Robert Hazlett, p. 102

ROBERT HAZLETT, head of the Hazlett family of Washington, Penn., with his wife, Mary Colwell Hazlett, came to America from Coleraine, Ireland, about the close of the Revolutionary war. They settled in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., where their children, Hugh, Issac, John and Jane, were born. In 1793 they concluded to change their residence for a home in the South (Kentucky), but upon arriving at Washington over the road then traveled from Red Stone Fort, they were detained on account of a severe storm. The impression made by this brief detention was so favorable that they concluded to locate in the then small village of Washington, where he commenced business as a dry goods merchant. Bring successful he purchased property in the central part of the town, where his sons - Robert and Samuel - and daughters - Margaret and Mary - were born. (This spot has been in possession of the Hazlett family about one hundred years, part of the third generation being its occupants at present). Of Robert Hazlett's ancestry in Ireland we know but little personally. His parents being interested in the highest welfare of the family, Robert was sent to Edinburgh (Scotland), to be educated for a clergyman in the Established Church (Episcopal), but that not being his desire, he left before taking orders. His brother, it is thought, was also at the same university, and, being more devote in the faith, became a minister in the Anglican Church, and afterward was ordained bishop. Mary Colwell Hazlett, as nearly as we can trace history, was a Huguenot descent (the family name being Reanie). The ancestors escaped from France to England, and went from there to the north or Ireland, after the "Edict of Nantes" had been revoked, as there was "no safety for Protestants but in flight from their native land." Mary (wife of Robert Hazlett) was remarkable for her personal beauty, and great forces of character. During her residence in Carlisle she became very ardently attached to the Methodist Episcopal Church. With a heart consecrated to the service of Christ, her enthusiastic nature and integrity of purpose were wonderfully developed by Divine influence. She was not only a wise counselor, judicious mother, in her own home, but a tower of strength in the Church of her choice. Upon arriving at Washington, not finding a Methodist minister, such was her love for the Master, she would ride several miles to Chartiers Presbyterian Church to hear a sermon (Dr. McMillan being the pastor). But her zeal urged her to work for her own denomination. Collecting the few members she could find, she formed a class, and in a short time a Methodist minister (Rev. Furlong) held services in an upper room in a building used as a market house; afterward in the court house, where seats were provided for women only, men being obliged to stand. This continued until 1801, when, through the kindness of David Hoge, a lot was donated at the corner of Franklin and Chestnut streets, where a log church was speedily built, in which the small congregation statedly worshiped, increasing in numbers and religious interest until 1816, when, through the influence of Mary Hazlett and family, a new brick church was erected on Franklin street (now occupied by Hats & Wilson as a carriage factory). As long as health permitted, she was a devout worshiper in that church, and when strength failed, had a religious meeting weekly at her own home, until removed in 1844 to the "City whose Maker and Builder is God." Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren refer to her memory with gratitude and gladness of heart on account of her many noble, womanly traits, for surely "Her works praise her in the gates." --Prov. xxxi: 31. The sons (of Robert and Mary Colwell Hazlett), Hugh, Isaac and Robert, left their native State (Pennsylvania) when quite young and located in Ohio. Hugh married Miss Mary McFadden; had three sons, Robert, Thomas and Hugh; also three daughter, Mary, Eliza and Margaret. Second son (Isaac) married Miss Matilda Calhoun; their sons (three in number) were Robert, Samuel and Theodore; daughters, Mary Frances and Matilda, the latter being the only surviving member. Third son (John Hazlett) died of fever in early manhood, unmarried. Fourth son (Robert) married Miss Lucy Reed, of Putnam, Ohio; had four sons, William, John, George and Charles. The latter, Charles E. Hazlett, was educated at West Point, and yielded up his life to his country's cause on the battle field of Gettysburg (July 2, 1863), while in command of a battery of rifled cannon of the Fifth Artillery. His superior officer. Gen. Weed, being mortally wounded, Lieut. Hazlett, while bending over to hear his dying words, received his death wound. He is referred to, and spoken of in history, as the gallant young Lieut. Hazlett. The daughters of Robert and Lucy Reed Hazlett were Mary, Elizabeth, Lucy and Margaret. Jane Hazlett, eldest daughter of Robert and Mary Colwell Hazlett, was married to Dr. James Wishart, brother of late Dr. John Wishart, well and favorable known in Washington and vicinity. Two children survived their parents, Robert and Mary. Second daughter (Mary Hazlett) was married to James Acheson Cummins, then a resident of Washington, Penn., and afterward removed to the vicinity of Wheeling, W. Va. Their sons were Robert, James, and Thomas; daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, and Margaret. Eldest son Dr. Robert Cummins, became eminent in his profession in his native city (Wheeling). Honored and beloved, he was removed by death in the midst of his useful career. Dr. James Cummins also practiced medicine in the same city. The care of the homestead devolved upon Thomas, who never married; Elizabeth and Margaret Cummins are the only members now surviving. Margaret, youngest daughter of Robert and Mary Colwell Hazlett, was married to Michael Johns, and died in a few short years, leaving one little daughter, Mary. Samuel Hazlett married Miss Sarah Johns, eldest daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Shryock Johns, whose home in earlier days was at Chambersburg, Penn. Sons of the latter, six in number, were William, Michael, Lewellyn, Edwin, Alfred and Thomas; eldest son Dr. William Johns, was a physician of note in Erie, Penn. Dr. Alfred Johns died shortly after commencing the practice of Medicine at Norfolk, Va. There are, at this date, but two living members of the family, Elizabeth and Hester Ann (Mrs. Day), of Canonsburg, Penn. Thomas Johns was of Quaker descent, his family being originally from Wales. The family of Samuel and Sarah Johns Hazlett, consisted of four sons and seven daughters. Thomas, the eldest son, an intelligent, promising son, died of pulmonary disease in his early manhood. Robert studied medicine with his cousin, the late Dr. Robert H. Cummins; located in Wheeling and became a very successful practitioner; married Miss Mary E. Hobbs, of Boston, Mass.; has four living sons, Howard, Samuel, Edward and Robert, active, energetic young business men, interested in progress of Church and State, Katharine being the only daughter. Third son, Samuel, married Lucy Woodhull, of Bangor, Me.; have three living children; Helen, eldest and only daughter; Charles R., engaged in commission business, Kansas City, Mo.; Samuel, youngest son, being associated with his father in a banking house. The latter being very much interested in the Church of his grandparent, has been instrumental in the organization and completion of Jefferson Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, lately erected in Washington Penn. Homer, youngest son of Samuel and Sarah Johns Hazlett, died in infancy, as did also Mary, Elizabeth, Matilda and Anna Augusta. The two living daughters are Margaret (wife of Dr. Wray Grayson, Washington, Penn.); Mary (Mrs. Joseph H. Brown, Pittsburgh, Penn.). Latter had one child, Maddie H. Brown, an usually bright and lovely daughter, who was removed from earth to Heaven at the early age of fourteen. Sarah Hazlett, the late Mrs. S. B. Vowell, was taken away in the prime of her useful life, loving and beloved. Her husband and three children survived her: Samuel, Sarah (Mrs. Edwin F. Brown, in Chicago, Ill.) and Mary. Samuel Hazlett, youngest son of Robert and Mary Colwell Hazlett, was born in 1798, upon the spot where he continued to transact business and reside during the greater part of his useful life. When about fifteen years of age, his father died, leaving the widowed mother in Samuel's care, who devoted himself to her interests with tender love and watchfulness during her entire life; received such an education as the times afforded; at an early age engaged in mercantile business, which continued until 1837, when he became interested in banking business. Being public spirited, always looking at the prosperity of his native town he from time to time engaged in the pursuits that promised the welfare of Washington. At one time he conducted a manufactory of woolen goods, finding ready sale for the same, not only in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but extending to a considerable distance west. The large flouring mill (now in possession of Zelt Bros.) was also built through the capital and enterprise of Samuel Hazlett. He was also the pioneer banker of Washington county. Banking facilities at the time were so limited that business men had to depend for accommodations upon Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Brownsville. Moneyed transactions, therefore were not and could not be considered as now, in this section. State banks were in a very uncertain condition; counterfeiters of coin and paper money carried on their trade almost unrestrained, and many things contributed to make private banking a business of great risk. Not-withstanding all difficulties, knowing the advantage to the public, and being encouraged by friends in the idea of establishing a "banking house," Samuel Hazlett opened an office in Washington, in 1837, and continued in the same during the remainder of his life. In his career as a banker, he confined himself to what he considered a legitimate banking business. Holding that it was not right to place in jeopardy the moneys of depositors, he never engaged in stock, or other speculations of like nature. The "Banking House" of Samuel Hazlett was a constant success. At the time of the death of its founder (1863) it stood "first class" not only in this country, but abroad. Samuel and Sarah Johns Hazlett were devoted members of the M. E. Church, showing their devotion to its best interest at home, and in distant missionary fields, by liberal contributions to its support--thus proving their faith by their works; and their family bear in their heart of hearts the remembrance of their unbounded affection, the religious principles inculcated in the home training, their sense of justice and correct judgment which gave direction and guidance to all with whom they were connected. Those that "knew them best, loved them most."

Text taken from page 102 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Wilbur Frye of Pacifica, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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