1935; s/o William B. & Sarah CRAW McClelland; m. in 1888 to Flora M. McQUISTON, b. 1865, d. 1937; d/o Andrew & Evaline M. McQuiston.

• W. A. McKAY - civil engineer and station agent of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio RR, Utica; b. 7 Sept 1847, d. 6 May 1938, son of G.W. /D.W. & Jane E. CLOSE McKay, d/o Adam Close, native of Center Co. who came to Venango Co. in 1851; W.A. McKay followed teaching for several years and studied telegraphy; after locating in Utica he served as justice of the peace, member of the school board and secretary/ treasurer of the borough; Civil War - 55 PA Vol.; m. 11 Feb 1871 to Louisa E. ANDERSON, b. 11 July 1849, d. 8 June 1940, d/o Rev. R.E. & Angeline Anderson of Ohio; known children: David, Frank D., James C., and William R.

• Aaron McKISSICK - b. 1785 in Maine, d. 1848 in Waterloo (Polk); probably s/o Matthew & Mary BETTIS McKusick/McKissick of Saco, Maine; purchased land and in 1839 had it surveyed and platted and named it Waterloo. This area was incorporated as the borough of Polk in 1886; m. in 1810 to Mary MEANS, b. 1788 Maine, d. 1862 Sandy Lake, PA; children: Putnam, b. 1814 in ME, d. MO, m. Nancy McCLARAN; Hannah, b. 1816 in ME, d. 1893, m. 1835 to Robert CROSS of Clinton Twp.; Thomas S., b. 1818 in PA, d. 1857 in IA, m. Rebecca __; Aaron Jr., 1821 - 1848; Mary, 1822 - 1901, m. Dr. Andrew J. McMILLAN; Oliver, b. 1824 in PA, d. 1906 in KS, m. Catherine Jane _ & Mary C. ALLEN; Sophinia, m. Henry 'Aaron' SMALL; Jane, m. Henry NEAR & Andrew IRVIN; John S., b. 1827, m. in 1853 to Henrietta V. SHORTS & in 1866 to Melissa Arabelle MORRISON; Henry, 1830 - 1868. Aaron and Mary M. McKissick are buried in Old Sandy Cemetery, Sandy Creek Twp.

• Earl MYERS - farmer at Niles; b. 2 Mar 1879, s/o Hosea & Emma R. IRWIN Myers; m. 1899 to Jennie Amelia 'Millie' Phipps, d/o Cyrus Dixon & Mary Grace PARKER Phipps; known children: Mary Vernon; Jane Kennerdell; Thomas Hosea.

• Thomas NESBIT - b. 7 Apr 1835, s/o John & Anna MATTHEWS Nesbit who located in this area from Trumbull Co., OH in 1842; had business interests in Utica and was cashier at the Exchange Bank of Franklin; m. first, in 1873 to Clara LASHER: children: John Lasher, b. 1874, m. in 1914 to Mrs. Amanda VINCENT FARRELL, d/o A.E. Vincent; Clara, m. in 1918 to Dr. Clifford COOPER, s/o B.N. & Jesta BAUGHNER Cooper.Thomas married 2nd to Effie B. GALLAGHER and had daughter, Ethel who married Dr. W.W. Shaffer of Meadville, PA.

• Daniel T. NICKLIN - b. 11 July1828 in Straffordshire, England, s/o William & Francis Nicklin of Mercer Co, PA; made his home at Nicklin Hill which is located about 2 1/2 miles west of Franklin. His son, Harry C. Nicklin continued to live on the homestead. Daniel donated land the the Nicklin M.E. Church and cemetery that was established in 1869 . m. in 1851 to Eleanor BUNNELL, d/o Isaac & Nellie CANNON Bunnell of Sandy Creek Twp.; children: Isaac Bunnell, b. 1851; Mary Ann, b. 1853, m. H.A. BLAIR; Flora, b. 1855, m. in 1882 to J.H. GILDERSLEEVE; Eliza Jane, b. 1857, m. W.B. GRACE; Charles Henry Dale, b. 1861; Lizzie C. , b. 1863; Leah, b. 1867, m. John WILSON of Indiana; Thomas A. b. 1870; Harry C., b. 1872; John D., b. 1875.

• Peter PATTERSON - came to this twp. abt. 1807 and settled on over 200 acres near the Mercer Co. line. m. Elizabeth DONLEY; known children: Samuel, lived in Mercer Co.; William, moved to NE; James D.; Annie, m. Alexander TURNER; Ellen, m. Ruse BYERS; Jane, m. Dennis KENNEDY, Margaret, b. 1804, m. John GREENLEE, s/o James & Ann PATTERSON Greenlee.

• A. W. RAYMOND - devoted time to developing and building the town of Utica. He named this town after Utica, NY, his hometown. He forsaw the commercial advantages of this location and opened "The Travelers Home", a hotel in Utica. Later he went to Mineral twp. and founded the village of Raymilton and then returned to Utica and continued in business until abt. 1850 and then moved to Franklin. See Mineral Twp. for more information.

• Hiram REYNOLDS - b. abt. 1805, d. 1875, s/o Jonah Reynolds; settled on the Georgetown Road near the Mercer Co. line; m. Jane NICKERSON, d. 1880; children: John; Marie; Sarah; Albert; James; Foster; Rufus, b. 1849, m. Elizabeth S. STEWART; Charles.

• Jacob RUNNINGER- arrived abt. 1801 and owned over 300 acres in this twp., much of which continued to be in family possession for over 100 years. Jacob died in 1825. One son, Jacob, II married Susannah __ and had the following sons: Jacob III., m. Susan N. FERGUSON;James, m. Sarah __; Conrad, b. 1830, m. Isabella BARR, d/o David & Sarah GREENLEE Barr; David, b. 1832, m. Annie BARR, d/o David & Sarah GREENLEE Barr and John, b. 1833, m. Elizabeth CUMMINGS.

• Alexander RUSSELL - farmer & mechanic; s/o Thomas Russell, a pioneer of Frenchcreek Twp. as early as 1800; m. Elizabeth DUNN, d/o Allen & Elizabeth HAMILTON Dunn, early settlers of Mercer Co.; children: James, b. 1 July 1821, m. in 1846 to Julia A. MARTIN & in 1853 to Margaret STEELE & later to Mrs. Samantha MOORE GORDON; Margaret; Thomas; Elizabeth; Allen; Alexander; Samuel; David; Sarah, and Matilda.

• William P. SINGLETON - farmer; s/o John & Letitia ANDERSON Singleton; settled on a tract of land on Georgetown Rd.; m. Elizabeth NICKERSON; children: Alvin L., m. Alice THOMPSON; Anetta, m. in 1872 to George H. RAMSDALE; Wilbur E., b. 1856, m. Elizabeth MARSHALL; Milford J., m. Jennie MOFFET; Loretta, m. Milo JEWELL; Bert, m. Elizabeth SMITH.

• William & Elizabeth are buried in Franklin Cemetery.

• Thomas SMILEY - known as "Uncle Tom" in the area; m. Mary DUFFIELD, d/o William & Elizabeth HASSAN Duffield; Thomas and Mary later moved a few miles away to Franklin; children: Armstrong Duffield, m. Dorothy ALT; William M., m. Jane KINNEAR, d/o Wm. & Mary ALLENDER Kinnear; John Hasson, m. Nancy McCALMONT; James, m. Elezan WHITACRE; Philip Duffield, m. 1845 to Mary SCOTT; Charlotte, m. in 1836 to James GORDON.

• William M. SMILEY- Utica businessman; b. 12 Sep 1811, d. 29 Dec 1870, s/o Thomas & Mary DUFFIELD Smiley; m. Jane KINNEAR; children: Margaret Kinnear, m. Frank William HASTINGS; Nelson Bushnell, b. 19 Mar 1843, m. Nancy Elizabeth COMPTON; Helen Raymond, b. 14 Nov 1845, m. Thomas Preston MILLER ; Ruth Kinnear, b. 1849, m. Charles A. ROUSE; Mary Bailey, b. 1852,m. Albert L. BOWSER; Lura Jane; William James, b. 1858; Charles Stratton, b. 1861, m. Araminta KILGORE & Pearl Louise SIGGINS; Harry Gordon, b. 1864.

• Samuel O. STEVENSON - merchant & miller at Utica; b. 16 Mar 1840 in Mercer , PA, s/o Thomas & Sarah DEVORE Stevenson; m. in 1877 to Elizabeth SHANNON, d/o Samuel & Martha BRUNER Shannon; children: Blanche, b. 1878, d. 1902; William DeVore, b. 1879, d. 1910.; Thomas, b. 1882 died in infancy; Ward T., b. 1888, moved to Arizona.
  ADDITIONAL EARLY SETTLERS TO FRENCH CREEK TWP.

  George, John and William CUMMINGS; Augustus SHAW; John and James McGINNIS; David VINCENT; David and sons: John, David , Bruce, William and Robert GILMORE; Jonas and sons: Jonas, Wolcott, Joel, Hiram, and Erastus REYNOLDS; James CANNON, John LINDSEY; James McCLAREN, Oliver McGARVEY, James and sons: Robert and David NICHOLSON, John and sons: John, David & Robert TEMPLE, William VOGAN, James GORDON.

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  EARLY CHURCHES

  Mill Creek Church - organized in 1827 at the home of John GORDON The elders were John GORDON and James ADAMS. Later the congregation built their own building about 2 miles from Utica.

  Methodist Episcopal Church - Some early members were: Jacob WHITMAN & wife, Jane; Thomas JOHNSTON; John MARTIN; William HAYS and wife; John DUFFIELD and wife; Phillip DUFFIELD and wife; & Samuel JACKSON and wife.

  United Presbyterian Church of Utica - This church was organized in 1859. Surnames of early members are: ADAMS, BARR, CALLAHAN, STEWART, GILMORE, BLAIR, GREER, DUFFIELD, DUNN, DAVIDSON, DUNCAN.

  Nicklin Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church - The church, located about 3 miles from Polk was organized about 1833 and met at the Lyons school house until abt. 1869 when D. T. Nicklin donated land for the church. Surnames of early members are: NICKLIN, LYONS, ELLISON, CUMMINGS, CRANE RUNNINGER & KEPHART.

  Methodist Episcopal Church of Polk - Some early members were: the James CANNON family, the Alexander McELHANEY family, the S. VINCENT family, the John FOSTER family, the Aaron McKISSICK family, & the Weldon ADAMS family.

  Presbyterian Church of Polk - This church was organized in 1854 from members of the Franklin and Mill Creek congregations. Some early members were: John DEWOODY, Margaret DEWOODY, May DEWOODY, Robert and Margaret CONDIT , & Elizabeth ANDERSON. James GILLILAND, David RUNNINGER, James HAYS, John G. DUFFIELD, Alexander BILLINGSLEY, Joshua SNYDER, & Thomas M. LAW have served as elders.

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  EARLY SCHOOLS

  A log building was erected on land that later belonged to John LASHER. Early students were: Robert STOUT, William GORDON & James DAILY

  The house of John MARTIN (later the HEYDRICK farm) was used as a school for a short time.

  James LOWRIE taught in a small log building on Mill creek a short distance from Utica.

  James GILLILAND taught during 1803-04 in a building above Utica on French creek.

  James TAYLOR used a small log house near "Hanna's Gap" to conduct classes in 1810.

  Miss NASH taught in an abandoned building on the GILLILAND farm that was 2 miles northeast of Waterloo (Polk).

  Alice CUMMINGS & Sarah WHANN conducted classes in a round log house near the GILLILAND farm.

  A building on the RUNNINGER farm was used as a school with James PADEN as instructor.

  A vacant building on the SIMCOX land was used as a school with Lucy COCHRAN as teacher.

  About 1831, James SCOTT taught in a small log building near Utica. Other teachers at this school were: Daniel STEPHENS, William GORDON, William WRIGHT, Edward HUGHES, Esther CLOUGH, William HUTCHINSON, W.W. WHITLEY & Allen McCRACKEN.

  Fire destroyed this building in the 1840s and a frame building was constructed at the mouth of Mill creek. Early teachers in this structure were: J.L. HANNA, Bowman GLENN, James HEYDRICK, Mr. LORD, Mary J. COULTER, & C.W. GILFILLAN. About 1854 a larger 2 story frame building was erected and instruction for higher grades was established and known as the Utica Academy.

  A small plank structure was erected in Waterloo (Polk) abt. 1829. After 30 years of use it was replaced by a frame building. In 1868 a brick building was erected. Early instructors were: Robert MONTGOMERY, James DAILY, Wilson WALKER, Isaac BUNNELL, Ben HALL, & A. WHITE.

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  THE YEAR THE FRESHET DIDN’T COME...FRESHET - a great rise in a stream caused by heavy rain or melted snow
  

  This little book is a MUST for anyone with ancestors orconnections to the Frenchcreek Twp. area of Venango County, PA.It is for sale through the Venango County Historical Society.

  Take yourself back in time to the years of 1854-55 in Utica, VenangoCo., PA. Carolee Kinnear Michener, assisted by Dennis L. Armstrong, has edited and researched the diary of Charles H. Raymond.

  

  Charles H. Raymond, born 3 Feb 1832 in Utica, a son of Aaron Weeks and Ann Eliza Whitaker Raymond. Aaron W. Raymond purchased a large tractof land where he operated a store and a foundry, ran a successful mill, and laid out the town of Utica. Charles later managed the store in Utica as his father went to the area that is now Raymilton, Venango Co., to start a blast furnace, mills and a large general store. In1871 Charles married Jennie S. Ives of Little Falls, NY. Many members of the Raymond family are mentioned prominently in his diary: Matilda, who became the wife of Jackson Robinson; William W.; George W.; Hannah M., who became the wife of Philetus W. Raymond; MaryJ.; Harriet A., who became the wife of John L. Mitchell; Sarah, who married William J. Lamberton; Aaron W., Jr., and Ann Elizabeth.

  Numerous people are mentioned in this diary. Some of the surnames are: Adams, Alexander, Amon, Anderson, Bailey, Baird, Beebe, Black, Bodine,Brown, Buchanan, Canfield, Clark, Cooper, Crouch, Crum, Davis, Deets, Dempsey, Devore, Dice, Dickey, Duffield, Floyd, Foot, Gilfillen, Glenn,Hanna, Hasson, Haylett, Hays, Hood, Johnston, McCandless, McClelland, McMullen, Miller, Moore, Nesbit, Pinkerton, Plummer, Riddle, Russell,Seth, Shannon, Simcox, Smith, Snotgrass, Stewarts, Thompson, Underhill, Vannatten, Wallace, Whan, Whitman, Williams, Wright, and Yeager. TheCooper and Pinkerton families are mentioned frequently throughout his diary.

  Here are some entries from his diary: (spelling is as it appeared in the original-. Reprinted with permission of Carolee K. Michener.

  1854 November) 18th Saturday Snowed part of the day and snowing now, 9 o’c in the evening. There is one thing wanting and wanted badly tomake business brisk and that is a freshet. All kinds of business is being kept back for want of that one thing needful...

  1854 December- 22nd Friday Very pleasant, Thawing a little on the south side of the hills. Attended an oyster supper at Mrs. Stevenson’sthis evening. Had a very pleasant supper. The names of the guests were as follows: Robt. Duffield, J.M. Adams, John Lindsey, M.S. Duffield, Chas Duffield, J. S. Hanna, Mr. Dise, school teacher. The Watchers mettonight. The club is increasing rapidly. I will soon be alone among the young men of the place. They have nearly all joined the Watchers. It is probably that the society would do a goodeal of good in some placesbut in this place I think we are about as free of drunkards before it was started as we are now. ... Sleighing excellent. Better we have not had for many years.

  1855 January- 9th Tuesday A little on the cool order but pleasant. Foot started for Meadville today. Father went to Cooperstown and from there to Franklin. Pinkerton sawing some, balance of the day threshingcorn. The Union Literary Society met this evening. Declemations, essays and debate are the order of the evening. The subject was, witherforeigners have to become citizens. On the negative were Thomas Nesbit and J. L. Hanna, the affirmative, C.W. Gilfillen and Wm. James. Thecreek was in running stage, that is boats are going down the stream. Letter from J.W. Underhill this evening. All well. He says that moneyis loaning at from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 per cent a month. ... G. W. Foot started to Meadville. Took up a big hog we got from W. Russell. It weighed 375#

  1855 March- 1 Thursday The mercury was fifteen below zero this morning. Cold, colder, coldest. Business dull. Fodder running out, cattle starving to death, and hard times generally is the generalsubject of conversation.

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  CEMETERIES

  Listing of burials and dates in Venango County cemeteries, plus history of churches..

  8-1/2 x 11. Paper cover. Index.

  Volume 6 Frenchcreek Township

  Price: $15.00 Postage $2.00 PA Tax $.90

  VENANGO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, P.O. Box 101, Franklin, PA 16323, 814-437-2275

  The numbers on this list correspond with the map in the Heritage Room of the Oil City Library which is staffed by the Venango County Genealogy Club.

  Y 79 - Greenlee

  ***William Greenlee, d. 1869, 60y, s/o Robert & Margaret

  R 69 - Jobe

  ***James Gilliland, d. 8 May 1853

  ***Margaret Gilliland, d. 10 Nov 1877, w/o James

  ***James C. Gilliland, d. 29 July 1844, 6y

  Lindsay Graveyard on Mill Creek (has not been located)

  ***John Lindsay d. abt 1804

  R 64 - Mill Creek Cemetery Located 2 miles west of Utica - established in 1800

  ***Rev. Robert Glenn, 2 Mar 1802 - 6 Sep 1857

  ***Rebecca Wycoff Glenn, d. 22 June 1846, 1st w/o Rev. Robert

  ***Edward Hughes, 20 Jan 1824 - 1 Aug 1911

  ***Mary D. Hughes, 22 Oct 1838 - 24 June 1883, w/o Edward

  ***Charles W. Hughes, d. 22 May 1868, 13y 5m, s/o Edward & Mary D.

  ***William S. Hughes, 1861 - 1923

  ***John Cooper, d. 5 Sep 1847, 63y 8m 5da

  ***Esther Cooper, d. 4 July 1854, 61y 11m 19da, w/o John

  ***Margaret Cooper, d. 28 September 1800, d/o Samuel

  ***William R. Cooper, 30 Oct 1803 - 18 Feb 1865

  ***Mary T. Cooper, 1 Aug 1814 - 30 Nov 1891, w/o Wm R.

  ***Samuel Gordon, d. 3 October 1802, s/o John & Mary

  ***John Gordon, Jr. d. 6 July 1807, s/o John and Mary

  ***Joseph Gordon, 1 July 1815 - 14 Jan 1887

  ***Emily Gordon, 5 Dec 1821 - 6 Jun 1876, w/o Joseph

  ***Hugh Hasson, 1744 - 1815

  ***Elizabeth McClave Hasson, 1741 - 1843, w/o Hugh

  ***Jacob Whitman, d. 31 Aug 1863

  ***Elizabeth Whitman, d. 23 Apr 1887, w/o Jacob

  ***John Lindsay, d. 3 Feb 1820, 60y

  ***Eleanor Lindsay, d. 24 Sep 1853, 76y, w/o John

  ***James Lindsay, d. 27 Feb 1840, 32y, s/o John & Eleanor

  ***Rebecca Lindsay, d. 11 Mar 1803, 1y 9m 22da, d/o John & Eleanor

  ***Charles Hawkins Blair, 14 Apr 1860 - 22 Jan 1935

  ***Florence Leah Lasher Blair, 12 Apr 1864 - 3 Jan 1936, w/o Charles H.

  ***Harold Lasher Blair, 1 Dec 1897 - 27 Mar 1966, s/o Charles H.

  ***Jennie Lynn Corner Blair, 5 Oct 1898 - 20 Dec 1980, w/o Harold L.

  ***Charles H. Blair, Jr., 23 July 1889 - 21 Jun 1910, s/o Charles H.

  ***Sara Jane Haylett Blair Stevens, 1891- 1937, w/o Chas H. Blair & H. Stevens

  ***James C.Haylett - 25 May 1824 in England - 9 Jan 1906

  ***Mary Jane Russum Haylett, 30 Jan 1828 - 30 December 1895, w/o James C.

  ***William H. Haylett, 22 Dec 1854 - 14 Jun 1922, s/o James & Mary Jane

  ***Thomas Lindsay Haylett, 16 Apr 1865 - 8 Feb 1936,s/o James

  ***Elizabeth A. Whitman Haylett, 1863 - 1942, w/o Thomas L.

  ***John Thomas Haylett, 1893 - 1981, s/o Thomas L. & Elizabeth

  ***Hallie Elizabeth Fisher Haylett, 1894 - 1951, w/o John T.

  ***Robert Haylett, 16 Mar 1863 - 1911, s/o James & M.J.

  ***Matilda Haylett, 1857 - 1895, w/o Robert

  ***Lindsey Haylett, 1886 - 1917, s/o Robert & Matilda

  ***Clarence Dean Haylett, 1886 - 1971, s/o T. L. & Elizabeth

  ***Gertrude M. Blair Haylett, 1886 - 1951,w/o Clarence, d/o CH Blair

  ***Floyd Leroy Haylett, 1912 - 1918, s/o Clarence D. & Gertrude

  R 65 - Nicklin Cemetery

  ***Daniel T. Nicklin, 1828 - 21 Feb 1907

  ***Eleanor Bunnell Nicklin, 1832 - 14 Nov 1909, w/o Daniel T.

  ***George Cummings, 1823 - 1897

  ***Emiline Johnston Cummings, 1831 - 1877, w/o George

  ***William F. Cummings, 1866 - 1934

  ***Iva Moyer Cummings, 1874 - 1951, w/o William F

  R 66 - Polk State School / Polk Center Cemetery

  R 67Reynolds Church Cemetery

  ***Hiram Reynolds, d. 30 Apr 1875

  ***Jane Nickerson Reynolds, d. 27 Nov 1880, w/o Hiram

  ***Rufus Reynolds, 9 Sep 1849 - 18 Mar 1918

  ***Elizabeth S. Reynolds, 1855 - 1923, w/o Rufus

  R 68 Vincent Cemetery

  ***David Vincent, 25 Dec 1810 - 27 Aug 1885

  ***Amanda Alexander Vincent, 28 Jun 1813 - 8 Nov 1870, w/o David

  Sources:

  * History of Venango County Pennsylvania, Its Past and Present , Chicago, IL; Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers; 1890; pps: 561-581, 1007 - 1025

  *Venango County Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People, Chicago, J.H. Beers & Co.,1919

  * Venango County Pennsylvania Death Book Summary & Index 1893-1905, compiled by Joan Search Hanson, C.G. and Kenneth L. Hanson, Ph. D. This book may be purchased from the Venango Co. Historical Society, P.O. Box 101, Franklin, PA 16323 or from Closson Press, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, PA 15613 - 9208. Price: $35.95 + $4.00 postage/handling. PA residents add 6% sales tax.

  Contributors:

  David Hughes - Hughes

  Marjorie Weigel - Duffield

  Nancy Romig - McKissick

  Judy Stevenson - Greenlee

  Craig Smith - Duffield

  Joyce Grill(i) Neidich - Venango County Ancestral & Historical Research

  Karen S. Golden Rodgers

  Penny Haylett Minnick - Haylett, Lasher, Nesbit

  Jack Runnion - Lasher

  Joe Barnhart - Lasher

  Disclaimer:there may be errors due to transcription ofinformation from both early and late (current contributors) work.