Warsaw Township

Warsaw Township developed as a largely agricultural and lumber region of Jefferson County. Nineteenth-century county histories describe farm settlements stretching along local creeks and ridge roads, with Hazen and Richardsville emerging as focal points for churches, schools, and small stores. ⓘ

Many early families reached Warsaw by way of New York and northern Pennsylvania, following overland routes from counties such as Cattaraugus, Steuben, and Allegany into the interior of Jefferson County. Township narratives emphasize the gradual clearing of timber, establishment of sawmills, and steady growth of church congregations and district schools serving the rural neighborhoods. ⓘ

While Warsaw never developed the dense coal patches of neighboring townships, later nineteenth- and early twentieth-century sources note the influence of lumber companies, railroad spurs, and small industrial sites. Residents often appear in records linked to nearby boroughs and townships, especially Brookville, Pinecreek-area communities, and the Punxsutawney region.

Where to look for early records

Jefferson County was created in 1804 but did not immediately organize all of its townships and courts. For families who later lived in what became Warsaw Township, earlier records may be found in several jurisdictions:

• After Warsaw’s creation — Jefferson County, Warsaw Township. Most deeds, tax lists, and local court records for Warsaw residents will appear under Jefferson County and the township name once the township is fully organized. Use township references in tax duplicates and atlas maps to confirm coverage.
• Before township organization — parent townships. Prior to Warsaw’s formation, families in this area may be listed under earlier townships such as Pinecreek or Rose. Check those township headings in early 19th-century tax and assessment books.
• Before 1804 — Lycoming and Northumberland Counties. Land that would become Jefferson County fell within larger counties earlier; warrants and surveys can appear in Lycoming and Northumberland County volumes or in statewide land-office series.

Strategy: if you cannot locate a record under Warsaw Township, work backward through Pinecreek or Rose, and then the appropriate parent counties and state-level land records.

Boundary changes & map tips

• Township formation. Warsaw was created in the 19th century from earlier Jefferson County townships (likely Pinecreek or Rose). Check state session laws and county histories for exact dates and descriptions of the boundary lines.
• Rural character. The township remains largely rural, with farms and woodlots around Hazen, Richardsville, Munderf, and Allens Mills. Residents sometimes reported themselves simply as living “near Brookville” or “near Hazen” in narrative sources.
• Use layered maps. Compare the 1878 county atlas, early 20th-century county maps, and modern GIS or Google Maps to pinpoint farm locations, crossroads, and schoolhouses tied to the names on census and tax records.

When tracing a family across censuses, watch for shifts between generic “Jefferson County” references and more specific village names such as Hazen or Richardsville as postal routes and local identity changed.

Historical summary adapted from Scott (1888), McKnight (1917), the 1878 Jefferson County atlas, and Pennsylvania county-formation references.