Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 36

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > New Castle > Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Robert, James and Ebenezer McGowan (sometimes spelled MeGoun) came about 1806-08, and Robert and James bought a 200-acre tract of land northeast of the pres- ent site of Mount Jackson. Ebenezer lo- cated on a farm still farther north, lying partly in what is now Mahoning Town- ship, at that time in Mercer County.

Nathaniel White came from Washington County, Pennsylvania, about 1804-07, and settled on the farm now owned by his grandson, James White, who lives on the old homestead. Mr. White had nine chil- dren in his family altogether, of whom two are yet living-Samuel and Elizabeth, the latter in Ohio. He originally settled 200 acres.

Richard Shearer settled early in the northwestern part of the township. The Whittenbergers also came early and lo- cated in the western part. Hugh Mckib- ben came about 1805-06, and purchased several hundred acres of land in the south- western part of the township. He was quite an old man when he settled, and di- vided his farm up among his children. James Davidson was also among the early settlers. He located on a farm which had been frequented so much by wild pigeons that it had been styled "pigeon roost."

The Pitts family came early, and Will- iam, Jacob and John bought 479 acres of land.

William McWatty came about 1824-25, and located on land in the western part of the township, purchasing it of James Al- corn. One of the MeWattys, Rev. Robert, was pastor of the Second United Presby- terian Church, at Mercer County, in 1876.

Elijah Lower came from Center County, Pennsylvania, about 1822-23, and located on a farm west of the Martin farm. Mr. Lower bought the land of a man named Painter, who had had some improvements made upon it. The first man on the farm was a squatter, one Shuman, who had no

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title. Elijah Lower was born in Philadel- phia, and lived to be a little more than 100 years of age.

Hugh Martin came from the Buffalo Val- ley, in Union County, Pennsylvania, to North Beaver Township, in 1829, and lo- cated on the farm later owned by David and Catherine Martin, his children. He had visited the country in 1805. After he settled, he lived on the place until his death, which occurred about 1865, when he had reached the age of eighty-two years. The first actual settler on the farm was William McCreary, who came in the neigh- borhood of 1810.

Samuel Poak came about 1804, and set- tled on the farm subsequently owned by Robert Brewster. He afterwards owned several hundred acres of land in the vi- cinity. He came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and brought with him his sister, his wife and two children (twins), a boy and a girl. Thirteen children were born altogether. Robert Brewster's house stands a few rods northeast of where Mr. Poak's old dwelling stood. Mr. Poak had the first title, and was the first actual settler, although a squatter had been on the place and built a small shanty, which was standing when Mr. Poak came.

Henry Weon owned a tavern on what is now called the Mount Jackson (or Pitzer's) Hill. This place seems to have been largely patronized.

Dr. Alexander Gillfillan was born in Ire- land in 1784. His grandfather Gillfillan was one of the many driven from Scot- land by religious persecution. The doc- tor's father, James Gillfillan, came to America with three sons and two brothers, Alexander and Thomas, and settled in Al- legheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1788. Al- exander Gillfillan, Sr., remained there, and Thomas went South. James moved to Mer- cer County. Afterward, Alexander Gill- fillan, Jr., went back to Allegheny County, to his uncle Alexander's, and while living there received his education under Dr. Peter Mowry, of Pittsburg. Dr. Gillfillan

began to practice in Franklin, Venango County, Pa., and in 1812 came to New Castle, being the second regular physician who located at that place. The doctor be- came a popular man, and was very success- ful in his profession. When quite young he united with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He purchased the lot in New Castle upon which the First United Presbyterian Church now stands, and lived upon it during his life in that place. October 21, 1813, he was married to Elizabeth Patterson, of North Beaver Township, and their first child, a son, James Harvey Gillfillan, was born August 3, 1814. The child only lived three months, dying of croup. December 2, 1815, a daughter was born. She married Samuel R. Vance, of North Beaver.

Her oldest daughter became the wife of Robert Brewster, living east of Mount Jackson. The second daughter was mar- ried to Rev. J. D. Brownlee, September 4, 1866, and died March 21, 1873, of pneu- monia, leaving three children, two boys and a girl. The third daughter married J. E. Nevin, of Allegheny City. Two of Mrs. Vance's children, both girls, died dur- ing one summer with diphtheria.

Dr. Gillfillan went out as surgeon to Black Rock, during the War of 1812. A fever broke out among the soldiers, which was known as the "Black Rock Fever," and proved fatal in almost every case, until Dr. Gillfillan, by hard study night and day, discovered a cure and a prevent- ive. He furnished the prescription to all the leading surgeons in the army, without receiving any compensation therefor. Many of the men who had contracted the dis- ease in the army took it home, and their families were attacked with it also. Hear- ing of Dr. Gillfillan's great success in the treatment of it, they sent for him "from far and near."

Dr. Gillfillan was drowned in the Neshan- nock Creek, at New Castle, just below Raney's mill, June 17, 1815, while helping haul a fishing seine. A number of the lead-

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ing men in the place were also in the party. The late Joseph Justice nearly lost his life on the same occasion, while endeavoring to rescue the doctor. His death was deeply mourned by all who knew him, and those who were then living and were acquainted with him fondly cherished his memory. His widow, in 1821, was mar- ried to Benjamin Blackburn, who lived in Ohio, and the couple lived together fifty- four years. Mr. Blackburn died in 1875. His widow lived to be almost ninety years of age. In her life she had seen seven generations in the family.

John Patterson, a wheelwright by trade, came to the township in 1801, and settled south of what is now Mount Jackson, on the farm now owned by the heirs of the late Major James Patterson. One of his daughters, Elizabeth, as before mentioned, married Dr. Gillfillan. Mr. Patterson, after some time, put up a blacksmith shop. No coal was then known, but finally a bank was discovered near Lindsay Robinson's place, and not knowing there was coal in his own neighborhood, Mr. Patterson took a bag and went after coal to that bank, bringing it home on horseback.

The first chimney he built was of logs, and only extended a few feet from the ground. Nearby the coal bank was a sand- stone quarry, and there Mr. Patterson pro- cured stone, and hired a man named Thompson to build a second chimney for him.

The first table the Patterson family had was an old chest, which was used for some time, and finally Mr. Patterson procured a couple of walnut boards, and with them made a table. He also made some chairs, some of which were in use not many years ago. Their first floor was simply the con- venient one of earth, and their bedstead made of split chestnut timber, with feet in. Finally, a puncheon floor was laid, a table and a cupboard manufactured, and other improvements made as fast as he could get to them.

Robert Brewster came originally from Ireland and settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he was married. In the neighborhood of 1800, he came to what is now Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, and stayed there until about 1806-08, when he removed to North Beav- er, and located on 100 acres of land which he bought. When Mr. Brewster was "com- ing through the wilderness," he slept on the frosty ground, and exposed himself to such a degree that he contracted rheu- matism which was finally the cause of his death. He died October 22, 1850, in his eightieth year.

The farm now, or formerly, owned by S. R. Vance was originally improved by Caleb Jones, who had squatted on it, think- ing it was a vacant tract, which it finally proved not to be. Jones had a grist mill on the place, which he built previous to 1812, and operated for a number of years, doing a large business. The mill was a log structure. Before Jones found out that he was not on a vacant tract (which was not till the summer of 1838) he had made arrangements to build another mill, and had commenced to tunnel the point of the hill, intending to put a mill-race through. The tunnel would have been some ten or fifteen rods long, and he would have had a powerful fall of nearly eighty feet. He was obliged, however, to quit the place, as an owner had been found. Mr. Vance pur- chased a portion of the tract in 1839, in- cluding the mill site. He took the ma- chinery out of the mill and put in a set of cards, and operated the carding-mill for about seven years.

Mr. Vance's grandfather, Robert Vance, was a major in the Revolutionary Army, and served seven years. He at one time raised a company during the Revolution, and from their uniform they were called "Bucktails." From that circumstance it is said that the Pennsylvania regiment known as the "Bucktails" during the re- bellion, took its name. Robert Vance set-

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tled in Allegheny County after the revolu- tion, probably about 1790, and was from the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia.

Major Vance's son, David Vance, was one of the notable rivermen of early times, and operated a keel-boat line between Pitts- burg and "Limestone" --- now Maysville, Ky .- making occasional trips to Cincin- nati, Louisville, New Orleans and other points on the rivers. His cousin, Aaron Hart, was his partner in business. Hart's brother, John Hart, of New Jersey, was one of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence. Major Robert Vance com- manded a battery at the battle of Brandy- wine, September 11, 1777.

Robert Hopper, a weaver, and his wife, Margaret (Watson) Hopper, with a large family of children, came from County Down, Ireland, about 1790, and settled in Westmoreland County. About 1797-98 they moved to Hickory Creek, near Mount Jack- son, North Beaver Township, and began clearing 200 acres of virgin forest land. He built as his residence a double log house, with a chimney in the middle, which structure stood for years as a landmark.

He reared a large family, all of whom were born in Ireland with the exception of the two youngest. Of his children, Esther became the wife of James Justice, son of Jacob Justice, who settled near Moravia; Martha married George Leslie, and Jane, the third daughter, was the wife of Sam- uel D. Clarke; John married Anne Hamil- ton, and James married Maria Wilson. The last named, James, was proprietor of a general store at Pulaski, Lawrence County. About 1835-36 he started East to buy goods for his store, and was never again heard of. It was supposed he had met with foul play, as he carried money.

James Fullerton came from Cumber- land County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and a colored girl, in the spring of 1801, and settled the farm where his son, the later Robert Fullerton, lived until his death. Mr. Fullerton had been here in 1800, and built a cabin. The first child

born in the family was a daughter, Mary, whose birth occurred in the latter part of the year 1801. In 1802, Mr. and Mrs. Ful- lerton went horseback across the moun- tains on a visit, and the jaunt was so hard on the babe, which they carried with them, that it did not grow any for a year or more, and was always delicate afterward.

John Sterrett bought seven acres of land of James Fullerton, about 1812-15, and started a tannery, but never made it profit- able. Several others tried it, with a like result, until 1834, when Mr. Fullerton's son, Robert, took it, and, with the excep- tion of the time from about 1859 to 1865, ran it successfully until his death.

John and George Douglass came not long after Mr. Fullerton, and settled on a farm north of him. John Douglass after- ward went to Petersburg, Mahoning Coun- ty, Ohio, and opened a tavern. James Hope settled south of the Fullerton farm about 1799 or 1800.

COAL, IRON ORE, LIMESTONE.

These mineral products, with fire clay, and oil, are found in the township, also occasional floating quantities of galena or lead ore. The latter does not abound in large quantities, so far as discovered. Coal has also been found and worked to some extent. The iron ore is found in several veins, and of three different qualities- the red, blue and honeycomb. Petroleum is known to exist, in greater or less quan- tities, in the Hickory Creek region.

Previous to the time roads were cut through, the only paths were trails through the forest, or tracks along which the trees were blazed so the people might not lose their way. These were especially the kind the children had to follow in going to and coming from school, sometimes two or three miles away.

EARLY ROADS.

The oldest road in the township which was put through by white people-the New Castle and Beaver road, commonly called

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the "Beaver road"-was opened as early as 1800, and ran along the bottom lands on the west side of the river.

What is known as the "Small's Ferry road" was laid out very early, and was the first one in that part of the township. It was opened by Major Edward Wright, Bryce McGeehan and others of the people then living, and crossed the Mahoning River at Small's Ferry, which gave it its name. This was previous to the War of 1812. People passing between Youngs- town and Beavertown traveled the road, which was very crooked, and laid to ac- commodate the settlers along the route.

SCHOOLS.

A log schoolhouse was built in 1802 or 1803, just across the line in Ohio, opposite the southwest corner of what is now Ma- honing Township. A Methodist preacher named Ross taught in it. On the same ground a second house, also of logs, was built about 1818, and afterward another one, which was a frame building, and used until about 1840, when the location was abandoned for school purposes.

A log schoolhouse was built on the Als- worth tract, the land now owned by Mrs. Hannah, about 1805-6. The first teacher was James Leslie.

In 1802 a log schoolhouse was built in the Mount Jackson neighborhood, near the site of the Westfield Church. Bears were so thick that some of the families would not allow their children to attend after the first week, for fear some prowling beast might come upon them.

A schoolhouse was built on John Pat- terson's place about 1805-6, also of logs. Peter Boss, who boarded with Mr. Patter- son, was the first teacher.

About 1810-12 a schoolhouse was built of round logs on what was some years ago the Daniel Davidson property. The build- ing was erected by the McCrearys, who be- fore this had schools in their own houses. McCreary had a still house near by, and during intermissions the teachers in the

old schoolhouse were accustomed to go to the still and take their regular drams, a custom which happily does not prevail nowadays.

Another schoolhouse was built of hewed logs in the same vicinity, and taught by James White. It was heated by a "ten- plate stove," one of the first in the vi- cinity.

A log schoolhouse was built about 1806- 7, near the Bethel United Presbyterian Church, and was probably used afterward as a "session house" by the Bethel con- gregation.

Another log schoolhouse was built on the farm then owned by John and Archi- bald Stewart, and afterwards by Robert Fullerton. This was built about 1804-5, and a man named Hassan taught in it.

In 1908 there were sixteen schools in the township, with an enrollment of 373, and seventeen instructors were employed, at a cost of $5,910. The total expenditure for school purposes was $7,902.57. The av- erage number of months taught is seven.

Westfield Presbyterian Church is lo- cated in North Beaver Township, one mile and a half west of Mount Jackson. It is the oldest church in the township. It was organized in the spring of 1803, by a committee of the Presbytery of Erie. At its organization it consisted of twenty- two members, including thirteen families. The forming of a church in this commu- nity was first "talked over at a log-rolling, or the raising of a log house." The ground upon which the church building now stands was donated for church and burial pur- poses in the year 1802, by Messrs. Charles and Walter Clark.

HOUSES OF WORSHIP.

There had been erected on this ground, and near the same spot, no less than six different houses or places of worship. The first was a round-log cabin, 20 by 24 feet. The fathers built this in the year 1803-4. It was covered with clapboards, had puncheons for floor and seats, and was

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without either fireplace or stove. Before long the log church was too contracted to hold the congregation. This led the peo- ple at an early date to erect what was called "The Tent." This was a structure constructed of lumber, sufficiently large to protect the ministers from the sun and storms, while the congregation sat on logs under the trees.

In 1817 or 1818 steps were taken toward the building of a frame church. This house was not finished until 1823. Its di- mensions were 36 by 40 feet. It was heated with a ten-plate stove, and was quite com- fortable in its arrangements, for that day. Money was exceedingly scarce about this time, and all the subscriptions for com- pleting the house were either so many feet of boards, so many bushels of wheat, corn or rye, or so many gallons of whisky.

The congregation increased, the frame building was soon too small to contain the worshipers. In the year 1829 it was re- solved to build a new and more commodi- ous house. After three years of toil and difficulties and drawbacks, a large brick church, 45 by 70 feet, was completed. This was at that time considered one of the finest houses of worship in this section of the country. But after thirty years it be- came somewhat dilapidated.

In 1862 a frame church of more modern style was erected. This church was dedi- cated the 8th of January, 1863, and on the 8th of January, 1872, just one year to the day, after the burning of the former house, and just ten years, to the day, after its dedication, the present house was dedi- cated to the worship and service of the living God. Its dimensions are 45 by 85 feet. It is a frame building, and finished inside with natural woods. It is Gothic in architecture, has stained glass windows, and is heated by furnaces. It has a spire and Meneely bell, contains two vestibules, and a lecture and session room. It is bet- ter arranged, more commodious, and much more handsome than any of its numerous predecessors.

The first pastor of the Westfield Pres- byterian Church was the Rev. Nicholas Pittinger. He labored in this church one- half of his time, from October 24, 1804, until September 13, 1809. The Rev. James Wright, the second pastor, began his la- bors, for half the time, June 26, 1816. In 1831 he gave up Poland congregation, his other charge, and gave Westfield all his time. His health failing, he resigned Jan- uary 12, 1842, after a pastorate of nearly twenty-six years. His death took place in the following year-March 30, 1843. The next pastor was the Rev. Algernon Syd- ney McMaster. His pastorate continued from April 12, 1843, until November 9, 1854. The Rev. Thomas B. Scott was pas- tor from September 8, 1857, until June 19, 1860. He is at present preaching near Galesburg, Ill. The fifth pastor was the Rev. William M. Taylor. He was or- dained and installed by the Presbytery of Beaver (now Shenango) June 12, 1861. His was the longest pastorate, he continu- ing in charge until his death, January 1, 1903, at an advanced age. He was fol- lowed by the Rev. Albert Joseph McCart- ney, who served until the present pastor, Rev. Robert E. Porter, assumed the duties of the pastorate in the present year, 1908.

The present roll of session (1908) con- sists of A. M. Hope, James Nesbit, Elihu Ruthrauff (clerk), R. N. Gibson, John B. Woods, J. R. Miller, William H. Martin, William J. Duff and Laurence Nesbit.

Board of deacons: Milton Fullerton, James Adams, George W. Gibson, William H. Wiley, James Hayes, William A. Clarke, William H. Gilmore, Charles R. Sherer, Gilbert A. McCreary.

During the pastorate of Rev. Albert Joseph McCartney Westfield congregation celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of their church. At this celebration, a memorial tablet to the mem- ory of the Rev. William M. Taylor was unveiled.

The church has also grown in her benev- olent contribution and spiritual activities.

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The pastor is liberally supported, and hundreds of dollars are given each year to aid in various missionary operations. Besides a flourishing Sunday-school, there are at present connected with the church, a Young Men's Christian Association, a Young People's Christian Endeavor So- ciety, and Ladies' Missionary Society, and eight regular prayer meetings.

BETHEL CONGREGATION-UNITED PRESBYTE- RIAN CHURCH.

The congregation of Bethel was organ- ized by Charities Presbytery under the name of Little Beaver in the year 1798. There is no record of the number of mem- bers when organized. The people were mostly of Scotch-Irish descent. The eld- ers chosen at the time of organization were Thomas Hogg, Boyce McGeehan and Charles Morrow. Their successors in the session were William Miller, Nathaniel Hamill, Samuel Hopper, Robert Ramsey and Thomas Dungan, these persons being probably chosen and ordained at different times in the progress of the church. Will- iam Miller subsequently-about 1823 or 1824-joined the Associate Reformed Church of Mt. Jackson (now United Pres- byterian) at its organization. In 1848 we find that Robert Ramsey was enjoined to stop keeping tavern, in accordance with a minute on the church records which states that "No church member can keep a tav- ern or public house consistent with his pro- fession and his duties to God." Subse- quently we find the word "Removed" marked against his name. Thomas Dun- gan was one of the leading spirits in the session in those early days. He was active and benevolent beyond his means, and in his old age he had lost none of his en- thusiasm, and his heart was wholly de- voted to his Master's service. His death is recorded July 10, 1873. It will be un- necessary to enter into a detailed history of the session and it would be impossible to do so as for thirty-six years there were no records. We find the names of Robert

Sherer, Robert Gailey and David Forbes as ordained in 1844. Elder Gailey subse- quently united with the New Castle con- gregation. In 1852, Joseph Hope, David Ramsey and Samuel Mayne were chosen elders; William H. Leslie and James Bres- ter, in 1857; Duncan McGeehan, William F. Davidson and William Carson in 1861.

The first pastor of Bethel Congregation, then Little Beaver, was Rev. James Dun- can, who was a prominent member of the Associate Presbytery of Ohio, and who was moderator at the organization of Charities Presbytery in 1801. He was re- leased in 1804 and was succeeded by Rev. David Imbrie, who was installed Septem- ber 3, 1806, his charge including Little Bea- ver, Brush Run and Big Beaver. His pas- torate in these two first named charges lasted for thirty-six years and was produc- tive of a goodly harvest of souls. He died suddenly on June 13, 1842.

It was not until two years later that Mr. Imbrie's successor, Rev. John W. Harsha, assumed the duties of the pastorate. He resigned the charge in 1852 to teach in Westminster College, but there overstudy brought on nervous prostration and re- duced him to the condition of a helpless invalid. In April, 1855, Rev. Samuel Alex- ander accepted a call from Little Bethel and was ordained and installed pastor Au- gust 21 of that year. He was a man of decided convictions and vigorous mind and a good teacher, but was not at all times in full accord with all the members of the congregation. Owing to this lack of agree- ment he was not fully sustained and the work consequently was not carried on in a thorough and hearty spirit. He resigned February 20, 1872, the congregation, in spite of accessions, being then much dimin- ished in numbers. He died in 1895 after seven years' lingering illness.

The congregation was vacant two years when a call was moderated September 29, 1873, for Mr. J. S. Dice, a licentiate, of Mercer Presbytery, which he accepted at New Galilee. February 17, 1874. Mr. Dice

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has remained the faithful and capable pas- tor of Little Bethel up to the present time. An interesting sketch of his life may be found in the biographical portion of this work. The present membership of the church (1908) is forty-six families, 145 members. Robert S. Clark, W. P. Kelso and William McCalla are the ruling elders. The trustees are Albert J. Gwin, William E. Patterson and George L. Stewart. The superintendent of the Sabbath-school is Fred W. Dixon; Grace Paden is secretary ; Thomas Cover, treasurer. The school membership is seventy-five.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 36

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058