Early Rostraver and Elizabeth Townships in PA

Information taken from the Bi-Centennial Book - Between Two Rivers
Rostraver Township, one of the original townships of Westmoreland County, was established on April 6, 1773. The first boundary began at the mouth of Jacob's creek and ran down the Youghiogheny River to where it joins the Monongahela; then up the Monongahela River to the mouth of Red Stone Creek, and then by a straight line to the place of the beginning. Alexander Mitchel and Samuel Biggard were the first elected overseers of the poor of the township and Eysham Barnes was elected supervisor.

Early families of the township were: Howell, Findley, Weddell, Poser, Fullerton, Pinkerton, Houseman, Robertson, Caldwell, Steel, Wilson, Hutchinson and McClure.

Some believe that the first real settler in what was called Rostraver Township was Joseph Hill who came from Cairall County, Maryland in 1754. When he was about 18 years old he had made considerable improvement on lands which he occupied near where Braddock's Army passed through the township in the following summer. His lands were near the Rehoboth Church.

The territory that is known as Elizabeth Township was part of Rostraver Township and the county seat was at Hanna's Town, three miles from Greensburg. In fact, in early years Elizabeth Township formed a part of the three counties of Bedford, Westmoreland and Allegheny. This area was included in the large tract of land that was granted to the Penn Family by the King of England, "in appreciation for services rendered."

Under the terms of a treaty of November 5, 1768, all territory from a point where the Susquehanna passed the New York line, down to the southwest corner of Pennsylvania including the Allegheny, Conemaugh, Monongahela and Youghiogheny river valleys was called "The New Purchase" and embraced Westmoreland County. By an act of September 24, 1788 Allegheny County was organized from Westmoreland with the following townships: Moon, St. Clair, Mifflin, Versailles, Plum, Pitt and Elizabeth (named for Elizabeth Bayard).


Excerpted from
http://www.familytreetracer.com/RostandEliz.htm
http://www.15122.com/ETHS/About/

Get out and enjoy nature with some winter hiking

The weather has been decent so why not dust off those Nikes and get out and enjoy nature. I recently enjoyed the Yough River Trail between Cedar Creek Park (near Belle Vernon) and Smithton. Even in winter it is beautiful and I can't wait to see it in springtime. This section contains a marker for the location of the Port Royal Mine shafts and remembrance of the disastrous explosion due to a buildup of damp gas occurring in the early 20th century. Several miners were entombed and many would be rescuers killed. Interestingly, I also read that there had been three mine tunnels under the river connecting the mines on either side, something I had heard about but thought was just legend.

This sight has nice facilities, mostly closed for the season, but has pit toilets still open to the adventuresome. There is seasonal bike rental, camping, a trail shelter and boat access. A very nice area I plan to explore further next weekend when I hike the Cedar Creek Gorge Trail. The marker says there is a century old apple tree to see along the trail to reward my efforts.

There are not a lot of hikers out this time of year so trails are peaceful and quiet, just me and my dog. So why don't you get out there and enjoy it too. And if you need someone to hike with, drop me a line. See you on the trails.

The History of Belle Vernon and North Belle Vernon

Bellevernon, as it was originally spelled, was laid out in 1813 by Noah Speer in northwestern Fayette County. French for “beautiful green,” this was the name chosen by both Noah Speer for his little community on the Monongahela River and later by his son Louis, who founded a town with nearly the same name just up the hill (North Belle Vernon).

Noah Speer was the father of Louis M. Speer, Esq., born in a log cabin on the Speer homestead/Gibsonton farm in 1810. The younger Mr. Speer was quite the business man and played a large role in the development of Belle Vernon. During his lifetime, the population grew to about 700 and there was a steam ferry connecting Belle Vernon with Allen Township across the river. The little hamlet also boasted 5 dry goods stores, 4 groceries, 2 glasshouses with 87 employees, a boot and shoe, cabinet, chair, wagon, saddle/harness, blacksmith/tanning shops, and 2 sawmills. Louis Speer owned a sandbank outside of town which produced the best quality glass sand. He also owned a large coal works and a large boat yard with more than 50 employees. Louis resided on the NW corner of Main and 2^nd streets.

Boat hulls were built at his boatyard (owned in partnership with a man named Gaskill), located on 3^rd street in the 1830s and 1840s. Several steamboats are noted to have come from the yard including the Minstrel which in 1842 fell of its building docks killing one and injuring 10. The St. Anthony bound for Galena, IL and the Cassandra headed to Knoxville, TN came from the Belle Vernon yard. Two boats bound for customers in Pittsburgh were the Alert and the Avalanche (1847).

In 1853, Mr. Speer built a sawmill with partner William Latta, a boat builder, below the mouth of Speers Run. It was destroyed by fire in 1877 and rebuilt by his son William F. Speer. William, who spent 3 months in Libby Prison during the Civil War, left the army after attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. William went bankrupt soon after completing the new mill and sold it to the Belle Vernon Saw and Planning Company in 1880.

The small village of Speers across the river, laid out in 1860 by a kinsman, also gets its name from the same family. North Belle Vernon, in Westmoreland County, was laid out in 1872 by Louis and was incorporated in 1876. Lois died two years later in 1878 and is buried at the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Samuel Dougherty, a carpenter, is claimed to have built the first dwelling in North Belle Vernon on Broad Avenue near Spring Alley. He was a very influential person and at one time was justice of the peace, council member, school director, and judge of election, all at the same time. The first two industries were a foundry in 1873 on Broad Avenue above Spring Alley and a flour mill on Speer Street in 1874. Most of these early buildings surrounded the intersection of Short Street and Broad Avenue. Lots were not sold until 1900 and the area beyond Arch Street then began to build up. The population was 435 in 1890 and by 1910 it grew to 1520. The 1960 census showed 3,184 residents, followed by 2,916 in 1970, 2,245 in 1980, and 2,112 in 1990, and the most recent count in 2000 was 2,107.

Sources:

http://www.bvasd.net/hs/bvahistory.htm

http://northbellevernon.org/history.htm

Folmar, John K.  “Drifting back in time: historical
sketches of Washington and Fayette Counties,
Pennsylvania,including the Monongahela
River Valley.” Yohogania Press,
California, PA, 2005.

Thurston, George. “Directory of the Mon and Yough Valleys.” 1859.

Ellis, Franklin. “History of Fayette County, PA.” 1982, 1986.

Van Voorhis, John S. “The old and new Mon.” 1893.