http://books.google.com/books?id=bZl4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=%22Dutton+Shannon%22+fallowfield+pa&source=bl&ots=TE-BHOp3m7&sig=8Pe3VMmlNbqp1UD_AkH8fMUUk-M&hl=en&ei=nLoXTq2-GdG_gQf7j6XzDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAw#v=snippet&q=cyrus%20underwood&f=false The old and new Monongahela, By John Stogdell Van Voorhis, 1893, Pittsburgh pg. 448 Corwin Aunt Polly has passed away, was on the lips of almost every one on Friday eve as her death was announced. Mrs. Mary Smock Corwin was 97 years old on Wed. prior to her death, which occurred Fri., Jan. 6, 1888. She was b. Jan. 4, 1791, on the farm now owned by Capt. Joseph Shepler, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland Co., PA. The farm at that time was owned by one Joseph Becket - a name well known in the early history of W. PA. She was a daughter of Barnet Smock, who emigrated from NJ in 1789. Her father lived on this farm 21 years. The maiden name of the mother of the deceased was Jane Berdine. She was m. to Peter Wene, by whom she had 3 children, named Sarah, Anna and Jane. Barnet Smock was her second husband. The deceased was m. to Morris Corwin at Brownsville by Esq. Elias Baillins, on June 18, 1807. Morris Corwin d. in Bellevernon, Sep. 20, 1835, in the same house in which his wife died. Aunt Polly Corwin, as she was familiarly called, and her husband came to Bellevernon Apr. 1, 1826, and occupied the house in which she was died. She lived in this same house for 72 years, with the exception of 3 months. She lived to know that the sugar camp of 3/4's of a century ago had become a thriving town of 2000 souls. She outlived 3 generations of citizens. She was b. in the early days of Washington's first term as President. She was b. amid the struggles and trials of the new Government, and lived to the time when that Government had extended its limits from ocean to ocean and its population increased from 4 million to 60 million. Since her birth new territory has been added sufficient to make 40 states, each in size equal to all the original 13 if combined in one. She lived to see the pack horse give way to the common wagon, Conestoga wagon, stage coach, canal boat and finally to the locomotive with its 60 MPH. The telegraph and telephone had not yet been in the dreams of invention. At her birth the Monongahela Valley was known only as the hunting ground of the Indian, with here and there a settlement of the sturdy pioneer, for it is a remarkable fact that the upland out from the river was first occupied by the white man. Shepler's Hill, on which the deceased was b. attracted very early the attention of immigrants. She lived to see the rise, progress and final doom on a desert isle, of Napoleon, the man of fortune and of destiny. She outlived 3 American wars, and had realized in her day that the western wilds had become fields of ever blooming flowers, and that the glad tidings of the Gospel of the Son of God had been proclaimed in every tongue and nation of the globe. There were but 3 families in Bellevernon when she moved into it. The deceased was a member of the Christian church since about 1843, and always a faithful attendant at public worship whilst her health permitted, and above all her walk and conversation gave fruit of a true Christian woman. Although for years deprived of seeing the outer world, owing to a loss of sight, and being confined to bed for many years, yet she never murmured against the Almighty, but earnestly longed and prayed for the time to come when she could see her Savior face to face, and just before her departure she repeated clearly and earnestly these words of a familiar hymn: How long, dear Savior, Oh! how long Will there bright hours delay! Fly swift around ye wheels of time A bring the welcome day. Except during the last months of her life, her recollections of the past were very vivid, and to her memory the writer is indebted for very much of the early history of Bellevernon and vicinity. She recalled an incident which happened to her personally on the day of the funeral of Rev. James Finley, which occurred in 1795, she being only 4 years old. She remembers very well of being present at the birth of our citizen, Robert Patterson, who will be 80 years old next St. Patrick's day (Mar. 17). Whilst her health permitted, she was ever ready to extend a helping hand to the sick and needy, and she was present at the birth of more children than any other woman who ever lived in the valley. Not one of her early kindred or associates are living. She was the mother of Barnet, James, John and William Corwin. John and William are dead and Barnet is dead also. His first wife was a Miss Coll, sister of Mrs. Thomas McFall and Mrs. Alex. Frazier. By his first wife Barnet had 2 children, John W., the Main street grocer, and Mary. Mary was taken into her grandmother's family - Aunt Polly - when she was 11 years old, and remained with her until death separated them - a period of 41 years. In joy or sorrow, in sickness or health, Mary was ever alert in that household, and when her kind old grandmother was worn out by age and affliction, she was the ministering angel that soothed her pains and made soft her pillows until God took her dear one home. Barnet's second wife was a daughter of the late Joseph Springer, the issue of which marriage was several sons and daughters, most of whom are still living. His thrid wife was a Mrs. Cooper. James, the remaining son living of Aunt Polly, resides on Main St., Bellevernon. His first wife was Eleanor Walker, long since deceased. She left 2 daughters - Georgiana and Eva; the latter is dead. His second wife also is deceased. Her name was Indiana Jacobs. Her aged mother, Jane Jacobs, survives her and has been a resident of this town over 55 years. James by his second wife has living William, Clarke, George, Elma, Alice and Lizzie. The funeral services of Aunt Polly were held Sun. at 2:00, Jan. 8, and were conducted by Rev. Joel Baker, of the Free Will Baptist church, and Elder James M. Springer, of the Christian church. Her remains were interred in Bellevernon cemetery, in full view of the place of her birth. One grandson and three great grandsons acted as pall bearers. Barnet Corwin, son of Aunt Polly, d. July 20, 1889. He was taken sick with something like a sunstroke and paralysis, and did not think much of it until taken to his bed, which he never left. He was b. near Bellevernon, Apr. 27, 1814, and grew up to manhood's estate. At the age of 20 he m. a neighbor's daughter, Miss Nellie Call. To this union came 3 children, J. W., Mary and Baker, the latter dying quite young. Mrs. C. only lived 6 years, and then went to join her child in the realms of glory. Mr. Corwin m. Miss Margaret Springer, and quite a family of children were b. to them, those living being: Sarah A., Charles R., Joseph F., Luther C., Rowland W., and A. Odell. The second Mrs. C. followed her children, and her name is sacred to the children left. Mr. Corwin did not like to be left alone, and about 7 years ago he m. the widow of Thomas Cooper, who survives him. He was always a highly respected citizen and his loss was a blow. He in early years was a member of the M. E. Church, but later joined the Free Will Baptist church, of which he was a member at his death. He had not attended church in his last days on account of his hearing being defective. His funeral took place Mon. morn at 10:00, and the remains placed in the Bellevernon cemetery. The pallbearers were all grandchildren of the deceased. The last sad rites had been performed, when words similar to the following came to the minds of the mourners and brought relief. "Weep not for him who dieth, For he sleeps and is at rest, And the couch whereon he lieth Is the green earth's quiet breast." J. Wesley Corwin Died on Sat., Nov. 8, 1890, at his late residence on Main St., Bellevernon, PA, of paralysis of the heart. He was b. in the house adjoining his late residence, well known as the "Aunt Polly Corwin house", July 6, 1834. He was the only son of his father, Barnet Corwin, by his wife, Eleanor Call Corwin. He was m. to Miss Margaret Jane Jacobs, June 21, 1866, by the Rev. Jordon C. Nye. He joined the M.E. Church of his native place in 1850, under the ministrations of the Rev. John Coil, by whom he was baptized. In 1853 he transferred his church membership to the Free Will Baptist Church, during the ministration of Rev. David Winton. This church then worshipped in the old building near the corner of Wood street and Flint alley on the hill. In his new church relation the deceased assumed an active and influtential position, and continued faithful to its interests and the cause of his Master to the end. He was among the first to agitate the project of erecting a new church edifice. To this end he devoted his untiring energy, and to him more than any one individual is that church indebted for the new building, now standing on the corner of Short and Speer streets. As a deacon in the church he was faithful and ever on the watch for its interests and the welfare of souls. As a citizen he was honest and upright in all his dealings, and was so regarded universally by the community in which he always lived. In the municipal affairs of his native borough he was often called to take part, and always performed his office satisfactory to his fellow citizens. At the time of his death he was a member of the school board of which he was treasurer. He leaves a wife, one son and sister, with several half brothers and 1 half sister, to mourn over his sudden departure. On Mon., Oct. 10, his remains were interred in Bellevernon cemetery, where 3 generations of his kindred await the resurrection morn. Blessed be his memory. His transition from earth to eternity was sudden, and without a struggle his eyes were closed in death and opened to behold the Son of Righteousness in all his glory.