WASHINGTON BOROUGH – pp. 476 - 564

 

Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men  (Philadelphia: L. H. Leverts & Co., 1882).

 

 

The original owners of the site occupied by the borough of Washington were Abraham Hunter, Martha Hunter, and Joseph Hunter, Jr., who were among the host of applicants who thronged the land-office of the proprietaries immediately after its opening in the spring of 1769 for the sale of the lands which had been ceded by the Indians a few months previously by the treaty of Fort Stanwix.  The warrants (one to each of the persons mentioned) were dated June 19, 1769, and were surveyed by James Hendricks on the 11th of November in the same year.  The tract of Abraham Hunter (warrant No. 3517) was named "Catfish Camp,"¹ and contained three hundred and thirty-one acres and twenty-one perches, lying on Catfish Run, a small tributary of Chartiers Creek.  On the north of this tract was the land of Joseph Hunter, Jr. (warrant No. 3516), named in the survey "Grand Cairo," and containing three hundred and thirty-one acres and twenty-one perches.  On the north of the last named, and adjoining it, was the tract of Martha Hunter (warrant No., 3518), named in the survey "Matha's Bottom," containing three hundred and thirty-nine acres, sixty-nine perches, but the borough, when it became such by incorporation, included no part of his tract.

¹ This name, which was given not only to the tract but also the settlement which afterwards became the town of Washington (and clung to it for many years), was derived from an old Delaware Indian named Tingooqua – in English, Catfish – who lived there, and of whom mention is made in the history of the Indian occupation in this volume.  His wigwam or “camp” was on the stream, northeast of Trinity Hall, but it is said that he occupied several different locations in the immediate vicinity at different times.  He lived here for some years, but finally removed to the Scioto country and died there.

No information whatever can be obtained of these original purchasers beyond the facts already given.  There is no evidence – and very little probability – that they ever resided upon these lands.  William Huston was a resident on a tract of land adjoining “Catfish Camp,” and on the branch of Chartiers which flows near the original borough line.  On that tract (at the place where Mrs. Swartz now resides) Huston lived as early as 1774, as is shown by his own affidavit (given in the account of Dunmore’s war in the general history of the county), in which he said that in April of the year named Capt. Michael Cresap and others stopped overnight at his house at Catfish Camp while traveling from the Ohio to Redstone Old Fort.  He (Huston) was the earliest white inhabitant of the vicinity of whom any information can be gained.

On the 26th of April, 1771, Abraham, Martha, and Joseph Hunter sold their tracts, “Catfish Camp,” Martha’s Bottom, and “Grand Cairo” (in all about one thousand and sixty acres), to David Hoge, a native of Cumberland County.  In 1780, when the erection of the new county of Washington was being agitated, Hoge determined to lay out a town on the lands purchased from the Hunters doubtless with the expectation that it would become the seat of justice of the proposed county, of which the site of the new town would be within a mile of the territorial centre.  He built a log house (on the site of Strean’s hardware-store) in the early spring of 1781, and the act erecting Washington County, passed March 28, 1781, directed the courts to be held “at the house of David Hoge, Esq.,” and in his log house the first court was so held on the 2d of October in that year.  On the 13th of the same month-a town-plat was laid out on a part of the tracts Catfish Camp and Grand Cairo by David Redick, surveyor, for David Hoge, and was named “Bassett Town.”

It will be noticed that among the names of the grand jury at the first court of the county not a name occurs of any person who was a resident of Catfish Camp or its vicinity.  It is not known or believed that David Hoge ever resided here.  All traditions unite in locating the cabin of David Hoge in the rear of what became the town-plat lot No. 58, which was sold soon after the town was laid out to Charles Dodd, on certificate No. 15, dated Bassett Town, October, 1781.

 

 

In this house Mr. Dodd evidently lived when the court was held here, for rent was paid him “for use of a room to hold court in.”

The original plat of Bassett Town was bounded by what are now Maiden and Walnut Streets, Lincoln Avenue, and Ruple’s Alley.  The two principal streets were Monongahela (now Main) and Ohio (now Beau), each sixty-six feet wide, running through the centre of the town at right angles with each other.  The other streets were sixty feet in width.  The width of the alley is not given.  The streets and alleys north from Maiden Street and running parallel with it were named as follows: Water Alley (now Strawberry), Gay Street (later Belle, now Wheeling), Johnson’s Alley (now Cherry), Ohio Street (now Beau), Middle Alley (now Pine), Race Street (now Chestnut), North Alley (now Spruce).  Walnut Street was the north line and not then named.  From what is now Lincoln Avenue (but not then named, what being the eastern boundary line) westward the streets were named as follows: Chartiers Street (now College), Monongahela Street (later Market, now Main), Beau Street (later Front, now Franklin).

Four lots marked A, forming a plot two hundred and forty feet square, and lying in the southwest angle of Ohio and Monongahela Streets, were donated by Mr. Hoge for a court-house and prison.  Lots 43 and 102 were presented by Mr. Hoge to Gen. George Washington, and were on the corner of Chartiers and Gay Streets.  No. 43 is now owned by the Presbyterian Society, and No. 102 forms a part of the college campus.  Lots Nos. 171 and 172 were set apart for a place of public worship and a school-house.  These lots were fronting on Race Street, and extended along Chartiers Street to Pine Alley, each being a corner lot.  They were never used for the purpose designated.  In addition to the plot a “Great Plain” was given by Mr. Hoge “for a common,” containing seventy or eighty acres.  Later it was occupied by William Hoge, and on it he lived and died.  It is now owned by a Harry Shirls, and his residence is upon it.

The new town was named Bassett Town, in honor of the Hon. Richard Bassett, who was a kinsman of Mr. Hoge.  Mr. Bassett was a member of the convention which framed the Constitution of the United States in 1787, and was the first who voted to locate the capital of the nation on the Potomac.  He was a member of the Delaware Convention which met at Dover on the 7th of December, 1787, and ratified the constitution of that State, of which he was Governor from 1798 to 1801.  He was also United States district judge in 1801-1802.  His death occurred in 1815.

After the laying out of the town Mr. Hoge immediately commenced the sale of lots by certificates which bore the number of the lot sold, and a proviso that a “house at least eighteen feet square with a stone or brick chimney shall be built thereon on or before the 13th day of October, 1784;” and also contained an amount specified to be paid annually as a quit-rent.  These certificates passed from one to another, and in most cases deeds were not made till four or five years later.  Forty-seven certificates were issued to purchasers of the lots dated at Bassett Town, and all were issued in the early part of October, 1781.  The name of the town was changed to Washington in that month, as the following certificate shows:

 

“Washington Town, October, 1781.

“This will intitle Dorsey Pentecost to receive a sufficient title, subject to one dollar in specie rent per annum per Lott, for the lot marked in the Original plan of said Town 154, provided there shall be erected on each lott a house of eighteen feet square at least with a stone or brick chimney on or before the thirteenth day of October in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty-four.

“Signed David Hoge.”

 

After the sale of the property by David Hoge to his sons, John and William, the quit-rents were paid to them.  In the year 1803, John Hoge received on 120 quit-rents $1500, and in 1809 on 136 he received $2000.  In the same year William Hoge received on 130 quit-rents the sum of $1600, and in 1809 on 147 he received $2180.  These rents were bough off from time to time, and mostly ceased about 1860.  Demands are still occasionally made, but no attention is paid to them.

The first property to which title by deed was given was the public square sold for a site for the courthouse and prison of Washington County.  This deed describes the property as “lying in the town of Bassett Town,” and is the only one ever made containing such description.  The next deed that appears of record was made by David Hoge to James Marshel, and conveyed lot No. 90 (now occupied by Morgan and Hargraves’ store).  This lot was sold by Marshel to Hugh Wilson on the 4th of January, 1786.  With the exception of the deed conveying the property to his sons, the two deeds above mentioned are the only ones given by David Hoge.  The deeds for the certificates were given by John and William Hoge after their purchase Nov. 7, 1785.

In the year 1784 an incident occurred in the town, which is here related as given by one who was the leader of the party.  The facts are given in the minutes of the Supreme Executive Council, of date Philadelphia, Oct. 29, 1790.

Cornplanter, chief of the Senecas, made a speech to the “Fathers of the Quaker State,” in which he referred to a treaty made at Fort Stanwix six years before, and also of a talk held between the “Fathers” and the “Thirteen Fires,” at Muskingum.  After this last treaty Cornplanter was to conduct his people to Fort Pitt.  The following is from his speech, and refers to the trip made through Catfish (Washington) in 1784, as follows:

“After I had separated from Mr. Nicholson and Morgan, I had under my charge one hundred and seventy persons of my nation, consisting of men, women, and children, to conduct through the wilderness, through heaps of briars, and having lost our way, we with great difficulty reached Wheelen.  When arrived there, being out of provisions, I requested of a Mr. Zanes to furnish me and my people with bacon and flour to the amount of seventeen dollars, to be paid for out of the goods belonging to me and my people at Fort Pitt.  Having obtained my request, I proceeded on my journey for Pittsburg, and about ten miles from Wheelen, my party were fired upon by three white people, and one of my people in the rear of my party received two shots through his blanket.

“Fathers,–It was a constant practice with me throughout the whole journey to take great care of my people, and not suffer them to commit any outrages or drink more than what their necessities required.  During the whole of my journey only one accident happened, which was owing to the kindness of the people of the town called Catfish [Washington], in the Quaker State, who, while I was talking with the head men of the town, gave to my People more liquor than was proper, and some of them got drunk, which obliged me to continue there with my People all night, and in the night my People were robbed of three rifles and one shot-gun; and though every endeavour was used by the head men of the town upon complaint made to them to discover the perpetrators of the robbery, they could not be found; and on my Peoples complaining to me I told them it was their own faults by getting drunk.”  It may be of interest to know the advantages the town of Washington had at that time for supplying men with the liquor “their necessities required”.  The following are the names of those who kept tavern here in that year: James Wilson, John Adams, John Dodd, Charles Dodd, and John Colwell.

 

On the 7th of November, 1785, David Hoge conveyed to his sons, John and William Hoge, eight hundred acres of land, including the town of Washington, except the southeast quarter of the town, which he reserved for himself; but subsequently, on the 10th of March, 1787, he conveyed to them this quarter also.  The names of the streets were changed from the plat of 1781 before the date of the deed.  Shortly after this sale an addition was made to the town on the east and south sides, consisting of forty lots and several out-lots.

The town of Washington was originally in the township of Strabane, and the first election of the township was held at “the house of David Hoge, at Catfish Camp.”  The town remained under the jurisdiction of Strabane until 1785.  On the 25th of September, in that year, a petition signed by several of the citizens of the town was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions, requesting to be formed into a separate election district.  The petition was granted; a certificate was sent to the Supreme Executive Council, and was confirmed by that body on the 6th of February, 1786.  A petition for the erection of the town of Washington into a separate township is on file in the records of the court, and is indorsed on the back as follows: “Petition of Inhabitants of the Town of Washington to be made a township.  September Session.  Granted by the Court.”  The petition was signed by Alexander Addison, D. Bradford, James Ross, John Redick, John Hoge, and Reasin Beall.

This petition is without date, but the action of the court was evidently in September, 1788, as the first assessment-roll of Washington borough township that has been found was made April 20, 1789, and is probably the first one after its erection.  The following names appear on the roll:

 

John Atchison, Robert Atchison, John Adams, Samuel Acklin, David Bradford, Reazon Bell, Samuel Beard, Absalom Beard, Esq., James Chambers, Edward Coulter, Samuel Clark, Alexander Cunningham, John Culbertson, Thomas Clark, Peyton Cooke, John Dodd, John Douglas, Samuel David, John Flaek, William Faulkner, Hardman Horn, John Hoge, Esq., John Hughes, Thomas Jeffries, William Johnston, Daniel Kerr, William Kerr, Alexander Little, James, Linn, William Meetkirk, John McQuiston, Robert McKinley, William Marshall, Hugh Means, Kennedy Morton, Daniel Moody, Alexander McCoy, William Marts, William McCalmont, George McCormick, John McMichael, Daniel McGlaughlin, Patrick McNight, James McCoy, Sr., Anthony McConoughy, David Parkinson, John Purviance, David Redick, Esq., John Redick, Widow Roberts, Thomas Stokely, Esq., Samuel Shannon, Thomas Scott, Esq., Adam Sneider, ––– Sneider, Andrew Swearingen, William Sherrod, Widow Thompson, Charles Valentine, James Wilson, Sr., Hugh Wilson, Matthew Winton, James Workman, Widow Walker, Daniel Welch, Joseph Wherry, Hugh Workman, James Wilson, Jr., Thomas Woodward.  Single men:  Gabriel Bleakney, John Black, Alexander Beer, Edward Browner, Sandars Darby, George Douglas, Thomas Davis, James Ewing, Thomas Goudy, Joseph Hunt, Daniel Johnston, John Kerns, James Langley, William Linn, James McDermott, Walton Meads, Alexander McCoy, James McCoy, John McCoy, Thomas McQuiston, James McCluney, Alexander Miller, William Mitchell, Archibald McDonald, James Read, Benjamin Read, James Ross, James Rony, John Stokely, Benjamin Stokely, John Stevenson, Elisha Fulkerson, James Woods.

 

In 1792, forty-seven inhabitants of Strabane and Canton townships petitioned the court that the township of Washington be enlarged.  The petition was presented in March, 1792, and on the 27th of September the same year it was acted upon, and the following boundaries established: “Beginning at the mouth of Daniel Leets’ Run, thence up the said Run to the Head thereof, thence to the most easterly corner of the survey made for James Huston, thence along the easterly boundary of William Huston’s survey, thence along the Easterly Boundary of John Dodd’s Land to where the great road to Pittsburgh crosses the first Run, thence down the said Run to Chartiers Creek, thence up the said creek to the place of the Beginning.”  Since that time the boundaries have not been materially changed.

Early Settlers of Washington. – David Hoge, of Cumberland County, was sheriff of that county from October, 1768, to Dec. 31, 1770, when he was succeeded by Ephraim Blaine.  Soon after this time, as already mentioned, he purchased the Hunter tracts of land in the Chartiers Valley embracing what is now the town of Washington.  He laid out the town in 1781, and in 1785 sold the most of it to his sons John and William, who removed to Washington and lived and died there, filling important positions of honor and trust.  David Hoge, their father, never made Washington his permanent residence.  Of his other children, Jonathan settled near Morgantown, where he lived and died, leaving two children, of Bushrod Hoge (well know to the people of Washington) is one.  David Hoge, Jr., married Jane the daughter of Thomas Scott, and settled in Washington for a time, and finally removed to Steubenville, where he became agent of the Land-Office.  He died there, leaving many descendants.  A daughter became the wife of the Rev. Mr. Waugh, a Presbyterian clergyman.  He died in Cumberland County and left two sons, William and John H., both of whom were admitted as attorneys in Washington County in 1818 and 1820.  He also had three daughters, the youngest of whom became the wife of Dr. Irwin.  Mrs. Daniel Kaine, of Uniontown, is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin.  John Hoge, the oldest son of David Hoge, Sr., was born at Hogestown, near Carlisle, Sept. 12, 1760, entered the Revolutionary army in 1776, when but sixteen years of age, and became a lieutenant.  During the war he visited Washington, and in 1782 settled on the land his father had purchased.  On the 7th of October, 1785, his father conveyed the greater portion of the large tract to him and his brother William.  In 1789 he was elected a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention, and from 1790-1794 represented this district in the State Senate.  He served part of a term in the Congress from 1803-5 to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of his brother, William Hoge.  He built a frame house on the south side of Maiden Street, opposite the old Presbyterian Church (now Hayes’carriage factory).  He also kept tavern a few years about 1800.  He married a daughter of William Quail.  Later in life he retired to his farm, lying between Washington and Canonsburg, known as the “Meadow Land” (now owned by Maj. John H. Ewing), where he died Aug. 5, 1824.  William Hoge, a younger brother of John, also settled in Washington, and owned a half interest in the property.  His farm in the north part of the town is now owned by Harry Shirle.  He was elected member of Congress, and served from 1801 to 1803, but resigned in 1804, and was again elected in 1806 and served from 1807 to 1809.  He was also elected associated judge, and served from 1798 to 1802.  He married Isabella, the daughter of Samuel Lyon, of Cumberland County.  He died in 1813, and his widow became the second wife of Alexander Reed.

David Redick was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country and settled for several years in Lancaster County.  He married the daughter of Jonathan Hoge, brother of David Hoge, Sr.  He was a surveyor, and came to the Chartiers Valley with David Hoge, surveyed his lands, and laid out the town under the direction of Mr. Hoge.  He remained here an purchased lot 273, on Main Street, where he built and lived till his death.  The place is now owned by Alexander Murdoch.  He was admitted to the bar in 1782.  In 1786 he was elected a member of the Supreme Executive Council, and on the 14th of October, 1788, was chosen vice-president in place of Peter Muhlenberg, who resigned.  He held the position until the election of George Ross, November 5th, the same year.  Benjamin Franklin was president of the Council at the time he was vice-president.  In October, 1787, he was appointed agent of the State for communicating to the Governor of New York intelligence respecting Connecticut claims.  In 1791 he was appointed prothonotary of Washington County and clerk of the courts.  He was appointed to survey the Ten Islands in the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers, and to divide the several tracts of land opposite Pittsburgh into building-lots.  He was active and energetic in business, prominent in defense of law, order, and the constitution in the time of the Whiskey Insurrection, and was appointed with Mr. Findley to wait upon President Washington to assure him of the submission of those who had been insurgents.  He died at Washington on the 28th of September, 1805, and was buried with Masonic honors.  He had a son who became an attorney, but died when a young man.  Nancy, a daughter of his, became the wife of Dr. James Stevens, of Washington.  They inherited the Redick homestead, where they both lived and died.  The present residence was built by Dr. Stevens.  Another daughter of Mr. Redick became the wife of Capt. James Anderson, of the United States Army.  They later settled in Louisville, Ky.

The ancestors of the Acheson family of Washington were natives of Scotland, and about 1604 removed to County Armagh, Ireland, when, in 1776, Sir Archibald Acheson (one of the descendants) became Baron Gosford, and later a viscount.  The descendants of the family who came to this country were of a collateral branch, and settled upon the family estate at Glass Drummond.  George, the father of the sons and daughters who came to this country, was born in 1724, and died in July, 1812, aged eighty-eight years.  Elizabeth, his wife, was a daughter of David Wier, a Belfast merchant.  She was born in 1728, and died July 29, 1808, aged eighty years.  They left five sons, – George, John, Thomas, William, and David, and two daughters, – Hannah and Ellen.  All the children came to this country except William, who remained on the homestead at Glass Drummond.  The first to emigrate to America was John, who about the year 1784 came to Washington, Pa., where he commenced to trade, and soon after established other trading points at Cincinnati and Wheeling.  He was also employed by the United States government in the furnishing supplied to the army for the Indian wars.  His death by apoplexy occurred in 1790, while crossing the Allegheny Mountains on horseback on his way to Philadelphia.  He left a widow and two daughters in Ireland.  The eldest daughter died young, and Hannah, the youngest daughter, came to this country in 1807 in charge of the Rev. Thomas Campbell.  She lived with her uncle David, and died in 1837, aged fifty years.

Thomas Acheson came to this country in 1786, and settled in Washington with his brother John, with whom he became associated in business.  After the death of John, in 1791, he entered into partnership with David, his younger brother, and continued the mercantile business as long as he lived.  In 1809 he erected the brick building on which the First National Bank building is now (1882) being erected, the old house having been demolished the latter part of May, 1882.  In this house Gen. Acheson lived till his death in 1815.  He was commissioned commissary-general of the army of the United States in 1812.  He was a man of pleasing address, and wielded great influence in the town and county.  He left six children, Elizabeth, George, James C., Hannah, Jane, and Thomas.  Elizabeth became the wife of Benjamin Stewart, Esq.; they both died in 1838.  George studied law and died in early life.  James C. married and settled in Wheeling, where he died a few years ago, leaving a widow and children.  Thomas is the only survivor.  Hannah Acheson, a sister of John and Thomas, was married in Ireland to James Shields, and became the mother of four children before she came to the United States in 1800.  Of these children William settled in Nashville, Tenn., and died in December, 1837, leaving two children, who were sent to the family of David Acheson, and both died before reaching maturity.  Thomas Shields, a son of Hannah, came to Washington about 1820, and became a clerk in the store of his uncle and remained a few years, when his health failed and he went to South America, and later settled in Nashville, where he died a few years after his brother William.  George Shields, a brother of William and Thomas, settled in Washington County, and had two children, Hannah and Thomas, both of whom are living.  Ellen Acheson, the youngest daughter of George Acheson, and sister of John and Thomas, married Joseph McCullough in Ireland and settled there.  They emigrated to this country about 1791, arriving about the time of the death of her brother John.  They removed to Kentucky, where they died a few years later, leaving two children, George and Nancy, who were brought to Pennsylvania, George to Cumberland County, where he grew to manhood and died.  His daughter, Ellen, became the wife of the Rev. Dr. A. McGill, of Princeton Theological Seminary.  Nancy was placed with her uncles, Thomas and David, with whom she lived until her marriage with the Hon. Thomas H. Baird, with whom she lived many years and left many descendants.

David Acheson, the youngest of the family of brothers and sisters who came to this country, emigrated in the spring of 1788 to join his brothers.  As a certificate of character, he brought with him from the pastor of his father’s church the following letter: “The bearer, David Acheson, intending to remove to North America, this therefore is to certify that he is a young man of sober, good conduct, and son of Mr. George Acheson, an elder of the Seceding Congregation of Market Hill, in the County of Armagh, Ireland.  This is given under my hand this 30th of April, 1788.  David Arnott, Minister.”  He embarked for Philadelphia on the “Friendship,” Capt. Rue, from Belfast, May 14, 1788.  A safe voyage was made, and he joined his brothers in Washington, and immediately became associated with his brother John in the contracts for furnishing supplied to the armies of the United States.  These contracts continued until the death of John in 1791.  Among the business papers of David Acheson were accounts of mercantile expeditions from Pittsburgh to New Orleans in 1790-91 by John and David Acheson, with a document written in the Spanish language given to David Acheson by the Spanish authorities permitting him to convey his merchandise within their territory.  After the death of his brother John he turned his attention to the study of law for a time with James Ross, but soon abandoned it and became engaged in mercantile pursuits with his brother Thomas.  In 1795 (when twenty-five years old) he was elected to represent Washington County in the State Legislature, and again in 1797 and 1804.  He was married in the spring of 1799 to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Young, of Philadelphia, who died on the 27th of February, 1800.  An infant daughter was left to him, who was placed with her grandmother in Philadelphia, by whom she was brought up.  In November, 1802, he visited his parents and while abroad traveled through Ireland and England, spending about six months.  He married as a second wife, Oct. 30, 1805, Mary, daughter of John Wilson, of Washington, and removed to Philadelphia, where he remained nine years, and in 1814 returned to Washington.  While residing in Philadelphia four children were born to them, – John, Alexander W., Catharine, and David, who died young.  Upon his return to Washington, Mr. Acheson erected the mansion-house now owned by the Rev. Dr. James I. Brownson.  He entered into business in Washington, but later in life, by the depression in real estate, he became financially embarrassed and was not again engaged in active pursuits.  In 1840, when seventy years of age, he revisited Ireland and remained until the spring of 1842, when he returned home and lived an uneventful life the remainder of his days.  In 1848 he was stricken with paralysis, and with mind shattered and bodily powers impaired he lived until Dec. 1, 1851, when he died at home surrounded by his family, at the age of eighty-one years.  The following is from an obituary notice of him: “He was an accurate and close observer of public and political affairs as connected not only with our own government, but also with the prominent nations of Europe, of the diplomacy of which, as well as of their policy, there were but few private men of his day, retiring and unobtrusive as he was, who better understood or could more accurately delineate.  His judgement and conclusions, which were always deliberate and well matured by his deep-thinking, strong mind, were valuable and very highly esteemed by those acquainted with him whether in public or private life.  Thus during the period of vigorous manhood he enjoyed a most extensive popularity and influence in the State of Pennsylvania particularly, and with many of her most distinguished individuals in her political party history and government he was on the closest terms of intimacy; hence his opinions and counsels were always much sought after and greatly valued. . . . As a private friend and in social life Mr. Acheson was a man of ardent and sincere attachments, and where personal effort or labor were needed he never faltered or shrunk by reason of apparent difficulty or threatened danger, ever ready and willing to serve his friends, at whatever responsibility or personal risk, by day or night, at home or abroad.”

Judge Alexander W. Acheson and Mrs. Dr. James I. Brownson, a son and daughter of David Acheson, are both well-known and life-long residents of Washington.

Alexander Reed came to this country from Donegal, Ireland, in 1794.  His brother Thomas and his mother’s brother, Alexander Cunningham, had settled in the town of Washington some time before.  His father, Robert Reed, graduated in Edinburgh, and was a minister of high standing in Scotland, but was called to Ireland to preach against the Arian heresy, then creeping into the Presbyterian Church.  Unitarian theology is almost the same as that of Arius.  All the books upon its doctrines are said to be lost.  The church Robert Reed established at Manor Cunningham (Donegal County, Ireland) had at one time, it is said, a thousand communicants, and his children and granchildren have been the sole occupants of the pulpit for one hundred and fifty years.  It is yet one of the most important churches in that county.  Under the training of such a father the son imbibed those principles of morality and religion which formed his character and influenced his conduct through life.  The death of his brother occurring soon after his arrival, he became the sole proprietor of the store now occupied by his son Colin, and grandsons, Alexander and Colin.  He became much interested in developing the agricultural resources of the county, and purchased largely of real estate.  In 1821 he bought a flock of imported Spanish merino sheep of Alexander Wilson, of Philadelphia, and began the business of fine-wool growing.  He was the first to send wool to the Eastern market.  He was also among the first to introduce best English horses and cattle.  His father-in-law, Rev. Colin McFarquher, used to say while here on visits to his daughter that her children would see these hills white with sheep.  Alexander Reed himself lived to see this prophecy literally fulfilled when Washington County had a million of sheep and was the finest wool-growing county in the United States.  In 1826 he sent silk-worm eggs to George Rapp, the founder of the society at Economy, who gave to them to his granddaughter, Gertrude Rapp, as the seeds of an industry likely to furnish pleasant employment for women.  It was not long before both Mr. Rapp and his granddaughter made their appearance here one fair day arrayed in suits of handsome black silk, the result o that gift of silk-worm eggs.  This was the beginning of their silk factory, in operation thirty years.  It has been idle since 1856.  With the existing tariff it was never profitable.  They exhibited their silks, satins, velvets, and brocades at fairs in New York and Boston, and Miss Rapp (who is yet a vigorous woman) still shows medals awarded her there.  They demonstrated the practicability of silk-making in this country, and anticipated by more than half a century the work of the ladies who recently presented Mrs. Garfield with a silk dress-pattern, thinking it the first silk ever made in this country.

Mr. Reed was one of the original trustees in the charter of Washington College, as well as of the female seminary.  He was president of the Franklin Bank from its foundation, and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church from its organization till his death.  In all projects and enterprises to advance the interest of town or country, in all the institutions for promoting the cause of education, morals, or religion, he was prominent, active, and efficient.  His regard for truth and honesty was the foundation of that universal confidence reposed in him.  In all the varied and multiplied transactions of nearly fifty years his truth and integrity were never impeached, and he was never engaged in a lawsuit.

In 1799 he married Janette, daughter of Rev. Colin McFarquher, of Inverness, Scotland, who came to this country during the Revolutionary war.  He preached thirty years in Donegal, Lancaster Co., Pa., in an old church which is yet standing.  The children of Alexander Reed were George, Eliza, Colin, Robert R., Alexander, and Sarah.  The last two died in infancy.  George died at twenty-eight; many cherished hopes for a brilliant future were buried with him.  Eliza died while on a visit to Philadelphia, just in bloom of womanhood.  Colin is the only one now living, at the age of seventy-seven.  In 1835 he married the widow of Lieut. Ritner, United States army, who died at the end of one year, leaving a daughter (Mary), who is now the wife of Henry Laughlin, of Pittsburgh, of the firm Jones & Laughlin.  In 1842 he married Sarah E. Chapman, of Massachusetts, sister of Maj. William Chapman.  The children of this marriage were Isabella, Laura, Helen, Alexander, Colin, Robert, Ethelind, and Alice.  Isabella married William Copeland, of Pittsburgh, both of whom have been dead many years.  Laura is the wife of James R. Clark, and is living now in the old home built by her grandfather Reed.  Colin married Miss Ada Brownlee, and is in the business with his father and brother Alexander in the same location where, nearly one hundred years ago, it was first established by Alexander Reed.  Alexander, Ethelind, and Alcie are unmarried.  Robert and Helen died in early childhood.

In 1830, Robert Rantoul Reed married the oldest daughter of Judge Thomas H. Baird.  The children of this marriage were Ann Eliza, Alexander, Thomas, Janette, George, Ellen, Isabella, Colin, William, Joseph, and Charles.  Alexander was a man of mark in the pulpit, an earnest, eloquent, attractive preacher of the gospel.  His first charge was the Octorara, one of the long established churches of the Presbytery of Chester.  From there he went to Philadelphia; from thence to Brooklyn.  In pastoral work he excelled, and in all the churches he served he is lovingly remembered to this day.  After his return from Europe he was called to Denver, where he died, at the age of forty-seven, after a brief but effective work there.  His widow (Mary Watson) and children, are here in Washington.  Thomas is an eminent physician in Philadelphia.  William is preaching in Helena, Montana.  George, Colin, and Joseph are in business in Pittsburgh.  All the daughters of this family died early.  Robert died in the army of typhoid fever.  George also was a soldier in the Federal army.  Dr. Thomas was a surgeon in the Pennsylvania Reserves during the war.  He married Miss Campbell, of Carlisle.  George married Matilda McKennan, of this town; Colin, Miss Lord, of Mississippi; William, Miss McKnight, of Pittsburgh.  The widow of Dr. R. R. Reed is now over seventy, and living among children and sisters.

Marcus Wilson came to American from Coleraine, County of Londonderry, Ireland.  He had four children, – John, James, Alexander, and Isaac.  John, the eldest, married Catherine, daughter of Christopher Cunningham, in June, 1785, and in June of the next year Marcus Wilson and his family, including the wife of John and an infant son, Nicholas, emigrated to this country.  Alexander settled in Philadelphia.  James came directly to the town of Washington, where he lived until his death, in 1828, aged seventy years.  John, with his family and his father, settled in Philadelphia, where they remained three years, and in 1789 removed to Washington.  They started in Philadelphia with all their goods in a cart; on reaching Bedford the cart was abandoned, as bridle-paths were the only roads west of the mountains, and pack-horses were used.  John was a cabinetmaker, and at once commenced his business in Washington.  He built a house and shop on the lot where A. T. Baird’s store now stands.  He was elected justice of the peace Feb. 1, 1799, and held the office until the infirmities of age compelled him to retire.  He died March 16, 1847, aged eighty-five years.  His widow died in December, 1857, aged eighty-eight years.  They had twelve children, of whom Nicholas went South when a young man, and settled in Iberville, La.  The second child, Mary, was born in Philadelphia, Nov. 30, 1787, and came to this town with her parents.  She married David Acheson, Oct. 30, 1805.  She lived a long and useful live, and died Aug. 2, 1872, aged eighty-five years.  Martha, the third child of John Wilson, was born in Washington, Feb. 18, 1790.  She became the wife of Dr. John Wishart, of Washington, in October, 1827.  They remained in Washington.  She survived her husband seven years, and died in March, 1871, at the residence of her son Marcus, in Allegheny County.  Margaret, another daughter of John Wilson, married William Wilson, of Philadelphia, and lived and died in that city.  Jane also a daughter of John Wilson, married George Baird, of Washington, Oct. 25, 1811.  For several years they resided in various places, and in 1844 returned to Washington, where she died in 1872.  John and A. Todd Baird, of Washington, are her sons.

Marcus, a son of John Wilson, was born in Washington.  When a young man he moved to Wheeling, where he died Aug. 1, 1837.  Alexander Wilson, an attorney of Washington, is his son.  John K. Wilson, also a son of John Wilson, and a native of Washington, married Maria, the only daughter of David Shields and granddaughter of Maj. Daniel Leet.  He was for many years a prominent merchant in Washington, and lived in the house where he was born, on the east side of Main Street opposite the court-house.  (The site is now occupied by Hastings’ hardware-store and the Washington Savings Bank.)  About 1830 he removed to Allegheny City, where he still resides.  David S. Wilson, a leading attorney of Washington, is a son.  Catharine, a daughter of John Wilson, became the wife of Andrew Todd, of Washington.  Their son, Alexander Todd, is now an attorney in Washington borough.  James, the youngest son of John Wilson, was born in 1806, and when a lad of sixteen years was killed by the falling of the chimney at the burning of a house of Maiden Street, Feb. 23, 1822.

James Wilson came from Burnt Cabin, Bedford Co., Pa., in 1781, and purchased lot 291, where Smith’s store now is.  On it he erected a log house, and on the 3rd of October, at the first term of court in Washington County, he was licensed to keep a tavern.  Later, he bought lot 21 (where Charlton’s confectionery-store now is), on the east side of Main Street.  This lot was purchased on a certificate.  In 1792 he passed his title to his son Hugh.  A deed had previously been made to Hugh (Aug, 15, 1786).  A house was built on this lot, which at that time was the largest in the town, and in it the shows that visited the place and various amateur performances were held.  Dr. J. Julius Le Moyne first opened his drug-store in this house.  After his removal, Mrs. Baker’s Female Seminary was located there until her removal, in 1815, to a house on Maiden Street.  James Wilson lived in the house he built on the corner of Main and Beau Streets until his death, and his widow lived there several years after.  He died in 1792, and by his will left to his wife, Margaret, the use of two hundred acres of land adjoining the town until James, the youngest son, should be of age; then the farm was to be divided equally between James, Thomas, and John.  Hugh, the oldest son, had been provided for by property set off to him previously, among which was the lot on Main Street near Maiden.  The house and lot where James Wilson, Sr., lived and died was left to his youngest son, James, but it later came into the possession of Hugh Wilson, by whom it was owned many years.  A daughter (Matty) of James Wilson became Mrs. Bryson.  James, the youngest son, was a coppersmith, and lived in the town several years.  Of the other sons, except Hugh, nothing is known.

Hugh Wilson, in addition to the property obtained from his father, purchased of James Marshel, in 1786, the lot of which now stands Morgan & Hargreaves’ store.  He opened a store on lot 21 before 1795, and was a merchant many years.  He married for this first wife Rachel (daughter of Isaac Leet and sister of Maj. Daniel Leet), by whom he had five children, – Rebecca, Margaret, Rachel, Hugh W., and Eliza.

Rebecca became the wife of James Blaine, who in 1809 opened a dry-goods store next door to Hugh Wilson.  Later, he purchased the stone house built by David Bradford.  In this house they both lived and died, leaving no children.  He was elected justice of the peace in 1817, and served three terms.  He was also county treasurer from 1815 to 1817.  Margaret, the second daughter of Hugh Wilson, became the wife of John Marshel, the son of Col. James Marshel.  He was sheriff of the county in 1835, and before the expiration of the term was appointed cashier of the Franklin Bank (now the First National).  This position he retained till 1857, when he resigned, and returned to a farm near Washington, where he died.  Mrs. Dr. Matthew H. Clark, of Washington, and Mrs. S. A. Clark, of Pittsburgh, are his daughters.  Rachel, the third daughter of Hugh and Rachel Wilson, became the wife of Richard Harding, and settled first in Alabama and later at Wheeling.  Mrs. Harding now resides at Philadelphia with her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Harding Davis, well known to the public as an authoress.  Mrs. John L. Gow, of Washington, is also a daughter of Mrs. Harding.

Hugh W. Wilson, the only son of Hugh and Rachel, settled in South Strabane, on the farm his grandfather purchased, and where his father built the residence in which James W. Wilson, the son of Hugh Wilson, now lives.  Hugh Wilson, after the death of his first wife, married Margaret Fleming, a widow, with one daughter, who afterwards became the wife of the Rev. John McFadden, of Pittsburgh.  By the second wife he had one daughter, Eliza, who became the wife of Rev. Thomas Swain, of Philadelphia, who was pastor of the Baptist Church at Washington, Pa., from 1846 to 1850.  After his resignation as pastor of the church they returned to Philadelphia.  After the death of Margaret, the second wife, Hugh Wilson married a Miss Spencer, an English lady, who survived him several years.

David Bradford was the son of James Bradford, who settled in North Strabane township.  He was a native of Maryland, and came to this county in 1781; was admitted to the bar in 1782, and was appointed deputy attorney-general the next year.  When the convention of the four western counties met at Pittsburgh, Sept. 7, 1791, he was one of the three representatives from Washington County.  He was elected to the State Legislature in 1792.  He was active in inciting the people to the Whiskey Insurrection.  When the amnesty proclamation was issued, Bradford was one of the few excluded.  He fled down the Ohio River and settled at Bayou Sara, La., where he remained till his death.  He erected the stone house on Main Street, now owned by Mrs. R. Harding, and lived there during his residence in Washington.  He was a brother-in-law of Judge John McDowell and Judge James Allison.

Van Swearingen was a resident of Fayette County from aobut 1774 to 1781, when he was chosen sheriff of Washington County, and for several years thereafter was identified with its interests.  He purchased large tracts of land in all parts of the county.  He was a resident of the town of Washington while he was acting in an official capacity, but it is not known that he owned any property in town.  His only daughter Drusilla became the wife of Samuel Brady, the famous Indian fighter and scout.  Later in life he removed to Brooke County, Va., where he died Dec. 2, 1793, in the fifty-first year of his age.  He was a brother of Andrew Swearingen, of Chartiers township.

Matthew Ritchie’s first appearance in the county was under an appointment from the State of Virginia in the year 1777, to tender the oath of allegiance to the people in the counties of Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio.  On the 24th of December, 1781, he was appointed sub-lieutenant of the county; elected representative in 1782, ’83, and ’84; justice of the Court of Common Pleas of the county in 1784; and on the 5th of December, 1789, was appointed with Presley Neville as deputy surveyor of a part of Washington County.  He purchased of George Washington the tract of land known as “Washington’s lands,” in Mount Pleasant township.  He resided in Washington, where he was engaged in merchandising, and so continued till his death.  He was also engaged with his brother John, and David Bruce, in merchandising in Burgettstown.  He died in 1798 at Washington, and left the property in Washington to his wife Isabella and to his brothers, Craig Ritchie, of Canonsburg, and John Ritchie, of Washington, and the lots and store in Burgettstown to his brother Craig.  He owned the following lands in equal shares with Presley Neville: One tract on Saw-Mill Run, one hundred acres on Robinson Run near Gabriel Walker’s, one tract on King’s Creek, and one adjoining Old Blaziers of three hundred acres, and three tracts owned in equal shares by Neville, Ritchie, and Charles Morgan.

Alexander Cunningham was a native of Donegal, Ireland.  He emigrated to this country about 1783, and in May of 1784 purchased on certificate lot No. 18 in Washington, on which later the Glove inn was built, and now occupied by John Allen’s confectionery-store.  Later, he purchased lot 275, where A. B. Caldwell’s store now stands.  On this lot he built a store-house and dwelling, and opened a store which he kept during the remainder of his life.  He also bought the Yeates tract of land that is now in Franklin township.  Later this tract of land came into possession of Alexander Reed, and it is now owned by William Paul and Hiram Warne.  Mr. Cunningham married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Scott, and lived in the house on lot 275, where his death occurred in 1806.  His children were all born here.  Jane, the eldest, became the wife of Matthew Dill, son of Thomas Dill.  He was engaged in business with his father-in-law from about 1803 till the death of Mr. Cunningham.  Samuel, the second child, was born Oct. 8, 1788, and when twenty-one years of age married Maria, daughter of David Morris, on the 26^th of March, 1811.  She died a short time after marriage, and on the 23d of March, 1815, he married Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Lyman Potter, of Steubenville.  After this marriage he removed to a farm now owned by Wilson McClean, where he lived six years and then returned to town.  He had been a merchant in town before going to the country, and on his return entered the store of Alexander Reed as a clerk.  He was county commissioner in 1830, and sheriff from 1832 to 1835.  Upon the organization of the Franklin Bank in 1836 he was appointed teller, and remained as such till failing health compelled him to resign.  He died on the 17^th of May, 1875, leaving an adopted daughter, Miss Rebecca Cunningham, now a resident of Washington.  The residence of Samuel Cunningham was the house now occupied by A. T. Baird on Maiden Street.  Of the other children of Alexander Cunningham, Thomas F. studied law and was admitted to the bar in Washington County.  He removed to Mercer County, Pa., where he became prominent as a lawyer, and was elected a member of the State Senate.  He died many years ago, leaving numerous descendants.  John Cunningham, a son of Alexander, studied medicine with Dr. James Stevens, of Washington;  practiced at Florence, Hanover township, and is now living at an advanced age in Wooster, Ohio.  Two daughters of Alexander Cunningham, Elizabeth and Sarah (twins), married and settled in Butler County, Pa.  Alexander Cunningham, Jr., settled in Nashville, Tenn., where he became a banker, and is still living.  William, the youngest son of Alexander, married Miss McClure, a niece of John Hoge, and settled in Butler County, Pa.

Hugh, Samuel, and James Workman came to this county about 1781.  They all purchased lands outside the borough, but Hugh, about 1789, built a tannery on the lot now owned by William Smith and Mrs. Clark.  His house was where the depot of the Hempfield Railroad now stands.  He carried on the business many years, which was finally transferred to his son Samuel, who, in 1837, sold it to David Wolf.  Hugh Workman died in 1843, aged eighty-four years.  He had three sons, Hugh, James, and Samuel.  Hugh started a tannery on the corner of College and Maiden Streets, but died early, and it passed to other hands.  James also died when a young man.  Samuel, in 1819, assumed the editorial management of the Reporter, while his brother-in-law, William Sample, was acting as prothonotary.  He was treasurer of the county in 1822, sheriff from 1824 to 1827, member of Legislature from 1828 to 1830, and secretary of the land office under Governor Wolf.  He died in 1841.  William Workman, of Washington, is a son of Samuel.  Margaret, a daughter of Hugh Workman, became the wife of William Sample, the owner and editor of the Reporter.  They settled in Washington, where she died.  Another daughter became the wife of Samuel Hughes.  They settled in South Strabane, on the farm where John Little now lives.

Michael Kuntz emigrated from Germany to America, and settled in Lancaster County, where he lived several years.  While living there his wife died, leaving a son John.  He married a second wife, by whom he had two sons, George and Jacob.  In the spring of 1788 he came to Washington, bought the lot on which Vowell’s drug-store now stands, and built a cabin upon it, and lived there that year, and in the fall returned to his home, where he remained during the year 1789.  In the spring of the next year, when his son John was seven years old, he removed his family to Washington.  In 1791 he was licensed to keep a tavern, and kept it one year.  He was a member of a Lutheran Church in Lancaster County, and in 1792 rode to his old residence to be present at the dedication of a church at that place.  He died the next year after his return, July 10, 1793, leaving three sons, John, George, and Jacob.  John and George were both hatters, and opened shops in Washington.  They were both in business in 1808, and were still in business in 1838.  Henry Kuntz, a son of John, kept a book-store many years in Washington.  The only descendant of John now living is Miss Sarah J. Kuntz.  George opened a shop where Alexander McKinley now lives.  In 1814 he bought the lot on Wheeling Street, and built the residence where his widow still lives.  He married a daughter of Henry Westbay, of Canonsburg, and by her had five sons.  Michael, James, and Stephen are now well-known residents of Washington borough.  Jacob Kuntz, the youngest son of Michael, was a nailor, and worked in a shop where Sharps’ building now is.  He married the daughter of Ludowyck Smith, and later in life he removed to the farm inherited by his wife.  Mrs. John Zediker, of South Strabane township, is a daughter of Jacob Kuntz.

Thomas Stokely, who in 1781 was captain of a militia company in Westmoreland County, soon after came to this county, and purchased a large quantity of land, especially in the southwestern part of the county.  He was frequently mentioned in the old records as “Thomas Stokely, Land Jobber.”  He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1792, and State senator in 1794.  He was in the war of 1812.  During his residence in Washington he lived in a house on Wheeling Street, on the lot now occupied by the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  He moved from Washington to Brownsville, and later to Coon Island, Washington County, where he died, and was buried with military honors, Col. James Ruple with his company from Washington attending.  At his death he was in possession of all the lands he had bought, and was one of the largest land-owners in the country.  His son Samuel was educated at Washington College, studied law, and settled in Steubenville, Ohio, where his descendants live and own the Wells’ property.  His daughter also married and settled there.

Alexander Addison came from Ireland to the county in 1784 or 1785 as a licentiate of the Presbytery of Aberlow, Scotland.  The Presbyterian Church of Washington extended to him a call on the 20^th December, 1785, which he accepted, and he continued to reside here both as pastor and judge of the courts (to the latter of which he was appointed in 1791) for ten or twelve years.  Later he resided in Pittsburgh.  He purchased the “Washington lands” of Matthew Ritchie, and sold a portion, and the remainder was sold by his widow.  Mrs. Addison lived in Washington after her husband’s death many years.  He died Nov. 27, 1807.  His son Alexander became an attorney of Washington County, and died from the results of an injury he received at the burning of Thomas M. T. McKennan’s office in February, 1822.  More extended mention will be found of Judge Addison in connection with the bench and bar of the county. 

Col. James Marshel, a settler in Cross Creek township, purchased lot No. 90 of David Hoge on a certificate, receiving his deed from Mr. Hoge in February, 1785.  This lot was where Morgan & Hargreave’s store now stands.  He sold it the next year to Hugh Wilson.  He lived in the town during the terms of the various offices he held of county lieutenant, register, recorder, and sheriff.  In 1794 the military headquarters were upon the lot he then lived on, and the United States forces were encamped on the college grounds. 

James Langley and his brother, who settled in Erie County, Pa., came from Market Hill, Ireland, to this county and town about 1790, where the Achesons (with whom they were acquainted) had previously located.  James purchased of the Hoges lot No. 93, on Main Street, just above the Valentine House, and where his grandson, John Lockhart, now lives.  On this lot he built a log house, in which he lived and opened a store.  Later this house was removed to the lot of Col. James Ruple, and a frame building was erected (on the site of Mr. Lockhart’s store), which he used as a store.  In 1818 he built the brick house now the residence of Mr. Lockhart, which was used as a store and dwelling.  In 1860 the frame building was removed and the present store erected.  The counters now in Mr. Lockhart’s store have been used through four generations,--James Langley, his sons, Henry and James Langley; John Lockhart, his stepson, and now by John W. Lockhart and his son, James L. Lockhart.  James Langley left two sons, James and Henry, who both lived bachelors and died here.  The wife of James Langley, Sr., was the widow of William Lockhart, of Beaver County, Pa., having four children, one of whom, John, was in business with his stepfather from 1810 to 1820, when he removed to Illinois;  James Langley died in 1830.  James and Henry Langley succeeded their father in business.  Henry was prominent in the Baptist Church, and later in the Church of the Disciples.

Isaiah Steen came to this town about 1794 and purchased a lot on East Beau Street of John Hoge, on which he afterwards erected a house that was known for many years as “Castle Crack,” now owned and occupied by Maj. John H. Ewing.  He was for many years a “manufacturer of Windsor chairs.”  His children were John and a daughter, both of whom were gifted in drawing and painting.  For many years specimens of their skill were in the houses of the early families.  Isaiah Steen lived here till his death, at an advanced age.

Joseph Huston, a cousin of William Huston, built the stone house long known as “The Buck” tavern, and commenced keeping public-house in 1796, and so continued till his death, in 1812.  He left a widow and three sons—Cyrus, Joseph, and Hamilton—and four daughters—Sally, Isabella, Elizabeth, and Polly.  Cyrus settled here, followed the trade of cabinet-maker, and died here.  Joseph and Hamilton now reside in Ohio.  Sally became the wife of James Meetkirke, son of William.  He was a chair-maker, and lived and died here.  Elizabeth married William Oliver, a hatter, who lived here many years, but while on a trip to the East disappeared, and was never again heard of.  Polly became the wife of Zachariah Reynolds, who was for a time clerk in the prothonotary’s office, and finally settled on his father’s farm in South Strabane.

Capt. William McKennan was a son of the Rev. William McKennan, a Presbyterian clergyman of New Castle, Delaware, where William was born in 1758.  He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Thompson and niece of Governor Thomas McKean.  At the breaking out of the Revolution he was a merchant, which business he gave up and joined the Delaware line (“Blue Hen’s Chickens”) as captain of a company, and served during the war, receiving a wound at the battle of Brandywine.  After the war he returned to his home and remained a number of years.  In 1798 he removed to Charlestown (now Wellsburg, West Va.), and in 1800 to Washington County, Pa.  He was appointed in 1801 prothonotary of the county by Governor McKean, and removed from West Middletown, where he resided, to the county-seat, where he lived the remainder of his days.  He held the position of prothonotary during Governor McKean’s administration, which was till 1809.  He was also a trustee of Washington Academy and Washington College.  His death occurred in January, 1810, at the age of fifty-two years, leaving a widow (who died in 1839) and five sons and one daughter, viz.:  William, John T., Thomas M. T.,  David, James W., and Ann E.  William, the eldest son, was educated at Washington College, became a teacher, and emigrated to Ohio, where he died.  John T. was educated at Washington Academy, became cashier of the Monongahela Bank of Brownsville, Pa., and died Sept. 18, 1830, while on a visit at Reading, Pa.  Thomas M. T. McKennan was also educated at Washington College.  He entered the office of Parker Campbell as a law student, and was admitted to the bar in the twenty-first year of his age, on the 7^th of November, 1814.  At the next June term of the court he succeeded Walter Forward as deputy attorney-general for the county, and acted until March, 1817, when William Baird commenced to act.  His rise at the bar was rapid, and he was soon employed in all important cases, maintaining a front rank in the profession while he lived.  In 1831 he was elected a member of Congress of the United States, and continued four terms at a sacrifice of personal interest, and declined a renomination.   Upon the death of Joseph Lawrence, in 1842, he yielded to the urgent solicitations of the people and the demands of his party, and served during the remainder of the term.  As “chairman of the committee of the whole,” for the space of two months, in the first session of that year, he rendered efficient aid to the paramount industrial interests of the country, and increased a reputation already national.  He was chosen a Presidential elector in 1840, and was president of the Pennsylvania Electoral College of 1848.  His influence with the incoming administration was potent, and the more appreciated because unselfish and disinterested in its exertion.  Common consent assigned him a place in the cabinet of 1849; and when in the following year President Fillmore called him to the Secretaryship of the Interior, all parties hailed the appointment as one eminently merited.  A  reluctant acceptance of the office was granted, only to be recalled after a few days’ experience.  Wearied by the ungenial details of official business, and disgusted with the importunities of the place-hunters attracted by his patronage, he resigned his position near the Executive and returned to his cherished home and the friends whom he loved.  Soon afterwards he received and accepted the presidency of the Hempfield Railroad Company, and while engaged in the administration of its affairs died at Reading, Pa., on the 9^th of July, 1852.  Mr. McKennan’s connection with Washington College was longer and more intimate than that of any other individual.  Entering the academy at a very early age, and matriculating as a member of the first Freshman class, he passed through the entire curriculum of studies with credit to himself and to his instructors.  Such was his rank as a scholar that, in February, 1813, he was appointed tutor of ancient languages, and acted in that capacity for eighteen months.  In April, 1818, he was chosen a member of the corporation, where he continued throughout his subsequent life—for thirty-four years—the able counselor and guardian of the college.  Two of his sons, Judge William McKennan, of the class of 1833, and Dr. Thomas McKennan, of the class of 1842, have served in the board of trustees.  His youngest son, John, graduated in 1851, and another son, Jacob B., was for a time a student in the college.

David McKennan, a son of Capt. William McKennan, was also educated at Washington College, after which he learned the trade of tanner, and resided at Brownsville, where he died comparatively young.  James W. McKennan, the youngest son of Capt. William, graduated at Washington College, and became adjunct professor of languages;  studied theology under the Rev. John Anderson, D.D., and entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church.  He was pastor of Lower Buffalo Church from 1829 to 1834, and later pastor of a church in Indianapolis.  His health failed and he retired from duties, and removed to Wheeling (where his daughter resided), and died in that city in 1861.  Ann E. McKennan, the only daughter of Capt. William McKennan, became the wife of the Hon. Thomas Gibbs Morgan, of Louisiana, (a native of this county), a prominent lawyer of Baton Rouge.  She died young, leaving one son, Philip Hickey Morgan, who is the present minister of the United States to Mexico.

Obadiah Jennings was a native of New Jersey, and son of the Rev. Jacob Jennings.  He was born Dec. 13, 1778, and came to Dunlap’s Creek, Fayette County, with his father, who became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at that place.  He was educated at Canonsburg Academy; studied law with John Simonson, of Washington, and was admitted to the bar of Washington County in 1801.  He opened an office in Steubenville, and in 1811 came to Washington and built a small one-story brick officer on Maiden Street, below John Baird’s.  His residence was in the meadow at the south end of First Street.  After a practice of a few years he studied for the ministry, and was licensed to preach in 1816.  He became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Steubenville, where he remained till 1823.  On the 8^th  of October in that year he received a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Washington to become their pastor, which he accepted.  He was installed the 23d of the same month, and remained pastor till 1828.  During his residence here as pastor he resided where the public school building now stands, and later where J. W. Donnan now resides.  He also taught a young ladies’ school in 1824-25.  Upon his retirement from this church he accepted a call from a Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn., where he lived till his death, in 1832.

Robert Hazlett, a native of Ireland, was educated at Edinburgh University, and soon after married and settled there for a time.  Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war he emigrated with his family to this country and settled near Chambersburg, leaving one son at home with his grandparents.  At this place the most of his children were born.  About  1795 he emigrated to Washington, Pa., and purchased of the Hoges, lot No. 92 on Main Street, where he erected a dwelling.  He opened a store first near Hugh Wilson’s, on Main Street near Maiden, and late in 1797 moved to where William Arbuckle lived.  Still later he moved the store into the house where he lived.  He continued in business till his death in 1818 or 1819.  Robert Hazlett left six children, all of whom went West except Samuel.  Mary became the wife of a Mr. Cummins, and mother of Drs. R. H. and James Cummins, now of Wheeling.  The rest settled in Zanesville, Ohio.  Samuel, the youngest son of Robert Hazlett, was born in Washington in 1798, and after his father’s death continued the business with his mother for a short time, and purchased the rights of the heirs.  He then continued as a merchant until the establishment of the bank on the 1^st of April, 1837.  From that time he continued in the banking business till his death in November, 1863.  Samuel Hazlett and Mrs. Dr. Wray Grayson, of Washington, are children of Samuel Hazlett.  One son lives in Pittsburgh and one in Wheeling.

Hugh Wylie came to this town before 1796, and on the 26^th of July in that year he purchased of John and William Hoge lot 283 on Maiden Street, where J. Shan Margerum’s store now is.  In 1803 he was appointed postmaster, and his office was located in his house.  He was a merchant also, and kept the post-office till his death in 1828.  His son David acted as deputy postmaster.  After his father’s death he retired to his father’s farm in Chartiers township and lived there till his death.  His sons now own the farm.  Hugh Wylie was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Washington.  As postmaster he was frequently asked for letters by people from out of town who were at church Sundays.  As a matter of accommodation this request was granted, until the hour of the service became a regular hour of distribution on Sundays.  Attention was drawn to this after a time, and it was thought to be not right.  The matter was brought before the church and decided adversely to the action of Mr. Wylie, and upon his persisting he was expelled.  It was carried to the General Assembly that met at Pittsburgh in 1810, and the decision was affirmed.  In 1812 a petition of citizens of Washington was presented to the General Assembly asking them to reopen the case and reconsider their action.  The petition was not granted.

Robert Hamilton was a blacksmith and wool-carder.  He was mentioned as a blacksmith in the assessment roll of 1799.  In the year 1810 he owned three lots, “on which are a Smith Shop, Dwelling House, Machine House, and an unfinished brick house,” at the lower end of Maiden Street.  He carried on the business of wool-carding till 1815, when he retired from personal attention of the business, but still retained an interest.  He advertised May 10, 1816, that  “he will run four wool-carding machines and one picker at Thomas H. Baird, Esqr.’s steam-mill opposite his old stand.”  In 1815 he opened a store in the brick house where he lived, and kept it till his death in 1823, and his widow continued the business many years later.  He married the daughter of ---- Mitchell of Washington.  Mrs. Charles Sisson, a daughter of Robert Hamilton, lives in the brick residence where she was born in 1811.  The old frame dwelling and other buildings are still standing below the brick house, and now used as dwellings.

Patrick Bryson emigrated from County Down, Ireland, and in 1796 settled at Washington, on Catfish Run.  He bought a lot of Hugh Workman, and erected a horse-mill on the lot now owned by the Vankirks.  It did the grinding for many miles around, but little was done with it after 1822, when it was sold to Thomas Jones, who erected it on Chestnut Street.  Bryson lived at this place during his lifetime, and died in 1860, aged ninety-five years.  His wife died at the same time at eighty-four years of age, and they were buried the same day.  William Bryson, of Washington, is a son of Patrick Bryson.

James Shannon, Joseph and Thomas Reynolds came from Baltimore to Washington in 1803 with their families.  They were all shoemakers.  Shannon opened a shop where Vowell’s drug-store now is and kept a shop there many years, and the Reynolds’ worked for him.  In 1812 he moved his shop to where Thomas McKean’s tobacco-store now is.  He was prominent in connection with the Methodist Church, and active in all its work.  He left four sons and three daughters.  Robert settled in Cincinnati; William, James, and Frank remained in Washington, and still reside there.  Mrs. Eliza Harter, Mrs. Dr. J. S. Reed, of Pittsburgh, and Mrs. Henrietta Beck, of  New Orleans, are daughters of James Shannon.

Alexander Murdoch was the youngest son of John Murdoch, who settled in what is now North Strabane township in 1778.  He was born near Carlisle, Pa., in 1770.  When quite a young man, he purchased the Canonsburg mills, with a large tract of land extending from the present site of the mills up Chartiers Creek and embracing the land now occupied by the Hodgen’s tannery.  From these mills, at an early period, he loaded two large flatboats with flour and saddlery, and landed them safely at New Orleans.  He returned from this trip on horseback through and almost unbroken wilderness.  In 1803 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Matthew Henderson, of Chartiers township.  In 1809 he was appointed by the Governor prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, and held the office until 1819.  Upon his acceptance of this office he sold the Canonsburg property and removed to Washington.  Soon after, he built the brick house on the corner of Main Street and Pine Alley, now owned and occupied by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary M. Gow.  Subsequently he purchased the lot on the corner of Main and Beau Streets, and built thereon what is now a part of the “Fulton House.”  He moved to this building in 1822, and resided there until the spring of 1828, and was engaged during this period in the mercantile business.  Having in the mean time purchased a part of the tract of land of over four hundred acres, known as “Morganza,”  two miles below Canonsburg, on Chartiers Creek, he, with his family, took possession of the same in 1828, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1836.  His widow survived him twenty-seven years, and died in Canonsburg, March, 1863, aged eighty-three years.

The surviving children are Mrs. Mary M. Gow, of Washington; Mrs. Sarah B. Muller, of Nelsonville, Ohio; Mrs. E. M. Wilson and Anne, of Moberly, Mo.; and Alexander Murdoch, of Washington. 

Esther, the daughter and youngest child of John Murdoch, Sr., was married in 1803 to Hugh Hagarty, a merchant, who subsequently came to Washington, and opened a store in the building now occupied by Mrs. Gow,  Mr. Hagarty left Washington and located in Florence, Ala., where he soon after died.

Mr. And Mrs. Hagarty had two children, John and Samuel.  John owned and commanded a number of steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and had many warm friends in Washington, with whom he frequently visited.  He died a few years since, in Cincinnati.  Samuel died many years ago, in the State of Indiana.  Mrs. Hagarty died soon after the birth of her second child.

John Grayson, who was for more than half a century a citizen of Washington, and for over forty years editor and publisher of the Washington Examiner, was a son of Robert Grayson who, with his sons William and John, aged respectively two years, and nine months, sailed from Ireland in the brig “William,” arriving at New Castle, Del., in June, 1784.  The following sketch of John Grayson is from his diary:

“My father proceeded to Mifflin, where he made his lodgement for a short time, until after the death of my mother, then with brother William and myself removed to Carlisle.  My inclination turned upon the printing business at quite an early age, as much perhaps as from anything else, and perhaps more from observing with very great interest and attention some printing-type among the sweepings of a printing-office.  I went home resolving in my mind to learn the printing business and no other.  Accordingly, at a suitable age, my father placed me with George Kline, of Carlisle, to learn the ‘art, trade, and occupation of a printer,’  himself providing clothing, etc.  Although discouragements met me and induced relinquishing my intention; having determined upon the matter, I resolved to go through; and can say with all seriousness in my own heart, my duties were performed faithfully and honorably.  In the winter of 1805 went to Philadelphia, obtaining a situation in the book printing-office of William Duane, editor of The Aurora, whose office was in Franklin Court.  Continued to reside in Philadelphia until the summer of 1806, when, the yellow fever making its appearance there, went to Trenton, N. J.  Worked with James Oram, book-printer, during the summer.  Returned to Philadelphia; and between that city, New York, and the city of Baltimore, spent the remaining days of my journeyman-printer life.

“June 18, 1812.—The same day war declared by Congress (about noon the Declaration was received by express from Washington) against Great Britain.  Being in the city of Baltimore, gave myself mind, heart, and body to be a soldier while the war lasted.  The city was in extreme frenzied excitement; business almost suspended; the population in masses in the streets, and agitated as if a hostile army had invaded their homes.  About simultaneously with the declaration of war, Congress had promptly passed a bill providing for accepting the services of fifty thousand volunteers, signed by President Madison.  Under this act many young men volunteered, and we signed our names at a rendezvous immediately opened at a tavern in Pratt Street, east of the basin.  Opposite, across the street, was a large building used for a riding-school.  Before many days plenty of volunteers signed for filling the company, and many were excluded.  We drilled daily in the above building, and became pretty fair soldiers at least in evolutions of the drill. . . .

“Went through several promotions and served until close of the war, thus completing three years on the Niagara and Northern frontier,--one as a volunteer in the Baltimore volunteers, and two in the regular army; obtained a furlough for three months from this date, Nov. 7, 1814; return to duty; no operations of this division of the army of any importance from date until the news of peace having been concluded at Ghent was received.  Now that war has happily terminated, my anxieties are for private life and active business.  A military one—in peace—affording very little pleasure to me.  In the arranging of the peace establishment am retained and assigned to the corps of artillery in my present position as second lieutenant from the date of my commission as such in the infantry (2d June, 1814).  Report to Adjt.-Gen. Parker at Washington City, who solicits me to remain in the service, offering some inducements to do so; that I should be stationed at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, or any other post I should choose.  Gen. Parker was particularly kind, but I had joined the army because there seemed to be a necessity,--my country engaged in war with a foreign nation.  Now that an honorable peace was obtained, and our just claims granted, I felt as standing in the way of some worthy young man who wished to make arms his profession.  I therefore preferred returning to private life and the printing business.  Forthwith resigned my commission Sept. 7, 1815, Thus completing three years in the service on the Niagara and Northern frontier, one as a volunteer in the Baltimore volunteers, and two in the regular army.

“Return to the city of Baltimore; enter into the book and job printing as partner with James Kennedy; married to Martha, daughter of John and Mary Wray, by Rev. James Inglis, D.D., May 9^th, 1816.”  From Baltimore he removed to Philadelphia, and thence to Washington, Pa.

The causes that brought him to this town are related in the history of the Examiner and his connection with that paper.  During his long residence in Washington he filled important offices of honor and trust, having been elected to the offices of register in 1830; prothonotary, in 1839; associate judge, in 1843.  Served as trustee of Washington Female Seminary from its organization till his death, and pension agent from 1853 to1861.  He died on the 11^th of March, 1871, in his eighty-eighth year.  Of his children, Thomas W. resides in Meadville, Pa., John in Pittsburgh, and Dr. Wray Grayson and Miss Martha Grayson are residents of Washington.

James McDermott, who came to this place at an early day and became identified as a printer with the Reporter, and has also served the town many years as postmaster, is now eighty-seven years of age and still a resident of the town.  He was born about one and a half miles from Gettysburg, April 24, 1795, and resided at home till he was about fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to Robert Harper, then editing the Adams Sentinel at Gettysburg.  In 1814 he was drafted into the United States army and placed under command of Capt. John McMillan.  On the 1^st of November the company marched to Erie, Pa.  Later he was a participant in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane, and other battles and skirmishes in Canada.  After his return home he visited Gettysburg, Washington, D. C., and Martinsburg, Va., and worked a short time in each place.  In the latter part of 1817 or the first part of 1818 he came to Washington, Pa., and entered the office of John Grayson on the Examiner, where he remained six or seven months.  In the latter part of 1818 he entered the office of the Reporter, and remained with that paper through all its various changes for thirty-two years up to 1850.  In March of that year he was appointed postmaster and served four years, and as deputy during the term of David Acheson, his successor.  Upon the election of Mr. Lincoln as President in 1860  he was again appointed and served four years, after which he served in an official capacity for a short time in Harrisburg.

Col. James Ruple was born in Morris County, N. J., Feb. 18, 1788.  His father was of German parentage, born in Philadelphia about the year 1740, and removed to New Jersey prior to the Revolution.  In 1794 he removed to Washington County, and located about two miles north of Prosperity, near the line of Morris and Finley townships.  He died the following year.  Col. James Ruple spent his early life upon the farm, but before he reached his majority came to the town of Washington, and learned the carpenter and joiner trade with Samuel Hughes.  Shortly after the declaration of war, in June, 1812, he volunteered his services, and was chosen first lieutenant of Capt. Sample’s company, and upon the formation of the regiment was made adjutant.  The regiment was ordered to Black Rock; he remained in the service until the troops were discharged.  In 1814,  when Washington City was threatened, he again quit his business, uniformed his apprentices, and started with the company for the seat of war.  They were, however, ordered to return before they reached the State line.  Shortly after that time a volunteer regiment was formed, and he was chosen colonel.  In 1817 he was elected coroner, and served three years.  In 1828 he was appointed clerk of the courts of the county by Governor Shultz, and in 1830 was reappointed by Governor Wolf, and served six years.  In January, 1839, he was again appointed to the same office by Governor Porter, and in October of the same year was elected, under the amended Constitution, for three years.  His death occurred on Jan. 8, 1855.

Parker Campbell was admitted in 1794 to practice at the bar of Washington County.  He resided where C. M. Reed now lives.  He erected the building on the northeast corner of Main and Beau Streets, where he had his office.

Joseph Pentecost, son of Dorsey Pentecost, was admitted to the bar in September, 1782.  He married a daughter of Thomas Scott, and lived in Washington and Canonsburg.  He came into possession of the Pentecost lands in North Strabane township, and built the large house now owned by John Gamble.  His residence in Washington was on Beau Street, west of the public ground.  James Ashbrook, brother-in-law of Joseph Pentecost, and son-in-law of Dorsey Pentecost, was also an attorney, admitted to the bar in 1798.  The three last mentioned were prominent attorneys in Washington, and are more fully noticed in the history of the bar of the county.

Early Business Interests.—The earliest reliable information of manufactures carried on in the town of Washington is contained in “The American Museum or Universal Magazine” of March, 1792, in which the towns of Washington, Pittsburgh, Bedford, and Huntington are compared, as follows:

      “The towns of Washington, Pittsburgh, Bedford, and Huntington, in Pennsylvania (the nearest of which is 150 miles from a seaport), exhibit the strongest proofs that manufactures are the best support of the interior landed interests, and are necessary at once to the accommodation and prosperity of the cultivators of the middle and western country.  The following table contains an account of the population of these villages, which is not exaggerated.”  Only Washington and Pittsburgh are here given, viz.:

	Washington	Pittsburgh.
Clock and watch makers..........................................	1	1
Silversmiths..............................................................	1	1
Coopers...................................................................	1	2
Skin dressers and breeches makers...........................	1	1
Tanners and curriers.................................................	1	2
Tailors......................................................................	2	..
Cabinet-makers........................................................	2	4
Blacksmiths..............................................................	2	5
Shoesmiths...............................................................	2	5
Hatters.....................................................................	2	2
Dyers.......................................................................	1	..
Weavers...................................................................	2	2
Reed makers............................................................	1	..
Saddler makers........................................................	1	3
Saddle-tree makers..................................................	1	..
Spinning wheel makers..............................................	1	..
Nailers.....................................................................	1	..
Maltsters and brewers..............................................	1	1
Potters.....................................................................	1	..
Tinners.....................................................................	1	2
Distillers...................................................................	3	..
Wheelwrights............................................................	..	3
Stocking weavers.....................................................	..	1
Gunsmiths.................................................................	3	..
Rope-makers...........................................................	..	1
Whitesmiths..............................................................	2	..
Total manufacturers..................................................	32	40
Total number of families............................................	90	130

 

      The number of merchants is not given, and it is a matter of conjecture as to who they were.  On the 17^th of August, 1795, three years later, a newspaper called The Western Telegraphe and Washington Advertiser was established by Colerick, Hunter & Beaumont, and from its columns are obtained many of the earlier notices of business establishments.&