Day 4

This morning we had a short drive to Blairsville, PA.  We went directly to the Hopewell Church and cemetery where Johannes "John" Herrold is buried.  John is our 4 times great - grandfather.  John is the first born American in our family.  He was also a Revolutionary War veteran.  John and his family moved to the Blairsville area around the time of the Revolution. They were in Elders Ford (Elders Fort) where soldiers trained. Their son, Christopher (our 3 times great -grandfather) was born at Elders Fort in 1777.

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This is the Hopewell Methodist Church.  Before the Church was built people met in homes. John and his wife often held Church in their home. We are unclear why John and Barbara were not at the Lutheran Church. Maybe they just established community with these neighbors.

John Herrold is on the left. His wife Barbara is on the right. 

It is reported that John spoke broken English and only prayed in German.

John had a large expanse of land. He farmed, had a mill and a distillery. His land was West of Blacklick creek and North of the Conemaugh River. His land bordered Altmans Run (land owned my Barbara's family).  Some records state the John's acreage was called "Forerunner Plantation".  We were able to drive to what had been John's land AND walk some of it.  So fun to walk the ground of our ancesters.

Qualities of John that he has given to his descendents:

• Standing up for Freedom
• Respect 
• Hardworking

After a lovely walk with ancient relatives, we went to the Historical society.

Marna was gracious to come in on her day off to meet with us. She had found some information and made copies for me.  She shared about the growth of the community from past to present.  We learned about the floods and the building of the dam (that occurred after John died) that resulted in John's land  becoming a floodplain.

Thirty minutes down the road, we met with Carl at the Sampson/Clark Toll House.  The original warrant for the land named the owner as Christopher Harold. At this time we are unsure if this is our Christopher, son of John or John's brother, Christopher Columbus Harrold.  We'll let you know if we find out. Herrold sold the property to Mr. Sampson who built the Toll house. (yes, he collected tolls, no I-pass in those days....you had to stop).

The building is a replica of the original, because it was in such bad shape by the time the Murrysville Historical society acquired it.  The fireplace, however IS the original.   Travelers could stop along the trail to warm themselves by the fire and maybe get something to eat. 

After lunch, we took the scenic route to Marrietta, OH.  I wanted the scenic route so we could travel along the Ohio River (Christopher and Martha Cable Herrold traveled down the Ohio River on a Flatbush around 1800). We saw less of the river and more of the little towns, trees and mountainside. ☺

The Ohio River is beautiful!!!!