Abstracted from Brooke County Historical Facts... (WV)
West Middletown, Pennsylvania is located six miles from the West Virginia state line, 12 miles from Washington, PA., 12 miles from Burgettstown, PA. and 12 MILES FROM THE OHIO RIVER AT WELLSBURG.
West Middletown was once a progressive village. It had a private seminary, called Pleasant Hille, attended by young ladies from far and near. Before the railroad appeared on the scene, West Middletown could supply the needs of its residents. Wagon trains with goods for the west rolled along the main street and before the Civil War the slave buyers marched their human cargo by day and night en route to the south.
The roadway at West Middletown was macadamized and its sidewalks flagstoned nearly 100 years ago. It was incorporated as a borough in 1823 and has had a post office since 1805.
JOHN W.GARROTT, founder and president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and CHARLES AVERY HOLMES, the famous Methodist preacher, were born here JOSEPH DODDRIDGE, author of "Doddridge Notes", lived but a mile or two distant. Here was the home of COLONEL DAVID WILLIAMSON who led the expedition across the Ohio River to Gnadenhutten where the slaughter of the peaceful Moravian Indians took place. This was also the birthplace of the CAMBELLITES or CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
ROBERT FULTON bought a farm for his parents and sisters nearby and lived there with them for a time. Not far away lived JOSEPH RITNER, a Dutch farmer, who tried again and again, never successfully, to become governor of PA.( note from Charlie Larimer -- Joseph Ritner served as Governor of Pennsylvania from 1835 to 1839. Thanks Charlie !)
JAMES CLEMENS, the ancestor of MARK TWAIN, settled here many years ago and sent forth his sons to reach great prominence in the history of our nation. GEORGE WASHINGTON owned nearly 3,000 acres of land with an hour's drive from here, which he sold in 1796 for $12,000. This land is probably worth several million dollars today.
West Middletown was one of the most important stations of the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD preceding the Civil War. JOHN BROWN, the Abolitionist, came here to buy sheep and trade in wool and no doubt preached freedom for all men regardless of color, race or creed.
A dozen or more frontier forts, dating before the Revolutionary War, were located within a few miles from here.
West Middletown, although small in size, has much to be proud of as far as its place in the history of our Nation is concerned.