The following information is based on my research and that of my uncle and godfather, Daniel Silverthorn (1936-2021), who left behind a treasure trove of genealogical and historical papers. Here is some information on William Silverthorn (1748-1813), one of the first settlers in a section of Springfield Township, which later became known as Girard Township in 1832.
William Silverthorn, my 5th great-grandfather, purchased 200 acres in Tract 529 from the Pennsylvania Population Co. on June 1, 1798. Tract 529 was located north of today’s West Ridge Road between North Creek Road and Townline Road.
According to History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (1884), William built one of the first grist mills in Erie County around 1799 on the banks of Spring Run, an Elk Creek tributary. Tract 529 had the terrain and water power needed to run a mill that the tax records confirm he erected and was operating within two years of purchasing the land.
William’s contract with Pennsylvania Population shows that he purchased 100 acres and received an additional 100 acres as an incentive to the first settlers in the area. Erie County was established in 1800 and its tax records for that year show William’s assessment as 200 acres, a mill, a horse, a yoke of oxen, and four cows.
With William, when he arrived from New Jersey via Fayette County, PA, were his wife, Jane Bartlow Silverthorn, and their children, Elizabeth, Thomas, James, Abraham, and Isaac. Their eldest child, John, passed away in 1790.
Judah Colt, a land agent and major historic figure in Erie County history, described meeting William and Jane in his October 21, 1797, diary. He wrote of his encounter with them on his way from Crawford County to “the lake” [Erie], that the couple were applicants for land. A week later, they appear in Colt’s diary again, “Among other purchasers was a Mr. Silverthorn, who purchased four tracts for himself and his sons. His wife accompanied him, who assisted him in making choice of lands.” The diary further states that William intended to erect a long building on the land. This was done to assure their claim to the land when they returned in the spring. Colt described Jane, as having a “poetical turn and was fond of displaying her talents that way.”
In an essay published on June 26, 1933, Erie Times-News city editor, John Kelley, wrote of his interview with a Bill Silverthorn, who could “gaze across the road upon the site of a gristmill which was built by his great grandfather, William Silverthorn.” At that time Elk Creek Road was known as Mill Road, and the vicinity was called Silverthorn Settlement, not to be confused with Silverthorn Corners in Franklin Township, near Edinboro.
Silverthorn told Kelley that of the four sons who came to Girard with their father, “James settled on what became known in later years as the Battles farm. Thomas settled on what used to be called the Wright place in West Girard. Abraham on the Schultz place and Isaac remained on the old homestead. He was my grandfather.”
Bill also shared a humorous story with Kelley, “I have often been asked why the Silverthorns are partial to houn’ dawgs. It just seems natural and that’s all I can say. My father always kept them and his father before him always had a few houn’ dawgs around the place.”
Perhaps that’s why Uncle Dan acquired a couple of hound dogs for himself. This was well before he started his genealogy journey. Maybe it really does run in our blood as I have also had a fondness for dogs. Easy, Tina, Happy, Scout, Nutmeg, Nora. . .
