David Nelson (1776 - 1863)

Born 1776 in , , Ireland

Descendants

Died 1863 at about age 87 in Cameron Co., Pa.

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Biography

David Nelson married Mary Ann Lushbaugh around 1800. David Nelson served in the War of 1812. He and Mary Ann had nine children:

David A.

John [ J.P. ? ]

Seth

William

Kate Nelson Jordan

Elizabeth Nelson Logue

Nancy Nelson Farrell [ Farewell ? ]

Joseph

Henry ^[1]

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...David Nelson settled on the First Fork at an equal distance between Coudersport and Sinnamahoning (20 miles both ways) in Eulalia township, Potter County, Pa. in 1822. At that time there were no roads into the area. The main source of travel was by water, game paths and Indian trails.

They traveled with three canoes up the Susquehanna River to Keating where the West Branch meets the Sinnamahoning Creek. They then paddled up the Sinnamahoning Creek to its "first fork". Here they moved up the "fork" to settle at what was to become known as Nelson Run between Warton and Costello. The only means of travel to their location was by creek and a game path. The first man-made trail was dug out to Sinnemahoning in 1825 crossing the creek 22 times in 20 miles.

According to the obituary for William Nelson the only families on the "First Fork" were Seneca Freeman, Daniel Bailey and the Nelson's. On the Coudersport end was the Reed cabin. Other early settlers were Joseph Brooks, Mosey Morris, George Lorshbaugh; three brothers Thomas, Arch and George Logue; John and William Berfield, George Goss, John Buck, the Rees family and Squire Wykoff.

The early settlers developed versatile skills to survive in the wilderness. Out of necessity they became skilled at hunting, trapping and fishing. They used whatever was at hand to build their homes. Wood and stone were available, making most early homes "log cabins" with a stone fireplace for heat and cooking.

The nearest supply stores were in Mill Hall, 70 miles away. They needed cash money for the supplies so built rafts to take their goods to market. The Nelsons loaded their raft with hand shaved shingles for their cash crop and a canoe for the return trip. Other early cash crops were white pine spars, ginseng and furs. This trip had to be made in the spring when the river was in freshet. The return trip by canoe with supplies took three days.

David Nelson was born in Ireland in 1776. He and two brothers were brought to Pennsylvania by relatives after they were orphaned. David was three years old at the time. He is is listed as a shoemaker in 1811 tax records and he fought in the War of 1812.

He married Anna Maria Lorshbaugh (nicknamed "Mary") the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Keffer) Lorshbaugh. David and "Mary" had the following children: John b. 4 August 1804, Catherine b. 1806, William b. 13 October 1808, Seth Iredell b. 1809, David b. 1812, Mary Ann b. 1814, Henry b. 1817, Joseph b. 1821, Elizabeth b. 1822, Nancy b. 1825, and James b. 1827. ^[2]

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The photo on this profile page was posted by Mike Wennin on the Cameron County Facebook page on 2 Sep 2019. He wrote the following: 'We believe this is the first "swinging bridge" across First Fork to the Wennin (Now May) farm circa 1910. It was before [route] 872 was built. Previously there was a foot bridge across the creek. There is still a bridge there today - the first one going up First Fork. This view is from the house side looking toward the road. Photo courtesy Janie May and Jim Zoschg.'

Click on the image two times to see more detail. The photo was put on David Nelson's profile page to show the possible construction methods the settlers may have used to build their bridges with the log support in the middle of the stream. It also gives just a glimpse of the stream and surrounding land although when David traveled up the First Fork it was all uncleared, virgin forest.

Sources

1. ↑ Unsourced family history notes.
2. ↑ First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek Researched and Edited by: Glenda (Neenan) Card & Dianne (Connelly) DeShong