The year was 1873. The economy which had flourished in the years following the end of the Civil War was coming to a slow. But that slowed economy didn’t stop John Slicker, 16, and his step-brother, Conrad Stinogle, 26, from purchasing a property from Captain John Gilmore and his wife, Susannah.  The property, a part of Gilmore’s Addition, was located at the north end of Webster, a small village in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

1876 Atlas Map of Webster and Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, PA

On June 2, 1873, John and Conrad, who were working as coalminers and supporting their mother, Magdlena, signed their name to a deed agreeing to pay $600 for three adjacent lots: Lots 143, 144, and 147. Each lot was 50 feet by 100 feet.

2017 Image of Boundary Lines for Lots 143, 144 and 147

Although these three lots were originally equal in size, overtime their boundary lines shifted. Today the lots sizes are as followed:

Lot 143    38 x 100

Lot 144, PT LT 143 and 147     76.79  x 100

PT Lot 147     35.29 x 100

 June 2, 1873 Property Deed

You can read the description of the property in the image of the deed given above, or read it below. As you read it, try to follow the boundary lines on the image of the GIS map given above.

Starting at the corner of lot No (148) on first street thence along said Street one hundred and fifty feet to corner of lot (140) Thence along said lot one hundred (100) feet to water street Thence along said Street one hundred fifty feet to corner of lot one hundred and forty eight (148) Thence along said lot one hundred feet to first street the place of Beginning

Unfortunately, I do not have an 1873 photo of these three lots; but I do have 2017 photos. The down-side: the “Mansion” house that John, Conrad and Magdlena called home is gone.

Present-day View of Lots 143, 144 and 147

 

I have added a few more photos for those who are not able to travel to Webster to view the town John Slicker and his mother, Magdlena, called home.

The View East of the Three Lots

 

North end of Webster looking back towards Webster

Webster, PA – Late 1800s.

Should you want to find lots 143, 144 and 147 on Google Maps or to drive out to see them in person, here are their present-day addresses:

Lot 143   vacant lot    Nulled Address

Lot 144, PT Lots 143 and 147 with mobile home   121 Bargehr Lane, Webster

PT Lot 147 with Building    123 Bargehr Lane, Webster

(to be continued in the next post)

© 2017, Robin Slicker. All Rights Reserved.