Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 10

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 10

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).

(III). Isabel Vance was born July 30, 1789, died in 1834; was married to John Scott, son of Josiah, who with his brother Hugh Scott came from York county in 1772. Hugh settled in Not- tingham and Josiah in South Strabane, two miles east of Washington, where he owned a large tract of land. John Scott owned and lived on a part of this tract. In the epidemic of cholera in 1834 both John and Isabel, his wife, died after one day's sickness. Of their children (1) Josiah and (2) Vance died in early life. The daughters were educated at Washington Seminary, and (3) Mary Scott became the wife of the Rev. W. W. Colmery, D. D., of Oxford, Ohio; they have one daughter. (4) Jane Scott was married to William Mitchell, of St. Louis, Mo. ; they have five children. (5) Martha Scott was married to Workman Hughes, of Washington, Penn. (6) Isabel Scott was mar- ried to George Mitchell, of Memphis, Tenn. ; they have five children.

(IV). Samuel Vance was born March 13, 1791, died February 25, 1874. He outlived all his brothers and sisters, and died at the age of eighty- three. At the age of nineteen (in 1810) he came to the farm in South Strabane township, on which he spent his life. In 1820 he married Martha Fife, of Allegheny county. In 1834, during the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Elliott, he was chosen an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, and served until his death. His pastor, the Rev. J. I. Brownson, D. D., said: " He leaves the record of a consistent life, marked with a spirit of humble piety toward God, and of up-

rightness, benevolence and hospitality toward his fellow-men. In the community he had the confi- dence of his neighbors, and in the church his brethren loved and trusted him. His uniform in- fluence was on the side of liberty, right and re- ligion." Of his children (1) Mary was married to Jacob Moninger, they had four children; Mary died in 1856. (2) Margaret, married to Workman Hugbes, and died in 1878. (3) Hannah, died July 15, 1873. (4) Isaac Vance, now of South Strabane, was captain of Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Regiment during the Civil war, and shared the fortunes of that regiment for a year and a half. He lost his left hand in the battle of Gettysburg, and afterward returned to the army, but after a few months resigned and was appointed deputy provost-marshal and recruiting agent of the Twenty-fourth District of Pennsyl- vania, serving till the close of the war. (5) Will- iam Vance spent his life at the homestead and on the Scott farm. He married Nancy Dinsmore, of Hopewell township, and died April 30, 1872, leav- ing two sons. The second wife of Samuel Vance was Mary Fife, of Allegheny county, born August 14, 1799, died May 14, 1885. Her children were (6) Martha, married to William Paul, of Franklin township, formerly an elder of the First and now of the Third Presbyterian Church of Washington. They have seven children. (7) The next son is the Rev. Joseph Vance, D. D., pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Chester, Penn. He grad- uated at Washington College and Allegheny Semi- nary. He married Mary H. Maddox, and, for his second wife, Sarah Maddox, of Vincennes, Ind. Of his three children, two are living. (8) John Vance, youngest son of Samuel, lives at the old homestead in South Strabane township, where he was born June 23, 1840. His education was re- ceived in the public schools of the neighborhood of his home. In 1883 he commenced, in connec- tion with general farming, the business of stock- breeding, especially of Percheron horses. His farm comprises 286 acres of highly improved land. and he is deeply interested and engaged in the work thereon, proving a thorough business man, and enjoying the respect and esteem of all. He is a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, in which he has been an elder since 1878, having succeeded his father in that office; politically he is a Republican, and has ever taken an active interest in the affairs of the party. Like Isaac, he has never given a serious thought to the subject of matrimony.

(V). Mary Vance, born July 31, 1792, was married to Samuel Davis of Somerset township. She died leaving two sons. (1) John and (2) Isaac.

(VI). Martha Vance, born October 23, 1795, died in 1860. She was married to David Riddle, of Somerset township, who was an elder of the

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Democrat. As a member of the Penn- sylvania Legislature in 1850 and 1855 he secured the passage of the Maine Liquor Law for Wash- ington county. He died in 1863. Of their chil- dren: (1) Isaac Vance Riddle lives in Somerset township; married - Leyda. They have three children. He was county commissioner, 1882-85.

(2) Lavinia Riddle was married to Robert Adams. (3) Jane Riddle was married to Henry Leyda (they had one daughter). (4) Anderson removed to Cali- fornia. (5) Isabel Riddle is deceased. (6) Eliza- betlı and (7) Martha live in Monongahela City (Martha is married to William Hanna; they have two children).

(VII). Isaac Vance was born March 10, 1797, died June 12, 1846; married Isabel Riddle. He bought a farm near Bridgeville, Allegheny county, where he lived and died. He was an elder of the Bethany Presbyterian Church during the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. William Jeffery. His children were (1) Lucinda, who died in early life. (2) A. Riddle Vance, who graduated in Jefferson College in 1846. As a civil engineer he assisted in the surveys of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad, and was con- nected with the engineering corps of that road until his death. He married Melissa Foljamb, of Ravenna, Ohio; they had two children. (3) Joseph Vance married Harriet W. Hall, of Ravenna; they are now living in St. Paul, Minn. (have three chil- dren). (4) Isaac Vance lives in Ravenna, Ohio. He married Matilda J. Ney (they have two chil- dren). (5) Joshua died September 8, 1885. (6) Adaline Vance graduated at the Washington Semi- nary, and is married to the Rev. John W. Dins- more, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of San Jose, Cal. (they have four children).

It is thus seen that the descendants of Isaac Vance (son of John, Sr.) and Mary Cotton, his wife, are of Scotch-Irish and Puritan blood, about one hundred and sixty in number, and those living have their homes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Colorado and California.

HE HAMILTONS OF GINGER HILL. Several families bearing the common name, Hamilton, but not known to be lineally re- lated, have been residents in Washington county since about the time of its organiza- - tion in 1781. One of the more prominent of these has been grouped in the eastern part of the county at Ginger Hill and thereabouts. The immediate pro- genitor, in this country, of these families was John Hamilton, who came to America early in the eighteenth century, landing at New Castle, Del., near which he resided at first, but soon removed to York county, Penn., where most of his life was

spent. His home during the last years of his life was with his son, John Hamilton, in Washington county. He died August 2, 1798, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, Florence, died Sep- tember 28, 1800, aged eighty-three. They were interred in the graveyard of Mingo Presbyterian Church. The names of their children, with dates of birth, are as follows: Jane, born June 8, 1742; James, December 29, 1743; Janet, December 28, 1745; William, March 20, 1751; John, November 25, 1754; Robert, June 27, 1763.

Hon. John Hamilton. Of the children of John Hamilton, Sr., the only one who became a resi- dent of Washington county was John, born 1754, most probably in Adams (then York) county, Penn. He came west in 1783, and the year following pur- chased of Joseph McCollum a tract of land, " Mil- ford," held by warrant from "Board of Prop- erty," and, subsequently, of a Mr. Jacobs, an ad- ditional tract adjoining, for which he secured letters patent in 1788-the whole tract lying on south side of Mingo creek, three miles from its mouth. Of these lands he retained posession un- til his death.

John Hamilton became high sheriff of the county . in 1793, being the first chosen under the constitu- tion of 1790. During the time he held this office, the troublous scenes of the insurrection transpired. While sharing in the general sentiment of oppo- sition to the excise laws as unjust and oppressive, he used his influence, personal and official, to pre- vent this opposition from running into lawlessness and violence. Notwithstanding this, he was re- garded with suspicion and subjected to an oppres- sive prosecution. His excellence of character, and the cruel injustice done him, are fully attested in the historical records of those times. Hon. H. M. Brackenridge, in his "History of the Insurrec- tion," remarks: "The case of Sheriff Hamilton, one of the most estimable men in the western coun - ties, was much more aggravated. It can not but excite the liveliest indignation to read the de- . tails of this case." Hon. William Findley writes as follows: "John Hamilton, of Washington, is high sheriff of that county, and colonel of a regi- ment of militia in the Mingo Creek settlement; though a number of this regiment were known to have had an active hand in the attack on Neville's house, and were in fact considered the greatest promoters of the insurrection, yet he not only kept himself from those outrages, but endeavored, as soon as he heard of the design, to prevent the ren- dezvous at Braddock's Field. When he could not prevent this. he put himself at the head of his regiment, and was very instrumental in preventing further outrages from being committed. . . . He attended all the meetings for restoring order, and, 1;ving where he did, he merited higher approba- than if he had resided in Boston. Col. Hamil- tion

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

ton was informed by a friend of the designs against him in time enough to make his escape, but, conscious of his innocence, he preferred travel- ing above thirty miles to where the judiciary then was, and presenting himself to Judge Peters, in- formed him that he had heard there was a charge against him, and requested to have it examined." After giving a detailed account of the subsequent events up to the time of his triumphant vindication, Mr. Findley adds: "Thus a man who was at the time sheriff of the county and a colonel of the militia, and who was in a part of the country and in circumstances where temporizing might have been excusable, was not only clear of any charge, but had merit, was illegally taken from the exer- cise of an office at that time of importance to the peace of the county, and without examination dragged down to Philadelphia in the winter by a military guard, paraded in a barbarous manner through the streets, thrown for some time into the cells, compelled to wear the word 'insurgent' in his hat, and then cast into prison, and after a long confinement admitted to bail. After this he was again required to cross the mountains to meet his trial, at which nothing was alleged against him."

That the popular sentiment fully approved Col. Hamilton's character and conduct appears from the civil honors which were immediately thereafter conferred upon him. In 1796 he represented the counties of Washington and Allegheny in the State Senate. In 1800 he represented in the same body the counties of Washington, Allegheny and Greene. In 1802 he was appointed, by Gov. Mckean, asso- ciate judge of Washington county, but was shortly afterward elected a member of Congress, serving from 1804 to 1806. In 1820 he was again ap pointed associate judge, and continued in the office until his death. He was chosen a presidential elector in 1804, and voted for the re-election of Jefferson. In 1820 he was chosen, a second time, to the same position, and voted for the re-election of Monroe. Military offices were also filled by him almost continuously. Three several commissions, the first in 1786, were given to him as lieutenant- colonel of militia. In 1800 he was commissioned brigadier-general, and in 1807 "major-general of Fourteenth Division, composed of the militia of the counties of Washington and Greene."

Col. Hamilton was married June 2, 1796, to Miss Mary Patterson, of Westmoreland county, Penn. Of their family but two daughters survived the parents: Harriet, intermarried with David Hamil- ton, Jr., and Margaret, intermarried first with a Mr. Parker, and after his death with a Mr. Purvi- ance. These two daughters inherited the paternal estate. A grandson, Thompson Purviance, gave his life to the country in the war of the Rebellion. Another grandson by marriage was Col. Henry A. Purviance, of the Eighty-Fifth Pennsylvania Vol-

unteers, who also fell in battle, and whose remains are in the Washington (Penn.) cemetery. In his personal appearance Judge Hamilton, or, as he was often called, "General Hamilton," was of medium stature, heavy build, inclining to corpu- lence, of benign expression of countenance, and scrupulously neat in dress, never appearing in public without the snow-white ruffles and ivory- mounted cane, which were so generally affected in those days by elderly men in official position.

It should be remembered that Gen. Hamilton was a zealous friend of the cause of education. He was one of the first board of trustees of Jefferson College when it was chartered in 1802, and in this position he continued over thirty years. In Smith's history of Jefferson College, mention is made of the appointment in 1805 of a committee " to trans- mit to Gen. Hamilton, then in Congress, an ac- count of the state of the college, for the purpose of aiding him in soliciting donations." Besides being a courteous gentleman and a public-spirited cit- izen, Gen. Hamilton was also a devout Christian. He lived and died in the communion of the Pres- byterian Church. His death occurred August 22, 1837, in his eighty-third year, his wife surviving him but a few years. Their remains lie interred in the old Mingo graveyard.

DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM HAMILTON. William, another and older son of John Hamilton, Sr., was the progenitor of most of the families of this con- nection in the West, though he himself lived and died east of the mountains. He was married Sep- tember 14, 1775, to Magdalena Bittinger. Their home was three miles west of Gettysburg, Penn. At the time of the Civil war the old homestead was still standing, and was used by the Confederates as a hospital during the battle. Their children's names, with dates of birth, are as follows: Marga- ret, born September 21, 1776; John, September 3, 1778; Florence and Jane, May 25, 1780; William, April 1, 1782; Joseph, September 1, 1784; Enoch, July 1, 1786; James, June 23, 1788; Robert, Jan- uary 25, 1791; George, October 9, 1792; David, January 4, 1795; Jesse, October 15, 1797. Both parents reached advanced age, the father being over seventy when he died, and the mother almost ninety.

Margaret Hamilton, the eldest child of William Hamilton, was married to a distant relative-David Hamilton. Her memorial may most conveniently appear in connection with that of her husband which immediately follows.

David Hamilton, Esq., was born in Adams (then York) county, Penn., in 1759. He removed with his father's family to Washington county, at an early period, and became possessor of the tract of land known as Ginger Hill. He was commissioned a justice of the peace in 1792, and for more than forty years continued in this office, filling it with

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

more than ordinary acceptability and efficiency. His name occurs quite frequently in the historical records of the insurrection. That he took an active part in that great popular uprising is not to be de- nied. But there is no evidence that he approved of any of the acts of violence committed. Though he was present at the burning of Neville's house, the only connection in which his name appears is in the performance of an act of humanity. In his history, H. M. Brackenridge, relating the manner in which Major Kirkpatrick, who commanded the soldiers within the house, escaped, states: "Kirk- patrick, after being carried some distance under guard, was taken by David Hamilton behind him on horseback; when, thinking himself protected, he began to answer those who came up occasionally with indignant language, when Hamilton said to him: 'You see I am endeavoring to save you at the risk of my own safety, and yet you are making it still more dangerous for me.' On this he was si- lent, and being carried some distance further by Hamilton, he was advised to make his escape, which he did." Subsequently, when Hamilton was deputed by a committee of the people to go to Pittsburgh and return the pistols taken from Mar- shal Lenox, and require the fulfillment of what had been agreed upon on his part, it is testified by a witness under oath that, "Hamilton consented to go in order to prevent the people from coming in themselves and doing mischief, for there was dan- ger of their going in that time." These and simi- lar references show that, however strenuous may have been his opposition to the excise law, his in- fluence was on the side of order and humanity. Though some attempts were made toward the close of the insurrection to apprehend him, he was suc- cessful in evading these efforts, and without serious molestation passed through the crisis in peace. In the famous congressional contest of 1794, just at the close of the insurrection, Hamilton was one of the five rival candidates, the others being Thomas Scott, H. H. Brackenridge, John Woods and Al- bert Gallatin. The last named, who was brought out only about ten days before the election, as what in modern days is called a "dark horse," won the contest, but by a very slight majority.

David Hamilton was married in early life to Margaret, daughter of William, and niece of Col. John Hamilton, a lady in whom were singularly combined the refined manners of the East, and the hardihood of the West. She lived to the advanced age of ninety-six, dying in 1872. It is related of her that she crossed the mountains to and fro be- tween Adams and Washington counties seventeen times, and always on horseback except on her last trip. Five of Esquire Hamilton's sisters married husbands who established families well known in the county. Their names were Wylie, McDonough, Scott, Bolton and Barr. Two of his brothers were

named Daniel and John. Daniel was a blatant in- surrectionist, and the good name of David has suffered from its being confounded with that of his brother Daniel, who, along with John, emigrated to Kentucky toward the close of the century. Whatever hot blood may have coursed in David's veins in youth, his age presented the picture of a mild and courteous gentleman, an intelligent and useful citizen, and an exemplary Christian. For more than fifty years he was a member in full com- munion in the Presbyterian Church. At his death, which occurred May 10, 1839, in his eightieth year, he bequeathed half of his estate to the educational charities of that church. Providence denied to this worthy couple the gift of children. They sleep side by side in the old Mingo graveyard.

Joseph Hamilton, sixth child of William Hamil- ton, came west shortly after reaching manhood. Two strong ties in particular attracted him toward Washington county. David Hamilton, Esq., his brother-in-law, and Gen. John Hamilton, his uncle, were both residents of this county. Soon after coming west he was married, January 7, 1813, to Margaret, daughter of William Ferguson, of Pigeon Creek. For more than a quarter of a cent- try following he resided in Williamsport (now Monongahela), where he wrought at his trade as carpenter and housebuilder, carried on a cabi- net and undertaker's shop, and also kept an inn. In 1841, having bought the Ginger Hill farm from Esquire David Hamilton, he removed there; and lived on it until his death, November 9, 1849. His widow died at the same place, June 10, 1865. They were both lifelong members of the Presby- terian Church. He was for many years director and treasurer of the Williamsport Turnpike Com- pany. He did much in the way of settling up decedents' estates. Eight children were born to them as follows: Sarah, October 24, 1813; Mary Jane, March 11, 1816; Margaret, May 23, 1819; Harriet, September 11, 1821; William Ferguson, March 24, 1824; David Ralston, June 26, 1826; John, September 25, 1828; Martha Isabel, Febru- ary 3, 1831. Sarah was married to Henry Wilson. Two of their sons, Joseph H. and Robert F., fought through the war of the Rebellion. She survived her husband many years, and died at Washington, Penn., December 18, 1889. Mary Jane was mar- ried to Nimrod A. Gregg, and after his decease removed to Iowa, where she died. Two daughters, Mrs. McCauley and Mrs. Beck, and one son, Aaron T., still live in Iowa. Margaret died early. Har- riet was married to T. R. Hazzard, Esq., whom she survived, her death taking place at Monon- gahela City, March 10, 1887. Two of their sons -Chilion W. and Joseph DeV .- fought through the war of the Rebellion. The former is editor of the Monongahela Republican; the latter resides in Florida. A younger son, Thomas L., is a phy-

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

sician in Allegheny, a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, and of Pennsylvania University. Martha Isabel, and her husband, M. Porter Pat- ton, live in Iowa. They have three sons-John, a lawyer, graduated in Michigan University; Will- iam and Andrew-all living in Denver-and one daughter-Margaret Isabel-at home. William F. is a Presbyterian minister, and lives in Washington, Penn. ; John lives on the paternal farm at Ginger Hill, which he owns; David R., who is unmarried, lives there also. About fifty descendants of Jo- seph Hamilton and his wife, Margaret, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, survive:

David Hamilton, Jr., eleventh child of William Hamilton, came west in 1816. He was married December 28, 1820, to Harriet, daughter of Gen. John Hamilton. She died July 19, 1849; he sur- vived her until December 10, 1886. When eighty years old he drove his mowing machine all day long under the fervid heat of a July sun. Of the six children born to them, two, Margaret A. and John P., died in childhood; two, Mrs. Eliza Cor- nelia Longwell and Mrs. Amanda J. Callow, died in mature life; two still survive, Mrs. Maria L. Henry, a widow residing in Monongahela City, and Mrs. Harriet Camilla Henry, residing with her husband in Tennessee.

WILLIAM FERGUSON HAMILTON, D. D. From a sketch of Dr. Hamilton published in the "Presby- terian Encyclopedia" in 1834, we quote as follows:

Son of Joseph and Margaret (Ferguson) Hamilton. Was born in Williamsport (now Monongahela City) Wash- ington Co., Penn., March 24, 1824. He was graduated from Washington College, Penn., in the class of 1844, and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1849. Immedi- ately after the completion of his theological studies he was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio (now Pittsburgh) and in the following year was ordained by the same body, and installed as pastor of Centre Church, where he la- bored for two years. Ile has since, with ability and suc- cess, exercised the pastoral offices for ten years in Union- town, Penn., and for seven years in the churches of Salem and Livermore, in the Presbytery of Blairsville, Since 1875 he has had charge of the Mt. Pleasant Church, in the Presbytery of Washington (1875-87). Residing in Washington, Penn., for the sake of the education of his children, he has been called to render valuable service, for which his talents and scholarship have so well fitted him. One form of this was the instruction of the senior and junior classes in Washington and Jefferson College, during the years 1876-80, in psychology and ethics. How ably he thus taught may well be left for inference to the readers of his masterly article in the Presbyterian Re -. view of July, 1882, entitled " Recent Ethical Theory," an article which has attracted not only approval, but com- plimentary notice from high places. Among various fugitive articles, addresses and other pamphlets which he has published, in compliance with special requests, one claims a prominent place, viz .: An address delivered at the Centenary Celebration of the Redstone Presby- tery, the mother Presbytery of the West, held at Union- town, Penn., in 1881, which is a rich repository of his- torical information concerning one of the most important portions of our country and of the Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Hamilton is still in full vigor of his faculties. To the ability of an honored minister of the Gospel, he adds the pen of a ready and accomplished writer. His wisdom and skill in matters of the church, notwithstanding his characteristic modesty, compel his service as stated clerk of Presbytery, chairman of important committees, and in other representative duties, at the imperative call of his brethren. He was moderator of the Synod of Pitts- burgh in 1873, the fourth annual meeting after the re- union of the church and the reconstruction of its courts.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 10

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1540

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540