Southwest Pennsylvania - Genealogy Trip

Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogy Trip

I went on this trip to trace some of my Goodrich ancestors footsteps. My Revolution Patriot, Jesse Goodrich moved to this area of Washington County in 1805. I was unable to locate his exact farm area on this trip, but I have a pretty good idea of where it is in Morris Twp. Join me on the journey below to retrace some of Jesse's footsteps.

Westfield Presbyterian Church in Greene County PA. Jesse's eldest son, Jesse Jr. moved to this area around 1810 and was the towns Doctor from 1818-1828. He left the profession to resume farming. He married a Mary and had a son named David. All of them died betwen 1850 census and 1851. Jesse died without issue and his probate states that his land was sold and split among his siblings.

Jesse Goodrich Jr and his family. His wife is on the left and his son David is on the right. No death dates are listed for Mary or David.

The National Road

This is considered America's "first" toll road and it passes through Washington County and in to Ohio. Jesse and his family would have traveled this road on numerous occasions, especially when they moved homestead to central Ohio. The following sites and buildings would have been along their journey.

The National Road winds through the mountains.

The Petersburg Toll House would have been a stop.

A listing of how to pay tolls

A plaque of "Washington was here" This area is named after Washington and his involvement with the French and Indian war which occurred nearby at Fort Necessity. Washington also surveyed some of the land, had some extensive holdings. Washington also pushed Congress during his first Administration to begin building a road through this area for the military and transport of goods. It didnt happen.

Newbury Cemetery from 1813. An interesting cemetery that sits on a hill with no church. I found some of the older stones, one dating to 1818.

A stone from 1818 but I couldn't read the name

Still on the National Road

Travelers would have come to this river and then paid a flatboat operator to ferry the family and team of oxen across the river. Today there is a road and bridge.

. Mt Washington Tavern began operation about 1830 and surely was a stop for Goodrich as they traveled. They purchased their land in Ohio about 1836-8 and are living there by the 1840 census.

Artist rendering of what it might have looked like in it's day.

A Conestoga Wagon from the era

The Stone House Inn from 1822. Another possible stop for them.

Another toll house along the route. There are only three left in existence. This one is now a museum but was closed the day I passed through.

The Road passing in front of the Toll House

I had lunch at the Historic Scenery Hill Tavern, built in 1794. I have no evidence if my ancestors stopped here, but it is kinda cool to think that they might have.

I had lunch in this room in front of the hearth.

The original step, you can see how worn it is due to time and amount of foot traffic over 200 years!

An original outside wall. The original building was a "dog trot" style house. Two separates rooms connected with a roof that had an open space between the rooms where the "dogs trotted" It is now enclosed and used for dining, however, that wall is original to the house.

An "indenture" is a contract for land or services. This is an original indenture for the purchase of the land, just hanging on the wall in a standard frame!

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 occurrd in this area and this is one of the few surviving flags of the Rebellion. Again, just hanging on a wall unprotected.

Me in front of my hearth.

Ten Mile Methodist Church erected 1842.

The Ten Mile Creek. Jesse's property, according to the land documents, is along one of the upper forks of the Ten Mile Creek. It is a long and winding creek that basically spans the entire Washington County.

You can see the remains of a wagon or foot bridge that crossed the Ten Mile Creek.

North Ten Mile Baptist Creek Church is considered the oldest Baptist church, 1794. I have had a difficult time finding which congregation Jesse Goodrich belonged to, however, I know he was Baptist during his stay in New York. He may have belonged to this church, though, it would have been a little distance to his house and farm.

A monument in front of the church.

Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church not too far from the North Ten Mile Baptist Church. Unfortunately the cemetery has fallen into disrepair which saddened me.

It was not open to the public, but had a broken window in which I took my picture.

The outhouse still stands, interesting.

Washington County has quite alot of old covered bridges. I tracked down just a couple of them built from the 1820-1840's.

A farm from the 1830's, perhaps a neighbor of Jesse's?

Another covered bridge. I parked to the right side (out of frame). It had been raining excessively for my entire visit. Unfortunately I parked and got quite stuck in the mud! Ten Mile Creek runs beneath the bridge.

An unusual church.