Organization hopes to hand over historical gravesite to Connellsville
CONNELLSVILLE – Nearly two centuries ago, Zachariah Connell and several members of his family were laid to rest on a plot of land overlooking the city he founded. The ownership of the property and the associated responsibility of maintaining the site has changed hands several times over the years with the most recent title holder being the Youghiogheny Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
The local chapter, however, is in the process of disbanding and has asked that the City of Connellsville assume the caretaker role.
“The only stipulation would be that the city maintain it in tribute to Zachariah Connell,” said Richard Ashmun, chapter spokesman in making the offer to Mayor Judy Reed at a recent council meeting.
While the city is considering the offer, neighboring Connellsville Township officials and residents are questioning whether the property, which lies within the township boundaries, can be donated to the city.
“I don’t think you can give away property that is a historical landmark,” said Connellsville Township Supervisor Tammy Mader. “We’ve asked our solicitor to look into it.”
According to Fayette County records, the property was deeded to the Youghiogheny Chapter in 1954 by then-owner Paul E. Hosfelt.
Local historian William Balsley, who served as president of the Youghiogheny Chapter at one time, said that in addition to being the founding father of the city, Connell also lent his name to the township.
“He owned a lot of property and not all of it was designated for the city,” said Balsley. “I can understand (Connellsville Township) wanting to keep the property.”
Sometime after 1770, Connell settled in the present day Fayette County, which, at that time, was known as the District of West Augusta and claimed by both Virginia and Pennsylvania. In addition to serving as a justice of the peace, Connell was also a surveyor, and determined that the river town would be an excellent site for a city.
He laid out 180-quarter acre lots of the over 2,500 acres that he owned, and secured a charter on March 21, 1793, for the borough he called Connellsville. The property line extended from the banks of the Youghiogheny River to what is now Cottage Avenue and north to what is known as North Alley.
The city limits extended in every direction over the years, but always stopped just short of his gravesite, located off East Francis Avenue.
Don Burkholder, American Legion Post 301 adjutant, said volunteers from the group for the past three years have maintained the property after discovering it had fallen into disrepair.
“We didn’t know if it was in the city or in the township,” he said. “All we knew was that it was the gravesite of the city’s founding father and you couldn’t see it for all the brush and trees.”
Reed, meanwhile, stated that council would consider the offer and make a decision regarding its acceptance pending review by city solicitor Joseph Ferens.
“We’re very honored and pleased,” she said. “It would be wonderful to have the gravesite of our founding father for the city.”