Israel Gregg

Israel Gregg (February 20, 1775 – June 20, 1847) was the first captain of the historic steamboat Enterprise. From June to December 1814, Israel Gregg commanded the Enterprise during two voyages from Louisville, Kentucky to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that were performed against strong currents of the Ohio River. With these voyages Israel Gregg and the Enterprise demonstrated for the first time that steamboat commerce was practical on the Ohio River.

Loudoun County, Virginia

Israel Gregg was born to Thomas Gregg, a wheelwright, and Rebecca Janney, his wife. His parents were married on October 7, 1762 in a Quaker ceremony at Goose Creek, renamed Lincoln, an old community located in Virginia's Loudoun County that was founded by Quakers. Israel Gregg was born to a family that was both large and prominent, the Greggs and Janneys having made the Loudoun Valley their home for many years. On May 29, 1797 he was granted a certificate of acceptance by Redstone Monthly Meeting, Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Joseph Hough (February 26, 1783 - April 23, 1853) was bound to Israel Gregg, his brother-in-law, from 1798 to 1804 as an apprentice to learn the craft of making works for clocks and watches. A tall case clock, its works crafted by Israel Gregg, was displayed by the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

Thomas Gregg's will of December 13, 1799 conveyed to Israel a small lot (63 by 125 feet) in Bridgeport, a small community bordering Brownsville to the south.

Founded in 1812, The Monongahela National Bank of Brownsville listed Israel Gregg as one of its founding directors.

The Enterprise

Israel Gregg joined a group of Brownsville-area entrepreneurs that had formed a company to transport passengers and cargo between Brownsville and New Orleans by steamboat. By June, 1814 the company had launched its first steamboat, the Enterprise, and Israel Gregg was her first captain. The first leg of Israel Gregg's initial Ohio River voyage as a steamboat captain was performed with the current of the Monongahela River from Brownsville to Pittsburgh. Then Gregg navigated the Enterprise with the current of the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, finally reaching Louisville, Kentucky. From Louisville, Gregg commanded the Enterprise against the current of the Ohio River, finally reaching Pittsburgh. From Pittsburgh the Enterprise returned to Louisville, then steamed homeward against the river's current to Cincinnati, Steubenville, Pittsburgh, and finally reaching Brownsville on December 11, 1814.

The Dispatch

Meanwhile, construction of a new steamboat, the Dispatch, was underway at Bridgeport, but she wouldn't be ready to make a voyage for another six months. In the meantime, Israel Gregg would remain at home in Bridgeport during the first half of 1815: On January 1, 1815, borough records mention the amount to be paid to Gregg for a lot and construction of Bridgeport's first school. On April 26, 1815, Bridgeport's Borough Council awarded to Gregg the right to build a warehouse on public property and operate it for ten years. During the April session of 1815, Fayette County court appointed Gregg a commissioner, charging him, and two other appointees, with reporting on the propriety of Bridgeport borough becoming a township. During the August session of 1815, the commissioners favorable report was presented to the court.

In 1816, Israel Gregg was listed as a tax-paying merchant of Bridgeport.

On June 19, 1818, Israel Gregg is recorded in the New Orleans Wharf Register as master of the steamboat Napoleon.

Israel Gregg was elected sheriff of Butler County, serving from 1835 to 1839.

Gallery