The History of Three Pennsylvania Counties
BEDFORD, SOMERSET
& FULTON
ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET
The history of Bedford,
Somerset and Fulton Counties of PA, is recalled through a mixture of colorful
tales and factual data in this NEW 62 Page Booklet, reprinted primarily
from three hard-to-find books: the 1843 edition of Historical Collections
of the State of Pennsylvania by Sherman Day, An Illustrated History
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by William Egle, M.D., and
Pennsylvania, a Guide to the Keystone State, a WPA project published
in 1940. The spiral-bound booklet is printed one-sided on 60# paper, with
the print enlarged for easier reading. A clear vinyl sheet has been added
to protect the front cover.
The communities
mentioned include: Ayr, Bedford Springs, Bedford, Berlin (Brother’s Valley),
Bethel, Bloody Run, Burnt Cabins, Clairsville, Everett, Fort Littleton, Jennerstown
(Jennersville), Martinsburg, McConnellstown, Milford, Myersdale, New Granada,
Petersburg, Rainsburg, Salisbury, Saxton, Schellsburg, Smithfield, Somerset
(Brunerstown), St Clair, Stoystown, Warfordsburg, Woodbury.
The Day and Egle histories cover the early development of
this area, while excerpts from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from
a 1940 vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as
they relate to sightseeing possibilities.
Among the many
and diverse subjects in the booklet are: County terrain and geological traits;
Early Settlers; Industry and trades of the Counties; Medicinal Mineral Springs
near Bedford; Col James Smith's own narrative of Indian captivity; Large 1758
Military campaign to expel the French; The Story of Bloody Run; The other
story of Bloody Run; The first British fort taken by American Rebels; The
"King's House;" The area's contributions to the Revolution; Samuel Adams and
an Indian Fight to the Death; Being shot by an Indian saves a Man's life;
List of early Justices, Commissioners, and Grand Jurors; Names of Land Owners
and Surveyors; List of Licensed Tavern Keepers; Tulls Hill and the Massacre
of the Tull Family; Davy Lewis -Robin hood of Bedford; The Naming of Fulton
County and a couple Tenacious Senators; Surnames of Numerous First Generation
settlers; Fulton County’s contribution to the Union Army; McClintock’s, Jenning’s
and Skinner’s Forts; George Washington first to cross Somerset County; Opposition
to the Whiskey Rebellion; Somerset Fire of 1833, and a list of affected business
and home owners; Settlers along Bouquet road; First Courthouse and Jail in
Somerset; Evolution of the town of Meyersdale; and other interesting bits
of history and trivia.
ILLUSTRATIONS include Public Square in Bedford; Bedford
Springs; The Provincial Courthouse and Jail at Bedford; The Old Fort Bedford
House; View at Bedford Springs; Espy House – Washington’s Headquarters 1774;
Fulton County Courthouse; Plan of Fort Lyttleton- 1755; Somerset; Somerset
County Courthouse, Somerset; .
