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Maytown was one of the oldest, and for many decades, the most important town in the Donegals. The principle pioneer family was Lowery, headed by Lazarus Lowery, an Indian trader. A patent for 411 acres of land was recorded for Lazarus Lowery in 1748, through which ran the “Great Road.” This was also known as “Peter’s Road” named for Pierre Bezallion, a French fur trapper who had a hand in carving out wilderness trails in the early days. In 1760, Jacob Downer (Dohner) was able to purchase most of this land on which he plotted a town on 150 acres. He planned it well and Maytown became a busy center of the fur-trading industry, and lots sold readily, though only ground rents were given. The first settlers were Scotch-Irish, but Germans soon became the most numerous of Maytown’s early settlers. Some were farmers and some were mechanics.
Maytown’s first tavern was a stone building erected in 1762 by Frederick Gailbach on the northwest corner of the Square. During the revolution, Daniel Gilman manufactured muskets and John Nicholas made broadswords in his smithy. Sally Hastings gained renown as a poetess as described by the historical facts located in the Maytown/East Donegal museum. Maytown’s Public Hall was erected in 1853 and Maytown Cemetery was incorporated in 1871. Brick making and cigar factories were the most important industries in Maytown for many decades. Maytown offers a unique opportunity to see a town that harkens back to another time. Its architecture ranges from early log structures to 19th century buildings built with brick produced in Maytown. The Maytown/East Donegal Museum is one example of the former. Several high-style Victorian-era homes and retail buildings, located on South River Street, are examples of the latter. The 1910 Maytown National Bank on West High Street and the 1881 three-story commercial brick building, known as “Shenk’s Store” at 3 Center Square, are architecturally significant in their own right. The 1 ˝ story stone house, located opposite Shenk’s Store, is where Rebecca Way, mother of the 19th century poet Bayard Taylor, was raised.
1729 Donegal Township, in which Maytown is located, is established 1748 Lazarus Lowery acquires patent on land that becomes Maytown 1752 Donegal Presbyterian Church is built 1760 Maytown is founded on the first day of May 1799 Simon Cameron, diplomat, U.S. Senator, War Secretary in Lincoln’s cabinet is born in Maytown 1820 Maytown becomes a brick manufacturing center 1875 Maytown becomes tobacco-clearing house 1881 The three-story, high style Victorian general store is built on the Square 1882 Dr. H.M. Alexander, nearby Maytown resident, establishes what is now known as Wyeth Laboratories 1889 Maytown High School is founded. Simon Cameron dies 1900 Houseal’s General Merchandise store is built 1906 The first house lights installed in Maytown by the Elizabethtown Electric Company 1910 Maytown National Bank building is built 1916 Maytown Volunteer Fire Company is established 1945 Donegal American Legion Post is established Current Events please visit http://www.maytown.org
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Maytown
Manor, 25 West High Street, P.O. Box 275, Maytown, PA 17550
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In 1770, the Downer estate went into the hands of the sheriff and Alexander Lowery, youngest son of the original owner, Lazarus Lowery, acquired the land and ground rents. The land later passed to John Smith and John Whitehill.
The Camerons were tenant farmers in Scotland who settled in the Donegals in 1775. Simon Cameron was born in Maytown in 1799 and moved with his family to Northumberland County when he was nine years old. Simon Cameron became a power in the newspaper world, became State printer, a general, a US Senator and War Secretary in president Lincoln’s first cabinet. In 1866, Simon Cameron returned to the Senate and served until 1877 with great influence.