Joseph Doddridge

Joseph Doddridge (1746–1826) was a historian, horticulturist, physician, clergyman, and author, notable for his work in the trans-Allegheny West and Upper Ohio River Valley in what is now Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He is primarily recognized for his historical writings, especially Notes on the Settlements and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia, which documents the experiences of early European settlers and their conflicts with Native American tribes, particularly the Mingo. Additionally, Doddridge played a significant role in the establishment of Episcopal congregations in the Upper Ohio Valley.

Doddridge was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and raised further west at Doddridge's Fort, located in an area disputed between Virginia and Pennsylvania, now part of Washington County, Pennsylvania. The family farm also included Doddridge’s Chapel, a site frequently visited by Methodist circuit riders, including the renowned Bishop Francis Asbury.

His brother, Philip Doddridge, was a prominent political advocate for western Virginians during the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830.

As a young man, Doddridge initially pursued a career as an itinerant Methodist preacher, but later shifted his focus to medicine and the Episcopal ministry.

After the death of his father, Doddridge attended Canonsburg Academy (which later became Washington & Jefferson College), an institution affiliated with Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. He then traveled to Philadelphia, where he studied medicine and received theological training under the guidance of Bishop William White, preparing for ordination in the Episcopal Church.

Upon settling along Buffalo Creek, in what is now Wellsburg, West Virginia, Doddridge became an influential leader in the Episcopal Church, establishing congregations throughout the region. His efforts contributed to the formation of churches in what are now the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Ohio, Southern Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Despite his tireless advocacy, Doddridge was unsuccessful in his efforts to organize dioceses in rural Northern Appalachia, and his work was later overshadowed by the ministry of Bishop Philander Chase.

Doddridge is most remembered for his historical writings, particularly Notes on the Settlements and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia (1824), which offers valuable insights into the life and struggles of early settlers in the region. His work is often cited as a critical source for understanding the dynamics between European settlers and Native Americans during the late 18th century. In particular, Doddridge’s 1821 play Logan, the Last of the Race of Shikellemus provides a nuanced portrayal of the complex relationships between colonists and indigenous peoples, with some scholars noting that Doddridge’s perspective on colonial violence was more critical than that found in other contemporary accounts.

Although Doddridge’s contributions to the church were significant, he is now most valued for his historical and cultural significance in recording a transformative period in American history.

• Doddridge, Joseph, 1769-1826. Notes On the Settlement And Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia And Pennsylvania From 1763 to 1783, Inclusive,: Together With a Review of the State of Society And Manners of the First Settlers of the Western Country. Parsons, W. VA.: McClain Print. Co., 1976.
• Richards, Samuel J. “The East-West Divide and Frontier Efforts of the Reverend Dr. Joseph Doddridge.” Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies 85, no. 4 (2018): 460–87. https://doi.org/10.5325/pennhistory.85.4.0460.