Early Villages

• Freedom - site was originally owned by Enoch BATTIN & John DONALDSON; John Gray was the first to live here; Joshua DAVIS was the first merchant; Andrew BORLAND kept the first hotel; John GOODWIN had an ashery; E.W. & H.M. DAVIS owned a foundry; the town was laid out in 1865.

• Scrubgrass - located at Kennerdell Station on the Allegheny Valley RR; Oliver McMILLIN lived there and at that time it was called "McMillin's Bend"; Wilson CROSS opened the first store in 1867; the MACKEY hotel stood in this area.

• Davis' Corners - Jacob SMITH originally owned the area and sold it to John S. McKEAN as was called "McKean's Corners"; Charles SHIPPEN owned the first store and Wm. GATES succeeded to that business and then the area was called "Gate's Corners". The next merchant was H.M. DAVIS and the name of this area became "Davis' Corners".

• Smith's Corners - seven families of Smiths lived upon the land settled in 1834 by William Smith.

• Barr's Corners - Milton Barr was the original owner of the land.

• Miller's Corners - in early times there was one store here, that of James Miller

• Georgeville - located on Pine Run in the eastern part of the township; named in honor of George S. MYERS, who came to the area from Hartford Co., MD.
  $$$ Taxable inhabitantsfor the year 1818 from the list of John Porterfield, township assessor:
  Enoch BATTIN, Wm. CRAIG; James CRAWFORD; Joseph CAMPBELL; Wm. CAMPBELL; John COCHRAN; John DONALDSON; Wm. DAVIS; James DONALDSON; John C. EVANS; Wm. GRAHAM; John GRAHAM; Wm. HILL; John JOLLY; David JOLLY; Joseph KENNEDY; Thomas KENNEDY; Adam KEARNS; Alexander LEMON; James MOORHEAD; Matthew McDOWELL; Andrew MAITLAND; John McDONALD; Samuel McMILLIN; John McMILLIN; Thomas W. MAYS; Thomas W. MATTESON; Joseph STEPHENSON; John PORTERFIELD; James PORTERFIELD; Joseph REDICK; Matthias STOVER; John SHANNON; John SLOAN; John STOVER; John THOMPSON; John WATT; Jacob YOUNG; David SMITH. William BINGHAM'S estate owned a number of one-thousand acre tracts; originally it included nearly the whole township.

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  Folks

  David ASKEY, b. 25 Jul 1783, d. 25 June 1847 in Rockland Twp.; m. Jane, b. 5 May 1797; came to Rockland Twp. in 1838 from Centre Co., PA; farmer; bur. Pine Hill Cemetery; children: Eliza, 1819-1899, m. John SMITH, s/o John and Mary MCMILLEN Smith; Margaret, 1827-1888, m. Henry Rose STROUP, s/o Daniel and Elizabeth ROSE Stroup; James Harrison, 1828-1908, m. Mary Jane SMITH, d/o William and Elizabeth ARMSTRONG Smith; Jane, b. ca. 1830, m. Moses Perry WILLIAMS, s/o Eli and Mary PERRY Williams; William W., 1831-1877; Lucinda, b. 1833, m. George Washington MAYS, s/o Thomas Washington and Henrietta MYERS Mays; David, b. ca. 1835.

  Milton BARR - b. 1815, Ferguson Twp., Centre Co., PA, d. 7 June 1891 in Cranberry Twp, s/o John & 'Nancy' Mary Polly Boyd BRISBEN BARR. Milton was an early pioneer of the area and owned Barr's Corners which comprised about five families; Milton married first on 5 Sep 1837 to Sidnia PRYER, b. 1812, d. 2 Dec 1858; had children: John Pryor, b. 30 May 1841, d. 14 May 17 1912, m. to Anna Jane McCOY, b.25 Mar 1841, d. 1923, d/o William McKay from N. Scotland; Mary Jane, b. 18 Dec 1843; William M., b. 1845; Martha S., b. 1847. Milton married second to Rebecca HALL STOVER and in 1865 they lived in Seneca and purchased the Rural Hotel. Rebecca died in 1905.
  Rebecca HALL STOVER BARR (Becky Barr)

  Captain JOHN PRYER BARR - was born in Rockland Twp., Venango County.During the Civil War he nlisted in the 4th Pa. Cavalry 9Oct.1861. He was Captain of Company L, 64th Reg., 4th Cavalry during theCivil War. After the war he was Registrar and Recorder of Venango County3Jan.1876-5Jan.1885.He went to Grove City Pa. in 1886 and organized the Union Heat and Light Co. He was instrumental in organizing the George Junior He was a deputy assesor and collector for the Internal Revenue Service in Oil City 1885-1890.He exerted a stong influence on both towns. He married ANNA JANE McCOY "MacKey" BARR; had children:CARRIE d. Sept 15, 1850,FRANK BARR b. 27 Oct.1857 d.11 July 1938,REGINA BARR b. 5 Aug.1860 d. 17 Oct. 1933 m. Victor Weist,WEALTHA GILLESPIE BARR b.Dec.7. 1864 Nov 7 William P. VannAusdall,MAUD BARR d. Aug. 6, 1868, KATHRYN "Kittie" BARR b. 15 May 1869 d. Oct. 29 1939 m.14Mar 1889Thomas Harry Martin b.21Feb. 1865 d. 29 Sept.1921, m. 2nd husband Bert Groves
  Captain John PRYER BARR

  Andrew B. BELL, b. 27 Apr 1811 prob. in Richland Twp., prob s/o John Barnett and Nancy LEE Bell, d. 13 Dec 1884 in Rockland Twp.; m. 21 June 1836 in Rockland Twp. to Eleanor Elizabeth YOUNG, b. 1813, d/o Jacob and Dorcus Young; d. 19 May 1888 in Rockland Twp.; farmer; bur. Rockland Cemetery; children: William Foreman, b. ca. 1838, m. Barbara; Jacob Young, 1843-1924, m. Caroline EDINGER; Charles Harvey, 1845-1925, m. Rachel Leah OSMER, d/o Isaac and Hannah SMITH Osmer; James, 1848-1928, m. Arminta Minerva BAILEY, d/o Thomas and Amanda FOWLES Bailey.

  John BIRTCIL - b. 15 Mar 1793 in eastern part of PA, d. 5 Sep 1850; m. 1818 in Centre Co. to Mary O'NAIL, 1798 - 1855; removed to Rockland Twp. abt 1824 with the first three of their eleven children; after 1846, John removed to Ohio where he died; Mary and the children remained in Rockland Twp. area. Children of John & Mary: Juliann, 1819 - 1901, m. in 1848 to Samuel MAXWELL and lived in Richland Twp.; Elizabeth, 1820 - 1899; James, 1823 - 1864, m. 1847 to Frances 'Fanny' WEAVER; Jane, 1825 - 1827; Sarah Elizabeth, 1825 - 1913, twin of Jane, m. 1845 to Richard HUGHES; Abraham, 1827 - 1891, m. Mary A. GRIFFIN; John, Jr., 1830 - 1855, m. 1853 to Iona Jane McCAULEY; Rachel, 1832 - 1899; Jeremiah 'Jerry', 1835 - 1917, m. 1854 to Cordelia S. ALDRICH; Mary Jane, b. 1837, m. 1868 to John CARNES / KARNS and lived in Ohio; Isabel, 1841 - 1885.

  Jacob BOLLINGER - b. 9 Mar 1802 in Union Co., PA, d. 8 May 1882 in Akron, OH; farmer; m. Christina BOLICH, b. 9 May 1803 in Union Co., d. 12 Sep 1896 in Rockland Twp.; bur. Melat Cemetery; children: Mary, 1825-1899, m. Peter STROUP; Margaret, 1827-1901, m. Rev. Jacob DOMER; Conrad, b. 1830, m. Debora __; Sarah, 1832-1906, m. James MCELPHATRICK; Jacob, 1834-1861, unmarried; Catherine, 1838-1933, m. Casper Y. STROUP; Nancy, 1841-1864, m. Samuel STROUP; Henry, b. 1843; Hannah, 1845-1909, m. John B. SNYDER; John, b. 1849.

  S.H. BORLAND - settled in Rockland Twp. abt 1826; drowned when a boat sank taking iron to Pgh. in order to secure lumber for the construction of the house for the farm; the house was later completed by his son, Hutchison. S.H. married Rebecca ___; children: Hutchinson, removed to Cranberry Twp.; Samuel, m. Maria NICELY; Andrew; Robert S., minister; Rachel.

  Samuel BORLAND - b. 13 Feb 1829, d. 21 Mar 1890, s/o S.H. & Rebecca Borland; Samuel was born on the family farm located near Freedom and Davis' Corners; m. Maria NICELY, d/o Adam & Jane KARNES Nicely of Richland Twp.; children: Emerson B., d. Feb 1918 in Denver, CO; Emma A., m. Joseph G. BOWMAN; Charles, lived in Butler Co., PA; Edward E., b. 14 Feb 1861, m. Della FORKER, d/o John B. Forker of Rockland Twp. ; Luella, m. E.D. FELT; Austin N.; F. Leslie, a merchant at Emlenton; Alva H., lived in CO. Maria Nicely Borland died in 1891 of typhoid fever.

  Edward BURGWIN, b. 22 Mar 1795 in Shropshire, England, d. 22 May 1860 in Rockland Tp.; m. 30 Dec 1820 in Gloucestershire, England Sarah JONES, b. 2 Apr 1798 in Gloucestershire, d/o William and Amy Jones, d. 13 Dec 1866 in Rockland Tp., immigrated to America in 1832 and settled in Rockland Twp. in 1837, farmer, buried in Rockland Cemetery; children: Harriet, 1821-1905, m. Daniel STROUP, s/o Daniel and Elizabeth ROSE Stroup; Sarah, 1824-after 1905, m. Perkins LOVELL; William, 1828-1866, m. Martha SMITH, d/o David and Mary PRYER Smith; Ruth, 1830-1894, m. Lewis Asbury MAYS, s/o Thomas Washington and Henrietta MYERS Mays; John, 1833-1912, m. Nancy MCCURRY; Edward, Jr., 1836-1917, m. Margaret SCHOCH, d/o Jacob and Anna SNYDER Schoch; Stephen, 1839-1922, m. Sarah Jane MAITLAND; m. Wesley H., 185-1874, m. Sarah F. OSMER, d/o Isaac and Hannah SMITH Osmer.

  John CARNER - b. on or abt. 29 Jan 1787 in Northumberland Co., PA, s/o John & Magdalena Kerner/Carner; married abt. 1816 to Susan STROUP, d/o Adam & Eva Stroup; children: John, Jr., b. Mar 1817, m. Sarah A. TURK; George Y., 1818 - 1879, m. Sarah Ann MANSON; Adam, abt 1821 - 1894, m. Elizabeth A. CARNER; Jacob, b. 1822 - 1903, m. MARY CARNER; Mary, abt. 1825 - 1871, m. Joseph GLENN; Eve, 1826 - 1910, m. 1. John Lane SMITH and 2. Jesse L. PRYER; Susan, 1829 - 1917, m. George Simon DOMER; Andrew Jackson, abt. 1831 -1864, d. in Civil War; Eli, 1834 - 1901, m. Sarah Ann LATCHAW, d/o Jacob & Mary STAUFFER Latchaw.

  Elihu CHADWICK - civil engineer & surveryor b. 8 Sept 1805; in Monmouth Co., NJ, d. 3 Oct 1882 in Cleveland OH, s/o Capt. Elihu & Rebekah JEFFREYS; m. Isabel JOLLY, b. 16 Jan 1814, d. 27 Mar 1898, d/o John Jolly, a pioneer of Rockland Twp.; children: James Doddridge, m. Lauretta Raymond MYERS; Carolina Matilda, b. 5 Sep 1838, d. 11 Aug 1840; Francis Carroll, b. 22 Dec 1840, d. 11 Dec 1894; Miles Bond, b. 21 Jan 1843, moved to Minn.; Clara Catherine, b. 11 Sep 1845, d. 13 Oct 1898; Bingham Hale, b. 8 Apr 1848, moved to Jacksonville, FL; Ellen Jeannette, b. 21 Dec 1850, d. 31 Jul 1852; Leroy Shippen, b. 27 Apr 1853, moved to Jacksonville, FL; Mary Emma, b. 5 Jan 1856, d. 5 Sep 1864.

  James Doddridge CHADWICK - b. 4 Sep 1836 in Rockland Twp., s/o Elihu & Isabel JOLLY Chadwick; attended Allegheny College in Meadville where he was a classmate of William McKinley, US President; served in Civil War; admitted to the bar of Venango Co. in 1867; m. in 1867 to Lauretta Raymond MYERS, b. 27 Jul 1844, d/o Col. James Stroble & Emily BUNNELL Myers; children: Eugene Myers, b. 1 Aug 1868, d. 27 Sep 1875; Mary, b. 15 Nov 1871, d. 29 Sep 1875; Herbert Gillette, b. 13 Jan 1873, d. 14 Oct 1875; Mabel, b. 7 Dec 1875, m. 1. Forster Mitchell LAMBERTON, s/o Lewis T. Lamberton and 2. George K. PRESTON; Ethel, b. 21 Feb 1878, m. Charles Stuart FOLLER; James Albert, b. 4 Nov 1884, pharmacist & insurance business in Franklin, m. Hannah Emma SIBLEY, d/o A.J. & Emma HANCOX Sibley of Franklin.

  Charles COLLINGWOOD, b. 2 Feb 1783 in England, d. 21 Jun 1874 in Indianapolis, IN, m. 17 Dec 1807 in Elmira, NY Lydia MOSS, b. ca. 1793; settled in Rockland Twp. in 1829, moved to Indiana in 1865, farmer; children: Thomas 1809-1809; Charlotte, 1810-1880, m. 1. Ezra WAITE, 2. Robert MELAT; Aaron, 1811-1876, m. Sarah PENWELL; Mary Ann, 1812-1846, m. William WEBSTER; Charles C., 1814-1903, m. 1. Hannah BATHURST, 2. Mary VOGUS; Elizabeth, 1816-1856, m. James CONNELY; Francis, b. 1818, m. Mary Ann DUNLOP; John, 1819-1895, m. Mary Ann PRYER, d/o William and Sarah SMITH Pryer; Daniel, 1821-1864, m. Alzinia SNOW; Robert C., b. 1823, m. Margaret BOLES; Alfred, 1824-1901, m. 1. Lucinda FLANNAGAN, 2. Mary E. ROBERTS; Thomas, 1826-1864, m. Mary Elizabeth LARIMORE; Dewitt Clinton, 1828-1885, m. Peggy Jane MCMILLEN, d/o John and Mary MCQUISTON McMillen; Noah, 1830-1840; Joseph, 1832-1913, m. Mary Jane GROVE, granddaughter of William and Barbara STROUP McKim; William, 1834-1863.

  Ernest E. FICHTE - farmer; & cutler; b. 1 May 1833 in Dresden, Saxony, Germany, s/o Godfried & Dorothera Fichte; m. in 1858 to Sarah R. NUNEMACHER, d/o George & Sarah Nunemacher of Clarion Co.,PA; children: M. Emilius; Emma S., m. Charles ROSSMAN.

  Franklin FLOWERS - minister of the Church of God in Coal City; b. in 1833 in Union Co., PA, s/o John & Hannah SOLOMON Flowers; m. in 1854 to Susan SNYDER; children: Absalom I; Johnnie; Lizzie; Frank M.C.; Jennetta; Charles A.; Romelda; Charles B.; Minnie; Jacob M.

  James HAZLETT / HASLETT- farmer; b. abt 1825, d. 7 Jan 1884; m. Mary Ann WITHERUP, b. 3 Dec 1819, d. 22 Dec 1887, d/o Capt. Abraham & Elizabeth PHIPPS Witherup; children: Joseph J.; Robert S.; Cynthia S.; Sarah Augusta, b. 26 Oct 1851, m. Perry FORKER; Samuel P.W., b. 3 May 1857, m. Tillie L. BIGELOW; James David, b. 29 Mar 1859, m. O. WILKINS.

  John HETZLER - surveyor & held many county government offices; b. 12 May 1818 in Monroe Co., NY, s/o John & Elizabeth TROUTNER Hetzler; purchased a farm in the Red Valley oil district ; m. in 1843 to Maria SMITH, d/o Daniel Smith; children: Elizabeth, m. A. P. DALE of Oil City; Daniel B., m. Rosa SMITH; Henry, m. Jennie LOVELL.

  David JOLLY - b. 4 Sep 1787; early settler of Rockland Twp.; m. Elizabeth ADAMS, b. Jan 1796; children: William A.; Eliza, m. __JONES; Thomas; James, m. Eliza ROSS, d/o Samuel Ross; Rebecca, m. __SHANNON; David; Isabella, m. __STOUT; John N.; Nancy J., m. ___GRAHAM; Rachel, m. __KARNES; Emmaline Barr.

  Abraham D. KOCH - miller; b. 29 Aug 1807 in Montgomery Co., PA; in 1840 moved from Lancaster Co., PA to Clarion Co., PA and in 1846 located in area of East Sandy, Rockland Twp.; m. Harriet FRITZ, b. in Berks Co., PA 19 Sep 1817; children; Caroline, died in infancy; Hannah, b. 10 Jan 1837, d. 20 May 1860; John, b. 29 Sep 1839, d. 19 May 1864 in VA while in the service; Alfred, b. 20 Aug 1842, m. Elizabeth SCHMELZLY; William, b. 15 Sep 1844, m. Mary E. McCALL; George, b. 6 Apr 1847; Sarah, b. 13 Sep 1849, d. 16 Jun 1864; Aaron, b. 9 Feb 1852; Jerry H., b. 21 Jun 1854, m. Mary J. EWER; Ocella I, b. 14 Sep 1857.

  Charles LINN - stone mason & school director; b. 18 Apr 1826 in Lycoming Co., PA, s/o George & Elizabeth BARTHOLOMEW Linn; m. 30 Aug 1848 to Catharine RUMBERGER, b. 1830, d/o Levi & Nancy Rumberger; children: Elizabeth; Jeremiah; Mary J.; Martha, m. Rev. Oliver NICKLE; Beatty P.; Maggie D.; Frank; Boyd; Minnie.

  Andrew MAITLAND - of Monroe Co. NY and Butler Co., PA; removed to a farm near the village of Freedom and later located near Barr's Corners; m. first to Margaret CAMERON and had children: John; Andrew Jr., m. Jane ELLIOTT; Alexander; Nancy, m. John GRAHAM; Ann, m. John O'NEIL; Margaret, m. Silas BROWN from Harmony, Butler Co., PA who settled near the mouth of Pine Run; Sarah, m. John WEBSTER; Mary 'Polly', m. James REDICK & John HENDERSHOTT. Andrew married again to Mrs. William ELLIOTT, mother to the wife of Andrew Jr.

  Andrew MAITLAND, Jr. - d. 12 May 1883 at age 71, s/o Andrew Maitland; m. Jane ELLIOTT, d. 26 Jan 1871, d/o William Elliott of Clarion Co., PA; children: Major John Breckenridge, m. Henrietta C. PRYER; Sarah J., m. Stephen BURGWIN; William A., b. 22 June 1842, m. Anna N. ECHELBERGER, d/o Samuel Echelberger; Sylvester, died young; Caroline, m. William MOORE of Cranberry Twp.; Ellen, m. James HAHN.

  Maj. John B. MAITLAND - merchandise business & oil industry of laying pipelines; b. 23 Jul 1838 in Rockland Twp., s/o Andrew & Jane ELLIOTT Maitland; married 3 Oct 1861 to Henrietta PRYER, b. 20 Apr 1838 in Rockland Twp. and was a teacher in the public schools of the area; children: Jessie, m. William E. ASKEY; Edgar Gregg, m. Matilda M. BERRY; Arthur Shippen, m. Jane CRIBBS; Henrietta Katherine.

  Thomas Washington MAYS, b. 25 Dec 1786 in South Carolina, s/o Thomas and Mary HAMILTON Mays, d. 29 Dec 1867 in Rockland Twp., m. Henrietta MYERS on 23 Apr 1809; Henrietta was born 7 Oct 1793 in Maryland, d/o Henry and Mary STOBLE Myers, d. 17 Apr 1868 in Rockland Twp.; settled in Rockland Twp. in 1817; farmer and miller; members of Methodist church; served in War of 1812; buried in Rockland Cemetery; children: Mary, 1810-after 1880, m. Abraham KARNES; Henry, 1812-1883, m. Lavina KARNES; James, 1814-1874, m. Betsey ARTERS; Sarah, 1816-1879, m. David SHAW; George Washington, 1819-1904, m. 1. Juliet ELDER in 1845, 2. Lucinda ASKEY in 1858; Nancy, 1821-1910, m. Moses WHITE; Henrietta, 1824-before 1880, m. Barney SHOUP; John Wood, 1826-1899, m. Mary Ann MELAT in 1850, d/o Robert and Elizabeth KIEFER Melat; Jesse, 1828-1906, m. 1. Rachel GRAY, 2. Rosa PLATT; Lewis Asbury, 1831-1897, m. Ruth BURGWIN, d/o Edward and Sarah JONES Burgwin; Emily, 1833-1885, m. William MORROW; Oliver Perry, 1836-1915, m. Lydia Ann WAITE, d/o Ezra and Charlotte COLLINGWOOD Waite.

  Daniel McMILLEN , born 1 November 1772 in New York; d. May 25 1857 in Rockland Tp., m. Mar 11 1793, Sarah OLIVER, b. Jul 7 1773 in PA, d. Jun 17 1855 in Rockland Tp., children: Alexander Martin, d. 11 Jun 1891, m. Jane ROSS; John, 1794-1876, m. Mary MCQUISTON; Eliza, 1796-1863, unmarried; Margaret, b. 1798; James, 1800-1881, m. Sarah MALLORY; Samuel, b. 1803; Mary, b. 1805; Joseph, 1808-1883, m. Mary SMITH; Daniel, 1812-1897, m. Margaret DOWNING; Sarah, b. 1815; Oliver Dutton, 1818-1895, m. Sarah Sloan WITHERUP, 1836-1919.

  Oliver Dutton McMILLIN - d. 17 May 1895 in Armstrong Co., PA; s/o Daniel McMillin; resided on have of family farm at McMillin's Bend near where Kennerdell is now located; Oliver lived there until 1865 when he moved to Franklin Twp., Armstrong Co., PA; m. 28 June 1854 to Sarah Slone WITHERUP, d/o Capt. Abraham & Elizabeth PHIPPS Witherup; children: Zelia Elizabeth, b. 15 Mar 1855, m. James MILLIGAN & Melvin STEWART; Sarah Ann, b. 4 Mar 1857, m. James Harvey MINTEER; Elmer Leroy, B. 3 Dec 1858, m. Agnes E. ROSS; James B., b. 14 Nov 1860, m. Margaret PLAFF; Benton, b. 22 Mar 1863, m. Mary Belle ROSS; Erasmus, b. 6 Jul 1869, m. Dora CLAYPOOL; Mary Elizabeth, b. 13 Sep 1870, m. George M. WELTON; Samuel Boyd, died in infancy.

  John MCMILLEN, b. Jun 18, 1794, d. Aug 13, 1876 in Rockland Tp., m. Mary N. MCQUISTON, b. Oct 3, 1808, d. February 17, 1888 in Rockland Tp.; children: Nancy, 1827-1907, m. Moses Perry WILLIAMS, son of Eli and Polly PERRY Williams; Sarah Ann, b. 1829, m. Warren WEBSTER; Margaret Jane, 1832-1920, m. Dewitt Clinton COLLINGWOOD, s/o Charles and Lydia MOSS Collingwood; Eliza, 1834-1920, m. Stephen Fields STROUP, s/o Daniel and Elizabeth ROSE Stroup; Daniel A., 1834-1865 m. Mary J. __; John Q., b. 1839, m. Elisabeth __; Joseph Harper, 1841-1924, m. Elizabeth NEFF, d/o Thomas Neff, 1845-1922; James N., b. 1843; David R., 1845-1926, m. Emeline SMITH, d/o John and Eliza ASKEY Smith; Mary Rachel, b. 1848, m. John FOX.

  Robert MELAT, b. 23 Mar 1799, d. 11 Sep 1887 in Rockland Tp, m. 1. 26 Jan 1819 to Elizabeth KIEFER, b. 17 Apr 1801 in Butler Co., PA, d/o Frederick and Susanna Kiefer, d. Feb 1842 in Cranberry Tp., Venango Co; m. 2. 26 Jun 1842 Charlotte COLLINGWOOD, b. 7 Apr 1810, d/o Charles and Lydia MOSS Collingwood, d. Oct 1880 in Rockland Tp.; settled in Rockland Tp. in 1845, day laborer, buried Melat Cemetery; children of Robert and Elizabeth: Enoch, b. 1820; Robert, Jr., 1823-1884, m. Juliann MORRISON, d/o George and Lucretia MORRISON Morrison;Elizabeth, 1825-after 1884, m. 1. Alexander MCCARTY, 2. William ROBERTS, 3. Stephen COWICK; John Ralston, 1827-1899, m. Sarah Ann KRAMER, d/o George and Elizabeth HOY Kramer; William Perry, 1829-1898, m. Caroline MORRISON, d/o Zephaniah and Amanda NORTHRUP Morrison; Mary Ann, 1832-1926, m. John Wood MAYS, s/o Thomas Washington and Henrietta MYERS Mays; Susanna, 1834-1919, m. James BRANDON, s/o James and Nancy HILL Brandon; Sara, 1836-young; Jackson H., 1839-1862 in Civil War, unmarried; children of Robert and Charlotte: Aaron, b. 1849; Charles Alford, 1851-1930, m. Martha Amelia CARY, d/o Eri and Elizabeth Jane HARLAN Cary; Joseph M., 1855-1863.

  John PRYER, b. ca. 1769 in New Jersey, d. 30 Nov 1844 in Rockland Tp., m. 4 Jan 1803 in Centre Co., PA to Hannah LOVELL, b. ca. 1784 in what is now Centre Co., probably d/o Perkins Lovell, d. 2 Nov 1847 in Rockland Twp.; settled in Rockland Tp. in 1819, occupation farmer; children: William, 1803-1876, m. Sarah SMITH, d/o John and Mary MCMILLEN Smith; Mary Ann, 1805-1865, m. David SMITH, s/o Stephen and Maria Smith; Peter, 1809-1888, m. Elizabeth LUSHER, d/o George and Catherine MUNCH Lusher; Sidinia, 1812-1858, m. Milton BARR; Perkins Lovell, 1815-1906, m. Catherine COX; Hannah, 1819-1863, Charles COX; Jesse L., 1823-1889, m. 1 Henrietta Caroline COX, 2. Eve CARNER SMITH, d/o John and Susan STROUP Carner; Patience, m. John DAVIDSON.

  Charles Samuel SCHREFFLER - b. 27 Nov 1762, s/o Johannes Heinrich & Anna Marie WEBER Schreffler; m. Magdalena MERTZ, b. Dec 1766, d. 1831; children: Catherine, b. 1787, m. Andrew WEAVER; Daniel, b. 1789, m. Rachel MOYER & Peggy HENIGH; Susanna, b. 1790, m. Andrew KREAMER; Anna Marie, b. 1792; Salome Sarah, b. 1793, m. Philip FRANCK; Magdalena, b. 1794, m. John HARTER; Margaret, b. 1796, m. William HENNEICH; Christina, b. 1798; Elizabeth, b. 1799; Samuel, 1800- 1800; Samuel, 1801 - 1801; Charles C., b. 1805, m. Susan STOVER; Hannah, b. 1807; Sophia, b. 1809, m. John STOVER; Joseph, b. 1811, m. Katherine MITCHELL.

  Joseph SCHREFFLER - b. 22 Nov 1811, s/o Charles Samuel & Magdalena MERTZ Schreffler; m. Catherine MITCHELL; children: William, 1840 -1880, m. Nancy O'NEIL; Charles; Sarah Sophia, b. 1843/44, m. Simon Wise, Jr.; Anna Rebecca, 1854 -1933, m. Harrison MONG; Joseph, 1856 - 1934; Mary Catherine, 1849 - 1914, m. George Washington SHREFFLER; Samuel Adam, 1851 - 1929, m. Harriet 'Hattie' FYE; Emily Jane, 1853 - 1897, m. John Montgomery SHREFFLER; John Stover, 1858 - 1911, m. Magdalena 'Molly' MITCHELL; Eliza, b. 1860; Andrew Equila, 1863 - 1947, m. Margaret Elizabeth HARRY.

  Samuel Adam SCHREFFLER - b. 28 Jun 1851, s/o Joseph & Catherine MITCHELL Schreffler; shoemaker, known as "Peg N Awl Sam"; cemetery named after him in Van; m. Harriet 'Hattie' FYE, b. 10 Feb 1858, d. 6 Feb 1950; children; Sylvanus Wesley, b. 27 Oct 1879, m. in 1903 to Jessie KROH; James 'Hollister', b. 10 Apr 1881, m. Mary Louise DOE / DEAU; Clarisa Lucinda, b. 18 Jun 1882; Sarah Sophia, b. 7 Jul 1883, m. Robert John SALTSER; Emma Irene, b. 14 Oct 1884, m. John Elmer WINTERS; Anna Levina, b. 18 Oct 1885, m. Charley Augustus RUSSELL; Isaac Andrew, b. 14 Jul 1887, m. Mary Edna WHITLING and Jessie Pearl JEWEL; Mollie Rebecca, b. 1 Feb 1889, m. Ernest T. STAINS; Myrtle Matilda, b. 23 Apr 1891, m. Domer Alexander GRIFFIN; Walter Sellew, b. 1 Dec 1892, m. Twila Marie JACKSON and Vera L. OLSON JOHNSTON; Rosa Mae, b. 20 Sep 1894; Clinton Clair, b. 6 Jun 1896, m. Dorothy May ROTE; Esther Naomi, b. 4 Mar 1898, m. James Dewey UREY; Virginia Ruth, b. 14 Feb 1900, m. Wilford 'Smiley' ANDERSON.

  David SMITH - b. 23 Dec 1781, in what is now Snyder Co., PA; s/o Stephen & Maria Smith; came to Rockland Twp. in winter, 1818, bringing family and effect on a sled; purchased 150 acres from the Bingham estate; blacksmith, held many township positions and was strong supporter of the free school law; sold farm abt 1833 to Abraham Lusher and moved to Sandycreek Twp. and then to Franklin; m. 1. in 1809 to Sarah LANE and had children: Mary, 1810 - 1880, m. John PERRY; Sarah 'Sally', 1812 - 1896, m. Adam WEBBER; John Lane, 1815 - 1864, m. Eve CARNER; Mariah, d. 1903, m. John McDONALD; Jane, 1820 - 1904, m. John L. TIBBENS. David m. 2. to Mary Ann PRYER, d/o John & Hannah LOVELL Pryer; children of David & Mary Ann: Stephen Decatur, b. 1826, m. Elizabeth IRWIN; Hannah, 1829 - 1908; Sidania H., 1832 - 1877, m. Philander Pitt BROWN; Martha D., b. 1834, m. William BURGWIN; Almira Louisa, 1837 - 1927, m. Floyd C. RAMSDELL.

  John Smith - b. abt. 1782, in what is now Snyder Co., PA; d. 1855 in Rockland Twp., Venango Co., PA; s/o Stephen & Maria Smith; m. in 1806 to Mary 'Polly' McMILLEN; children: Sarah, 1807 - 1879, m. William PRYER; Mary, 1809 - 1895, m. Peter SMITH; David, 1811 - 1880, m. 1. Nancy __ & 2. Hulda Melissa SNOW; John, Jr., 1813 - 1898, m. Eliza ASKEY; Margaret, 1815 - 1899, m. James O'DONNELL; Cornelius, 1817 - 1817; Hannah, 1819 - 1899, m. Isaac OSMER; Stephen, 1822 - 1827; Alexander, 1825 - 1825; Andrew J., 1828 - 1893.

  Daniel SMITH - b. 20 Jan 1790 in Centre Co., PA, s/o Stephen & Maria Smith, d. 12 Jan 1874 in Rockland Twp.; settled in Rockland Twp. in 1815; blacksmith by trade; first postmaster at Rockland; served in War of 1812; m. 31 Mar 1812 in Berks Co., PA to Mary Ann LUSHER , b. 7 Oct 1796, d. 20 May 1872, d/o George & Catharine MUNCH Lusher ;children:, William, 1813 - 1893, m. Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, 1814 -1899, d/o Robt & Sarah HARROLD Armstrong of Clarion Co., PA; Catherine, 1814 - 1836, m. in 1831 to James FOSTER, 1810-1898, s/o John & Mary MARTIN Foster; Daniel Stephen, 1816 - 1825; Mary, 1818 - 1861, m. in 1835 to Theodore S. HASLETT, 1812 - 1887; John David, 1820 - 1891, m. 1842 to Nancy HUGHES, 1826 - 1891, d/o James & Nancy SHORTS Hughes; Martha, 1822 - 1893, m. William ALSBACH, 1817 - 1893; George Washington, 1823 - 1824; Maria, 1825 - 1914, m. John HETZLER, 1818 - 1903, s/o John & Elizabeth TROUTNER Hetzler; Elizabeth, 1827 - 1880, m. 1. 1845 to Daniel HETZLER, 1825 - 1847, s/o John & Elizabeth TROUTNER Hetzler; m. 2. 1849 to James ROSS, 1825 - 1901; Daniel, Jr., 1829 - 1895, m. 1852 to Susannah DODD, 1834 - 1910, d/o Jacob & Anna HEASLEY Dodd; Abraham, 1831 - 1885, m. 1. 1851 to Sarah SMITH, 1834 - 1871, d/o Capt. John & Nancy GORDON Smith, m. 2. Mrs. Elizabeth DEER; Elenore, 1834 - 1917, m. 1852 to Thomas WATSON, 1827 - 1912; Jane, 1836 - 1898, m. David DEWOODY; Henrietta, 1839 - 1903, m. 1858 to John LEVIER, 1838 - 1900, s/o John & Jane MAITLAND LeVier; Henry C., 1842 - 1878, m. Harriet HOWE, b. 1841.

  George SNYDER, b. 4 Jan 1794, s/o Jacob and Elisabeth Snyder, d. 23 Aug 1871 in Rockland Twp., m. Elizabeth DUCK, b. 20 Dec 1805 in what is now Union Co., PA, d. 26 Ma 1878 in Rockland Twp.; farmer; bur. Melat Cemetery; children: George Edward, 1829-1918, m. Mary Jane JONES in 1852; Henry, 1830-1904, m. 1. Margaret FLOWERS, d/o John and Hannah SOLOMON Flowers, 2. in 1866 Elizabeth Jane HARLAN, d/o Jonathan and Lydia STUDEBAKER Harlan; Samuel, b. 1832, m. 1. Elizabeth FLOWER, d/o John and Hannah SOLOMON Flowers, 2. Maria MENTENIS; Frank Warren, 1833-1852; Susanna, 1835-1915, m. Franklin McKinley FLOWERS, s/o John and Hannah SOLOMON Flowers; Hannah E., 1836-1900, m. Lebbens Miller BIGELOW; Anna, 1839-1926, m. Jacob SCHOCH, s/o Peter and Barbara Schoch; John B., 1841-1905, m. Hannah BOLLINGER, d/o Jacob and Christina BOLICH Bollinger; Jacob, 1843-1929, m. Eliza Margaret CARNER, d/o George Y. and Sarah MANSON Carner; Peter R., 1845-1911, m. 1. Alice J. HIFIGER, 2. Lillian J. HIGHFIELD.

  John SOLLINGER / ZOLLINGER -weaver; b. 1764, d. 1855 in Warren, OH; a native of Westmoreland Co., PA; came to this area in 1805; m. Lovina JUDGE, b. 1761, d. 29 Aug 1839; children: John Jr., b. 1807, d. 1862, m. Catherine __; Jacob, b. 1805, d. 1903, m. Margaret FRALEY; Alexander, b. 1794, d. 1877, m. Jane DOWNING; Peter; Samuel, b. 1803, d. 1877, m. Annie DOWNING; James P., b. 1808, d. 1886, m. Susan CHRISTY and lived in Richland Twp.; Andrew Judge, b. Nov 1799, d. 12 Nov 1881, m. Martha COLGIN; Daniel, b. 1797, d. 1878, m. Mary WILLSON (WALL - widow); Annie, b. 21 July 1786, d. 23 Dec 1873, m. in 1809 to Capt. Wm. KARNS; Elizabeth, b. 1791, d. 1881, m. in 1808 to Adam KARNS; Mary, m. James McDONALD; Catharine, m. James HOFFMAN.

  John H. STARR - b. 28 Aug 1831 in Venango Co., s/o Michael & Catharine COOK Starr who were natives of MD and then to Armstrong Co., PA before settling in Venango Co.; John m. Sarah MITCHELL, d/o Wm. & Peggy Mitchell of Clarion Co., PA; children: John T.; William J.; Daniel W.; Mary A.; Wesley S., George H.; Michael Emilius; Charles V.

  Daniel STROUP - b. 5 Sept 1789 in Patton Twp., Mifflin Co., PA - now Ferguson Twp., Centre Co. PA; s/o Adam & Eve Stroup; purchased 82 acres of land for farming and supervised the building of Slab & McCalmont iron furnaces; m. in 1809 to Elizabeth ROSE, d/o John & Lydia YHOST Rose; children: Ann, 1810 - 1842; Lydia, 1812 - 1842; John Rose, 1814 - 1901, m. Harriet WEBSTER; Peter, 1817 - 1885, m. Mary BOLLINGER; Daniel Yhost, 1819 - 1893, m. Harriet BURGWIN; Mary Ann, b. 1821, m. Samuel McCLINTOCK; William, 1823 - 1886, m. Jane BRANDON; Samuel, 1825 - 1875, m. 1. Sarah Jane HANBY, m. 2. Nancy BOLLINGER, m. 3. Henrietta __; Henry Rose, 1827 - 1905, m. Margaret ASKEY; Stephen Field, 1830 - 1912, m. Eliza McMILLEN; Elizabeth, b. 1833, m. George REYNOLDS; Sarah Jane, b. 1836, m. 1. Samuel HAWTHORN.

  Peter STROUP - b. on or abt. 5 Mar 1792, s/o Adam & Eve Stroup; moved to Rockland Twp. by 1820 with parents and took up farming; m. Sarah ___; children: Henry R., b. ca. 1813/14, m. Margaret __; Peter R., m. Henrietta M. __; Eva, b. ca 1824/25, m. Robert BRUMBAUGH; Daniel R., 1824 - 1875, m. Lavinia BRUMBAUGH; John, b. ca. 1826, m. Ellen __; Lydia, b. ca. 1830, m. William STANFORD; Elizabeth J., b. ca. 1832, m. Christian HOLDENROOD; Casper Y, 1837 - 1894, m. Catherine BOLLINGER.

  Abraham WITHERUP - b. 1787 at Harrisburg, PA, s/o John & Mary BROCKINGTON Witherup; m. in 1819 to Elizabeth PHIPPS, d/o John & Catherine HANEY Phipps; children: Mary Ann, m. James HAZLETT; John, 1821 - 1888; Robert, 1822 - 1892, m. Sarah McCOOL; David, 1824 - 1863, m. Catherine WEBSTER; Catherine, b. 1825, m. Nathan M. WASSON; Joseph, 1827 - 1905, m. Eleanor BRANDON; Abram, b. 1829, m. Sarah PORTER; Samuel Phipps, 1831 - 1894, m. Mary Jane PORTER; William, 1832 - 1915, m. Martha L. EAKIN; Sarah Slone, b. 1836, m. Oliver D. McMILLIN; James Brockinton, b. 1838, m. Achsah R. COULTER; Mary Shorts, b. 1841, m. Elliott DAVIS; Elizabeth Ann, b. 1843, m. Alfred HARDWICK.

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  Early Churches

  Rockland Presbyterian Church - Organized in 1822 with Rev. Robert McGARRUGH as first preacher; James MORROW gave ground for first building and Joshua DAVIS for the second building at Freedom. Early elders were: James HALL, Wm. McCLATCHEY, Matthew McDOWELL, Stephen ARNOLD, John S. McKEAN; Wm. DONALDSON; Andrew BELL; Thomas JOLLY, Robert PORTER; Christopher COX; J.W. GLENN and James JOLLY. Early succession of pastors were: Reverends John GLENN; William McMICHAEL; Samuel KINKAID, M.M. SHIRLEY; Andrew VIRTUE; J.C. HENCH; S.P. DILLON and A.S. ELLIOTT.

  Rockland Methodist Episcopal Church - Organized by Rev. DORSEY of Shippenville circuit with seven members, viz: David & Mary SMITH; Peter and Polly LOVELL, Mr. Lovell's aged mother, and John & Hannah PRYER. In 1832-33 the first church edifice was erected and was replaced in 1867-68 on ground given by Jacob SMITH and later enlarged by ground given by Daniel SMITH and Abraham LUSHER.

  Pine Hill Church, Church of God - Originated in 1842 in a series of meetings conducted by Reverends WERTS and HICKERNELL at Pine Hill School; Jacob BOLLINGER was first elder and among first members were: Mrs. Sarah CARNER; Susan THOMAS; Mary GLENN; Mary STROUP; Andrew CARNER and Abram FLOWERS. The church building was erected in 1859 with Peter STROUP, Adam STEFFEE and Eli CARNER as the building committee.

  Rockland Cumberland Presbyterian Church - The first church stood on the farm of John SHANNON and was probably built in 1842. First elders were: John SHANNON, Abraham WITHERUP and John SHAW.

  Georgeville Methodist Episcopal Church - Peter PRYER was the first class leader and several members of the MYERS family were early members. The building was erected in 1858.

  Rockland Evangelical Chapel - Built in fall of 1884, and dedicated 15 Feb 1885. William DOMER was the first leader.

  Red Lion Chapel - Built in 1877 for the use of all denominations.

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  Early Schools

  * First two schools were on the farm of John HETZLER and Jane PORTER and James DONALDSON were the first teachers.

  * Another early school house was built on the land owned by David SMITH and later by Abraham LUSHER. William PARKER was one of the first teachers.

  * The SHANNON school was on land originally given by Andrew MAITLAND and Sylvester RANDALL, William & Robert WALKER were early teachers.

  * Pine Hill School was built on vacant ground owned by the BINGHAM estate and early teachers were: Rebecca LAYTON, Nancy WILLIAMS and Calvin JOHNSON.

  * Red Lion School was on ground given by John GRAHAM.

  An 1877 report gives the following as the respective dates at which the school houses of that time were built:

  1854 - Jolly School House

  1856 - Collingwood School House

  1859 - Weaver School House

  1861 - Shannon School House

  1864 - Red Lion School House

  1867 - Domer School House

  1868 - Western School House

  1868 - Scrubgrass School House

  1869 - Pine Oak School House

  ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP
  Cemeteries

  

  Available through the Venango County Historical Society, P. O. Box 101, Franklin, PA, 16323

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

  8-1/2 x 11. Paper cover. Index. Price each $15.00 Postage $2.00 PA Tax $.90

  Volume 4 Richland Township, part of Rockland

  Volume 5 Rockland Township

  The numbers correspond with a map that is located in the Heritage Room of the Oil City Library which is staffed by the Venango County Genealogy Club.

  • Y33 Bickle - Old Presbyterian
  • Y34 Brown
  • Y35 Collingwood
  • Y36 Cumberland Presby - gone
  • Y37 Domer
  • Y38 Free Methodist - Peg n' Awl
    • *Harrie "Hattie" Schreffler, 25 Feb 1858 - 6 Feb 1950, w/o Samuel
    • *Samuel Adam Schreffler, 28 Jun 1851 - 9 Jan 1929
    • *Clarisa Lucinda Schreffler, 18 Jun 1882 - 19 Jul 1967, d/o Samuel
    • *Rosa Mae Schreffler, 20 Sep 1894 - Feb 1941, d/o Samuel
  • Y39 Georgeville
  • Y40 Mays
  • Y43 McMillin
  • Y41 Melat
    • *George Snyder, 1794 - 1871
    • *Elizabeth Duck Snyder, 1805 - 1878, w/o George
    • *Robert Melat, 1799 - 1887
    • *Charlotte Melat, 1810 - 1880, w/o Robert
    • *Jacob Bollinger, 1802 - 1882
    • *Christina Bollinger, 1803 - 1896, w/o Jacob
  • Y42 Monument
  • Y44 New Presbyterian
  • Y45 Nunemaker aka: Shepherd of the Hills
  • Y46 Pine Hill
    • *John Carner, 29 Jan 1787 - 21 Dec 1870
    • *Susan Stroup Carner, 6 Oct 1793 - 8 Jan 1844, w/o John
    • *Andrew J. Smith, 1828 - 1893, s/o John & Mary 'Polly' Smith
    • *David Askey,
  • Y47 Rockland
    • *Orsina Medbery Sopher, d. 25 Feb 1896, w/o Isaac
    • *Isaac Sopher, d. 30 Dec 1892
    • *Andrew Maitland, d ? age 77
    • *Daniel Smith, 20 Jan 1790 - 12 Jan 1874
    • *Mary Ann Lusher Smith, 7 Oct 1796 - 20 May 1872, w/o Daniel
    • *Daniel Stroup, 5 Sept 1789 - 6 Mar 1843
    • *Elizabeth Rose Stroup, 15 May 1792 - 24 Jan 1847, w/o Daniel
    • *Peter Stroup, 1792 - 8 May 1850
    • *Mary O'Nail Birtcil, 3 Apr 1798 - 7 Jun 1855, w/o John
    • *Juliann Birtcil Maxwell, 15 Mar 1819 - 3 Mar 1901, 2nd w/o Samuel
    • *John Birtcil, Jr., 12 Apr 1830 - 14 Apr 1855, s/o John & Mary
    • *Rachel Birtcil, 4 Apr 1832 - 23 June 1899, d/o John & Mary
    • *Jeremiah Birtcil, 27 Feb 1835 - 24 May 1917, Military Headstone, s/o John & Mary
    • *Isabel Birtcil, 6 Nov 1841 - 25 Oct 1885, d/o John & Mary Y48 Schoch
    • Y49 Stroup
    • R24 Coldren

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      Sources:
      History of Venango County Pennsylvania, Its Past and Present , Chicago, IL; Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers; 1890; pp. 605 - 615; 1119 - 1128
      Venango County Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People, Vol II, 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.

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      Contributors:

      Sheila Barr Helser - http://www.sheilascorner.com - Barr Family

      Kipp Melat - Carner, Melat, Stroup & Smith Families
      Contributed info on: Askey, Burgwin, Bollinger, Collingwood, Snyder & Mays Families

      Wayne Pryer - Pryer Family

      Sher Dantzler - McMillin Family

      Peggy Grant - Carner Family

      Dennis Anderson - Schreffler, Clark & Anderson Families

      Mary S. Leavy - Schreffler Family

      Darleen A. Berens - Bell Family

      Mary Scott - Haslett Family

      Mike Gordon - Sollinger Family

      Walter O. Birtciel - Birtcil Family

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

      Karen S. Golden Rodgers

      Penny Haylett Minnick