-tit,'.; -. . , , :":' ;.'.;;: .'•■-:-. I; . .-i* .• -. t ' -" ' ■ ','.*.,. • !• >.'j*/ " '-','■ ".♦.■* ]'--4t.j;V;: ;• M->-*---' ■ ''::::-.■ - . . ^^h: .^'' -A •• .•/■I'*" r^-'' '•* '•: ■*■■■■.■■ • ^'^'i i • ■i.iii'+-,t:-v •';-•. '/It' ->--~l, ;'>:.'.*: -• '"fj'^rSl';','. •;%;.'•'-'■'■•.• •••( ; ■ •!• u I5D (WASHINGTON CO,) CREIGH HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT PEESEKT TIME, FIRST UNDER VIRGINIA AS YOHOGANIA, OHIO, OR AUGUSTA COUNTY UNTIL 1781, AND SUBSEQUENTLY UNDER PENNSYLVANIA; WITH SKETCHES OF ALL THE TOWNSHIPS, BOROUGHS, AND VILLAGES, ETC. ; AND TO WHICH IS ADDED A FULL ACCODKT OF THE CELEBRATED MASON AND DIXON'S LINE, THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION, INDIAN WARFARE, TRADITIONAL AND LOCAL HISTORICAL EVENTS. Whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future preponderate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings. — De. Johnson. SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED BY ALFRED CREIGH, LL. D. ■^5 HARRISBUEG, Pa., B. SINGERLY, PRINTER. 1871. Entered according to Act of Conj^ress, in the year 1870, by ALFRED CREIGH, LL. D. in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States in and for the Western District of Pennsylvania. TO THE CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, WHOSE DEVOTION TO PATRONIZE AND ENCOURAGE MORALITY, LITERATURE, PATRIOTISM, AND RELIGION IS NOT SURPASSED BY ANY BODY OP CITIZENS IN THE AMERICAN UNION, is Mmt IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THEIR FELLOW-CITIZEN, ALFRED CREIGH. Ellendale Villa, Washington, Pa., June 29, 1870. (3 ) PREFACE. For the last nine years, the author of this volume has been en- gaged in collecting and arranging materials for the history of Washington County, a county whose existence (not, however, in its present organized chartered form) is coeval with the chartered rights both of Pennsylvania and Virginia. These States claimed control over its territory, until the disputed question was finally settled and adjusted by extending the celebrated Mason and Dixon's line, in 1185, although the chartered history of Washington County dates back to nSl. There has been a growing desire, for the last few years, among the people of this and other counties to investigate and become acquainted with their local history. It is eminently proper and praiseworthy in any people to rescue from oblivion memorials of unpublished facts, reminiscences, and traditions; to call to memory the primitive days of our forefathers, their frontier life and hardships, their struggles with the red men of the forest, and to collect and preserve valuable and interesting statistical information and reliable facts which will tend to perpetuate their history. Under such influences, and at the request of a committee of my fellow-citizens, I entered the hitherto untrodden field to collect all these memorials, and now present them for your consideration and approval, I do not intend to convey the meaning that it is entirely perfect ; it will take time and more diligent research to procure the memorials which have not yet been published ; but this volume is intended to be the starting-point from which the future historian can gain reliable facts. I have been particularly careful not to give any traditionary facts, without being corroborated by authentic docu- ments or strong circumstantial evidence. To natives and their descendants of Washington County, settled iu distant places, this volume will prove of great interest, recalling ( o PREFACE. 5 to memory old associations, friends of former years, and the recollec- tion of events and incidents passed from memory. The causes which led to the preparation of this history of Wash- ington County may be gathered from the perusal of the following correspondence: — Washington, January 9, 1861. Dk. ♦Alfred Ceeigh, Deak Sir: Our "old men" are fast passing away, and with them, unless soon rescued, will be lost many facts connected with the early settlement and history of our borough and county. Many accounts are doubtless in existence which are also liable to be lost when the present possessors cease to own them. We believe it to be the duty of some one to gather unpublished facts, reminiscences, memorials, and traditions of the early settlement of the county, and present them to the public in an historic form. A history of Washington Borough and County would prove deeply interesting to the present inhabit- ants and to their children scattered all over the land. As a work of future reference, it would be invaluable. Knowing your zeal and perseverance in matters of this kind, we would respectfully suggest that you undertake this work. We will cheerfully aid you in obtaining facts and gaining access to documents. We believe that sufficient numbers of the book could be sold to repay you for your labor. Hoping you will comply with the request. We remain yours, &c., ALEXANDER WILSON, JOHN L. GOW, JOHN H. EWING, THOS. W. GRAYSON, C. M. REED, G. W. MILLER, J. L. JUDSON, DAVID AIKEN, JOHN R. DONEHOO, WM. VANKIRK, WM. HOPKINS, FREEMAN BRADY, Jr., JAMES B. RUPEE, W. S. MOORE, H. A. PURVIANCE, JAMES W. KUNTZ, WM. HUGHES, R. H. KOONTZ, A. H. ECKER, GEO. S. HART, WILLIAM SWAN, W. A. MICKEY, W. H. HORN, H. J. VANKIRK. REPLY. Washington, January 21, 1861. Oentiemen : Your letter of January 9th is now before me, and after mature deliberation upon its contents, I shall avail myself of preparing, and at the earliest opportunity of presenting to the public a full history of Washington Borough and County. The reminiscences, memorials, and traditions which exist in this county will make an interesting work, more especially as this was the Jirst county which was organized in Pennsylvania after the Declaration of Independence. 6 PREFACE. It is true that the history which I am about to write will require untiring diligence, unwearied perseverance, and . industrious research, yet with the promised aid of yourselves and the co-operation of iny fellow-citizens who may be in possession of any facts or traditions tending to elucidate our history, I have no fear of the result. As Washington County was the Jirst organized, let her likewise be the Jirst in the State to inaugurate a system by which, every county, following her example, will present their separate histories to the American people, whereby incalculable good will result not only toHhe State of Pennsylvania, but to the rising generation. With sentiments of respect and esteem, I remain yours truly, ALFRED CREIGH. To Alexander Wilson, Esq., and others. The materials for the work have been derived chiefly from the Colonial Records and Archives of the State, the records of the county and borough, files of newspapers, pastors of churches, and kind friends who felt a deep interest in procuring for my use these memorials. To the committee who addressed me on the subject, to my friend Hon. James Veech, of the city of Pittsburg, am I particu- larly indebted for the use of his notes on Washington County, and the Mason and Dixon question; to David S.Wilson, Esq., who aided me by his counsel and research, and to Rev. Dr. James I. Brownson who, from the moment of its undertaking, felt a deep and abiding interest in its publication, with many others, I return my sincere thanks, fondly trusting that the work may meet the approval of all my fellow-citizens; fully convinced that any imperfections will be overlooked by the reader, in the contemplation of the variety of subjects presented for his consideration. Where any error is discovered, I shall be thankful to the reader to inform me by letter of the inaccuracy, and I shall have it corrected in a subsequent edition, my desire being to give a faithful, truthful, and reliable history of Washington County. COI^TENTS. CHAPTER I. WASHINGTON COUNTY — ITS PRIMITIVE HISTORY UNDER VIRGINIA. Spottsylvania County; its boundaries — Orange County — Frederick Coun- ty; its boundaries — Augusta County ; its boundaries — District of West Augusta — Justices' Courts — Oatli of allegiance — Oath of supremacy — The test oath — Oath of abjuration — Youghiogheny County; its boun- daries, courts, and court-houses, and punishments — Pillory and stocks described — Whipping-post and ducking-stool — Ohio County ; its boun- daries and court-house — Monongalia County — Courts and roads — Or- phan children — Taverns — Continental money — Ferries — Attorneys-at- law — Sheriffs and deputy-sheriffs — Surveyors — Military officers — Grist- mills— Salts — Cotton, and wool cards — Counterfeit money — Allegiance — Naturalization — Passports — Benevolence of Youghiogheny County — Marriage extraordinary — Reflections 9 CHAPTER II. A GENERAL OUTLINE HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. History of Pennsylvania, from the date of its charter to the present time, embracing a list of all the Indian titles to lands — Historical and sta- tistical facts — The date of the formation of each county of the State, with the number of acres and population in each, and a list of the Governors from the accession of William Penn, its proprietor, in 1681 to 1870 .27 CHAPTER III. ORIGINAL ACT ESTABLISHING WASHINGTON COUNTY. Divisions by the formation of townships — Its original and present town- ships and boroughs — Its present boundaries with topographical and geographical description and its streams — Its early religious element and the religious agreement of 1782 — Marriage custom and ceremony — School-houses 39 CHAPTER lY. PROCEEDINGS OP THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. A brief history of the Provincial Conference — The Constitution of 1776 ; the Council of Censors; the Convention of 1789; the Constitution of 1790 ; the action of the Legislature of 1825 ; with regard to a conven- tion, and the vote of the people ; the Convention of 1837 ; the Consti- tution of 1838, and the full proceedings of the Supreme Executive, from 1781 to 1791, which relates to Washington County . . .54 CHAPTER Y. TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. The history of the Townships and Boroughs in their chronological order, detailing interesting events in each — Also the history of churches and the present state of education in each township and borough . . 87 ( 1 ) 8 CONTENTS. CHAPTER YL ELECTED OFFICERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FROM 1Y90. Members of Congress — Senators and Representatives — President Judges — Associate Judges and Deputy Attorney-Generals — Attorneys-at-Law — Prothonotaries — Registers — Recorders — Clerk of the Courts — Sheriffs — Coroners — Commissioners — Clerks to Commissioners — Treasurers — Auditors — Notary Public — Directors of the Poor — Deputy Surveyor- General — Justices of the Peace 250 CHAPTER 711. MILITARY HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Brig.-Gen. Clark's expedition in 1781 — Col. David Williamson's expedi- tion in 1782 — Col. William Crawford's expedition in 1782 — Whiskey Insurrection in 1791-4 — Outrage on the Chesapeake Frigate, 1807 — War of 1812— Texas Revolutiou, in 1836— Mexican War in 1846— South- ern Rebellion in 1861 278 CHAPTER YIII. HISTORY OF ASSOCIATIONS, AND EVENTS WHICH TRANSPIRED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY . . . .341 APPENDIX. CHAPTER I. THE VIRGINIA AND PENNSYLVANIA CONTROVERSY, FROM 1752 TO 1783. The date of the earliest settlements by Virginians and Pennsylvanians — The difficulties between the Governors of both States arising from these settlements — The names of the first settlers — The various acts of Capt. Connolly as the representative of Virginia in claiming Fort Duquesne (Pittsburg) as within Virginia — His treason — Commissioners appointed by both States to run a temporary line until the Revolutionary War would terminate — The action of both States approving of the same, and the necessity of erecting Washington County 3 CHAPTER II. THE MASON AND DIXON 'S LINE. Its full history — the line run by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon — the claim of Pennsylvania — the claim of Lord Baltimore — the appointment of commissioners — the labors of Mason and Dixon ended in 1767 — new commissioners appointed in 1783 by the States of Virginia and Penn- sylvania— letter from Joseph Reed on the scientific apparatus to be used — report of the joint-commissioners — report of the Pennsylvania commissioners — cost of running the line — the western line of Pennsyl- vania run by commissioners appointed by both States, and the report of the commissioners thereupon — the origin of the Pan Handle in West Virginia 24 CHAPTER III. INDIAN PISTORY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA. Names of all the tribes of North America in 1764 — Those inhabiting West- ern Pennsylvania and adjoining territory — Letters on the Indian wrongs from 1765 to 1780 — Rice's fort — Letters from Dr. J. C. Hupp on Miller's block-house — Captivity and escape of Jacob Miller, and the cruel mur- der of five of Miller's friends — Vance's fort — Well's fort — Lindley's fort 38 CHAPTER IV. WHISKEY INSURRECTION. ... 59 HISTOEY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. CHAPTEE I. WASHINGTON COUNTY— ITS PRIMITIVE HISTORY UNDER VIRGINIA. Spottsylvania County ; its boundaries — Orange County— Frederick County ; its boundaries — Augusta County ; its boundaries — District of West Augusta — Justices' Courts — Oatli of allegiance — Oath of supremacy — The test oath — Oath of abjuration — Youghiogheny County; its boundaries, courts, and court- houses, and punishments — Pillory and stocks described — Whipping-post and ducking-stool — Ohio County ; its boundaries and court-house — Monon- galia County — Courts and roads — Orphan children — Taverns — Continental money — Ferries — Attorneys-at-law — Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs — Survey- ors— Military oflScers — Grist-mills — Salt — Cotton, and wool cards — Counter- feit money — Allegiance — Naturalization — Passports — Benevolence of You- ghiogheny County — ^Marriage extraordinary — Reflections. To trace the history of Washington County from its primitive existence, the historian should give facts, but the inferences and reflections should be left to the reader. It will be our province, therefore, to examine into the history of the colony of Yirginia from its first settlement on the 25th day of March, 1584, to the 23d day of August, 1185, at which date the commissioners of the States of Yirginia and Pennsylvania entered into conciliatory measures whereby that portion of Western Pennsylvania claimed by Yirginia became vested in our own State. Our chartered rights, therefore, are deduced from charters granted by the reigning King of England, either to the colony of Yirginia in 1584, or to the colony of Pennsylvania in 1681, as the records will demonstrate. In 1584 Sir Walter Raleigh obtained letters patent for discovering unknown countries, by virtue of which he took possession of that part of America which he afterwards named Yirginia, in honor of Queen Elizabeth. He attempted its settlement, but failed. He took an active part in many enterprises in England ; and, among the number, he endeavored to place Arabella Stewart on the throne, and for this conspiracy was tried and condemned, on November 17, 1603, to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. Notwithstanding his conviction and sentence, he was not executed, but was confined in 10 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. the Tower as a prisoner, where he remained many years, devoting his time to writing the History of the World. On the accession of James I. to the crown, Raleigh was released, and sent on a mining expedition to South America, with the necessary number of men and ships, of which Spain was informed ; but the expedition failing, and one of the Spanish towns being destroyed by fire, the Spanish am- bassador demanded satisfaction by the return and death of Raleigh. He was, therefore, immediately seized, and, without any new trial was beheaded on his former conviction, on the 29th of October, IGls' to appease the anger of Spain. In 1606 James I., by virtue of his prerogative as king, divided the colony of Virginia between two companies : the southern com- pany wa^ granted to Thomas Gates and others, and called the London Company; the northern company was called the Plymouth Company. This grant embraced all the lands in Virginia from Point Comfort', along the sea-coast, to the northward two hundred miles, and frorn the same point, along the sea-coast, to the southward two hundred miles, and all the space from this precinct on the sea-coast up into the land, west and northwest, from sea to sea, and the islands within one hundred miles of it. Subsequently, on the 12th day of March, 1612, by other letters patent, the king added all islands in any part of the ocean between the thirtieth and forty-first degrees of latitude. On the 24th of July, 1621, the colony of Virginia established a form of government, subject to the approval of the "General Quarter Court of the Company in England." To this was added the proviso that no order of the Council in England should bind the colony unless ratified in the General Assembly of Virginia. Thus earlv in our country's history was introduced those principles of republi- canism, which eventually secured to us our present form of govern- ment. The king and the Company, however, quarrelled, and he suspended their powers by the Proclamation of July 15, 1624. King James I. having died on 2nh March, 1625, Charles I. took the government into his own hands. He made extensive grants of plantations in a high state of cultivation, and also woodlands, in the colony of Vir- ginia, to his particular friends. Lord Baltimore and Lord Fairfax, to the former of whom he even granted the separate and sole right of jurisdiction and government. Charles I. having been deposed by Oliver Cromwell in 1650, and assuming the title of Protector, he considered himself as standing in the place of the deposed king, and . as having succeeded to all the kingly powers, without as well as within the realm, and therefore assumed control over the American colonies. Virginia, however, had expressed herself as opposed to Cromwell and his parliament, and invited Charles II. (the son of the deceased king), who was then an exile in Breda, Flanders, to come into Virginia and become their king, but on the eve of embarking, in 1660, he was recalled to the throne of England, on the 29th of May, of the same year. After Charles II. had ascended HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 11 the throne, and desirous of giving a substantial proof of the pro- found respect he entertained for the loyalty of Virginia, he caused her coat-of-arms to be qua^-tered with those of Evgland, Ireland, and Scotland, as an independent member of the empire. Hence the origin of the term Old Dominion. It also derives this term from the fact that it was the first of the English settlements in the limits of the British colonies. Having thus exhibited the chartered rights of the colony of Vir- ginia for sixty-six years, let us retrace our steps to the year 1634, when the colony of Virginia was divided into eight shires or coun- ties. Six of these were situate between the James and York rivers, viz. : Henrico, Charles City, James City, York City, Warwick, and Elizabeth City shires. The Isle of Wight Shire was between the James and Caroline rivers, while the Northampton or Accomac Shire was on the eastern shore. From these eight original shires or counties have been erected the one hundred and fifty-eight counties of the Old Dominion, fifty-six of which are situate west of the Blue Ridge Mountain, which is broken by the Potomac Kiver at Harper's Ferry, and traverses the State in a line of about two hundred and sixty miles, separating it into the two great divisions of Eastern and Western Virginia. Spottsylvania County. The territory of Washington County, Pennsylvania, was, according to the original chartered rights of Virginia, claimed as belonging to the county of Spottsylvania. This county was formed from parts of Essex, King William, and King and Queen counties, in 1120, dur- ing the reign of King George I. It was named in honor of Alexan- der Spottswood, who was then Governor, and also in commemoration of the fact that he made the first discovery of the passage over the Appalachian Mountains. The preamble to the act erecting this portion of Western Vir- ginia into a county reads thus : That the frontier toward the high mountains is exposed to danger from the Indians, and the late set- tlements of the French to the westward of the said mountains, therefore it is enacted, that Spottsylvania bounds upon Snow Creek up to the mill ; thence by a southwest line to the North Anna River, thence up said mountains, as far as convenient, and thence by a line to be run on the northwest side thereof, so as to include the northern passage through the said mountains, thence down the said river until it comes against the head of the Rappa- hannock River and down that river to the mouth of Snow Creek, which tract of land shall become the County op Spottsylvania, from May 1, 1721. By the act of 1730, Williamsburg was declared to be the county town, and the same act, on account of the large area of territory to be travelled by the judicial officers, provided that the burgesses should be allowed for four days' journey, in passing and returning. 12 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. In ltl2, Virginia was divided into forty-nine parishes, which act also determined the salary of each clergyman, but in 1730 St. George's parish was divided by a line running from the mouth of the Rappahannock to the Pamunkey River, the upper portion to be called St. Mark's, and the lower portion St. George's parish. In 17.34 the names of these parishes were changed, St. George's was called SjMttsylvania and St. Mark's was named Orange, and all settlers beyond the Shenandoah River were exempted for three years from the payment of public and parish dues. It is apparent, therefore, that the first settlers endeavored to mould their religious government and make it conform as near as possible to the church of England. Orange County. In 1734, Spottsylvania County was divided, and from it Orange County was formed, which comprised the whole of the colony of Western Yirginia. 'O' Frederick and Augusta Counties. In 1738, the act of legislature erected two more counties out of the extensive county of Orange, by naming one Frederick, and the other Augusta. Frederick County was bounded by the Potomac on the north, the Blue Ridge on the east, and a line to be run from the head spring of Hedgeman to the head spring of the Potomac, on the south and west. Augusta County was to embrace the re- mainder of Virginia west of the Blue Ridge. Augusta County. In October, 1776, the legislature of Virginia passed an act to ascertain the boundary between the county of Augusta and the dis- trict of West Augusta, and to divide said district into three distinct counties. District op West Augusta. The preamble to the act, which embraces much historical informa- tion, is in these words : Whereas, it is expedient to ascertain the boun- dary between the county of Augusta and the district of West Au- gusta— Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, that the boundary between the said dis- trict and county shall be as follows : beginning on the Alleghany Mountains, between the heads of the Potomac, Cheat, and Green Briar Rivers (Haystack Knob, or north end of Pocahontas County), thence along the ridge of mountains which divides the waters of Cheat River from those of Green Briar, and that branch of the Mo- nongahela River called Tyger's Valley River, to the Monongahela River ; thence up the said river, and the west fork thereof, to Bing- HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, 13 erman's Creek, on the northwest side of the said west fork ; thence up the said creek to the head thereof; thence in a direct course to the head of Middle Island Creek, a branch of the Ohio, and thence to the Ohio, including all the waters of said creek in the aforesaid District op West Augusta, all that territory lying to the northward of the aforesaid boundary, and to the westward of the States of Pennsylvania and Maryland, shall be deemed, and is hereby declared to be, within the District or West Augusta. At a court of the District of West Augusta, held at Fort Du- quesne (Pittsburg), September 18th, 1776, the court decided that on the passage of the ordinance, they became a separate and distinct jurisdiction, from that of East Augusta, and as such, West Augusta assumed and exercised independent jurisdiction over its entire terri- tory. After the thirteen colonies had declared themselves free and inde- pendent, the General Assembly of Virginia passed an act on the 20th of August, 1876, enabling the present magistrates to continue the administration of justice until the same can be more amply pro- vided for. Justices' Courts. Justices' courts were organized by John Eare, of Dunmore, his majesty's Lieutenant and Governor-iu-Chief of Virginia, as early as December, 1774. He also issued, the same year, a commission ad- journing the county court of Augusta, from Staunton to Fort Dun- more. This fort was originally called Fort Pitt, but in 1773 the British government abandoned it, and Dr. John Connelly took pos- session of it in the name of Virginia, and named it Fort Dunmore. It is evident, therefore, that as late as three years before the Decla- ration of Independence, Pittsburg and the surrounding country was claimed as belonging to the district of West Augusta. This inter- resting question will be fully discussed in the Appendix, Chapter II., wherein we shall treat of and examine the celebrated Mason and Dixon's line. George Croghan, Edward Ward, John Stephenson, Isaac Cox, George M'Cormick, Joseph Beckett, John Campbell, Dorsey Pen- tecost, John Connelly, John Gibson, George Vallandigham, Thomas Smallman, William Crawford, and William Goe took the usual oaths to his majesty's person and government, subscribed the abjuration and test oaths, as also the usual one of justices of the peace, justices of the county court in chancery, and justices of the oyer and terminer. As these oaths ai'e peculiar in their character I shall add them. Oath of Allegiance. — I, A. B., do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance to his majesty King George the Third. So help me God. 14 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, Oath of Supremacy. — I, C. D., do swear that I from my heart abhor, detest, and abjure as impious and heretical, that damnable doc- trine and position, that princes excommunicated and deprived by the Pope, or any authority of the See of Rome, may be deposed or mur- dered by their subjects, or any other whatsoever. And I do declare, that no foreign prince, person, prelate, State, or potentate, hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence or authority, ecclesiastical or spiritual, within this realm. So help me God. The Test Oath. — I, E. F., do declare that I do believe there is not any transubstantiation in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or in theeleraents of bread and wine at or after the consecration thereof, by any person or persons whatever. So help me God. Oath of Abjuration. — I, G. H., do truly and sincerely acknow-. ledge, profess, testify, and declare in ray conscience before God and the world, that our Sovereign Lord, King George the Third, is lawful and rightful king of this realm and all other his majesty's domin- ions thereunto belonging. And I do solemnly and sincerely declare that I do believe in my conscience that the person pretended to be Prince of Wales during the life of the late King James, and since his decease pretending to be and takes upon himself the style and title of King of England, by the name of James the Third, or of Scotland by the name of James the Eighth, or the style and title of King of Great Britain, hath not any right or title whatsoever to the crown of this realm or any other the dominions thereunto belonging, and I do renounce, refuse, and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him. And I do swear that I will bear faith and true allegiance to his majesty King George the Third, and him will defend jjd the utmost of my power against all traitorous conspiracies and attempts what- soever, which shall be made against his person, crown, or dignity, and I will do my utmost endeavors to disclose and make known to his majesty and his successors all treason and traitorous conspiracies which I shall know to be against him or any of them. And I do faithfully promise to the utmost of my power to support, maintain, and defend the succession of the crown against him, the said James, and all other persons whatsoever, which succession (by an act entitled an act for the further limitation of the crown and bet- ter securing the rights and liberties of the subject) is and stands limited to the Princess Sophie, late Electress and Duchess Dowager of Hanover, and the heirs of her body being Protestants— and all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear, ac- cording to these express words by me spoken and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words, with- out any equivocation, mental evasion, or secret reservation what- soever, and I do make this recognition, acknowledgment, abjuration, HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 15 renunciation, and promise heartily, willingly, and truly upon the true faith of a Christian. So help me God. After this digression we shall resume our narrative of the district of West Augusta, which, by an act of the General Assembly of Vir- ginia, from and after November 8th, 1776, was divided into three counties, viz : Youghiogheny, Ohio, and Monongalia — to each of which we will refer seriatim. Youghiogheny County. The boundaries of this county lay to the northward of the fol- lowing lines, and began at the mouth of Cross Creek, running up its several sources to the head thereof; thence southeastvvardly to the nearest part of the dividing ridge (which divides the waters of the Ohio from those of the Monongahela) ; thence along the said ridge to the head of Tenmile Creek ; thence east to the road leading from Catfish Camp (Washington) to Red Stone Old Fort (Brownsville) ; thence along the said road to the Monongahela River ; thence crossing the river to the said Fort ; thence along Dunlap's old road to Braddock's road, and with the same to the meridian of the head fountain of the Potomac (west line of Maryland), shall be called and known by the name of Youghiogheny County. This act defined the qualifications of electors and various essen- tial matters for the future prosperity and government of these new counties. Electors were required to be free white male persons over twenty-one years of age, residing in the county and State one year, and in possession of twenty-five acres of land with a house thereon; claiming an estate for life in the said land in his own right or in the right of his wife. Courts and Court-house. The electors were required to meet on the 8th day of December, 1776, at the house of Andrew Heath, on the Monongahela River, to choose the most convenient place for holding courts for the county of Youghiogheny. Notices for election were to be given by the sherifi', ministers, and rectors in the same manner as for representatives to serve in the General Assembly. The law also provided that if pre- vented holding the election on the day aforesaid, by rain, snow, or f ise of waters, the sheriff was authorized to adjourn to that day week, or as often as so prevented. The electors met at the appointed time and selected the farm of Andrew Heath as the most convenient place. This farm is on the Monongahela River (now Washington County) nearly opposite and a little above Elizabethtown, Alleghany County. The court directed Thomas Smallman, John Canon, and John Gibson, or any two of them, to provide a house at the public expense for the use of holding the court, and that the sheriff contract with the workmen to put the same in repair. 16 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. The original records show that the court directed Isaac Cox to contract with some person or persons to build a complete bar and other work in the inside of the court-house to be completed by the next court. On the 24th of November, 1178, Messrs. Kuykendall and New- all were authorized to contract with some person to junk and daub the court-house, and provide locks and bars for the doors of the gaol, and to build an addition to the eastern end of the court-house and gaol, sixteen feet square, one story high, with good, sufficient logs, a good cobber roof, a good outside chimney, with convenient seats for the court and bar, with a sheriif' s box, a good iron pipe stove for the gaol room, and that they have a pair of stocks, whip- ping-post, and pillo7y erected in the court yard. The ancient laws of Virginia declared that the court in every county shall cause to be set up near the court house a pillory, pair of stocks, a whipping-post, and a ducking-stool in such place as they shall think convenient, which not being set up within six months after the date of this act, the said court shall be fined five thousand pounds of tobacco. Punishments. In 1*780 Andrew Heath was ordered to have the court-house and gaol repaired and to erect a pillory and stocks. It appears that the price paid for these articles of punishment at this time was two thousand dollars, continental money, to Paul Matthews, the con- tractor, which amount was equivalent to three hundred and seven dollars. On the 24th of June, 1178, the court ordered Colonel William Crawford and David Shepherd to lay out the pirison hounds for thvi county of Youghiogheny, and make report to the court. This com- mittee subsequently reported the prison bounds to be as follows, viz : Beginning at a large black oak standing easterly from the court- house and marked with six notches, and extending thence south- easterly by a line of marked trees to a white oak near and including the spring ; thence northerly by a line of marked trees, including the house of Paul Matthews, to a white oak ; thence by a line of marked trees to the place of beginning, which prison bounds were approved by the court and ordered to be recorded. Paul Matthews, whose house was included in the prison bounds, was appointed the gaoler, and for the year 1778 was allowed seventy- five pounds five shillings and tenpence for furnishing prisoners with victuals and finding iron for criminals. On the 24th of January, 1780, the following curious entry is made in the minutes of the court : Ordered, that Isaac Justice, John Chamberlain, William Bruce, and William Maybell be allowed one hundred and twenty-five pounds of tobacco for seven days' attendance as a guard on a prisoner, and eighty-four dollars each for finding their own provisions, and the sheriff was directed to pay the same. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. It At the same sitting of the court we find that Andrew Heath was directed to have the upper story of the gaol put into order for a, jury room. We have spolien of the corporeal punishments inflicted upon criminals, which consisted of the pillory, the stocks, the whipping- post, and the ducking-stool, each of which I shall describe for the benefit of those who are unacquainted with these relics of barbarism. The Pillory is one of the most ancient corporeal punishments in England, France, Germany, and other countries. As early as 1215, by a statute of Edward I., it was enacted that every stretch-neck or pillory should be made of convenient strength, so that execution might be done upon offenders without peril to their bodies. The pillory consisted of a wooden frame erected on a stool with boles and folding boards for the admission of the head and hands. The heroes of the pillory have not been the worst class of men, for we find that a man by the name of Leighton, for printing his Zion^s Plea against Prelacy, was fined £10,000, degraded from the ministry, pilloried, branded, and whipped through the city of London, in 163t, besides having an ear cropped and his nostrils slit. The length of time the criminal stood in and tqwn the pillory was determined by the judge. The Stocks was a simple arrangement for exposing a culprit on a bench, confined by having his ankles made fast in holes under a movable board. Sometimes the stocks and whipjoing-post were con- nected together, the posts which supported the stocks being made sufficiently high were furnished near the top with iron clasps to fasten round the wrists of the offender and hold him securely during the infliction of the punishment. Sometimes a single post was made to serve both purposes, clasps being provided near the top for the wrists when used as a whipping-post, and similar clasps below for the ankles when used as stocks, in which case the culprit sat on a bench behind the post, so that his legs, when fastened to the post, were in a horizontal position. On the 23d of February, 1715, Luke Joliff was tried for deserting from the militia with a stand of arms and preventing the_ Indians from returning prisoners held by them. He was courted at Fort Dunmore (Pittsburg), and sentenced to receive five hundred lashes with a cat-o'-nine-tails on his bare back, well laid on, at such hours and in such manner as not to endanger life and member. At a court held in Washington County, June, 1Y86, Richard Burke was convicted of larceny and sentenced to seventeen lashes at the public whipping-post well laid on, between 4 and 6 o'clock P. M., to restore the goods and pay fine and costs. For the purpose of restraining evil, men sufi'ered in the stocks, but women in ducking-stools. This punishment was extensively used; in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The following descrip- tion was given by an intelligent Frenchman in the year 1700 : He says this method of punishing scolding women is funny enough. 2 18 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, They fasten an armed chair to the end of two strong beams, twelve or fifteen feet long and parallel to each other. The chair hangs upon a sort of axle, on which it plays freely, so as always to remain in the horizontal position. The scold being well fastened in her chair, the two beams are then placed, as near to the centre as possible, across a post on the water-side, and being lifted up behind, the chair, of course, drops into the cold element. The ducking is repeated ac- cording to the degree of shrewishness possessed by the patient, and has generally the effect of cooling her immoderate heat, at least for a time. The ducking-stool for Youghiogheny County was erected at the con- fluence of the Ohio and the Monongahela rivers on February 2 2d, 1775. We are glad, however, in this enlightened age, that all these varied punishments are done away with, especially the one for the weaker, if not always the gentler sex. While on the subject of punishments in Youghiogheny County, we may add that many persons were fined from five to twenty shillings for drunkenness, profane swearing, &c., &c., while the sheriff, George McCormick, received one pound, seventeen shillings and sixpence for executing a negro boy on the 28th of November, 1788, belonging to James Decamp. Previous to the ratification of the report of the surveyors by the legislature of Virginia, October 8th, 1785, Ohio County had been formed from Youghiogheny by the line of Cross Creek. On the settle- ment of the boundary question, that portion of Youghiogheny County lying north of Cross Creek was added to Ohio County, being too small for a separate county ; and the county of Youghiogheny became extinct ; hence Hancock and so much of Brooke as lies north of Cross Creek was the last of the ancient Youghiogheny County. Other facts connected with Youghiogheny County we shall reserve until we give the boundaries of Ohio and Monongalia Counties, the former of which is intimately connected with Washington County. Ohio County. Ohio County originally constituted a part of the district of West Augusta. Its boundaries, according to the act of Assembly of Octo- ber, 1776, were as follows — that from and after the 8th of November, 1776, all that part of the said district lying within the following lines, to wit, beginning at the mouth of Cross Creek, thence up the same to the head thereof ; thence southeastwardly to the nearest part of the ridge which divides the waters of the Ohio from those of Mononga- hela ; thence along the said ridge to the line which divides the coun- ty of Augusta from the said district ; thence with the said boundary to the Ohio ; thence up the same to the beginning, shall be known by the name of Ohio County. The electors of Ohio County were to meet at the house of Ezekiel HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 19 Dewit, on the 8th of December, ITTG, to choose the most convenient place for holding courts in said county. It is said that for some time the courts of this county were held at Black's Cabin, on the waters of Short Creek, on January 16, ITtT, at or near where West Liberty is. Rev. Dr. Smith says : The first court for the county of Ohio was held at Black's Cabin. There is every reason to believe that this was the first civil court held in the valley of the Mississippi. On the Tth of April, 1177, the court ordered a court-house and jail to be erected. The first attorneys admitted to practise in the court were Philip Pendleton and George Brent, on the 2d November, 1778. Mr. Pendleton was appointed the commonwealth's attorney. In a work by the Rev. Joseph Smith, D. D., entitled "Old Red- stone," which contains historical sketches of Western Presbyterian- ism — its early ministers, its perilous times, and its first records, we find that the Presbytery of Redstone met on the 25th of October, 1782, at Dunlap Creek, and one minister was appointed as a supply at Ohio court-house. This place, says the Rev. Dr. Smith, was some miles west of the present town of Washington, and was a seat of justice under the government of Virginia, as all Washington County, together with Payette and Greene and a large portion of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties was claimed by that State and considered a part of Augusta County, Virginia. The records show no other appointment for a supply at this place. Monongalia County. This was the third county into which the district of West Au- gusta was divided. It was northward of the county of Augusta, westward of the meridian of the head fountain of the Potomac, and to the eastward of the county of Ohio. The Monongalia court-house was on the farm of Theophilus Phillips from 1776 to 1782 (now owned by Everhart Bierer), near New Geneva in Fayette County. By an act of the General Assem- bly of Virginia of May, 1783, it declares that by reason of the late extension of Mason and Dixon's line the court-house of Monongalia had fallen within the limits of Pennsylvania, therefore, the house of Zachwell Morgan (the present location of Morgantown, Virginia) should be made the future place of holding courts until a court-house should be erected. The county lines of Youghiogheny, Ohio, and Monongalia were adjusted in the summer of 1778 by Col. William Crawford, Richard Yeates, Isaac Leet, William Scott, and James McMahon. Courts. The courts of each judicial district were required to administer and dispense justice, establish ferries, confirm roads when reported necessary, bind out orphan children, grant letters of administration, 20 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. probate wills, appoint subordinate officers, grant tavern licenses, re- cord marks, try crimes and misdemeanors, and perform such duties as would advance the interests of the community. When the court met at Fort Dunmore, originally Fort Pitt, on the 21st of February, 1715, many questions were presented to them at this and their subsequent sittings, some of which we shall give to gratify the taste of the antiquarian, and as calculated to throw some light on our early history. Roads. Yiewers appointed to report a road from Fort Dunmore to Fort Dunfield; from Gist's to Fort Dunmore and Paul Freeman's on Shir- tee (Chartiers) Creek, by James Devore's ferry. From P. Mountz mill by Arbergus ferry and from thence to Catfish Camp (now Washington). This road ran from Mountz mill by way of Beeler's ferry; thence to the east fork of Chartiers' Creek ; thence to Catfish Camp. From Fort Dunmore to Becket's Fort the points were from Becket's Fort to James Wilson's ; thence to the Monongahela River ; thence to the head of Sawmill Run ; thence to Fort Pitt (Pittsburg); from the court-house to Pentecost's mill on Chartiers' Creek. This road began at the court-house on Andrew Heath's farm ; thence to Spencer's Point ; thence near Richardson's school-bouse ; thence through Gabriel Cox's land ; thence crossing Peters' Creek near to John Cox's ; thence to Joshua Wright's ; thence to William Ste- phenson's ; thence to Thomas Crook's ; thence to said mill. This road confirmed April 24, 1TT8. From Catfish Camp (Washington) to Pentecost's mill; confirmed May 26, 1778. Overseers were Thomas Ashbrooke and John McDowell. From Froman's mill on Mingo Creek to the road leading from the court-house to Pente- cost's mill, between the plantations of Johnson Wrights and John Johnston. From Fort Dunmore to Dunfields, to join Duufields on Chartiers' Creek. From old Redstone fort (Brownsville) to Conrad Walker's, foot of Laurel Hill. From Thomas Gist's to Paul Free- man's On Chartiers' Creek. From Redstone old fort (Brownsville) to Chartiers' Creek and to Paul Freeman's. From the mouth of the Youghiogheny River at McKee's ferry to the road from Devore's ferry to Reno's, near Sampson Beaver's and to Freeman's mill. From Fort Dunmore to Charles Brice's on Raccoon Creek. From Dorsey Pentecost's by Peter Barrackman's ferry to Fort Dunmore. From Major William Crawford's to near the forks of Indian Creek. From the foot of Laurel Hill at Conrad Walter's, by William Teagarden's ferry on the Monongahela to the mouth of Wheeling Creek. The points of this road were from the confluence of Wheeling Creek to the confluence of Tenmile Creek, on the Monongahela River; thence to Walter's. In the construction of roads the tithables (that is, all persons between the ages of 16 and 45) within three miles of the pro- posed road, were required to work upon the road under supervisors appointed to superintend the making and grading of the same. history of washington county, 21 Orphan Children. The orphan children were bound out by the court as apprentices. They were required to serve until they arrived at the age of twenty- one ; were instructed in some art ; taught to read and write, and arithmetic as far as the rule of three ; given two suits of clothing, and if brought up on a farm, each male also received an axe, maul, nugs, and wedges. Taverns. Taverns were licensed by the court of Youghiogheny County, and in 1778 we find that the court fixed the following bill of prices for the keepers of taverns. Whiskey by the half pint, two shillings ; whis- key made into toddy, two shillings and sixpence ; beer per quart, two shillings and sixpence ; hot breakfast, three shillings ; cold breakfast, two shillings and sixpence ; dinner, four shillings ; supper, three shillings ; lodging with clean sheets, one shilling and sixpence ; stabling with hay and fodder, five shillings ; corn per quart, nine- pence ; oats per quart, sixpence. But in 1781, when continental money was depreciated, the prices were changed by the court, who ordered tavern keepers to sell at the following rates : For half pint of whiskey, $4; breakfast or supper, $15; dinner, $20; lodging with clean sheets, $3 ; one horse over night, $3 ; one gallon of corn, $5; one gallon of oats, $4 ; strong beer per quart, $6. The rates of license were published by the crier of the court, and also set up in the most public places. Continental Money. While upon the subject of finances, as there will be occasion to refer to the continental money, I may add that this money was issued by Congress to carry on the Revolutionary War, for the redemption of which the faith of the colonies was pledged. I therefore give the dates and amounts of issues from a reliable source. 1775, June 22, $2,000,000. Other emissions from this date to 1780, amounting to $200,000,000, had been issued and none re- deemed. 1777, January, paper currency 5 per cent, discount, and in July 25 per cent., but before the end of the year, $3 in paper would not command a silver dollar. 1778, April, $4 in paper to one dollar in coin. September, $5 to one in coin, and December, $6 50 to one dollar in coin. 1779, February, $8 50, May $12, and September $18 to one in coin, and before the close of the year a paper dollar was worth but four cents. 1780, March, one dollar in paper worth 3 cents; May, a dollar worth but two cents, and in December, $74 in paper was worth one dollar in silver. 22 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Ferries. The court licensed the following persons to establish ferries at diflferent localities within the county of Youghiogheny, from 1775 to 1779. Henry Heath, on his owil plantation on the Monongahela River. William Lynn, on the Monongahela River, from his house to the land of Francis Hall. Michael Cressay, at Redstone, old fort (Browns- ville), to the land of Indian Peter. James Devore, from his house on the Monongahela River, to the mouth of Pigeon Creek. To Samuel Sinclair, who lives in the forks of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, to have a ferry over each of the rivers. Jacob Bausman, across the Monongahela River, from his house to the town opposite (fort Dunmore). Christopher Carpenter, across the Mo- nongahela River, for the purpose of conveying over the militia men on muster days. William Anderson, on the southeast side of the Monongahela River, to the lands of Andrew Heath. The prices established by the court for ferriage were, fourpence half penny for any head of neat cattle, and the same for a foot person ; two shil- lings and sixpence for a man, and the same for a horse. Attorneys at Law. The lawyers were required to take the abjuration, test, and other oaths to which I have referred. The record gives the following per- sons as having complied therewith during the years 1775 and 1776. George Brent, Philip Pendleton, George Rootes, David Semple, James Berwick, Andrew Ross, Henry Peyton, John G. Jones, Charles Simms, Samuel Irwin. Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs. During the years 1775 and 1780, John Christian and Joseph Hor- ton, George McCormick, Matthew Ritchie, William Harrison, Benj. Kuykendall, Thomas Smallman, and Edward Ward exercised the office of sheriff, and Patrick McElroy, Francis Worm, David Steel, William Hawkins, Hugh Sterling, John Dossman, John J. Wood, Richard Burns, that of deputy sheriff. Surveyors. David Steel, William Crawford, Edward Sharp, Gabriel Green, Samuel Finch, John Harry, and Daniel Leet were appointed survey- ors, who acted as such for several years. On the 17th of April, 1776, Daniel Leet produced a commission from the College of AVilliam and Mary to be Surveyor of the County of Augusta, which embraced the county itself and the district subse- quently divided into three counties. He took the usual oaths in open court, and gave as his securities for the fulfilment of the duties of his office, George Rice and George McCormick, Esquires. HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 23 It appears that in the early history of our country, these certifi- cates or commissions from a college were absolutely necessary, for in examining the records of Culpepper County, Virginia, is the follow- ing record : 20th July, 1749 (O. S.), George Washington, Grent., produced a commission from the President and Master of William and Mary College appointing him to be a surveyor of Culpepper County, which was read, and thereupon he took the usual oaths to his majesty's person and government, and other oaths according to law. Military Officers. All military officers were required, in open court, to take the test and other oaths. Among the list of officers commissioned is the name of the notorious Simon Girty, who subscribed these oaths February 22d, 1175, in Pittsburg, and yet proved recreant to all his obligations, renounced civilized life and assisted the Indians in torturing the noble and heroic Col. William Crawford, at Sandusky, in 1782, where he suffered the most terrible death which Indian ingenuity could devise. Grist-Mills. Before a mill could be erected, so tenacious was the law of the rights of individuals, that it required the sheriff to summon twelve freeholders of the vicinage to meet on the land to determine if any of the adjoining lands would be affected by the back-water from the dam, and the jury there assembled were to value the damages and make report to the court. Applications were made by the following persons, and confirmed by the court, establishing mill-seats at the localities designated : Paul Froman on Mingo Creek ; Col. John Campbell on Campbell's Run emptying into Chartiers' Creek on the west side near the mouth of Robinson Run ; Nicholas Pease on Chartiers' Creek ; Basil Brown on Big Redstone Creek ; Dorsey Pen- tecost on the eastern branch of Chartiers' Creek. These mills were erected from 1777 to 1781. Salt. The early condition of the inhabited country west of the Laurel Hill can be easily imagined from the decree of the court in refer- ence to this article. In 1778, November 24, the court ordered that Isaac Cox be empowered to account with all persons that hath neglected any business relation to this (Youghiogheny) county's salt, lodged with Israel Thompson, of Loudon County, and that he receive the remainder of said salt and transport it to this county and issue the same to the inhabitants to whom it is due, at six pounds ten shil- lings per bushel, and the profits thereon shall be his full satisfaction for bis said services, and that the said Colonel Cox shall also pay 24 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. all demands on said salt, either for the original purchase or other- wise. On September 29, 1779, the court ordered that Col. John Canon have the public salt, which now lies at Alexandria, brought up to this (Youghiogheuy) county and distribute it to the persons entitled to receive it, and that he be authorized to contract for the carriage on such terms as he can, taking care in the distribution to fix the price so as to raise the money due thereon for the original cost. January 3, 1780, Benjamin Kuykendall was directed to briug up two hun- dred bushels of salt from Alexandria on the same principles. Cotton and "Wool Cards. Intimately connected with the foregoing subject was that of cot- ton and wool cards, provided for at the public expense, under the direction of the court, as the sequel will show. May 27, 1778, the court ordered Isaac Cox, Thomas Freeman and Andrew Swearingen, to distribute the cards assigned for this county, upon proper and suitable satisfaction produced to them. On the 24th of June, of the same year. Col. John Stephenson and Isaac Cox were directed to distribute one-half of the foregoing cards to the battalion of Col. Stephenson. In the distribution of the cards the Committee were instructed to conform to the Governor's letter of November 26, 1777, which provided that if there are more women in either battalion, the Committee were to supply according to the num- ber of persons who had the right to obtain the same. Counterfeit Money. The law authorized the court to appoint suitable persons to decide upon counterfeit money. Accordingly, we find that in 1779 Thomas Gist, Thomas Warren, and John Irwin, of Pittsburg, Matthew Rit- chie and Dorsey Pentecost, of the then county of Westmoreland, but in 1781 were residents of AVashington County, were appointed and sworn in as judges of counterfeit money Allegiance. 1778, June 22d. Rev. Edward Hughy produced a license from the Presbytery of Londonderry, in the kingdom of Ireland, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which was read in open court, whereupon the said Edward Hughy came into court and took the oath of alle- giance and fidelity to this commonwealth. The Presbytery of Done- gal reported to the Synod of Philadelphia, May 19th, 1773, that they had received the Rev. Mr. Hughy as a member, and that on May 14th, 1774, they had suspended him for unchristian conduct and character. 1778, August 28th. Rev. William Renno, a minister of the Gos- pel, also came into court and took the required oaths. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, 25 Naturalization. In the office of the Secretary of State, at Harrisburg, is a list, showing the names of those who were naturalized in the year 1765. The requisitions were entirely different to those of the present time, and were then considered as a religious rite or ceremony. The certifi- cate of the Prothonotary reads thus: — I do hereby certify that at a Supreme Court held at Philadelphia, before William Allen, Williara Coleman and Alexander Stedman, Esqs., judges of the same court, from the 24th of September to the 26th of October, 1765, between the hours of nine and twelve o'clock in the forenoon of each day, the following persons being foreigners, and having inhabited and resided for the space of seven years in his majesty's colonies in America, and not having been absent out of the said colonies for a longer space than two months at one time, during the said seven years, and having produced to the said court certificates of their having taken the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper within three months before the said court, took and subscribed the oaths, and did make and repeat the declaration, according to the di- rections of an act of Parliament, made in the thirteenth year of the reign of his late majesty. King George II., entitled " An act for naturalizing such foreign Protestants and others therein mentioned, as are settled or shall settle on any of his majesty's colonies in America, and therefore were ad- mitted to be his majesty's natural born subjects of the kingdom of Great Britain. EDWARD SHIPPEN, ProtJwnotary. Passports. The court, upon application, granted passports, indorsing the cha- racter of good and true citizens. To preserve the form used I sub- join one. 1778, May 26th. Tacitus Gillard, Esq,, came into court, and pro- cured a passport from the Board of War, and desired that the same might be entered on the minutes of the court of Youghiogheny County, as a testimonial of his allegiance and fidelity to the United States of America, which is granted, and is as follows : — War Office, Yorktown, October, 15, 1777. To all Continental officers, and others lohom it may concern : Tacitus Gillard, Esq., late an inhabitant of the State of South Carolina, being on his way to Florida, or some of the countries or places on this side thereof, or adjacent thereto, where he purposes to form a settlement ; and having applied for a passport to enable him to go and travel through the parts of the country in allegiance to and in amity with the United States of America, and having produced the testimonial of his having taken the oaths of allegiance and fidelity to the said States; these are to permit the said Tacitus Gillard, Esq., freely to pass with his family, servants, attendance, and effects down the Ohio River, and all persons are desired not to molest the said Tacitus Gillard, Esq., and his family, servants, and effects on any account or pretence whatever. By order of the Board of War. RICHARD PETERS, Secretary. 26 history of washington county. Benevolence of Youghiogheny County. The court felt it to be their duty to provide for the soldiers' wid- ows and the orphans of soldiers, who had been engaged in the Conti- nental service, and they accordingly appropriated out of the county funds, a monthly allowance for the purpose. A few examples will suffice. Eleanor Lindsey was allowed for herself and her five children, five pounds per month ; John Sherley's widow, forty shillings per month ; Bridget Blackstone, three pounds per month ; and William Shaw's wife and six children, six pounds per month. Marriage Extraordinary. 1718, April 28th. Thomas Gist came into court, and being sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, sayeth that in the year of our Lord 1772, in the month of April, to the best of his recol- lection, in the presence of Joseph Beeler, John Stephenson, and George Read, he solemnized the rite of matrimony between Isaac Meason and Catharine Harrison, according to the rites and ceremo- nies of the Church of England, he, the said deponent, being a magi- strate in the State of Pennsylvania, and that he was under an oath not to divulge said marriage, except lawfully called on for that pur- pose. John Stephenson and Joseph Beeler came into court, and being sworn, sayeth that they were present at the marriage of Isaac Mea- son and Catharine Harrison, in the year 1772, in the month of April, and was under a promise not to divulge said marriage, unless legally called upon, or death of either of the parties. And the said Joseph Beeler says that there was a pre-engagement between the said Isaac and Catharine, that upon divulging the said marriage, contrary to the will of the said Isaac, that said parties should he absolved from, any obligation to each other as man and wife. Reflections. In bringing our first chapter to a close, we need but remark that the early or primitive history of this section of the country has almost passed from the minds of the present generation of men. The footprints of time are visible everywhere, and occasionally we procure a solitary landmark, isolated and alone. These we have collected together to perpetuate them as relics of the past. Neither is it to be expected that our forefathers would devote their time and attention in recording facts for future generations. ' The difficulties they had to encounter, the toils they were required to endure, the constant dread of Indian massacre, all united to prevent faithful and reliable facts from being preserved to guide the historian. HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 2t The advantage to be derived from this chapter is that we became acquainted with the topography of the country, its boundaries, streams, laws, customs, and names of the leading public characters, and thus we are enabled to localize facts, events, and persons. CHAPTEE II. A GENERAL OUTLINE HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. History of Pennsylvania, from the date of its charter to the present time, embracing a list of all the Indian titles to lands — Historical and statistical facts— The date of the formation of each county of the State, with the num- ber of acres and population in each, and a list of the Governors from the accession of Wm. Penn, its proprietor, in 1681 to 1870. On the 4th of March, 1681, Charles the Second granted to Wil- liam Penn a charter for the Province of Pennsylvania, the king having a regard to the memory and merits of William Penn's father in divers services, and particularly in his late conduct, courage and discretion, under James, Duke of York, in that signal battle and victory fought and obtained against the Dutch fleet, commanded by Heer Von Opdam, in the year 1655. In consideration thereof, King Charles II. granted to William Penn, his heirs and assigns, all that tract or parcel of land in America, with all the islands therein contained, as the same is bounded on the east by Delaware River, from twelve miles distance, northwards of New Castletown, unto the three and fortieth degree of northern latitude, if the said river doth extend so far northward, but if the said river shall not extend so far northward, then by the said river so far as it doth extend, and from the head of the said river the eastern bounds are to be determined by a meridian line to be drawn from the head of said river, unto the said three and fortieth degree. The said land to extend westward five degrees in longitude, to be computed from the said eastern bounds, and the said land to be bounded on the north by the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of northern latitude, and on the south by a circle drawn at twelve miles dis- tance from New Castle northward, and westward unto the begin- ning of the fortieth degree of northern latitude, and then by a straight line westward to the limits of longitude above mentioned. This charter is in the office of the Secretary of Pennsylvania, and is written on parchment in the old English handwriting. Each line is underscored with red ink, the borders are gorgeously embla- zoned with heraldic devices, and on the top is a portrait of his majesty. This document is nearly two hundred years old. 28 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Under the provisions of this charter, William Penn, by and with the advice, assent, and approbation of the freemen of the said country, had authority to ordain, make, and enact laws. Accord- ingly, on the 2.5th of April, 1682, William Penn framed a form of government for the Province of Pennsylvania. It consisted of a preface and twenty-four articles, confirming, unto the freemen thereof, their liberties, franchises, and property. On the 24th October, 1682, William Penn arrived with an addi- tional number of colonists at New Castle, (now in the State of Delaware), and entered into a solemn covenant with the Indians by purchasing their lands and giving them full satisfaction. It must be remembered that William Markham, his deputy, had preceded him to America, and had entered into negotiations with the Indians on July 15, 1682, but it was stipulated therein that this act was to be publicly ratified by William Penn on his arrival. Conse- quently, the Sachems and their tribes, with Penn and his colonists, met at Coaquannoc (Philadelphia), but the treaty was confirmed at Shackaraaxon (Kensington), under the Elm Tree. In connection with the subject of lands, their extent and limits as purchased from the Indians, it will be proper to remark, that from the arrival of William Markham, deputy of William Penn, until the year 1792, a period of one hundred and ten years, the whole right of soil of the Indians wnthin the charter bounds of Pennsylvania, has been extinguished by the follow thirty-three trea- ties and purchases : — ^ 1. — 1682, July 15. Deed for lands between the falls of Delaware and Keshaming Creek, confirmed by William Penn, October 24, 1682, under the elm tvee. 2. — 1683, June 23. Deed for lands between Pennepack and Nesha- ming, and to run two days' journey with a horse, backward up into the country. 3. — 1683, June 25.' Wingebone's release for lands on the west side of Schuylkill, beginning at the first falls and backward on the same as far as his right extended. 4. — 1683, July 14. Deed for lands between Schuylkill and Chester Creek. 5. — 1683, July 14. Deed for lands between Schuylkill and Pennepack. 6. — 1683, September 10. Kake Tappan's deed ~fov his half of all his lands between Susquehanna and Delaware, on the Susquehanna side. 7. — 1683, October 18. Machaloha's deed for lands between the Del- aware River and Chesapeake Bay, and up to the falls of the Susquehanna. 8. — 1684, June 3. Manghengh sin's release for his land on Perkioming. 9. 1684, June t. Richard MettammiconV s release for lands on both sides Pennepack on Delaware River. 10. 1685, July 30. Deed for lands between Pennepack and Chester HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 29 Creek, and back as far as a man can go in two days from a point on Conshohocken hill. 11. — 1685, October 2. Deed for lands between Duck and Chester creeks, and backward from Delaware, as far as a man could ride in two days xoith a horse. 12. — 1692, June 15. Acknowledgment of satisfaction for land be- tween Neshaming and Poquessing creeks, and back to the bounds of the Province. 13. — 1696, January 13. DoJigraji's deed to William Penn for lands on both sides of Susquehanna, from the lakes to the Chesapeake Bay. 14. — 1697, January 5. Taming^s deed for the lands between Penne- pack and Nesliaming, and as far back as a horse can travel in two summer days. 15. — 1700, September 13. Deed of the Susquehanna Indians for the lands on both sides of the Susquehanna and next adjoining the same, and comprising Dongan's deed (No. 13) 16. — 1701, April 23. Ratification of Dongan's deed and the deed of September 13, 1700 (No. 14), by the Susquehanna, Shawnese, Potomac, and Conestogoe Indians. 17. — 1718, September 13. Deed of release by the Delaware Indians, for the lands between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers, from Duck Creek to the Lehigh hills. 18. — 1720, December 16. Controversy respecting the boundary of the lands, arising from the distance which a man and horse can each travel in a day, and satisfactorily arranged by deed. 19. — 1726, May 31. Deed for lands on both sides of Brandywine Creek. 20. — 1732, September 7. Deed for lands between Lehigh hills and Kittatinny Mountains, between Schuylkill and its branches, and the branches of Delaware. 21. — 1736, October 11. Deed for the river Susquehanna and the lands on both sides thereof, eastward to the head of the branches, or springs running into the Susquehanna, and westward to the setting of the sun, and from its mouth to the Kittatinny hills. 22. — 1736, October 25. The preceding deed declared by the In- dians to include the lands on the Delaware, and northward to the Kittatinny hills. 23. — 1737, August 28. Deed comprising the walking purchase, or, as far as a man can go in a day and a half from the westerly branch of Neshaming up the Delaware. 24.-1749, August 22. Deed for lands from the Kittatinny Mountain to Mahanoy Mountain, and between Susquehanna and Delaware on the north side of Lackawaxen Creek. 25. — 1754, July 6. Deed at Albany for the lands on the west side of Susquehanna, from Kittatinny Mountain, to a mile above the mouth of Penn's Creek, thence northwest and by west, as far as the Province extends to its western boundaries. 30 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 26. — 1758, October 23. Deed of surrender of part of the purchase of 1754, and new boundaries declared and confirmed from Penn's Creek, northwest and by west, to Bufi'alo Creek, then west to Alleghany Mountain, and along the east side thereof, to the western boundary of the Province. 27. 1768, September 5. The end of Nittany Mountain assumed as a station, per deed made, and surveys not usually made north thereof. 28. — 1768, November 5. Deed at Fort Stanwix, commonly called the new purchase. 29. — 1784, October 23. Deed explaining the boundary at the treaty at Fort Stanwix and Pine Creek, declared to have been the boundary designed by the Indians. 30. — 1784, December 21. Deed declaring Lycoming to be the bound- ary. 31. — 1785, January 21. Deed at Fort Stanwix and Fort Mcintosh, for the residue of the lands within the Commonwealth, made October 23, 1784, and January 21, 1785. 32. — 1789, January 9. Indian cession of lands at Presque Isle. 33. — 1792, March 3. It is necessary to state that on the 3d of October, 1788, an Act was passed authorizing the Supreme Executive Council to draw on the State Treasurer for a sum of money for defraying the expense of purchasing of the Indians, lands on lake Erie. It is usually called the purchase of the tri- angle from the United States. This triangle contains two hun- dred and two thousand one hundred and eighty seven acres of land. ^ To the student of Pennsylvania history, these facts are worthy of rememberance, because it gives the date and extent of the purchases made from the Indians. We shall now turn our attention to the government of the Province of Pennsylvania, when in its infancy. On December, 1682, William Penn, in accordance with the sixteenth article of the frame of his government, assembled all the freemen of this Province at Chester (then called Upland), as well as those of the three territories (as they were called), of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex. At this purely democratic meeting, an act of union passed, annexing the three lower counties (now the State of Delaware) to the Province of Pennsylvania, in legislation. The Proprietor, by and with the consent of the first Assembly, divided the Province of Pennsylvania into three counties, and named them Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester, while the Terri- tories retained the names of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. For each of the counties and territories, sheriffs and other proper officers were appointed by the Proprietor; but the Council and Assembly- men were elected by the people. On March 10th, 1683, the Council and Assemblymen met in Phila- HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 31 delphia ; each county having returned three members for the Council and nine for the Assembly. In the year 1684, William Penn returned to England, leaving commissioners with a President to administer the government during his absence. But this mode of government not proving satisfactory to the three lower counties, its form was changed in 1691 ; William Markham was appointed Deputy Governor by William Penn. It was at this period that separate legislatures were formed and the Provinces became finally separated. In August, 1699, William Penn sailed from England to Penn- sylvania, and reassumed the reins of government to the entire satisfaction of the people. On the 28th of October, ItOl, he pre- sented the Council and Assembly with a new charter of privileges, and having appointed Andrew Hamilton Lieutenant-Governor, sailed for England. This charter continued the supreme law of the Province until the Declaration of Independence was promulgated July 4th, 1176. A court then assembled at Philadelphia, July 8th, 1776, to form a constitution for the State of Pennsylvania, and on the 28th of September following, a constitution was adopted by re- presentatives for the city of Philadelphia and the counties of Phila- delphia, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, North- ampton, Bedford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland, being all the counties (eleven in number) which then composed the State of Pennsylvania. It is eminently proper to remark that Benjamin Franklin was President of the Convention which formed the first Constitution for Pennsylvania. Immediately upon his taking his seat, the representatives unanimously passed a resolution inviting the Rev. William White (who afterwards officiated for many years as Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of this diocese) to perform divine service for the Convention, to jointly offer up their prayers to Almighty God to afford His divine grace and assistance in the important and arduous task committed to them as the repre- sentatives of the people of Pennsylvania, and to offer up their praises and thanksgiving for the manifold mercies and the peculiar interpo- sition of His special providence in behalf of the injured, oppressed, and insulted United States. This Constitution was the supreme law of the State, from Septem- ber 28th, 1776, the date of its final adoption, until September 2d, 1790, when a second constitution was formed by the representatives of the people. On the 9th of October, 1838, a third constitution was adopted by the people ; the same having been submitted by a vote of the Convention which had previously assembled to make the necessary amendments. Having thus briefly narrated a concise history of the State, and to which we shall often have occasion to refer in the history of Washington County, I shall now turn our attention to the boundaries of Pennsylvania for the like reason. 32 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Pennsylvania extends from north latitude 39° 43' to north latitude 42°; from 2° 17' east to 3° 31' west from Washington city. It is bounded, in common with the State of Delaware, from the Dela- ware River by a circular line, around New Castle County to the northeast limits of Cecil County, Maryland, . . 24 miles. Due north to the northeast angle of Maryland, . . 2 " Along the northern limits of Maryland, . . . 203 " In common with Virginia, from the northwest angle of Maryland to the southwest angle of Green County, , 59 " Due north in common with Ohio and Brooke counties of West Yirginia to the Ohio River, . . . 64 " Continuing the last noted limit in common with the Ohio to Lake Erie, •••.... 91 " Along the southeast shore of Lake Erie to the Western limit of 'New York, 39 " Due south, along Chautauque County of New York, to north latitude, 42*^ 19 " Thence due east in common with New York, to the right bank of the Delaware River, .... 230 " Down the Delaware to the northeast angle of the State of Delaware, •-..... 230 " Having an entire outline of . . . . 961 " The greatest length of Pennsylvania is due west from Bristol, on the Delaware River, to the eastern border of Ohio County in West Yirginia, through three hundred and fifty-six minutes of longitude along north latitude, 40° 09' This distance, on that line of latitude, is equal to two hundred and eighty American statute miles. The greatest breadth is one hundred and seventy-six miles, from the West Yirgiuia line to the extreme northern angle on Lake Erie, it being one hundred and seventy-five miles. It contains forty-four thou- sand three hundred and seventeen miles ; ortwenty-eight million three hundred and sixty-two thousand eight hundred and eight acres of land. The following table will exhibit the population of Pennsylvania, both as a Province and a State, from 1731, at periods often years. 1731 10,000. 1780- - 128,293. 1830—1,348,170. 1740 14,325. 1790- - 474,373. 1840—1,724,033. 1750 21,000. 1800- - 602,545. 1850 2,314,897. 1760 31,667. 1810- - 810,09L 1860 2,905,215. 1770 39,665. 1820- -1,049,313. I shall now close this general history of the State of Pennsylvania, by giving the names of each county ; 'the date of its formation; the number of acres in each, with their respective population, premising the following tabular statements, with the remark, that Cameron County was not organized until after the census of 1860 had been taken, and the population is included in the counties of Clinton, HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 33 Elk, McKean, and Potter, from which it was taken ; while with the part of Venango which was added to Forest by act of Assembly approved October 31st, 1866, the population was transferred but not ascertained. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. Name. Date of Formation. Philadelphia Mar. Chester Mar. Bucks Mar. Lancaster May York Aug. Cumberland Jan. Berks Mar. 10, 1682, one of Penn's original counties 10,1682, " " " 10,1682, " " " 10, 1729, from a part of Chester 19,1749, " " Lancaster 27,17.50, " " Lancaster 11, 1752, from a part of Philadelphia, Chester, and Lancaster Northampton Mar. 11, 1752, fi-om a part of Bucks Bedford Mar. 9,1771, " " Cumberland Northumberland.. Mar. 27, 1772, from a part of Cumberland. Berks, Bedford, and Northampton Westmoreland '^eb. 26, 1773, from a part of Bedford, and in 1785 part of the Indian purchase of 1784 was added Washington Mar. 28, 1781, from a part of Westmoreland Fayette Sept. 26, 1783, " Acres. PopuJat'n. 80,640 66.5,529 472,320 387,200 60S, 000 676,000 348,160 74,578 63,578. 116,314 68,200 40,098 588,800 240,000 636,160 93,818 47,904 26,736 292,480 28,922 Westmoreland 9,1784, " " Cumberland 10,1784, " '< Philadelphia 4,178.5, " " Lancaster 25,1782, " " Northumberland 20,1787, " '< Bedford 24, 1788, from a part of Westmoreland and Washington Mifflin Sept. 19, 1789, from a p^rt of Cumberland and North- umberland Delaware Sept. 26, 1789, from a part of Chester Franklin Sept. Montgomery Sept. Dauphin Mar. Luzerne Sept. Huntingdon Sept. Allegheny Sept. 672,000 573,440 527,360 480,000 303,080 357,760 896,000 637,600 Somerset April 17, 1795, Greene Feb. 9, 1796, Wayne Mar. 26, 1796, Lycoming Aprill3, 1796, Adams Jan. 22, 1 800, Centre Feb. Bedford Washington Northampton.. .. Northumberland . York 28. Armstrong Mar. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 60. 51. 52. 63. Beaver Mar. Butler Mar. Crawford Mar. Erie Mar. Mercer Mar. Warren Mar. Venango Mar. 13, 1800, Indiana Mar. 30 M'Kean Mar. Clearfield Mar. Jefferson Mar. Potter Mar. Cambria Mar. Tioga Mar. Bradford* Feb. 21, 1810, Susquehanna Feb. 21,1810, Schuylkill Mar. 1,1811, Lehigh Mar. 6,1812, Lebanon Feb. 16,1813, Columbia Mar. 22, 1 813, Union Mar. 22, 1813, Pike Mar. 26, 1814, Perry Mar. 22, 1820, Juniata Mar. 2,1831, Monroe April 1, 1836, 13, 1800, from a part of Mifflin, Northumber- land, Lycoming, and Huntingdon.. 12, 1800, from a part of Alleghany, Westmore- land, and Lycoming 12, 1800, from a part of Alleghany and Wash n. 12,1800, " " Alleghany 12,1800, " " Alleghany 12,1800, " " Alleghany 12,1800, " " Alleghany 12,1800, '< " Alleg'y and Lycoming " Alleg'y and Lycoming 1803, from a part of Westmoreland and Ly- coming 20, 1804, from a part of Lycoming 26, 1804, from a part of Lycoming and North- umberland 26, 1804, from a part of Lycoming 26,1804, " " Lycoming 26, 1804, from a part of Huntingdon, Somerset, and Bedford 26, 1804, from a part of Lycoming 236,800 11.3,280 682,240 389,120 460,800 691,200 337,920 Luzerne and Lycoming Luzerne Berks and Northamp. Northampton Dauphin and Lancast. Northumberland Northumberland Wayne Cumberland Mifflin Northampton and Piko 408,960 298,240 .502,400 629,760 480,000 416,000 551,040 330,240 492,800 716,800 761,600 412,800 384,000 428,800 714,240 751,360 510,080 4S.i,400 2.32,960 195,840 275,840 16.5,120 384,000 344,960 224,640 384,000 63,736 46,805 39,909 42,126 70,500 46,756 90,244 28,100 482,560 178,831 16,. 340 30,597 26,778 24,343 32,239 37,399 28,006 688,000 27,000 35,797 29,140 ■ 35,594 48,755 49,432 36,8,50 19,190 25,043 33,687 8,859 18,759 18,270 11,470 29,155 31,044. 48,734 : 86,267 89,510 ■ 43,753 31,831 a5,065 14,145 7,655 22,793 16,986 16,758 * Previous to March 24, 1812, tbig county was called Ontario. 34 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. Name. Hate of Formation. Acres. Populat'n. 54. Clarion Mar. 11, 1S39, from a part of Venango and Arms'ng. 384,000 24,983 65. Clinton June 21, 18.39, " " Lycoming and Centre 691,360 17,723 66 Wyoming April 4, 1842, from a part of Northumberland and Luzerne 261,760 12,540 67 Carbon Mar. 13, 1843, from a part of Northampton and Mon- roe 256,000 21,033 58. Elk April 18, 1843, from a part of Jefferson, Clearfield, and McKean 446,720 5,915 69 Blair Feb. 26, 1846, from a part of Huntingdon and Bed- ford 380,160 27,829 60. Sullivan Mar. 15, 1847, from a part of Lycoming 275,200 5,637 61 Forest April 11, 1848, " " Jefferson and Venango 284.800 89s 62 Lawrence Mar. 2.5, 18.50, " " Beaver and Mercer. .. 229,120 22,999 63. Fulton April 19, 1850, " " Bedford 268,800 9,131 64. Montour May 3, 18.50, " " Columbia 94,720 13,053 65. Snyder Mar. 2,18.5.5, " " Union 187,520 15,035 66. Cameron Mar. 29, 1860, from a part of Clinton, Elk, M'Kean, Potter (not organized when census was taken.) 268,480 Pennsylvania has been called the Keystone State from the fact of having six of the old original States on each side of her. It is not my province to speak of her majestic mountains, her beautiful rivers and lakes — the variety of her soil — the salubriousness of her climate — and her agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial inter- ests. Mine is a humbler sphere, confined henceforth in this volume exclusively to the history of Washington County — the first county formed by the legislature of Pennsylvania after the Declaration of Independence had been promulgated to all nations, and Pennsylvania had assumed her rank and place as a free and independent State ; and therefore named after the immortal Washington. With this remark, we can truthfully say that our citizens therefore will be pre-eminently proud of the character of Washington County, whether viewed in a moral, educational, political, or religious view. In concluding this chapter I shall add a list of the chief magis- trates, or governors, from 1681 to the present time, as being more immediately connected with the general matters therein contained. ACCESS. KA.ME8. EXIT. 1,_1681. William Penn, Proprietor. August, 1684. 2. — 1684. Thomas Lloyd, Pres't of Governor's Council. December, 1687. 3. — 1687. Thomas Lloyd, Eobert Turner, Arthur Cook, John Symcock, and John Eckley appointed Deputy Lieutenants by WilUam Penn. 4. — 1688. Capt. John Blackwell, Lieutenant-Governor. 1690. 5. — 1690. Thomas Lloyd, Deputy and Lieutenant-Governor. 1693. 6. — 1693. Benjamin Fletcher, Captain-General and Lieutenant Governor of New York, Pennsylvania, and the county of New Castle and territories. ., September, 1698. 7. — 1698. William Markham, Lieutenant-Governor. 1700. 8. — 1700. William Penn again acted as Governor to November 1, 1701. 9. — 1701. Andrew Hamilton, Deputy-Governor. February, 1703. 10.— 1703. Edward Shippen, President of Council " 1704. 11. — 1704. John Evans, Deputy-Governor, " 1709. 12.— 1709. Charles Gookin, " May 31, 1717. 13.— 1717. Sir William Keith, " June 22, 1726. 14.— 1726. Patrick Gordon, " August 5, 1736. HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 35 ACCESS. EXIT. 15, — 1736. On the death of Governor Gordon, the Council con- sisted of James Logan, Samuel Preston, Anthony Palmer, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Lawrence, Ralph Asheton, Samuel Hasill, and Thomas GrifiSts, who elected James Lo- gan President of Council. 16. — 1738. George Thomas, Lieutenant-Governor. 17. — 1747. Anthony Palmer, President of Council 18.— 1748. James Hamilton, Lieutenant-Governor. 19. — 1754. Robert Hunter Morris " 20 —1756. William Denny 21.— 1759. James Hamilton " 22. — 1763. John Penn, son of Rich'd Penn, Deputy-Governor. May, 1771 23.— 1771. Richard Penn, Governor. August, 1773 24.— 1773. John Penn, " July, 1775 Under the Council of Safety. 25. — 1775. Benjamin Franklin, President of the Council, June, 1738. " 1747. November, 1748. October, 1754. August, 1756. November, 1759. October, 1763. August, 1776. Under the Constitution of September 28, 1776. 26. — 1776. Thomas Wharton, President of the Supreme Execu- tive Council. October, 1777. 27. — 1777. Joseph Read, President of the Supreme Executive Council. November, 1781. 28. — 1781. William Moore, President of the Supreme Executive Council. November, 1782. 29. — 1782. John Dickinson, President of the Supreme Executive Council. November, 1785. 30. — 1785. Benjamin Franklin, President of the Supreme Ex- ecutive Council. November, 1788. 31. — 1788. Thomas Mifflin, President of the Supreme Executive Council. September, 1790. When the Constitution went into operation. Popular Vote of Candidates for Governor under the Constitution of September 2, 1790. ELECTION. MAJORITY. 32.— 1790. Thomas Mifflin, ...... 27,725 Arthur St. Clair, 2,803 24,522 32.- 1793. Thomas Mifflin, . F. A. Muhlenburg, 32.— -1796. Thomas Mifflin, , F. A. Muhlenburg, 33.-1799. Thomas McKean, James Ross, Whole number, 30,528 . 19,590 . 10,700 Whole number, 30,290 . 30,029 . 10,011 8,890 20,018 Whole number, 40,040 . . . . 37,244 22,643 14,601 Whole number, 59,887 36 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. ELECTION. 33.— 1802. Thomas McKean, James Ross, Scattering, 33.— 180.O. Thomas McKean, Simon Snyder, Samuel Snyder, 34.— 1808. Simon Snyder, James Ross, . John Spayd, . Scattering, 47,879 17,037 94 MAJOKITT. 30,748 Whole number, 57,472 43,644 38,483 1 395) Whole number 82,522 67.975 39.575 4,006 8 Whole number, 111,564 34.— 1811. Simon Snyder, William Tilghman, Scattering, • • 52,319 3,609 1 ^609 I ,675) 34.— 1814. Simon Snyder, Isaac Wayne, George Littimore, Scattering, . Whole number, 57,603 . 51,099 . 29.566 I 910 y . . . . 18] 35.— 1817. William Findley, , Joseph Hiester, Scattering, 36.— 1820. Joseph Hiester, William Findley, Scattering, . Whole number, 81,593 66,331 . 59,272 11 Whole number, 125,614 . 67,905 . 66,300 1 . . . . 21} 37.— 1823. J. Andrew Shultz, Andrew Gregg, Scattering, 31—1826. J. Andrew Shultz, John Sergeant, Scattering, . Whole number, 134,226 . 89,928 . 64,211 8 Whole number, 1,54,] 47 72,710 1,175 1.1 75 1 74 j Whole number, 75,059 4,766 24,386 47,035 20,605 7,048 1,584 25,709 70,361 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 37 ELECTION. 38.— 1829. George Wolf, Joseph Ritner, Scattering, MAJORITY. 38.— 1832. George Wolf, Joseph Ritner, 39^—1835. Joseph Ritner, George Wolf, H. A. Muhlenberg, 78,219 61,776 ) 12 / 16,433 W^ole number, 140,007 . 91,335 . 88,165 3,170 Whole number, 179,500 . 94,023 . 65,804 "I . 40,586) Whole number, 200,413 Of these votes Messrs. Wolf and Muhlenberg had Joseph Ritner, . . . . Thus making Joseph Ritner a minority Governor by 106,390 94,023 12,377 Under the Constitution of October 9, 1838. 40.— 1838. David R. Porter, Joseph Ritner, 127,821 122,325 5,496 40.-1841. David R. Porter, John Banks, F. Julius Lemoyne, Scattering, . Whole number, • • • • • • • • Whole number, • • • • • • • • • • ■ • Whole number. Whole number, • • • • « • • • ■ • • • 250,146 136,504 113,473- 763 23 22,245 41.— 1844. Francis R. Shuak, Joseph Markle, . F. Julius Lemoyne, 250,763 160,322 156,040 2,566 1 1,716 41.— 1847. Francis R. Shunk, James Irvin, E. C. Reigart, . F. Julius Lemoyne, Scattering, 318,928 146,081 128,148" 11,247 1,861 6, ■ 4,819 42.-1848. William F.Johnston, Morris Longstreth, E. D. Gazzam, Scattering, 287,343 168.522 168,225 ] 48 24 225 Whole number, 336,819 38 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. ELECTION. 43.— 18.31. 44.— 1854. William Bigler, . William F, Johnston, Kimber Cleaver, Scattering, James Pollock, . William Bigler, . B. Rush Bradford, Scattering, Whole number Whole number 45.— 1857. William F. Packer, David Wilmot, . Isaac Hazelhurst, Scattering, 46.— 1860.— Andrew G. Curtin, H. D. Foster, 46.— 1863. Andrew G. Curtin, George W. Woodward, Scattering, 47.-1866. John W. Geary. Hiester Clymer, 48.— 1869. John W. Geary, Asa Packer, Whole number Whole number Whole number, Whole number Whole number MAJORITT. 186,499 178,0341 1,859 I 67 ) 6,539 366,459 203,822 166,9911 2,194 [ 33 ] 34,604 373,040 188,846 146,1391 28,168 I 12 ] 14,527 363,165 262.349 230.239 32,110 492,588 269,506 254,171 ) 2 I 15,333 523,679 307,274 290.096 17,178 597,370 290.552 285,956 4,596 576,508 Although the State of Pennsylvania yet from the numbers attached to their office two and even three terms. has had but forty-eight governors, names we learn some have filled the We shall close this chapter by giving an extract from the 41st chapter of the acts of the first General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed December 7th, 1682, from which it appears that the first set- tlers began the year in March, and repudiated the heathen names as now applied to the days of the week, evidently demonstrating that our forefathers were governed by a religious sentiment in our organi- zation as a colony. The following is a literal copy : — " And bee it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that ye days of ye week and ye months of ye year shall be called as in Scrip- ture, and not by heathen names (as are vulgarly used), as ye first, second, third daies of ye week, and first second and third months of ye year, beginning with ye day called Sunday and ye month called March." HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 39 CHAPTER III. ORIGINAL ACT ESTABLISHING WASHINGTON COUNTY. Divisions by the formation of townships — Its original and present townships and boroughs — Its present boundaries with topographical and geographical description and its streams — Its early religious element and the religious agreement of 1782 — Marriage custom and ceremony — School-houses. Having in the preceding chapters confined myself to the primi- tive history of what is now known as Washington County, originally belonging to Yirginia, and also a general outline history of Penn- sylvania, and thereby laid the foundation stone upon which to erect the superstructure, I shall now proceed with the general history of Washington County. On the 28th of March U 81^ the legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act for erecting part of the county of Westmoreland into a sepa- rate county, and the reasons given in the preamble to said act are in these words : Whereas, the inhabitants of that part of Westmore- land County which lies west of the Monongahela River, have repre- sented to the Assembly of this State the great hardships they lie under, from being so far remote from the present seat of judicature and the public offices ; for to remedy these inconveniences they there- fore passed the act of separation. The act is in eighteen sections (the preamble being numbered the first), which we will refer to, either at length or by giving a summary of the contents of each sepa- rately. Section second gives the boundaries of Washington County as follows : all that part of the State of Pennsylvania west of the Monongahela River, and south of the Ohio, beginning at the junc- tion of the said rivers, thence up the Monongahela River aforesaid, to the line run by Mason and Dixon ; thence by the said line due west to the end thereof; and from thence the same course, to end of five degrees of west longitude, to be computed from the River Dela- ware ; thence by a meridian line, extended north, until the same shall intersect the Ohio River, and thence by the same to the place of beginning (the said lines from the end of Mason and Dixon's line to the Ohio River to be understood as to be hereafter ascertained by commissioners now appointed or to be appointed for that purpose), shall be and the same is hereby declared to be erected into a county, henceforth to be called Washington. Section third gives the same rights and privileges to the inhabit- ants as enjoyed by other counties in the State. 40 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Section fourth authorizes the trustees to talse assurance of ground whereon to erect a coui-t-house and prison, and divide the county into townships, before July 1st, 1781. Section fifth empowers the inhabitants to elect Inspectors, two Representatives for the Assembly, one member of the Supreme Exe- cutive Council, two persons for Sheriff, two for Coroner, and three Commissioners. The election was ordered to be held at the house of David Hoge, at the place called Catfish Camp, now Washington. Section sixth. Justices of the Supreme Court to have like powers and authorities in Washington County. Sections seventh and eighth provide for an election for justices of the peace, to beheld on the 15th of July, 1781, for the various townships, after judges and inspectors have been elected. Section ninth. Justices of the peace authorized to hold courts of General Quarter Sessions and Gaol Delivery. Section tenth. James Edgar, Hugh Scott, Yan Swearingen, Daniel Leet, and John Armstrong appointed commissioners to purchas. ground for a court-house, as provided for in section four. Sections eleventh and twelfth provide for the mode of defraying the expenses of the public buildings. Section thirteenth. For the continuance of suits commenced in the original county. Sections fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth provide for the appoint- ment of a collector of the excise, his powers and fees. Section seventeenth directs the Sheriff and Coroner of Westmore- land County to officiate until those officers could be chosen in the new county. Section eighteenth directed the amount of the security to be given by the Sheriff and Treasurer. Division of Washington County. The inhabitants of Washington County, with those of Westmore- land, considering their counties were too extensive, and that they were subject to many inconveniences from their being situated at so great a distance from the seat of justice, conceived that their inter- ests and happiness would be greatly promoted by being erected into a new and separate county ; the legislature, on the 24th of September, 1788, gratified their requests, and erected Alleghany County. We shall give the original boundaries of this new county, so that we can trace on the map, the territory which was struck off from Washing- ton County. Beginning at the mouth of Flagherty^s Run, on the south side of the Ohio Paver, from thence, by a straight line, to the plantation on which Joseph Scott, Esquire, now lives, on 3Ion- tour''s Run, to include the same; from thence, by a straight line, to the mouth of Miller''s Run, in Chartiers' Creek ; thence by a straight line, to the mouth of Perry^s Mill Run, on the east side of Monon- gahela River ; thence up the said river to the mouth of BeckeVs HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY 41 Run ; thence by a straight line to the mouth of Sewickley Creek, on Youghiogheny River ; thence down the said river to the mouth of Crawford's Run; thence by a straight line to the mouth of Bush Creek, on Turtle Creek; thence up Turtle Creek to the main fork thereof; thence by a northerly line until it strikes Puckety's Creek ; thence down the said creek to the Allegheny River ; thence up the Allegheny River to the northern boundary of the State ; thence along the the same to the river Ohio, and thence up the same to the place of beginning. The above portion of the line italicized is the portion taken from Washington County. But the inhabitants of Washington County still seemed desirous of having justice administered to them at their very doors, again petitioned the legislature to annex a certain part of this to Allegheny County; and on the nth of September, 1189, the General Assembly- believing their prayer to be just and reasonable, granted their re'- quest. The boundaries of that part of Washington, annexed to Allegheny County, began at the river Ohio, where the boundary line of the State crosses the said river; from thence in a straight line, to White's mill, on Racoon Creek ; from thence by a straight line, to Armstrong's mill, on Miller's Run, and from thence by a straight line, to the Monongahela River, opposite the mouth of Perry's Run, where it strikes the present line of Allegheny County. By this act of annexation, the whole of Dickinson and part of Cecil township became part of Allegheny County; according to a decision of the Supreme Executive Council. Peter Kidd and John Beaver were authorized to have the boundai'y lines marked, each being allowed twenty-five shillings per day, out of the treasury of Allegheny County. On the 9th of February, 1196, another portion of the territory of Washington County was erected into Greene County. The boundary line began at the mouth of Tenmile Creek, on the Monongahela River ; thence up Tenmile Creek to the junction of the north and south forks of said creek ; thence up said north fork to Colonel William Wallace^s mill; thence up a southwesterly direction to the nearest part of the dividing ridge between the north and south forks of Tenmile Creek ; thence along the top of the said ridge to the ridge which divides the waters of Tenmile and Wheeling creeks; thence a straight line to the head of Enlow^s branch of the Wheeling ; thence down said branch to the western boundary of the State ; thence south along the said line to the southern boundary line of the State; thence east along said line to the river Monongahela, and thence down the said river to the place of beginning. The words italicized form the southern line separating Washing- ton and Greene counties. • The officers of Washington County were authorized to exercise the duties of their office in the new county (except justices of peace) until similar officers were appointed. Washington and Greene were 42 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. to elect, jointly, four representatives ; while Washington, Allegheny, and Greene were to compose the congressional district. On the 22d of January, 1802, by authority of the legislature of Pennsylvania, the following alteration took place in the line between the counties of Washington and Greene; beginning at the present line, on the ridge that divides the waters of the Tenmile and Wheeling creeks, near Jacob Bobbett's ; thence a straight line, to the head-waters of Hunter's fork of Wheeling Creek, and thence down the same, to the mouth thereof, where it meets the present county line. The act of the same date declares that so much of the county of Greene, which, by the act, is reunited to the county of Washing- ton, as lies west of the road called Ryerson's Road, is hereby an- nexed to Findley township, and shall hereafter be a part of the district called Stevenson's election district, and that part thereof, which lies east of said road is hereby annexed to Morris township, and shall hereafter be a part of the Washington elected district. The Governor was authorized to appoint two commissioners to run and mark the aforesaid line ; the expense to be borne equally out of the treasury of both counties. By the erection of Greene County, Morgan, Cumberland, Frank- lin, Greene, and Rich Hill townships became component parts of Greene County. On the 12th of March, 1800, an act was passed by the General Assembly, erecting parts of Washington and Alleghany counties into a new county, to be called Beaver. The boundary line began at the mouth of the Sewickley Creek on the Ohio River ; thence up the said creek to the west line of Alexander's district of deprecia- tion lands ; thence northerly along the said line, and continuing the same course to the north line of the first donation district ; thence westerly along the said line to the western boundary of the State ; thence southerly along the said boundary, across the Ohio River to a point in the said boundary, from which a line to he run at right angles easterly will strike Whitens viill on Racoon Creek, and from such point along the said easterly line to the said mill ; thence on a straight line to the mouth of Big Sewickley Creek, the j^lo-cs of beginning. (The words italicized is the boundary line between Washington and Beaver counties). The expense of running the line was to be borne by Beaver County. Original Townships. The organic act authorized the trustees to divide the county into a suitable number of townships. In accordance therewith, the trus- tees subdivided it into thirteen townships, in commemoration of the thirteen States which formed the United States. Their names in alphabetical order were : 1. Amwell ; 2. Bethlehem ; 3. Cecil ; 4. Cumberland ; 5. Donegal ; 6. Fallowfield ; 7. Hopewell ; 8. Mor- HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 43 gan ; 9. Nottingham; 10. Peters; 11. Robison ; 12. Straban ; 13. Smith. These townships went into operation on the 15th of Julj, 1781, by the provisions of the act of the legislature and the election of township officers. As the county became more thickly settled, the people felt the necessity of forming new townships and boroughs. This power was confined to the legislature until the 24th of March, 1803, when it was transferred to the courts of Quarter Sessions, although it appears that in some few cases the courts had exercised it. By the erection of new counties out of Washington, whole town- ships and parts of townships were cut off, and at the present time. May, 1870, we find that Washington County has eleven boroughs and thir- ty-one townships within her limits. We shall now add this list with their respective organizations, from the formation of Washington County. o. T.* 1. — Amwell township, formed July 15, 1781. O.T. 2.— Bethlehem (( <( 0. T. 3.— Cecil (( 11 O.T. 4. — Cumberland il a O.T. 5. — Donegal u li O.T. 6.— Fallowfield II u 0. T. 7. — Hopewell 11 te O.T. 8. — Morgan It i( O.T. 9. — Nottingham u (< O.T. 10.— Peters <( « O.T. 11. — Robison (< « O.T. 12.— Straban (( It rv T 1^ CJmUli (( tt T. 14. — Somerset township, formed April 3, 1782. T. 1.5. — Greene " " " T. 16.— Dickinson " " September 15, 1785. B. 1. — Washington, (town,) formed February 6, 1786. T. 17 — Hanover township, " March 11, 1786. T. 18.— Frankhn " " July 16, 1787. T. 19.— Findley " " May 6, 1788. T. 20.— Morris " " March 13, 1788. D.T. 1.— East Bethlehem " " January 18, 1790. (See Bethlehem township.) D. T. 2. — West Bethlehem township, formed January 18, 1790. (See Beth- lehem township.) T. 21. — Chartiers township, formed March 12, 1790. ~ ~ ' ■ " March 23, 1790. " June 10, 1791. " January 8, 1792. " March 13, 1793. " May 8, 1799. " February 22, 1802. (See Chartiers T. 22.— Cross Creek << T. 23.— Canton « D.T. 3.— Pike Run « D. T. 4.— Rich Hill It T. 24.— Buffalo (( B. 7. — Cannonsburg t'l township. ) * Explanation of letters — o. t. means original townships; d. t. divided townships; B. boroughs. 44 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. -Mount Pleasant township, formed May 12, 1806. —West Middletown borough, formed March 27, 1823. —East Findley township, formed December 24, 1828. (See Findley township.) —West Findley township, formed December 24, 1828. (See Find- ley township.) -North Straban township, formed May 2, 1831. (See Straban township.) -South Straban township, formed May 2, 1831. (See Straban township.) — Claysville borough, formed April 2, 1832. —Carrol township, formed September 30, 1834. —Greenfield borough, formed April 9, 1834. (See Pike Run township.) —Union township, formed March 31, 1836. —East Pike Run township, formed March 9, 1839. —West Pike Run township, formed March 9, 1839. — Monongahela City, formed April 1, 1837. (See Carrol township.) — Millsborough, formed April 16, 1840. (See Bethlehem township). —West Brownsville borough, formed April 2, 1852. (See Pike Run township.) — Beallsville borough, formed February 16, 1852. (See Pike Run township.) — Allen township, formed June 14, 18.53. —Jefferson " " June 16, 1853. .—California borough, formed November 26, 1853. (See Pike Run township.) — Independence township, formed May 19, 1855. —Franklin " " August 13, 1855. — Bentleysville borough, formed May 2, 1868. (See Somerset township.) Of these boroughs and townships we shall give a detailed account in Chapter Y. as far as we have been able to ascertain their history, and particularly those which now embrace this county. Its Boundaries. The present limits of Washington County, therefore, may be thus defined geographically— bounded on the north by Beaver County, northeast by Allegheny County, east by Westmoreland and Fayette counties, south by Greene County, and west by the State of West Virginia. Its greatest length is thirty-two miles, its mean width, twenty-eight miles, containing 896 square miles, or 573,440 acres of land, in latitude 40°10'21'' north, and longitude from Washington 3012'53" west. Its population in 1790 was 23,866 ; in 1800, 28,293 ; in 1810, 36,289 ; in 1820, 40,038 ; in 1830, 42,860 ; in 1840, 41,279 ; in 1850, 44,939, and in 1860, 46,805. Topographical Description. This county is watered by many streams (which will be given in a separate chapter), but suffice it to say, however, that many valleys are formed, of greater or less width and depth, by their indentation, T. 25.- B. 10- D. T. 5.- D. T. 6.- D. T. 7.- D. , T. 8.- B. 8.- T. 26.- B. 4.- T. 27.- D . T. 9. D . T. 10.- B. 3. B. 2. B. 5. B. 6. T. 28.- T. 29. B. , 9. T. 30. T. 31. B, ,11. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, 45 hence, the county presents a rolling character, and although not belonging to the class called mountainous, yet may be termed hilly. These hills are cultivated to the very tops, and in point of agri- culture and grazing are not inferior to any in the State. The undu- lating surface of the county presents scenery unsurpassed and pic- turesque, supporting thousands of sheep, and is truly deserving the name of being the largest wool-growing county in the State, and the second in the United States for the quality of the wooh Geological Description. In a geological view, the rocks belong to the upper series of our bituminous coal formation, consisting of alternate strata of sand- stone, shales, and limestone, with interposed beds of coal from three to six or eight feet it thickness. These nearly level strata extend over the whole surface of this and a great part of the adjoin- ing counties, are sometimes cut through by the deep valleys of the streams and exposed in varied succession in the steep banks and along the hill sides, in situations favorable to access and affording great facilities for mining and quarrying. Coal for domestic con- sumption is abundant in every part of the county and along the bank of the Monongahela. It Is mined in great quantities and sent down the Ohio River in boats. Streams. We add a list of the streams of this county, with their tributaries and localities. The Monongahela River, which flows through the eastern part of Washington County, rises in Randolph County, Virginia, at the foot of the Laurel Mountain, and flowing northwardly for about three hundred miles, empties into the Allegheny River at Pittsburg and forms the Ohio. It is nearly four hundred yards wide at its mouth, and is navigable for light boats sixty miles, to West Browns- ville, in this county, and for small boats nearly two hundred miles from its mouth. Its principal tributaries are the Youghiogheny and Cheat rivers, which enter into it on the east side, but on the west side, in Washington County, are Tenviile Creek, Pigeon Creek, Baker and Fish Pot runs, Pike Run, South Fork and Maple Fork, Mingo Creek. Tenmile Creek empties into the Monongahela River at Millsboro, Washington County; the north fork of this creek rises in Morris township and waters the townships of East and West Bethlehem, Amwell and Morris, its tributaries being Middle Fork, CrafVs Fork, Road's Fork, Hoosang's Fork, McFarlane's Fork, Bane's Fork, with Kembler's and McGrifiBn's Run. Coniconick empties into Craft's Fork at Prosperity. Its Indian name is Cusuthee. Little North Fork, with its tributaries. Brush Run, Camp's Fork, Carter's Run, Daniel's Run, Hawkin's and Plumb Hill forks, 46 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. empties into it. On both branches of Tenmile Creek are many grist and saw-mills. Pigeon Creek empties into the Monongahela at Monongahela City. It rises by two branches in Somerset township and flows northeast through Fallowfield township. Its length is about fifteen miles. Mingo and Little Mingo creeks rise in Nottingham township, and flow east to the Monongahela. Baker and Fish Pot runs empty into it in East Bethlehem township. *" Peters' Creek and its branch called Pine Branch, Fry's Branch, and Bruce's Eun, empty into the Monongahela Kiver. Chartiers' Creek flows a north-northeast course of thirty-five or forty miles and empties into the Ohio River five miles below Pitts- burg. Its tributaries are Catfish Run, Braddock's Run, Weirich's Run, Leet's Run, north branch of Chartiers', Quail's Run, Little Chartiers' Creek and its tributaries, Vance's, Little's, Pollock's, McCorkle's, Kenny's, and Brush runs on the east and west side of this creek, emptying into the Ohio River below Pittsburg. Miller's Run rises in Mount Pleasant township and empties into Little Chartiers' Creek. Robeson's Run rises about two miles north of Candor and empties into Chartiers. This creek flows through the townships of Robinson, Cecil, Mount Pleasant, Chartiers', Canton, North and South Strabane, Somerset, Amwell, and Morris. This creek derives its name from Peter Chartiers, who went among the Indians on the Ohio and tributary streams to deal for peltries. He was an influential Indian interpreter, and joined the French In- dians on the Ohio, to the injury of Pennsylvania. Chartiers had a trading station on or near the mouth of the creek. Governor Thomas, in 1145, said that the perfidious blood of the Shawnees partly runs in his veins. Big and Little Racoon rise in Mount Pleasant township ; the former near Hickory, and the latter near l)avid Lyle's, in the vicinity of Prospect Church. The tributaries of these creeks are Boyd's, Burgett's, Cherry Valley, Bailey's, Painter's, Patrick's, and Brimner and Brush runs. These different streams water the townships of Hanover, Robeson, Smith, and Mount Pleasant. Harman's Creek rises in Smith township, and with its tributaries of Tucker and Buffalo runs, empties into the Ohio River near Steubenville, Ohio, watering the townships of Smith, Hanover, and Cross Creek. Its length is about twelve miles. Indian or King Creek (northeast branch) rises in Hanover town- ship near Florence. Cross Creek rises in Mount Pleasant township and runs northwest to the Ohio River, a few miles above Wellsburg, West Virginia. Its tributaries are Stewart's Run — the middle fork, with Smiley's Run, Lyle's Run; the North Fork rises near Cross Creek Village. This HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 47 creek flows through the township of Mount Pleasant, Cross Creek, and empties into the main branch of the creek at Patterson's mills. Buffalo Creek rises in East Findley ; its tributaries are Brushy Run, Mill Run, Indian Camp Run, Buck Run, and Dutch Fork, These sti-eams flow through the townships of East Findley, Donegal, Hopewell, and Buffalo, and the creek itself empties into the Ohio River. Wheeling Creek rises in East Findley, having for its tributaries Templeton's and Enslow's Fork, Hunter's Fork, and Tucker's Fork; these streams water East and West Findley townships. Little Wheeling Creek rises in Donegal township ; Middle Wheeling Creek, in West Findley township ; these two creeks meet at Triadelphia and empty into Wheeling Creek at Shepherd's mills. Early Religious Element. Our first settlers were composed of the Scotch-Irish element, those who emigrated from the west of Scotland and the north of Ireland, while many others came from Cumberland and York counties, where the same element prevailed, and not a few from Yirginia. These early pioneers, one hundred years ago, crossed the rugged steeps of the Allegheny Mountains, the boisterous waves of the swift-flowing rivers, and penetrated into an unknown wilderness to secure the blessings of civil and religious liberty. No county in the State of Pennsyl- vania, or probably in the United States, can boast of a purer, better, more intelligent and devoted company of Christians than those who settled in Washington County. Military men are praised for their heroic deeds, statesmen for understanding the great principles of government ; but in this instance, men from all nations meet together around one common altar, and declare in the very commencement of their labors, their religious principles — in other words, they laid the corner stone of the religion of Jesus when they first settled Washing- ton County, by entering into solemn engagements. These engage- ments were binding not only upon the males, but upon the females also. Whole families united in the league or covenant, and the princi- ples of Presbyterianism which they brought with them, as well as those of other religious sects, are so intimately interwoven with our political affairs, that our civil and religious interests are carefully guarded by their descendants. To illustrate the positions I have assumed, I add a religious agree- ment entered into between these early pioneers, which I received from the Rev. James T. Fredericks, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, Washington County ; and before giving it I will give the causes which led to its adoption. This " Religious Agree- ment," entered into on the 14th day of February, 1782, is in the hand-writing of James Edgar, Esq., deceased, who was an Associ- ate Judge of this county. He with five others left York County in 1779— all members of the Presbyterian Church. They made an agree- 48 -HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. ment to locate near each other, so that they might secure to them- selves and their families the ordinances and preaching of the gospel, and be the means of collecting a church with like principles together, as they themselves professed. These families left their eastern homes and travelled through Ty- gart's Valley and crossed the Monongahela River at Parkinson's Ferry (now Monongahela City). ^Mr. Hugh Scott, one of the six, settled west of this place ; another where Buffalo Church and Village now stand ; James Edgar in Cross Creek township, on the farm now owned by Finley Scott, Esq. ; another settled near to Briceland's Cross Roads (now Florence) ; and another, Patrick McCullough, in Pigeon Creek Congregation,^ Washington County ; yet no two settled together, but in contiguous neighborhoods, and each had the pleasure of seeing a church of their denomination to which he be- longed erected to God and dedicated to his glory. At the time of this " Religious Agreement" there were no altar and no church but the forts and the woods, in which God was worshipped with pure hearts, and in the beauty of holiness and the purity of truth. This ADVANCE GUARD of the church met, and while the minister oflSciated, and prayer and praise went up from pure hearts, sanctified by the grace of God, they grasped the faithful rifle to defend themselves against the insidious attacks of the Indians. The Rev. Dr. John Stockton, in his fortieth anniversary sermon, says : " In these forts (Wells' and Vance's) social aud afterwards public worship was kept up for seven years, especially in summer and autumn, the seasons when the Indians were out west to make their raids, and it was a common thing for men to go to these meetings armed with their trusty rifles, and to stand guard during the services." Dr. Stockton also adds, that the Rev. James Powers " preached the first gospel ser- mon under an oak tree just outside the gate of Vance's Fort. It was on this occasion that Dr. Powers baptized the child of Mr. Marquis, which was the first person who received that rite in that region of country." With these remarks we now add the document itself, with the list of names attached, many of whose descendants are living lives of virtue, of honor, and of honesty, around and near the old family hearth- stones, consecrated by the prayers of many an aged father and mother, who have crossed the Jordan of death, and beckon their descendants to the ineffable joys of the spirit world. Religious Agreement. We, and each of us, whose names are underwritten, being chiefly the inhabitants of the western frontier of Washington County, con- sidering the many abounding evils in our own hearts and lives, as also the open and secret violation of the holy law of God, which dishonors His name and defiles and ruins our country ; such as ig- norance, unbelief, hardness of heart, contempt of God in his ordi- nances, law, and gospel (in particular in setting our hearts upon the HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 49 creature in one line or another more than upon God), breach of his Sabbath, disobedience to parents, backbitiiigs, entertaining bad thoughts, and receiving groundless evil repurts of others, unfaith- fulness to God for His mercies, profaning His name, uncleanness, lascivious songs, filtliy discourse, promiscuous dancing, drunkenness, defraud, deceit, over-reaching in bargains, gaming, horse racing, cock fighting, shooting for prizes, lying, covetousness, discontent, fretting against the dispensations of God's providence, unfaithful- ness for God (in suffering sin to remain on our neighbor unreproved), denying God in the neglect of family and secret worship, catechizing and instruction of our children and servants or slaves, vexatious wranglings, and law suits, together with innumerable evils, provoking God to send down heavy judgments on our land, and to withhold or withdraw His gracious presence, and unfit our soul for enjoying any solid happiness, which we desire to acknowledge with shame and sorrow of heart before God, and do in the strength of God and de- pending on His Grace for support, solemnly promise (to our power, according to our various places and stations) to engage against, both in ourselves and others, as providence shall give us opportunity, and prudence direct. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, this 14th day of February, 1782. (N. B. This is not to be a barrier to prevent any from signing at any time hereafter.) Robert McCready, William Vance, John Stone, James Edgar, "William McCandless, Robert Dunbar, John Robinson, John Donahey, Matthew Hilles, Benjamin Bearkus, John McMillen, Samuel Hind- man, George McCuIloch, John Ekin, Moses Wallace, David Thomp- son, Henry McBride, John Dodds, John Strain, James Barr, Thomas Hanna, James Dabbin, Thomas Strain, Samuel Jeiferey, Alex. Mc- Candless, Samuel Leeper, James Matthews, William Smith, Thomas Bay, Ebenezer Smith, John Cowen, Thomas Barton, Hugh Sherer, Hugh Newel, Arthur Campbell, John Stephenson, Samuel Johnston, James Loop, John Hustein, William Thompson, William Reno, William Rannells, Henry Graham, William Hughes, William Camp- bell, Patrick McCormick, John Singer, Joseph Patterson, Daniel C. McCoy, David Kerr, John Morrison, John Stone, William Park, William Smiley, George Marquiss, Mary Marquiss, Thomas Mar- quiss, Joseph Vance, John Marquiss, William Wallace, Samuel Reed, James Marshall, Elias Newkirk, John Cooper, William McCullough, Alexander Wright, James Jackson, Agness Jackson, Mary Cowen, Sr., Mary Cowan, Jr., Martha Dunbar, Prudence Matthews, Eliza- beth E. Hughes, Janet McCandless, Anne Vance, David Rannells, Elizabeth McCullough, Ruth Rannells, Annie Park, Mary Johnston, Martha Edgar, Mary Graham, John Hughes, Gabriel Walker, Alex- ander Kidd, Jean Patterson. — 86. The above signed the first day. Attached is a second additional clause, with 28 names added to the first list. The second clause and names read thus : — We desire to acknowledge the goodness of God, who hath con- 4 60 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY, tinned his precious gospel with us in purity, and especially for his late gracious outpourings of divine influence on many parts of the land, and especially here where we were so sunk in carnal security and wordly miudedness, floating along with the flood of vanity. And we desire to lament our barrenness and leanness under these gracious favors, and we do now, in the strength -of God, rejying on His grace, resolve that we will seek to the Lord for help to improve these precious favors, and knowing that some do oppose the work, and aspersing it as a delusion, &c., we will be guarded in our con- duct, careful of our company, and we believe that it is the duty of awakened sinners next to their supplication to the throne of grace, to lay open their case to ministers and experienced Christians, lest Satan and corruption might get the advantage of them, and that we will be careful and watchful to perform the duties required by Chris- tian rules in the families we belong to, as we stand related severally as parents and children, husbands and wives, masters or mistresses, and servants. Signed in 1786 by Angas Sunderland, Jane Sunderland, Thomas Bay, Elizabeth Bay, Mary Patterson, Sarah Vance, Jean Marquis, Martha Rannells, Robert Morgan, Margaret Marshall, Susannah Pat- terson, Robert Marshal, Elizabeth Thompson, Tabitha Kirk, Sarah Marquis, Susannah Parke. • May 31, 1787, Thomas Hays, Jos. Colville Yance, William Hus- ton, John M. Cloan, Joseph Wiley, Catharine Edgar, Catharine Pbillis, John Sanders, Andrew Ferguson, Elizabeth McMillen, Mary- Edgar, Sr., Hannah Huston. To which names are added these words, " Whole number 114 — dead 26." James Edgar, Esq., makes a note below the additional clause of these words, " I believe this additional clause was made on the second day's signing." Time would fail me were I to give a history of most of these men whose names were subscribed to this religious agreement. Many of them filled high and important stations in church and State, and have bequeathed to their posterity a priceless inheritance. Their descendants linger among us, and the rural cemeteries of Cross Creek, Buffalo, Racoon and Biirgettstown, contain the remains of those of whom it can be truthfully said, " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Marriage Custom and Ceremony. In connection with the church, I shall add a sketch of an old- fashioned wedding party, from the rare work of Rev. Dr. Dodridge, such as was practised by the first settlers. When neighborhoods became in some degree settled, and boys and girls had grown to manhood and womanhood, mutual love resulted in marriage, which was celebrated different from weddings of the present day. An eye-witness and a participant gives the following glowing description of a wedding day among our early settlers: — HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 51 In the morning of the wedding day the groom and his attendants assembled at the house of his father for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual time for cele- brating the nuptials, which for certain must take place before dinner. Imagine an assemblage of people, without a store, tailor, or man- tua-maker within a hundred miles, and an assemblage of horses without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The gentlemen dressed in shoepacks, moccasons, leather breeches, leg- gings, linsey hunting shirts, and all home made. The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles, rings, buttons, or ruffles, they were the relics of old times, family pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles or halters, and pack-sad- dles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them. A rope or string as often constituted the girth as a piece of leather. The march, in double file, was often interrupted by the narrow- ness and obstructions of our horse-paths, as they were called, for we had no roads, and these difficulties were often increased, sometimes by the good and sometimes by the ill-will of neighbors, by felling trees and tying grape-vines across the way. Sometimes an ambus- cade was formed by the wayside, and an unexpected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding party with smoke. Let the reader imagine the scene which followed this discharge, the sudden spring of the horses, the shrieks of the girls, and the chivalric bustle of their partners to save them from falling. Some- times, in spite of all that could be done to prevent it, some were thrown to the ground. If a wrist, elbow, or ankle happened to be sprained, it was tied with a handkerchief, and little more was thought or said about it. Another ceremony took place before the party reached the bouse of the bride. When the party were about a mile from the place of their destination, two young men would single out to run for the bottle of whiskey, the worse the path, the more logs, brush, and deep hollows, the better, as these obstacles afforded an opportu- nity for the greater display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The start was announced by an Indian yell, logs, brush, muddy hollows, hill and glen, were speedily passed by the rival ponies. The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use for judges, for the first who reached the door was presented with the prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approaching them, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the head of the troop he gave the bottle first to the groom and his attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line, giving each a dram, and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his hunting shirt, took his station in the company. The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner, which was a 52 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. substantial backwoods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes veni- son and bear meat, roasted- and boiled, with plenty of potatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables. During the dinner, the greatest hilarity prevailed, although the table might be a large slab of tim- ber hewed out with a broadaxe, supported by four sticks set in auger holes, and the furniture, some old pewter dishes and plates, the rest, wooden bowls and trenchers ; a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. The rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce, the deficiency was made up by the scalping knives, which were carried in sheaths, sus- pended to the belt of the hunting shirt. After dinner the dancing commenced, and generally lasted till the next morning. The figures of the dancers were three and four hand- ed reels or square sets and jigs. The commencement was always a square four, which was followed by what was called jigging it off, that is, two of the four would single out for a jig, and were followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were often accompanied with what was called "cutting out," that is, when either of the parties became tired of the dance, on intimation, the place was supplied by some one of the company without any interruption of the dance. In this way a dance was often continued till the musician was heartily tired of his situation. Towards the latter part of the night, if any of the company, through weariness, attempted to conceal themselves for the purpose of sleeping, they were hunted up, paraded on the floor, and the fiddler ordered to play "hang out till to-mor- row morning." About nine or ten o'clock a deputation of the young ladies stole off the bride and put her to bed. In doing this it frequently happened that they had to ascend a ladder instead of a pair of stairs, leading from the dining and ball-room to the loft, the floor of which was made of clapboards lying loose and without nails. This ascent one might think would put the bride and her attendants to the blush, but as the foot of the ladder was commonly behind the door (which was purposely opened for the occasion), and its rounds at the inner end were well hung with hunting shirts, petticoats, and other arti- cles of clothing, the candles being on the opposite side of the house, the exit of the bride was noticed but by few. This done, a deputation of young men in like manner stole off the groom, and placed him snugly by the side of his bride. The dance still continues, and if seats happen to be scarce, which was often the case, every young man when not engaged in the dance was obliged to offer his lap as a seat for one of the girls, and the offer was sure to be accepted. In the midst of this hilarity, the bride and groom were not forgotten. Pretty late in the night some one would remind the company that the new couple must stand in need of some refresh- ments. Black Betty, which was the name of the bottle, was called for, and sent up the ladder. But sometimes black Betty did not go alone. I have many times seen as much bread, beef, pork, and cab- HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 53 bage sent along with her, as would afiforcl a good meal for a half dozen hungry men. The young couple were compelled to eat and drink more or less, of whatever was offered them. In the course of the festivity, if any wanted to help himself to a dram, and the young couple to a toast, he would call out, " Where is black Betty ? I want to kiss her sweet lips." Black Betty was soon handed to hira, then holding her up in his right hand, he would say, " Here's health to the groom, not forgetting myself, and here's to the bride, thumping luck and big children." This, so far from being taken amiss, was considered as an expression of a very proper and friendly wish, for big children, especially sons, were of great import- ance ; every big son being considered as a young soldier. It often happened that some neighbors or relations not being asked to the wedding took offence, and the mode of revenge adopted was that of cutting off the manes, foretops, and tails of the horses of the wedding company. On returning to the infare, the order of procession and race for black Betty was the same as before. The feasting and dancing often lasted for several days. School-Houses. The school-house was considered as necessary to the prosperity of a settlement as the church, and the requirements of the schoolmaster were, that he could read, write, and cipher as far as the double rule of three. When such a man offered himself, the neighbors would employ him, and immediately set about the erection of a school-house. One would give the ground, some would cut the logs, some would haul them to the appointed place, others would put them up. In the erection of the school-house, a log would be kept out the entire length to answer the purpose of a window. The fireplace was built with logs, with a stone back wall calculated for a back log six feet long. The chimney was built with what was then called " cat and clay chimney." The seats were made of small trees, cut about twelve feet long and split, the flat side dressed smooth with the axe, and legs put in the round side, which stood on an earthen floor. In summer time the dust would be sometimes two inches deep, hence the scholars for amusement would amuse themselves by "kicking up the dust " (which is likely the origin of the expression), to the great an- noyance of the schoolmaster, who would use his cat-o'-nine-tails very freely. In old times, they had a custom which is now, we believe, entirely laid aside. About a week before Christmas the larger scholars would meet in the night to bar out the master. On his arrival at the school-room he would endeavor to foi'ce his way in, but finding his efforts unavailing, he would enter into an agreement to give them holiday between Christmas and New Year's, give a gallon of whiskey, and lots of ginger-cakes on Christmas day, and play corner ball with the scholars on that occasion. 54 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. CHAPTER IV. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUPRExME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. A brief history of the Provincial Conference — The Constitution of 1776 ; the Council of Censors ; the Convention of 1789 ; the Constitution of 1790; the action of the Legislature of 1825 ; with regard to a convention, and the vote of the people ; the Convention of 1837 ; the Constitution of 1838, and the full proceedings of the Supreme Executive, from 1781 to 1791, which relates to Washington County. Supreme Executive Council. Before proceeding with the acts of this body, as connected with Washington County, it is necessary to give a history of its rise and origin, as interwoven with the Constitution of 1776. A provincial conference of committees of the several counties of Pennsylvania convened at Carpenter's Hall, in Philadelphia, on 25th of June, 1776, in consequence of a circular letter from the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, inclosing the resolution of the Continental Congress of the 15th of May, 1776. Returns of delegates were laid before this provincial conference from the city of Philadelphia, and the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, Berks, Northampton, York, Cumberland, Bed- ford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland (these ten counties then composing the province). Thomas McKean was chosen President, Joseph Hart, Vice-President, and Jonathan B. Smith and Samuel C. Morris, Secretaries. The President directed the reading of the resolution of the 15th of May, 1776, passed by the Continental Congress, which was in these words : — Whereas, his Britannic majesty, in conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britan, has, % a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of bis crown ; and whereas no answer whatever to the humble petitions of the colonies for the redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain has been or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies ; and whereas it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people of these colonies now to take the oaths and other matters necessary for the support of any government under the crown of Great Britain, and it is necessaiy that the exercise of every kind of authority, under the said crown, shall be totally suppressed, HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 55 and all the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the preservation of interval peace, virtue and good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies ; therefore, Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government suffi- cient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representa- tives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general. The Conference adopted the resolution, and resolved to adopt a new government in the province of Pennsylvania, on the authority of the people only. The Convention appointed Monday the 8th day of July, 1116, for electing members in the different counties to said Convention, and fixed Monday the 15th of July, 1176, for the assembling of the dele- gates. On the 15th of July, 17 76, delegates from the city of Philadel- phia and the ten counties of the State as above specified, met in Philadelphia, and organized by electing Dr. Benjamin Franklin, President ; Col. Greorge Ross, Vice-President ; John Morris, Secre- tary. The Convention terminated their session on the 28th of Sep- tember, 1776, and adopted a constitution, containing a decla7'ation of rights and the frame of government. The commonwealth was to be governed by an Assembly of the representatives of the freemen of the State, a President and Council. In the House of Representa- tives the supreme legislative power was vested, but in the President and Council the supreme executive power was vested, under the title of Supreme Executive Council. The first Constitution of Pennsylvania, adopted July 15, 1776, provided that this council should consist of twelve persons, chosen from the counties then in existence, but provided that in case of the formation of new counties, such county or counties shall elect a councillor. The Council was required to meet annually at the same time and place with the General Assembly. The duties of the President and Executive Council (five of whom constituted a quorum) were to appoint all officers, civil and mili- tary, except such as were chosen by the people or the General Assembly, and to fill vacancies, grant pardons, remit fines, grant reprieves, see that the laws were faithfully executed, &c. &c. &c. Two justices of the peace for each district were elected for seven years. The Constitution also provided that a Council of Censors should be elected by the people on the second Tuesday of October, 1783, and in every seventh year thereafter, whose duty was to inquire if the Constitution had been preserved inviolate, whether the different branches of government had performed their duties faith- 66 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. fally, and whether the taxes were justly laid, &c. &c., and to call a convention to amend any article of tlje Constitution which might be defective. The first Council of Censors met on November the 10th, 1788, when Washington County was represented by James Edgar and John McDowell. After examining the Constitution and its opera- tion, they appointed several committees and adjourned to June 1, 1784, and after hearing the opinions of the members, they passed a resolution by a vote of fourteen to ten, that there was no absolute necessity to call a convention to alter, explain, or amend the Con- stitution, but drafted an address to the people on the necessity of supporting the Constitution by giving it a fair and honest trial, and if at the end of seven years it did not answer the desired purpose, to make the necessary change. On the 24th of March, IT 89, a resolution was adopted by the General Assembly by a vote of forty -one to seventeen, that it was necessary to call a convention to revise, alter, and amend the Con- stitution, and for this purpose the authority was given to the people to elect delegates for that purpose, to meet in Philadelphia on the 24th of November, 1189. This Convention met at the day appointed, with delegates from the city and county of Philadelphia, and the counties of Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, Northampton, Bed- ford, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, Franklin, Montgomery, Dauphin, Luzerne, Huntingdon, Delaware, Northumberland, and Alleghany (there being twenty counties in the State). The delegates from Washington County were Alexander Addison, John Hoge, David Reddick, and James Ross. Thomas Mifflin was elected President. This convention adjourned on the 26th of February, 1190, to assemble on the 9th of August following, after having adopted a constitution, which was ordered to be printed for the consideration of the people of Pennsylvania. The reason given for a change is thus explained by Thomas McKean. The balance of the one, the few, and the many, is not well poised in the State; the legislature is too powerful for the executiv.e and judicial branches. We have now but one branch ; we must have another branch, a negative in the executive, stability in our laws, and permanency in our magistracy, before we shall be reputable, safe, and happy. The delegates reassembled at the time and place appointed, and after a careful review and an investigation of the Constitution, adopted the same on September 2, 1790, by a vote of sixty-one to one, and was officially proclaimed as such. In the Constitution of 1790, the legislative power was vested in the Senate and House of Representatives, and not in the House of Representatives alone, as in the Constitution of 1776. The supreme executive power was vested in the Governor, while in the Constitution of 1776 it was in the Pi'esident and Supreme Executive Council. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 57 The Constitution of 1790 going into effect, the Supreme Executive Council was abolished, and on the 22d of April, 1794, an act was passed vesting- aJl the powers of the late Supreme Executive Coun- cil in the Governor, unless otherwise vested by law. On the 28th of March, 1825, an act was passed by the legislature to ascertain the opinion of the people relative to the call of a convention. On the second Tuesday of October, 1825, the people, by ballot, decided against the proposed convention. On the second of May, 1837, a State Convention assembled at Harrisburg to amend the Constitution. Hon. John Sergeant, of Philadelphia, was chosen President. This Convention continued in session until the July following, when it adjourned and reassembled in October. In the following December the Convention removed to Philadelphia and finally closed their labors on the 22d of February, 1838. The pro- posed amendments to the Constitution were adopted by the people at the annual October election of the same year. I shall now proceed to give extracts from the proceedings of the Supreme Executive Council, on subjects referring to Washington County. Philadelphia, Monday, April 2, 1781. Present: His Excellency Joseph Eeed, Esq., President, the Vice- President, and members of the Supreme Executive Council. The Council taking into consideration the act of Assembly passed the 28th inst., entitled " An act for erecting- part of the county of Westmore- land into a special county" called by the name of Washington. Resolved, That Thomas Scott, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be the Prothonotary of the said county of Washington. Resolved, That James Marshal, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be Lieutenant of the county of Washington, and that John Cannon and David Lite (Leet) be appointed and commissioned to be the sub-Lieuten- ants of the said county. Philadelphia, April 4, 1781,- Present : His Excellency Joseph Eeed, Esq., President, and Executive Council. James Marshal, Esq., appointed by the Honorable House of Assembly to be Register for the Probate of Wills and granting letters of administra- tion, and Recorder of Deeds for the county of AVashington, and by this Board to be Lieutenant of the said county, attended in council and took the several oaths necessary to qualify him for the said offices respectively. Philadelphia, April 20, 1781. Present : His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq., President, and Executive Council. Ordered, That Colonel James Marshal, Lieutenant of the county of Wash- ington, be authorized and directed to call out forty men of the militia of that county, or if the militia shall not be organized sufficient for that pur- pose, to raise the said number of men for the purpose of escorting and guarding the commissioners appointed to run the line between this State and Virginia, during the time they shall be on that service, and that he be go HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. authorized to call on the commanding officer at Fort Pitt for ammunition for that purpose. Col. Daniel Broadhead was commandant at Fort Pitt. Pluladelplxia, August 23, 1781. Present : His Excellency the President and Executive Council. Returns of Justices for the following townships in the county of "Wash- ington were received and read, by which it appears that the following gen- tlemen were elected : — ■ Peters township. John Douglass and Eobert Thompson. Nottingham township. Benjamin Parkinson and Joseph Parkinson. Strabane township. (In which is the place called Catfish Camp, ordered bylaw to be the seat of justice). Daniel Leet, Henry Taylor, John White, Nicholas Little, Alexander Eddy, and David Clark. Amwell township. Abner Howell and John C'raig. Donegal toivnship. Samuel Mason and Samuel Williamson. Hopewelliownship. William Scott and John Marshall. Fallowfield township. John Parker, John Hall, east end, and John Ste- venson and Patrick McCuUough, west end of said township. Smith's toivnship. Samuel Johnston and James Edgar. Cecil toivnship. Matthew McConnell and John Reed. On consideration, Resolved, That Henry Taylor, William Scott, John Craig, John White, Daniel Leet, John Marshall, John Douglass, Benjamin Parkinson, John Reed, Abner Howell, Matthew McConnell, Samuel Johnston, and Samuel Mason, be appointed and commissioned justices of the peace, of the court of Common Pleas, and of the Orphans' Court of the county of Washing- ton, and that a general commission be issued accordingly. Philadelphia, October 11, 1781. Present : The Honorable the Vice-President and Executive Council. The Council took into consideration a resolve of Congress of the 24th of September last, appointing Brigadier-General William Irvine to the com- mand of Fort Pitt, and thereupon Ordered, That agreeably to the said recommendation, the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be ordered to call forth, agreeably to law, upon his requisition, such militia as may be necessary for that post and the pro- tection of the county. Philadelphia, Nov. 19, 1781. Present : His Excellency the President, the Vice-President, and Execu- tive Council. Dorsey Pentecost, councillor elect for the county of Washington, attend- ed in council and took the oath of allegiance and oath of office required by the Constitution, and thereupon took his seat at the Board as a member thereof. Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 1781. Present : His Excellency the President, Vice-President, and Executive Council. A return of an election said to have been held at the house of Ezekiel Roe, in Bethlehem township in Washington County, for electing justices of the peace for said township, was presented and read, and on inquiry, it appeared that the said election was not appointed by a justice of the peace for the said county, where a "vacancy had happened," the case provided for by law, but in consequence of a neglect to choose according to the di- rections of the law, wherefore the said election isvoid. HISTORY OP ■WASHINGTON COUNTY. 59 The Council therefore proceeded to the choice of a justice of the peace for the said township of Bethlehem, agreeably to the directions of the act of Assembly, entitled "A further supplement to an act entitled, 'an act di- recting the mode and time of electing justices of the peace for the city of Philadelphia, and the several counties in this commonwealth, and for other purposes herein mentioned,' " and appointed. Thomas Crooks, Esq. Ordered, That he be commissioned accordingly. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 24, 1781. A free conference being had, it appeared to be the sentiments of the Council and of the Committee, that an additional company is necessary for the defence of Washington County, and to complete the four companies now established, and that it might be proper to make application to Con- . gress for such assistance from the United States as would render an incur- sion into the Indian country prudent and practicable. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 30, 1781. A petition from Thomas Bay, of "Washington County, praying to be re- imbursed for sundry expenses he has been at in raising twelve volunteers in the spring of the year 1780 for the defence of the said county was read, and thereupon Resolved, That the said petition be presented to the General Assembly. A return of the general election of the county of Washington was read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, viz : Councillor, Dorsey Pentecost ; Representatives, James Edgar and John Cannon; Sheriffs, Yan Swearingen and Andrew Swearingen ; Coroners, William McFarlane and William McComb ; Commissioners, George Vallan- dingham, Thomas Crooks, and John McDowell. On consideration. Resolved, I'hat Van Swearingen be appointed sherilf of the county of Washington, and that William McFarlane be appointed coroner of the said county, and that they be commissioned accordingly. Van Swearingen, Esq., sheriff elect for the county of Washington, now offers Andrew Swearingen and Eichard Yeates as sureties for the faithful performance of the duties of his office of sheriff, according to law, and the same are approved. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1781. Resolved, That William_^^Qtt of Cross Creek, and Andrew Heath be appointed agents of forfeited estates in the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1781. • Ordered, That Col. Lewis Farmer be directed to purchase the following articles of clothing for the company of rangers to be raised in Washington County.* Fifty coats, fifty waistcoats, fifty pair of overalls, fifty hats, one hundred shirts, one hundred pairs of shoes, and fifty blankets. The Hon. Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board a state of the accounts of James Marshal, Esq., Lieutenant of the county of Washing- ton, agreeably to the 19th section of the militia law of this State, and the same being considered. Resolved, That the said accounts be transmitted to the Auditors of the public accounts. Philadelphia, Dec. 1, 1781. A letter from John Conner, Esq., of the 10th inst., inclosing his com- mission of sub-Lieutenant of the county of Washington, and praying this Board to accept his resignation thereof, was read, and on consideration. Resolved, That the same be accepted. *.See December 27, 1781. 60 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. On consideration, Philadelphia, Dec. 19, 1781. Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, commissary of military stores, be directed to deliver to the lion. Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., five hundred weight of gunpowder, one thousand weight of lead, and one thousand flints, to be forwarded to Col. James Marshal, Lieutenant of the county of Washing- ton, for the defence of the frontiers of the said county. Philadelphia, Dec. 20, 1781. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable John Piper, Esq., for the sum of three pounds specie and the sum of nineteen pounds specie, being money advanced by him for the carriage of Captain Boyd's Company of Rangers in Bedford County, and for the carriage of pow- der and lead for the counties of Washixgton, Westmoreland, and Bedford. The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board his ac- count for 31 days' attendance in Council from the 19th of November to the 20th of December inst., at 25 shillings per day £38.15 Mileage. 350 miles coming from Washington County at 1 shilling per mile 17.10 Balance specie £56.05 And therefore an order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honor- able Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for the sum of fifty-six pounds, five shillings specie, amount of the said account. Philadelphia, Dec. 24, 1781. The Council took into consideration the appointment of sub-Lieutenants for the county of Washington, agreeably to the militia laws of this State ; and William McCleary, William Parker, George Vallandingham, and Mat- thew Ritchie being recommended ; on consideration. Resolved, That William McCleary, William Parker, George Yalanding- ham, and Matthew Ritchie be appointed sub-Lieutenants of the county of Washington, and that they be commissioned accordingly. Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1781. The Council, taking into consideration the appointing officers for the Ranging Company for the county of Washington, Resolved, 'J'hat John Hughes, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be Captain of a company of Rangers to be raised in the county of Washing- ton, and that Gabriel Peterson be appointed Lieutenant and James Morri- son, Ensign of the said company, and that they be commissioned accord- ingly- Philadelphia, Dec. 29, 1781. On consideration of the proposals made by John Cannon, p]sq.. for sup- plying the militia and Rangers of the county of Washington which may be employed for the defence of the frontiers of said county Ordered, That twelve pence per ration, in specie, be allowed for the ra- tions delivered at such places as the said troops may from time to time be stationed within the said county of Washington. The rations to consist of One pound of bread ; one pound of beef or three-fourths pound of pork ; one gill o^" whiskey per day and one quart of salt and two quarts of vinegar, to every hundred rations. Eight pounds of soap and three pounds of candles to every seven hundred rations. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 61 Phtladelphm, Jan. 5, 1782. Resolved, John Hughes be appointed Captain. Gabriel Peterson Lieu- tenant, and James ^rorrison Ensign of the Company of Rangers to be raised ia the county of Washington for the defence of the frontiers. Resolved, That the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds specie be paid into the hands of Henry Taylor, Esq., to be by him delivered out to Captain John Hughes, Lieutenant Peterson, and Ensign ^lorrison for the purpose of recruiting the company of Rangers for the county of Washington. Philadelphia, Jan. 8, 1782. The Council, taking into consideration the exposed situation of the fron- tier counties, the probability of invasions of them by parties of Indians, and the impossibility of obtaining particular orders from the Council for calling out in due time themilitia of the said counties in such cases. Ordered, 1'hat the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be authorized and empowered to call out such and so many militia, according to law, as they may judge necessary for repelling the enemy. Philadelphia, Jan. 29, 1782. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John McCashem for the sum of ten pounds specie for paying for the transportation of clothing for the ranging companies of Washington and Westmoreland counties from Philadelphia to Shippensburg. Philadelphia, Feb, 26, 1782. A letter from the Commissioners of the Taxes of the county of Washing- ton, respecting the collection of the taxes was received and read, and on consideration ordered that the same be transmitted to the General Assem- bly of the State. Philadelphia, March 5, 1782. Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, Commissary of ISUlitary Stores, be directed to deliver to the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost one thousand flints, fifty stand of arms, and fifty pouches, to be forwarded to the Lieuten- ant of the county of Washington for the use of the Ranging company to be raised in the said county. Philadelphia, March 9, 1782. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Christo- pher Hayes, Esq., for the sum of eighteen pounds fifteen shillings specie for paying for the transportation of arms and ammunition from the city to Conocheague for the defence of the frontiers of Washington, Westmoreland, and Bedford counties. Philadelphia, March 18, 1782. The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board the fol- lowing account, viz., Dr. The State of Pennsylvania in account with Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., For attendance in council from the 20th of December, 1781, to the 23d of March, 1782—94 days at 17s. 6. £82.5 And thereupon an order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for the sum of eighty-two pounds, five shillings specie, amount of the said account. Philadelphia, March 30,1782. ■ Ordered, That James Alison be appointed sub-Lieutenant of the county of Washington in the room of Daniel Leet, who has resigned. 62 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. Philadelphia, March 30, 1782. The Board being informed by letter and a return inclosed, on the 4th of February last, from Col. James Marshal, Lieutenant of the county of Washington, that there were irregularities in the election of some of the militia officers of the said county, and others had refused to serve. Resolved, That the said Lieutenant be directed to proceeded with all convenient speed, to fill up the said vacancies agreeably to law, in order that commissions may issue. Philadelphia, April 2, 1782. An order drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pen- tecost, Esq., for the sum of twelve pounds ten shillings specie, to be paid to Adam Poe for taking an Indian scalp in the county of Washington, agreeably to the proclamation of the Board. Philadelphia, April 3, 1782. A return of justices for the township of Somerset, in the county of Washington, was received and read, by which it appears that Wm. Parker and John Stevenson were duly elected justices for the said township, there- upon Resolved, That William Parker, Esq., be appointed a justice of peace for the county of Washington, and commissioned accordingly. Philadelphia, April 6, 1782, Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be authorized and required to call into service, and put under the direction of Alexander McClean, Esq., such number of militia as the said McClean may judge ne- cessary for guards to the commissioners for running the line between the States of Virginia and Pennsylvania, not exceeding one hundred. Philadelphia, April 8, 1782, The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board the fol- lowing account for his attendance in council, from the 24th of March, till the 9th of April, 1782 ; 17 days at 17s. 6d. £14 17s. 6d. Thereupon an order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for the sum of fourteen pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence specie, amount of the above account. Philadelphia, April 15, 1782. A return of justices from Eobinson township in the county of Washing- ton was received and read, by which it appears that Alexander Wright and James Ervins were duly elected justices for said township, thereupon. Resolved, That Alexander Wright be appointed a justice of peace for the county of Washington, and commissioned accordingly. Whereas, It hath been represented to this Board, that the freeholders of the townships of Cumberland and Morgan in the county of Washington {now Greene) have each of them neglected to choose two fit persons, on the 15th day of July, 1781, agreeable to the act of Assembly passed the 28th of March, 1781, entitled an "Act for erecting part of the county of Westmoreland into a separate county " to serve as justices of the peace. And whereas. By a clause in an act of Assembly entitled "A further supplement to the act entitled 'an act directing the mode and time of elect- ing justices of the peace for the city and the several counties of the com- monwealth, and for other purposes therein mentioned,' passed August 31, 1778," it is enacted that where the freeholders of any district, county, town, township, or ward within this commonwealth have refused or neglected, or shall hereafter refuse or neglect to elect justices of the peace, agreeably HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 63 to the directions of the before recited acta, or of the further provisions herein made, that then it shall and may be lawful to and for the President or Vice-president in council, to commission a suitable number of justices of the peace to fill up such vacancies agreeably to the number settled in the aforesaid recited acts, therefore Ordered, That John Minor be appointed a justice of the peace for the township of Cumberland, and Levi Karrod be a appointed a justice of the peace for the township of Morgan in the county of Washington, and that commissions be issued accordingly. In Council. PhiladelpTiia, April 17, 1782. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John Cannon, Esq., for the sum of one hundred pounds specie, in part of contract for supplying the troops stationed in the county of Washington with provisions, for which he is to account. The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board the fol- lowing account for his attendance in council, viz.: — From the 9th till the 17th of April, 1782, 8 days at 7s. 6d. $7.00, and thereupon an order was drawn for the amount of said account. In Council. Philadelphia, June 12, 1782. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Captain John Hughes of the company of Rangers to be raised in the county of Washington, for the sum of sixty-five pounds specie, being two months pay for himself. Lieutenant Gabriel Peterson and Ensign James Morrison, ofQcers of the said company for which they are to account. Ordered, That Captain John Hughes, of the company of Rangers to be raised in the county of Washington, be directed to give a bounty, not ex- ceeding nine pounds specie, for such recruits as he may raise till his com- pany be completed. In Council. Philadelphia, July 12, 1782. Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be directed not to call out a greater number than one hundred militia at any one time for the defence of the frontiers of the county, but by special order of this Board. In Council. Philadelphia, July 25, 1782. Ordered, That a special commission of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, directed to the Honorable Christopher Hayes and Dorsey Pentecost, Esquires, and Edward Cooke, Esq., be now issued to the county of Washington, for the trial of divers persons now confined in the gaol of the said county charged with high crimes and misdemeanors. In Council, Philadelphia, August 14, 1782. Ordered, That the county of Washington be directed to make out and return to the Board pay rolls of moneys due to the militia of the said county, with the proper vouchers for the same. In Council, Philadelphia, September 28, 1782. Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be directed to call out no more militia after the expiration of the time of those now in service ; his Excellency George Washington having received intelligence that the British have called in all the savages, and that no more parties are to be permitted to be sent out against the frontiers. In Council. Philadelphia, October 26, 1782. A letter from Thomas Scott^-Esq., of Washington County, with a return of justices for Cumberland township in said county, was received and read, 64 HISTOilY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. by which return it appears that William McCleary and John Armstrong were duly elected justices. On consideration: Ordered, That the said letter and return li.e on the table for consideration. In Council. P7(27af7eZp/u'rt, October 26, 1782. The Council resumed the consideration of the letter from Thomas Scott, Esq., and the return of justices for Cumberland township, Washington County ; and thereupon, Ordered, That a letter be written to the said Thomas Scott, Esq., inform- ing him that Council think it not quite prudent to issue a commission upon so old a return as that in which Mr. p]dgar is mentioned, unless a petition from the people of the district had supported the sentiment expressed in his letter ; and that they have also thought it best to delay their decision on the return now received, as they are informed it is probable that one of the gentlemen named therein may be returned a member of the General Assembly ; but when that point is known, the Council will nominate and issue the commission, so as to forward it by the first opportunity. In Council. Philadelphia, November 26, 1782. Petition of David Hoge was read, stating that he had conveyed a piece of land to the commissioners to build a court-house and prison in Wash- ington County, and praying the said commissioners maybe ordered to report their proceedings as soon as may be to this Board. (See March 14, 1783.) In Council. Philadelphia, December 4, 1782. A return of the general election for the county of Washington was received and read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected : — Representatives. Matthew Ritchie and William McCleary. Slieriffs. Van Swearingen and Andrew Swearingen. Coroners. William McFar- lane and John Marshall. Commissioner. George McCormick. And the same being considered, Ordered, That Van Swearingen, Esq., be appointed sheriff of the county of Washington, and that William McFarlane be appointed coroner of the said county, and that they be commissioned accordingly. Van Swearingen, Esq., sheriff" elect for the county of Washington, ofTers Matthew Ritchie and John Cornaghan as sureties for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office of sheriff" of the said county, according to law, which the Council approve. In Council. Philadelphia, February 15, 1783. An order was drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Col. John Cannon, for ninety-five pounds six shillings, balance of his account for rations fur- nished to the militia and rangers in Washington County, from February, 1782, till February, 1783. In Council. Philadelphia, March 5, 1783. A petition from Anne Browne, Jean McCulloch, Frances Morgan, Agnes Reed, Catharine Pecas, Leah Norris, Anne Straight, Hannah Russel, Nancy Peckerol, Elizabeth Shanks, Elizabeth Palmer, and Mary Patter- son, convicted of fornication and bastardy, in the county of Washington, and sentenced each of them to pay a fine of ten pounds to the use of the State, praying remission of their fines, was read, and thereupon Ordered, 1'hat the fines adjudged to be paid to the use of the State by the persons before mentioned, be remitted. HISTORY OF WASiriNQTON COUNTY. 65 In Council. Philadelphia, March 6, 1783. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, for sixteen pounds, for three hundred and twenty miles' riding to Philadelphia, at one shilling per mile. In Council. Philadelphia, March 14, 1783, A report from Hugh Scott, Daniel Leet, Van Swearingen, and John Armstrong, of the county of Washington, appointed by an act of General Assembly of the 28th of March, 1781, to purchase a piece of land in said county, thereon to build a court-house and prison, was received and read, setting forth that, agreeably to the directions of the said act, they have purchased from David Hoge a piece or parcel of land, within one mile of the centre of said county, for the purpose expressed in the said act, and submitting the same to the approbation of the Council ; whereupon. Ordered, That the said report be accepted and approved accordingly. In Council. Philadelphia, March 17, 1783. Ordered, That an order be drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Captain John Hughes, Lieutenant Gabriel Peterson, and Ensign James Morrison, of the company of rangers in the county of Washington, to be charged to their account ; Ordered, That a letter be written to Henry Taylor, Esq., of the said county, requesting him to pay to the non-commissioned officers and privates of Captain John Hughes' Company of Rangers two months' pay. In Council. Philadelphia, March 21, 1783. An order was drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Mr. Matthew Ritchie, for twenty-five pounds specie, to be paid by him to Alexander Wright and William Minor, being the reward allowed by proclamation of Council for two Indian scalps taken in the county of Washington. The Council taking into consideration the proclamation of the 22d day of April, 1780, offering a reward for Indian scalps, and the reasons upon which the same was founded no longer continuing. Resolved, That the same be made null and void, anything therein con- tained to the contrary notwithstanding. Ordered, That the foregoing resolution be sent to the Lieutenants of the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, March 22, 1783. Resolved, That Council has no further use for the service of Captain John Hughes, commanding the Washington County Rangers, after the 5th of April next. That Captain Hughes be informed that Council return him thanks for the service he has rendered the State while in their employ. An order was drawn in favor of Captain John Hughes, for thirty pounds specie, being two months' pay advanced to him, for which he is to account, to be paid out of the fund appropriated to the frontier defence. In Council. Philadelphia, March 25, 1783. An order was received on the Treasurer in favor of Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for forty pounds, seven shillings and six pence, specie, amount of his account for his attendance in council from the 10th of February till the 26th of March, 1783. In Council. Philadelphia, April 1, 1783. The Comptroller General's report upon the account of James Marshall,. Esq., Lieutenant of the county of Washington, was read and approved. 5 66 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. In Council. Philadelphia, May 1, 1783. Ordered, That Capt. Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, be directed to deliver four hundred and fifteen pounds of powder and eight cwt. weight of lead, to Col. Christopher Hays, for the use of the militia of Washington and Westmoreland counties. Ordered, That letters be written enjoining it upon the Lieutenants of the said counties not to issue any part of this ammunition upon the receipts of the officers commanding corps, and that the same obligation be carried down to the private soldier. In Council. Philadelphia, May 24, 1783. A letter from John Cannon, Esq., contractor for the subsistence of the Washington Rangers, was read. In Council. Philadelphia, May 29, 1783. The Comptroller General's report upon the account of Thomas Scott, Esq., Prothonatory of Washington County, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, June 6, 1783. Ordered, That the Washington Ranging Company be immediately dis- charged from the service of the State, but that in settlement of accounts they be entitled to pay and rations till the first day of July next. The eldest officer of the company lately commanded by Capt. John Hughes, is therefore directed to put all his vouchers, &c., into the hands of Captains Boyd and Stokely. The corps is also informed that Council, under a sense of their many services, will take some early moment to call the attention of the Assembly to their situation, and that no disposition or good offices shall be wanting to render it as easy as possible. In Council. Philadelphia, August 27, 1783. A letter was delivered to the Clerk of the General Assembly from Thomas Scott, Prothonotary of Washington County, in reply to several letters from Council upon the subject of the late communication from Vir- ginia. In Council. Philadelphia, August 28, 1783. The Comptroller General's report upon the accounts of James Pollock and William Cocheran, Esqs., was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, September 23, 1783. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for thirty-one pounds, fifteen shillings, in full for his attend- ance in council to this day, inclusive, and his mileage. In Council. Philadelphia, October 6, 1783. The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., sent in a resignation of his seat at this Board, which was read and accepted. In Council. Philadelphia, October 7, 1783. The following report from the Comptroller General was read and approved, upon the accounts of Thomas Scott, Esq., Prothonotary of Washington County, for tax arising from writs in said county. In Council. Philadelphia, October 10, 1783. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Honorable Dorsey Pen- tecost, Esq., for fifteen pounds fifteen shillings specie, in full for his attend- ance in council till the 6th inst., inclusive. In Council. Philadelphia, October 31, 1783. Resolved, That Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., be appointed a Judge in, and President of, the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Washington. HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 6T In Council. PTxiladelphia, November 10, 1783. The return of the General Election held in the county of Washington was received and read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, viz : — Censors. James Edgar, John McDowell. Councillor. John Neville. Representatives. John Stephenson, Matthew Ritchie. Sheriffs. Van Swearingen, Andrew Swearingen. Coroners. William McFarlane, William McComb. Commissioner. Demas Lindley. On consideration, Ordered, That Van Swearingen be appointed sheriff, and William McFarlane coroner of the county of Washington, and that they be commissioned accordingly. Van Swearingen, Esq., now offers John Neville, Andrew Swearingen, and Dorsey Pentecost, Esqrs., of the county of Washington, as sureties for the faithful performance of the duties of his office for the said county, accord- ing to law, which the Council approve. In Council. Philadelphia, November 14, 1783. A representation from the magistracy of Washington County, upon the complaints of John Campbell and John Coxe, was read. In Council. Philadelphia, November 20, 1783.- The following order was drawn on the Treasurer, viz: In favor of John Cannon, Esq., for two hundred and seventy-four pounds five shillings, in full, for rations furnished to Rangers and militia in Washington County till August 1783, inclusively, to be paid out of the frontier fund. In Council. Philadelphia, January 20, 1784, The Comptroller General's report upon the account of James Marshall, Esq., Lieutenant, and James Allison, late sub-Lieutenant of Washington County, was read. In Council. Philadelphia, March 26, 1784. The Comptroller's report upon the account of Samuel Beeler for pro- visions furnished to the Washington County militia, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, March 30, 1784. The Comptroller's report upon the account of Matthew Ritchie, late Bub-Lieutenant of the county, was read and approved. In Council, Philadelphia, April 5, 1784. The report of the Comptroller-General upon the account of Colonel Wil- liam Parker, late sub-Lieutenant of Washington County, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, June 10, 1784. John White attended, and Council agreed to allow him twenty-one pounds ten shillings for riding express to the counties of Washington, Westmore- land, Bedford, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, and Chester, with dispatches to the several sheriffs of said counties, for calling the General Assembly, and thereupon an order was drawn in his favor for fifteen pounds specie in part of said sum. In Council. Philadelphia, July 23, 1784. A letter from James Marshall, Esq., Lieutenant of the county of Wash- ington, was read. 68 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. In Council Philadelphia, August 12, 1784. The Comptroller General's report upon the accounts of Hon. John McDowell and James Edgar, Esqs., and orders drawn on the Treasurer for the sum of thirty-three pounds five shillings each, in full for their attendance severally, till the 10th inst. inclusively, as members of the Council of Cen- sors, to be paid according to resolution of Assembly of the 22d of Novem- ber, 1783. In Council. Philadelphia, September 10, 1784. The record of the conviction of Thomas Richardson of burglary in the county of Washington, was read and considered ; upon which it was Resolved, That execution of the sentence of the court be made and done upon him, the said Thomas Richardson, on Saturday, the 2d day of Octo- ber next, between the hours of ten of the clock in the forenoon and two of the clock in the afternoon of the same day, at the most proper and public place within the said county. In Council. Philadelphia, September 2.5, 1784. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer of the State in favor of James Edgar, Esq. (for fifty-six pounds eighteen shillings), a member of the Coun- cil of Censors, for his wages, for attendance in the said Council until this day, to be paid according to the resolution of the General Assembly, dated the 22d day of November, 1783. In Council. Philadelphia, September 27, 1784. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Henry Taylor, Esq., for the sum of two pounds five shillings specie, for his services in paying the Ranging Compafiy of Washington County, late commanded by Captain Hughes, agreeably to the Comptroller-General's report. In Council. Philadelphia, September, 28, 1784. The Comptroller-General's reports upon the following accounts were read and approved: For provisions furnished to the Washington County militia by William Campbell, Riqhard Elson, John Smith, William Rankin, Thomas Cherry, John Nichols, >Henry Enoch, David Shepherd, Thomas Rankin, Stephen Treacle, Demus Lindley, James Marshall, Jr., and George Atkinson. In Council. Philadelphia, September 29, 1784. The Comptroller-General's report upon the account of Captain Craig Ritchie, for the pay of his company of Washington County militia — also upon the account of William McCleary, Esq., sub-Lieutenant of the county of Washington, was read — and approved September 30, 1784. In Council. Philadelphia, October 6, 1784. Matthew Ritchie and John Cannon, Esqs., were appointed justices of the county Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, October, 19, 1784. A petition from divers inhabitants of Washington County, complaining of the conduct of the commissioners of taxes in said county, in laying the taxes in a partial manner to the great injury of the petitioners, was read and thereupon Ordered, That a copy of said complaint be transmitted to the said com- missioners, and that they be directed to explain to Council their conduct with respect to the petitioners (which was accordingly done). HISTORY OF WASniNGTON COUNTY. 69 In Council. Philadelphia, October 26, 1784. Upon the petition of Rachel Cotton, convicted of fornication in the county of Washington, it was Ordered, 1'hat her fine be remitted. In Council. Philadelphia, November 1, 1784. The return of the general election held in the county of Washington was received and read, by which it appears the following gentlemen were duly elected : — Representatives. Matthew Ritchie, John Stevenson. Sheri^'s. James Marshall, Daniel Leet. Coroners. William McOombs, Robert Benson. Commissioner. James Allison. On consideration. Ordered, That James Marshall, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be sheriff of said county of Washington, and that William McCombs, Esq., be appointed and commissioned coroner of said county. James Mar- shall, Esq., offered John Hoge and John Stevenson, Esqs., as sureties for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office of sheriff for the said county, according to law, which the Council approved. James Marshall's resignation of his office of Register and Recorder of Deeds in and for the county of Washington was read. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 3, 1784. A bond was executed in Council by James Marshall, John Stevenson, and John Hoge, in the sum of one thousand pounds, for the said James Marshall's faithful performance of the duties of his office of sheriff of the county of Washington according to law. James Marshall's resignation of the office of Lieutenant of the county of Washington, was read and not accepte In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1784. The Comptroller-General's report upon the account of Col. James Mar- shall, Lieutenant of the county of Washington, by which it appears that a balance of eight hundred and twenty-six pounds eighteen shillings and three pence, specie, is due to him, was read and approved and an order drawn in his favor for the sum of fifty pounds specie, in part of the said balance. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 16, 1784. The Comptroller-General's report upon the account of Captain John Hughes, late of a company of rangers raised in the county of Washington, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 17, 1784. A dedimus potestatem was issuea to Thomas Scott and Thomas Stokely, Esqs., of the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 19, 1184. Thomas Stokely, Esq., was commissioned to be register of, and probate of wills, and granting letters of administration, and recorder of deeds in the county of Washington, in consequence of an appointment to those of- fices by the General Assembly. In Council. Philadelphia, January 22, 1785. The Comptroller. General's report upon the account of Ensign James Morrison, of Captain John Hughes' company of rangers of the county of Washington, was read and approved, the balance due to him being ninety pouuds. to HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. In Council. Philadelphia, Jan. 25, 1785. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Lieut. James Morri- son, late of Capt. John Hughes' company of rangers in Washington Coun- ty, for the sum of fifteen pounds, being two months' pay, for which he is to be accountable. In CotTNCiL. Philadelphia, Jan. 27, 1785. The Comptroller-General's report upon the following accounts were read and approved, viz ; — ■ Of Jonathan Hennard and David Ruble, for provisions furnished to the Washington County militia. Of Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for disbursements in raising Capt. Hughes' company of rangers. Of William Marshall, for losses sustained in the Indian expedition of 1781, Of the pay due the non-commissioned ofiBcers and privates of Captain Hughes' company. Of Lieut. Gabriel Peterson, for pay in the said company. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 11, 1785. Henry Yanmetre elected justice of the peace for Cumberland township, and commissioned according to law. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 24, 1785. The Comptroller-General's report upon the account of Captain Andrew Swearingen's ranging company, for pay from March to November, 1781. In Council. Philadelphia, March 1, 1785. 'J'he return of an election of justices of the peace for the district of Fal- lowfield and county of Washington, was read and postponed. In Council. Philadelphia, March 2, 1785. The Comptroller-General's reports upon the following accounts were read and approved, viz : — Of Craig Ritchie and Andrew Munroe, for horses lost in the Sandusky expedition. Of Lieut.-Col. George Vallandingham, for militia services. Of the aforesaid Capt. Craig Ritchie for rations due him from the 20th of May to the 20th of June, 1782. Of Van Swearingen, Esq., for provisions furnished the ranging company of Andrew Swearingen, captain, and for seven thousand one hundred and forty rations furnished the militia of Washington County, from April 1st to September 2d, 1782. Of John Smilie, for a horse and rifle lost in the Sandusky expedition. Of James Curry and John Geiger, for team hire in transporting baggage of the troops employed in escorting the convention army in 1778. In Council. Philadelphia, March 3, 1785. The Comptroller-General's report upon the account of Joseph Holmes, of the county of Washington, for provisions furnished himself when on militia service, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, April 7, 1785. William Graham was appointed collector of excise for Washington, Westmoreland, and Fayette counties. In Council. Philadelphia, April 27, 1785. On consideration, Ordered, That General Neville be authorized upon his return to Wash- ington County, to place some fit person in possession of the buildings at HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Tl Fort Mcintosh (near Beaver, Pa.), with directions to keep them and the public timber upon the adjoining land in a state of as much preservation as possible. ^ In Council. Philadelphia, May 3, 1785. A letter to John Story, Esq., additional commissioner for settling accounts (of this State with the United States), requesting him to enter upon the execution of his ofiBce as soon as possible in Washington County, and Westmoreland and Fayette, unless circumstances shall hereafter require any alteration of this direction. In Council. Philadelphia, May 7, 1785. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for three pounds specie, being money advanced by him to Mr. William Croghen, for the transportation of two hundred and fifty pounds from this city to the county of Washington, and its deposit in the hands of the lieu- tenant of said county. In Council. Philadelphia, May 20, 1785. The fine imposed upon Annie Essicks, of Washington County, upon being convicted of fornication, was remitted. In Council. Philadelphia, Aug. 30, 1785. The Comptroller-General's report upon the account of William Shearer, of the county of Washington, for a horse lost in the Sandusky expedition, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, Sept. 22, 1785. A return of a magistrate for the township of Donegal, and county of Washington, was read. (See Feb. 6, 1786.) A certificate from the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace of the county of Washington, accompanied by a petition from the inhabitants of the town of Washington, that it is become necessary and proper, and will be useful that the aforesaid town of Washington be erected into a dis- trict for the election of a justice of the peace, was read and approved, agreeably to law. (See Feb. 6, 1786.) A return of officers chosen to command the troops of Washington County light horse was read and approved, and commissions directed to issue. In Council. Philadelphia, October 26, 1785. A return of the general election for the county of Washington was re- ceived and read. In Council. Philadelphia, December 15, 1785. James Marshall, Esq., was commissioned sheriff" and William McCombs coroner for the county of Washington ; David Reddick and John Hoge, Esquires, were offered as securities for James Marshall and accepted. In Council. Philadelphia, February 6, 1786. William Johnstone, Esq., was appointed a justice of the peace upon a return of an election of justices for the district of Donegal, in the county of Washington, and commissioned accordingly ; to this commission was added that of a justice of the Court of Common Pleas. On motion of Mr. Neville : — The town of Washington was this day erected into a distinct district for the election of justices of the peace, agreeably to a certificate of the court of the county of Washington. 72 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. In Council. Philadelphia, March 8, 1786. A certificate of the court of AVashington County, for dividing the town- ship of Smith, in the said county, was read. (See September 2, 1786.) In Council. Philadelphia, April 19, 1786. The Comptroller-General's report upon the following accounts was read and approved : — Of Hugh Sprouls, of the county of Washington, for a horse lost in the Sandusliy expedition. Of Joseph Brown, of said county, for rations fur- nished to the militia employed on the said expedition. Of Thomas Brown, of said county, for rations furnished as aforesaid. Of William McGIaughlin, of said county, for pork furnished for the use of the militia when in service on the frontiers of Washington County, in 1782. In Council. Philadelphia, July 25, ] 786. John Craig, Esq., of the county of Washington, was appointed collector of excise for the county aforesaid, and for the counties of Westmoreland and Fayette, in the room of William Graham, resigned. In Council. Philadelphia, September, 2, 1786. A certificate of the division of the township of Smith, in the county of Washington, by the Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace held at Wash- ington, for the county aforesaid, on the .5th of January last, was read and order taken that the decision be confirmed, agreeably to the decree of the said court. In Council. Philadelphia, October 24, 1786. A return of the general election for the county of Washington was re- ceived and read, by which it appears that David Reddick was duly elected counsellor; James Marshall and William Wallace, sheriffs, and William McComb and Joseph Wherry, coroners for the said county. In Council. Philadelphia, November 20, 1786. David Reddick, Esq., took his seat at this Board, agreeably to a return of the general election for the county of Washington (read on the 24th of October last), having previously taken several oaths of qualification. In Council. Philadelphia, November 21, 1786. A certificate of the division of Peters township, in the county of Wash- ington, by the Court of General Quarter Sessions held at Washington, for the county aforesaid, the last Tuesday in September, 1784, was read and order taken that the decision aforesaid be confirmed, agreeably to the decree of the said court. John Hogeand Thomas Scott, Esquires, were appointed and commissioned justices of the peace for the district of Washington, in the county of Wash- ington. John Hoge and Thomas Scott wer^ also 'appointed and commis- sioned justices of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington. James Marshall, Esq., was appointed and commissioned sheriff, and Wm. McCombs, coroner of the county of Washington. John Hoge and David Reddick, Esqs., were accepted as sureties for Mr. Marshall. In Council. Philadelphia, November 25, 1786. An order was taken upon motion, that as Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., late judge of the Court of Common Pleas and president of that court for the county of Washington has removed from the county aforesaid and is now settled in a neighboring State, that he be suspended iu the offices afore- said. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. *IB In Council, Philadelphia, December 12, 1786. Ordered, That the commission of Collector of Excise for the counties of Washinjrton, Westmoreland, and Fayette be revoked, and that John Dodd be appointed collector for the county of Washington, and Joseph Douglass for that of Fayette. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 20, 1786. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Hon. David Redick, Esq., for twenty-three pounds five shillings in full for his attendance in council until this day inclusively. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 9, 1787. The Comptroller-General's report upon the account of James Marshall Esq., Lieutenant of Washington County from November, 1784, until No- vember, 1786, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 12, 1787. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Col. James Marshall for three hundred and seventy-eight pounds ten shillings and nine pence, in part of the balance due upon his account as Lieutenant of the county of Washington, according to the Comptroller General's report, to be, paid out of the fund arising from militia fines. In Council. Philadelphia, March 21, 1787. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Hon. David Re- dick, Esq., for forty pounds five shillings in full, for his attendance in coun- cil until this day, inclusively. In Council. Philadelphia, April 12, 1787. An order was drawn upon the Treasurerin favor of the Hon. David Re- dick, Esq., for thirty-five pounds in full for his attendance in council from the 21st of March to the 14th of April inclusively, and his mileage. In Council. Philadelphia, Aug. 18, 1787. The fine of ten pounds imposed upon Ruth Grenaugh, convicted of forni- cation and bastardy in the county of Washington, was remitted upon her petition and a recommendation in her favor. In Council. Philadelphia, Sept. 3, 1787. On motion ordered, Thomas Stockley, Esq., was appointed and commis- sioned a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, Sept. 14, 1787. Monday next was assigned for going into the consideration of the return of the proposed road through the western counties of the State and Pitts- burg, together with the several petitions against it, and the Secretary was directed to request the members of the General Assembly from the counties of Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, and Bedford to meet council on that day to give them some information upon the subject. In Council. Philadelphia, Sept. 1787. The members of the General Assembly from the counties of Washing- ton, Westmoreland, Fayette, and Bedford, attended in the council chamber agreeably to the request of the council of the 14th inst., and a conference was held upon the subject of the proposed road from Miller's Spring into Cumberland County to Fort Pitt. t4 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. In CouNCiii. Philadelphia, Sept. 2.5, 1787. Joseph Scott, Esq., was appointed and commissioned a justice of the peace for the district of Eobinson township, in the county of Washington, and also appointed and commissioned a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said county. In Council. Philadelphia, Oct. 5, 1787. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Hon. David Eedick, Esq., for fifty-two pounds fifteen shillings in full, for his attendance in council until the 4th inst., inclusively, and his mileage. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 2, 1787. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Col. James Marshall, Lieutenant of Washington County, for thirty-seven pounds two shillings and six pence, to be paid by him to Abraham Etfslow, Frederick Crow, Ste- phen Gapen, Peter Clawson, William Crawford, Jesse Vanmetre, W. Har- rod, Sr., Michael Dougherty, John Flora, John Heaton, William Tarpine, Harrod Newland, Robert Flora, Alexander Brown, and Peter Dailey for their services in watching the movements of Indians, and protecting the frontiers from Indian depredations in the year 1782, agreeably to the act of Assembly, dated December 1781. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 12, 1787. It appearing from intelligence received from Washington County that the Indians have murdered some of the inhabitants of the said county, and that the people there are in want of arms and ammunition, Resolved, That one hundred stand of arms, four hundred weight of pow- der and eight hundred weight of lead, and one thousand flints be purchased by the Comptroller General, and sent to the Lieutenant of Washington County. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1787. Whereas, It is represented to the Board that the Indians have recently committed divers depredations on the frontier settlements in this State, therefore, Resolved, That the Lieutenants of the several frontier counties may, from time to time, order into actual service for the protection of the inhabitants, such part of the militia of their respective counties as may appear to them, or any of them, necessary, not exceeding at any one time the proportion allowed by law. In Council. Philadelphia, December 3, 1787. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable David Eedick, Esq., for forty-five pounds, in full for his attendance in council to this day, inclusively. In Council. Philadelphia, December 4, 1787. Resolved, That the Lieutenants of the city and the several counties within the State, be directed to collect all the public arms within their respective counties, have them repaired, and make return to council, with the accounts and vouchers necessary for payment. In Council. Philadelphia, May 6, 1788. Two certificates of the division of Cumberland and Morgan townships, and of the township of Donegal, in the county of Washington, by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the said county, in order for the more convenient election of justices of the peace, were received, read, and ordered to be filed. (See August 7, 1788.) HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. T5 Samuel Glassgow, Esq., was appointed and commissioned a justice of the peace and a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washing:ton, upon a return made according to law, for the dis- trict of the township of Hanover. In Council. PhiladelpMa, June 6, 1788. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable David Redick, for thirty-one pounds five shillings, in full of his account for attend- ance in council from the 5th day of May until the 5th of June, 1788, inclu- sively, and his mileage. In Council. Philadelplna, June 30, 1788. William Wallace, Esq., was appointed and commissioned a justice of the peace, and of the Court of Common Pleas in and TOr the county of Wash- ington, upon a return made according to law, for the district of Somerset. In Council. Philadelphia, August 5, 1788. An order was drawn in favor of. David Eedick, Esq., for the sum of fifty- three pounds fifteen shillings, in full of his account for his attendance in council from the 6th day of June until the 5th of August, 1788, and his mileage from Philadelphia to Washington County. In Council. Philadelphia, August 7, 1788. Two certificates from the Court of General Quarter "Sessions of the Peace for the county of Washington, that a division of the district of the town- ships of Cumberland and Morgan, and of the district of the township of Donegal, in the said county, agreeably to act of Assembly, dated the 31st of March, 1784, for the election of j'istices of the peace, is become proper and will be useful, which were received and read on the 6th of May, were this day taken into consideration, and the division, as made by the said court, was confirmed. In Council. Philadelphia, August 8, 1788. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable David Eedick, Esq., for four pounds ten shillings, in full for his attendance in council from the 6th until the 12th of this month, both days included. In Council. Philadelphia, August 23, 1788. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Col. James Marshall, Lieutenant of Washington County, for seventy-seven pounds eighteen shil- lings and four pence, payable out of the moneys arising from militia fines, being in full of two several accounts for militia services on the frontier of the said county in September and October, 1787, and in March, April, and May, 1788, according to the Comptroller General's report. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of James Chambers and William Marshall, for fifty pounds nineteen shillings and seven pence, pay- able out of the militia fines of the county of Washington, in full of their accounts for repairing the public arms belonging to the said county, according to the Comptroller-General's report. In Council. Philadelphia, September 30, 1788. Henry Taylor, Esq., was appointed and commissionated a justice of the peace for the district of the township of Straban ; James Edgar a justice of the peace for the district of the township of Smith, andWiUiam McFar- lane a justice of the peace for the district of the township of Amwell, in the county of Washington, upon returns made, according to law, for the said several districts. They were also appointed and commissionated justices of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the count/ of Washington. 1& HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. On motion, Ordered, That the said Henry Taylor be appointed and commissionated President of the Court of Common Fleas, of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace and Jail Delivery, and of the Orphan's Court of Washington County. Two returns of justices from the districts of the townships of Cecil and Dickinson, in the county of AVashington. were read and not allowed, as the whole of Dickinson, and part of Cecil district, has been struck off to the county of Allegheny. In Council. Philadelphia, October 15, 1788. The oath, directed by the Constitution was administered to the Hon. David Eedick, Esq., to qualify him for the exercise of his office of Vice- President of this board. In Council. Philadelphia, November 7, 1788. Returns of elections of justices of the peace, lately held in several dis- tricts of Nottingham, Hopewell, and Findley, together with a petition against the latter, were also received and read. In Council. Philadelphia, November 8, 1788. The return of an election of justices of the peace for the district of Findley township, in Washington County, which was read yesterday, was read the second time, together with a petition from several freeholders, resident in said district, complaining of illegal proceedings at said election, whereupon it was Ordered, That John Hoge, Thomas Scott, and William McFarlane, Esqrs., justices of the peace in and for the county of Washington, living near the said district, be authorized and directed to investigate the facts stated in the said petition, upon the oaths of such witnesses as may be adduced, and make report thereof to this Board in manner and form pre- scribed in and by an act of Assembly, entitled '• An act to remedy the defects of the several acts of Assembly heretofore made for regulating the elections of justices of the peace throughout this State. &c.," passed the 31st day of March, 1784. (See March 31, 1789.) John Reed and Hugh Scott, Esqrs., were appointed and commissionated justices of the peace and of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Washington, the former for the district of the township of Cecil, and the latter for the district of the township of Nottingham, upon returns made according to law from the said several districts. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1788. William Smiley, Esq., was appointed and commissioned a justice of the peace, and of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Wash- ington, upon a return made according to law for the district of the town- ship of Hopewell. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 25, 1788. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Hon. David Eedick, Esq., for seventy-two poinds seven shillings and four pence in full of his account for his salary as Vice-President from the 14th of October until the 4th of November, 1788, and for his pay as Councillor until this day, including his mileage and cash p^id for postage of letters on public business. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1788. On motion. Resolved, That Monday the 8th inst. be assigned for going into the ap- pointment of a sherifiF for the county of Washington. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. n In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 8, 1788. Mr. Wood's motion for appointing a sheriff for the county of Washing- ton was referred to Col. Miles, Col. Smith, and Col. Wood. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 23, 1788. On motion. Resolved, That the Secretary employ two proper persons to ride to the counties of Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Bedford, Huntingdon, Northumberland, Cumberland, Luzerne, Franklin, and Dauphin, to bring to Council from those counties the returns of electors for the choice of Presi- dent and Vice-President of the United States, and that he assign to the said expresses their proper counties, give them the necessary instructions, and direct the said expresses to set off on Monday next. In Council. Philadelphia, Dee. 27, 1788. James Dunwood was employed as one of the persons to ride to the coun- ties of Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Bedford, Huntingdon, Cum- berland, Franklin, and Dauphin agreeably to the minutes of the 23d inst., and it was agreed to allow him two dollars and a half in specie per diem while he is employed in the said business. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 31, 1788. The return of members to represent this State in the Congress of the United States having been received by Council from the city of Philadel- phia, and the several counties, except the county of Fayette, Resolved, That for the information of the public, the following state of the returns be published. Fred. A. Muhlenberg Henry Wynkoop . Thomas Hartley . . George Clymer . . Thomas Fitzsimmons Thomas Scott . . Peter Muhlenberg . Daniel Hiester . . In Council. Philadelphia, Jan. 17, 1789. A return of the general election of sheriffs and coroners held in and for the county of Washington, in October, 1788, was received and read, and David Williamson, Esq., thereupon appointed and commissionated sheriff, and Eobert Benham coroner of the said county. William Parker and Josiah Scott, of the county of Washington, were offered and accepted as sureties for the said David Williamson's faithful performance of the duties of his office of sheriff for the county aforesaid according to law. In Council, Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1789. Resolved, That the several returns of electors for choosing a President and Vice-President of the United States, which have been transmitted to Council, be referred to Mr. McClay and Mr. Smith to inspect the same and report to Council the names of the ten highest to vote, which being done, a proclamation was issued embracing the names of the following electors : Edward Hand, John Arndt, Lawrence Keene, James O'Hara, Samuel Potts, George Gibson, Coleman Read, James Wilson, David Grier, and Alexander Grayson. 8707 John Alligon . . . . 7067 8246 Stephen Chambers . , 7050 8263 VViliam Findley . . 6586 8094 William Irvine , . . 6492 8067 Charles Pettit . . 6481 8068 William Montgomery . 6348 7417 Blair McClerrachan 6223 7403 Eobert Whitehill . , 5850 T8 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 17, 1789. The report of the Committee to whom was referred the letter from Thomas Scott, Esq., with the proceedings of the General Assembly thereon, was read and adopted as follows, viz : — Resolved, That the letter from Thomas Scott, Esq., of the 20th of Janu- ary last, together with the proceedings of the General Assembly on the same subject, be transmitted by the earliest opportunity to the said Thomas Scott, with an intimation that it would be agreeable to Council if he would endeavor to serve during the first session of Congress, or until his place can be supplied without expense to the State at the next annual election. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 28, 1789. Eleazer Jenkins, Esq., was appointed and commissioned a justice of the peace and of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Wash- ington upon a return made according to law for the district of the township of Bethlehem in said county. In Council. Philadelphia, March 12, 1789. Absalom Baird and John Douglass, Esqs., were appointed and commis- sionated justices of the peace, the former for the district of the town of Washington, and the latter for the district of the township of Peters in the county of Washington, upon returns made according to law from the said districts. The said Absalom Baird and John Douglass, Esqs., were also {Appointed and commissionated justices of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Washington. . In Council. Philadelphia, March 12, 1789. Upon consideration of the report of the Committee to whom was referred the petition and recommendation in favor of William Stewart, Aaron Lyle, James Ross, James McClellan, John Donat, Josias Gamble, Samuel Agnew, Robert Ralston, William Campbell, Joseph Wells, Samuel Hanna, and John Rankin for remission of the 6nes which have been imposed upon them by the last Court of Oyer and Terminer held in the county of Washington upon their being convicted severally of a riot in said county, Resolved, That the several fines due to the Commonwealth, imposed upon the petitioners as aforesaid, be remitted. In Council. Philadelphia, March 18, 1789. An order was drawff'upon the Treasurer in favor of Hugh Spear, for five pounds seventeen shillings, in full, of his account for hauling public arms and ammunition from Philadelphia to the county of Washington, for the defence of the western frontiers. In Council. " Philadelphia, March 24, 1789. Mr. Redick, member of this Board, was ofiFered and accepted as surety for Thomas Scott, Esq., Prothonotary of the county of Washington, in the room of John Neville, Esq., who was approved by the Board on the 19th instant as surety for Mr. Scott. On motion. Resolved, That a dedimus potestatem issue to Thomas Scott, Thomas Stokely, John Hoge, and Absalom Baird, Esqs., of the county of Wash- ington. In Council. Philadelphia, March 25, 1789. An order was drawn in favor of Peter Daily for three pounds fourteen shillings and eleven pence, payable out of the militia fines of Washington County, being the amount of his account for thirty-one days' militia service HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 79 as a ranger on the frontiers of Washington County, by order of the Lieu- tenant of said county, and for subsistence during the said service. Also, in favor of Abraham Inlow, Edward Sergent, Andrew Farley, and Alexander Burns, for fourteen pounds nineteen shillings and eight pence, amount of their several accounts for thirty-one days' militia service each, on the frontiers of said county, by order of the said Lieutenant, from the 25th of March till the 25th of April, 1788, inclusively, and for subsistence during the said term, payable out of the militia fines as aforesaid. In favor of Thomas Orr, John Lesnet, John Vance, and Hercules Roney, for fourteen pounds nineteen shillings and eight pence, payable out of the moneys arising from militia fines as aforesaid, amount of the several accounts for militia services from the 8th of April till the 8th of May, 1788, inclusive, and for subsistence as aforesaid. In favor of Abner Braddock and Francis Braddock, for seven pounds nine shillings and ten pence, payable out of the moneys arising from militia fines, amount of their several accounts for militia services from the 8th of April till the 8th of May, 1788, inclusive, and for subsistence as aforesaid. yQ Council. Philadelphia, March 28, 1789. I Whereas, Thomas Scott, Esquire, Prothonotary of the county of Wash- ington, hath informed this Council by letter that he hath been elected a representative of this State in the Congress of the United States, and that he is on his way to New York to take his seat as such ; And whereas, The said Thomas Scott, Esquire, by the acceptance of his appointment as representative in Congress, is incapable of discharging the duties of prothonotary of the county aforesaid ; and it is therefore proper that a prothonotary for the said county should forthwith be appointed in his room and stead : Resolved, That Alexander Scott, son of the said Thomas Scott, Esquire, be and he is hereby appointed Prothonotary of the county of Washington in the room and stead of Thomas Scott, Esquire. James Marshall, David Redick, and Thomas Scott, Esquires, were offered and accepted as sureties for Alexander Scott, Esquire, Prothonotary of the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, March 30, 1789. Agreeably to the Comptroller-General's reports, orders were drawn upon the Treasurer for the following sums, payable out of the moneys arising from militia fines of Washington County. For one pound nineteen shillings, amount of pay due to seven men of the Washington County militia, two days in July, 1787, and four pounds nine- teen shillings and four pence, pay due to the seven men of the said militia from the 8th to the 10th of June, 1788, for militia services. For five pounds twelve shillings, amount of pay due to Captain Thomas Axtell's company of said militia in actual service two days to the 19th day of October, 1787. For one hundred and thirty-seven pounds seventeen shillings, amount of pay due to Captain Elcazer Jenkin's company of said militia in actual ser- vice from August the 6th to the 20th of September, 1788. For ninety-three pounds nine shillings and four pence, amount of pay due to Captain James Scott's company of said militia in actual service for two days to Sept. 1787. For sixty pounds eight shillings and two pence, amount of pay due to Lieutenant Jonathan Ross's company of said militia, in actual service from July 17th to August 13th, 1788. For two pounds ten shillings, amount of pay due to a party of said 80 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. militia for six days in actual service, ending the 22d of October, 1787, and for two pounds fifteen shillings, amount of pay due to seven men of said militia, for seven days' actual service, ending the Ist of November, 1787. For fifty-three pounds fourteen shillings, amount of pay due to Ensign Sampson Nicholas's company of said militia from June 9th to July 15th, 1788. For nine pounds, amount of John Custard's account for a horse lost on the Sandusky expedition under Colonel Crawford in 1782. For seven pounds, amount of Richard Hale's account of a gun taken into actual service and lost in 1782, in the expedition under Colonel Craw- ford. In Council. Philadelphia, March 31, 1789. A report from John Hoge and Thomas Scott, Esquires, two of the jus- tices who were appointed by Council on the 8th day of November last to investigate the complaint against an election of justices of the peace held in Findley township, in the county of Washington, on the 23d of September, 1788, was read, by which it appears that notice of the time of holding the said election was not given according to law; therefore, Resolved, That said election of justices of the peace in the township of Findley be set aside and made void, and that a writ under the lesser seal be now issued for holding a new election of justices of the peace in and for the said township, on the 28th day of July next, according to law. In Council. Philadelphia, April 8th, 1789. On motion, Resolved, That Thomas Ryerson be appointed and commissionated a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, April 27, 1789. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable David Redick, Esq., for fifty-six pounds in full of his account for attendance in Council until the 1st day of May, 1789, inclusively, and for mileage coming from Washington County to Philadelphia. In Council. Philadelphia, May, 1.5, 1789. The account of Thomas Scott, Esq., Prothonotary of Washington County, for fees upon tavern licenses received from July to September, 1788, amounting to nineteen pounds eight shillings, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, May 20, 1789. The petition of Elisha Mills, of the county of Washington, praying remission of a fine often pounds, payable to the use of the Commonwealth, to which he has been sentenced by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the said county, upon being convicted of fornication, was read and an order taken that the prayer of the said petitioner be granted. In Council. Philadelphia, June 17, 1789. Two orders were drawn in favor of the Hon. David Redick, Esq., one for forty-four pounds fifteen shillings, in full of his account for his attend- ance in Council from May 2 to June 19, 1789, inclusively of his mileage from Philadelphia to Washington city, and the other for thirtj'-three pounds and eight pence, being a balance due upon an account settled by the Comp- troller and Register-General, for his services and expenses, in surveying two islands in the rivers Ohio and Allegheny, and for surveying and dividing the reserved tract of land opposite Pittsburg into town and out lots, agreeably to the order of Council dated November 28, 1787, and an act of Assembly dated September 11, 1787. HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 81 In CouNcri,. Philadelphia, August 3, 1789. A petition and representation from a number of inhabitunts of Washing- ton County, complaining that Thomas Stokely, the Register and Recorder of that county has been absent for upwards of six months from the county, and praying Council to appoint some person in his room to hold and exer- cise those ofiBces until the General Assembly of the State shall meet, was received and read. In Council. Philadelphia, September 2, 1787. The following account of Thomas Rogers was read and approved, for provisions furnished to Captain William Leet's company of Washington County militia from the loth of April to the 16th of May, 1782, amounting to three pounds six shillings and ten pence, and for provisions furnished to Captain William Hogeland's company of the said militia, in April, 1782, amounting to one pound fourteen shillings and four pence. In Council. Philadelphia, September 29, 1789. The following account of Thomas Rankin, of Washington County, for his services on the frontiers in 1781, amounting to ten shillings, was read and approved. In Council. Philadelphia, Nov. 6, 1789. A return of the general election held in the county of Washington on the second Tuesday of October last, was received and read, by which it, appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected : Henry Taylor^ councillor; David Williamson and William Wallace, sheriffs; Samuel. Clark and Sashbazer Bentley, coroners ; whereupon Resolved, That David Williamson be appointed and commissioned sheriff, and Samuel Clark, coroner, of the county of Washington. William Parker and John Leman were ofiFered and accepted as sureties for the sheriff of the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, November 30, 1789; John Minor, Esq., was appointed and commissionated a justice of the peace, and of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Wash- ington, upon a return made according to law from the district of the township of Greene in the said county. In Council. Philadelphia, December 1, 1789. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer, in favor of John Cannon, Esq., for fifty-three pounds ten shillings, for his attendance in Council from the 7th to the 11th of February and from the 10th of August until the 2d of October, 1789, and his mileage coming to Philadelphia and returning to Washington County. In Council. Philadelphia, December 3, 1789. Henry Taylor, councillor elect for the county of Washington, appeared, and being qualified as the Constitution and the act of Congress of the first of June last directs, was admitted to his seat at the Board. In Council. Philadelphia, December 5, 1789. A letter from Daniel Broadhead, Esq., Surveyor-General, dated Novem- ber 23, 1789, nominating agreeably to act of Assembly of the 8th of April. 1785, Messrs. Presley Neville and Matthew Richie, as " deputy surveyors of a district late part of Washington County, part whereof has since been erected into a separate county called Allegheny, bounded by the great road leading from Fort Burd to the town of Washington, late Catfish Camp, from thence to the nearest head-waters of Bufi'alo Creek, thenccj e, 82 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. down the Said creek to the line of the State, thence along the same to the River Ohio, thence up the same to the mouth of the Monongahela Eiver, and thence up the same to the beginning," was received and read, and thereupon Resolved, That the Board concur with the said nomination. In Council. Philadelphia, December, 8, 1789. General John Gibson and John Neville, Esqs., were offered and accepted as sureties for Messrs. Presley Neville and Matthew Richie, deputy sur- veyors of part of Washington and Alleghany counties. A petition from Margaret Jeffries, now confined in the workhouse of this city for larceny, praying remission of the fine, payable to the use of the State, and the punishment at hard labor, to which she was sentenced for the said offence, was read, and Mr. Taylor, member of Council, having in- formed the Board that the petitioner had agreed to enter into an indenture of service to him, and that he will send her to the county of "Washington, if Council are pleased to pardon her, thereupon Resolved, That the said Margaret Jeffries be and she is hereby pardoned. In Council. Philadelphia, December 9, 1789. A certificate of the division of the township of Cecil, in the county of Washington, by the Court of Quarter Sessions, for the more convenient election of justices of the peace, which was read on the first day of Septem- ber last, was this day read the second time, and an order taken that the said division for the purpose aforesaid be, and the same is hereby confirmed, according to the bounds and limits following, that is to say, beginning at Chartiers' Creek, at the junction or mouth of Brush Run, and continuing up the same as high as to Matthew Johnston's, to include his farm in the upper division; thence leaving James Read's farm to the lower division, directly to include General Washington's and Henry Guy's land in the upper division, and immediately to intersect to outside line of the township. [In the Western Telegraph and Washington Advertiser, the following advertisement is published under date of Aug. 26, 1795. Land for Sale. A tract of land of about three thousand acres, late the property of Gene- ral Washington, lying on Miller's Run, in Washington County, Pennsylva- nia, of an excellent quality, rich, evel, well timbered, and well watered, with a suitable proportion of meadow land, will be sold by the subscriber, living in Washington. There are thirteen farms cleared and cultivated on the land, and to accommodate purchasers, it will be divided into small tracts. Matthew Richie.] In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 10, 1789. The Comptroller and Register General's reports upon the following ac- counts were read and approved, viz : — Of Demus Lindley, for seven thousand and fifty-four weight of flour is- sued by him, from June the 14th until the 21st of November, 1788, to the Washington County militia, in actual service on the frontiers, by order of the Lieutenant of said county, amounting to forty-four pounds one shilling and nine pence, for which sum an order was drawn on the Treasurer for the sum, payable out of the militia fines of Washington County. (See March 4, 1790.) Of Adam Miller, for one month's service as a spy, watching the motions of the Indians on the fronfters in the year 1788, amounting to two pounds fifteen shillings, for which sum an order was drawn on the Treasurer as aforesaid. Of Ensign Isaac Lindley, for the pay of his company of Washington HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COIJNTy. 83 County militia, for nine days' militia service on the frontiers, in October, 1787, amounting to four pounds nine shillings, for which sum an order was drawn upon the Treasurer, payable as aforesaid. Of George Tompoh, for his provisions employed as a militia man on the frontiers of Washington County, and for a blanket, a pack saddle, and two bags, lost on the said expedition, under Colonel Crawford in 1782, amount- ing to two pounds seven shilling and sixpence. Of John Hill, for a saddle, blanket, two bags, and a wallet or knapsack, lost on the said expedition, amounting to four pounds two shillings and sixpence. Of Robert Taylor, for thirty days' provisions due him while employed on the said expedition, amounting to one pound two shillings and sixpence. Of Richard Hopkins, for a horse lost on said expedition, amounting to four pounds. , Of John Turvey, for thirty days' provisions due to him while employed on the said expedition, amounting to one pound two shillings and sixpence. A certificate of the division of Hopewell township, in the county of Washington, by the Court of Quarter Sessions, for the more convenient election of justices of the peace, agreeably to the act of Assembly, passed the thirty-first day of March, 1784, which was read on the first day of Sep- tember last, was this day read the second time, and an order taken that the said division for the purpose aforesaid, be, and the same is hereby confirmed according to the bounds and limits following, that is to say, beginning at a certain spring on the head-waters of Cross Creek, which rises about ten perches from the township of Straban, between the dwelling houses of James Anderson and Timothy Spencer, thence down the south branch thereof to Wells' mills, thence down the creek to the State line. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 11,1189. The Comptroller and Register-General's reports upon the following ac- counts were read and approved, viz : — Of Robert Walker, Jr., of Washington County, for provisions furnished by him for the Sandusky expedition under Colonel Crawford, in the year 1782, amounting to one pound two shillings and sixpence. Of Captain John Reed, for the pay of his Washington County militia, in actual service against the Indians, by order of the Lieutenant of said coun- ty, from the 24th of September to the 29th of October, 1788, amounting to forty-six pounds seven shillings, for which sum an order was drawn upon the treasurer in favor of the said Captain John Reed, payable out of the militia fines of said county. Of Lieutenant Alexander Kidd, for the pay of his company of the said militia in actual service as aforesaid, from the 22d of October to the 24th of November, 1788, amounting to forty pounds sixteen shilling and eight pence, for which sum an order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the said Alexander Kidd, payable out of said fines. In Council. Philadelphia, Dec. 28, 1789. Upon the second reading of the return of an election of justices of the peace, held in the township of Findley, in the county of Washington, on the 28th of July last, with a petition against it. Resolved, That William Smith, Esq., be appointed and commissi»nated a justice of the peace and of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Washington, he having a majority of votes. In Council. Philadelphia, Jan. 11, 1790. James Bell, Esq., was appointed and commissionated a justice of the peace and of the Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington, upon a re- 84 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. turn made according to law, from the district of the township of Morgan in said county. In Council. PhiladelpJu'a, Jan. 18, 1790. A certificate from the Court of Quarter Sessions of Washington County, of the division of Bethlehem township in the said county, by a straight linei'un from Peter Drake's to Weise's mills, for the more convenient elec- tion of justices of the peace, agreeably to act of Assembly passed the thirty-first day of March, 1784, was read the second time, by which it ap- pears that the said division has become proper and will be useful, it was thereupon Resolved, That the same be confirmed. In Council. Philadelphia, Jan. 22, 1790. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Hon. Henry Taylor, Esq., for the sum of forty-nine pounds fifteen shillings, in full for his at- tendance in council, from the 3d day of December, 1789, until the 22d day of January, 1790 (deducting six days' absence), and his mileage coming to Philadelphia and returning to Washington County. In Council. Philadelphia, Jan. 25, 1790. Mr. Ross and Mr. Addison, members of Convention, and Mr. Ryerson, member of Assembly for the county of Washington, attended and produced in writing, a statement of the depredations committed by the savages with- in that county from time to time, and submitting the same to the consider- ation of Council, whereupon Resolved, That Mr. Findley, Mr. Miles, and Mr. Taylor, be appointed a com- mittee to confer with the said gentlemen, upon the subject of a defence for the western counties against the Indians, and that they make report to Council. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 13, 1790. A letter from Daniel Broadhead, Esq., Surveyor-Ceneral, of the 2d day of February inst., informing Council that he has appointed Messrs. David Redick and John Hoge deputy surveyors of a district bounded and described as follows, viz : Northerly by the great road leading from Fort Bird to the town of Washington, thence by a direct course to the nearest head-waters of Buffalo Creek, and down the said creek to the State line, easterly by the Monongahela River, southwardly by the continuation of Mason and Dixon's line, and westerly by the State line aforesaid, and submitting the said ap- pointments to Council for their approbation, agreeably to act of Assembly, passed the 8th day of April, 1785, was received and read, and thereupon Resolved, That Council approve of the said appointments, and that Col. James Marshall and Andrew Swearingen be accepted as sureties for the said deputy surveyors. In Council. Philadelphia, Feb. 18, 1790. The Comptroller and Register-General's reports upon the following ac- counts were read and approved, viz : — Of Joseph Brown for one month's pay as a volunteer militia-man, while stationed at one McDonald's, for the defence of the frontiers of the county of Washington, in August, 1782, amounting to five pounds five shillings. Of Samuel Brown for forty days' pay as a militia-man in Captain Robert Miller's Company, stationed on the frontiers of said county in the year 1782 and 1783, amounting to four pounds. Of Alexander Lashley for a horse which was taken into public service HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 85 and lost on the Sandusky expedition against the Indians, under Col. Craw- ford, in the year 1782, valued at twelve pounds, and allowed. Of George Sharp for bacon and flour furnished the militia of Washington County under his command, on the frontiers of said county, in March, 1785, amounting to two pounds four shillings. In Council. Ph/ladelpMa, March 4, 1790. Upon the second reading of the report of tlie Committee to whom was referred the application for a new order in favor of Demus Linsley :— Resolved, That the order which was granted to him for forty-four pounds one shilling and ninepence, on December 10, 1789, on the militia fines of Washington County, be cancelled, and that a new order for the same be is- sued, payable out of the militia funds of the county of Lancaster. In Council. PJu'ladelpln'a, March 8, 1790. A letter from Thomas Ryerson, Esq., member of Assembly, relative to the defence of the western frontiers, against the invasion of the Indians, was received and read, whereupon it was Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for taking into consideration the several papers now before the Council, on the subject of a frontier defence. In Council. Philadelphia, March 22, 1790. A letter from his Excellency, the President of the United States, dated the 15th inst., in answer to the letter from the President of this State, of the 10th, which inclosed the representatives from some of the inhabitants of Washington County, respecting the mischiefs which have been committed for several years past by the Indians in that county, was received and read, and the same was transmitted to the General Assembly in a letter from the President to the Speaker. In Council, Philadelphia, April 6, 1790. An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Henry Taylor for the sum of fifty-five pounds ten shillings in full of his account for his attendance in council, from the 23d day of January until the 6th day of April, 1790, inclusively. James Archer, Esq., was appointed and commissionated a justice of the peace and of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Wash- ington, upon a return made according to law, from the district of the town- ship of Franklin, in the said county. In Council. Philadelphia, April 19, 1790. A letter from Henry Knox, Secretary of War, of the 15th inst., inclosing a copy of a letter which has been forwarded by him to the Lieutenant of Washington County in this State, authorizing him to embody any number of men, not exceeding eighty, for a temporary security to the frontiers of this State, was received and read. In Council. Philadelphia, August 19, 1790. Resolved, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be directed to transmit to Council as soon as maybe, a return of the officers of the militia of the said county in order that commissions may issue to them, and that the Sec- retary write to the said Lieutenant and inclose him a copy of this resolution. In Council. . Philadelphia, August 24:, 1190. James Mitchell, John Cannon, and Henry Graham, Esquires, were ap- pointed and commissionated justices of the peace and of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington, upon returns made to Council of elections held, according to law, in the following districts. 86 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Tiz : James Mitchell elected in the district of Peters township ; John Cannon in the district of Chartiers, and Heury Graham in the district of Cross Creek. In Council. Philadelphia, August 28, 1790. The report of the Comptroller and Register-Generals upon the following accounts was read and approved : — Of Moses Cook, for ahorse which was lost on the Sandusky expedition against the Indians, in the year 1782, amounting to fifteen pounds. Of James Brownlee, for flour furnished to the militia of Washington County, in the month of May, June, and July, 1787, under the command of Colonel Marshall, amounting to nine pounds three shillings and three- pence. In Council. Philadelphia, September 4, 1790. It having been determined at a conference of members of the General Assembly; the members of the Supreme Executive Council; the Judges of Supreme Court, Judges Shippen and Wilson ; the Attorney-General of the State, and Alexander AV^ilcocks and Jared Ingersoll, Esquires, Attor- neys-at-law, that the powers of the legislature of the present year expired on Thursday the second instant, and that the ofiBce of State Treasurer and Register-General of the accounts of this commonwealth, and of Register of Wills and a Recorder of Deeds in each county of this State, in like manner expired on the said day ; therefore Resolved, That by virtue of the powers vested in this Board by the Con- stitution of this State, Thomas Stokely be and hereby is appointed Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration, and Recorder of Deeds, in and for the county of Washington. In Council. Philadelphia, September 22, 1790. The following accounts were read and approved, viz : — Of Thomas Scott, Esq., Clerk of the Peace of the county of Washington, for moneys received by him for fees upon tavern licenses from December, 1788, until June, 1789, amounting to thirty-nine pounds twelve shillings, which sum hath been paid into the treasury. Of Daniel Beam, for his pay for sixty days' service as a Ranger on the frontiers of Washington County, in the militia, in the months of April and June, 1788, and for provisions during the same time, amounting to five pounds ten shillings. In Council. Philadelphia, November 10, 1790. Andrew Swearingen and Gabriel Blakely were offered and accepted as sureties for Thomas Stokely, Esq., who was, on the 4th day of September last reappointed Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration, and Recorder of Deeds, in and for the county of Wash- ington. In Council. Philadelphia, December 11, 1790. A letter from John Hoge, Esq., informing council that at the last general election held in the district composed of the counties of Washington and Fayette, he has been elected to represent that district in the Senate of this State, and requesting that Council would be pleased to accept his resigna- tion of the offices of justice of the peace, and of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Washington, which he now holds, previous to his taking his seat, was read, whereupon it was Resolved, To accept the said resignation. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 8T In Council. Philadelphia, December 14, 1790. It being represented to-Council that "William Wallace, Esq., Sheriff' of the county of VV'ashington, and Samuel Clarke, Coroner of the said county of Washington, are prevented from attending in Philadelphia to enter into negotiations and to give bonds with sureties, as the act of Asse.mbly of the 5th of March last directs ; thereupon Resolved, That a commission under the great seal be issued to Alexan- der Scott and Dr. Absalom liaird, of the said county, authorizing them to take from the said sheriff" and coi'oner the said recognizances and bonds, in the manner prescribed in and by the said act of Assembly, and that the said commissioners make a report to council of their proceedings in the premises. Thomas Scott and John Hoge, Esqrs., were accepted as sureties for the said William Wallace, and John Hoge, and Henry Taylor, Esqrs., as sure- ties for the said Samuel Clarke. In Cocnctl. Philadelphia, December 20, 1790. The following order was drawn upon the Treasurer, viz : — In favor of the Honorable Henry Taylor, for forty-four pounds ten shil- lings, for attendance in council from the 14th of November to the 2Ist of December, and mileage coming to Philadelphia and returning to Washing- ton County. The Constitution of 1790 going into effect, the office of Supreme Executive Council was abolished. But very few persons having access to the twenty-eight octavo volumes which compose our colo- nial records and archives, I concluded to incorporate in this volume every fact contained therein in relation to Washington County, so that in the future it could be referred to. CHAPTER V. TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. The history of the Townships and Boroughs in their chronological order, de- tailing interesting events in each — Also the history of churches and the present state of education in each Township and Borough. We now proceed to the history of the townships of Washington County, which have been enumerated in chapter three, commencing with the thirteen original townships, and placing them in alphabeti- cal order ; these townships having been organized on July 15th, 1781. When one of the original townships has been subdivided, or boroughs formed therein, we shall place its history with the township from which it was taken, yet giving a separate history. New townships and boroughs we shall place in chronological order. 88 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, Amwell Township. In the original record of this county its name is written "Aim- well." At the date of its organization, July 15th, LT81, it was bounded on the north by Strabane township, east by Bethlehem township, south by Morgan township (a township of Greene County since 1796), and on the west by Donegal. Its present boundaries are South Strabane on the north, Morris and Franklin on the west, West Bethlehem on the east, and Greene County on the south. On the 19th of June, 1838, part of Am- well was annexed to Strabane township, and at the ^lay term of court in 1856, the township lines between Amwell and Morris were changed and confirmed. It is centrally distant from the borough of Washington ten miles. Its population in 1860 was 2042, of which seven were colored. Its greatest length is ten miles, breadth four and one-half miles. This township is drained by the north fork of Tenmile Creek, by the little North fork and Bane's fork of the same creek. It con- tains four stores, one distillery, and ten schools, employing five male and five female teachers, the former receiving thirty-eight dollars and thirty-eight cents, and the latter thirty-three dollars and five cents each per month, with five hundred and nineteen scholars, of which two hundred and eighty-six are males and two hundred and thirty- three are females — the tuition costing each scholar per month eighty- three cents. Amount of tax levied for building purposes, four hun- dred and thirty-eight dollars and ninety-five cents — total amount levied for school purposes, two thousand four hundred and thirty- nine dollars and fourteen cents ; amount received from the State appropriation one hundred and eighty-three dollars and thirty cents. The towns are A-mity and Clakktown (Tenmile V^illage.) Amity is about ten miles from the county seat, and is on Bane's fork of Tenmile Creek and on the road leading from Washington to Waynesburg, containing thirty-four dwellings, two stores, a Presby- terian church* under the care of Rev. J. W. Hamilton, and a Metho- dist Protestant church, the pastor of which is Rev. F. A. Day. This town was located about the year 1T90 by Daniel Dodd, Esq , a brother of the Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, who owned the land, formed the plan, and numbered the lots. The position being central, on the main thoroughfare to Greene County, a hewed log Presbyterian church, stores, tavern, and dwelling houses were soon erected. At that early date the churches were destitute of heating apparatus, and the church-going members sat in their pew^s with their great coats and mittens, while the women were muffled up — not in furs, but in home-made' dresses and comfortable shawls. Here we may remark, that both before and after preaching by Rev. Dodd, the male part of the congregation used to resort to the tavern to warm Ijiemselves, the house being now occupied as a private dwelling by Squire Clutter, no tavern being licensed in the place. In those early days athletic * 6e3 pp. 217, 218. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 89 sports were much more in vogue than at present; long bullets, the ball alley, and target sliootiug were the favorite exercises, and the party losing paid their forfeit by ordering drinks for all hands. MORMONISM. The village of Amity, in all coming time, will be regarded as the Mecca of Mormonism. It was in the year 1816 that the Rev. Solo- mon Spauldiug, a graduate of Dartmouth College, settled in this ru- ral village, with a view to banish ennui. He was (what is familiarly known as) an antiquarian, and travelled far and near to investigate, scientifically, Indian mounds, and everything else _ connected with American antiquities, for the purpose of tracing the aborigines to their original source, a portion of one of the lost tribes of ancient Israel. While pursuing these investigations, and to while away the tedious hours, he wrote a romance, based upon fiction ; his investi- gations and history at the same time leaving the reader under the impression that it was found in one of these mounds, and through his knowledge of hieroglyphics he had deciphered it. As time and cir- cumstances would permit, he would often read to his friends in Amity portions of his fabulous and historical romance. Rev. Spaulding resolved to publish it under the name of " The Manuscript Found," and actually entered into a contract with a Mr. Patterson, of Pittsburg, to publish the same, but from some cause the contract was not fulfilled. The manuscript remained in the posses- sion of Mr. Patterson between two and three years before Mr. Spauld- ing reclaimed and recovered it. In the mean time a journeyman printer of the name of Sidney Rigden copied the whole of the manu- script, and hearing of Joseph Smith, Jr. 's, digging operations for money through the instrumentality of necromancy, resolved in his own mind that he would turn this wonderful manuscript to good ac- count and make it profitable to himself An interview takes place between Rigden and Smith, terms are agreed upon, the whole manu- script undergoes a partial revision, and in process of time, instead of finding money, they find curious plates, which, when translated, turn out to be the Golden Bible, or Book or Mormon, which was found under the prediction of Mormon in these words (see Mormon Bible, p. 504): " Go to the land Antum, unto a hill which shall be called Shin, and there have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning this people." Oliver Cowdery, David Whit- mer, and Martin Harris, certify that they have seen these selfsame plates which were deposited by Mormon — that they were faithfully translated by the gift and power of God, because God's voice declared it unto them, that the work was true, and to place the testimony of its truthfulness beyond a peradventure, eight witnesses, viz : Chris- tian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sr., Hiram Smith, and Samuel H. Smith (al- most all of the witnesses belonging either to the Whitmer or Smith 90 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. family), testify that Joseph Smith, Jr., the translator, showed them the plates of gold, that they handled them with their own hands, saw the curious engravings, and that the plates were of curious workmanship. Such is the account of the most stupendous imposture which has been perpetrated for many centuries, but more especially upon so intelligent a nation as the American people. An imposture, at which the religious world stands amazed, parah'zing the marriage vow, and defying the power of the general government. To place this question beyond the possibility of a doubt, and to demonstrate the fact that the Book of Mormon was originally written in Amity, "Washington County, Pa., I shall take the testimony of living witnesses, w^ose characters are beyond reproach, and beloved by the entire community as persons whose veracity cannot be ques- tioned, and whose intelligence has no superior. The testimony I shall offer is a letter from the Rev. J. W. Hamilton, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Amity, Pa. — a letter from Joseph Miller, Sr., the intimate and confidential friend of Rev. Solomon Spaulding, and lastly, a letter from the wife of Rev. Spaulding, which was originally published thirty-one years since, or in 1839. 1. Letter of Rev. J. W. Hamilton BOOK OF MORMON. Some time since I became the owner of the book of Mormon. I put it into the hands of Mr. Joseph Miller, Sr., of Amwell township. After ex- amining it he makes the following statement concerning the connection of Rev. Solomon Spaulding with the authorship of the book of Mormon. Mr. Miller is now in the seventy-ninth year of bis age. He is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His judgment is good and his veracity unimpeachable. He was well acquainted with Mr. S. while he lived at Amity. He waited on him during his last illness. He made his coffin, and assisted to bury his remains where they now lie, in the Presby- terian graveyard at Amity. He also bailed Mr. S.'s wife when she took out letters of administration on his estate. Mr. Miller's statement may be relied on as true. J. W. Hamilton. 2. Letter of Jos. Miller, Sr. "When Mr. Spaulding lived in Amity, Pa., I was well acquainted with him. I was frequently at his house. He kept what is called a tavern. It was understood that he had been a preacher ; but his health failed him and he ceased to preach. I never knew him to preach after he came to Amity. He had in his possession some papers which he said he had written. He used to read select portions of these papers to amuse us of evenings. These papers were detached sheets of foolscap. He said he wrote the papers as a novel. He called it the " Manuscript Found." or •• The Lost Manuscript Found." He said he wrote it to pass away the time when he was unwell ; and after it was written he thought he would publish it as a novel, as a means to support his family. Some time since, a copy of the book of Mormon came into my hands. My son read it for me, as I have a nervous shaking of the head that pre- vents me from reading. I noticed several passages which I recollect having HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 91 heard Mr. Spaulding read from his " Manuscript." One passage on the 148th page (the copy I have is published by J. O. Wright & Co., New York) I remember distinctly. He speaks of a battle, and says the Amalekites had marked themselves with red on the foreheads to distinguish them from the Nephites. The thought of being marked on the forehead with red was so strange, it fixed itself in my memory. This together with other passages I remember to have heard Mr. Spaulding read from his " Manuscript." Those who knew Mr. Spaulding will soon all be gone, and I among the rest. I write that what I know may become a matter of history ; and that it may prevent people from being led into Morraonism, that most seductive delusion of the devil. From what I know of Mr. Spaulding's " Manuscript" and the book of Mormon, I firmly believe that Joseph Smith, by some means, got possession of Mr. Spaulding's " Manuscript," and possibly made some changes in it and called it the '• Book of Mormon." Joseph Miller, Sr. March 26, 1869. 3. Letter op Mrs. Davidson, formerly Mrs. Spaulding. THE MORMON BIBLE. Joseph Miller, Esq., an old and highly respected citizen of Amwell town- ship, sends us by hand of Rev. J. W. Hamilton, of Amity, the following communication, which originally appeared in a magazine entitled the Evan- gelist of the True Gospel, published at Carthage, Ohio, in 1839. Mr. Miller has, on various occasions heretofore, furnished us with many interesting incidents connected with the career of Solomon Spaulding, and the origin of the so-called Mormon Bible. The present contribution, which consists of a statement from the wife of Mr. Spaulding, seems to furnish conclusive evidence that the " Manuscript Found," written by her husband, and the "Book of Mormon," are one and the same. Origin of the "Book of Mormon," or ''Golden Promise."— As this book has excited much attention, and has been put by a certain new sect in the place of the Sacred Scriptures, I deem it a duty which I owe to the public to state what I know touching its origin. That its claims to a divine origin are wholly unfounded, needs no proof to a mind unperverted by the grossest delusions. That any sane person should rank it higher than any other merely human composition, is a matter of the greatest astonishment; yet it is received as divine by those who dwell in enlightened New England, and even by those who have sustained the character of devoted Christians. Learning recently that Mormonism has found its way into a church in Massachusetts, and has impregnated some of its members with its gross delusions, so that excommunication has become necessary, I am determined to delay no longer doing what I can to strip the mask from this monster of sin, and to lay open this pit of abominations. Eev. Solomon Spaulding, to whom I was united in marriage in early life, was a graduate of Dartmouth College, and was distinguished for a lively imagination and a great fondness for history. At the time of our marriage he resided at Cherry Valley, New York. From this place we removed to New Salem, Ashtabula County, Ohio, sometimes called Conneaut, as it is situated upon Conneaut Creek. Shortly after our removal to this place his health sunk, and he was laid aside from active labors. In the town of New Salem there are numerous mounds and forts, supposed by many to be the dilapidated dwellings and fortifications of a race now extinct. These ancient relics arrested the attention of the new settlers, and became objec-ts 92 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON' COUNTY. of research for the curious. Numerous implements were found, and other articles evincing great skill in the arts. Mr. Spaulding being an educated man, and passionately fond of history, took a lively interest in these devel- opments of antiquity, and in order to beguile the hours of retirement, and furnish employment for his lively imagination, he conceived the idea of giv- ing an liistorical sketch of this long lost race. Their extreme antiquity of course would lead him to write in the viost ancient style, and as the Old Testament is the most ancient book in the world, he imitated its style as nearly as possible. His sole object in writing this historical romance was to amuse himself and his neighbors. This was about the year 1812. Hull's surrender at Detroit occurred near the same time, and I recollect the date from that circumstance. As he progressed in his narrative, the neighbors would come in from time to time to hear portions read, and a great interest in the work was excited among them. It claimed to have been written by one of the lost nation, and to have been recovered from the earth, and assumed the title of "Manuscript Found." The neighbors would often inquire how Mr. S. progressed in deciphering the manuscript, and when he had a sufiBcient portion prepared he would inform them, and they would assemble to hear it read. He was enabled, from his acquaintance with the classics and ancient history, to introduce many singular names, which were particularly noticed by the people, and could be easily recognized by them. Mr. Solomon Spaulding had a brother, Mr. John Spaulding, resid- ing in the place at the time, who was perfectly familiar with this work, and repeatedly heard the whole of it read. From New Salem we removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Here Mr. S. found an acquaintance and friend in the person of Mr. Patterson, an editor of a newspaper. He exhibited his manuscript to Mr. P., who was very much pleased with it, and borrowed it for perusal. He retained it a long time, and informed Mr. S. that if he would make out a title page and pre- face, he would publish it, and it might be a source of profit. This Mr. S. refused to do, for reasons which I cannot state. Sidney Rigdon, who has figured so largely in the history of the Mormons, was at this time connected with the printing-office of Mr. Patterson, as is well known in that region, and as Rigdon himself has frequently stated. Here he had ample oppor- tunity to become acquainted with Mr. Spaulding's manuscript, and to copy it if he chose. It was a matter of notoriety to all who were connected with the printing establishment. At length the manuscript was returned to its author, and soon after we removed to Amity, Washington County, Pa., where Mr. S. deceased in 1816. The manuscript then fell into my hands and was carefully preserved. It has frequently been examined by my daughter, Mrs. M'Kinstry, of Monson, Massachusetts, with whom I now reside, and by other friends. After the " Book of Mormon" came out, a copy of it was taken to New Salem, the place of Mr. Spaulding's former residence, and the very place where the "Manuscript Found" was written. A woman-preacher appointed a meeting there ; and, in the meeting, read and repeated copious extracts from the " Book of Mormon." The historical part was immediately recognized by all the older inhabitants as the iden- tical work of Mr. Spaulding, in which they had been deeply interested before. Mr. John Spaulding was present, who is an eminently pious man, and recognized perfectly the work of his brother. He was amazed and afflicted that it should have been perverted to so wicked a purpose. His grief found vent in a flood of tears ; and he arose on the spot, and ex- pressed in the meeting his deep sorrow and regret that the writings of his sainted brother should be used for a purpose so vile and shocking. The excitement in New Salem became so great that the inhabitants held a HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COrNTY. 93 meeting and deputed Dr. Philastus Hurlbut, one of tlieir number, to repair to this place and to obtain from me the original manuscript of Mr. Spaul-' ding, for the purpose of comparing it with the Mormon Bible, to satisfy their own minds, and to prevent their friends from embracing an error so delusive. This was in the year 1834. Dr. Hurlbut brought with him aa introduction and request for the manuscript signed by Messrs. Henry Lake, Aaron Wright, and others, with all of whom I was acquainted, as they were my neiglibors when I resided in New Salem. I am sure that nothing could grieve my husband more, were he living, than the use which has been made of his work. The air of antiquity which was thrown about the composition doubtless suggested the idea of convert- ing it to purposes of delusion. This historical romance, with the addition of a few pious expressions and extracts from the Sacred Scriptures, has been construed into a new Bible, and palmed off upon a company of poor deluded fanatics as divine. I have given the previous narration, that this work of deep deception and wickedness may be searched to the foundation, and its author exposed to the contempt and execration he so justly deserves. Matilda Davidson. The Rev. Solomon Spaulding was the first husband of the narrator of the above history. Since his decease she has been married to a second husband, by the name of Davidson. She is now residing in this place, is a woman of irreproachable character, and an humble Christian, and her testimony worthy of implicit confidence. A. Ely, D. D., Pastor Congregational Church, Monson. D. R. Ely, Principal of Monson Academy. Tenmile Tillage. I have been favored with the following description of Clarktown, or Tenmile Village, by J. C. Milliken, M. D., one of our most suc- cessful physicians in this county : — This town is situated in the southern part "of the county, near the line of Greene County, on North Tenmile Creek. It is one of our neatest country villages, with one main street and another running across it at nearly right angles ; the houses are generally neatly painted, with yards in front ornamented with evergreens, shrubbery, and flowers. The town contains one large flour and saw-mill, one blacksmith shop, one dry-goods store, one carriage and wagon fac- tory, one shoemaker shop, two physicians, and a population of about two hundred and twenty. It contains a Masonic lodge, and a school-house capable of containing one hundred scholars, in which the usual branches are taught nine months in the year. Early Settlers. Of the early settlers in this part of the county, as well as the ad- joining county of Greene, we desire to speak. The first settlers were squatters who purchased the land from the native Indians for a gun, trinket, or gewgaw, of whom were John Rutnian and Dennis Smith, the former dying at the age of ninety-nine and the latter at 04 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, oue hundred and four ; these two, with "William Gordon, Russel Reese, John Lorrison, and John James constituted the principal original settlers. From the year 1770 to 1790 they were followed by a different kind of men, who patented their lands and obtained them legally ; these early pioneers were Nathaniel McGiffin, David Evans, James Milliken, Abel McFarland, George Cooper, and John Bates, some of whom served in the Revolutionary war with marked distinction with Washington, La Fayette, Green, Marion, and Sumpter. Forts. For their protection these early settlers erected two forts, one called Fort Milliken, situated on a beautiful mound on the farm of Mrs. Samuel Braden, the other was named Fort McFarland, and located on the farm of Peter Garrett. There was a third fort or blockhouse on the farm now owned by Nehemiah Woodruff, Esq., where many bones, arrows, wares, and trinkets are unearthed by the farmer's plough. The mound that encircled the area of this third fort until recently was covered with large trees, and in the immediate vicinity are numerous burying-grounds of the Indians. Churches. In the fall of the year 1831 the Revs. A. M. Bryan, John Morgan, A. Chapman, R. Burrow, and R. Donnel came as missionaries to proclaim the doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They held a camp-meeting on Abel Milliken's farm near Fort Milli- ken. In May, 1832, another camp-meeting was held, and another in January, 1833 ; the result of these camp-meetings was the organi- zation of a church on the 2 2d of January, 1833, which w^as called Pleasant Hill. The church is built of brick, and located about half a mile from the village. The following pastors have officiated, viz: Rev. John Morgan, for one year and a half; Rev. Alexander Robinson, one year ; Rev. S. P. Allen, one year ; Rev. E. Howland, six months ; Rev. Milton Bird, five years ; Rev. James McFarland, six months ; Rev. John Carey, twelve years ; Rev. Philip Axtell, four years ; Rev. Ste- phen Winget, ten years ; Rev. Jesse Adams, two years. Rev. Philip Axtell is the present incumbent. North Tenmile Baptist Church Is situated on a ridge two miles north of Tenmile village. Its his- tory runs back as for as the year 1772. In their first labors they were much troubled with the Indians, and were often compelled to hold their meeting in Fort McFarland. Their present church is the third which has been erected on the same ground. The Rev. James Sutton was their first regular pastor ; he was chosen February \ HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 95 4, 1'7'74; he served for seven years. His successor was Hev. Job Corbly, who remained for two years. He was followed by Rev. David' Sutton. How long he preached cannot be ascertained, because the church records are lost, and our next preacher of which we have any sure knowledge was Rev. Charles Wheeler, who became the pastor in 1831 and served five years. In 1836, Rev. A. B. Bow- man became the pastor and resigned in 1839, when the Rev. Levi Griffith was elected, and officiated until 1842. His successor was Rev. F. Downey, who served until 1846, then followed Rev. \Vm. Whitehead for eighteen months ; Rev. S. Kendall Lenning, for six and a half years ; Rev. T. C. Gunford, for one year ; Rev. W. Scott, for six months ; Rev. B. P. Ferguson, for two and a half years ; Rev. J. Boyd, for three years. In 1865, Rev. W. B. Skinner became pastor, who remained until 186t. His successor, until 1868, was Rev. S. Kendall, who was followed by the present incumbent, Rev. C. W. Tilton. American Patriotism. On February 6, 1839, the citizens of Amwell township met and elected John Carter President, and Samuel L. Hughes Secretary. The object of the meeting was to adopt measures to check the bit- terness of party strife, sink the character of the politician, and arise superior to party dictation and party influence, by assuming the character and attributes of an American patriot. Bethlehem Township Was one of the original townships, organized July 15, 1*781. It was at that period bounded by Straban and Fallowfield townships on the north, the Monongahela River on the east, Amwell and Frank- lin townships on the south, and Amwell on the east. Application was made to the Court of Quarter Sessions on March 13, 1788, to divide the township into East and West Bethlehem townships, and on the 18th of January, 1790, the court directed the division to be made by a straight line running from Peter Drake's to Weise's mill. On the 29th of March, 1788, before the division of the township, we find Michael Simon and Anne Ottia his wife conveying to the trustees of the Dutch Presbyterians two and a fourth acres of land situate on Brush Run, a branch of Tenmile Creek, to be used for divine worship, and teaching of school, and a burial-ground. April 12, 1792, Joseph Townsend and wife conveyed to James Crawford, Nathaniel Heald, Abraham Smith, John Townsend, John Heald, and Isaac Jenkinson, as trustees of the Quaker Westland meeting-house, a certain lot of ground, containing twenty acres, for a meeting-house, burying-ground, and other necessary purposes, in consideration of twenty pounds, Pennsylvania currencj^ This land is on the draws of the Monongahela River and Twomile Run, 96 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. East Bethlehem Township, It is bounded north br East and "West Pike Run, east by the Monongahela River, south by Greene County, and west by West Betlilebem. It is centrally distant from "Washington eighteen miles, its greatest length, nine miles, breadth, four and a half miles. The National road crosses the river by a bridge in the northeast angle of this township. On this road are Frederickstown and Mills- borough, but have been erected into separate boroughs. East I3ethlehem has five stores, one distillery, and ten schools, employing three male and seven female teachers; the average monthly salary of the former is $36.66, and of the latter $33.14. The number of scholars is four hundred and thirty, of which two hundred and twenty-eight are males, and two hundred and two are females; the cost of tuition per month, $1.18 per scholar; amount levied for school purposes, $1792.39 ; received from the State appro- priation, $175.89. Population in 1860, white, 1825; colored, 37, amounting to 1862. August 25th, 1843, an alteration was made and confirmed by the court on the division line between "West Pike Run and East Bethle- hem townships. November 30th, 1848, the court, upon petition and hearing the report of viewers, attached all that part of East Bethlehem to East Pike Run except "West Brownsville, which is north of the National road. At the August term, 1861, the line between East and "West Bethlehem was changed, so as to include Thomas Martindale in East Bethlehem. Fredericktown Is on the west bank of the Monongahela River, below the great bend, two miles north of the mouth of Tenmile Creek, eight miles above Brownsville, and twenty miles southwest of "Washington. It was laid out by Frederick "Wise, on August 21, 1790, although the land was patented March 22d, 1788, under the name of sugar-tree bottom. In laying out the town, the proprietor reserved one acre of ground for a cemetery, and lot No. 44 for a school-house, upon which a brick edifice has been erected, containing one graded school with two de- partments. The town was surveyed and laid off by Isaac Jenkinson ; lots measured 60 by 180, having "Water, Main, and Bank streets running parallel with the river, and "Washington, "Walnut, and Sycamore run- ning at right angles to the former; each street being 50 feet wide except Main, which is 60. The proprietor of the town entered into an agreement with Isaac Jenkinson and others September 20, 1793, recorded in the Recorder's office of this county, that no distillery for the destruction of grain or fruit shall be at any time erected on the premises, by or under said "Wise or any purchaser of his or their pur- chase. 4 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 97 In 1793 a public library was established, which continued in opera- tion until the 31st day of July, 1825, when it was closed and the books sold. The town contains a population of 320 inhabitants ; a stoneware pottery, manufacturing 30,000 gallons annually ; a grist and saw- mill ; two hotels ; a rectifying distillery ; fifty dwellings ; and salt works, the well being 520 feet deep. About a mile below Fredericktown is a curious cave called the Panther^s den. It enters the hill half way from its base, by a small fracture or rent in the rock. After going a few yards through a narrow and descending passage, you enter a wide but low room in which you can walk nearly upright; to the roof of this room the exploring party found bats hanging in a stupid kind of sleep. By clambering up another fracture in the rock, they entered another room ; they were required to roll themselves through this room, and entered a third by a narrow and descending passage, occasioned by another rent in the rock. This room was high enough to walk upright in, and was divided by a partition of petrifactions, formed by the drippings of water through the roof. The party explored it about forty yards. David S. Wilson, Esq., of Washington, has kindly permitted me to copy the following letter, the original of which is in his posses- sion, and is a proud monument to the citizens of Fredericktown and its vicinity, showing their devotion to our government in its in- fant state. The letter is in the hand-writing of John Adams, Presi- dent of the United States. To the inhabitants of Fredericktown and its vicinity, in the county of Washington and the State of Pennsylvania — Gentlemen : Your memorial to the President, Senate, and House of Rep- resentatives has been presented to me by Judge Addison, for which I return you my thanks. From the beginning of the world, the elements of division of opinion^ among the people have existed; the distinctions of the wise and foolish, learned and ignorant, industrious and idle, strong and weak, virtuous and vicious, have ever prevailed, and while these continue men will think differ- ently. One would imagine that under a constitution of their own choice they might agree, but we find that they do not ; to be sure to seek shelter under a foreign power is another thing ; they must be depraved and lost, who are capable of this. Very few, if any, whose blood was first distilled from the American soil can be of the number; these will very generally pledge themselves to a cordial attention to every duty incumbent on citi- zens of a free and independent Republic. John Adams.. Philadelphia, July 7, 1798. MiLLSBOROUGH Was incorporated as a borough on April 16, 1840. Its population in 1860 was 292. It is 21 miles distant from Washington, and is situate in East Bethlehem township, and was laid out by Jesse Bomgarner in the year 1770 (the land being patented June 3, H69) on the north bank of Tenmile Creek, at its confluence with: the 1 98 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Monongahela River, at which there is a ferrj. The streets are 50 feet wide — lots, 60 by 180 feet. The houses, generally frame, and some brick ; yet a few of the old landmarks (log houses) still re- main to remind the inhabitants of the days of " Auld Lang Syne." There are sixty dwelling-houses and three churches, viz., a Cum- berland Presbyterian, under the care of Rev. J. S. Gibson ; a Me- thodist Episcopal, under charge of Rev. Mr. Hill, and a Methodist Protestant Church ; two cabinet-makers, five stores, two cooper shops, one blacksmith shop, two foundries, one hotel, one wagon manufactory, a steam grist-mill, a saw mill, and one rectifying dis- tillery in this borough. Mill Street is the principal street, being 60 feet wide, while the remaining streets, Ferry, Walnut, Water, and Morgantown, are but 40 feet. Three of these run east and west, and the others intersect them at right angles. Millsboro' has two school-houses with 82 scholars, 34 males and 48 females ; cost of tuition per month is $1.09; amount of taxes levied for school purposes, $2. "7*7 ; State appropriation, $36.66. Half a mile from the town, on the opposite side of the river, is a rock of about twenty feet square, upon which are curious hierogly- phics which can scarcely be deciphered. The rock is of a sand-stone character, and upon it are impressions of Indians, animals, pipes, feet, heads, claws, &c. The Monongahela River at this place is slack water, twenty miles up the river from this point, as far as Geneva. Steamboats ply this river and carry freight to and from Pittsburg, and supply this and the adjoining counties and West Virginia. An old water grist-mill still remains, to which the inhabitants in the old times came fifty miles. West Bethlehem Township Is bounded on the north by Somerset, on the east by Somerset and E. Bethlehem, on the south by Greene County, and on the west by Arawell and S. Strabane. This township is centrally distant from Washington 15 miles. In 1860 it contained a population of 1961, of which 4 were colored. It has 13 schools, with 652 scholars, of which 324 are males and 228 females; the cost of tuition per month being 98 cents ; the total amount of tax levied for school and build- ing purposes, $2421.97 ; the State appropriation being $193.83. Its length is 10 miles ; its breadth, 6 miles. The towns are Hillsborough and Zollarsville. Hillsborough is on the National Road, midway between Washington and Browns- ville, 11 miles from each. It contains 38 dwellings, 3 preachers, 5 physicians, 3 shoe shops, 2 saddle and harness shops, 1 hotel, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 wagon-maker shop, 1 cabinet-maker, 2 carpen- ters, 4 stores, a Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal church. It is elevated 1750 feet above tide water — 917 feet above the Monon- gahela River at Brownsville, and 1002 feet above the Ohio at HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 99 Wheeling. It was laid out by Stephen Hill and Thomas McGiffen, Esq., deceased, and has a population of 180 inhabitants. The land upon which Hillsborough (now called Scenery Hill) was laid out, was patented September 15, 1784, by Wm. Hill, Esq., and named Springtown, and contained 393| acres, for and in considera- tion of three pounds five shillings and sixpence. This tract is now divided thus : the land upon which the town is laid out, and the respective farms of Oliver Lacock, Yalentine Kinder, John Taylor, and Joseph W. Cowan, Esqrs. The aggregate value of these tracts is estimated at $75,000. The first church in Hillsborough was erected about 1850 by the Presbyterians and Lutherans ; the second church, by the Methodists, m 1852, by Hiram Winnett. Before their erection divine service was performed in the school-house. The Methodist denomination has had the efficient services of Revs. J. White, Geo. S. Holmes, Wake- field, Hudson, Yarnall, and many others who have labored success- fully in the cause of their Divine Master. The Methodist church has about eighty members. The first postmaster was the late Samuel Stanley. He worked at the carpenter business in 1810 at the large storehouse of Oliver La- cock ; settled and became a resident of the place, and died ten years since at an advanced age. As a man, a citizen, a Christian, and a Freemason, he had no superior. His daughter fills bis place in the post-office department. Zollarsville is on the north branch of Tenmile Creek, 16 miles from Washington. It was laid out by Stephen Ullery in 1856, and is a small and thriving village. Near the residence of ex-sheriff E. R. Smith is the remains of an Indian fort. The entrenchment around the fort, which can yet be traced, is about 100 feet from the fort. Bones, pipes, arrows, &c., have been found. None of the inhabitants of the surrounding country can trace its origin ; but a tree was lately cut down within the inclosure of the grounds of the fort, and its age, according to the mode of computing the age of trees, amounted to about 300 years. Coal is found at 180 feet and salt water at 400 feet. ' There is a Methodist Episcopal church northwest of Zollarsville, and a Dunkard Baptist church near Mr. Wherry's. This township has a number of grist and saw-mills. Half a mile below Hillsborough there was erected an Episcopal church, under the supervision of Rev. Joseph Dodridge (but the site can only now be traced), near George Taylor's, Esq. Cecil Township. This was the third of the original townships formed July 15, 1781. Its boundaries were Robinson township on the north ; Peters, Dickin- son, and Strabane on the east ; Amwell on the south ; and Smith and Hopewell on the west. 100 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. By the act of Assembly of September 24, 1788, a part of this township, with the whole of Dickinson, was ceded to Allegheny Coun- ty, at which time the county was formed and confirmed by the Su- preme Executive Council, September 30, 1188. An application was made to the Court of Quarter Sessions of this county, praying for a division of the township, beginning at Chartiers' Creek at the junction of the mouth of Brush Run, and continuing up the same as high as to Matthew Johnston's, to include his farm in the upper division, thence leaving James Reed's farm in the lower division, directly, to include General Washington's and Henry Guy's land in the upper divi- sion, and immediately to intersect the outside line of the township. December 9, 1189, the Supreme Executive Council confirmed the same, and the township thus formed was called Chartiers. Cecil township is now bounded by Robinson township and Allegheny County on the north, Peters township and Allegheny County on the east, Chartiers and North Strabane on the south, and Mount Pleor sant and Chartiers on the west. Its greatest length is 7^ miles, breadth, 4^ miles. Miller's branch of Chartiers' Creek passes south- east through the middle of the township, upon which are several mills. Its population in 1860 was 959, of which but one is colored, It contains three stores. The township line between this and Mount Pleasant township was adjusted and confirmed by the court. The only town in this township is Venice, 12 miles from Washing- ton, named, by its founder, after the famous maritime city of Italy, We cannot say with the poet, " From out the wave her strnctnres rise As from the stroke of the enchanter's wand," there being but 26 dwelling houses, a Presbyterian church south of Venice, with a parsonage attached. There is another Presbyterian church east of the place. This township has seven schools with two male and five female teachers, receiving a monthly salary of $35.00, having 210 scholars, of which 112 are males and 98 females, tuition costing each scholar per month $1.35. Amount of taxes levied, $1991.11, and receiving from the State appropriation, $98.67. Gen. Washington's Land. From our county records we learn the history of this land. A patent was issued July 5, 1775, by John, Earl of Dunmore, Lieute* nant and Governor-General of the colony of Virginia, to George Washington, for two thousand eight hundred and thirteen acres of land, in Augusta County, in the State of Virginia, on the waters of Miller's Run, one of the branches of Shirtee Creek, which is a branch of the Ohio River. Gen. Washington held this land until June 1, 1796, when be conveyed the same to Matthew Richie, Esq., of this county, in consideration of the sum of twelve thousand dollars. Witnesses to the deed were James Ross, Esq., and Charles Lee, the HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 101 deed being acknowledged in Philadelphia by the grantor, before James Biddle, President of the Court of Common Pleas of the first district. The payments on the land were $3180 C(ish, and the balance, $8820, in three equal annual payments with interest. Matthew Richie, Esq., in his advertisement to sell the land after he had purchased it, says, there are thirteen farms cleared and cul- tivated on the land, which is of excellent quality, rich, level, well tim- bered, and well watered. Gen. Washington came to visit his lands (which were, when patent- ed, in Augusta County, Virginia), and brought ejectments for their recovery. During his stay, the mother of James Reed (silversmith, formerly of this place) cooked a dinner on or near the lands for the / General, and on his return stayed one night with Col. John Cannon, the proprietor of Canonsburg. Before the sale to Matthew Richie, Esq., the record of the court shows that suit was instituted for the recovery of this land. Smith. His Excellency George Washington, Esq., No. 110. vs. f Samuel McBride, James McBride, Thomas Biggart, Wm. Breckenndge. -I Stewart, Brice McGehan, John Reed, John Glen, James I Scott, William Hillis, and Matthew Johnson. Ejectment served. Hugh M. Breckenridge, Esq., appears, pleads non cul, and enters into the common rule and rule for tryal next term. March 1785 Removed per certiorari. Clerk, £1. 4. 4. Sheriff, £4. 19. Mileage, 5 shillings." Our court records alsohave the name of the illustrious Benj. Frank- lin as plaintiff. April 1, 1788. Ross \ Benjamin Franklin, Esq., President of the Supreme Executive ( Council, vs. Bradford. David Williamson, Andrew Swearingen, and Thomas Stokely Summons. Debt £1000, served on each. Entered by plaintiff's attornev. J. Ross. ^ The suit was brought against David Williamson, who was elected sherifiLof this county October 26, 1787, and his securities. The United Presbyterians have a church formed by the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches in 1858. The Associ- ate congregation of Miller's Run was organized in September, 1849, the Rev. A. Anderson, D. D., and Rev. Thomas Beveridge, D. D., officiated respectively as pastors from :N"ovember, 1849, to June, 1855.' The F. P. congregation of Venice was organized in 1858; the Rev. A. R. Anderson has officiated as pastor from April 17, 1860, till the present time, with a membership of 182. Cumberland Township Was the fourth of the thirteen original townships, which was orga- nized by the trustees of the county on July 15, 1781. It was bounded by Morgan township on the north, Mason and Dixon's line on the south, the Monongahela River on the east, and the State line on the west. 102 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Fort Jackson was situate in this township, on Tenmile Creek, just below Waynesburg. The waters of Muddy Creek flow through this township, upon, and near which so many Indian murders were committed. Garrard's Fort was situate on Big Whitley Creek. By the erection of Greene County, on the 9th day of February, l*J^Q, this township became a component part thereof, Greene County, at its organization, being composed of Cumberland, Frank- lin, Greene, Morgan, and Rich Hill townships. These five town- ships have been subdivided into the following townships, viz : 1. Aleppo ; 2. Centre ; 3. Cumberland ; 4. Dunkard ; 5. Frank- lin ; 6. Gilmore ; 7. Greene ; 8. Jackson ; 9. Jefferson ; 10. Marion; 11. Monongahela ; 12. Morris; 13. Morgan; 14. Perry; 15. Rich Hill; 16. Spring Hill; 11. Washington; 18. Wayne, and 19. Whitely, whose population in 1860 was 23,816, and whose territory embraces 364,460 acres of land. Donegal Township Was organized July 15, IT 81, by the trustees of the county, and ranks fifth in alphabetical order out of the thirteen. It was originally bounded by Smith township on the north, Mor- ris township on the east, Mason and Dixon's line on the south, and the State line on the west. On the 6th of May, 1T88, an application was made to the court for a division of the township, who granted it and ordered a copy to be forwarded to the Supreme Executive Committee, and on the 7th of August following it was confirmed by the Council, by the name of Finley township. Its present boundaries are Independence township on the north. East and West Findley on the south, Buffalo and East Findley on the east, and West Virginia on the west. It is centrally distant from Washington, twelve miles, its greatest length is eight miles, breadth, six and a half miles. The township is drained by the Dutch Fork of Buffalo Creek, Bush Run, and Castleman's Run. The National road runs southwest through it, upon which lie Glaysville on the east, and West Alexander on the west. In 1860 its population was 1690, of which thirteen are colored. It contains nine stores, nine schools, employing seven male and two female teachers, the former receiving $39.48, and the latter, $36.00 per month, having 376 scholars, of which 205 are males, and 171 females. Cost of tuition per month, $1.25; amount levied for school purposes, $1776.69 ; levied for building purposes, $1332.52, and receiving from the State appropriation, $146.25. West Alexander is on the western boundary of this township, fifteen miles southwest of Washington, containing ninety-two dwell- ings, an academy, a Presbyterian church and parsonage, and a Methodist Episcopal church. This town was laid out by Charles De Hass, on May 12, 1817; HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 103 the sale of lots took place the 10th of June following. Three miles east of this place is a Roman Catholic church. It was first built of logs, on land given by Mr. Dougherty, at which time the Rev. Mr. Horner officiated. The log chapel has been removed and a brick edifice erected. The Hempfield Railroad passes through this township from its eastern to its western boundary, through the borough of Claysville and West Alexander. On September 1, 1795, Thomas Stokelj, of Washington, and Jesse Evans, of Fayette County, conveyed three acres and forty- eight perches, in consideration of seven shillings and sixpence, to James Armstrong, William Gaston, William Bower, Samuel Byers, and John White, trustees of the Presbyterian church belonging to the Ohio Presbytery and now supplied by Rev. John Brice. It appears from a deed executed May 30, 1*196, that the same trustees purchased the same property from William Smith, William Slater, and James Stevenson, trustees of the Associate Congregation of Three Ridges (near West Alexander). This land wds originally conveyed by Robert Humphreys and wife to the trustees of the Associated church, and is described as being in the townships of Finley and Donegal, although Humphreys claimed his title under the Virginia law. The question of title, however, was referred to John Hoge, Isaac Leet, and James Edgar, who awarded it to the Presby- terian church, called the Three Ridges. Its pastors have been Rev. John Brice, Rev. Mr. Stephenson, Rev. John McCluskey, and Rev. W. H. Lester. Claysville. The town of Claysville is in Donegal township, and was erected into a borough the second day of April, 1832, and the lots sold on the 8th of May following. Each lot is fifty by two hundred feet deep, with suitable and convenient streets and alleys to each block. The town is on the National road from Cumberland to Wheeling, beautifully located, well watered, in a fertile section of the county, and with a good population. It has eighty-five dwellings, two churches — a Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal — a tannery, a steam mill, four stores, one con- fectionery and one distillery, with a population of four hundred and sixty-seven ; two schools employing one male and one female teacher, ninety-two scholars, thirty-eight males and fifty-four females, tuition costing per month seventy-two cents ; amount levied for building purposes five hundred and sixty-four dollars and thirty cents ; receiv- ing from the State appropriation forty dollars and nineteen cents ; amount levied for school purposes, five hundred and sixty-four dol- lars and thirty cents. 104 history of washington county. Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian church at Claysville was organized September 20th, 1820. Its first house of worship was a frame building. Its present house of worship is of brick, and was erected during the sum- mer of 1830, at a cost of about three thousand dollars. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Hoge, of Washington. His pastorate con- tinued fifteen years, at the close of which he removed to Philadelphia. His successor was the Rev. Peter Hassinger, who ofiiciated for four years. From 1838 to 1846, the church had only supplies. On the first Sabbath of October, 1846, the Rev. Alexander McCarrell, the present pastor, entered upon his duties, and breaks the bread of life to a devoted Christian people. This church has a Sabbath-school connected with it. Donegal township has always been noted for its morality and high- toned religious sentiment, as the following notice will show : the dockets of the justices of that period exhibit the fact that many persons were brought to trial and fined. Whereas, A number of the inhabitants of the vicinity of Three Ridges (West Alexander) have entered into an association and formed an acting committee for the purpose of aiding and assisting the civil authority in the suppression of evil and immorality, they take this method of informing the public that after the date hereof, all persons driving wagons, pack-horses, or unlawfully travelling through said vicinity, or doing other things contrary to the penal laws of this State, may expect to be dealt with as the law directs. W. Smith, Secretary. John McPherson, President. The United Presbyterian church of West Alexander is composed of the Associate and the Associate Reformed congregations of West Alexander. The Associate Congregation was organized in 1839. Rev. Joseph Shaw was pastor from June 20th, 1843, until April 20th, 1852. Rev. James Murch from September, 1853, until 1858. The pastors of the Associate Reformed Congregation, previous to 1859, w^ere Rev. Joseph Buchanan and Rev. G. D. Bradford. In 1859, these two congregations were united under the pastorate of Rev. Josias Stevenson. The present membership of the congre- gation is one hundred and eighty. The Associated Reformed Presbyterians had a church at West Alexander, in which Rev. Alexander McCoy officiated as pastor in 1800. His successors were Rev. William Patterson and Rev. Wil- liam Shaw in 1845. During Mr. Shaw's pastorate the church became Seceders, and afterwards United Presbyterians, whose pastor was Rev. J. Stevenson. Fallowfield Township Was the sixth of the original townships of this county. Its original bounds were Nottingham on the north ; the Monongahela River on HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, 105 the east; Bethlehem township on the south, and Strabane township on the west. Its present limits are Nottingham and Carroll on the north ; the Monongahela River, Allen, and Carroll townships on the east ; E. and W. Pike Run and Allen on the south ; and Somerset and Nottingham on the west. It is centrally distant from Washing- ton, 17 miles. The population in 1860 was 897, of which 30 were colored. Its greatest length 8^ bj 6 miles. It contains two stores, seven school-houses, employing 3 male and 4 female teachers, with 267 scholars, 165 male and 102 female- the tuition costing $1.15 cts. per month; amount of tax levied for school purposes, $1050.15 cts.; the State appropriation was $81 90 The male teachers receive monthly, $35.16; the female, $34.75. The towns in this township are Jonestown and Ginger Hill. Jones- town is six miles from the Monongahela River, on the State road leading from Canonsburg to Bellvernon ; it was laid out by John Jones, in 1828, and has a population of about fiftj. Ginger Hill is on the Williamsport and Washington Turnpike and in the northern part of the township, near the township line. ' There are four churches in this township; The Presbyterian Church on Maple Creek, two miles from Jonestown, founded in 1842. The pulpit was first filled with supplies ; Rev. J. W. Kerr was elected its first minister ; the ministers who have succeeded him were the Rev. James Carson, Rev. A. Yirtue, Rev. Thomas Yaneman and Rev. W. Hanna. ' The Methodist Episcopal Church is on the State road from Jones- town to Bellvernon, four miles from Jonestown. The church was built in 1849, and has had the successive ministerial labors of the Rev. Warren Long, Rev. T. M. Hudson, Rev. J. G. Sansom Rev Geo. W. Cranage, Rev. John Spencer, Rev. David Sharpe, Rev J W. Kessler, Rev. Henry Neff, Rev. D. B. Campbell, Rev. J. W Weaver, Rev. Charles H. Edwards, and Rev. McClure. The Methodist Episcopal Church, in the upper end of the town- ship, was erected in 1836, on the road leading from Bentleysville to Monongahela City ; it is called Pigeon Creek Methodist Episcopal Church. Its first preacher was the Rev. Samuel E. Babcock- his successor was the Rev. Wm. Tipton. ' The first church built under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Bab- cock was of brick, 30 by 40 feet, but a new one has been erected about 200 yards from the site of the first one ; its dimensions being 42 by 60 feet; 18 feet to the square, with a basement for Sunday school, lecture-room, &c. A Disciple Church was established, and a church built in 1866 on the farm of Dutton Shannon, Esq. It is a brick edifice 30 by' 40 feet; Rev. Samuel Fry being its pastor. The township has one tannery ; two grist-mills ; one distillery • two manufacturers of sorghum ; five saw-mills ; one extensive vine- yard. 1^3 history op washington county. Hopewell Township Is the seventh of the thirteen original townships organized by the trustees of Washington County, July 15, 1181. At its formation, it was bounded on the north by Smith township ; on the east by Robinson and Cecil; on the south by Donegal; on the west by Virginia. On the 1st day of September, 1789, an application was made to the court for a division, which was subsequently confirmed by the Supreme Executive Council, on December 10th, 1789. This division was formed by running a line, commencing at a certain spring on the head-waters of Cross Creek, which rises about ten perches from the township of Strabane, between the dwelling-houses of James Ander- son and Timothy Spencer ; thence down the south branch thereof to Wells' mill ; thence down the creek to the State line. This divi- sion formed Cross Creek township. The present boundaries of this township are Cross Creek and Mount Pleasant on the north ; Mount Pleasant and Canton on the east ; Buffalo on the south, and Independence on the west. It is centrally distant from Washington 12 miles; its greatest length six miles; breadth three and a half miles. Its population 1213, of which 87 are colored. It contains six schools, employing one male and five female teach- ers; receiving as their monthly pay $30.00; having 197 scholars, 110 males and 87 females ; tuition costing per month, $1.15. Amount levied for school purposes $1563.67 ; receiving from the State appro- priated $78.78. This township is drained by the waters of Buffalo and Cross creeks. The towns are West Middletown and Buffalo Village. Midway. West Middletown being a borough, we shall speak presently of it in connection with this township. Buffalo Village is on a fork of Buffalo Creek, seven miles south- west of Washington, and contains twenty dwellings. In the Register's office of this county, in the will of the Rev. Joseph Smith, of Hopewell township, made July 28, 1788, he be- queaths to each of his beloved children a Bible, to be paid out of his personal estate, and by so doing "mean to intimate to them as I am a dying man and in the sight of God, that it is ten thousand times more my will and desire that they should find and possess the pearl of great price hid in the field of Scriptures, than enjoy anything else which I can bequeath to them, or even ten thousand worlds, were they composed of the purest gold, and all brim full of the richest jewels, and yet be ignorant of the precious treasures in God's Word that are entirely hid even from the most eagle-eyed and quick-sighted men that are properly of this present world." history of "washington county. 107 Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church. Id connectioii with the name of this great and good man, we may state that he was elected first pastor of this church, organized June 21, lt19, on the eastern part of Hopewell township, at Buffalo Vil- lage, lying north of Brush Run. Rev. Smith served until April 19, 1792. The Rev. Thomas Mar- quis, of Cross Creek church, served as a supply, by the sanction of Presbytery, until March 9, 1800, when the Rev. John Anderson ac- cepted a call, and entered upon his pastoral labors ; his labors ceased June 18, 1833, and his successor is the Rev. John Eagleson, D. D., its present popular pastor, who was ordained January 19, 1834, and zealously labors in the promotion of his Master's cause. Thus, in the course of ninety years, hnt four ministers have filled the pulpit, one of whom is still living. Pleasant Hill Female Seminary Is located in this township, and was organized in 1846, near the borough of West Middleton. It is on the dividing ridge between the waters of Buffalo and Cross creeks, enjoying the advantages of a country location, salubrity of air and water, delightful rural scenery, and above all, retirement, which is essentially necessary to study. It is surrounded by a highly moral and industrious population, engaged generally in agriculture, hence the advantage is, that the faculty of the seminary are not compelled to impose formal restraints upon young ladies, nor to cause them to incur inordinate expense in relation to appearance or dress. This seminary hag large and convenient buildings, halls for the literary societies, libraries, philosophical apparatus. The seminary is under the control and management of Mrs. Mar- tha McKeever, who is fully competent to sustain the institution as well as to oversee and provide for the pupils committed to her charge. She has as assistants. Rev. T. A. Crenshaw, Miss Kate M. Bigger Aurie T. Burkett, John M. Bigger, Esq., Miss Ella E. McKeever, Miss Eliza McFadden, Mrs. G. B. Crenshaw. West Middletown Borough Is situated in Hopewell township, and was erected into a borough on the 2'7th day of March, ^823. It is in the northwest part of the township, eleven miles from Washington. It contains ninety-two dwelling-houses, six stores, one confection- ary, the usual number of the mechanical professions, one extensive machine shop, one tannery, a United Presbyterian church, and a Wesleyan Methodist Protestant church, a Disciple church, with Rev. T. A. Crenshaw, pastor of the Disciple church at Middletown, and a colored Methodist church, and a population of about eight hundred. It contains two schools, with one male and one female 108 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY, teacher, the former receiving $56.00, and the latter $31.00 per month, with ninety-six scholars, fifty-two males and forty-four females, tui- tion costing eighty-seven cents per month. Amount of tax levied for shool purposes, $701 00, receiving from the State $42.50. The pastors who have filled the pulpit of the United Presbyterian church of West Middletown, were Rev. S. Findley, D. D., Rev. William Wallace, D. D., Rev. S. Taggert, from 1835 until the present time. It has a membership of 128. Robert Fulton. But few of the present generation are aware that the celebrated Robert Fulton, of steamboat notoriety, owned a farm in Hopewell township, in this county. The farm contained about eighty-four acres, and the patent granted by the State to Rev. Joseph Smith, December 12, 1785. On May 6, 1786, Thomas Pollock sold it to Robert Fulton, and his father, mother, and three sisters resided on it. After the death of his father the widow and three daughters resided upon it. About 1799 his mother died. In 1814 Robert Fulton made his will in the city of Kew York, and among other legacies he left to his sister Elizabeth, married to a . Mr._§cott, one thousand dollars and the above farm, with all the stock, during her life, and at her death to be sold and divided. To his sister Isabella Cooke he left two thousand dollars, and to each of the children of his deceased sister Mary Morris he left five hundred dollars. Both Mrs. Cooke and Mrs. Morris resided in the town of Washing-ton. 'o' Morgan Township. This was the eighth of the thirteen original townships organized July 15, 1781. It was bounded on the north by Amwell township, on the east by Bethlehem, on the south by Cumberland, and on the west by Donegal and the Virginia line. On the 9th of February, 1796, with Cumberland, Franklin, Greene, and Rich Hill townships, was struck off from Washington County, and formed Greene County. Nottingham Township Was the ninth of the original townships organized July 15, 1781. It was then bounded on the north by Peters township, on the east by the Monongahela River, on the south by Fallowfield township, and on the west by Strabane township. Its present boundaries are, Pe- ters on the north. Union and Carroll on the east, Fallowfield and Somerset on the south, and N. Strabane on the west. It is cen- trally distant east from Washington borough 13 miles. In 1860 the population was 916, of which 8 were colored. It is drained by Pe- ters Creek on the north, Mingo and Little Mingo Creeks on the south. Its greatest length is 6 miles; breadth 4 miles. It contains five stores, five schools, employing three male and two I HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 109 female teachers, the former at $32 per month and the latter at $28, having 214 scholars, of whom 96 are males and 108 females; cost of tuition per month 81 cents ; amount levied for school purposes $910.89 ; received from State appropriation $80.34. Its town is Dunningsville, a small village with a population of sixty. The Old School Presbyterian church of Fairview is situated on the headwaters of Peters Creek in this township. It was organized by an order of the Presbytery of Ohio on the petition of James McClane, at the instance of Rev. George Marshall, by a committee consisting of Revs. C. G-. Braddock, Robert McPherson, and J. Hazlett, Feb. 24, 1860, with twenty-one members. The organization was perfected in the district school-house near where the church now stands, and which was occupied as a church until the new building was completed. The church from its organization until September, 1861, received the services of Rev. Geo. Marshall, Rev. James Black, Rev, George Birch, Rev. S. M. Nebling, and Rev. John Aiken, at which date the Rev. John Ewing became the regular pastor. He ^rved acceptably until April 1, 1864, when be resigned, and the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Gray until September 9, 1864, when Rev. William Hanna took charge of the congregation. He was the first installed pastor, and served until April 1, 1869, when the pastoral relation was dissolved, since which time Rev. Wm. Brown has been supplying the pulpit. The following persons have been ordained ruling elders, viz : Liver- ton Thomas, John P. Cochran, William Rees, and Jonathan Case- ber. The trustees are James McClane, James Roney, and William Thomas. The building committtee consisted of James McClane, John P. Cochran, and Samuel Hamilton. There is a Sabbath school connected with the church. A United Presbyterian church, called Mount Prospect, has been established at Munntown, under the care of Rev. J. Balph, which promises to do much good in the dissemination of evangelical truth. It was organized in January, 1860, and the pulpit filled by supplies until September 29, 1864, when Rev. Mr. Balph took charge of it. It has a membership of about one hundred and thirty-two. The most extensive establishment in any township of this county is that carried on by Kammerer Brothers. Besides a very large store, embracing general merchandise of every variety, they have a flour-mill in which forty barrels are made in ten hours. The build- ing is stone, thirty-six by fifty-six feet, three stories high, with a tile roof, running it by a forty horse power engine. In connection with the store and flour-mill they carry on a distillery. Its capacity is forty bushels per day, or one hundred and fifty gallons. Peters Township Was the tenth of the original thirteen townships formed by the trus- tees July 15, 1181, appointed for that purpose by the act forming Washington County. 110 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, In September, 1*784, a petition to the Court of Quarter Sessions was presented, asking for a division of the township, which was in- dorsed by the court, and afterward confirmed by the Supreme Execu- tive Council on the 21st day of November, 1786. This division formed Dickinson township, taken out of its northern part, which township was struck off to Allegheny County. Its original bounda- ries were the Monongahela River on the north and east, Nottingham on the south, Robinson and Cecil on the west. It is now bounded by Allegheny County on the north, Union township and Allegheny County on the east. North Strabane and Nottingham on the south, and Cecil and North Strabane on the west. Its greatest length is six miles; breadth three and a half miles. The population of this township in 1860 was 934. The towns are Bower Hill and Thompsonville. These are small but thriving villages, with post-offices at each. Peters township contains two stores, has five schools, employing three male and two female teachers who each received $30 per month, with 300 scholars, of whom 166 are males and 134 females, tuition costing per month 68 cents. Amount levied for school pur- poses $1555.50, and receiving from the State appropriation $90.09. LtJSTTS NATURiE. On September 29, 1798, upon Esquire Mitchell's farm in Peters township, a child was born with two natural heads, one affixed to each shoulder, the body perfect, but no parts of generation. The child was dead born, and appeared to have been dead some days previous to its birth. The United Presbyterians have a church in this township called Peters Greek. It was organized in 1808, and the following pastors have respectively filled the pulpit, viz : Rev. R. Bruce, D. D., from December 14, 1808, to December 16, 1816. Rev. Alex. Wil- son, from October 8, 1817, to May 4, 1839. Rev. James Brown, D. D., from September 10, 1840, to December 5, 1843. Rev. J. C. Herron, from October 15, 1845, to January 4, 1853. Rev. J. B. Whitten, from October 6, 1854, to January 17, 1856. Rev. A. Y. Houston, from March 19, 1857, to June 16, 1868. Rev. John Pat- terson, from July 13, 1868, until the present time. This church has a membership of 134. Centre Presbyterian Church Is located in Peters township, on land donated by David Bell. The Presbytery of Ohio, at a meeting held at Bethany church, Allegheny County, April 16, 1828, granted the request of a number of persons living within the bounds of the congregations of Bethel, Bethany, Chartiers' and Mingo creeks, and allowed them to erect a meeting- house, in order that they might enjoy the occasional administration of the ordinances among them. A brick meeting-house, forty by fifty feet, was immediately erected, costing twelve hundred dollars. HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY, 111 On the 29th of August, 1829, the congregation was regularly- organized by Dr. Matthew Brown. At a meeting of Presbytery, held at Canonsburg, January 5, 1830, Centre congregation obtained permission to call a pastor. On May 4, 1830, Rev. John H. Ken- nedy, Professor of Mathematics in Jefferson College, was elected the pastor, and entered upon his pastoral duties, but was not installed until June, 1831. On account of ill health he resigned in 1840. Rev. Alexander B. Brown became stated supply in 1841 and offi- ciated until 1845, when he resigned, and Rev. W. H. Orr, Professor in Jefferson College, was chosen in the same year. He officiated about seven years, and near the close of his pastorate, in 1851, a new brick building was erected, located a few rods south of the old structure, on a more elevated piece of ground. It cost two thousand dollars. The Rev. J. W. Hamilton became pastor in 1852 and served about two years and six months. Rev. Alexander B. Brown, D. D., having resigned the Presidency of Jefferson College and removed to the country, in 1856, preached occasionally at Centre church, and at length, in 1858, became pastor. His health failing. Dr. Brown resigned the pastorate December 16, 1862. Rev. Francis J. Collier, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Phila- delphia, was called in October, 1863, began to labor in November, and was ordained and installed April 27, 1864. He is pastor at the I present time. ] In connection with the church there is a Sabbath school, having eight teachers and about ninety scholars, which holds its sessions every year during the summer months. The church is in a prosper- ous condition. The number of members is one hundred and sixty ; the numbev of families about seventy ; the number of elders, seven. I The church is neatly painted, papered, and carpeted. It is heated ' by furnaces. The yard surrounding the building is securely inclosed . and tastefully ornamented. I Robinson Township Was the eleventh of the original townships formed by the trustees, July 15th, 1181. It was then bounded by the Ohio River on the north, the Monongahela River on the east, Cecil township on the south, and Smith township on the west; but its large proportions have been considerably decreased, and it is now bounded by Alle- gheny County on the north and east, Cecil and Mount Pleasant on the south, and Hanover and Smith on the west, centrally distant from Washington borough, north twenty-two miles. Its greatest length is ten miles ; breadth three miles. Population in 1860, eight hundred and forty, of which twenty- three are colored. It is drained on the north by Racoon Creek, on the east by branches of Chartiers' Creek and Montour's Run. The 112 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY pike from Pittsburg to Steubenville runs through this township. On December 22d, 1836, the lines between Robinson, Cecil, Mount Pleasant, and Smith were adjusted and confirmed by the court. It has five stores, five schools, with one male and four female teachers — the former receiving $34, and the latter $30 per month, with 156 scholars (76 males and 80 females), tuition costing $1.20 cents per month ; the tax levied being seven hundred and forty-two dollars and eighty-four cents ; the State appropriation, eighty-eight dol- lars and ninety-two cents ; amount levied for building purposes, ten hundred and fourteen dollars and fourteen cents. The towns are Candor,* MacDonald Station and Midway or Egypt f 1193, January 1 9th. John Clark and Jane his wife conveyed to William Rankin, Peter Kidd, William McCandless, Matthew Bailey, John Dunlap, and Alexander Wright, trustees of Racoon congre- gation, in consideration of nine pounds specie, all that lot of ground whereon the congregation has erected their church, under the pas- toral care of Rev. Joseph Patterson, containing seven acres strict measure. Upper Racoon Presbyterian Church Is located in Robinson township. Rev. Joseph Patterson was in- stalled as the first pastor, November 11th, 1789, and remained as such until October 16th, 1816. He was succeeded by the Rev. Moses Allen the 27th of May, 1817, who officiated until October 16th, 1839. Rev. Clement N. McKaig was ordained his successor, June 14th, 1841, and served until Rev. John W. Kerr became its pastor in 1862 and resigned in 1865. The pulpit is filled with supplies. There is a tradition in the northern part of this county in regard to the Rev. Mr. Patterson, verified by the most substantial aged men of our county, which I shall relate. Mr. Patterson was a great and good man — prompt to his word and conscientious in the discharge of his every duty. A subscription was being made up to erect a meeting house, -and the day appointed for its payment. The day arrived and he was disappointed in not receiving the promised money which would liquidate his subscription, amounting to six dol- lars. Nevertheless he concluded to attend the meeting at the school- house (the place appointed), and make such a statement as would be satisfactory. He accordingly started with his gun on his shoulder. Wending his way along to the meeting, he arrived at a beautiful grove, where God and nature seemed to invite him to pour out his soul in prayer and by faith to look up for the blessing. In the midst of thi3 devotional exercise, and when his soul was earnestly engaged in prayer, he heard a rustling among the leaves. He opened his eyes, and, behold, a panther was approaching him. He raised his rifle and * Candor is in the southern part of the township and has forty dwelling houses, with a population of two hundred and ten. Havelock Station is on the railroad, on the property belonging to the estate of Col. McDonald. This road passes through the southern part of the township into Smith. t Midwiiy is on tho Pan Handle Kailroad. i HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 113 killed the wild animal. He took the scalp and skin with him to the meeting as a trophy of his victory. He sold them for six dollars, and was thereby enabled to redeem his subscription. There is a United Presbyterian church not far from the Allegheny County line under the care of Kev. J. C. Rankin. Robinson TJ. P. Church Was organized in 1833. The Rev. William Wilson officiated from 1833 to 1842. Rev. John Scott, D. D., from September 19th, 1843, to June, 1845. Rev. James G. Rankin, from September, 1849 to November, 1868. The Rev. W. R. McKee has accepted a call and commenced his pastorate in 1869. It has a membership of one hundred and thirty-seven. Strabane Township Was the twelfth of the original thirteen townships. It was bounded bj Cecil on the north, JVottingham and Fallowfield on the east, Beth- lehem on the south, and Cecil on the west. On the 22d of Sep- tember, 1Y85, the Court of Quarter Sessions of this county received a petition from the citizens of the town of Washington, praying that it might be set apart as a separate district from this township The court recommended the petition to the Supreme Executive Coun- cd, and m February, 1T86, the request was confirmed. On Octo- ber 1 1830, the township was again divided into North and South Strabane townships. It is drained by Chartiers' and Little Chartiers' creeks. The town of Washington was originally in this township. An alteration of the boundary lines was confirmed by the court between this and Amwell township, at the October term in 1830 the line running from the house of Thomas Hastings to the mouth of the lane at or near Peter Dager's. Chartiers Presbyterian Church. June 20, 1T98, Josiah Haines conveyed two and a fourth acres ot land to the Presbyterian congregation, holding the principles of the Presbyterian church as adopted in 1788, and on the 26th of June following, Craig Ritchie, Esq., attorney of Samuel Gilpin, of Cecil County, Maryland, conveyed to the trustees of the same church seven acres and three-fourths (the remaining two and a fourth acres) of the ten acres being exchanged by the said trustees for otner land more convenient. The trustees were enabled to hold land as a bodv politic in law an act of incorporation having been procured February 15 1798' The first trustees were Robert Hill, William Kerr, James McCreedy! William Hays, John Mercer, James Morrison, George Craighead, James Bradford, and John Cotton. The following members of the congi-egation (February 15, 1798) petitioned for the charter: John McMiUen, John McDowell, Craig Ritchie, Moses Coe, Robert 8 114 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. Hill, William Cochran, George Craighead, William Kerr, Robert Hughes, James Foster, 'James Allison, John Johnston, William Welch, James Officer, Hans McClean, Abraham De Haven, Robert Welch, Robert Rowland, William Hays, John Macahey, Wm, vHartapee, Nicholas Smith, Daniel Kirkpatrick, James Wishart, John Donnell, William Gault, Alexander Frazer, John Lindsey, Thomas Rrysland, Samuel Logan, Thomas Bracker, John McClain, James Gaston, John Crawford, George McCook. This church is now, by a division of the township, in North Stra- bane. It is one mile south of Canousburg, on the road leading to Monongahela City. It is supposed that this church was organized by Dr. John McMil- lan, soon after his ordination, in 1776, as he received a call from both this and Pigeon Creek church. He continued its pastor until April 21, 1880. His successor was Rev. F. Leake, who was installed July 12, 1831, and served until June 21, 1843. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander B. Brown (son of Rev. Matthew Brown), Sep- tember 3, 1844, and continued to officiate until January 11, 1848. Rev. Robert White was installed September 6, 1848, and died December 14, 1848. The Rev. Joseph R. Wilson became the pas- tor on the 20th of June, 1849, and resigned his pastoral care January 15, 1851. Their present pastor. Rev. William Ewing, was installed January 14, 1852. This church is one of the oldest west of the Allegheny Mountains. A public newspaper of this county, of May 12, 1796, says, a meet- ing of Dr. Millan's church was held, and after the religious service of Thursday was over, Dr. Millan intimated that business of a public nature and of great importance required the consideration of the meeting. He was chosen Chairman, and Craig Ritchie, Esq., Sec- retary. The Chairman then stated the present critical state of the country and the danger of an Indian and perhaps a British war, when, after discussion, the following resolutions were adopted : — Resolved, unanimously, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the interests of this county require that the British treaty should be carried into execution with good faith. Resolved, unanimously, That a petition be circulated and signed, and sent to the House of Representatives to this effect. Resolved, unanimously, That the following petition be adopted. To the Honorable the House of Representatives of the United States : — The petition of sundry inhabitants of the western counties of Pennsylvania, humbly showeth : Having lately, with great cordiality and good intentions, very generally united in a petition, that the House of Representatives would concur in the execution of the British treaty, we had believed that no further expression of our wishes would be necessary. But it having been suggested that the Spanish treaty was the main object of our petition, and that we were HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 115 indifferent as to the British treaty, and seeing our apprehensions that the British treaty might be defeated were but too well grounded, and are not yet removed, we feel ourselves constrained by a regard both to safety and duty, again to address jour honorable House. We consider the British treaty as peculiarly advantageous to us and essential to our enjoying the blessings of liberty and peace. Its ratification made it a solemn national act, according to the terms of the Constitution, binding the people and every branch of government, and we consider its execution necessary for public faith which we regard, interest which we pursue, and peace which we cherish. We therefore pray that the House of Representatives will concur with the other branches of government in a full and faithful execution of the treaty between the United States and Great Britain. This petition being signed by all present, the meeting also passed the following: — Resolved, That the Chairman be requested to write to his breth- ren, the ministers, on this side of the mountains, requesting them to call their congregations together as soon as possible, on some week day, and take their sentiments on this interesting subject. In connection with the history of this church we will mention a providential incident. The Rev. Dr. John McMillan, in 1802, and who was pastor of this church, met with a severe trial, both of his faith and patience, as well as his Christianity. His biographer gives the following account of this domestic affliction : Two youno- minis- ters of great promise had married two of his daughters. The Rev. John Watson, the first President of Jefferson College, under the charter, had married his second daughter, Margaret. ' The Rev. William Moorehead had married his eldest daughter, Jane. For a time the prospect for enlarged domestic and social enjoyment shone brightly on the doctor and his family, but by the Allwise, yet deeply mysterious providence of God, these two ministers, who' had been married to two sisters, by their father, on the same day, took sick on the same day, died on the same day, and were buried in the same grave at the Chartiers Presbyterian church. The two funeral processions, one coming from the house of Dr. McMillan, the other' from the village of Canonsburg, met at the same point where the roads united, a few hundred yards from the graveyard. North Strabane Township. By a decision of the Court of Quarter Sessions on the 2d day of May, 1831, Strabane township was divided into North and Southi Strabane. This township is bounded on the north by Cecil, Peters,. and Chartiers ; on the east by Peters and Nottingham ; on the southi by Somerset and South Strabane ; and on the west by Chartiers and South Strabane. Its greatest length is 6 miles ; breadth 6^ miles. In 1860, the population was 1213, of which 48 are colored. 116 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Munntown is the only town in the limits of the township with a population of sixty. The township has two stores, six schools, with two male and four female teachers, each receiving per month $30, with 285 scholars, of whom 130 are males and 155 are females ; cost of tuition per month 7t cents. Amount levied for school purposes, $1463.06 ; received from the State appropriation $119.34. Col. Geo. Morgan Lived and died at the " Morganza" farm, two miles below Canons- burg, in this township. He was appointed Indian agent as early as 1*7^6, and held the appointment until 1179, when he resigned. Dur- ing the time he held the office, he made Pittsburg his head-quarters. History represents him as a man of unwearied activity, great per- severance, and familiar with Indian manners and habits. He won their confidence by his frank manner, soldierly bearing, generosity, and strict honesty. After an eventful military life, being an officer in the United States army, he retired to his Morganza farm, and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and the high honor belongs to North Strabane township of one of her sons (Col. Morgan), on the tth of February, 1786, receiving a gold medal from the Philadelphia So- ciety for Promoting Agriculture, for furnishing the best Essay on a Farmyard. Hon. Timothy Pickering, in the letter forwarding the medal, says : " It is the first premium ever given in America in agri- culture." The medal is in the possession of David T. Morgan, Esq., of Washington, Pa. It is of gold, one and three-fourths inclres in diameter ; on the obverse side, a farm-house with a man ploughing with two oxen ; on the reverse, the motto, " Yenerate the Plough." South Strabane Township. This township was formed May 8, 1831, by a division of Strabane township, and is bounded on the north by North Strabane and Char- tiers ; on the east by Somerset and W. Bethlehem ; on the south by Franklin and Amwell, and on the west by Washington, Canton, and Franklin. Its greatest length is 9 miles ; breadth 4^ miles. In 1860, the population was 1063, of which 53 are colored. It contains seven schools with seven female teachers, who receive thirty dol- lars per month, having 232 scholars (126 males and 106 females) ; tuition costing $1.46 per month. Amount levied for school purposes $1189.12 ; received from the State appropriation $103 35. The towns are Cloakeyville and Williamsburg, although sometimes called Martinsburg The former is situated on the Williamsport and Washington turnpike, six miles from Washington, and the latter on the national road two miles east of the borough of Washington. On the 28th of February, 1863, the lines between Canton and South -.Strabane were confirmed by the court. November 8th, 1857, the township lines between Canton, Chartiers, 1 >• ' HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 117 and South Strabane were confirmed by the court, the question having been referred to a vote of the people. Smith Township. This was the thirteenth, or last township organized July 15, 1T81, at the organization of Washington County. I ^ The original boundaries were the Ohio River on the north ; Rob- inson and Cecil townships ou the east; Hopewell on the south, and Virginia on the west. On the 5th day of January, 1786, an application was made to the court for a division, which being sanctioned, a certificate was sent to the Supreme Executive Council who, on the 11th of March, 1186, confirmed the decree of the court, and Hanover township was there- by erected. October 7, 1830, part of the division line between Hano- ver and Smith townships was confirmed by the court. At the May session of the court, held in 1856, the boundary lines between Cross Creek and Smith were changed and confirmed. Its present boundaries are Hanover and Robinson townships on the north; Robinson and Mount Pleasant on the east; Cross Creek and Mount Pleasant on the south ; Jefferson, Hanover, and Cross Creek on the west. Its greatest length eight miles; breadth six miles. It is centrally situated northwest from Washington borough sixteen miles. It is drained northwest by Racoon Creek and its branches. Popu- lation in 1860, 1417, of whom twenty-four were colored. It contains fourteen stores, ten schools, with five male and five fe- male teachers, the former receiving $43.33 per month and the latter $33; having 394 scholars, of whom 203 are males and 191 females; tuition costing per month, $1.33. Amount of tax levied for school purposes, $2730; received from the State appropriation $131.04. The Pittsburg and Steubenville Railroad passes through the town- ship. The towns are Burgettstown, Bulger, Bavington, and Whitetown coal works. On February 28, 1795, George Burgett laid out Burgettstown on the south fork of Racoon Creek, one mile north of the centre of the township. Then it was called West Boston, but the neighbors de- siring to honor the founder of their village called it Burgettstown. It is seventeen miles northwest of Washington, and on account of its locality, being on the Pittsburg and Steubenville Railroad, has become one of the most important towns of our county. The Rev. J. T. Fredericks laid out an addition to the town in 1865, whereon is the railroad station. The lots are selling rapidly and the town increasing by the erection of good and substantial buildings, and an energetic and thriving community. Bulger is a small village near Bulger station, about three miles east of Burgettstown. Bavington is in the northeast corner of the township, and White- 118 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. town coal works is on the railroad, and laid out on Mr. Simpson's farm. On the 10th of June, 1810, Captain John Bavington of this town- ship attempted to cross the Ohio River at Kelley's Ferry on a flat- boat (the mouth of Harman's Creek) with a wagon loaded with whiskey and flour and four horses. When half way across, by the stamping of the horses, one of the boards became loosened, the boat filled with water, the load sank, and Capt. Bavington and the ferry- man were drowned. When the bodies were found Capt. B had his whip firmly grasped in his hand. The depth of the Ohio River did not cover the bows of his wagon. He was buried at the cross roads near Florence. Presbyterian Church. In the year 1845, a petition was sent to the Presbytery of Wash- ington, for the organization of a church at Burgettstown, which prayer was denied, and an appeal taken to the Synod of Wheeling, who granted the request and directed the Presbytery to organize the church. This was effected October 18, 1849, and Reverend Joel Stoneroad was elected the pastor. In October, 1850, he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. James P. Fulton, and remained its pastor until 185t; and in the spring of 1858 the Rev. James T. Frederick, the present pastor, was called, and ordained in October following. In 1860 the church was enlarged and refitted. There are two United Presbyterian churches in this township, the former in Burgettstown. It was organized about 1809, the Rev. W. C. Brownlee, D. D., was pastor from May 3, 1809, to September 1, 1812 ; Rev. Alexander Donnan, from July 6, 1819, to May 12, 1840; Rev. R. J. Hammond from 1845 to April 15, 1856; Reverend S. H. Graham is the present pastor. It has a membership of 160. Centre TJ. P. Church was organized in 1859. Rev. D. S. Kennedy has been its pastor from September 4, 1862, until the present time, with a membership of 150. There was, many years since, on the farm of James Leech, Esq., on the road leading from Hickory to Burgettstown, about half way a United Presbyterian church called Mount Vernon, but the organi- zation does not now exist. Poets. Smith township has the honor of contributing more poetry to the intellectual world than any township or borough in the county. Mr. David Bruce, a native of Scotland, emigrated to America in 1784, and in the year 1T94 he settled in Burgettstown as a merchant. In his leisure moments he devoted his time to composing poems, written in the Scottish dialect, under the signature of the Scots Irishman, which were first published in the Western Telegraph, pub- lished in Washington by John Colerick, who afterwards embodied HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. H9 them into a valuable work on account of their merit. In these poems Mr. Bruce displays a vivid imagination, and both wit and satire are at his command, while patriotism flows in gentle and harmonious strains. The dedication of the work is to the Hon. Alexander Addison, President of the Court of Common Pleas of the 5th district. The concluding verse reads thus : — An' when your enemies hae gaen To that black hole was made by sin, May ye your honorable seat maintain, Right to dispense, Wi' mind discriminating, keen, An' manly sense. In writing of Washington retiring from public life, he says : — His parting precepts ever dear, A father's love, a father's care On every heart impress; Illura'd by Wisdom's purest ray, Their light directs the surest way To peace and happiness. On earth will future bards rehearse His deeds in never-dying verse, And when all mortal things shall cease, And time has run his span ; In regions of eternal spring. The blest their heavenly harps will string, And to seraphic airs will sing The friend of peace and man. In the year 1800 Mrs. Sally Hastings removed from Donegal township, Lancaster County, to this county, and composed many fugitive pieces of poetry, which she afterwards collected into a volume, together with her diary, and published in the year 1808. Her family commenced their journey on Oct. 1, 1800, in the mode then used — a wagon — to travel two hundred and eighty miles, and, after twenty-three days' journey, arrived in Washington County, of which she says, " The inhabitants appear to be a sober, rational, and even courteous people, who prefer convenience to parade, and par- take those blessings which bounteous Providence allots them, with- out ambition, envy, or stupidity." On October 31 the family left Canonsburg for their new home in Smith township, and having arrived on the land, she thus writes, "I shall take a seat on the trunk of a tree, while the men are cutting a road to the house, and endeavor to describe the spot of which I am now to consider myself an inhabitant." Great Nature, in her loose arrray. Derives from art no foreign aid ; The lofty oak, the spreading bay. With shade still deepening into shade. 120 HISTORY or WASHINGTON COUNTY. The moss, the ivy, and the vine Increase the awful gloom profound, Whilst bills and lonely wilds combine To shed fantastic terrors round. Time would fail me were I to undertake to make extracts from this volume of poems written by SaF.y Hastings — one must suffice to demonstrate that nature forms the poet, and breathes into the mind beautiful ideas, magnificent conceptions, and eternal thoughts. That hand that wheels the spheres, upon the tree Was nail'd, and torn and crucified for me 1 Here let eternal wonders ceaseless rise ! The creature lives — the Great Creator dies ! ! And dies for whom ? — Oh, wonder ever new ! — My guilty soul, your Maker dies for you ! ! ! The Lord of Life, who breath and being gave, And immortality to all that live, He dies — how can He die ? — 'tis wonder new — • Yet in His hand He holds death's fatal keys — Heaven, earth, and hell his sov'reign will obeys. Somerset Township Was erected into a township by the Court of Quarter Sessions, and afterwards confirmed by the Supreme Executive Council, on April 3, 1*782. It was bounded by Strabane, Peters, and Nottingham townships on the north ; the Monongahela River on the east ; Fal- lowfield and Bethlehem on the south, and Amwell and Strabane on the west. Its present boundaries are North Strabane and Nottingham on the north ; Fallowfield and West Pike Run on the east ; West Bethlehem and West Pike Run on the south, and West Bethlehem and S. Strabane on the west. It is centrally distant from Washing- ton 12 miles. Its greatest length is 10 miles — breadth, 6 miles. It is drained by the the north and south forks of Pigeon Creek on the east, and by branches of Little Chartiers' Creek on the west. In 1860 its population was 1723, of which 62 were colored. The Williamsport and Washington turnpike runs along the northern boundary. It contains four stores, nine schools, with six male and three female teachers, the former receiving $3.5 and the latter $30 ; having 348 scholars (180 male and 168 female), tuition costing $1.14 per month. Amount of tax levied for school purposes, $1347, and receiving from the State appropriation $111.93. The towns in the township are Bentleysville and Vanceville. The Borough of BENTLEYs\^LLE. This town was laid out by Shesbazzar Bentley, Jr., on the 4th of March, 1816, on the waters of Pigeon Creek. It is 25 miles from Pittsburg, 9 miles from Monongahela City, 10 miles from Browns- ville, and 15 miles from Washington. Shortly after the town was laid out the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist families united HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY, 121 and erected a union church, which was destroyed by fire about the year 1828. In 1848 the Methodist Episcopal church was built, in which Rev. J. B. Yarnall officiates. On May 2, 1868, by a decree of the court, it became a borough and contains 36 dwelling-houses, 3 stores, 1 school-house with two apartments, a literary society, 2 grist and saw-mills, 1 steam tan- nery, and has a population of about 300. Vanceville is a small village, having about twelve houses and is situated on the south branch of Pigeon Creek. ' Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, The diary of the Rev. John McMillan throws much, light upon the early history of this church, in which it is stated : ms, the fourth Sabbath of August, preached at John McDowell's Monday, rode about six miles to Patrick McCullough's, on Pigeon Creek. Tuesday, preached at Arthur Forbes's, and lodged with Patrick Scott. Patrick McCullough lived on the farm now owned by David McNary, Esq., and Arthur Forbes's farm is the property of Frederick Whitely, and Patrick Scott's residence is the property of Adam and Samuel Wier. The sermon alluded to was the first ' sermon preached within the bounds of the Pigeon Creek congrega- tion, and on that day of August, 1869, the congregation celebrated ; its centennial anniversary. Rev. John McMillan returned to his father's home, at Foggs' Manor, in October, ms, but returned and preached at Pigeon Creek on the 4th Sabbath of January, m6, and on the following Sabbath at Chartiers. He returned to the east in the following March, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Donegal, which met at Chambersburg, June 19, 1776, to take charge of Pigeon Creek and Chartiers congregations, having received a call from these churches April 23, in6. His connection with Pigeon Creek church ceased early in the spring of 1Y94, and the Rev. Boyd Mercer was called to its pastorate April 22, 1^94, and served until 1799. Rev Andrew Gwin was installed in 1800, and the pastoral relation was dis- solved in 181T. He was succeeded by Rev. Andrew Wylie, D. D January 24, 1822, and ceased to act in September, 1829. The' church had no regular pastor until September 26, 1831, when Rev. W. C. Anderson was elected. He was ordained and installed April lY* 1832, and served until July 15, 1836. His successor was Rev' Ebenezer S. Graham, called September 30, 1837, and installed the followmg month, and the pastoral relation was dissolved in October 1842. ' ' The congregation did not elect a pastor until April 8, 1844, when James Sloan, D. D., was elected, and he was subsequently installed in the December following, The pastoral relation was dissolved in October, 1862. His successor was Rev. S. M. Henderson, called 122 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. June 5, 1863, ordained and installed November 4, 1863, and pasto- ral relationship closed April 24, 186T. The present efficient and honored pastor is the Rev. John S. Marquis, who was called March 2, 1868, and installed on June 5, 1868. As a successful laborer in his Master's cause, for humility and charity, and in dispensing gos- pel truth, he has no superior in the bounds of the Presbytery. To him am I indebted for the history of this church, which was planted in the wilderness more than one hundred years ago, and has proven itself a fruitful vine. The first Elders of the church were Patrick McCullough, Patrick Scott, Hugh Cotton, and Hugh Scott. This session was subse- quently increased by the election and ordination of James Smith, John Hosack, James Kerr, Joseph Yaughn, John Stevenson, Wil- liam Ferguson, Robert Moore, and John Atkinson. July 17, 1836, John Yance, Samuel Gamble Samuel Ritchey, Dr. Boyd Emery, William Kerr, and David Riddle, Esqrs., were ordained. February 13, 1849, Andrew Smith, James Yance, John Leyda, Greer Mcllvaine, and John Scott were elected, and ordained April 8, 1849. March 3, 1856, William Smith, William Ramsey, and Edward Paden were elected, and ordained elders April 14, 1856. March 5, 1860, Alexander Hamilton, Zechariah Peese, James Rankin, and John C. Messenger were elected elders, and ordained April 8, 1860. At the present time the session consists of Messrs. Greer Mcllvain, William Smith, William Ramsey, Edward Paden, Alexander Hamilton, Zechariah Peese, and John C. Messenger. The first Deacons of the church were ordained March 7, 1804, and consisted of Messrs. Isaac Y. Riddle, James Jones, William Barkley, and William Davis. This church has 306 communicants. It is worthy of remark that the first meeting of the Presbytery of Red Stone was held in this church, on September 19, 1781, the fol- ing ministers being present : Rev. John McMillan, Rev. James Power, and Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, with Joseph Neil, Demas Lind- ley, and Patrick Scott as ruling elders. The first church was a cabin of round logs, with a clap-board roof. It stood within the present graveyard, and was neither chunked nor daubed the first winter after its erection. The second was built of stone, and stood in the graveyard. The aisles were earthen, with a floor of boards under the pews. Every family had a pew or bench, according to their own wishes, hence there was a great variety of pews, benches, &c. The third building was erected in 1829. Proposals having been issued, on March 14, for a brick meeting-house, 56 by 70 feet (15 feet to the square). The Building Committee or the trustees were John Atkinson, Henry Yance, Samuel Gamble, and W. Paden. Sabbath School. The Sabbath school was organized in 1822. Hon. Joseph Law- rence first brought the subject of a Sabbath school to the notice of HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. • 123 the congregation. John C. Messenger, Esq., is the present super- intendent, and it has 225 scholars. Other Churches. A Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1849, on the road from Hillsborough to Bentleysville. It is a neat frame building. Rev. J. B. Yarnall is the officiating minister. Within one mile of Yanceville is a Baptist and a Disciple church, on the road from Bentleysville to Washington. The Rev. Mr. Hardzoth occupies the pulpit of the latter church, and the Rev. Mr. Skinner the Baptist pulpit. Pigeon Greek U. P. C^wrc/i was organized in 1820. Rev. Alex- ander Wilson was pastor from its organization until January 10th, 1834; Rev. Bankhead Boyd from September 24, 1834, to 1860; Rev. D. S. Littell from October 11th, 1861, to the present time — with a membership of one hundred and sixty-four. Greene Township Was erected into a township on the 3d of April, 1182, by the Court of Quarter Sessions and approved by the Supreme Executive Coun- cil. Its boundaries were as follows : Beginning at the mouth of Little Whitely Creek and running therewith to the dividing ridge between that and Big Whitely Creek ; thence with that ridge be- tween Big Whitely and Muddy Creek to Mason and Dixon's line ; thence to the Monongahela River ; thence by the river to the place of beginning. It had Cumberland township on the north ; the Mo- nongahela River on the east ; Mason and Dixon's line on the south ; Virginia on the west. By the act of February 9th, 1196, this town- ship, with Cumberland, Morgan, Franklin, and Rich Hill townships, was struck off from Washington County to form Greene County. Jarrett's Fort was built in this township. The town of Greensburg, Greene township, Washington County (but afterwards Greene County), was laid out by Elias Stone on the 31st day of May, 1191. Greensburg is situated on the Mononga- hela River, on a part of a tract of land called " Delight," patented to Elias Stone and Elizabeth his wife, in 1181. Each lot contains eighty-one perches ; streets forty feet wide. Lot number sixty was appropriated for public use and at the discretion of the inhabitants. The town contains eighty lots. The names of the streets, counting from the Monongahela River, were Water, Front, Second, Third, and Fourth streets. Counting from the eastern side of the town were Diamond, Stone, Clear, Walnut, Minor's, and County streets. Lot number sixty was at the corner of Third and County streets. Dickinson Township. The Court of Quarter Sessions made application to the Supreme Executive Council to organize this township, and on September 11th, 124 HISTORY or WASHINGTON COUNTY. 1775, by its action ratified the application of the court with the fol- lowing boundaries — the Monongahela River on the north and east ; Nottingham and Peters on the south ; Robinson and Cecil on the west. By an act of the legislature passed September 24th, 1788, Alle- gheny County was erected into a county, part of which was taken from Washington County. The proceedings of the Supreme Exe- cutive Council of September 30th, 1788, says: "Two returns from the districts of the townships of Cecil and Dickinson, in the county of Washington, were read and not allowed, as the whole of Dickin- son and part of Cecil district has been struck off to the county of Allegheny." Washington. The town of Washington originally belonged to Strabane town- ship, one of the thirteen original townships of the county, erected in July, 1781. On the 25th of September, 1785, the Court of Quar- ter Sessions, upon a petition of the citizens requesting to be formed into a separate election district, indorsed the application, and the Supreme Executive Council confirmed the proceedings of the court on the 6th of February, 1786. From its being originally a portion of Strabane township, so many have been the changes that its present chartered boundaries are Canton and South Strabane on the north, South Strabane on the east, Franklin and South Strabane on the south, Canton and Franklin on the west, being now entirely surrounded by new townships. * The original name of this town was Bassett, which was laid out by David Hoge, Esq., of Cumberland County, the survey being made by David Reddick, Deputy Surveyor, October 13, 1781. Another plot states that a true copy of the plan remains in the hands of John Lukens, Surveyor General, which was made November 4, 1784, by Edward Lynch, Deputy Surveyor. This second plot was made prior to the sale of David Hoge to his sons John and William. On the 18th of October, 1781 (five days after the town was laid out), David Hoge, Esq., the proprietor, conveyed to James Edgar, Hugh Scott, Van Swearingen, Daniel Leet, and John Armstrong, as trus- tees of Washington County, a lot for a court house and prison, in the town of Bassett, containing two hundred and forty feet square, being bounded by Monongahela (now Market) Street on the east, Ohio (now Beau) Street on the north, lot No. 123 on the west, and Johnston's (now Cherry) Alley on the south. The name of the town was permanently changed to Washington on the 4th of November, 1784, the date at which the second plot was made, although we have the evidence of receipts for lots being given by the proprietor in October, 1781, both as Bassettown and Washington, for in the deed of David Hoge to John and William Hoge, of November 7, 1785, it is stated that the said David con- veys to his sons, John and William, a tract of land in Washington HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 125 County, on the waters of Chartiers' Creek, and known by the name of Gaffishes Gamp, containing eight hundred acres, which was to include the town of Washington, excepting the southwest fourth of said town, which said David reserved for himself Subsequently, however, on the 10th of March, 1781, he also conveyed the remain- ing southwest fourth of the town to his sons, John and William. This deed also mentions the fact of the name of the streets being changed, based upon the second plot of 1184. The act of the General Assembly of March 28, 1181, directs the electors to meet at the house of David Hoge at the place called Gatfishes Gamp, to hold their elections and courts until a court house shall be built. To understand the Hoge purchase, we will state that there were three tracts of land originally surveyed and purchased by David Hoge, as follows : One from Martha Hunter, dated November 4, 1169, containing three hundred and thirty-nine acres and sixty-nine perches, and called "Martha's Bottom." The second was pur- chased from Joseph Hunter, November 11, 1169, containing three hundred and thirty-one acres and twenty-one perches, called " Grand Cairo," and the third from Abraham Hunter, surveyed and pur- chased November 11, 1169, containing three hundred and thirty-one acres and twenty-one perches, called " Catfishes Camp." The town of Bassett was laid out on a portion of the two tracts of land known by the name of Grand Cairo and Catfishes Camp, but most generally known by the latter name. It was laid out by David Reddiek, Esq., at the request of David Hoge, Esq., on Octo- ber 18, 1181; it then embraced all the lots within Walnut Street on the north, College Street on the east, Maiden Street on the south, and West Alley on the west, containing two hundred and ninety-one lots. Upon the plot of the town of Bassett are the following memo- randa : Lots marked A for a court-house and prison. This is the same public square now occupied with a court house, prison, &c. &c. Lots B, C, D were reserved by Mr. Hoge. B included the lots from Pine Alley, the residence of the late John L. Gow, deceased, to the corner of Main and Ohio (Beau) streets, the resi- dence of William Smith, Esq. C included the lots from the Fulton House, owned by Messrs. Little and Melvin, to Johnston's (now Cherry) Alley, or the house occupied by Alexander Murdoch, Esq. D all the lots from Pine Alley, the property of the heirs of William L. Oliver, deceased, to the corner of Main and Ohio (how Beau) streets, or the iron hall front, owned by William Smith, Esq. The plot also states that the two principal streets, viz., Monongahela (Main) Street and Ohio (Beau) Street, are sixty-six feet wide. The lots are sixty feet front by two hundred and forty feet deep. B, C, D were each divided into six lots of forty feet front and two hun- dred and forty deep. Lot 111, on the corner of Race and Char- tiers streets (now Chestnut and Second), and at present owned by 126 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. Mrs. E. H. Turner, was given gratis for a place of public worship, while lot 112, directly opposite and owned by William H. Taylor, was appropriated for a school-house. Lot 43 was presented to General Washington. This lot is on the corner of Gay and Char- tiers (now Belle and Second) streets, and with the adjoining lot, 42, is owned by the First Presbyterian church. This lot was the site of the old red school-house, in which many of our citizens were edu- cated under George K. Scott, deceased, while lot 102, which was presented at the same time and occupying the opposite corner, being the southwest corner of the college square, is owned by David S. Wilson, Esq. The plot of Bassett has marked upon it three springs, designated by the letters a, b, c. a is a spring given for the use of the town ; b and c are springs. Where the spring run is parted, the water sinks under ground. One of these springs is on the corner lot owned by Jacob Koechline, on the corner of Main and Maiden streets, and in the cellar of his brick house. The other two springs are on the property of Wm. Huston, the adjoining lot, south of Mr. Koechline's. In the year , when Judge Baird erected his steam mill at the foot of Main Street, the water for running the mill was conveyed by wooden pipes from this spring, and several of the lot owners through which it passed had fountain pumps connected with these pipes. Catfishes Camp is marked upon it, near the spring on the property of Patrick Bryson, deceased. In addition to the foregoing memoranda, at the northwest corner of the plot and outside of the limits of the town of Bassett, is the letter a and the words, " Great plain given by Mr. Hoge for a com- mon, about seventy or eighty acres." In an examination of the minutes of the Town Council of June 6, 1811, is the following record : — Whereas, A portion of the ground heretofore considered as a common has been sold and is about to be improved, to the prejudice of the rights of the borough and to the serious injury of several of the inhabitants, therefore Resolved, That a committee be appointed to call on the proprie- tors of the town and the surviving commissioners who negotiated with Mr. David Hoge, the original proprietor, and obtain such infor- mation respecting the claims of the borough to said property as may be procured. Messrs. Alexander Reed, John Wilson, ' and Robert Anderson were appointed the committee. The burgesses were also instructed to give notice to all persons who are or may attempt building, inclosing, or improving, in or on the reputed com- mons or property of the borough, to desist therefrom. The minutes of the Council do not show that the Committee ever reported. David Hoge having sold all his interest to his sons, they extended the original limits of Bassett by adding thereto on the east of Col- lege Street to the alley, called Brewery Alley, commencing at the HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 127 eastern end of Maiden Street and running to Walnut Street. Also adding on the south, from Maiden Street to Hazel Alley, forty build- ing lots and many outlots. A small stream running through the southern and western part of Washington bears the name of Catfish Run. It will also be re- membered that the tract of land purchased from Abraham Hunter was called Catfishes Camp, and before even Basseit was laid out the few hamlets which occupied the southern part of Washington were called Catfish. The stream, the land, and the town all derived their name from a celebrated Indian Chief, whose Indian name was Tin- goocqua or Catfish, who belonged to the Kuskuskee tribe of In- dians, and occupied the hunting grounds between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River. In the records of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, we find him participating in a conference meeting held in Philadelphia, Dec. 4th, 1759, at which Governor Hamilton and his council with chiefs from the Wyoming, Delaware, and Kuskuskee Indians were present. At this council the Indian chief Catfish made the following speech, after taking four strings of wampum and holding two of them sepa- rate in his fingers, thus spoke : — I have not much. to say; I am only a messenger. I came from the Kus- kuskees. The nation that I belong to as well as many others to the west of us, as far as the setting of the sun, have heard that you and Teedyuscung (Chief of the Delawares) sat often together in council and at length agreed upon a peace, and we are glad to hear that the friendship and harmony, which of old always subsisted between our and your ancestors, was raised up again and established once more. This was very agreeable to us, and we came here to see if what was related was true, and we find it is true, which gives us great satisfaction. [Then taking hold of the other two strings he proceeded.^ Brother. Now that Teedyuscung and you have, through the gbodness of Providence, brought about a peace, we entreat you to be strong ; don't let it slip ; don't omit anything to render it quite secure and lasting ; hold it fast ; consider our aged men and our young children, and for their sakes be strong, and never rest till it be thoroughly confirmed. All the Indians at Allegheny desire you to do so, and they will do all they can likewise, [Oave a string of wampum. ] Brother. We make eleven nations on the west of the Allegheny who have heard what you and Teedyuscung have concluded at the treaty of Easton (in 1758), and as we all heartily agreed to it and are determined to join in it, we have opened a road to where Teedyuscung lives, and we the messen- gers, have travelled much to our satisfaction on the road which he has made from his habitation to this town (Philadelphia). We have found it a very good road, and all our nations will use this road for the time to come. We say nothing of the Six Nations. We do not reckon them among the eleven nations. We leave you to treat with them yourselves, we make no road for them. This is your own aflair. We only tell you we do not include them in anything we say. I have done. [Gave four strings of wampum.^ At what period Catfish settled in this part of the country tradition gives us no account. We know, however, from our aged citizen. Col. Greorge Kuntz, whose father removed from the east to Washington 128 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. in IT 88, that he knew the old chief when he had a camp in the rear of the lot on which William Huston's inn now stands, near the three springs (which I have spoken of as being designated on the plan of Bassettown). Afterwards he moved his camp near to the spring now called Patrick Bryson's spring ; from thence he removed his camp to Shirl's woods ; from thence he went to Ohio and died. Local tradition has falsely placed his tomb in the graveyard at Washington, Pa., marked by a large unhewn stone ; but such is not the fact. This stone was procured by Alexander Lytle, Esq., de- ceased, on the Williamsport road, and had it placed at the grave of his wife. His daughter Harriet, on her death-bed, requested that the bodies of her father, and mother, and family, with the same stone, be taken to the cemetery. The circumstance, however, gave rise to a few verses, written by a young man named Hiram Kaine, Esq., a printer by profession, yet unassuming as a poet. To preserve his memory, therefore, who composed these verses, and who in his own language desired not to obtain popularity in the drawing-rooms of the wealthy, but in the workshops and homesteads of his native place, was the reason why he tuned his rude unlettered harp. The Grave op Catfish. 1. A fitting monument was that For one so proud and stern — More striking than a marble bust Or consecrated urn I 2. Unbending as that massive rock, You braved the battle storm, And reared amidst its fiercest shock Thy dark, majestic form. , 3. Thou needst not fear the pale face race, Who slumber by thy side ; They cannot tear the home from thee, Which living they denied. 4. The unlettered stone above thy head Is not more still than they, The marble not more motionless That tells us where they lay. 5. The rank green grass is twining, Its wreath above thy head, As it ever richly twineth Eound dwellings of the dead. 6. Oh ! does thy spirit ever come. To gaze upon this mound, And tread upon the springing grass Above the hallowed ground ? 7. Dost ever wander o'er the hills Where once thy tribe did roam, And curse the race who on their graves Have built themselves a home? HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 129 8. Thou hearest not, dark Chieftain — Thy funeral son<^ is sung, The emblems of thy power have flown, Thy last war-whoop hath rung. 9. But yet thy name, by kindred ghosts, Is heard by yonder rill. As comes its murmuring midnight chime In echoes from the hill. When Bassettown was laid out, David Hoge, in October, 1181, issued tickets to purchasers of lots in these words : — No. 15. Bassettown, October, 1781. This will entitle Charles Dodd to receive a sufficient title, subject to one dollar a year in specie, for a lot marked in the original plan of said town, 58, provided there shall be erected thereon, on or before the thirtieth day of October, 1784, a house eighteen feet square at least, with a stone or brick chimney therein. David Hoge. On the 21st of July, 1184, this lot, with the house, was sold to John Dodd, for £300 Pennsylvania currency. It is situated on Main Street and the corner of Strawberry Alley, now owned by Jas. G. Strean, upon which is erected a three-story house, iron front, oc- cupied by Mr. Robert F. Strean's hardware store and the Reporter printing office. William Darby, Esq., in the year 1845, and then in the Tlst year of his age, in speaking of Bassettown (now Washington), said: In the fall of 1'782, the site where Washington now stands was a vast thicket of black and red hawthorn, wild plums, hazel bushes, shrub oaks, and briers ; often I have picked hazel-nuts where the court-house now stands. The yell of the savage rung* in fancy's ear and alas too often in the heart of the dying victim. The whole country was a dense forest, only broken by small patches, with dead trees, made so by the axe of the early pioneer. Bassettown, under the proprietorship of David Hoge, improved but slowly, there being but two deeds on record prior to its sale in 1785, one to James Marshall, February 8, 1785, and the other to Charles Dodd, July 21, 1784. After John and William Hoge had purchased the town, and added the addition thereto of all the lots south of Maiden Street, and divided the land into outlets, a new im- petus was given to the town, and lots sold rapidly and houses were speedily erected thereon. In this connection, we may add that Robert Fulton, of steamboat notoriety, held three lots in Washington. While sojourning in Lon- don, in 1793, he directed Mr. Hoge to make deeds of these three lots to his three sisters, Mrs. David Morris ( No. 4), Mrs. Isabella Cook (No. 118), Mrs. Peggy Scott (No. 125). In looking over the original lot-holders, and up to the date of in- corporation, we find the names of John, William, and David Hoge, Dr. Moore, Wihiam Horton, James Marshall, Charles and John Dodd, 9 130 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, Absalom Baird, S. Darley, Anthony Horseman, J. Lochman, Jos. Harris, Rev. John Casper Sinclair, Thomas and David Acheson, Van Swearingen, D. G. Mitchell, Leonard Boyer, Thomas Hutchin- son, D. Moody, Mary Miller, Philip Milsach, Thomas Stokely, Hugh Mears, Margaret Scott (sister of Robert Fulton), D. Blackmore, Hugh Workman, Edward Lynch, Wm. Findley, Alexander Addison, M. Collins, Thomas Bristor, John Standley, T. Woodward, Reasin Beall, Robert Fulton, David Morris, Archibald Kerr, John Wilson, Alexander Reed, John Flake, Daniel Moore, James Goudy, James White, James Gilmore, Isabella Cooke (sister of Robert Fulton), James W. McBeth, Stephen Way, Matthew Ritchie, Hugh Wiley, Robert Hazlett, James Ross, William Meetkirke, Daniel Kehr, Abra- ham Lattimore, Joseph Seaman, James Orr, J. Purviance, Gabriel Brakeny, Stephen Wood, Hugh and Samuel Workmen, Patrick Bry- son, Daniel and Jonathan Leet. But what changes have been wrought since ! The town from several hundred inhabitants has increased to many thousand, its manufactur- ing, commercial, educational, moral, and religious interests have all been largely developed. The second generation of these pioneers have also been gathered to their fathers, and while the old landmarks re- main to point out their homes, where brotherly love, truth, and friendship reigned supreme, the graveyard and the cemetery point to their sacred ashes. Amid the multiplicity of changes, we find the original property only remain in the descendants of John Wilson, Alexander Reed, David Acheson, and Patrick Bryson. The citizens of Washington knew that their town was inferior to but few of the towns of Pennsylvania, but that it was destitute of many useful improvements, ^vhich could not be accomplished without being incorporated as a borough. Their streets were not regulated, and, during some of the winter months, not being piked, were almost impassable; the sideways were not paved, neither was there public spirit enough to purchase afire-engine to make provision against _/jre. In the midst of these discouragements and difficulties, a town meeting was called on February 6, 1795, to consider the necessity of petition- ing the legislature for an act of incorporation. The people met and discussed the question, but the principal objection was that the taxes would be greatly increased, and that a few men would have the control and direction of the borough affairs. These sentiments prevailed, and the question was ventilated through the Western Telegraph, then published at Washington. A writer, who signs himself " Tom Stick in the Mud," thus sarcastically writes upon the subject : " For my part I've lived all my born days, and my posterity before me and my child- ren after me, up to the eyes in mud and never a bit the worse for it, and I can't see why other people should think themselves better stuff than we. I loves fun, and, at our end of the town, it would some- times make you die with laughing to see your calico-carcassed, spin- dle-shanked folks sticking fast in a crossing-place and leaving their shoes behind them." HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 131 "A Bachelor," in answering tne foregoing communication, gives one reason why tlie town should be incorporated, in these words : " It would prevent emigrants and strangers from giving as accurate a description of the ladies' ankles as I myself can do. I can tell any of them whether they are flat-footed, beef-shanked, knock-kneed, or whether either of them or not. Oh ! how I have shaken my sides to see them straddling through the mud up street to a tea drinking. I hope, therefore, that the people will see that a corporation is abso- lutely necessary." Notwithstanding this newspaper description, the town, however, was not incorporated until the 13th day of February, 1810. The act of incorporation defines its boundaries as follows : — " Beginning at a post on the land of James Ashbrook ; thence by land of Robert Anderson, Thomas OfiBcer, and others, south seventy-seven de- grees west one hundred and fifty-nine and one-half perches to a post; thence by land of Thomas Jones, WilUam Hoge, and others, south fourteen and three-fourth degrees east one hundred perches to a post; thence by land of James Ashbrook, William Sherrard, and others, south thirteen de- grees east sixty-three and one-half perches to a post ; thence by land of John Hoge, south fifty-one and one-half degrees east twenty-nine perches to a post ; thence by land late of John Simonson, Hugh Workmen, and others, north seventy-seven degrees east one hundred and twenty perches to a post; thence by land of Thomas McFadden, Daniel Kehr, and others, north, four and one-half degrees west eighty-four perches to a post ; thence by land of Robert Hazlett, Isaiah Steen, and others, north ten degrees west one hundred and two perches to the place of beginning." This act gives them authority to elect officers, make and enforce laws, hold property, and perform such acts as are usual to corporate boroughs. On the 2Tth of March, 1852, the borough authorities were in- structed to apply to the Court of Quarter Sessions for the admission of the borough of Washington to the benefits and privileges of a charter under the act of Assembly of the 3d of April, 1851, which was subsequently confirmed by the court on the 18th of May, 1852. This general act provides, in Section 30, for the enlargement of borough limits, by not less than twenty of the freeholder owners of lots petitioning the council, and they declaring by ordinance that the limits have been enlarged. June 10th, 1854, and 6th of January, 1855, the borough limits were extended to the present lines. At the May term in 1855, the borough was divided into two wards by Main Street, named respec- tively the East and West Wards. With these preliminary remarks, we may now state that the borough of Washington is situated near the centre of Washington County, on the National road, twenty-four miles from Brownsville and thirty-two miles from Wheeling; twenty-seven miles from Pitts- burg and twenty-two miles from Monongahela City. Its population in 1860 was 3587 (but in 1870 about 4500). Its situation is salu- 132 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. brious, and from its position locally adapted to become a manufac- turing centre. Bituminous coal underlies the town and valley, while a railroad of seven miles would not only add Canonsburg to Wash- ington, but develop for manufacturing purposes all the coal which exists on Chartiers' Creek. The streets are rectangular, and are all sixty feet wide except Main and Beau streets, which are sixty-six feet wide. Before entering upon a history of the public buildings we shall give a list of the burgesses and town council, treasurers and town clerks, since the date of its charter to the present time — I have there- fore prepared them from the official record for future reference, knowing that our borough history would be incomplete and imper- fect without such a record. BURGESSES. 1.— 1810. Alexander Reed, 24.— 1833 John Wilson. 2.— 1811. Ee-elected. 25.— 1834. 3.-1812. David Morris, Thomas Officer 26.-1835. 4.-1813. Re-elected. 5.-1814. Daniel Moore, 27.— 1836. James Orr. 6.— 1815. David Shields, 28.— 1837. John Wilson. 29.-1838. 7.— 1816. Alexander Murdoch, Alexander Reed. 30.-1839. 8.-1817. John Wilson, David Morris, 31.— 1840. 9. — 1818. James Blaine, James Shannon. 32. — 1841. 10. — 1819. James Blaine, John Gregg. 33.-1842. 11.— 1820. Re-elected. 34.— 1843. 12.— 1821. Re-elected. 13.— 1822. Re-elected. 35.— 1844. 14.-1823. James Orr, James Ruple. 36. — 1845. 15.-1824. James Ruple, Daniel Moore. 37.— 1846. 16.-1825. Re-elected. ' 17.-1826. Hugh Workman, 38.— 1847. 18.— 1827. Re-elected." 39.-1848. 19.— 1828. Re-elected. 20.— 1829. James Orr, 40.— 1849. John Kuntz. 21.-1830. Re-elected. 41.-1850. 22.— 1831. George Kuntz, James Orr. 42.— 1851. 23.— 1832. John S. Brady, John Wilson. Archibald Kerr, John Wilson. James Orr, John S. Brady. Archibald Kerr, James Ruple. John R. Griffith, James Raple. Re-elected. John L. Gow, James Ruple. James Blaine, John R. Griffith. Robert Officer, John S. Brady. Robert Officer, George W. Brice. Re-elected. Robert Officer, Thomas McGiffin. Isaac Leet, James Langley Mathew Griffin, Sample Sweeney. L. P. Hitchcock, John L. Gow. William McKennan, Alexander Murdoch. James Ruple, James Langley. Collin M. Reed, Alfred Creigh. William Hopkins,, Collin M. Reed. Alex. W. Acheson, Peter Reimuod. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 133 43.— 1852. 44.— 1853. 45.— 1854. 46.— 1855. 47.— 1856. 48.-1857. 49.-1858. 50.— 1859. 61.— 1860. 52.-1861. 53.— 1862. 54.-1863. Alex. "W. Acheson, Hugh W. Reynolds. William Workman, Charles W. Hays. Charles W. Hays, James Spriggs. Alexandel Murdoch, Samuel Cunningham. Jacob Slagle, James Brown. James B. Ruple, William Hopkins. James W. Kuntz, James Rush. Re-elected. James W Kuntz, Thomas J. Walker. James W. Kuntz, James Rush. Re-elected. James W. Kuntz, Alfred Creigh. 55. — 1864. Andrew Brady, James Rush. 56.— 1865. Re-elected. 57.-1866. Charles Hayes, William Smith. 58.— 1867. H. J. Vankirk, John Hoon. 59.— 1868. John D. Boyle, John McElroy. 60—1869. John D. Boyle, J. Y. Hamilton. Municipal elections changed by the legis- lature March 16, 1869, and directed to be held in October of each year. In Wash- ington borough the burgess and two coun- cilmen were directed to be elected, and the subsequent year the assistant burgess and three councilmen — these officers to continue in office two years. 61.— 1869. John D. Boyle, Theodore F. Slater. TOWN COUNCIL. 1. — 1810. Hugh Wilson, Thomas Acheson, Hugh Workman. Robert An- derson, and Parker Campbell. 2.-1811. Re-elected. 3. — 1812. John Scott, Matthew Dill, Hugh Workman, Parker Campbell, and Thomas McGiffin. 4. — 1813. Thomas McGiffin, Parker Campbell, Daniel Moore, James Orr, and Hugh Workman. 5. — 1814. Parker Campbell, Thomas Officer, Thomas McGiffin, Hugh Workman, and David Morris. 6. — 1815. James Orr, Parker Campbell, Hugh Workman, Thomas McGif- fin, and Daniel Moore. 7. — 1816. Thomas McGiffin, James Lattimore, James Blaine, Parker Campbell, and George Baird. 8. — 1817. Alexander Reed, James Blaine, James Lattimore, James Orr, and Thomas H. Baird. 9. — 1818. Thomas M. T. McKennan, Hugh Workman, John Wilson, James Garret, and William Hunter. 10.-1819. Hugh Workman, John Wilson, William Hunter, Thomas M. T. McKennan, and James Garret. 11.— 1820. Re-elected. 12. — 1821. Thomas M. T. McKennan, John Wilson, David Eckert, James Stevens, and John Koontz. 13.-182^. Re-elected. 14. — 1823. Hugh Workman, Thomas M. T. McKennan, Jacob Stagle, John Wilson, and James Stevens. 15. — 1824. Archibald Kerr, Thomas Good, James Lattimore, Thomas M. T. McKennan, and James Kerr. 16.— 1825. Re-elected. 17.— 1826. Thomas M. T. McKennan, Thomas McGiffin, George Kuntz, John S. Brady, and John Wilson. 134 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COCNTT. 18. — 1827. Thomas M. T. McKennan, George Knntz, John Wilson, Jacob Slagle, and George L. Morrison. 19. — 1828. Thomas M. T. McKennan, George Kuntz, Jacob Slagle, John K. Wilson, and Samuel Hazlett. 20. — 1829. Thomas M. T. McKennan, Jacob Slagle, George Kuntz, Wil- Ham Robinson, and William Hunter. 21. — 1830. John K. Wilson, Thomas M. T. McKennan, James Shannon, William Robinson, and John Wilson. 22. — 1831. William Baird, William Robinson, John Wilson, James Shan- non, and John K. Wilson. 23.— 1832. Re-elected. 24. — 1833. Hugh Workman, Isaac Leet, George Kuntz, Thomas Officer, and John Morrow. 25. — 1834. Isaac Leet, John Morrow, George Kuntz, John K. Wilson, and Thomas Officer. 26. — 1835. James Shannon, Isaac Leet, John K. Wilson, John L. Gow, and John Wilson. 27. — 1836. Isaac Leet, Andrew Shearer, John N. Dagg, John Morrow, and John Bradfield. 28. — 1837. John L. Gow, John N. Dagg, Andrew Shearer, John Morrow, and George Black. 29.— 1838. George Black, John R. Griffith, Robert Officer, Andrew Shearer, and John Morrow. 30. — 1839. Alexander W. Acheson, John Best, Henry Langley, James H. Pattison, and Peter Wolfe. 31. — 1840. Alexander W. Acheson, Peter Wolfe, John Morrow, Adam Sil- vey, and Oliver Lindsey. 32. — 1841. Alexander W. Acheson, Peter Wolfe, Oliver Lindsey, James Brown, and Matthew Griffin. 33._1842. Re-elected. 34. — 1843. Alexander W. Acheson, George Lonkert, George W. Brice, John Gravson, and John S. Brady. 35.-1844. Oliver Lindsey, John Best, John R. Griffith, Peter Wolfe, and Jacob Kissler. ^ 36. — 1845. William Smith, Oliver Lindsey, John Best, Peter Kennedy, and David Wolfe. 37. — 1846. John Morrow, James Brown, Joseph Henderson, Thomas Logan, and George Lonkert. 38. — 1847. James M. Hutchinson, James Brice, T. W. Grayson, Alfred Thirkield, and Robert Officer. 39. — 1848. John Morrow, William Hopkins, Charles W. Hays, George Black, and James Rush. 40. — 1849. Peter Kennedy, William Hopkins, Charles W. Hays, Jacob Slagle, and Oliver Lindsey. 41. — 1850. John Bausman, Philip Kuhn, Jacob Kissler, John S. Brady, and Thomas B. Bryson. 42. — 1851. Sample Sweeny, Oliver Lindsey, Freeman Brady, Sr., •Collin M. Reed, and Thomas W. Grayson. 43. — 1852. Freeman Brady, Sr., Oliver Lindsey, William McKennan, John Wiley, and James Brown. 44. — 1853. John Morrow, William R. Oliver, James Rush, John Wiley, and William T. Fleming. 45. — 1854. Jacob Kessler, J. L. Judson, James D. Best, Dr. M. H. Clarke, and Collin M. Read, HISTORY OF "WASHINGTON COUNTY. 135 46.— 1855. Thomas W. Grayson, T. S. McKinley, H. W. Reynolds, A. R. Frisbie, and John McClelland. 47,-1856. L. W. Stockton, Dr. J. R. Wilson, Simon Cort, John McElroy, and Th. B. Bryson. 48. — 1857. James "W. Kuntz, Charles W. Hays, Thomas B. Bryson, John McAllister, and S. R. Witherow. 49.— 1858. John Prigg, Jacob Goldsmith, N. F. Brobst, David Wolf, and W. H. Stoy. 50. — 1859. James Walton, James W. Humphreys, William T. Fleming, Charles W. Hays, and Jackson Spriggs. 51.— 1860. Re-elected. 62. — 1861. Charles W. Hays, Freeman Brady, Jr., Andrew Brady, John Prigg, and Alexander Frazer. 53.-1862. Charles W. Hays, Thomas D. O'Hara, Andrew Brady, John Prigg, and Samuel Beatty. 54. — 1863. John Prigg, John Naghtan, James Walton, John W. Lockhart, and W. T. Fleming. 55. — 1864. Jacob Miller, Thomas Seamans, Alpheus Murphy, A. J. Caton, and P. Waldron. 56. — 1865. Ira Lacock, John Naugtan, G. Jackson Dagg, Wm. H. Drury, A. H. Ecker. 57.— 1866. Thomas Walker, T. J. Hodgins, Nelson Vankirk, William Fitz- william, and David Aiken. 58. — 1867. James C. Acheson, Thomas McKean, Charles V. Grier, Alex. Seaman, John Hallam. 59.— 1868. William H. Taylor, John Templeton, G. 0. Jones, Robert W. Davis, and Samuel Hazlett. 60.— 1869. Alfred Creigh, A. B. Caldwell, J. L. Judson, A. 0. Morrow, and James Huston. By act of the legislature, March 16, 1869, three councilmen were to be elected biennially with the assistant burgess, at the October election in 1869, term of service to commence April, 1870, which resulted in the election of 61. — 1870. George S. Hart, Martin Luther, and James Huston, 1810—12. 1813—15, 1816. 1817—19. 1820—35. 1836—56. 1857—62. 1810—11. 1812—14. 1815—16. 1817—31. 1832—33. 1834. 1835—40. 1841—42. 1843—44. 1845—46. 1847. Daniel Moore. Alexander Reed, Daniel Moore. John Barrington, John Gregg. George Kuntz, George Baird, TREASURERS. 1863—65. 1866. 1867. 1868. 1869. 1870. ■%OWN CLERKS. David Shields. 1848—50. Samuel Cunningham. 1851 — 54. John Cunningham. 1855 — 62, John Marshall, 1863. Samuel Doak. 1864. Henry Langley. 1864 — 65. George W. Brice. 1866. Robert K. Shannon. 1867. Henry M. Brister. 1868. James McKinley. 1869. David Wherry. 1870. George Kuntz. David Aiken. John C. Hastings. John Aiken. L. R. W. Little. M. G. Kuntz. William J. Wilson. Joseph O'Hara. William B. Rose. Ashford Engle. Henry Brown (2 mos.), Thaddeus Stanton. J. Goodrich Ruple. John Aiken. Joseph A. McKee. John Waldron. Wesley Wolf. 136 HISTOEY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. Public Buildings, The public buildings in Washington Borough consist of the court-house, containing the court, jury, and library room, and the public offices, the gaol, the old market house, town hall, containing an audience room, council chamber, post office, citizens' library, engine house, and market house, Washington and Jefferson college, First Presbyterian church, Methodist Episcopal church, United Presbyterian church, Methodist Protestant church. Trinity Episco- pal church, German Evangelical Lutheran church, Second Presby- terian church, Roman Catholic church, Cumberland Presbyterian church. Disciples of Christ, Baptist church, African Methodist Episcopal church, Wright's Chapel (African), Franklin Bank of Washington, Female Seminary, Union School building, Washington gas works, Washington cemetery, Washington coal works. COUET-HOUSE. On the 18th of October, 1781, David Hoge, of Cumberland County, conveyed to James Edgar, Hugh Scott, Yan Swearingen, Daniel Leet, and John Armstrong, a piece of land in the town of "Bassett" for the use of the inhabitants of AYashington County, to erect thereon a court-house, prison, &c., for and in consideration of the good-will he beareth to the inhabitants, and also the sum of five shillings. The ground conveyed is thus described : Situate in Bassettown, fronting and extending along Monongahela (Main) Street, 240 feet, and in the same manner along Ohio (Beau) Street, 240 feet; thence with the lot marked in the original plan, 123 (now owned by Robert Boyd, Esq.); thence with Johnston's (Cherry) Alley 240 feet to the Monongahela Street aforesaid. The witnesses to the deed were Henry Taylor and David Reddick, which was recorded in the Recorder's office February T, IT 85. The organic law of the county, dated March 28, 1T81, section 9, directed the courts to be held at the house of David Hoge, Esq., until a court-house shall be built or otherwise provided for. The courts were held at the designated place until 1T83. The courts were afterwards held at the house of Charles Dodd in 1783, at the house of James Wilson in 1784, and John Dodd's from 1785 to 1787, each of these persons receiving a»stipulated rent. The house of Charles Dodd was upon the lot now owned by James G. Strean, Esq., but afterwards John Dodd bought the same property.^ The house rented from James Wilson was on the lot where Mr. William H. Drury resides. The courts were held there but one year, and returned to Mr. Dodd's. The gaol occupied the first floor and the court the second. It was in this court-house that Thomas Richard- son was tried for larceny in 1784, convicted, and subsequently hanged, an account of which we shall give in Chapter VIII. In 1783 the commissioners began the erection of a log court- HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 137 house and other public buildings, which were not completed until July, 1787. In 1784 a tax of £500 was laid for the purpose of building a court-house, and in 1788 an additional sum of £150 to pay the balance on the same, the whole amounting to £650. This LOG court-house, the first which was erected, was occupied until the winter of 1790-91, when it was destroyed by fire. Rev. Thaddeus Dodd taught a classical school in this court-house, and afterwards kept by David Johnston. It was during the time Mr. Johnston kept school therein that it was burned. He afterwards took charge of the Canonsburg Academy. The commissioners, on the 1st of January, 1792, laid a tax of £1500 to erect a brick court-house and other public buildings. Local traditions have placed our first court-house at many points, sometimes in different parts of our town, sometimes at Razortown, on the Middletown road, and sometimes on Mr. William Gabby's farm. We have investigated all these traditionary reports, and will give a solution to the whole, remarking that not much confidence can be placed in tradition without being sustained by history. No other places for holding courts were ever held in Washing- ton County except at the places designated, the records showing of whom the several houses were rented in the town of Washington. Our readers must bear in mind that Washington and the adjoin- ing counties were claimed by Virginia, of which I have already given the history, that the line separating Ohio and Y.oughiogheny counties, Virginia, ran near the western limits of the borough of Washington. Youghiogheny County occupied the territory east of this line, and Ohio County west of it. The court-house of You- ghiogheny County was on the farm of Andrew Heath, nearly oppo- site Elizabethtown, Allegheny County, while that of Ohio County was on the farm of William Gabby, two miles west of this place. Mr. William Gabby assures me that the logs of the court-house were used by his father in the erection of a kitchen, and that the court-house stood between the brick house (now occupied by his son James) and the barn, near the spring. John Gabby, Esq., received his deed for the same farm as early as the spring of 1784. In cor- roboration of this statement, I quote from the writings of Rev. Dr, Joseph Smith, who says, " One of these Virginia court-houses (west of the Monongahela River) stood a few miles west of the present town of Washington. Washington itself did not exist, but a few miserable hamlets, called Catfish, after the Indian chief of that name who once dwelt there. In the records of the Presbytery of Red Stone, also bearing date October 16, 1782, a minister was appointed as a supply to preach at Ohio County court-house, a seat of justice under the government of Virginia. The traditional story of a court-house at Razortown is a myth, mentioned in the life of Patrick Gass ; being an aged man when he wrote his life, he mistook the Gabby farm, two miles west of Wash- ington, and placed it two miles northwest of this place. Having 13^8 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. thus disposed of the court-house question, we resume our narrative, and shall speak of the second court-house which was erected on the public square. The second court-house was erected of brick, being commenced in 1792, in the centre of the public square. The cost of this court- house may be thus estimated : — £ s. d. 1792, Nov. 6. Paid James Marshall for materials for public buildings 60 0 0 " " 7. " John Benjamin and William Reed in full to date for court-house, &c. . 807 11 1 " " 7. " William Gray for measuring and calcu- lating public buildings . . . 6 6 1 1793, Jan. 8. " Messrs. Eeeds, in full, for work done court-house and jail . . . 157 8 10 " March 23. " Alexander Cunningham for materials . 12 14 8 £1044 0 8 " April 10. John Eeed was directed to build a wall around the public buildings, which he had completed on No- vember 6, 1793. 1794, Feb. 28. Messrs. Price and Leet reported to the commissioners the price of the carpenters' and joiners' work of the court-house. " March 4. A tax for £550 was levied for finishing the mason work, and plastering the jail. " July 7. Bill for cleaning court-house and jail-yard, twenty-four dollars and seventy-one cents, approved and paid. " Sept. 3. A bill of John and James Eeed for three hundred and thirty-four dollars and eighty cents ordered to be paid for work done. " July 19. The commissioners employed carpenters to work on the cupola of the court-house, finish the same, and have the vane gilded. This court-house was improved in 1819 by an addition thereto, the commissioners having awarded the contract to Thomas H. Baird, Esq., who gave as his securities David Shields and George Baird, Esqs. October 18, 1836, a county meeting was held in the court- house to take action with regard to the erection of a court-house and other public buildings, which meeting, after a full discussion, resolved that the question should be determined by a vote of the electors of the county, who decided against its erection. But on March 9, 1839, the grand jury considered the erection of a new court-house, and the question was laid over to the next grand jury, who indorsed the proposition. The commissioners then certified that a new court-house would cost $12,000, and the repairs, §5000, and the subsequent grand jury sanctioned its erection, as the public buildings were unfit for public purposes ; and the whole of the public square should be entirely changed, and present an appearance which would be alike creditable to the county and have all the conve- HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. 139 niences which the wants of the people required. Eefore, however, giving a description of the improvements which were made, it will be interesting to many unacquainted with the buildings which were upon the public square to state what buildings occupied it. Commencing on the corner of Main and Beau streets, and going south, was the market-house, with a superstructure containing six rooms (a full description of which will be found under the title of "Market House"); next to and adjoining the market-house was the engine-house ; then an alley, which led directly into the kitchen of the sheriff's house, through which access was had to the jail ; next was the sheriff's office and house attached, and the prothonotary's office ; then came the court-house. On the south of the court-house were the clerk of the court's and register's offices ; adjoining which was a small shop of Alfred Gait (watchmaker, well known as an ec- centric genius) and three offices, from which a rent was derived — these filled up the square. These three offices on the southeastern corner of the public square, and immediately in front of the present market-house, were leased, on a ground-rent of twenty years, on the 1st of June, 181t. Each office was required to be in size 22 by 24 feet (with an alley 10 feet in the rear), to be built of brick, and range with the other public buildings. No. 1, next to the court-house, was leased to Wil- liam Hunter, Esq., at $3.01 per foot per annum. No. 2 was leased to John Neal, Esq., and No. 3, on the corner of the street and alley, to David Shields, Esq., each at $2.54 per foot. We now resume the history of the third or present court-house. On the 22d July, 1839, Jehu Jackson, Matthew Linn, and Andrew Shearer advertised to receive sealed proposals until July 15, 1839, at 10 o'clock A.M., for the erection of new public buildings, accord- ing to the plan adopted, for the accommodation of the courts and offices of the county, and for the safe keeping of the records ; and a house for the sheriff. On the 16th July, 1839, the carpenter work was awarded to Henry Shearer, Esq. ; the stonework, to Freeman Brady, Esq. ; the cut-stonework, to Alexander Ramsey, Esq. ; fur- nishing and laying the brickwork, to David White, Esq. On the 25th of September the commissioners caused all the old buildings to be removed from the public square, except the offices on the southeast corner of the square, whose leases had expired, in which the public offices should be temporarily kept. In addition to these two rooms the commissioners also rented the corner room of the "Round Corner," now occupied by James C. Acheson. They also leased the Methodist Protestant church from James L. Porter and Charles E. Jones (trustees), from the 29th of August, 1839, to the 29th August, 1843, for the sum of $200, in which the courts should be held, with the privilege of leaving the same when the new court- house should be finished. On the 25th of September, 1840, the commissioners, Matthew Linn, Andrew Shearer, and James Pollock, Esqs., articled with 140 HISTORY OP WASHINGTON COUNTY. Freeman Brady and David White, Esqs., to build the jail walls, and, with David Hall and William Wylie, to plaster the court-house. 1842, May 27. The statue of Washington was ordered to be placed upon the dome of the court-bouse, and, on the 15th of October, James Sterret, of Allegheny County, James Chambers and William E, Erret, of Washington County, were selected to measure the car- penter w^ork. On December 9th, 1842, the commissioners contracted with Wil- liam McFarlane and William E. Erret to build a portico to the sheriff's house, for which they were to receive one hundred and seventy-five dollars. The cost of the court-house of 1839 was twenty-nine thousand eight hundred and eight dollars, to which is to be added the sheriff's house, costing four thousand five hundred and sixty-eight dollars, amounting in all to $34,316. We shall now advert to the improvements made on the public square in 1867-8 and 9. Neither the court-house nor jail answered the purposes of their erection ; the former required an arbitration room, library room, and sheriff's ofiice, and jury room, and the latter an entire new building. The commissioners, consisting of Messrs. Jos. W. Cowan, Thos. J. Bell, and Jas. Walker, on the 23d of July, 1866, authorized J. W. Barr, Esq., a superior architect of Pittsburg, to inspect the county jail, with a view of repairing or rebuilding the same. The jail undergoing a thorough inspection by Mr. Barr, he gave it as his opinion that it was unfit for use, upon which the com- missioners very judiciously decided that he should submit a plan for a new jail with the probable cost, and another forrepairing the same. On the 24th of August, 1866, the commissioners submitted these plans to the grand jury, who unanimously approved the erection of a new jail, and the plan thereof was submitted to the Seci'etary of the Commonwealth, who approved of 'the same. It being too late in the season to commence so large a building, it was postponed until February 28, 1867, when the new Board of Commissioners, consist- ing of Thomas J. Bell, James Walker, and Samuel Weirich, Esqs., resolved to proceed to the erection of the jail under the approval of the grand jury and the direction of the court. On March 5th, 1867, the commissioners, accompanied by David S. Wilson, Esq., their attorney (who was desirous of submitting certain other improvements in connection with the court-house, by which all the necessary rooms could be obtained, and the jail connected with the court-room), went to Pittsburg, to confer with Messrs. Barr and Moser in regard to the plans and specifications and estimates of the new county prison, and the improvements therewith connected. March 22d, 1867, the commissioners, after having adopted the pre- sent plan, and under the instructions of David S. Wilson, Esq., ap- pointed Messrs. Barr and Moser general superintendents of the work, to be allowed one per cent, of the cost of the jail as their com- pensation. Nelson Yankirk, Esq., was appointed superintendent and HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, 141 foreman under Messrs. Barr and Moser, his compensation being $5 per day; Samuel Hargraves, superintendent of the brick and mason worlv, at $5 per day. The general superintendents were authorized to select all the materials, and Messrs. Yankirk and Hargraves, in their respective departments, were to employ and superintend all the hands necessary for its completion, but subject to the inspection and condemnation of the commissioners and general superintendents. On the 23d of April, 1867, the contract for the brick was awarded to Chas. V. Grier and Joshua R. Forest, with John Hallam as security. The new prison and extension to the court-house, including she»if' s office, arbitration room, library room, &c., cost forty-eight thousand five hundred dollars. The stone wall inclosing public square, grading, and improve- ments to sheriffs house, cost thirty-five hundred dollars, amounting in the aggregate to fifty-two thousand dollars. Before the jail was finished, and in the northeast corner, about ten feet from the ground, a box, containing much valuable information, was deposited in the wall by A. T. Baird and C. M. Ruple, Esqs., on September 6, 1867, generally relating to county and borough affairs. Market-House. In the spring of 1795 the citizens of the town of Washington held a public meeting, at which it was unanimously resolved, that the wants of the people required a market-house, and to carry this re- solution into effect, the meeting appointed two of their prominent citizens (Alexander Addison, Esq., and Dr. Absalom Baird) to procure the necessary amount of subscriptions, and employ compe- tent workmen to erect a market-house. On the 8th of September following, the market-house was finished and occupied, the commissioners having granted the northeast corner of the public square, on the corner of Main and Beau streets, for that purpose. It was opened under the following regulations : That public markets should be opened on Wednesday and Saturday of each week ; that they should be kept open from early dawn to 10 o'clock A. M. of the appointed days, and, by agreement of the citizens, no provision or produce of any kind was to be purchased within the prescribed hours, except at the market-house only. The committee having discharged the duty enjoined upon them, and the market-house fulfilling the expectations of the people, yet they were compelled to issue the following notice on November 24th, 1795:— "We, whose names are hereunto annexed, state to all concerned in the market-house of Washington,. that the expenses of building it amount, as it appears by the several bills in our hands, to . . $202.96 We have received for subscriptions only . . . 126.81 There is, therefore, due to ub . . , , 76.15 142 HISTORY or WASHINGTON COUNTY. •' We submit it to all interested in the market-house, whether they ought not immediately to pay into our hands severally, according to the ability and inclination of every individual, a further contribution to reimburse us for what we have laid out for this building, which is a common benefit to all. There are yet some arrears unpaid of the subscription, but much is not expected from them, and if all were paid, it would be proper to have a small sum in reserve for occasional repairs, which will always be wanting to a pub- lic building like this, which being as it were the property of no particular person, no one thinKs it his duty to preserve it. The delinquent subscri- bers are informed that the subscription papers are lodged in the hands of William Meetkirk, Esq.. who will receive payments, and unless payments are made before the 1st day of December next, he will issue process against the delinquents. Alexander Addison. Absalom Baird." This notice had the desired effect, the delinquents paid their indebt- edness, and the citizens with commendable zeal paid the balance by additional subscriptions. Immediately after the borough was incorporated, in 1810, the Council passed wholesome laws to regulate the markets. Yet the wants of the people required a larger and better market-house, con- sequently the town council, on the 23d day of October, 1813, ap- pointed a committee consisting of Parker Campbell, James Orr, and Thomas McGiffin, Esquires, to report on the expediency of erect- ing a new market-house on the same ground. This committee re- ported (on the 30th of October) favorably, and on the 6th of Nov. following, the chief burgess was directed to call a meeting of the inhabitants on the 12th of November, to consider the subject. It appears, however, that the minds of the people were greatly agitated at this time on account of pecuniary affairs, the war and other mat- ters ; and action thereon was indefinitely postponed. On the 16th of January, 1815, another meeting of the citizens was convened, when the usual ofi&cers were appointed and the follow- ing resolution adopted : — "Resolved, That it is expedient to change the site of the market- house from the north to the south side of the public square, for the purpose of erecting a banking-house on the northeast corner of said square, and for the better accommodation of the citizens at large; provided, however, that no change or alteration in the present site of the market-house shall take place until the consent of the proper authority shall be first had and obtained to erect a banking-house on the northeast corner of the public square, and a market-house on the southeast corner of said square, nor until arrangements be made and a contract entered into for the building of said banking-house on that ground." Alexander Murdoch, Thomas H. Baird, and James Orr, Esquires, were appointed to procure the necessary au- thority and grant for said market-house and banking-house from the legislature and commissioners of the county. Subsequently the Committee ascertained that the public square was to be used only for public purposes, and if diverted from that HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, 143 the property would revert to the original owners ; accordingly the project was abandoned. On the 21st of June, 1816, however, and at the request of the citizens, the commissioners granted to the borough permission to erect a market-house on the following plan, viz : On a range with the public offices and parallel with Main Street, to front on Main Street 53 fuet and on Beau Street 130 feet, according to diagram adopted. On November 2, 1816, the commissioners, consisting of John Reed, David Little, and Jonathan Knight, made a second grant, giving permission to the borough to erect another story upon the pillars or frame of the market-house, provided that one room should be used as a council room, and that after the expiration of twenty- five years, or at any time thereafter, the borough shall, upon receiving the sum originally expended in building the market-house, deliver the same to the commissioners for the use of the county. On the 5th of November following, the citizens met at the court- house to consider the expediency of erecting a superstructure or stoi*y on the pillars of the market-house, and after a full discussion the burgesses and Council were instructed to erect said superstructure in the manner contemplated by the commissioners. The Council there- upon convened and appointed Parker Campbell, Alexander Murdoch, and Thomas McGiffin a committee with authority to borrow not ex- ceeding two thousand dollars, for the purpose specified, which amount they procured from the branch Bank of Philadelphia established in Washington. The contract for the building of the superstructure was given to James Ruple, Esq. On the 20th of October, 1817, possession of the market-house rooms was given to the burgesses and Council, who rented the same on the 25th to the following persons : No. 1, Robert Estep ; No. 2, John Purviance ; Nos. 3 and 5, Thomas H. Baird ; No. 4, John Mc- Cluney; No. 6, Matthew Brown. Subsequently some of these rooms were occupied as school-rooms, and the mention of the names of Philip Potter,^ Stephen Wood, George Freeby, and Henry Williams will recall to the recollection of many of our inhabitants the incidents of school-life, the rod and the cat-o'-nine-tails. At one time one of the rooms was occupied by the venerable Judge Grayson, who was then editor of the Washington Examiner. After many years it appears that the spirit of enterprise seized upon our citizens, and they awoke from their Rip Yan Winkle sleep by being admonished by the commissioners of the county, in 1839, that the lease of the market-house grounds would soon expire, and that the public square would be occupied by a new court-house, suitable buildings for sheriff, &c. A meeting of the Town Council was called July 15, 1839, and Messrs. Alexander W. Acheson, Henry Langley, and John R. Griffith were appointed a committee to exa- mine the lease and to make inquiries in regard to changing the site to the south side of the public square. 144 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. On the 2d of August, the Town Council called a meeting of the citizens, whereupon the following preamble and resolutions were adopted : — Whereas, The commissioners of the county are about to erect new public buildings for the use of the county, and in the execution of their plan of erection it will be necessary to remove the borough market-house to make room for the erection of a contemplated sheriff's house, therefore Resolved,