USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
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ISD (WASHINGTON CO. ) CREIGH
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HISTORY
OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT
TO THE
PRESENT 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 ACCOUNT 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 .- DR. JOHNSON.
SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED BY ALFRED CREIGH, LL. D.
HARRISBURG, PA., B. SINGERLY, PRINTER. 1871.
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Entered according to Act of Congress, 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.
T PUBLIC . IDMARY +978 Aster, Lenox & d Tilden Foundations. 18.6
TO THE CITIZENS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA,
WHOSE DEVOTION TO PATRONIZE AND ENCOURAGE
MORALITY, LITERATURE, PATRIOTISM, AND RELIGION IS NOT SURPASSED A
BY ANY BODY OF CITIZENS IN THE
AMERICAN UNION, This Volume
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY THEIR FELLOW-CITIZEN,
ALFRED CREIGH. -
ELLENDALE VILLA, WASHINGTON, PA., June 29, 1870.
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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 1785, although the chartered history of Washington County dates back to 1781.
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 ean 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 in distant places, this volume will prove of great interest, recalling
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PREFACE.
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 :-
DR. 'ALFRED CREIGH,
WASHINGTON, January 9, 1861.
DEAR 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. RUPLE,
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.
GENTLEMEN : 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 first county which was organized in Pennsylvania after the Declaration of Independence.
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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 my 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 first organized, let her likewise be the first 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 toª the State of Pennsylvania, but to the rising generation.
With sentiments of respect and esteem, I remain yours truly,
To ALEXANDER WILSON, Esq., and others.
ALFRED CREIGH.
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 mect 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.
CONTENTS.
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-Oath of allegiance-Oath of supremacy- The test oatlı-Oath of abjuration-Youghiogheny County ; its bonn- 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
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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
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CHAPTER IV.
PROCEEDINGS OF 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 V.
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
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.I. ELECTED OFFICERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FROM 1790.
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 VII. 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 Revolution, in 1836-Mexican War in 1846-South- ern Rebellion in 1861 . 278
CHAPTER VIII.
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
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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
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CHAPTER III.
INDIAN HISTORY 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. .
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER 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-Oath 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 officers-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 Virginia from its first settlement on the 25th day of March, 1584, to the 23d day of August, 1785, at which date the commissioners of the States of Virginia and Pennsylvania entered into conciliatory measures whereby that portion of Western Pennsylvania claimed by Virginia 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 Virginia 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 VIRGINIA, 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
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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, 1618, 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 was 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 from 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 early 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 27th 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
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'HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
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 quartered with those of England, 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 River 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 1720, 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 OF 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.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
In 1712, 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 1734 the names of these parishes were changed, St. George's was called Spottsylvania 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 Virginia.
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 OF 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-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
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 OF 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 OF 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-in-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.
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