LIST OF TAXABLES - 1786.

     Taxables in what is now Lurgan Township, in 1786, were as follows:

THE POMEROYS.

     Among the earliest settlers in the county and in Lurgan Township, was Thomas Pomeroy, who came about the year 1730.  He was the owner of a large tract of land about two miles from Roxbury on the Newbury road.  He reared a family of eight children - four sons and four daughters.  HE died about 1770.  His widow, Margaret, died in 1777.  The sons were Thomas, John, George and Samuel.  One of the daughters married a Mr. Doyle, and another married Mr. Duncan.  Except Thomas, who remained on the old homestead, the sons all went West.  He was born in Lurgan Township in 1733, so far as we now can know, the first white child born in the township.
     In the history of the State, and especially of the Revolutionary times, the Pomeroys are a noted family.  Thomas, the son of the first settler became eminent in his day.  His first wife and two children were massacred by the Indians. 

VILLAGES.

     Roxbury. - The first settler in this place was Alexander W. Pomeroy, who located on the Pomeroy farm, immediately adjoining the village, now in the possession of his great grandson.  A relative of the Pomeroys, Francis Graham, Jr., was an early settler in the village.  He was one of hte Revolutionary heroes, and to the time of his death drew a pension for his services in the war.
     The village is situated on Condoguinet Creek, at the base of Kittatinny Mountain.  It was laid out by William Leephar about 1778.  In the old days of "pack horses" it grew to be quite a business poitn, but its busy days have now departed.  Mr. Leephar built a grist-mill in 1783.  The "Sound Well Forge" was built by Leephar, Crotzer & Co. in 1798; the Roxbury furnace in 1815.  The last to carry on these works were the Hughes, in 1857.  Two churches were built in the place, the Union Church, in 1815, and the Methodist Protestant, in 1873.

     Grand Army of the Republic - Lieut. A. A. Pomeroy Post No. 295, of Roxbury, was organized Dec. 26, 1882, by Capt. W. E. Miller, assisted by Comrade Haverstick.  Charter members: W. H. Stewart, J. Breckenridge, W. McGowen, Jacob Seilhamer, J. E. Harvey, Frank Creamer, John Watson, Wm. Watson, Adam Franklin, J. Maclay, H. D. Bechtel, Peter Pfeiffer, Samuel Pery, George Franklin, George Seilhamer, Cyrus Hazlett.  First officers of the post: Commander, John Breckenridge; Senior Vice-Commander, A. Franklin; Junior Vice-Commander, Jacob Seilhamer; Quartermaster, W. H. Stewart; Adjutant, Frank Creamer.  The officers for 1887 are as follows:  Commander, A. Franklin; Senior Vice-Commander, Wm. Traxler; Junior Vice-Commander, G. Gussman; Quartermaster, J. P. West; Adjutant, J. Seilhamer.  The post is named in honor of the gallant Lieut. A. A. Pomeroy, who was killed at the battle of White Oak road, Mar. 31, 1865.
     (Andrew A. Pomeroy, fourth son of the late Hon. Thomas Pomeroy, and brother of Revs. J. J. and Seth W. Pomeroy, was born and reared in Roxbury.  His education was acquired in the schools of his native village and at the Fayetteville Academy.  Prior to the war he became so firmly convinced that "human slavery as it existed in the United States as an iniquitous institution - an outrageous sin against God and man' that he expressed his sentiments unreservedly and was pronounced by time serving politicians "a young Abolitionist."  With these sentiments deeply rooted in his youthful nature, he entered Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Aug. 9, 1862, and, excepting a period of sickness following the battle of Antietam, was with his command till it was mustered out of service.  He was wounded in the left arm at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863.
     After a short stay at home, he entered Company I of the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, his commission bearing date Sept. 14, 1864, and did valiant service with it in the Army of the Potomac till the period of his death.
     The following communication is inserted in justice to the gallant hero:
                                                 HEADQUARTERS 1ST DIV. 5TH CORPS,
                                                             ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
                                                                                  June 30, 1865

THOMAS POMEROY, ESQ., ROXBURY, PENN.:
     My Dear Sir:  As this army is about to break up, and I am reminded anew of the brave and good who have served with me through the hardships and hazards of war, I can not forbear to address you a line expressive of my high regard for your son, late 1st Lieut. 198th Reg't. Penn. Vols., who fell while gallantly fighting at his post in the battle of the White Oak Road, March 31st 1865.  Be assured, sir, this manly and noble conduct was not unnoticed by his General, nor did he fall without tears due to so brave and true a man.  I must also speak of your other son, Chaplain of the same Regiment, whom I esteem as  man worthy of all love and praise, faithful to every trust, wise and not weary in well doing.  You may have a pride, though tinged with sadness, in having given men like these to your country's cause; and, though one life was laid down, yet such lives are never lost.  I honor you - I congratulate you as the father of such sons, and I shall always remember with love and mournful satisfaction their heroism and devotion.  I am, my dear sir, with high regard, your friend and servant,       
                                  J. L. CHAMBERLAIN.
          Brevet Major General, Commanding Division.

     Mowersville is about three and a half miles from Roxbury.  It was laid out in 1866 by Joseph Mowers.  It has a population of about forty.  Its first settler was John Mowers.  The United Brethren Church was organized in 1832.

     Lurgan Mutual Fire Insurance Company was established Apr. 6, 1852; Joseph E. Mowers, president; John E. Maclay, secretary.  It commenced in a small way, intended as a mutual benefit to neighbors, and has now grown to much importance.  December, 1885, its total risks were $5,122,293.  Its charter members were Joseph E. Mowers, David Hays, Daniel Snoke, John Hensel, Jacob Foglesonger, John E. Maclay, Adam Shoeinaker, Henry Clippinger, Christian Snoke.

     Centre is situated on the road leading from Roxbury to Orrstown.

END OF LURGAN TOWNSHIP.