Minersville Cemetery
AKA:
Number of Burials (approximate): 15
Dates of Activity: 1830 - 1896
Documentation/Publication:
CCGS, The Cemeteries of Colebrook, East Keating, Grugan, Leidy, Noyes, and West Keating Townships (2008)
Directions/GPS:
From the intersection of Jay and Water Streets in Lock Haven (the Lock Haven Courthouse), travel North on the bridge across the Susquehanna River. On the other side of the river, bear left at the T and continue on this road for 5.6 miles as it winds into the town of Farrandsville. At 5.6 miles is a road to your left, called Carrier Road, going up a hill. Turn onto Carrier Road and travel 0.15 mile. On your left is a dirt road called Clay Mine Road which goes up a hill. This road is gated. Unless you can find an owner who has the key, you will have to park here and walk up to the cemetery. Travel up this road a total of 1.0 mile – you are going up a fairly steep incline the whole way. (At 0.8 mile you will pass a cabin; keep going straight on this road). The road is fairly rugged and a 4-wheel drive vehicle is a must. At 1.0 mile, turn right onto an unnamed gravel road, referred to as ‘Cemetery Road’ which goes off into the woods. Travel on ‘Cemetery Road’ for 0.19 mile, until you come to the first pull-off. A slight embankment goes down a few feet on the left. On this side a barely traceable path goes down into the woods. The cemetery is on the left side of this path in the midst of the woods, about 35 yards. This area is private property and is not maintained in wintertime, and one would need a 4-wheel drive vehicle to access it. It should not be broached in the warmer seasons due to the abundance of snakes, ticks, and other wildlife in the region.
N41 10.791 W77 31.582
Landowner / Caretaker:
Beautiful Village
515 Princeton Ave Ext
Williamsport, PA 17751
Condition/Needs:
Very poor; needs brush cleared, layer of soil removed to discover any buried stones, resetting of stones and possibly enclosure.
History:
In the early 19th century, Colebrook Township was the center of industrial activity in what became Clinton County. William Farrand came from Philadelphia in the winter of 1831-32 to develop the coal industry in the region. From his work, the community of Farrandsville was started. Another community up on the mountain, known as Minersville, was also begun around this time. By 1835, the Lycoming Coal Company was conducting operations, and in 1837, an iron furnace operation was built in the village. The stone stack, still in good repair, is maintained by the Clinton County Historical Society. Soon after, however, it was discovered that the operation was unprofitable, and it was abandoned.
A small graveyard existed at the Minersville settlement for community use. According to Edward Thomas, who came from Wales to work at Farrandsville, in a January 11, 1836 letter to his sister, Bess:
"The place allotted here for the burying grounds is in the woods, in the very midst of it without any preparation whatever – open to the wild beasts out of the wilderness – no sort of inclosure whatever – seven has been interred there, since we been here a woman has been buried there, her husband a carpenter and in good circumstances, who refused the attendance of the Clergyman who offered to attend and perform the funeral service. Nancy attended the funeral and was almost dropping down at the scene – it effected her exceedingly – with tears in her eyes she begged of me – should she die here – not to be buried here – there is another place of interrment [sic] a few miles distant at Stockport [sic, Lockport, probably referencing the Dunnstown Cemetery]."