PADUTCH-LIFE-L Archives

From: kay & art staub <>
Subject: Pandemonium
Date: Sat, 07 Nov 1998 05:17:45 -0500

Pioneer Cemetery
Burial Ground of Pandemonium
A Small Community Once Located
In This Valley
1787-1912

This sign graces the entrance to an unbelievably remote and beautiful
cemetery located Henry’s Valley in the mountains of Perry County,
Pennsylvania. Even today, it is miles to even a secondary paved road.
The wind whispers through the trees and deer are frequently seen
browsing outside the stone fence. Someone cares for the place - it is
always mowed and flags are placed on what are apparently Veteran's
graves. Many of the headstones are broken from the ravages of time, not
from vandalism. Probably half of the stones are unreadable or missing.

Below the cemetery and along the dirt road is a sign on the location of
the Henry’s Valley School, open until 1912. Some years ago we were
fortunate enough to become acquainted with an elderly gentleman, also
interested in genealogy, who had known the last schoolmaster at Henry’s
Valley. He gave us a hand drawn map, not to scale, showing the location
of various homesteads in the valley and told us stories of the “good old
days.”

Below the school, from 1840 to 1880 a steam tannery was operated. The
plentiful supply of wood used in the tanning process and a mountain
stream provided a desireable location. There is an old depression,
apparently a millrace at one time, leading from Laurel Run to the
tannery site. Along the banks of the race, we found what we believed to
be the mounds where there were foundations for cabins. It was in the
spring and we found daffodils growing where some houswife had brightened
her surroundings with flowers. We dug several bulbs and planted them in
our flower garden, just because it seemed to be the thing to do.

How the place came to be named Pandemonium is anyone’s guess. We visit
the area several times each year since we discovered the place. There
is a sense of peace and tranquility that makes the trip worthwhile.

My wife, like many genealogists, likes to visit and record names in
cemeteries. A week or so ago she came up with the idea of visiting the
Pioneer Cemetery, recording the names on the headstones and placing the
names on the’net for researchers. This morning we packed our gear and
our lunch in the truck and headed for Pandemonium. It was colder than a
witches heart and a brisk wind was blowing. But we got the names! Here
they are!

Julia A. Neidigh died Dec 11, 1889 aged 90 years

Christian Henry Died Dec 12, 1871 aged 81 years 1month 28 days

Catharine wife of Christian Henry born Jan 29, 1792 died Jul 28,
1876 aged 84 years 5months 29 days

Daniel B. Henry Died Oct. 14, 1902 aged 77 years 4 months 26 days

Mary A. wife of DD Henry born Aug 15, 1826 Died Feb 21, 1885 aged 58
years 6 months 6 days

John Clouse died Jan 20, 1873 aged 71 years 11 months 23 days

Margaret wife of John Clouse aged? 16 days

David Shambaugh died Sep 22, 1884 aged 40 years 8 months 7 days
Belonged to GAR

William A. son of Solomon and Margaret A. Sheaffer

Margaret A. Creegar wife of Solomon Sheaffer 1849-1882

Caroline Keck Miller wife of Noah Miller Mar 29, 1837-Jun 18, 1871

Eliza Miller Jul 27, 1856-Nov 11, 1870

Sarah Miller Sep 7, 1858-Mar 15, 1878

George B. son of Daniel SE St?um died Jun 15, 1863

Elsie J. dau of WK and ME Miller died Feb 16, 1893 aged 4 months 23
days

Alexander Atley son of JM and E Clouse died Mar 25, 1863 3 months 25
days

Matilda E Henry born Mar 26, 1866 aged 9 months 7 days

Samuel D. Henry born April 6, 1862 aged 2 years 9 days

Solomon W Henry died Sep 19, 1855 aged 1year 3 days

David Hasel died Jan 27, 1869 aged 39 years 3months 17 days

Catharine wife of John Crider died Mar 18, 1866 aged 28 years 6 months
6 days

Daniel Neidigh died Nov 6, 1875 aged 80 years 11 days

Catharin wife of Daniel Neidigh died Sep 6, 1877 aged 81 years 5
months 21 days

Maggie J. wife of JN Bitner died Apr 18, 1884 aged 23 years 1 month 8
days

Cloyde son of JM and Maggie Bitner died Dec 13, 1889 aged 9 years 15
days

John Neidigh died Aug 8, 1877 aged 43 years 3 days

Annie Clouse died Sep 10, 1878 aged 47 years 3 months

Jacob Clouse died Aug 9, 1880 aged 73 years 8 days

Hanna Clouse born Jan 7, 1807 died Mar 1, 1885 aged 78 years 1month
23 days

This thread:

• Pandemonium by kay & art staub <>