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TO BE ANNOUNCED
Col Crawford Statue
Col Crawford Statue

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.

Gibson House open on: 

December 2024: 7, 21, 28

Have a research question? Please email our archivist at CAHSarchive@gmail.com

 Connellsville Area Historical Society Announcements 

Announcing the Fall, 2024 Pride in Connellsville Area Poster and Poetry Contest Winners

The purpose of this contest is to develop an interest in local history in students in grades 4-9. 
Students research an aspect of Connellsville Area history and then create a poem or poster 
illustrating that topic. Contest instructions and rules are provided to each public and private school in
the district. 

Winners were invited to a reception where they presented their projects, received their cash prizes, 
and enjoyed refreshments. This reception, which also serves as the Connellsville Area Historical Society's
November meeting, took place on November 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm, at the Connellsville Presbyterian Church. 
Students were photographed for the Daily Courier, and the winning projects appeared in the winter
issue of the Connellsville Crossroads magazine.


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. 

Colonel William Crawford

Colonel William Crawford

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1st CITY IN FAYETTE COUNTY, PA

CONNELLSVILLE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
217 West Patterson Avenue
Connellsville, PA 15425


Phone: (724) 628-5344 (K. Hechler)


Email: CHS@connellsvillehistoricalsociety.com

Content, including images, displayed on this website is protected by copyright laws. Downloading, republication, retransmission or reproduction of content on this website is strictly prohibited. 


 

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The Gibson House Christmas Gift Shop  

Saturday, December 7th, 2024 @11am

At the Gibson House 217 West Patterson Avenue Connellsville

The Gibson House Christmas Gift Shop Will Be Open Saturday December 7th at 11am For Connellsville Christmas
The Gibson House will be decorated for Christmas
Light Refreshments will be available

Sign the Guest Book
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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.


Name: Tom of the Yough
Date: 07/30/2019
Message: This is a great site

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