The Fair Play Settlers of the West Branch Valley, 1769-1784

The Fair Play Settlers of the
West Branch
by George D.
Wolf

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Title: The Fair Play Settlers of the West Branch Valley, 1769-1784 A
Study of Frontier Ethnography
Author: George D. Wolf
Release Date: August 31, 2007 [EBook #22471]
Language: English
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The Fair Play Settlers of the West Branch Valley, 1769-1784: A Study
of Frontier Ethnography

BY GEORGE D. WOLF

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania THE PENNSYLVANIA
HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION
Harrisburg, 1969

THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM
COMMISSION
JAMES B. STEVENSON, Chairman
CHARLES G. WEBB, Vice Chairman
HERMAN BLUM MRS. FERNE SMITH HETRICK
MARK S. GLEESON MRS. HENRY P. HOFFSTOT, JR.
RALPH HAZELTINE MAURICE A. MOOK
THOMAS ELLIOTT WYNNE
DAVID H. KURTZMAN, ex officio Superintendent of Public
Instruction
MEMBERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MRS. SARAH ANDERSON, Representative
PAUL W. MAHADY, Senator ORVILLE E. SNARE, Representative

JOHN H. WARE, III, Senator
TRUSTEES EX OFFICIO
RAYMOND P. SHAFER, Governor of the Commonwealth
ROBERT P. CASEY, Auditor General
GRACE M. SLOAN, State Treasurer
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
SYLVESTER K. STEVENS, Executive Director
WILLIAM J. WEWER, Deputy Executive Director
DONALD H. KENT, Director Bureau of Archives and History
FRANK J. SCHMIDT, Director Bureau of Historic Sites and
Properties
WILLIAM N. RICHARDS, Director Bureau of Museums

Preface
In an Age when man's horizons are constantly being widened to include
hitherto little-known or non-existent countries, and even other planets
and outer space, there is still much to be said for the oft-neglected study
of man in his more immediate environs. Intrigued with the historical
tale of the "Fair Play settlers" of the West Branch Valley of the
Susquehanna River and practically a life-long resident of the West
Branch Valley, this writer felt that their story was worth telling and that
it might offer some insight into the development of democracy on the
frontier. The result is an ethnography of the Fair Play settlers. This
account, however, is not meant to typify the frontier experience; it is
simply an illustration, and, the author hopes, a useful one.

No intensive research can be conducted without the help and
encouragement of many fine and wonderful people. This author is
deeply indebted to librarians, archivists and historians, local historians
and genealogists, local and county historical societies, and collectors of
manuscripts, diaries, and journals pertinent to the history of the West
Branch Valley. A comprehensive listing of all who have assisted in this
effort would be too extensive, but certain persons cannot be ignored.
My grateful appreciation is here expressed to a few of these; but my
gratitude is no less sincere to the many persons who are not here
mentioned.
Librarians who have been most helpful in providing bibliographies,
checking files, and obtaining volumes from other libraries include Miss
Isabel Welch, of the Ross Library in Lock Haven; Mrs. Kathleen
Chandler, formerly of the Lock Haven State College library; and Miss
Barbara Ault, of the Library of Congress.
Archivists and historians who have been most generous in their aid are
the late Dr. Paul A. W. Wallace, of the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission; Mrs. Phyllis V. Parsons, of Collegeville; Dr.
Alfred P. James, of the University of Pittsburgh; and Mrs. Solon J.
Buck, of Washington, D. C.
Perhaps the most significant research support for this investigation was
provided by a local historian and genealogist, Mrs. Helen Herritt
Russell, of Jersey Shore.
Dr. Samuel P. Bayard, of the Pennsylvania State University, analyzed
the Fair Play settlers using linguistic techniques to determine their
national origins. This help was basic to the demographic portion of this
study.
Dr. Charles F. Berkheimer and Mrs. Marshall Anspach, both of
Williamsport, magnanimously consented to loan this author their
copies, respectively, of William Colbert's Journal and the Wagner
Collection of Revolutionary War Pension Claims.
County and local historical societies which opened their collections for

study were the Clinton County Historical Society, the Lycoming
Historical Society, the Northumberland County Historical Society, the
Centre County Historical Society, the Greene County Historical
Society, and the Muncy Historical Society and Museum of History.
For his refreshing criticisms and constant encouragement, Dr. Murray
G. Murphey, of the University of Pennsylvania, will find me forever
thankful. Without him, this study would not have been possible.
The author would like to thank the members of the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission and its