Travel In 1784

Back in 1784 a young man was commissioned to proceed to the western part of the state to settle the boundaries which were in question. This young man was Dr. John Ewing. He and his party traveled by a carriage and several wagons which hauled his instruments and supplies. They left Philadelphia on June 2. They had to spend almost a week in York until they could get a new axle for their carriage. In his memorandum book he described and named the various taverns where they stopped for meals or over night.

They arrived at Fort Littleton on the 16th and lodged at Bird's tavern. From here they passed through Sherman's Valley, which was north of Path Valley. Jamison's tavern was three miles from Panther Valley. They proceeded over 'Tuscaroran Hill' to Auchwick Valley to shade mountain.

Dr. Ewing noted that the valley was 'miserably poor,' and there were no settlements except a few scattered houses built along the road. Occasionally they accommodated passengers or travelers. The hills were covered with poor pines and the ground was stony. He noted, too, the land was not 'fit to bear grain of sufficient value to pay for the expense of planting'.

On the 17th they started for 'sidelong hill' ten miles away. Here they dined at the McDonell's tavern which was located at the base of the hill. They crossed over sidelong hill and along a ridge called 'Rays hill over seven miles of wretched road. It was full of stones and had not been repaired for many years'. Dr. Ewing noted that Wells Valley to the right of the road had four or five thousand acres of good farm land. To the left he described a valley bet ween sidelong hil1 and Rays hill, which he called Brush Creek. Here a Mr. Hunter had a survey of six hundred acres.

John Crevins kept a tavern at the foot of Rays Hill. From here to the Juniata the road was good although hilly. Dr. Ewing commented that the roads ought to be better in order to preserve the communications between Philadelphia and the western end of the state, and that the inhabitants were trying to get the legislature to open a road to 'Pittsburg' that would be far superior to the present roads to induce people to prefer that market. Dr. Ewing and his crew lodged at the Crossings of the Juniata at Col. Martin's. The main course for the evening was fresh salmon.

On the 18th they proceeded toward Bedford a distance of 14 miles. They passed through 'Alequippy' ridge and then came to 'ye Bloody Run' and Warriors Mountain which continued to Standing Stone. John Paxton kept tavern at the Warriors mountain or Bloody Run, so called from the murder of a number of people sent to escort provisions to Mr. Buchanan who was surveying the road to Bedford in 1755. Dr. Ewing wrote that the road was pretty good from the Crossings to this town 'except the descent of the 'Aliquippy hill' which was steep, long and stony. Next, they crossed through a gap of 'Terrace or Tusties' mountain through which the Juniata runs and then through 'Dunnis or Evits mountain' by a gap through which 'Dunnin creek ran'.

After he dined at Bedford, Dr. Ewing took the altitudes of the sun and the latitude. The supply wagons did not reach here until the following day because several horses had strayed away from camp the previous night.

The 20th was Sunday, thus they remained here. Dr. Ewing had apprehensions about the bad roads ahead over the western hills and mountains. The next morning the party had breakfast at Mr. Todds. (now the Carl Amick farm) Here they saw the effects of the whirlwind. This storm began, they learned, at Crooked Creek which empties into the Allegheny River above Fort Pitt and proceeded eastward with incredible destruction of timber. The path extended about 80 rods wide. Trees, no less than three feet in diameter were broken and torn up by the roots. Mr. Todd's house and barn were left without their rooves. Mr. Todd saw it all happen on Friday, June 11th. Dr. Ewing noted he saw no damage beyond Wills or Evits mountain.

The land from Mr. Todd's to the foot of Dry Ridge was reported in his log as very good and well timbered with white and black oak, some walnut and locust. The roads were free of stones and level but cut by wagons and never repaired After passing through this low valley they crossed a stream of water which seemed to be the Bedford branch of the Juniata before reaching Dry Ridge. No water was seen until they reached the western end of the ridge. The road over Dry Ridge lies along the top and fairly level except four or five descents until it ascends toward the mountain. The road had been opened by means of an ax and never repaired. It was full of deep ruts and very narrow.

The western end of the ridge was covered with larger timber and the descent was steep. Here was a large spring. This ridge divides the waters of the Juniata from those of 'Wills Creek or Potomak'. The summit seemed to be not more than two hundred yards wide.

A short distance beyond, noted Dr. Ewing, they came to an 'ordinary' where they sold drinks but no victuals. From this place on the east side to Mr. Black's Town in the Glades is about ten miles to the summit of the mountain. The road was very bad for a distance of two miles. They found many small streams of excellent water as they burst out of the mountain side. They were quite refreshing.

Dr. Ewing reached Washington County the first week of July. Here he began his assignment.