AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: James on July 29, 2011, 03:41:03 AM
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Does anyone know of any builders in the McKean/Potter County area of Pennsylvania in the 1790-1830 time frame?
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I am in Emporium, Cameron Co.PA I am present on build # 247, Usually build 12-15 guns per year. My web site is www.Recreatinghistory.com
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Ah...Potter County, PA....gods country.... nice to hear from you boys in the woods.
How's the rattlesnake hunting this year. Sinnamahoning is a great place.
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I'm looking for if there were any builders here, there must have been but I would like to find examples of their work. I'm told that somewhere in the tax records is mention of gunsmiths but no names as yet.
I am on the postage stamp piece of ground where there are no rattle snakes, yet.
Lucky, I'm in Shinglehouse, really not far from you. I go past Emporium several times a year.
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Well James....It's not as far back as you wanted but here is some info:
I didn't realize your area was settled that far back by enough people that
they could have used a full time gunsmith.
Name: Albert Goodsell
Home in 1880: Coudersport, Potter, Pennsylvania
Age: 57
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1823
Birthplace: New York
Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)
Spouse's Name: Mary Goodsell
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Gunsmith
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
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Name: O. B. Nyl
Home in 1880: Coudersport, Potter, Pennsylvania
Age: 43
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Father's birthplace: Vermont
Mother's birthplace: Vermont
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Gunsmith
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Gender: Male
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You might research this rev war pensioner:
Royal Cole
State: PA
County: Potter County
Township: Age 81 Allegany
Year: 1840
Page: 124
Database: PA 1840 Pensioners List
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suzkat, thanks and that is more than I had, I'm trying ancestry right now without much luck. These towns were being incorporated in the late 1790s through 1810, Shinglehouse in 1806. Not a huge number of people but it was one of the "frontiers". thanks again
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James, I sent you a personal message, perhaps we can get together some time. Sorry I mi8sunderstood your initial request.
I have not come up with any information on original makers in and around Cameron Co. When Samuel McClay made his survey in 1790, he traveled a few miles up the first fork and declared it a "Howling wilderness." MC Clay's journal is a good read and is available from Wennawoods press. The guns from the period that i have discovered in this area were been built south and east and carried in. I have found guns by John Dreisbauch, John Roop, and Joe Long. Several later period Harter ( Lock haven) doubles a few perch belly percussions probably from New York. Russell Harriger's book Longrifles of Elk, Jefferson and Clarion Cos. is a good reference and for nearby gunmakers.
Best wishes
Ron
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Ron, Thanks for the information on that Journal. Can't wait to read it.