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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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: lmcswain@btes.tv
Date: 10/17/2008 Message: I am a descendant of swain family. old cyrus swain farm, etc. will share info with anyone searching that name there or Mt. Pleasant
Name: Nancy Soisson-Glista
Date: 10/07/2008 Message: Looking for any history of the Wm. R. Soisson family line. I'd love to hear from lost cousins that knew my grandfather. He died in 1974 and I only remember meeting him one time.
Name: Janet L. Mancini
Date: 10/01/2008 Message: I am doing research on The Children's Home my twin brother John and I were placed in 1957. My birth mother placed us there and died within a few days. We were 4 years old. 11 months later we were adopted into a good home. I have many photos and archives from the home on 141 Oakland Avenue, Uniontown, PA. The first home opened on Highland Ave in 1916. The second in 1917.
The 141 Oakland Ave Home closed in July 1958. Anyone interested please contact the Connellsville Historical society.
Name: jean custer
Date: 09/16/2008 Message: looking for cross's who lived in your town
Name: Brian L. Cypher
Date: 06/21/2008 Message: A first class endeavor, keep up the good work.
Name: JERRY ASSAD
Date: 06/19/2008 Message: I SENT A MESSAGE ON THE SITE. SORRY
Name: Jim Robbins
Date: 06/05/2008 Message: I am researching the Robbins family that lived in Fayette county in the 19th/20th centuries. Visited Uniontown last year and plan to visit Connellsville in 2008
Name: joel abramson
Date: 05/06/2008 Message: Thank you for sharing Connelsville history. My Grandmother lived at 604- 8th Street. Many of the postcards she was sent were simply mailed to Sara Rubin, Connelsville with no address and naturally no zip card. I even did an oil painting of a scene that looked like Pittsburgh Street, that was given to the Cadison's of Punxatawny. 55joelsart@comcast.net
Name: Donna (McClain) Colucci
Date: 03/26/2008 Message: Hi, I was born in Connellsville in 1946. My grandmother owned and operated a general store on So. Pittsburgh St. in So. Connellsville for many years. Her name was Olive Lee, she was known to all the children in the neighborhood as Mrs. Lee. They came daily with their 5 or 10 cents to pick out penny candy from her window display case.
