Shrewsbury Township is one of the oldest in Lycoming County, dating back to 1804, when it was separated from Muncy. It lies in the extreme eastern end of the county and is bounded on the north by Plunkett’s Creek Township and Sullivan County, on the east by Sullivan County, on the south by Penn Township and on the west by Wolf Township. It was originally a very extensive territory, embracing not only that part of it which is now included within the limits of Lycoming County, but also a considerable portion of what is now Sullivan County, this having been detached in 1847. Its first loss of domain, however, occurred in 1836 when Plunkett’s Creek Township was formed. Shrewsbury is the thirty-fourth Township in size and contains 8,533 acres.

The suggestion of the name is attributed to Theophilus Little, Sr. The Little and Bennett families were among the earliest settlers, and as they came from Shrewsbury Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, it is presumed that the name of their old home county seemed a suitable one for their new habitation, but it is very probable that the New Jersey Township took its name from the original borough in England called Shrewsbury and of which the famous John and Charles Talbot were both earls and dukes. Indeed, although many of the names given to the inland counties and townships of the state of Pennsylvania were brought to this section by those emigrating hither from New Jersey, Delaware and the settlements in the immediate neighborhood of Philadelphia, all of the names, except those given in honor of individuals who had rendered distinguished service either in the military or civil life of the state, can be easily traced back to English origin. Among such are the counties of Chester, Northampton, Lancaster, York and Delaware.

On the dividing line between Shrewsbury Township and Clinton County extends the great North Mountain, one of the most important spur ranges of the Appalachian chain. It rises to an altitude of 2,550 feet above sea level and from its summit one of the most entrancing views in this section of Pennsylvania may be had. Stretching away in all directions the low-lying hills seem like ocean billows as witnessed from some rocky shore along the Maine or Massachusetts coast of the Atlantic ocean.

In fact, the great mountain stands like a magnificent barrier between the two counties of Sullivan and Lycoming, one side sloping away to the northeast into Sullivan County and the other to the southwest into Lycoming.

The North Mountain forms the great watershed of the Muncy Valley, Big Muncy Creek flows along the dividing line between Shrewsbury and Penn townships and the Williamsport and North Branch railroad follows closely along the creek. The smaller streams heading in the great North Mountain and draining the whole of Shrewsbury Township are Roaring Run, Big Run, Fox Run and Lake Run. They all rise within the limits of the township and flowing southward, fall into Muncy Creek.

One of the most attractive portions of Shrewsbury Township is Highland Lake, located away up on top of the mountain near the northern border of the township and for many years a famous summer resort. Like Lewis lake at Eagles Mere, Hunter’s Lake above Sonestown, and Crystal Lake, it seems to be one of those curious formations of nature so many of which are to be found along the topmost range of the North Mountain.

The township of Shrewsbury was settled at a very early day by a number of adventurous pioneers, who came hither from the lower counties of the state to make a home for themselves in the then unbroken wilderness. Among the most notable of these early settlers was Peter Corson, who came from New Jersey in 1794. He became very active in the early development of the township and was closely followed by Owen Malone, Peter Buck and John Rynearson, all of whom have descendants still living in the township.

Although one of the oldest townships in the county, Shrewsbury has grown little in population since its first settlement. During the "boom" times, when lumber was the principal business of the Muncy Valley, that portion of the township lying along Muncy Creek, was a hive of industry and a number of saw mills and tanneries were kept busy for many years. But with the passing of the lumber industry the mills as well as the people passed away with it so that much of that section of the township is now only a memory.

Shrewsbury Township, however, will eventually become the location of many summer resorts as it possesses unsurpassed advantages in this respect on account of the healthfulness of its location and easy accessibility by rail. The township is well supplied with schools and churches.

It has a population of 330.