To Rob (rwalton@worldnet.att.net) and other Gilliland researchers. There are several references to GILLILAND in the "History of Crawford County, PA, 1885." I will transcribe them here and in the next couple of posts. On page 592, in the section on the history of Pine Township: "Among the earliest settlers of the village were: William Burnside and Jesse GILLILAND, blacksmiths; Moses Lord and William Russell, shoe-makers; Joseph Allen, carpenter; Samuel Shattuck, cooper; Horatio N. Mead, the first tavern-keeper; Smith Line, son of the proprietor, kept the first store, started about 1839; C.S. Stratton built the first tannery about 1837. It is still in operation, owned by Thomas Limber." On pages 659 and 660, in the history of Summerhill Township: "Besides the above, the following, with their families, were among the earliest settlers: Neal McKay, John McTier, Thomas Proctor, Robert McCoy, James McMillan, Daniel McMillan, Joseph McNamara, Samuel Gowdy, James Christy, Jacob Lefevre, James Scott, John Fulwiler, Benjamin Bearfield, John Dearborn, Robert Nelson and Peter and Jacob Gevin. Neal McKay was a weaver by occupation and an early Justice of the Peace in the township. His son, Robert, was a Captain of militia in 1812, and served at Erie during the building of Perry's fleet. John McTier was a stone mason by trade, and when hewed-log-houses superseded round-log-cabins, his services in building stone chimneys made him a valuable citizen to the community. He was killed in the spring of 1826 while riding, during a terrific wind storm, by a large oak tree, which fell upon him. James, William and John Proctor, sons of Robert, were well known pioneers. Robert McCoy immigrated prior to 1798; his cabin stood about a half mile east of Conneautville, and his death occurred about 1800. His was the first burial in the McDowell Cemetery. The McMillans located in the northeastern part of the township. Daniel was killed, while cutting a tree for raccoons, by the fall of a limb. Josiah McNamara built the first tannery of the township in 1800. A few years later he removed to Mead Township. Samuel Gowdy came a single man to the southwest corner of what is now the township, where he patented a tract. Soon after he married Betsy GILLILAND. He was quite an accession to the early settlements, for he manufactured the wooden plows then in use. Mr. Gowdy was Colonel of militia in 1812, and commanded his regiment at Erie during the construction of Perry's fleet. He died on the farm he settled. James Christy settled about a mile southeast from Conneautville, and remained there through life. Jacob Lefevre was born farmer and tanner, residing near Conneautville. John Fulwiler dwelt also in that vicinity; his cabin stood on what is now the Conneautville Fair Ground. Benjamin Bearfield was a distiller by trade. He lived about a mile northeast from Dicksonburg, and afterward moved West. John Dearborn located on the F. Johnston tract in the east part of the township, where he died and where his descendants still live. Robert Nelson was an early settler near Conneautville. Peter and Jacob Gevin were brothers; the former lived near the center of the township." More to follow! Kathy Brubaker Volunteer Genealogist Linesville Historical Society kbrbkr@toolcity.net