History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 165

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 165

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657

AMWELL TOWNSHIP.

Workman, and settled in Washington. He was a carpenter, and followed his trade. His descendants are living here still. John Hughes, Jr., settled in Washington, and died there. Thomas, also a son of John, emigrated to Kentucky. Barnabas married a daughter of - Vankirk, in his native town, and lived there till his death. The homestead of John Hughes in Amwell township is now owned by Dun- ning Hart.

William Curry was a native of Dauphin County, Pa., and was born in 1739. He learned the trade of gunsmith and cooper. He was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, after which he married, and in 1783 emigrated from Dauphin County with his wife to Washington County, and purchased two hundred and ninety-one acres of land of one Davis, who moved to Ryerson's Station, Greene County, where he was soon after killed and scalped by the Indians, together with all his family except one child, who escaped. The land at the time of purchase was not patented, and later Mr. Curry rode on horseback to Lancaster, and secured the patent. On this tract he lived until his death, in 1820, aged eighty-one years. He left two sons, William and John, and two daughters, Mar- garet (Mrs. William Harbeson, of Lawrence County, Pa.) and Elizabeth (Mrs. John Carlisle, of Amwell township). John, the youngest son, settled on the homestead, where he lived until his death, Aug. 6, 1880, eighty-five years of age. He left four sons and one' daughter. Thomas B., the eldest, lives in West Bethlehem township. Milton B. resides in La Salle County, Ill .. Hugh W. and Francis M. Curry own : and occupy the homestead, and have added largely to its area. Mary became the wife of Aaron Bane, also a descendant of one of the early settlers.

John, Henry, and - Vankirk, natives of New Jersey, all came to this county, and settled in Am- well township. John emigrated first, and purchased on the 10th of December, 1785, a tract of three hun- dred and fifty-nine acres of land of Abner Howell, which he patented Feb. 26, 1792. On this tract John lived till his death in 1797, and divided it among three of his sons, Jacob, Henry, and Joseph. He left four sons and three daughters, who were all born in New Jersey, Sarah, Jacob, and Henry by a first wife, Joseph, Elizabeth, John, and Catharine by a second wife. Sarah lived and died single; Jacob lived on the portion left by his father, and with his brother Henry, in 1808, purchased their brother Joseph's por- tion of the homestead. Jacob Vankirk married Eliza- beth Lee, and their children were Enoch, Joseph, Leah, and Ann. Enoch Vankirk married Susan Ca- ton, and to them were born nine children,-George, Sarah J., Matthias, Hugh, Mary A., Elisha, William, Jacob, and Sarah J. Caton. The first child named Sarah J. Caton died in infancy. The others all reside in Washington County except the youngest Sarah J. Caton, who lives in Ohio. Joseph, the other son of Jacob Vankirk, married Eliza Carter. They had six

children,-Joseph C., Hiram, Charles, William, Char- lotte, and Ann Vankirk, all of whom live in Iowa. Leah Vankirk became Mrs. John McLain, and lives in Franklin township ; Ann married Walter G. Scott.

Henry, brother of Jacob Vankirk, settled on the portion inherited from his father, and in 1808, with Jacob, bought Joseph's portion. He lived and died here leaving four children, of whom John and Mary are dead. Charles is living in the township; Mary became the wife of Elbridge G. Cracroft, who, after her death, married her sister Nancy. The latter re- sides in Washington. Joseph, son of John, after the sale in 1808, moved to Morris township. His chil- dren are all dead. Elizabeth, a daughter, married Samuel Lacock and settled in Amwell. Their grand- children are residents of the township. John pur- chased a farm about a mile from the homestead, and left it to his son Hamilton. It now belongs to the estate of Dr. F. J. Le Moyne. Catharine became the wife of - Beebout, and settled in Amwell. Henry Vankirk, brother of John, purchased two hundred and sixty-six acres of land of Sarah Gregg on the 29th October, 1791, which was named "Red Thorn Bottom." On this tract he lived and died, leaving six children,-William, Gideon, Arthur, Henry, John, and Mary, all of whom were born in New Jersey. William remained there; Gideon married Priscilla Kater; Arthur married Elizabeth Parkison; their children were Lucretia (Mrs. David Birch), Asher, Emma (Mrs. Joel Woods), Edward, Ralph, William, and Sarah (Mrs. John Cooper).

Henry Vankirk, Jr., married Ruth Jolly, and set- tled on or near the homestead. Their children were Mary E. (Mrs. William Crispin), Dryden, Jane (Mrs. Oliver Cosart), Ruth (emigrated to Ohio, where she married), Susan (Mrs. James Cooper), Milton (who re- sides in Ohio), and Keturah (Mrs. Abraham Riggle).

Nathaniel McGiffin emigrated to this country from Scotland before he was twenty-one years of age, and enlisted in the Revolutionary army, and was present at the battle of Brandywine with Lafayette, and was with the army at Valley Forge. His discharge is now in the hands of his family. He removed to Washington County about 1789, and on the 23d of February, 1790, purchased of Thomas McGiffin two hundred and thirty-eight acres of land which had been warranted to Andrew Smith on the 31st of March, 1788, and surveyed under the name of " Con- stancy." It was sold by Smith to Thomas McGiffin Dec. 29, 1789, and was patented to Nathaniel Mc- Giffin Sept. 29, 1791. Later he purchased other tracts, but on the tract "Constancy" he lived until his death in 1821, aged sixty-two years. He left two children, Thomas and Rachel. Thomas was born Jan. 1, 1784, and came with his parents to this county. He en- tered Jefferson College at the same time with Cephas Dodd. After graduation he entered the law office of Parker Campbell at Washington, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1807. He removed to Vin-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

cennes, Indiana Territory, and practiced two years, and in 1809 returned to Washington, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a contractor on the National road in 1816 ; member of a special session of Legislature in 1834 to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Hon. Joseph Lawrence. He died in Washington Feb. 5, 1841, aged fifty-seven years. His son, Norton McGiffin, is a resident of Washington, and was in the service of the United States in the war with Mexico; sheriff of Washing- ton County from 1858 to 1861 ; was lieutenant-colonel of the Twelfth Regiment in the war of the Rebellion, and served as a member of the Legislature in the ses- sion of 1881-82. Rachel, daughter of Nathaniel Mc- Giffin, became the wife of Jacob Cook, of Ten-Mile, and settled in Amwell township.

Daniel Shuster was a native of Germany, who came to Amwell township at a very early date. In 1781 he was keeping tavern here in a house he had himself built. He settled in the northeast corner of the town- ship, on the ridge where the old Redstone road passes. Here he purchased part of a tract of land which was warranted by Peter Hewitt, and surveyed to him April 11, 1786, as containing three hundred and seventy-three acres. Peter Hewitt lived and died on the remainder of the tract, and his descendants still own the homestead. His brother, Philip Hewitt, purchased an adjoining tract on the west, called " Wolf's Den," and having an area of three hundred and sixty-five acres, which was surveyed to him on the same date. The property of Philip Hewitt is now owned by George Hewitt, Henry and Reed Riggle, John Frazee, and B. F. Closser, and a school build- ing called "Rees' School-house" is located on the southwest end of the tract. Daniel Shuster built a house upon his land when he first made his settlement in the township, and when the road was laid out, in 1781, he removed to the ridge, and built a large log house wherein he kept tavern for many years. Isaac Riggle and J. M. Morringer now own most of the Shuster property, and some of the logs in the old tavern have been used in the construction of Isaac Riggle's barn.

Job Wick and his wife emigrated from England to this country, and settled on Long Island, N. Y. Their son, Lemuel Wick, married Deborah Lupton, and in the year 1781 removed to the village of Amity in this township. They had a family of five children,-Wil- liam, Henry, Phebe, Mary, and Anna Wick. The daughter, Anna, became the wife of Isaac Bane, Jr. William Wick, the oldest child of Lemuel and Debo- rah Wick, studied divinity with Rev. John McMil- lan. He married Elizabeth McFarland, a sister of William McFarland, Esq., and they removed from Amity to Youngstown, Ohio. They and the large family they reared are all buried at that place. Phebe, eldest daughter of Lemuel and Deborah Wick, became the wife of her cousin, William Wick. They also lived and died in Youngstown, Ohio, and had a

number of sons and daughters. Mary Wick, second daughter of Lemuel Wick's family, married Nehemiah Scott; they also migrated to Youngstown, and died there, leaving a number of children. Henry Wick, second son of Lemuel Wick, married Hannah Bald- win, and in 1812 left Amity for Ohio, making his new home in Youngstown, as his brothers and sisters had done. The children of Henry and Hannah Wick were seven,-Caleb, Lemuel, Jr., Henry, Jr., Hugh B., Paul, Elizabeth, and Matilda L. Wick. Hugh B. and Caleb Wick died and were buried at Youngstown, where they left large and wealthy fami- lies. Elizabeth married Robert Leslie, and died leaving one son. Lemuel Wick, Jr., and Henry Wick, Jr., both reside in Cleveland, Ohio, and Paul Wick's home is still in Youngstown. Matilda L. Wick became the wife of Thomas L. Bane. They are mentioned in the sketch of the Bane family.

David Evans, who was of Welsh origin, located in Amwell township, upon a tract of land called "Evans' Plat," situated on the middle fork of Ten-Mile Creek. This tract contained three hundred and ninety-nine acres, was surveyed to Mr. Evans, June 20, 1785, and was next to the lands of Robert Bennett, James Mil- liken, and Daniel McFarland. David Evans was a relative on the maternal side of the McFarlands, who were early and prominently identified with the his- tory of Washington County. Of his descendants a number emigrated to the State of Ohio. Abel M. Evans, a lineal descendant, resides near Ten-Mile village, upon a portion of the old homestead; Joseph Evans, a son of Caleb Evans, and grandson of David Evans, died near Clarkstown. William Hughes owns a part of the Evans tract.

James Chambers came from County Down, Ireland, to this country, settling first near Williamsport, Pa. He remained there but a short time, however, and October, 1797, found him a resident of this township, located on Bane's Fork of Ten-Mile Creek. His family consisted of his wife, three sons, and three daughters. The daughter Mary, who became Mrs. Leslie Cannon, always lived in Amwell township, and died here in 1874, aged ninety-five years. Jane Chambers married James Jolly, and settled in Wheel- ing, Va., and Margaret, who married George Gourlay, removed to Cadiz, Ohio. Of the sons, James was a carpenter, who learned and followed his trade in Washington borough. Judge James C. Chambers, of Amwell township, is his son. The son William was never married. He and Robert, the third son of James Chambers, settled upon the homestead, and in 1823 built a mill upon it, on the former site of a smaller mill which had fallen into ruins. The mill put up by the Chambers Brothers is still standing, the whole property now belonging to Robert Chambers' son. Robert Chambers, in 1824, purchased the first iron plow bought and used in the county, and James C. Chambers was one of the first who used it.

Joseph Miller's father came from Ireland and set-

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AMWELL TOWNSHIP.

tled for a time in Mifflin County, Pa., where he mar- ried Hannah Beatty. Joseph Miller, their son, was born in Morris township, Greene Co., Pa., about the year 1790, and is now living at the age of ninety-one years. He was early apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which he has followed most of his life. He re- lates that when he was but a child, Gabriel Blakney, while surveying, remained over Sunday at his father's house, and while there Mr. Blakney purchased Jo- seph's pet lamb, paying him one dollar, and his mother used the money to buy him a copy of "Pil- grim's Progress." In the war of 1812 Joseph Miller became a member of Capt. William Patterson's mili- tary company, being mustered in at Meadville, Pa. At that place William Piper was made colonel of the regiment, and they were all sent to Black Rock, on the Niagara River. Mr. Miller's company was in no active service, but remained until December, 1812, when the regular troops were ordered into winter- quarters, and the volunteers granted furloughs, on which they returned home. Mr. Miller's company, in which were his brother Benjamin Miller and Ichabod Clark, started to travel the distance to Amwell town- ship on foot. They came through the southern part of Western New York, the snow in many places four feet deep, which in some localities had become frozen and crusted over until it would bear their weight. At other times they could only follow the Indian trail, a narrow path formed in the snow. They passed around the head of Chautauqua Lake, and one day marched twenty-eight miles'without seeing a house. Ichabod Clark and Joseph Miller were obliged to carry Benjamin Miller's equipments in addition to their own, and to break the road as well, as he was sick. They reached home the day before Christmas in 1812, having been since December 11th, or thirteen days, on the way.

March 4, 1813, Joseph Miller married Pamelia Harris, and has since that time resided in this town- ship. His family was six sons and one daughter, the latter dying when seventeen years old. A son, Ben- jamin Miller, died in Indiana in 1881; the sons Ne- hemiah and William are residents of Ohio; the other three, John, James, and Stephen, live in Washington County. Mr. Miller, in gathering his descendants about him, brings together representatives of five generations, himself to his great-great-grandchildren inclusive.

James Tucker came from New Jersey to Amwell township about 1780. Beside his interests in this vicinity, he owned a one-eighth interest in the Old Spring Hill Iron Furnace, located in Spring Hill township, in Fayette County, where he spent a great portion of his time. In the year 1802 he sold this interest to Jesse Evans. James Tucker married Eliza- beth Bane, and they had five children,-Isaac, Joseph, Thomas, James, and Nancy, the youngest, who mar- ried Henry Bebout and removed to Greene County, where she died. James Tucker, Jr., was a miller by

trade and never married; Joseph Tucker emigrated to Ohio; and Isaac, who married Sarah Mason, lived and died on a portion of the old homestead. Thomas Tucker had the remainder of the father's farm, and his son Absalom now owns and occupies the whole of the original tract. Old Mrs. Tucker survived her husband several years.

Enoch Enochs emigrated from England to America, and settled on the north branch of the north fork of Ten-Mile Creek about 1770. The name of his prop- erty was "Enochs' Delight," located about one-half mile from Lone Pine village,-the place that is some- times called "Pin Hook." Enoch Enochs built a fort upon his land as a defense against Indian incur- sions. Henry Enochs settled in Clarksville, where he engaged in the iron trade, and other members of the family are scattered through Maryland, West Virginia, Indiana, and Ohio. Abner Enochs, of Amwell township, and Hiram Enochs, of Washing- ton, in this county, are descendants of the pioneer Enochs.

Abraham Sutton, a primitive resident of Amwell township, was originally from New Jersey, and after settling here was a minister of the Bane Baptist Church. He had a son Andrew, a tanner by trade, who was a member of the Pennsylvania State Legis- lature in 1814-15. William Sutton, a son of Andrew, and grandson of Abraham Sutton, married Delilah Slaught, and died in 1881, near Pleasant Valley. A daughter of Andrew, and sister of William Sutton, became the wife of James Moore, whose father was an emigrant from England. Their son, W. S. Moore, was formerly editor of the Reporter, published at Washington, and died but a few years since.

Christopher Slusher was a citizen of German de- scent, who formerly lived in Loudon County, Va. He came to this township and settled near the old Decamp mill, on the north fork of Ten-Mile Creek, the site of the village of Pleasant Valley. Mr. Slusher lived upon the farm of his original settlement, and died there Feb. 2, 1819, at fifty-two years of age. His wife survived him several years. The farm is now owned by Frederick Ferrel and James Monegar. Michael Slusher, a son of Christopher, resides on the Squire McFarland place in this township, and David, another son, lives in Greene County, Pa.

Samuel McCullough, who emigrated from Ireland and settled in Amwell township, had three sons,- John, Samuel, and James. John died very young, Samuel went to Belmont County, Ohio, and James to Allen County, Ohio. The old homestead is now in the possession of George W. Moninger.

Thomas Lackey came from New Jersey and settled upon a large tract of land in this township. He had several children, but nothing is learned of any but Susan. She married Abraham Lattimer and lived near Canonsburg, where both died. The Lackey farm is now owned by William Workman, James W. Kountz, and William Bryson.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

John and George Gardiner, brothers, were of Ger- man extraction, who came and settled in Amwell township. The farm of John Gardiner was in later years divided, and is now owned by David Stewart. George Gardiner's farm now belongs to John Curry's heirs, Hugh and Milton Curry. George Gardiner's son Daniel died in Lancaster, Pa. John, another son, married Rebecca Miller. He is dead, and she still survives. Jesse Gardiner, a third son of George, mar- ried Nancy McClure, and they removed to Columbiana County, Ohio. William Gardiner, the fourth son, is also dead, but his widow, formerly Ann Kitten, is still living. John Gardiner, the brother of George, had but one child, a daughter, who married John Ringer and removed to Coshocton County, Ohio.

John Miller formerly lived on a tract of land on Brush Run, in this township, which is now owned by David Frazer. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Peck, and their children were John, David, Rachel, and Elizabeth. John married Nancy Reece. Both died, leaving several children. David Miller died in infancy.

James Carter, like many others of the early settlers of Amwell township, was an emigrant from New Jersey. He located and lived upon the property now owned by Dunning Hart, Esq. The sons of James Carter were William, John, and Henry. Henry died unmarried when twenty years of age. John's wife was Rebecca McFarland, the youngest daughter of Wil- liam McFarland, Esq. William Carter married and had a family of two sons and four daughters. Of these James married Nancy Lytle; Isaac married Nancy Sowers; Mary became the wife of Edward Wier, Jr. ; and Nancy became the wife of Caleb Evans.

John L. Harrison was born and reared in the State of New Jersey, and went from there to Licking County, Ohio. His son, John L. Harrison, Jr., came to Am- well township, married a daughter of Moses Cooper, one of the original settlers of the township, and here made his permanent home. They had four children, three of whom are still living, viz., William H. and Hannah C. Harrison, who live at Lone Pine village, in this township, and M. C. Harrison, who lives at Washington.

Moses Cooper came from New Jersey to Washington County and into the present township of Amwell many years ago, and located on Ten-Mile Creek. His wife, Sarah Griffith, was, like himself, of Welsh descent. Their family was but two sons, Moses and William, who went to Indiana and lived and died there, and a daughter, Priscilla, who married Peter Smith. - Their son, James Smith, resided near Ten-Mile village, in this township. Peter Smith, another son, lives in Beallsville. The Smiths are all active and devoted members of the Baptist Church.

Jacob Peck was a German, and had married before he came to this county. He had three daughters, Ann, Rhoda, and Elizabeth. Ann Peck was the wife of James Bane, and her children were James, David,

Columbus C., Sarah, and Rebecca Bane. Sarah mar- ried James Paul, and went to Richland County, Ohio. Rebecca married Right Vandike, and both died near the Peck homestead, which now belongs to Joshua Denam, Jr., a grandson of Jacob Peck. James B. Vandike, a son of Rebecca Bane, now lives in Green- field, in Washington County.

Thomas Kitten came from Virginia to the present township of Amwell. The tract of land he took up was called "Fox Hill." His three sons were George, Dorsey, and Daniel. George moved to Ohio, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Daniel died a bachelor, and Dorsey, who married, lived and died upon the Kitten homestead.

Town of Amity .- The earliest information con- cerning this town is found in the following advertise- ment in the Western Telegraphe and Washington Ad- vertiser, published at Washington :

" OBSERVE.

" The subscribers have laid out a number of lots for a Town in the township of Amwell, near Mr. Moor's meeting-house, on the main road leading from Washington to Waynesburgh, nearly central between the two, The situation is pleasant, near several grist- and saw-mills, in & thriving settlement, etc. Persons inclining to purchase are desired to meet on the premises on the 25th day of July next, at ten o'clock, when the lots are to be offered for sale to the highest bidder; terms will be easy, and a good title given by the subscribers,

"June 20, 1797.

" DANIEL DODD, " ZIBA COOKE."

The land on which the town was laid out was origin- ally taken up by Nehemiah Scott, a part of which was purchased by Daniel Dodd, and later a part by Ezekiel Clark.

Lots were sold at the time mentioned to Daniel Thompson, Jacob Appleman, James Milleken. A deed is recorded to Daniel Thompson, bearing date June 19, 1798, which recites that the lot is No. 13, adjoining lots of Appleman and Milleken and land of Henry Wick. The consideration was $11.50. Henry Wick had a distillery on the land mentioned adjoin- ing the town, and which he later (in 1799) purchased of Daniel Dodd. This was on a tract purchased of John Carmichael, named "Cook's Delight." On the 14th of September, 1803, Daniel Dodd sold to John Cooke three lots, Nos. 18, 20, 22. In 1807, Cooke was licensed to keep a tavern. On the 5th of November, 1810, Thomas Brice advertised that he had opened a store in Amity, and kept linen, lining, hemp, and bags, beeswax, feathers, whiskey, and rags. On the 4th of July, 1811, the citizens of the town met at the house of Leslie Carsons " for the purpose of celebrating the birthday of American independence." Maj. Thomas Vanemen was chosen president, Thomas Brice vice- president. The Declaration of Independence was read by Abel McFarland. The festivities were accom- panied with martial music and a discharge of firearms by a detachment of Capt. William Gordon's rifle company.

The present town of Amity contains twenty-seven dwellings, Presbyterian and Methodist Protestant

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AMWELL TOWNSHIP.

Churches, school-house, two stores, drug-store, cabinet- shop, two shoe-shops, two blacksmith-shops, wagon- shop, barber-shop, tailor-shop, harness- and saddle- shop, post-office, two milliners and dressmakers, and three physicians.

A lodge of Odd-Fellows was organized at this place in 1859, their charter bearing date May 19th of that year, having the name of " Ten-Mile Lodge, No. 552." The following are the names of the first officers and charter members : Apollos Loar, Noble Grand; Henry Swart, Vice-Grand; Samuel Walton, Secre- tary ; Wilson McCollum, Assistant Secretary ; Henry Miller, Treasurer ; James A. Bebout, Nelson McCol- lum, John McAfee, James Manin, Benjamin Yoders, and Samuel Martin. The lodge has a present mem- bership of nineteen ..

The Methodist Protestant Church of Amity was organized in 1832 by the Monongahela Circuit. Wil- liam Iams and Joel Woods, of Amity, invited the Revs. John Wilson and Israel Thorp, itinerant min- isters of the church, to preach at Amity in the fall of 1831. Early in January, 1832, a class was organized at the house of William Iams, which consisted of the following persons: Joel Wood, William and Su- sanna Iams, N. B. Clutter, and Mary Thompson. Soon after the organization the society purchased the old log church used by the Presbyterians for fifty dollars, they being about to erect a new one. A lot was donated by William Iams, upon which they erected a house of the logs of the old church. This they used as a place of worship until 1851, when they erected on the same site, and at a cost of $500, a neat frame house, in which they worshiped till 1867, when, finding they demanded a larger house, they sold the old church to Dr. S. S. Strouse, and upon the same site they erected the frame building, thirty-two by thirty-eight feet in size, in which they still continue to worship.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 165

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216