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From:
Subject: Re: [PAWASHIN] born in Washington Co.,Penn., near old Philadelphia; in 1744
Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2005 13:53:25 EST


In a message dated 3/5/2005 11:49:44 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

> This doesn't make since because Washington County wasn't formed until 1781.



Most county histories do not refer to the original county name, but just say
the family came from Washington County, despite the county not being
established until 1781. Therefore, it isn't totally accurate, but it is not the
portion I am trying to make sense of from this write-up. What I need to know is if
any area in Washington County was ever called/referred to as "old
Philadelphia." Note it says "near" and in the previous part of the sentence it says
Washington County, Pa. So in Washington Co. near old Philadelphia.

Here is my question again...
SPOHN, MARTIN, farmer; P. O. Butler. His grandfather, Martin Spohn, Sr.,
> was
> a Dunkard preacher, and was born in Washington Co.,Penn., near old
> Philadelphia; in 1744, he took what was called the "tomahawk-right
> improvement.," which
> consisted in marking trees so as to inclose 160 acres of land, for which,
> after
> a specified time had elapsed, he was to pay the Government a certain sum
> of
> money, about $17 or $18. He married Mary Leatherman.  - from
> http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Richland/RichlandWorthington.htm
> Richland County, Ohio History
>
> "born in Washington Co.,Penn., near old Philadelphia; in 1744, "
>
> Can someone elaborate on what the above statement means?  Was Washington
> County called "old Philadelphia" at some point in the 1740s?  Or when?
> And, what
> part?  (since it says "near old Philadelphia)
>
> If I can get background on this, it would explain why one of my ancestor's
> sons was supposedly born in Philadelphia when there is zero proof of the
> family
> ever being near Philadelphia, PA.
>
> Judy



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