Zachariah Connell Cemetery Connellsville, Pennsylvania

Zachariah Connell’s Grave site Connellsville, Pennsylvania 22 March 2013 A product of the Fayette County cultural trust

Directions: The cemetery is located off of Francis Ave. in Connellsville. From Rt. 119 North, exit at East Crawford Ave. Then continue about 3/4 mile. You will see Father Giebel High School on the left. Just past the school, turn right on Francis Ave. There is a plaque on the right side of the street, about 1/10 mile. The cemetery is up the steps about 100 feet. It is not visible from Francis Ave. GPS location: 40.02567 N 79.58201 W

Zachariah Connell, the founder of Connellsville, was one of the earliest settlers in the region. Born in 1741 near Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, he settled in present day Fayette County sometime after 1770. This area was known as the District of West Augusta and was claimed by both Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Zachariah Connell served as a gentleman justice for Youghiogania County, District of West Augusta, as well as a justice of the peace. During the Revolution he was a captain of militia and a Ranger of the Frontier in William Perry's company, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Rangers of the Frontier, 1778-1783.

As a surveyor and land agent for Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia, Howard of Maryland, and the Chew family of Philadelphia, Zachariah Connell was an able and highly respected judge of land.

He surveyed a tract of land on the east bank of the Youghiogheny River containing 147 acres, which he called "Mud Island." This piece of land became a natural stopping-place for emigrants & travelers to build rafts to float down the river. He decided that this important route to the west would be an excellent site for a city.

Zachariah Connell surveyed a town of 180-quarter acre lots and secured a charter on March 21, 1793 for the town he called Connellsville.

His kindness and generosity were illustrated by the charter, which gave the town residents permission to make use of the stone quarry, coal bank, and adjacent timber & springs. He also donated land for a public building, churches, schools, and a graveyard.

Zachariah Connell, a son of James & Ann Williams Connell, married (1) Rebecca Rice and (2) Margaret Wallace. He died in 1813 and is buried on a hill overlooking Connellsville. Many of his descendants moved west, but there are still Connells in Connellsville.  Name: Zachariah CONNELL  Sex: M  Birth: 1741 in Winchester, Frederick, Virginia  Census: 1810 Connellsville, Fayette co., PA  Military Service: Captain of militia and a Ranger of the Frontier in William Perry's company, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Rangers of the Frontier, 1778-1783.  Event: Military REVOLUTIONARY WEAR PATRIOT  Death: 26 AUG 1813 in Connellsville, Fayette co., PA  Census: 1790 Bullskin, Fayette co., Pennsylvania

July 22, 2003 — Connellsville City Council accepted the deed to the grave site of the city's founder, Zachariah Connell, which is located in Connellsville Township, from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Society of the American Revolution.

Grave Marker Descriptions Surname Broken Stone Broken Stone Connell Connell Mercer O’Brion Wallace R.C.

Given Name(s)

Born

Died

Notes Only thing visible is “1834” & 16”

Margaret Zachariah Abner Elizabeth Susan

1741

6/20/1815 1813 3/4/1834 3/29/1844 9/21/1813

Only thing visible is “obe”, probably October, and “the 64th year” Age 75 years 2 months 8 days Founder of theBorough of Connellsville 1806 Age 28 Age 58 Age 29 No inscription, possibly foot stone

Zachariah Connell Entrance From West Francis Avenue

Zachariah Connell Entrance from west francis avenue

Walk way to Zachariah Connell Grave site

Zachariah Connell west Francis avenue Road marker

View of Connellsville From Zachariah Connell Grave site

March 22, 2013 Fayette count cultural trust