Emsworth Borough is located on land that was originally purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the heirs of William Penn. The purchase was ratified by a local tribe of Indians shortly before the French and Indian War. There was no attempt to develop this land until the Revolutionary War. Young men were promised parcels of land in addition to pay if they would remain in the army and defend their country.
A tract of land, Emsworth, was patented to John Wilkins. The name "Emsworth" is reported to have been the name of an old English Duke. The first settler, John Cheney, took up residence in 1802. In 1805 he sold the property of Emsworth to David and William Courtney. William married the daughter of William Dickson, one of the first settlers in Ben Avon. William built a stone home on the property that is presently the athletic field along Ohio River Boulevard, where the Courtneys raised and educated eighteen children. President Zachary Taylor was once a guest in the Courtney home.
The present Borough of Emsworth was crossed by the old Makintosh trail, which extended from Fort Pitt to what now is the Town of Beaver. Many families seeking to find their fortunes in the West were drawn to Emsworth because of its scenic beauty and location near waterways.
EMSWORTH
EMSWORTH OVER TIME
Below are images that show the progression of Emsworth from its beginning.
