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Michael Rugh came into Westmoreland in 1782 from Northampton county, Penna. He early built a large two-story log house a little south of the present barn and a little above the spring on the farm now owned by Mr. John Rugh, a grandson of Jacob Rugh, third son of Michael. The farm is situate in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, in what has long been know as the Rugh settlement, about two miles south of Greensburg, and near the County Home. This house was what was regarded as "very large and strong, with holes to shoot through." What was left of the house was torn down in 1842, and up to that time it bore marks evident of the use to which it was in part intended. Michael Rugh was a man of some prominence, especially in the latter part of the Revolution. He was elected Coroner in 1781, and was also, later in the same year, one of the Commissioners of Purchases, (Arch. iii, 176, 2d Ser.), and a Common Pleas Judge in 1787, (Rec. xv, 269). Rugh's Blockhouse--probably the large house referred to especially fitted for defense--was a designated point where supplies were delivered and kept for distribution throughout the latter part of the War. Michael Huffnagle, the contractor for supplying the post of Fort Pitt with provisions, proposed to the Council, Dec. 20, 1781, "to apply the militia and ranging company for Westmoreland county, the ration to consist of the same article as for the continental troops, and to be paid for at the same rate, which is eleven pence half penny for every ration, in gold or silver, --to be delivered at Hannastown and Ligonier; and twelve pence per ration at Rook's [Rugh's] Blockhouse (Washington-Irvine Cor., 161, note). This proposal is made through Christopher hays, Esq., Member of the Council from Westmoreland county." What was known as the "old barn" on this farm is described by the older members of the Rugh family as a very large building built of large logs divided into four compartments, with holes commonly called port-holes in the walls. This building, we take it, was the remains of the structure erected for the storage of the supplies which were delivered here, and it might have been intended for harborage, as well. The structure was an uncommon one; and this fact well established by direct personal knowledge, taken in connection with other well known facts, such a s those above referred to, would allow this circumstantial evidence to have the weight of positive proof. There is an unbroken tradition of the people's fleeing to Rugh's Blockhouse from all the surrounding country after the attack on Hannastown. The place was well known, much frequented, and, beyond doubt, was a harborage on that occasion.
Rugh's name is spelled variously both in official documents and in correspondence. It takes on such forms as Rugh, Ruch, Rough, and Rook. (See note to Hannastown--Michael Huffnagle's letter dated Fort Reed, July, 1782.).
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