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 5
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ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS.
The organic act authorized the trustees to divide the county into a suitable number of townships. In accordance therewith, the trus- tees subdivided it into thirteen townships, in commemoration of the thirteen States which formed the United States. Their names in alphabetical order were: 1. Amwell ; 2. Bethlehem; 3. Cecil ; 4. Cumberland ; 5. Donegal ; 6. Fallowfield ; 7. Hopewell; 8. Mor-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
gan ; 9. Nottingham; 10. Peters ; 11. Robison ; 12. Straban ; 13. Smith.
These townships went into operation on the 15th of July, 1781, by the provisions of the act of the legislature and the election of township officers.
As the county became more thickly settled, the people felt the necessity of forming new townships and boroughs. This power was confined to the legislature until the 24th of March, 1803, when it was transferred to the courts of Quarter Sessions, although it appears that in some few cases the courts had exercised it.
By the erection of new counties out of Washington, whole town- ships and parts of townships were cut off, and at the present time, May, 1870, we find that Washington County has eleven boroughs and thir- ty-one townships within her limits.
We shall now add this list with their respective organizations, from the formation of Washington County.
0. T .* 1 .- Amwell township, formed July 15, 1781.
O. T. 2 .- Bethlehem
0. T. 3 .- Cecil
O. T. 4 .- Cumberland 66
O. T. 5 .- Donegal 66
O. T. 6 .- Fallowfield 66
66
66
66 66 O. T. 8 .- Morgan
O. T. 9 .- Nottingham 66 66
o. T. 10 .- Peters ¥
66
O. T. 11 .- Robison
O. T. 12 .- Straban
0. T. 13 .- Smith
66
T. 14 .- Somerset township, formed April 3, 1782.
T. 15 .- Greene 66
T. 16 .- Dickinson 66 September 15, 1785.
B. 1 .- Washington, (town,) formed February 6, 1786.
T. 17-Hanover township,
March 11, 1786.
T. 18 .- Franklin
66 July 16, 1787.
T. 19 .- Findley
May 6, 1788.
T. 20 .- Morris 66
66 March 13, 1788.
D. T. 1 .- East Bethlehem
66 January 18, 1790. (See Bethlehem township.)
D. T. 2 .- West Bethlehem township, formed January 18, 1790. (See Beth- lehem township.)
T. 21 .- Chartiers township, formed March 12, 1790.
T. 22 .- Cross Creek 66 March 23, 1790.
T. 23 .- Canton
June 10, 1791.
D. T. 3 .- Pike Run
January 8, 1792.
D. T. 4 .- Rich Hill
March 13, 1793.
T. 24 .- Buffalo
May 8, 1799.
B. 7 .- Cannonsburg township. )
February 22, 1802. (See Chartiers
* Explanation of letters-o. T. means original townships; D. T. divided townships ; B. boroughs.
..
O. T. 7 .- Hopewell ¥
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
T. 25 .- Mount Pleasant township, formed May 12, 1806.
B. 10 .- West Middletown borough, formed March 27, 1823.
D. T. 5 .- East Findley township, formed December 24, 1828. (See Findley township.)
D. T. 6 .- West Findley township, formed December 24, 1828. (See Find- ley township.)
D. T. 7 .- North Straban township, formed May 2, 1831. (See Straban township.)
D. T. 8 .- South Straban township, formed May 2, 1831. (See Straban township.)
B. 8 .- Claysville borough, formed April 2, 1832.
T. 26 .- Carrol township, formed September 30, 1834.
B. 4 .- Greenfield borough, formed April 9, 1834. (See Pike Run township.)
T. 27 .- Union township, formed March 31, 1836.
D. T. 9 .- East Pike Run township, formed March 9, 1839.
D. T. 10 .- West Pike Run township, formed March 9, 1839.
B. 3 .- Monongahela City, formed April 1, 1837. (See Carrol township.)
B. 2 .- Millsborough, formed April 16, 1840. (See Bethlehem township).
B. 5 .- West Brownsville borough, formed April 2, 1852. (See Pike Run township.)
B. 6 .- Beallsville borough, formed February 16, 1852. (See Pike Run township.)
T. 28 .- Allen township, formed June 14, 1853.
T. 29 .- Jefferson June 16, 1853.
B. 9 .- California borough, formed November 26, 1853. (See Pike Run township.)
T. 30 .- Independence township, formed May 19, 1855.
T. 31 .- Franklin August 13, 1855.
B. 11 .- Bentleysville borough, formed May 2, 1868. (See Somerset township.)
Of these boroughs and townships we shall give a detailed account in Chapter V. as far as we have been able to ascertain their history, and particularly those which now embrace this county.
ITS BOUNDARIES.
The present limits of Washington County, therefore, may be thus defined geographically-bounded on the north by Beaver County, northeast by Allegheny County, east by Westmoreland and Fayette counties, south by Greene County, and west by the State of West Virginia. Its greatest length is thirty-two miles, its mean width, twenty-eight miles, containing 896 square miles, or 573,440 acres of land, in latitude 40°10'21" north, and longitude from Washington 3º12'53" west. Its population in 1790 was 23,866; in 1800, 28,293; in 1810, 36,289 ; in 1820, 40,038 ; in 1830, 42,860 ; in 1840, 41,279; in 1850, 44,939, and in 1860, 46,805.
TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION.
This county is watered by many streams (which will be given in a separate chapter), but suffice it to say, however, that many valleys are formed, of greater or less width and depth, by their indentation,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
hence, the county presents a rolling character, and although not belonging to the class called mountainous, yet may be termed hilly. These hills are cultivated to the very tops, and in point of agri- culture and grazing are not inferior to any in the State. The undu- lating surface of the county presents scenery unsurpassed and pic- turesque, supporting thousands of sheep, and is truly deserving the name of being the largest wool-growing county in the State, and the second in the United States for the quality of the wool.
GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION.
In a geological view, the rocks belong to the upper series of our bituminous coal formation, consisting of alternate strata of sand- stone, shales, and limestone, with interposed beds of coal from three to six or eight feet it thickness. These nearly level strata extend over the whole surface of this and a great part of the adjoin- ing counties, are sometimes cut through by the deep valleys of the streams and exposed in varied succession in the steep banks and along the hill sides, in situations favorable to access and affording great facilities for mining and quarrying. Coal for domestic con- sumption is abundant in every part of the county and along the bank of the Monongahela. It is mined in great quantities and sent down the Ohio River in boats.
STREAMS.
We add a list of the streams of this county, with their tributaries and localities.
The MONONGAHELA RIVER, which flows through the eastern part of Washington County, rises in Randolph County, Virginia, at the foot of the Laurel Mountain, and flowing northwardly for about three hundred miles, empties into the Allegheny River at Pittsburg and forms the Ohio. It is nearly four hundred yards wide at its mouth, and is navigable for light boats sixty miles, to West Browns- ville, in this county, and for small boats nearly two hundred miles from its mouth. Its principal tributaries are the Youghiogheny and Cheat rivers, which enter into it on the east side, but on the west side, in Washington County, are Tenmile Creek, Pigeon Creek, Baker and Fish Pot runs, Pike Run, South Fork and Maple Fork, Mingo Creek.
TENMILE CREEK empties into the Monongahela River at Millsboro, Washington County ; the north fork of this creek rises in Morris township and waters the townships of East and West Bethlehem, Amwell and Morris, its tributaries being Middle Fork, Craft's Fork, Road's Fork, Hoosang's Fork, McFarlane's Fork, Bane's Fork, with Kembler's and McGiffin's Run. Coniconick empties into Craft's Fork at Prosperity. Its Indian name is Cusuthee.
LITTLE NORTH FORK, with its tributaries, Brush Run, Camp's Fork, Carter's Run, Daniel's Run, Hawkin's and Plumb Hill forks,
46
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
empties into it. On both branches of Tenmile Creek are many grist and saw-mills.
PIGEON CREEK empties into the Monongahela at Monongahela City. It rises by two branches in Somerset township and flows northeast through Fallowfield township. Its length is about fifteen miles.
MINGO and LITTLE MINGO creeks rise in Nottingham township, and flow east to the Monongahela.
BAKER AND FISH POT runs empty into it in East Bethlehem township.
PETERS' CREEK and its branch called Pine Branch, Fry's Branch, and Bruce's Run, empty into the Monongahela River.
CHARTIERS' CREEK flows a north-northeast course of thirty-five or forty miles and empties into the Ohio River five miles below Pitts- burg. Its tributaries are Catfish Run, Braddock's Run, Weirich's Run, Leet's Run, north branch of Chartiers', Quail's Run, Little Chartiers' Creek and its tributaries, Vance's, Little's, Polloek's, McCorkle's, Kenny's, and Brush runs on the east and west side of this creek, emptying into the Ohio River below Pittsburg. Miller's Run rises in Mount Pleasant township and empties into Little Chartiers' Creek. Robeson's Run rises about two miles north of Candor and empties into Chartiers. This creek flows through the townships of Robinson, Cecil, Mount Pleasant, Chartiers', Canton, North and South Strabane, Somerset, Amwell, and Morris.
This creek derives its name from Peter Chartiers, who went among the Indians on the Ohio and tributary streams to deal for peltries. He was an influential Indian interpreter, and joined the French In- dians on the Ohio, to the injury of Pennsylvania. Chartiers had a trading station on or near the mouth of the creek. Governor Thomas, in 1745, said that the perfidious blood of the Shawnees partly runs in his veins.
BIG AND LITTLE RACOON rise in Mount Pleasant township; the former near Hickory, and the latter near David Lyle's, in the vicinity of Prospeet Church. The tributaries of these creeks are Boyd's, Burgett's, Cherry Valley, Bailey's, Painter's, Patrick's, and Brimner and Brush runs. These different streams water the townships of Hanover, Robeson, Smith, and Mount Pleasant.
HARMAN'S CREEK rises in Smith township, and with its tributaries of Tucker and Buffalo runs, empties into the Ohio River near Steubenville, Ohio, watering the townships of Smith, Hanover, and Cross Creek. Its length is about twelve miles.
INDIAN or KING CREEK (northeast branch) rises in Hanover town- ship near Florence.
CROSS CREEK rises in Mount Pleasant township and runs northwest to the Ohio River, a few miles above Wellsburg, West Virginia. Its tributaries are Stewart's Run-the middle fork, with Smiley's Run, Lyle's Run; the North Fork rises near Cross Creek Village. This
47
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
ereek flows through the township of Mount Pleasant, Cross Creek, and empties into the main branch of the creek at Patterson's mills.
BUFFALO CREEK rises in East Findley ; its tributaries are Brushy Run, Mill Run, Indian Camp Run, Buek Run, and Dutch Fork. These streams flow through the townships of East Findley, Donegal, Hopewell, and Buffalo, and the creek itself empties into the Ohio River.
WHEELING CREEK rises in East Findley, having for its tributaries Templeton's and Enslow's Fork, Hunter's Fork, and Tucker's Fork; these streams water East and West Findley townships.
LITTLE WHEELING CREEK rises in Donegal township ; Middle Wheeling Creek, in West Findley township ; these two creeks meet at Triadelphia and empty into Wheeling Creek at Shepherd's mills.
EARLY RELIGIOUS ELEMENT.
Our first settlers were composed of the Scotch-Irish element, those who emigrated from the west of Scotland and the north of Ireland, while many others came from Cumberland and York counties, where the same element prevailed, and not a few from Virginia. These early pioneers, one hundred years ago, crossed the rugged steeps of the Allegheny Mountains, the boisterous waves of the swift-flowing rivers, and penetrated into an unknown wilderness to secure the blessings of civil and religious liberty. No county in the State of Pennsyl- vania, or probably in the United States, can boast of a purer, better, more intelligent and devoted company of Christians than those who settled in Washington County. Military men are praised for their heroie deeds, statesmen for understanding the great principles of government ; but in this instance, men from all nations meet together around one common altar, and declare in the very commencement of their labors, their religious principles-in other words, they laid the corner stone of the religion of Jesus when they first settled Washing- ton County, by entering into solemn engagements. These engage- ments were binding not only upon the males, but upon the females also. Whole families united in the league or covenant, and the princi- ples of Presbyterianism which they brought with them, as well as those of other religious sects, are so intimately interwoven with our political affairs, that our civil and religious interests are carefully guarded by their descendants.
To illustrate the positions I have assumed, I add a religious agree- ment entered into between these early pioneers, which I received from the Rev. James T. Fredericks, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, Washington County ; and before giving it I will give the causes which led to its adoption. This " Religious Agree- ment," entered into on the 14th day of February, 1782, is in the hand-writing of James Edgar, Esq., deceased, who was an Associ- ate Judge of this county. He with five others left York County in 1779-all members of the Presbyterian Church. They made an agree-
48
.HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
ment to locate near each other, so that they might secure to them- selves and their families the ordinances and preaching of the gospel, and be the means of collecting a church with like principles together, as they themselves professed.
These families left their eastern homes and travelled through Ty- gart's Valley and crossed the Monongahela River at Parkinson's Ferry (now Monongahela City). (Mr. Hugh Seott, one of the six, settled west of this place ; another where Buffalo Church and Village now stand; James Edgar in Cross Creek township, on the farm now owned by Finley Scott, Esq. ; another settled near to Briceland's Cross Roads (now Florence) ; and another, Patrick MeCullough, in Pigeon Creek Congregation, Washington County ; yet no two settled together, but in contiguons neighborhoods, and each had the pleasure of seeing a church of their denomination to whieli he be- longed erected to God and dedicated to his glory. At the time of this " Religious Agreement" there were no altar and no church but the forts and the woods, in which God was worshipped with pure hearts, and in the beauty of holiness and the purity of truth. This ADVANCE GUARD of the church met, and while the minister officiated, and prayer and praise went up from pure hearts, sanctified by the grace of God, they grasped the faithful rifle to defend themselves against the insidious attacks of the Indians. The Rev. Dr. John Stockton, in his fortieth anniversary sermon, says: "In these forts (Wells' and Vance's) social and afterwards public worship was kept up for seven years, especially in summer and autumn, the seasons when the Indians were out west to make their raids, and it was a common thing for men to go to these meetings armed with their trusty rifles, and to stand guard during the services." Dr. Stockton also adds, that the Rev. James Powers "preached the first gospel ser- mon under an oak tree just outside the gate of Vanee's Fort. It was on this occasion that Dr. Powers baptized the child of Mr. Marquis, which was the first person who received that rite in that region of country."
With these remarks we now add the document itself, with the list of names attached, many of whose descendants are living lives of virtue, of honor, and of honesty, around and near the old family hearth- stones, conseerated by the prayers of many an aged father and mother, who have crossed the Jordan of death, and beckon their descendants to the ineffable joys of the spirit world.
RELIGIOUS AGREEMENT.
We, and each of us, whose names are underwritten, being chiefly the inhabitants of the western frontier of Washington County, con- sidering the many abounding evils in our own hearts and lives, as also the open and secret violation of the holy law of God, which dishonors His name and defiles and ruins our country ; such as ig- noranee, unbelief, hardness of heart, contempt of God in his ordi- nanecs, law, and gospel (in particular in setting our hearts upon the
-
49
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
creature in one line or another more than upon God), breach of his Sabbath, disobedience to parents, backbitings, entertaining bad thoughts, and receiving groundless evil reports of others, unfaith- fulness to God for His mercies, profaning His name, uncleanness, lascivious songs, filthy discourse, promiscuous dancing, drunkenness, defraud, deceit, over-reaching in bargains, gaming, horse racing, cock fighting, shooting for prizes, lying, covetousness, discontent, fretting against the dispensations of God's providence, unfaithful- ness for God (in suffering sin to remain on our neighbor unreproved), denying God in the neglect of family and secret worship, catechizing and instruction of our children and servants or slaves, vexatious wranglings, and law suits, together with innumerable evils, provoking God to send down heavy judgments on our land, and to withhold or withdraw His gracious presence, and unfit our soul for enjoying any solid happiness, which we desire to acknowledge with shame and sorrow of heart before God, and do in the strength of God and de- pending on His Grace for support, solemnly promise (to our power, according to our various places and stations) to engage against, both in ourselves and others, as providence shall give us opportunity, and prudence direct.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, this 14th day of February, 1782. (N. B. This is not to be a barrier to prevent any from signing at any time hereafter. )
Robert McCready, William Vance, John Stone, James Edgar, William McCandless, Robert Dunbar, John Robinson, John Donahey, Matthew Hilles, Benjamin Bearkus, John McMillen, Samuel Hind- man, George McCulloch, John Ekin, Moses Wallace, David Thomp- son, Henry McBride, John Dodds, John Strain, James Barr, Thomas Hanna, James Dabbin, Thomas Strain, Samuel Jefferey, Alex. Mc- Candless, Samuel Leeper, James Matthews, William Smith, Thomas Bay, Ebenezer Smith, John Cowen, Thomas Barton, Hugh Sherer, Hugh Newel, Arthur Campbell, John Stephenson, Samuel Johnston, . James Loop, John Hustein, William Thompson, William Reno, William Rannells, Henry Graham, William Hughes, William Camp- bell, Patrick McCormick, John Singer, Joseph Patterson, Daniel C. McCoy, David Kerr, John Morrison, John Stone, William Park, - William Smiley, George Marquiss, Mary Marquiss, Thomas Mar- quiss, Joseph Vance, John Marquiss, William Wallace, Samuel Reed, James Marshall, Elias Newkirk, John Cooper, William McCullough, Alexander Wright, James Jackson, Agness Jackson, Mary Cowen, Sr., Mary Cowan, Jr., Martha Dunbar, Prudence Matthews, Eliza- beth E. Hughes, Janet McCandless, Anne Vance, David Rannells, Elizabeth Mccullough, Ruth Rannells, Annie Park, Mary Johnston, Martha Edgar, Mary Graham, John Hughes, Gabriel Walker, Alex- ander Kidd, Jean Patterson .- 86. The above signed the first day. Attached is a second additional clause, with 28 names added to the first list. The second clause and names read thus :-
We desire to acknowledge the goodness of God, who hath con-
4
50
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
tinued his precious gospel with us in purity, and especially for his late gracious outpourings of divine influence on many parts of the land, and especially here where we were so sunk in carnal security and wordly mindedness, floating along with the flood of vanity. And we desire to lament our barrenness and leanness under these gracious favors, and we do now, in the strength of God, relying on His grace, resolve that we will seek to the Lord for help to improve these precious favors, and knowing that some do oppose the work, and aspersing it as a delusion, &c., we will be guarded in our con- duct, careful of our company, and we believe that it is the duty of awakened sinners next to their supplication to the throne of grace, to lay open their case to ministers and experienced Christians, lest Satan and corruption might get the advantage of them, and that we will be careful and watchful to perform the duties required by Chris- tian rules in the families we belong to, as we stand related severally as parents and children, husbands and wives, masters or mistresses, and servants.
Signed in 1786 by Angas Sunderland, Jane Sunderland, Thomas Bay, Elizabeth Bay, Mary Patterson, Sarah Vance, Jean Marquis, Martha Rannells, Robert Morgan, Margaret Marshall, Susannah Pat- terson, Robert Marshal, Elizabeth Thompson, Tabitha Kirk, Sarah Marquis, Susannah Parke.
May 31, 1787, Thomas Hays, Jos. Colville Vance, William Hus- ton, John M. Cloan, Joseph Wiley, Catharine Edgar, Catharine Phillis, John Sanders, Andrew Ferguson, Elizabeth McMillen, Mary Edgar, Sr., Hannah Huston.
To which names are added these words, "Whole number 114- dead 26." James Edgar, Esq., makes a note below the additional clause of these words, "I believe this additional clause was made on the second day's signing."
Time would fail me were I to give a history of most of these men whose names were subscribed to this religious agreement. Many of them filled high and important stations in church and State, and have bequeathed to their posterity a priceless inheritance. Their descendants linger among us, and the rural cemeteries of Cross Creek, Buffalo, Racoon and Burgettstown, contain the remains of those of whom it can be truthfully said, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
MARRIAGE CUSTOM AND CEREMONY.
In connection with the church, I shall add a sketch of an old- fashioned wedding party, from the rare work of Rev. Dr. Dodridge, such as was practised by the first settlers.
When neighborhoods became in some degree settled, and boys and girls had grown to manhood and womanhood, mutual love resulted in marriage, which was celebrated different from weddings of the present day. An eye-witness and a participant gives the following glowing description of a wedding day among our early settlers :-
51
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
In the morning of the wedding day the groom and his attendants assembled at the house of his father for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual time for cele- brating the nuptials, which for certain must take place before dinner.
Imagine an assemblage of people, without a store, tailor, or man- tua-maker within a hundred miles, and an assemblage of horses without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The gentlemen dressed in shoepacks, moccasons, leather breeches, leg- gings, linsey hunting shirts, and all home made. The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles, rings, buttons, or ruffles, they were the relics of old times, family pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles or halters, and pack-sad- dles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them. A rope or string as often constituted the girth as a piece of leather.
The march, in double file, was often interrupted by the narrow- ness and obstructions of our horse-paths, as they were called, for we had no roads, and these difficulties were often increased, sometimes by the good and sometimes by the ill-will of neighbors, by felling trees and tying grape-vines across the way. Sometimes an ambus- cade was formed by the wayside, and an unexpected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding party with smoke. Let the reader imagine the scene which followed this discharge, the sudden spring of the horses, the shrieks of the girls, and the chivalric bustle of their partners to save them from falling. Some- times, in spite of all that could be done to prevent it, some were thrown to the ground. If a wrist, elbow, or ankle happened to be sprained, it was tied with a handkerchief, and little more was thought or said about it.
Another ceremony took place before the party reached the house of the bride. When the party were about a mile from the place of their destination, two young men would single out to run for the bottle of whiskey, the worse the path, the more logs, brush, and deep hollows, the better, as these obstacles afforded an opportu- nity for the greater display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The start was announced by an Indian yell, logs, brush, muddy hollows, hill and glen, were speedily passed by the rival ponies. The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use for judges, for the first who reached the door was presented with the prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approaching them, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the head of the troop he gave the bottle first to the groom and his attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line, giving each a dram, and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his hunting shirt, took his station in the company.
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