STARRUCCA

This borough was erected in 1853, and then called the borough of Wayne. It is three miles long on the Susquehanna line, and two miles wide. It was taken about equallly from Scott and Preston townships. Benjamin T. West, Esq., lived in the place in 1824. He was a son of Jones West, a blacksmith from Albany Co., N.Y. According to 'Squire West, Henry Sampson was one of the first settlers at Starrucca. His children were Esquire Sampson, John Sampson, Benjamin Sampson, Henry Sampson, Jr., Stephen Sampson, Hasadiah Sampson, and William Sampson. He had three daughters. Hasadiah Sampson married a sister of Benj. T. West. Jirah Mumford, Jr., a son of Jirah Mumford, Sen., the progenitor of all the Mumfords, was one of the first if not the first settler of the place, and the father of Hon. James Mumford, deceased, who lost two sons in the Rebellion. E. C. Mumford, the present district-attorney of the county, is one of the Judge's sons, also, W. W., late Representative of Wayne, Clinton D., and Clarence G. Mumford. W. W., and Clinton D., have a manufactory of pyroligneous acid and naphtha, the only one in the county. David Spoor early lived at Starrucca, and 'Squire Whitaker, who removed to Lizard Lake. Henry Sampson, Sen., built the first grist-mill. All the men were more or less engaged in lumbering pine which was taken to Hale's Eddy. Elder Peck was the first minister, and Elder Smitzer formed the first Baptist church in the place. Nelson M. Benedict lived in the place almost fifty-three years ago, and had eight children. One of his sons, Nelson M. Benedict, now living, is a justice of the peace. Dr. Thomas was the first physician, and Dr. J. P. Shaw has lived in the place twenty-two years.

H. McMurray, a well-known and intelligent man, lives in the place. Wm. Graham and John McMurray began the first tannery and were succeeded by Mr. Cowan, then by Drake & Salisbury, and finally, by Major E. P. Strong, who now owns one of the largest tanneries in the county. The Jefferson railroad passes near the place. The village is kept very neat and tasteful. There is a Roman Catholic and a M. E. church, and three common schools. There is also a Baptist society in the place, of which Rev. S. W. Cole is the pastor.