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.
BRADDOCK'S CROSSING
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
The War for Empire
France and Great Britain were the two European super powers of the mid 1700s. Both countries wanted to control as much land in the world as possible. In North America, the French controlled Canada, and the British were located in the 13 Colonies along the Atlantic coast.
In 1753, this area along the Youghiogheny River was inhabited by native Americans of the Iroquois, Delaware, and Kanhawhas tribes. The river made the area particularly attractive to French trappers trading for furs with the Indians. The English, who had been content to stay east of the Appalachians prior to the 1750s, were now looking for fresh, cheaper land and fur trade also.
The French attempted to control the rivers and lakes of the interior of North America because they served as natural highways for their fur trade with the natives.
Our area, here in the Ohio Valley, was claimed by several colonies, Virginia being the most dominant. In an attempt to determine French involvement in the Ohio Valley, Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia sent Major George Washington to find the French and deliver a message for them to leave this British land. Along with local pioneer, Christopher Gist, Washington traveled through our area in 1753 - 1754. Washington returned to the area in the spring and summer of 1754, where the incident at Jumonville precipitated the French and Indian War.
To drive the French out of the Ohio Valley, a British army under the command of Major General Edward Braddock achieved "mission Impossible" and brought a large force of British and colonial troops along with artillery and wagons through the wilderness.
On the way to Fort Duquesne at the forks of the Ohio, Braddock's army crossed the Youghiogheny River at Stewart's Crossings (Connellsville) on June 29-30, 1755. The army spent two days here in Connellsville, and on the second day, they baked bread for the last time before the attack on the French. The attack resulted in a major defeat for the British army.
This historic year of 2024 will be the Connellsville Historical Society's 21st Annual Braddock's Crossing of the Yough Event.
This year's celebration to be held on Saturday, June 28th , at the Crawford Cabin site. The event will begin at 11:00 am with an Opening Ceremony. There will be re-enactors available to interact with and gain knowledge of life here when this was the frontier region of our country. We will also celebrate 54 years of preserving Connellsville history. Volunteers are always welcome.
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The Connellsville Historical Society will hold our May Meeting at the Somerset Train Station facing Crawford Avenue on the West Side next to the Somerset Trust Office. The meeting will be Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm. The speaker for the evening will be John Malone, Senior Vice President, Somerset Trust Company. Mr. Malone will relate the history of this uniquely beautiful and historic building in Connellsville. A short business meeting will be held also.
Members are encouraged to attend, and visitors are always welcome to our meetings. Light refreshments will follow the program.
Karen Hechler, President
Connellsville Area Historical Society
Crawford'sCraftAndVendorShow2025
Saturday, August 30th:* 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 31st:* 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Monday, September 1st:* 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Coloniel Crawford's Cabin Site.148 Torrance Avenue, Connellsville PA 15425
Free Admission for the Public
-This event is outdoors
#Booth Options & Pricing
# Monday Only (if available)
- Small Vendor Booth (10×10): $15
- Large Vendor Booth (10×20): $25
(Can also apply to other days if we have schedule deviations)
#Two-Day Option (Saturday & Sunday)
Or Saturday/Monday
- *Small Vendor Booth: $30.00
- *Large Vendor Booth: $60.00
- *Electricity Use (Limited Areas):$5.00 additional
# All 3 Days
- *Small Vendor Booth (10×10): $50.00
- *Large Vendor Booth (10×20): $75.00
- *Electricity Use (Limited Areas): $5.00 additional
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.