Who settled here
By 1790 Pittsburgh was already known as the gateway to the West. Many settlers reached the Ohio country by way of Forbes' Road or Braddock's Road, both of which led to Pittsburgh. Families bought or built flatboats there, loaded their belongings and livestock, and floated downriver on a one-way trip. At the destination the boats were taken apart and the lumber used for shelter.
One account describes the spring rise of 1788 as the peak of the great immigration, when at least 308 flatboats carrying more than 6,000 people, about 3,000 head of livestock, and 150 wagons passed down the Ohio. In dry seasons the river was often too low between Pittsburgh and Wheeling, and Wheeling became the main departure point.
Why families moved on
- Pittsburgh was the jumping-off point. An ancestor who bought supplies, a boat, or a wagon at Pittsburgh may have left no other trace in Allegheny County. The 1794 Whiskey Rebellion was centered in Allegheny, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties, but The sources used for this guide do not say it caused families to leave for Ohio.
Records that say exactly why a family left are rare. Treat these as leads, and look for evidence about your own ancestors in deeds, tax lists, court cases, and church records.
Clues to look for
- Check tax lists and deeds for a quick sale before a family disappears.
- Newspaper notices of boats, goods, and travelers can place a family at Pittsburgh.
