…bringing our past into the future
Somerset — 150 Years a County[written by Paul D. Trimpey] Had you been living in the village of Brunerstown (later named Somerset) on the twelfth of September, 1795, you would have seen and felt a contagious excitement among the townspeople. History was being made that day, and the people knew it. Five important guests, sent … Read more
ADVENTURES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. Early Somerset County had its share of those daring frontiersmen whose deeds are so easily woven into adventure stories. A man of this type was Captain Andrew FRIEND, who was prominent in the early history of Turkeyfoot settlement. Captain FRIEND\’s ancestors had been prominent supporters of the house of Stuart … Read more
One is surprised to note the prominent part played by whiskey in pioneer days, in Somerset as elsewhere. Present-day devotees of the flowing bowl and rugged distillers of illicit “mountain dew” should take no comfort in the fact, however, for with the early settlers the distilling of whiskey was an economic necessity. In the early … Read more
Somehow the territory which later became Somerset County escaped much damage. Possibly this was due to the protection of Westmoreland on the west and the natural barriers of two mountain ranges enclosing the regions. Nevertheless, the constant reports of these outrages kept the people here in a constant state of terror. Twice, many of the … Read more
Articles of agreement made this 24th day of September, In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, between Woolrick Bruner, of Milford township, in Bedford County and State of Pennsylvania, of the one part, and Adam Snider, of Washington County, in the State of Maryland, of the other part. Witnesseth: That … Read more
RAILROADSThe southern half of Somerset county is already liberally supplied with railroad facilities. The Pittsburgh division of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad (formerly Pittsburgh & Connellsville railroad) traverses the county crosswise, following mainly the waters of the Castleman river, and crossing the Allegheny mountain a few miles east of Meyersdale. This railroad, fully equipped and … Read more
The year 1808 witnessed a memorable Fourth-of-July celebration in Somerset, an account of which was written at Somerset, July 9, 1808, and published a few days later in the Bedford Gazette. The day which gave liberty to America and a nation to the world was celebrated at this place on Monday last in a manner … Read more
The following is condensed from an account published immediately after the fire in the Cumberland Daily News:It is pretty well settled that the fire originated from sparks that flew from Keim & Co’s foundry into the stable of Francis Weimer, close by, in which there were hay and straw. A bundle of straw first took … Read more
THE pioneers, arriving at their places of destination after long and tedious journeying over Indian trails or roads rudely improved, as a rule, brought very little with them with which to begin the battle of life among new surroundings. They had brave hearts and strong arms, however, and possessed invincible determination to hew out for … Read more
The farm now known as the “Edgewood Farm” was entered by Peter Amhay, in 1773, who erected the first house on the property. His death occurred in December, 1804. The property next came into the possession of his youngest son, Joseph. He disposed of the property to Maj. Jos. Imhoff, the county sheriff, in 1832. … Read more