A Bimonthly Publication of the Freeport
Area Historical Society August/September, 2001
FROM JOHN SHOOP'S WEATHER
BOOK
1848 - 1870
the first ice on the
Edy was 7th Dec 1855…the first ice run on the river Dec 12th
1855…I went on the kars to Pittsburgh & com hom same
day…Crismas 1855 was wet & Sleety and snowd that night
& got very cold…Mrs. Stoffer Died Dec 30 1855…the
river closed with ice at Freeport January 1, 1856 on New Year…we
had very cold wether on the 7 8 & 9 of January 1856…I
went to Pittsburgh for Clothing on the cars & froze mye ars
& tose…on the 12 & 13 of January 1856 a snow fel
28 inches deep…The coldest Days we ever experienced hear
was on the 9 & 10 of January 1856…The 9 Day of January
1856 was the coldest Day we had for 10 years according to old
recollections, the thermomether stood 12 Degrees below zero…on
the 2 Day of Feb I went to Pittsburgh & back…The 2 Day
of Feb was clear & cold the Ground Hog Day & it was cold
for 6 weeks…Mathies Day 1856 was clear & cold …the
first day of March 1856 it snowed from morning to night…old
stile of Mathies did not break the ice…the six weeks for
the ground hog was very cold…The morning of the tenth of
March 1856 was with in three Degrees as cold as the 9th of January
1856…John (-----) was drowned on the 29 March 1856 in the
ice…the river closed with ice that winter 13 weeks from Janry
1 to April 2 1856.
Editor's Note: Spelling, punctuation and grammar are as written by John Shoop.
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN SOMETHING?
Have you paid dues for this year? It's only $10 and we welcome you as a new or returning member. Your check can be sent to Freeport Historical Society at P. O. Box 107, Freeport, PA 16229.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
The weekend of September 15/16 the Mill will be open during the annual Business Association Craft Show.
We will meet most every Thursday at 6:30 between now and then to continue work and cleaning of the mill to be sure it is ready for tours. Occasionally we will skip a Thursday, so please call Don at 295-4635 to be sure we are working on any given Thursday.
The regular August meeting, August 9, will be a work meeting at the mill at 6:30.
The September meeting will be at the Community Center on September 13 at 7:30. If you have some ideas for programs, please call Don at the above number.
WANT TO HAVE A DAY OUT?
Borough Council will send two members to New Ken City Hall on Thursday, October 11, for a half-day session on "Historical Preservation - Growing Smart by Preserving Historical Assets." The course includes materials and refreshments and concludes with lunch. Expenses will be paid for 2 of our members to attend. This is a great opportunity for the Society and for two members to have a nice half-day out. Call Don if you are interested.
HEIRLOOM RECIPES
Heavenly Rice
1 C white rice (cooked, chilled)
1 large can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 medium bottle maraschino cherries
1 C miniature marshmallows
1 large container Cool Whip
1 C chopped walnuts
1 t. vanilla
Pour rice in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and fold together. Chill well before serving.
Karen A. McDermott
Given to her by mother-in-law Stella McDermott.
Ooops!
In the last issue of Grist for the Mill there was a picture and an article about the Freeport Journal. The following paragraph was left out…sorry!
Weddings were announced as "Cupid's Victory." "Little Squalls" was the heading for births. And obituaries were under a column entitled "Dust to Dust."
Q & A
Q. Who were the Todd brothers?
A. David and William Todd founded Freeport in 1796 giving us now over 200 years of history. Two parcels of land were purchased - named Friendship and Union - these formed the village that fronted on the Allegheny River and Buffalo Creek. Two streets, Water and Market, ran parallel to the river and the cross streets were numbered one through six. In the town 135 lots were laid out; they measured 66 feet wide and 149 feet deep. David Todd stated "No dockage fee would be charged to tie up a boat, raft or barge, so it became a "free port." By 1806 eight log cabins had been built along Water Street. The first Postmaster appointed was Jacob Weaver. Mail came overland by stagecoach from Indiana, Pa., to Kittanning and Freeport and then on to Butler.
Thanks to Rod Chapman for the answer to this question.
NEWSLETTER
Grist for the Mill can include what
you want it to include. Articles are always needed. Remember,
if you have a question about Freeport area history, ask and we'll
find the answer. Deadline for information for next newsletter
is 9/13/01. Call Don at 295-4635, Carol at 353-2527, or Email
to pchale@salsgiver.com. Your input is always wanted.