The first white man to live in Plunketts Creek Township had the surname of Paulhamus. Tradition states that he was a deserter during the Revolutionary War. He fled from the Redcoats and cleared a small piece of land in the wilderness along Loyalsock Creek near the mouth of Bear Creek. Paulhamus was a squatter on the land from 1770 until 1776, when it is thought that he was forced to rejoin the British Army. Permanent settlers did not arrive in Plunketts Creek Township until 1818. Three men, Donelly, Smith and Payne, found the cabin that had been abandoned by Paulhamus. They expanded Paulhamus' improvements and began farming, fishing and hunting in the area.