A Visit to Sara’s Western PA Roots
Many of my friends have heard me share stories about my family’s history in western Pennsylvania. Branches of my Mom’s side of the family tree date back to Revolutionary War times. They were no doubt some of the earliest European homesteaders and farmers to settle in the Allegheny Mountains.
My Dad’s side of the family tree is equally as rich — early Welsh and Germen settlers in West Virginia & on my Grandma’s side more recent emigrants from Slovakia. My Great Grandfather 10 or 11 times removed is Zackwell Morgan, after whom Morgantown, W VA is named, and an ancestor that I share in common with the comedic actor, Don Knotts! Maybe Dad and I can can visit those beautiful West Virginia sites together sometime.
All of houses and barns pictured in this post were built by relatives from my mother’s side. The land pictured is land that was once my family’s farm. My Mom’s sister Linda, Linda’s husband Joe, Mom’s cousin Dave, and his family live in modern houses on original land. Most the 400+ acres has been divided up and sold off to folks outside the family.
My Mother’s surname is Crumrine — one of the oldest names registered in Green and Washington Counties, PA.
While Mom, Asa, and I were out walking we ran into my Mother’s cousin Dave. He shared the sad news that the 1861 house and 1881 barn built by George Crumrine have been standing empty for over a year. The last residents of the house (not related) up and left one day without letting anyone in the family know. They left behind their cat and many belongings. The house and land have been sold to a gas miner who is now drilling for gas on the land (see the red structure pictured) as the historic farm disintegrates. Seems criminal. Certainly is heartbreaking.
Unfortunately, I was not able to make it to Richeyville on this trip. Richeyville is the little company town where my Dad grew up. It’s tucked in the mountains above the Vesta No. 4 mine where my Granpap Edwards worked. I did find this link to a very neat site documenting the history of PA’s old mines and company towns –
I’ll get some pictures of my Dad’s old house on our next visit to my family in PA. The great thing is it’s only 3 hours away from Cleveland!
