Philip, My gg grandmother, Sarah Matilda BARTLESON who married William HARRIS, Jr., had an obituary written by her close friend, Fanny PURDY. That was composed in 1874, and matilda's untimely death was due to 'consumption.' So Fanny was quite possibly a neighbor. William and Sarah lived in Paupack twp., which was formed from Palmyra in 1850. William's father was a neighbor of the following Purdy's, as appear in the 1830 census: 2 households after HARRIS-- Harvey Purdy (b. 9/12/1801Paupack, Wayne PA, d. 11/9/1847 Paup.; m. Ruth CLARK 1824 (was son of Nathaniel Purdy) then later in list-- Solomon Purdy Peter Purdy Reuben Purdy In my file on William Harris, Jr. is also found the following reference to Purdy: In August 30 1856 William, Jr. gives rights to Reuben Purdy to build a dam for water. (courthouse records) I found this notation without reference to book source (!): 'p. 706-- Hemlock Hollow has 2 stores & until quite recently had a hotel.... Has a mill, blacksmith-shop, etc.... Sawmill "now" run by J.S. Ames & Co. was built on a tributary to the PURDY Pond, by Charles Woodward, in 1855. There was also a sawmill built at Hemlock Hollow in 1820. p. 705--at Hemlock Hollow lumberyard was built the great Phila. Navy ship-house; also the ship, the "Pennsylvania"--masts were 90 feet long by 2 feet in diameter. They were the largest ever felled in the township, and were drawn to Paupack Eddy by 20 yoke of oxen. I'm interested in finding out when the Purdy's came to Palmyra, why they came, and why they left. I remember reading that the area was named Purdytown, and Purdyville, when they were there. They went to another area to live (possibly somewhere in NY??) and the area was then called Hemlock Hollow. (Later Lakeville.) Please let me know if you have Reuben Purdy's children's names, and if Fanny is one of them. I would be VERY interested if you have any information on this Purdy line! regards Holly Jagger Owego, NY (William Harris supposedly came to Hemlock Hollow in about 1828, but we know not from where. As far as I know, he did not move there to work on the Canal project which actually did begin in 1828, but rather to live near his wife's family. Perhaps he came with the Purdys...? )