History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 211

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 211

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In another letter dated Aug. 2, 1771, Crawford says, " I have done nothing with Col. Croghan in regard to the land you want of him as yet, as I could see none of his land in his line now run that will answer to be laid off as he wants it laid off. I have found some at about fifteen or sixteen miles from Fort Pitt, which is very good farming land, and as good meadow land as any. The upland is level, or no more hilly than is necessary to make the ground dry." The tenor of subsequent letters from Crawford to his prin- cipal show that he had succeeded in finding and se- lecting lands suitable in quality and extent ; also that Croghan, on ascertaining this fact, claimed that the lands so selected by Crawford for Washington were within the limits of his (Croghan's) grant, and used every means in his power to induce settlers to locate on the lands Crawford had selected, and promising them assistance to hold their claims against Col. Washington. In the summer of 1773, Crawford wrote his principal,-

"Your lands on Chartiers are safe yet, but how long they may con- tinue so I do not know, as the people that were going to settle on them at the time we come down were driven off, but attempted to return in the spring. I shall settle some man on them if possible, and hope by that means to secure them. Everything in my power shall be done. They must be stronger than I and my party are if they take them. . . . " And again, in a letter dated Spring Garden, Nov. 12, 1773, he said, " The reason these people sat down upon your land was that Colonel Croghan told them the officers and soldiers could never hold one foot of the land, and he further told them that I had [ no] orders from the Governor to survey any land on the Ohio, that it was ouly a scheme between you and myself. The only chance you have to get land settled is to get some of , your people uear where you live to settle, . . . or bring up some hired men, set them to work, and clear some land, and then you may rent it for something. I believe that will be the surest way to improve your land, and with the least expense. Several persons are waiting for your land to relapse, who intend to fall on it immediately thereafter."

Again, in a letter dated Dec. 29, 1773, he said,-

bell had run the line as marked, and delivered the draft to him, Colonel Croghau said he not run the land right ; he should have allowed him ten degrees for variation of the compass. Then he got Mr. Hooper and run this last line as you see marked. He then employed Mr. [Dor- Bey] Pentecost to run thirty thousand acres on the head of Chartier's Creek and Cross Creek. This still left you out ; but since then Major Ward fakes you and myself and Lund Washington in, and says Colonel Croghan has a grant from the Crown for the land and has given him that part, as low as the mouth of Wheeling."

Capt. Crawford, in a letter dated Jan. 10, 1774, ad- vised Washington to take out a patent (from Vir- ginia) for his lands on Chartiers Creek and Miller's Run, as that would be sure to prevent further dispute and trouble. Thereupon Washington, as a prelimi- nary to the procuring of a patent, directed a survey to be made, which was done, and Crawford, in a letter dated May 8, 1774, says, "Sir,-Inclosed you have the drafts of the Round Bottom Lands, and your Chartiers land, agreeable to Mr. Lewis' direction."

On the 5th of July, 1775, a military patent for these lands was issued to Col. George Washington by Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, describing them as "being in Augusta County, Vir., on the waters of Miller's Run, one of the branches of Char- tiers Creek, a branch of the Ohio."

Crawford again wrote to Washington, Dec. 20, 1776, as follows: "Your land on Chartiers Creek is well cultivated, ready to your hand, the men on it think- ing you have no patent for it, or if you have, that you will lease the land on reasonable terms, etc. . . . Some I understand have been trying to sell their rights to your land, but I have had an advertise- ment printed and set up forewarning any person not to purchase those lands, setting forth your titles, etc."

The settlers still remained in possession of the tracts on which they had located within the limits of the Washington patent. On the 10th of August, 1779, Col. Crawford wrote from Fort Pitt to Washington, who was then in the field as commander-in-chief of the patriot armies, saying, " Dear General, --- Agree- able to my promise the last time I had the pleasure of seeing you, I advertised your lands on Chartiers that are settled by those men I formerly informed you of. They still remain on the land. . . . " And they so continued undisturbed until after the close of the Revolution.

"Some people, about ten or twelve in number, have gone on your Chartier's land within these few days, and there is no getting them off, except by force of arms. They are encouraged by Major Ward, brother In the fall of the year 1784, after the close of Gen. Washington's military career and before he was called to the Presidency, he made a tour of exploration and inspection through this section of country, and kept a diary of the principal events of his "Journey over the Western Mountains,"1 covering the time from [in-law] to Colonel Croglian, who claims the land and says he has a grant of it from the Crown. He will indemnify them, if they will move in any house where no person is living. He also offers the land for sale, warranting the purchaser a lawful title. He further adds that Colonel Croghan says you and I have used his brother very ill, in pretending to buy his land and did not, but went and took the best of it, and would not agree to pay him. That was the reason offered for selling the land to any person who should choose to buy. . . . Those men have not bought of him but took your land, and say they will keep it. I could 1 This journal has hitherto been unpublished, resting in the original manuscript in the State department at Washington, D. C. The presence of Gen. Washington in Washington County in relation to his lands here has been doubled by many, but that fact, as well as the authenticity of the journal quoted, is established by the following : drive them away, but they will come back immediately-as soon as my back is turned. The man I put on the land, they have driven away, and built a house so close to his that he can not get in at the door. . . . Your Iand is two miles and better from the utmost limits of his laud, as you will see by the way it is laid down on the stream called Miller's Run. " DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASH NGTON, April 12, 1882. When Thompson run the land and made out the draft and delivered it to "THE HONORABLE W. S. SHALLENBERGER, House of Representatives. h'm, Colonel Croghan said it was not run right. Then he employed Mr. "SIR,-The letter of Mr. Boyd Crumrine, of Washington, Pennsyl- vania, under date of the 20th ultimo, transmitted by yon, has been re- Campbell and told him that the river must be twisted up to the mouth of Peter's creek, as that was the bounds of his lunds. When. Mr. Camp- ' ceived. In compliance with your request I take pleasure in sending

858

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, 1784. From that journal the fol- lowing extracts are made as having reference to his lands in this county. The transcript comprises the entries from September 18th to 21st inclusive, viz. :

"September 18th. Set out with Doctr. Craik for my Land on Miller's run (a branch of Shorters Creek)-crossed the Monongahela at Deboirs [ Devore's] Ferry, 16 miles from Simpsons; bated at one Hamiltons, about 4 miles from it, in Washington County, and lodged at a Colo. Cannon's on the waters of Shuitres Creek, a kind, hospitable man; and sensible.

" Most of the land over which we passed was hilly ; some of it very rich ; others thin; between & Colo. Cook's and the Ferry the land was rich, but broken; about Shurtee, and from thence to Colo. Cannon's, the soil is very luxuriant and very uneven.

" September 19th, Being Sunday, and the People living on my Land apparently very religious, it was thought best to postpone going among them till tomorrow ; but rode to a Doctr. Johnson's who had the keep- ing of Colo. Crawford's surveying records ; but not finding him at home, was disappointed in the business which carried me there. . . .

"September 20th. Went carly this morning to view my Land, and to receive the final determination of those who live upon it. Having ob- tained a Pilot near the Land I went first to the plantation of Samuel McBride, who has about 5 Acres of Meadow, and 30 of Arable Land under good fencing ; a logged dwelling house with a punchiou roof, and stable, or small barn, of the same kind; the land rather hilly but good, chiefly white oak ; next James McBride; 3 or 4 Acres of Meadow 28 Do of Arable Land, Pretty good fencing; Land rather broken, but good ; white and black oak mixed; a dwelling-house and barn (of mid- Jing size) with Puncheon roofs. Thomas Biggart ; Robert Walker liv- ing thereon as a Tenant. No meadow; 20 Acres of Arable Land. A dwelling Hlouse and single Barn; fences tolerable, and Land good. William Stewart; 2 and 1-2 Acces of Meadow, 20 Acres of Arable Land; only one house, except a kind of building adjoining for common purposes; good Land and midling fences.

" Matthew Hillast; has within my line about 7 Acres of Meadow, 3 besides; Arable ; also a small double Barn.

"Brice McGechen; 3 Acres of Meadow, 20 Acres Arable : under good fencing; a small new Barn, good.

"Duncan McGrchen ; 2 acres of Meadow 38 do Arable Land. A good single Barn, dwelling Hlouse, Spring House, and several other Houses,- the Plantation under good fencing.

" David Reel; claimed by the last mentioned (Duncan McGeechien), 2 acres of Meadow, 18 do Arable Land; Nobody living on this place at present-the dwelling House and fencing in bad order.

" Julın Reed, Esquire; 4 acres of meadow, 38 Do arable Do; a small dwelling House, but logs for a large one, Still House; good land and fencing.

" David Reed; 2 acres of meadow, 17 Do arable ; a good logged dwell- ing House with a bad roof : several other small llouses and au indifferent Barn, or stable; bad fences, but very good Land.

" William Hillas ; 20 acres of arable Land no Meadow. But one house, and that indifferent ; fences not good.

"John Glen ; 2 or 3 acres of Meadow within my line; his plantation and the rest of his Land without.

"James Scott; Placed on the Land by Thomas Lapsley ; has 17 acres under good fencing; only a dwelling House (which stops the door of a Cabbin built by Captn. Crawford)-white oak Land; rather thin, but good bottom to clear for meadows.

" Matthew Johnson ; 2 acres of Meadow, 24 Do. arable Land; a good Logged house, materials for a dble Barn; very good Land, but indifferent fences.

" James Scott ; a large Plantation-about 70 acres of arable Land, 4 De. of improved Meadow; much more may be made into meadow .- the Land very good, as the fences al do are. A barn, dwelling House and Bume other Houses.

"The foregoing are all the Improvements upon this Tract which con- tains 2813 acres. The land is leveller than is common to be met with in

you a transcript of a portion of the Journal of Washington, being the record of his visit to Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 18th-21st, 1784, which is all that has been found in relation to the sub- ject of Mr. Crumrine's letter.

" I have the honor to be, sir, " Your obedient servant, " FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN."

this part of the Country, and good ; the principal part of it is white oak, intermixed iu many places with black oak; and is estemed a valuable tract.

" Dined at David Reeds, after which Mr. James Scott and Squire Reed began to enquire whether I would part with the Land, and upon what terms; adding that though they did not conceive they could be dispos- sessed, yet to avoid contention, they would buy, if my terms were moderate. I told them I had no inclination to sell; however, after hear- ing a great deal of their hardships, their religious principles (which had brought them together as a society of Ceceders) and unwillingness to separate or remove, I told them I would make them a last offer and this was :- the whole tract at 25s per acre, the money to be paid at 3 annual payments with Interest ;- or to become Tenants upon leases of 990 years, at the auunal Rent of Ten pounds pr. C pr. Ann. The former they had et long consultation upon, and asked if I wd. take that price at a longer credit, without interest, and being answered in the negative they then determined to stand suit for the Land ; but it having been suggested that there were among them some who were disposed to relinquish their claim, I told them I would receive their answers individually ; and accordingly calling upon them as they stood, James Scott, William Stewart, Thomas Lapsley, Saml. McBride, Brice McGeechen, Thomas Biggar, David Reed, William Hillas, James McBride, Duncan McGee- chen, Matthew Johnson, John Reed, and John Glen, they severally answered, that they meant to stand suit, and abide the issue of the law.

" This business being thus finished, I returned to Colo. Cannon's in company with himself, Colo. Nevil, Captn. Swearingen (high sherif) and & Capto. Richie who had accompanied me to the Land.

"September 21st. Accompanied by Colo. Cannon and Captn. Swenr- ingen who attended me to Debore's ferry on the Monongahela which separates the counties of Fayette and Washington, I returned to Gilbert . Simpson's in the afternoon ; after dining at one Wickerman's [Wicker- hum's] Mill near the Monongahela.

"Culo. Cannon, Captn. Swearingen and Captn. Richie all promised to bunt up the evidence which could prove my possession and improvement of the Land before any of the present occupiers ever saw it "

Concerning the interview between Washington and the settlers, the story has been told and retold for al- most a century that the general declared he would have the land, and accompanied the declaration with an oath, for which Squire Reed promptly fined him five shillings, which the commander-in-chief as promptly paid, and accompanied the payment with an apology for his violation of the laws of God and man. This is represented to have occurred at the house of John Reed, Esq., but it appears from the diary that the interview was held at the house of David Reed. Mr. Joseph Reed, still living, and son of David, says he has often heard his father relate that on that occasion Washington declared most emphatically that he would have the land, but that he never mentioned the cir- cumstance of the oath and fine, and it is, therefore, more than probable that that part of the story is a mere fabrication. The story is related that after the dinner was over the business for which they had met was considered. Squire Reed, on behalf of the set- tlers, presented their case, spoke of the hardships they had endured, the improvements made, and the in- creased value of the lands by reason of their labor, and claimed that inasmuch as they preferred a peace- able settlement of the matter, and there were grave doubts as to the validity of Gen. Washington's title, the occupants would expect liberal terms from the dis- tinguished claimant. Gen. Washington replied with dignity and some warmth, asserting that they had been forewarned by his agent, and the nature of his claim fully made known; that there could be no doubt of its validity, and rising from his seat and

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MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

holding a red silk handkerchief by one corner, he said, "Gentlemen, I will have this land just as surely as I now have this handkerchief," and that he proposed to sell to them at eight shillings per acre cash. Then Mr. Reed, on behalf of the occupants, replied they neither could nor would accept such terms, and there- upon the conference ended. This story agrees very well with the diary, except as to the price at which he offered them the land.

Soon after this visit Washington secured the serv- ices of Thomas Smith, Esq., of Bedford County, leading attorney (afterwards a justice of the Supreme Court), to commence suits of ejectment against the parties. Suit was brought at the December term, 1784. Hugh M. Brackenridge represented the de- fendants. No claim was made on the part of the settlers to priority of title, and as the rights of Wash- ington by the Virginia patent were well authenti- cated, the suit was successful against the settlers. The claim brought by them was that the lands were purchased by Col. Washington of Col. George Croghan, who obtained his rights by Indian pur- chase, which rights were not recognized by either the States of Virginia or Pennsylvania.

The names of the settlers who had located on the Washington lands and against whom ejectment suits were brought were Samuel McBride, James McBride, Thomas Biggert (Bigger), William Stewart, Brice McGehan, Duncan McGehan, John Reed, Esq., David Reed, John Glen, James Scott (the elder), William Hillis, and Matthew Johnson. Possession was given to Gen. Washington, some of the parties remaining on the land as tenants, others on lands adjoining. Thomas Bigger removed to the land on which he settled in 1773 in what is now Robinson township.

Matthew Ritchie acted as the local agent for Washington, and 'on the 1st of June, 1796, he pur- chased the entire tract for twelve thousand dollars. Shortly after the purchase he advertised the lands for sale, and says of it, " There are thirteen farms cleared and cultivated. The soil is of excellent quality, rich, level, well timbered, and well watered." No deeds are on record to show that Matthew Ritchie ever sold any of the tract. He died in the spring of 1798. By his will made on the 25th of February, 1789, and probated in March of that year, he devised this land to Alexander Addison, as follows: "My lands on Miller's Run, bought from Gen. Washington, I give to Alexander Addison and his heirs and assigns, sub- ject to account for the profits after payment of the purchase-money." The executors of the estate were John Ritchie and Alexander Addison. The records do not show any settlement of account by them, nor is there any release on file to Addison, or settlement by him for profits on sale of land.

In the month of March, 1802, Absalom Baird, then sheriff of Washington County, advertised the two thousand eight hundred and thirteen acres of land

for sale, they being "The Lands and tenements of Col. Matthew Ritchie, Deceased, in my Bailiwick." He was ordered to levy on the land, "as well as a cer- tain debt of $6409.20, being the two last instalments due upon a mortgage which is held by Bushrod Washington, William Augusta Washington, George Steptoe Washington, Samuel Washington, and Sam- uel Lewis, Executors, and Martha Washington, Ex- ecutrix, of Gen. George Washington." In pursuance of this order, the premises were exposed at public vendue on the day advertised, and were sold to Alex- der Addison for sixty dollars, he being the highest bidder. The sheriff's deed bears date May 4, 1802.

Judge Addison commenced the sale of lands after this purchase, and on the 3d of April of that year conveyed three hundred and one acres to James Scroggs, one hundred and forty acres to John Cowden, and one hundred and ninety-four acres to James McDowell.1 On the 8th of September the same year ninety-nine acres were sold to Matthew Hillis. Two hundred and fifty-one acres were conveyed to John Berry, Aug. 15, 1804 ; one hundred and fifty acres to Robert George, April 10, 1805; and three hundred and nine acres to Samuel Scott on the 4th of May the same year. Judge Addison died Nov. 27, 1807, and Mrs. Addison, his widow, was the executrix of the estate. She appointed John Johnston her attor- ney. He purchased two hundred acres of the re- mainder on the 1st of April, 1810, and on the 5th of April the same year Jane Addison, as executrix, sold all the residue or remainder of the two thousand eight hundred and thirteen acres yet unsold at this date, which was about thirteen hundred acres, to John Johnson.

Of the settlers on these Washington lands, James McDowell, in addition to his first purchase from Ad- dison, bought of John Johnson one hundred and forty acres (also part of the Washington lands), Jan. 23, 1812. This tract he sold two days later to James Campbell. The land he bought of Judge Addison was sold by his executors, Feb. 5, 1828, to William Crawford, who left it by will with other lands, Feb. 27, 1846, to his sons James, Thomas, and Robert. The one hundred and ninety-four acres first pur- chased by James McDowell was sold by James Craw- ford to John Reed.

James Scroggs, who bought three hundred and one acres, lived to a ripe old age, and left two sons, James and Reynolds. The land now belongs to John Reed.

John Cowden, who bought in 1802 one hundred and forty acres, lived on this place until his death, when the land was sold to William Crawford. He left several children. Isaac, a son, settled near Hick- ory, where John MoBirney now owns.

John and David Reed, brothers, and sons of David Reed, were natives of Lancaster County. They came

1 This last tract had been conveyed Jan. 3, 1799, but by reason of error was perfected in this deed of April 3d.

860

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

to this county in 1777, and induced by the represent- ations of agents of Col. George Croghan, and the offer of settlement rights by the State of Virginia on compliance with certain conditions, they settled on these lands, clearing off a small portion, and build- ing each a cabin. In the fall they returned to Lan- caster County. John was already married, and David was married on his return home. In the spring following they with their wives moved to their new homes. They lived several years undisturbed. Soon after the organization of Washington County in 1781, John Reed was chosen justice of the peace of the district which afterwards in 1787 became the Fourth, and justice of the peace of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and was reappointed in November, 1788. On the 2d of October, 1783, he purchased of David Lindsey " all that tract or parcel of land lying and being on the waters of Miller's Run, within the county and State aforesaid, containing four hundred acres," adjoining James McCormick and others. After the ejectment suit was decided he removed to his land in Cecil township, now owned by Mrs. Cub- bage, where he died in 1816, leaving a son, David, and daughters, Catharine, Ann, Jane, and Mary. David settled on the farm. His son John lived there many years, and sold to a party in Pittsburgh, who sold to John Cubbage. Catharine became the wife of the Rev. Daniel McClean, who settled at Che- nango, Pa. ; Ann married Robert Story ; Jane became the wife of the Rev. David Emery, and settled at Darlington, Beaver Co .; Mary married the Rev. Alexander Murray, and settled at Slippery Rock, Pa. David Reed, the brother of John Reed, Esq., lived here till the ejectment suits were decided, and pur- chased in Cecil township. It was at his house that Washington dined when he came up to these lands on the 22d of September, 1784.

Matthew Hillis was a settler here before these lands were sold. He had taken up a tract of land on a Virginia certificate, one hundred and thirty acres of which he sold Dec. 5, 1803, to John Mc- Kibbins. He died in 1803. He left a wife, Eliza- beth, and seven daughters,-Elizabeth (Mrs. Hugh Dobbins), Martha (Mrs. John McKibbins), Eleanor (Mrs. Abraham Boyd), Rebecca (Mrs. Ebenezer R. Donaldson), Jane (Mrs. ---- Glass), Agnes (Mrs. - Smith), and Mary. There were in 1780 a Rich- ard and William Hillis ; the latter was one of those ejected in 1784.

Robert George, who purchased one hundred and fifty acres in 1805, lived here until his death. His son John. now owns the homestead. Jacob, a son, lives northeast from Hickory. David,. also a son, bought one hundred and five acres of Thomas Cherry, March 28, 1835, about one mile from Midway, where his son Samuel now lives.

John Berry, a native of Ireland, came to Mount Pleasant township, and purchased two hundred and fifty acres of the Washington lands of Alexander

Addison on the 15th of August, 1804. He lived on this farm till his death, and left two sons, John and William. John remained on the original tract. His son William now owns it. John, a son of John, had four sons,-Jonathan, who went to Ohio ; John, who settled in Steubenville, Ohio; William, who settled on the home tract; and Samuel, who became a Pres- byterian minister. Of the daughters, Eliza became the wife of Alexander May, of Cecil township ; Mary married Robert Riddle. William, the son of John Berry, Sr., moved to Venice, purchased a farm and mill property, and in 1834 purchased a farm in North Strabane township, where he settled, and where his descendants still live.

Samuel Scott,on the 4th of May, 1805, purchased of Alexander Addison three hundred and nine acres of land, where he lived till his death. Of his sons, John settled on the homestead and died there. His son John now owns the farm. J. P. Scott, of Cecil township, married a daughter of Robert Cook, and now lives on the Cook farm in Cecil. Joseph Scott, a son of Samuel, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and settled in Mount Pleasant township, where his sons John and Joseph now reside. R. D. and J. L. Scott, of the township, are also sons of Joseph. Mrs. Joseph Scott is still living at the age of eighty-six years.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 211

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