| From the notes of Henry Lee
Elliott and other compiled sources The Elliotts were an old pioneer family who immigrated up from Maryland (Virginia) about the time of the Revolution. Two sons of Thomas Elliott, William Atkinson Elliott and a brother whose given name is unknown, came along the old Route 40 wagon trail. William settled in Washington County, in Morris Township, about 3 miles west of Prosperity. On February 14, 1788, William received a grant of land which is described in the Patent as "300 acres of land on Ten Mile Creek in the County of Washington. This grant was by the Receiver-General's Office in Philadelphia. The grant was for a consideration of 35 pounds 5 shillings and was signed by Francis Johnson, Register for John Keble. Another document dated December 12, 1811, signed John Cochran, Secretary of the Land office, refers to 373 acres, 32 perches, known as "Elliott's Repose" surveyed on a Warrant, and in consideration of the sum of $56.19 paid. This land is located along what is now Craft Creek Road, Morris Twp., Washington County, PA William, born in 1751 married Elizabeth Atkinson, born November, 1752. To this union were born 7 children, of whom William Elliott, Jr. was one. He was born June 1, 1793 and died September 15, 1872. He married Jemima Winget, who was born June 1, 1795. they had 19 children. One of the sons, John Elliott, married Elizabeth Danley. They lived in Morris Twp. To this union 9 children were born. One of the sons, James V. Elliott was born September 25, 1867. He was married in February 24, 1896 to Hannah Jane Smith who was born February 24, 1878. To this union were born four sons and four daughters. Henry Lee, Wray (died in infancy), Cleon (died in WW I), Mabel, Ellen and Helen (twins), James Clair and Margaret. James V. and Hannah Elliott,
initially
moved to the Pittsburgh area, where he found work in the steel
industry. In mid life, he returned with his family to the
Claysville area to become the proprietor of the Rosemire
Inn. The Rosemire was located along old Route 40, at the top
of the long hill west of the "S" Bridge. It was the old Caldwell
Tavern. James Caldwell operated this inn from the time the pike
was opened until he died in 1838. After his death, his widow
Hester continued until 1873. The original building burned in 1882
and their son, A.B. Caldwell, founder of Caldwell Store in
Washington, immediately erected an exact duplicate on the same
spot. It was operated by J. A. Gordon and was a popular place for
sleighing parties from Washington and Claysville. After the old
Children's Home at Arden was burned in 1899, Washington County rented
this house and used it as a Childrens Home until the new building at
Arden was erected.
In the early years, stage
coaches
carried travelers in all walks of life along the National
Road. From about 1825 the original Caldwell Inn or
Tavern served many travelers including prominent personages of
the nation, who found food and shelter there. In those days,
stage coaches carried travelers from all walks of life. The
Inn's trade as a hotel began to vanish after the advent of the railroad.
The coming of the automobile
inaugurated a
return of travel on the National Road. James V. Elliott leased
the property in1918. He renovated the building to meet the wants
of this new mode of transportation, and once again the inn gained favor
with travelers. College and High School classes held their
functions there and various social gatherings were held at the
Inn. Especially well known were their lively square
dances. Hannah Elliott and daughters, Mabel, Ellen, Helen and
Margaret managed the dining room and hotel, while across the way, James
and his enterprising sons, Henry and James Clair, opened a Chrysler car
dealership and garage to service the automobiles of the
travelers. Henry used Sunset Hill to test drive the Chrysler cars
for prospective buyers. In those days, that was quite a thrilling
ride.
On Friday evening, April 16, 1926,
the
Rosemire Inn was destroyed by fire for the third time. It is
believed to have started from a defect in the west end chimney which
then passed over to the east end, where it broke through the
roof. This was a devastating loss, however, out of the ashes
of the famed old stagecoach inn rose a promising new
enterprise. This was about the time that Route 40 was
widened and rerouted. James Elliott then moved his automobile
business across the road, where he built the Rosemire Restaurant and
Service Station. This now included an Esso Gas station which
serviced the ever increasing auto traffic along the newly completed
Route 40.
Lois Rilling
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