History: Local: The Early History of the 15th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh,
1925: Bellevue, PA
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THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE FIFTEENTH WARD
OF THE
CITY OF PITTSBURGH
BY
MRS. S. KUSSART
DEDICATED TO THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF THE
FIFTEENTH WARD, PITTSBURGH, PA.
COPYRIGHT, 1925,
BY
MRS. S. KUSSART.
PUBLISHERS: Suburban Printing Company,
Bellevue (Pittsburgh), Pa.
1925
[CONT.]
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 61
side of Second Avenue, between Elizabeth Street and Johnston Avenue. In 1910,
the large buff brick school building in the rear of the new church was
completed. It contains 22 rooms. A convent was built also and a rectory in 1919.
Early in the morning of Nov. 5, 1924, the St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church
was virtually destroyed by fire, only part of the walls being left standing.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, a brick edifice, corner of Second Avenue and
Mansion Street, was built in 1899. Among the pastors of this church may be named
Revs. Bean, Dunlap, C. A. Boorg and R. L. Smith.
The Johnston Avenue Baptist Church was erected in 1903, during the
pastorate of Rev. Stevenson, the first pastor after the organization of the
church, in 1900. The church is a frame building, at the corner of Johnston
Avenue and Gertrude Street. Prior to its completion, the congregation held
services in a hall. Among the pastors of the church may be named may be Revs.
Coulson, Hunt, Rupert, Walker, Skinner, Lynbaugh, Shephara, English, Palmer,
Swallow and R. M. Campbell.
The First Hungarian Reformed Church is a handsome stone building on
Johnston Avenue, and was erected in 1903. The original church was organized by
the congregation, in 1891, on Bates Street, first pastor, Rev. Alex. Kalassey.
St. Ann's Catholic Church, No. 4735 Chatworth Avenue, was completed in
1924. About 1920, the lower story of the church building, a handsome brick
edifice, was built, and used by the congregation while funds were gathered to
complete the church, the finished structure being estimated to cost $100,000.
In 1910, a list of the churches in the Fifteenth Ward is given as follows
(15): St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church; St. Rosalia's Roman Catholic Church;
Hazelwood Presbyterian Church; Greenfield Presbyterian Church; Mary S. Brown
Memorial M. E. Church; First Methodist Episcopal Church; First Christian Church;
Squirrel Hill Christian Church; Johnston Avenue Baptist Church; St.
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 62
Paul's Lutheran Church; Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal); Hungarian
Reformed Church; United Brethren M. P. Church; German Baptist Church; and
Glenwood Avenue Free Methodist Church.
SCHOOLS
There is kept in the safe at Hazelwood School, the old Minute Book of
Peebles Township, Allegheny County, Pa. It is in an excellent state of
preservation. According to this old record, the people of Peebles Township were
among the first to take advantage of the act of the Pennsylvania Assembly, of
April 1, 1834, entitled, "An Act to establish a General System of Education by
Common Schools throughout this Commonwealth." At a meeting of the citizens of
the township, it was unanimously voted to accept the provisions of the act, and
take the necessary steps to avail themselves of the same. At a meeting held at
East Liberty, Sept. 19, 1834, at the "Steam Mill" (the usual place of holding
elections) six directors were elected, as follows: John Graham, John McClintock,
B. A. Fahnestock, Daniel Negley, James Fleming and W. B. McIlvaine. The Board of
Directors met Sept. 27, 1834, agreeable to public notice, at the home of T.
McKown in East Liberty, and was organized by the election of the following
officers: President, John Graham; Secretary, W. B. McIlvaine, and Treasurer,
Daniel Negley. In consequence of the uncertainty of the carrying out of the law,
due to the sending in of numerous petitions from various parts of the state for
its repeal, the board did not at once take steps to establish schools, but the
law was upheld, and the Peebles Township school board resumed their meetings
which were held at East Liberty, which at that time was most closely settled,
and the voting place of the township. Such members of the board as resided in
the present Fifteenth Ward of the city of Pittsburgh had to ride horseback to
East Liberty to attend the board meetings.
The old minute book states that as near as practicable, the schools; in the
five districts into which the township was divided were to begin on July 1,
1835. On March 18, 1836, a committee which had been appointed in relation to the
opening of a sixth school in the southern part of Peebles
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 63
Township, reported that a grant of one-fourth of an acre of land for this
purpose had been donated by John Turner, and that a schooling building on the
same tract was nearly completed. The report was accepted and Arthur Kiskadon
engaged as teacher, at a salary of $225 per annum. The school was opened on May
9, 1836. This was the first school opened in the present Fifteenth Ward, and in
later records is spoken of as the "Squirrel Hill" school. Geo. W. Irwin and Jas.
M. Loughridge each taught several years in this school. Later teachers were J.
B. Irwin and J. H. Deseter.
There was a little coal mining village known as Logstown, some distance
above the present Glenwood Bridge, on the right bank of the Monongahela River,
where one of the earliest river coal mines in this district was opened. Between
twenty and thirty one-story log houses were built here for the miners, and in
one of these buildings a school was started, the second school in this part of
Peebles Township. In the old Minute Book, under date of May 31, 1845, we find:
"Received a letter from Mr. (Daniel) Bushnell, at Ross Coal Works, in relation
to a school. Mr. John Murdock was appointed to make arrangements. In case Mr.
Bushnell would find a house at his or the citizen's expense, the Board would
grant them funds, or lend a teacher for three or four months." The children from
"Scotch Bottoms"' were also to attend this school, and did so. Mr. Wm. H. Barker
informed the writer that this is the first school which he remembers, and speaks
of a Mr. Parker being the teacher at one time. In the Minute Book, later records
refer to "Brownstown" school, the name originating from the coal works of Wm. H.
Brown, where there was a considerable settlement. Among the teachers at
Brownstown school were John Murdock, 1850; John D. Forrest, 1852; a Mr. Sloan,
1853; M. Campbell, 1854; and Prof. I. N. Stephenson taught here in 1856, and for
several terms in the 60's.
The first school conducted in Hazelwood was in a one-story building near
the present Marion Station on the B. & 0. R. R., which was rented by the school
board for that purpose. One year, for some reason now unknown, there was no
school at all. The school board then rented a brick
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 64
house on Lowrie (now Longsworth) Street, adjoining the old Presbyterian Church
(now a part of the Koppers plant). John B. Irwin was a teacher in this building.
The old Minute Book gives the name of W. D. Forward as teacher, in 1850; D.
Shafer, as teacher at "Tullymet" in 1852; and a Mr. Babcock as teacher in
"Scotch Bottom" in 1853.
A piece of ground was donated by Harry Woods on his farm. The site was
below the present Second Avenue and near Marion Station. The school board of
Peebles Township built here a brick school house of two rooms, and this building
was used for school purposes for about four years. It was known as the
Roggensdale school, in honor of Mr. John J. Roggen (Messrs. Roggen and Sutch
were then school directors) who had donated $500 to pay for the roof, when the
building was erected. This roof corresponded with that of Mr. Roggen's handsome
brick cottage on the bank of the Monongahela, not far distant. Unfortunately,
Mr. Woods neglected to make a deed for the ground on which the Roggensdale
school building stood, to the school board of Peebles Township, and when his
farm in Hazelwood was sold by the sheriff, the school property also went under
the hammer, and was a complete loss to the township. Mr. John D. Scully, cashier
of the old First National Bank, Pittsburgh, bought a large tract of the Woods
farm, below the present Second Avenue, on part of which stood the brick school
building. He erected thereon a large two-story brick dwelling, including in it
the school building, and this was the Scully home for years.
After the loss of the Roggensdale school building, the school board
arranged to procure a lot, and they reported the purchase of a lot 60 by 200
feet, corner of Tecumseh Street and Second Avenue, from Messrs. N. Dike, Francis
Johnston and Thos. S. Blair, for $150. A proposal for the erection of a frame
school building was advertised. The contract was let in the fall of 1858, to
Samuel Coon, the lowest bidder, for $395. School was opened here Jan. 1, 1859,
R. S. Wilkinson being the teacher. The teachers here were as follows: 1860, Miss
Harriet Matthews; 1861 and 1862, John L. Lee; 1863, R. G. Kirkpatrick; 1864,
John Morrow; 1865, J. P. Andrews. In 1866, an addition was
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 65
made to the school building, at a cost of $950. The building was ready Sept. 1,
1867. The teachers were Mr. Sutton Phillips and Miss C. J. Randolph. Later
principals here were Wm .Cunningham, a Mr. Kennedy and George T. Oliver. Miss
Mary Mould had charge of the primary department for a time.
An ordinance of Pittsburgh councils, of April 6, 1867, authorized the
addition of the East End to the city, upon acceptance of the act of councils, to
be shown by a majority vote of the residents of the district. They voted for the
measure, and in July, 1868, Pittsburgh was divided into twenty-three wards. The
Twenty-third Ward comprised all of Peebles Township between the Monongahela
River and the south line of the Twenty-second Ward. The line between the two
wards was the old Four Mile Run Road, which came up the valley of Four Mile Run,
extended across Squirrel Hill to the Nine Mile Run, thence down that run to the
Monongahela River. The river formed the other boundary. Originally, the
townships into which Allegheny County was divided, upon its erection, in 1788,
were very large. First a part of Pitt Township, then of Peebles Township, the
territory included in the old Twenty-third Ward, created in 1868, became the
Fifteenth Ward of the city of Pittsburgh, when the city was re-districted, a few
years ago.
After the close of the Civil War, the population of Hazelwood and Glenwood
greatly increased, this district being then one of the most desirable
residential sections of the city, and many large and handsome homes were built
here. There was a request made by leading citizens to the school board that
better school accommodations be provided. Accordingly a committee consisting of
Messrs. McKibben, Wiley and Palmer were appointed, for the purpose of getting a
site for a new school building. That chosen was a large level lot on Second
Avenue and Tecumseh Street (now occupied by the Hazelwood School Buildings),
which was owned by Mrs. Anna R. Aspinwall. As she did not desire to sell,
condemnation proceedings were resorted to, through the courts, and title
secured, Mrs. Aspinwall being awarded $3,656.25 by order of the Court, December
term,
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 66
1871. The plans for the school building were for a ten room structure, not to
exceed in cost $25,000. This building, consisting of eight school rooms, an
office, etc., was first used in the fall term, beginning Sept. 2, 1872. Mr. T.
H. Douglass was the principal, and Miss Amanda Alexander, teacher in the Grammar
Department. Miss Susan Dunshee and Miss Ellen Lambie were the teachers in the
Intermediate Department; and Miss Hattie Wiley, teacher in the Primary
Department. There was an attendance of 174. The attendance, at this time, at
Brown's school was 34; and at the Squirrel Hill school, 32. The Hazelwood school
building proving inadequate to accommodate all the pupils, as the population of
the district increased, a third story of four rooms was added to the building.
Six rooms were afterward erected in the rear of the original building, so that
there are now eighteen rooms. Additional facilities being needed, the Hazelwood
Annex, a separate brick building standing on the same lot, facing on Second
Avenue, and containing nine rooms, was built. Later, three of these rooms were
subdivided, making twelve rooms in the building. Until 1923, the principal of
the Hazelwood school had charge of the Hazelwood and Glenwood schools. The names
of the principals here are as follows: T. H. Douglass, 1871-1878; W. M. Logan,
1879-1885 ; Mary C. Hayes, 1885-1886; M. A. McCutcheon, Sept. 1886; A. Wishart,
Oct. 1886, and for rest of year; J. M. Logan, Sept. 1887, until his death, May
25, 1911; E. H. Knoch, from the time of Mr. Logan's death until the present.
The Glenwood school building, a handsome two-story brick containing eight
rooms, was erected in 1890. There had been in use, prior to this, a one-room
frame school building, for the accommodation of the small children unable to
walk to Hazelwood school. It stood on the same site as the present Glenwood
school, on the lower side of Second Avenue, above Renova Street and nearly
facing Alluvian Street. The pupils of the higher grades continued to go to
Hazelwood school, after the erection of the school building. Among the Assistant
Principals of the Glenwood school may be named Mrs. Parker, Miss Clara Singer,
Miss Adda Mann and Miss Bertha V. Law. After being Assistant Principal of
Glenwood school for six years, Miss Bertha V. Law
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 67
was elected Principal of this school, for the season of 1923-24, which office
she still holds.
The Gladstone school, Hazelwood Avenue and Gladstone Street, was dedicated
May 7, 1915, with appropriate ceremonies. The building was planned ultimately to
accommodate seven hundred pupils, with full equipment for manual training,
domestic science and social center development. An especially fine ventilating
plant was installed in this building, making it possible, during hot weather to
maintain the temperature of the class rooms at least ten degrees below that of
the outside air. Miss Matilda McCutcheon was Assistant Principal here, after the
school was opened for use. For the season of 1923-24, Prof. J. W. Anthony was
elected Principal, an office which he still holds.
An enumeration of the schools in the Peebles school district, in 1910, was
as follows: "The Peebles school district comprises the Hazelwood, Hazelwood
Annex, Greenfield, J. M. Logan and Roosevelt buildings, Brown's and Squirrel
Hill. Two Parochial schools are located in the Fifteenth Ward, St. Stephen's, on
Second Avenue, and St. Rosalia's, in Greenfield."
The dedication of the new Greenfield Elementary school, Greenfield Avenue
and Alger Street, took place March 21, 1923. The entire cost of the building,
lot and equipment amounted to $723,278.57. It was the first building, of the
platoon type, to be built as such in the district, and went into use in the fall
term, 1923. It contains 37 rooms, of which 30 are used for classes.
The Hazelwood branch of the Carnegie Library stands on a lot extending
through from Chatsworth to Monongahela Street. It is a large brick building, and
was erected in 1899. (16). The librarians in charge have been as follows:
Charlotte E. Wallace, 1900-1904; Elizabeth Knapp, 19044908; Marian Patterson,
1908-1909; Alice I. Hazeltine, 1909-1911 ; Marian S. Skeele, 1912-1913; Zulema
Kostomlatsky, 1913-1914; Caroline L. Jones, 1914-1918 ; Harriet T. Root, 1918-
1920; Blanche A. Swope, 1920-
The building, a two story brick, occupied by Truck Company No. 7 and Fire
Engine Company No. 13 stands at the corner of Second Avenue and Glencaldah
Street.
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 68
Hazelwood Police Station, corner of Hazelwood Avenue and Lytle Street, is a
two-story brick building erected in 1908, during the administration of Mayor
Geo. W. Guthrie. Edward G. Lang was then Director of Public Works, and Thos. A.
McQuaide, Chief of Police. The architect of the building was John P. Brennan,
and H. C. Van Ormer & Son were the contractors.
The Burgwin Playground, at the head of Mansion Street, in Glenwood, is part
of a tract of land owned by Mr. Geo. C. Burgwin. The city of Pittsburgh
purchased five acres of the land, for $23,750, and opened up the playground for
the benefit of the children of the district. There were many fine old oak trees
on this land, some of which had to be cut down, to make way for the ball field.
Others were left standing, and swings put up on them.
The Lewis Recreation Park or playground consists of property purchased by
the city of Pittsburgh in 1913, at a cost of $29,020; and contains two and a
half acres of ground, fronting on Second Avenue, in Hazelwood. The former W. J.
Lewis residence, on this ground, was repaired, and is used as a community center
for the children. There is a large ball ground, between Second and Chatsworth
Avenues. Calvary Cemetery, at the head of Hazelwood Avenue, was incorporated
Nov. 6, 1886, by the Right Reverend Richard Phelan, President; James Phelan,
Vice President; Judge Chas. F. McKenna, J. Dawson Callery, John D. Scully, John
Burns, Rev. Thos. Devlin, John Kelly, Anthony F. Keating, Jas. J. Flannery, and
others, the entire number of incorporators being thirty-two persons. The first
interment was made in June, 1888. The cemetery includes several tracts of land,
purchased at different times. The original purchase was the Jones farm, of
101.17 acres. This was bought from John M. Tiernan, who had foreclosed a
mortgage on the farm. The date of purchase was June 21, 1886. Later, the company
purchased a small tract in the rear of this, from the Alta Vista Land Company.
Needing an entrance on Hazelwood Avenue, 2.2 acres were purchased, July 18,
1887, from John Keyser. A lot with a frontage of 105 feet on Hazelwood Avenue
and extending back from
History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 69
this street for about the same distance, was purchased March 5,1900, from James
H. Costello, and a driveway from Hazelwood Avenue to the cemetery opened
thereon. (17)
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 70
APPENDIX
Will of John Turner (copy given p. 412 Butterfield's “History of the Girtys,” as
taken from the original records), bearing date of April 10, 1840 :
"In the name of God, Amen. I, John Turner, of the Township of Peebles,
County of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, yoeman, being weak of body, but
sound in memory, mind, and understanding, blessed be the Almighty for the same,
but considering the uncertainty of this life and the certainty of death, do make
and publish this, my last will and testament, in manner and form following:
First of all, I commend my soul into the hands of my God, who gave it, and
my body to the earth, to be buried in the burying ground on my farm in a decent,
Christian-like manner, at the discretion of my Executors, hereinafter mentioned.
1st. As to my worldly affairs it is my will and I do order that all my just
debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied, as soon as it can be
conveniently done, after my decease.
2nd. I give and bequeath the upper part of my tract of land where I now
reside, and adjoining the land I sold to John Patterson, containing 113 acres,
be the same more or less, to the children of John McCaslin and Priscilla, his
wife; only that they, the said John McCaslin and Priscilla, his wife, are to
have and to hold the said tract of land with all the improvements thereon,
during their natural lives, unless death should occur to either the said John
McCaslin or Priscilla, his wife, and the survivor should marry again; then, in
such case, their right, title, claim and interest shall expire and the said
1an.d so described become vested and divided, equal share and share, to each of
said children, as aforesaid, the same as if their parents were dead or deceased.
I give my nephew Breden (Prideaux) Girty, son of Simon Girty, $1,000; unto
my niece, Sarah Girty (sister of Prideaux, and wife of Joseph Munger), alias
Sarah Munger, $1,000, unto John Girty $500, being the son of Thomas Girty
(Turner's half-brother), deceased. I give to Nancy
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 71
Gibson, sister of John Girty, $100; and one dollar to Catherine Bealer; and for
the attention and friendship I have received from Joseph Munger, I will and
bequeath him $500. I do reserve, free of all incumbrance, the (Turner) burying
ground for the use of the public forever; and when all my debts and funeral
expenses are paid, and all legatees are settled with, all my effects, whether
personal, mixed, or real estate, shall be placed in the hands of Arthur F. Gore,
to be distributed as he shall think proper, without any reserve.
Lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my much esteemed friends, James
Sutch and John Patterson, to be my executors of this, my last will and
testament, hereby revoking all other wills, legacies, and bequests by me
heretofore made, and declaring this my last will and testament. In witness
whereof, I have set my hand and seal, the 10th day of April, 1840.
JOHN TURNER, (Seal)
Signed in the presence of us,
Abe. Hosmer,
Thomas Sutch."
Commission of George Woods as Wood Ranger
From John Penn to George Woods.
Seal of
Province
of
Penna.
Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, true and absolute Proprietaries and
Governors in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle,
Kent and Sussex on Delaware. To George Woods, of the County of Bedford, in the
said Province, Esquires, Greeting.
Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Care and Diligence. Know
that we are authorized, constituted and appointed and do, by these .Presents,
authorize, constitute and appoint you, the said George Woods, to be our Chief
Ranger of and for the said County of Bedford, hereby granting unto you full
power and authority to range, view and inspect all our Woods and Land within the
said County, and to seize, take up, convert and appropriate to our use all and
every such Wild Cattle or Young Horses, Cattle and Swine as shall be found
within the Bounds of the said County that are not marked by the Owners of their
Dams, and are liable to be seized by Law. And also all marked Strays for which
no lawful owner can be
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 72
found, that may be taken up in said county, and to publish every such Stray in
the most public places of the said County for the space of one year, and also
keeping some public mark of their ?being Strays, for the said space, about them.
Hereby requiring you to sue and prosecute all persons presuming to act contrary
to Law, in cutting down or destroying any of our Timber, Trees or Wood, or that
shall in any wise invade the Powers hereby granted to you within the said
county. And of all the Profits and Advantages to be made by taking up wild
unmarked Horses, Cattle, and Swine, we do hereby allow you one full moiety or
half-part, and of all Strays taken up as aforesaid and not owned, we do allow
you one full third-part as a satisfaction for your Care and Trouble therein, the
residue to be for our Use and Behoof. And of your proceedings therein, you shall
render to our Receiver General for the time being a faithful Account once in
every six months, or as often as it shall be demanded, during the force of this
Commission, which is to continue 'till further Orders.
Witness, John Penn, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the said Province .and
'Counties, who, in pursuance and by virtue of certain Powers and Authorities to
him for his Purpose (inter alia) granted by the said Proprietaries, hath
hereunto set his hand and caused the Lesser Seal of the said Province to be
hereunto affixed, at Philadelphia the fifteenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-one. John Penn.
N. B. s like "f".
(Document in the possession of Mrs. Harvey Childs of Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Early Pittsburgh Land Sales
(The following appeared in the Commercial Journal, a Pittsburgh Newspaper,
of the date of March 3, 1855, in regard to the manner in which the citizens of
Pittsburgh held and occupied their lots in the town, before it was regularly
surveyed and laid out, in the year 1784.)
"Mr. R. M. Riddle: In a little work published on Christmas day, I made the
following statement:
On the 22nd of January, 1784, by article of agreement, they (Messrs. Craig
& Bayard) purchased of the Penns the first ground that was sold within the
limits of Pittsburgh.
I understand that some surprise has been displayed at this statement, and
same doubt of its truth expressed. Persons have stated, and very correctly, too,
that four squares of Pittsburgh were laid' out in lots, in 1764--yet my
statement is literally true. Not one inch of ground was sold (within the four
squares which had been surveyed in 1764) until at least four months after the
first sale, to Craig and
Early History of the fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 73
Bayard. I may as well state that the four squares laid off in 1764 were those
between Water and Second, and Water and Ferry.
The whole of the Province belonged to Penn's heirs. The King his officers
exercised the right of building forts where they thought advisable, no doubt
with the cheerful assent of the proprietors, as such erections encouraged
settlements, and promoted sales, but the King of England had no more right to
dispose of the property of Penn's heirs than President Pierce has to dispose of
the lands of Gerrit Smith, or the slaves of the largest slave owner in
Louisiana.
When the four squares were laid out, permits were issued by the commanding
officers to different persons to occupy and build upon lots of ground in the new
town of Pittsburgh, subject to a yearly ground rent-not one word of description
of the lot, no length, no breadth, no number, no street name, no words of
inheritance or even to give a life estate. I have one of these permits, issued
in July, 1768, by Lieutenant Colonel J. Wilkins, who, it appears, then commanded
His Majesty's forces in this district, which I send to you and which you may
copy, if you think it a relic worth preserving—“
N. B. G. (Neville B. Craig)
"By Lieutenant Colonel Wilkins, Commanding.
Permission is hereby granted to Moses Henery to occupy and build upon a
Lott of Ground in the new Town of Pittsburgh (for which he is to pay Twenty
shillings yearly, if Demanded, and also to be subject to such Regulations as may
be ordered by the Commander-in-Chief or by the Commanding Officer of the
District, for the good of his Majesty's Service.
Given under my Hand at Fort Pitt, the 17th day of July, 1768.
J. Wilkins, Lt. Col.
"For, and in Consideration of the Sum of Five Pounds to me in hand paid by
3ohn Campbell, I do hereby assign over to the said John Campbell and Joseph
Simon, their Heirs or' Assigns, all my Right Title, Interest, Claim and Demand
whatsoever of the within Permit and Lott of Ground.
Witness my Hand .and Seal, the 2nd day of October, 1773.
Moses Henery (Seal).”
Witness: Robert Campbell
James O'Hara
"For Value Received I do assign over to Joseph Simon, my Right to above
mentioned Lott of Ground..
Witness my Hand and Seal, the 10th day of April, 1779.
John Campbell (L. S.) "
Witness, Daniel Brodhead, Col. 8th Pennsylvania Regiment.
John Dodge
James Elliott
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 74
Letters on the Pittsburgh Survey of 1784
Favor of
Gen. Sinclair.
Philadelphia, 22 April, 1784
Sir:-
By Direction of the Messrs. Penns, I take the Liberty to request you to
undertake the laying out of the Town of Pittsburgh and dividing all the other
parts of the Manor into the proper Lots and Farms and to set a Value on each
supposing them free of any kind of incumbrance. In the doing of which be pleased
to make the proper inquiry and ascertain the various claims (pretended or real)
the present Settlers and all others set up. The whole of this Manor being
intended for immediate Sale, I wish you would point out the best Method to
effect it, and if agreeable to you to transact this Business, inform one on what
Terms you will do it. All Expenses and your Charges for making the above
Surveys, etc. I will cheerfully pay you. Inclosed you will have for your
government a draft of the Manor.
I am, with the greatest respect
Y'rs Most Ob'y,
Teneh Francis, Attorney for
John Penn, Jun. and John Penn.
George Woods, Esq.
(Indorsement on back of letter above.)
Letter from Tench Francis, Agent for John Penn, Jun and John Penn, Esq.,
respecting the Farm of Lots at Pittsburgh.
Proposition to Mr. Woods to Act.
Address
For George Woods, Esq.
(Document in the possession of Mrs. Harvey Childs of Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Letter from Tench Francis, as follows:
Bedford.
"Philadelphia, 31st May, 1784.
George Woods, Esq.
Sir:
Yours of the 17th is now before me, and in answer thereto must beg leave to
inform you that the Penns are determined to sell all their estates like private
persons, without reserving any quit rents, etc., and I'm happy to find this mode
meets with your approbation. I am extremely pleased that Mr. Woods (Major John
Woods, Pittsburgh attorney) has cheerfully undertaken to do our business,
because I am confident it will be conducted with the strictest honor; and as to
a gratification--and that a generous one for your trouble1 bind myself as their
attorney to make it equal to your most sanguine expectations. I shall receive
your plans and re-
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 75
ports before I finally give my orders to make sale. Is there not other estates
of the Penns in your neighborhood, and will it be agreeable to you to run them
also, in order that they may be disposed of?
I am, with highest regard,
Y'rs. most ob'y
Tench Francis, Attorney for John Penn
and John Penn, Jr."
Endorsed on the back: "George Woods, Esq. Bedford, in Pennsylvania."
Original in possession of Ross A. Hickok, of Harrisburg, Pa., a great-great-
great grandson of Col. Geo. Woods.
Letter of Tench Francis, to Col. George Woods, dated Philadelphia, 30 Sept.
1784, accepting the survey and plan of Pittsburgh. Original in possession of
Mrs. Harvey Childs, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Philadelphia, 30 Sept, 1784.
George Woods, Esq.
Dear Sir :-
As attorney to John Penn, Jun. and John Penn, Esqrs., late proprietaries of
Pennsylvania, I hereby approve of the plan you have made of the Town of
Pittsburgh and now confirm the same, together with the division of the outlots
and the other parts of the Manor of Pittsburgh. The several applyers agreeable
to your List furnished me may depend on having Deeds for their Lots and
plantations whenever they pay the whole of the purchase money, provided they do
it before Xmas next. But if they neglect to pay their purchase money agreeable
to your Valuation at my stipulated time, I shall not hold myself bound.
I am with the greatest respect
Y'r Most Ob't & Humble Ser't,
Tench Francis, Attorney to
John Penn, Jun. and John Penn, Esq.
(Indorsement on back of letter above.)
To Coll. George Woods
from
Coll. Francis.
Memorandum among the Woods documents in possession of Ross A. Hickok, of
Harrisburg, Pa.
"I so hereby certify that some few days after I had surveyed and laid out
the 10th in the town of Pittsburgh; I advertised' to the Inhabitants that I was
ready to receive their applications for their
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 76
claims. I well remember that Edward Ward waited on me at my lodgings and
enquired of me if a Major Thomas Sm1lm;an had made application for any of the
lotts, where his and Major Ward's house was situated. I answered that he had
written to me about some lotts near to Frances landing and some about the fort.
Then Major Ward informed me that he must apply for those lotts lest some other
person should apply, as from a number of their applications for other parts of
his claim, he was under apprehensions that some one or other might apply for his
house and Major Smallman's, and applied for four lotts for himself and two for
Smallman, whose house is situated and near to it. I afterwards put up
advertisement, signed by Mr. Penn's attorney, giving three months time for the
inhabitants at or about Fort Pitt to sware their lotts, after which time, the
said attorney held himself at liberty to make seal to the first person who might
apply therefore. The people of Fort Pitt have no one to blame but themselves, if
any of them should lose their property.
Given under my hand and seal, this 25th day of July 1785.
George Woods."
The following is a copy of the commission issued to Judge George Woods, in
1790:
Presidency
Seal
of
the State
of
Penna.
"In the name, and by the authority of the freeman of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, the Supreme Executive Council of the said Commonwealth, to George
Woods, Esq., of the County of Bedford.
We reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, prudence,
integrity, and knowledge, have appointed you President of the County Court of
Common Pleas, of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace and Jail
Delivery, and granting unto you, the said George Woods, full power and authority
to execute and perform all the several acts and things to the said office
belonging.
Given under the hand of his Excellency, Thomas Mifflin, Esq., President,
and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this twentieth day of April, in the
year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
Attest, Chas. Biddle, Secretary."
Original in possession of Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 77
Oath of Allegiance of John Woods
I do hereby certify that John Woods, of the Town of Bedford, Student at
Law, hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiances and Fidelity,
as directed by a Further Supplement to the Act entitled, "An Act for the further
Security of the Government of Pennsylvania," passed the fifth Day of December,
Anno Domini, 1778.
Documents Showing John Woods Was Major
"Bedford, August 28, 1781.
The Cumberland County Militia, purposing to go on a scouting expedition
tomorrow, have made the within return of Ammunition as absolutely necessary.
Please to let Ensign Hay have the said quantity, if you can provide the lead
there mentioned, for which Lieut. Lindsey will sign a receipt.
Major John Woods. Barnard Dougherty."
(Return made of this).
Another statement in collection of Woods documents:
"Jan. 18, 1783.
Received, 18 January, 1783, of Major John Woods, by and of Colonel S.
Shman, one hundred and fifteen pounds of powder, and two hundred and thirty-
seven pounds of lead, belonging to the Lieutenant, and nineteen pounds of county
lead by me. The same time, 335 flints, for the use of Bedford County.
Felix Miller."
Endorsed on the back: "Felix Millar, Receipt for Powder & Lead."
Commission of John Woods as Brigadier General
In the Name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Thomas Mifflin, Governor of the Said Commonwealth. To John Woods, of the County
of Allegheny, Esquire, Greeting.
Know you. That reposing confidence in your Zeal, Valour, Patriotism and
Fidelity, I have appointed, and by these Presents I do appoint you, the said
John Woods, Brigadier General of the Brigade Composed of the Militia of the
County of Allegheny. To have and 'to hold the said Office and to Exercise,
perform and enjoy all the powers, 'duties and emoluments thereunto belonging for
the term of seven years.
In testimony whereof, I have set my Hand and caused the great Seal of the
State to be affixed to these Presents, at Philadelphia, the twenty-eighth Day of
March, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 78
- - -- - - -
Seven Hundred and Ninety-eight, and of the Commonwealth, the Twenty-second.
By the Governor
A. J. Dallas, Secretary.
(N. B. s written life "f")
(In one corner of document above.)
Allegheny County, ss.
Recorded in the office for recording of Deeds, in and for said County, in
Commission Book, Page 39.
Given under my Hand and Seal of Office, at Pittsburgh, the fifth Day of
May, in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-eight.
Sam'l Jones, Rec'r.
Sworn before me, this 21st Day of May, 1798.
Sam'l Jones, Rec'r.
(Document in the possession of Mrs. Harvey Childs of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Last Will and Testament of John Woods
"I, John Woods, of the city of Pittsburgh, in the state of Pennsylvania,
being weak in body, but sound and disposing in mind and memory, do make and
ordain this, my last Will and Testament.
First, I direct and desire my executors hereinafter made, to pay and
discharge all my just debts and funeral expenses, as soon as may be, after my
death; and after the same shall be paid, I dispose of my whole estate, real and
personal, as follows:
To my beloved wife, Theodosia Woods, I give and bequeath all my plate,
house and kitchen furniture. Also, I give and bequeath to my said wife my black
servants, Henry, Israel and Nancy, for and during their respective terms of
servitude; also my carriage and such pair of carriage horses as I may have, at
the time of my death; and do hereby authorize, employ and direct my executors
herein afterward named and the survivors or survivor of them, to dispose of all
or any of my real estate not herein specially devised, by letting the same upon
ground rent by or absolute sale in fee simple, or partly by both methods at
their discretion, for the purpose of constituting a fund for the discharge of my
debts, and to pay all the legacies, bequests and annuities arising out of this,
my will. I do hereby order and direct my said executors, the survivors or
survivor of them, to pay to my said wife the annual sum of two thousand, four
hundred dollars, during the term of natural life, in equal moieties, half
yearly, the first payment to commence six months after my decease. And I do
further order and direct that the above mentioned devises, bequests, and
legacies to my wife shall be in full lieu and compensation of her right of dower
of and in my whole real estate. As it is
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 79
not the intention of my said wife to continue her- residence in Pittsburgh after
my decease, it is my desire that, however, she may occupy the house and retain
such of the personal property as may be convenient to her, during her stay.
The lands above Pittsburgh, and adjoining the Monongahela River consisting
of five tracts, viz: one surveyed in the name of Charles Duke, containing about
eighty acres; one surveyed upon location in the name of James Ralf (Ralph),
containing 'about two hundred and sixty acres; one patented in the name of John
Little, - containing about three hundred and thirty acres (a small part of this
sold to John Turner); and one in the name of John Woods, containing about one
hundred and sixty acres: I devise the said five tracts to my brother, Henry
Woods , and my sister, Mary Woods, their heirs and assigns, as tenants in
common. I devise to my said brother, Henry Woods, my house and ground at Bedford
Mineral Springs, I do also bequeath to him my riding horse.
My lands on the east side, and adjoining the Allegheny River, about ten
miles above Pittsburgh, consisting of four tracts, viz: one in the name of David
McFee, containing about one hundred and ninety acres; one adjoining in the name
of William Moires, containing upwards of three hundred acres; one in the name of
Robert Furner, containing upwards of three hundred acres; one in the name of
John Woods, containing about sixty acres, all adjoining: I devise the last
described four tracts to my nephew, James Ross, and my niece, Mary Jane Ross,
their heirs and assigns, as tenants in common.
I devise to my nephew, George Espy, his heirs and assigns, my tract of land
called City Tract, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Connewango Rivers,
surveyed on the warrant of John Ribble, in Warren County; and also my tract of
land on Dunnige Creek, about three miles from Bedford, surveyed on the warrant
of Hugh Hunter, containing about eighty acres, clear of dispute, it being the
same devised to me by my father. I devise to my nephew, David Espy, his heirs
and assigns, my two tracts of land in Washington Township, Westmoreland
(County), near the Allegheny River, surveyed on warrants in the name of Benjamin
Davis and Thomas Moore.
My eight lots in Pittsburgh and numbered in the general plan of the town
from 75 to 82, inclusive, bounded by Washington, Liberty, Wayne and Penn
Streets, I direct that an alley of twenty feet width be run through the center
of them, parallel to Penn and Liberty Streets, and I devise to my niece, Mary L.
Woods, her heirs and assigns, such parts of lots Nos. 79, 80, 81 and 82 as are
bounded by Penn and Wayne and the alley aforesaid; and I 'devise to my niece,
Harriet Woods, her heirs and assigns, all such parts of lots Nos. 75, 76, 77 and
78, as are bounded by Penn and Washington Streets and
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 80
said alley. I devise to my niece, Anna Woods, her heirs and assigns, such part
of lots 79, 80, 81 and 82 as are bounded by Wayne and Liberty Streets and the
said alley. And I devise to my niece, Margaretta Woods, her heirs and assigns,
such parts of lots Nos. 75, 76 77 and 78 as are bounded by Liberty and
Washington Streets, and the said twenty feet alley.
My lots in the town of Pittsburgh, bounded by Sixth Street, Cherry Alley
and Virgin Alley, and numbered in the general plan of said town, 431 and 432, I
devise to George Anderson, Espy Anderson, Ann Jane Anderson, Maxy Anderson, and
Elizabeth Anderson, the children of my niece, the late Mary Anderson, their
heirs and assigns, as tenants in common.
I bequeath to my nephew, James Ross, Jr., my law books, history and
encyclopedia. The residue of my library I bequeath to my wife. I do hereby
direct, authorize and empower my executors, 'the survivors or survivor of them,
that such portion of my real estate as may remain undisposed of, as all the
surplus from the said fund for the annuity of my wife, together with the fund
itself, after her death, shall constitute a residuary fund, to be divided by my
executors, the survivors or survivor of them according to their judgment, into
eight shares, payable to the following persons, or their legal representatives:
to Mary L. Woods, one share; to Harriet Woods, one share; to Anna Woods, one
share; to Margaretta Woods, one share; to James Ross, Jr., one share; to Mary
Jane Ross, one share; to George Espy, Ann Jane, Marry and Elizabeth Anderson,
the children of my niece, the late Mary Anderson, one share; and the remaining
share to George and David Espy, equally divided. And when the real estate shall
have been allotted '(some words illegible here) it shall be accurately
described, confirmed as such by my executors, the survivors or survivor of them.
I do hereby authorize my executors, the survivors or survivor of them, to carry
into full execution all contracts by me made and entered into, and to make and
execute and receive and deed or assurance in law for real estate contracted for
by me. I also authorize and empower my executors, the survivors or survivor of
them and the survivors or such survivor, to do and perform all acts, matters and
things whatsoever which I might or could lawfully do, as the surviving executor
of my late uncle, John Little, deceased, and especially to make sale of all
parts of his estate which remain unsold, to execute deed for the same, to
collect all money due to the said estate with creditors or legatees, in the same
manner as I might or could have done, in lifetime, as surviving executor of the
said John Little.
Lastly, I do hereby appoint James Ross and John McDonald, Esquires, of
Pittsburgh, and my brother, Henry Woods, Esq., of
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 81
Bedford, executors of my last will and testament. In witness hereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this twentieth day of September,
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and sixteen.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
William Brown
William Reynolds."
(Recorded in Will Book Volume 2, p. 109. Recorders Office, Allegheny Co. Pa.
Date of record, Feb. 8, 1817. Samuel Jones Recorder.)
"San Francisco, Oct. 21, 1850.
"Mr. Henry Woods, Pittsburgh.
Dear Brother: I received two letters from you, some weeks since, and they
are the only ones I have received since my sojourn in this unhappy country. The
news your letters contained was very startling to me, and I would have been home
ere this, but I had not the funds to take me, as I am like a great many in this
country who have been unlucky. What money I did make, I engaged with a mining
company which proved an entire failure, I fortunately met my old friends,
Alexander and Same1 McCoy (of Chillicothe), who loaned me money, and would have
advanced enough to take me home, but had it not to spare. Your old friend, Keys
J. Barr (of Columbus), is here and has been very kind, in endeavoring to get me
a situation, but I have not succeeded. You will oblige me very much if you will
send me a draft or a letter of credit for $500, as I will require that much to
take me home. I shall go to the mines again and try my luck once more. If I
succeed, all's well; if not, I cannot help it. I wish you to attend to that; try
by all means, The mines that I am going to are on Canon River, near Stockton,
When you write me, direct your letter through R. G. Berford's Express.
I am very anxious to return to my family. I have been so unfortunate in
this country that sometimes I care not what becomes of me. There have been very
few of our company that have made anything by mining. Braden did do well, but
lost all by damming on the Yuba. It is a common experience among the boys here.
Tell my wife to be of good heart. If it is God's will I shall return as soon as
possible, for I wish to get away from here. I have lost all energy, and am
nearly heart-broken.
Your affectionate brother,
J. G. Woods."
Descendants of Dr. John Anderson and Wife.
1. George Woods Anderson, a physician, was born June 27, 1808; died June
20, 1877. He married Caroline - Mossell, and their children were:
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 82
a. Perry Woods Anderson, born June 18, 1856; died Jan. 1, 1886, unmarried.
b. George Mossell Anderson, born July 27, 1858, was married Oct. 6, 1886,
to Kathleen O'Nei11, born Nov. 8, 1864. They reside at Bedford, Pa., and have no
children.
2. Espy Lyon Anderson, born March 28, 1810, died May 12, 1866. He was
married, Feb. 26, 1835, to Louisa Harrison Watson, daughter of the celebrated
Dr. Wm. Watson, of Bedford Springs, Pa. She was born May 18, 1817, and died Oct.
3, 1884. The children born to them were:
a. John Anderson, born Aug. 2 1 , 1837, died unmarried.
b. Major William Watson Anderson, born July 29, 1839, died Jan. 17, 1865,
unmarried.
c. Dr. James Ross Anderson, born Sept. 14, 1841, died Jan. 19, 1873,
unmarried.
d. George Espy Anderson. (See below).
e. Mary Espy Anderson. (See below).
f. Eliza Watson Anderson, born 1848, died 1904 Married G. Irwin Beatty, of
Harrisburg, Pa. No issue.
g. Louisa Harrison Anderson. (See below).
h. Edward Harrison Anderson, born April 15, 1855; died Feb. 1893,
unmarried.
3. Mary Woods Anderson, born Nov. 20, 1813, died Dec. 2.5, 1872. She was
married, Jan. 11, 1843, to Francis Johnston, of Pittsburgh, born Oct. 31, 1816,
died Sept. 10 1863, son of Alexander Washington and Ann (Poyntell) Johnston.
They had issue:
a. Alexander Johnston, born Oct. 21, 1843; died May 5, 1876, unmarried.
b. Ross Johnston. (See Glenwood History).
c. Mary Espy Johnston. (See Glenwood History).
George Espy Anderson, born Oct. 30, 1843, died April 30, 1885. He was
married June 3, 1869, to Rebecca Johns, of Cumberland, Md., a daughter of Col.
Thos. Johns, of the regular U. S. Army. Their children were:
a. Mary Espy Anderson, who died in infancy.
b. Espy Lyon Anderson, married and has issue.
c. Thomas Johns Anderson, married, no issue.
d. Louisa Anderson, married and has issue.
All the members of this branch of the family live in Cumberland, Md.
Mary Espy Anderson, born July 17, 1846, died Feb. 29, 1890. Married M.
Edward Middleton, of Philadelphia. Their children are :
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 83
a. Lillian Middleton, married Richard Cecil Hall, son of Judge Hall, of
Bedford, Pa. No issue.
b. Edward Middleton, unmarried.
Louisa Harrison Anderson, born May 27, 1850; married William Orville
Hickok, Jr., of Harrisburg, Pa., born Feb. 12, 1847, died Oct. 24, 1881. He was
the son of William Orville Hickok and Caroline (Hutter) Hickok. Their children
were as follows:
a. William Orville Hickok, 3d, born Aug. 23, 1874. Married Jan. 11, 1903
Avis Cochran, daughter of Senator J. Henry Cochran, of Williamsport, Pa. Their
children are William Orville Hickok, 5th, born Aug. 8, 1905; and Avis Ann
Hickok, born April 10, 1909.
b. Ross Anderson Hickok, born May 25, 1876. Married Oct. 10, 1900, Helen
Rankin Hastings, daughter of Governor Daniel H. Hastings and Jane Rankin
Hastings, of Bellefonte, Pa. Their children are Jane Hastings Hickok, born Aug.
26, 1901; Louisa Anderson Hickok, born Sept. 3, 1904; and Daniel Hastings
Hickok, born Aug. 20, 1907.
c. Louisa Anderson Hickok, born May 12, 1878. Married Sept. 15, 1909, Dr.
Arthur Brewster Emmons, Jr., of Boston, Mass. Their children are Arthur Brewster
Emmons, 3d, born Aug. 30, 1910; Orville Hickok Emmons, born Feb. 5, 1913. They
live at Dover, near Boston, Mass.
d. Charles Nelson Hickok, unmarried, Cleveland, Ohio.
ROSS FAMILY
The only living descendants of the Hon. James Ross and his wife, Ann
(Woods) Ross are the Delafields of New York city. We copy the following
genealogy of the family from Mr. Jos. L. Delafield's article, in the
Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XXXII, pp. 339-442. He
gives the children born to Hon. Jas. Ross and wife as follows :
1. George Woods Ross, born April 16, 1792; died Feb. 10, 1814, unmarried.
2. James Ross, born July 21, 1794, died July 30, 1795.
3. Mary Jane Ross. (See below)
4. James Ross, born May 23, 1799, died Nov. 7, 1851, unmarried.
5. Mary Ross, born Sept. 21, 1801, died Aug. 5, 1802, unmarried.
Mary Jane Ross, born June 28, 1797, died Sept. 27, 1825. Married Oct. 7,
1816, Edward Coleman, son of Robert and Ann (Old) Coleman, of Lancaster and
Philadelphia, born July 4, 1792, died June 6, 1841. (He married secondly Ann C.
Griffith, of Philadelphia, by whom he had no issue), served as a member of the
Assembly and of the Senate of the State of Pennsylvania. They had issue:
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 84
a. Anne Ross Coleman. (See below).
b. Harriet Coleman. (See below).
c. Mary Jane Coleman, born Aug. 21, 1825; died March 25, 1847, unmarried.
Anne Ross Coleman, born Nov. 7, 1818; died Dec. 2, 1895. Married Dec. 12,
1837, George Woolsey Aspinwall (the well-known ship owner in the Aspinwall
lines, whose route was between New York and Liverpool), born Jan. 10, 1814, died
June 19, 1854, of Philadelphia, and had issue:
a. Mary Jane Aspinwall, born Sept. 22, 1840; died Feb. 28, 1842.
b. Emily Aspinwall, born March 15, 1843; died Aug. 10, 1844.
c. Georgina Aspinwall, born May 1, 1845; died July 21, 1873, unmarried.
d. Harriet Coleman Aspinwall, born Jan. 1, 1849; died Feb. 28, 1850.
e. Edward Aspinwall, born 1855, died June 30, 1869.
Harriet Coleman, born July 5, 1820; died May 3, 1848. Married Dec. 7, 1841,
Eugene A. Livingston, son of R. L. and Margaret M. (Livingston) Livingston, of
Clermont and New York City. (He married secondly Elizabeth Rhodes Fisher, of
Philadelphia, by whom he had issue), born Aug. 30, 1813, died Dec. 22, 1893.
They had issue:
a. Eugene Livingston, born Jan. 8, 1845; died Dec. 31, 1862 (died of a
fever while serving in the Union Army).
b. Mary Coleman Livingston.
Mary Coleman Livingston, born Aug. 17, 1847, married Dec. 1, 1868, Maturin
L. Delafield, of New York City , born Feb. 17, 1836, son of Joseph and Julia
(Livingston) Delafield, and have issue:
a. Maturin Livingston Delafield, married Lettice Lee Sands.
b. Joseph Livingston Delafield, married Mary Renwick Sloane.
c. John Ross Delafield, married Violetta Susan White and have issue.
d. Julia Livingston Delafield, married Frederick William Longefellow, and
have issue.
e. Edward Coleman Delafield, married Margaretta Stockton Beasley, and have
issue.
f. Mary Livingston Delafield.
g. Harriet Coleman Delafield, married Jarvis Pomeroy Carter, and have
issue.
h. Eugene Livingston Delafield, married Margaret Nevius Woodhull, and have
issue."
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 85
BLAIR FAMILY
There were three sons and one daughter born to Thos. S. Blair and wife.
1. John Shoenberger Blair, eldest son died in infancy, and a window was
placed to his memory in Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, by Mr. John H. Shoenberger,
for whom he was named.
2. George Dike Blair, of New Castle, Pa., the second son, born April 29,
1851, was married Aug. 21, 1880, to Almeda Henderson (daughter of Robert L.
Henderson) who was born March 17, 1858, and died Jan. 10, 1923. They were the
parents of three children.
a. Virginia Blair, born July 2, 1881, was married June 20, 1901, to Sir
Henry Thornton, now head of the Canadian National Railway. The Thorntons reside
now at Montreal, Canada, and have two children: Anna Blair Thornton, born May
25, 1904, and James Worth Thornton, born Sept. 19, 1906.
b. John Cust Blair, born Jan. 28, 1883, was married Aug. 24, 1912, to
Caroline Moore Fruchey, and resides at Charleston, W. Va.
c. George D. Blair, Jr., of New Castle, Pa., born Oct. 1, 1887, was married
June 7, 1913, to Hazel E. Slingluff. They are the parents of Robert Dike Blair,
born April 9, 1919, and Thomas Slingluff Blair, born April 15, 1922.
3. Anna Dike Blair, only daughter of Thos. S. Blair and wife, was born Aug.
10, 1859, and was married Sept. 18, 1879, to Ross Johnston, son of Francis and
Mary (Anderson) Johnston, who died in 1885, leaving his widow and infant
daughter, Virginia. On Jan. 21, 1897, Mrs. Johnston was married to Harvey
Childs, Jr., who was born Feb. 20, 1848, and died Nov. 7, 1917. Mrs. Childs has
three children :
a. Virginia Johnston, born July 6, 1881, was married Dec. 9, 1903, to Henry
Frazer Harris, of Philadelphia. Their family consists of four children: Anna
Blair Harris, born Sept. 6, 1905; Henry Frazer Harris, born July 29, 1907; Ross
Johnston Harris, born Aug. 20, 1911; and Mary Powers Harris, born June 12, 1915.
b. Harvey Childs, 3d, of Pittsburgh, Pa., born Nov. 28, 1897, was married
May 12, 1921, to Laura Brown Mabon, daughter of James Brown and Elise Smith
Mabon. Their children are Mabon Childs, born June 3, 1922, and Harvey Childs,
born Oct. 5, 1924.
c. Blair Childs, born Aug. 31, 1902; a student at Yale.
4. Thomas S. Blair, Jr., of Chicago, Ill., was born Jan 5, 1863, and was
married Jan. 30, 1889, to Emma Parker (daughter of James and Margaretta Zug
Parker) who was born May 31, 1863, and died June 1,1915. They were the parents
of three children:
a. Parker Blair, born March 19, 1890, was married Sept. 16, 1916, to Alice
Morrison Buckingham, and they have one child, Alice
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 86
Buckingham Blair, born March 4, 1919.
b. Margaretta Parker Blair was born June 13,1891, and married Sept. 16,
1917, James M. Cox, of Dayton, Ohio, who was the Democratic candidate for
President of the United States, at the time when President Warren G. Harding was
elected, on the Republican ticket. Their children are Anna Parker Cox, born Dec.
1, 1919, and Barbara Blair Cox, born Dec. 8, 1922.
c. Thos. S. Blair, 3d, born Nov. 21, 1896, resident of Chicago, Ill.
CHAPTER I
REFERENCES
1. Information furnished by the late James Wiley, who spent nearly his whole
lifetime in the present Fifteenth Ward.
2. Extract from poem read on the occasion of Hazelwood's Old Home Night, Jan.
29, 1915.
3. Information by Mrs. Harvey Childs (nee Anna Blair), East End, Pittsburgh.
4. Information by Miss Jos. I. Nixon, of Hazelwood.
5. Statement on card in the case.
6. Will of John Woods, Will Book Vol. 2, p: 109, Recorder's Office of
Allegheny County, Pa. (See Appendix).
7. Loudon's, Indian Wars, I, 90:
8. C. W. Butterfield, History of the Girtys, (Cincinnati, 1890,) pp. 330, 331.
9. Edgar W. Hassler, Old Westmoreland, p. 48.
10. Pittsburgh Commercial Journal, of Sept. 14, 1855.
11. See Appendix.
12. Letter of Isaac Craig, of Pittsburgh, given p. 412, Butterfield's History
of the Girtys.
13. Original Deeds, in possession of Jas. Devlin, custodian at Calvary
Cemetery, Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh.
14. Ibid.
15. Warner's History. Of Allegheny County, Pa (2 vols. Chicago, 189.) 11, 93
16. Geo. H. Thurston, Allegheny County's Hundred Years, pp. 77, 78.
CHAPTER II.
REFERENCES
1. Information furnished by the brothers, Ross A. Hickok, of Harrisburgh, Pa.,
and Chas. N. Hickok, of Cleveland, O., great great-great grandsons of Col.
George Woods, of Bedford, Pa. They have a large collection of family
documents and data, which was most kindly placed at the disposal of the
author.
2. Names of wife and children of Thos. Woods taken from his will, Bedford
Court House, Book 1, p. 53. It bears date of March 27, 1792.
3. Letter dated March 23, 1801, from Dungannon, Ireland, among Woods
documents.
4. This sketch is fuller and more accurate than the one given in the April,
1924, Magazine of the Historical Society of Western
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 87
Pennsylvania. All available sources of information at Pittsburgh
had been exhausted, when that was written, and it was
not known that any others were in existence. The publication
of that article brought the writer into touch with the Messrs.
Hickok, who have furnished much information and loaned the collection of
Woods documents, making it possible to prepare a much better article than
the former one, on the Woods family,
5. Report of the Commission to Locate the Site of the Frontier Forts of
Pennsylvania (2 vols., Clarence M. Bush, State Printer, 1896) I, 588, 589.
6. History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania,
with biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent men,
Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1884, p. 207. Henceforth cited as
"Hist. Bedford Co., Pa."
7. Ibid, p. 246.
8. Bedford County, Pa. records, Deed Book A,, p. 31.
9. Original deeds in possession of Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
10. History of Bedford County, Pa., p. 246.
11. Original document in possession of Mrs. Harvey Childs, Pittsburgh,
Pa., a great-great granddaughter of Col. George Woods. (See Appendix).
12. Original document in possession of Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
13. Published by the Bedford Gazette Publishing Company, Bedford, Pa. The full
title is: "Annals of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, consisting of condensed
sketches of the most important events which occurred from Jan., 1750 to
1850; prepared for Old Home Week, August 4-10, 1907."
14. Original document in possession of Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
15. History of Allegheny County, Pa.; its early settlement and progress to the
present time, with biographies of its representative citizens. A. Warner &
Co., Chicago, 1889, pp. 475-481.
16. The original copies of these letters, old and yellowed with age, but
plainly decipherable, and very valuable as historic relics, are now in the
possession of Mrs. Harvey Childs, of Pittsburgh.
17. The pantograph is the property of Miss Mary K. Woods, of Pittsburgh, Pa., a
great granddaughter of Col. Geo. Woods.
18. Hist. Bedford County, Pa., p. 204.
19. Original in possession of Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa. See Appendix.
20. History of Bedford Co., Pa., p. 250.
21. Information by Messrs. Chas. N. and Ross A. Hickok.
22. Mention in will of Col. Geo. Woods, original of which is in possession of
Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa,
23. Original document in possession of Mrs. Harvey Childs, Pittsburgh, Pa. (See
Appendix).
24. Original documents of that period in possession of Ross A. Hickok, of
Harrisburg, Pa. See Appendix,
25. Judiciary of Allegheny County, by Judge John William Fletcher White, 1883.
A reprint from the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, VII.
(1883).
26. Letter of Tench Francis, attorney for the Penns, dated "Philadelphia, May
31, 1784" to Col. Geo. Woods, of Bedford. Original in possession of Ross A.
Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 88
27. Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XIII, pp. 10-13.
28. p. 11.
29. Hist. Bedford Co., Pa., p 205.
30. Original document in possession of Mrs. Harvey Childs, Pittsburgh, Pa. See
Appendix.
31. Twentieth Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania, 2 vols. H. C. Cooper, Jr.
& Bro., Chicago, 1903. p. 806.
32. Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XIII, pp. 10-13.
33. Pittsburgh Gazette, March 16, 1871, One of a series of historical sketches
of Pittsburgh and vicinity, in 1810 and a little later, signed "Rip,"
34. See Appendix.
35. Pittsburgh Gazette, Feb. 19, 1833.
36. Twentieth. Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania, Vol. 11, p. 806.
37. Hist. Bedford Co., Pa. p. 217.
38. Original in possession of Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
39. Among Woods documents in possession of Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
40. 41 and 42. The original commissions are among Woods documents, in
possession of Ross A, Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
43. History of Bedford County, Pa., p. 217.
44. Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol XXXII, p. 338.
45. Information by Chas. N. and Ross A. Hickok.
46. Will of John Woods. See Appendix.
47 and 48. Original commissions among Woods documents, in possession of Ross
A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
49. For genealogy of Anderson family, see Appendix.
50. "Reminiscences of Hon. Jas. Ross," by Hon. Thos. Mellon, Vol. pp. 103-108,
Magazine of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.
51. Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XXXII (for July, 1908)
pp. 335-344. Fine article by Jos. L. Delafield, direct descendant of Hon.
Jas. Ross.
52. Will of Hon. Jas. Ross, Allegheny County records, Will Book Vol. 6.
53. Genealogy of Ross family. See Appendix.
CHAPTER III
REFERENCES
1. He was always called by his full name John George Woods, to distinguish him
from other members of the family bearing one or the other of these names.
2. Letter from John George Woods to his brother, published in the Pittsburgh
Gazette, of Monday, Dec. 16, 1850. (See Appendix).
3. Atlas of the city of Pittsburgh and vicinity, for 1880. Plate No. 14, of
the old Twenty-third Ward. Allegheny County records.
4. Ibid.
5. Pittsburgh Gazette, Oct. 10, 1861. Notice of running of first passenger
train from Pittsburgh & Connellsville Railroad's new station, corner of
Ross and Brackenridge Streets.
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 89
Pittsburgh Gazette, Oct. 15, 1861. Notice of sale of real estate, on
Thursday, Oct. 17th, 1861, at 2 o'clock, on the premises, near Hazelwood
Station, Connellsville Railroad.
6. Pittsburgh Post, Wednesday, March 24, 1852. Notice of appointment.
Pittsburgh Gazette, Tuesday, March 23, 1852. Notice of appointment.
7. Pittsburgh Post, Nov. 9, 1861; Pittsburgh Gazette, Dec. 2, 1861. Furnishes
bond to amount of $60,000, is sworn in as sheriff and takes oath of office,
before Hon. M. Hampton, President Judge, in District Court.
8. Pittsburgh Gazette, of March 1, 1863, Mr. Woods signs his name to an
official: notice, as ''Harry Woods, Sheriff."
9. Pittsburgh Gazette, July 15, 1853 and other issues of same paper.
Advertisement of a private sale of lots of 2, 2-1/2and 3 acres, on Scotch
Bottoms, between Braddock's Field Plank Road and the Monongahela River, by
R. E. McGowan, on July 30, 1853.
Atlas of the city of Pittsburgh and vicinity, for 1880. Allegheny County
records.
10. Mention is made of Mr. W. H. McCarthy, as composer of the words of one of
Stephen C. Foster's recently published songs, in the Pittsburgh Gazette, of
March 1, 1859.
11. Advertisement in the Pittsburgh Commercial Journal, of June 13, 1854.
12. Notice of death in the Pittsburgh Commercial, of Jan 16, 1864.
13. Pittsburgh Commercial Journal, of Nov. 10, 1851.
14. Pittsburgh Commercial Journal, June 27, 1857. Notice of a racing match for
$500 a side, between Mr. R. McCutcheon's bay horse, of Pittsburgh, and Mr.
Thos Fawcett's gray, of Birmingham.
15. Advertisement in Pittsburgh Post, of Aug. 11, 1856.
16. Notice in the Pittsburgh Gazette, of Nov. 27, 1856.
17. Will Book, Vol. 7, p. 210, records in Recorder's Office, Allegheny County,
Pa.
18. Letter of Hon. James Ross, dated May 7, 1821, Pittsburgh, Pa., to Dr. John
Anderson, of Bedford, requesting him to send his youngest daughter to Ross
home, at Pittsburgh. Letter preserved in Woods documents, in possession of
Ross A. Hickok, Harrisburg, Pa.
19. Several letters written by Anderson sisters, from Pittsburgh, to relatives
at Bedford, Pa. Letters in Woods collection.
20. Letter preserved in Woods collection, written by Elizabeth S. Anderson, in
Aug. 1864, from "The Meadows" to her brother, Espy L. Anderson, Bedford,
Pa.
24. Married name has no final e.
22. Recorded in Will Book, Vol. 9, p. 365, in the Recorder's office of
Allegheny County, Pa.
23. See Appendix.
24. Recorder's office of Allegheny County, Book 2, p. 30.
25. Original letter in possession of Wm. H. Barker, Esq., No. 5641 Second
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 90
CHAPTER IV
REFERENCES
1. Pittsburgh Daily Morning Post, June 21, 1851.
2. Pittsburgh Commercial Journal, June 16, 1851.
3. Pittsburgh Gazette, June 25, 1851.
4. Pittsburgh Commercial Journal, Sept. 22. 1851.
5. Pittsburgh Daily Morning Post, July 25, 1851.
6. Pittsburgh Gazette, Sept. 15, 1851.
7. Pittsburgh Gazette, Oct. 10, 1861.
8. Ellis' History of Fayette County, Pa.. p. 276.
9. Pittsburgh First (organ of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce), for Feb.
26, 1921, p. 18.
10. Chas. K. Jones, now residing in Dormont, Allegheny County, Pa.
11. Pittsburgh Gazette Times, Jan. 11, 1924.
12. Booklet issued by Hazelwood Presbyterian Church, May 10, 1922.
13. Information by Mr. Geo. C. Burgwin.
14. Pittsburgh Gazette Times, Dec. 24, 1923.
15. Article by Miss Alice I. Hazeltine, Librarian Hazelwood Branch Library,
1910.
16. Plate over door of Library.
17. Facts from original deeds.
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NOTE: This book is divided into 3 files, of which this is the third. The other two files are:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/history/local/kussart1-30.txt
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/history/local/kussart31-60.txt