ALLISON/ALLANSON MYTH BUSTERS….ALLISON PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA
ALLISON/ALLANSON MYTH BUSTERS….ALLISON PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA
AnotherAllison/Allanson Family myth that has evolved into being family gospel is that the location just north of downtown Pittsburgh, PA, called Allison Park, has become connected to, yet again, all Allison Families, including my own line of Allison’s which emigrated from England 350 years ago.Upon further review and a little knowledge of what Allison belongs to what family, this myth can now be …well…busted.
The following excerpt comes from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette dated Sunday, 13 Oct 1996, pg. VN 4. The following Allison’s in the article can be traced back to Ireland.
“…..In 1825, George and James Cooper purchased 188 acres from Irwin and his wife
Agnes. George Cooper sold out to James, and in 1885, James Allison bought 106 acres
of the original “Quillebeuf” parcel from James Cooper and his wife, Jane.Allison was born about 1793 in Chester County (PA), where his father George Allison settled after emigrating from Ireland. About 1810, George Allison moved his family to Pittsburgh, and after several years, he relocated to 200 acres he purchased in Hampton (Hampton Township, PA). There he remained until he died. His son, George Allison, Jr., married and raised his family on the Allison farm, where he also died. Today the area is called Allison Park, where the Griffings had previously lived. They were unaware of the coincidence, however, until recent research revealed the connection. James Allison was a tanner before he took up farming on his 106 acres in Richland. He married Elizabeth Brickwell, whose parents George and Lydia Brickwell owned a large farm in the Birmingham area of Pittsburgh. James and Elizabeth Allison had at least three sons – James Jr., S. B., and John – and their daughter Lydia, who probably was named for her grandmother. The Allison’s believed in education and service to their community, James Allison Sr. was a member of the school board for many years. His sons S. B. and John were also school directors as well as Richland township supervisors. James Allison Jr. became a doctor of divinity, pastor of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church, and publisher and editor of the Presbyterian Banner. Allison Road in Richland was named for this civic-minded family. When the Allison’s daughter Lydia married Thomas P. Austen in 1848, her parents apparently gave the newlyweds the Griffings’ house as a wedding present, although James Allison retained title to the property until his death, when he bequeathed it to Lydia…..”
And the full page story continues on about the Allison Farmhouse and the Griffin Family now living there.
I hope this sheds some light on the actual Allison Family that can claim Allison Park as part of their heritage and not have folks keep spreading false stories that grow into family ‘gospel’ generations down the line. Even today, I will talk to my English Allison cousins and the topic of Allison Park comes up. I get the same response from them….’Well, my father told me we are related to the Allison Family that owns Allison Park’. This just ‘aint’ true folks! No connection whatsoever. Unless we count the many generations back to the Garden of Eden and start there.
More Replies:
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Re: ALLISON/ALLANSON MYTH BUSTERSu2026.ALLISON PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA
bhk 9/16/08
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Re: ALLISON/ALLANSON MYTH BUSTERSu00efu00bfu00bd.ALLISON PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA
George Allison 9/18/08
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Re: ALLISON/ALLANSON MYTH BUSTERSu00efu00bfu00bd.ALLISON PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA
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Re: ALLISON/ALLANSON MYTH BUSTERSu00a1K.ALLISON PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA
George Allison 4/10/08