Life in Early 18th Century Pennsylvania by John T. Humphrey

1722 EVANS Chester, Lancaster, Mifflin, Juniata Archive Info

1740 WEAVER Lancaster Archive Info

1747 GINGERICH Lancaster, Mifflin, Juniata, Dauphin, Perry, Snyder, Union Archive Info

1807 SHAWBELL Lancaster,Mifflin,Juniata Archive Info

Juniata County was created from Mifflin Co. in 1831.

Townships of Juniata County,PA:

Beale, Delaware, Greenwood, Fayette, Fermanagh, Lack, Milford, Monroe, Spruce Hill, Susquanaha,Turbett, Tuscarora and Walker.

Covered Bridge at Mexico Walker Township, Juniatia Co.,PA 1830

Mexico, Walker Township, Juniata County, Pennsylvania

Mexico, Walker Township, Juniata Co. occupies a prominent place in the early history of Juniata County as the scene of some of the earliest settlements in the county and also as the site of Patterson's Fort, one of a chain of forts erected along the western frontier settlements. Located on the north side of a dogleg bend of the Juniata River. It is also the site of the very first land grant in the county, after the opening of the first land office on 3 Feb 1755, obtained by Captain James Patterson, who with his sons, figured so prominently in shaping the destinies of the settlement.

Source: History of The Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys, Counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union, and Snyder,Volume One , pages 861- 863, Everts, Peck & Richards Publishers, 1886, Philadelphia-Lancaster County Library, Lancaster, PA-

• 1770: A road was laid out from the Lost Creek Settlement, past the Cedar Spring, to James Patterson's Mill.
• 1808: The Juniata Stage Company began running.
• 1810: Tobias Kreider established a ferry, which he continued until 1821.
• 1812: The Town of Mexico was laid out on the Crow family lands on the west side of D.O.Run. Main Street was on the west side of the present turnpike (1886), and was the one on which the first buildings were erected. The laying out of the turnpike in 1818 changed the village somewhat. Tobias Kreider began the sale of lots 22 Dec 1812. Francis Jordan sunk a tan yard and continued until 1856.
• 1813: A road was laid out from James Thompson's mill to the Goshen Road.
• 1814: James Thompson opened a store that continued for many years. Hugh Knox, blacksmith opened a shop and continued to 1830.
• 1818: Evan Evans started a fulling-mill and continued past 1831.(*Fulling Mill processes wool). The turnpike was built through and completed in 1822.
• 1819: A Stone Bridge was built over the D.O.Run, which was later washed away.(between 1819-1886)
• 1820: John Swain Blair opened the tavern known as the Old Tavern Stand.
• 1821: The Post Office as established and James Thompson was the first postmaster and continued until his death. He was succeeded by Charles Thompson, Jacob Frankhouser, William Gingrich, Jacob Richenbaugh,Sr.,and William Hetrich, which is the last incumbent (1886).
• 1833-35: John Shawbell, a Blacksmith and Elizabeth Weaver with children arrived in Walker Township from Lancaster Co.

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Payments by JUNIATA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 1831-1842

• SHAWBELL, JNO. Grand Juror Dec 1836 Term Dec 13 1836 $2.31
• SHAWBELL, JOHN Grand Juror May 1837 Term May 2 1837 $2.31
• SHAWBELL, JOHN Grand Juror Feb 1838 Term Feb 1838 $1.31
• SHAWBELL, JOHN Petition Juror May 1839 Term May 1839 $6.37

Taxes: Milford,Fermanagh,Walker Townships: Juniata Co.PA 

Name-Municipality -Year-Status-Occupation

1842:

• SHAWBELL, JOHN SR. WALKER 1842 FARMER
• SHAWBELL, JOHN SR. WALKER 1842 BLACKSMITH
• SHAWBELL, DANIEL WALKER 1842 LABORER

1845:

• SHAWBELL, JOHN SR. WALKER 1845 LANDOWNER
• SHAWBELL, JOHN JR. WALKER 1845 TENANT BLACKSMITH (John G.Shawbell, Jr. m. Maria Ann Evans Oct 1842)
• SHAWBELL, DANIEL  MILFORD 1845 TENANT BLACKSMITH

1846:

• SHAWBELL, JOHN - HEIRS WALKER 1846 LANDOWNER (John Sr. d. Jul 1845)
• SHAWBELL, JOHN JR. WALKER 1846 TENANT

1847:

• SHAUBELL, DANIEL  MILFORD 1847 TENANT WAGONMAKER

1850:

• SHAWBELL, DAVID  MILFORD 1850 TENANT LABORER (Not sure who David is..family records no Son named David)
• SHAWBELL, JAMES  FERMANAGH 1850 TENANT BLACKSMITH (James changed his name from Jaocb. Records are James d. May 1845 age 19)

Source: Juniata County Historical Society - Mifflintown, PA

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McAlisterville, Fayette Township, Juniata County, Pennsylvania

McAlisterville was named in honor of Hugh AcAlister,Sr. at whose instance it was surveyed and laid out in 1810. The present site of McAlisterville is located on land originally taken up on two warrants.

• The warrant on the east was taken out by William Giltnockey on 3 Feb 1755, and was for a large tract of land which later passed to Hugh Watts, who sold to Peter Springer, by whom it was patented 20 May 1812.

• The tract of land on which McAlisterville was originally laid out was warranted by William Armstrong, 3 Feb 1755, same date as the ajoining tract of Miltnockey's. Armstrong retained this tract until 8 Jan 1779, when he sold to Joseph Bogle, who on 19 Feb 1779, sold it to William Stewart. The latter erected a log house on it and lived there until 1791. Hugh McAlister came into possession of the tract, containing 126 acres on 31 Mar 1792.

Family Note: Elizabeth Evans  b.25 Dec 1820 (twin to Maria Ann) married Feb 1840 to John Strayer and removed to McAlisterville, Fayette Twp,Juniata Co. They had 9 children and were living there in 1895.

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• 1728 - Original Counties: Chester - Philadelphia - Bucks

• 1729 - Lancaster Co  

• 1750 - Cumberland Co

• 1789 - Mifflin Co

• 1820 - Perry Co

• 1831 - Juniata Co

References:

A History of the Juniata Valley,Vols.I,II,III. National Historical Association, Inc. Publishers 1936

History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys. Counties of Mifflin,Juniata,Perry,Union and Snyder, Vols.I & II. Everts, Peck & Richards Publishers 1886.

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