Development of Evans City
Robert Boggs begins it.
The biggest step in the creation of the current Evans City was started by Robert Boggs. Boggs himself was an early settler in Butler County, and in the early 19th century he purchased 450+ acres for the price of $90.09. There is an old tale, apparently more like a tall tale, about how he purchased the land through the trading of an old mare in 1796 to get the 450 acres and build a log cabin there, however the following document from the Commonwealth’s records shows that the old tale is nothing more than an interesting story, and can be put to rest by the document.
Commonwealth to Robert Boggs Esq. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting know ye that in consideration of the sum of ninety dollars and nine cents in full now paid by Robert Boggs unto the Treasury Consideration of an actual settlement and improvement made in April 1792 entitled an act for the sale of vacant land in this commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said Robert Boggs a certain track of land situate in Cranberry Township Butler County. Beginning at a post thence by land of the heirs of Johni Dunn due South three fourths of a degree West two hundred and eighty four perches to a post East fifteen perches and four tenths to a post South one degree East twenty six perches and one fourth to a black oak thence by lands of the heirs of Casper Reeb due North eighty nine degrees East one hundred and three perches to a chestnut oak North eighty seven and one half degrees East one hundred and twenty five perches to a post and North seventy one degrees East twelve and one half perches to a white oak thence by land of the heirs of John and Alexander Wills North one and one half degrees West two hundred and ninety nine perches to a black oak thence by lands f John Walden and Michall and William Martin West two hundred and forty four perches to the place of Beginning Containing four hundred and fifty acres and seventy eight perches allowance which said track if land was surveyed conformity to the above recited act and Supplement there to prepared the first day of March 1811 upon the Settlement and improvement of the said Robert Boggs to whom a warrant of acceptance issued the 8th day of June 1836. To have and to hold the said track or parcel of land with the appurtenances unto the said Robert Boggs and his heirs to the use of him the said Robert Boggs and his heirs and assigns forever free and clear of all restrictions and reservations as to mine royalties, Quit-rents, or otherwise excepting and reserving only the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore for the use of this Commonwealth to be delivered at the Pit’s Mouth, clear of charges. In witness whereof, John Gehbart Secretary of the Land Office of the said Commonwealth, hath hereto set his hand and seal of the Land Office of Pennsylvania hath been hereunto affixed the Eight day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six and of the Commonwealth the sixteenth. Enrolled in Patent Book H Vol. 35 Page 643. Butler County recorded in the office recording of deeds and for said county and book N page 174. John Gehbart. Given under my hand my seal of said office at Butler, this 13 day of April AD 1842. John D. McChristian.
Commonwealth to Robert Boggs Esq. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting know ye that in consideration of the sum of ninety dollars and nine cents in full now paid by Robert Boggs unto the Treasury Consideration of an actual settlement and improvement made in April 1792 entitled an act for the sale of vacant land in this commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said Robert Boggs a certain track of land situate in Cranberry Township Butler County. Beginning at a post thence by land of the heirs of Johni Dunn due South three fourths of a degree West two hundred and eighty four perches to a post East fifteen perches and four tenths to a post South one degree East twenty six perches and one fourth to a black oak thence by lands of the heirs of Casper Reeb due North eighty nine degrees East one hundred and three perches to a chestnut oak North eighty seven and one half degrees East one hundred and twenty five perches to a post and North seventy one degrees East twelve and one half perches to a white oak thence by land of the heirs of John and Alexander Wills North one and one half degrees West two hundred and ninety nine perches to a black oak thence by lands f John Walden and Michall and William Martin West two hundred and forty four perches to the place of Beginning Containing four hundred and fifty acres and seventy eight perches allowance which said track if land was surveyed conformity to the above recited act and Supplement there to prepared the first day of March 1811 upon the Settlement and improvement of the said Robert Boggs to whom a warrant of acceptance issued the 8th day of June 1836. To have and to hold the said track or parcel of land with the appurtenances unto the said Robert Boggs and his heirs to the use of him the said Robert Boggs and his heirs and assigns forever free and clear of all restrictions and reservations as to mine royalties, Quit-rents, or otherwise excepting and reserving only the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore for the use of this Commonwealth to be delivered at the Pit’s Mouth, clear of charges. In witness whereof, John Gehbart Secretary of the Land Office of the said Commonwealth, hath hereto set his hand and seal of the Land Office of Pennsylvania hath been hereunto affixed the Eight day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six and of the Commonwealth the sixteenth. Enrolled in Patent Book H Vol. 35 Page 643. Butler County recorded in the office recording of deeds and for said county and book N page 174. John Gehbart. Given under my hand my seal of said office at Butler, this 13 day of April AD 1842. John D. McChristian.
