At the April sessions, 1807, a number of the inhabitants of the upper end of Plum petitioned for a division of that township "by a line running east from where the Frankstown road enters said township on the west side, across the township, or nearly that direction." It seems that a new apportionment of militia was about to be made, and this was intended to facilitate the formation of companies. At the August sessions, 1808, a counter petition was filed, representing that the township was only eight or ten miles long and from three to five miles in breadth. The following graphic summary of local affairs is given: "Esquire Hall is living about two miles from the Allegheny river and Puckety creek, the line of Westmoreland county, on the north side of the Frankstown road; and Esquire McKee is living some distance on the south side of the Frankstown road. The election is held at the house of John Little, who lives on the Frankstown road as nearly in the center of the township as possible, so that there need be no complaint for the inconvenience of justice. The number of inhabitants north,of the Frankstown road on their own lands are but few in number, and having selected two justices of the peace, two constables, two supervisors of the highways, two overseers of the poor, auditors for settling the township accounts, and appraisers of fences, there need not be a second election." Thomas Sampson, John Johnston and Alexander Thompson, commissioners, reported that a division at that time was "improper and unnecessary," and for nearly forty years thereafter the question was not again agitated.

At the March term, 1847, a petition for the division of Plum was referred to the customary number of viewers, but for some reason they failed to give the matter any consideration. A second petition was filed at the June sessions, representing that the township was thirteen miles long and six miles wide: that the places of election were remote from many of the inhabitants; that there was not that identity of interest which should exist among the people of the same township; and praying the court to appoint a second commission for its division. August 26, 1848, R. E. McGowen, N. Patterson and G. W. Hawkins were appointed for that service. A favorable report was filed November 4, 1848. March 4, 1849, by decree of court. Plum township was divided by a line "beginning where the Frankstown road crosses the division line of Wilkins township and said township [Plum], and following said road by its courses and distances until it strikes the division line of Westmoreland county," the southern part receiving the name of Patton.

This part of the county was popularly known at an early period by no other name than "Turtle Creek," and there is reason to believe its settlement occurred at a comparatively early date. Between 1765 and 1785 the following were settlers in Patton township: William McElroy, William and Robert Johnson, Charles Duke, Christopher Striker, Joseph McClintock, Robert Beatty, Thomas McMullen, Robert Duff, John Irwin, William Scott, Robert Clugston, William Clugston, John McNulty, George Ellis.

The oldest patent in the county is for land in this township. The tract is called the "Widow’s Dower," and it was owned by Mrs. Martha Myers. Little is known of the history of this woman, but it is believed that she and her family were the first in Patton township. They probably settled soon after the English established their jurisdiction here. The following appears in Washington’s journal of his tour in November, 1770: "23d. After settling with the Indians and the people that attended me down the river, and defraying sundry expenses accruing at Pittsburgh, I set off on my return home; and after dining at the Widow Mier's, on Turtle creek, reached Mr. John Stephenson’s in the night."

Near the line between Patton and Wilkins townships once stood a mill, in the wall of which was a stone marked "James Mires, 1783." The old mill has ceased to exist, but the stone was placed in the wall of another mill on the same site. This "James Mires" is supposed to have been a son of Mrs. Martha Myers. The following are known to have been residents of Patton township prior to 1830: Thomas Chalfant, Henry Chalfant, John McMaster, John Meyers, Eli Meyers, John McCully and sons John and Robert,
Samuel Snodgrass, Samuel Shaw, Michael Walls; John, Robert and James McElroy; William Johnson and sons Robert and John; Robert Johnson and son John;
Robert Beatty and sons William, Robert, Samuel, John and others; Hall and sons John, Samuel and James; Robert Clugston and sons William, Robert,
Ebenezer and Calhoun; Caldwell, Daniel Spangler, James McGinley, James Jordan and son James; John McClellan, John Thompson,
Aber and sons Zephaniah and John; Charles Carothers and sons Robert, Joseph, James, William and Charles; David Maxwell; Henry Dinsmore and son James; Ross Dinsmore.

The northern turnpike crosses the township from east to west, and upon this thoroughfare, about six miles from Wilkinsburg, is situated the village of Monroeville. The name has no reference to President Monroe, however, as would naturally be inferred, but was conferred in honor of Joel Monroe, the first postmaster, appointed January 23, 1851. The village is merely a straggling hamlet, and possesses no importance.

Turtle Creek, on the opposite side of the creek from the station of that name, on the Pennsylvania railroad, is an attractive suburban village. It is the terminus of a coal-railroad leading up Thompson’s run. A portion of the town is in Wilkins township. The town came into existence after the construction of the Greensburg turnpike. This was the first postoffice in this section of country.

Turtle Creek United Presbyterian Church was organized in June, 1829, by Rev. James Brown, with about thirty members, Samuel E. Shaw, David Drennon and George Gray constituting the first session. The first communion was held at the house of John McMaster, Revs. Young and Mungo Dick officiating. Services had been conducted in a grove in this vicinity as early as 1820, by Rev. James Walker, pastor of Bethel Church, Westmoreland county. The first church-edifice was built in 1831, the second in 1858, the third in 1867. Pastors: Revs. Dick, Henderson, Kerr and Pressley were supplies from 1829 to 1835; Joseph Osborne, 1836-51; J. G. Fulton, 1852-59; D. H. Pollock, 1860-69; S. A. Taggart, 1870-71; A. I. Young, 1872-85; R. A. Gilfillan, 1886. Four district congregations have been formed from the membership of this church in whole or in part — McKeesport, 1820; Braddock, 1864; Monroe, Iowa, 186-; Westmoreland, 1869. Three presbyterial organizations have been effected here — Blairsville (A. R.), 1840; Westmoreland (A. R.), 1855; and 1858, Westmoreland (U. P.), the Associate and A. R. Presbyterian churches having been united in May, 1858, as the United Presbyterian Church.

A Presbyterian church was organized in Turtle Creek in May, 1887, with Rev. Dr. Wightman as pastor. Its membership is about fifty. Bethel United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1801 within the bounds of Chartiers Associate presbytery, and formed the pastorate of Rev. Ebenezer Henderson (with Pittsburgh and Turtle Creek) from 1802 to 1804. A church was built in 1803, but there was no regular pastor until 1820, when Hugh Kirkland was called. John B. Dickey was in charge, 1834-35; William Galbraith, 1836-47; James Kelso, 1852-65; T. F. Boyd, 1867-74. Cross Roads Presbyterian Church was organized in 1836. Rev. S. M. McClung was the first pastor. There are also Methodist and Reformed organizations at Turtle Creek.

The population in 1860 was 957; in 1870, 1,193; in 1880, 1,730.