Month: August 2025

Chapter 1 Historical Sketch of Armstrong County Part 1 WILLIAM PENN The writer briefly refers to the person, motives and principles of the first charter proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania, once the owner of the soil of this county. Two hundred and thirty years ago was born in the city of London the subsequent … Read more

Chapter 19 Freeport Probable Presence of the French in this Locality 1750-60 — Adventures with the Indians — Craig’s Blockhouse — Reed’s Station — An Indian Attack — Capture and Escape of Massy Harbison — Murder of Her Children — William and David Todd — “Toddstown” — Origin of the Name Freeport — The Early … Read more

Chapter 18 South Bend Organized in 1867 from Territory in Kiskiminetas and Plum Creek — The Thirty-five Original Land Warrants — The Pioneers and First Owners of the Several Tracts — Transfers of Property — “Captain Tom’s Hunting Camp” — A Political Meeting of 1810 — Woodward’s Mills — Postoffice — Blockhouse Built by the … Read more

Chapter 17 Valley Set Apart from Pine — Mills — Monticello Furnace — The Patentees and Subsequent Owners — Lands of Gen. Armstrong’s Heirs — Doanville Seminary — Donaldson Nurseries — Troy Hill — The Old State Road — The Collins Lands — Pine Creek Baptist Church — Methodist Episcopal Church at West Valley — … Read more

Chapter 16 Burrell Named after Judge Burrell-Organization-Indian Names of Crooked Creek-Original Owners of the Soil- Warrants Dated in 1776-Names of the Citizens of the Township in 1805-Strange Conjugal Arrangements- Powder-Mills – Captain Sam Brady�s Autograph-An Eccentric Manufacturer of Plows-�Williamsburg�-Salt Works-Religious History-Primitive Schools-Recent Educational Statistics-Mercantile and Other Occupations-Population. BURRELL TOWNSHIP was named after the late Judge … Read more

Chapter 4 The Borough of Kittanning Origin of the Name — White Prisoners Among the Indians — Savage Torture — Early Mention of the Town Site — Robert Brown, the Watsons, James Claypoole, Patrick Daugherty, Andrew Hunter, and Other Pioneer Settlers — The Town Platted — Sale of Lots — A Glimpse of the Village … Read more

Chapter 3 TOWNSHIP DIVISION AND ORGANIZATION Importance of the Township Politically � The Townships of Armstrong and Wheatfield in 1792 � Original Divisions of the County � Allegheny � Buffalo � Toby � Origin of Names � Subdivisions of the Original Townships. IN passing from a general sketch of our county to the more narrowly … Read more

Chapter 14 Manor Footnotes 1). That section is in these words and in this orthography: WEE give and grant license unto the said William Penn. and his heires, likewise to all and every such person and persons to whom the said William Penn, or his heires, shall at any time hereafter, grant any estate of … Read more

Chapter 14 Manor Part 4 SCHOOLS. The first schoolhouse within what are now the limits of this township was a primitive log structure, which, according to a rather ancient draft of that portion of the manor tract purchased by Jonathan Smith, was located a few rods north of the present site of the Appleby Manor … Read more