Cranberry Township Historical Society

Violet M. Covert

Moving Day 1800 - Presented by Violet M. Covert

March 28, 2008

Please join the Cranberry Township Historical Society on Sunday April 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, where our guest speaker - Violet M. Covert will present a program entitled "Moving Day 1800", an enlightening account of a young women’s journey from Lancaster County to western Pennsylvania and also the subject of her book by the same name. The factual information gathered from information shown on the 1858 Butler County Map, various history books, and Sally Hasting’s travel journal provides an in-depth understanding on the formation of Butler County.

During her volunteer work at Butler Public Library, Violet realized the information on the historic Map of 1858 should be preserved for generations to come. Her book "The Map of Butler County 1858" is the result of two years work. Thus, the first-ever reproduction of the 1858 Map of Butler County PA was released July 2005, by Mechling Bookbindery and is presently in the fourth printing. Violet has sent books to people in many states and even to Australia. Just released, April 2008, is her first novel: "Reflections of a Grass Widow". This novel is based on the travel journal mentioned above. She has written chapters 12 through 15 by date, which corresponds with the original journal. The original text of the journal appears in the back of her book. It is noteworthy to mention, this is the first time the valuable journal has been republished in the 208 years of it’s existence. For the history buff, this permits separating fact from fiction.

Quoting from the rear cover of her book: “The book is a goldmine for interested individuals as well as historical and genealogical researchers, this comprehensive compilation is a valuable source of Butler County information. Individual maps of each of the county’s 33 townships present the properties with owner’s names, as well as location of cemeteries within each township. Violet M. Covert not only provides a master index for the 3,900 property owners in 51 villages, towns, furnaces, mills, etc., in Butler County in 1858, but also includes brief histories of the formation of the county and townships. Maps included show the Donation and Depreciation Lands, divisions of the townships to the present 33, historical points of interest, and school districts. Included are etchings of the beautiful courthouse and interesting stories of present owners of original prints of the Map of 1858. She painstakingly reproduced the difficult-to-read names on each of the maps to clarify legibility. This useful book is informative and will be the perfect travel companion, undoubtedly simplifying your search for your ancestor’s whereabouts in Butler County”.

A display of books will be set up and those present may browse through the books, with no obligation to buy. Autographed copies will be available for those wishing to purchase books. Please join us April 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Cranberry Township Municipal Center for this FREE event which is as always, open to the general public.