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 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
In connection with this subject we might say that " Mormonism" had its origin in Amity, in the township of Amwell, whose history 12. 89 we have given under that township. Thus have we finished the history of superstition, which exerts so baneful an influence upon the human mind.
214
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
SCHOOL-HOUSE.
Alexander Frazer, Esq., of this place, informs me that the first school taught in the western part of Finley township commenced in the spring of 1799 and continued for one year. The teacher's name was McDonald, who could read, write, and cipher to the double rule of three. The books used were Dilworth's spelling book, the Old and New Testament, and the Shorter Catechism.
1801. A young man by the name of Carroll, of Finley township, with another by the name of Richmond, went out early in the morn- ing to hunt wild turkeys. The experienced hunter can give the turkey call so exact that the turkeys themselves are deceived by it. This unfortunately was the result of this case. These hunters be- came separated, and after a time Carroll, who was hid in the bushes, gave the turkey call. Richmond being a long distance off, hearing the call and seeing something dark moving in the brush, shot, and the ball passed through the head of his companion. Richmond, at the accident, became almost frantic, took up Carroll's gun, shot it off and laid it across his body and went home. He revealed the secret to his sister, who advised him to keep the secret, fearing he might be apprehended for murder, they being ignorant of the law. Richmond and his sister went that night and watched the corpse lest the wolves might devour it. The next day Carroll was missing, search was made, the body found, and the opinion was he had shot himself. This remained a profound secret until Richmond, on his death-bed, revealed the secret.
EAST FINLEY TOWNSHIP
Was formed from the eastern part of Finley township, on the 24th day of December, 1828. Its boundaries are-Donegal and Buffalo on the north, Franklin and Morris on the east, Greene County on the south, and Donegal and West Finley on the west. It is centrally distant from Washington, southwest, fifteen miles. It is drained by the branches of Wheeling Creek. In 1860 its, population was 1261. It has eight schools, employing five male and three female teachers, the former receiving $35.80, the latter $33.50 per month, with 300 scholars (180 males and 120 females). Cost of tuition per month $1.07 cents. Total amount of taxes levied for school purposes $1557.04, from the State appropriation $108.42. It has five stores. There are four churches in this township, a Baptist church near Pleasant Grove in the eastern end, a Methodist Episcopal church near school-house No. 4, on Mr. Enslow's farm, in the centre, a Presbyterian church near Mrs. Jordan's in the west, and a United Presbyterian church in the southeast on Lockhart's Run near Dr. Simpson's. East Finley has several valuable steam grist and saw- mills. Its greatest length is nine miles, breadth four miles.
The Baptist church called Pleasant Grove, in this township, was
215
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
constituted November 14, 1840, by Elders Isaac Pettet, Simeon Sieg- fred, and Levi Griffith, with fifty-three members who had been mem- bers of Mount Herman church, the old Tenmile Baptist church.
Those who have officiated as pastors are, Elder Levi Griffith from its organization to October, 1847. Rev. Isaac Winn supplied the pulpit for six months, when Rev. Eli C. Town was elected and served to April, 1848. Rev. A. J. Davis served six months, when Rev. John Thomas became the pastor and served until April, 1857. His successor was Elder John Scott, who preached until July, 1857. The church had occasional supplies until February, 1858, when Rev. Job Rossel was chosen pastor and served until 1861, when Rev. John B. Linsked was elected and served until April, 1866. His successor and present pastor was elected May 5, 1866.
The following persons have been Deacons of this church at various times since its organization : Messrs. John Tilton, Samuel Kelly, Elliott Patterson, Daniel Tilton, Thomas McKahan, J. Y. Holmes, Josiah Patterson, William McCleary, Joseph Ryan, aud Manson Trussel.
Church Clerks from organization, Edward O. Town, Ezra Town, Thomas McKahan, and Robert Kerr. The following persons have been licensed to preach the gospel at official meetings held in this church, viz : Eli C. Town in 1847, Hugh R. Craig and Wm. Scott in 1854, and J. Y. Holmes in 1861. This church has been instru- mental in establishing churches at Buffalotown and North Wheeling, West Finley township.
WHEELING U. P. CHURCH was organized August, 1836. Rev. Joseph Shaw was pastor from June 20, 1843, to April 20, 1852. Rev. James C. Murch from September, 1853, to 1859. Rev. James A. McKee from August, 1860, until the present time, with a mem- bership of 75.
WEST FINLEY TOWNSHIP
Was organized the same time as East Finley, on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1828. Its boundaries are Donegal on the north, East Finley on the east, Greene County on the south, and West Virginia on the east. This township is centrally distant southwest of Washington 17 miles. It is chiefly drained by Templeton's and Robinson's forks of Wheeling Creek. The population in 1860 was 1453, of which 33 are colored, with four stores. It has ten school-houses employing five male and five female teachers, the former receiving $27.19 and the latter $23 03 per month, with 468 scholars, 251 males and 217 females, the tuition costing per month 65 cents; taxes for school purposes $1468.70, and its State appropriation $146.25 ; levied for building purposes $587.48.
Its towns are Good Intent and Burnsville.
Burnsville is in the southern part.
Good Intent and Burnsville are small thriving villages.
216
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The greatest length of this township is 9 miles, breadth 42 miles. There is a Presbyterian church on the northwest of Burnsville, and Disciple church north of the same town.
In this township the United Presbyterian congregation is under the care of Rev. J. A. McKee.
MORRIS TOWNSHIP
Was formed by an order of the Court of Quarter Sessions, March 13, 1788. Its original boundaries were Amwell on the north, Beth- lehem on the east, Franklin on the south, and Donegal on the west. It is at present bounded by East Finley, Franklin, and Amwell on the north, Amwell on the east, Greene County on the south, and East Finley on the west. Centrally distant from the borough of Wash- ington 9 miles southwest. Greatest length 62 miles ; breadth 4 miles. It is drained by the north fork of Tenmile Creek and its branches. The population in 1860 was 1148, of which one is color- ed. It has three stores, seven schools, employing four males and three female teachers, the former receiving $35.25, and the latter $31 per month, with 288 scholars, 176 males and 112 females ; the cost of tuition is 94 cents per month ; amount of taxes raised for school purposes $1664.67 ; from the State appropriation $95.94.
Its towns are Sparta, Prosperity, and Lindley's Mills.
Sparta and Lindley's Mills are small villages, but Prosperity has twenty-two dwelling-houses, two stores, grist-mill, and several de- partments of the mechanical arts, and is ten miles from Washington.
Two miles west of Prosperity is a Methodist Episcopal church, called Mount Zion, near Robert S. Andrew's farm.
UPPER TENMILE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Is located in Morris township. It was organized August 15, 1781, at the house of Jacob Cook, with 25 members, Rev. Thaddeus Dodd being elected and ordained its first pastor. It is worthy of remark that he was the second minister who settled west of the Monongahela River, the Rev. John McMillen having preceded him. Through his instrumentality and the Upper Tenmile church, the FIRST classical school west of the Alleghenies was established as early as 1782, of which he was its first principal. Rev. T. Dodd occupied the pulpit of both Upper and Lower Tenmile congrega- tions ; the Upper was at Lindley's settlement, and the Lower at Cook's settlement. The site of the Upper Tenmile church was given by Demas Lindley, upon which they built a meeting-house of hewn logs, while in 1785 was erected the same kind of a church for the people of Lower Tenmile. The Rev. Thaddeus Dodd taught a classical school in the log court-house in Washington about 1788 or 1789. Rev. Thaddeus Dodd died in 1793, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Moore, who labored until 1803. On the 14th of De- cember, 1803, Rev. Cephas Dodd (son of Rev. Thaddeus Dodd),
217
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
was ordained as the minister of both Upper and Lower Tenmile churches, like his predecessors, but in 1817 they separated, each having a minister, session, &c., Rev. Cephas Dodd remaining with the Lower Tenmile church.
In 1817, or immediately after the separation, Rev. Thomas Hoge served this congregation as a stated supply for three years, and during his labors the frame meeting-house was erected. From 1819 to 1821 the pulpit was filled by Rev. Andrew Wylie, D. D., President of Washington College, as a stated supply. In 1821 and 22, Rev. Boyd Mercer was the pastor. Rev. L. Robbins preached for one year. After this the church was vacant for several years, only filled by supplies from Presbytery. However, in December 1827, the Rev. Cornelius Laughran was elected and installed and served for eighteen months. The church was again without a pastor until 1830, when Rev. Jacob Lindley became the stated supply. From 1832 to 1838 this congregation had the occasional labors of Rev. David Elliott, Rev. John Stockton, and Rev. John McCluskey. In 1838 the Rev. James M. Smith was ordained and served until 1841. From 1841 to 1846 the church was supplied by appointments of Presbytery, viz: Rev. Alfred Paull, Rev. J. Miller, and Rev. John R. Dundas, but in the spring of 1846 Rev. Nicholas Murray (a Professor in Washington College) accepted a call as the stated sup- ply ; he labored until 1853, when he " fell asleep in Jesus." His successor was Rev. Cyrus Braddock for one year. After him was the Rev. E. C. Wines, D. D., who took charge of the church in 1855, and resigned in 1859.
The successor to the pastorate of the church after Rev. Dr .. Wines had resigned was the Rev. N. B. Lyon, who faithfully and zealously discharged his ministerial duties, and in the very manhood of his ministry was called away to his eternal rest, to receive the. crown for his labors of love on earth. His remains are buried in the beautiful Cemetery at Washington, Washington County. Rev. N .. B. Lyon, deceased, was succeeded by Rev. Henry Wood, the present- pastor, Professor of Ancient Languages in Washington and Jeffer -. son College, and is doing noble and efficient service in the cause of his Divine Master.
There is a Sabbath school connected with the church, which was: organized in 1825, having fifteen teachers, one hundred and twenty scholars, and near four hundred volumes in their library.
In the year 1854 the congregation erected their third place of" worship. The present one occupies the same site where its two pre -- decessors stood.
In connection with the Upper Tenmile Church we will add the; history of the
LOWER TENMILE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
It is true this church is located in Amity, Amwell township, and its history properly belonged to that township, but as we could not
ยท
218
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
well separate their history, we delayed it until it could be more ap- propriately and understandingly given, for it must be remembered that both "Upper and Lower Tenmile Congregations" were but one ecclesiastical organization, with the same pastor and session, from their organization in 1781 until 1817, when they became two distinct bodies.
The ministers who officiated from 1781 to the division of the church were Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, Rev. Thomas Moore, Rev. Ce- phas Dodd (who at the separation remained with the Lower Ten- mile Church), Rev. James W. McKennan, Rev. W. P. Harvison, and Rev. J. W. Hamilton, its present esteemed pastor. Several years while the church was without a pastor, it had the services as stated supplies of such ministers as the Rev. James Black, D. D., and Rev. W. J. Brugh.
The original church was of hewn logs, and the present neat and chaste edifice is in close proximity to the former, while in the rear is the rural cemetery of Amity, in which repose the honored remains of many loved ones, loved in life and honored in death. There is a Sabbath school connected with the church, which was organized in 1826, having eleven teachers, eighty scholars, and three hundred and twenty volumes in the library.
CHARTIERS TOWNSHIP
Was formed out of Cecil on March 23, 1790. Its original boun- daries were Robinson on the north, Strabane on the east and south, and Cecil on the west. Its present boundaries are Mount Pleasant and Cecil on the north, Cecil north and south, Strabane on the east, South Strabane and Canton on the south, and Mount Pleasant and Canton on the west. It is centrally distant north of the borough of Washington six miles; its greatest length, seven miles; breadth, five miles. October 6, 1831, the line of this township was changed and part given to Mount Pleasant township, and at the August term of Court, 1863, the boundary lines between Chartiers and Canton townships were altered and confirmed by the court.
Chartiers Creek flows on the southern boundary.
Population in 1860 was 1795, of which 211 are colored.
Within the township limits are two stores, eight schools, employ- ing one male and seven female teachers, their monthly pay being $29.37 each. The schools contain 337 scholars, of which 163 are males, and 174 are females, the tuition for each costing 84 cents per month; amount levied for school purposes, $1620; and the fund received from the State $141.57.
TOWNS.
Its towns are Canonsburg and McConnellsville, the former being a borough ; its history will be given in connection with and after the township history.
MeConnellsville is a small village near the centre of the township,
219
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
with thirty dwelling-houses and a population of about one hundred and forty.
INCIDENT.
In connection with the early history of this township we mention the following incident from the Pittsburg Gazette of May 15, 1790, speaking of the navigation of Chartiers' Creek :-
" About five or six days since a number of men to the amount of thirteen left Canonsburg, on Chartiers' Creek, and, with the advantage of a rising flood, conducted two boats from thence in about twelve hours into the Ohio River. One was large and heavy, built for the purpose of carrying flour to New Orleans, forty-seven feet in length and twelve in breadth; a small part of the cargo to the amount of forty barrels on board. The other, a barge 25 feet in length, built for the genteel reception of passengers. The amazing facility with which these boats passed down the creek to the mouth, their safe crossing of two mill-dams, one of which was about twelve feet high, with the rudeness of the creek in its natural state, especially at the falls, sufficiently show what immense advantage might arise to thousands of people in the county of Washington were the legislature to attend to the improvement of its navigation. "From Canonsburg and nearer Washington the charge of carriage to Pittsburg, on account of hills and deep roads, is not less than three shillings and ninepence per barrel for flour; yet were attention paid to the cultivation of this excellent stream of water, one boat of the afore-mentioned size would, in all probability, carry two hundred barrels to the Ohio without detriment thereto or a farthing of expense."
We learn from old residents of Canonsburg that Col. Canon headed this flotilla, while about the same time a load of flour was also sent from Bradford's mill, afterwards owned by Dr. Robert R. Reed, and now owned by Mr. Wilson. There can be no doubt of the truthful- ness of these facts, because, in addition to the evidence, we have legislative action on the subject, wherein, on April 8, 1793, Chartiers' Creek from its mouth to David Bradford's mill was declared to be a public highway for boats and rafts, and all natural and artificial ob- structions were required to be removed
CHURCHES.
On December 26, 1797, John Canon conveyed to Nicholas Little, Samuel Agnew, Thomas Menary, David Reed, John Hays, John White, and Jeremiah Simpson, Trustees of the Associate Congrega- tion of Chartiers township, four acres, two rods, and fifteen perches of land for $45. This church is situated about one mile southwest of Canonsburg, and is generally known as Rev. Dr. Ramsay's Church, from his long, faithful, and efficient services. His successors were Rev. John B. Clarke and Rev. David Huston French. The old church has been torn down, and the congregation has in process of erection in the borough a beautiful brick edifice.
220
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
CHARTIERS CROSS ROAD CHURCH.
This is situated on the Hickory road, and south of McConnells- ville. The following ministers have successively filled the pulpit as regular pastors : Rev. Dr. Finley, Rev. Mr. Graham, Rev. David Ferguson, Rev. A. McCahan, Rev. Thomas L. Spears, Rev. Joseph Andrews, Rev. J. C. Herron, from June 19, 1860, to April 1, 1867. This church has a membership of 140; it belongs to the United Presbyterian denomination, and is built of brick.
SPEARS' SPRING CHURCH
Is on the bank of Chartiers' Creek, one-half mile northwest of Ca- nonsburg, and belongs to the United Presbyterians, and is a plain, substantial brick edifice. It has a rural and beautiful cemetery.
Its ordained ministers have been Rev. Alexander McCahan, Rev. Thomas Callohan, Rev. William Wallace, Rev. David Paull, Rev. Wm. H. Andrew, Rev. John W. Bane, and Rev. James G. Carson. This church has a membership of 214.
Chartiers U. P. Church has been removed during this year, 1869, from its original site to near the borough limits. It was organized abont 1780. Rev. Matthew Henderson was ordained in 1781, and officiated until October 2, 1795, when Rev. - Smith was elected pastor ; his successor was Rev. James Ramsey, D. D., who served from September 4, 1805, to June 12, 1849; Rev. John B. Clark, D. D., from May 12, 1853, to June 9, 1860 ; Rev. D. H. French, from May 2, 1861, to June 20, 1866 ; Rev. Mr. McClain was ordained pastor October 14, 1869. It has a membership of 175.
CANONSBURG.
Canonsburg was laid out by Col. John Canon, of Chartiers town- ship, on the 15th of April, 1788. It is situated on Chartiers' Creek, 17 miles from Pittsburg, 7 miles from Washington, and 40 miles from Wheeling. The country around it is elevated, beautiful, and fertile. A daily line of stages pass through it, and on the route of the Chartiers Valley Railroad. By reference to the recorder's office I fine a plot of the town recorded in volume P., page 441, on January 24, 1800. This plot has twenty-eight lots, with the names of the purchasers, viz: Dr. Thompson, Daniel McCoy, James Morrison, David Garret, Andrew Munroe, John Todd, Robert Bowland, Craig Ritchie, Col. Matthew Ritchie, Wil- liam Marshall, and Abraham De Haven. This plot contains the con- ditions of purchase, viz: To those who have as well as those who may become purchasers Col. Canon conveys to them, their heirs and assigns, their respective lots of ground in which their names are inserted. The inhabitants of the town to have the privilege of cutting and using underwood, and taking coal for their own use for- ever, gratis. The purchaser to pay the said Canon three pounds
22]
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
purchase money, and one dollar annually forever afterwards ; and to build a stone, frame, or hewed log house, at least twenty feet in front, with a stone or brick chimney, within two years from the date of their purchase. A convenient road to be allowed to the coal near John Laughlin's; the road to be only as laid off on the plot, and the bank as described on the same.
This plot also designated the following roads : to Mr. McMillan's meeting-house, to Washington, to Mr. Smith's meeting-house on Buffalo, to Mr. Henderson's meeting-house, to the coal bank, to Gamble's mill, to Wells's mill, and to Devore's ferry.
This town became a borough on the 22d of February, 1802, and is the oldest borough. in the county. In 1860 it had a resident population of 650, but the number of students attending Jefferson College increased it about one-third. It has one hundred and ninety- five dwelling-houses, fifteen retail stores, two confectioneries, one saving fund society, one furniture manufactory, one woollen manu- factory, one broker. It has four schools, employing one male and three female teachers, the former receiving $52.03, and the latter $31.28, per month ; having 314 scholars, 171 males and 143 females; cost of tuition per month, 60 cts .; amount levied for school pur- poses, $1271.70; from State appropriation, $112.76. One female Seminary and Jefferson College. In 1829 the Associate body or Se- ceders established a Theological Seminary at this place, and erected the requisite buildings ; but a few years since it was removed to Xenia, Ohio.
JEFFERSON COLLEGE.
This college was originally chartered by the legislature, under the name of the "Academy and Library Company of Canonsburg," in 1794, although its origin may be dated to July, 1791, when David Johnston became the first teacher. As soon as a convenient house was built the Rev. Mr. McMillan transferred a Latin school, which he had been teaching at his own house for six or seven years, to the chartered academy. This building was erected on a lot given by Col. Canon as a present to the academy.
In October, 1791, the Redstone Presbytery approved of the ac- tion of the Synod of Virginia, to appropriate funds to the Canons- burg Academy as a Presbyterian institution, and appointed Dr. McMillan to receive contributions for that purpose, the Presbytery having previously determined that Canonsburg should be the seat of learning; and, in 1793, we find that the Presbytery passed a resolution that if the wants of the church demanded another institu- tion they would not oppose it.
Col. Canon erected a stone building on the lot presented by him for college purposes, for which the trustees were to reimburse him, and on December 1, 1796, he and his wife made a deed to the trus- tees of the Academy, for the lot, on the payment of three hundred
222
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
and seventy pounds, the balance in full for the building. This lot contained two acres and thirty-two perches; he reserved, however, one half acre of said lot for the use of an English school, with a free access of fifteen feet wide from Main Street to the English school lot.
'In the Pittsburg Gazette of 1792, it is mentioned that a grammar school was in successful operation at Canonsburg, under Mr. David Johnston, while Mr. Miller was employed as professor in the mathe- matical sciences.
In this year, 1796, the trustees petitioned the legislature that in case a coNege was established west of the Allegheny Mountains, to make Canonsburg its site, as their Academy was a perfect success, dispensing its benefits throughout this section of county. The trus- tees employed David Johnston and James Mountain as teachers, for one year, at the end of which Mr. Johnston became engaged in other business, but Mr. Mountain continued teaching until April, 1797.
These teachers were succeeded by Mr. Jas. Canahan and Joseph Stockton, who taught until November, 1797, when John Watson was employed for one year, with authority to engage the services of an usher. In 1798, for the eminent services rendered to the Acade- my by Dr. McMillan, he was elected president, as an honorary office. In 1800, the Academy received a grant of one thousand dollars from the legislature, which enabled the trustees to pay off all outstanding debts, and in October of this year, the trustees made a movement to convert the Academy into a college, which event was not consum- mated until January 15, 1802, when the State legislature granted a charter for Jefferson College.
The trustees named in the charter met on the 27th of April, 1802, and were organized by Judge Edgar, who administered to each trus- . tee an oath to execute the duties of his office. Dr. McMillan was elected President of the Board, and Craig Ritchie, Clerk. At this meeting 'they arranged the number of professors and classes, as well as the studies appertaining to each class. They elected Rev. John Watson President of the College, and Professor of Moral Philoso- phy and the Languages ; Rev. Dr. John McMillan Professor of Divinity ; Samuel Miller Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philoso- phy, and Geography. On November 30, 1802, the Rev John Wat- son, the first President of the College, died.
In the spring of 1803, the Rev. James Dunlap was elected Presi- dent, and he was empowered to engage his own tutors. To the duties of President, he added the Pastorate of Miller's Run church, five miles from Canonsburg. In 1805, Rev. Dr. John McMillan was elected Vice-President of Jefferson College. In this year the college received a second donation from the State legislature of $3000, while in 1807 Gen. Hamilton, who was the representative of this district in Congress, through his personal exertion, received from his friends two hundred and ten dollars, to be applied to the building of a college edifice.
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.