USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 11
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
meeting and deputed Dr. Philastus Hurlbut, one of their number, to repair to this place and to obtain from me the original manuscript of Mr. Spaul- ding, for the purpose of comparing it with the Mormon Bible, to satisfy their own minds, and to prevent their friends from embracing an error so delusive. This was in the year 1834. Dr. Hurlbut brought with him an introduction and request for the manuscript signed by Messrs. Henry Lake, Aaron Wright, and others, with all of whom I was acquainted, as they were my neighbors when I resided in New Salem.
I am sure that nothing could grieve my husband more, were he living, than the use which has been made of his work. The air of antiquity which was thrown about the composition doubtless suggested the idea of convert- ing it to purposes of delusion. This historical romance, with the addition of a few pious expressions and extracts from the Sacred Scriptures, has been construed into a new Bible, and palmed off upon a company of poor deluded fanatics as divine. I have given the previous narration, that this work of deep deception and wickedness may be searched to the foundation, and its author exposed to the contempt and execration he so justly deserves. MATILDA DAVIDSON.
The Rev. Solomon Spaulding was the first husband of the narrator of the above history. Since his decease she has been married to a second husband, by the name of Davidson. She is now residing in this place, is a woman of irreproachable character, and an humble Christian, and her testimony worthy of implicit confidence.
A. ELY, D. D., Pastor Congregational Church, Monson. D. R. ELY, Principal of Monson Academy.
TENMILE VILLAGE.
I have been favored with the following description of Clarktown, or Tenmile Village, by J. C. Milliken, M. D., one of our most suc- cessful physicians in this county :-
This town is situated in the southern part of the county, near the line of Greene County, on North Tenmile Creek. It is one of our neatest country villages, with one main street and another running across it at nearly right angles ; the houses are generally neatly painted, with yards in front ornamented with evergreens, shrubbery, and flowers. The town contains one large flour and saw-mill, one blacksmith shop, one dry-goods store, one carriage and wagon fac- tory, one shoemaker shop, two physicians, and a population of about two hundred and twenty. It contains a Masonic lodge, and a school-house capable of containing one hundred scholars, in which the usual branches are taught nine months in the year.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Of the early settlers in this part of the county, as well as the ad- joining county of Greene, we desire to speak. The first settlers were squatters who purchased the land from the native Indians for a gun, trinket, or gewgaw, of whom were John Rutman and Dennis Smith, the former dying at the age of ninety-nine and the latter at
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
one hundred and four; these two, with William Gordon, Russel Reese, John Lorrison, and John James constituted the principal original settlers.
From the year 1770 to 1790 they were followed by a different kind of men, who patented their lands and obtained them legally ; these early pioneers were Nathaniel McGiffin, David Evans, James Milliken, Abel McFarland, George Cooper, and John Bates, some of whom served in the Revolutionary war with marked distinction with Washington, La Fayette, Green, Marion, and Sumpter.
FORTS.
For their protection these early settlers erected two forts, one called Fort Milliken, situated on a beautiful mound on the farm of Mrs. Samuel Braden, the other was named Fort McFarland, and located on the farm of Peter Garrett. There was a third fort or blockhouse on the farm now owned by Nehemiah Woodruff, Esq., where many bones, arrows, wares, and trinkets are unearthed by the farmer's plough. The mound that encircled the area of this third fort until recently was covered with large trees, and in the immediate vicinity are numerous burying-grounds of the Indians.
CHURCHES.
In the fall of the year 1831 the Revs. A. M. Bryan, John Morgan, A. Chapman, R. Burrow, and R. Donnel came as missionaries to proclaim the doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They held a camp-meeting on Abel Milliken's farm near Fort Milli- ken. In May, 1832, another camp-meeting was held, and another in January, 1833 ; the result of these camp-meetings was the organi- zation of a church on the 22d of January, 1833, which was called Pleasant Hill. The church is built of brick, and located about half a mile from the village.
The following pastors have officiated, viz: Rev. John Morgan, for one year and a half; Rev. Alexander Robinson, one year ; Rev. S. P. Allen, one year ; Rev. E. Howland, six months ; Rev. Milton Bird, five years; Rev. James McFarland, six months ; Rev. John Carey, twelve years; Rev. Philip Axtell, four years; Rev. Ste- phen Winget, ten years ; Rev. Jesse Adams, two years. Rev. Philip Axtell is the present incumbent.
NORTH TENMILE BAPTIST CHURCH
Is situated on a ridge two miles north of Tenmile village. Its his- tory runs back as far as the year 1772. In their first labors they were much troubled with the Indians, and were often compelled to hold their meeting in Fort McFarland. Their present church is the third which has been erected on the same ground. The Rev. James Sutton was their first regular pastor ; he was chosen February
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
4, 1774; he served for seven years. His successor was Rev. Joh Corbly, who remained for two years. He was followed by Rev. David Sutton. How long he preached cannot be ascertained, because the church records are lost, and our next preacher of which we have any sure knowledge was Rev. Charles Wheeler, who became the pastor in 1831 and served five years. In 1836, Rev. A. B. Bow- man became the pastor and resigned in 1839, when the Rev. Levi Griffith was elected, and officiated until 1842. His successor was Rev. F. Downey, who served until 1846, then followed Rev. Wm. Whitehead for eighteen months; Rev. S. Kendall Lenning, for six and a half years; Rev. T. C. Gunford, for one year; Rev. W. Scott, for six months; Rev. B. P. Ferguson, for two and a half years ; Rev. J. Boyd, for three years. In 1865, Rev. W. B. Skinner became pastor, who remained until 1867. His successor, until 1868, was Rev. S. Kendall, who was followed by the present incumbent, Rev. C. W. Tilton.
AMERICAN PATRIOTISM.
On February 6, 1839, the citizens of Amwell township met and elected John Carter President, and Samuel L. Hughes Secretary. The object of the meeting was to adopt measures to check the bit- terness of party strife, sink the character of the politician, and arise superior to party dictation and party influence, by assuming the character and attributes of an American patriot.
BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP
Was one of the original townships, organized July 15, 1781. It was at that period bounded by Straban and Fallowfield townships on the north, the Monongahela River on the east, Amwell and Frank- lin townships on the south, and Amwell on the east.
Application was made to the Court of Quarter Sessions on March 13, 1788, to divide the township into East and West Bethlehem townships, and on the 18th of January, 1790, the court directed the division to be made by a straight line running from Peter Drake's to Weise's mill.
On the 29th of March, 1788, before the division of the township, we find Michael Simon and Anne Ottia his wife conveying to the trustees of the Dutch Presbyterians two and a fourth acres of land situate on Brush Run, a branch of Tenmile Creek, to be used for divine worship, and teaching of school, and a burial-ground.
April 12, 1792, Joseph Townsend and wife conveyed to James Crawford, Nathaniel Heald, Abraham Smith, John Townsend, John Heald, and Isaac Jenkinson, as trustees of the Quaker Westland meeting-house, a certain lot of ground, containing twenty acres, for a meeting-house, burying-ground, and other necessary purposes, in consideration of twenty pounds, Pennsylvania currency. This land is on the draws of the Monongahela River and Twomile Run.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
EAST BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.
It is bounded north by East and West Pike Run, east by the Monongahela River, south by Greene County, and west by West Bethlehem. It is centrally distant from Washington eighteen miles, its greatest length, nine miles, breadth, four and a half miles. The National road crosses the river by a bridge in the northeast angle of this township. On this road are Frederickstown and Mills- borough, but have been erected into separate boroughs.
East Bethlehem has five stores, one distillery, and ten schools, employing three male and seven female teachers; the average monthly salary of the former is $36.66, and of the latter $33.14. The number of scholars is four hundred and thirty, of which two hundred and twenty-eight are males, and two hundred and two are females ; the cost of tuition per month, $1.18 per scholar; amount levied for school purposes, $1792.39 ; received from the State appro- priation, $175.89. Population in 1860, white, 1825 ; colored, 37, amounting to 1862.
August 25th, 1843, an alteration was made and confirmed by the court on the division line between West Pike Run and East Bethle- hem townships.
November 30th, 1848, the court, upon petition and hearing the report of viewers, attached all that part of East Bethlehem to East Pike Run except West Brownsville, which is north of the National road. At the August term, 1861, the line between East and West Bethlehem was changed, so as to include Thomas Martindale in East Bethlehem.
FREDERICKTOWN
Is on the west bank of the Monongahela River, below the great bend, two miles north of the mouth of Tenmile Creek, eight miles above Brownsville, and twenty miles southwest of Washington. It was laid out by Frederick Wise, on August 21, 1790, although the land was patented March 22d, 1788, under the name of sugar-tree bottom. In laying out the town, the proprietor reserved one acre of ground for a cemetery, and lot No. 44 for a school-house, upon which a brick edifice has been erected, containing one graded school with two de- partments.
The town was surveyed and laid off by Isaac Jenkinson ; lots measured 60 by 180, having Water, Main, and Bank streets running parallel with the river, and Washington, Walnut, and Sycamore run- ning at right angles to the former; each street being 50 feet wide except Main, which is 60. The proprietor of the town entered into an agreement with Isaac Jenkinson and others September 20, 1793, recorded in the Recorder's office of this county, that no distillery for the destruction of grain or fruit shall be at any time erected on the premises, by or under said Wise or any purchaser of his or their pur- chase.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
In 1793 a public library was established, which continued in opera- tion until the 31st day of July, 1825, when it was closed and the books sold.
The town contains a population of 320 inhabitants; a stoneware pottery, manufacturing 30,000 gallons annually ; a grist and saw- mill; two hotels; a rectifying distillery ; fifty dwellings; and salt works, the well being 520 feet deep.
About a mile below Fredericktown is a curious cave called the Panther's den. It enters the hill half way from its base, by a small fracture or rent in the rock. After going a few yards through a narrow and descending passage, you enter a wide but low room in which you can walk nearly upright; to the roof of this room the exploring party found bats hanging in a stupid kind of sleep. By clambering up another fracture in the rock, they entered another room; they were required to roll themselves through this room, and entered a third by a narrow and descending passage, occasioned by another rent in the rock. This room was high enough to walk upright in, and was divided by a partition of petrifactions, formed by the drippings of water through the roof. The party explored it about forty yards.
David S. Wilson, Esq., of Washington, has kindly permitted me to copy the following letter, the original of which is in his posses- sion, and is a proud monument to the citizens of Fredericktown and its vicinity, showing their devotion to our government in its in- fant state. The letter is in the hand-writing of John Adams, Presi- dent of the United States.
To the inhabitants of Fredericktown and its vicinity, in the county of Washington and the State of Pennsylvania-
Gentlemen : Your memorial to the President, Senate, and House of Rep- resentatives has been presented to me by Judge Addison, for which I return you my thanks.
From the beginning of the world, the elements of division of opinion among the people have existed; the distinctions of the wise and foolish, learned and ignorant, industrious and idle, strong and weak, virtuous and vicious, have ever prevailed, and while these continue men will think differ- ently. One would imagine that under a constitution of their own choice they might agree, but we find that they do not; to be sure to seek shelter under a foreign power is another thing; they must be depraved and lost, who are capable of this. Very few, if any, whose blood was first distilled from the American soil can be of the number; these will very generally pledge themselves to a cordial attention to every duty incumbent on citi- zens of a free and independent Republic. JOHN ADAMS ..
Philadelphia, July 7, 1798.
MILLSBOROUGH
Was incorporated as a borough on April 16, 1840. Its population in 1860 was 292. It is 21 miles distant from Washington, and is situate in East Bethlehem township, and was laid out by Jesse Bomgarner in the year 1770 (the land being patented June 3, 1769) on the north bank of Tenmile Creek, at its confluence with the 7
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Monongahela River, at which there is a ferry. The streets are 50 feet wide-lots, 60 by 180 feet. The houses, generally frame, and some brick ; yet a few of the old landmarks (log houses) still re- main to remind the inhabitants of the days of "Auld Lang Syne." There are sixty dwelling-houses and three churches, viz., a Cum- berland Presbyterian, under the care of Rev. J. S. Gibson ; a Me- thodist Episcopal, under charge of Rev. Mr. Hill, and a Methodist Protestant Church; two cabinet-makers, five stores, two cooper shops, one blacksmith shop, two foundries, one hotel, one wagon manufactory, a steam grist-mill, a saw mill, and one rectifying dis- tillery in this borough. Mill Street is the principal street, being 60 feet wide, while the remaining streets, Ferry, Walnut, Water, and Morgantown, are but 40 feet. Three of these run east and west, and the others intersect them at right angles.
Millsboro' has two school-houses with 82 scholars, 34 males and 48 females ; cost of tuition per month is $1.09; amount of taxes levied for school purposes, $2.77 ; State appropriation, $36.66.
Half a mile from the town, on the opposite side of the river, is a rock of about twenty feet square, upon which are curious hierogly- phics which can scarcely be deciphered. The rock is of a sand-stone character, and upon it are impressions of Indians, animals, pipes, feet, heads, claws, &c.
The Monongahela River at this place is slack water, twenty miles up the river from this point, as far as Geneva. Steamboats ply this river and carry freight to and from Pittsburg, and supply this and the adjoining counties and West Virginia. An old water grist-mill still remains, to which the inhabitants in the old times came fifty miles.
WEST BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP
Is bounded on the north by Somerset, on the east by Somerset and E. Bethlehem, on the south by Greene County, and on the west by Amwell and S. Strabane. This township is centrally distant from Washington 15 miles. In 1860 it contained a population of 1961, of which 4 were colored. It has 13 schools, with 652 scholars, of which 324 are males and 228 females; the cost of tuition per month being 98 cents ; the total amount of tax levied for school and build- ing purposes, $2421.97 ; the State appropriation being $193.83. Its length is 10 miles ; its breadth, 6 miles.
The towns are HILLSBOROUGH and ZOLLARSVILLE. Hillsborough is on the National Road, midway between Washington and Browns- ville, 11 miles from each. It contains 38 dwellings, 3 preachers, 5 physicians, 3 shoe shops, 2 saddle and harness shops, 1 hotel, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 wagon-maker shop, 1 cabinet-maker, 2 carpen- ters, 4 stores, a Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal church. It is elevated 1750 feet above tide water-917 feet above the Monon- gahela River at Brownsville, and 1002 feet above the Ohio at
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
.
Wheeling. It was laid out by Stephen Hill and Thomas McGiffen, Esq., deceased, and has a population of 180 inhabitants.
The land upon which Hillsborough (now called Scenery Hill) was laid out, was patented September 15, 1784, by Wm. Hill, Esq., and named Springtown, and contained 3933 acres, for and in considera- tion of three pounds five shillings and sixpence. This tract is now divided thus: the land upon which the town is laid out, and the respective farms of Oliver Lacock, Valentine Kinder, John Taylor, and Joseph W. Cowan, Esqrs. The aggregate value of these tracts is estimated at $75,000.
The first church in Hillsborough was erected about 1850 by the Presbyterians and Lutherans ; the second church, by the Methodists, in 1852, by Hiram Winnett. Before their erection divine service was performed in the school-house. The Methodist denomination has had the efficient services of Revs. J. White, Geo. S. Holmes, Wake- field, Hudson, Yarnall, and many others who have labored success- fully in the cause of their Divine Master. The Methodist church has about eighty members.
The first postmaster was the late Samuel Stanley. He worked at the carpenter business in 1810 at the large storehouse of Oliver La- cock ; settled and became a resident of the place, and died ten years since at an advanced age. As a man, a citizen, a Christian, and a Freemason, he had no superior. His daughter fills his place in the post-office department.
Zollarsville is on the north branch of Tenmile Creek, 16 miles from Washington. It was laid out by Stephen Ullery in 1856, and is a small and thriving village. Near the residence of ex-sheriff E. R. Smith is the remains of an Indian fort. The entrenchment around the fort, which can yet be traced, is about 100 feet from the fort. Bones, pipes, arrows, &c., have been found. None of the inhabitants of the surrounding country can trace its origin ; but a tree was lately cut down within the inclosure of the grounds of the fort, and its age, according to the mode of computing the age of trees, amounted to about 300 years. Coal is found at 180 feet, and salt water at 400 feet.
There is a Methodist Episcopal church northwest of Zollarsville, and a Dunkard Baptist church near Mr. Wherry's.
This township has a number of grist and saw-mills.
Half a mile below Hillsborough there was erected an Episcopal church, under the supervision of Rev. Joseph Dodridge (but the site can only now be traced), near George Taylor's, Esq.
CECIL TOWNSHIP.
This was the third of the original townships formed July 15, 1781. Its boundaries were Robinson township on the north; Peters, Dickin- son, and Strabane on the east ; Amwell on the south; and Smith and Hopewell on the west.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
By the act of Assembly of September 24, 1788, a part of this township, with the whole of Dickinson, was ceded to Allegheny Coun- ty, at which time the county was formed and confirmed by the Su- preme Executive Council, September 30, 1788. An application was made to the Court of Quarter Sessions of this county, praying for a division of the township, beginning at Chartiers' Creek at the junction of the mouth of Brush Run, and continuing up the same as high as to Matthew Johnston's, to include his farm in the upper division, thence leaving James Reed's farm in the lower division, directly, to include GENERAL WASHINGTON'S and Henry Guy's land in the upper divi- sion, and immediately to intersect the outside line of the township.
December 9, 1789, the Supreme Executive Council confirmed the same, and the township thus formed was called Chartiers.
Cecil township is now bounded by Robinson township and Allegheny County on the north, Peters township and Allegheny County on the east, Chartiers and North Strabane on the south, and Mount Plea- sant and Chartiers on the west. Its greatest length is 74 miles, breadth, 4} miles. Miller's branch of Chartiers' Creek passes south- east through the middle of the township, upon which are several mills. Its population in 1860 was 959, of which but one is colored. It contains three stores. The township line between this and Mount Pleasant township was adjusted and confirmed by the court.
The only town in this township is Venice, 12 miles from Washing- ton, named, by its founder, after the famous maritime city of Italy. We cannot say with the poet,
"From out the wave her structures rise As from the stroke of the enchanter's wand,"
there being but 26 dwelling houses, a Presbyterian church south of Venice, with a parsonage attached. There is another Presbyterian church east of the place.
This township has seven schools with two male and five female teachers, receiving a monthly salary of $35.00, having 210 scholars, of which 112 are males and 98 females, tuition costing each scholar per month $1.35. Amount of taxes levied, $1991.11, and receiving from the State appropriation, $98.67.
GEN. WASHINGTON'S LAND.
From our county records we learn the history of this land. A patent was issued July 5, 1775, by John, Earl of Dunmore, Lieute- nant and Governor-General of the colony of Virginia, to George Washington, for two thousand eight hundred and thirteen acres of land, in Augusta County, in the State of Virginia, on the waters of Miller's Run, one of the branches of Shirtee Creek, which is a branch of the Ohio River. Gen. Washington held this land until June 1, 1796, when he conveyed the same to Matthew Richie, Esq., of this county, in consideration of the sum of twelve thousand dollars. Witnesses to the deed were James Ross, Esq., and Charles Lee, the
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
deed being acknowledged in Philadelphia by the grantor, before James Biddle, President of the Court of Common Pleas of the first district. The payments on the land were $3180 cash, and the balance, $8820, in three equal annual payments with interest.
Matthew Richie, Esq., in his advertisement to sell the land after he had purchased it, says, there are thirteen farms cleared and cul- tivated on the land, which is of excellent quality, rich, level, well tim- bered, and well watered.
Gen. Washington came to visit his lands (which were, when patent- ed, in Augusta County, Virginia), and brought ejectments for their recovery. During his stay, the mother of James Reed (silversmith, formerly of this place) cooked a dinner on or near the lands for the General, and on his return stayed one night with Col. John Cannon, the proprietor of Canonsburg.
Before the sale to Matthew Richie, Esq., the record of the court shows that suit was instituted for the recovery of this land.
Smith.
His Excellency George Washington, Esq., No. 110. vs. Breckenridge. Samuel McBride, James McBride, Thomas Biggart, Wm. L Stewart, Brice McGehan, John Reed, John Glen, James Scott, William Hillis, and Matthew Johnson.
Ejectment served. Hugh M. Breckenridge, Esq., appears, pleads non cul, and enters into the common rule and rule for tryal next term. March, 1785. Removed per certiorari. Clerk, £1.4. 4. Sheriff, £4. 19. Mileage, 5 shillings.
Our court records also have the name of the illustrious Benj. Frank- lin as plaintiff. April 1, 1788.
Ross. ( Benjamin Franklin, Esq., President of the Supreme Executive Council, vs.
Bradford. David Williamson, Andrew Swearingen, and Thomas Stokely. Summons. Debt £1000, served on each. Entered by plaintiff's attorney, J. Ross.
The suit was brought against David Williamson, who was elected sheriff. of this county October 26, 1787, and his securities.
The United Presbyterians have a church formed by the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches in 1858. The Associ- ate congregation of Miller's Run was organized in September, 1849, the Rev. A. Anderson, D. D., and Rev. Thomas Beveridge, D. D., officiated respectively as pastors from November, 1849, to June, 1855.
The U. P. congregation of Venice was organized in 1858; the Rev. A. R. Anderson has officiated as pastor from April 17, 1860, till the present time, with a membership of 182.
CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP
Was the fourth of the thirteen original townships, which was orga- nized by the trustees of the county on July 15, 1781. It was bounded by Morgan township on the north, Mason and Dixon's line on the south, the Monongahela River on the east, and the State line on the west.
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