|
Ontelaunee Township History
Ontelaunee Township
takes its name from
the large stream which drains the greater part of the upper
eastern portion of the county. It is an Indian word, and
signifies “Maiden Creek,” a daughter or branch of the
Schuylkill. The stream was called “Maiden Creek” by the
Friends (Quakers) when they began their first settlements
1733 – ignoring the beautiful and expressive name
“Ontelaunee.” The friends took up the first land by patents
along and across its winding banks from its mouth
northwardly for more than ten miles; and also along the
eastern bank of the Schuylkill from the same point to the
Blue Mountain.
On April 2, 1849, a petition of certain
inhabitants of Maiden-creek Township was presented to court,
asking for a division of the township, and suggesting as a
proper name for the western portion, “Schuylkill.” The name
of the proposed township was changed by the court to
“Antalawny” (Ontelaunee) and the new township was erected
into a separate election district by act passed February 28,
1850.
In Ontelaunee Township, the first settlers were Friends,
some of whom entered the territory as early as 1721. Early
settlers included Francis Parvin, who settled at what is
known as Berkley. Berkley, which is located on Willow
Creek, where it was crossed by the Centre Turnpike and the
Berks County Railroad, was an early settlement in the
township. The Borough of Leesport was also originally a
part of Ontelaunee Township. |
