The Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • Page 223

M-ldtana, vV July Mitten. -A- ft ft ft ft it ft in (Continued from Page B-7) in Wheatfield township prior to the Revolution because George Flndley's bound boy of the same name, probably a son, was killed by Indians while helping with the work on Findley's tract in 1777. Derby Ferguson, Edmund Malawley and Tolly Rodgers probably settled in present Armstrong township prior to the Revolution, for they were attacked by Indians in 1777 and only Rodgers escaped. John Fleming is thought to have settled on a 500-acre tract in Conemaugh township about 1772. His cabin stood on a portion owned in 1880 by William Fleming.

John Gibson took up land in Blacklick township "some years prior to obtaining possession in that year. His name and that of his brother, Levi Gibson, are on the Bedford tax list. He married Jane Lowry. Joseph Hopkins made an improvement about three miles south of Indiana in 1772. Here he built "what was considered a good dwelling house, for the door of which he carried white pine boards on a horse from Stony Creek valley, east of Laurel Hill, it being the first pine door whthin the bounds of the Before being forced to leave by the Indians, he buried some implements and utensils in the bed of a small run near the dwelling.

All of these, including a large steel trap, were later discovered by Andrew Allison many years later. David Inyard has been referred to in the sketch of William Bennett. On one occasion the Inyards, along with the Bennett's and McGuire's, fled to Palmer's Fort. John Kelley made an improvement at what is even yet known as Kelley's Station in Conemaugh township before the Revolution. James Kelly came with the Moorheads in 1772.

His tract was between the Apollo and Saltsburg out of Indiana on what was then the Alexander Barclay farm (1880). His cabin was constructed of round logs or pales, leaving large cracks between which it was customary on approach of winter to close up Sleeping close to the wall Kelly one night was attacked by a fierce wolf, which in an effort to seine him completely peeled the back of his head; and we have the authority of his son, Maj. Abner Kelly, for saying that on the part thus so unceremoniously bared no hair ever grew aftcncards. The smallness of the crack prevented the wolf getting a secure hold, and, after his head had been mauled two or three times, Kelly awakened enough to shift his position. Next morning his neighbor, Fergus Moorhead, called but could not find Kelly.

Near the cabin were traces of blood and tufts of human hair. Thinking he might have been killed, Moorhead cautiously looked around and found him sitting by a spring washing the blood from his hair. James Kelly signed one of the petitions during Dunmore's War. His wife, Sarah (nee Meek) and family apparently came later. Randall Laughlin, at the time a single man, took up a block of 370 acres near John Gibson.

It was located partly in Blacklick and partly in Centre townships. By 1880 it was the home of Mrs. Joseph Laughlin. Here he erected a small cabin and, about 1776-7, planted apple trees, five of which were still standing in 1880. William Lowry and wife, Nancy (nee Steele) settled, it is thought, a short time after the Moorheads.

A daughter, Sarah Lowry, was married to Andrew Simpson, who was killed at the commencement of hostilities in 1777. John Lydick may have attempted a- clearing before the Revolution, for his name appears as one of the signatures on the petitions of Dunmore's War. It is likely that his family remained south of the Conemaugh. Joseph McCartney and wife, Sarah (nee Galbraith) settled sometime before the Revolution in Buffington township on a tract which was later the Benson Dill farm (1880). Robert McClelland is credited by tradi- tion with making the first improvement on a farm taken up in 1774, Conemaugh township.

James McConaughey "about the commencement" of the Revolutionary War improved a tract in Centre township called The application was dated April 3, 1769. John McCrea and wife, Jane (nee Porter) came about 1774 to a farm in Burrell township later (1800) occupied by Peter i io. pr f. historie ha of the area that i. now Indiana County by was uncovered in 1952 durmg the excavation of an Indian village just south of Blairsville on what is called the Johnston site.

This Indian grave shows a female and a child in a common grave dating to 1550 to 1600, well before any white men were known to be in the area. Turn to page B-l for additional information concerning this archeological dig. Baroon. There a son, John McCrea, was born September 16, 1776. Archibald McGuire has been referred to in the sketches of William Bennett and David Inyard.

Daniel McKesson and wife, Mary (nee Hart) settled along Black Legs Creek, Conemaugh township, about 1776. James McKisscn, at this time a single man, settled in Young township, built a cabin, and raised a crop of corn in 1776. Edmund Malawley, almost certainly here before the Revolution, was a victim of the Indians when the conflict opened on the frontier, (see Derby Ferguson) John Marshall married Jane Scott April 16, 1776, after which it is reported "they then removed west to the old Marshall farm" in Conemaugh Township, said to have been first settled "about I Fergus Moorhead, his wife, Jane (nee White) and three children, accompanied by two brothers, Samuel and Joseph Moorhead; James Kelly; James Thompson; "and a few others" set out in May 1772 for the Indiana County wilderness from Franklin County. It is said that Fergus had been here previously about 1770 and selected the area where Indiana Borough now is for a future home. At the end of four weeks, early in June, the party reached their goal.

Fergus had a wagon drawn by three horses, a yoke of oxen, two milking cows, a half dozen each of sheep and hogs, and a flock of fowls. They camped on the high ground west of a spring on a lot in Indiana owned (in 1859) by Joseph J. Young. Here they set up a temporary shelter while the men explored the country around. Finally they decided to go several miles farther west.

There a "comfortable cabin" was erected. This done, a piece of ground for a garden and corn patch was cleared, and a pen for the animals constructed. Then, it is said that Samuel and Joseph Moorhead returned to Franklin County. During the summer Fergus harvested a luxuriant crop of grass from land later owned by David Ralston south of In-, diana. It was probably sledded to his home and proved to be sufficient for his animals during the ensuing winter.

Samuel Moorhead, and probably Joseph also, returned later. In the spring of 1774 Samuel began building a gristmill on Stony Run reportedly "near where Lewis Umburn" once resided (1871). The alarms of Dunmore's War caused him to flee during the summer, as did many other pioneers, leaving the mill unfinished, but he returned in the fall and completed it. In 1843 a sawmill operated by Andrew Dixon was thought to be on the site of this early mill. In 1880 it was said to be the J.

M. Guthrie property. Thomas Reed apparently settled in Conemaugh township sometime prior to the Revolution because his oldest daughter, Elizabeth, was born there 'May 28, 1776. John Shields came to Indiana County, possibly Centre township, about the same time as Charles Campbell. He signed one of the Dunmore's War petitions.

William Smith settled about 1772 on a tract in Centre township afterwards owned by Joseph Clawson. He was married in Westmoreland County to Mary Hart, and signed a petition during Dunmore's War. Robert Rodgers, a neighbor and friend of George Findley, located in East Wheatfield township about 1771-2. The warrant was dated September 29, 1772. It was surveyed October 28, 1774 and found to consist of 57 Vj acres "on the north side of Conemaugh, on the path leading to Black-lick His wife was Sarah (nee Kyle).

Whether Tolly Rodgers who escaped being killed by Indians in 1777 was a brother or relative is not known. James Thompson has been mentioned in connection with the Moorhead settlement in 1772. His wife was Mary (nee Parks) and their first child, Elizabeth, was born in 1773. James Thompson signed one of the Dunmore's War petitions. His farm in White township was in the hands of Clark B.

Thompson about 1880. Robert Weir settled along "Loyal Run" in Brush Valley township about the beginning of the Revolution and subsequently entered the army in 1777. James Wilkins planted seven apple trees about 1768-9 on a farm later occupied by Robert McGee (1880). Only one tree about nine feet in diameter remained at that time. Wilkin's cabin in Centre township was about five rods east of this old apple tree.

Robert Wilson, we are told, came from South Carolina about 1774-5 and settled in Conemaugh township. The preceding comprises a partial honor' roll of our earliest pioneers. All were here before the Revolution when "God Save the King" was a common parting wish, and the King's health was often toasted over a friendly glass, Beyond a doubt there were others, unknown to recorded history, who were also here before the Revolution. REVOLUTIONARY TIMES, 1777-1782 Trouble between England and her American colonies had been brewing for some time prior to the actual outbreak of war. The hated tax on tea led to the famed "Boston Tea December 16, 1773.

The British government retaliated for this by closing the port of Boston the following May, 1774, until restitution 4, IS NOW SERVING AN ALL-AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL i Serving is ovr business and has been for many years. That's why we take a lot of pride in joining oyr nation's celebration of oyr 200th Anniversary. Happy Birthday, America! SHEESLEY'S RESTAURANT INTIRSKTI0N RTIS, 4 492, 5HUQCTA PHONE 345-3351 should be made for the damages. The colonies refused to be intimidated and plans were made to send delegates to a "Continental Congress" in Philadelphia to consider what should be done. On July 11, 1774 "a very respectable Body of People" gathered at Hannastown and chose Robert Hanna and James Cavet to represent Westmoreland County at the sessions, which were to begin September 5th.

In October, after recommending a boycott against British trade, and preparing a Declaration of Grievances addressed to the King and to the people of England, Canada, and the colonies, the First Continental Congress adjourned. The winter passed with General Gage and 5,000 British troops occupying Boston. HANNASTOWN RESOLUTIONS On April 19, 1775 came the first explosion the Battles at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts. On May 10th the Second Continental Congress met. Six days later, at Hannastown, another meeting was held.

Resolutions were adopted, declaring that Britain was attempting to reduce the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay "to a mere wretched state of slavery" and that "the same system of tyranny and oppression will be extended (should it meet with success in Massachu- setts Bay) to other parts of America; it is therefore the indlspendable duty of every American by every means which God has put in his power, to resist and oppose the execution of it; that for us we will be ready to oppose it with our lives and our The Resolutions, at the same time, avowed a "most unshaken loyalty and fidelity to Mis Majesty, King George the Third, whom we acknowledge to be our lawful and rightful and affirmed "That we do not wish or desire an innovation, but only that things may be restored to, and go on in the same way as before the era of the Stamp On May 24th meetings, in accordance with the Resolutions, were held in the various townships and military companies formed. These were later grouped into two battalions, one of which Cql. John Proctor's Battalion carried the famous rattlesnake flag now in the State Museum at Harrisburg. The other battalion was headed by Col. James Carnahan.

On the same day that Westmoreland citizens were meeting at Hannastown, the Virginia adherents met at Pittsburgh, formed the West Augusta Committee of Correspondence, and took other measures in defiance of the British. On June 8th Lord Dunmore fled Virginia and took refuge on the Fowey, a British battleship in Chesapeake Bay, His accomplice, Dr. John Connolly, was rightly suspected of Loyalist sympathies and kept under surveillance by the Pittsburgh Committee of Correspondence. George Washington was named Commander-in-chief df the Continental Armies, June 14th. Three days later occurred the memorable Battle of Bunker Hill.

BOUNDARY CONTROVERSY TABLED During all these exciting, events, Westmoreland justices Robert Hanna and James Cavet were marking time in the Fort Pitt jail, not because of any wrong doing on their part but because they insisted on performing their duties as Pennsylvania magistrates. This humiliating incarceration was was keenly resented by the Westmorelanders. On June 20th the Westmoreland sheriff, with a posse of about twenty men, set the two justices free, seized Dr. Connolly and took him to Ligonier where he was put in custody of Arthur St. Clair.

The Pittsburgh Committee of Correspondence demanded his release, and St. Clair thought it best to comply. On his way back to Pittsburgh', Connolly was jailed again, this time by order of three Westmoreland magistrates. When some of the Virginia partisans captured the three justices and sent them downriver to Wheeling, Connolly was released, the three justices were also released, and the incidents ended. A month later, oh July 25th, Connolly departed from Western Pennsylvania.

He made his way to Dunmore and the two concocted a plan for over-throwing the Western Pennsylvania rebels. Gen. Gage commissioned Connolly to command an expedition which was to mobilize on the shores of Lake Erie, and, with Indian help, capture Fort Pitt and join forces with Dunmore who was to move up from' Alexandria, Virginia. The scheme was thwarted by the capture and imprison' ment of Connolly near Hagerstown, land, as he was attempting to get to Lake Erie. On the same day that Connolly left Fort Pitt, representatives of Pennsylvania and Virginia at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia issued the following proclamation; To the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Virginia, on the west side of Laurel Hill.

Friends and countrymen: It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have arisen, and still continue among you concerning the boundaries of our colonies. it would be improper for us to express our approbation or censure on either side; but as representatives of two of the colonies united among many others for the defense of the liberties of America, we think it our duty to remove, as far as lies in our power, every obstacle that may prevent her sons from cooperating as vigorously as they would wish to do toward the attainment of this end. Influenced solely by this motive, our joint and earnest request to you is, that all animosities which have heretofore subsisted among you may now give place to generous and concurring efforts for the preservation of everything that can make our common country dear to us. toe recommend to that all those on either side who are in confinement or under bail for taking a part in the contest, be dis- charged; and that until the dispute be decided every person be permitted to retain his possessions unmolested. By observing these directions the public tranquillity will be secured without injury to the titles on either side; the period, tee flatter ourselves, will soon arrive when this unfortunate dispute, which has produced much mischief, and, as far as we can learn, no good, will be peaceably and constitutionally determined.

We are your friends and countrymen. P. Henry John Dickinson Geo. Ross Richard Henry Lee B. Franklin Benj.

Harrison James Wilson Th. Jefferson Cha. Humphreys Philadelphia, July 25, 1775. Defense preparations continued, and September 26th the Continental Congress ordered to be delivered to Captain Sam- uel Moorhead of Westmoreland five hundred pounds of powder and 1,250. pounds of lead out of the public stock be placed in the hands of the Committee of Westmoreland for public use.

The dependent company of Capt. Moorhead thought to have been one of the first mili-. tary organizations in Revolutionary vice in Western Pennsylvania. Moorhead- had erected a gristmill on Stony Run, In- I (Continued on Page B-9) THE GUN HAS A PROUD HISTORY IN AMERICA'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Colonial America was a frontier community with danger on every side. The frontiersman knew the value of his weapon and it was his constant companion.

His gun brought meat to his table, protected his family from attack and comforted him on his journeys. We pause tomorrow to reflect on our past 200 years and we can be proud of our heritage. THE AMERICAN CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS A RIGHT GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS ONCE LOST THEY'RE GONE FOREVER! SPORTING GOODS PHONE 4134100.