MISS MARTHA D. TWEED is a representative of another well known family who are prominently identified with the organization, growth and development of Washington county. Samuel Tweed and his wife, Jane (Anderson) Tweed, were natives of Ireland, coming to America at a very early date, probably prior to the Revolution. They first settled east of the mountains, afterward moving to Washington county, and locating near Buffalo village. Their children were John, Robert, William, Samuel, Griselda and Annie. Robert Tweed (father of subject) was first married in 1801 to Elizabeth Wylie, a sister of Adam Wylie, M. D., and Rev. William Wylie, D. D. Of the children born to this union, six grew to maturity, viz.: John, Eliza, Griselda, Nancy, Margaret and Mary. After the death of his first wife September 3, 1820, Robert, was married October 11, 1821, to Mary Work, daughter of George and Martha (Dunlap) Work. By this marriage there were four children, namely: Martha D., Jane, Ann and Samuel. Robert Tweed succeeded in rearing his large family, and gave each a fair practical education. He was a man of domestic tastes, devoting little attention to political affairs. In religion he and his wife were members of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, and endeavored to bring up their children in accordance with its teachings. He died April 26, 1828, aged fifty-five years. His widow passed away at the advanced age of over eighty years, July 22, 1869.
She was a woman of much more than ordinary intelligence and business sagacity, and managed the farm successfully many years after the death of her husband. At the same time she found time to inform herself upon all subjects of general interest, and especially the history and doctrines of the Church. She was recognized as one of the best informed Bible scholars in the Church of which she was a member.
George Work came to Hopewell township in 1802, and bought of Mr. Tweed 100 acres of land adjoining Buffalo village. In early life he was married to Margaret Dunlap, and five children were born to them: James, Alexander, John, Jane and Mary.
Of the children born to Robert and Mary (Work) Tweed, Jane Tweed was married to Thomas Ralston, and only one of her children, William (residing in West Middletown), is now living; Ann Tweed was married to John McCully, and removed to Smithfield, Ohio, where her six children are now residing; Martha D. and Samuel were never married, and after the death of their parents they took charge of the estate, living on the old homestead. Samuel died October 10, 1891, aged sixty-six years, and Miss Martha Tweed is now the last representative of the family name in this county.
Text taken from page 1066 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]