MRS. ELIZA V. WALKER, a highly esteemed lady of Burgettstown, was born February 17, 1811, a daughter of Joseph Vance, both in their day prominent citizens of Smith township. Joseph Vance was born about 1750, near Winchester, Va., where he was married, and coming to Washington county, Penn., about the year 1773, located three miles southwest of Burgettstown, in Smith township, on a large tract of land. This land was then an unbroken wilderness, or, to quote a pioneer phase: "There was not a stick amiss," but it has since been divided into nine of the finest farms in Washington county. As soon as a rude shelter had been erected for the family, Joseph Vance, in company with a few of his widely parted neighbors, began the erection of what was know as "Vance's Fort." This was intended to protect the settlers from the onslaughts of the Indians, who were yet numerous in the Territory, and bitterly resented the encroachment of the "Pale-faces" upon their hunting-grounds. The fort was situated but a short distance from the cabin of Joseph Vance, and stood for many years, the only sign of its existence visible being a piece of brick colored ground and an old stone chimney, recently destroyed. At the gates of Fort Vance, under a white oak tree, on October 14, 1778, Rev. James Powers preached the first sermon in English known to have been heard west of the Alleghany Mountains in this section of the State. On this wild tract Joseph Vance and his wife passed their lives, with the exception of occasional visits to his birthplace. As immigration increased, property rose in value, the vast tract of land, once seemingly almost worthless, became very valuable, and the pioneers reaped the deserved reward of early years of toil, privation and danger. The first wife of Joseph Vance died many years ago, leaving him six children, viz: William, John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jane and Nancy. Of this family, one son, Joseph, then went west to Ohio, and his fate was never known. (Governor Vance of Ohio was a cousin). For his second wife, Mr. Vance was wedded to a Miss Cook, a native of Winchester, Va., who died soon after marriage; and he made a third choice in the person of Mary Moore, also a native of Winchester, who bore him two daughters: Anna Mary (wife of William Brady, of Ohio county, W. Va.), and Hannah (married to Edward Morgan, also of Ohio county, W. Va; she is living in Kansas at an advanced age). The father died May 6, 1832, and in 1852 his faithful wife was laid beside him.
William Vance, eldest son of Joseph, was born November 30, 1775, on the old "Fort Vance farm" in Smith township, where his boyhood was passed in the usual duties of pioneer life, a large portion of them falling to his share as the eldest son. On December 24, 1799, he married to Rachel Patterson, who was born June 3, 1781, daughter of William Patterson, of Cross Creek township, this county, and to their union children were born, of whom the following is a brief record: Cynthia, born March 8, 1801, gave her hand in marriage to Peter Van Ostran (they moved to Wayne county, Ohio where she died in 1884); Joseph, born September 18, 1802, was a farmer in Smith township, and died in 1864; James, born July 23, 1804, followed agriculture in Jefferson township, this county, and died in 1881; William P., born September 4, 1806, lived on a farm in this county for some time, thence moving to Hardin county, Ky., and is now a retired farmer of Caldwell county, Mo.; Allison, born December 14, 1808, lived on the home place and died in 1888; Elizabeth was born February 17, 1811, and is now living in Burgettstown, the widow of David S. Walker; Ann was born November 8, 1812, and was united in marriage to Norris Walker, brother of David S. (she died, leaving a large family of children); David was born April 14, 1815, and died in infancy; and Rachel was born December 28, 1816, (she was married to Josiah N. Scott, and is now deceased). On January 9, 1817, the mother of these children passed from earth, and on June 12, 1818, Mr. Vance was married to her sister, Hannah Patterson, who was born in 1786. Five children were born to this union, namely: Thomas P. (deceased farmer of Cross Creek township), born July 15, 1819; Mary (unmarried, living in Rome, Ga.), born June 1, 1821; Caroline (deceased wife of R. S. Caldwell, Hopewell township, this county), born December 30, 1824; John S., born June 7, 1827, now in Smith township; and Jane, born September 7, 1830 (married to J. S. Young, of Ohio; both died in Rome, Ga., where they resided). During his earlier life the father resided on the home farm in Smith township, in company with his brother John, whose interest he afterward purchased. In 1816 William Vance was elected representative of Washington county, in the State Legislature. He was an enthusiastic member of the Whig party, was a counselor and adviser among his friends, and favored the tariff bill from its infancy. After the term of office had expired, Hon. William Vance returned to his farm, having made a signal success in the performance of his duties. He was a liberal contributor toward and regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church, with which his wife was also connected. He died April 18, 1856, and in 1878 his widow followed him across the dark river. Both are buried in the Cross Creek Cemetery. Of the children born to William and Rachel (Patterson) Vance, Elizabeth grew to womanhood, and on March 8, 1838, gave her hand in marriage to David S., son of Alexander Walker.
Alexander Walker was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and when yet a young man came west with his brother John, locating on a tract of land in Jefferson township, this county. Alexander Walker was married to Betsey Norris, of Washington county, Penn., who bore him children as follows: Eliza, Norris, James, Susan, Alexander, David, Isabella, Mary Ann, Drusilla and Samuel. The parents erected a log house on the farm, and conducted a distillery for many years. He was a Whig in politics, and in religious connection was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek.
David S. Walker was born July 6, 1816, in Jefferson township, Washington Co., Penn., receiving a limited education in the log school house of those days. After his marriage to Elizabeth Vance, he and his wife resided four years in Cross Creek township, this county, thence moved to Jefferson township, and in 1875 came to Burgettstown, where they have since resided. The following children have been born to this union: William H. H. (who enlisted in the One Hundredth Regiment P. V. I, and died in the South of four months' service; his father went to him and brought his remains home); Mary E., who was married twice, first to Wesley Smith who died leaving two children, and she was afterward wedded to John Campbell (she is now deceased); Martha A., deceased wife of James Anderson, also deceased; Alexander H., a resident of Pittsburgh; Rachel A., wife of D. H. Hainer, of Ingram, Allegheny Co., Penn.; Jane A., and Eva (the last named being deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Walker commenced life in a very humble way, and for four years after marriage lived in an old log house. Mr. Walker was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party when he enlisted under its banner; on the latter ticket he was, after coming to Burgettstown, a candidate for the State Legislature. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, being an attendant of the church of that denomination. In business affairs he was a very successful man. On May 14, 1877, the death of Mr. Walker was recorded.
Text taken from page 361 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed May 1997 by Sara Greer of Salem, OR as part of the Beers Project.
Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]