A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Part 8

Author: Hadden, James, 1845-1923
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: [Akron, Ohio : Printed by the New Werner Co.]
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 8

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A brick building stood on the western corner of this lot and faced on Main street and a log building formed the rear. Abra- ham Faw and wife on May 7, 1796, conveyed to Thomas Collins the western part of this lot, containing 42 feet, 6 inches, frontage, and upon this Mr. Collins established himself in the tavern busi- ness.

Thomas Collins was the son of John Collins elsewhere men- tioned as keeping the first tavern in Uniontown. He served as sheriff of Fayette county from November 1, 1796 to October 26, 1799, and was appointed postmaster at Uniontown April 1, 1802, by President Jefferson and kept the post office in his tavern. He was succeeded as postmaster by John Campbell, who was appointed to that office November 18, 1807. He raised and com- manded the first company of troops for the war of 1812, which was raised in Fayette county. He left here in August and com- menced service August 27, of that year. He served at Oswego, Sackett's Harbor and other points along the lake frontier under the command of Major-General Herkimer. His company was known as the Madison Rowdies, and when the major of his regi- ment was wounded, Captain Collins was promoted to fill that office. The time of his company expired August 26, 1813.

Captain Collins' tavern was popular with parties attending

History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

court and others who found the shade trees and grass plat a delightful place to while away the time in social intercourse. This hostelry was also a favorite place for gatherings and en- tertainments. There is still in existence two invitation cards to dances held at Collins' tavern. One of these reads as follows : " Union, Nov. 9, 1802. The company of Miss Molly Meason is requested at a dance on Tuesday evening, the 16th inst. at the house of Col. Thomas Collins in Uniontown: Thomas Hadden, James Morrison and William Lyon, managers."

Molly Meason was a daughter of Col. Isaac Meason, the proprietor of the Mount Braddock farm and became the wife of Daniel Rogers of New Haven. The other invitation card read the same except as to the name, which in this instance was to Miss Patty Griffin. These invitations were printed on the back of common playing cards to conform to the then prevailing style and usage.

Thomas Collins married Hannah Allen and had two daugh- ters : Nancy who died when a young woman, and Hannah who married Captain John Foster who was commissioned a captain in the Second Regiment of Infantry in the service of the United States, July 6, 1812, and who was considered the handsomest man in this part of the country, and while here recruiting for the service was thrown from his horse near Searights, and his horse falling on him, he was killed. He had two daughters, viz., Jane, who married Joseph Gray and Elizabeth who married Samuel Yarnell. His widow subsequently married William Barton, November 28, 1824, and they were the parents of four children, viz., Thomas, Benjamin, Hannah and Joseph.

At one time one Patrick McDonald, a hatter by trade en- tered Capt. Collins' tavern and, it is alleged, used insulting lan- guage toward Mrs. Collins for which the Captain ejected him with such force that he fell on the sidewalk and sustained such injuries as to cause his death. He was the father of Samuel McDonald, once owner and editor of the Pennsylvania Demo- crat, and of William McDonald, an attorney at the bar, and held the office of postmaster from July 13, 1841, to May 19, 1843. Captain Collins ever after regretted this rash act done in a passion.

On October 28, 1822, this property was sold at sheriff's sale, and Captain Collins moved to his farm one mile west of town on

History of Uniontorun, Pennsylvania!

thesMc Clellandtown roadbs The property subsequently came into the possessidniofeHans Andrew Stewartidw of soslq luftigilsb -19 EThe obituary of Capt. Collins publishedsin the Pennsylvania Democrat of November 14;91827, reads asi follows : EtDiednist At hisresidencelin Unionttownship on Thursdayother 8thlinsty Goh Thomas Collins! @df. Collinsuwas atTone time high1 sheriffJof Fayetteteounty. Duringithe date war hercommanded a Ivolunteer compahly which Tendered active and efficient service on the northi ern frontier. In. the battle, rat Sackettis//Harboroherreceivedsa severe wound in the breast from the effects of which he never entirely recoveredd Gol. Collins was an esteemed and honorable man and a brave soldier." His widow died June 18, 1844CI of asAfterCapt. Thomas Collins left this propertyx George W. Ruttenoccupiedtithesold taverntstandein 11825,ffwith vatstocki bf ready made clothing and toysof Thiststock wasfromotherstore of Richard Barry, the stepfather of Mr. Rutter, and fatherof Robert bw Barry, bwhorlater carried Ion merchandising in the Town. Mw RutterI subsequentlyadded dry goods and groceries to his stouks and his advertisement, dated October 31, 1827,sstates that herihas alsp jon hand 50 barrels of old }rye whisky from the most approved distilleries, on handsand for sale. sIn 1830 Mr. Rutter associated with him a Mr. Spicer, who retained an interest; but a shottatime .! Here Mr Rutter kept bachelor's hall in the rear of hisvstore, having some /woman toi do his cooking until his-mar- wiage to Miss Mary Beeson, daughter of Henry Beeson, Jr., son ofsiHenry bBeeson the founder of the town. I December 24, 1826. wot About 1880.Mr. Rutter retired. temporarily from merchan- dising and was for some years engaged as clerk and bookkeeper fos different individualslatowhich he was accurate and compe- tent.gittmeni boan boyolls ai ti ,bus novst 'anillo) .tas? botot mir Jehy Brownfield succeeded Mr. Rutter in this property, but store keeping not being to his taste, he soon retired to his farm BfAfisthe Tent meeting-house. Samuel Snyder followed Mr Brownfield with a confectionery and ice cream parlors, in 1834, in connection with his other sales room, west of the court house.

Zalmon Ludington occupied this property in 1847, with a eI VETT of vlot mort 19tasbijabg fo soffto Sit blast boot, shoe, and leather store. Mr. Ludington ran. a tannery in quob jos dass art betterest mets tave amillo mistas) 181 Wharton township, and James T. Redburn was his efficient clerk and manager in this store. Jonathan G. Allen commenced Bust fess antAne propertysand was here at the time df the famous Bratdee mail robberyan He femoved to the Whitewashedrher,

History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

thence to the Thomas Rankin room, thence to the Hugh Espy room where he was burned quty 1847; thence to the James F. Canon room, thence to the Campbell Row, thence to his farm in Franklin township in 1852. Jacob, Stahl, also a clerk for Mr. UTAOVI OT TARATO THUO_ MONT JUIC нтнои тазять

VIAM TEAM Ludington, opened a shoe store here in 1849, and added the HVISLOKI repairing of clocks and 9 o his other business, and carried on the jewelry business elsewhere later.

Benjamin C. Pame next oc eoccupied this foonox m with a boot

AHoot and 19ja, wod digd dipoawas an extensive manufacturer an rer and cat- shoe store in 185 TA s at various places in the town for many years. His Wife Was Miss Stewartson, and he left two sons, Richard and Owen, and two daughters, MYS. Dofina Myers and Mrs Mattie Kerr, both of Uniontown.

201 to, fromsonommos ont is 101 bloa 10

In 1853, Peter H. Heften erected of this cornet a three-story business Block, nwith rooms facingson Main and Morgantown deseis! This fe Hamed thefremont Building and moved is stock of goods from the Stewart Rowsoh Morgantdwhbstreet into this new building inbjanuary, 1854, and iif one year Mr. Hellemsold out to Charles;S. Seatbne& Golf ai 08 .oV: toJ loinsIn 18589DtiHugh Campbell moved his drug storetinto the Fremonti Corner room while he remodeled his room in the Round Gornen,vand upon the completion of his improvements heimoved back and swas succeeded in this troom bys John Hagen with a stock of Iready madeiclothing and boots and shoes.oMnsdlagan closed out his business in[1859; (and was succeeded by: J. C. Light, gap,with a stock of stoyes and tinware Lightcap was succeeded hy Daniel Huston with a line of ready-made clothing and tailor ing and gents' furnishings, 1864, and he was succeeded in 1868 hy Myers Hollander in the same line of bysiness, and she in turn was followed by - Georges Ra Messmone and Monkittrick. Messmore, soon retired, and the firm became Baynsandı Mon kittrick, in the clothing business. This firm was closed, out by the sheriff in 1872 .. . Armor S. Craig opened out here with a full aut boost bus to add to wet auf no boote emblind, 900511. line of groceries and provisions, and he was succeeded by Robert I. Patterson & Bro., they were succeeded by O. P., Markle and 990. jusqu550 ns esw 9nl wobiw 9HT .23/161191 John C. Fulton in the same line,

Robert Patferson had bought the Tremont Corner from visM gstdousb 19H

James Veech February 22, 1869, and, conveyed it to Je V. Thomp- son and John D. Ruby March 28, 1882, and Mr. Ruby moved his 9ff 10 20/161 20019.02019 bas, Wonyellow 90] colanti 19istP stock of groceries from the old"Col. Roberts' building into this room, where he conducted a successful business for many years. The rest of the building has been used for business purposes.

CHAPTER V.

EAST MAIN STREET, NORTH SIDE, FROM COURT STREET TO NORTH BEESON AVENUE, COMPRISING LOTS NOS. 35 TO 42, INCLUSIVE.

Lot No. 35 of the original plat of the town was bounded on the east by a public alley and on the south by Elbow street, and was deeded to John Kidd, March 8, 1780, for four pounds, " to be paid in Grain, Lining or other suitable or merchantable produce at the rate such commodities or articles were valued at or sold for at the commencement of the war, that at present sub- sists among us, or the value thereof in currency."

This lot was released back to Henry Beeson for the sum of one hundred dollars and, along with the public alley mentioned, was added to the Central Public grounds, and what is now Court street was taken from the western side.

Lot No. 36 is the first lot west of Court street, and was deeded to Jacob Harbaugh in trust for the children of Daniel Harbaugh, a son, May 6, 1800. Mr. Harbaugh lived in an old log building which stood on the front of this lot. His wife was Susan Downer, a daughter of Jacob Downer, and a sister of Jonathan Downer. He filled the office of high sheriff of Fayette county, by appointment, from 1808 to 1811.

He took charge of Pierson Sayers' tavern, in a frame build- ing adjoining on the west, during the latter's term as high sheriff of Fayette county, from 1805 to 1808, and then succeeded Sayers to that office. He owned property adjoining Jacob Dutton at the foot of Laurel Hill. He died July 17, 1813, and is buried in the old Methodist Episcopal graveyard. His widow married Jonathan Rowland.

A frame building stood on the rear of this lot and faced the public grounds and was occupied at various times by different tenants. The widow Rine was an occupant here for several years. Her daughter Mary (Polly) married Miles Tiernan, a cabinet maker who carried on that business and made his home with Mrs. Rine. Her daughter Sarah Ann, became the wife of Daniel Huston, the well-known and prosperous tailor of the

History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

town. Her daughter Ellen, married John P. Tollman of Wheel- ing and former student at Madison college and who became cashier of a bank at Bridgeport, Ohio. She had previously made her home with Mrs. Mills, who was a sister to Grandma Rine, at Zanesville, Ohio.

Jacob Harbaugh went out in the Crawford campaign and with Dr. Knight, John Slover and others to the number of twenty, who made search among the dead and dying for the grandson of Col. Crawford, but the youth was with Col. Williamson and the retreating army. John Sherrard and Jacob Harbaugh parted company with Crawford on the retreat and followed the route taken by the army, while Crawford took a nearer route. Sher- rard sighted an Indian in front and dismounted and took to a tree, notifying Harbaugh to do the same. Harbaugh, not seeing the Indian, stood on the wrong side of the tree and was killed, exclaiming : "Lord, have mercy on me for I am a dead man." The Indian then fled. Sherrard then exchanged saddles with Harbaugh's horse, and after proceeding half a mile, he was re- minded that he had left his provisions strapped to his old saddle and resolved to retrace his steps and secure his provision. He found Harbaugh had been shot through the right breast and was dead. During the interval of Sherrard's absence the Indian had returned, scalped Harbaugh and taken the horse and bridle, but had overlooked the saddle, provisions and blanket. Sher- rard secured these and resumed his journey. This was the 7th day of June, 1782. Sherrard here resolved to keep the 7th day of June a sacred day of fasting and prayer to Almighty God for his preservation the rest of his life, a promise he sacredly kept for 27 years. John Sherrard was born 1750, and died 22nd April, 1809, in his 59th year.

The daughter, Eliza, married Daniel P. Lynch, who was sheriff from 1820 to 1823. Her sons were George, Macon, Ed- ward and David, who became a prominent minister in the Metho- dist Protestant church.

Aunt Betsy Hedges was another tenant of this house, and taught a school of small children for many years. Her pupils, like their teacher, have all passed to the great beyond.

Nancy and Mary McCahen, two maiden sisters, kept a small confectionery here and catered to the youth of the town in the way of sweetmeats, cakes and candy. Their taffy, the ingredients

History of Uniontown: Ronns yuanid.

ofwhich theynkkpf aIpadfound secret, has never been Idqualled asnto flavorvin Ithe history ofthe town. tnobute homol bns gni 9bs/This dot vbecamel the property ofJudge John Kennedy, sfrom whofh strpassed to Ellis Baily and fremlhim to fissomintlawi John Dawson, who in 1832, erected the presentObricky bariklings knownas The Dawson Law Building. This buildingI was erected especiallyo forlaw offices and has been used as such almost bir dusively ever since rand many of the legal lights of the Fayette countyobar made their débutsinte the legal profession while do dupying offices findthis[ building.19 The office of the Genius of Liberty occupied an upstairs room in this-building in 1834, being owned and published at that time by Alonzo dasLittelld This doubtless, was among the first, sif; not the first tenantbin the new buildingon dgusdisH .omse odt ob of deusdisH gnivhiton ,991] ballThelaw firm of Joshua Bieand Alfred; Howellswassperhaps the smost prominent and the longest in tenute of any whoihave qpeupiedithis buildingx9 nont bisti9d2 .boh nods nsibnl odT -97 George Di Howell succeeded his father, Alfred Howells here in the practice of lawsand others, still occupy al patt lofbthe buildingiaivoiq ain sinose bas aqste ain Sosit91 of bovioest bris bus Inesthe rear offthe . Dawson Law -BuildinggifadingI Court street.IDaniel Sturgeon built? itwo-story brick building feb law officesi im 4889 which has been sinceroddupiedsby himself and! others for thatdpurposeofzivotq olbbsa adt bodooliovo bsd tud Bricks building on the rear bfe this tot Ifrom which they published the News Standard! from 11889qto /1893jisinteowhich rinse itshas beent oecd upliedtras variossnoffices., silt asnowy owned boitChasesFq Kiefptet,ES q,sandoccupied rasolawsoffices:1912 mol 5

Pierson Sayers built the frame residence netto west of the Dawson Lad Bullding in the year 1790, one year after the build- ingofre Drick. Dallding on the West. HHere He ofduttewd taverh horyøds. odHai was appointed high sherin br Fayette CountyIGW 1805, during which time Jacob Harbaugh aondactedtantaverif and became his successor in thats office.29 This! Band plirchased this property from Pierson Sayerbliand subsequently afor fhany years it became the home of his son nlla wy Judgedponh Dawson,! Withathetexteptidieof hisresidencedat Oak Hill from 1846 till 1865 pihen the property was occupied by James P. Wedgies as furniture establishmentofOF two yearsand by ex sheriffEll Cope after his term of office as high sheriff of the county. Judge

History of Uniontorwijn Pennsylvania

Dawsonbreturned to this house sini 1865,and died here aJanuary 16//1875At ni find senod doind fail odt jof aint lo tisq 19tas9 svil The history of the Dawson family is Briefly 8stated vasdfodi lowsgoNicholas was borninear the sitel of Washington City and damesdathihisufather,sGeorge Dawson,lowhoesettled onearthe present site of the Youngstown coke works,lin 1768 ifTheyowere planters and brought theirvslaves Withithemi INicholasoDawson servedirinothe revolutionary Iwar and also went swithI Colonel WilliamCrawfordagainst the Indians and shared innthatsdread ful defeat of Juffie 59d//80.q9He became separated from the army andswas traveling in the opposite direction swhen he was metiby some of his friends who tried to persuade him to reverse hispcourse and accompany, them . This he refused to be per suaded to do. They at last told him of his imminent danger and that he would certainly be taken by the Indians and be tortured and that it would be better to die by the hands of white men and that they would shoot him on the spot He yielded to their-pert suasions, and after severe privations, reached home in safety donHe married Violette Littleton of Fairfax, Vandand started Qnaoflat-boat to settle in Kentucky, a most perilous journey in those days . The Indians being troublesome the stopped upon the Ohio rives, mot far from Wellsville in Virginia. Here several of chisighildsen were born, among whom was John, July 13, 1788, who at the age of twenty years returned to Uniontown where helentered as a law student in the office of Gen. Thomas Meason, and after the latter's death heentered the office of Judge John Kennedy.IHe was admitted to thesharAugust 17101818and practiced law for more than thirty years. He was appointed as+ soiciate judge by Governor Johnson in 1850. aid to is9x dirr ont

On January 4, 1820, he was married to;Ann, the onlysdaugh- ter, of Ellis Baily, by whom he had thirteen children, He was onerof the members of the bar that were disbarred byrdudge Baird in 1834, He died in this property January 16,11875,bin the 87th year of his age, yteiisv s rot bns etnsnot vism 02 -19qHis daughter. Mrs. Ellen Ruby, widow of Addison Ruby occupied the residence/part of this property, in which she was borninfor many years and died here September 4, 1910, aged 85 yearsbia Part of this property, has been used as law offices for manyyearsiliW .vol .noitsinb frode to asw noitsoilduq aidT ni orbit 9No2 87Hoffiher first purchasenoof thisnot. Avas! James Gregg, forifve/pblands, February:28T1792 eiJoseph Huston, ah

History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

iron master and prominent citizen of the town, erected on the eastern part of this lot the first brick house built in the town, in the year 1789, and was its first occupant and continued to live here for several years although never its owner. This property came into possession of John Wood, a saddler and merchant of the town in 1792, who sold it two years later to Jonathan Row- land who occupied it until 1829. It was for many years known as the Rowland property. Mr. Rowland sold it to his son, Thomas, and his son-in-law, Charles G. Griffith and moved to Wharton township, where he died September 22, 1830.

Jonathan Rowland was a saddler by trade and was located in Uniontown before 1783, and obtained a license for a public house at December term, the first session of court ever held in Fayette county, but he never applied for a renewal of the license. General Ephraim Douglass in writing to John Dickinson, Esq., President of Supreme Executive Council, under date of February 6, 1784, says of Jonathan Rowland: "He is a good man, with a good share of understanding, and a good English education, but unfortunately of a profession rather too much opposed to the suppression of vice and immorality-he keeps a tavern." This letter of Gen. Douglass was written soon after an election was held at which Mr. Rowland was elected a justice of the peace for Union township, which office he held con- tinuously until 1829, and all this time in this same building. He married the widow of Jacob Harbaugh as before mentioned. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and filled the office of a trustee in that body for some years. He removed to Wharton township, where he died, September 22, 1830, in the 77th year of his age, and was buried in the old Methodist graveyard on Peter street.

This property came into the ownership of Daniel Downer in 1851, in whose possession it remained until his death. This old building has a wonderful record, having been occupied by so many tenants and for a variety of purposes. It was the headquarters of the American Banner and Literary and Temper- ance Journal which was established in April, 1832, with Alfred Patterson, Esq., as editor and William H. Whitton as printer, and advocated the claims of Henry Clay to the presidency. This publication was of short duration. Rev. William Tipton, of the M. E. church, occupied this as a residence some time in the 'forties while his son, Thomas, attended old Madison college

History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

and who since raised himself to a seat in the United States senate from Nebraska. A Miss Cochran occupied this building with a select school for several years and Miss Eliza Blaine, a sister of Hon. James G. Blaine was one of her pupils and shared her hospitalities.

Much of this building has always been, and is still used as law offices. It has undergone some changes in construction, has never stood idle for want of a tenant since it was built and was never damaged by fire. John D. Ruby purchased this property October 18, 1900.

Lot No. 37-James Gregg, the first purchaser of this lot, kept a tavern for many years in a building, partly frame and partly brick, which stood on this lot. High steps led to the western side of this house.

James Gregg received his first license at June sessions, 1798, and here he kept a tavern at the sign of the "Sorrel Horse " until his death, April 25, 1810, since which his widow continued the business for many years in her own name.

James Gregg married Nacca Murphy, the youngest child of Mrs. Ann Murphy, who came here with her slaves and settled on the tract of land one and a half miles west of town, since known as the Henry Gaddis and County Home farms. Nacca Gregg died November 11, 1847, at the age of 87 years and is buried in the old M. E. graveyard on Peter street.

Matthew Allen, who had served a term as sheriff of the county, succeeded Mrs. Gregg and conducted a tavern here for some five years. Under his management the name of the place was changed to the " Union Inn," a name it ever afterward re- tained. Thomas Bail succeeded Allen for a short time, and he was succeeded by William Medkirk, who subsequently kept tavern on the opposite side of the street, conducted the Union Hotel for a while.

In 1851, Amos Howell advertised that he had taken the tavern stand recently occupied by William Medkirk and has thoroughly renovated it and is now prepared to enter- tain the traveling public. He styles his place as the Union Inn, and has also attached a livery stable for the hire of horses and buggies and a hack will leave daily, at 7:00 a. m. and 1:00 p. m. to make connection with the boat at Brownsville. He continued in business here for several years. Others following Howell

History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

here were Simeon Houser, a well known stage driver and for some time a constable. Philip D. Stentz, Thomas Moxley, and James F. Ebert who also kept oysters, ice cream and other re- freshments.

This old property became so delapidated while still used as a tavern that it acquired the unsavory sobriquet of the " Bat's Nest."

In 1867, this property passed into the ownership of one Dr. Barris, and in 1869, to the ownership of Ernest E. Weniger.

John H. Miller of Grafton, West Virginia, located in Union- town for the purpose of erecting works for the manufacture of illuminating gas. He purchased the old tavern stand, tore away the old buildings and erected the present brick building as a residence. He commenced the erection of the gas works in 1869, but failing in business, the property passed into other hands.

Dr. James B. Ewing became owner of this property and oc- cupied it as a residence and physician's office. It since passed into the ownership of T. S. Lackey and others and has since been used as law offices. It later became the property of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Lot No. 38 was traversed by the old original mill race which conducted the water to the old Beeson mill, and along its bank was a driveway to and from the mill. This necessitated the division of the lot into small and irregular portions.

Mrs. Mary Bunton, who was the widow of Dennis Mc- Donald, bought the greater part of this lot in trust for the heirs of her late husband, Dennis McDonald, June 8, 1793. The children of Dennis McDonald were Patrick, William, and Samuel and it appears that Joshua Johnson married a daughter. Patrick McDonald was a hatter by trade, and it was he whom Capt. Tom Collins threw from his tavern for, it is alleged, in- sulting Mrs. Collins, McDonald falling with such force as to sustain fatal injuries. William McDonald became a lawyer and was a member of the bar of Fayette county, and was appointed postmaster at Uniontown in 1841. He is mentioned elsewhere. Samuel McDonald was a printer by trade, and he and his brother, William, together and separately owned and published the Pennsylvania Democrat from 1834 to 1844.

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A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Part 8

Author: Hadden, James, 1845-1923 Publication date: 1913 Publisher: [Akron, Ohio : Printed by the New Werner Co.] Number of Pages: 916

Author: Hadden, James, 1845-1923
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: [Akron, Ohio : Printed by the New Werner Co.]
Number of Pages: 916