Joseph Logan & Rachel Heck

Joseph Logan was born in the mid 1790’s in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania to Hugh Logan. As a boy he was apprenticed out to John Miller, a blacksmith. John must have been tough because Joseph ran away in 1812 prompting John to run an ad for his recovery. Joseph was not the only boy to run away from John. He must have continued with his apprenticeship as he was listed as a blacksmith in subsequent records. Joseph was a stout man, slightly taller than average at 5’8″, with a dark complexion, hazel eyes, and black hair. By the time he was thirty he had lost the first two joints of his forefinger on his left hand – a common occupational hazard for blacksmiths.

Rachel Heck was born in the mid 1790’s in Frederick County, Maryland to Daniel Heck and as a young child moved to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania with her family.

Joseph and Rachel were married by 1816 and moved to a piece of property where they farmed and Joseph likely worked as a blacksmith. Together they raised several children but only three are known: William b. 1819, Mary Ann b. 1821, and Joseph b. 1831.

In 1826, Joseph was accused by his neighbor of stealing wool but was found not-guilty. Two years later however, he and Rachel were accused by Rachel’s brother Levi of stealing corn. This time Joseph was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in Western State Penitentiary.

Western State Penitentiary was constructed in 1826 in Allegheny City outside Pittsburgh and was operated as a reformatory. Joseph was confined to his cell and expected to perform tasks that would be sold to offset the cost of running the prison. His stint in 1828 was not his only stay in Western State Penitentiary and after his release in 1830 he was sent back in 1832 for larceny and passing counterfit money. During his stay he had to pick oakum, a task that was hard on the hands. Western State Penitentiary has been rebuilt three times. The first version, designed by William Strickland, was dark, cold, and it was hard for the guards to keep their eyes on the prisoners. It only lasted ten years before it was redesigned and rebuilt on the same site.

In July of 1828, Joseph and Rachel sold their 1/12th interest in property inherited from Joseph’s father, most likely to pay legal fees prior to his sentencing.  During Joseph’s first stay in prison it is unknown where Rachel stayed but upon his release, the family took up residence in Pittsburgh, living just outside the city limits in Allegheny City across the Allegheny River. Nothing further is known about Joseph but Rachel remained in the area with her family until her death in 1877.

Sources: 

  1. Fourth Census of the United States, 1820; Census Place: Springfield, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; Page: 7; Line 11 (Joseph Logan); NARA Roll: M33_104; Image: 19
  2. Fifth Census of the United States, 1830; Census Place: Allegheny, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Series: M19; Roll: 144; Page: 74; Line 9 (J C Logan); Family History Library Film: 0020618
  3. Sixth Census of the United States, 1840; Census Place: Pittsburgh East Ward, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 441; Page: 421; Line 2 (J C Logan); Family History Library Film: 0020536
  4. Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; Census Place: Lawrenceville, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Series: M432; Roll: 747; Page 345b; Dwelling Number 563; Family Number 597 (Rach’l Logan)
  5. Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1969.  Death Certificate Number 73134 (August 12, 1909).  Mary Ann Carbis, Westmoreland County.
  6. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh City Deaths, 1870-1905.  November 7, 1877.  Rachel Logan.
  7. Rachel Logan Obituary. The Pittsburgh Catholic (November 17, 1877). 
  8. Rachel Logan Obituary.  Post Gazette (November 9, 1877).  Page 4, Column 7.
  9. “Six Cents Reward”.  Huntingdon Gazette (March 26, 1812).  Page 3, Column 3.  Accessed online via Pennsylvania Power Library Digital Collections
  10. Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities, 1867/1868.  Page 256.  Logan, Rachael, wid Joseph.  Accessed online via University of Pittsburgh Digital Collections
  11. Pennsylvania.  Huntingdon County.  Deed Books 1825 – 1829.  Book V-1, Page 77.  Deed of Joseph Logan & Wife to Thomas Diven & Co.  Accessed online via FamilySearch.org
  12. Western Penitentiary Descriptive Register1826 – 1876 (Roll 412).  Joseph Logan sentenced August 13, 1828.  Image 6 of 261.  Accessed online from powerlibrary.org through Pennsylvania State Archives.
  13. Western Penitentiary Descriptive Books 1826 – 1837 (Roll 410).  Joseph C Logan admitted June 10, 1832.  Image 38 of 340.  Accessed online from powerlibrary.org through Pennsylvania State Archives.
  14. Hazard, Steven and W.F. Geddes, “Hazards Register of Pennsylvania: Devoted to the Preservaton of Facts and Documents, and Every Kind of Useful Information Respecting the State of Pennsylvania, Volume 11.  1833.  Page 461.  Accessed online via Google.
  15. Pennsylvania.  Huntingdon County.  Quarter Sessions Records.  Book G.  January Sessions 1826 and August Sessions 1828.