Western Pennsylvania Genealogy
Compiled by Douglas H. Lusher


Family Group Record



picture
Col. John Irwin and Elizabeth Cunningham




Husband Col. John Irwin 1 2 3

           Born: 1739 or 1740 - near Carnteel, County Tyrone, Ireland
     Christened: 
           Died: 15 Feb 1822 2 3
         Buried:  - Union Cemetery, near Irwin, Westmoreland Co, PA


         Father: [Father] Irwin (      -      )
         Mother: Unknown (      -      )


       Marriage: Abt 1766 - Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania



Wife Elizabeth Cunningham 2 3

           Born: Abt 1748
     Christened: 
           Died: 3 Jun 1818 2
         Buried:  - Union Cemetery, near Irwin, Westmoreland Co, PA


Children
1 F Margaret "Mary" Irwin 2

            AKA: Mary "Polly" Irwin 4
           Born: Abt 1767
     Christened: 
           Died: 9 Sep 1842 4
         Buried:  - Long Run Presbyterian Church, North Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA
         Spouse: John Scull (Abt 1765-1828) 2


2 F Jane Irwin 5

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 
         Spouse: Dr. Daniel Marchand (1773-1822) 5 6
           Marr: 1811 5


3 M James Irwin 2

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 1818 2
         Buried: 




General Notes: Husband - Col. John Irwin


The Irwin family was founded in America by Colonel John Irwin, who was born at "Indelone," near Carnteel, county Tyrone, Ireland, "Indelone" having been in the possession of the Irwin family for many generations. Colonel Irwin arrived in America in 1762, and was shortly afterward appointed a commissary in the British army. Upon the opening of the land office in 1769, he took up a large tract of land in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on Brush creek, at the mouth of Bushy Run, and built a large log house and other farm buildings on what became the Pittsburgh and Greensburg turnpike road. This place he named "Brush Hill," and it was later also known as the Scull Farm. The log house being destroyed by fire, he replaced it with a frame dwelling which was struck by lightning and entirely consumed. He erected in its stead a substantial stone dwelling, which stood into the twentieth century. During the Revolutionary war Colonel Irwin was appointed a deputy commissioner of issue for the western division of the Continental army, and performed the duties thereof from 1777 until 1783, when the contract system of supplies was adopted. It has been clearly demonstrated that he was an Indian trader in the early days, documents now extant bearing his name coupled with the designation of "Indian Trader," although his name as such does not appear on any of the lists of Indian traders for that time and place. On October 22, 1787, the assembly convened at Philadelphia, and Colonel Irwin was elected to a seat therein, in place of Hugh H. Brackenridge, who went upon the bench. He represented Westmoreland County in the assembly for several sessions. In 1794 Governor Mifflin appointed him associate judge of Westmoreland County, which office he filled until 1821, when the infirmities of age induced him to resign. He built on his Brush Hill estate, on the south side of Brush creek, one of the first flouring mills in the county. We find on the registry of slaves in the county three enumerated as his, and these he evidently retained until his death.

He was notable for his broad hospitality and the care bestowed upon his step-mother, brother and sister, who came to his home later. His step-mother came from "Indelone" with her son David, half-brother of Colonel Irwin, in the year 1788, and remained with Colonel Irwin until her death.


General Notes: Wife - Elizabeth Cunningham


Her father was in the British army [stationed at Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania?]

picture

Sources


1 George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 558.

2 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 353.

3 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (SW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 135.

4 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 506.

5 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 357.

6 Franklin Ellis, History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 627.


Home | Table of Contents | Surnames | Name List

This Web Site was Created 15 Apr 2023 with Legacy 9.0 from Millennia