IRWIN

 

Compiled by: Andrew L. Moore

336 Sarver Road, Sarver  PA  16055

Email: PAmoores@juno.com

Dated: 25 Dec 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRWIN

 

The following biographical abstract is from the History of Westmoreland County, PA.  Although there is no direct connection to the family’s Samuel Irwin, it would seem impossible to that they are not, in some way, related.

 

History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Volume 1 by John N. Boucher

New York, the Lewis Publishing Company, 1906

Chapter XXXVIII: North Huntingdon Township, Irwin Borough

The Irwin Family

Page 558-559

 

Among the earliest settlers in this township were Col. John and James Irwin, two brothers, who emigrated from North Ireland.  The former was for several years and Indian trader, but when emigrants began to pour into the new settlement he entered large tracts of land. He subsequently, after the organization of the county, became one of the associate judges of its courts. His brother James married Jane Fullerton, and settled on his farm near Irwin Station. Their son, John Irwin, was born Oct. 9, 1811. He married for his first wife Lydia Hurst, of Mount Pleasant, Jan. 9, 1834, who was born September 1811, and bore him children as follows:

 

1. Thomas Hurst, born Sept. 8, 1836.

 

He married his second wife, Mary J. Dickey, Oct. 1, 1844. She was born Dec. 27, 1818.

 

The children by the second marriage were:

 

1. Nancy Hurst, born July 30, 1845, and married to Thomas Stewart.

 

2. Jane Fullerton, born Feb. 20, 1848, died Aug. 16, 1864.

 

3. Elizabeth Dickey, twin of above, married May I0, 1875, to James L. Ewing.

 

John Irwin died June 7, 1856. The original Irwin lands extended from Jacksonville to Wardensville. Judge Irwin left a part of his vast landed domain to his nephew, John Irwin, who upon it laid out the borough of Irwin. The latter was the first man in this region who took out and sold coal, which was then done to accommodate his neighbors. For the first coal lands he sold,---that is, the right to take out the coal,---and reserving the fee to himself, he received a hundred dollars per acre.

 

 

 

 

Samuel Irwin

 

Samuel Irwin was born circa 1759 in Antrim County, Ireland, married Margaret __________ and died 3 Apr 1852 in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland Co PA.  Samuel is reportedly buried in the Brush Creek Cemetery, Adamsburg, Hempfield Twp, Westmoreland Co PA. 

 

Margaret is mentioned in Samuel’s 1846 will (below) but is not present in the 1850 census – where Samuel, aged 91, is living with his son William.  Therefore, Margaret must have died between 1846 and 1850.

 

 

 

Will of Samuel Irwin

Written: 7 May 1846

Westmoreland County, PA

 

In the name of God, Amen, I Samuel Irwin farmer of North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, being in good health of body and so und and disposing memory (Praised be God for the same) and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs while I have strength and capacity, so to do, do make and publish this my last will and testament, revoking and making void all former wills by me at anytime heretofore made.

 

And first, and principally, I commend my soul into the hands of God my Creator, who gave it and my body to the earth to be interred in the Brush Creek burying ground.

 

And so to my worldly estate which it has pleased God to bestow upon me, I dispose of as follows:

 

And first I give and bequest of my personal goods and chattels, to my beloved wife Margaret, to be disposed of and to whom she sees proper, to wit: (beds, household and kitchen furniture, one horse, one cow, one side paddle.)

 

Secondly, I give and bequeath my real estate, being the farm in North Huntingdon Township, on which I now live, to my three sons William Irwin, Nathaniel Irwin, and James Irwin, to be as equally divided amongst them as may be. In quantity, and to their heirs and assigns forever, chargeable nevertheless with the bequests and legacies hereinafter mentioned. As to t he division of my real estate amongst my three sons William, Nathaniel, and James, I hereby direct that it be so divided as that my dwelling house, barn and other out houses and garden, belong to one share. That the St ill house be attached to the second share. The third share to be off that side of my farm now occupied by my daughter Jane Wilson, widow of Robert Wilson.

 

I give and bequeath to my grandson Samuel Irwin, son of my deceased son John, the some of one hundred dollars.

 

I give and bequeath to my three grandchildren John Irwin, James Irwin, and Mary Jane Irwin, also children of my deceased son John, and all now living in Butler County, Pennsylvania, the sum of fifth dollars each (and to their heirs) to be paid to them on their arriving at the age of twenty one years, or as soon thereafter, as the same may be lawfully demanded, to be paid in equal proportions by my three sons, William, Nathaniel, and James, to whim I bequeath my real estate as above mentioned, my paid re al estate to stand chargeable with the payment of the same. Provided that each share when divided, is only to be chargeable with its rateable share of the above bequests, to the above named grandchildren.

 

I give and bequeath to my grandson, Samuel Irwin Wilson, that certain lot or parcel of land adjoining Duff's and lying on the right side of the road from Murrysville to Carpenter's Mill, and now occupied by my daughter Jane Wilson, and to his heirs and assigns from and after the death of his mother Jane Wilson.

 

I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Wilson, during her natural life, t he fields she now occupies, and after her death to such of my sons and h is heirs and assigns, as may become heir to the third share of my real estate as mentioned above.

 

I further direct that my daughter Jane be enjoined not to clear any more land or cut green timber.

 

I also direct that my son William have the first choice of my real estate, when divided — my son Nathaniel the second choice and my son James the third share.

 

I also give and bequeath to my son William all my personal property of every kind and description, not otherwise bequeathed, in this my last Will and testament.

 

I also hereby direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid in equal proportions by my three sons to whom I have in this my last will and testament bequeathed my real estate, as also all charges touching t he proving or otherwise of this my will.

 

I also direct that my loving wife enjoy the occupancy of my mansion house during her natural life, and the full privilege of the stable and barn for her horse and cow and for the entertainment of friends visiting her and that each of my sons who shall be the owners of the first and second shares shall pay her annually during her natural life the sum of ten dollars for her support.

 

That Jane Wilson who is to occupy the third share pay her mother annually ten dollars if she shall survive her mother. And if my wife Margaret survives her daughter Jane Wilson, then the son of mine to whom the share now occupied by Jane Wilson, shall descend, shall pay his mother annually t he sum of ten dollars.

 

I also direct the hay pasture and food for her horse and her cow and her necessary fuel to be delivered at her door as often as required and her funeral expenses and all necessary medical attendance and nursing in sickness be chargeable my three sons William, Nathaniel, and James incurred by reason of ch litigation, be borne equally by my three sons, their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns.

 

I nominate and appoint my son James Irwin, and John M. Laird my sole executors of this my last will and testament giving them every necessary power and authority to execute each and every part of this my last will and testament.

 

In witness whereof, I the said testator Samuel Irwin have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this seventh day of May 1846.

 

Samuel Irwin

 

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the paid testator Samuel Irwin, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who in h is presence did at his request and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names a witnesses thereto. May 7th 1846.

 

J. H. Allison

Daniel Metzher

Joseph Stevenson

 

Legally proved and approved April 3 1852. Letters Testamentary granted to James Irwin and John M. Laird, the executors named in the will who w ere sworn before me.

 

A. J. Keenan, Dep. Reg.

 

 

 

The children of Samuel and Margaret _______ Irwin were:

 

1.       John, born circa 1805 Antrim County, Ireland, married Elizabeth Thompson 1 Jan 1833, died Jan 1846 Cherry Twp, Butler Co PA, buried West Sunbury Cemetery, West Sunbury, Butler Co PA.

2.       William F, born circa 1810/1811 Co. Antrim Ireland, married Julie Anna Morrow circa 1815 Larimer Station, No Huntingdon Twp. Westmoreland Co PA, died 20 May 1876 Westmoreland Co PA (“age 64”) and is buried in Beulah Church Cemetery, Murrysville, Penn Twp, Westmoreland Co PA.  Julie Anna Morrow, was born circa 1815 PA.

3.       Nathaniel, born after circa 1813 Co Antrim Ireland, married Jane _______, went west, possibly Greeley CO.

4.       Mary Jane, born circa 1814 Co Antrim Ireland, married (1) Robert Wilson circa 1818 Westmoreland Co PA, (2) Robert Turk.  Possibly died Eagles Mill, Butler Co PA.

5.       James, born after circa 1814 Co Antrim Ireland, married Susan Murray of Murraysville, Penn Twp, Westmoreland Co PA.  Lived in Murrysville PA, owned a store.

 

 

 

John Irwin

 

John Irwin was born circa 1805 in Antrim County, Ireland.  He married Elizabeth Thompson 1 Jan 1833 and died Jan 1846 Cherry Twp, Butler Co PA.  John and Elizabeth are buried in the West Sunbury Cemetery, West Sunbury, Butler Co PA.

 

Elizabeth Thompson was born 28 Jan 1812 in New Hope, Butler Co PA (other sources say Beaver Co PA) and died 1 Apr 1897.  She is the daughter of James and Sarah (Gilliland) Thompson.

 

The children of John and Elizabeth (Thompson) Irwin were:

 

1.       Samuel, born circa 1837 PA, married Mary Jane McCandless.

2.       James, born 23 Mar 1839 PA, died 5 Apr 1876 Center Twp, Butler Co PA, buried West Sunbury Cemetery, West Sunbury, Butler Co PA.

3.       John Thompson, born 30 Jan 1842 PA, married (1) Elizabeth Catherine Thompson 18 Jun 1874 Butler Co PA, (2) unknown, died 7 May 1924, buried New Hope Cemetery, Butler Co PA.

4.       Mary Jane, born circa 1844 PA, married Robert Turk.

5.       Elizabeth Thompson, born 4 Jun 1846 Butler Co PA, married John Alexander Hogg circa 1870 Harrisville, Butler Co PA, died 21 Oct 1896 Slippery Rock, Butler Co PA, buried Slippery Rock Cemetery, Butler Co PA.   For more information on the descendants of this union, please see the chapter entitled Hogg.

 

 

 

 

 

Federal and State Census Records

 

 

 

1820 Federal Census, N. Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co PA

Samuel Irwin not found

 

1830 Federal Census, N. Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co PA, page 113

Sam'l Irwin

1 male 15 to 20

1 male 20 to 30 (John - who later married Elizabeth Thompson)

1 male 60 to 70 (Samuel)

1 female 50 to 60 (Margaret)

 

1833 Tax List, Westmoreland Co PA

Samuel Irwin, taxed on 200 acres of land, one horse and three cows.

 

1836 and 1837 Tax List, Westmoreland Co PA

Samuel Irwin, taxed on land, 2 horses and one cow.

 

1840 Federal Census, N. Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co PA, page 238

Sam'l Irvine

1 male 20 to 30

1 male 70 to 80 (Samuel)

1 female 60 to 70 (Margaret)

 

1850 Federal Census, Larimer Station, N. Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co PA  Household 122

(showing Samuel living with his son William)

 

1850 Federal Census, Cherry Township, Butler Co PA  Household 65 

(*) Her husband John died in 1846.

 

1860 Federal Census, Cherry Township, Butler Co PA  Household 117 (next door to her parents)

(*) Elizabeth (Thompson) Irwin.

1870 Federal Census, Cherry Township, Butler Co PA  Household 146

(*) Elizabeth (Thompson) Irwin, she is marked as "Cannot Write"?

 

1880 Federal Census, Cherry Township, Butler Co PA  Household 109

(containing Elizabeth (Thompson) Irwin who is living with her son John)

(*) Elizabeth (Thompson) Irwin, died 1896.

 

 

 

Early Irwin References

Butler Co, PA Estate Index  1800-1901

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRWIN SOURCES

 

·         Genealogical and historical research I conducted.

·         History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania - Volume 1 by John N. Boucher, New York, the Lewis Publishing Company, 1906, Chapter XXXVIII: North Huntingdon Township, Irwin Borough, The Irwin Family, Page 558-559.