Wilmot Township

Geography, Topography, and History

Wilmot Township is located in the southeast corner of Bradford County; it is bound to the north by Wyalusing Township, to the northeast by Tuscarora Township, to the east by Wyoming County, to the south by Sullivan County, to the southwest by Albany Township and to the west by Terry Township. The Susquehanna River serves as the northeastern border between both Tuscarora and Wyalusing Townships before moving into Wyoming County. There are several creeks and their tributaries that flow through the Township which include: Sugar Run, Rocky Forest Creek, Foster Branch, Wolf Run, and Rock Cabin Run. State Route 187 travels through the Township from the northwest to the southeast. A few other state roads that travel through the Township include: Wilmot Road, Pantherlick, Grant Hill, Foote Road, and Sugar Hill.

Wilmot Township was officially established in 1849, and taken from Asylum Township. The Township was originally known as Greenwood, and renamed after Honorable David Wilmot, a distinguished lawyer, member of congress, and author of “Wilmot Proviso”. The first settler of the township was Thomas Keeney, who arrived in 1786. Simeon Rockwell taught the first school within the Township. In 1858, the Township was again divided to re-split with Asylum Township.

Local Government and Current Data

There are three elected supervisors that serve on the governing council for the Township. The Township also employs a secretary. Wilmot Township has opted out of organizing a planning commission, zoning ordinances, and a comprehensive plan. All subdivisions and land developments in the Township must seek approval from the County Office of Planning and Grants. The Township of Wilmot is a predominately agricultural area, with a plethora of farms. There is a single church located in the Township, the St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Barn located in Wilmot Township David Wilmot was born in Bethany, PA on January 20, 1814 He studied law in New York State, and came to Bradford County after being admitted to the bar. He wrote the Wilmot Proviso in 1846, and presented it to the United States House of Representatives to prevent slavery from occurring in any territory acquired from Mexico during the Mexican-American War. The act was never passed, but many view it as a beginning to the secession that later resulted in the Civil War.

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