Source:Pittsburgh-past-present-future

From Pittsburgh Streets

"Pittsburgh: Past, present and future: Proposed consolidation boundary: Population of Allegheny county, by sub-districts, from 1800 to 1860: Dates of formation of its cities, wards, boroughs and townships: Aggregate popular vote from '28 to '64: Growth of suburbs from 1850 to 1866: Population of the most comprehensive limits, as proposed, 184,425, and of the more restricted consolidated limits, 171,082." Pittsburgh Commercial, Jan. 17, 1867, [p. 2]. Newspapers.com 85402132. Reprinted in the weekly ed., Jan. 19, 1867, [p. 2] (Newspapers.com 85313128).

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PITTSBURGH.
Past, Present and Future.
Proposed Consolidation Boundary.
Population of Allegheny County, by Sub-Districts, from 1800 to 1860.
Dates of Formation of Its Cities, Wards, Boroughs and Townships.
Aggregate Popular Vote from '28 to '64
Growth of Suburbs from 1850 to 1866.
Population of the Most Comprehensive Limits, as Proposed, 184,425, and of the More Restricted Consolidated Limits, 171,082.

In the census returns of 1820, Pittsburgh is classified as the Seventeenth city, in population, of the United States. In 1830, as the Fifteenth; in 1840, as the Thirteenth; in 1850, as the Tenth, and in 1860, as the Seventeenth. Her population in 1820, was 7,248, an increase of 52.01 per cent. over 1810; in 1830, the population was 12,568, an increase of 73.53 per cent.; in 1840, 21,115, an increase per cent. of 68.00; in 1850, 46,601, an increase of 120.70 per cent.; and in 1860, 49,217, an increase of only 5.61 per cent.

This decline in growth of population from 1850 to 1860, compared with the rapid per cent. of increase each decade previous to 1850, must appear to persons unacquainted with our immediate neighborhood, and with the contracted boundaries of our city, as remarkably strange. In the eyes of people far away, we make an insignificant appearance. We are looked upon as little more than a finished country village. Such will be the impression so long as the city boundary retains its present location; for truly, in its contracted limits, it has long since been built up. For years past, whilst the city has remained almost stationary in point of population, the immediate suburbs have increased so rapidly that they now have more than three times the population contained within the city boundary. Whilst the city, between 1850–60, increased but 5.61 per cent., they increased, as will be shown, from 35.00 per cent. to 161.20 per cent.

As a subject for general information to those residing in this county, and for those abroad who look upon us as an insignificant city with a population of but 49,217, as represented by the actual census return of 1860, [when, in fact, we have within, what should constitute the city limits, a population of at least 184,425,] we have prepared a series of tables, showing the population, per cent. of increase, &c., from 1790 to the present time. The first of these tables, which shows the population of the county, by sub-districts, each decade, since 1790, was obtained with much difficulty. A complete set of the census returns since 1790, does not exist in the public Departments at Washington city, nor in the Congressional Library, and one or two of the early returns are nearly out of print. It is a matter of regret, that a work of so much importance to the Government, and to the public at large, is not to be found complete among its archives. There is, however, a private Library, of more than 10,000 volumes, in Washington City, owned by Peter Force, Esq., where can be found, perhaps, the most complete collection of documents pertaining to the history of our country from its discovery to the present time. This Library, far superior to the Congressional one, is about being purchased by Congress. In it can be found the census returns from 1790, in almost as complete order, as when issued from the press; and to Mr. Force, we are indebted for the privilege of copying part of the first table, marked "A," and which, when compared with the official returns on file there, will be found correct in every figure.

TABLE A.—Population of Allegheny County, by Sub Districts, from 1800 to 1860, as Shown by the Census.
Pittsburgh. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840. 1850. 1860.
As a Borough 1,565 4,768
East ward 2,971 1,753 5,889
West ward 4,277 3,179 3,755
North ward 3,001 3,312
South ward 4,635 3,659
First ward 4,216 4,206
Second ward 4,016 3,585
Third ward 8,867 9,187
Fourth ward 4,340 8,770
Fifth ward 4,500 8,211 8,734
Sixth ward 7,285 7,534
Seventh ward 2,606 3,120
Eighth ward 4,826 4,758
Ninth ward 2,234 4,323
Allegheny.
As a borough 2,801
First ward * 4,448 5,387
Second ward 3,553 5,566
Third ward 5,840 8,683
Fourth ward 7,421 9,086
Townships & Bor.
Baldwin 1,610 2,746
Birmingham boro. 529 1,554 3,732 6,046
 Do. East boro. 1,624 3,421
†Bayardstown bor. 2,118
Chartiers 3,075
Collins 1,324 2,027
Crescent 324
Deer 587 674 1,075 1,642
 Do. East 1,987 2,021 1,134
 Do. West 1,414 1,716 1,865
Duquesne boro. 1,720
Elizabethtown 111
‡Elizabeth boro. 1,120
 Do. West boro. 328 364
 Do. 1,904 2,368 2,498 2,519 3,417 3,970 5,991
Fawn 1,654
Fayette 1,421 2,016 2,009 2,301 2,484
 Do. South 1,118 1,260
 Do. North 1,439 1,172
Findley 1,327 1,367 1,318 1,187
Franklin 658 955 1,327 1,391
Indiana 692 1,198 1,777 2,697 2,448 2,505
Jefferson 1,441 1,779 1,138 1,601
Lawrenceville bor. 867 1,746 3,262
Manchester boro. 1,755 2,707
Middletown 18
Mifflin 1,687 1,953 2,221 1,193 1,654 2,693 4,434
Monongahela boro 1,135
Moon 987 1,629 2,014 1,042 1,281 1,383 1,148
McCandless 1,482
McClure 1,365
McKeesport boro. 137 1,392 2,166
Neville 236
Ohio 832 1,477 1,579 1,631 2,329 1,351
Patton 881 959
Peebles 2,213 2,168 2,770
Penn 1,821
Pine 998 588 785 984 1,770 2,109 1,021
Pitt 1,465 2,441 4,381 3,924 6,002 2,035 3,084
Pittsburgh, S., boro 1,883 1,888
1,201
Plum 755 1,174 1,639 1,720 1,953 1,241 1,446
Reserve 1,443 1,160 3,080
Robinson 650 899 1,392 1,371 1,694 1,917 2,100
Ross 1,327 1,979 2,126 1,675 1,442 1,798
Sewickley 275 1,586
Shaler 2,002 2,474
Sharpsburg boro. 1,229 1,436
Snowdon 1,225 1,367
St. Clair 1,947 3,080 4,142 4,603
 Do. Lower 4,373 5,930 4,617
 Do. Upper 2,302 1,626 1,847
Tarentum boro. 509 711
Temperanceville b 1,600
Versailles 580 853 867 911 1,456 1,659 3,127
Wilkins 1,927 2,163 3,019 2,260

*In the census of 1840, Allegheny City is not given by wards, but with a total population of 10,089.

†Bayardstown Borough and Northern Liberties are one and the same place, and now constitutes the Fifth ward.

‡In the census of 1860, Elizabeth borough does not appear, but is included in Elizabeth township. In the census of 1800 a credit of 111 is given to a place called "Elizabethtown," which was probably then the borough now called "Elizabeth." It will also be observed that a credit in the same year is given to "Middletown" of 18, "McKeesport borough" 137, and "Sewickley," 175.

The population of the whole county in 1790 was 10,300.

Recapitulation.
1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840. 1850. 1860.
Pittsburgh 1,565 4,768 7,248 12,568 21,115 46,601 49,217
Allegheny 2,801 10,089 21,262 28,702
Balance of County 13,522 20,549 27,673 35,183 50,031 70,427 100,912
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Total 15,087 25,317 84,921 50,552 81,235 138,290 178,831

The census enumeration of 1790 does not exhibit the population of the county by sub-districts, but each succeeding one does. The population of the county in 1790 was 10,309. The first enumeration of the number of inhabitants of Pittsburgh was made by an Assessor in January, 1796, and shown to be 1,395. The election returns of 1789–90–91 show the the [sic] population then to have been about 950.

In 1790 the population of the county stood as follows:

Free white males of 16 and upwards and heads of families 2,635
Under 16, white males 2,745
All other persons 9
Slaves 159
⸻
Total 10,309

In 1800 it was as follows:

Males. Females.
Under 10 years 2,814 2,754
10 years to 16 1,163 1,009
16 years to 26 1,345 1,257
26 years to 45 1,326 1,311
45 and upwards 1,053 720
⸻ ⸻
7,701 7,051
All others 256
Slaves 79
⸻
Total 15,087

In 1850 and 1860, as follows:

Whites. 1850. 1860.
M. F. M. F.
Under one year 2,083 2,066 3,061 3,075
1 to 5 years 8,280 8,074 11,703 11,475
5 to 10 years 8,885 8,828 11,931 12,001
10 to 15 years 7,685 7,558 9,777 9,425
15 to 20 years 6,661 7,386 8,541 9,507
20 to 30 years 14,208 13,469 15,431 16,280
30 to 40 years 9,617 7,995 12,396 11,296
40 to 50 years 6,039 5,133 8,059 6,943
50 to 60 years 3,136 2,953 4,339 4,088
60 to 70 years 1,545 1,612 2,326 2,313
70 to 80 years 600 624 774 890
80 to 90 years 155 169 194 220
90 to 100 years 23 15 19 33
Above 100 years 2 2
Age unknown 69 23 1
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Total whites 68,986 65,878 88,554 87,548
Free colored 1,651 1,780 1,302 1,423
Indians 1 3
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
70,637 67,653 89,857 88,974
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Total 138,290 178,831

In 1850, the foreign born males and females, were 43,414.

In 1860, foreign born, 28,293 males, and 25,434 females; total 53,727.

Increase of foreign born in 10 years, 10,313 or 23.73 per cent.

Decrease of colored in 10 years, 706 or 25.54 per cent.

It will be seen that, in 1850, the total number of white males, Native and Foreign born, above the age of 20, was 35,392, whilst the aggregate vote cast, as will be seen by Table "B," was, in 1848, only 17,482; or nearly one-half, and in 1852, 18,044, a trifle over one-half. In 1860 the number of white males, over 20 years of age, Native and Foreign born, were 43,541, and the aggregate vote cast was but 24,547. An allowance must be made for the number, between the ages of 20 and 21 years, and after making this, there is still an immense difference between the male population over 21 years of age and the vote cast. These figures of ages, nativities, &c., are given, in connection with this article, as a matter of general information to the reader. One important fact in the above should be particularly noted, viz: an actual decrease, between 1850 and 1860, in the colored population amounting to 25.54 per cent.

In order that Table "A," and those given hereafter may be fully understood, and each person placed in possession of such information as will enable him to trace its orgin [sic], any Ward, Township or Borough he may desire, and thereby get the population, as shown by Table "A," or the other information in subsequent tables,—we annex a history of the county from its origin in 1788, to the present time. For this valuable document, to prepare which has required much time and labor, we are under obligations to Major W. B. Negley, of the Pittsburgh Bar, who compiled it for his own use, from the County Records, and Pamphlet Laws of the State.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY.

Its Formation—Its Cities, Wards, Boroughs, Townships and Election Precincts.

1st. Its Formation.

September 24th, 1788: The county was formed out of parts of Westmoreland and Washington counties, from which, March 12th, 1800, was taken and formed the counties of Butler, Mercer, Crawford and Erie, and parts thereof in the fermation [sic] of the counties of Beaver, Armstrong, Warren; and March 13th, 1800, Venango. The remaining portion forming the present county of Allegheny.

The Cities.

Pittsburgh: Was incorporated by the Legislature as a city, with two wards, East and West, March 18th, 1816, and divided into four wards, North, East, South and West, December 18th, 1829. Their names were changed to numbers March 1st, 1837.

Fifth ward: Formed of the borough of Northern Liberties and incorporated into the city March 1st, 1837, and into two precincts, October 6th, 59 city code, by councils.

Sixth ward: Formed out of Pitt township, July 7th, 1845, and into two precincts, November 25th, 1866.

Seventh ward: Formed out of Pitt township, November or December 4th, 1846.

Eighth ward: Formed out of Pitt township, December 4th, 1846.

Ninth ward: Formed out of Pitt township, December 15th, 1846.

Tenth ward: Formed out of the Third ward, February 2d, 1865.

Allegheny: Was incorporated by the Legislature as a city, April 13th, 1840, and divided into four wards and numbered one, two, three and four. The third and fourth wards, each divided into two election precincts, January 5th, 1865, by City Councils. City Code.

The Boroughs.

*Pittsburgh: By the Legislature, of a part of Pitt township, April 22d, 1794. Merged into Pittsburgh city, March 18th, 1816.

*Allegheny: By the Legislature, of a part of Ross township, April 14th, 1828. Merged into Allegheny city, April 13th, 1840.

*Northern Liberties: By the Legislature of a part of Pitt township, April 23d, 1829. Merged into Pittsburgh city, March 1st, 1837.

Birmingham: By the Legislature, of a part of St. Clair township, April 10th, 1826. Divided into precincts May 21st, 1857.

Lawrenceville: By the Legislature, of a part of Peebles township, February 18th, 1834, and divided into two wards, 4th March, 1864.

Elizabeth: By the Legislature, of a part of Elizabeth township, April 5th, 1834.

Sharpsburg: By the Court, of a part of Ross township, December 14th, 1841, No. 8, December Sessions, 1840. Road Docket.

Tarentum: By the Court, of a part of East Deer township, March 7th, 1842, at No. 1 of October Sessions. Road Docket.

McKeesport: By the Court, of a part of Versailles township, September 3d, 1842, at No. 13, of March sessions, 1842. Road Docket.

Manchester: By the Court, of a part of Ross township, November 2d, 1843, at No. 15, of June Sessions, 1843. Road Docket.

South Pittsburgh: By the Legislature, of a part of Lower St. Clair township, March 6th, 1848.

West Elizabeth: By the Legislature, of a part of Jefferson township, March 30th, 1848.

Duquesne: By the Legislature, of a part of Reserve township, April 5th, 1849.

East Birmingham: By the Legislature, of a part of Lower St. Clair township, April 10th, 1849.

West Pittsburgh: By the Court, of a part of Chartiers township, February 19th, 1853, at No. 4, December Sessions, 1851. Road Docket.

Sewickley: By the Court, of a part of Ohio township, July 6th, 1853, at No. 6 of March Sessions, 1853. Road Docket.

Monongahela: By the Legislature, of a part of South Pittsburgh borough, April 8th, 1858.

Temperanceville: By the Court, of a part of Chartiers township, October 29th, 1859, at No. 10 of March Sessions, 1859. M. D.

Mount Washington: By the Legislature, of a part of Lower St. Clair township, April 12th, 1866.

Townships.

*Deer: Merged in East and West Deer, October, 1836.

Elizabeth.

Fayette: Merged in North and South Fayette, June 15th, 1846.

Indiana, Mifflin, Moon, Ohio, Pine, Pitt, Plum, Robinson, Ross.

*St. Clair: Merged in Upper and Lower St. Clair townships, ⸻.

Versailles.

—All the above were established previous to 1800.

Findley: By the Court, of a part of Moon township, January, 1820, at No. 3 of November sessions, 1819. Road Docket.

Wilkins: By the Court, fo a part of Pitt township, November 10, 1821, at No. 7 of August sessions. Road Docket.

Franklin: By the Court, of a part of Ohio township, August, 1823, at No. 3 of January sessions, 1823. Road Docket.

Jefferson: By the Court, of a part of Mifflin township, January, 1828, at No. 10 of April sessions, 1827. Road Docket.

Peebles: By the Court, of a part of Pitt township, November 26th, 1833, at No. 3, June sessions, 1833. Road Docket.

Reserve: By the Court, of a part of Ross township, November, 1835, at No. 8, December sessions, 1834. Road Docket.

East Deer: By the Court, of a part of Deer township, October, 1836, at No. 2 of June sessions, 1836. Road Docket.

West Deer: By the Court, of the remainder of Deer township, October, 1836, at No. 2 of June sessions, 1836. Road Docket.

Upper St. Clair: Out of a part of St. Clair township, ⸺ ⸺.

Lower St. Clair: Out of a part of St. Clair township, ⸺ ⸺.

Baldwin: By the Court, of parts of Jefferson, Mifflin and the St. Clair townships, February 24th, 1844, at No. 8 of June sessions, 1843. Road Docket.

Snowden: By the Court, of a part of Upper St. Clair township, October 6, 1845 at No. 20 of June sessions, 1844. Road Docket.

South Fayette: By the Court, of the remainder of Fayette township, June 15th, 1846, at No. 16 of March sessions, 1846. Road Docket.

Shaler: By the Court, of parts of Ross and Indiana townships, March 20th, 1847, at No. 10, December sessions, 1844. Road Docket.

Patton: By the Court, of a part of Plum township, March 24th, 1849, at No. 7, June sessions, 1848. Road Docket.

Collins: By the Court, of a part of Peebles, June 31, 1850, at No. 9, March sessions, 1849. Road docket. Into two precincts, Upper and Lower, by the Court, September 3d, 1866, at No. 10, June sessions, 1866. M. D.

Penn: By the Court, of a part of Wilkins township, August 31, 1850, at No. 4, December sessions, 1849. Road Docket.

McCandless: By the Court, of a part of Pine township, March 22, 1851, at No. 21, June sessions, 1849. Roads.

Chartiers: By the Legislature, of a part Lower St. Clair township, April 12th, 1851. P. L. 1851, page 457.

Sewickley: By the Court, of a part of Ohio township, January 28th, 1854, at No. 11, June sessions, 1853. Roads.

Neville: By the Court, of a part of Ohio township, April 8, 1854, at No. 18, October sessions, 1853. Roads.

Crescent: By the Court, of a part of Moon township, November 17th, 1855, at No. 5, December term, 1854. M. D.

Fawn: By the Court, of a part of East Deer township, March 28, 1857, at No. 8, October Sessions, 1856, M. D.

McClure: By the Court, of parts of Ross, Reserve and Robinson townships, January 8, 1859, at No. 3, March Sessions, 1858, M. D.

Richland: By the Court, of parts of Pine and West Deer townships, June 7, 1860, at No. 1, March Sessions, 1859, M. D.

Union: By the Court, of part of Chartiers township, September 29, 1860, at No. 1, March Sessions, 1860, M. D. First named Kirkpatrick, and, February 9, 1861, changed to Union.

Hampton: By the Court, of parts of Indiana, McCandless and West Deer townships, February 18, 1861, at No. 3, June Sessions, 1860, M. D.

Scott: By the Court of a part of Upper St. Clair township, June 29, 1861, at No. 2, October Sessions, 1860, M. D.

Harrison: By the Court, of a part of Fawn township, April 1, 1863, at No. 2, June Sessions, 1862, M. D.

Marshall: By the Court, of a part of Franklin township, June 3, 1863, at No. 1, October Sessions, 1862, M. D.

Liberty: By the Court of a part of Peebles township, December 3, 1864, at No. 4, June Session, 1864, M. D.

Oakland: By the Court, of a part of Pitt township, November 17, 1866, at No. 2, June Session, 1866, M. D.

⸻

*Those marked thus * ceased to exist, having been merged into other districts.

TABLE B—Aggregate Popular, or Presidential Vote, Cast in Each Sub-district of the County, form 1828 to 1864, and the Vote for Governor in 1866.
1828. 1832. 1836. 1840. 1844. 1848. 1852. 1856. 1860. 1864. 1866.
Pittsburgh. ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
East ward 953 335 508
West ward 869 242 517
North ward 470 605
South ward 591 399
First ward 612 697 660 587 702 614 805 788
Second ward 567 584 623 611 717 569 678 704
Third ward 753 928 1,137 1,015 1,335 1,171 1,450 927
Fourth ward 565 584 647 641 706 593 722 685
Fifth ward 666 838 950 836 1,227 1,221 1,283 1,208
Sixth ward 615 708 944 887 1,219 1,254
Seventh ward 173 342 331 360 477 487
Eighth ward 340 384 553 627 792 842
Ninth ward 220 304 551 602 807 929
Tenth ward 564
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Totals 1,822 1,638 2,029 3,163 3,626 5,385 5,328 7,066 6,644 8,233 8,388
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Allegheny City.
As a Borough 298 575 770
First ward 418 491 625 580 690 695 940 925
Second ward 198 285 428 437 628 688 1,051 1,138
Third ward 328 497 618 706 996 956 1,318 1,435
Fourth ward 462 658 847 886 1,236 1,172 1,530 1,446
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Totals 298 575 770 1,406 1,931 2,540 2,609 3,550 3,511 4,899 4,944
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Baldwin township 208 216 279 302 331 401 350
Birmingham, borough 81 218 302 529 508 760 948 881 1,015
Birmingham, East, borough 218 342 608 721 984
Chartiers 471 568 339 209 230
Collins 191 223 320 470 548
Crescent 60 51 62 68
Deer, Allegheny District 75
Deer, Western District 65
Deer, East 124 170 328 376 352 303 378 170 172 172
Deer, West 68 87 207 212 228 240 317 218 206 194
Duquesne borough 119 218 211 333 320
Elizabeth 328 366 462 609 674 528 560 714 664 745 806
Elizabeth borough 199 168 143 149 193 218
Elizabeth, West borough 54 53 47 60 74 88
Fawn 256 117 128
Fayette 333 262 217 414 468
Fayette, South 214 169 210 202 214 206
Fayette, North 252 264 251 205 231 199
Findley 154 207 119 268 273 284 242 263 213 247 249
Fountain Inn 134
Franklin 77 68 84 154 159 192 176 245 179 123 128
Hampton 155 168
Harrison 134 252
Indiana 110 168 175 411 390 289 293 438 364 356 339
Jefferson 173 184 151 316 325 198 173 225 231 263 279
Lawrenceville borough 95 116 143 239 283 444 489 824 1,036
Liberty 430
Manchester borough 132 241 303 346 442 657 814
Marshall 129 123
Mifflin 173 106 80 320 247 307 324 467 511 619 649
Monongahela borough 192 167 149
Moon 118 138 116 202 239 132 209 223 191 227 226
McCandless 153 199 178 155 156
McClure 144 270 397
McKeesport borough 237 361 370 328 406 474
Mt. Washington 250
Neville 39 48 55 48
North'n Liberties (Bayards'n) 331 414
Ohio 108 147 83 248 280 284 289 190 186 217 241
Patton 175 177 166 203 216
Peebles 150 365 394 411 251 320 363 489 202
Penn 183 203 213 323 292
Pine 99 93 88 261 277 290 146 169 121 133 129
Pitt 221 241 267 584 837 163 210 292 333 502 651
Pittsburgh, South, borough 295 321 455 331 396 419
Pittsburgh, West, borough 152 188 216 272
Plum 225 269 164 341 378 365 220 247 239 262 257
Reserve 190 134 182 142 261 354 446 638
Richland 112 116 125
Robinson 166 203 127 260 268 297 274 341 251 358 319
Ross 96 121 111 245 252 186 187 322 263 301 328
Scott 203 232
Sewickley 114 118 131 118
Sewickley borough 110 137 187 196
Shaler 208 220 297 301 407 469
Sharpsburg borough 90 173 219 256 277 310 360
Snowden 89 168 233 245 237 233
St. Clair—McCulleys 275 227 190
St. Clair—Birmingham 289 70 215
St. Clair—Obeys 298
St. Clair—Lower 523 599 781 306 446 588 814 745
St. Clair—Upper 396 346 231 235 291 274 150 156
Tarentum borough 126 131 133 151 181
Temperanceville borough 255 336 339
Union 306 240
Versailles 146 124 137 263 257 275 237 356 370 378 487
Wilkins 181 183 174 391 415 439 258 314 312 315 551
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Totals 3,412 4,072 3,897 7,593 8,875 9,577 10,107 13,528 14,392 17,883 20,074
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Vote of whole county 5,532 6,285 6,896 12, 162 14,232 17,482 18,044 24,139 24,547 31,015 33,406

Note.—Elizabeth borough, in the elections of 1836–40–44, is included in the returns for Elizabeth township. Tarentum borough, previous to the election of 1852, is included with East Deer township. No official returns of M'Keesport, for 1844, could be found, and it is presumed that it was included in the returns of Versailles township. Reserve township appears to date back to November, 1835, but no official return of the Presidential election of 1836,, could be found among the papers on file in the office of the Prothonotary, and it was probably included in the returns of Ross township. The original St. Clair was divided into Upper and Lower, in 1838 or 1839. The original Deer township was divided into two townships, East and West, October, 1836, though an election appears in 1832, but at that time it was called by two precincts, East and West.

In comparing the number of votes cast for Presidential Electors with those cast at State elections, we find, generally, a large difference in the aggregate vote. Some men seem to vote at no other election than the Presidential; and hence we find at no other a full vote cast. The difference between the aggregate vote of these two is much larger than is generally supposed.

This table will be found of general interest, and shows the per cent. of voters to the population.

TABLE C—Increase per cent. of Pittsburgh, Allegheny City, and County, from 1790 to 1860, with the Aggregate Votes of 1832, 1840, 1852 and 1860, and the per cent. of Votes at these Elections.
Population of 1790 Population of 1800 Increase per cent. over 1790 Population of 1810 Increase per cent. over 1800 Population of 1820 Increase per cent. over 1810 Population of 1830 Increase per cent. over 1820 Vote of 1832 Per cent. of Voters
Pittsburgh 1,565 4,768 204.66 7,248 52.01 12,568 73.53 1,638 7.67
Allegheny City 2,801 575 4.87
Balance of the County 13,522 20,549 51.96 27,673 34.66 35,183 23.52 4,072 8.64
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Totals 10,309 15,087 46.34 25,317 67.80 34,921 37.93 50,552 44.76 6,285 8.04
Population of 1840 Increase per cent. over 1830 Vote of 1840 Per cent. of Voters Population of 1850 Increase per cent. over 1840 Vote of 1852 Per cent. of Voters Population of 1860 Increase per cent. over 1850 Vote of 1860 Per cent. of Voters
Pittsburgh 21,115 68.00 3,163 6.67 46,601 120.70 5,328 8.74 49,217 5.61 6,644 7.40
Allegheny City 10,089 260.19 1,406 7.17 21,262 110.74 2,609 8.11 28,702 34.99 3,611 8.17
Balance of the County 50,031 42.20 7,593 6.58 70,427 40.76 10,107 6.96 100912 43.28 14,388 7.01
⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻ ⸻
Totals 81,235 60.69 12,162 6.67 138290 70.23 18,044 7.66 178831 29.31 24,543 7.24

By comparing the aggregate vote of 1832 with the population of 1830, we find only one voter in every 8:04 [sic] of inhabitants; in 1840, one in 6.67; in 1850–52, one in 7.66, and in 1860, one in 7.24 of population.

From 1800 to 1810, Pittsburgh increased in population 204.66 per cent.; between 1820 and 1830, the increase was 73.53 per cent.; between 1840 and 1850, 120.70 per cent., and from 1850 to 1860, but 5.61 per cent. Whilst Pittsburgh, during this latter period, increased but 5.61 per cent., Allegheny city increased 34.99 per cent.; and the balance of the county averaged 43.28 per cent. The large increase lies in the boroughs and townships adjacent to the city, and the decrease is in proportion as we go further away. We have shown that the ratio of increase in the whole county, outside of the two cities, averaged 43.28 per cent. We will now show some of the immediate suburbs:

TABLE D—Population of some of the Boroughs and Townships, Adjacent to the City, in 1850 and 1860, with the per cent. of Increase, Aggregate Vote, and per cent. of Votes Compared with Pittsburgh.
Population in 1850 Vote of 1852 Per cent. of Voters Population in 1860 Vote of 1860 Per cent. of Voters Per cent. of increase in population over 1850
Pittsburgh 46,601 5,328 8.74 49,217 6,644 7.40 5.61
Peebles and Liberty 2,168 251 8.63 2,770 363 7.63 27.76
Allegheny City 21,262 2,609 8.11 28,702 3,511 8.17 34.99
Wilkins and Penn 3,019 441 6.82 4,081 555 7.35 35.17
Pitt and Oakland 2,035 210 9.70 3,084 383 9.26 51.54
Collins 1,324 191 6.93 2,027 320 6.33 53.69
Manchester Borough 1,758 308 5.79 2,707 442 0.12 54.24
Birmingham Borough 3.732 508 7.34 6,046 948 6.38 62.00
Lawrenceville Borough 1,746 283 6.16 3,262 489 6.67 86.82
Duquesne Borough 870 119 7.31 1,720 211 8.15 97.70
East Birmingham Borough 1,624 218 7.45 3,421 608 5.62 110.65
Reserve 1,160 142 8.16 3,030 354 8.56 161.20

In this table we have a clear illustration why the city increased but 5.61 per cent., between 1850 and 1860. During that period, the growth was outside the present city boundary. Whilst the city had only 2,616 added to her population, the places named in the above table had an increase of more than 20,000 inhabitants, in the ten years. Peebles and Liberty townships increased 27.76 per cent.; Allegheny city, 34.99 per cent.; Wilkins and Penn townships, 35.17 per cent.; Pitt and Oakland townships, 51.54 per cent.; Collins, 53.09 per cent.; Manchester borough, 54.24 per cent.; Birmingham borough, 62.00 per cent.; Lawrenceville borough, 86.82 per cent.; Duquesne borough, 97.70 per cent.; East Birmingham borough, 110.65 per cent., and Reserve township, 161.20 per cent.

These places named are but a few of the suburbs. On the South side of the river, we have Lower St. Clair, Chartiers and others, which have increased equally as rapidly as the ones named; but time and the difficulty of giving a fair table of the growth, [from the fact that so many townships and boroughs have been taken from the original "St. Clair township,"] compel us to leave it to others to calculate from the figures given in the tables.

In table "C" it is shown that the per cent. of votes in 1832, was one in 8.04 of population; in 1840, one in 6.67; in 1852, one in 7.66, and in 1860, one in 7.24; making an average of one in 7.40 inhabitants. Reference to table "D" will show about the same ratio.

The election of 1866 gave very nearly a full vote, but not quite so; for, as we have before said, a comparison of Presidential with State elections and experience, both prove that at no election is there a full vote cast save at the Presidential. The last election being a State election, and not quite full, our tables will allow us to infer that there was one vote cast for every 7.50 of population. This must be very nearly accurate, and gives us a basis to calculate from, to which no one can object, as it is really below the average; for, the per centage shown above in a number of Presidential elections, averages one in 7.40—very nearly what we now allow.

Taking this as data, we have made a calculation of the number of inhabitants in the largest proposed consolidation, and find it to contain a population of 184,425. This we will now show:

TABLE E—Aggregate Vote and Population in October, 1866, by Sub-Districts, in the Most Comprehensive Consolidated Limits as Proposed.
Vote of 1866 Population of 1866
First Ward, Pittsburgh 788 5,910
Second Ward, Pittsburgh 704 5,280
Third Ward, Pittsburgh 927 6,952
Fourth Ward, Pittsburgh 685 5,138
Fifth Ward, Pittsburgh 1,208 9,060
Sixth Ward, Pittsburgh 1,254 9,405
Seventh Ward, Pittsburgh 487 3,652
Eighth Ward, Pittsburgh 842 6,315
Ninth Ward, Pittsburgh 929 6,968
Tenth Ward, Pittsburgh 564 4,239
⸻ ⸻
Total 8,388 62,910
 
First Ward, Allegheny 925 6,937
Second Ward, Allegheny 1,138 8,535
Third Ward, Allegheny 1,435 10,763
Fourth Ward, Allegheny 1,446 10,845
⸻ ⸻
Total 4,944 37,080
 
Birmingham Borough 1,015 7,612
Duquesne Borough 320 2,400
East Birmingham Borough 980 7,350
Lawrenceville Borough 1,084 8,145
Manchester Borough 814 6,105
Monongahela Borough 149 1,118
Mt. Washington Borough 250 1,875
Sharpsburg Borough 360 2,700
South Pittsburgh Borough 419 3,142
Temperanceville Borough 339 2,543
West Pittsburgh Borough 272 2040
⸻ ⸻
Total 6,004 45,030
 
Baldwin Township, one-half of 175 1,312
Chartiers township 230 1,725
Collins township 548 4,110
Indiana township, one fourth of 85 642
Liberty township 430 3,225
Lower St. Clair townsip [sic] 745 5,587
McClure township 397 2,977
Peebles township 202 1,515
Penn township, one-fourth of 73 547
Pitt and Oakland townships 651 4,882
Reserve township 638 4,785
Robinson township, one-fourth of 80 600
Ross township, one-half of 164 1,230
Scott township, one half of 116 870
Shaler township, one-half of 205 1,536
Union township 240 1,800
Wilkins townsip [sic], one-half of 275 2,062
⸻ ⸻
Total 5,254 39,405
⸻ ⸻
Total Population 184,425

The more restricted consolidated limits proposed, and the one thought most easily accomplished, would have a boundary something like the following:

Commencing near the mouth of Wood's Run, in McClure township, and crossing the Ohio River; thence by a line through Chartiers township, so as to embrace Temperanceville and its immediate contiguous population; continuing the same line into Union township, thence through Lower St. Clair to the Monongahela River, somewhere near the junction of St. Clair and Baldwin township; crossing the Monongahela river, thence to the Allegheny river, somewhere near the mouth of Negley's Run, taking in Pitt, Oakland and Liberty townships, and all, or nearly all, of Collins and Peebles; crossing the Allegheny river and taking in Sharpsburg and so much of Indiana township as to embrace the immediate contiguous population to Sharpsburg; thence by a line taking in a portion of Shaler, all of Reserve, and small portion of McClure, to the place of beginning at Wood's Run.

The air line distance, east and west of this boundary, would be about nine miles, and from the north to the south five miles. The following table shows the population in October, 1866:

TABLE F—Aggregate Vote and Population in October, 1866, by Sub-Districts, in the more Restricted Consolidated Limits as Proposed.
Vote Population.
Pittsburgh 8,388 62,910
Allegheny 4,944 37,080
Boroughs 6,004 45,030
Chartiers, one-fourth of 58 435
Union, one-half of 120 900
Lower St. Clair, three-feurths [sic] of 559 4,192
Pitt and Oakland 651 4,882
Peebles 202 1,515
Liberty 430 3,225
Collins 548 4,110
Indiana, one-fifth of 68 510
Shaler, one-fourth of 102 765
Reserve 638 4,785
M'Clure, one-fourth of 99 742
⸻ ⸻
Total 22,811 171,082

It will be observed that the difference between the aggregate population of the most comprehensive consolidated limits as proposed, and the more restricted one, amounts to only 13,343.

We have shown by Table D the grown of the city and a few of the suburban districts from 1850 to 1860. But the increase, during that decade, is far behind what it has been since. Then there were but few buildings, either in or out of the city, occupied by more than one family. But times have changed, for during the last few years hundreds of buildings have been occupied with from two to five families. Previous to 1860, at this season of the year, on houses in every square throughout the city, could be seen posted up the words "To Let." There was no difficulty in procuring, in a few hours, almost any kind of a house desired. Now, you never see a "To Let," and you rarely see one advertised in a newspaper. It is almost impossible to rent a respectable room to sleep in, let alone a house to live in. And yet every year, since 1860, there have been erected a large number of dwellings. Within the past year some two hundred have been put up in the city, and over three hundred and sixty in Allegheny. If two thousand had been erected, tenants are ready waiting to take them all at almost any price. In the suburbs the increase of population, since 1860, far surpassed the rapid growth made previous to that period. This fact is patent to every person who passes over any one of the roads, public or private, leading from the city. For miles out they are all generally closely lined with dwellings, mostly put up since 1860. During the past year more were erected than there were during the two previous years. From one hill in the immediate vicinity of the village of East Liberty, there can be seen, within the radius of a few miles, and without encroaching on the village of Wilkinsburg, only two miles further east, no less than five hundred buildings, all put up since the spring of 1865.

Within the last few years dozens of villages have sprung up, and, in a short space of time have attained a population which formerly required ten or fifteen years. We will give a few illustrations.

Denny's Hollow, as it is called, East of Lawrenceville Station, P. R. R., one year ago, if we recollect rightly, had but one house. Now there are between thirty-five and forty.

Brereton, a village situate a short distance East of the Old Denny Mansion, now contains some fifty houses, all put up within the last three or four years.

In 1860 there were some three houses at Shady Side, located some three miles East of the city, on the P. R. R., and Fourth Street Road. There was then but one regular daily passenger on the P. R. R., to and from Pittsburgh, and for a long time, he had to get on and off at Millvale Station. He finally persuaded the Superintendent of the road to have one train a day stop at that place. Almost immediately after this was done, travel increased, and buildings of the most tasteful and substantial character began to be erected, until they now number more than one hundred, and the daily travel averages the same number.

Improvements are still going on, greater than ever. Within the last ninety days, the citizens resolved to have a church, subscribed over $10,000, with which they purchased an acre and a half of ground, and have nearly completed a Presbyterian church.

Bloomfield or Pattersonville, a village situated in Liberty township, between the P. R. R., and Greensburg turnpike, and opposite Saint Mary's Cemetery, contains about one hundred houses, nearly all put up within the last eighteen months.

On the line of the A. V. R. R. between Lawrenceville and Sharpsburg Station, since 1860, there have been put up ten large oil refineries, with comfortable dwellings, sufficient to accommodate the large number of employees about the works. These refineries turn out more than 8,000 bbls. of refined oil per week.

Soho village, on the Fourth street road, just outside the city limits, has now well nigh a hundred houses, if not more, mostly erected within the last two years.

Bellfield [sic], east of Oakland Station, on the Fourth street road, and in Oakland township, has now a large population, and is growing very rapidly. Within the last four months an Old School Presbyterian Church has been organized.

The Fourth street road, a continuation of Pennsylvania avenue, from the city line to East Liberty, is occupied on either side, by elegant mansions and improved grounds. During the past year, all along this great thoroughfare, lots have been sold and many buildings will be put up the present year. This is mainly owing to the favorable locations for building and to the improvements made upon the road, which was in a terrible condition for many years; but in 1864, it was sold under the sheriff's hammer and purchased by that energetic Prince of Improvement, Joseph Dilworth, Esq., who at once formed a new company that have already spent over $70,000, and made it one of the finest roads for a drive in the country. On this road is located the Oakland Railway, extending from Pittsburgh to Oakland by double track, and from thence to East Liberty by a single track, well and firmly laid with Tram Rail.

The Greensburg Turnpike, with the exception of that portion which passed through the Winebiddle lands, some half a mile or so in extent, is being rapidly occupied on either side with dwellings, and is now pretty well lined with them until it passes east of the village of Wilkinsburg, a distance from the city of more than seven miles.

East Liberty is located in Collins and Liberty townships. It is still a village, never having been incorporated as a borough although the population must be close on to, if not upwards of 4,000. Within the last year over a hundred houses have been erected within the village proper, and as many more are already under contract to be put up on the opening of spring. Lots have been selling with great rapidity, and some desirably located for business stands at very high prices, as witness the fact of the sale of one lot, some six weeks ago, only nineteen feet front by some sixty in depth, for $1,900. The village has in it some six school-houses, a Catholic church, two Presbyterian churches (Old and New School), an Episcopal church, a Methodist church, and a Lutheran church. The Old School Presbyterian church, when finished in 1862, was then thought by many to be far too large, but it is now inadequate to accommodate the congregation. The Methodist and M. P. churches have also been enlarged by building additions thereto. Collins Park has lately been laid out into town lots and every one sold. The Old Deniston Farm, a part of the Old Reese Jones Farm, a part of the Old Dahlem Farm, and a part of the Shakspeare [sic] Garden, all adjoining East Liberty, have been recently laid out into town lots and all sold to a class of men who are putting up tasteful and substantial buildings. Highland avenue, which commences on the Greensburg turnpike, opposite the Presbyterian church, and extends to the Allegheny river, is not surpassed by any thoroughfare in the country. It is being rapidly built up on either side its entire length. Within the last two years the citizens residing along it raised by voluntary assessments some $20,000, which has been expended in macadamizing it. There is also Shady Lane, a handsome avenue, well improved, and many others of equal import. The Eastern Exchange Hotel, put up by the P. R. R. Co., is the largest hotel in this section of the State, with the exception of the Monongahela House, Pittsburgh. There is also the Western Exchange, a large, well-conducted house, with many others of smaller size.

Torrens, Homewood, Wilkinsburg, Swissvale and Braddock, all located on the line of the P. R. R., are rapidly increasing in population. The Railroad Company offer such inducements, in the way of cheap fares, and the number of trains, that, at the present rapid growth, there will in a very few years be a larger population living along it, between the present city limits and Braddock, than there is now in the whole city of Pittsburgh. Some of the mansions that have been erected close by it will vie with the most splendid ones on the Hudson river, near New York. The Railroad Company sell monthly coupon tickets to persons traveling in and out of the city every day. One of these tickets, good for fifty-six rides, between East Liberty and Pittsburgh, costs $2 40, not quite four and one-half cents per ticket, and much cheaper than the horse railroads sell tickets for about half the distance. These tickets are sold for all the other stations, at the same proportion, according to distance.

The following very interesting table of travel per day, during the month of last August, between Braddock and Pittsburgh, on the Brinton and Wall's accommodation trains, has been kindly furnished us by the General Ticket Agent of the Road, H. W. Gwinner, Esq.:

Passengers over Pennsylvania Railroad, August, 1866, per Wall's and Brinton's Accommodation Trains.
From Total No. of Passengers. Average per Diem.
Pittsburgh 18,144½ 672 x
Millvale 1,499  55½
Shadyside 2,250  83 x
Roup's 851  31½
Liberty 279 x
Torrens 985  36½
Homewood 1,461  54 x
Wilkinsburg 3,017  112—
Swissvale 1,325½ 49 x
Hawkins 135  5  
Copeland 9  0 x
Braddock's 1,706½ 63 x
⸻ ⸻
Totals 38,926  1,441½
⸻ ⸻
Pittsburgh 18,144½ 672  
⸻ ⸻
All other points 20,731½ 769½

The above table gives the total number of passengers leaving each station from Pittsburgh to Braddock and vice-versa, including all those passing to or from intermediate points between said stations. This will account for the difference between the totals of "all other points" and the figures named for Pittsburgh. The average is made by dividing the entire number by twenty-seven, thus discarding the Sunday train. The month of August being "holiday month," but few school tickets were presented.

Statement of Passengers carried over Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad, Between Pittsburgh and Braddock, During the Fiscal Year of 1866:
Stations. No. Passengers.
Pittsburgh 95,167
Soho 682
Copper Works 1,289
Laughlins 5,879
Frankstown 4,781
Marion 1,109
Hazelwood 8,474
Glenwood 12,710
Browns 3,254
City Farm 2,302
Adams 520
Mills 1,676
Braddock 5,345
⸻
Total No. Passengers 142,859
Number of Tickets Sold on the Western Pennsylvania Railroad, at the Allegheny Station, or Western Terminus, from December 18th, 1866, to Saturday, January 12th 1867.
To Herr's 163
 " Bennett 1,534
 " Pine Creek 291
 " Etna 326
 " Sharpsburg 1,960
 " Ross 33
 " Fairview 85
 " Harmersville [sic] 211
 " Lincoln 71
 " Springdale 73
 " Hite's 89
 " Peterson 17
 " Tarentum 291
 " Natrona 337
 " Karns 21
 " Sligo 7
 " Freeport 472
Total Number of Passenger [sic] Carried on Accommodation Trains, Pitts., Ft. W. & C. R. R., from Pittsburgh and Intermediate Stations to New Brighton and vice versa, during the month of August, 1866.
Stations. Passengers.
Pittsburgh 330
Allegheny 12,832
Outer Depot 272
Wood's Run 870
Pork House 70
Jack's Run 579
Birmingham 613
Courtney 947
Dixmont 996
Glendale 899
Haysville 1,024
Osborne 171
Sewickley 2,602
Edgeworth 454
Leetsdale 1,025
Fair Oaks 129
Economy 1,953
Baden 894
Remington 180
Freedom 1,170
Rochester 3,341
Beaver 1,182
New Brighton 3,298
⸻
35,831
Statement of the Number of Passengers Carried on the Pittsburgh, Columbus and Cincinnati (Pan Handle) Railroad Between Pittsburgh and Noblestown, and the Intermediate Stations for the Year 1866.
Stations. Passengers.
Pittsburgh 20,244
Birmingham 32,568
Temperanceville 2,688
Nimick 2,304
Broadhead 4,800
Mansfield 20,952
Walkers' 4,476
Noblestown 5,088
⸻
Total 93,120
Total Number of Passengers Carried on the Allegheny Valley Railroad from Hulton and Intermediate Stations to Pittsbugh [sic], and vice versa, during the Month of August, 1866.
Stations Passengers
Pittsburgh 9,275
Lawrenceville 2,704
McCandless 335
Sharpsburg 1,441
Negley's Run 710
Ireland 1,105
Sandy Creek 795
Verner 725
Edgwater 530
Hulton 980
⸻
Total 18,600

But this article has been, perhaps, extended enough to answer the main purposes we had in view at the start. We have not, however, space in this issue of our paper to go into the interesting details regarding the other suburban districts. We expect soon to avail ourselves of an opportunity to do so; and we shall be pleased to receive statistics of that kind from any of our readers.

It is manifest that the tongue of land lying between the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, and extending from Soho on the one side, and from Lawrenceville on the other—is becoming, for business purposes, more valuable every day, and is destined to be absorbed for such puposes [sic], to the almost entire exclusion of other uses. This is apparent from the fact, that from the Point upward, residences have of late years, been transformed and changed into warehouses, stores, shops and manufactories. As the population increases, so trade, commerce and manufactures expand. Home demand keeps even pace with the external demand, so that the laws of supply require new territorial space for fresh industrial establishments of all kinds. On the river fronts, in Pittsburgh, hardly any family dwellings are now to be found, wilst the inside streets afford ample evidence, each year, of the fact we have stated. Penn street is fast becoming what Liberty street has been for many years. Its mansions must soon disappear, and make way for the tide of business. Market, Wood, Smithfield, Grant, St. Clair and Fifth streets are nearly absorbed in business uses; and so with a number of other streets. Pittsburgh is naturally the centre of what must be, sooner or later, a vast consolidated city. It is the mother of all the other corporations around it. From its industry, energy, capital, and superabundant population, all the rest have been created, and stamped with its characteristics. Here are—we may say—all the banks, insurance offices, newspapers, hotels, theaters, public libraries and reading rooms, halls for lectures, railroad offices and passenger depots. There are, also, the Court House, with all the county offices appertaining thereto, the Custom House, the United States Court Rooms and offices, the Steamboat Inspectors' offices, etc., etc. The money capital of the county is handled in Pittsburgh, and now it is found that its ten wards have not room enough for business purposes. Consequently enormous prices are paid for lots of ground in the city, and rents have reached stunning rates. Office-rooms for lawyers, physicians, brokers, agents, etc., command rents that are surprising to the old citizens. It is clear, therefore, that all owners of real estate within the cities and boroughs, as well as those within the immediate vicinity, would be largely benefitted by consolidation, and should support that with all their best endeavors. Consolidation, more than any other cause, will bring outlying lots and fields into market, and render them highly valuable. Adjacent gardeners, farmers and owners of country villas need not be alarmed about taxation; that can be regulated as it was in Philadelphia. Rather should they all espouse the popular movement; for its success would shortly quadruple their wealth.

We respectfully submit our tables of facts, with the suggestions growing out of them, to the readers of our paper, hoping that a measure so fraught with incalculable advantages to our people, will secure additional advocates, and may be speedily brought to accomplishment.

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