W. O. STEVENSON. The first ancestor of this gentleman, of whom we have authentic record, was Richard Stevenson, of Berkeley County, Va. (now W. Va.), where he was born and reared. Richard Stevenson was married in early manhood to Mrs Onora Crawford (widow of Hugh Crawford, an old Indian trader, by whom she had two sons, William and Valentine). William Crawford was colonel of the Fifth Virginia Regulars, commissioned in 1781. The circumstances of his death, which occurred June 11, 1782, in Sandusky, Ohio, are recorded in nearly every U. S. history. He was burned at the stake by Indians (who had captured him) for the evident purpose of wreaking vengeance on their victim in return for the historic massacre at Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, many Indians having been there slaughtered by the whites. At the time of his capture Col. Crawford was conducting a campaign against the Wyandotts and Moravian tribes. To the union of Richard and Onora (Crawford) Stevenson children were born as follows: John, Hugh, Richard, James, Marcus and one daughter. Mrs. Stevenson possessed great physical strength, and was a kind and affectionate mother; she died in 1776. Gen. George Washington was a frequent visitor at this home, often taking part in athletic contests with the sons. The early friendship ripened with the passing years, and when Gen. Washington rose to prominence in military life, James Stevenson was yet his dearest friend and constant companion.
James Stevenson, son of Richard, was born and reared on his father's farm in Berkeley county (W. Va. ), where he was united in marriage with Rachel McKeevers their children were Moses, William, Mary, Theodosia, James, and Sarah. In 1781 Mr. Stevenson concluded to take advantage of the cheap lands then open in western Pennsylvania. He was then in his prime of life, and a splendid specimen of physical manhood. In company with a negro slave named Fortune (who had been the property of George Washington, from whom Mr. Stevenson purchased him), he started on foot on a journey of exploration, leaving his family at home, not wishing them to undergo the perils of such a hazardous expedition. The two men arrived safely in Washington County, Penn., and Mr. Stevenson took up a 'tomahawk claim' of 500 acres of choice land, four miles southeast of Burgettstown, Smith township. A humble cabin was soon erected, some rude improvements made, and a crop of corn planted. The negro previously mentioned was then left to manage the place, and Mr. Stevenson then returned to West Virginia, the negro subsisting on game and roots during his absence. The entire family were located in their pioneer home, which was afterward supplanted by a larger log cabin. Mrs. Stevenson died December 14, 1789, and for his second wife Mr. Stevenson married Martha Barr, the following children being born to their union: Benjamin, Richard, Joseph, Achsah, and John. The land increased in value as civilation progressed, and at the time of his death Mr. Stevenson was a wealthy man. He died in 1813, being followed by his wife in 1816.
William Stevenson, born January 24, 1771, was a son of James and Rachel(McKeevers) Stevenson and the grandfather W. O. Stevenson. He was married to Margaret Crawford, and they reared a family of ten children. Their father died March 1. 1851, their mother May 11, 1819. Oliver Stevenson, their son, was born in 1801 in Smith township, on his father's farm, and recieved his elementary education at the county schools. On January 12, 1826, he was united in marriage with Sarah Curry, who was born in 1803, daughter of Robert Curry, a cooper by trade, and a native of Scotland. He immigrated to Pennsylvania, locating in Allegheny county, near the present site of Allegheny, and was often obliged to flee to a neighboring blockhouse from the Indians. The children of Oliver and Sarah Stevenson were as follows: Margaret A., born January 15, 1827 wife of J. B. Haines, a prominent wholesale merchant of Pittsburgh, Penn.); Isabel M., born June 5, 1829 (died at the age of twenty-one years); W. O., born May 5, 1832, R. T. C., born August l5, 1839, a citizen of Burgettstown, Penn,. Sarah Juliet, born August 15, 1843 (died in her youth) Oliver M., born December 5, 1848, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson first settled on a farm in Smith township, and afterward moved to the farm where the remainder of their lives was passed. At the time of his death Oliver Stevenson was quite an extensive landowner. In politics he was much interested in the success of the Democratic party, with which he was connected. He died in 1854, his widow on June 18, 1885, aged eighty-three years.
W. O. Stevenson was born on the home farm in Smith township, where he is now living. On March 2, 1869, he was married to Ophelia Ann Walker, who was born September 21, 1847, in Jefferson township, this county, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Jerome) Walker. They have had three children, namely: Sarah L. (deceased in infancy), Maggie B. (at home), and Nellie Ophelia. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have always lived on the home farm, which consists of 180 acres of valuable land, lying four miles south of Burgettstown. He has successfully followed agricultural pursuits; in politics he is a lifelong Democrat.
Text taken from page 791 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Tawna Brown of Midlothian, TX as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]