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Source:
History of
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
By Robert Walter Smith, Esq.
ILLUSTRATED
Chicago:
Waterman, Watkins & Co.
1883
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CHAPTER 1 - |
HISTORICAL SKETCH of ARMSTRONG COUNTY - |
13 |
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- William Penn
- His Influence as Proprietor of the Province
- Outline of the Early History of Pennsylvania
- The Original Counties
- Formation of Armstrong
- Contest between the English and French for Dominion in the West
- The Aboriginal Inhabitants
- The Indian Town of Kittanning
- Col. Armstrong's Expedition against It
- The Battle at Blanket Hill
- Return March
- Testimonials to Armstrong's Valor and Services
- Events Subsequent to the Destruction of Kittanning
- General Broadhead (note)
- Captain Sharp and other Pioneers
- Indian Atrocities
- Obstacles to Settlement
- More Favorable Circumstances
- Population
- Nationality of the Pioneers
- Cabin Building
- Neighborly Kindness
- Game
- Early Settlers' Amusements
- The Armstrong Purchase
- County Seat Established
- The County Attached to Westmoreland
- Judicial Organization
- The First Court-House and Jail
- Succeeding and Present Structures
- Armstrong County Civil Roster
- Political
- Judicial and Legal
- Religious
- Educational
- Journalistic
- Postal and Traveling Facilities
- Scenery of the Allegheny Valley
- Mercantile and Commercial
- Distilleries, Iron Furnaces and Salt Wells, etc.
- Prices of Land, Labor and Provisions
- Agricultural
- Surveys of the Allegheny River
- Patriotism
- The war of 1812. |
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CHAPTER II. - |
ARMSTRONG COUNTY in the War of the Rebellion |
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- Introductory
- The First Companies
- Camp Orr Established
- Departure of the Regiments
- Amount of Money Raised in the County for Relief of Soldiers' Families
- The Amount of Bounty Money
- Soldiers' Aid Society
- "In perp_____ Memoriam"
- Roster of Armstrong County by Regiments and Companies
- Regimental Histories
- "Brady Alpines"
- Eighth and Eleventh Reserves
- Fifth Ninth, Sixty Second and Sixty-third REgiments
- Seventy-Eighth Regiment
- The One Hundred and Third
- One Hundred and Fourth
- One Hundred and Thirty-Ninth
- One Hundred and Fifty-Ninth
- Two Hundred and Fourth
- Soldiers in Other Organizations
- Militia |
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CHAPTER III. - |
TOWNSHIP DIVISION AND ORGANIZATION |
101 |
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- Importance of the Township Politically
- The Townships of Armstrong and Wheatfield in 1792
- The Three Original Divisions of the County
- Allegheny
- Buffalo
- Toby
- Origin of Names
- Subdivisions of the Original Townships |
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CHAPTER IV. - |
THE BOROUGH OF KITTANNING |
106 |
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- 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 in 1804
- The First Merchants, Lawyers, Physicians and Inn-Keepers
- Some Reminiscences of the War of 1812
- A Groundless Alarm
- The Postoffice
- The Village in 1820
- Corporate History
- Security Against Fires
- The Streets
- Public Improvements
- Wharfing the River Bank
- Crossing the Allegheny
- Ferries and Bridges
- First Steamboat Arrivals
- River Improvement Convention
- Some Old-Time Fourth of July Celebrations
- Other and Later Notable Events
- Tornadoes, Floods, Ice Gorges adn Fires
- The Churches of Kittanning
- Public Schools
- Academy
- University
- College
- Public Schools
- Literary and Dramatic Societies
- Lecture Courses
- Temperance Societies
- Secret and Benevolent Organizations
- Independent Military Company
- Bands
- Boat Clubs
- Manufacturing, Early and Late
- Banking
- Insurance
- Gas and Water Works
- Mercantile Matters
- The Professions
- Public Buildings
- Cemeteries
- The town in 1876
- Statistics
- Geology of the Locality
- Mineral Springs |
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CHAPTER V. - |
ALLEGHENY (NOW BETHEL, PARKS AND GILPIN) |
156 |
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- Division of the Township in 1878
- Origin of the Name Allegheny
- English and French Traders
- Conrad Weiser and Christian Frederick Post
- The Earliest Land Tracts Surveyed and Seated
- Valuation at Different Periods
- Names of Pioneers
- Churches
- Schools
- Mills
- A Notable Fox Hunt
- Old-Time Fourth of July Celebration
- Railroad Stations
- Towns
- Leechburg
- Lively Enterprises
- Canal Packet Lines
- Taxable Inhabitants in 1832
- Steamboat Arrival in 1838
- The Town Incorporated in 1850
- Religious History of Leechburg
- Litigation in the Lutheran Church
- Education
- Physicians
- Cemetery
- Primitive and Improved Means of Crossing the River
- Manufactures
- Mercantile and Other Occupations
- Soldiers' Aid Society
- Secret Societies
- Temperature
- Population
- Borough of Aladdin
- Its Schools
- Oil Works
- Statistics
- Geology of Allegheny Township |
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CHAPTER VI. - |
KITTANNING |
179 |
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CHAPTER VII. - |
RED BANK |
186 |
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CHAPTER VIII - |
PLUM CREEK |
201 |
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CHAPTER IX. - |
WAYNE |
214 |
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CHAPTER X. - |
KISKIMMINETAS |
232 |
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CHAPTER XI. - |
PINE (INCLUDING BOGGS) |
247 |
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CHAPTER XII. - |
MADISON |
259 |
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CHAPTER XIII. - |
COWANSHANNOCK |
286 |
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CHAPTER XIV. - |
MANOR |
310 |
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CHAPTER XV. - |
MAHONING |
346 |
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CHAPTER XVI. - |
BURRELL |
364 |
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CHAPTER XVII. - |
VALLEY |
373 |
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CHAPTER XVIII. - |
SOUTH BEND |
391 |
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- 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
- Blockhouses Built by the Early Settlers
- Churches
- Primitive Schoolhouses and Pioneer Pedagogues
- Later Schools
- Miscellaneous Items
- Census and Other Statistics
- Mechanical Industries |
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CHAPTER XIX. - |
FREEPORT |
100 |
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- 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 Settlers
- Reminiscences of Old Times
- Boat Building
- Salt Wells
- Irish Settlements in 1828
- Transfers of Property
- The town Incorporated
- Freeport Ambitions to be a County Town
- The Professions
- Dr. Alters' Discoveries
- Industrial Interests
- Churches
- Schools
- Societies
- Military
- Soldiers' Aid Society
- Cemeteries
- Roads
- Statistics |
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CHAPTER XX. - |
SOUTH BUFFALO |
429 |
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- The "Depreciation Lands," Described
- Early Owners of the Soil and Transfers of Title
- The Famous Soldier and Pioneer, Samuel Murphy
- First School House and Early Teachers
- Benjamin Franklin as a Land Owner in South Buffalo
- Archibald McCall
- Relics of Antiquity
- Clinton's First Masonic Lodge in the County
- Blue Slate Church
- Slate Lick Congregation, from which Originated the First Presbyterian
Church in the County
- United Presbyterian Church of Slate Lick
- Srader Grove Presbyterian Church
- Academy and Other Schools
- Temperance
- Census Statistics
- Geology |
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CHAPTER XXI. - |
NORTH BUFFALO |
456 |
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- Erection of the Township in 1847
- First Election
- White's Claim
- "The Green Settlement"
- First Mill
- Other Tracts of Land and Their Transfers
- Baptist Church
- Population Statistics
- School Statistics, 160 and 1876
- Industrial
- Topography
- Rock Structure |
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CHAPTER XXII. - |
WEST FRANKLIN |
472 |
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- Organization of the Old Township of
Franklin from Territory in Buffalo and Sugar
Creek
- Limestone Township
- First Election in West Franklin
- First Owners of Land Tracts
- Transfers of Property in Early and Late Years
- John Shield's Bequest to the Free Presbyterian Church of Worthington
- His Wife's Gift
- The Craig Woolenmill
- Regular Baptist Church
- James Barr and the Town of Worthington
- Early Assessment of the Village
- Incorporation
- Evangelical and Lutheran Church
- U. P. Church
- M. E. Church
- Free Presbyterian Church
- Academy
- Schools
- Statistics
- Sketch of James Barr
- Local Geology |
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CHAPTER XXIII - |
EAST FRANKLIN |
496 |
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- First Township Election
- The Early Settlers as Shown by Land Titles
- Tribulations of Thomas Barr as Teacher
- An Oil Company Organized in 1870
- West Glade Run Presbyterian Church
- A Notable Law Suit
- Allegheny Furnace Lands
- Roads
- Coal Mining and Oil Manufacturing Company Organized in 1859
- Montgomeryville
- Cowansville
- Middlesex
- Union Presbyterian Church Organized in 1801
- Schools
- Rich Hill U. P. Church
- Population and Other Statistics
- Geological Features
- The Township[ named after Benjamin Franklin |
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CHAPTER XXIV. - |
SUGAR CREEK |
522 |
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- A Small Remnant of the Parent Township
- Original Owners
- Conveyances
- Ezekiel Lewis and other Pioneers
- The Middlesex Presbyterian Church
- St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church
- The Donation Lands
- Lutheran Church
- Robert Orr, Sr.
- Orresville
- Damages of the Tornado of 1860
- Sugar Creek and Phillipsburg Ferry Company
- Templeton Oilwell
- Census and School Statistics
- Grocery |
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CHAPTER XXV. - |
WASHINGTON |
547 |
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- The Township Struck off from Sugar Creek
in 18_8
- First Election of Officers
- Major Part of the Township south of the Donation Land Line
- The Pioneers and First Owners of the Principal Tracts
- Church of the Brethren of Christ
- Lands North of the D___n Line
- Van Buren Laid Out
- Wattersville
- Methodist Episcopal Church
- Statistics
- Geology |
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CHAPTER XXVI. - |
BRADY'S BEND |
563 |
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- Erection and Organization to 1854
- First Officers Elected
- Successive Owners of and Residents on the several Land Tracts
- The Great Western from Works and Brady's Bend Iron Company
- Mention of Founders and Managers |
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CHAPTER XXVII - |
PERRY |
571 |
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- Organization of the Township
- The Pioneers
- Their Work and their Hardships
- Early Roads and Primitive Manufactures
- The Pioneer Schools
- Truby's Mill
- The Borough of Queenstown |
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CHAPTER XXVIII. - |
HOVEY |
575 |
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- Organization
- Dr. Simon Hovey
- The Early Settlers
- Discovery of Oil
- Wonderful Production of the Robinson Farm
- Thom's Run
- The Bridge Across the Allegheny
- Miscellaneous Information |
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CHAPTER XXIX. - |
PARKER CITY |
577 |
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- An Oil Town of Phenomenal Growth
- Settlement of the Parker Family
- An Indian Village on the River Bottom
- Bear Creek Furnace
- Lawrenceburg
- Its Origin and Decline
- Parker's Landing
- The Discovery of Oil and the Rapid Upbuilding of a City
- Important Events
- Leading Industries
- The Past and the Present Contrasted
- Educational and Religious Institutions |
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
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Barnhart, O. |
612 |
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Beal, Joseph G., Maj |
605 |
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Brodhead, Daniel, Gen. |
585 |
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Brown, James E. |
595 |
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Bullington, Joseph, Hon. |
589 |
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Butler, Thomas |
607 |
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Calhoun, John, Hon. |
599 |
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Campbell, Joseph and Joseph I. |
611 |
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Cha__ers, John B., Capt |
236 |
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Christy, John |
324 |
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Cochran, Robert |
616 |
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Devers, William |
388 |
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Doutt, James |
616 |
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Duff, D. K., Rev. |
286 |
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Elder, T. M., Rev. |
600 |
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Elgin, Samuel |
302 |
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Fowler, James |
611 |
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Fulmer, James |
398 |
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Glenn, A. D., Hon. |
602 |
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Graham, John |
401 |
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Guthrie, James |
282 |
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Guthrie Family, Margaret Todd,
William C. |
280,
281 |
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Heiner, Daniel Broadhead |
128 |
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Hill, John |
613 |
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Hunter, Robert P., Dr. |
605 |
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Jackson, James Y. |
611 |
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Jackson, John |
242 |
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Jackson, John T. |
610 |
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Jackson, Samuel M., Col. |
238 |
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Jackson Family, W. J. Jackson |
614 |
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Johnston, William F., Gov. |
354 |
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Keeley, John |
617 |
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Keppel, David |
156 |
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Lias, Jacob |
616 |
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McBryar, William Dr. |
604 |
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McCandless, Hugh, Prof. |
224 |
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McKallip, Henry K. |
617 |
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McKinstry, William |
276 |
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Marshall, John W. |
292 |
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Marshall, Robert |
201 |
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Marshall, Thomas H.. |
603 |
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Miller Family |
618 |
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Morris, Robert |
608 |
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Mosgrove, James, Hon. |
593 |
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Murdorf, Christian |
615 |
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Murphy, Samuel and James P.,
Caps. |
402 |
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Neal, Smith |
308 |
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Neale, Samuel S., Dr. |
597 |
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Orr, Robert, Gen. |
587 |
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Pontius, Wesley |
230 |
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Putney, George S. |
356 |
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Ralston, John |
591 |
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Read, Charles |
524 |
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Robinson, Elisha |
580 |
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Rohrer, Frederich |
599 |
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Schwalm, John |
606 |
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Shoemaker, George and Solomon |
615 |
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Shoemaker, Joseph |
218 |
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Sirwell, William, Col. |
598 |
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Sloan, George B. |
609 |
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Townsend, Robert |
392 |
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Truitt-Craig families |
618 |
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Wannamaker, John |
618 |
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Warner, Isaac |
252 |
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Wilson, James D. |
396 |
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Wilson, William Armstrong |
608 |
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Wray, H. H. |
614 |
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Wilson, William Armstrong |
608 |
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****************** |
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ILLUSTRATIONS
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Brodhead, Daniel, Gen. |
585 |
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Brown, James E. |
132 |
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Buffington, Joseph, Hon. |
116 |
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Buffington, Joseph, Hon.,
late Residence of |
117 |
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Butler, Thomas |
564 |
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Barnhart, Residence of |
500 |
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Beale, Joseph G., Maj. |
158 |
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Buffalo Milling Co. |
420 |
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Calhoun, John, Hon. |
228 |
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Campbell, J. |
380 |
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Chambers, John B., Capt. |
236 |
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Christy, John, Mr. & Mrs. |
324 |
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Cochran, W. A. |
174 |
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Court-house |
36 |
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Duff, D. K., Rev. |
286 |
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Duff, D. K., Rev., Residence of |
287 |
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Devers, William |
388 |
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Elder, T. M., Rev. |
212 |
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Elgin, Samuel |
302 |
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Fowler, James |
576 |
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Freeport Methodist Episcopal
church |
414 |
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Fulmer, James |
398 |
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Glenn, A. D., Hon. |
348 |
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Graham, John |
404 |
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Guthrie, James |
282 |
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Guthrie, Margaret Todd., Mrs. |
280 |
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Helner, Daniel B. |
128 |
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Hill, John |
162 |
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Hunter, Robert P., Dr. |
164 |
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Jackson, Elizabeth, Mrs. |
242 |
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Jackson, J. Y. |
256 |
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Jackson, John T. |
268 |
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Jackson, S. M., Col. |
238 |
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Jackson, W. J. |
270 |
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Johnston, W. F., Gov |
354 |
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Keeley, John |
264 |
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Keppel, David |
156 |
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Lias, Jacob |
306 |
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McBryar, William |
244 |
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McBryar, William, Mrs. Dr. |
245 |
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McCandless, Hugh, Prof. |
221 |
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McKinstry, William |
276 |
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McKinstry, William, residence of |
277 |
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Mardorf, Residence of |
428 |
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Marshall, J. W. |
292 |
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Marshall, J. W., Residence of |
293 |
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Marshall, Robert |
204 |
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Marshall, Thomas H. |
210 |
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Marshall, William, Residence of |
205 |
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Morrison, Will A., Residence of |
148 |
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Murphy, Samuel and James |
402 |
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Mosgrove, James, Hon. |
121 |
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Neal, Smith |
308 |
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Neal, Smith, Residence of |
309 |
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Orphans' Home, View of |
220 |
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Orr, Robert, Gen. |
facing 108 |
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Pontius, Wesley |
230 |
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Putney, George S. |
356 |
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Ralston, John |
200 |
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Read, Charles |
521 |
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Reynolds House |
140 |
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Robinson, Elisha, Residence of |
581 |
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Robinson, Elisha, Mr. & Mrs. |
580 |
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Ross, Margaret, Mrs., residence
of |
332 |
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Schwalm, John |
172 |
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Schwalm, John, Residence of |
173 |
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Shoemaker, George |
260 |
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Shoemaker, Josiah J., Residence
of |
249 |
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Shoemaker, Salome, Mrs. |
218 |
| St.
Patrick's Church |
525 |
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Townsend, Robert, Mr. and Mrs. |
392 |
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Townsend Homestead |
393 |
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Warner, Isaac |
252 |
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Wilson, William A. |
532 |
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Wilson, James D. |
396 |
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Wray, H. H. |
168 |
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Wray, John M. |
284 |
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