Lynn

History of Fayette County, by Franklin Ellis, Philadelphia, L H Everts and Company, 1882, p549 Franklin Township, Fayette County, Penna

Among the earliest settlers in Franklin township may be reckoned on William Rittenhouse, a Jerseyman who came in as early certainly as 1777, with his wife and child and located upon a tract of land lying upon the western side of the township. As to the record of his experience for a few years after he came, not much can be learned.

It may be stated, however, that in 1795 he was living on the place now owned by Matthew Arison and in the house now Mr Arison's residence. He kept tavern in that house, which was in its day a favorite halting place for travelers to whom landlord Rittenhouse would, when in the mood, relate his brief but adventurous experiences during the Revolution in which he served as a fifer for the space of a year, from 1776 to 1777.

Upon the site of his farm there was at an earlier date and Indian village and graveyard, and tradition adds, in the village resided a chief of some note who more than once held important councils there with other dignataries of his race. The plowshare for the husbandman has in recent times unearthed many an Indian relic such as arrow heads, stone hatchets, and the like.

After a while Rittenhouse bought land adjoining his tract and skirting what is called the Lazy Hollow Road. Of that land Isaac Quick was an owner before Rittenhouse and report has it that it was from the circumstances of Isaac Quick's extradordinary indolence that the hollow mentioned was given the name of Lazy.

A little east of Aaron Lynn's present residence, Rittenhouse built a tavern and leased it to John Freeman who came from New Jersey and settled first in Franklin on what is now the Radlinghofer place.

The thoroughfare was the mainly traveled road between Brownsville and Connellsville, and Freeman's was probably a busy center at times. How long he kept the place the place is not known, but the old tavern stand now in ruins still marks the spot, a reminder of the days when Boniface welcomed with hearty hospitality the weary wayfarer, cheering as well as sustaining him with whatever fat that part of the land produced. Amos Emmens also is said to have kept tavern on the Lazy Hollow Road,but just where is not known.

Mr Rittenhouse was much devoted to the encouragement of religious aswell as secular education and at an early day built a school house on his farm, where in Samuel Blaney, a famous teacher in his day, taught the children of these pioneers their early steps in the paths of learning.

William Rittenhouse died on the Arison farm in 1815. Of his large family of thirteen children, the only one now living is the widow of Ayers Lynn, an old lady of eighty two years. Mr Rittenhouse was much devoted to the encouragement of religious as well as secular education and at an early day built a school house on his farm, where in Samuel Blaney, a famous teacher in his day, taught the children of these pioneers their early steps in the paths of learning. William Rittenhouse died on the Arison farm in 1815. Of his large family of thirteen children, the only one now living is the widow of Ayers Lynn, an old lady of eighty two years.

#7758 HAGERTY, JAMES L., grantee; grantor is MAHALIAH J. LYNN et al, for
deed in Franklin Twp. of 2/26/1898 for 7 acres; recorded 10/25/1901 in Book
201, p. 81