Month: February 2014

CHAPTER VI ERECTION AND ORGANIZATION Need of New Counties–Eight Counties Formed-Boundaries of Beaver County Defined–Commissioners Named–Personal Sketches of First Commissioners–Organization of Courts–Admission of First Attorneys–First County Officers–First Grand Jury–Constables Appointed–Licenses Granted–Justices’ Districts–First Deed and Will–Commissioner’s Report, 1806–Erection of County Buildings–­Civil List–Personal Sketches of United States Senators, Members of Congress and of the State Senate. Look … Read more

CHAPTER V FIRST LAND TITLES I “Land-grabbing,” Indian, Swedish, Dutch, and English-Duke of York’s Tenure-William Penn’s Tenure-Conveyances-Manors-Extin­guishment of Indian Title-Purchases of 1768 and 1784-Treaty of Fort McIntosh, I785-Depreciation and Donation Lands-Reservations-Land Act of 1792-Land Companies-Litigation Resulting-Pennsylvania and Virginia Grants. Still to the whiteman’s wants there is no end. He said, “beyond those hills he would … Read more

CHAPTER IV THE FIRST SETTLERS AND THEIR LIFE The Scotch-Irish-The Germans-The Moravians-Date of Early Settlements-Claims of Priority-Incidents of Indian Incursions-The Poes and Captain Brady-The Last Indian Murder-North Side Settlers-Pioneer Life-“Forts” and Blockhouses-Dress and Provisions-Homes and Furniture-Sports and Diversions-Morals and Manners-Religious Beliefs and Superstitions-Education. What was his name? I do not know his name. I only … Read more