Chartiers township was erected by an act of assembly approved April 12, 1851, section 4 of which, in describing its original boundaries, provides that "William Dilworth, William Perkins and P. H. Hastings, of Allegheny county, are hereby appointed commissioners to divide Lower St. Clair township, in said county, in manner following, to wit:
Beginning on the line of Upper St. Clair township, at the farm of Col. William Espy; thence northwardly, as near as practicable, following the dividing ridge separating the waters of Little Saw-Mill and Plummer’s runs, and from thence by the most approved route to High street, on the brow of Coal hill; thence by said High street to the line of Pittsburgh. That all that portion of said township lying westwardly of said line shall constitute a separate election and school district, and shall be known by the name of Chartiers township." This is the only instance in this county in which a township has been formed by any other authority than the court of quarter sessions.

Peter Chartier was a half-breed and Indian trader. He lived at Philadelphia in 1743, and was in the employ of the French as a spy. He was obliged to leave when the object of his mission became known, and was subsequently instrumental in winning the Shawanese over to the Delaware interest. His name was applied to the creek at an early date, and the location of his trading-post after his return to the frontier was presumably near its mouth. The importance of that stream at the time when this section of the country was first settled may be inferred from the fact that an act of Congress was passed, about 1808, declaring it navigable and a public highway forever. Notwithstanding the high authority thus invoked, there were those at the time who doubted whether the stream was navigable, and, in defiance of the power of the highest legislative body in the land, the same opinions are entertained to this day.

No township in the county [remarks a recent writer] can boast a more interesting history. Its settlement was among the first, its prehistoric relics are the most wonderful, its Indian adventures the most thrilling, and its early log fortifications, barracks, etc., are of a peculiar and, we may add, a mysterious character. ... On the bank of Chartiers creek, a half mile or more from Brodhead [Grafton] postoffice, there lies a valley of unusual beauty. It contains, perhaps, a square mile. The creek meanders in a graceful curve along its western bounds, and precipitous hills, rising on the east, and stretching for a short distance to the north and south, at length change their course at each extremity of the range, and slope gradually to the margin of the water. It is thus completely surrounded by hills and rapids, and a high bluff, towering above its neighbors on the southeast, overlooks and commands the whole. ... In 1825 and before, there stood near its center a very large log building, known as Hand’s hospital. It was about one hundred feet in length, thirty in width, was two stories high, and had a porch extending entirely around it. There were two doors, one on either side, but no windows, and two partitions divided it into three rooms above and below. Several small blockhouses surrounded it at some distance; statements differ as to the number, some placing it as high as fifteen, and others saying that there were not more than five. . . . The hospital was probably built by Gen. Hand, during his command at Fort Pitt, which was then an unhealthful place; and his sick soldiers were doubtless removed from the fort to that place, which was as favorable for their convalescence as any in the county. Whether the small circle of blockhouses were fortifications or not, we are unable to say, but think it extremely probable that they were; and this seems to be the opinion of the old inhabitants. Nothing but the old hospital wells and several pieces of rotten wood now remain to mark where the buildings stood. Grapeshot, several twelve-pound cannon-shot, lancets and surgical instruments of various descriptions have been found scattered there in profusion.

The earliest settlers were the Bell family. They lived four miles from Romney, Va., on the south branch of the Potomac; the father of those who removed here was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and his wife at Edinburgh. He owned a fine horse named Drednot, which was generally regarded as swift and sure-footed, though spirited and impetuous; but once while attempting to leap a brook, the saddle-girths burst, and Mr. Bell, Sr., was instantly killed. This unfortunate accident did not deter his sons from pursuing the occupation in which they were already engaged, that of stock-raising; and within a few years after their father’s death the eldest two, James and John, set out from their home to seek more extended landed ownership in the region west of the mountains, which the formation of the "Ohio Company" and the French wars had rendered familiar to many in the older settlements. They passed through Washington county, and following the Chartiers creek to its mouth, reached a point just above the borough of Mansfield on an evening in October, 1768. A bear had been killed during the day, and a large chip was cut from a swamp-oak to afford means of cutting and preparing the meat. The vitality of the tree was not apparently impaired; it survived several generations of the Bell family, and died of old age in October, 1873.

In the following year (1769) the Bells returned. There were eight brothers — John, James, Samuel, Robert, Charles, David, Joseph and William. Not finding the locality as well adapted to stock-raising as they had anticipated, Robert, William, David and Joseph removed to Harrod’s creek, Ky., and Samuel to Harrison county, Ind. John and James remained in Chartiers valley, the residence of the latter being situated upon land now owned by John Doolittle. Joseph Hall, David Steel and Jacob Day were also early settlers. A family of Stoops built a cabin near Hand’s hospital, and planted a field of corn in the vicinity. During the Indian troubles of 1780 they were accustomed to leave their family at Fort Pitt, going out to the field in the morning and returning at evening, but on one occasion they remained at the cabin at night, having with them one child, William by name. Upon awakening in the morning they found the house surrounded by Indians. There was one opportunity of escape, however, and he thought that if no resistance were offered his wife and child would be taken prisoners, while he would have time to make a diversion for their rescue. In this he was forestalled, however; the Indian party was proceeding on its way, the boy bound to a brave, and mounted on a horse, and Mrs. Stoops following on foot with a squaw, when Samuel Brady, of "Brady’s Leap," on his return from a journey to Sandusky, observed their movements from a place of concealment, and, with the boldness for which he was celebrated, shot the Indian with whom William Stoops was riding, and rescued his mother. The boy remained in captivity three years. The grave of the Indian brave is still pointed out in Lawrence county.

Robert Bell also bad a narrow escape from death by the Indians. In company with two other young men, named Vaughn and Scisson, he was in search of strayed horses, when the party were surprised by an Indian ambuscade on a branch of Flaugherty run. Vaughn was killed outright; a savage threw his tomahawk at Bell, and it cut a severe gash in his thigh, passing through to the saddle-girths, which were much injured, as the event subsequently proved. Scisson turned on his horse and fled; he was followed by Bell, but they had not gone more than a mile when Bell fell from his horse, and, thinking he was dead, Scisson did not wait to render any assistance. Bell’s horse reached home before Scisson, and a party was at once formed to pursue the Indians and avenge his blood. The latter were overtaken while crossing the Ohio river, and when Scisson’s story was heard, Robert was given up as dead. Within a week, however, he was heard from at Fort Pitt. It seems that the Indians, satisfied with the death of Vaughn, and fearing pursuit when Scisson should have aroused the settlers, did not stop to follow Bell, but at once took flight; and after falling from his horse he had crawled in the bed of the stream for some distance, and there hid himself for the night. He was still unable to walk on the next morning, and was obliged to crawl on his hands and knees the entire distance to the fort, where his wound was dressed by Dr. Knight, who subsequently flgured conspicuously at the burning of Crawford.

Of those who came later William McMacken settled near the mouth of the tunnel at Ingram station, about 1804. He died there at an advanced age. He had sons James, Joseph, William and John, none of whom reside in the township. At about the same time Andrew Robinson settled half a mile northwest from Ingram station, where he passed the remainder of his long life. His sons were John, Claudius, David, Andrew and James. Of these, John still resides in the township, at the age of eighty. Near to Mr. Robinson, and at about the same time, Owen McCabe settled. He was the father of Col. Robert McCabe, who resided near Mansfield. John F. Scully settled in the northwest part of the township in 1804. His sons were Dennis, Henry, John, William, Alexander, Decatur, Cornelius and Edmund J. Cornelius still resides on the old place.

James McDonald came in 1811, and located on Chartiers creek, half a mile below Crafton. His sons were Philip, William, James and John. He died, at an advanced age, on the farm where he settled. William McClelland settled near Sheridan, about 1812. His sons were Samuel, William and Alexander. Of these, William is still living. Francis Bailey settled at Sheridan station very early. His sons. Judge John and James, are both living.

No remarkable events occurred in this section of the country after the Indian troubles subsided. When the county was organized it became part of St. Clair township, and was subsequently included in Lower St. Clair until separately erected. At the first census after that event (1860) the population was 3,075; in 1870, owing to the formation of Union, it was reduced to 2,269; in 1880 it was 3,346; and at the present time it is much larger, owing to the rapid growth of villages since that date.

Although the Pan Handle railroad was opened through this section in 1865, there were few indications of village growth until some years later. Temperanceville nominally extends beyond the city limits, and this portion of that town is probably the oldest in the township.

Crafton derives its name and existence from Charles C. Craft. It comprises that portion of the Gen. Edward Hand patent known by the Indian name of Killeman, which, after experiencing various changes of ownership, came into possession of James S. Craft in 1871. Upon his death the property (two hundred acres) passed to his son, Charles C. Craft. He laid off the town in 1872, and recorded the plan under the name of Crafton February 24, 1873. At this time the railroad station was known as Brodhead, and there were about eight houses on the turnpike near by. Mr. Craft began the sale of lots in 1873, but the panic necessitated an immediate suspension, and within the limits of the town proper but one house was built in that year, the present residence of the proprietor. He at once began to build houses, disposing of them on monthly payments, but hardly a score were built in the first ten years. Sixteen were erected in 1882, and twenty-five within the year 1887. The number of houses at present is about one hundred and fifty, and the estimated population four or five hundred. It is made up largely of persons engaged in business in the city. There are no manufactures, and only the usual lines of merchandising.

Brodhead post office was established in 1857; the name was changed to Crafton in 1881. It has been applied to the railroad station since 1873.

St. Philip’s Roman Catholic Church, Crafton, is the oldest in Chartiers township. It is so named in honor of Philip Smith, of Philadelphia, by whom the site was donated. The church is a brick building, forty feet long and twenty-five feet wide, and was dedicated by Bishop Kenrick July 25, 1839. The Catholic population of the surrounding country had previously attended the cathedral, and were visited by a priest from Pittsburgh. Rev. A. P. Gibbs was appointed pastor in 1840, Thomas McCullahin in 1844, John Ward in 1874, and James Kenoy in 1877. At various times it has been attached to other churches, but is now a separate parish. A pastoral residence was built several years since, and a parochial school is conducted.

The Church of the Nativity, Protestant Episcopal, Crafton, was organized in September, 1872, with N. P. Ramsay, Charles C. Craft, Wilson McCandless, John McCullough and William T. Chaffey, vestrymen. The cornerstone of the church-edifice was laid May 8, 1873, by Rev. John Scarborough, dean of the diocese, and the first service was held therein October 19, 1873. The parish was incorporated March 15, 1873. The first rector was Rev. Thomas W. Martin, but for some years services were only conducted occasionally by the rector of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, or his assistant. Rev. Samuel P. Kelly was rector previous to January, 1887.

The Crafton Methodist Episcopal Church was organized October 12, 1883. The church-edifice was dedicated in October, 1884. The Presbyterian Church is also an organization of recent origin. Rev. Philip S. Jennings is the present pastor.

Chartiers Valley Lodge, No. 1885, R. A., was instituted June 8, 1885; Crafton Lodge, No. 48, Order of the Golden Chain, February 17, 1886; Crafton Lodge, No. 208, A. O. U. W., October 29, 1885.

Idlewood is situated on the Pan Handle railroad, about seven miles from the city. The site of the town was originally claimed by Richmond, under a Virginia entry, and by Cohee Campbell, under a Pennsylvania warrant. Both claims were patented by Robert Bell in 1831, when he secured a patent from the Pennsylvania landoffice. In 1872 the Homestead Bank and Life Insurance company secured two hundred and forty acres from J. H. Bell, John Biggart, Neel Kirkpatrick, James Allen and John McClelland. A town was laid out under the name of Homestead Park, and lots were sold at fabulous prices. The company failed, with enormous liabilities, in 1873, when the land reverted to the former owners. There was but little building activity until 1880, and the town comprises at present about a hundred houses. "Idlewood Cottages," a summer-resort in the vicinity, and a Methodist church, built in 1884, add to the attractiveness of the place. The station was formerly known as Idlewild. Idlewood postoffice was established in 1882.

Sheridanville is largely in futuro, but under the energetic management of the "Sheraden Land & Improvement Company, Limited," its future as a suburban village is apparently well assured. It is but four miles and a half from the city, and situated in a region of great natural beauty. A number of houses have been erected, and the grading of streets is in progress. The town was originally laid out by N. P. Sawyer in 1872, under the name of Aschenaz, but the growth of the village was not remarkable until about four years since. A Methodist Protestant church was built in 1884. Sheridanville postoffice was established February 10, 1886.

Ingram is situated on that part of Gen. Hand’s patent known as the Mount Pleasant tract. The site of the town formed part of a tract of several hundred acres, purchased in 1823 by Thomas Ingram from Nathaniel Burt, of Philadelphia. Ingram was from County Tyrone, Ireland. Thomas Ingram, descended in the third generation from the first proprietor of that name, opened the land to sale and improvement in 1880. The town proper comprises seventeen houses, many of which are large, substantial and attractive in appearance. Chartiers Union chapel was built in 1885, and a United Presbyterian congregation has been recently organized. Bonney postoffice was established in 1883.

Nimick station, about four miles from Pittsburgh, on the Pan Handle railroad, is so named from W. H. Nimick, a former owner of land in that vicinity. The weigh-station of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis division of the Pennsylvania company’s lines is located here. This place will doubtless gain in importance upon the completion of the Brunot’s island bridge.

Lockton station, on the Pan Handle railroad, seven miles from the city and at the southern extremity of the township, was formerly known as Jacobus, from a gentleman of that name who was interested in the manufacturing establishment at this place. There is neither town nor village, but the extensive character of the industry that is here pursued renders the place more important in this respect than any other in the township. The "Variety Works," the original predecessor of the present establishment, were placed in operation in 1855, by Jones, Wallingford & Co. The name was changed to "Jones & Nimick Manufacturing Company" in 1863; in 1872 it became "Jacobus & Nimick Manufacturing Company," and in 1882 it was changed to "Nimick-Brittan Manufacturing Company," the present style. The organization of the company is constituted as follows: President, Alexander Nimick; secretary, Glendy S. Graham; manager and treasurer, Arthur Brittan; superintendent, Philip Mathes. Common locks and novelty goods formed the exclusive product previous to 1882, when the facilities of the works were so increased as to include the entire range of builders’ hardware, from the ordinary doorknob, latch or hinge to specialties designed by architects. The Novelty works of Moorhead, Adams & Co. (established by L. E. Livingston in 1833) were absorbed in 1872. The works comprise an area of seven acres, and employ three hundred operatives. The plant is valued at $140,000, and the annual product at $250,000.

The Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youghiogheny railroad traverses the western part of the township, with stations at Scully’s Springs and Duff’s.

The Chartiers cemetery, comprising thirty-five acres, is situated in the southern part of the township, near Idlewood. Art has assisted nature in rendering this one of the most beautiful places of interment in the county. The grounds are laid out with care and taste, and adorned with shrubbery of appropriate varieties. The cemetery association was incorporated about twenty-four: years since.