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Clifford Township History Book and Video
A group of township residents have formed the Clifford Township Historical Society, Inc., and have collected memories, stories, newspaper clippings, old letters and photographs which tell stories about life in our area over the past 200 years for a bicentennial history book and video. For purchasing information, visit the Merchandise page. 
Clifford Civil War Hero Owen Phillips Owen Phillips, son of Nelson and Sally Ann Phillips of Clifford was among the first volunteers to fight for the Union, enlisting in the three months' troops formed after the rebel attack on Fort Sumter in 1861. In August of 1862, Owen reenlisted as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863 the regiment came under fierce attack and during the forced retreat, the color-bearer was killed. It was Private Owen Phillips who "saved the colors" rescuing the flag and taking it safely from the battle field. For this brave and heroic act he was promoted to color sergeant. In May of 1864 during the Battle of the Wilderness, Color-Sergeant Owen was the target of enemy sniper fire and was mortally wounded. The Clifford GAR Post was named in his honor. GAR was the Grand Army of the Republic, an a veterans' organization formed in 1866 with membership restricted to soldiers who had served in the Union Army in the Civil War between April 1861 and April 1865. Nearly every community had a chapter, called a "Post", which held regular meetings. These gatherings served to continue the bonds of comradeship established during the war, as well as bring help to fellow veterans who were disabled, and to fight for pensions and other benefits. The organization was also instrumental in the establishment of the Memorial Day holiday to honor fallen soldiers, and May 30 was selected as the day of commemoration because the last Union soldiers of the Civil War were mustered out on that day. History of Clifford, PA by Mrs. Merle M. Robinson In October of 1958, long-time Clifford resident Mrs. Merle (Bertha) M. Robinson published a 28 page, 4.5 by 5 inch booklet with leather cover entitled History of Clifford, PA. She wrote mainly about the village of Clifford, her home. Mrs. Robinson begins the booklet with "Not being experienced as a writer I have made a feeble attempt to write, for future posterity, a past and present history of Clifford." The booklet is dedicated as follows "To my husband Merle M. and dear friends and neighbors whose friendships and kindness have contributed so much to making life worth living, I dedicate this little story of our Community." To read the booklet, click here: History of Clifford, PA Growing Up in the Clifford and Lenoxville Area in the Years from 1918 through 1935 by Walter Cook The following is a brief account of what it was like while growing up in the Lenoxville / Clifford [Pennsylvania] area in the years from 1918 until 1935. "To enjoy a cup of coffee in those days you first went to the woodpile and brought in kindling to start a fire. You then went to the well and brought in water. You then boiled the coffee, skimmed out the grounds and enjoyed your coffee." This is an example of how things had to be done back then as opposed to the conveniences that we enjoy today. To read the full story, click here: Clifford Lenoxville History NOTE: Some of the Clifford PA documents are provided in AdobeTM Portable Document Format (PDF) Format. The AdobeTM PDF Viewer may be downloaded for free by clicking the button below.  |