Watsontown is not near Picture Rocks. Picture Rocks is located outside of Hughesville, PA, heading North on Route 220. With all these questions about Watsontown, I was wondering -- there is a Watson Township. Anyone know where that is located? Vicki

Here is the history and information on Watson twp. It came from the Lycoming web page. Hope this helps. Connie WATSON TOWNSHIP. The territory for the formation of this township was taken from Cummings and Porter in January, 1845, and it was named in honor of Oliver Watson, Esq., long president of the West Branch Bank, Williamsport. It is the twenty-fourth in size and has an area of 10,880 acres. By the census of 1890 the population was 264. It is bounded on the east by a projecting corner of Porter and by Mifflin, on the north by Cummings, on the west by Clinton county, and on the south by Porter township. The township is well watered, being divided through the center by Pine creek, into which flow from the west Lower Pine Bottom run and Vickers's run; from the east, the two forks of Tomb's run and Furnace run. One branch of Tomb's run heads in Cummings, the other in Mifflin township. Nichols run also flows through the southeastern corner. Watson consists of Chemung (No. VIII) in the southern portion, above which occurs Red Catskill (No. IX) located north of the belt of the Chemung and also along all the valleys of the streams. Next above occurs Pocono (No. X), which, in the red Catskill valley in the southern part, forms a bold, prominent elevation known as Short mountain, and a portion of the same measure occupies the higher ground in the upper part of the township. Fossil iron ore was mined along Furnace run and the face of Short mountain many years ago. It is in the first fossil ore belt. The lower part of Watson township forms part of the south escarpment of the Allegheny mountain range. There is a fine development of Chemung measures along Pine creek which merit study and investigation. Settlers ascended Pine creek at an early period in our history. At the mouth of Tomb's run the first settlement was made by James Alexander in 1784. He had been there in 1773 and laid a claim, but was obliged to fly in 1778. A few other families had penetrated that far with Alexander. It is claimed that the first child born at the mouth of the run was Abigail Mills, daughter of James Mills, in 1786. About 1703 a rude saw mill was built at the mouth of Gamble's (Vickers's) run, but it has long since crumbled into ruin and the name of the builder has perished. In 1851 or 1852 another mill was built on its site by Mr. Farransworth, but like its predecessor, it has passed away. There are some good farms along Pine creek; the people are thrifty, prosperous, and industrious. The Tomb family-one of the oldest is well represented by numerous descendants of the venerable patriarch, Henry Tomb, who did so much to develop the township. An Iron Industry was early started in this township. This was on account of the iron ore in the neighborhood. In 1817 a furnace was built on Furnace run, about three-fourths of a mile east of Pine creek, by George Heisler. The ore was mined near the furnace, and although it was of an inferior quality, it was used for several years. The furnace passed into the hands of James Shear, who carried it on until 1820 or 1821, when it was removed to Pine creek, when James Dickson and Levan H. Jackson became the proprietors. The firm of Dickson & Levan turned it into a blast furnace. William and John Antes were employed to assist in putting up the buildings. In a few years Dickson retired and the business was carried on by Levan H. Jackson. From him it passed in 1829 to Kirk, Kelton & Company -John Kirk, of Lancaster county, and Robert Kelton and F. T. Carpenter, of Chester county. In 1829 Mr. Carpenter moved his family to the iron works and became manager. At the same time Henry Troth, a druggist of Philadelphia, was a silent partner, A small flouring mill and a saw mill were erected by this firm'. They also built a forge and turned their attention to the manufacture of bar iron. In 1830 the furnace was partly destroyed by fire. In 1836, after the retirement of Robert Kelton from the firm and the admission of Benjamin Tomb, the property was sold to David Vickers and Lewis M. Walker, of Philadelphia. The now firm repaired the furnace and continued both it and the forge for several years with fair success, when Walker retired and Vickers became sole owner. He soon allowed the plant to fall into decay, and in 1848 he built a flouring mill which he ran for several years. Mr. Vickers having grown old, disposed of the property and retired from business. The mill is still in existence. Although iron ore was abundant, it was combined to such an extent with slate. and hard clay that it could not be reduced so as to run off easily and the quality of the product was impaired. The iron made good castings but poor bar iron. Kirk, Kelton & Company kept two men prospecting for several months. They built a cabin for them in the mountain, where they made their headquarters, and supplied them with provisions. These prospectors Wore William Riddell, afterwards sheriff of Lycoming county, and Andrew Snyder. For many years their diligence in this work was attested by numerous excavations in the mountains and valleys, but the, specimens they discovered were purely sporadic. At that time and for several years after all merchandise and provisions not raised in this region were brought from Philadelphia to some point on the river below by wagons, then loaded on flat-boats, and poled up the river by strong men. In 1829, when Robert Kelton brought his family to the iron works, he had an infant son named John Cunningham Kelton. When he grew up he entered the military service and has long been stationed at the War Department, Washington City, as adjutant general of the United States Army. Postoffices. - For many years the people of Watson township were obliged to travel to Jersey Shore for their mail matter. On the 29th of November, 1851, a postoffice was established at Tomb's Run, and Henry Tomb was appointed postmaster. He served until February 24, 1882, a period of over thirty-one years, when he was succeeded by Michael Overdorf. He served just two months or until April 24, 1882 when Samuel Overdorf was appointed. His successor was Miles Lentz, who was appointed March 29, 1887, and is still in office. A postoffice was opened at Harbor Mills, the site of the old iron works December 6, 1883, and Andrew J. Wier appointed postmaster, and he is the present incumbent. Schools. - Watson township has three schools, viz: Harbor Mills, Tomb's Run, and one independent, located on the left hand branch of Tomb's run. The statistics show an average of six months taught with three teachers, one male and two, females, with an average salary of $25 and $30 per month. Churches. - The first religious meeting was held by Rev. John Thomas, a Methodist minister, at the house of William Miller, near the northern line of the, township, in 1805. There are now two churches in the township, one a Methodist, at Tomb's Run; the other an Evangelical church, at Mt. Pleasant, on the summit, between Pine and Larry's creeks. ----- Original Message ----- From: <QUEENIEVEE@aol.com> To: <PALYCOMI-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 6:17 PM Subject: Re: Watson > Watsontown is not near Picture Rocks. Picture Rocks is located outside of > Hughesville, PA, heading North on Route 220. > > With all these questions about Watsontown, I was wondering -- there is a > Watson Township. Anyone know where that is located? > > Vicki >