1781-1789 Pennsylvania Census, Tax & Land Records

• William Adams – 1781 Tax List in Strabane. 300 acres – one horse and 1 cow
• Widow Adams – 1781 Tax List in Strabane. 300 acres – 2 horses and 2 cows
• John Adams – 1781 Tax List in Strabane. 400 acres.
• David Adams – 1781 Tax List in Strabane. David is a single man.
• John DONALY – 1781 Tax List Strabane. 100 acres – 3 horses and 1 cow.
• John Adams – Dongal, Washington
• John Adams – Dongal, Washington – there are two John Adams on this page.
• James Carothers – 15 Feb 1785 – Washington County – note says Allegheny County – 200 Acres. Patentee William Long
• James Carothers – 19 Dec 1785 – Washington County – Allegheny County – 150 Acres
• George Adams – 6 Mar 1786 – Washington County – 250 Acres Peters Creek on Lick Run. There are not may George Adams at this time – George Adams son of James Adams of family A364 was in KY in 1789. This may be him prior to moving to KY.
• John Adams – 22 Mar 1786 – Washington County – 396 Acres on waters of Pikes Run
• John Adams – Washington – also listed is a James Chambers (may not be relevant). His land warrant is Jan 31st 1786 for 395 Acres returned MArch 22nd 1786.  Patent obtained 20th March 1786 for 395 acres on teh water of Pike Run in Washington County.
• John Adams – 1786 Tax and Exoneration for Followfield Township – 395 acres, 4 horses and one still. Prob same Jon above.
• John Adams – 1786 Tax list for Fallowfield as a “Single Man” with a Jacob Adams
• Jacob Adams – 1786 Tax list for Fallowfield as a “Single Man” with a John Adams. Jacob has 2 horses.
• John Donnaly – 1786 Tax list for Strabane.
• John Adams- 1786 Tax List for Strabane.
• William Adams – 1786 Tax List for Strabane. William and his estate listed??
• Widow Adams – 1786 Tax List for Strabane.
• Clemon Adams – Washington
• William Adams – Washington
• William Adams – 1787 Peters Township –
• 1787 – No Adams Single Freemen
• Robert Carothers – 8th Apr 1788 – 426 Acres in Buffalo Township, Washignton County. THIS IS A PRIME SUSPECT FOR FAMILY A033
• William Adams Senior –  1788 Tax List Strabane – 1 horse and 1 cow
• William Adams Junior – 1788 Tax List Strabane – 1 horse and 1 cow
• William Adams Senior – 1788 Tax List Strabane – 100 acres, 1 horse and 1 cow
• John Adams – 1788 Tax List Strabane – House and Lott, 3 out lots, 4 horses and 2 cows
• John Donnely – 1788 Tax List Strabane – 100 acres, 2 horses and 2 cows
• George McCormick – 1788 Tax List Strabane – Hose and Lot, 2 horse, 2 cow and 1 negro
• James L or S Adams – Single Freemen Strabane – 1788 – 500 Acres, 1 horse and 1 cow.

1790 Federal Census

• Gain Adams – Armstrong – 8 people – 2 males over 16 and 2 under 16. 4 Females
• Jacob Adams – Washington – 5 people – 1 male over 16, two males under, 2 females
• Jno Adams – Washington – 3 people- 1 male over 16 and 3 females
• John Adams – Washington – 12 people – 3 males over 16 and 4 males under. 5females
• John Adams – Washington –  6 people – 1 male over 16 and 3 males under. 2 females
• William Adams – Washington – 7 people – 1 male over 16 and 2 males under. 4 females
• William Adams – Washington – 5 people – 1 male over 16 and 1 under. 3 females
• James Donaly – 1795 Green Township, Washington County  – 30 acres

1800 Federal Census

• David Adams – Hopewell – 6 people – one male over 45, one male 26-44, one male 10-15 and one male under 10. one female 16-25 and one female under 10. Wife appears to have died prior to 1800.
• John Adams – Hopewell – 4 people – one male 26-44, one female over 45, one female 16-25 and one female 10-15.
• John Adams, Jr. (this has a correction to senior in the file) – Chartiers – 3 people – one male over 45 and one female over 45 with one other female 16-25.
• John Adams Sr. (this one has a correction to junior in the file) – Chartiers – 6 people – one male 26-44, one male under 10, one female 26 to 44, three females under 10.
• Joseph Adams – Buffalo – 5 people (same person as Joseph in Hopewell in 1810) – One male 26-44, two males under 10, one female 26-44 and one female under 10.
• Martin Adams – Cecil – 3 people – one male and one female over 45 and one male under 10
• Thomas Adams – Cecil – 9 people – one male 26-44, one male 16-25 and one male under 10, one female 26-44, one female 16-25, one female 10-15,  and 3 females under 10.
• Thomas Adams Jr. – Cecil – 6 people – one male 26-44, two males 10 and under, one female 45 and over, one female 16-15 and one female under 10.
• Obadiah Adams – East Bethlehem – 4 people – one male 26-44, one female 16-25 and 2 females under 2.

1810 Federal Census

• John Adams – Cross Creek – one male over 45, one make 16-25, one male 10-15, one male under 10, one female 26-44, tree females 10-15 and one female under 10 – 9 total people.
• Joseph Adams – Hopewell – male 26-44 – 2 males 10 -15yrs and 1 make under 10 yrs – one female 26-44yrs, one female 16-25 yrs, one female 10-15 and two under 10 years. 9 total people. listing says Buffalo rather than Hopewell
• David Adams – Hopewell – Man over 45, 2 men 26-44yrs old, 2 16-25 yrs –  3 boys under 10yrs, women 1 – 25-44, 1 female16-25yrs, 1 female 10-15 and 1 under 10. 13 people total.  Listed next to a Thomas and John Cutherbertson.
• Jash Adams – Chartiers – male 26-44 yrs old  – wife same and 3 male children under 10. Joshua perhaps?
• Martin Adams – Chartiers – one male and one female over 45
• Martin Adams (Jr) – Chartiers – one male and female 16-25 and one female 10 and under
• Thomas Adams – Chartiers – One male over 45, one male 16-25, one female over 45, two females 16-25, one female 10-15 and two females under 10. on same page as Martin and Jash above. Perhaps a brother to the older Martin. This appears to be the same Thomas as the 1800 listing with Thomas Jr. being gone now.
• Samuel Adams – East Bethlehem – One male 26-44, one male 16-25 and one male under 10. One female 26-44, two females 10-15 and four females under 10. Total of 10 in family.

1820 Federal Census – starting to get crowded.

• Doctor A. Adams – Hopewell – 5 people – listed on teh same page as Samuel Adams. one male 26-44, two males under 10 and two females 16-25.
• A. Adams Esquire – Hopewell – 7 people – This is Alexander Adams. One male 26-44, two males under the age of 10. One female 26-44, one female 10-15 and two females under 10.
• Abner Adams – Morris – 8 people – one male 26-44, one male 10-15 and 5 males under 10. one female 26-44.
• E. Adams – Donegal – 4 people – one female 45 and over, two females 16-25 and one female 10-15
• James Adams – Mount Pleasant – 1 person. One male 26 to 44
• James Adams – East Bethlehem – 7 people. One male  26 to 44 and one male under 10. one female 16-25 and 4 females under 10. ONE FOREIGNER NOT NATURALIZED.
• Jane Adams – Smith – 2 people – one female 26-44 and one female 16-25
• John Adams – Hopewell – 10 people – one male over 45, one male 16-25, one male 10-15 and two males under 10. One female 26-44, one female 16-25 and three females under 10. This one is Son of David Adams in Family A364 – John A Adams in Documented in Generation 2B.
• John Adams – Cross Creek – 7 people – one male over 45, two males 16-25 and one male 16-18. one female 45 and older, one female 16-25, one female 10-15 and one female under 10.
• John Adams – Amwell – 5 people – one male 16-25. one female over 45, one female 16-25, two females under 10. – This one MAY BE the John Adams of Family AO33 documented under section 1B.
• Martin Adams – Smith – 8 people – one male 26-44, two males under 10. One female 26-44, one female 10-15 and three females under 10.
• Samuel Adams – Pike Run – 1 person – over 45.
• Samuel Adams – East Bethlehem – 12 people
• Samuel Adams – Hopewell – 6 people – one male over 45, one male 10-15 and three males under 10. One female 45 and over, 3 females 10-15 and three females under 10.
• Thomas Adams – Chartiers – 8 people – one male over 45 and one male 26-44. one female over 45 and five females 16-25.
• William Adams – Robinson – 6 people – one male 26-44, one male 10-15 and one male under 10. One female 26-44 and two under 10.

1830 Federal Census

• Sidney Adams – 1 Free White Males 70-79 (1751-1760), 1 Free White Females 70-79 (1751-1760), 1 Female 10-14 and 1 Female 30-39.

1840 Federal Census

Census: 1840: Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Service: Washington Co, PA

Abstracted and transcribed by Jerry Dittman

Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Service as returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts Under the Act of Congress for Taking of the Sixth Census in 1840. Printed by Blair and Rives 1841. Reprinted Southern Book Co. Baltimore 1954

WASHINGTON COUNTY

TOWN/TOWNSHIP
NAME OF PENSIONER         AGE         LIVING WITH JUNE 1, 1840
EAST FINLEY
Williams Adams             94              Samuel Donley
At age 94 William’s birth date was 1746.

Wills in Early Washington County

John Adams – 1st Nov. 1809 – Will Book Vol 2 – Page 270. Wife Mary. Sons John, Jacob, Thomas, Martin, Francis and George. Daughter Elizabeth, Margaret and Catherine. Appoints Son-in-Law Anthony Horstman and friend Neal Gillespie Junior to be Executors. Witnessed by James Powell Senior, James Lang and Mary Harden. Page 1 and Page 2.

Martin Adams – 6th Oct 1810 – Will Book Vol. 2 – Page 281. From Township of Chartiers in County of Washington. Written June 6rd 1809.  Marriage with present wife not named. Son Thomas – 8 dollars and a coat. Estate to be sold and divided among three sons and three daughters. Johnathan Adams, Martin Adams, Joseph Adams, Mary McPeick, Elizabeth Cochran and Margaret Crain. Grandson Martin, son of Thomas. Grandson Martin Crean. Grandsons Martin Adams McPeick and James McPeick. Appoints Thomas Adams and Thomas Fergus as executors.   Page 1 and Page 2 and 3.

David Adams – Nov 11th 1815 – WIll Book Vol. 3 – Page 62 – This is David Adams (1720-1814) from family A364.

Alexander Adams – 23rd Nov 1846 – Will Book Vol. 6 – Page 461 – Son of David Adams (1720-1814) from Family A364.

John A. Adams – 19th Dec 1850 – Will Book Vol. 7 – Page 126 – Son of David Adams (1720-1814) from Family A364.

John Adams Sr. – 9th Sep 1871 – Will Book Vol. 9 – Page 666. Wife Isabelle. Grandson William Prall. Witnessed by R.H. Moris and Thomas J. Nichol. Page 1.

David M. Adams – 29th Aug 1894 – Will Book Vol. 14 – Page 502. Affidavit of Henrietta Adams for David M. Adams of Carroll died on the 29th day of Aug.  Wife Henrietta Adams. Nephew John Adams of Allegheny County. Page 1.

George B. Adams – 24th Jan 1895 – Will Book Vol 14 – Page 606.  George Adams late if ?? Franklin died on the 24th day of Jan 1895. Of township of Franklin in the county of Washington PA. Wife Mattie. Daughter Rachel married to Thomas Blackhurst. Sister of Rachel  being Mary Alicia Phillips. William Crosby and daughter Rachel Blackhurst executors. Page 1 and Page 2.

James M Adams – 17th May 1898 – WIll Book Bol 16 – Page 226.

Cemetery Listings for Early Adams in Washington County Pennsylvania

Raccoon Cemetery, Candor, Washington County Pennsylvania.

Revolutionary War Records – Washington County PA

Adams, John – Washington County, Pennsylvania Militia; Certificate 1324; pay total 5.12.0; certificate issued 10 Nov. 1784 (original certificate); Authorities: Register, vol. A. p. 44; Militia loan of 1 Apr. 1784 & 30 Mar 1785, Public Debt.” Records of the Comptroller General at D.P.R. Where a military connection is specified (but not elsewhere) the basic record proves active duty.

Adams, John – Washington County, Pennsylvania Militia; certificate 15832 pay total in pounds 7.12.6; Certificate issued: 6 September 1788; Authority: Militia loan of 1 Apr. 1784 & 30 Mar 1785, Public Debt.” Records of the Comptroller General at D.P.R. Where a military connection is specified (but not elsewhere) the basic record proves active duty.

Adams, John – inactive duty Militia; Washington County, Pennsylvania Militia; Unit: 5th Battalion 3rd Company class 6th; Remarks: (1781-1783); Authority: C/R; Date: not dated; published: A(6), II, p. 210. “Military Accounts: Militia,” Records of the Comptroller General, RG-4. The basic record does not prove active duty.

Adams, John – Westmoreland County Pennsylvania Militia. Duty: Was paid 67.12.6 for a horse, saddle, bridle and sundries lost on the Sandusky Expedition, 1781. CG. Grand Account. Account CXI. Item 47, Ledger B, P. 471. Militia loan of 1 Apr. 1784 & 30 Mar 1785, Public Debt.” Records of the Comptroller General at D.P.R. Where a military connection is specified (but not elsewhere) the basic record proves active duty.

Adams, John – Westmoreland County Pennsylvania Militia; Certificate 3093 total pay 5.8.6 in pounds; Certificate issued 18 Jan. 1785 (original certificate). Register, Vol. A, page 105. Militia loan of 1 Apr. 1784 & 30 Mar 1785, Public Debt.” Records of the Comptroller General at D.P.R. Where a military connection is specified (but not elsewhere) the basic record proves active duty.

Adams, John – Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Militia; Certificate 7863 total pay 0.18.1 in pounds; Certificate issued 10 December 1785 (original certificate). Authorities: Register, vol. A. p. 246; Militia loan of 1 Apr. 1784 & 30 Mar 1785, Public Debt.” Records of the Comptroller General at D.P.R. Where a military connection is specified (but not elsewhere) the basic record proves active duty.

Adams, John Jr. – Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Militia; Certificate 7864 total pay 0.18.1 in pounds; Certificate issued 10 December 1785 (original certificate). Authorities: Register, vol. A. p. 246; Militia loan of 1 Apr. 1784 & 30 Mar 1785, Public Debt.” Records of the Comptroller General at D.P.R. Where a military connection is specified (but not elsewhere) the basic record proves active duty.

More Rev. War Records for Washington County

Military: Post Rev War: Washington County Muster Rolls, Washington Militia.
Sources:

• Associators & Militia, Muster Rolls, 1775-1781. A (2) XIV, 729-752; A (6)II, 3-258.
• Militia Muster & Pay Rolls, 1790-1800. A (6) V, 563-643.
• Militia Officer Returns, 1790-1817. A (6) IV
• Militia Rolls, 1783-1790. A (6) III, 1363-1376.

COUNTY OF WASHINGTON.

(248)
ASSOCIATORS AND MILITIA.

ENSIGN POWELL’S COMPANY. (a.)

Ensign.

Benjamin Powell.

Privates.

John Adams.
Jacob Adams.

Military: Post Rev War: Muster Rolls and Papers relating to the County of Washington. Pa. Sources:

• Associators & Militia, Muster Rolls, 1775-1781. A (2) XIV, 729-752; A (6) II, 3-258.
• Militia Muster & Pay Rolls, 1790-1800. A (6) V, 563-643.
• Militia Officer Returns, 1790-1817. A (6) IV
• Militia Rolls, 1783-1790. A (6) III, 1363-1376.

(761)
AND MILITIA OF THE REVOLUTION

Jacob Adams.

(760) ASSOCIATED BATTALIONS
ENSIGN POWELL’S COMPANY.

Ensign.

Benjamin Powell.

Privates.

John Adams.

Military: Post Rev War: Washington County Muster Rolls, Washington Militia.
Sources:

• Associators & Militia, Muster Rolls, 1775-1781. A (2) XIV, 729-752; A (6) II,3-258.
• Militia Muster & Pay Rolls, 1790-1800. A (6) V, 563-643.
• Militia Officer Returns, 1790-1817. A (6) IV
• Militia Rolls, 1783-1790. A (6) III, 1363-1376.

209
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON.

A CLASS ROLL OF CAPT. BENJ’N WHITES COMPY. BE-
LONGING TO THE 5TH BATT’N WASHINGTON COUNTY
MILITIA COMMANDED BY COL’O THOS. CROOKS. (c.)
__________

Captn.

Benj’m White.

Lieut.

Nathan Powell.

Ensign.

Benj’n Powell.

Serjts.

Archabald McKinley.
Joseph McKinley.

Privates.

210
ASSOCIATORS AND MILITIA.

Privates.

5th Class.
Jacob Adams.
John Williams.
Aaron Thomas.
Alex’r Dwall.
Jonathan Jones.
George Hoskins.
Andrew Waits.
James Mitchell.
Joseph Thomas.

6th Class.
Henry Dixon.
Robert Reilley.
John Adams.
Isaac Powell.
Amos White.
James McCormick.
Jacob White.
Isaac Darnold.

Military: Post Rev War: Washington County Muster Rolls, Washington Militia.
Sources:

• Associators & Militia, Muster Rolls, 1775-1781. A (2) XIV, 729-752; A (6)II, 3-258.
• Militia Muster & Pay Rolls, 1790-1800. A (6) V, 563-643.
• Militia Officer Returns, 1790-1817. A (6) IV
• Militia Rolls, 1783-1790. A (6) III, 1363-1376.

189
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON.

A RETURN OF THE 4TH, 5TH & 6TH CLASES OF CAPT.
WHITES COMP. OF’ THE 5TH BATTN. OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY MILITIA. (c.)

the 5th Class.
Jacob Adames.

the 6th Class.
John Adams.

I do Certify that the above Clases Was sumens’d agreable to
Law as Witness my hand thus 10th Day of June 1782.
NATHEN POWEL, Leut.

Military: 1883 Pensioner’s On the Roll: Washington County

Cert.# Name PO Monthly Date of
Address Reason Rate Paid Original Claim
______________________________________________________________________________________________
203387 Adams, Emanuel M. Paris gun shot wound
to shoulder $2 Feb 1882

WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA – 1778-1783 – FRONTIER RANGERS

Washington County Rangers on the Frontiers 1778-1783
Source: PA Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIII, Pages 198-220

Adam John, Northb’d co.

Origins of Chartiers Township

The historical character of Chartiers Township has been significantly influenced by its agricultural history, its natural resources such as coal and oil and its location along major transportation routes. Chartiers Township is located in Washington County, PA. The County was formed during the Revolutionary War period on March 28, 1781 from part of Westmoreland County. It was the first County formed after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The new County was quite large and contained what would later become Greene, Allegheny and Beaver Counties.^[2] Chartiers Township was erected by the Washington County Court of Quarter Session from the southern part of Cecil Township on March 23, 1790 with a petition from the inhabitants residing in its boundaries. The bounds of the Township were reduced in 1791 by the erection of Canton Township and Mt. Pleasant Township in 1808. After some adjustments, the Township has maintained its current boundaries since 1863.^[3] The name “Chartiers” is that of a French-American trader, Pierre Chartiere.^[4] The emergence of the Chartiers Valley Railroad and then the local Interstate Highways mitigated the creek’s use for transportation but its significance at the end of the 18th century is demonstrated in the name for the Township.

More information on the Cross Creek Graveyard in Washington, PA

HISTORY OF CROSS CREEK GRAVEYARD

History of the Graveyard Connected With Cross Creek Presbyterian Church,
by James Simpson.

Containing also All the Inscriptions on Headstones and Monuments Therein,
and, The Names of all known to the Author who are Buried there. Rules and Regulations for the Government and Care of the Yard.and A List of Donors to the Graveyard Fund.1894. Price: Bound in Cloth, 75 cents.   Paper, 50 cents. Printed at the Enterprise-Call Office, Burgettstown, PA.

LIST OF OFFICERS

Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, December, 1893.

Pastor. – Rev. Chas. G. Williams.

Elders. – David Gault,
Samuel D. White,
James T. Marquis,
W. W. Jackson,
A. E. Walker,
John S. Patterson.

Trustees. – John S. McCorkle, Pres.
Moses L. Cooke, Sec’y.
Brainard Lyle,
Greer M. Campbell,
James D. Cooke,
James L. Vance,
J. Cree Walker,
Robt. M. Patterson,
James M. K. Reed.

Treasurer. – Aaron H. Kerr.

Sexton. – Wm. F. Bebout.

Page 1 –

In the Spring of 1890 the subject of more room for the burial of the dead began to be agitated; on May 11, 1890, the Rev. J. P. Anderson, then pastor of the Presbyterian Church, preached on “Care and Disposal of the Dead.” A meeting of interested persons was called, and a resulted in the formation of a Cemetery Company, which procured a perpetual charter under the laws of Pennsylvania, purchased 5 acres of land on the Lee farm, laid it out in lots, avenues and alleys, which lots are sold at a price deemed sufficient to always keep them in order.

On Dec. 17, 1892, at a congregational meeting called for the purpose of considering what should be done in regard to the preservation of the old graveyard, the following preamble and resolutions were offered and unanimously agreed to:

“WHEREAS, The old graveyard connected with this church and used for burial for more than a century, has become so fully occupied that it is almost impossible to dig a grave in any part without unlawfully disturbing the long interred remains of some person; and

WHEREAS, A new cemetery belonging to an incorporated company has been successfully started in the immediate vicinity of the old, and it is feared that from non-usage the old yard will become neglected and fall to ruin and decay unless something is done now to preserve it; therefore

RESOLVED, 1ST. That the Board of Trustees of this congregation be authorized and instructed to take measures as it may deem best to raise by popular subscription, or donation, a fund, to be called THE GRAVEYARD FUND, sufficient to place the old yard in proper repair; and to invest a fund for its sole use, the income from which shall be devoted to keeping the old yard in proper repair and properly adorned.

2ND That as Mr. James Simpson, who has devoted much time and
has given much attention for many years to the interments made in the old yard, is now recognized as the best living authority on the history of it, he be requested to prepare a brief history for publication, and that the Board of Trustees be directed to have the same published in pamphlet form for sale and gratuitous distribution among contributors, and that in the pamphlet be an appeal made to all persons who feel any interest in the proper preservation of the old yard to contribute to this fund.”

At the same meeting a motion was made and carried that a lithe-graphic picture of Mr. Simpson be placed in the book. At same meeting a committee of nine persons was appointed by the congregation to assist the Board of Trustees in raising this fund, the committee consisting of W. W. Jackson, John S. Patterson, Thomas M. Johnson, J. Morgan Sharp, Robert Anderson, A. H. Kerr, William G. White, John White and Robertson J. Lyle.

At a subsequent meeting of Trustees and Committee it was ordered that the names of donors to fund and amounts contributed be published in the History; and also that the inscriptions on all headstones and monuments be copied.

At a congregational meeting held for the purpose on Saturday, September 16, 1893, Rules and Regulations for the care of the grave-yard were adopted, and ordered to be printed in Mr. Simpson’s book.

At a congregational meeting of Cross Creek Presbyterian Congregation, held at the church on Saturday, September 16,1893, the Board of Trustees laid before the meeting the following rules which were adopted by the Congregation, and ordered to be printed in the History of the Graveyard now in course of preparation:

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR GUIDANCE IN CROSS CREEK GRAVEYARD

I. The care, general oversight, and control of the old GRAVEYARD
attached to this church shall at all times be vested in the Board of Trustees of this congregation, who shall appoint, whenever necessary, a suitable person for Superintendent under their direction, who may be removed at any time; and it shall be the duty of said Board of Trustees, either as a body, or by a committee of themselves and the Superintendent of the Graveyard, to see that these Rules and Regulations are at all times faithfully carried out.

II. All shrubs and trees now growing in the Graveyard exceeding seven feet in height shall be trimmed back within that height, or if such trimming is impracticable, then removed; and no tree or shrub shall hereafter be allowed to exceed that height.

III. Whenever a fund is provided which the Board of Trustees deems sufficient to properly care for all time to come, for the entire yard, then all spreading or propagating vines, shrubs, bushes, weeds and everything detrimental to the beauty or fitness of the yard shall be totally eradicated or killed; all headstones kept straight; all hillocks removed; all depressions filled up; no mound over a grave to exceed three inches in height, and the whole yard to be well seeded with grass seeds, and at all times to be kept properly mowed and trimmed. And they shall invest the surplus of said FUND in a safe and secure place, and keep it so invested, so that the annual income arising there from shall keep the yard at all times in good order and repair; and shall not at any time suffer any portion of the fund, nor income, to be diverted to other uses.

IV. All persons interested are requested to plant and cultivate
proper trees, shrubs and flowers, and otherwise adorn the yard, or graves that they are interested in, but no tree, shrub, vine, flower, or anything else that reproduces, or spreads from the root, branch or seed, shall be allowed in the yard, without the sanction of the Board of Trustees, or Committee and Superintendent, and if such are planted the Superintendent is directed to remove them.

V. All persons are prohibited from plucking any flower, either wild or cultivated, breaking or injuring any tree, plant or shrub without leave from proper authority, or in any way marking, defacing or injuring any monument or stone.

VI. Children will not be allowed in the yard, unless accompanied by some person who will be responsible for their conduct.

VII. No person will be permitted to disturb the quiet and good order of the place in any way.

VIII. If any person or persons at any time, in digging a grave, shall come upon, or in any manner interfere with any old grave, they shall immediately cease digging and properly fill up the excavation already made.

The first interment in the old Graveyard of Cross Creek was in the year 1779, soon after the call was signed calling the Rev. Joseph Smith, which is dated June the 21st, 1779; and in that year Robert McCready, Esq., drove the stake where they built the church. This first interment was that of a little child of David and Sarah Vance*, who lived where David Gault, Esq., now resides. It had fallen in the fire and was so badly burned that it soon after died. A council was held with the neighbors and friends as to where they would bury it, when it was agreed to inter it in the woods up where they were going to build the church. Thomas Crawford and his wife Judith, who then resided on the Hays farm, near the Beech Knob School House, attended the funeral. In the evening when they returned home Crawford’s mother, who resided with him, whose name was Margaret Shearer, a very aged woman, asked, “Where did they bury the child!” On being told, “Where they are going to build the church,” she threw up her hands and said, “Oh, there is a graveyard started and I know I’11 be the next to go into it!” In a short time she was taken sick and died and was buried under the old white oak tree that stood till lately on the south side of the yard. Her son, Thomas Crawford, died in June, 1783, on the William Ferry farm, and was buried by her side. His life was an eventful one, as he and his elder brother, Oliver, spent nine years in captivity among the Indians on the Scioto, in what is now the State of Ohio. Their mother paid four hundred dollars to an Indian trader for their ransom. In the spring of 1782 Samuel Robison and William Parks were buried in one day. They were both killed and scalped by the Indians. Judge James Edgar made all these coffins:–for the Vance child, for Mrs. Shearer, Thomas Crawford, and for Robison and Parks.

On the 17th of February, 1782, Robert Wallace, who resided one mile east of Florence, where Samuel McConnell now resides, was from home at a mill. In his absence a band of Indians attacked his house, took his wife and babe and two other boys captive, shot his cows, burned his cabin and left. When Wallace returned he found his home in ruins and his family gone. A party of whites followed the trail till dark, but

*A somewhat remarkable coincidence is that the first interment made in the new cemetery at this place was a child of Leander Vance, a relative of the first interment in the old yard.

in the night a snow fell, so that they could follow the trail no longer. The Indians took the north direction to the Ohio River. In the evening late Mrs. Wallace gave out and was tomahawked and scalped, and the little child also shared the same fate. The other two lads were taken on. The remains of Mrs. Wallace were left to the beasts of prey. Wallace, thinking that his wife was held in captivity among the Indians, came to Cross Creek, to Marshall’s Fort, to get Col. James Marshall to intercede with Gen. Wm. Irvine at Fort Pitt, and have him intercede with Gen. Washington, so that his wife might be exchanged or ransomed. This Gen. Irvine did not do, as he said Cornwallis had now surrendered and we would soon have peace, and giving other reasons, did not make the request to Washington as Wallace wished him. He repaired to his home sad and heavy. At this time the settlers were organizing the expedition to go to Gnadenhutten to remove the Moravian Indians further west or bring them again to Fort Pitt. Wallace was not long in making up his mind to go along, and go he did. When the little army under the command of Col. David Williamson arrived there, Wallace found the dress that his wife had on when she was taken prisoner among the plunder in the Moravian town. They had got it in trade from the hostile Indians on their return home that way. On Wallace finding this covered with blood he became, as others said, a mad man. His rage was terrible and also that of the others with him. This was conclusive.

The vote was taken and but 16, some say 18, voted to spare the lives of the 96 innocent creatures. Wallace went with the executioners and did not fail to act his part with tomahawk and knife. Thomas Marshall, who was long an elder of Old Cross Creek, and who died near New Athens, O., in 1839, aged 96 years, was along with the militia, but did not take part in the killing. He told Capt. Lysander Patterson (yet living) that after the slaughter was over he was seated on a log. Wallace came up to him and sat down beside him stained with the blood of the slain. He said, “It may be that we have done wrong, but I could not help it,” and then wept like a little child. Wallace came home with the troops, bringing his wife’s dress along. It was kept for long years afterward. In 1783 some hunters found what they were sure were the bones of a white person near Hookstown, Beaver Co., Pa. Wallace was told of it, and going to the spot, found them and recognized them as those of his wife by the teeth. He gathered them up and often went back afterward, still finding some more. After keeping them for two years in a salt sack hung up at the head of his bed, he brought them to Cross Creek and buried them. All old field stone with “M. W.” in large letters, was supposed to mark her grave. It stood near the center of the yard, but has disappeared. No doubt it was removed by some vandal to make the foundation for some other monument. Mrs. Wallace’s maiden name was Mary Grant. Mr. Wallace got one of his sons back after peace was restored. The other was never heard of. Robert, the one that returned, died in 1855, an aged man, and is buried at the Covenanter Churchyard, near Venice, Washington Co., Pa. Mr. Wallace married again and raised another family. He was long afterwards an elder of Cross Roads Church. He died in 1808 and is buried at Florence, Washington Co., Pa.

Thus we see that the finding of the dress of Mrs. Wallace caused the murder of the 96 innocent Moravian Indians the 8th of March, 1782;and this shows that the remains of three are buried in Cross Creek that fell by the hand of the Indians, namely: Samuel Robison, William
Parks and Mary Grant Wallace. In 1828, in digging the grave for John
Campbell, an old grave was taken up which was recognized by Mr. John
Graham as that of William Parks, who was killed by the Indians. He was a boy at the time and had seen Parks buried. He could tell by the nails that the coffin had been made with. Judge Edgar, who made the coffins in that day, used nails that were made by a blacksmith. Wm. Stevenson, who died in 1865, told the writer that he helped to dig Campbell’s grave and he kept some of the nails for relics.

Mary Robison, the widow of Samuel Robison, died March 27th,1809, aged 66 years. An old stone marks her grave in good preservation. There is an old field stone beside it with the letter R cut on it. It is supposed to mark her husband’s grave.

An old gentleman told the writer that about the year 1818 he was at the funeral of David Hays in 1793 Robert Lyle and Joseph Vance were appointed to ride in front of the funeral cortege, which was going to Cross Creek. Soon after, starting their conversation turned to the Moravian massacre. Lyle denounced it as a murder and an act of barbarism. Mr. Vance then said that that expedition was planned in his cabin; but said. “we did not go out there to kill them, but intended to either make them remove further west or bring them again to Fort Pitt, so that the hostile Indians could not have it as a stopping-place in making their invasions on the settlers; but on finding some plunder belonging to the Wallace family covered with blood, and other articles belonging to other parties, the men could no longer be restrained, and so followed the dreadful massacre of the whole 96 Moravian Indians.”

helping to dig a grave near the lower side of the yard. They came down on a walnut slab or puncheon. On lifting it a large skeleton was discovered under it. It had been encased around with walnut slabs that were really green. He told some old settlers about it. They said it was the grave of a man by the name of Paul who had died at an early day, and they had split walnut slabs and set around the coffin in place of digging a vault, as they did in those days.

There is an old field stone near the north-east corner of the yard that has “E. A., died in her 99th year,” on it. Whose is it? No one at the present day can tell. It marks the resting place of some one who has long since passed away. We have found about one thousand that are buried on this sacred old hill, but we have not got the one-half that are interred.

In addition to the inscriptions on monuments and headstones, we have put in the names of many persons buried here when we could get reliable information as to name, date of death and age; but there are many hundred interred here who are now entirely forgotten. No record of their names, dates of their deaths, or burials exist. Of the early settlers of this community, the dust of many of them repose here. Their names should be in our list, but are now forever lost. The writer has endeavored to extend this list as much as possible to perpetuate their names. There are many old Revolutionary soldiers buried here. So far as known the fact has been noted, but alas! The names and final resting place of many of those old heroes are now unknown.

Of late years the bones, or dust, of many of the first interred have been unchristianly disturbed to make room for later interments. It is hoped this desecration will no longer be allowed. We all desire Christian burial when the time for our burial comes. Can any corpse receive Christian burial in a desecrated, dishonored grave? Have not the ashes of those persons who risked their lives to rescue this goodly land from dangerous wild animals and more savage Indians, and by their toil and privations subdued the forest and made the earth to yield forth her fruits in due season, a sacred right to repose, undisturbed, until the sounding of the trumpet when all will be called to judgment?

Do not we, who now live in peace, ease and comfort, enjoy the fruits and reap the rewards of the toil and privations of those bold, hardy pioneers, owe it to their memory to keep green and beautify the place of their last repose? Perhaps some say, “I have no relatives buried there and do not feel bound to contribute.” Do you not occupy the land those early settlers subdued; and do you not reap the benefit of their danger, toil, labor and privations, unharassed by the midnight, blood-curdling yell of the stealthy, murderous, savage redskin, the howling of the ferocious wild animal, or the hissing rattle of the venomous serpent?

The first enclosure of the graveyard was made by a worm rail fence,
afterwards replaced by a post and rail fence, which was replaced in 1836 by a pine board fence, the boards planed, jointed and nailed close together on locust posts set six feet apart, and the outside painted. This fence being occasionally repaired, lasted until 1875, when the present neat and substantial pine board, locust post fence was built. The funds to build the last two fences were raised by voluntary subscription. When the fence was built in 1836 the northern and western boundaries were extended as far as they could be for the public roads.

Before erecting the fence in 1875, court was petitioned, a view granted, and the road north of the graveyard was vacated, and the fence set in the road; on the south side a strip of land used as a private road and hitching ground, was enclosed. This strip, although very unsuitable, being low, and wet from the wash accumulating above, has been and is used for interring in but soon will be all occupied.

Hon. James Edgar, who was one of the first Judges of the Court in Washington county, made the first coffins, and was the first undertaker in this neighborhood. He worked at cabinet making for some years, and was probably the first mechanic to work at that trade in this vicinity. William Wallace, who lived on the farm now occupied by James Manson, near Mt. Prospect Church, next was the coffin maker for this region. He made them as early as 1791. He was succeeded about 1820 by his son Oliver, who lived on the David Gault farm, near Nosco School House. He was succeeded about 1827 by William Reed, who lived in Cross Creek Village, and continued at the business until 1836, and I have heard him say that he made more than one hundred interments in that yard. He was followed by William Donehoo, who carried on the business until his death in 1864, after which the business was carried on for about five rears by his son, D. M. Donehoo, Esq., now of Washington, Pa. Henry W. Donehoo then took up the business, which he still carries on.

David Woods, of Cross Creek Village, made some coffins; Ross Gilbert, of near Burgettstown, made some interments here. John Sampson, of West Middletown, buried a good many corpses from the region in that direction. George Elliott, Esq., who lived near Bethel Church, in Jefferson Township, made quite a number of coffins for families in that vicinity. W. W. Wiegman, of Patterson’s Mills, has made a good many interments in this old yard.

Prior to 1860 undertakers generally made their own coffins; since that they generally get caskets from the factories.

There was a tradition among the old people that Henry Graham, Esq., donated the land to the congregation upon which the church and graveyard now are. The records show that on December 18, 1795, Henry Graham, Esq., and Mary his wife, for and in consideration of 6L lawful money of said state, (6L Pennsylvania currency being equivalent to $16.00 U. S. money), deeded six acres one fourth and thirty four perches to Samuel Fleming, Aaron Lyle and John Wilkin, Trustees, for the use of the congregation.

It appears that the land upon which the church is built belonged to the Graham Patent; but prior to September 28, 1791, the land on which the graveyard is located belonged to Samuel and Robert Purveans, it being at that time deeded by the Sheriff of Washington county to Hugh Henry Breckinridge, and conveyed March 24, 1794, by Hugh Henry Breckinridge to Henry Graham, Esq., by deed recorded in Deed Book K, page 148.

In 1890 the subject of securing more ground for burial purposes occupied the minds of the people of this community and resulted in the formation of an undenominational company which procured a charter under the corporation laws of Pennsylvania, styled “The Cross Creek Cemetery Company,” secured five acres of land of the Maj. Lee farm, had part of it laid out in avenues, alleys and lots, in regular order; have many of the lots neatly marked with marble markers in front and iron markers at rear of lots. All the lots front on either a 16-foot avenue or a 6-foot alley, so that a person can go upon any lot in the cemetery without trespassing upon any other. Already the bones of James Dinsmore, R. T. Johnson, Samuel Alien, and Thos. P. Vance, aged and respected citizens of the community, repose on their own lots in this cemetery. Several younger persons have also been interred here. Here a person, as did Abraham of old, mentioned in the 23rd chapter of Genesis, may purchase his own lot, and forever be secure from molestation in his grave by others being interred on top of him.

It is against the PRINCIPLES of a cemetery company to allow one interment upon the top of another, and also against their INTEREST; it is to their interest to sell more lots. The income derived from the sale of these lots, and from other sources, is to be expended in beautifying and adorning the grounds.

INSCRIPTIONS.

A.

ADAMS, – In memory of JOHN ADAMS, who departed this life June the 26th, 1836, in the 78th year of his age.

ESTHER, wife of John Adams, died May 31, 1846, in the 84th year of her age. In memory of ESTHER ADAMS, who departed this life Dec. the 19th, A. D. 1816, in the 20th year of her age.

ANN ADAMS, died Feb. the 8th, 1842, aged 46 years.

JOHN A., son of R. and E. Adams, died Feb. the 14th, 1850, aged 2 years and 3 months.

VIOLA M., daughter of F. M. and M. A. Adams, died Sept. the 10th, 1888, aged 3 years 7 months.

JUDITH ADAMS, departed this life A. D. 1839, aged 97 years.

CLAUDIE E., son of F. M. and M. A. Adams, died Feb. the 27th, 1883, aged 11 months.