USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century > Part 4
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McCracken, W. E. .
1026
Jones, Albert S.
990 Lindley, Demas
1074 McCreight, Thomas A
737
677
Kennedy, John F
1290
Lytle, Benjamin B
978
Howarth, William J.
713
Kennedy, P. G. . .
827
Hoyt, W. W.
734
Kent, James
956
McBride, W. B.
1004
Irwin, James D.
862
Lank, Dr. John L 1081
McChain, William B 1021
McClay, William W
588
Irwin, Milton C.
585
Leech, Pressly
725
1307
1
-
McCarrell, Leman 1116
Houston, William B
1047
657
23
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Mccullough, Dr. William J. L. . 873
MeNary, J. ]
1293
Moffitt, J. Bennett 933
McCurdy, W. E.
626
MeNary, John R.
1030
Moffitt, John H. 1194
Mccutchen, H. Ed ... 853 McNary, John T. 835
Montgomery, James B. 1199
MeDermid, Dr. Claude E 1281 McNary, Joseph D. 1082
Montgomery, John N 1355
McDonald, Andrew
1149 McNary, Thomas H.
980
Moody, George W. 1290
McDonald, Charles A
1262
McNary, W. J.
1139
Moore, Frederick W 823
McDonald, Edward
722
McNelly, Harry
816
Moore, Harry F 854
McDonald, Hon. John N
722
McNulty, Edward T
1140
Moore, Dr. James M. 1351
McDonnell, David
964
McNutt, Geo. D.
1235
Moorhead, Mel S. 641
McDowell, James W
672
McNutt, Joseph K.
858
Morgan, John C. .
750
MeDowell, John N
645
McPeake, George C
1364
Morgan, Lewis W
1085
McDowell, John W
672
MePeak, S. N.
1330
Morgan, Luther M.
952
McDowell, Joseph R.
672
McPeak, William
1067
Morris, Benjamin F 555
McElree, William H
854
Mc Williams, James M.
636
Morron, George S
603
McEnrue, William H.
682
MeWilliams, Samuel
728
Morrow, Abraham
609
McFarland, Joseph F
942
Mc Wreath, Ewing S.
713
Morrow, Cyrus
608 :
McFarland, Samuel
1054
Mackey, John L.
998
Morrow, David
1128
MeFarland, Samuel G
1072
Madgwick, William
1079
Morrow, Matthew
868
McGough, John L.
1107
Manifold, John B. .
1130
Mounts, James A.
868
McGregor, E. G ..
1363
Manon, J. W., D. D. S.
665
Mountser, R. C. 1315
McIlvain, Robert C.
1231
Markey, John J.
769
Munce, William James
1006
McIlvaine, Albert F.
881
Marple, Leslie G.
540
Munce, William J
915
McIlvaine, Hon. John A.
572
Marquis, Charles M.
671
Munnell, J. Wilbur
671
McIlvaine, John M.
986
Marquis, Eli
1278
Munnel, Samuel
949
McIlvaine, W. A. H.
1210
Marquis, J. G .. 786
Murdoch, Alex., Jr
929
MeIlvaine, Winfield
641
Marquis, Rev. John A.
1278
Murdoch, John H.
541
Mellvaine, W. R.
616
Marquis, Prof. John S
1278
Murdoch, William B
575
Mckay, Dr. Edwin.
1083
Marquis, William E. .1277
Murphy, Edward J.
1016
McKay, William A
666
Marriner, Rufus S
822
Murphy, Dr. George H.
642
McKeag, Hugh R.
854
Marsh, Hon. Addison C.
586
Murphy, John B.
1354
McKean, William R.
1075
Marsh, Col. L. M.
586
Murphy, John C.
710
McKee, Rev. Clement L. McKee, Dr. George L.
1110
Marshman, John
816
Murray, Dr. U. B.
905
McKennan Family, The.
793
Martin, James
1149
Myers, John H.
1308
McKennan, Dr. Thomas
880
Martin, J. Willis.
1163
Myers, Thomas H.
1009
McKennan, William B
794
Martin, John White
782
Myford, George
1296
Mckeown, John
1020
Martin, Sylvester
1219
Mckeown, Scott A.
1020
Martin, William H.
1163
Naser, Frederick G.
797
Mckeown, W. W.
1281
Mason, R. W.
776
Needham, William M.
758
McKinley, Alexander
1128
Matchett, Joseph A.
989
Neill, John C.
913
McKinley, Frank B.
1219
Mathers, Richard J. 888
Nelson, William J.
1061
McKinley, Thomas C
963
Mathias, J. W.
1009
Newcomb, Neri 1038
986
McLain, John W
922
Mehaffey, William J.
557
Nicodemus, William S. 1080
MeLain, Hon. Joseph R.
608
Meloy, R. H.
811
Noble, John G.
1107
Mclaughlin, H. J. .
1356
Messner, David F
1147
Noble, Maurice H.
1107
McLaughlin, Thomas E.
1065
Mesta, Henry
1009
Noble, Mrs. Sarah J.
614
McLeod, E. S ..
1347
Metzger, Charles J
1029
Noble, W. S.
745
McLeod, George
1101
Meyer, Frank H. 763
Nolder, John
1313
Mc Mahon, W. E.
1096
Miller, D. C
1367
Northrup, Blancher D. 1298
McManus, Bartley
1323
Miller, E. L. .1369
Noss, Rev. Theo. B.
776
Mc Millan, Thomas R.
960
Miller, Frank W 945
1193
Oliver, G. B. 715
McMurray, Charles R.
1233
Miller, Isaac N.
794
Oliver, W. S.
715
McMurray, Harvey B
1233
Miller, John C. F
1258
Orr, Robert E. 926
McMurray, Hervey
1233
Miller, John E. 856
Osburn, J. J.
725
McMurray, James H.
1233
Miller, John M.
1083
McMurray, James M.
920
Miller, Richard G.
805
Painter, Joseph B. 702
McMurray, Dr. J. B.
950
Miller, Robert H., D. O
719
McMurray, John A.
1233
Miller Thomas
1307
Parkinson, DeWitt C. 713
McMurray, William J 1233
Miller, William J
. 1015
Parkinson, R. W., Jr. 842
McNall, James A.
999
Mills, Harry
1050
Parry, Thomas 797
McNary, David R.
665 Milne, William L. 882
Pate, G S. 1047
McNary Family Genealogy 1295 Minton, S. D. 1353
Patsch, Isaac C .. 1148
MeNary, John
960 Mitchell, William T. 1298 Patterson, D. Wallace 755
McDowell, Virgil M.
1050
McPherson, J. R.
1243
Morris, Joseph P 1332
McGregor, William
1227
Manson, Robert A.
583
Muehlbauer, George 1110
1353
Martin, A. J.
1250
Myers, David W
1156
McKinney, Robert
993
Maxwell, Dr. John R
694
Nichols, Andrew
McMurray Bros., The.
1233
Miller, Dr. Geo. H.
Painter, Joseph M. 1171
24
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Patterson, John L. 584
Rankin, Jonathan
782 Scott, Dr. Jesse Y. 542
Patterson, Rev. Thos
666
Rasel, David W
540
Scott, John, Jr. 1271
Patterson, Josiah M.
1125
Ray, John A. 1029
Scott, John E. 1250
Paul, William
1150
Rea, Charles M.
678
Scott, John T.
956
Paul, William W
830
Reed, Campbell L.
1311
Scott,
Joseph A
597
Paxton, Dr. C. P.
Reed, David S.
867
Scott,
Hugh
1286
Paxton, James M.
1226
Reed, Haines H.
588
Scott,
M. W.
542
Paxton, John
843
Reed, Joseph
1196
Scott, Oliver S.
1361
Paxton, John R.
843 Reed, J. Winfield
806
Scott, Thomas
1202
Paxton, Mathew
843
Reed, William F.
744
Scott, Thomas
(Donegal 'Twp.) .. 548
Paxton, William H.
1270
Reese, Thomas M.
699
Scott, William
1339
Paxton, Wilson N.
843
Repman, Dr. Harry J 1331
Scott, W. F. 708
Pees, Nicholas
1080
Reynolds, D. L.
1289
Scott, Dr. W. L.
1254
Penn, C. E.
726
Richards, Isaac W.
1048
Scouvart, Frank J
743
Penrod, William E.
1285
Richards, Thomas C. 1040
Seaman, Joseph H.
1006
Perrin, Clyde H.
596
Richards, William H
663
Seng, Emil
1254
Pfleghardt, W. B.
1306
Richardson, J. E.
1062
Sessi, Angelo
1330
Phennicie, William
1328
Richardson, R. Kirk.
1340
Shane, Samuel
758
Philips, John F.
1083
Richardson, Stephen C.
1034
Shannon, Dr. J. H.
906
Phillips, Charles
656
Richardson, Winfield F
1096
Shaw, Thomas
1231
Phillips, C. W.
1354
Riethmiller, J. P
1147
Shearer, Emanuel
744
Phillips, E. N.
.1134
Rietsch, Louis
681
Shepler, Wilbur S
1118
Phillips, John M.
684
Riggle, Henry M.
1072
Shepler, William E
1136
Phillips, J. W.
1272
Riggs, James A.
1003
Sherrard, J. B. .
822
Phillips, Wayne J
1038
Risbeck, George W
563
Shidler, Dr. W. J.
793
Pickett, John
1319
Risbeck, William B
849
Shillito, W. G
630
Pickett, John H.
990
Riva, Frank 1010
Shipe, Abel W.
841
Pickett, Thomas F
1319
Robb, J. W.
916
Shrontz, C. A.
913
Pinar, J. W.
782
Rodgers, Mrs. Jane M.
816
Shrontz, John F., Jr
913
Piper, Lewis D. 1047
Roney, W. G.
1175
Sibert, James
1359
Plance, Henry H.
1332 Ross, Thomas
1202
Sidle, Samuel S.
1308
Plants, Robert B .. 1146
Ross, William E.
630
Simington, Walter
1328
Plymire, Andrew G. 1125
Rossell, H. B.
831
Simmons, John
1015
Polan, Samuel A. 743
Roth, Andrew J.
1282
Simpson, John H.
1028
Pollock, James W.
1113
Roth, Fred J.
1282
Simpson, William
1014
Pollock, Oliver C. .
636
Roth, Joseph S.
1118
Sipe, William H.
955
Pollock, William T.
762
Rowe, Allison A. .
1359
Slater, John
743
Porter, D. D.
1141
Runion, Dr. Legrand.
921
Sleeth, John R.
959
Post, Clark C.
767
Ruple, Charles M.
895
Sloan, Dr. David E
991
Post, Hamilton R.
1013
Ruple, Gen. James B
889
Smallwood, Bernard S
649
Potter, Curtis R.
687
Rush, Remembrance H.
1200
Smith, Charles H.
1337
Potter, James
990
Russell, A. J.
734
Smith, Henry
1165
Potter, Mrs. Sarah J.
990
Russell, James C.
575
Smith, Dr. J. K
1186
Potter, William G.
714
Russell, J. A. 773
Smith, John A.
1304
Potts, Jerome W.
762
Russell, O. E 1175
Smith, Joseph B
749
Potts, Thomas M.
933
Russell, R. A.
776
Smith, Mary M.
615
Prigg, J. Oliver.
702
Russell, William M.
965
Smith, Wilnam J 1351
876
Proudfit, A. J. 715
Smith, W. W. 876
Provines, John 1287
Sackville, E. H .. 1286
Snyder, John
1201
Prowitt, James L.
945
Sampson, Adam C
669
Snyder, John N. 1364
Pry, Hon. D. M.
1352
Sampson, William T 1091
Snyder, Lewis 887
Sawhill, John 786
Speer, Alexander
763
Pyles, Samuel H.
773
Schade, Charles G. 873
Speer, James F
568
Quivey, John W. 895
Schafer, John B ..
1234
Speers, Charles P., Jr.
1006
Raab, John M
1075
Schlehr, George C 889
Speers, Solomon C.
997
Rabe, James A
1314
Schwartz, Daniel 1185
Sphar, Henry C.
1033
Rabe, William T.
824
Scott, Albert D 580
Sprowls, George B.
928
Ralston, Thomas H.
1289
Scott, A. T.
1369
Sprowls, Jeremiah
863
Ramsey, U. B ..
731
Scott, Charles W 1129
Sprowls, Dr. Jesse A.
818
Ramsey, William C. 732
Scott, George D 656
Sprowles, Dr. J. N 1360
Rankin, Dr. John C. 755 Scott, James K. 1286
Sprowls, Seaman
1095
Robb, James H. 1362
Shonts, John
1176
Pickett, William
786
Piersol, Jacob W.
1148
Robinson, Robert H.
650
Shrontz, John F.
914
Plymire, Mrs. Melissa E 1125
Roth, Andrew
1118
Simpson, Harry B.
564
Powelson, Hon. George H. 1201
Russell, William F 1209
Smith, Samuel C.
823
Prigg, Morgan R.
703
Ryan, James 1270
Smith, W. McK.
Pry, John W .. 603
Schade, George C. 1163
Speers, Chas. P.
1006
642
25
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Sprowls, Dr. William W 886
Throckmorton, Dr. William S. 629
Starr, John T
710
Titus, John H.
822
Wells, John J.
1193
Sten, John A. 1098
Tomer, Lewis G. 1340
Westlake, James F. 707
Stephens, Charles E
601
Tope, Thomas J. 1028
White, John P. 1232
Stephens, W. R. 1102
Troutman, Charles B. 930
White, Samuel D. 1247
Stephenson, James 702
Tucker, John 1363
White, Simon 558
Sterrett, L. E. 727
Tuttle, John I. 1250
White, William G. 1247
Stevenson, Orrin B. 1297
Whitehill, M. F. 925
Stevenson, Robert
553
Ulery, Joseph G. 1189
Whitham, William F 567
Stevenson, Robert F
699
Underwood, Joseph H., Jr 800
Whitledge, William T .. 1352
Stevenson, Robert P.
1360
Stewart, Alex. J.
817
Underwood, Thomas J. 1324
Wies, George
1332
Stewart, Edward C.
703
Wiles, Hon. John W 616
Stewart, Frank T ..
1313
Wiley, James A.
920
Stewart, Jacob M.
1312
Valentour, August 1225
Wiley, Judson
1263
Stewart, J. Elliott.
940
Vance, R. C.
652
Wilkins, Fred T.
1109
Stewart, John W
787
Vance, Willison K. 1133
704
Wilkinson, Donald G
792
Stewart, Dr. Robert V
991
Van Eman, James J.
769
Wilkinson, George T 1335
Stockdale, John M. ..
655
Van Eman, S. L.
769
Will, Jacob 1299
Stocking, Hon. James S
661
Van Keuren, Henry
715
Willets, Elmore A.
1033
Stork, Henry
1127
Van Keuren, Herbert G 715
842
Williams, Harry L.
701
Stroud, Basil E.
933
Van Kirk, Charles C. 1121
Williams, Howell P.
902
Studa, J. R. .
607
Van Kirk, James H
640
Williams, William F. 957
Sumny, David H.
1281
Van Kirk, John H.
892
Wilson, Hugh 689
Van Kirk, John W
901
Wilson, James B. :1048
Sutherland, J. C.
1345
Van Ness, Aaron
1320
Wilson, J. Frank. 855
Sutherland, Thomas H.
1234
Van Orden, Louis.
897
Wilson, John
1003
Sutherland, W. J.
1180
Van Voorhis, Chas. E
1114
Wilson, John
1185
Swart, D. H ..
849
Van Voorhis, John
1220
Wilson, Robert 1140
Veatch, Dr. Nicholas S 1076
Winer, Samuel Z.
1266
Veeser, Nicholas 1076
Wingett, Silas
1244
Taggart, Charles L.
874
Vester, David C
848
Winters, W. J.
827
Tague, Edward H.
928
Voye, Louis
1117
Wise, David H.
881
Talbot, Benjamin M.
701
Wishart, Dr. David. 1005
882
Taylor, Hon. James F
579
Wagner, George
1061
Woods, W. F.
1219
Taylor, J. B.
676
Walker, George T. 563
Workman, Maj. William
628
Taylor, John R
1156
Walker, J. C. . 1348
Wright, John S.
906
Taylor, Matthew 1092
1237
Wallace, James E.
732
Wulf, Theodore 1005
Wallace, James M. 768
Wylie, James B
869
Temple, Henry W., D. D.
1097
Templeton, David A
1169
Warne, A. Clark. 800
Wylie, William
578
Templeton, James M.
985
Warne, Boyd E .. 1216
937
Yarnell, Dr. Chas. W 791
Theakston, H. A.
1282
Warrick, George M.
737
Yates, Harry M. .898
Theurer, William G.
965
Warrick, John V
733
Yohe, Charles N 1319
Yohe, Clyde . : 621
Yohe, James L. 595
. Thomas, Charles F. 1102
Watkins, George A.
1353
Thomassy, Fernand A. 649
Watson, Alfred
634
Thompson, Dr. Albert E 1014
Watson, James
750
Thompson, Boyd B 1320
Weaver, John H.
604
Thompson, Charles F.
1364
Weaver, Thomas C
994
Thompson, George A.
1361
Webb, Asbury B.
941
Zahniser Family, The
59S
Thompson, Samuel 964
Weir, Morris R.
640
Zahniser, Montgomery J 806
Thompson, William M. 709
Weirich, Israel
972
Zahniser, M. R.
939
Thompson, Dr. William R 975
Weirich, Jacob
798
Zahniser, V. O .. 755
Thompson, William S. 1316
Weirich, William
972
Zellers, William H. 163
Thompson, William W 725 Weirich, William W 756 Zelt, Albert
926
Zahniser, A. 820
Thompson, John M 1348
Webb, Samuel C.
Thompson, Noah 1153
Weir, Adam
896
Zahniser, Michael 598
Thistle, Archibald
757
Warrick, William J
824
Thistle, Dr. Joseph L.
537
Washabaugh, Jeremiah S
822
Yohe, Joseph N.
1355
Yohe, Lewis N. 621
Young, John A.
640 -
Taylor, D. S.
676
Wagner, Adam
1108
Woods, Rev. Henry
Walker, John N.
681
Wright, William A. 1058
Taylor, O. K., Jr.
Taylor, William H. H. 1086
Wallace, J. Harper 543
Wylie, Robert D 1073
Tener, Hon. John K 1248
Warne. William P.
Williams, David L.
1338
Strain, Thomas R
1265
Van Kirk, Charles.
Van Kirk, John C.
892
Wilkins, Capt. Henry D)
1109
Stewart, Dr. Robert S.
978
Vance, William S.
Williams, William W 1356
Supler, James H. 827
Sutherland, George L. 1344
Swingle, George M.
999
Widdowson, Dr. W. Charles 1273
Underwood, Joseph, Sr. 1053
Weise, E. R. 1298
1265
MAP OF E WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
COMPILED
BY CHANEY & ARMSTRONG, ENGINEERS.
1
OCANbon
N
y
Mc DonaLs
I A
SMITH
CHERRY VALLEY
Cro
C
0
MOUNT
CECIL
U
N
CROSS
PLEASANT
VAREMRANO
GAL
Y
CREEK
YONEBURG
Montante
PETERS
WESTLAND
CHARTIERS HOUSTON
S. Canansama
NORTH
AMUNION
11
HOPEWELL Burry
STRAB4 I'NE.
SGAMBIT
NOTTINGHAM
.-
-
--
BLAINE
MONONGAHELA CARROLL
DONOR
FAI
NORTH 4
SOMERŠET
DONEGAL
BUFFALO
CHARLEROI
SOUTH FRANKLIN
AMWELL
WEST
WEST
BRANCH
PIKE RUN
BETHLEHEM
o
EAST
MORRIS
FINLEY
WEST
CENTERVILLE
FINLEY
DEEMSTON!
BEAVER
COUNTY
A
HANOVER
L LEGHE
ROBINSON
N
......
1910
Y
JEFFERSON
INDEPENDENCE
CANTON
STRABANE
SOUTH
FRANKLIN BAN
>>NOWIEIM
-
OLOVIA
TWILIGHT!
LONG
7
SEPEERSK ALLEN
EAST
PIKE RUN
BETHLEHEM
1
CTY
WASHINGTON
COUN
LOWFIELD
0
MAX
T
history of Washington County
CHAPTER I
GENESIS OF THE COUNTY
Washington County Established 1781-Its Streams-Location of County Seat-In the Forest-Indians-Banditti- Wars and Complications-The First Academy.
Washington County, so called because it was the first county erected in the State of Pennsylvania after George Washington became illustrious, lies southwest of the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, its nearest boundary line being about ten miles from that city. A circle of 50 miles in diameter, drawn around the city of Pitts- burg, it is said, would include the richest part of the earth, and Washington County is by nature the most richly endowed portion of that circle. Whether or not this be an exaggeration, it will be difficult to disprove the statement.
A study of its history and resources, its hundreds of thousands of acres of finest pasture and agricultural lands, its millions of tons of bituminous and coking coal, its great lakes of golden, flowing, amber oil, its brilliant lighting and wonderful heating natural gas, its salubrious atmosphere filled with mysterious, powerful, dangerous electricity, all ready waiting to be used in its multitude of mills and factories, should be interesting. It is reasonable to believe that no other small portion of the United States has been such a cause of turmoil because of complications and overlapping of titles and sup- posed titles as the original territory of this county and the region of Pennsylvania adjoining it. No other county has had two courts and two sets of State officials man- aging its affairs at the same time, with their manifold conflict of jurisdiction, and probably no other county in the State has a judicial bench better qualified to settle disputes about lands and chattels, than has this county at this present writing.
The Secretary of Internal Affairs in Pennsylvania says (Report for 1895, Section A, pp. 208, 212) : "Today, within the territory so long a matter of
contention, land titles are so well settled that there is probably no section of the State, unless in the three original and a few others of the older counties, in which there is less land litigation than in the counties formed out of the disputed district."
Washington County was erected from Westmoreland County by an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed the 28th day of March, 1781, for the reason, as stated in the preamble of the act, that the inhabitants of that part of Westmoreland County which lies west of the Monongahela River had represented to the Assembly of the State the great inconvenience and hard- ships they were under from being so far remote from the seat of justice and the records of titles in Westmore- land County. Therefore, to accommodate the people with more convenient courts and public county offices, Wash- ington County was established to include all the land in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania.
It was bounded on the north by the Ohio River, on the east by the Monongahela River, and on the south and west by lines uncertain in location and description, sup- posed to divide Pennsylvania from Virginia.
By the same breath and ink that created Washington County, the present location of the county seat was designated as the place where the courts would be held, for the said act of March 28, 1781, directs the electors to meet at the house of David Hoge, at the place called Catfish's Camp,* to hold their elections, "And courts shall sit and be held in said county at the house of David Hoge aforesaid" "until a court house shall be built." The present borough of Washington is located
* Named after a famous Indian chief and called by some "Catfish Camp."
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
on the ground then occupied by Catfish's Camp. David Hoge claimed, under paper, title from Joseph Hunter and his three children, Abraham, Joseph and Martha, but the Indian warrior, "Catfish," whose Indian name was Tingoocqua (sometimes spelled Tingooqua), was, and probably had been residing on this land for many years prior to 1781. He had his camp not far from the present location of Main street depot of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad. Afterward he moved it to Shirl's Woods, now in the Eighth Ward, and northwest of the Chestnut street depot of the Pittsburg, Columbus, Cin- cinnati & St. Louis Railway, and from thence he went to Ohio, moved and removed no doubt by the offensive encroachments of the pale-faced race. Apparently neither Hoge nor the Hunters ever resided in Washington County.
Thus was established the county of Washington and its county seat, within a mile of the center of said county as it was originally, and almost in the center of the county as it now exists. As will be shown here- after the present boundaries of Washington County do not now reach the Ohio River on the north nor the Vir- ginia line on the south, the north part having been contributed to help erect Beaver and Allegheny Coun- ties, and the southern part to help erect Green County. Neither was David Hoge nor were the Hunters the first owners or occupants of this land, nor the courts estab- lished by the Act of 1781 the first courts that were provided for and held within the boundaries of Washing- ton County.
The Indian nations were here as owners, for they were nations, many nations, or tribes if you prefer, with tribal relations and government, and subject to tribal councils and decisions, just as certainly as a resident in Pennsylvania or Virginia is subject to the laws and decisions of his State. There was this difference, how- ever. Their titles to their lands were not recorded in writing, and the Pennsylvanian and Virginian being able to survey and procure written evidence and description of land, contested most bitterly for many years with the Indians and the French and the English, as well as among themselves, over the ownership and for the possession of the land now known and definitely desig- nated in written records as Washington County. But wampum belts transferred by the red man were not as good evidence of title as the written book of the pale- face.
What kind of a land is this and was this, that caused these bitter disputes, legal, legislative and with imple- ments of war, bringing often swift death, by stealth and open battle, and also imprisonment and oppression through the conflict of laws and jurisdiction? The same streams of water running here now, ran then. The Big Raccoon Creek, running north, and emptying into
the Ohio, a few miles below Beaver River; the Chartiers Creek (named for a Frenchman), running northeast and emptying into the Ohio a few miles below the junction of the Allegheny with the Monongahela; Peters, Mingo, Pigeon, Maple, Pike Run, and Big Ten Mile Creeks, flowing east to help swell the Monongahela River; Wheeling Creek, Middle Wheeling Creek, Buffalo Creek, Cross Creek, Harmon's and King's Creeks, hurrying west out through the Panhandle of Virginia, to join the Ohio, all good-sized creeks, with their headwaters well in toward the center of the county, are fed by an innumer- able number of rippling streams, which all seem to point toward Washington as the very center and heart of that wonderful horseshoe formed by the Monongahela and the Ohio Rivers. (Examination of Vanhook's map of Washington County, published in 1903, will surprise those who have never studied this watershed.)
This county was then, in 1781, a dense forest, only broken by small patches, with dead trees, made so by the early pioneer or burnt for a clearing by the Indians. The site where Washington now stands, then known as Catfish Camp and Bassettown, was a vast thicket of black hawthorn, wild plums, hazel bushes, shrub oaks and briars. Trees were here in abundance, for the stumps were standing in the one street of Washington seven years after the county was erected and the plot of Bassettown laid out. Fully 100 years afterward the trunks of some of these trees, still in sound condition, were taken out of North Main street in front of Phoenix Row when excavation was being made to lay the first sewer pipes some 12 feet below the street surface.
Those who resided here were in a wild state of mind also because of Indians and banditti. The Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania, on October 11, 1781, assembled in Philadelphia, ordered the lieutenant of militia in Washington County to call forth, agreeable to law, upon his requisition, such militia as may be necessary for the post and protection of the county, and on November 24, after a free conference being held, it appeared to be the sentiment of the coun- cil and of the committee "that an additional company is necessary for the defence of Washington County, and to complete the four companies now established, and that it might be proper to make application to Congress for such assistance from the United States as would render an incursion into the Indian country prudent and practicable. The following mentioned depredations, and no doubt many similar cases, were known to the council at that time.
Col. Daniel Broadhead, of the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, had written to Washington on the 31st of July, 1779: "I have just learned that two soldiers have lately been killed at Fort Laurens, two boys at Wheeling Creek, and one man slightly wounded, and a soldier last
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
evening at Fort McIntosh (Beaver), and a soldier slightly wounded."
They had been informed by letter, March 18, 1780, that, "Last Sunday morning, at a sugar camp upon Raccoon Creek, five men were killed and three lads and three girls taken prisoners."
A year before this date, says Bausman, in his history of Beaver County (1904), "Between 40 and 50 men, women and children had been killed and taken from this region in less than two months."
Raccoon Church in Smith Township was located close to Beilor's Fort, and the first person buried in its ceme- tery, Mrs. Martha Bigger, died May 20th, 1780, in a fort located on Miller's Run, where the family had fled for safety. Shortly afterward, nearby, were buried Mr. McCandless and two Shearer brothers, who had been scalped by the Indians while gathering in their harvest. (History of Raccoon Church, by Miss Margaret S. Stur- geon (1899).
On December 11, 1781, Col. Lewis Farmer was directed by council to purchase for the company of rangers to be raised in Washington County, 50 coats, 50 waistcoats, 50 pairs of overalls, 50 hats, 100 shirts, 100 pairs of shoes and 50 blankets. On December 19, Captain Joseph Stiles, commissary of military stores, was directed to deliver to Hon. Dorsey Penticost, Esq., five hundred- weight of gun powder, and one thousand-weight of lead, 1,000 flints,* to be forwarded to Col. James Marshall, lieutenant of the County of Washington, for the defence of the frontiers of said county.
December 29, John Canon, Esq. (for whom Canonsburg Borough was named), was given an order for supplying the militia and rangers of Washington County, which may be employed for the defence of the frontier, with one pound of bread, one pound of beef or three-quarters of a pound of pork, 1 gill of whiskey per day and 1 quart of salt and 2 quarts of vinegar for every 100 rations, also soap and candles. John Canon was to receive twelve pence per ration, and on February 15, 1783, his bill was approved for £98, 6s, a balance for rations, furnished to militia and rangers in Washing- ton County from February, 1782, to February, 1783.
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