For Rippey and Orson Campers

It seems our Rippey and Orson ancestors lived in an area that's now attractive to campers and wildlife enthusiasts. Here's a map of the area with links and here's an overview. The Holtwood Dam is lower on the Susquehanna, and it backs water up to this area. The power company bought land in the area in connection with the dam which is now preserved from development.

As I posted yesterday, George Orson (Mary's brother) may have operated the Shenk's Ferry, presumably from the Orson land on the west bank. Googling "Shenk's Ferry" gave some interesting results. The Shenk's Ferry Wildflower Preserve is on the east side of the Susquehanna. The Urey overlook on the west side of the Susquehanna is near, and possibly on, the Orson land. The Otter Creek area possibly contains old growth forest (i.e., never logged). Follow this link. Finally, "Shenks Ferry" designates a culture of the Woodland Indians, based excavations done in Conestoga Township (east bank).

I've added a line indicating the probable Shenks Ferry route to this
View Chanceford (Rippey/Orson/Stewart) Map in a larger map

Chanceford Township

Bought "A History of Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania, 1747-1997, issued by the Brogue Community Lions Club, November 1997, June R. Grove and Richard Konkel, Esq., editors.

It's well done, with lots of information, but Capt. Rippey doesn't star. There is a mention of an "Orson Mill" and a ferry which George Orson operated in 1783. Captain Reed operated after the Revolution. Doing an Internet search finds a reference to Captain Reed's operating the Orson Mill and having "river rights" and operating a ferry which became known as "Shenk's Ferry".

At the rear there's a section of local genealogies. The one for the Stewarts adds some information for them, including the fact Ernest Stewart wrote a "Stewart Genealogy".