|
a.
|
Note: Chapter 29--Winfield Township: History of Butler Co., Pennsylvania. With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Waterman, Watkins, & Co., Chicago, 1883. Arthur HILL, an Irishman, came to America in 1811 (1812), taught school at McKeesport three years, then came to this Co., and settled in the eastern part of Winfield Township. He moved to Freeport and died there, aged ninety- two. http://ancestortracks.com/Armstrong%20Co,%201861/Freeport,ArmCo.jpg Freeport, South Buffalo Twp., Armstrong Co., A discovery in November of 1992; Arthur Hill, of Versailles Twp., Allegheny Co., bought a tract of land for $200 from Peter B. Audibert's agent, Gibriel Philibert Lobeau. Arthur and his wife Helena nee Beckett, emigrated from Ballinderry in 1812. Arthur taught school in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. This tract of land was part of the "depreciation lands" and named "La Marie Possessante"; Lot number 155, 238.5 acres. Partly in Winfield Township, Butler, Co., and part of it traversed by the boundary line of South Buffalo Township, Armstrong Co. Adjoining on the East was lot number 154, 598.5 acres called "La Maria Rosallie", traversed in a southeasterly course by the Buffalo Creek, conveyed to John Ralston on January 24, 1818 for $400. A portion of this tract was in the possession of William L. Ralston (Squire Billy Ralston), who sold 63 acres to Joseph Beckett in 1884. The Arthur Hill farm is now the property of Jeff Simon, was and is still called the "Old Galbreath Property" by the Beckett family. Probably due to the second marriage of Henrietta Martin nee Beckett to Robert Galbreath, and their tenure for a number of years. It is attributed that Arthur Hill's sister married a McKinley ,who was a relative of President William McKinley, who had ancestors from Co. Antrim, Ireland. His gr-gr-grandfather was a Revolutionary war soldier. His gr-grandfather, David McKinley was born in York, Pennsylvania, and after the war was brought by his father to Westmoreland Co., near Pittsburgh. David McKinley moved to Ohio in later years. Butler Co., Naturalizations This is an index of naturalizations in Butler Co.,, Pennsylvania that occurred from 1800 through 1994. For Copies, write to Glenna Walters, Prothonotary Butler Co., Courthouse, P O Box 1208, Butler, Pennsylvania 16003. For at least the first 100 years plus, only the head of the family was naturalized and that covered everyone in the family, including married sons and their families. 1800 - 2000 HILL, Arthur 1829 1 Arthur's brother, Rev. Robert Hill was a minister, Killough, Soldierstown, Barony of Upper Massereene, Co., Antrim, Ireland in 1881. Memories of the 1832 ordnance survey, of an Ordnance Survey officer Army officers who carried out the ordnance survey of 1832 compiled extensive memoirs. In 1832 Robert Hill was the rector of Aghalee. Folklore has it that he lived to a ripe old age at which stage he was the victim of a cruel hoax. He took his worn-out horse to the fair at Lisburn and unscrupulous dealers took advantage of his senility. One purchased his old nag and accomplices doctored it with ginger and dyed its mane, tail, white feet, face etc ., then sold the animal back to the aged clergyman before the end of the fair day. The nag is reputed to traveled well on the journey home, but when the rector handed the reins to the sexton on reaching the rectory the animal promptly headed unbidden to its accustomed stall in the stable. (That legend was rehearsed by the late Jimmy Matchett who spent the latter part of his life at an address contiguous to the rectory) If the vulnerable clergyman was 'far through' it is possible that with the aid of a couple of glasses of spirits he could have been exploited in the manner described. Aghalee Protestant Church is not in the village of Aghalee although the ruins of the ancient church of Aghalee is less than a quarter of a mile north east of the village. The present church, which is believed to be about 311 years old, is in the townland of Poobles while the glebe house is at Killough, halfway between Aghalee village and Aghalee church, better known as Soldierstown church. Aghalee parish is bounded on the north and east by the parishes of Ballinderry and Magheramesk, on the south by the parish of Moira and on the west by the parish of Aghagallon. It is oblong in form and measures about three miles north west to south east and contains 2,500 statute acres. Soldierstown derives its name from a troop of horse and two companies of foot soldiers having been stationed there during the 1641 wars. Tradition has it that these soldiers used an ancient round tower at Trummery as a target for cannon fire, virtually demolishing it. In 1832, 'Broommount' an ancient mansion situated almost opposite the church was seat of William Gorman and the demesne attached to it contained some 180 acres of l and including rich plantations which included acres of native timber. Broommount house and farm for a period was annexed to Aghalee church as a clergy's residence. It is said, Dean Walsh, was to have been the last clergyman to occupy it. His late widow is said to have sold her right to it to the Gorman family. The house is said to have been built three hundred years ago, in 1695, by Edward Waltington, then the Bishop of Down and Connor. Latterly it has been in the ownership of the Hayes family, "Big" Jaes Mulholland of Aghagallon, a basket maker, is said to have 'flitted' (came from Killyman), the Hayes family to Broommount and to have acquired a number of the fir trees growing on the Broommount plantation from which he manufactured ribs for potato baskets in return for his services. Tommy Hayes, the first of the name to occupy Broommount. Census Year: 1820 State: Pennsylvania Co.,: Butler Stamped no: 145 B Reel no: M33-98 Division: Buffalo Township Enumerated by: Charles Cist, Assistant to the Marshall One Free White Male and One Free White Female between ages 26-45 Occupation Agriculture: Arthur Hill History of Butler Co., Pennsylvania, 1895 Buffalo Township, Chapter 38 Among others who settled here early in the century were Arthur HILL and Robert GALBREATH, both Irishmen, and William HESSELGESSER and family, who came in 1815. In 1817 another Revolutionary veteran arrived in the person of Abraham LEASURE, and the year after, came Thomas BICKETT. James, William and David RALSTON and Robert GRAHAM were then residents. Francis JACK MAN and his wife arrived from France in 1832 and took possession of a tract of land near the present village of Denny or Delano station. Arthur Hill died July 4, 1867. (Source: "Freeport Journal," February 24, 1911--from an early "New Era" newspaper, Freeport, Armstrong Co., Pennsylvania.) Died July 4, 1867, Aged 92 Years. Section E, plot 9., Freeport Cemetery, Freeport, Armstrong Co., Pennsylvania http://www.usgwarchives.org/pa/armstrong/tsimages/freeport/hill-stones.jpg
|