USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 1
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Library University of Hittsburgh Darlington Memorial Library Dar. F157
Book F&E4
3 1735 060 441 734
100975
. OTE! 30
HISTORY
OF
FAYETTE COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA,
WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF MANY OF ITS
PIONEERS AND PROMINENT MEN.
EDITED BY FRANKLIN ELLIS. -
ILLUSTRATED.
PHILADELPHIA : L. H. EVERTS & CO. 1882.
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
Ilar 7 FIST
1361
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Pittsburgh Library System
http://www.archive.org/details/historyoffayette00elli
Library trading. Derlingto
2-8-32-B5403=Brown-
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER 1.
HISTORIC GROUND OF FAYETTE-LOCATION, BOUNDARIES, AND
TOPOGRAPHY
13
CHAPTER 1I.
THE WORKS AND RELICS OF AN EXTINCT PEOPLE, 16
CHIAPTER III.
THE INDIAN OCCUPATION
19
CIIAPTER IV.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN CLAIMS TO THE TRANS-ALLEOHENY REGION - GEORGE WASHINGTON'S VISIT TO THE FRENCH FORTS IN 1753 22
CHAPTER V.
FRENCH OCCUPATION AT THE HEAD OF THE OHIO-WASRINGTON'S CAMPAIGN OF 1754 IN THE YOUGHIOGHENY VALLEY. ..... 26
CHAPTER VI.
BRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION IN 1755.
37
CHAPTER VII.
CAPTURE OF FORT DU QUESNE-ERECTION OF FORT BURD .. 49
CHAPTER VIII.
SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY
53
CHAPTER IX.
DUNMORE'S WAR
6G
CHAPTER X. THE REVOLUTION.
Troops Raised for the Field-Subsequent Disaffection-Lochry's Expe-
dition
70
CHAPTER XI. THE REVOLUTION ( Continued).
.Williamsoa's Expedition-Crawford's Sandusky Expedition ............ 90
CHAPTER XII.
PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA TERRITORIAL CONTROVERSY- ESTABLISHMENT OF BOUNDARIES - SLAVERY AND SERVI- TUDE., 114
CHIAPTER XIII.
ERECTION OF FAYETTE COUNTY-ESTABLISHMENT OF COURTS -- COUNTY BUILDINGS, 129
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BAR OF FAYETTE COUNTY-FAYETTE CIVIL LISTS -- COUNTY SOCIETIES 138
CHAPTER XV.
THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION
157
CHAPTER XVI.
FAYETTE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812-15 AND MEXICAN WAR 180
CHAPTER XVII.
WAR OF THE REBELLION-FAYETTE'S FIRST COMPANIES, EIGHTH AND ELEVENTH RESERVES. 190
CHAPTER XVIII. WAR OF THE REBELLION ( Continued).
Eighty-fifth Regiment and Second Artillery 202
CHIAPTER XIX.
WAR OF THE REBELLION ( Continued).
One Hundred and Sixteenth and One Hundred and Forly-second Regi-
menis.
212
CHIAPTER XX. WAR OF THE REBELLION (Continued).
The Fourteenth Cavalry.
216
CHAPTER XXI.
WAR OF THE REBELLION ( Continued).
The Sixteenth Cavalry.
224
CHAPTER XXII. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY-IRON, COAL, AND COKE.
230 The Mineral Resources of Fayette County .. CHAPTER XXIII.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS -- POPULATION.
Roads and Bridges-National Road-Navigation-Population of the
County by Decades ..
247
HISTORIES OF BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. UNIONTOWN BOROUGII.
Early Taverns and Inter Public-Houses-Incorporation of the Borough -Uniontown from 1806 to 1825-Visit uf Lafayette, 1825-Union Vol- unteers-Facts from the Borongh Records-List of Borough Officers- Fire Department-Post-Office-Mail Robbery by Dr. Braddee-Press of Uaiontown-Physicians of Uniontown-Lawyers-Schools- Churches-Burial-Grounds-Financing Institutions-Fayette County Mutual Fire Insurance Company-Building and Loan Association- Societice and Orders-Mills and Mannfactories-Gus- Works-Popula- tion-Biographical Sketches .. 279
CONNELLSVILLE BOROUGH AND TOWNSHIP.
Borough Currency-Vocations followed in Connellsville in 1823-Inde- pendence Day, 1824-Bridges Across the Yonghiogheny-Extinguish- ment of Files-Post-Offices and Postmasters-Financial Institutions- Societies and Ordors-Physicians-Newspapers-S hools-Churches- Burial-Grounds-Railroads-Manufactories. THE Towystip .- List of Township Officers-Manufacturing Establishments-Gibsonville-Bi- ographical sketches ... 365
BROWNSVILLE BOROUGH AND TOWNSHIP.
Incorporation of the Borough and Erection of the Township-Publie Ground, Market-House, and other matters from the Borough Records -Lafayette's Visit to Brownsville-Ferries-Bridges over Dunlap's Creek, etc .- Early Taverus and Later Hotels-Newspapers-The Medi- eal Profession-Brownsville Schools-Religions History-Burial- Grounds-Extinguishment of Fires-Post-Office-Financial Institu- tions-Manufacturing Establishments-Coal Mines and Coke-Works- Brownsville Gas Company-Societies and Onders-Brownsville Civil List-Biographical Sketches. 421
BRIDGEPORT BOROUGHI AND TOWNSHIP.
Incorporation of the Borough-Erection of the Township-Officers of the Towashipand Borough-Market-House-Puble Warehouse and Wharf -Ferries and Bridges over the Monongahela-Steamboat and Keel- Boat Building-Manufacturing Establishments-Medical Profession- Public-Houses-Fire Apparatus-National Bank-Schools-Religious Ilistory .. 465
5
6
CONTENTS.
BULLSKIN TOWNSIIIP.
Civil Organization-General Industries-Pennsville-Educational and Religions 485
DUNBAR TOWNSHIP.
Original Landholders-Tax-Payers in 1799-Early Roads-Early Iron- workers-The Union Furnace-Township Organization and Civil List -Village of East Liberty-Village of Dunbar-Village of Alexandria -Churches-Schools-Manufacturing Industries-Societies and Or- ders. NEW HAVEN BonoUGH .- New Haven's Physicians-Justices of the Peace-Borough Incorporation und List of Officers-Schools in New Haven-Post-Office-Religious-Biographical Notices ........ 501
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
Original Landholders in Franklin -- Franklin Tax-Payer's in 1785-Early Roads-Township Organization and Civil List-Schools-Churches- Personal Sketches .. 549
GEORGES TOWNFILIP.
Old Roads- Ashcraft's Fort - Haydentown - Iron Industries-Coke Manufacture - Mills - Taverns - Distilleries - Military Memoirs- Schools-Churches-Sabbath-Schools -Woodbridgetown-Fairchance -Smithfield-Physicians-Cabinet Makers-Carpenters and Builders -Coopers - Wagon-Makers -Societies and Orders -Georges Creek Trading Company-Justices of the Peace-Biographical Sketches. 364
GERMAN TOWNSHIP.
Physicians - Schools -Churches-Burial-Grounds-List of Township Officers-Masontown Brungh-MrClellandtown-Societies and Or- ders-High House-Military Record of German Township-Various Statistics of German Township-Personal Sketches .. 500
HENRY CLAY TOWNSHIP.
Pioneers and Early Settlements-Roads-Tavern Stamls-Township Organization and Officers-Jockey Valley-Markleysburg-Religious Denominations-Cemeteries-Schools 605
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Early Roads-Township Organization and Civil List-Schools-Churches -Coal Productions-Biographical Sketches. 614
LUZERNE TOWNSHIP.
Early Ronds-Township Organization and List of Officers-Schools- Churches-Burial-Grounds-Village of Merrittstown-Biographical
Mention 633
MENALLEN TOWNSHIP.
Early Roads-Early Taverns-Township Organization and List of Offi- cers-Town of New Salem-Upper Middletown-Churches-Bio- graphical. 653
NORTH AND SOUTH UNION TOWNSHIPS.
NORTD UNION -Early Settlements-Erection of the Township and List of Officers-Schools-Soldiers' Orphans' School-Religious Societies- Manufacturing Industries. Sourn Usios .- Early Settlements-Erec-
tien, Boundaries, and List of Officers-Schools-Redstone Coke-Works -Chicago and Connellsville Coke Company's Works. MONDOE .- ,Tav- erns-Stores-Manufactories-Trip-Hammer Forge-Distillery-The Professions - Churchtes - Sabbath.Schools - Schools - Biographical Mention GG9
NICHOLSON TOWNSHIP.
List of Township Officers-Schools-Churches-Biographical. ... G95
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
Erection of Township and List of Officers-Perryopolis-Layton Station -Schools of the Township-Religious Worship-Burial-Grounds- Biographical Notices 707
REDSTONE TOWNSIIIP.
Township Organization and Civil List-Schools-Churches-Biographi- ical Sketches 723
SALT LICK TOWNSHIP.
Roads-General Industries-Mercantile and Other Interests-Religions and Educational 74
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Roads-General Industries-Villages and Business Interests-Educa- tional and Religious-Biographical Mention .. 751
SPRINGHILL TOWNSHIP.
Medical Men - Early Roads - Early Manufacturers -Springhill Civil List-Schools-Churches-Soldiers-Biographical 763
STEWART TOWNSHIP.
Pioneer Settlers-Civil Organization-Falls City-Various Industries of the Township-Religious and Educational-Schools. 774
UPPER AND LOWER TYRONE TOWNSHIPS.
Early Settlements-Erection of Tyrone asa Township of Fayette County -Changes of Territory and List of Officers-Erection of Upper and Luwer Tyrone-Religious Worship-Schools-Churches-Societies and Orders-Jimtown-Coke Manufacture-Railroads-Biographical Sketches. 783
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Township Organization and Civil List-Early Roads-Little Redstone M. E. Church-Coal and Coal-Mming. BELLE VERNON BOROUGH .- Schools-Churches-Belle Vernon Glass-Factory-Saw- and Planing- Mill Company-Societies and Orders. FAYETTE CITY BOROUGH .- Bor- ough Organization and Officers-Schools-Churches-Fayette City Woolen-Factory-Banks-Societies and Orders-Mount Auburn Ceme- tery-Biographical Notices .. 807
WHARTON TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries al General Bescription-Indian Trails and Graves-Battle- Ground of 1754-Roads-Oid Braddock Road-The National Road- Braddock's Grave-Fayette Spring-Pioneer and Settlement-Town- ship Organization and Officers-Villages-Cemeteries-Mail Service- Wharton Furnace-Religions Denominations-Schools-Biographical Sketches. 828
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PAGE
PAGE
Allebaugh, Samuel
605
Brown, Isnar ...
692
Allison, James ....
667
Brown, John.
827
Baily, Silas Milton.
355
Brownfield, Ba-il. 692
Banning, Anthony R
545
Brownfield, Ewing
34G
Barnes, David,
415
Burton, John.
562
Barton, Willinm.
694
Buttermore, Smith
418
Blackstone, James ..
545
Campbell, George W.
762
Bowman, G. II.
457
Caufield, Thomas,
739
Boyle, Charles E
352
Chatland, William.
462
Boyd, Archibald
631
Clement, Samuel M
691
Breading, David.
651
Cochran, James
304
+ Breading, James E.
650
"Cook, Edward.
825
Breading, Nathaniel.
G50
Cook, John B
825
Britt, Robert.
589 Covert, Benjamin
652
CONTENTS.
7
Craft, Jamos W.
740
Lindley, Lutellus.
406
Crossland, A. J.
640
Lynn, James MI
738
Crossland, Greensberry. 300
Lynn, Denton ...
827
Cummings, David.
419
Marchand, Louis.
Davidson, John H.
721
Mathoft, Henry B.
587
Davidson, Thomas R
405
. MeClean, Alexander.
362
Davidson, Daniel R
400
Melivnine, Robert A
538
Dawson, John Ł ..
464
Miller, L. S.
632
Do Saulles, Arthur B
5.14
Miller, William 11.
403
Dils, Henry.
700
Moore, J. W.
694
Dravo, John F
415
Morgan, John.
773
Duncan, Thomna ...
Newcomer, George W
417
Duncan, William S.
Newmyer, P. S. 490
Dunn, Justus. 590
Nutt, Adam C ..
358
Dunu, Thomas.
563
Oglevee, Juseph
'541
Elliott, Joseph S.
628
Oliphant, F. II.
582
Elliott, William
628
Oliphant, S. D.
19-
Ewing, William
651
Patterson, Alfred
35
Ferguson, Edmund M.
414
Patterson, William G.
630
Ferguson, Walton
415
Paull, James.
538
Finley, Robert.
7.17
Peirsol, JaDies ..
721
Forsyth, William.
628
Peirsel, Jeremialı.
G67
Franks, M. W.
705
Phillips, Ellis ..
543
Frick, Henry C.
414
Playford, W. H.
353
Frisbee, John D.
41G
Poundstone, John.
705
Fuller, Smith ..
347
Redburn, James Thomas.
358
Gallatin, Albert
771
Reid, James M
540
Gibson, Alexander.
652
Roberts, Griffith
738
Gans, Lebbens B
773
Robinson, Elrazer
361
Gibson, Joshua G.
404
Robinson, James
590
Gue, Henry B
629
Rogers, James K
419
Goe, Jolin S
630
Rush, Sebastian.
840
Graham, Hugh
668
3.4
Greene, Wilson.
705
Schoonmaker, James M.
412
Griffin, William P
706
Scott, Alphens W
Griffith, Samuel C ..
820
Seuright, William
665 563
llansel, George W
841
Shepler, Joseph T
544
ITealy, Maurice
542
Smith, Robert
563
Herbertson, John.
162
Soisson, Joseph
420
Hibbs, David.
,39
Springer, Levi ..
Ilibbs, Samuel C.
739
Steele, John.
Hill, Alexander and Alexander J.
343
Steele, Samuel.
401
Hogg, George ..
458
Stepdiens, Levi
82G
Ilogg, William
459
Stephens, Levi B.
826
Ilogsett, Robert.
347
Sterling, John.
GOP
Hough, William
631
Sterling, Jonathan.
603
Howell, Joshua B
350
Stewart, Andrew
363
Howell, Alfred.
352
Stoneroad, Joel
539
Hunt, William
360
Strickler, Stewart
805
Huston, John.
359
Sturgeon, Daniel
345
Hyndman, Edward K.
409
Swartz, Christian
630
Jackson, Robert
668
Thompson, Jasper M.
350
Jacobs, Adam
458
Tinstman, Abraham 0.
413
Johnson, David
604
Trader, William 11.
5.89
Jones, John ..
GAT
Wells, Joseph. 632
Kendall, Isaac P
G04
Wilkey, James
King, Josiah
722
Woodward, Davis ..
547
Leisenring, Jobn.
410
Woodward, Joseph ..
603
Lenhart, Leonard.
741
Work, Samuel.
547
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Adams, John Q., Residence of.
.. facing 620
Boyle, C. E ..
.between 352, 353
Allebaugh, Samuel.
between 604, 605
Braddock's Grave ..
830
Allison, James ..
668
Breading, James E facing 650
Baily, Silas Milton.
facing 355
Britt, Robert ..
589
Banning, Anthony R between 544, 545
Browneller, David, Residence of ..
620
Barton, William
.facing 695
Brown, Isaac. G92
Binns, Gibson, Residence of
= 620
Brown, John
827
Blackstone, James between 544, 545
Brownfield, Basil.
693
Bowman, G. H.
facing 457
Brownfield, Ewing.
346
Boyd, Archibald .between 630, 631
Burton, John
562
Schnatterly, Thomas B
Hague, Renbeu
589
Shearer, Jacob.
459
PAGE
PAGE
PAGE
8
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Campbell, George W.
762
Leisenring, bird's-eye view of .. facing 520
Leisenring, John
=
410
Lenhart, Leonard. .between 740, 741
Lindley, Lutellus
facing 406
Lion, James M
4
738
Lynu, Denton between 826, 827
Map, Battle of Great Meadows. facing 830
Map of Beeson'e Town
280
Map of Coke Region between 246, 247
Map of Fayette County, 1832
facing 250
Map, Geological.
=
230
Map, Outline of County
44
627
Covert, Benjamin
between 652, 653
Craft, James
740,741
Mathiot, Henry B ..
44 587
Mcilvaine, Robert A
538
Miller, L. S., Residence of.
between 632, 633 44 462, 463
Moore, J. W
facing 694
Morgan, John
Newcomer, George W
44
417
Newmyer's Opera-House.
382
Newmyer, P. S
.between 420, 421
Nutt, A. C., Residence of.
facing 298
Oglevee, Joseph
4.
541
Dravo, John F
facing 415
Duncan, Thomas.
44
459
Olipbant, S. D.
44
194
Duncan, William S.
460
Patterson, Alfred.
44 351
DoDD, Justne. between 588, 589
Dunn, Thomas. facing 563
Peirsol, James ..
facing 721
Peirsel, Jeremiah, Sr.
667
Peirsel, Jeremiah, Jr ...
Phillips, Ellie.
between 544, 545
Playford, W. H.
facing 353
Poundstone, John.
.between 704, 705
Finley, Robert.
facing 737
First Methodist Episcopal Church, Uniontown.
323
Ford, Charles, Residence of. facing 46
620
Forsyth, William between 628, 629 44 704, 705
Franks, M. W
Frick, Henry C facing 414
11
416
Fuller, Smith 44
347
Gallatin, Albert. = 771
=
773
Gibson, Alexander between 652, 653
Goe, Henry B ..
facing 629
Goe, John S.
between 630, 631 Shepler, Joseph T
Graliam, Hugh 669 Smith, Robert.
Greene, Wilson.
tacing 705
Griffin, Willian: P.
between 706, 707
Griffith, Samnel (' .. .. facing 826
Hague, Renken.
.between 588, 589
Hansel, Geo. W
facing 841
llealy, Mamice.
542
Herbertsol., John. 462
739
Hibbs, Summel C .. facing 739
46
543
Ilogg, Geo,
between 458, 459
llogg, Wm
458,459
Hogyett, Robert
.. facing 348
longh, William. .between G30, 631
Howell, Alfred ..
44 052, 353
Howell, Joshua B.
facing 376
Hunt, William between 360, 361
Huston. John.
.facing 359
Hymlman, Edward K.
4 9
Jackson, Robert. 668
Jacubs, Adam.
between 458, 49
Wells, Joseph
facing 632
= Johnson, Pavid. 604,605 Wilkey, James. 548
Jones, John 691 Woodward, Davis .. between 546, 547
Jumionville's Grave .. 829
Woodward, Isnac C., Residence of ..
facing 648
Kendall, Isaac P facing 604 Woodward, Joseph. 603
King, Jueinh
722 Work, Samuel .between 546, 547
419
Ruins of Old Alliance Furnace.
234
Rush, Sebastian
44
354
Schoonmaker, James M
412
Searight, Wml.
665
Shearer, Jacob.
between 562, 503 44
Suisson, Joseph.
44 420, 421
Soisson & Kilpatrick, Brick-Works. facing 495
Springer, Levi. .between 690, 691
Stauffer, J. R. & A., Flouring-Mills of. facing 802
Stauffer, J. R. & Co., Dexter Coke-Works
803
Steele, Jolin, Residence of ..
.4 633
= Steele, Sammel. 46]
Stephens, Levi
.between 826, 827
Stephens, Levi B
826, 827
Sterling, Jolin facing
602
Sterling, Jounthat 603
363
Stonervad, Joel.
539
Strickler, Stewart
805
Sturgeon, Daniel.
345
Swartz, Joseph, Residence of.
44
630
Thompson, Jasper M.
350
Tinstoian, A. O
44
413
Trader, Willim HI.
.between 590, 591
Uniontown Soldiers' Orphans' School ..
678, 679
Roberts, Griffith
738
Robinson, Eleazer
facing 361
Robinson, James
.. between 590, 591
Rogers, Jamies K .facing
facing
840
Schnatterly, Thomas B
facing 358
Red Lion Valley
620
Reid, James M
LỆ 540
Forsyth, James S., Residence of.
44
Davidson, Jobn 11.
720
Davidson, Thomas R.
54
405
De Saulles, Arthur B
.between 544, 545
Dils, Henry
706, 707
Oliphant. F. H
44
582
Elliott, Joseph S between 628, 629
Elliott, William. 628, 629
Ewing, William
.faciog 651
Ferguson, Edmund M
between 414. 415 .. 414, 415
Ferguson, Walton.
facing 546
Crossland, A. J.
Crossland, Greeneberry,
between 360, 361
Commings, David .. facing 418
Davidson Coke-Worke
244
Davidson, Daniel R 408
134
Court-honse
Cope, Emmor, Residence of.
620
Cope, Lewis, Residence of.
44 620
=
13
Marchand, Lonie
Cook, Edward.
.between 462, 463
Clement, Samuel M
690, 691
Cochran, James
faciog 804
Connellsville Gas-Coal Company's Works ... between 520, 521 Connelleville Coke and Iron Company's Works. = 520, 521
826
Cook, John B.
facing 825
Crawford'e House 527
Miller, William H.
772
Patterson, William G between 630, 631
Redburn, J. T.
620
Frisbee, John D.
Gane, Lebbens B
544, 545
= 562, 563
Hibbs, David ..
Hill, Alexander J
Stewart, Andrew .facing
.facing
PAGE
Canfield, Thomas .. .facing 740
Chatland, William
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HISTORY
OF
FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
CHAPTER I.
HISTORIC GROUND OF FAYETTE-LOCATION, BOUN- DARIES, AND TOPOGRAPHY.
THERE are within the State of Pennsylvania very few counties whose boundaries include ground more historie than that which is comprehended in the do- main of the county of Fayette. A century and a quarter ago, when the two great European rivals, England and France, contended for dominion over the vast region watered by the head-streams of the Ohio, the latter nation claimed the summit of Laurel Hill as her eastern boundary ; and in the strife which. followed-the contest by the issue of which that claim was extinguished forever-it was in the ravines and on the hillsides and meadows lying between the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers that the forces. marching respectively under the Bourbon lilies and the cross of St. George first met in actual shock of arms; it was the soil now of Fayette County which drank the first blood spilled in that memorable conflict. Years afterwards, when a scarcely less fierce controversy sprang up between the States of Penn- sylvania and Virginia, the Old Dominion insisted on extending her limits eastward to that same Laurel Hill summit, while Pennsylvania, willing at one time to recognize the Monongahela as the division line, peremptorily refused to yield an inch east of that stream ; and so Fayette County, with contiguous country lying to the west and north of it, became the theatre of a conflict of jurisdiction which almost reached the extremity of open war.
It was here, within what is now Fayette County, that GEORGE WASHINGTON fought his first battle, and here he made his first-and last-surrender to an enemy. Across these hills and valleys and streams the army of the brave Braddock marched in pride and confidence to assault the French stronghold at the head of the Ohio; and when the survivors of that proud host re- turned by the same route, flying in disorder and panic from the bloody field of the Monongahela, it was here 2
that their dauntless leader died of his wounds, and here, in the soil of Fayette County, they buried him.
On the shore of the Monongahela River, in this county, was held the first, as also the last, public meeting convened by the insurgent leaders in the famous insurrection of 1791-94; and when at last the government sent an army to enforce the laws, the military column marched through Fayette, and the commanding general established his headquarters at the county-scat, where he received assurances of sub- mission from the disaffected leaders. Detailed men- tion will be made of all these historical facts, with numberless others relating to this county, including the construction of the great National road ; the building, in Fayette, of the first steamboat that ever descended the Monongahela, the Ohio, and the Mississippi Rivers; the erection here of the first iron-furnace west of the Allegheny Mountains; the first recorded instance of the use of the bituminous coal of Western Pennsylvania as fuel ;1 its first application to the man- u facture of coke, and the subsequent development of that industry to an extent which seems destined, in the near future, to place this county among the most pros- perous and wealthy of the State.
In regard to its location and boundaries, Fayette may properly be described as one of the southern tier of counties in Pennsylvania, and the second one from the western line of the State. It is joined on the west by the counties of Greene and Washington ; on the north by Westmoreland, of which it once formed a part ; and on the east by Somerset. Its southern boundary is formed by the north line of the States of West Virginia and Maryland. This is identical with the famed " Mason and Dixon's line," and thus for many years the southern border of Fayette County formed a part of the frec-State frontier against the dominion of African slavery.
The two principal streams of the county are the Monongahela and the Youghiogheny Rivers. The
1 By Col. Burd, near Redstone Creek, in 1750.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
former (and the larger) stream takes its rise in West Virginia, crosses the State line into Pennsylvania at the extreme southwest corner of Fayette County, and flowing thence in a meandering but generally north- ward course, marks the entire western boundary of Fayette against the counties of Greene and Washing- ton, for a distance of nearly forty-seven and a half miles. After leaving the northwestern limit of Fay- ette, the river continues in nearly the same general course between Westmoreland and Washington and through Allegheny County to its confluence with the Allegheny River at Pittsburgh.
The Youghiogheny-a mountain stream of clearer and purer water than that of the Monongahela-runs from Maryland into Pennsylvania, crossing the line into this State at the extreme southeast corner of Fay- ette County. Flowing in a generally northward course from this point, it marks for a distance of fifteen and one-half miles the boundary between Fayette and Somerset Counties. From there, turning somewhat abruptly towards the west, it leaves Somerset, and, with the highlands of Fayette on either side, passes through this county for a distance of more than forty- four miles to the north line. Its general direction through Fayette is nearly northwest ; its current rapid, rushing and tumbling over a rocky bed in many places, and broken at one point (Ohio Pile) by falls of con- siderable height. From the north boundary of this county it enters Westmoreland, and flows on in nearly the same course to its junction with the Monongahela at Mckeesport.
Besides these two rivers, Fayette County has a great number of smaller streams, but among these there are few that are of sufficient size and import- ance to deserve separate mention. Cheat River, which has its sources in West Virginia, enters Penn- sylvania, and flowing a short distance across the ex- treme southwest corner of this county, joins its waters with those of the Monongahela. Nearly five miles farther down the river is the mouth of Georges Creek, which stream is entirely within this county. Dun- lap's Creek and Redstone Creek are both also wholly within the county, from mouth to head-springs. The former enters the Monongahela between the boroughs of Brownsville and Bridgeport, and the latter about one and a quarter miles farther north. Jacob's Cre k, flowing in a westward direction, forms the northern boundary of Fayette County for a little more than twenty miles (by its meandering course) eastward from the point where it enters the Youghio- gheny River. The other principal tributaries of that river within the territory of Fayette are Mounts' Creek, which rises in the mountainous region in the northeast part of the county, and enters the Yonghio- gheny just below the borough of Connellsville ; Indian Creek, which also takes its rise in the northeastern highlands, and flows into the river from that direction, about eight miles above Mounts' Creek ; and Great Meadow Run, which flows from its sources in the Laurel
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