CHAPTER III

JEFFERSON BOROUGH
Early Dates, First Pioneers 

Jefferson Township was erected January, 1828. Owing to the great extent of Mifflin Township, many persons as its population increased, were obliged to travel eight or nine miles to the place of election, and the work of the road building occasioned great inconveniences. In the year 1827, Mifflin was divided. In the year 1828, Jefferson Borough was erected from southern part of Mifflin and a small portion of Saint Clair. In the year 1844, a small portion of Jefferson was united with portions of the adjoining townships to form the new township of Bald. win and in the following year, a third part of its property became part of Snowden.

Peters Creek, a large and important affluent of the Monongahela River, drains nearly the whole of the Township. It is formed by the confluence of Fish Run and Piney Fork, and receives the waters of Lick Run at the Snowden line. The principle tributary streams from the north in this township are Pierce, Beams Run and Lewis Run, with the principle tributary streams from the south being Scotia Run, Dry Run and Lobbs Run.

It is not quite known who the first white sett1er was in present Jefferson Borough. In printed histories, the statements are frequently repeated that one Zadock Wright, a Virginian and teamster for Braddock's army, when it went to battle of the Monongahela River, witnessed the defeat and cutting his horses loose, lost no time in getting away. On his retreat he saw some land which pleased him, so he made application to Virginia authorities and was granted four hundred (400) acres on Peters Creek, the tract known as Wrightsburg on Peters Creek.

This man, Wright, is said to have been the first resident. There are some un­explained angles to this story. One is how he came to see this land unless he for­sook the beaten path of the retreating army which is assumed to have been in de­feat. This tract later became the homestead of the Bedell family, in whose pos­session it is today. (In part, I disagree with other historians, as I have seen a sheepskin charter in the possession of William and Grace Castor, his sister. The titles do name Wright as the first settler of that land, but does not give the date.)

Other early settlers were the Kuykendahls, later spelled (Kirkendall). Land occupancy in the Clairton area began in the third quarter of the eighteenth century. The first survey on record is dated September 29, 1769. It resulted in the Ravensburg patent, granted to Sarah and Moses Kirkendall (Kuykendahl). Feb­ruary 10, 1791.

Benjamin, the brother of Moses, also took up land at the mouth of Peters Creek on the Monongahela River. Clairton Works of United States Steel Corporation, now occupy this land. Benjamin was a justice in the old Yohogania Court House located near present Jones School.

(It is very well that history claims these men were our first white settlers, but according to court records, I am inclined to believe Richard McMahon, who settled at present Lobb's Cemetery, was our first settler. For my belief, I refer you to the Clairton Progress dated June 30, 1932.)

Warrant for 318 acres first issued to Richard McMahon with report of survey completed in 1769.

RECORD SEARCH TAKES LOBB CEMETERY

TRACK TO “VIRGINIA ENTRY”

Plans for the reclaiming of the Lobb Cemetery located between West Elizabeth and Elrama, were discussed at a meeting held Monday evening at the city hall.

Suggestions were made that civic and patriotic organizations be invited to help with the rehabilitation work and that resolutions asking for assistance from the Allegheny County Emergency association be passed by the West Elizabeth borough council, the city council of Clairton and the Jefferson township board of commis­sioners. No definite plan of action was decided upon.  Attending Monday’s meeting were C. M. Shoaf of West Elizabeth, P. M. Steel, P. G. Miller and Vann E. Ohl of Clairton and Charles Withers of Jefferson township, a member of the township board of commissioners.

      Attorney Charles P. Lewis. who attended the meeting in an advisory capacity. told the group that he had searched the records at the Pittsburgh courthouse and that he could not find any deed or conveyance pertaining to a grant and that the title to the burying grounds probably remains in the names of the heirs of the late Joseph Walton.

     The records show that the cemetery was part of a tract consisting of 318 acres known as “Springfield.” At the time the tract first appears on record it was in the old state of Virginia. When the Virginia state lines were revamped the ceme­tery became part of Pennsylvania and at that time was part of Nottingham town. ship, later known as Mifflin township. In 1828 Jefferson township was cut out of Mifflin township and the tract. which included the cemetery, became part of Jefferson township.

     A warrant for the 318 acre tract was first issued under “Virginia entry” to Richard McMahon (later spelled McMachen) who had the tract surveyed on July 13, 1769, but never had it patented.

     On June 4, 1770 McMachen sold the tract to James Bruce for 100 pounds in Pennsylvania currency. Under the bill of sale the land was described as “a certain tract of land lying on the west side Of the Monongahela cornered, joining Macfarlane on the south and William McMachen on the north, being a half mile on the river and a half mile back.”

On March 17, 1783 Benjamin Bentley purchased the tract from James Bruce and George Bruce (no record of title can be found in George Bruce’s name). The land at that time sold for 40 shillings in gold or silver or its value in good mer­cantile whiskey. It is at this point that the tract is described as being in Notting­ham township.

     Benjamin Bentley sold the tract to Sheshbezzer Bentley on August 13, 1790, and on January 10, 1792, Sheshbezzer Bentley had the tract patented. At this point there is a gap in the chain. In some manner Benjamin Bentley again got possesesion of the tract, although there is no deed of record to show that he had purchased it back.

           At a sheriff’s sale on June 30, 1794, the land was purchased by John Baldwin for 400 pounds.

           On July 6, 1829, Jesse Lobb purchased the tract from Baldwin for a considera­tion of $4500. Jesse Lobb died intestate on September 12, 1851, and in September, 1879, the tract was partitioned into two tracts in orphans court. Hannah D. Johnson, a daughter of Jesse Lobb, was assigned 135 acres and she later purchased the re­mainder of the tract from the other heirs.

           On March 30, 1883, Mrs. Johnson and her husband, William A. Johnson, sold the tract to Joseph Walton:, alias Joseph Walton and company. Joseph Walton died on December 5, 1892 and in order to get the tract out of the company the surviving partners, John F. Walton and Isaac N. Bunton, ‘sold the tract to Nellie W. Wood (flee Walton), Ida W. Scull (nee Walton), Clara W. Cook (flee Walton, Samuel B. Walton, Alice F. Walton, John F. Walton and Isaac N. Bunton. Bunton later sold his share to the others.

           In a petition proceedings of the estate of Joseph Walton, who died intestate, a tract of land was assigned to Samuel B. Walton, one of the heirs. The tract con­tained 25.1207 acres and the description of the tract goes around the part now known as Lobb’s cemetery. This is the first recognition by description that has been found of record for this burying ground.

           This same 25 acre tract later sold to Edward W. Beedle and the description goes around the burying ground. Due to the fact that the description does not in. elude the cemetery the title to the burying ground appears to still remain in the names of the Walton heirs.

           In the history of Washington County, it reveals that Captain Gabriel Cox, of state of Virginia, who lived at present James Chappel in 1773, issued titles of cer­tificates to~ three Jefferson settlers.

               In consequence of certificates at Cox’s Fort, is as follows: Richard McMachen 360 acres Monongahela River in Allegheny County. Samuel Heath 333 acres, no date given. Captain Henry Heath 203 acres. no date given. Also 400 acres on Water of Allegheny River. Other names were also listed and recorded. It should be remembered that tills list does not embrace all the Virginia titles in Washington and Allegheny counties. only those made at the period and in that part of Washington county that lay in Old Yohogania County. 

SAMUEL HEATH

Samuel Heath, along with his brother Andrew, were early settlers. When they settled here, is not known. According to tradition, Samuel came to Western Pennsylvania before his first son, Robert, was born in 1762. Samuel was the father of ten children. His sixth son, Samuel. was born in Fort Pitt on August 1, 1773. 

(Whether or not Samuel first settled in Fort Pitt and then came to his farm is not known. As often done, he and his brother Andrew could have preceded the families here, cleared the land and built their log cabins and then brought the fam­ilies. A certificate of a Virginia title was issued to him by Gabriel Cox at Cox’s Station, for 333 acres, bounded by Robert Lytle of Washington county and Benjamin Custard in Allegheny county.) 

I wrote an article for the Daily News, and it appeared in that paper on November 29, 1961. It contained pictures of the old log cabin, still standing, and the well preserved family burial ground of the Heath family where they are interred. 

Samuel and his two brothers were born in North Ireland and came to Virginia at an early date. They then came to Western Pennsylvania to make their home. Samuel was born in 1738 and died March 22, 1815. He had a son and grandson named Samuel. Their land was owned for three generations of Heaths, and is at present owned by Edward and Elizabeth Kovach. 

ANDREW HEATH

At this writing, it has not been my privilege to read the biography of Andrew. He was a prominent man in the affairs of state and politics. Histories of Washing­ton and Allegheny counties do say that he was prominent in perfecting a meeting and organization of old Yohogania County. Court was held at the residence of Andrew Heath, later residence of Sampson Stilley. 

Although I have seen no record of title or warrant issued to Andrew, he must, as all historians agree, lived on his plantation. Previously, I made the following quotation, “In consequence of certificates at Cox’s Fort, Henry Heath was granted 203 acres on Monongahela River and also 400 acres on Allegheny River.” 

In the court records of Yohogania county, in the year 1774, Henry Heath asked the court operating at Fort Dunmore, present Pittsburgh, for permission to operate a ferry across Monongahela River. Permission was granted. 

Henry Heath, the son of Samuel, was born in year 1768. He would be only six years old in the year of 1774 but it is possible that the Henry, Heath or Heth, whose history is found in the book, “Early land marks and old names in Pittsburgh,” could have been the person who received the land grant instead of Andrew Heath. 

Andrew remained a staunch and loyal Virginian to the last. He was one of a committee appointed by the state of Virginia on December 23, 1776 to select a site for the purpose of building the Yohogania Court House. The minutes of the meeting were never found, therefore, we do not exactly know where the court house stood. During the construction, court was held in his home for two months. His home was located on the late Sampson Stilley farm near Jones School. (One historical writer, in his book states almost the exact location on present Gilmore farm. This is questionable.) 

ANDREW McFARLANE

Andrew had lived in several places in the state previous to his last abode in the present Elrama. He lived first in the Chartiers Valley, later moved to Kittan­ning where he was captured by the Indians, and was kept a prisoner in Canada by the British in the year 1777. He later became a justice of Westmoreland County and was arrested by the Virginians and spent two years in Virginia as a prisoner. 

           He settled on the banks of the Monongahela River about 1784. His log cabin was in Washington County, with his farm consisting of 118 acres. Sixty acres were in present Mifflin Township, and fifty-eight acres in present Jefferson Borough. The Duquesne Light Company and Mississippi Glass Company are now located on this property. He ran a well known ferry across the river at this point.

             Allegheny history states that Samuel Walker, an early boat builder of present Elizabeth, and his family of six children emigrated from Wilmington. Delaware in the autumn of 1785, and in that same year reached McFarlanes Ferry.

             The company with which they traveled, brought the first printing press across the Alleghenies, the plant from which John Scull issued the first number of the Pittsburgh Gazette. R. T. Wiley states that McFarlane met the Walkers in Pitts­burgh and came back with them to his home on the river. Major James McFarlane lived with his brother, Andrew McFarlane. 

GABRIEL PETERSON

Peterson is especially known for active service in the Revolutionary War, and the one who operated the Black Horse Tavern on the old Salem Road where it crosses the present Route 51. He was a well known person in his day. “Early days in Rostraver” does not mention Peterson as the man who owned the Black Horse Tavern, but names the people who did, that lived in that Township at the time. (Mr. Wiley writes extensively in his books about Captain Peterson. It is believed Peterson took up land above West Elizabeth on the old Bickerton place, located on High Road. History records he lived and died in Allegheny county.) 

Miss Beatrice Wentley of West Elizabeth, who is a great-great granddaughter of Gabriel Peterson, has documented material concerning his life and family. It is as follows: 

Captain in the Revolutionary War, member of order of Cincinnati. Born in 1748, died February 12, 1838, aged 81 years. Margaret Charlotte Heth, wife of Gabriel Peterson was born in 1766 and died October 8, 1857 in her 91st year. They were married May 21st, 1788. Mrs. Peterson living 25 years after the death of her hus­band. Captain Henry Heth, brother of Margaret was Captain of the 1st Virginia State Regulars from October 1st, 1778 to January, 1781. A tablet on the Heth Run Bridge, Pittsburgh is erected in his honor.

As previously stated, this was not Samuel Heath’s son Henry For he would have only been six years old at the time. In the old Heath Bible it spells the name Heth rather than Heath. Captain Henry Heth could have been a close relative of the Samuel Heath’s, but what that relationship was, I do not know. He must have lived within bounds of Jefferson Borough, because Gabriel Cox granted him land on both the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers.

Many names that I have listed living in present Jefferson who were descendants of Gabriel, and his wife Margaret. Namely Stewart, Willock, Pierce, Ralston, Shep­ler, Wylie, Wentley and Madison Parkinson. Let us conclude then, that Gabriel Peterson, his wife Margaret Heth, and her brother, Captain Henry, were all early residents of present Jefferson Borough. 

JOEL FERREE

Joel Ferree fought in the Revolutionary War. At the close of the war, he emi­grated to the present town of Large, where he took up a tract of land and began the manufacture of gun powder. He built in his house just about where the Bedell property is today. His shop was located where the Large Hotel stands. His neighbor Kuykendahl, had nine daughters and one of these daughters became the wife of Joel Ferree. Several of the Ferrees of that day were in the war of 1812, and Colonel Ferree was identified in the Whiskey Insurrection. 

Honorable Andrew Large was born March 14, 1820, a son of Jonathon Large, who was born in 1794. The town of Large was named for him.

Honorable Henry Large was born December 26, 1798, in Saint Clair Township. His paternal grandfather was of French descent (French Hugenots) and was an enthusiastic patriot. His widow died in Jefferson Borough at the age of one hun­dred and two years. 

Following is a list of names of men who resided in present borough, up to the year of 1830. Many of these men were not counted as first settlers but were owners of land a little later than 1800. These names cover the whole borough, including the Gill Hall area which is a very important part of Jefferson, and may be further cov­ered some time in the future.

James and Jesse Lobb. Furgeson McEllheny, McGogney and sons, Robert Curry and sons, William Carrol and sons. Reed and sons, Dr. James Stewart, John Wright. Abner Bedell and sons, Thomas McEllheny and sons, William Chambers, Zadock Wright, Samuel Heath and sons, Henry and Samuel and Benjamin Custard, now Castor. Michael Trumbo and sons. Tobias Stilley, Jeremiah Stilley and sons, Wil­liam and Sampson, Mowary and sons, George Sickman and sons, John Large and sons, John McEllheny and sons, Joel Ferree and sons, William Lytle and sons, Ben­jamin Kirkendall, John Lapsley and sons, James Hindman, George Cochran and Sons, John Shepler and sons, Amos Pierce and sons and Peter Pearsol and sons. 

Many of these names are listed in the history of Mifflin Township, because Jefferson was formerly a part of it. 

BENJAMIN CUSTARD
Custards Delight

Patent of Benjamin Custard, later Castor, issued by state of Pennsylvania, in the years of 1784 and 1785, Nottingham Township, Washington County. 

An indenture, dated John Trumbo to Lewis Huffman. First to James Clark, 1772, twenty acres. Trumbo bought from Clait. Zadock Wright had original grant.  This patent and indenture is in the possession of William and Grace Castor of Ridge Road. (Wright must of had this ground before 1772. The land was not patented until 1784.)

At the time when Mr. J. Alvin Greenwald of Ridge Road bought a subdivision of the Custard property, he had an abstract of deed made. Abstract of title, Board of property under dates of 1784-1785. Original patent, Commonwealth of Pennsyl­vania to Benjamin Custard said tract consisting of 333 acres. His wife was named Ruth and they had seven sons. Custard began to subdivide and sell in the year 1797. This property was named Custards Delight. 

The dates bought and sold are are follows: Piersoll 1797, Kirkin 1804, Alexander Calhoon 1805, John Holcroft 1808, Samuel George 1813. Andrew Brookins 1823. Robert McCartney 1823-1824, Rhoads 1830, William Huffman 1830, Edward Castor and wife, Catherine to William Huffman 1839, then to Abner Bedell and his children.