Nestled close to the hills bordering the valley of the Little Beaver River in northern Beaver County, and situated in the western part of Big Beaver Township lies the Borough of New Galilee. The first written records tell of the coming, by horseback and on foot, of white settlers to the vicinity about 1800. A large proportion of these were young married couples from eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the north of Ireland. These morally and physically strong men and women set about building homes and preparing the soil for cultivation. Anything essential needed, especially salt, was carried in from Philadelphia by horseback. When trips were made for salt, each horse carried 150 pounds and the owner received salt in return for the use of the animal.
In 1800, five brothers named Young settled here. It has been authentically related by surviving members of the family that two of their ancestors lived on what is known as the Swoggers farm. One night when two of the women were alone, wolves came to the door and tried to get in. The women took kettles of scalding water up to the loft of the log cabin and poured it on the wolves to frighten them away.
About that same time thefirst grist mill was built by Robert Miller where the Delmer Mitchell residence is now located. Miller's home still stands along the macadam road. The mill was in operation until 1863 when a more modern one was built. it served the community well under the succesive management of Messers. Acheson, Fry, Ferguson, and Dixson.
Something not generally known is that slavery once existed in Beaver County. In 1800 there were four slaves; in 1810 there were eight; in 1820 there were, five and in 1830 none: all having been liberated by law. In 1808 the state conveyed to Joseph Chapman a tract of land consisting of 386 acres. The plot was know as Chapman's Hall and was so named in the deed. Chapman later sold his land to James Nicholson, who came and brought from the south three colored slaves, Pompey Frazier, Tamer Frazier and Betty Mathers. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson by deed dated May 6, 1819, conveyed to these three servants, who had so faithfully served them, the farm on which they resided. The deed, however, not to be in effect while either Mr. or Mrs. Nicholson lived. Ten years after the date of the deed Mr. Nicholson died. Shortly after Tamer Frazier also died. Pompey Frazier and Betty Mathers continued to live with Mrs. Nicholson until her death, when they became the owners of the farm. Pompey Frazier died without offspring and Betty Mathers became sole possessor of the property. Meanwhile she had married Henry Jordan, a fiddler, in 1840 and had several sons and daughters. She sold the land and upon it the greater part of New Galilee has been built. Betty Mathers Jordan passed away in 1872. Her original home is the one owned by the late John Heinz. The stream which flows through New Galilee is named for the Jordan family "Jordan's Run".
In 1854 the question was raised as to what to name the village. The citizens, most of them devout Christians, said that, "As the small stream that flows through the village is called Jordan's Run, why not name it Now Galilee as Galilee means beyond Jordan". Application was made at the June 1867 session of court for the rights of incorporation. The application was signed by P. L. Grim, Robert Porter, J. B. Johnson, W. Thompson, John Acheson, W. D. Eakin, John Graebing, R. E. Hudson, Dr. R. J. Britian, and twenty-two others. The degree was granted January 15th, 1868. The first election was held 'the third Friday of the following March, at which J. S. Hudson was judge, and W. D. Eakin and John Acheson were inspectors. The village was surveyed and platted June 13 and 14, 1876 by James Harper, County Surveyor. The northerly streets were to be Washington and Centennial Avenues. The easterly ones were to be Jackson. Jefferson, Monroe, and Madison.
The Covenanter or Reformed Presbyerian Church was established in 1807 under the leadership of Rev. Mathew Williams. The first church edifice was a plain brick structure, and was located about one mile from New Galilee. Among the original members were the Youngs, Cooks, McCanlises, and the McGeorries. In 1872 a brick church was built in New Galilee but is now disbanded.
In 1827 the Rocky Spring United Presbyterian Church was crganized and services were held in a tent erected on a farm located about one and one-half miles from Homewood. During the winter services were held in the homes of the members, The first pastor was Rev. Moses Kerr. Tradition tells of the first communion service when the elements were spread upon a flat rock, from under which flowed a beautiful, cold spring of water used by the congregation to quench their thirst. This gave rise to the name, "Rocky Spring" which holds even now. A frame church was erected, date unknown, on the site of the cemetery on the hill. This house of worship was used until the spring of 1869, when the congregation entered the present house of worship. It was completed in the autumn of 1868 at a cost of $8,000 when furnished.
In May 1874, Presbyterian worship was established during the ministry of Rev H. N. Potter, pastor of the Mt. Pleasant Church in Darlington. The first meetings were held in the home of Samuel Henry, later evening meetings were held in the U. P. Church. Then Grant's Hall was rented for services. Later the hall Donaldson cooper shop was used. Last services were held in the brick school until the present frame chapel was erected in 1895 at a cost of $2100 for the lot, building and furnishings.
The Church of the Nazarene was completed in 1908. A parsonage was constructed in 1923.
A Baptist Church was organized in 1916 but is no longer functioning. On June 19, 1923 a dream came true for the Roman Catholic parishioners, who had to travel long distance to worship. Ground was broken for St. Ann's Church in New Galilee. The church was dedicated and the cornerstone blessed on November 16, 1924 by the Rev, Fr. F. F. O'Shea, Pastor of St. Mary's Church, New Castle, Pa.
Evan in the earliest days education was not neglected. School was held in the Eakin warehouse behind the first store, which was owned and operated by William Eakin. A two story, two room, red brick building was erected in 1868. Soon a small wooden building was erected to care for the over flow of pupils. The present modern school was erected in 1934, with additions and improvements added since then.
Construction of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad was started in 1848. The first passenger train passed through New Galilee on October 23, 1851. L. J. Cook was the first permenent station agent.
The Pittsburgh, Lisbon and Western Railroad, now known as Youngstown and Southern, was originally built in 1852 between New Galilee and Cannelton for the purpose of marketing the cannel coal found there. Horses and mules were first used as motive power, later a small engine was bought and used. Sometime later the railroad was extended to Lisbon, 0hio. This railroad no, longer exists in New Galilee or Lisbon. It's terminals are now Darlington and Youngstown.
The post office was established in 1856. The following persons have served as postmasters in the order named: William Eakin, James K. Weir, John S. Hudson, J.B. Johnson, Wm. J. Johnson. James Hudson, John Greabing, A. F. Reid, George Pyle, A. Kelso, Amanda Miller, Lenora Davis, Ford Mayer, Alma Dryden, Rose Guzzetti, and Michael Paganie.
Some industries have flourished in New Galilee. From 1860 to 1875 the Harmony Society operated two coal oil mills, one which was among the largest of its kind in the United States. It stood on the site of the Pennsylvania Railroad depot A cooper shop was established in 1863 by Henry Donaldson. In 1865 Anthony Smith came from New York and started a second cooper shop. In 1902 the Beaver Clay Company, manufacturers of brick and clay products located in New Galilee. This was later known as the New Castle Refactories Company and is still in operation.
References used were: Warner's History of
Beaver County, New Galilee Centennial 1854-1954 (Booklet)