DELAWARE COUNTY. 137 CHAPTER yiL Declaration of Peace — Its joyful reception by the Colonists — Early Settlements at Sidney Plains and along the Susquehanna — Incon- veniences to which the inhabitants were obliged to submit— Ruins of an ancient Indian Fort — Sidney Plains — First death that occur- red in Sidney — Great famine in 1787 — First grist-mill on the Sus- quehanna — First raft of lumber on the Susquehanna — Geographical boundaries of Sidney — Origin of the name — Ouleout Creek- — Indian signification — Original land-owners — First settlements in Franklin — Information derived principally of Joshua Pine, in relation to the early settlers in Walton — Account of a duel fought in Walton — Early settlements and settlers at Deposit, Chehocton, and in the Western part of the county — Dickinson's City — Hunting, stories — Indians who remained after the war — Old Abraham — Canope, Ben Shanks and Haycou — Tragical murder of the former and latter. The long looked for, and anxiously expected declaration of peace at last resounded among the hills and dales of the American Continent, and never was peace more acceptable to any country or people. The colonies had become prostrated by the extravagances, reverses, and collateral evils of a long and disastrous war, their finances had become crippled and exhausted, their credit abroad dwindled away and lost, with want and starvation staring the masses of the poorer classes in the face. That peace, too, was alike honorable as it was ac- ceptable to the American people. They had boldly asserted their rights, maintained them with fortitude and courage, and their exertions had been ultimately crowned with success — the Grod of battles had graciously smiled upon down-trodden America, ■for she teas free.^' The din of battle is now hushed — hostilities have ceased — the remnants of scattered families again gather together, and 12*
