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 14
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SOMERSET TOWNSHIP
Was erected into a township by the Court of Quarter Sessions, and afterwards confirmed by the Supreme Executive Council, on April 3, 1782. It was bounded by Strabane, Peters, and Nottingham townships on the north ; the Monongahela River on the east ; Fal- lowfield and Bethlehem on the south, and Amwell and Strabane on the west.
Its present boundaries are North Strabane and Nottingham on the north ; Fallowfield and West Pike Run ou the east ; West Bethlehem and West Pike Run on the south, and West Bethlehem and S. Strabane on the west. It is centrally distant from Washing- ton 12 miles. Its greatest length is 10 miles-breadth, 6 miles. It is drained by the the north and south forks of Pigeon Creek on the east, and by branches of Little Chartiers' Creek on the west.
In 1860 its population was 1723, of which 62 were colored. The Williamsport and Washington turnpike runs along the northern boundary. It contains four stores, nine schools, with six male and three female teachers, the former receiving $35 and the latter $30; having 348 scholars (180 male and 168 female), tuition costing $1.14 per month. Amount of tax levied for school purposes, $1347, and receiving from the State appropriation $111.93.
The towns in the township are Bentleysville and Vanceville.
THE BOROUGH OF BENTLEYSVILLE.
This town was laid out by Shesbazzar Bentley, Jr., on the 4th of March, 1816, on the waters of Pigeon Creek. It is 25 miles from Pittsburg, 9 miles from Monongahela City, 10 miles from Browns- ville, and 15 miles from Washington. Shortly after the town was laid out the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist families united
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and erected a union church, which was destroyed by fire about the year 1828.
In 1848 the Methodist Episcopal church was built, in which Rev. J. B. Yarnall officiates.
On May 2, 1868, by a decree of the court, it became a borough, and contains 36 dwelling-houses, 3 stores, 1 school-house with two apartments, a literary society, 2 grist and saw-mills, 1 steam tan- nery, and has a population of about 300.
Vanceville is a small village, having about twelve houses, and is situated on the south branch of Pigeon Creek.
PIGEON CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The diary of the Rev. John McMillan throws much. light upon the early history of this church, in which it is stated :-
1775, the fourth Sabbath of August, preached at John McDowell's. Monday, rode about six miles to Patrick McCullough's, on Pigeon Creek. Tuesday, preached at Arthur Forbes's, and lodged with Patrick Scott. Patrick McCullough lived on the farm now owned by David McNary, Esq., and Arthur Forbes's farm is the property of Frederick Whitely, and Patrick Scott's residence is the property of Adam and Samuel Wier. The sermon alluded to was the first sermon preached within the bounds of the Pigeon Creek congrega- tion, and on that day of August, 1869, the congregation celebrated its centennial anniversary.
Rev. John McMillan returned to his father's home, at Foggs' Manor, in October, 1775, but returned and preached at Pigeon Creek on the 4th Sabbath of January, 1776, and on the following Sabbath at Chartiers. He returned to the east in the following March, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Donegal, which met at Chambersburg, June 19, 1776, to take charge of Pigeon Creek and Chartiers congregations, having received a call from these churches April 23, 1776. His connection with Pigeon Creek church ceased early in the spring of 1794, and the Rev. Boyd Mercer was called to its pastorate April 22, 1794, and served until 1799. Rev. Andrew Gwin was installed in 1800, and the pastoral relation was dis- solved in 1817. He was succeeded by Rev. Andrew Wylie, D. D., January 24, 1822, and ceased to act in September, 1829. The church had no regular pastor until September 26, 1831, when Rev. W. C. Anderson was elected. He was ordained and installed April 17, 1832, and served until July 15, 1836. His successor was Rev. Ebenezer S. Graham, called September 30, 1837, and installed the following month, and the pastoral relation was dissolved in October, 1842.
The congregation did not elect a pastor until April 8, 1844, when James Sloan, D. D., was elected, and he was subsequently installed in the December following. The pastoral relation was dissolved in October, 1862. His successor was Rev. S. M. Henderson, called
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June 5, 1863, ordained and installed November 4, 1863, and pasto- ral relationship closed April 24, 1867. The present efficient and honored pastor is the Rev. John S. Marquis, who was called March 2, 1868, and installed on June 5, 1868. As a successful laborer in his Master's cause, for humility and charity, and in dispensing gos- pel truth, he has no superior in the bounds of the Presbytery. To him am I indebted for the history of this church, which was planted in the wilderness more than one hundred years ago, and has proven itself a fruitful vine.
The first ELDERS of the church were Patrick McCullough, Patrick Scott, Hugh Cotton, and Hugh Scott. This session was subse- quently increased by the election and ordination of James Smith, John Hosack, James Kerr, Joseph Vaughn, John Stevenson, Wil- liam Ferguson, Robert Moore, and John Atkinson.
July 17, 1836, John Vance, Samuel Gamble Samuel Ritchey, Dr. Boyd Emery, William Kerr, and David Riddle, Esqrs., were ordained.
February 13, 1849, Andrew Smith, James Vance, John Leyda, Greer McIlvaine, and John Scott were elected, and ordained April 8, 1849.
March 3, 1856, William Smith, William Ramsey, and Edward Paden were elected, and ordained elders April 14, 1856.
March 5, 1860, Alexander Hamilton, Zechariah Peese, James Rankin, and John C. Messenger were elected elders, and ordained April 8, 1860. At the present time the session consists of Messrs. Greer McIlvain, William Smith, William Ramsey, Edward Paden, Alexander Hamilton, Zechariah Peese, and John C. Messenger.
The first DEACONS of the church were ordained March 7, 1864, and consisted of Messrs. Isaac V. Riddle, James Jones, William Barkley, and William Davis. This church has 306 communicants.
It is worthy of remark that the first meeting of the Presbytery of Red Stone was held in this church, on September 19, 1781, the fol- ing ministers being present : Rev. John McMillan, Rev. James Power, and Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, with Joseph Neil, Demas Lind- ley, and Patrick Scott as ruling elders.
The first church was a cabin of round logs, with a clap-board roof. It stood within the present graveyard, and was neither chunked nor daubed the first winter after its erection.
The second was built of stone, and stood in the graveyard. The aisles were earthen, with a floor of boards under the pews. Every family had a pew or bench, according to their own wishes, hence there was a great variety of pews, benches, &c.
The third building was erected in 1829. Proposals having been issued, on March 14, for a brick meeting-house, 56 by 70 feet (15 feet to the square). The Building Committee or the trustees were John Atkinson, Henry Vance, Samuel Gamble, and W. Paden.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath school was organized in 1822. Hon. Joseph Law- rence first brought the subject of a Sabbath school to the notice of
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the congregation. John C. Messenger, Esq., is the present super- intendent, and it has 225 scholars.
OTHER CHURCHES.
A Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1849, on the road from Hillsborough to Bentleysville. It is a neat frame building. Rev. J. B. Yarnall is the officiating minister.
Within one mile of Vanceville is a Baptist and a Disciple church, on the road from Bentleysville to Washington. The Rev. Mr. Hardzoth occupies the pulpit of the latter church, and the Rev. Mr. Skinner the Baptist pulpit.
Pigeon Creek U. P. Church was organized in 1820. Rev. Alex- ander Wilson was pastor from its organization until January 10th, 1834; Rev. Bankhead Boyd from September 24, 1834, to 1860; Rev. D. S. Littell from October 17th, 1861, to the present time- with a membership of one hundred and sixty-four.
GREENE TOWNSHIP
Was erected into a township on the 3d of April, 1782, by the Court of Quarter Sessions and approved by the Supreme Executive Coun- cil. Its boundaries were as follows : Beginning at the mouth of Little Whitely Creek and running therewith to the dividing ridge between that and Big Whitely Creek; thence with that ridge be- tween Big Whitely and Muddy Creek to Mason and Dixon's line ; thence to the Monongahela River ; thence by the river to the place of beginning. It had Cumberland township on the north ; the Mo- nongahela River on the east; Mason and Dixon's line on the south ; Virginia on the west. By the act of February 9th, 1796, this town- ship, with Cumberland, Morgan, Franklin, and Rich Hill townships, was struck off from Washington County to form Greene County.
Jarrett's Fort was built in this township.
The town of Greensburg, Greene township, Washington County (but afterwards Greene County), was laid out by Elias Stone on the 31st day of May, 1791. Greensburg is situated on the Mononga- hela River, on a part of a tract of land called "Delight," patented to Elias Stone and Elizabeth his wife, in 1787. Each lot contains eighty-one perches; streets forty feet wide. Lot number sixty was appropriated for public use and at the discretion of the inhabitants. The town contains eighty lots. The names of the streets, counting from the Monongahela River, were Water, Front, Second, Third, and Fourth streets. Counting from the eastern side of the town were Diamond, Stone, Clear, Walnut, Minor's, and County streets. Lot number sixty was at the corner of Third and County streets.
DICKINSON TOWNSHIP.
The Court of Quarter Sessions made application to the Supreme Executive Council to organize this township, and on September 17th,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
1775, by its action ratified the application of the court with the fol- lowing boundaries-the Monongahela River on the north and east ; Nottingham and Peters on the south; Robinson and Cecil on the west.
By an act of the legislature passed September 24th, 1788, Alle- gheny County was erected into a county, part of which was taken from Washington County. The proceedings of the Supreme Exe- cutive Council of September 30th, 1788, says : "Two returns from the districts of the townships of Cecil and Dickinson, in the county of Washington, were read and not allowed, as the whole of Dickin- son and part of Cecil distriet has been struck off to the county of Allegheny."
WASHINGTON.
The town of Washington originally belonged to Strabane town- ship, one of the thirteen original townships of the county, erected in July, 1781. On the 25th of September, 1785, the Court of Quar- ter Sessions, upon a petition of the citizens requesting to be formed into a separate election district, indorsed the application, and the Supreme Executive Council confirmed the proceedings of the court on the 6th of February, 1786. From its being originally a portion of Strabane township, so many have been the changes that its present chartered boundaries are Canton and South Strabane on the north, South Strabane on the east, Franklin and South Strabane on the south, Canton and Franklin on the west, being now entirely surrounded by new townships.
The original name of this town was BASSETT, which was laid out by David Hoge, Esq., of Cumberland County, the survey being made by David Reddick, Deputy Surveyor, October 13, 1781. Another plot states that a true copy of the plan remains in the hands of John Lukens, Surveyor General, which was made November 4, 1784, by Edward Lynch, Deputy Surveyor. This second plot was made prior to the sale of David Hoge to his sons John and William. On the 18th of October, 1781 (five days after the town was laid out), David Hoge, Esq., the proprietor, conveyed to James Edgar, Hugh Scott, Van Swearingen, Daniel Leet, and John Armstrong, as trus- tees of Washington County, a lot for a court house and prison, in the town of Bassett, containing two hundred and forty feet square, being bounded by Monongahela (now Market) Street on the east, Ohio (now Beau) Street on the north, lot No. 123 on the west, and Johnston's (now Cherry) Alley on the south.
The name of the town was permanently changed to Washington on the 4th of November, 1784, the date at which the second plot was made, although we have the evidence of receipts for lots being given by the proprietor in October, 1781, both as Bassettown and Washington, for in the deed of David Hoge to John and William Hoge, of November 7, 1785, it is stated that the said David con- veys to his sons, John and William, a traet of land in Washington
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County, on the waters of Chartiers' Creek, and known by the name of Catfishes Camp, containing eight hundred acres, which was to include the town of WASHINGTON, excepting the southwest fourth of said town, which said David reserved for himself. Subsequently, however, on the 10th of March, 1787, he also conveyed the remain- ing southwest fourth of the town to his sons, John and William. This deed also mentions the fact of the name of the streets being changed, based upon the second plot of 1784.
The act of the General Assembly of March 28, 1781, directs the electors to meet at the house of David Hoge at the place called Catfishes Camp, to hold their elections and courts until a court house shall be built.
To understand the Hoge purchase, we will state that there were three tracts of land originally surveyed and purchased by David Hoge, as follows : One from Martha Hunter, dated November 4, 1769, containing three hundred and thirty-nine acres and sixty-nine perches, and called " MARTHA'S BOTTOM." The second was pur- chased from Joseph Hunter, November 11, 1769, containing three hundred and thirty-one acres and twenty-one perches, called " GRAND CAIRO," and the third from Abraham Hunter, surveyed and pur- chased November 11, 1769, containing three hundred and thirty-one acres and twenty-one perches, called " CATFISHES CAMP."
The town of BASSETT was laid out on a portion of the two tracts of land known by the name of Grand Cairo and Catfishes Camp, but most generally known by the latter name. It was laid out by David Reddick, Esq., at the request of David Hoge, Esq., on Octo- ber 18, 1781; it then embraced all the lots within Walnut Street on the north, College Street on the east, Maiden Street on the south, and West Alley on the west, containing two hundred and ninety-one lots.
Upon the plot of the town of BASSETT are the following memo- randa : Lots marked A for a court-house and prison. This is the same public square now occupied with a court house, prison, &c. &c. Lots B, C, D were reserved by Mr. Hoge. B included the lots from Pine Alley, the residence of the late John L. Gow, deceased, to the corner of Main and Ohio (Beau) streets, the resi- dence of William Smith, Esq. C included the lots from the Fulton House, owned by Messrs. Little and Melvin, to Johnston's (now Cherry) Alley, or the house occupied by Alexander Murdoch, Esq. D all the lots from Pine Alley, the property of the heirs of William L. Oliver, deceased, to the corner of Main and Ohio (now Beau) streets, or the iron hall front, owned by William Smith, Esq. The plot also states that the two principal streets, viz., Monongahela (Main) Street and Ohio (Beau) Street, are sixty-six feet wide. The lots are sixty feet front by two hundred and forty feet deep. B, C, D. were each divided into six lots of forty feet front and two hun- dred and forty deep. Lot 171, on the corner of Race and Char- tiers streets (now Chestnut and Second), and at present owned by
-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Mrs. E. H. Turner, was given gratis for a place of public worship, while lot 172, directly opposite and owned by William H. Taylor, was appropriated for a school-house. Lot 43 was presented to General Washington. This lot is on the corner of Gay and Char- tiers (now Belle and Second) streets, and with the adjoining lot, 42, is owned by the First Presbyterian church. This lot was the site of the old red school-house, in which many of our citizens were edu- cated under George K. Scott, deceased, while lot 102, which was presented at the same time and occupying the opposite corner, being the southwest corner of the college square, is owned by David S. Wilson, Esq.
The plot of BASSETT has marked upon it three springs, designated by the letters a, b, c. a is a spring given for the use of the town ; b and c are springs. Where the spring run is parted, the water sinks under ground. One of these springs is on the corner lot owned by Jacob Koechline, on the corner of Main and Maiden streets, and in the cellar of his brick house. The other two springs are on the property of Wm. Huston, the adjoining lot, south of Mr. Koechline's. In the year -, when Judge Baird erected his steam mill at the foot of Main Street, the water for running the mill was conveyed by wooden pipes from this spring, and several of the lot owners through which it passed had fountain pumps connected with these pipes. Catfishes Camp is marked upon it, near the spring on the property of Patrick Bryson, deceased.
In addition to the foregoing memoranda, at the northwest corner of the plot and outside of the limits of the town of Bassett, is the letter A and the words, " Great plain given by Mr. Hoge for a com- mon, about seventy or eighty acres." In an examination of the minutes of the Town Council of June 6, 1811, is the following record :-
WHEREAS, A portion of the ground heretofore considered as a common has been sold and is about to be improved, to the prejudice of the rights of the borough and to the serious injury of several of the inhabitants, therefore
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to call on the proprie- tors of the town and the surviving commissioners who negotiated with Mr. David Hoge, the original proprietor, and obtain such infor- mation respecting the claims of the borough to said property as may be procured. Messrs. Alexander Reed, John Wilson, and Robert Anderson were appointed the committee. The burgesses were also instructed to give notice to all persons who are or may attempt building, inclosing, or improving, in or on the reputed com- mons or property of the borough, to desist therefrom. The minutes of the Council do not show that the Committee ever reported.
David Hoge having sold all his interest to his sons, they extended the original limits of Bassett by adding thereto on the EAST of Col- lege Street to the alley, called BREWERY ALLEY, commencing at the
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eastern end of Maiden Street and running to Walnut Street. Also adding on the SOUTH, from Maiden Street to Hazel Alley, forty build- ing lots and many outlots.
A small stream running through the southern and western part of Washington bears the name of Catfish Run. It will also be re- membered that the tract of land purchased from Abraham Hunter was called Catfishes Camp, and before even Bassett was laid out the few hamlets which occupied the southern part of Washington were called Catfish. The stream, the land, and the town all derived their name from a celebrated Indian Chief, whose Indian name was Tin- goocqua or Catfish, who belonged to the Kuskuskee tribe of In- dians, and occupied the hunting grounds between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River.
In the records of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, we find him participating in a conference meeting held in Philadelphia, Dec. 4th, 1759, at which Governor Hamilton and his council with chiefs from the Wyoming, Delaware, and Kuskuskee Indians were present. At this council the Indian chief CATFISH made the following speech, after taking four strings of wampum and holding two of them sepa- rate in his fingers, thus spoke :-
I have not much. to say; I am only a messenger. I came from the Kus- kuskees. The nation that I belong to as well as many others to the west of us, as far as the setting of the sun, have heard that you and Teedyuscung (Chief of the Delawares) sat often together in council and at length agreed npon a peace, and we are glad to hear that the friendship and harmony, which of old always subsisted between our and your ancestors, was raised up again and established once more. This was very agreeable to us, and we came here to see if what was related was true, and we find it is true, which gives us great satisfaction. [Then taking hold of the other two strings he proceeded.]
Brother. Now that Teedyuscung and you have, through the goodness of Providence, brought about a peace, we entreat you to be strong ; don't let it slip ; don't omit anything to render it quite secure and lasting ; hold it fast ; consider our aged men and our young children, and for their sakes be strong, and never rest till it be thoroughly confirmed. All the Indians at Allegheny desire you to do so, and they will do all they can likewise. [ Gave a string of wampum.]
Brother. We make eleven nations on the west of the Allegheny who have heard what you and Teedyuscung have concluded at the treaty of Easton (in 1758), and as we all heartily agreed to it and are determined to join in it, we have opened a road to where Teedyuscung lives, and we the messen- gers, have travelled much to our satisfaction on the road which he has made from his habitation to this town (Philadelphia). We have found it a very good road, and all our nations will use this road for the time to come. We say nothing of the Six Nations. We do not reckon them among the eleven nations. We leave you to treat with them yourselves, we make no road for them. This is your own affair. We only tell you we do not include them in anything we say. I have done. [Gave four strings of wampum.]
At what period Catfish settled in this part of the country tradition gives us no account. We know, however, from our aged citizen, Col. George Kuntz, whose father removed from the east to Washington
1
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in 1788, that he knew the old chief when he had a camp in the rear of the lot on which William Huston's inn now stands, near the three springs (which I have spoken of as being designated on the plan of Bassettown). Afterwards he moved his camp near to the spring now called Patrick Bryson's spring ; from thence he removed his camp to Shirl's woods ; from thence he went to Ohio and died.
Local tradition has falsely placed his tomb in the graveyard at Washington, Pa., marked by a large unhewn stone ; but such is not the fact. This stone was procured by Alexander Lytle, Esq., de- ceased, on the Williamsport road, and had it placed at the grave of his wife. His daughter Harriet, on her death-bed, requested that the bodies of her father, and mother, and family, with the same stone, be taken to the cemetery. The circumstance, however, gave rise to a few verses, written by a young man named Hiram Kaine, Esq., a printer by profession, yet unassuming as a poet. To preserve his memory, therefore, who composed these verses, and who in his own language desired not to obtain popularity in the drawing-rooms of the wealthy, but in the workshops and homesteads of his native place, was the reason why he tuned his rude unlettered harp.
THE GRAVE OF CATFISH.
1. A fitting monument was that For one so proud and stern -- More striking than a marble bust Or consecrated urn !
2. Unbending as that massive rock, You braved the battle storm, And reared amidst its fiercest shock Thy dark, majestic form.
3. Thou needst not fear the pale face race, Who slumber by thy side ; They cannot tear the home from thee, Which living they denied.
4. The unlettered stone above thy head Is not more still than they, The marble not more motionless That tells us where they lay.
5. The rank green grass is twining, Its wreath above thy head, As it ever richly twineth Round dwellings of the dead.
6. Oh ! does thy spirit ever come, To gaze upon this mound, And tread upon the springing grass Above the hallowed ground ?
7. Dost ever wander o'er the hills Where once thy tribe did roam, And curse the race who on their graves Have built themselves a home ?
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
8. Thou hearest not, dark Chieftain- Thy funeral song is sung, The emblems of thy power have flown, Thy last war-whoop hath rung.
9. But yet thy name, by kindred ghosts, Is heard by yonder rill, As comes its murmuring midnight chime In echoes from the hill.
When Bassettown was laid out, David Hoge, in October, 1781, issued tickets to purchasers of lots in these words :-
No. 15. Bassettown, October, 1781.
This will entitle Charles Dodd to receive a sufficient title, subject to one dollar a year in specie, for a lot marked in the original plan of said town, 58, provided there shall be erected thereon, on or before the thirtieth day of October, 1784, a house eighteen feet square at least, with a stone or brick chimney therein. DAVID HOGE.
On the 21st of July, 1784, this lot, with the house, was sold to John Dodd, for £300 Pennsylvania currency. It is situated on Main Street and the corner of Strawberry Alley, now owned by Jas. G. Strean, upon which is erected a three-story house, iron front, oc- cupied by Mr. Robert F. Strean's hardware store and the Reporter printing office.
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