APPENDIX.

LUZERNE COUNTY, in nearly the centre of which lies the Valley of Wyoming, is bounded N. by Susquehanna and Bradford ; E. by Wayne'; S. E. by Wayne, Pike and Northampton; S. by Schuylkill; S. W. by Columbia; and W. by Columbia and Lycoming. Its territory averages about 45 miles in length, from north to south, and 40 miles in breadth, from east to west, and contains about 1800 square miles. The Susquehanna river enters the County near its north-west angle, thence running a N. E. direction, and crossing the mountain ridges nearly at right angles, it breaks into the Wyoming valley near the mouth of the Lackawannock river; thence it turns and runs S. W. about 20 miles, where it breaks through the mountain out of the valley, and continues generally the same course until it passes out of the county a little below the mouth of the Nescopeck creek. It is mountainous, and the mountains run in parrallel ridges in a S. W. and N. E. direction. The soil of the vallies is generally of an excellent quality, and well adapted to the growing of grain; that of the highlands, is better adapted to grazing.Perhaps one half of its whole surface may be cultivated, and the greater portion of the other halr may advantageously be used for pasturage.

By the census of 1810, Luzerne county contained a population of 18, 109. It then included the whole of Susquehanna, and the most populous portion of Bradford. By the census of 1820, Luzerne contained a population of 20,027; Susquehanna 9,960, and Bradford 11,554. Total

population in the three counties 41,541-showing an increase in the three counties, in the ten years, of at least 100 per cent. It is believed that the census of 1830, will shew a population in Luzerne of more than 30,000.

Luzerne county is divided into twenty-six townships. Their names, alphabetically arranged, with their boundaries, and a brief description of each, follow. There are occasionally introduced some scraps of local history, which will, it is hoped, be interesting, if not to the general reader, at least, to the people of the neighborhood.

ABINGTON is bounded N. by Nicholson; E. by Greenfield; S. by Providence; S. W. by Falls, and W. by Tunkhannock. Its timber is principally beech, sugar-maple, ash, red cherry and hemlock. Tributaries of the Tunkhannock and Lackawannock, either head in, or flow through, this township, which afford many excellent mill sites; and springs of the purest water may be found on almost every hundred acres of land.

The soil is better adapted to grazing, than the growing of grain. When once cleared, white clover springs up spontaneously, and grows luxuriantly. Timothy is the principal grass cut for fodder, of which from one to two tons per acre are produced. A considerable portion of this township is settled, and some part of it pretty well cultivated. Wild lands of a good quality are selling here at from three to five dollars per acre. This township produces annually for market, considerable quantities of maple sugar, butter, cheese, (of a good quality,) wool, domestic flannels and linens, oats, horses, cattle and sheep.

The Philadelphia and Great Bend turnpike road passes nearly through its centre-an act has been passed to authorize the incorporation of a Company for making a turnpike from this township to Montrose, and township roads are opened in every

direction. The settlers are principally from New England, and are a hardy, industrious and thriving people. School houses are erected in every neighborhood, in which schools are kept during the greater part of the year.

Abington is situate about 25 miles N. E. from Wilkes-Barre, has three post-offices, and contains about 1300 inhabitants.

BLAKELEY is bounded N. by the county of Susquehanna; E. by the county of Wayne; S. E. by Covington; S. W. by Providence, and N. W. by Greenfield. This township was called Blakeley from respect to the memory of Capt. Johnston Blakeley, who commanded the U. S. sloop of war Wasp, and who signalized himself in an engagement with the British sloop Avon.

The timber in the northern part of this township, is principally beech, maple, hemlock, ash and cherry; in the southern, it is pine, oak, hickory and chesnut. The Lackawannock enters it near its N. E. angle, and flows S. W. until it intersects its south-western boundary, a distance of about 15 miles, dividing it into nearly two equal parts.

The Anthracite coal formation commences near the sources of the Lackawannock,mot far from Belmont, the residence of Thomas Meredith, Esquire, and extends through the whole valley of the Lackawannock, cropping out upon the hills and mountains on each side. It is every where exposed in the bottom and banks of the river, and in all the little ravines formed by its tributaries. It is mined with little expense-its strata having very little dip. The coal lands of the Hudson and Delaware Canal Company are located in this township. The rail-road from the basin at the western termination of the Lackawaxen canal, terminates here; and Carbondale, a village containing several stores, mechanics shops, and well-built dwelling houses, and about 400 inhabitants, has grown up, upon a

the top

spot where two years since but a single log cabin was to be found. The Company have constructed an excellent artificial road from Carbondale to intersect the Milford and Owego turnpike upon of Moosic mountain, at Rix's Gap, a distance of about three miles ;-the Milford and Owego turnpike passes through the northern Division of this township: the Luzerne and Wayne county turnpike passes through its eastern, and the Clifford and Wilkesbarre turnpike through its western divisions; and a company has been incorporated for making a turnpike road from Carbondale, along the Lackawannock river, to intersect the Clifford and Wilkes-Barre turnpike, a distance of about ten miles, from whence there is an excellent road to Wilkes-Barre.

A considerable portion of this township will admit of cultivation. Numerous mill sites are furnished by the Lackawannock and its tributaries. It is situate about 23 miles N. E. from WilkesBarre--has two post-offices, and contains a population of about 1000 souls.

BRAINTRIM is bounded N. by the county of Susquehanna; E. and S. E. by Tunkhannock; S. by the Susquehanna river, which separates it from Windham; and W. by the county of Bradford.

The river bottom in this township was originally covered with black walnut; from which it is called "Black Walnut Bottom." The hills produce pine, oak and hickory, and will generally admit of culture, and when improved, produce good crops of summer and winter grain. The Tuscarora, and the big and little Meshoppen creeks, afford excellent mill sites. A Woollen factory has been in operation for several years upon the big Meshoppen, furnishing a market for wool, and manufacturing excellent cloths for the surrounding country. The worthy proprietors, Messrs. Sterling and

Parker, deserve great praise for their persevering exertions in this branch of domestic manufactures.

A considerable surplus of agricultural products, and large quantities of lumber, are annually produced, and floated down the Susquehanna to market.

Braintrim is situate about 40 miles N. W. from Wilkes-Barre. The great post road from Tunkhannock to Athens, passes through it. It has a post-office, and contains 700 inhabitants.

COVINGTON, (so named in honor of Brig. Gen. Covington of the army of the United States, who fell in the battle of Williamsburg in U. C. during the late war,) is bounded E. by Wayne county, S. E. and S. by the Lehigh river, which separates it from Pike and Northampton counties; S. W. by Bear creek, which separates it from WilkesBarre; and N. W. by Pittston, Providence and Blakeley,

Its timber is pine, beech, maple, birch, ash and hemlock. There is a very thriving settlement in its northern division upon the lands of Henry W. Drinker, Esquire. Although its surface is very uneven and mountainous, much ofit may be cultivated, and most of it will make excellent pasturage, especially for sheep. The experiment of keeping sheep upon the wild and uncultivated mountains and highlands in this and Wilkes-Barre townships, during the spring and summer months, has been tried for several successive years. The result has proved most favourable. Sheep return from the mountains in the autumn, greatly improved in health, flesh and fleece.

The Philadelphia and Great Bend turnpike passes through its northern division, and the Easton and Wilkes-Barre turnpike and great stage road, through its southern. Stoddartsville, at the great falls of the Lehigh, was, a few years since, a very flourishing village. It has felt the pressure of the times, and is now going to decay. This is the

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