My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT SNODGRASS. One of the first settlers in Allegheny county was Robert Snodgrass. He was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1758, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, when he came to Allegheny county. During this same year, 1779, he bought of John Penn, Sr., and John Penn, Jr., for £313 gold or silver, five hundred acres of land in said Allegheny county, lying south of Coal Hill, principally between what are now known as Saw-Mill run and Little Saw-Mill run, and adjoining farms of William Boggs, Abraham Kirkpatrick, John Wood and George Wallace. After having cleared a small space and erected a rude log cabin, he returned to visit the home of his childhood, where, Sept. 12, 1780, he married Miss Jean White. In company with his newly chosen companion he now turned his face toward his log cabin in the forest across the mountains, which he had left the previous year, to begin the life of a pioneer. His attitude toward the Indians was that of brother toward brother. The Indians ate at his table, and brought him game from the forest, small baskets and trinkets of their own handiwork; they smoked the pipe of peace, and he thus secured for himself and family safety from the tomahawk and scalping-knife, and many other advantages.

Robert Snodgrass was a man of industrious habits, sterling honesty and unusual mechanical ability. He built his own wagons, plows and other farming implements, besides manufacturing many household articles. He cleared the land during the winter and spring, and farmed during the summer, while every fall he made a trip east over the mountains, on horseback, for salt to use during the coming year, the trip requiring from one to two months. He was without greed or any desire to retain what belonged to another, as the following incident will show: During his last illness he reminded two friends who were standing at his bedside that he owed a neighbor two shillings nine pence, and directed them to pay it. Among other good traits of his character was his benevolence to the “fatherless and widows,” as was shown by his maintaining a widowed sister, and also making provision for the children of other widowed sisters. Surely some will “rise up and call him blessed!” After a brief illness he passed away Aug. 26, 1796, leaving eight children, the eldest fifteen years old. His remains were laid to rest in Bethel churchyard. His widow, Jean Snodgrass, with the help of the eldest boy, continued the cultivation of the farm, and succeeded in making the final payment. After five years she was called home July 28, 1802, having been a faithful wife and mother, a generous friend, and a true Christian. Each of their children had a share of the farm, and for the most part lived and died on their portion. The youngest son, bearing his father’s name, built a lumber-mill, and was for many years a prosperous and respected citizen. The only descendants now owning parts of the original tract are Mrs. Bulford, Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Hubbard and M. E. Crane, grandchildren, and H. J. Milholland, great-grandson.