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James Martin was born in the northern part of Scotland in 1813. He came to America with his parents, James and Jennett (Urquhart) Martin, when he was nine years old and the family-consisting of six children-settled in Jefferson County, Ohio. James, who was educated in public schools while growing up in Scotland, was a contractor and… Continue reading James and Nancy (McKnight) Martin

Lavinia Long McKnight (1815-1911) lived at 310 Washington Road. An old tale relates that one day Lavinia-later known as “Granny” McKnight- spied some hostile Indians heading toward her house. Rather than hide, she called them to her door and presented them with a gift of her freshly baked bread. After tasting the bread, the Indians left… Continue reading Lavinia Long and David Kennedy McKnight Family

Edward J. Brazell (1855-1944) came to America from Wales with his parents, William and Mary Brazell, in 1856 or 1857. (While his tombstone lists his birth year as 1955, on the 1990 census, Edward said he was born August 1956). Edward became a naturalized citizen in 1870 while living in Allegheny County. The 1880 census lists… Continue reading The Lloyds and Brazells

Compiled by Ann Simmons Eldredge Cassius M. Lea (1846-1925), pictured to the right, was the third of four children born to William Lea and Mary Verner Lea, and the grandson of Major William Lea. Major Lea was one of the first settlers in the area, coming here in the late 1770s. Leasdale Station, on the banks… Continue reading Cassius M. and Maggie Lea

Samuel Kerr, a pioneer of this area, was born in 1776 and died in 1853. He was a farmer and married to Elizabeth Stitt (1773-1833). They had eight or nine children, including Thomas (1805-1889), who married a woman named Sarah; Elisabeth (1793-1862); Juliet Ann (1812-1844); and Sarah (1796-1861). Samuel died of “general decline” at the age of 86. We could establish no connection between… Continue reading The Samuel Kerr Family

Because the Kerr family’s white obelisk is badly worn, it is difficult to determine who is buried here. There is a chance that Joseph Kerr, MLEPC’s first minister, is here with his wife and brother, but that has not been verified. Joseph Kerr (1778-1829) was born in County Derry, Ireland; graduated from Glasgow University in 1798… Continue reading The Joseph Kerr Family

Around 1836, George Kennedy came to Western Pennsylvania with his wife, Elizabeth, their three sons, daughter Mary (died 1883), and two unmarried aunts. They traveled to their new home on the National Pike from Philadelphia in a Conestoga wagon. In 1836, George built a log cabin on 114 acres in what is now the North Meadowcroft Road… Continue reading The George Kennedy Family

Mark Kelso was born January 12, 1803, to John N. Kelso of Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and Mary McCormick Kelso of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. John and Mary must have moved to Allegheny County before 1788, as their first child, George, was born that year in that county. Mark Kelso is reported working as a farmer in Upper St. Clair… Continue reading The Kelso Family

Compiled with the help of Karen Jackson John Jackson was born in 1843 in Holywell, Northumberland, England, and came to Allegheny County in 1868 with his parents, Richard and Jane, and seven of his ten siblings. While living in England, Richard had been a colliery owner. After arriving in the states, both Richard and his son… Continue reading The Jacksons

John A. Martin (1824-1892) was born a year after his parents, John and Mary (Chambers) Martin, emigrated to America from County Down, Ireland. In 1823, the elder John purchased David Kennedy’s farm of 50 acres and later expanded it by another 50-“The History of Allegheny County” lists him as an early settler with sons Samuel, James and John.… Continue reading The John A. Martin Family and the Irwin Family