Family Legacy of Alexander and Mary Armstrong: Born December 20, 1795,a native of Emerald Isle, Ireland.
He emigrated in 1813. He Married Mary Armstrong, daughter of David
and Sarah (Harris) Armstrong, May 20, 1820. She was born June 25,
1795, and died April 21, 1847. They purchased a farm near London,
Mercer County, where they resided four years. Then they purchased
a part of the old Armstrong farm, which laid on both sides of the
present Slippery Rock road, the old homestead being the present
Boyd farm, near the Cooper cement block plant. The McBride tract
also laid on both sides of the present Slippery Rock road, the
home being on the north side of the road and southeast of a spring
in the field between the present Boyd and Cooper homes. Some say
the home was a log house, but Mr. Crocker, a nearby resident, says
it was a frame dwelling. A barn and a blacksmith shop were on the
south side of the road.
After locating on this tract, Mr. McBride devoted his
time to school teaching and milling. He bore the appellation of
the "Irish Schoolmaster." The first grist mill erected and operated
within the present limits of Worth Township was erected by Mr.
McBride in 1827. It was a frame structure and had two run of
common stone. Soon after he got the gristmill in operation, he
attached a saw mill, and did a flourishing business for some 25
years until 1850. His mill was located along the Slippery Rock
Creek by the bridge near the present Cooper gravel washing plant.
Tradition says that the foundation of the present bridge was part
of the old mill. Mr. McBride was a prominent man in the township
in educational matters and in business enterprises, and filled
the office of Justice of the Peace for several terms. Kept store at
Harlansburg for several years during the latter part of his life.
Ordained Elder September 26, 1839, and served for 39 years. He
died October 17, 1878, leaving a family of nine children. David
Armstrong (m. Elizabeth Struthers), Rebecca Jane, (m. Amaziah
Kelly), Alexander Jr. (Harlansburg), Thomas (m. Eliza Winans),
Sarah Ann (m. Samuel Gill), William (m. Eliza Taylor), Robert
Munson (m. Sarah Jane Martin), George Dennison (m. Annie
Stevens), and Samuel J. (m. Mary D. Cotton), Samuel J.
lived in the East Brook area (buried at Rich Hill) and had a son,
Edward A., who married Lydia A. Allison, they were the parents
of Ralph A. McBride, who married Margaret E. Book.
Jeff McBride 
