John Scudder of Muncy Manor, Pennsylvania b .29 Jan 1737/38 d.12 Feb 1786
My fifth Great Grandfather was John Scudder who married Susannah Baker and settled in Muncy Manor in what is now Lycoming County. John Scudder was born 29 January 1737/38 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and died 12 February 1786 in Muncy Manor, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph Scudder who was the son of Richard Scudder after whom Scudder Falls is named.
Current members of the Scudder Association descended from John Scudder and his wife, Susannah Baker are: Scudder G. Stevens, Scudder G. Stevens, II, John P. Stevens, Georgia Whitson, Caitlin Whitson, Elizabeth G. Stevens, William Scudder Stokes, and perhaps others.
John Scudder was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War ("Associators and Militia" for Northumberland...Sixth Company. - Captain, Samuel Wallis, January 24, 1776; first lieutenant, John Scudder; second lieutenant, Peter Jones, January 24, 1776; ensign, James Hampton, January 24, 1776).
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Manuscript Collection 485a
Penn Manuscript Warrants and Surveys - Large Folio, p. 79
This day agreed with the Property Agents to pay them the sum of forty shillings currency per annum from this time for the plantation whereon I now dwell within the Manor of Muncy on the West Branch of Susquehanna which plantation I bought of Samuel Wallis and which hath lately been recovered at law by the Proprys. for one year certain and so from year to year as long as it shall please both parties. Witness my hand and seal this ninth day of July 1774. John Scudder (seal)
Sealed and delivered
in presence of
James Tilghman
John Hible (sic)
History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania. edited by John F. Meginness
page 83
"The second public road of which we have any account, was from John Scuder's place on the east bank of the river, to the crossing of Muncy creek by the Wyalusing path. This order was made by the court in August 1773, and Samuel Carpenter, Robert Robb, John Scudder, John Micheltree, John Alward, and James Robb were designated as viewers. As the distance was not very great, it is supposed the road was promptly laid out and built.":
Page 95
Settlers on Muncy Manor...
No 5. - Containing 301 acres and 105 perches and allowance, etc. Settled on and improved by John Scudder, who is displeased with the manner in which it is laid out, alleging there is not timber sufficient on it for fencing, etc., and desires his lot May be laid out agreeble to the red lines, (which contains 254 acres and 74 perches and allowance, etc.) which would greatly lessen the value of the lot Brady possesses. The S. thirty degrees E. line runs through Brandy's improvement, and takes near all the rail timber from Brady's lot that is on the south side of the Glade run, so that upon the whole we judge it most convenient, and to the general advantage of the plantations, that the black line should remain as the boundary between Brady and Scudder . We have therefore laid down Scudder's complaint that it May be judged of by his Honor the Governor.
page 96
Birth of the First Child.
"John Scudder , who appears on the draft as the occupant of tract No. 5, came from New Jersey , where he was born, January 29, 1738. He was one of the first to find his way to Muncy manor and settle. January 24, 1776, he was appointed a lieutenant in the Sixth Company of the Second Battalion of Associated Militia, commanded by Samuel Wallis; on the 13th of March following he was transferred to the Second Company of the same battalion with the same rank, commanded by Wallis, who appears to have been transferred also. Scudder's wife was named Susan (note: Susannah) and was born in New Jersey, June 2, 1746. They were probably married in 1765. Three children were the fruits of their union. William, the eldest, was born in New Jersey, April 4, 1766, and died at Muncy, April 19, 1825. John Scudder, accompanied by Richard Stockton, came to Muncy Manor in 1769, on a prospecting tour. Some time in 1770 Scudder moved his family from New Jersey, as Mary, their seocnd child, and the FIRST female child born west of Muncy Hills, came into the World May 21, 1771. When she grew up she married Benjamin Shoemaker, became the mother of nine children, and died at the place of her birth, April 14, 1850. Her children were named: John, Henry, Susannah; Sarah; William; Hannah; Benjamin; Mercy, and Mary. Hannah the youngest child, born February 1, 1776, married a man named Bell, but the date of her death is unknown.
"John Scudder served in the Revolutionary army. He died at Muncy, February 12, 1786. When he settled on the manor he erected a log cabin. It stood on the high bank or terrace of Glade run, between the canal and railroad, a short distance from the river. The exact spot is pointed out near the rear of the large barn on the Walton estate, but no trace of the cabin is visible. Several aged apple trees near by indicate an early settlement. There was no wooden floor in the cabin and it was without windows. The bed was supported by four stout posts, each with a fork, well elevated above the earthen floor to protect the sleepers from rattle snakes and copperheads, which were very numerous. The Scudders were well-to-do people for the time, and as Mrs. Scudder was the first white woman to locate in the settlement, her advent was an event of more than ordinary importance.
"On the breaking out of Indian hostilities John Scudder fled with his little family to New Jersey, as many of the settlers from that State did. When peace was restored they returned and occupied their improvement. Scudder and his family saw much of the hardships of pioneer life and tasted of the bitter cup."
MEMORIAL OF THE INHABITANTS
OF THE WEST BRANCH
MUNCY, June 10th, 1778
To the Hon'ble the Supream Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania:
The Remonstrance of Sundry the Distress'd Inhabitants of the County of Northumberland Inhabiting the West Branch of the River Susquehanna above Muncy Hill, Humbly Sheweth:
That the Repeated depradations and Horrid Murders lately committed upon the Innocent and Peaceable Inhabitants amongst us within a few weeks past is truly alarming. The Melencoly event of the 31st of May upon Loyalsock Creek oblig'd us to leave our homes and Livings and to Assemble together in large Bodys in order to Protect our wives and Infant children from becoming Victims of Savage fury, in full faith and Confidence that we should shortly meet with such suckor as would enable us to make a Vigorous Stand, that we have since frequently apply'd to the Lieutenant of the County for aid, who after using his best Endeavours has not been able to furnish us with more than seventy-three Troops of the Militia of this County to cover a Frontier of at least Forty miles in length. This supply we apprehend to be of very little use, especially as their times will be out in the midst of Harvest, and should anything more happen in the mean while, we are Convinced that it will be impossible to Call out the Militia of this County at any rate; that those considerations together with the very alarming event of the Murder and Captivity of thirteen of our near Neighbors and most Intimate Acquaintance this day has nearly Drove the Majority of us to Desperation, and to pray that you in your Wisdom will not only order to our Immediate relief such Standing forces as will be equal to our necissitys, but that you will order such Magizeans and Stores of Provisions to be Provided as will convince the good People of this Place that such Troops are to be stationed amongst them During the War. Nothing short of your Immediate assurance of this, we are Convinc'd, will induce the People to run the farther risk of being oblig'd to move away at a more Unfavorable Season.
Therefore in consideration of the premises, we beg leave to submit ourselves and Familys to your Care and Protection, not Doubting but you will order us such relief as to you in your Wisdom May seem meet.
Signed by John Scudder and others.
John Scudder is on the Muncy Township Assessment List for 1778
Union County: History: Annals of the Buffalo Valley by John Blair Lynn
Lieutenant John Scudder, being duly sworn, saith that Robert Robb
said that the King's troops are able to learn us to beat themselves, as
Peter the Great said of Charles, King of Sweden, and that the said Robb
never did anything against the cause of America, but always encouraged
the same, to the best of his knowledge; and further saith, that Mr.
Newman charged Robert Robb with discouraging people going into the
service, and that George Silverthorn and his family were the people.
And further saith not.
JOHN Scudder
Northumberland Wills and Administrations (Index)
Scudder, John: letters of administration granted 2/12/1787 to John ROBB; sureties: John Lytle and Walter Clark.
Be it Remembered John Scudder dec'd
That on the 12th day of February An. Dom. 1787. Letters of Administration were in due and Common Form of laws. Granted to Susana Schuder and John Robb.-----of the Estate of John Scudder dec'd who put in Securities. John Lytle and Walter Clark. signed I Sompson Reg'r.
-----------------------------------------------------------
From the Account of the Administrators, John Robb, and Tomas Lobdon and Susanna his wife late Susanna Scudder, administrators of all....signed by John Robb and Susana Scudder, her mark.
Attached you will find the original inventory taken for John Scudder’s estate as well as a copy of the record of the administration and a copy of Edith May Georgia’s DAR application. Edith May Georgia was my grandmother. I am including a copy of a letter written to my step great grandmother, my great grandmother’s sister, regarding her interest in joining the DAR.
The Scudder line has always been celebrated and respected within my family. Each generation has had a male child with the given name of Scudder. Scudder Georgia Stevens has both the Scudder and Georgia surnames as his given names and he is twice blessed.
I am uploading the DAR application of my great grandmother, Edith May Georgia and a supporting letter from her Aunt to her step-mother (Edith May was born to Rosetta Bennett Shoemaker sister of her step-mother, Mary Jane Shoemaker). In separate files I will upload a copy of the administration entry for John Scudder and a copy of the original inventory taken after his death.