Road Petitions
NOTE: THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. MAPS IN PROCESS OF BEING ADDED.
Genealogists are aware of how hard it can be to find details of our early American ancestors' lives. But as you see, some interesting information exists in old County Court records in the form of "road and bridge dockets", especially in the drawings and diagrams.
Leidig's Mill to Berlin, Pa.
In the southeast corner of Somerset County lies rural Southampton Township. Before 1800, the residents of this sparsely populated area had been taxpayers of Londonderry Township, Bedford County. They traveled to Bedford Village, the county seat, for all court related matters.
In 1800, the boundary between Bedford and Somerset Counties was altered, placing the community in Somerset County and creating Southampton Township. This caused a change for the residents of Southampton Township; for all general and/or court-related business they would now have to travel to Berlin (or through Berlin, to Somerset), a distance in a straight line of about 13 miles. For public convenience, a road would have to be built. The residents proposed that the road connect the town of Berlin with Leidig's Mill, to intersect with an established, good road at Leidig's going to Cumberland, Maryland. When completed, the road would permit convenient overland travel from Berlin to Cumberland, and beyond to Baltimore and Washington.
It took a number of years to decide on a location for the road. The road as originally proposed was a fairly straight shot from Berlin, but several of the inhabitants were concerned that the road would pass over "rocky and bad ground" and therefore dangerous for travel. No doubt there was a lot at stake to be able to have the main road come close to your property, both for convenience and livelihood. That probably explains some of the concern about where to place the road, but the originally chosen route was truly a dangerous one (my husband and I made the mistake of driving over the jeep trail that currently exists along the original route, and it truly was a hairy drive). The early residents bickered back and forth, but eventually a compromise was reached and a safer, although longer, route was selected.
Jost, Jacob and Joseph Leydig lived in Southampton Township, south of the area of present day Comps Church. Leidig's Mill, owned by Jost, was on the north side of Gladden's Run right about where present day Comps Church Road adjoins Kennells Mill Hollow Road (state road #3002 from Palo Alto to Wellersburg). In fact, Comps Church Road still exists as a portion of the road constructed as a result of these petition documents.
NOTE: The originals of the following documents are held at the County Courthouse, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Photocopies of the originals were submitted for inclusion on this website by J. & G. Emerick -- they found these old documents while researching material about their ancestor Andrew Emerick (Andrew Emerick was a neighbor of Jost Leydig and owned and operated his own mill). Many thanks to the Emericks for sharing their research discoveries.
Some of the documents were difficult to read, the ink having faded over time. Many words and people's names could not be deciphered; in transcribing the documents, I inserted blank lines where I couldn't determine the text. Again, thanks to J. Emerick for providing some of the transcriptions and deciphering some of the text.
PETITION -- JUNE 12, 1800
Note:
transcription begins here:
To the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the peace, etc.: to be held at Somerset in and for the County of Somerset the ___ Monday in September, 1800.
The petition of the inhabitants of that part of Londonderry Township late Bedford County, and now annexed to Somerset County aforesaid.
Humbly sheweth that your petitioners labour under many inconveniencies for want of a public Road from that part of the Township to the Seat of Justice. Your petitioners beg leave to state that a public Road from Leidigs Mill to Berlin would be of great utility, both as a Road for the petitioners to come to Court and other necessary business to Berlin and Somerset as also for a Road from Fort Cumberland to Somerset Town aforesaid, as a good Road from Leidigs Mill to Cumberland is already opened a distance eight miles and from Leidigs Mill to Berlin in a straight line is thirteen* miles when ___ ___ made in Fourteenth(?)_. Your petitioners therefore pray your Honours to appoint six men to view the ground from Leidigs Mill to ___ -- and if necessary to lay out a Road agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners on the nearest and best ground, and least injurious to private property. And report of their proceedings to the next Court of Quarter Sessions, agreeable to the Laws of Pennsylvania and the practice of this Honorable Court. And Your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray etc.
June 12, 1800
(end of transcription)
Signers of this petition included Christian Albright, Jacob Sturtz, Adam Sturtz, Jacob Lepley, Peter Lepley, Joseph Boyer, Andreas Emmerich, Benjamin Crichfield, Benjamin Daniels, Philip Burbag (Burbaugh), John Shafer, Peter Trautman, Benjamin Trautman, Dafit (David) "his mark" Baughman (Bowman), Stofel "his mark" Breightner, Georg Barnhart, John Shafer Jun., Jacob Laidig, Tobias Seyboth, George Shaffer, John Amons.
(Over 50 inhabitants signed this petition, but many of the signatures are difficult to decipher or too faint to read on the copy of the document used for transcription. There were 90 taxable inhabitants in that part of Bedford Co. annexed to Somerset in 1800, so the 50+ signatures on this petition represented over half the inhabitants in that area -- clearly there was great need for a good road.)
ROAD REVIEWERS REPORT -- NOVEMBER 26, 1800
transcription begins here:
To the Worshipfull the Justices of and for the Court of Quarter Session held at Somerset for the County of Somerset -- Whereas by a Petition of a number of the Inhabitance of Londonderry Township was granted by your Worships an order for a Road leading from Berlin to Lydicks Mill and (x'd out) at the September Court in the year Eighteen hundred and we the under named subscribers were appointed by your Worships to view the ground for said Road w(h)ich hath been performed on the Twenty Second day of November and is by us agreed that there is a necessity for a Road to that place and that the ground is sufficiently good for that purpose and that the Courses and Distances to terms(?) represented in the Draught, In Witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and seals this Twenty Sixth day of November Eighteen hundred.
Signed, Jacob Gibler, Joseph Speicher (Speiker), Valentine Kiffer (Keffer), Georg Rouch, Michael Miller, Jacob Keefer (Kiefer)
Beginning at the Town of Berlin running thence South 81 degrees East 98 perches to a post in the mouth of Keffer's Lane, thence north 56 degrees east 34 perches to a white oak. Thence South 80 degrees east 144 perches to a stump at the end of Berkepile's lane, Thence South 155 perches through Peter Glessner's lane and by his house to a wild cherry, thence South 22 degrees West 95 perches to a white oak thence South twenty five degrees east 134 perches crossing Buffaloe Run to a sugar at the corner of Itnyer's (note: there was a John Itnoir in Brothers Valley Census 1800) field. Thence South 2 1/2 degrees East 48 perches to a sugar at said field. Thence South 20 degrees West 108 perches to a white oak. Thence South 18 degrees East 83 perches to two maples. Thence South 56 degrees East 268 perches to a black oak. Thence South 33 degrees East 99 perches to a post. Thence South 74 degrees East 102 perches to a black oak on the top of Allegeney Mountain thence South 46 degrees East 102 perches to a black oak on the top of a hill, thence South 27(?) degrees East 250 perches to a wild cherry at the foot of the mountain, thence South 56 degrees East 360 perches crossing Brush Creek to a chestnut on a __ new Road. Thence South 49 degrees East 296 perches to a chestnut. Thence South 17 1/2 degrees East 374 perches to a dogwood. Thence South 61 (degrees) East 250 perches to a post on __ Scritchfields Run, thence North 86 degrees East 185 perches along the Hollow to an apple tree at the head of Scritchfields Orched(orchard?), thence South 53 degrees & 189 perches by Scritchfield's house & crossing Will's Creek to a post at the mouth of the Hollow thence South 5 1/2 degrees East 360 perches to a chestnut with a hole through. Thence South 89 degrees East 100 perches to a stump. Thence South 14 1/2 degrees East 240 perches to a white oak. Thence South 86 degrees East 240 perches to a black stump. Thence South 42 1/2 degrees East 150 (perches) to a white oak near Joseph Boyer's fence, thence South 12 degrees East 142 perches to white oak near Gladden's Run. Thence South 80 degrees East 460 perches along Gladden's Run to Lydig's Mill. Thence South 75 degrees East 120 perches, along a good Wagon Road to the line which divides Somerset from Bedford County.
(end of transcription)
(additional notes):
"To December Sessions, 1800. Return of a Road from Berlin to Leidig's Mill"
"February Sessions, 1801, Confirmed"
"February Sessions, Petition for Review filed"
"February 9, 1802 - Confirmed nisi"
"February 10th, 1802 - Motion to set aside the report of the viewers for want of a view of all six men."
"Motion overruled. Report Confirmed"
SURVEY DIAGRAM FOR NOV. 26, 1800 ROAD REVIEWERS REPORT
copied in 3 parts from Somerset County, Pennsylvania Road & Bridge Docket
The names of Somerset County residents whose names are shown on the following diagram: Jacob Berkepile, Jacob Keffer, Peter Glesner (or Peter Glessner), John Itnyer (or John Itnoir), George Byers, Benjamin Critchfield (or Benjamin Scritchfield), Joseph Boyer, Martz family Mill, Joseph Lydick (Jost Leydig).
CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO SEE IT AT FULL SIZE
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PETITION FOR REVIEW REJECTED -- FEBRUARY 11, 1801
transcription begins here:
Be it remembered that at a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace held at Somerset for the County of Somerset at September Sessions Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred, Before the honorable James Riddle Esquire and his associate Justices of the same Court.
The petition of a number of the inhabitants of that part of Londonderry township, late Bedford County and now annexed to Somerset County, was read stating, "That a public road from Leidig's Mill to Berlin would be of great utility, and praying the Court to appoint six men to view the ground, and if necessary to lay out a road, and make return of their proceedings at the next Court agreeably to the Laws of Pennsylvania and the practice of this Court."
Whereupon it was considered by the said Court and ordered that Jacob Gibler, George Rouch, Valentine Keffer, Michael Miller, Jacob Keefer(?) and Joseph Speiker do view the ground over which the said road is petitioned for, and if they, or any four of them are satisfied that such road is necessary, then that they lay out the same through such convenient place as will be least injurious to the neighbours and parties concerned and make return of their proceedings under their hands by courses and distances.
And whereas afterwards, to wit at December Sessions 1800, the aforesaid viewers made return to the said Court that they had viewed the ground, and laid out a road by such courses and distances as are represented in a draught to the said return annexed.
Whereupon it was considered by the said Court, that the aforesaid return be continued under advisement till next Court.
And now at a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace held at Somerset for the County of Somerset at February Sessions 1801 Before the honorable Abraham Cable Esquire and his associate Justices of the same Court,
The petition of a number of the inhabitants of Somerset County was read stating, "that a road hath been viewed and laid out from the Town of Berlin to Leidig's Mill, that the same is on rocky and bad ground and is wholly unnecessary being supplied by another road. And praying the Court to appoint six persons to review the same, and make report according to Law."
Whereupon it was considered by the said Court and ordered that the aforesaid petition for a review be rejected, and the road be confirmed absolute agreeably to the report of the viewers aforesaid. ....... Same Sessions.
Proceedings removed by Certiorari*.
Somerset County. A true Copy of the Records of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Somerset. Certified February 11th, 1801. Morgan Rhees.
(end of transcription)
* "Certiorari", in law, means a writ from a higher court to a lower one, requesting the record of a case for review (from Webster's New World Dictionary).
AMENDED DRAFT OF ROAD FROM BERLIN TO LEIDIG'S MILL -- DECEMBER 1, 1801
transcription begins here:
To the Worshipful Court Nov. Sessions 1801
In obedience to the annexed order we have viewed and laid out part of the road contemplated therein etc.. This draught, so far as this draught extends we consider as an amendment to a Road hitherto laid out by your order and from the place of Intersection on the Top of Savage Mountain we have taken the former survey, which from the place of Intersection aforesaid together with this draught we report to your Worships to be a necessary Road for the Settlements through which it passes and necessary for the publick and therefore hope your Worships will confirm the same as such.
Given under our Hands December 1st, 1801 --
Georg Michael Grove, Benedict Lehman, Christian Speiker, Jacob Kimmel, Johannes Rimman (John Reaman)
(end of transcription)
SURVEY DIAGRAM FOR AMENDED DRAFT -- DECEMBER 1, 1801
copied from Somerset County, Pennsylvania Road & Bridge Docket
Lydick's Mill, shown in the bottom right corner, was on the north side of Gladden's Run and just to the east of Powder Run. The diagram indicates a house, stable and mill at that location.
Other Southampton Township residents' homes shown on the diagram: Benjamin Daniels, Cornelius Martinus and Andrew Emerick (whose house and mill were roughly one and a quarter miles from Jost Leidig's.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE IT AT FULL SIZE
A NEW PETITION FOR ROAD FROM LYDEAGH'S MILL TO BERLIN -- FOR NOVEMBER, 1802
Note: Notice that this document differs somewhat from the others, in that it refers to "to what is called Lydeagh's Mill" instead of "Lydeagh's Mill". It is possible that Jost Leydig was recently deceased and the writer was uncertain how to refer to the decedent's property.
transcription begins here:
To The Honorable Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Somerset, November term 1802.
The Petition of the Citizens of Southampton Township humbly sheweth that the(y) labour under great inconvency for want of a Publick Road from Berlin through a thick settled part of the said township to Fort Cumberland beginning at the town of Berlin and on the Nearest and Best ground to what is called Lydeagh's Mill near the Line of said county where a good Road is already made from said Mill to Fort Cumberland. Your Petitioners therefore pray the Court to appoint six disinterested men to view said ground and to make a return to the Next Court as the said Court shall direct and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall pray.
Signed, Jacob Collmann, __ ___, Stophel Breighner, David Moll, Jacob Moll, __ ___, Henrich Moll, Joseph Bayer
(end of transcription)
ANOTHER PETITION FOR ROAD FROM LEYDEATH'S MILL TO BERLIN -- MAY, 1803
transcription begins here:
May Session 1803.
Petition of the inhabitants of Brothers Valley and Southampton Townships. Humbly sheweth, To the Honourable Court of Somerset County now sitting. Your petitioners humbly pray your honours to appoint six disinterested persons for to view the road from Leydeath Mill to Berlin and lay out the same on the nearest and best ground as we labor under a number of hardships for the want of said road. And your petitioners as in duty bound will pray.
Signed, Jonathan ___, Andrew Emerich, Stophel Breighner, Joseph ___ ("X" his mark), Joseph Laidig, William Martz, Adam Sturtz, Daniel ___.
(end of transcription)
PETITION FOR REVIEW OF ROAD FROM LEIDICK'S MILL TO BERLIN -- DECEMBER 7, 1803
transcription begins here:
To the Honourable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County now composing a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace sitting at Somerset in above said County.
The petition of the subscribers citizens of the said County respectfully sheweth that a road hath lately been viewed and laid out from the Town of Berlin to Leidick's Mill in Southampton Township which road if confirmed will be highly injurious and burthensome to the inhabitants of the said Township as the same passes over bad ground and will require a greater expense to open same than would be reasonable or just to impose upon the inhabitants of the said Township especially as the inhabitants of Berlin and the other petitioners for the said road may be accommodated by other roads less burthensome.
Your petitioners therefore pray the Honourable court to appoint six suitable persons to review the said road and make report according to Law. And your petitioners as in duty bound will pray.
Signed, Isaac Crichfield, Jacob Gushwa, Joseph Crichfield, George Harden, Nathaniel Crichfield
(end of transcription)
ROAD VIEWERS REPORT FROM LYDICK'S MILL TO BERLIN -- MAY 1, 1804
transcription begins here:
To the Honourable the Judges of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace etc. to be held at Somerset in and for the County of Somerset the first Monday in May Inst. In obedience to your Order of December Sessions last past to view and lay out the road in said order mentioned and hereto annexed, we do now report that five of us have been together on the ground where said road was requested, and have laid out the same by the following courses and distances, viz: Beginning at a Dogwood tree standing in the line between Bedford County & Somerset County thence North 72 degrees West 128 perches to Lydick's Mill North 18 degrees West 84 perches North 5 degrees East 40 perches North 22 degrees West 20 perches North 3 degrees East 41 perches North 13 degrees West 42 perches North 87 degrees West 22 perches North 45 degrees West 35 perches North 32 degrees West North 60 perches North 44 degrees East 45 perches North 23 East 60 perches North 41 degrees East 40 perches North 10 degrees West 28 perches North 49 degrees West 16 perches North 41 degrees West 106 perches, 30 perches thereof through Joseph Lydick's lane, North 66 degrees West 200 perches North 32 degrees West 58 perches North 62 degrees West 36 perches South 61 degrees West 76 perches South 71 degrees West 220 perches, 30 perches thereof through Peter Shoemakers Lane, South 55 degrees West 46 perches South 44 degrees West 38 perches South 73 degrees West 52 perches South South 85 degrees West 78 perches to Savage Run, North 76 perches North 87 degrees West 36 perches North 80 degrees West 32 perches South 78 degrees West 77 perches North 33 degrees West 94 perches North 9 degrees East 105 perches North 38 degrees East 42 perches North 7 degrees East 27 perches North 29 degrees East 21 perches North 8 degrees East 54 perches North 19 degrees West 20 perches North 9 degrees West 32 perches North 48 degrees West 44 perches North 57 degrees West 16 perches to Will's Creek continued same courses 26 perches through Benjamin Scritchfield's field, in all 132 perches South 85 degrees West 126 perches North 75 degrees West 85 perches North 51 degrees West 42 perches North 42 degrees West 44 perches North 49 degrees West 194 perches North 9 degrees West 91 perches North 7 degrees East 134 perches North 33 degrees West 146 perches North 76 degrees West 206 perches North 50 degrees West 392 perches to Brush Creek continued same course in all 456 perches, North 16 degrees West 180 perches North 51 degrees West 280 perches South 38 degrees West 30 perches North 67 degrees West 52 perches North 44 degrees West 41 perches North 55 degrees West 160 perches North 31 degrees West 346 perches to Buffalo Lick Creek continued same course in all 360 perches, 134 perches thereof through John Itonoyer's (Itnoir?) clear land, and 48 perches through Jacob Wingert's meadow, North 37 degrees West 100 perches, 50 perches thereof through Nicholas Miller's clear land, North 11 degrees East through Keffer's lane 296 perches, 66 perches thereof through Vallentine Keffer's field, thence along main Street North 11 degrees West 96 perches to the Center of the Town of Berlin. Which we beg leave to return to our Honours and am of the opinion that the road as aforesaid laid out ought to be confirmed as a public road agreeable to the Laws of this state in such case made and provided. In Witness whereof four of us have hereunto set our hands this first day of May, Anno Domini 1804.
Signed, Christian __ and John Knepper
(end of transcription)
PETITION FOR REVIEW OF THE ROAD FROM LYDICK'S MILL TO BERLIN -- SEPTEMBER, 1804
transcription begins here:
To the Honorable (Judges) of the Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County composing a court of general Quarter Sessions of the Peace now sitting at Somerset in aforesaid County September Sessions in the year of our Lord 1804.
The petition of the subscribers citizens of Southampton Township in the said County.
Respectfully sheweth -- That a road hath lately been viewed by order of this court -- confirmed and ordered to be opened of the breadth of fifty five feet from Leideck's Mill in Southampton Township to the Town of Berlin in said County, which road if finally confirmed and established will be highly inurious and burthensome to your petitioners and other inhabitants of Southampton Township as the said Road passes over bad ground which will require a great expence in opening than would be reasonable to impose upon the inhabitants of the said Township who are already burthened with the support of several expensive Roads which they believe sufficient to accomodate travelers through the said Township.
Your Petitioners therefore pray the Honorable court to appoint six suitable persons review the said Road and make report according to Law.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will pray.
Signed, Christian Shockey, Jacob Witts, ___ __
(end of transcription)
Names of the people appointed to review the road: Jacob Glessner, Esq.; John Grasner(?); John Rhoads; David Kimmel; Jacob Stoner, Junior; John Landis, Senior.
ALLEGATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST RE THE ROAD FROM LEIDICK'S MILL TO BERLIN
transcription begins here:
December Sessions 1804. On Motion of S. Riddle (?) to strike out the reviewers of the Road from Leidicks Mill to Berlin and appoint others, alleging that the said reviewers are interested and have taken an active part in xlayingx petitioning and laying out the said Road and are under undue influence --.
(Addendum in different handwriting): No proof whatever being made or offered of these allegations the court overrule the motion and confirm the road.
(end of transcription)
note: transcription provided by J. Emerick
PETITION FOR ROAD FROM KEMMERERS TO BERLIN-LEIDECK'S MILL ROAD -- SEPT., 1805
transcription begins here:
To the Honorable the Judges of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Somerset, September Sessions AD 1805.
The petitions of the subscribers citizens of the said County respectfully sheweth that your petitioners and others labour under many inconveniencies for want of a publick Road from the Cumberland Road at or near Kemmers old place in Southampton Township to intersect the Berlin and Leideck's or Emerick's Mill Roads on the west side of Savage Ridge in the said Township.
Your petitioners therefore pray the Honorable Court to appoint six suitable persons to view and if they or any four of them should be of opinion that there is necessity for a Road between the said points then to lay out the same according to law.
And your petitioners as in duty bound will pray.
Signed, Christian Shockey, Adam Lepley, Paul Welkey(?), ___ ___, Jacob Shults, George Lang, George Cook, Christian Baughman, Nathaniel Crichfield, Isaac Crichfield, Benjamin Crichfield.
(On reverse side of document: "Sept. Sessions 1805 renumbered as case #1 1800. Petition for a Road from Kemmerers to the Berlin & Leidicks Mill Road. Viewers Sep __ 1805 Abraham Kimmel, John Gaumer (?) Sen., Valentine Land (?), Jacob Rizer, John Black, Henry Lands).
(end of transcription)