The division of Moon township again became a subject of judicial consideration in 1855, when its great extent, the impossibility of roads and schools receiving proper attention, and the fact that the population was not proportionately distributed, were urged as reasons for the formation of a new subdivision from its territory. James W. Biddle, R. Patterson and C. L. McGee, commissioners to whom the matter was referred, having reported favorably at the June sessions, 1855, the court, under date of November 17, 1855, issued a decree erecting Crescent township, with its present boundaries.

This part of the county was early known as the "Forks of Flougherty," and it may be observed in this connection that the stream of that name was the original western boundary of the county south of the Ohio river.

James O’Hara and William Woodburn were, at an early date, the owners of extensive tracts of land in this section, and the latter became a permanent resident in 1794. The first improvements were made by a Mr. Scott, some years previously, but he removed to a place of greater security during the Indian troubles. Mr. Woodburn located on the bank of the Ohio river, just above Shousetown. His sons were James, John and Benjamin F.

John Ritchie came in 1804, and settled in Shousetown. His sons were William and John. Ebenezer Worth came in 1804, and located on Flougherty’s run, three-fourths of a mile from the river. His sons were James and John, both dead. Samuel Vance lived next to Mr. Worth, and came here about the same time. His sons were Robert, Joseph, Samuel and James, all passed away.

Simon Holsinger was a resident early in this century, on the bank of the river, near the Beaver county line. He reared several sons. Barnard Dougherty came in 1820, and purchased the property of Simon Holsinger. He died here in 1847. Johu McNamee also came in 1820, and purchased the property originally settled by Mr. Eitchie. He died in 1826. His daughter, Mary McNamee, the last survivor of the family, still resides on the old place, the oldest resident of the town. She lives in a primitive log house, and eats from a table at which Gen. Washington, Gen. Wayne and other revolutionary heroes are said to have eaten.

Shousetown, on the Ohio river at the mouth of Flougherty’s run, was laid out by Peter Shouse in 1837. Few indications of its former importance are apparent. Although little more than a country village at the present time, this place was once one of the most active towns on the upper waters of the Ohio river. It became such through the energy and efforts of its founder, Peter Shouse, one of the pioneer boat-builders of this part of the state. Born at Beading, Berks county. Pa., October 8, 1788, of German parentage, he removed to the neighborhood of Pittsburgh when a young man. Here he obtained employment at a boatyard, and was engaged in the construction of the New Orleans, the first steamboat that ever floated on the Ohio river or traversed the Mississippi from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. He married in 1810, and enlisted for service in the war of 1812. His skill as a mechanic was soon discovered, and he assisted in building the fleet that Commodore Perry led to victory on Lake Erie. On his return he settled at Elizabeth, and continued at his previous occupation in that rapidly growing town. April 2, 1822, he removed to the locality that bears his name, then a farm, with a small log house and barn, and inaugurated his career as a boat-builder. The depth of the water was greater then than now, and the present location of a sandbar in front of the town was marked by a pool eighteen or twenty feet deep, thus presenting exceptional facilities for launching boats. The country for miles inland was covered with forest, and every variety of timber was thus conveniently obtainable. The boatyard was placed in operation in due season, and the business was extended from time to time. Between two and three hundred men were usually employed at the yards, and others were engaged in the forest preparing timber. A large number of steamboats and other varieties of river craft were built, of which the Algonquin, Red River and Mohican became famous for their speed. The business was continued with uninterrupted success by Mr. Shouse until 1857, when he was succeeded by Ezra Porter, Nathan Porter and Samuel Shouse, by whom it was continued for some years. The timber in the vicinity has disappeared, and other conditions unfavorable to a continuance of the boat-building industry at this place have come into existence; and after gradually declining, the building of boats was suspended about 1873, and has never been resumed.

A church was built at Shousetown in 1845, for the use of all denominations, and a schoolhouse, the first in the township, was erected in 1830. Both were destroyed by fire April 27, 1856. A Methodist society has been in existence for some years, and a Presbyterian organization is connected as to pastoral care with the church at Coraopolis. Both have built Substantial frame churches. Occasional Catholic services are also held by the pastor at Sewickley.

The town has improved to some extent since the opening of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad. In 1860 the population of Crescent township was 324; in 1870, 364, and in 1880, 419. Shousetown postoffice was established in August, 1851.