History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 190

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 190

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Abraham Teagarden, whose advent into this sec- tion was contemporary with that of Hupp and Bum- garner, also took up large tracts of land that now lie within the boundaries of East Bethlehem township between the villages of Millsboro' and Clarksville. He was the father of William Teagarden, and no

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

doubt George Teagarden was also his son. George Teagarden's name appears as grantee in a deed from Richard Ashcraft, dated April 20, 1769, conveying all Ashcraft's right and title to "a pearsell or peace of Land lying and being on the westward of Monon- gahela River, bounded on the North by Creek, .. . " and also transferring the order of survey for the same land. It is without doubt the oldest deed of lands lying within the present boundaries of Washington County.

In the year 1770 three brothers named Oliver, James, and Josiah Crawford settled in Fayette County, Pa., and each opened a ferry across the Monongahela River. James Crawford located at the mouth of Fish Pot Run, on the Fayette County side of the river, but he owned the land on the Washington County side, to which his ferry ran, and he also lived on this side a part of the time. He had three daughters and four sons. The daughter Margaret married Zephaniah Beall; Ruth married William Campbell, and resided near Beallsville, in West Pike Run township, and Mary, who became the wife of William Hargrove, also lived near that town. The Hargrove and Beall families both lived and died in this county, but Mr. Campbell, who was a speculator, sold his property. here and removed to Ohio. The sons of James Craw- ford were Ephraim, John, William, and Joseph, all of whom lived upon adjoining farms in Luzerne town- ship, Fayette Co .. At the death of James Crawford the ferry property on the Fayette County side of the river was inherited by his son John, and the salt-works on the Washington County side came into possession of the son Joseph. Of the property of Josiah Craw- ford, one of the early settlers, the ferry-site is owned by his nephew, Josiah Crawford, Jr., and the land in Washington County is owned by the heirs of Richard Thistlewait.

Thomas Hawkins was an Englishman by birth, who emigrated from his native land to America at a very early date. His first settlement was made in the State of Maryland, but he soon removed from there to a point near Beallsville, locating upon the property now occupied by Mrs. Sarah Haw- kins. Mr. Hawkins married a daughter of James Crawford, who owned and operated the ferry at the mouth of Fish Pot Run. They had a family of eight children. Absalom Hawkins was the oldest son. He owned a number of slaves, and from 1803 to 1820, or Jater, kept a tavern upon the property now owned by Edward Taylor. He owned the Stephen Hill and the Gen. Crooks farms, and also owned six or seven hun- dred acres of land in West Bethlehem township, on the National road between. Hillsborough and Bealls- ville. The road runs through the farm he then pos- sessed. Absalom Hawkins died on the old Pusey farm, in this township.

Richard Hawkins, the second son of Thomas Haw- kins, settled on that part of his father's tract that is now in the possession of Col. Alexander Hawkins. In 1813

he purchased four hundred and fifteen acres of land of Thomas Hill, which was located in Greene County, upon which he lived the remainder of his days. That property is now owned by his sons, William and John Hawkins. Another of his sons, James C. Hawkins, has a farm of three hundred and forty-five acres, called "Sycamore Grove." It is situated in East Bethlehem township, on Ten-Mile Creek, about two and one-half miles from the river, and was first owned by William Montgomery, who warranted it. Mr. Montgomery be- came involved and sold the place to Evan Mccullough, of Greene County, of whom Mr. Hawkins obtained it, making the purchase in the year 1833. There was a mill built upon the run, which was first operated by Mr. Montgomery, and also by each successive owner of the property, Mr. Hawkins continuing it until 1875. In 1843, at the time he bought it, he put in three carding-machines, a picker, and a fulling-mill, and these controlled a large custom for twelve miles in each direction. In 1870 the carding- and fulling- mill was discontinued, the machinery being sold to Morgan Wise, and taken by him to Waynesburg, to use in the establishment known as the Hook Mill. A saw-mill has been put in operation where the fulling- mill was run, a new dam having been built to supply the water-power. Of the three dams that have been built at this place, two have been the work of Mr. Hawkins. Besides the other investments and busi- ness interests of the Hawkins family, they have nearly all been extensively engaged in wool-growing and sheep-raising.

William Hawkins was the third son of Thomas Hawkins, the early settler. He lived and died upon a farm adjoining that of his father, and Mr. Patter- son, a grandson of his, now owns and occupies the property. Thomas Hawkins, Jr., was the youngest son of Thomas Hawkins, Sr. He owned and lived upon a part of the homestead for a while, but in 1850 removed to Stark County, Ohio, where he resided the rest of his life.

John Welch came into possession of his land in this township through purchase from Christian Hames, who took it up on a Virginia certificate, and settled on it in 1774. It was assigned to John Welch, and was surveyed to him March 29, 1785. It was given the title of "Enniskillen," and was located next the lands of Zephaniah Beall, James McMullen, and Isaac Peyton. At the death of John Welch this property was inherited by his son, J. B. Welch, who was born on the place. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from this district for a few years. At his death he left a widow and four daugh- ters, who still reside on the homestead.

John and Jacob Hormel were among the earliest settlers of East Bethlehem township. John warranted a tract of land Feb. 16, 1786, which contained three hundred and ninety-three acres, and was surveyed June 1, 1786, and given the name of "Garland." Jacob Hormel resided upon the tract " Garland" until

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EAST BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.

his death in 1821, and left it to his sons, William and John Hormel, Jr. William Hormel died in 1827, and John Hormel then purchased his share and still owns the whole property. Thus it has been in the posses- sion of the Hormel family nearly one hundred years. John Hormel, Jr., was born in 1801, and is now past eighty years of age. Two younger members of the Hormel family, Robert and Nathan, served in the war of the Rebellion. Both enlisted Sept. 5, 1861, in Company H, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Robert serving until September, 1865, and Nathan receiving his discharge April 30, 1862.

Joseph Dorsey came from Ellicott's Mills, Md., to this section, and took up fifteen hundred acres of land, lying partly in East Bethlehem and partly in East Pike township. The portion of his land called the homestead was a body of one thousand acres situated in this township, about two and one- half miles up the river from West Brownsville. Joseph Dorsey built a log cabin, in which him- self and family lived a few years, but between the years 1790 and 1800 he built the stone house that at present stands upon the farm. Mr. Dorsey had sev- eral sons and daughters. One daughter was Mrs. Dr. Wilson, of Steubenville; Nancy became Mrs. Debois, and removed to Ohio with her husband; Clarissa and Betsey both went to Ohio and died there; and Matilda went to reside in Kentucky. Edward Dorsey died in Ohio, and John died in the city of Cincinnati while traveling. James Dorsey was born in 1790, and was the youngest of the family. He remained in this township, and his share of the property was five hun- dred acres of the homestead tract. He died in 1852, and left his estate to his two sons, George and James V. Dorsey. George had three hundred and eighteen acres, and the portion which James V. Dorsey pos- sesses includes the old stone house in which they lived so many years.

Benjamin Kenney settled in East Bethlehem town- ship in the year 1800, upon a portion of the land called the "Acklin Patent." Mr. Kenney had two sons, James and Wesley Kenney, both of whom were emi- nent Methodist clergymen. Rev. Wesley Kenney died in or near Philadelphia, where he was in charge of a church. Rev. James Kenney is still living. He is not only a minister, but also an excellent farmer. He has reared a large family; has a son in California, two in Illinois, and one living at home with him. He has also two daughters who live in Illinois, and four who still remain at home.

and their children are now residents of East Bethle- hem township.

The Lintons (Joshua and his son Mahlon) came from Bucks County, Pa., to this township, and about the year 1800 the father purchased the land upon which Barney McNamee had settled. Joshua Linton had three sons,-Mahlon, Benjamin, and Joshua, Jr. Benjamin never married ; Mahlon married Ann Hil- lis, and their children were Joseph, Isaiah, Mary Ann, and Margaret Linton. Mary Ann married Jesse Richards and lives in Ohio; Margaret, who married Thomas Packard, resides in Iowa. Joshua, Jr., also married. His son Nathan lives in Iowa, and Henry Linton is a citizen of East Bethlehem township.

John Bower, the ancestor of the families of that name, was son of Andrew Bower, of York County, Pa., who was a son of Michael Bower, a German immigrant. He was born April 23, 1772, and on July 15, 1794, married Elizabeth, daughter of Geo. Rex Worthy, who moved westward in 1795 and settled near Jefferson, Greene Co. John Bower, with his wife, followed in March and April, 1796, and settled at Fredericktown, then lately laid out, on the Monongahela River. On Aug. 18, 1801, he received a deed from David Blair for a tract of fifty-two and one- half acres, patented to Blair May 13, 1789, and called " Apple Bottom." This tract formed part of the homestead of Mr. Bower, and upon it he erected the large stone residence at the lower end of Main Street, in Fredericktown, in which he lived till his death, July 29, 1836. His widow survived him, and died Sept. 30, 1852.

Mr. Bower was commissioned a justice of the peace under the constitution of 1790 on the 10th of Decem- ber, 1813, which office he held until at or near his death. He was the father of thirteen children : George, Philip, Jona Rex, Hannah, Andrew (who, as his father before him, was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and after his father's death, in 1836, was elected to succeed him as a justice of the peace, holding that office till the time of his own death), Hiram Rex, Charles Worthy, John Kepner, Margaret, Elizabeth, Benjamin F. (who, following his father and brother, has been a justice of the peace for his township one or more times, and resides at Fredericktown), and Mary, the thirteenth.child, born Jan. 3, 1821, having been bitten by a dog in her in- fancy, was affected all her life, and died single and an invalid about 1845.

Solomon Smith was a mere boy when his father George Crumrine came from Maryland in 1801. He was the son of Abraham Krumrein, who was the son of George Krumrein who died in Maryland in 1779. The latter was a son of George Lenhart Krumrein, who landed at Philadelphia from the Palatinate in 1749. Three sons of Abraham came over the moun- tains about the same time; George, above named, set- tled in East Bethlehem township; John in West came from the East into this part of Pennsylvania, which was then termed "emigrating West." They stopped at Redstone Old Fort for several years, and removed to Washington County in 1786. Solomon Smith's sons were Reuben, Samuel, and John Smith, and Mrs. Chatham Jennings is his daughter. John Smith died in Ohio, whither he had removed. Reuben and Samuel lived and died in Washington County, i Bethlehem township, on Daniel's Run, where he

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

lived and died at an advanced age, leaving sixteen children; Peter remained with George for a short time, when he married a daughter of - Wise and removed to Knox County, Ohio.

George Crumrine, who came to this township, pur- chased of Adam Hartman March 14, 1801, for eight hundred dollars, a tract called "Darby," containing one hundred and twenty-six acres. He also purchased seventy-three and three-quarter acres adjoining the foregoing on Jan. 2, 1810, for six hundred dollars (a part of the tract called "Greenland"), from Michael Rupp, who had purchased the land from Jacob Cro- tinger Oct. 1, 1806. These two tracts made a farm of two hundred acres, on which he lived until his death Sept. 27, 1832, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife was Elizabeth Garrett, sister of Nicholas and Henry Garret, who came from the same section of Maryland at about the same time. He was overseer of the poor of the township for many years. His children were George, Jacob, Peter, Daniel, John, William, and Abraham, and one daughter, Margaret. Of these, all remained in the county except Abraham, who emi- grated to Illinois.

George settled about two and a half miles north- east of Millsboro', on the farm now occupied by his son Demas. Jacob was a miller, and owned the mill erected by his father on Plum Run, now owned by his son George. Peter was a cooper when in active life. He remained a bachelor, and died in February, 1882, at an advanced age, occupying a property im- mediately adjoining the homestead. Daniel was awarded by partition proceedings to June Orphans' Court, 1833, the homestead farm (excepting the mill seat), containing one hundred and ninety-three acres. He was born April 25, 1805. By trade he was a mill- wright, and in 1831, in partnership with Ephraim L. Blaine (the father of James G. Blaine) erected the saw-mill now occupied by John S. Pringle, in West Brownsville. He married Margaret, daughter of John Bower, Esq., of Fredericktown, Dec. 26, 1830. His wife died October, 1849. Their children are all living (except two who died in infancy), viz. : Boyd Crumrine, of Washington; Bishop Crumrine, attor- ney-at-law at Topeka, Kan .; Lesage and Alonzo are farmers, and occupy the homestead with their father, who is still living. Elizabeth, a daughter, is at home with her father unmarried.

John, son of George Crumrine, was a cooper by trade, and lived the greater part of his life at Fred- ericktown, and died in 1880. William was also a cooper by trade, but has long been a farmer, and re- sides in West Pike Run. Margaret, the only daugh- ter of George, remained unmarried, and is still living on the property owned by her brother Peter, having lived with him for many years.

The name of James Regester appears among the names of the pioneers of East Bethlehem township. He lived and died upon his farm here, and many of his descendants, all good citizens, still reside here. A

grandson, James Regester, Jr., owns and lives upon the old homestead.

Zephaniah Beall was one of the earliest settlers of East Bethlehem township, one of its most energetic and influential residents of the pioneer days, and a remarkable man in many respects. He was twice married, the first wife being a daughter of James Crawford, of Fayette County, and was the father of twenty-four children, twelve being the result of each marriage. Mr. Beall was the founder of Beallsville, and in the history of that town will be found more particulars of his life.

The Bane and Morgan families came from Jeffer- son and Berkeley Counties in Virginia, and located in East Bethlehem township, upon land they pur- chased of Joseph Avescat. Henry and William Bane, descendants of the early settlers, still own and occupy the Bane portion of the tract. A few representatives of the Morgan family still live in this section, owning property along the Monongahela River. Joseph Avescat, after selling his land, removed to Frederick- town, where he kept a public-house. The only de- scendant of his now residing in this vicinity is Joseph Avescat, Jr., of Rice's Landing.

Thomas Bishop raised a family in East Bethlehem township, of which Thornton and Hiram Bishop are lineal descendants. The farm of Nehemiah Jester is a part of the old Bishop homestead.

Joseph Alexander at one time owned a tract of land in East Bethlehem township. He married Jean- ette Montgomery, by whom he had several children. Andrew Alexander was the oldest, and his wife was Harriet Lawrence. Henry Alexander married Mary Lawrence, and his widow still resides in Millsborough. Sarah Alexander became the wife of Harry Newkirk. Harriet Alexander became the wife of Solomon Wise, who, after her death, married another daughter of Joseph Alexander.

The property upon which Eli Farquhar now lives was the fract upon which his grandfather, Thomas Farquhar, settled at an early day. Thomas Far- quhar, Jr., is another grandson of this early settler, and his descendants have become very numerous.

Thomas Hughes located in this vicinity at a very early day, and remained in this township until he had passed the age of eighty years, when he removed to the State of Ohio, dying there when nearly a hundred years old.

The Enochs family was largely represented in East Bethlehem township, and its members were interested in the manufacturing industries. The tract of three hundred acres, known as "Hupp's Bottom,". was transferred to David Enochs, to whom the warrant for it was issued Nov. 26, 1787. David Enochs also owned other lands in this township. On April 5, 1797, he deeded to his son, David Enochs, Jr., the two hundred and twelve acres which belonged to the tract "Righteous," warranted by James Foster, Sept. 4, 1786. It was situated on the waters of Ten-Mile

EAST BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.

Creek, was sold to David Enochs, March 27, 1787, and patented to him March 3, 1789. The land of Isaac Enochs was the tract "Essen," containing fifty-five acres, adjoining the lands of William and Henry Enochs, John Hull, and Samuel Bell. William Enochs had thirty-three acres, which were warranted and surveyed to him in 1793, and next the lands of George. Teagarden, Everhart Hupp, and Isabella Perry, and was given the name of " Hazard." Henry Enochs' land, which was located on the north bank of Ten-Mile Creek, was obtained by him upon a Vir- ginia certificate, and surveyed May 13, 1786. Henry Enochs had two sons, Isaac and William Enochs, but whether they were the persons of those names already mentioned is not definitely known.

Fredericktown, the oldest village in the township of East Bethlehem, is located on the west bank of the Monongahela River, one mile northeast of Mills- borough, and eight miles southwest of West Browns- ville. The village was patented and laid out by Frederick Wise, was built upon land owned by him, and was named for him as its founder. The survey and plot were made by Isaac Jenkinson, and dated March 8, 1790. Jenkinson put up a house on the lot he had purchased directly after the town was laid out.

In the midst of the work Frederick Wise died, but instead of the project being abandoned all his plans and ideas were carried out by his widow, Cath- arine Wise, and the other administrators of the estate, Isaac Jenkinson and Peter Nossinger. In the charter of the town, or article of agreement made by Wise with purchasers of lots, it was specified that :

" The said Frederick Wise for himself, his heirs, executors, adminis- trators, and assigns, doth hereby agree that all streets, alleys, and pub- lic ground, described in said plann, be given, clear of all charge and expense, for public uses; also all springs of water on the premises of Baid Wise, and all stone-quarries on his premises as long as the land is in his possession, but not otherwise, and all timber (except boat and shingle timber) given free for the use and benefit of Improving in said town for the space of one year & six months, to commence from the date hereof, to be cut on the said Wise's land whilst in his possession, but not otherwise."

In the contracts with purchasers, the latter were re- quired to pay half a dollar per annum quit-rent on each lot, and "with all convenient speed to erect thereon a stone, brick, frame, or hewed logg house at least twenty feet square (or equal thereto) with shingled roof, stone or brick chimney, and enclose the said lot or lotts within post and rail fence or good pailing within four years from the purchase," on pen- alty of forfeiture of lots ; " and no Distillery for the destruction of grain or fruit shall be at any time erected on the premises, either by or under the said Frederick Wise or any purchaser, in pursuance of his, her, or their purchase." The article was signed by Frederick Wise and the following-named purchasers, viz .: Isaac Jenkinson, John Baker, Francis Townsend, Joseph Green, Andrew Nossinger, John Richardson, Solomon Shepherd, John Shepherd, Solomon Shep-

herd, Jr., Peter Nossinger, and Edward Moran, " for himself and Blain Moran, two Lotts."

The house which Frederick Wise and his family occupied when they lived upon their farm was a simple log cabin, which stood on the lot where H. H. Weaver now has a store. The growth of the town has been slow, but even at an early date quite a show of business was made by the different trades pursued at this point. In the issue of the Western Telegraphe, Sept. 22, 1795, appeared the following advertisement of a manufacturing establishment in Fredericktown:

" The Subscriber, Living in Fredericktown on the Monongahela River, Washington County, takes this method to inform the public in general that he continues carrying on the SCREW MAKING Business in it various branches, where he will make and repair screws for raising mill stones, packing flour, tobacco, for timber-wheels and fullers and printers presses. He also makes fullers shears, oil mill rollers, millers brands, &c., and as he has the advantage of his works going by water, flattere himself, that from the expedition and accuracy, not only in the above line of business but in all kinds of mill and other heavy work, he will be enabled to give general satisfaction, both to Emigrants and the In- habitants of the Western Country, 9th month, 10th day, 1793, David Townsend."

David Blair, a gunsmith, had a shop near where the mill now stands. To supply his forge he brought coal in sacks on horseback from Fishpot Run, never imagining that the hills adjacent to the town were full of it. This fact was first discovered by John Bower while he was digging a mill-race; but Nathan Pusey was the first who opened a coal bank in this vicinity.

On Dec. 7, 1795, Isaac Jenkinson announced in the newspapers "that he has lately received from Phila- delphia a fresh assortment of dry goods, groceries, iron mongery, and a valuable collection of books." Nov. 28, 1796, Archibald Hood advertised "that he intends commencing the tannery business in Freder- icktown." The firm of Samms & Dilhorn was in business in Fredericktown prior to the year 1797, but a dissolution of the partnership took place and the business was continued in the name of Nathaniel Samms. As early as March 7, 1796, the village of Fredericktown had started a 'library, with David Townsend as treasurer of the society, and Isaac Jen- kinson acting as secretary.

Fredericktown now contains twenty-three dwelling houses, two stores having stocks of general merchan- dise, two shoe-stores, one blacksmith-shop, a hotel, the post-office, and a handsome brick school-house. The steam-mill built in 1826 by Isaac Thompson is now in the hands of John Bower, Esq. In April, 1881, a factory was started in Fredericktown by Leon- ard Leitz, in which are manufactured handles and other articles of that class. The distillery at this point, which was formerly under the control of a man named Busson, has fallen into disuse.

The manufacture of pottery has been more or less a part of the business of Fredericktown in years past. The first attempt was by John Bower, who made red ware. He was succeeded by Jacob Wise, John Row followed next, and the last to engage in this branch was Eli Gapen. Stoneware was made here as early as

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1843 by Polk Donahoo. Both of these specialties have been abandoned.

Powelltown is situated on Two-Mile Run, a little distance from the Westland meeting-house. It took . its name from that of James Powell, upon whose land it was built. Powelltown formerly contained ten dwelling-houses. Mr. Powell had a country store at ' this point. There was a blacksmith-shop here, and several other industries were carried on. Mr. Powell was a justice of the peace at that time. The sons of Mr. Powell were two,-Jeptha and Josiah. Jeptha lived single for many years, and then married a Miss Mitchell. They had no children. Josiah Powell married, and lived on the National road. He sold his farm (which is now owned by Mrs. Deems), and removed to the West. Since the beginning of Centre- ville, Powelltown has been on the decline. There are but two families now living there,-one of these being the family of Mr. Peter Cleaver, who is an octogenarian.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 190

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