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If you are looking for old scenes and historic points on the pike follow the original road by turning to the left seven-tenths of a mile west of Malden. The new route, paved with concrete and a much better highway, goes straight ahead at this point, and does not pass through historic Centerville.McCutcheon Monument.
The first point of interest is Ike Taylor Methodist Episcopal Church and cemetery. Before reaching the church you will see the high stub of a granite monument and wall,all that is left of one man's efforts to perpetuate his memory after death. (Taken Dec.2003) James S. McCutcheon, a well-to-do farmer of Centerville, died November 29, 1902, leaving an estate of $32,738.52, as shown by the second audit filed in 1905.
In addition to this amount a number of notes were due McCutcheon, the amount of which does not appear, so that his estate probably amounted to around $40,000 or more. His will shows that before his death he had made an agreement with T. Wright and Company, of Brownsville, for the erection of this monument of $20,000 and he directed his executors to carry out this agreement. He stipulated in his will that after his estate was converted into cash and all his debts paid, the balance of the money, "much or little," after the monument was paid for, was to be used to erect a fence of some description around his burial place "with a monument at each corner as high as the balance of the money will permit, the corner monuments to be the same style as the main one."
He directed that a plot 40-feet square be purchased for this monument, and the executors were requested to see thatThe executors did their work well; and a handsome monument, the equal of which was not to be found in all Western Pennsylvania, was erected in the center of the 40-foot square cemetery lot, in which is only one grave--McCutcheon's.
The plot is enclosed by a low granite wall, at each corner of which is a smaller duplicate of the monument. It was a handsome monument, a massive shaft at leasts 75 feet high, which could be seen for a long distance. Engraved upon the front is "James S. McCutcheon 1824-1902."
Many a President or other great man does not have its equal to mark his grave. The actual cost of the monument and extra work around it is a little hard to determine, but it was between $28,000 and $30,000. The record in the Register of Wills' office shows a balance of $25,148.93 after the payment of his debts and other expenses.
This colossal monument was blown to the ground during the tornado that swept over that section at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of July 27, 1936. The force of the wind must have been terrific to tear the high sections of granite apart, leaving only the base, which still stands. These sections lay on the ground for some time until the cemetery authorities offered to give them to anyone who would remove them. The statement was made at the time that no money had been provided by McCutcheon's will for the care of the huge shaft. The executors had carried out the stipulations in the will as far as humanly possible, and every cent had been put into its erection.
It had been built well and strong, but neither McCutcheon nor the executors had counted on "an act of God." In the account of the description of the monument, which appeared in The Observer at the time, it states that the shaft had been previously struck by lightning and toppled over. The date was not given, but the damage was evidently repaired, and probably was not very great. The sections blown down in the storm of 1936 were eventually removed.
Taylor Methodist Episcopal Church.
At the west end of the cemetery is the Taylor Methodist Episcopal Church, claimed to be the oldest congregation of this denomination in Washington County.Some authorities state that the society was organized between 1772 and 1784. A log church was erected in 1781 on land owned by one Hawkins, and was named Hawkins Meeting House.
In that year the Rev. Robert Wooster held meetings there, and made some converts. The Rev. Eli Sickle, a Methodist minister from Ann Arundel County, Maryland, preached there in the summer of 1772. William Taylor afterwards acquired the land where the meeting house stood and the name was changed to Taylor's Meeting House. The log church was replaced in 1801 by one of stone, and during all the early years of the National Pike a constant stream of stage coaches and Conestoga wagons passed this historic edifice.
In 1857 the stone building was replaced by a brick edifice. This was destroyed by fire in 1872, but was rebuilt immediately; and remodeled as seen today in Dec.2003. During the tornado of July 27, 1936, which wrecked the McCutcheon monument, the roof was torn from the church, windows were smashed, and other damage done to the amount of about $5,000.
CENTERVILLE
By following the old route of the pike from the road to the knight house, you will reach Centerville (spelled Centreville in the old accounts), as important village during the National Road era. First known as East Bethlehem post office, the name was changed to Centerville when the present town was laid out in 1821 after the pike was completed throughout the country.
MONROE - A lost Town.
From an old advertisement it looks as if an attempt was made to call this village Monroe before it was Centreville. While going throughout The Examiner files I found in the issue of August 23, 1819, an advertisement of the sale of lots in the new town of Monroe, undoubtedly named for President Monroe. This advertisement follows:
MONROE .... "A number of lots handsomely and conveniently situated in the above newly laid off town, will be offered at public sale on the 28th inst, on the premises, six miles west of Brownsville and central between Uniontown and Washington, on the great National turnpike: The situation is healthy and pleasant, the surrounding neighborhood is fertile, abounding with timber, coal, grist and sawmills, and nearly all the necessities of life, both for building and subsistence.
A more eligible situation for mechanics, innkeepers, and merchants, could scarcely be offered in the western country, and should a division of counties take place, Monroe may boldly contend with any neighboring village for the seat of Justice. The plan, which is liberal, elegant and original, will be exhibited on the day of sale, and terms advantageous to the purchaser made known by the proprietors. Sale to commence at 10 o'clock a.m. August 23, 1819. John Cleaver & Lambert Boyer"
My own conclusion is that it must have been Centerville, for the description fits that place exactly, "six miles west of Brownsville, and central between Uniontown and Washington;" and both John Cleaver and Lambert Boyer owned land at this location.
On April 7, 1819, John Cleaver sold six lots in Centerville, showing that the plot was in existence at that time. By August 23, he may have tried to change the name to Monroe, but it was evidently not a success, for there are the deeds for lots in Monroe on record. The part of Centerville, which is offered, states that it was laid out June 25, 1821, and it contains 53 lots and a brickyard.
Rogers Tavern
Searight says that the first tavern was kept by John Rogers. Built in the early 1820's, after the pike was completed, this old building is still standing in the center of the village, at the northwest corner of the Main street and Pike Run Road.(Photo taken in Dec.2003)
Robert Rogers, son of the first proprietor, succeeded his father and kept the tavern for many years; but at intervals it was kept by his son-in-law, Solomon Bracken.
Searight states that throughout the pike's prosperous era this tavern was noted as a quiet, orderly, well kept house of entertainment. In 1955, it was the home of Mrs. Emma Garwood and Miss Annie Watkins.
Two doors down from Rogers Tavern are these cement steps and porch. All that's left of Stockdale's Dairy Bar.Another part of our childhood gone forever.
Riggle Tavern.
The leading wagon stand was on the hill at the west end of the town and on the south side of the road, with the wagon yard in the rear. The present building is the second that has stood on this site.
(Taken Dec.2003. This building is on the right just over the hill going East)
The first, kept at an early date by Zephania Riggle, was burned while Riggle was proprietor, and the present house was built immediately. Riggle was succeeded in 1845 by Peter Colley, Henry Whitsett, the next proprietor, was followed by Jacob Marks; then came William Garrett, Jesse Quail, and in 1893 Joseph B. Jeffreys owned the building and still kept it as a tavern.
In 1955, this was the home of Mrs. Mary Myers. Her mother, Mrs. John Stathers, bought the property in 1902. Her grandfather, William Mitchener, voted in this house a hundred years ago, when it was a tavern. The burning of the original tavern prior to 1845 proves that the present building was erected before that year. The style of the doors, mantels, and woodwork throughout the interior show that the house dates far back in the 19th century.
* This information is from the 'National Pike, Road of History, Romance'
by Earl R. Forrest.
It was published as a series of articles in the Washington Reporter, Washington, Pa. 1955, along with Photos
Photos by Me
HomeJ.W.Grable ~
2004
