Adamsville is a brisk little village, located in the valley of Crooked
Creek, in the southern part of the township. The first settlers here
were the Owrys. Adam Owry was a blacksmith, and followed his
trade here. A little hamlet sprang up, and the construction of the
canal gave it shape and position.
The settlement was more generally known in its earlier years as
Owrytown, but subsequently acquired the title Adamsville, both
names being derived from that of Adam Owry. Adamsville, as
platted by Henry Owry, was acknowledged Feruary 8, 1841. The
original plat contains sixty-four lots. Main Street, sixty feet in width,
runs north and south, and First, Second, Third, Liberty and South
Streets, each fifty feet wide, cross the village east and west. George
Owry was an early tavern-keeper, and Frank Owry operated a saw-
mill. The village now has a population of about 150 people, and
contains two general stores, one drug, one hardware and one
furniture store, two blacksmith, one harness and two shoe-shops,
one hotel, a physician, a district school of two apartments, and two
churches.
The Adamsville United Presbyterian Church was organized about
1852. A church building was commenced in 1851, and finished about
two years later at a cost of $2,000. About $1,400 were expended on
repairs ten years ago and the edifice in 1883 underwent changes,
which, including bell, cost $1,300. The building is 48x54 feet, and the
lecture-room in the basement 30x48. The vestibule in the rear is 12x
34, and the bell tower recently constructed 12x24. James M. Blair
and Thomas McCurdy were the first Elders. John McMaster and John
Blair were soon after added. James Baird and Michael Harshaw were
elected about 1878. A few years previous, by the union with the
Reformed Presbyterian congregation, S. H. Findley, James F.
Randolph, James Kee, Walter Davis and James Jordan were added to
the session. The present Elders are: S. H. Findley, James Kee, John
McMaster, James Baird, J. H. Blair, R. C. McMaster, Andrew McKee,
Andrew Davis, J. S. Henry and John Voorhes. The membership is about
160. The pastors have been: Revs. William Bruce to February, 1860;
John Wallace, from 1862 to 1866; W. R. Stewart, May 5, 1868, to June
14, 1870; T. W. Winter, installed October 4, 1872, released June 17,
1880; W. J. McCrory, installed October 10, 1881, resigned July 6, 1882;
J. L. Clark, present pastor, since July, 1883.
The Adamsville Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized at
Greenville as a branch of Springfield, Mercer Co., Congregation, and
removed to Adamsville about 1873, during the pastorate of Rev. J. J.
McClurken. He left soon after and supplies filled the pulpit till Rev. J. R.
Wylie, the present Pastor, was installed in June, 1877. William Cochran
was the only Elder when the branch was removed, and he and James
Jordan constitute the present session. Thomas McFeeters was elected
Elder but has since died. The membership is forty. In 1876, or there-
abouts, the Baptist Church was purchased and has since been the house
of worship.
The Adamsville Free-Will Baptist Church was organized with twenty-one
members in April, 1852, by Revs. J. S. Manning and J. B. Page, the former
of whom was the first Pastor. The house of worship was built in 1853.
Removals and deaths, without compensating accessions reduced the
membership and the organization disbanded about 1876.
Rocky Glen Cemetery Association was organized at Adamsville in 1880,
with a capital of $2,000. It obtained by deed the burying-ground of the old
Reformed Presbyterian congregation a mile southwest of the village, and
has enlarged and improved it to the extent of $1,400. It now contains
eight acres. The officers of the association are: G. W. Congdon, President;
R. C. McMaster, Secretary; J. M. Baird, Treasurer.
A school was taught on the William Henry farm, within the present limits
of Hartstown Borough in 1820, by Ezra Buell, an old and very able teacher.
In 1834 there were four schools in the township; the houses were all log.
Hugh Andrews, Calvin Leonard, Thomas Guthrie and Ezra Buell were very
noted teachers in this township about that time. The school at Adamsville
was started about 1825. It was organized with two grades in 1861.
Hartstown has never furnished enough pupils for a graded school.
|
