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Covington
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Covington History – Covington
Township in Lackawanna County PA
Map:
Official Geographical Location:
41.29114 North, 75.49997 West
Geographical Description:
Zip codes: 18424, 18444
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.6
square miles (61.2 km²), of which, 23.5 square miles (60.9 km²) of it is land
and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.55%) is water.
History:
Throughout unrecorded history,
indigenous people occupied the 24.7 square mile expanse of the Pocono Plateau
which is today known as Covington Township. The township of Covington was
formed in January 1818 from the township of Wilkes-Barre, and embraced at that
time the whole of Henry Drinker’s possessions in the south part of old Luzerne county. Covington was once part of the vast stretch
of beech trees, extending eastward from the
Scranton/Dunmore area, known as Drinker’s Beeches.
It was named Covington at the suggestion
of H. W. Drinker, (son of Henry Drinker) in honour of Brigadier General Leonard
Covington of Maryland, a distinguished cavalry officer who fought and died in
the War of 1812 at the battle of Williamsburg, in upper Canada. If you take
Dunmore’s East Drinker Street all the way to the end, you’d end up right at the
edge of the old Drinker’s Beeches! In 1787, Philadelphia Quaker, Henry Drinker
purchased 25,000 acres, including Covington Township ,
from the State, which has since been known as “Drinker’s Beech,” from the
timber that covered it.
In the summer of 1814 this land
was resurveyed by Jackson Torrey of Bethany, Wayne County, into lots averaging
one hundred acres each. Lots were sold at $5 per acre on five years credit, the
first two years without interest; payment to be made in lumber, shingles,
labour, produce, or anything the farmer had to spare. The first settlement was
made in 1815, by H. W. Drinker, who built his home there. In 1821, the Dale and
Wardell families became the next settlers of Covington Township.
Recent History:
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,994 people, 738 households, and
560 families residing in the township. The population density was 84.8 people
per square mile (32.7/km²). There were 838 housing units at an average density
of 35.7/sq mi (13.8/km²). The racial makeup of the
township was 98.29% White, 0.65% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.25%
Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.
There were 738 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18
living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a
female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 20.5%
of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone
who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the
average family size was 3.13.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18,
8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100
females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $41,875, and the median
income for a family was $47,857. Males had a median income of $36,208 versus
$21,906 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,132. About
7.3% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Links to other websites:
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COVINGTON TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY WEBSITE
Covington History – Covington
Township in Clearfield County PA
Map:
Official Geographical Location:
41.15401 North, 78.19350 West
Geographical Description:
Zip codes: 16836 Area Code 814
the township has a total area of 52.5 square miles (136.0 km²), of
which, 52.4 square miles (135.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4
km²) of it (0.29%) is water.
History:
Settled in 1817. The village of Frenchville within the township was begun in
1835 by French settlers from Normandy and Picardy. The village
has a small population, and the local dialect evolved in isolation until being
rediscovered by linguists in the 1960s. The Frenchville and neighbouring Girard
Township francophones spoke a distinct dialect of North American French that
presently is moribund
Recent History:
As of the census of 2000, there were 621 people,
232 households, and 167 families residing in the township. The population
density was 11.9 people per square mile (4.6/km²). There were 431 housing units
at an average density of 8.2/sq mi (3.2/km²). The
racial makeup of the township was 99.36% White, 0.32% from other races, and
0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the
population.
There were 232 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18
living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female
householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.4% of all
households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who
was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the
average family size was 3.10.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18,
8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100
females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $38,438, and the median
income for a family was $42,917. Males had a median income of $28,000 versus
$21,161 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,964. About
7.6% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
Links to other websites:
History French Settlers.pdf (case.edu)
Covington Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania -
Wikipedia
Covington History – Covington
Township in Tioga County PA
Map:
Official Geographical Location:
41.72949 North, 77.09808 West
Geographical Description:
Zip codes: 16917, 16933. The township has a total area of 36.3 square
miles (94.0 km²), of which, 36.3 square miles (94.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04
square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.11%) is water.
History:
By John L. Sexton
Jr. as taken from County Atlas of Tioga County Pennsylvania 1875
Covington Township Taxables 1815
Covington township is one of the oldest in the county. Its original
territory comprised what is now the townships of Richmond, Sullivan, Ward,
Union, Liberty and Bloss, and Fall Brook, & Blossburg Burroughs embrace aimed a great portion of the
mineral lands and some of the best agricultural lands in the county. It was
formed from Tioga, Feb. 15, 1815. At the first assessment, made by Ichabod
Rowley (John Knox, Asa Mann, and Elijah Dupuy County commissioners), the
taxable inhabitants were as follows:
David Austin, Samuel Aldrich, Ebenezer Burley, David Burley, Alpheus
Button, Joseph Bunn, Rufus Butler, Aaron Bloss,
Gideon Briggs, Abner Cochran, Henry Campbell, John Cochran, Elijah Clark, Seth
Clark, David Clemons, Stillman Cannon, Samuel Campbell, Levi Elliott, Eli Gitchell, Aaron Gillett, Charles Gillett, Asahel Graves,
Josiah Graves, Levi Gifford, Noah Gifford, Samuel Higley, George Higley,
Timothy Higley, Christopher Huntington, Shubb
Huntington, John Keltz, Peter Keltz,
Henry Knowlton, Absalom Kingsbury, Daniel Lamb, Henry Lamb, Gad Lamb, Minard
Lawrence, John Levegood, Silas Lamphere,
Erastus Lilibridge, Jacob Miller, George Matteer, Richard Miller, John Marvin, Asa Mann, Samuel Negley, Thomas Overton, Elias Pratt, Rufus Pratt, William
Patton, Levi Prentice, Thomas Putnam, Elijah Putnam, Nathan Rowley, Nehemiah H.
Ripley, Ichabod Rowley, Cephas Stratton Thomas Sampson, Joshua Shaw, Amos
Spencer, L.H. Spencer, Ichabod Smith, John Shaffer, Jonathan Sebring, Nathan
Whitman, Isaac Walker, Archelias Wilkins, Daniel
Wilkins, Tilley Marvin, David Harkness, David Harkness Jr., Royal Walker,
Lorain Lamb, Seneca Stratton, William Merritt.
There were at that time large tracts of land owned by non-resident. On
the county commissioners' book is this record: "Ichabod Rowley, as
assessor for the township of Covington, presented his bill for assessing said
Township, 17 days at one dollar per day - $17.00. Extravagant charge; deduct
$5; which was accordingly done." It will thus be seen that the office of
assessor at that time was no sinecure, nor one in which the incumbent could
become a millionaire. Twelve dollars for the assessment of what is now eight
townships and two boroughs!
As soon as Covington became prosperous she
began to lose her territory. Covington Township was organized Feb. 15, 1815.
The foreign assessment was made, or rather be for one was returned to the
County commissioners' office, that township of Sullivan was organized from
Covington, Feb. 1816, and the assessment which we have given by the township of
Covington was the first one returned to the county commissioners in the year
1817; and, although the township of Sullivan was formed one year later than
that of Covington, yet Sullivan returned for assessment through James Grey
Jr.., assessor, at the same time that the assessor of Covington did he has,
viz. In December 1817, as shown by records at Wellsboro. The township of
Liberty was formed from Covington and Delmar in 1823; the township of Richmond
from Covington and Feb. 1824; Rutland from Sullivan in 1828; Union from
Sullivan in 1830 - the second granddaughter of Covington; Bloss
from Covington in June 1841; Ward from Union and Sullivan in February 1852, and
Hamilton from Bloss and 1872. The Borough of Fall
Brook was organized from Ward township in August 1864, and Blossburg
from Bloss in August 1871. Thus has the original
territory of Covington been taken from her. The township is now bounded on the
north by Richmond, on the east by Sullivan and Ward, on this out by Hamilton
township, the borough of Blossburg, and Bloss township, and on the past by Charleston township.
The Tioga River passes north nearly through the center the township, and
along its banks is some of the fine alluvial soil, while on the rolling lands
the east and west of the River isn't very excellent grazing land, together the
soil admirably adapted to oats, potatoes, corn, buckwheat, and the orchard
fruits. The Times is a general rule while well cultivated, and farmers
prosperous and "forehanded". The Tioga and Elmira State Line Railroad
passes through the township, keeping of course near the banks of the Tioga
River. Originally the land in the township was covered with an exceedingly
heavy growth of timber, consisting of white pine, hemlock, hard maple, Beach,
Hickory, walnuts and cherry. The pioneer who early invaded the forest to hew a
home had a gray work before him; and when we at this
time will go over the well cultivated farms, free from trees, sounds in stones,
and view the fields of waving grain, the neat and well
constructed farm houses, the great barns, cattle and luscious fruit, we
little realize the years of toil that it has taken to change the wilderness
into a fruitful and productive country.
Old Settlers
the earliest that are within the present limits of Covington that we can
discover was Aaron Bloss, who located near Covington
Village in 1801. He was followed by David Clemons, Messrs.Hovey,
Mallory, Washburne and Sackett, Levi Prentiss, John
Patten, Tilley Marvin, J. Coonrod Youngman, Asahel
Graves, Absalom Kingsbury, Isaac Walker, Peter Keltz,
Sumner Wilson, Robert Searles, Samuel Negley,
Christopher Huntington, Nathaniel Elliott, Elijah Putnam, Thomas Dyer, Nathan
Rowley, Ichabod Rowley, David Harkness, E. B. Gerould, and Thomas Putnam.
Among the very earliest settlers in Covington Township was David
Clemons, a native of Hampshire county Massachusetts. His residence before
locating in Covington was Jay, Essex County, New York. And 1806 he located
about two and a half miles south of the present borough of Covington, near the
Tioga River, on the Williamson road. He was a widower at the time, with three
children-named Camilla, Colborn, and Alanson. He
subsequently married we Reynolds, a native of Vermont, and their children were
William, Cuyler, Susan, Roxanna and James. The children surviving are: Susan, a
maiden lady; Roxanna a widow of Horatio W. Ames, who died at Fortress Monroe in
December 1861; and James. David Clemons opened the coal at Blossburg
on Bear Run at a very early period where, after the construction of the
railroad in 1840, it was extensively mining by the Arbon
Coal Co., William M. Mallory and Duncan S. Magee. Aaron Bloss
owned the minds at the southern portion of the borough of Blossburg,
and gave the name to the township and borough; but it was upon the
"Clemons Opening" that the coal was mining before shipment. There are
several of his descendants in addition to those we have named, living in the
township of Covington and add Blossburg, and the
portion of the "old Clemons Homestead" is the in their possession.
Asahel Graves with his wife and three children came from Peru,
Bennington County VT, to Covington in 1811. He left three children in the east,
one of who came to having 10 and was known as Mrs. Goodenow. Mr. Graves lived
to a very advanced age, and was one of the pioneers who could in a very
intelligent matter relate the incidence connected with the early settlement of
Covington.
Tilley Marvin, another of the old settlers, was born in New Hampshire,
in March 1793, and settled on the west side of the River in Covington in 1817.
He cleared out a large farm, and was one of the most energetic and industrious
men in this section of the county. He was four times married, and was the
father of 24 children. His first wife, Hannah, died March 23rd 1823,
aged 35 years; his second wife, Gamilla, died March
2, 1837, aged 40 years; his third wife, Eliza, died Oct. 28, 1862. He was
married again, but died soon after, May 25th 1865, aged 72 years,
two months and 21 days. His well married his brother John, then a man over 80.
He died and she married again.
Sumner Wilson came to Covington from Belchertown, Hampshire County,
Mass., in March 1818, and located near the present township line between
Covington and Richmond. His route from the East was via the Cherry Valley
Turnpike to Ithaca and Newtown (now Elmira), and a journey was made into
covered sleigh with four horses attached. His daily then consisted of a white
and for children, Alpheus, Sumner, Olive A. and Daniel. Four children were born
to them in Covington-Mary, John, Thomas and William. Mr. Wilson purchased a
farm of James Negley and cleared it out, residing on
it until his death, about 12 years ago. The fun still remains in the possession
of his descendants.
Another old Seller and prominent businessman was
Ephraim B. Gerould, who came to Covington about the year 1822. His ancestors
were our French origins and originally spelled their names Gerauld.
At the time of locating in Covington Mr. Gerould was a widower, and he
subsequently married Miss Christiana Putnam, daughter of Elijah Putnam. Mr.
Gerould was a farmer and merchant, and one of the most enterprising man of his
day. He was county commissioner in 1830. He owned a farm in the southern
central portion of Covington, and add his death, which occurred April 22nd
1845, was engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits. He was then 57 years of
age. He was a brigade inspector of militia, and his son H. M. Gerould was a
brigadier general. A military company was organized in Covington in 1840, and
maintained its organization until about a 1855. During
that period the captains of the company were A. L. Johnson, H. M.. Gerould and 0. G. Gerould.
One of the most sterling citizens of Covington was Richard Videan, or Uncle Dick, as he was familiarly called. He was
a native of England, and came to Covington about the year 1831. He cleared up a
large farm near Covington borough, on the west side of Tioga River near the Copp Hollow road. He was a great hunter and took delight in
the Chase, and many were the trophies of his skill with the rifle, among them a
huge set of elk horns, which hung in the hall of his dwelling and served as a
hat rack. His early struggles in clearing up a new farm, like those of all
other pioneers, were hard in the extreme; yet he enjoyed life and a
companionship of friends, and his old age was crowned with confidence that
strongly contrasted with the days when he first attempted to hew out a home
from the forest. His home was always the scene of hospitality and good cheer.
He died April 6, 1873, aged 74 years, six months and 12 days.
David Caldwell, a prominent citizen to Covington for many years, was
born in Lycoming County, Nov. 10, 1804. He was son of
James Caldwell, who lost his life in the defense of
his country in the war of 1812, and grandson of Brattan
Caldwell, one of the "Fair Play" men of the Revolutionary war,
particularly distinguished on the west branch of the Susquehanna, and who was
the first white man married on the West Branch. David Caldwell was married and
Jersey Shore December 27, 1827, by the Rev. John Grier, too Miss Mary A.
Bodine, by whom he had 10 children, five boys and five girls, viz.: Frederic,
deceased; I. O.; Margaret, wife of John Taylor; Sarah, wife of J. L. Miller;
John B.; Anna, wife of Burr H. Hendricks; Mary, wife of W. H. Fonda; Ella, wife
George Wilkins; David, and Ellis H., deceased. Mr. Caldwell settled in
Covington in 1840 and soon became one of its leading citizens. He held various
township offices, and in 1852 was elected County Commissioner. He was post
master at Covington from 1857 to 1861. He has been a lifelong Democrat. He is
now in the 78 year of his age, and well preserved mentally and physically.
Until about 1840 settlements in Covington township were confined chiefly
to the banks of the Tioga River. A few settlers however had located on the
State Road on the east and west side of the Valley. John Copp,
a native of Rhode Island, settled west of Tilley Marvin's, in what is now known
as "Copp Hollow". It was banned a
wilderness. His children were James, Richard, Lorenzo, William, Reuben,
Harrison, Hannah, wife of ____ Huddington; Luthania, wife of Alanson Clemons; Lois
wife of Alnin Gaylord, Lucy, wife of Curtis Cole;
Rebecca, wife of ____ King; and a son named John, who died young. Mr. Copp resided In Copp Hollow many
years. His wife died and he removed to Minnesota. His son James clear up a farm of 106 acres, and at the age of 64 died,
leaving a wife and 10 children. Richard is in Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Lorenzo in
Minnesota, William died on the journey west, in 1860; Reuben and Harrison
living Covington township; Hannah went to Ohio with her husband in 1859; Luthania, wife of Alanson Clemons, resided in Copp Hollow; Lois, wife of Alvin Gaylord, the Mansfield, Lucy
in Ohio, and Rebecca in Utah them.
Among settlers who located soon after Mr. Copp
were the Zimmer's and Mudge's, and off from Copp Hollow Road were the Hutchinsons
and Cameron's.
The early settlers on the Elk Run Road were Alonzo Reddington, James Pettis, Asahel Graves, Deacon Jonathan Jennings, Isaac
Bliss (father of the celebrated evangelist P. P. Bliss, room at such a tragic
death at Ashtabula, December 30th 1876), and Abram Johnson, who
erected a sawmill and employed at one time quite a number of men. It was on his
road that P. P. Bliss spent several years of his young life, working on the
farm, and the lumber woods, and add such service as he could obtain. It was
there that he was baptized and became a member of the church. The citizens of
Covington during the later years of Mr. Bliss' life took a deep interest in
this success and popularity of one who had lived among them, attended their schools son and their midst and made the first effort of his
life and that locality; and when the sad tidings of his untimely death were
announced by telegraph none were more sad than the citizens of Elk Run from. in
Covington.
Settlers also located on the State Road, and near it on crossroads,
among whom were Norman Rockwell, Avery Gillett, Nathaniel Eliott
and Levi Elliott, the latter on the Charleston line that Cherry Flats. Matthew Skelley settled on the west side of the River about a mile
and a half west of Covington; and on the East, at a point now known as Frost
Settlement, were Lyman Frost, James T. Frost, Samuel and Louis Walker, Joseph
Jacques (father of Charles Jacques), Peter Whitaker, Silas Lamphere
and John Cleveland. These sturdy pioneers encountered hardships and privations,
but during all the trials they never lost courage, and the result has been the well
cultivated farms of the present.
James T. Frost was 20 years of justice of the peace, and his decisions
were respected and concurred in. During his life many difficulties and
differences were settled without the forms of law by his kindly advice and intervention. He ever acted as if his duty as a
magistrate consisted in preventing lawsuits, instead of fomenting and fostering
them; and many of his old neighbours of today look back with pleasure to the
difficulties that his good advice removed, preventing them from dashing
headlong into the labyrinth of the law, which their own impetuous temper
prompted them to do. He still lives to enjoy their confidence and respect.
Thus were the hillsides and rolling lands of Covington settled, and
every year for many years were new settlers added. Hospitality, friendship and
neighbourly love as a rule prevailed. Every new settler was welcomed, and made
to feel that he was no intruder, and, however humble his circumstances, the
right hand of the pioneer was extended to him and his family in token of
friendship and brotherly love, and he was encouraged in all his laudable
undertakings.
The Walkers, Samuel and Lewis, who settled in Frost Settlement, were
sons of Isaac Walker who settled in Covington July 4, 1813. They have gone to
rest, and other numerous family (seven sons and three daughters) of the old
pioneer only three survive. Asahel resides in Illinois, Lydia, wife of Everett Bloss, resides in Covington, and James in Blossburg. James was only four years of age when his father
located in Covington. Seventy years he has resided in the original township of
Covington. He was married September 1st 1833 to miss Ella Hazleton,
of Covington, by whom he had three children-Delos H., late sheriff of Tioga
County; Roswell A., who died in the service of his country Dec. 9, 1862 at
Belle Plain, Virginia, while a member of the 132nd Regiment PA
volunteers; and Mary A., wife of Alfred T. James. James Walker is still hail and hearty, and possesses the integrity of character
characteristic of the funds of the "old Granite State"; and, although
he is possessed of competence, his industrious habits will not permit him to
rest permit labours. He is in his 74th year, strong and vigorous, an
honored citizen and a member of the Baptist Church.
Covington Township Schools
Township schools commenced about the year 1830, in rude log-houses, which
in time have been supplemented by the neat framed and painted school house of
the present. Before the passage of the free school law of 1834, and its supplements
of 1838, neighborhood or private schools were
maintained. These are generally held in the dwelling of a settler. After the
free school off went into operation school houses were erected, and schools
established with stated teachers, and progress has been made from time to time
in the architecture of these nurseries of intelligence and freedom, and in the
appliances for aiding the teachers in their work. There are now 10 schools in
the township, where 9 male and 11 female teachers were employed in the two
school terms for the year ending June 6, 1881. 326 pupils received
instruction.
And most of the early settlers at Covington were from New England and
possessed the intelligence and vigor which have so
uniformly distinguished her sons and daughters. They commenced in earnest to
reclaim the wilderness and bring under cultivation the virgin soil. The
Williamson Road was cut out north and South through the Tioga Valley in 1792,
and the East and west State Road from Towanda, Bradford County, west to Wellsboro
via Covington and 1808. These highways afforded the early settlers a mode of
ingress and egress, and it was nearer or at their intersections that the
earliest settlers located, where the present borough of Covington is situated,
35 miles south of Corning, 12 miles east of Wellsboro, 5 miles south Mansfield
and five miles north of Blossburg, on the line of the
Tioga and Elmira State Line Railroad.
For the very earliest settler is at Covington the nearest trading points
were Athens, at the junction of the Chemung and
Susquehanna River, (then known as "Tioga. Point"); Painted Post, at
the junction of the Conhocton River with the Chemung; and Williamsport on the west branch of the
Susquehanna River at the mouth of Lycoming Creek. It
was not long however, that the settlers of Covington were dependent upon the
towns mentioned for their supplies or trading posts. At "Covington Four
Corners" a little village grew up, supplied with stores, shops, mills,
hotels, and all the necessary institutions both a thriving and prosperous
community. The citizens were generally public spirited, and for quarter of a
century Covington was the most favored and prosperous
village into County of Tioga; and as early as 1831 the borough of Covington was
organized, being preceded only one year by the county seat, Wellsboro.
It will be borne in mind that the township of Bloss
was not organized until the year 1841, Blossburg only
being a small ham lots until that time, and Covington this center of trade and
population from which radiated the Enterprises which ultimately resulted in the
development of the mines at Blossburg. Covington can
therefore be justly called the mother Blossburg, or
the hive from which to a marked degree emanated the prosperity of the latter
town. Probably no borough in the County has had so many stages the prosperity
and impression as Covington. From 1820 to 1840 great improvements were made.
During that period streets were opened upon both sides of the river, running
north and South, and a general impetus was given to business by the erection of
mills, factories, stores, hotels, churches, school houses, and all the
requisites of a flourishing country town. Great projects were conceived and
carried into execution. Blossburg was banned in
Covington Township, and many other leading man who
were prominent in the building of the Corning and Blossburg
Railroad, which was completed in 1840, made Covington their temporary or
permanent home.
Covington remained a Borough a number of years, when it's
charter lapsed. In 1851 it was made a Borough again, with the following
officers: George Knox, Burgess; John Lang (now Treasurer of the Fall Coal Co.),
clerk; Martin Gerould Street Commissioner on the east side of the river, and
Elijah Gaylord on the West side; O. F. Taylor, treasurer; Ira Patchen, collector; A. L..
Johnson, poormaster.
The Chief Burgess is of the Bourough since
have been George Knox, W. C. Webb, T. Putnam (twice), J. C. Bennett (twice),
Edwin Dyer, H. M. Gerould, Ira Patchen, Leonard
Palmer (twice) Perley P. Putnam, O. G. Gerould
(twice), A. M. Bennett (3 terms), Jacob Hartman, E. B. Decker, Charles Howland,
T. B. Putnam, William Lamkin, Edwin Klock, J. M.
Hoagland.
Covington borough now contains for churches (Presbyterian, Baptist,
Methodist, and "Christian"), a grated school, 2 general stores, 2
drug stores, a hardware and a tin store, a hotel, 2 blacksmiths shops, a glass
factory, a sawmill, a grist mill, a shingle mill, a wagon shop, 2 shoe shops, 3
groceries, a furniture store, a soda and mineral water bottling establishment,
a clothes pin manufactory, 2 gun shops, 2 watch makers shops, a barber, a
newsroom, a harness shop, a fruit drying establishments, a tannery, a driving
park, 3 physician's, 3 residence ministers and about 800 inhabitants. There has
been a marked improvement in the business of the borough within the last two
years. The glass manufacturing of Messrs. Hirsch and Ely has been within that
time steadily running, giving employment directly and indirectly to about 100
men; a a number of new dwellings and business places
have been erected, a and nearly 400 inhabitants added to the population since
1880, which has given new life to every department of business. Located in the
center of a good agricultural country, it's continued
prosperity is now assured, with the aid which local manufactories are giving
it.
The glass manufactory was erected about 30 years ago by David Hurlbut,
and has had many owners and lessees. About two years ago Hearsh,
Ely, and company of Blossburg purchase it in and
placed Indian repair, and this firm has since been running yet with profit.
John B. Hirsch is the manager, Michael Ely the store agent, and a concern is
under the general superintendence of B. N. McCoy of Blossburg,
who also looks after the general interest of the glass manufactory owned by the
same firm at the latter place. The factory has been the means of stimulating
business in a large extent in Covington giving employment for ten months in the
year to a large number of man, and adding materially
to population and business.
Among the industries at Covington which bids fair to result in extensive
business is the evaporate her or fruit drying establishment of Messrs. A. M.
Bennett and G. A. Spring. And 1881, when it was established, it gave employment
to 10 persons, and handled many thousand pounds of fruit, which in that had a
ready cash sale in the market. Bright hopes are entertained by its projectors
and the community for the development of the very extensive trade.
Early and Prominent Residents
Elijah Putnam was an early settler. He came from the Langdon
Cheshire County, New Hampshire, and located within what is now the borough of
Covington in the year 1809 he was more and in Worcester, Massachusetts June 1st
1761. His father was a cause of all the celebrated general Israel Putnam Of
Revolutionary fame. Elijah Putnam went into New Hampshire soon after the close
of the revolutionary war, and remain they are till 1809, when he talked his
family in a sleigh and came to Covington by the way of White Hall, Saratoga,
Utica, Ithaca, Horseheads and Painted Post. His family consisted of a wife and
for children-three daughters and one son, Lucy, Christiana, Sally and Thomas.
Mr. Putnam was a man of great energy, or enterprise and industry, and did much
toward the developing of the new home in the wilderness of Tioga. The guy in
August 11th 1825, aged 64 years, 2 months, 11 days. His wife, Lucy,
survived him nearly nine years. She died May 23rd, 1834 aged 76
years, three months and 12 days. They were pioneers both in New Hampshire and
PA, and were distinguished and notable persons of those early days. Their
daughter Christiana married Ephraim B. Gerould. Sally married Peter Keltz, and has continuously resided in Abington 74 years.
Lucy remained unmarried. Thomas became a distinguished citizen of the county.
He was born in Massachusetts, June 14,1790 and was about 18 years of age when
he came with his parents to Covington. For many years he was inactive
businessman, highly respected by his fellow citizens; with county treasurer in
1824, and subsequently largely engaged in farming. He died July 12, 1870, aged
80 years and 28 days.
Isaac Walker came from New Hampshire and located at Covington,
on the west side of the Tioga River, within the present limits of the borough,
July 4th, 1813. His family consisted of a wife, and seven sons and
three daughters-Royal, Isaac, Asahel, Samuel, and Roswell, Lewis, James, Polly,
Lydia and Cynthia. At that early J. Mr. Walker and family were quite in
addition to the little Hamlet. He died July 25th, 1839, age 72
years; four months, and five days. Many other descendants of this worthy
pioneer are in Covington, Blossburg and vicinity. His
eldest son, Royal, was for many years one of the leading carpenters of the
county, and the remainder of the family became highly respected members of
society.
Peter Keltz preceded Isaac Walker in his
residence in Covington by about five years, having located there as early as
1808. He was also a carpenter. He came from the Valley of the Mohaw., and as well as of German descent. On the first of
January 1818 he was married to miss Sally Putnam, daughter of major Elijah
Putnam, and for nearly 60 years they live happily together.
Maj. Thomas Dyer in the year 1820 came from
Amherst, Hampshire County MA, to Covington. He and formerly resided in Rhode
Island's and had been a manufacture of cotton goods. He came prepared to open
to store, and by the aid of 2 yoke of oxen and any horse, attached to a
ponderous New England wagon, he made the journey with his goods and family from
Massachusetts. They crossed the Hudson at Catskill, ascended the mountains, and
passed through the counties of Greene, Delaware, Broome and Tioga to Newtown
(now Elmira), and thence via Troy and Columbia Flats to Covington. When near
Columbia Flats, Bradford County, major Dyer stopped had a settler's
by the name of Mudge, but the latter could not
entertain him and his family overnight, and the major press on to the darkness
and had the misfortune to drive off from the pole bridge into a stream, and
nearly erected cargo. He finally staid all night with a settler named Briggs,
and in the morning "righted off" his load and that day arrived at his
destination. Among the wares with the major had purchased for the trade at
Covington were axes, scythes, (Bush and grass), Cow bells and straw and cotton
goods. For these he found are ready sale, and is fame as a merchant was
established. Maj. Dyer became one of the most prominent citizens of the county
and held a number of important trusts among men being county treasurer of
1834-35. It was during the year 1834 that asked county treasurer he went in
Philadelphia and negotiated alone for the county commissioners from the
Mechanics and Manufacturers Bank, to erect present Tioga County courthouse and
Wellsboro. He was a good financier and was vice president of the bank Of
Towanda. Maj. Dyer had done service in the war of 1812 as a marine he died June
30th, 1850, a 68 years and 19 days. He left a good record and it
must for developing the business interests in the community in which he lived.
Edwin Dyer , subsequently known as Judge Dyer, was born near Providence, Rhode
Island, in 1807, and accompanied his father, Major Thomas Dyer, to Covington in
1820 he became one of the most prominent citizens of the place. He was largely
interested in coal and other lands of Covington in Blossburg,
and directly and indirectly added much in the building of the first railroad in
the county, the Corning and Blossburg, now the Tioga
and Elmira State Line Railroad. During the early history of the railroad he
accompanied Honorable Samuel W..
Morris of Wellsboro to New York and Philadelphia and assisted him in selling
the stock, in order to raise money for the construction of the road. He was
largely engaged in mercantile pursuits, and from 1839 to 1842 his sales were
from 60 to 80 thousand dollars per annum. He spent large sounds in improving
the borough of Covington, erecting dwellings, stores, hotels, mills, shops,
churches foundries, and depots etc. He erected the buildings now occupied as a
depot and Post Office, and for 32 years from 1840 held a position of station
agent, a greater portion of the time giving his personal attention to do
business connected there with. And 1851 he was elected associate Judge of Tioga
County, and served with honour and credit five years. An 1867 his fine
residence was were, which proved a great loss to him. Most of his valuable
household goods and keepsakes and his fine library were destroyed. He served several
terms as Chief Burgess of Covington; was presiding officer in the Odd Fellows
Lodge and an elder in the Presbyterian church. As a father he was kind and
affectionate, as a neighbour accommodating, and as a businessman energetic and
public spirited, as a citizen a polished and affable gentleman. He died at his
residence in Covington, Saturday August 23rd, 1879 aged 72 years.
His funeral was largely attended on Tuesday August 26, Rev. G. D. Meigs
officiating. Business prices were close during the services, and every mark of
respect was shown his memory. The union Sunday school and Odd Fellows lodge
attended in body, and at the grave the services were conducted by a latter. He
last five daughters - Mrs. Esther A. McGrath, Miss Fannie A.., Miss Belle, Mrs.
Catherine D. Keene, and Mrs. Ellen D. King- to mourn his loss
Recent History:
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,047 people, 402
households, and 297 families residing in the township. The population density
was 28.9 people per square mile (11.1/km²). There were 470 housing units at an
average density of 13.0/sq mi (5.0/km²). The racial
makeup of the township was 97.52% White, 0.10% African American, 0.38% Native
American, 0.29% Asian, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of
any race were 0.57% of the population.
There were 402 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18
living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female
householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 20.4% of all
households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who
was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the
average family size was 3.01.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18,
7.0% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100
females there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 103.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $34,375, and the median
income for a family was $38,203. Males had a median income of $26,912 versus
$19,922 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,802. About
11.4% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.
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