Brown Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Brown Township is a township in Lycoming County
, Pennsylvania
, in the United States. The population was 111 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport
, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.
of the War of 1812
, was formed on May 3, 1815 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly
from parts of Mifflin
and Pine Townships
. Pine Creek
divides the township, nearly in half and it is the center of history in Brown Township. Pine Creek was a major waterway in the settlement of north central Pennsylvania and in the lumber era that swept through Pennsylvania in the mid-to-late 19th century. Early pioneers were attracted to its remoteness and abundance of fish and game.
Jacob Lamb, formerly of Milton
was the first documented settler to the area. He arrived in late 1794 by paddling with his family and household supplies in ten canoes, up the West Branch Susquehanna River
and Pine Creek to the mouth of Slate Run
. Here, Lamb built his home. Jacob Lamb also constructed the first saw
and gristmill
s in the area.
Over the years Brown Township grew slowly, but it never gained a large population. It is largely a remote area, covered with mountains and a thriving second growth forest
. It is popular today with outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The population was 885 by the 1890 census and declined to 111 people by the 2000 census.
The Bridge in Brown Township
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1988.
to the west, Tioga County
to the north, Pine Township
to the east and McHenry Township to the south. As the crow flies
, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 73.7 square miles (190.9 km²).73.3 square miles (189.7 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.54%) is water.
of 2000, there were 111 people, 56 households, and 38 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1.5 people per square mile (0.6/km²). There were 353 housing units at an average density of 4.8/sq mi (1.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 100.00% White.
There were 56 households out of which 10.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples
living together, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.36.
In the township the population was spread out with 10.8% under the age of 18, 0.9% from 18 to 24, 16.2% from 25 to 44, 37.8% from 45 to 64, and 34.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 122.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $41,250, and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $24,583 versus $16,667 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $22,970. There were 5.6% of families and 4.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
-Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau:Lycoming County is divided between the Appalachian Mountains in the south, the dissected Allegheny Plateau in the north and east, and the valley of the West Branch Susquehanna River between these.-West Branch Susquehanna River:The West Branch of the...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, in the United States. The population was 111 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Brown Township, named for a Major General Jacob BrownJacob Brown
Jacob Jennings Brown was an American army officer in the War of 1812. His successes on the northern border during that war made him a hero. In 1821 he was appointed commanding general of the U.S. Army and held that post until his death.-Early life:Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Jennings...
of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, was formed on May 3, 1815 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
from parts of Mifflin
Mifflin Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Mifflin Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 1,145 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
and Pine Townships
Pine Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Pine Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 329 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Pine Creek
Pine Creek (Pennsylvania)
Pine Creek is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, and Clinton counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. The creek is long...
divides the township, nearly in half and it is the center of history in Brown Township. Pine Creek was a major waterway in the settlement of north central Pennsylvania and in the lumber era that swept through Pennsylvania in the mid-to-late 19th century. Early pioneers were attracted to its remoteness and abundance of fish and game.
Jacob Lamb, formerly of Milton
Milton, Pennsylvania
Milton is a borough in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River, north of Harrisburg. Settled in 1770, it was incorporated in 1817, and is governed by a charter that was revised in 1890...
was the first documented settler to the area. He arrived in late 1794 by paddling with his family and household supplies in ten canoes, up the West Branch Susquehanna River
West Branch Susquehanna River
The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the northeastern United States. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch...
and Pine Creek to the mouth of Slate Run
Slate Run
Slate Run is a tributary of Pine Creek in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States.Slate Run joins Pine Creek at the community of Slate Run.-References:*Gertler, Edward. Keystone Canoeing, Seneca Press, 2004. ISBN 0-9749692-0-6...
. Here, Lamb built his home. Jacob Lamb also constructed the first saw
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
and gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
s in the area.
Over the years Brown Township grew slowly, but it never gained a large population. It is largely a remote area, covered with mountains and a thriving second growth forest
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
. It is popular today with outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The population was 885 by the 1890 census and declined to 111 people by the 2000 census.
The Bridge in Brown Township
Bridge in Brown Township
Bridge in Brown Borough is a historic Lattice truss bridge spanning Pine Creek at Brown Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1890, by the Berlin Iron Bridge Co. of East Berlin, Connecticut. The bridge measures 227 feet long and 19 feet wide.It was added to the National...
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1988.
Geography
Brown Township is in the northwestern corner of the county, bordered by Potter CountyPotter County, Pennsylvania
Potter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is in the Allegheny Plateau region. As of 2010, the population was 17,457. Its county seat is Coudersport. Potter County was named after James Potter, who was a general from Pennsylvania in the Continental Army during the...
to the west, Tioga County
Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Tioga County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,981. Tioga County was created on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for the Tioga River. Its county seat is Wellsboro....
to the north, Pine Township
Pine Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Pine Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 329 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
to the east and McHenry Township to the south. As the crow flies
As the crow flies
"As the crow flies" or beelining is an idiom for the shortest route between two points; the geodesic distance.An example is the great-circle distance between Key West and Pensacola, at either end of the U.S...
, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 73.7 square miles (190.9 km²).73.3 square miles (189.7 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.54%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 111 people, 56 households, and 38 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1.5 people per square mile (0.6/km²). There were 353 housing units at an average density of 4.8/sq mi (1.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 100.00% White.
There were 56 households out of which 10.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.36.
In the township the population was spread out with 10.8% under the age of 18, 0.9% from 18 to 24, 16.2% from 25 to 44, 37.8% from 45 to 64, and 34.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 122.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $41,250, and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $24,583 versus $16,667 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $22,970. There were 5.6% of families and 4.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
See also
For histories of the other townships in Lycoming County see- History of the Townships of Lycoming County, PennsylvaniaHistory of the Townships of Lycoming County, PennsylvaniaLycoming County was formed from Northumberland County on April 13, 1795. At the time it was formed the county was much larger than it is today. It took up most of the land that is now north central Pennsylvania....