Millerstown in Perry County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Founding of Millerstown
Perry County Bicentennial
| | 1820 - 2020 | |
For thousands of years, Native Americans built villages along the fertile Cocolamus Creek and Juniata Riverlands with havens for hunting and rich land for agriculture. Likewise, early pioneers, recognizing opportunities here, warranted land in the present Perry County after the 1754 Albany Treaty opened the territory to the colonists. Scotch-Irish James Gallagher moved into the Millerstown area, improved the land, warranted two hundred acres on September 23, 1766, and called his investment "Smithfield". In following years, a larger settlement formed. Community narrative has claimed 1780 as the date of the town's founding. Consequently, the centennial and bicentennial celebrations were held in 1880 and 1980 resepectively.
Gallagher deeded "Smithfield," containing 222 acres and 125 perches, to David Miller. The patent for the land, granted March 25, 1790, gave Miller legal ownership. After naming the small town "Miller's town" in 1790, he was able to lay out the town. Robert Beatty purchased the first plot of land in 1790.
In 1811, David Miller sold the tract of land and the town to Jacob Miller (no relation) and
this page online
Silas Wright, in his 1872 History of Perry County, describes the location as "In healthfulness of location, convenience of access, and the natural beauty of surroundings, it is unsurpassed anywhere along the Juniata". Perhaps this spirit and thinking fostered James Gallagher to settle here so long ago.
Erected 2020 by Borough of Millerstown; Historical Society of Perry County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Perry County Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1790.
Location. 40° 33.157′ N, 77° 9.315′ W. Marker is in Millerstown, Pennsylvania, in Perry County. It is on North High Street 0.1 miles north of Apple Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44 N High St, Millerstown PA 17062, United
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, in the Susquehanna Valley, and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: David Miller (here, next to this marker); Millerstown (here, next to this marker); Governor James Addams Beaver (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Millerstown Tannery, 1800-1928 (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Millerstown (about 400 feet away); Millerstown United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Cochran-Anspach House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Millerstown (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Millerstown.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
