Pittsburgh &Revolutionary War. Two Leaders on Opposing Sides of the War. The King vs. Villagers
- Jon Litle
- May 19, 2023
- 4 min read
Pittsburgh's Oliver Ormsby and his relationship with England's King George III
Oliver Ormsby was born in Ireland in 1738. He emigrated to the American colonies in 1763, after the end of the French and Indian War. He received a land grant from King George III in 1769, for his service in the war. The land grant was located on the south shore of the Monongahela River, in what is now the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Ormsby built a homestead on his land grant, and began to farm the land. He also established a ferry service across the Monongahela River. In 1774, he married Mary Ann Wilson, and they had three children.
Ormsby was a Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War. He served as a captain in the British Army, and was captured by American forces in 1777. He was held prisoner in Philadelphia for two years, before being released in a prisoner exchange.
After the war, Ormsby returned to his home in Pittsburgh. He died in 1812, at the age of 74.
Ormsby's relationship with King George III was complex. He was loyal to the king, and served in the British Army during the Revolutionary War. However, he also believed in the rights of the colonists, and was critical of the king's policies.
Ormsby's legacy is mixed. He is remembered as a Loyalist during the Revolutionary War, but he is also remembered as a pioneer and a defender of the rights of the colonists.
John Ormsby (1720–1805) was a soldier in the French and Indian War, Pontiac's Rebellion, and the American Revolution, and among the first settlers of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The son of the Anglo-Irish landed gentry, he emigrated from Ireland to the Thirteen Colonies in 1752. After Pontiac's Rebellion, he received a land grant from King George III, and established a homestead on the banks of the Monongahela River. He established extensive economic and merchant interests in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and at the head of the Ohio River.
Ormsby aided in the defense of Fort Pitt during the rebellion. The Indians cut off all supplies to Fort Pitt and maintained a constant offensive. John Ormsby wrote of this, "there was not a pound of good flour or meat to serve the garrison and a number of the inhabitants who joined me to do duty."
English troops under the command of Henry Bouquet arrived with food and munitions and defeated the Indians surrounding Fort Pitt.
Ormsby was a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from 1774 to 1776. He was a strong supporter of the American Revolution and served as a captain in the Pennsylvania militia.
He was captured by British forces in 1777 and held prisoner in Philadelphia for two years. After the war, Ormsby returned to Pittsburgh and resumed his business interests.
He died in 1805.
Here are some more details about John Ormsby's life and career:
He was born in Ireland in 1720.
He emigrated to the American colonies in 1752.
He served in the French and Indian War from 1754 to 1763.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from 1774 to 1776.
He served as a captain in the Pennsylvania militia during the American Revolution.
He was captured by British forces in 1777 and held prisoner in Philadelphia for two years.
He returned to Pittsburgh after the war and resumed his business interests.
He died in 1805.
John Ormsby was a significant figure in the early history of Pittsburgh. He was a soldier, a politician, and a businessman. He played a major role in the development of the city and the region. He is remembered as a pioneer and a patriot.
James Carson was a Scottish-born merchant who settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1773. He was a successful businessman and a prominent figure in the city's early history. He served as a member of the city council and as a judge. Carson Street was named after him in 1856.
Carson was born in Scotland in 1742. He came to America in 1773 and settled in Pittsburgh. He opened a general store and quickly became a successful merchant. He also invested in real estate and became one of the wealthiest men in the city.
Carson was a strong supporter of the American Revolution. He served as a member of the city council and as a judge. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. After the war, Carson continued to be active in public life. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate and as a U.S. Congressman.
Carson died in 1816. He was buried in Pittsburgh's Allegheny Cemetery.
Here are some more details about James Carson's business ventures:
He was a major importer of goods from Great Britain and the West Indies.
He also owned a fleet of ships that traded between Pittsburgh and other ports along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. (photo below)
Carson was a pioneer in the development of the iron industry in Pittsburgh. He owned a number of iron furnaces and mills, and he was instrumental in the construction of the first railroad in the city.
Carson was also a major landowner in Pittsburgh. He owned a large tract of land along the Monongahela River, which he developed into a residential and commercial district.

Carson was a successful businessman and a prominent figure in the early history of Pittsburgh. He played a major role in the development of the city's economy and infrastructure. He was also a strong supporter of the American Revolution and a dedicated public servant.


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