Minerd.com Feature: The Family's Legacy Along the National Road, Today's U.S. Route 40

The "Conestoga Wagon" by Malcolm Parcell. The caption reads: "Completing the National Pike across the Allegheny Mountains gave birth to the Conestoga Wagon, drawn by six horses and manned by 'Pike Boys.' Between 1819 and the early 1850's a constant stream of these picturesque wagons were used over the Pike to and from Baltimore in transporting merchandise, supplies, and produce."

Several cousins, including Perry G. White and his son Robert Marshall White were construction contractors on the highway in Somerset and Fayette Counties, PA, as early as 1843. Perry is named twice in Searight's 1894 book, and among a long list of men who were "contractors for work on the original construction of the road." During the period from May 1, 1843 to Dec. 31, 1844, Perry is known to have worked on the Western Division of the National Road under the supervision of William Searight, Commissioner of the Cumberland Road in Pennsylvania, and was paid $116.06 for his labors.

Later, said the Uniontown Republican Standard, "When the late Sebastian Rush was first appointed superintendent of the National road, about twenty-five years since, he put [Perry] in charge of the Monroe gate and he continued to hold such ever since up to the time of his death." Perry's work provided him with "general satisfaction," said the Uniontown Genius of Liberty.

William Alexander Gaither and his family resided along the highway near Chalk Hill, Fayette County, where in 1877 he was appointed as a reviewer of National Road spur construction plans in Wharton Township. In about 1871, Gaither also was named a caretaker of one of the road's most famous landmarks, the ancient grave of British General Edward Braddock, who was mortally wounded in battle during the French and Indian War. A rare sketch of the site, drawn in the early 1840s, is seen here. According to the artist who sketched this view, "A plain shingle, marked BRADDOCK'S GRAVE, nailed to the tree where part of the bones are interred, is the only monument to point out to the traveller the resting place of the proud and brave but unfortunate hero of the old French war."

Among those cousins who also lived along the National Road in Fayette County were Joseph and Sarah "Annie" (White) Hopwood in Hopwood, and Eli and Catherine (Dean) Leonard in Wharton Township. Franklin Ellis's 1882 book, History of Fayette County, states: "The Old Braddock road entered Wharton [Township] from Henry Clay [Township], on the farm now owned by McCarion, then by Eli Leonard's to the Widow Dean's, back of Farmington..." Further west, in Washington County, PA, Lynn and Grace (Miner) White made their residence along the road, then known as Route 40.

~ Malcolm Parcell Paintings ~

"Escape of David Bradford." The caption: "David Bradford leader of the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794, resided in the old stone house still standing at 173 South Main Street, Washington. When the Insurrection collapsed Bradford fled to the Spanish province of Louisiana; and tradition says that he escaped on horseback shortly before troops arrived with orders to place him under arrest."

"Stage Coach." Ccaption: "Rapid transportation of travelers over the National Pike a hundred years ago was by stage coaches drawn by from four to six and sometimes eight horses. With its load of passengers and mail it always created a flutter of excitement as it sped along the Pike at top speed. Horses were changed at relay stations twelve miles apart."

"Interior of a Tavern in Old Washington Town." Caption: "A typical tavern scene of the olden times of the National Pike, when the barroom was the village meeting place for travelers, stage drivers, wagoners and town loafers."

"Lafayette's Visit, May 25, 1825." Caption: "The most important visitor in old Washington during the days of the National Pike was General lafayette, who arrived here May 25, 1825, while on a tour of the United States as the nation's guest, and stopped over night at the Globe Inn. Fully 15,000 people from all sections of the country lined the street to greet him."

"Pony Express and the Packhorse." Caption: "The original Pony Express was conceived in 1835 by Postmaster General Amos Kendall to speed delivery of light mail. Horses were changed every six miles. The Packhorse was the only means of transportation when old mud trails were impassable for the heavy Conestoga Wagon. The well with its windlass and 'Old Oaken Bucket' was found at every tavern along the length of the National Pike."

"The Arrival of Henry Clay, May 16, 1844." Caption: "Henry Clay, the 'Father of the National Pike' and one of the most noted statesmen of his time, was a frequent and welcome visitor in Washington while traveling between his Kentucky home and the National Capital. This shows Mr. Clay arriving at the famous Globe Inn on May 16, 1844."