History
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| Churches & Cemeteries |
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Early Pioneers to this area{Taken from the 100th Anniversary History of the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church, compiled by the Rev. Fred Cochran, beginning on pg. 3.} The first great Scotch migration from Ulster to New England began in 1718 and lasted until 1750. THE SCOTCH IN AMERICA – They first settled in New England in rural settlements. The Scotch-Irish also accounted for the strength of the early American Presbyterian Church. TO PENNSYLVANIA – They later migrated to Chester and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania, a few miles south of Philadelphia, which became the first Mecca for Scotch emigrants, especially those from Ulster, Ireland. They came early in the 18th century to invade the Cumberland valley where they were able to farm and practice their religious freedoms. UNREST – It was from the hearts of these people that there later came a spirit of unrest, a thirst for adventure, and a desire to better their worldly condition. This led to the Scotch swarming to the land west of the Alleghenies – the “Land of Promise”. Being hardy and energetic, they were well suited to cope with the savage Indians and the hardships of frontier life. THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT – The Germans and Scotch-Irish began a trek to the Northwest Territory. THE EARLY SETTLERS OF SCOTCH RIDGE AND VICINITY – Due to the scarcity of early written records, it is somewhat difficult to determine who the early settlers were, and exactly when they settled at Scotch Ridge and vicinity. They came across the Allegheny Mountains by wagon, horseback, and on foot. They crossed the Ohio River at Rayland (or Warren) and at Martinsferry – these being the locations where a ferry existed. The Mitchells, Alexanders, and Moores crossed the river at Rayland and came up across Rayland point, and settled on what is now Scotch Ridge. They came just past the Jordan family, up across the hill to McKims, and came in past the Pickens’. The Mitchells settled at Jordans, Finneys and Cochran’s, the Alexanders at the church, and the Moores to the south. SOME EARLY FAMILIESSome other earlier families in Belmont-Jefferson County area were Treadway, Wineburner, Porter, Smith, Valentines, Meloys, and McElhinneys. These pioneers located there around 1790. Others here by 1799 were Steele, Berry, Barnes, Pickens, Latimer, VanBelt, Thorburn, Parker, Raley, and West. Among the prominent early settlers of Scotch Ridge and the vicinity were Colonel Thomas McCune and his family, his younger brother, Joseph McCune, and James West, who came to Warren Township, Jefferson County, in 1796 and acquired all of Section 28. One of the early tasks of the pioneers once completing the building of their log homes was to provide a place of worship. Since the early settlers were nearly all native Scotch, or of Scotch descent and were cradled in the Presbyterian faith, it was natural that the worship of these first settlers should take on a Presbyterian aspect. There were five sites or centers of early worship. We must also consider how close Belmont and Jefferson County lines were located during this period of settling and building. The Scotch Ridge Tent (1798) – The first missionaries were Dr. John McMillan and Dr. Thomas Marquis east of the Ohio and northwest of the Ohio River. They visited as early as November of 1796 and originally organized congregations of Indian Wheeling Creek (now St. Clairsville) and “Indian Short Creek” (now Mt. Pleasant). SHORT CREEK - was located on the farm belonging to the late William J. Finney, just across the road from where the present Beech Spring School building now stands. The school building is now a private home. The farm then belonged to John Mitchell, one of the three early Mitchell brothers to locate this area. Under the spreading branches of the large walnut tree, the Short Creek Church came into being.
Location of Worship Sites
Note – Henry West and Jane McGeary West are both buried in the old West Cemetery, on the Pyle Farm, near Upland Heights, Yorkville, Ohio. The markers are in good shape. The West’s are of Scotch-Irish descent and came from Ireland. The Beers Atlas of 1871 shows the land {property}… then owned by John Pyle, now owned by Hunter. From the site of this house, a winding lane can still be identified, leading to the Old West Cemetery – a small plot on the high hill a half or three-quarter mile distant, now largely abandoned, overgrown, and uncared for. This is near the original homes of Col. Thomas McCune, Capt. Joseph McCune, and James West, in Section 28. This raises the question of where James West and his wife were buried. Several of the above locations were in existence at the time of James West’s death, January 8, 1806. Joseph McCune (married Mary Shannon) died about 1802 and is thought to be buried in the Presbyterian Church Yard at the foot of Hoge’s Hill a mile upstream from present Glen Robbins. Neglect has overtaken the Little Short Creek Church Yard and all the markers have been removed or destroyed through the years. The Y. and O. Coal Company built a coal tipple practically on the exact spot. Hugh McConahey was born in 1775 and died in 1817. He and has wife, Margaret McCune are both buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery. (Their tombstones were moved along with other McCune and McConahey tombstones in the 1960’s to the Old Seceder Cemetery. This move was organized by the Steubenville DAR. Many tombstones remain in the Old Oak Grove Graveyard.) Tribute to the Little Church and Graveyard on the HillLoyal and Faithful, but Silent old Guard Guarding those that sleep, in thy grassy yard, True to your trust, through each passing year, Through bright spring day and the Autumn drear.
Watchful are you through the long stilly night, You the first to note the dawn of morning light, On the top-most crest, of ye old scotch Hill, Through the hot summer days, and long winter chill.
Erected to glorify God, by that grand old Scot, So that all of His descendants, to you may be brought, As a shrine where to worship, & a guard for the dead, Comforts & blessings through you have been shed.
For a short while we desert you, through the wide world to wander, But we keep a warm spot in our hearts, for that great Alexander. Who bequeathed to His children, this beautiful spot, And when death claims our dear ones, to you they have brought.
So on with your Vigil, the Eons of Time, To guard over the dead, is a duty sublime, And on resurrection morn, may it be by God’s Will, That the Captain of the Guard, be the little Church on the Hill.
Note - The husband of one of the descendants of James Alexander wrote this narrative poem. Author’s name is unknown.
Joseph Smith, died Nov 22, 1821, Oak Grove Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Twp, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio.
Tombstone photo taken by Flora L. VerStraten in the spring of 2006, during the Oak Grove Cemetery Clean up. Assisted with the clean up John Borkowski and Belmont County inmates. Tombstone reads, In Memory of, Joseph Smith. This and many other tombstones are old slate style, pre-dating the 1830's.
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Cemetery Tombstone Photos
Google Earth Cemetery Images
| Craven Farm Private Cemetery | Oak Grove Church Cemetery | Seceder Cemetery |
| Hicksite Cemetery | Quaker Friends Cemetery | Wilson Cemetery |
| Highland Cemetery | Quaker Old Friends Cemetery | West Cemetery |
| Mt. Pleasant M.E. Cemetery | Quaker Friends Short Creek Cemetery |
Schools
| Jefferson County Board of Education – 2023 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville, OH 43952. The county office has access to all students school records back to 1912 for Buckeye, Edison, and Indian Creek. | |
| Jefferson County School Deeds | Mt. Pleasant Quaker Boarding School History |
| Mt Pleasant and the Early Quakers | |
Township Maps
