Col Crawford Statue at The Carnagie Free Library in Connellsville.
the Plaque States: IN MEMORY OF COLONEL WILLIAM CRAWFORD BORN IN BERKELEY COUNTY, VIRGINIA, IN 1732
FRIEND OF WASHINGTON-PIONEER-PATRIOT. THIS MONUMENT IS SITUATED 1260 YARDS S. 69° E. 16' OF THE SPOT WHERE HE BUILT HIS LOG CABIN IN 1765 ON THE WEST BANK OF THE YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER, AT THE HISTORIC STEWART'S CROSSINGS.
HE FIRST VISITED THE REGION WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS IN 1758, AS AN OFFICER IN THE EXPEDITION OF GENERAL FORBES AGAINST FORT DUQUESNE. AS COLONEL OF THE SEVENTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT, HE CROSSED THE DELAWARE WITH WASHINGTON IN 1777, AND SHARED IN THE VICTORY AT TRENTON. FIGHTING IN DEFENSE OF THE FRONTIER, AS COMMANDER OF THE SANDUSKY EXPEDITION, HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE INDIANS AND BURNED AT THE STAKE NEAR CRAWFORDSVILLE, OHIO, JUNE, 11,1782,
ERECTED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION THE CITY OF CONNELLSVILLE, AND GRATEFUL CITIZENS 1917.
Welcome to the Connellsville Area Historical Society
Gibson House Museum and Archive HOURS:
The Gibson House is generally open Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Other days and times are by advance appointment. Wednesdays are preferred.
The Gibson House will open on:
April: 5, 12, 19, 9am - 4pm
Closed Saturday April 26th
Have a research question? Please email our archivist at CAHSarchive@gmail.com
Connellsville Area Historical Society Announcements
Announcing the 270th Anniversary of Braddock's Crossing The Youghiogheny! 1755-2025!
Join us for the 270th Anniversary Celebration of Braddocks Crossing the Youghiogheny River
Saturday June 28th 11am - 6pm
Sunday June 29th 12pm - 6pm
At Coloniel Crawford's Cabin
148 Torrance Avenue Connellsville PA 15425
(FREE ADMISSION)
(More Details To Come)
CALLING
NANCY
WILLIAMS
Does anyone know NANCY WILLIAMS? WE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INQUIRY 11/2 from her:
Looking for father of Mahala Hatfield Nicholson (1831-1906.)
Mahala’s husband was Benjamin F. Nicholson, married in 1853. They have been mentioned as being in Bullskin and Connellsville. Some say her father was William, which is on her death certificate (mother’s name blank.) But by far most researchers say her father was Elias and her mother, Rosanna. Thank you for any assistance you can provide, Nancy
NANCY, YOUR EMAIL IS BROKEN. RETURN ADDRESS DOES NOT WORK. We have information for you if and when you see this.
COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD'S CABIN AT YOUGH RIVER PARK
Col. William Crawford, outstanding local pioneer leader, was born in Virginia in 1732, the same year as his good friend, George Washington. He came to this area in 1758, as an officer of the army of Gen. John Forbes as it marched westward in the second attempt to capture Fort Duquesne at the forks of the Ohio River. Colonel Crawford was so impressed with the area, he decided to return once the Indian hostilities died down.
He and his half-brother, Hugh Stephenson, came over the mountains in 1765 on horseback and decided once they reached the second crossing of the Youghiogheny River, at what was known as Stewart's Crossings, now Connellsville, that this was where he would bring his family to live. He purchased 376 1/4 acres of meadow land in the bend of the river and took his family into the cabin in 1766. Col. Crawford's name for his residence was originally "Spring Garden" but was widely known as "Crawford's Place" by the locals. He also had a Spring House on his property, which was torn down in June of 1905.
The Crawford family: the Colonel, his wife Hannah and their four children lived a very active life on the frontier. The Crawford family was known for its hospitality. Included among the visitors were George Washington and Lord Dunsmore, the Governor of Virginia. In fact, George Washington taught Crawford the art of surveying when they were young men. Col. Crawford surveyed and purchased land in the local area (Perryopolis) for George Washington.
Colonel Crawford recruited soldiers for the Revolutionary War from his home on the banks of the Youghiogheny River. These soldiers saw action in the battles of Long Island, Trenton and Princeton.
Col. Crawford was with an expedition in 1782 to put down the hostile Indian tribes in what is now Ohio. He got separated from his army and was captured by Delaware Indians. He died a horrible death when he was burned at the stake in Upper Sandusky, Ohio on June 11, 1782.
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Name: Nan Siegmund
Date: 01/04/2025 Message: I am the Great Granddaughter of Samuel Levy and Martha Osten/Osetzky Levy. Samuel owned a general store on the Main Street in the late 1800's / early 1900's and moved to Brooklyn with his family. The original Levy family name was Newberg / Neiberg (Polish) and we are researching our genealogy.
Name: Shawn Jefferds (O'Neal)
Date: 05/20/2024 Message: My mothers' family was from Connellsville.
Name: Kyle Sepp Woods
Date: 02/10/2024 Message: Info on joining
Name: Simpson Jr Raymond R
Date: 02/09/2024 Message: Grew up in Leisenring # 1 ,,, Connellsville is home ,,,,
Name: Gary Overfield
Date: 01/06/2024 Message: Have an interest in Connellsville due to coal and the railroads. Also like the small town feel.
Name: Cheryl Beitzel-Barkey
Date: 01/21/2023 Message: I grew up going to Connellsville every year to visit my Aunt and Uncle, Pauline and Chelsie Eiford. They lived on Rock Ridge Rd. Some of my favorite memories are from Connellsville.
Name: Terry Ellen Ferl
Date: 10/05/2020 Message: The web site for your Society is very interesting and a great source for learning about the area. Congratulations on your upcoming new home, the Gibson House.
Name: Tom Latham
Date: 09/08/2020 Message: Hope someday I can visit the Crawford family cabin.
Thank you
Name: Roger Buttermore
Date: 08/06/2019 Message: Looking for more info about Point of
Rocks Cemetery and / or "Old
Quaker graveyard" (Ellis, p. 393.
