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First
White Settler |
John Severns was the first white settler as he settled on the south bank of the Patoka River at a place now know as Severn's bridge.
When Severns and his family came to this territory, there was an Indian village on the opposite bank of the river. The Shawnee chief, Old Trackwell, was cruel and vindictive and offered no friendship to the white settlers. However, in his youth Severn had been a prisoner of the Indians and gained some knowledge in maintaining friendly relationships with them. Finally, Old Trackwell permitted Severn to build a ferry across the river if the chief would be allowed to use the ferry.
Severns came to Indiana from Virginia. He had been a mason in Williamsburg, Va. One of his decedents has a certificate of Lodge 457 issued to him on June 20, 1776.
Severn also brought apple and peach seeds here and had the first fruit orchard south of the White river. Severns died in 1829 and at his request was buried near his settlement.
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Princeton Indiana History
Gibson County, Princeton IN. |
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