History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 221

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 221

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).

From the erection of the township in 1781 it was an independent and separate district till May 4, 1803, when it became a part (with Smith township) of District No. 4, and so continued until 1838, when it again became a separate and independent district. The names of justices of the peace having jurisdiction in Robinson during the time it was a part of District No. 4 (1803 to 1838) will be found in the list for Smith township. The names of the justices prior to 1803 and after 1838 are here given, viz. :

James Irvine, April 15, 1782.

Alexander Wright, April 15, 1782. Joseph Scott, Sept. 25, 1787. Samuel Scott, Feb. 8, 1799. Richard Donaldson, April 2, 1803.

James Pollock, April 14, 1840. James Pollock, April 15, 1843. Richard Donaldson, April 15, 1845. Robert McBirney, Aug. 14, 1846.

James Pollock, April 9, 1850.

Richard Donaldson, April 14, 1840. , James M. Clark, April 15, 1851.

James McCalmont, April 11, 1854. James Pollock, April 10, 1855. James McCalmont, April 12, 1850. James Pollock, April 10, 1860. Joseph McNall, April 14, 1863. James Pollock, June 3, 1865. Thomas Donaldson, July 12, 1865.

Thomas Donaldson, March 29, 1870. James Pollock, March 29, 1870. Thomas Donaldson, Jan. 29, 1874. James Donaldson, May 24, 1874. Thomas Donaldson, March 17, 1875. James Donaldson, March 27, 1879. Thomas Donaldson, March 30, 1880.

Settlements .- Capt. Samuel Beelor and his son Samuel were settled in 1774 upon land where the vil- lage of Candor now stands, as is recited in a Virginia "certificate granted in February, 1780. An additional tract of land of four hundred acres adjoining this was granted to Samuel Bcelor July 17, 1782, "to satisfie the said grain right." On the survey accompanying this statement is shown a house two stories high and situated on a road from Dillo's Fort to Turner's Fort. Dillo's Fort was in Hanover township, on the farm of Matthew Dillo, on Fort Dillo Run. The road from there ran southeasterly to Beelor's, and from thence east to Turner's Fort.

What was known as Beelor's Fort was his own house, two stories high, made large and strong. The survey of 1782 shows no other. Capt. Samuel Beelor and his family, and Samuel Beelor, Jr., and his family lived on the place until 1789, when they sold and re- moved. The lands are now owned by J. M. Clark, trustee, John G. Smith, Mrs. Cully, Samuel Neill, the Raccoon Church, and embrace the site of the village of Candor.

The fort is said to have been erected about a hun- dred yards southwest of the Raccoon Church. It must have been some years after Mr. Beelor's settle- ment before the Baileys, McCandlesses, Shearers, and others came to this section. Beelor's house was the rendezvous for all the people of the vicinity in time of danger.

On the 21st of March, 1789, James Clark, of Mer- cersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., came to this county and purchased the tract of land in Robinson township known as "Big Levels," containing four hundred acres, and other lands in Canton township, in this county. David, a son of James, settled in Canton township on the lands purchased there, and which are now owned by Samuel Weirick. Another son, John, came to this township and settled upon the "Big Levels." Thomas, a brother of John, purchased the lands of him and settled here. His son William in- herited them, and lived here until his death, Jan. 31, 1881. His son Thomas also lived and died on the farm. William Clark, who came into this county at

900

901

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP.

an early day, always insisted that the Beelor Fort was on the " Homeside Farm" below the spring, and not by the church, as is the general impression. The property owned by William Clark was conveyed by him to Kate E. Clark, a daughter of J. M. Clark, Esq., who conveyed it to the Clark Trust Fund, by which it is now held. J. M. Clark was for many years a justice of the peace in this township.

Robert Shearer, with his brother Hugh, came to this county from Lancaster with the Baileys, and set- tled upon lands now owned by John Christy, William Dornan, and William Russell. Robert lived here a short time with his family, and was killed by Indians in the summer of 1780, about two miles northwest of Capt. Beelor's Fort. Robert Shearer left a widow, Elizabeth, and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. Mary became the wife of Richard Johnston, and set- tled on a part of the land now owned by William Dornan. Their children all moved West. Johnston died, and the widow married Samuel Christy, a brother of James Christy. They had one son, James, who now resides in Cleveland. Elizabeth, the other daughter of Robert Shearer, married James Christy, and settled on the part of the Shearer tract now owned by their son, John Christy. Mrs. John Andrews and Mrs. Samuel Neal, both of Smith township, are their daughters. A son of John and Elizabeth Christy is a physician in Florence, Hanover township.

Robert Shearer, Sr., the father of Robert Shearer who was killed by the Indians in 1780, came out soon after his sons, and lived .with Robert. Some time after Robert's death he was taken prisoner by the Indians one Sabbath morning while in his own cabin, and was taken down the Ohio River to Mehickon. He was kept eleven weeks, and then escaped. After many trials and hardships he reached the fort at Wheeling, and from there came home.

Hugh Shearer was unmarried, and lived with his brother Robert. Some time after Robert's death he too was killed by Indians while working in a cornfield.

William McCandless was the first of his family to come to this section of the country. He came with the Baileys and the Shearers, and took up two hun- dred acres of land north of Robert Shearer. At that time his land was the northernmost tract on which settlers were living in this section. He lived and died on the place. Two of his sons were killed at the same time with Hugh Shearer. A son, Hugh, lived on the farm many years, and died there. He left a son, Hugh, who inherited the property, and after his death the heirs sold to James McBride, who now owns it.

Alexander Bailey was a native of Scotland, and in early life went to Ireland, where he married Jane Brown. After the birth of Matthew, their oldest son, in June, 1749, they emigrated to America, and set- tled in Emmettsburg, Md. Here they remained till about 1785, and there all the children were born, who afterwards became early settlers in this township. In

the year 1784, Matthew Bailey, the oldest son, came to this township, and settled upon the tract of land now owned by William Bailey. After building a cabin in 1784, and clearing up more land, he returned to his father's house. In the spring following, Alex- ander (his father) and brothers, William and James, came out to the new settlement. Alexander took out a warrant for one hundred and sixty-two acres of land, which was surveyed to him as "Disappoint- ment." Matthew Bailey never married. He died on his father's tract about 1830, and was buried in Rac- coon churchyard. Alexander, the father, settled with his family on the tract " Disappointment," and lived there many years. His wife lived to be one hundred and six years of age. The farm was left to John, the youngest son of Alexander, who died there in 1850, at eighty-five years of age. He had ten children. Jane, the eldest (Mrs. William Galbraith), now lives at Candor, eighty years of age; Matthew, a son of John, settled on the tract which his uncle Matthew first settled ; John, his oldest son, became a minister of the United Presbyterian Church, and is now preach- ing at Wellsville, Ohio; Samuel is also a minister of the same denomination, and is pastor of a church at Cadiz, Ohio; James is an architect living at Pitts- burgh ; William S., Alexander, and Carlisle, also sons of Matthew, reside on the homestead ; Sarah, a daugh- ter of Matthew, became the wife of Jerry Andrews, and now resides in Hanover township.

Nancy, a daughter of John (youngest son of Alex- ander), married George Morrison, and settled in In- diana County, Pa. Alexander and Peggy, children of John, died young. James settled on a part of Matthew's tract, "Plenty Without Care," and sold to Matthew (2d), and went West. Mary became the wife of Silas Ewing, and now lives in Mount Pleasant township. John and William, also sons of John, in- herited the land of their father. William still retains his portion ; John lived upon his farm until 1880, when he sold to John M. Bailey, a son of James. Ann, a daughter of John, and sister of John and William, resides on the homestead with the latter.

William Bailey, born May 2, 1752, and a son of Alexander (1st), purchased a part of the tract of his brother Matthew. His house was where William S. Bailey's house now stands. He died on the farm, and left three sons-Joseph, Alexander, and Andrew- and two daughters,-Jenny and Margaret. Alexan- der and Joseph settled on part of the homestead. It now belongs to Joseph (a grandson of Joseph) and William S. Bailey.

Thomas Biggert (now written Bigger), his wife, mother, and sister emigrated to America from Ireland in 1773. After remaining in the East a short time, they came to what is now Robinson township, and settled upon land now owned by Matthew Bigger. Here a cabin was built, and improvements com- menced, but the Indians were so troublesome that they removed down to the Washington lands, and

902

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

with twelve others located, being induced to do so by Col. George Croghan, who insisted Washington had no rights there. He lived here until 1784, when he became dispossessed by the success of Washington in the ejectment suits. After being thus summarily turned from the fruits of his eight years' labor, he went back to the first stopping-place, and took out the warrant for a tract, on which he settled, and lived the remainder of his days. This was surveyed to him as "Horse Neck," containing four hundred and twenty-three acres. Other large tracts were pur- chased later, and by his industry and energy he had accumulated over a thousand acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1829, at the age of eighty- nine years. His sons have added to these lands, and now are in possession of two thousand five hundred acres of land in the neighborhood of the homestead, and considerable landed property in the West.

Thomas Biggert left six sons,-Matthew, James, Samuel, Thomas, Andrew, and John. Matthew lived on a portion of the farm and died unmarried. James married and settled in Beaver County near Frankfort Springs. Daniel lived and died on the homestead part of the farm. A portion of it was left to his youngest son, Andrew, who exchanged for a portion north, on which his son, Thomas M. Biggert, now resides. Mary, a daughter of 'Andrew, married Richard Donaldson, and Martha married John Don- aldson. Both settled in Robinson township. Mat- thew, a son of Samuel, lives on part of the homestead, and James, also a son of Samuel, lives on a farm his father purchased of the Chestnut heirs.

Thomas Biggert, Jr., son of Thomas, lived and died unmarried. On the property now owned by Thomas Biggert, Sr., he built a tan-yard, which was situated between the stone house of Thomas Biggert and the residence of Thomas M. Biggert. It was continued in operation as late as 1850. Mr. Biggert was a prac- tical tánner, and brought up many young men to the business, and did much to promote their prosperity. Among those who worked and for a time carried on the tannery were John Ewing, James Hood, David Strours, and William Hall. Of the property of Thomas Biggert, Matthew Biggert now owns the home- stead and central portion, Thomas Biggert the upper or southern part, and Thomas M. Biggert the northern portion.

John now own the property. Robert K., another son, lives on one of the original tracts taken up by Sebastian Burgett, near Burgettstown. Josiah Scott, Jr., owned sixty acres, now owned by the Widow White. He was shot by the Indians and died about a year after wards. His daughter Peggy became the wife of Andrew McFall.

John Donaldson, a native of Chester County, came to this region of country in 1781, and purchased a tract of land called "Ross's Patent," containing four hun- dred acres, which Richard Donaldson and the heirs of James Donaldson now own. He built a cabin on the farm, and died there unmarried. The property came to his brother, Capt. Richard Donaldson. He lived with his brother, being also unmarried. He was a member of Assembly from this district in 1811, and died about 1813. The property was inherited by two nephews, John and Richard, sons of James. John in- herited the north part and settled upon it and spent his days there, leaving the property to his son James, who also died there. The property now belongs to his heirs. Richard settled upon his portion, and spent a long and useful life. He was a member of Assembly in 1845-46, and justice of the peace many years. He died in 1879, in his eighty-first year. Of his children, Richard now owns the homestead; James and An- drew settled in Rock Island, Ill., in 1852; Mary (Mrs. David Walker) settled first in Allegheny town- ship, and now lives in Robinson township.

James Donaldson, brother of John and Richard, the first settler, and father of John and Richard, who inherited the property of their uncle Richard, came to this county about six years after his brothers, and pur- chased one hundred acres of Josiah Scott, and later pur- chased one hundred and fifty more; lived upon his homestead and died there. Thomas, a son, lived un- married, and died upon the farm. Andrew settled on the Steubenville pike in this township, where his son now owns. Thomas, another son of Andrew, lives on the old James Donaldson homestead. John McDonald emigrated to America from Scotland, and came to this territory about 1780. He was living here when the county was organized in 1781. He took up in dif- ferent warrants sixteen hundred acres of land, which in due course of time were patented. Upon the divis- ion of Washington County in 1788 and 1789, a part of these lands were thrown in Allegheny County. In addition to this large body of land he owned a tract of four hundred acres in what is now Union town- ship, eight hundred acres in West Virginia, and two thousand acres in Allegheny County. He lived upon the home tract in Robinson township till his death, leaving six sons,-Andrew and William (twins), John, James, Alexander, and Edward. Andrew and Wil- liam settled on land in Beaver County, where they

Josiah Scott obtained a warrant for a tract of land on Raccoon Creek Aug. 6, 1784, which was surveyed to him in March the next year as "Dispute," con- taining three hundred and forty-seven acres. On the 1st of June, 1791, he sold this tract to his sons, Sam- uel and Abraham Scott. Abraham owned two hun- dred and forty-seven acres, the land on which his son Holland now resides. On the stream he had a grist- mill and a horse-mill. Finley Scott, a son of Abra- lived and died. John studied law, settled in Pitts- ham, married Margaret Stevenson, and became , burgh, and died about 1832. James settled on the wealthy. They lived on the old Judge James Edgar west part of the home farm, where his sons, John J. farm in Smith township. Their sons Samuel and . and Noble K., now reside. Alexander settled in Pitts-

903

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP.

burgh and died in Beaver County. He left no family. Edward, the youngest son, settled on the homestead part of the farm where his father lived and died. Of his children, John N. lives on the old mansion farm, and has been for many years successfully engaged as a prominent breeder of Shorthorn cattle. Dr. Nesbit McDonald resides in the city of Pittsburgh, and Mar- garet N. resides in the town of McDonald. Edward died in Kentucky in 1858, in the twenty-third year of his age.

James McBirney and his son John, natives of Ire- land, emigrated to this country at the close of the Revolution, and settled east of the mountains. It was not until 1814 they came to this county, and on the 15th of February of that year James purchased one hundred and forty-three acres of land of William Mc- Clain. James McBirney sold this place to his son John, who lived and died upon the place. He had three sons,-James, John, and Robert. James re- sided on the homestead, and left it to his son, John R. McBirney, who still owns it. A part of the Robbins Block Coal Company's works are on his lands. John now lives in Hickory. Robert lived on the tract, " Blackberry Plains," his grandfather, James McBir- ney bought later (and where he passed the remainder of his days). It is now owned by Mrs. Robert Mc- Birney, and occupied by William Dixon, a son-in-law.

John Witherspoon, from Maryland, came to this county with his wife and one son, Jonathan, and lived on land of Thomas Biggert, near the site of the Robinson Church, for a period of five years. After- wards they made several removals. About 1824 he rented the Hollingsworth improvement, now owned by Samuel Witherspoon, grandson of John Wither- spoon. Within a short time after their removal to this place the father died, leaving a widow and four sons,-Jonathan, John, Azariah, and Joshua. They united in the purchase of two hundred acres of the tract, including the improvement, which tract was all sold at this time, the Witherspoons, Andrew, Sam- uel, and Thomas Biggert and Isaac Donaldson pur- chasing the whole tract. Jonathan had no children, and later sold to Joshua, whose son Samuel now owns the property. John Witherspoon, the oldest son of Joshua, has resided at Bavington since 1855. Rev. James W. Witherspoon, also a son of Joshua, is a minister of the Fifth United Presbyterian Church in Allegheny City. William H., also a son, is a mer- chant in Burgettstown.

James McBride took up a tract of land, now owned by Alexander and James K. McBride. He built his cabin and lived there many years; later erected the house his grandson, James K., now occupies. He had ten sons. All are dead except Alexander, the young- est, now over eighty years of age, and who still occu- pies a part of the homestead. The farm was divided between Alexander and William, whose son, James K., owns the land of his father. Nathaniel, the eldest son of James, lived on a farm adjoining his father's,

but in Allegheny County. Samuel, Isaac, David, and John all settled near their father's place. Matthew moved to Canonsburg. James lived to be eighty-four years of age, and was buried at Robinson Church.

Samuel Pollock took out a warrant for one hundred and forty-eight acres of land March 16, 1786. This tract was on Chartiers Creek. He had two sons, James and John; the former married a daughter of Hugh McCoy, and for a second wife married a daugh- ter of Nathaniel McCoy, of Hanover township. He was a surveyor and justice of the peace, and lived on the Hugh McCoy farm, in Robinson township, many years and died there. His brother John was a prac- ticing physician in Clinton for nearly forty years.

Peter, Alexander, and William Kidd, three brothers, came from Dauphin County about 1781. Alexander Kidd lived unmarried, and about 1818 went to New Orleans in a produce boat, and was never afterwards heard from. William Kidd took up a tract near Midway. He married a Miss Hull. After her death he went West and married again. Alexander, a son of William, moved to Burgettstown, where he was justice of the peace for many years. Two of his daughters reside in Burgettstown. William A. Kidd, a son, also many years a justice of the peace and clerk of the courts of Washington County from 1863 to 1869, is a son of Alexander. Peter, brother of Alex- ander and William Kidd, remained some years in this township, then removed West.

Christopher Smith purchased forty acres of the Beelor lands of Thomas Clark. On this farm Mr. Smith kept tavern many years at the sign of the "Green Tree." His son John now owns the property. William Duncan owned fifty acres in the southeast part of the township, where his daughter Polly and granddaughter, Eleanor Connolly, now reside.

William Aten about 1800 purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres of James Bailey. It was part of a tract taken up by Seth Greer about 1785. William Aten lived here all his days, and reared a family of three sons-Aaron, William, and Henry- and four daughters. Aaron bought the property of the heirs and lived there till his death ; the property is now owned by his children. William settled in Smith township, where John Stevenson now lives. Henry is teaching school in Midway. Of the daugh- ters, Martha became the wife of Robert Stevenson, and lives in the township; Jane married Ephraim Boyle; they reside in Mount Pleasant township.

Midway .- This town is on the line between Robin- son and Smith townships, and situated in both. The tracts of land on which it is located were taken up by William and David Elder. The land was sold by the Elders to Samuel McFarlane, who sold to Thomas Mitchell & Co., by whom the village was laid out. The plat was surveyed Nov. 20, 1865, and was divided into fifty-three lots and four outlots. James Bell bought the first lot and erected a saw-mill, now owned by Samuel F. Bell. The first hotel was built by

904

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

George Campbell in 1869, and is still owned and occupied by him. John Kennedy was the first post- master, about the time the railroad was opened and this place became a station. The town at present contains ten stores, Methodist Church, Odd-Fellows' Hall, drug-store, school-house, hotel, millinery-store, railroad station, express- and telegraph-office, post- office, two coal-works, and two physicians. Years ago the place was called Egypt, and a store was kept here as early as 1844 by William Smith.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- Services of the society were first held in the mill of George W. Peacher, and the organization was perfected in 1874 under the charge of the Rev. J. E. Wright. He has been succeeded by the Revs. M. S. Kendig, S. W. McCurdy, D. K. Stevenson, J. F. Murray, J. H. Hick- man, and W. Johnson, the present pastor. The society has a present membership of thirty. An edifice was erected soon after the organization. The church is included in the charge with Burgettstown and Noblestown.

Baptist Church .- John Moses, a Baptist minister of Sharon, Pa., came to Midway in 1873. There being no Baptist society here at that time, he com- menced preaching in the school-house. A Bible class was organized in his house, which was well attended. A hall was rented, and a Sabbath-school organized with one hundred and thirty scholars. On the 17th of July, 1877, a church was organized with nine members; the Rev. John Moser was called to the pas- torate, and accepted. He remained as pastor until April 30, 1881, at which time he resigned. It was accepted June 4th the same year. The church is at present without a pastor, and has a membership of eighteen. Services are held in the school-house.

Societies .- Midway Valley Lodge, No. 888, I. O. O. F., was chartered with the following officers : Hec- tor Cochran, N. G .; William Higley, V. G .; William J. Riggs, Sec. Meetings were first held in a building owned by Thomas Woods. In 1877 the society erected a three-story building at a cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars, with rooms for a store in the first story, a public hall on the second floor, and lodge- room on the third floor. Present number of members, sixty.

McDonald .- The land on which this village is lo- cated was originally a part of the McDonald lands. The plat for the town was laid out in November, 1871, by M. O'Hara, under direction of Mrs. F. A. O'Hara, W. A. Edelbum being the surveyor. It contained four hundred and thirty-eight lots, each twenty-five by one hundred and twenty feet. An addition of forty lots was made to the plat July 7, 1873, by Michael and Francis O'Hara, and of one hundred and nine lots July 11, 1873.

Before the town was platted, Henry C. McEwen (about 1860) built a saw-mill and " chopper" at the place, and two years later a grist-mill was added. About the time of the grading of the railroad through this

section William Johnson built the first house in the town, and started the first hotel. The post-office was established at this place first under the name of Have- lock, and later changed to McDonald. Henry C. McEwen was the first postmaster appointed. He was succeeded by William Johnson, James Ewert, Jerry Fife, John Larimer, Theodore McD. McCloy, and J. D. Sawters, who is the present postmaster. William Johnson opened the first store. The town at present contains three stores, post-office, church (Episcopal), express- and telegraph-office, depot, grist-mill, and academy.

McDonald United Presbyterian Church .- About twenty-five persons gathered at the school-house in McDonald, Nov. 1, 1875, and united in a petition asking the Presbytery, who were to meet Dec. 1, 1875, to grant them an organization. The application and petition was granted. Application for a supply had been made to the Presbytery in September, previous to the above action, and S. W. Cook was sent as a commissioner. This request was granted, and the Rev. W. G. Nevins was sent. The society was organ- ized in February, 1876, by the Rev. Dr. Greer, of Robinson's Run Congregation. Rev. W. G. Nevins acted as a supply about one year and a half after organization. Rev. John McArthur then acted as a supply for nine months ; he was called to the pastor- ate, and remained one year and four months. Except with a supply, the pulpit was vacant for seven months. On the 1st of January, 1880, the Rev. W. D. Irons received and accepted a call, and is still the pastor. The church contains at present one hundred and eight members. A neat church edifice, thirty-five by sixty- five feet, was erected in 1876 at a cost of four thou- sand one hundred and fifty dollars. It was finished in the fall of 1877, and dedicated in December of that year by Dr. W. J. Reed, of Pittsburgh. A Sabbath- school of sixty pupils is connected with the church, of which the pastor is superintendent.

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.

History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 221

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