My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM McCLAY DINSMORE, farmer, post office Bridgeville, was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1843, a son of Robert and Margaret (McClay) Dinsmore. In 1785 a land patent was granted by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to one James Dinsmore, a Scotch-Irishman. This land, called “land of Cannon,” contained about 292 acres, and was situated on Miller’s run, then in Washington county, now in South Fayette township, this county. This early pioneer was a farmer, and married a daughter of Squire Walker, who was the original settler of that family in this county. James, Jr., was born on this tract of land, and when twelve years of age moved with his people to Northwestern Pennsylvania. He married Hettie Hambleton, and to them were born five sons and four daughters. Robert, the eldest of this family, was born in 1806, and, coming to South Fayette township, purchased the land which was formerly owned by his grandfather, and there resided until his death, in 1880. He married Margaret McClay, of Washington county, and two sons and one daughter blessed their union. William McClay Dinsmore received his education at the public schools, and followed farming; he now owns 280 acres of land, all of which is included in the original purchase made by his great-grandfather, James, in 1785. Mr. Dinsmore was married, in 1884, to a daughter of Rev. Slater, of Washington county, and two children, William S. C. and Margaret, have been born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore are members of the Reformed Presbyterian, or Covenanter, Church.