The territory of Indiana, after being successively reduced by the erection of East Deer in 1836, Shaler in 1847 and Hampton in 1862, was divided into three separate townships in 1875, one of which received the name of Harmar from Harmar Denny. The commissioners in this case, J. B. Stilley, Jacob Coorde and Edward Saint, were appointed December 26, 1874; they reported under date of January 26, 1875; the election was held March 27, 1875, when three hundred and fourteen votes were cast in favor of division and one hundred and eighty-nine against, and the final decree of court was issued June 8, 1875.

Daniel Sweeney, who settled on Barton’s island in 1794, and removed to the northern bank of the river several years later, is generally regarded as the first settler. Mr. Sweeney was a squatter, who lived in a blockhouse on the south side of the river. He cultivated the island by day and retired to his blockhouse at night. An Indian town then occupied the present site of Harmarville. Although these Indians were then friendly, it was not always thought safe to trust them.

About 1798 Mr. Sweeney sold his claim on the island to B. E. Brewster, Esq., who made his residence on it, and received for it a patent from the state. It is related that during his residence there, or about 1802, his ignorant neighbors brought a charge of witchcraft against a woman, and insisted on having her tried before Esquire Brewster. Mr. Brewster, who was an educated man, was, of course, not a believer in witchcraft, but pretended to try the woman in order to appease the clamors of the ignorant and excited crowd, not supposing any evidence against her could be adduced. Contrary to his expectations, many witnesses came forward and testified, positively, that she was a witch, and related what to their ignorant minds were convincing proofs of the act, and the crowd clamored for her death. Mr. Brewster affected ignorance of the law, and asked for time to inform himself. This was reluctantly granted, and in this time the woman was "spirited" away, so that when the time for passing judgment came she could not be produced. The indignation of the crowd was furious, and threats of violence to Mr. Brewster were freely uttered. Mr. Brewster afterward went to Texas, and there an account which he wrote of the affair was read, some years since, by a citizen of Harmar.

In 1835 Mr. Brewster sold the island to Robert Barton, and thus it acquired the name of Barton’s island, though it is known to river-men as Twelve-Mile island. The ownership of the island is still in the Barton family. Fourteen-Mile island is also a part of the township. Its ownership has changed many times.

Joseph and James Davis owned a large area of land at a very early day. Thomas Enoch, an Englishman, was an early owner of a large tract in the upper part of Harmar township. John Pillow was also a large landowner. James Henderson lived and died on a tract east of the Denny property. His sons William and John succeeded him in the ownership of this land, and also died there. Ebenezer Denny owned the land just above Harmar station, and his son Harmar, who was a son-in-law of James O’Hara, succeeded his father as owner of this tract.

The land where Harmarville station now is was originally owned by Judge Young, of Westmoreland county, and afterward by his son-in-law, Henry W. Foster. Judge Young also owned a large tract in Harmar township, back from the river. Samuel Alexander was the owner of a tract below Harmarville. On the hills back from the river was land owned by Thomas Fairman, and sold by him to Alexander Campbell. William Gwynn was an early tenant on this land. Among other early settlers on the high lands back from the river were John McAfee and William McKee, brothers-in-law; Peter and Robert Barton, who purchased from William Arthur; John Clowes and William Hare.

Squire ____ Martin was the owner of a large tract in the northeastern corner of the township. Philip Huddle, Jacob Wise and Sampson Harrison are the present owners of this land. John, James and Ralph Nixon purchased and settled on a large tract. James and Ralph and the heirs of John still reside there.

About half a century since, James Carson purchased and settled on land which is now owned by his son William. Robert Wilson, James Barton and Joseph Barton are lifelong residents of the township.

The only mill in the township is the old Denny grist- and saw-mill. It is going to decay. The canal passed through the township, and its course can still be traced, though the construction of the railroad has nearly obliterated this early waterway.

Harmarville, thirteen miles above the mouth of the Allegheny river, came into existence during the prosperous period of the canal, and has not materially changed. It comprises about a dozen bouses, scattered over a considerable area. One Hummel, an Irishman, built the first house, and John Speer opened the first tavern, in 1832. Deer creek, a large and important stream, empties into the river at this place. Guy’s run empties into Deer creek just opposite Harmarville station. It was named from the Indian chief, Guyasutha, who had a residence excavated in the bank near the mouth of this run. It is said by some that he died and was buried here. In 1880 the population was 490.

There are two churches. Reformed Presbyterian and United Presbyterian. The former is situated in the northeastern part of the township, the latter on Deer creek, near Denny station. Rev. James Boyd preached in a log barn on the Denny farm as early as 1817, and a church was built in 1818, but no organization occurred until 1838.