CC Historical Society Releases "The 1860 Journal of Thomas Hollen Circuit Riding Minister"

Rev. Hollen's Circuit 

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The 1860 "Original" Journal of Thomas Hollen Circuit Rider Minister Presented by Cameron County Historical Society Pre-orders are now being accepted for a donation of $15 +$5 if you need it shipped.

Do you ever wish you could take a peek into the past to see how our ancestors lived? Unfortunately, they haven’t invented a time machine to transport us to the past.

But, thanks to Phil Burkhouse and Jim McCarrier we can travel through time, in the form of hand written records they preserved and donated to the Cameron County Historical Society.

The records were from the “Journal of Reverend Thomas Hollen” who was a circuit riding minister for the communities of Cameron and parts of Elk County during January 1, 1860 to February 20, 1861. The “Journal” records his visits to preach in homes, schools houses, churches and revivals. He visited the sick and performed marriages and funerals for his congregations. He helped settle disputes in families, and gave a hand to farmers, lumber rafters and anyone else who needed help.

As he traveled his circuit he stayed and dined with members of the congregations and enjoyed their hospitality. His life was difficult requiring traveling long distances weekly and being called out in all kinds of weather. He lived near the Pine Street Cemetery and Mission.

The journal itself was hard to transcribe; it was handwritten, and the spelling was based on phonics. We wished to keep original spelling which, in itself, was worth the effort in spite of that modern “irritable spell check”.

So, about 18 months later we now have our “peek” into the lives of our ancestors. Come and join us in visiting and learning about these families on Rev. Hollen’s circuit. Follow the map on the back cover of the book to locate some of the families. An index of over 100 ancestors will lead you quickly to your own relatives and some of our original pioneers that he came know.

Included along with the “Journal” are stories about some of the families and locations of interest. Did you know there was a “Grindstone Bridge” in Huntley? There was also a “Grindstone Narrows” on Bennett’s Branch of the Sinnamahoning Creek. Cowley Run was named for” Zenus Cowley” find out what unusual method he used to catch a mountain lion. Sterling Run once had the Indian name “Kikeos” and Emporium was once called Shippen. What we now call Winslow Hill was formerly called Mount Pleasant.

We invite you to come take this “Journey Through Time” on a visit with the circuit riding minister Reverend Thomas Hollen. A rare peek into our past and a record of their time among these wonderful mountains many of us call home.

Checks can be made out to the Cameron County Historical Society and sent to PO Box 433, Emporium, PA 15834.

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Journal Surname Index & Stops 

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