John Canon

John Canon
Died	November 6, 1798
Known for	Founder of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

John Canon (generally referred to as Colonel John Canon) (bef. 1773 – November 6, 1798) was an American Revolutionary soldier, miller, judge, and businessman, who founded three towns, including Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, which bears his name.

John Canon was one of the first settlers in Chartiers Valley, a tributary of the Ohio River. He worked as a rent collector for George Washington, who owned a large amount of land in the area. At the time, the area was part of Virginia. In 1773, Canon acquired 12 acres (4.9 ha) of land along the Chartiers Creek on the Catfish Path, where he built a gristmill and started a farm. In January 1774, he was appointed viewer of a road from Thomas Gist's in Mount Braddock to Paul Froman's mill on Chartiers Creek. He was appointed by Lord Dunmore to serve as judge in Augusta County. After the border dispute between Pennsylvania and Virginia, the area was placed in Yohogania County.

In 1775, he was named a colonel in the Washington County militia during the American Revolutionary War. He was made sub-lieutenant of the county and participated in a number of Indian expeditions, including the Crawford expeditions. It is not clear whether he participated in some of the more brutal raids, as is claimed by some historical accounts. Some evidence exists that indicate that he was in Philadelphia, serving in the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly.

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