History: Local: The Early History of the 15th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh, 1925: Bellevue, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives 02/19/2005 by Judy Banja & Linda Braund Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/ _______________________________________________ THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE FIFTEENTH WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH BY MRS. S. KUSSART DEDICATED TO THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF THE FIFTEENTH WARD, PITTSBURGH, PA. COPYRIGHT, 1925, BY MRS. S. KUSSART. PUBLISHERS: Suburban Printing Company, Bellevue (Pittsburgh), Pa. 1925 Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 3 CHAPTER I. Earliest Settlements in the Fifteenth Ward of the City Of Pittsburgh. The Indians were the first occupants and land owners in Western Pennsylvania. They left numerous signs of their presence in what is now the Fifteenth Ward of the city of Pittsburgh. They had a well-travelled trail along the right bank of the Monongahela at a very early day, and it was over this trail that the French and Indians passed, when they went out from Fort Duquesne, in 1755, and attacked and defeated General Braddock and his troops at the Battle of the Monongahela. After the English occupation, this trail became the Braddock's Field public road, and as such is plainly marked on the map of Pittsburgh, in 1795. At the head of Mansion Street, Glenwood, was an ancient burying ground of that aboriginal tribe known as the Mound Builders. It included several mounds, the largest being about fifteen feet in height. Their tops were rounded, and the mounds, originally, were heaped with stones, it being the Indian custom to add more stones at each visit. In the seventies, when Second Avenue was paved through the Fifteenth Ward for the first time James McKibben, who had the contract for grading this street, hauled stones for an entire winter from these old mounds, and used them for ballast. The enveloping cover of stones being removed, persons began exploring the mounds, searching for relics, and they were soon destroyed. No trace of them now remains. The cleared spots back in the woods near these mounds were known to the early white settlers as the "Old Fields." Fine forests originally covered this district. It was customary to hold Sunday School picnics and family gatherings in the beautiful woods at the head of Johnson avenue, near a famous old spring called the "Indian Spring," the waters of which gushed forth from the hill, and were clear and cold, on the hottest day. When Johnson avenue was graded and paved, the spring disappeared, its waters being carried off in sewers (1). "Do you remember the spring, within Wylie's woods, just close to Glenwood ravine? Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 4 Its waters were crystal, refreshingly cool, the purest and best ever seen. Ah! deep was the wood, in those long-ago days, and deep was the spring in its shade; Its murmur and splash was music to hear, as it laughingly flowed through the glade. On the brink of the spring, in those untrammelled days, Nature held court all her own, Her subjects were many, all loyal and true, who worshipped the queen on her throne" (2) The Indians known to the first white explorers of Western Pennsylvania lived on the fine bottom lands in the present Fifteenth Ward. Many flint arrow heads have been found on the Blair farm, and near the foot of Elizabeth Street, in Glenwood (3); and on the Nixon place (originally a part of the John George Woods farm), in Hazelwood (4). On the Harry Woods farm, in Hazelwood, there were found tomahawks, stone cooking utensils, and numerous flint arrow heads. These were sent by Mrs. Woods to a museum in Washington, D. C. In a glass case on the third floor of the Carnegie Museum, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, is a collection of flint arrow heads from the different states of the Union. Among them, and the only ones there representative of the state of Pennsylvania, are twenty-four arrow heads found in Hazelwood, and loaned to the Museum by James Dugan, Jr. (5) The fertile bottom lands on the right bank of the Monongahela River, between Four Mile Run (near Greenfield Avenue) and the present Glenwood Bridge, proved especially attractive to home seekers, and many natives of Scotland, the "Land of the Thistle," located here at a very early day. They were simply squatters, having no legal title, but it was from these people that this fine tract of land came to be called "Scotch Bottoms," and in the court records of Allegheny County, Pa., the many different tracts into which this level bottom land was in later years divided, are designated as parts of Scotch Bottoms. In recent years, although the name is still used, it has come to be applied only to that locality which was the nucleus of the old Scotch settlement, the neighborhood of Rutherglen Street, and Marion Station on the B.& O. R.R. The settlements in Scotch Bottoms began at the close of the Pontiac War, there being then, for a period of several years, a cessation of Indian hostilities. Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 5 Some of these people, after the Penns, proprietaries of Pennsylvania, purchased the Indian rights to the lands in the present Western Pennsylvania, in 1768, and opened a land office, April 3, 1769, for the sale of these lands, acquired legal title to parts of the Scotch Bottoms. John Little, on Oct. 25, 1769, had a tract in Scotch Bottoms surveyed to him, which was patented on warrent to accept, dated Feb. 7, 1770, under the name of "Vineyard." John and Eleanor DeHass were living on Scotch Bottoms, after the Revolutionary War, on a tract of land surveyed Oct. 25, 1769, and afterward patented to them under the name of "Leisure's Retreat." James Ralph and John Mitchell also purchased large farms on Scotch Bottoms; and at a very early day, Charles Duke and Charles Clark, the latter an English officer, located here. This Scotch settlement consisted in those early days of large farms, parts of which had been cleared, about the log cabin homes of their owners, while back of these rose the heavily wooded hills. Some of these farms had been owned by several different persons before being purchased by John Woods, one of Pittburgh's first resident attorneys. In 1817, at the time of his death, John Woods was the owner of the five large farms which then included the Scotch Bottoms (6), as follows: One surveyed in the name of Charles Duke, containing about 80 acres One surveyed on location in the name of James Ralph, containing about 260 " One patented in the name of John Little, containing about 230 " One surveyed on location in the name of John Mitchell (a small part of this sold to John Turner,) containing about 330 " One in the name of John Woods, containing about 160 " 1,060 " This magnificent tract of land extended from the Monongahela River for about a mile back on the hill, between Four Mile Run (near the present Greenfield Avenue) and a point opposite the mouth of Six Mile Run (at the location of the present Glenwood Bridge). A two story stone house stood on the John Woods farm, the home of the tenant on that farm. On the other farms were log dwellings. Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 6 Quite a number of the streams flowing into the Monongahela River at or near Pittsburgh were named from their supposed distance from the Point, as follows: Two Mile Run, entering from the right side, at the present Brady Street; Three Mile Run, right bank, at the present Bates Street; Four Mile Run, right bank, near the present Greenfield Avenue. These three streams are now only sewers. Six Mile Run (sometimes called Street's Run) enters the Monongahela from the left bank, at the present Hays borough. The Hays family (for whom the borough was named) were very early settlers here, owning a large farm, and they established a ferry across the river from the mouth of the run to the upper end of the Scotch Bottoms, which was known as Six Mile Ferry. It was not discontinued until Glenwood Bridge was erected, in 1895. Nine Mile Run enters the Monongahela from the right bank, opposite Homestead, and forms one of the natural boundaries of the great Squirrel Hill district, a part of which, on the brow of the hill, is included in the Fifteenth Ward. In the days of the pioneer settlers, they were greatly annoyed by the many little gray squirrels found in this district. They ate the grain stored in out- buildings for winter use, and even scratched up the seed planted in the fields, in scarce seasons. They built nests in the eaves of the log cabins, and by their noise and chatter kept the inhabitants awake at night. They proved perfect pests, and were so numerous that the settlers named the whole district, which is now one of the finest residential sections of the city of Pittsburgh, "Squirrel Hill." The people living here in early times were wont to speak of this district as having two sides, the one on which they lived, and the "Other Side," i. e., down on Scotch Bottoms, bordering on the Monongahela. In that part of the Fifteenth Ward included in the Squirrel Hill district, the widow, Mrs. John Turner, and her five sons, were among the earliest settlers. She was better known as Mary Girty, being the mother, by her first marriage, of Thomas, Simon, James and George Girty, who were all grown when the family located on Squirrel Hill, in 1765. Little John Turner, her other son, was but ten John Turner's Old Log House, Loretto Street, near Hazelwood Avenue, Built about 1787. [Illustration] Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 7 years of age at this time, and had just been freed from captivity among the Indians. The Girty boys blazed trees, making, in the name of their mother, a claim to a large tract of land here, on what was called a "tomahawk right," and erecting a log cabin, in which the family lived. In 1769 Thomas, Simon and George Girty each made application for large tracts of land, part of which included their mother's claim. Thomas Girty's farm bordered on what in later years became Bigelow Street. In 1765, when he first located on Squirrel Hill, he was 26 years of age. He married, and cleared and farmed his land. His wife's name was Ann and she is described as a foe to the Indians, and a "friend of America." (7). Thomas Girty had two children, John and Nancy (Gibson). While he lived on Squirrel Hill, he sometimes made expeditions as a scout, being loyal to the American cause. He rendered some very important services, during the Indian Wars in the Northwest, after the Revolution. At some time prior to 1792, he removed with his family to Girty's Run, on the Allegheny River. (This run is so named for Thomas Girty and family, and not for "the Girty family," meaning that of his mother and brothers.) Thomas Girty died at his home on Girty's Run, Nov. 3, 1820. There was a long account of his life published in the Pittsburgh Gazette, at this time. (8). Simon, George and James Girty were respectively twenty-four, twenty-two and twenty years of age when they located on Squirrel Hill, in 1765. Having all been captives of the Indians for several years, they proved very useful as scouts and interpreters in the various military expeditions which went out from Fort Pitt. In 1778, they deserted to the British (9) and in succeeding years were the scourges of the border. All claims held by them, for land on Squirrel Hill, were forfeited. They never dared return here to live. John Turner grew up on Squirrel Hill into a tall, thin, active man. His complexion was sallow, and his eyes and hair black. He understood several Indian languages, and at the age of nineteen years, accompanied Lord Dunmore's army as a scout and interpreter. His education was scanty, but he was a man of great natural ability and shrewdness, and a hard worker. He farmed his land on Squirrel Hill, and sold great quanti- Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 8 ties of produce to the garrison at Fort Pitt, and the citizens of Pittsburgh. In those days all kinds of game abounded on Squirrel Hill, and Mr. Turner was a great hunter and trapper. He saved his money and invested it in real estate. He is said to have owned at different times, no less than nineteen tracts of land. The former claim of Simon Girty was granted to John Turner, who obtained a Virginia title for 154 acres on Squirrel Hill, including this claim, Jan. 27, 1786. He was granted a warrant for the same tract by the State of Pennsylvania, Nov. 12, 1787. It was surveyed for him, March 13, 1788, and a patent granted, under the name of "Federal Hill," July 7, 1788. John Turner married Susanna, daughter of Charles and Mary Clark, of Scotch Bottoms. Their home was a log cabin which stood on the upper part of Mr. Turner's farm. To this dwelling he added four rooms, two up and two down. Here the Turners lived. The site of the house is on Loretta Street, a few hundred yards from the Beehner home, on the Beehner farm. As the Turners were child- less, they raised the children of Mrs. Turner's three sisters, John McCaslin, Turner Blashford and Susie Halstead (Mrs. David Irwin, 2d. and mother of David Irwin, 3d). Turner Blashford, a prosperous farmer of Squirrel Hill, drowned himself at the age of 56, at the mouth of the Four Mile Run. (10). John McCaslin was the favorite of the Turners, and is referred to as their "adopted son." Upon his marriage, the Turners gave him the use of their old home, and removed to a small log house on the lower part of their farm, to which they added two rooms. Here Mrs. Turner died, April 1, 1833, and was buried in the old Turner Graveyard, on the part of the farm (adjoining the present Mary S. Brown Memorial M. E. Church) for which Mr. Turner made the people of Squirrel Hill a deed, in trust to David Irwin (2d) and John McCaslin, on July 31, 1838. Mr. Turner died May 20, 1840, and was laid to rest beside his wife. Their graves were marked by two flat stones, level with the ground. The inscriptions are nearly obliterated, but the names, Turner, may still be deciphered. Mr. Turner was a man held in the highest esteem by the people of Squirrel Hill. He gave to the Peebles Township the lot on which the "The Fort." [Illustration] Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 9 first free school in that part of Sqirrel Hill was located, and also the ground on which the first church stood. His will bears date of April 10, 1840 (11). He bequeathed 113 acres, the upper part of his farm, to John and Priscilla McCaslin, in trust for their children. The heirs of Thomas Girty, Mr. Turner's half brother, were dissatisfied with the will, and stood John McCaslin a suit in the courts trying to obtain John Turner's property from his adopted son, but were unsuccessful. (12) The McCaslins lived in this old log house for a long time. Then the farm was sold off. Joseph Bails was the owner, when in 1868, the farm was purchased from him by Martin Beehner. The heirs of Mr. Beehner are still the owners and live in a comfortable frame dwelling near the site of the historic Turner house. They rented the old house for years. Clarence Tombs and family were its last occupants. The Beehner family were notified by the city to have it torn down, as it was deemed unsafe. This was done, about 1920. The logs were in a good state of preservation, and were used for firewood. Every year, as long as the old house stood, some of the McCaslin family used to come back to visit it. Nothing now remains of it but a few stones of the foundation. In their living room, the Beehner family have a splendid painting of it. In this picture, the old dwelling is surrounded by green fields, with cattle peacefully browsing therein. It gives some idea of the district, when it was a farming community. Among the earlier land owners in the part of Squirrel Hill included in the Fifteenth Ward (besides the Girty and Turner families, who owned the larger portion of this tract, on the level above the brow of the hill) may be mentioned James Milligan, Adam Burchfield, Wm. Redding, and a few others. James Milligan was the original owner of the ground included in the present Calvary Cemetery, acquiring title to a tract of 300 acres here, soon after the land office was opened in 1769. (13) Later, title to 150 acres of this land was obtained by John Turner. By deed dated Nov. 4 1824, John Turner and wife conveyed 75 acres of this land to Robert Peebles, and by deed dated Nov. 29, 1824, 75 acres were conveyed (14) to William Peebles. The Peebles family were very prominent in this district, especially out at East Liberty Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 10 and Peebles Township is named for them. The Greenfield district was the home of men prominent in Pittsburgh's public and business life in early days. Judge Walter Forward, one of the most eminent men and brilliant scholars Pittsburgh ever produced, lived here, and Forward Avenue was named for him. He was a member of Congress, Secretary of the Treasury (15) during the administration of President Tyler, and was appointed charge-d' affairs to Denmark, by President Taylor. He resigned this post, in 1851, when elected President Judge of the District Court of Allegheny County, Pa. His death occurred Nov. 24, 1852. Maj. John Williamson Butler, Abraham Garrison (of the foundry firm of Bollman & Garrison, later A. Garrison & Co.), Wm. H. Williams, and other prominent men were living here in the fifties. In the sixties, B. F. Jones (of the firm of Jones & Laughlin) and George F. McClean (of the Soho Rolling Mills, operated by Morehead, McClean & Co.,) were living in this district. There were also some large farmhouses in the district, which in 1868, became a part of the city, as the old Twenty-third Ward. James Blackmore became Mayor of Pittsburgh in 1872, and served until 1875. During his administration, Wm. Barker, Jr., who then lived in this district, and was a member of city Councils, was one of a committee appointed to consider the opening of streets and other matters pertaining to the district. While the committee was making a tour of inspection, Mr. Barker was asked what he thought a suitable name for the district. He looked out over the green fields, dotted here and there with many comfortable farm houses and the handsome residences of wealthy business men, and suggested the name "Greenfield." It met with instant favor, and was adopted. The name is still given to this section of the city, although the beautiful green fields of this one-time rural community have long since disappeared. On the highest elevation on the hills of the Greenfield district are the remains of "the Fort" as it is generally called, although some of the people in the vicinity call it "Fort Black." This fort was part of the intrenchments thrown up, in June, 1863, when the invasion of Pittsburgh by the Confederates was threatened. (16). Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 11 CHAPTER II GEORGE WOODS, FOUNDER OF THE WOODS FAMILY IN AMERICA The founder of the Woods family in America was George Woods, member of a family of Scotch origin, resident in Ireland. He married Rosanna Hall in Ireland, and emigrated with his family from Dungannon County, Ireland, to America, prior to 1733. He was probably accompanied by his brother, John Woods. In 1740, George Woods took the oath of allegiance in Philadelphia, and he settled in Tuscarora, prior to 1754. In religion he was a Presbyterian, and by occupation an Indian trader and packer, owning large trains of horses used in transporting merchandise of all kinds from Harris' Ferry (Harrisburg) to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) and the intervening settlements, and bringing on the return trip packs of furs and skins. By 1762, George Woods was living at Fort Bedford (Bedford) where his children and their families had preceded him. George Woods, founder of the Woods family in Pennsylvania, had four children, all born in Ireland. (1). Thomas Woods, son of George Woods, was engaged in the Indian trade in Pennsylvania, as early as 1743; and by 1762, he was located, with his family, at Bedford. He had married in Ireland, and his wife's name was Agnes. He kept a tavern and continued in the Indian trade, after removing to Bedford. He was loyal to the colonists during the Revolution, the record of his voluntarily taking the oath of allegiance being among the Woods family records which have been preserved. In a letter among these documents, dated in 1787, the address is: "Mr. Thomas Woods, Providence Township, near Bedford." Mr. Woods died in May, 1793. He left a large family-the sons, Henry, William, Thomas, George, John and Joseph; and daughters Sarah, wife of Robert Bradshaw; Rose, wife of Hugh Means; Nancy, wife of John Culbertson; and Margaret, wife of Thomas Collins. (2). Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 12 Rebecca Woods, daughter of George Woods, married George Nixon, probably before emigrating to America, and settled in Bedford, about 1761. Their daughter, Rebecca Nixon, married Thomas Fannegan. Her second husband was Isaiah Davis, and their son, Alexander Davis, was born in 1814, at Everett, Pa. George Woods, son of George Woods (1st) was Colonel George Woods, of Bedford, Pa. (See hereafter). William Woods, son of George Woods (1st), was born and died in Ireland. He had two sons, George and Edward Woods. (3). COLONEL GEORGE WOODS, PITTSBURGH'S FIRST SURVEYOR. (4). George Woods, son of George Woods (1st) was a surveyor by profession. His name appears on the records of Lancaster County, Pa., prior to 1749. After this time, the fact that he was moving westward up the Juniata Valley is shown by the records of Cumberland County, Pa. About 1753, he married Jane McDowell, daughter of Dr. Wm. McDowell, of Peters Township, then in Cumberland County, who had settled there about 1730. Their eldest child, Jane Woods, was born in 1755, in Tuscarora. From this time, Mr. Woods kept moving westward. His occupation as surveyor on the frontiers during the Indian wars was a most hazardous one. On one occasion, he was driven to take refuge in Bingham's Fort, in the Tuscarora Valley, Tuscarora Township, Juniata County, Pa. Many families in the vicinity had flocked into the fort, seeking escape from prowling savages, but this refuge availed them little, for on Friday night, June 11, 1755, the Indians attacked and burnt the fort, and killed or carried away into captivity all its inmates. Among the captives were the wife and three year old daughter of John Gray, the wife and three children of Francis Innis, George Woods (2d) and others. Mr. Gray and Mr. Innis were absent from the Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 13 fort, having gone to Carlisle for groceries. When they returned, nothing remained but the smoking remnants of the fort, amidst which were many charred bones of its former inmates. The enemy had killed many cattle, eating and carrying away the beef. The following extract contains information as to the fate of the captives (5): "They were taken across the Allegheny, to the old Indian town of Kittanning, and from thence to Fort Duquesne, where they were delivered over to the French. Woods was a remarkable man, and figured somewhat extensively afterward in the history of Bedford and Allegheny Counties. He took his captivity very little to heart, and even went so far as to propose marriage to Mrs. Gray, while they were prisoners in the fort (Duquesne). Mrs. Gray, however, had no inclination for a partnership in misfortune and peremptorily declined. The French commander, in apportioning out the prisoners, gave Woods to an old Indian, John Hutson (spelled more correctly Hudson) who removed him to his own wigwam. But George proving neither useful nor ornamental to Hutson's establishment, and as there was no probability of any of his friends paying a ransom for him, inasmuch as he had neither kith nor kin, he opened negotiations with George to let him off. The conditions made and entered into between the two were that George Woods should give him an annuity of ten pounds of tobacco, until death should terminate the existence of either of the parties named. This contract was fulfilled until the massacre of the Bedford Scouts, when Harry (Henry) Woods, a lieutenant of the scout and son of George Woods, recognized among the most active of the savages the son of John Hutson, who used to accompany his father to Bedford, where Harry Woods had often seen him. It is hardly necessary to add that old Hutson never called upon Woods after that for his annuity. Mr. Woods, after he removed to Bedford, became a useful and influential citizen. He followed his profession (as surveyor) and most of the original surveys in the upper end of the Juniata Valley were made by him. He reared a large family and his descendants are still living. Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 14 He lived to a good old age, and died amid the regrets of a most extended circle of acquaintances. (The sentences in italics are obviously wrong). In some accounts of the capture of George Woods, it is stated that he was about to be burnt at the stake by the Delaware Indians, when Captain Hudson, a Seneca chief; demanded him from the Delawares, who dared not refuse, being under the domination of the Six Nations. In his gratitude at being freed, this account states that Woods wished the chief to come and make his home with him, for the remainder of his life. (6) The chief refused, but never failed to collect his ransom annuity of tobacco until afraid to trust himself among the whites, after permitting his son to help massacre the scouts. Years afterward, Henry, son of George Woods, was at the Pittsburgh wharf when he noticed one of a party of Seneca Indians who had come down the Allegheny River scrutinizing him very closely. On speaking to him, he found it was Hudson's son, who was very much pleased at being recognized, and said to Mr. Woods that the last time he had seen him, he was "Running like de debbil up Juniata Hill." George Woods located permanently at Bedford about 1759. There he continued to follow his profession of surveyor, held many offices of public honor and trust, and became a large land owner and a very wealthy and prominent man. "As early as 1765, four men whose names are prominently and indissolubly connected with the history of the town, county, province and commonwealth, became residents of Fort Bedford-Barnard Dougherty, Robert Galbraith, Thomas Smith, and George Woods. It is believed that all were of Scotch descent, and it is known that all were men of great activity, ability and sterling worth. All of them served as early justices of the peace of Bedford County, were active in the formation and organization of the county, and during the Revolutionary period assisted largely in shaping the destinies of the state." (7). By order of the proprietaries of Pennsylvania, John Lukens, Surveyor General, in 1766 laid out the town of Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 15 Bedford, at the site of old Fort Bedford. The order bore the date of May 5, 1766, and the surveyor arrived at Bedford, June 5, 1766. He called together the principal inhabitants of the vicinity, and discussed with them the matter of laying out the streets and the size of the lots. A large stone house had been built, in 1764, on what was called in Lukens' survey, Pitt Street. It was a comfortable and commodious dwelling, of limestone, the most pretentious in the new town of Bedford. On April 25, 1771, this house and the ground surrounding it were sold at public sale by Sheriff David Hoge to George Woods. It included the house, known as "Christopher Lines' House," and lots Nos. 184 and 185. The deed recites that "on the east, the three lots were bounded by reserved lots, on which Fort Bedford was built." (8). Immediately upon the laying out of the town of Bedford, Mr. Woods had purchased lot No. 159 in his own name, and No. 160 in the name of his daughter, Mary Woods, and the deeds for these lots were recorded in the Recorder's office of Bedford County, on May 9, 1767. (9). Bedford County, which was erected by Act of March 9, 1771, covered a large extent of territory-all of Western Pennsylvania then owned by the Penns. This act provided "That it .shall and may be lawful to and for Arthur St. Clair, Barnard Dougherty, Esquires, Thomas Coulter, William Proctor and George Woods, or any of them, to purchase and take assurance to them and their heirs of a piece of land situated in some convenient place in said town (Bedford) in trust and for the use of the inhabitants of said county, and thereon to .erect and build a court house and prison, sufficient to accommodate the public service of said county, and for the use and conveniency of the inhabitants." The first court house erected was a rude log structure, and nearby it was a low, one-story jail. At a meeting of the County Commissioners, held May 31, 1783, George Woods, Esq., drew an order for the sum of 43 pounds, 10 shillings; it being for "116 days' service, attending at the building of the Court House and Prison, at 7 shillings, 6 pence per day, as trustee, in the years 1774 and 1775." (10.) Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 16 The date of the appointment of George Woods as one of the justices of the court of Bedford County was Monday, March 11, 1771. From the time of the organization of Bedford County, in April, 1771, until the adoption of the State Constitution of 1790, the justices of the peace presided over all courts held in the county, three of them forming a quorum to transact business. In an enumeration of the citizens of Bedford and their taxable property, in 1771, George Woods, Esq. is mentioned as the owner of six town lots and 30 acres of improved out lots; and he kept three servants, four horses and three cows. It was the duty of a wood ranger to look after all stray cattle, the woods, etc. The commission of "George Woods, Esq., of the County of Bedford, as Wood Ranger," bears date of March 15, 1771, and is signed by John Penn. (11). In 1773, Mr. Woods was a member of the General Assembly from Bedford County. He was Treasurer of Bedford County, in 1773-1774. On January 31, 1774, he was appointed by the proprietaries of Pennsylvania - Thomas Penn and John Penn, Esquires, as "Surveyor of that tract or parcel of land in the County of Westmoreland bounded eastward by the Laurel Hill, to the southward by the road leading from Bedford to Fort Pitt, westward by the Allegheny River, and northward by Kiskiminetas, Conemaugh, Stoney Creek, etc." His commission is signed by John Lukens, Surveyor General of the province. (12). On July 15, 1774, George Woods represented Bedford County at a Convention held at Philadelphia, for the purpose of taking action in regard to the oppressive legislation of the mother country, Great Britain. On the occasion of the celebration of Old Home Week, at Bedford, Pa., August 4th to 10th, 1907, the Hon. Wm. P. Schell prepared a small book called "Annals of Bedford County, Pa." (13) In speaking of the citizens of Bedford who were very active on the side of the colonists during the Revolutionary War, Mr. Schell mentions the names of Colonel George Woods and Colonel David Espy (who mar- Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 17 ried Jane, eldest child of Colonel George Woods and was almost as prominent in the history of Bedford and Bedford County as his father-in-law). In 1774 and 1775, George Woods was member of the Committees of Correspondence, Bedford County; and in 1776, he became Colonel of the Second Battalion, Bedford County Militia, in which capacity he served until the close of the Revolution. At the beginning of this war, a splendid work was accomplished by Col. Woods, in affording protection to the people of Bedford and vicinity from Indian attack. Mr. Schell (p. 43 in the little volume above mentioned) states that "In 1771, Fort Bedford was in a state of dilapidation and decay; but we are told that after 1771, even up to 1792, the whites were in the habit of running to the fort, when alarmed by Indians. The explanation is, that George Woods, Esq., had a fort built around his own house - picket fort - and this was generally called Fort Bedford, and it was into this fort that the whites generally ran, after 1771." We find the following reference to this matter in the centennial issue of the Bedford Gazette, of date September 21, 1906, which states that in 1776, Fort Bedford was in ruins. George Woods built a stockade fort around his house, the old stone building called the Boquet House which was burned down a few years ago, into which the country people fled, when threatened by Indians." The stone house mentioned, referred to in the Woods records as the "Mansion House" and the home of Col. Woods and family for many years, was destroyed by fire in March, 1901, but another dwelling was immediately erected on the site. In 1778-1779, Col. George Woods served as a Member of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. He was County Lieutenant of Bedford County, 1784-1785. The many public offices which he filled seem not to have suspended the work of Col. Woods as a surveyor. His commission as surveyor of Bedford County bears date of May 25, 1782, and is signed by John Lukens, Surveyor or General of Pennsylvania. (14). The Indian title to the lands in the present Western Pennsylvania was extinguished by the purchase of this ter- Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 18 ritory by the Penns, proprietaries of Pennsylvania, in 1768. On April 3, 1769, a land office was opened for the sale of land in this part of the province, except certain sections called manors, which were reserved. The survey of one of these, called the Manor of Pittsburgh, was completed in March, 1769, and contained 5,766 acres. The result of the Revolutionary War was the loss of the colonial possessions of Great Britain in America. By the Act of Nov. 27, 1779, (called the Divesting Act) the Penns, proprietaries of Pennsylvania, were divested of all their proprietary public property, including the quitrents; but this act carefully protected their rights to the manors, and all that could be distinguished as private property. A liberal compensation was made to the Penns for the loss of their proprietary rights in Pennsylvania, the sum of 130,000 pounds sterling, money of Great Britain, being allowed them; and they also received from Great Britain an annuity of 4,000 pounds, from an estimated loss of half a million sterling. In the fall of 1783, the Penns offered for sale their lands in the Manor of Pittsburgh, and the first sale was made in January, 1784, to Isaac Craig and Stephen Bayard, of all the ground between Fort Pitt and the Allegheny River, "supposed to contain three acres." After this sale was made, the Penns decided to lay out the town of Pittsburgh so as to include the three acres and also old Fort Pitt, but Messrs. Craig and Bayard afterward received a deed for the lots included in their original purchase. (15). John Penn and John Penn, Jr., former proprietaries of Pennsylvania, instructed Tench Francis, their attorney, to employ a competent surveyor to make a survey and lay out a town on their Manor of Pittsburgh. Mr. Francis employed Col. George Woods, of Bedford, to do the work, in which he was assisted by Thos. Vickroy, also of Bedford. No official survey of Pittsburgh had ever been made, up to this time. In May, 1784, the surveyors arrived in Pittsburgh, and their work was completed in July, 1784. The old "Military Survey," as it was called, made in 1764, by Col. John Campbell, was in the main, allowed to stand. It included four squares, between Water and Second Streets Pantograph used by George Woods in laying out Pittsburgh, in 1784. [illustration] Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 19 (Second Avenue), and Ferry and Market Streets. By what authority Campbell's survey was made, is not now known. The letter written by Tench Francis, attorney for the Penns, requesting Col. George Woods to make the survey of Pittsburgh, bears date of April 22, 1784, and the letter of acceptance of the survey and plan of the town made by Col. Woods, written by Mr. Francis, bears date of September 30, 1784. (16). A very peculiar feature of the Woods' survey and plan of Pittsburgh is the fact that a rod was used which was one-eighth of an inch longer, in every ten feet, than the United States standard of measurement. From this anomaly of two standards, considerable confusion in the purchase and sale of property in Pittsburgh later resulted, it being necessary, if the Government standard was used, to add one-eighth of an inch in every ten feet, to make it harmonize with the Woods' survey. In later years, some additional information having been found necessary concerning the methods pursued in making this first official survey of Pittsburgh, Mr. Thomas Vickroy, of Bedford, prepared a document dated December 16, 1841, describing the manner of making the survey. This document is still on file in the city archives of Pittsburgh. The names of the two surveyors have been preserved, that of Col. Woods being given to Wood Street, one of the city's principal thoroughfares (the "s" being dropped for the sake of euphony), and that of Thos. Vickroy to Vickroy Street, on Boyd's Hill, between Bluff and Locust. One of the most prized relics of the Woods' family has always been the pantograph (or pantagraph, for it is correctly spelled both ways) or draughting instruments used by Col. Woods, in drawing the plan of Pittsburgh, in accordance with his survey. This quaint old brass instrument, when folded up, is about twenty inches in length, and is kept in the identical wooden box in which Col. Woods carried it. (17). There is no name on the box to indicate who was the maker of this rare old relic, so intimately associated with the history of Pittsburgh. It is in as good condition today as it was when used by Col. Woods 140 Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 20 years ago in making the plan of Pittsburgh. He used it also in making his numerous surveys in other parts of Pennsylvania. Being the official surveyor of old Westmoreland County and also of Bedford County, for many years, he made extensive use of the pantograph. His commission as surveyor of Bedford County was renewed on December 4, 1787, and is signed by John Lukens, Surveyor General of Pennsylvania; and was again renewed on November 10, 1789, by Daniel Brodhead, who had succeeded Mr. Lukens as Surveyor General of Pennsylvania. In 1785, Col. Woods was a member of the Committee on, the Navigation of the Susquehanna River. He was a State Councillor for Bedford County, in 1787. In 1788-1789, he was a member of the State Board of Property. Pittsburgh people are accustomed to refer to the city's first official surveyor by his military title, as "Colonel" George Woods, but during the later years of his life, the title of "Judge" George Woods is just as appropriate. From the time the Declaration of American Independence was made, on July 4, 1776, to that of the adoption of the State Constitution of Pennsylvania, in 1790, Barnard Dougherty, James Martin, and George Woods held commissions and served alternately as President Judges of the courts of Bedford County, Pa. (18). Judge Woods, in 1790, was the presiding Justice of the Quarter Sessions, Justice of the Orphans Court, and presiding Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, the highest Court in Bedford County. On August 20, 1791, Governor Thomas Mifflin, of Pennsylvania appointed George Woods as first associate judge of the Fourth Judicial District, then composed of the counties of Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Huntington, and Mifflin. (19). Upon the incorporation of Bedford as a borough, on March 13, 1795, provision was made for an enumeration of the amount and kinds of property owned by each citizen. The work was completed in 1796. Judge George Woods owned three houses, two barns, six horses, and eight cows, and it is stated: "The Hon. George Woods was then the largest property owner in the borough." (20). From the the time he first located there, the home of Judge Woods John Woods [illustration] Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 21 was in Bedford, Pa., and he died there in October, 1796. (21). He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was held in the highest esteem in the community where he had lived so long, and in the state in which he had held so many public offices of honor and trust. The family of Judge Woods consisted of three sons, John, Henry and George; and four daughters, Jane, wife of Col. David Espy, of Bedford; Ann, wife of Hon. Jas. Ross, of Pittsburgh; and Mary and Rose, who both die unmarried. (22). To our knowledge, Judge Woods was never the owner of any land in Pittsburgh, or vicinity, but several of his children were citizens of Pittsburgh and land owners here; and the descendants of Pittsburgh's first official surveyor have been closely and prominently identified with the city's history, down to the present time. John Woods was educated at Bedford, and took the oath of allegiance August 30, 1781. (23). In this document he is mentioned as the son of Col. George Woods, of Bedford, and a "student at law." As early as 1781, John Woods was a member of the militia, at Bedford, Pa., and is spoken of in the records as "Major John Woods." (24). In 1783, he was admitted to the bar of Washington County, Pa., and in 1784, to those of Westmoreland and Fayette Counties, Pa. Allegheny County was established by Act of September 24, 1788. The first court- Quarter Session-was held December 16, 1788, in Pittsburgh, and at this time, there were admitted as members of the bar of Allegheny County, Hugh H. Brackenridge, John Woods, James Ross, and six others. The three men named were among Pittsburgh's first resident attorneys, and became wealthy and prominent citizens. (25). John Woods was an able lawyer, and attended to considerable business for the Penns, at Pittsburgh, in connection with the laying out and sale of lands in the town. (26) . In speaking of this, a contemporary states (27): "The plan of Pittsburgh is often referred to as 'John Woods' plan of Pittsburgh. This is correct. Though the authority was conferred on (Col.) George Woods, the plan is certified thus: 'A draught of the town-plat of Pittsburgh, surveyed and laid out by order Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 22 of Tench Francis, Esq., attorney of John Penn, Jr., and John Penn, May 31, 1784, by John Woods. Witness, George Woods, Peter Miller'." In his "Recollection of Persons and Places in the West" (28), H. M. Brackenridge says concerning John Woods, the Pittsburgh attorney: "Mr. John Woods, who stood next to Mr. (James) Ross (in the bar of Allegheny County) had the reputation of a skillful lawyer. His person was fine, and his dress and manner bespoke the gentleman, although there was a touch of aristocratic pride about him which lessened his popularity. His voice was rather shrill and unpleasant, especially when contrasted with his manly appearance; but, like John Randolph, his ear-piercing voice often gave the effect of a powerful invective. Few lawyers could manage a case with more skill. He was deeply versed in all the subtleties of the law of tenures and ejectment causes. Being possessed of a comfortable fortune, he rather shunned than courted practice, but in a difficult case the suitor thought himself fortunate when he could secure his assistance." At the April term of 1791, John Woods was admitted to the bar of Bedford County, Pa. (29). Yeates reports, from 1793, show that he was engaged in nearly every cause argued in the circuit courts of the Supreme Court held at Huntington, Bedford, Somerset, Greensburg, Washington, Pittsburgh and Beaver. The commission of John Woods, granted by Thomas Mifflin, Governor of Pennsylvania, as Brigadier General of the "Brigade of Allegheny," bears date of March 28, 1798. (30). Gen. Woods was active in public life also. He was a Presidential elector in 1796; and a state senator in 1797. He served one term in the State Senate, being Speaker, in 1800. In 1814, he was elected to Congress, from Allegheny County, Pa., (31) and was still in office at the time of his death. He married Theodosia Higbee, of Richmond Hill, Trenton, New Jersey, and they were prominent in the social life of the borough of Pittsburgh. Their home was a handsome brick dwelling on Penn Street (now Penn Avenue). The grounds included Henry Woods. [portrait] Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 23 the square between Wayne and Washington Streets, and Penn Street and the Allegheny River. One whose memory extended back to the early days thus describes it (32): "When I first remember the house, in 1818 or 1819, it was occupied by Christian Ferbiger, a prominent gentleman from Philadelphia who had been active in State affairs in the eastern part of the State early in the century. It was afterwards owned and occupied by James S. Stevenson, a partner of Charles Avery in the drug business, corner of Wood and Second Streets, who represented Allegheny County in Congress. The house was a double brick, with; wings, situated in the centre of the square, distant from Penn Street about 120 to 150 feet, and faced by trees and shrubbery. During the occupancy of Mr. Stevenson, on the Fourth of July, 1828, a great Jackson meeting was held in the rear of this square next to the Allegheny River, presided over by William Wilkins, and addressed by Henry Baldwin. I was present. Later, the property became a tavern- stand and wagon-yard, and a place of many public meetings. I remember hearing there 'Tariff Andy Stewart,' of Uniontown, and Senator John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky." Another description of the place is given by. a Pittsburgh writer in 1871, as follows (33): "From Wayne to Washington Street (then, 1810 or a little later-the eastern line of the city) stood the spacious mansion of the late General John Woods, which afterwards became the property and residence of James S. Stevenson. The whole grounds were tastefully laid out in lawns and flower gardens, while in the rear, a fine orchard and pasture stretched down to the Allegheny River. A portion of the original house is still (1871) standing, and occupied by the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company. The rest of the ground is covered with railroad tracks, warehouses, etc., where, instead of the peacefulness of a country home, the whistling and bustling of the steam horse is constantly heard." The whole square was occupied by the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad. Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 24 While on the way to Charleston, South Carolina, for the recovery of his health, Gen. Woods died, late in the year 1817. His remains were interred in the burial ground of the First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, of which he was a member. He was a man of great wealth, the owner of a great deal of land in and about the city of Pittsburgh, and at Bedford, Pa. His will bears date of September 20, 1816, and is recorded in Will Book Vol. 2, p. 109, in the Recorder's Office of Allegheny County, Pa. (34). He left no children. As Mrs. Woods did not intend to remain in Pittsburgh, she was bequeathed an annuity of $2,400 for life, the household goods, and three black servants, Henry, Israel and Nancy, for the remainder of their respective terms of servitude. She returned to Trenton, New Jersey, where she died, early in February, 1833, in the 62d year of her age. She had been ill about ten days of brain fever. (35). Henry Woods, as a young man, was a member of the Bedford Scouts, a company organized for the defense of the settlers against the Indians. On one occasion, this company, of which Henry Woods was a Lieutenant, was ambushed, and but three of the company, of whom he was one, escaped with their lives. This was probably the occasion, as mentioned by Chief Hudson's son to Mr. Woods at Pittsburgh wharf, when he ran "like de debbil up Juniata Hill." A very strong and active young man, Henry Woods was noted for his knowledge of woodscraft and his military prowess. He was an active member of the militia during the Revolutionary War, being in 1779 Lieutenant of the Bedford County Militia; later rising to the rank of Captain. Miss Mary K. Woods, of Pittsburgh, a granddaughter of Henry Woods, has the sword carried by him during the Revolutionary War. The handle is of bone, and the blade long and keen. The leather scabbard is partly missing. Henry Woods was admitted to the bar of Bedford County, on June 5, 1792, on motion of his brother, John Woods. (36). He was a member of the Sixth and Seventh Congress, and served from 1799 to 1803. (37). He is mentioned as the handsomest member of that august body, and George Woods. [Portrait] Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 25 James Ross, his brother-in-law, then also in Congress, as the youngest member (Age 32 years, when first elected). In a list of citizens of Bedford, in 1810, the name of Hon. Henry Woods, a practicing attorney, is mentioned. He always made his home at Bedford. On October 1, 1796, a few days before his death, Col. George Woods made a deed for two lots on the south side of Pitt Street, marked on the general plan of the town of Bedford, Nos. 161 and 162, to his son, Henry Woods. (38). On February 24, 1807, Henry Woods obtained a deed from the Penns for these same two lots, Nos. 161 and 162, and another, No. 123 (this last on Penn Street in Bedford); and also two outlots, situated in that part of the Manor of Bedford on the north side of the Raystown branch of Juniata River, Nos. 8 and 9, together with parts of outlots Nos. 15, 16, and 17. (39). By the will of John Woods, the Pittsburgh attorney, Henry Woods was bequeathed 530 acres of land now a part of the Fifteenth Ward of the city of Pittsburgh; and at his death in 1826, he bequeathed this land, the one-half of the "Scotch Bottoms" farm of 1,060 acres including the present Hazelwood and parts of Greenfield and Squirrel Hill, to his two sons, Henry Woods, a boy then about 12 years of age, and his younger brother, John George Woods. Their mother's maiden name was Susan B. Cassidy. The two boys inherited considerable property at Bedford, and Bedford Springs also, besides some other lands. By the will of their father, they were to be cared for and educated by Josiah Espy and Maria, his wife. George Woods (3d) was born in 1764. He was twenty years of age in 1784, when Col. George Woods made the survey of Pittsburgh, and accompanied his father, acting as general assistant to the two surveyors. On April 21, 1785, being then of age, George Woods became a licensed surveyor, this being the date of the commission granted him by John Lukens, Surveyor General of Pennsylvania, who appointed "his trusty friend, George Woods, Jr., of the County of Bedford," to be surveyor of District No. 3 in the late purchase, Northumberland County, Pa. (40). He was again appointed to the same office, on November 10, 1789, Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 26 by Daniel Brodhead, Surveyor General of Pennsylvania. (41). His commission as surveyor of "the whole County of Bedford, except that part of it already granted to Alexander McClean, Esq.," bears date of December 21, 1791, and is signed by Daniel Brodhead, Surveyor General of Pennsylvania. (42). George Woods, Jr., was a man held in high esteem. He was (together with his brother John Woods, of Pittsburgh) an executor of the estate of his uncle, Capt. John Little, formerly of Princeton, N. J., but in later life the owner of a farm, part of the "Scotch Bottoms" (in the present Fifteenth Ward, Pittsburgh, Pa.) as well as considerable other property in Pennsylvania. After the death of his father, in October, 1796, George Woods was one of the executors of his will; and he seems, from this time, to have stepped into the position at Bedford formerly occupied by his father, being even addressed (in some letters preserved in the Woods collection of family documents) as "Col. Geo. Woods, of Bedford." In 1795, Geo. Woods, Jr., held the offices of (43) Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts and Register and Recorder for the County of Bedford. He was the attorney and agent for numerous non-resident owners of large tracts of land at Bedford and vicinity for several years before his death. A relative, Jos. A. Delafield, thus speaks of him (44): "A man of distinction in Bedford, where he made his home, when not in Pittsburgh or at Steubenville, Ohio. He ran for Congress on the Federalist ticket, about 1806. He assisted his father in the survey of Pittsburgh, in 1784; and surveyed and laid out the city of Cincinnati." He also surveyed the city of Steubenville, Ohio. He died at Bedford, Pa., August 25, 1807. The executors of his large estate were his brother, Henry Woods, Dr. John Anderson, and Dr. John McDowell. Geo. Woods, 3d, owned a farm in Bedford Township, Bedford County, Pa., of 115 acres. This land had been patented to Col. Geo. Woods on March 18, 1776, and by him conveyed to his son. After his death it was purchased by Dr. John Anderson. Mr. Woods owned many lots in the borough of Bedford, and other land. His wife was Anna daughter of Dr. John and Martha (Johnston) McDowell, of Chester, Pa. Shortly after the death of Mr. Woods, she sold off a portion Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 27 of her household goods at public sale on October 10, 1807, and removed with her family, four daughters, Anna, Margaretta, Mary Lythe, and Harriet Woods, to Steubenville, Ohio. That place was henceforth their home. (45). Besides the estate left by their father, these four daughters of Geo. Woods, 3d, were bequeathed a valuable piece of property in Pittsburgh-eight lots Nos. 75; to 82 inclusive by their uncle, John Woods, in 1817. (46). Anna Woods married Dr. Nathaniel Dike. Margaretta Woods married John S. Dike. Mary Lythe Woods died unmarried. Harriet Woods was the wife of Judge H. M. Brackenridge of Pittsburgh and Carlisle. Jane Woods, eldest child of .Col. Geo. Woods, was born in 1755, and died June 12, 1813. She was married in 1775 to David Espy. He was born in 1730, and died June 13, 1795. An attorney by profession, Col. David Espy was a prominent man in Bedford County prior to and during the Revolutionary War. He was Deputy of the Provincial Convention in 1775, and a member of the Council of Public Safety in 1776. He became Colonel of the Bedford County Militia in 1776, and a Justice of Bedford County, in 1778. He was Prothonotary of Bedford County, 1778- 1790. The children of Col. Espy and wife were David, Mary E., and George Espy, all beneficiaries under the will of their uncle, John Woods, the. Pittsburgh attorney. George and David Espy were bequeathed large tracts of land bordering on the Allegheny River. David Espy, born in 1777, was commissioned 1st. Lieutenant, 22d Infantry, by President Madison, on July 23, 1812, (47); and later commissioned Captain, by President Monroe. (48). He died in 1818, unmarried. George Espy, born in 1781, died unmarried in 1855. Mary Elizabeth Espy was born in 1779, and died November 28, 1815. She was married to Dr. John Anderson, on July 10, 1807. Dr. Anderson, son of Thomas and Ann (Lyon) Anderson, was a fine physician, a man of many interests and considerable wealth. The Andersons resided in the homestead erected by Col. Espy at Bedford, and Dr. Anderson was extensively engaged not only in the practice of his profession, but in the banking business and in land speculations. Towards the latter part of his life, he devoted him- Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 28 self to the development of the famous Bedford Springs property, the "Carlsbad of America," and the Anderson family were interested in the ownership of these springs for many years. Dr. Anderson .also held many offices of public honor and trust. Mrs. Anderson being deceased at the time of the death of John Woods, the Pittsburgh attorney, in 1817, her share of his estate went to her children: George Woods Anderson; Espy Lyon Anderson; Ann Jane Anderson, who. died young, unmarried; Mary Woods Anderson; and Elizabeth Stewart Anderson. The two daughters last named, Mary W. Anderson (Mrs. Francis Johnston) and Elizabeth S. Anderson, at the death of Jas. Ross, Jr., inherited from him the one-half of the Glenwood Farm in the present Fifteenth Ward of the city of Pittsburgh. Their father, Dr. Anderson, born on May 1, 1770, died in March, 1840. (49). Ann Woods, daughter of Col. George Woods, was, born January 20, 1771, and was about 13 years of age, at the time Pittsburgh was laid out, in 1784. Her brother, John Woods, was one of the first resident attorneys in Pittsburgh, and both he and James Ross were admitted to the bar, December 16, 1788, at the first session of the court held in the new county of Allegheny. It was probably through this brother that Miss Woods met his friend, James Ross, son of Joseph and Jane (Graham) Ross, and their marriage took place January 13, 1791. The Hon. James Ross was one of the most famous men resident in Pittsburgh in his day. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania, in 1790. In April, 1794, he was elected to the United States Senate, to fill the unexpired term of Albert Gallatin; and was re-elected in 1797, serving until 1803. In August, 1794, he was appointed as one of three commissioners empowered to make the offer of amnesty to the insurgents of the Whiskey Insurrection. He was an intimate friend of President Washington, and managed his western lands. For three times, in 1799, 1802 and 1805, he was the candidate of the Federal party in Pennsylvania, for the office of Governor. Retiring from political life, James Ross devoted himself to his profession Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 29 and his land speculations. He took a keen interest in municipal affairs, and was President of Select Council of the city of Pittsburgh, from 1816 to 1833. The home of the Ross family, at this time, was on Grant's Hill. This is described as follows: "An unpretentious frame building, which stood in an orchard on a lot of six or seven acres, situated between Grant and Ross Streets; and extended from Fourth Street up over Grant's Hill, to near High Street. Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street have since been located across the upper end of these grounds, and the Court House and jail are built on part of it. The distributing reservoir of the city water works was then immediately opposite the Court House." (50). During the last years of his life, James Ross resided in Allegheny City (North Side, Pittsburgh). He had a country home, "The Meadows" on the Allegheny River, a few miles above the city. Mrs. Ross died at Cornwall, Pa., September 11, 1805, leaving three surviving children (51); George Woods, Mary Jane and James Ross. The eldest son, George Woods Ross, born April 16, 1792, a young man most promising in ability, was drowned on February 10, 1814, while crossing a creek on horseback, about twelve miles from the city. He was only 22 years of age, and unmarried. The creek was in flood, the horse floundered, lost his footing, and young Ross became entangled in the stirrups. His father took the loss greatly to heart. The death of the Hon. James Ross took place Saturday, November 27, 1847. He was born July 12, 1762, and hence was 85 years of age. The members of the bar of Allegheny County held a meeting the following Monday, passing resolutions of respect to the memory of the nestor of the bar, which were published in the city papers. - The funeral services, November 30, 1847, were attended by the members of the bar, the judges. of the courts, and a large circle of friends. The name of the Hon. James Ross is commemorated in the name of Ross Street, Pittsburgh; Ross Township, Allegheny, County, Pa.; and Ross County, Ohio. By his will, dated October 5, 1841 (52), the Hon. Jas. Ross bequeathed the bulk of his estate to his only surviving child, James Ross, Jr. His daughter, Mary Jane (Mrs. Edward Coleman) was deceased, leaving Early History of the Fifteenth Ward, City of Pittsburgh 30 three daughters, to each of whom was bequeathed $30,000. At the death of James Ross, Jr., in 1851, all of his estate received from his father was also bequeathed to these three nieces. (53). Mary Woods, daughter of Col. George Woods, of Bedford, was born in 1759, and was called by her family and friends, Polly. In 1817, by the will of her brother, John Woods, the Pittsburgh attorney, Miss Woods was left joint owner, with her brother Henry Woods, of Bedford, of the great tract of land in Peebles Township, Allegheny County, Pa., known as "Scotch Bottoms," which included the larger portion of the present Fifteenth Ward of the city of Pittsburgh. Miss Woods removed to Pittsburgh, and lived here for the remainder of her life. By agreement of the brother and sister, Miss Woods took the upper part of the tract, 530 acres, including the present Glenwood. About 1818, she built a story and a half stone cottage on this farm, and this was the home of the tenant to whom the farm was rented. Being engaged to be married, Miss Woods and her affianced husband made a trip of inspection out to her domain, with the idea of living in the stone cottage after the wedding, but during the trip the couple qquarrelled [sic], and the engagement was broken. Miss Woods never married. She died October 28, 1840, and bequeathed her Glenwood farm, to James Ross, Jr., the son of the Hon. James Ross and her sister, Ann (Woods) Ross. Miss Woods made her home with the Ross family. Rose Woods, daughter of Col. George Woods, is mentioned in his will, the last codicil of which bears date of October 1, 1796, and the will was proved October 15, 1796. Little is known of this daughter, except that she died unmarried. She is not mentioned in the will of her brother, John Woods, of Pittsburgh. John George Woods Mansion, Hazel Hill. [Illustration] *********************** NOTE: This book is divided into 3 files, of which this is the first. The other two files are: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/history/local/kussart31-60.txt http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/history/local/kussart61-90.txt