OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 99 : Issue 410 Today's Topics: #1 CHURCHES OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY [AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M RE] ------------------------------ X-Message: #1 Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 02:13:46, -0500 From: AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M REASONER) Subject: CHURCHES OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY OHIO The cross road of our nation Records & Pioneer Families January-March 1964 Vol. V No. I Published by Esther Weygandt Powell - NO COPYRIGHT PENNSYLVANIA ANCESTORS CHURCHES OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY SILVERS' SPRING CHURCH This church was first know as "the people over the Susquehanna." The first sermon preached in 1734 by Rev. Alex. Craighead. In 1739 it was known as "Lower Pennsborough." In 1739 signers to pay salary of minister Samuel Thompson were: Richard O. Cahan, Joseph Armstrong, Banjamin Chambers and Patrick Jack. Rev. John Steel was minister in 1764. He died in 1779. Samuel Waugh was the next minister. He was a native of Carrol's Tract in Adams County and married in 1783 to Eliza Hoge, daughter of David Hoge, Esq. he died in 1807. The church received the name "Silvers" Spring because it was on the land originally owned by a Mr. Silvers, one of the first settlers. The trustees of the church in 1783 were: Andrew Galbreath, Samuel Wallace, Daniel Boyd, John Wather, Hugh Laird, Samuel Waugh, William Mateer, Francis Silvers and David Hoge. It is not known when the first church was built. Epitaphs from the cemetery indicate it was there about 1732. Some of these were: Craven, Rev. Samuel 1750 age 49 Wood, James 1750 age 41 Hamilton, John 1747 age 47 MacMean, William 1747 age 35 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MERCERSBURG CHURCH The Church Register shows the following deaths due to the Rev. War.; Jonathan Smith, a ruling elder died of camp fever at Amboy Oct. 13, 1776. John Campbell, by oppression of the enemy, Oct. 30, 1776. James McCoy, killed at Ft. Washington Nov. 16, 1776. Dugal Campbell died of camp fever in J.J. Jan. 1777. Patrick McClelland by oppression of the enemy 1777. Joseph Watson killed in battle, Dec. 1777. Capt. Robert McCoy killed at Crooked-billet May 1, 1778. William Dean killed at Crooked-billet May 1, 1778. William Sterret killed at Crooked-billet May 1, 1778. Members of the church session in 1772? were: Wm. Waddell, Archibald Irwin, James Crawford, John Holiday. In 1777 were: Patrick Maxwell, Jos. Van Lear, Matthew Wilson, Wm. Lowery, James McFarland and Henry Helm. In 1799 were: John McMullin, John Johnston, Edward Welsh, Wm. Reynolds, Robert McFarland and John McCullough. In 1800 were: John Scott, Robert McDowell and James Dickey. Rev. John King became the minister in 1768. He was a son of Robert King. Having settled in this congregation at this time, he married in 1771 to Elizabeth McDowell, the third daughter of John McDowell of this place. He was pastor here for 42 years. He died July 15, 1813, in 73rd year of his age. In 1814 the following were added to the church Session" Thomas McDowell, David Dunwoody and John McCoy (of John). In 1822 were added: John Brownson, John McCoy (of Robert), Wm. Crawford. In 1826: Alexander McCoy and James Culbertson. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH Middle Spring Church was about three miles north of Shippensburg. This congregation came into existence about 1738-40. Early records show the following elders: Allen Killough, John McKee, David Herron and John Reynolds, ordained 1742. John Finley, William Anderson and Robert M'Comb, ordained 1744. John Maclay, ordained 1747. Early ministers were: Rev. Mr. Calls of Ireland, Rev. Mr. Scott of Scotland, Rev. Mr. Blair and Dr. Cooper (ca. 1765). Dr. Cooper graduated at Princeton 1763, licensed to preach 1765, resigned from Middle Spring 1767, departed this life April 5, 1805. Dr. Cooper is buried int the "Lower Graveyard" of Middle Spring Church. On his tombstone is this inscription: Rev. Robert Cooper died 1805, aged 73 years. Also his surviving partner, Elizabeth Cooper, who deceased 1829 aged nearly 86 years. (They had a grandson, Jonathan K. Cooper of Peoria, Illinois.) Dr. Cooper was succeeded by Rev. John Moodey of Dauphin Co., Pa. (born July 4, 1776). "The first church stood on a green slope with the graveyard in the rear; the beautiful wood stretching back, with its refreshing shadows; the old mill dam, a few rods to the left of the road, calmly reflecting the light of heaven; the fountain of fresh water bubbling up close by; the murmuring stream, which rolls on under the thick over-hanging foliage; and the "Lower Graveyard," a little to the north, along which that stream flows in it's course, chanting its sweet requiem for the dead." (In 1960s what beauty and serenity is lost in the "name of progress.") Among the gravestones in this old cemetery were those of: JOhn Reynolds, Esq. who died oct. 1789, aged 40 years and Capt. Samuel Kearsley, a Rev. War soldier who died March 22, 1830 in the 81st year of his age. In 1781 the old stone church was erected and a graveyard located in rear. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAMBERSBURG - "FALLING SPRING CHURCH" This church was erected about 1739 on land given by Col. Benjamin Chambers. Col. Chambers was one of four adventurous brothers, James, Robert, and Joseph Chambers who emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland between years 1726 and 1730 and settled in this valley. The land was deeded Jan. 1, 1768 from Chambers and wife Jane to Patrick Vance, Matthew Wilson, Edward Cook, Robert Patterson, Wm. Linsly Jr., Wm. Gass and W.m Brotherton. The first log church was torn down in 1767. In 1739 those who agree to pay minister, Samuel Thompson were: Richard O'Cahan, Joseph Armstrong, Benjamin Chambers and Patrick Jack. Mr. Caven had preceded Samuel Thompson. Later came Rev. James Lang, Rev. Wm. Speer and Rev. David Denny. Rev. Denny died Dec. 16, 1845, age 78. Rev. Denny was the third son of a Rev. War soldier. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOWER MARCH CREEK CHURCH This church now in Adams Co., Pa. First minister, 1740, Mr. Sankey. Subscribers 1765: John Alexander, Samuel McFarren, Wm. Shields, Andrew Hart, Wm. Cochran, Jno. McKinley, James McGinley and Wm. Porter. Trustees in 1805: Eiljah Hart, George Kerr, Reynolds Ramsey, Samuel Witherow, Wm. Miller, Wm. Bigham. Others: Benj. Reid, Wm. & Moses McClean. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PATH VALLEY CHURCHES Among those who had settled in Tuscara Path or Path Valley, through which the road to Allegheny lies were: John Armstrong, Reynold Alexander, Robert Baker, James Blair, Andrew Dunlap, Alexander Dunlap, Felix Doyle, Alex. McCartie, Moses Moore, Jacob Pyatt Sr., Jacob Pyatt Jr., Samuel Patterson, John Potts, Wm. Ramage, Abraham Slack and Robert Wilson. First preaching there about 1767 by Rev. Robert Cooper, later in 1773 by Rev. Samuel Dougall. The church divided into two churches, the Lower Church and the Upper Church. The first elders in the Lower Church were John Cunningham, Francis Elliott, Archibald Elliott, Robert & Samuel Walker, and later Joseph Brown, John Campbell, Paul Geddes, David & James Walker and William Maclay. Then later James Cree Sr. & Jr., James & William Campbell, Daniel Brown, George & William Elliott and Alex. Walker. The first elders of the Upper Church were: James Ardery, David Elder, John Holliday, Samuel Mains and Richard Morrow. Since 1808 they were: James & Wm. Alexander, John Elder, John Holliday, Andrew Morrow, David Riddle, Stephen Skinner, James McCurdy, Jr. & Sr. The Lower Church also known as Burnt Cabins' Church. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAXTON AND DERRY CHURCHES In 1732 these two churches employed the same minister, a Rev. Bertram. The Paxton Church was three miles east of Harrisburg and about one-fourth mile north of the Reading Turnpike. The Derry Church was ten miles farther east and short distance north of the Harrisburg & Reading turnpike. The first elders of the Paxton Church were: Wm. Kuningham, Thomas Foster, Thomas Mays, and George Renick. Those for the Paxton Church were: Hugh Black, Robert Campbell, Rowland Chambers, Wm. McCord, James Quigley, Jon. Sloan, John and William Wilson. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MONAGHAM CHURCH This Presbyterian Church was at Dillsburg, York Co., Pa. The congregation is mentioned about the year 1745. The first church was a log house about one-fourth mile northwest of the the town. In 1782 a stone house was erected. The "old graveyard" was at site of the log church. Among the first elders were: Lewis Williams (father of Rev. Joshua Williams and gr-father of Lewis H. Williams, an elder in Dickinson Church) Matthew Dill, John Williams, Wm. Porter (father of James Porter, Esq.), Alex. Ross (father of Wm. Ross, Esq.), Wm. Mitchell, John Nisbet and Alex. Sanderson In 1802 appointed were: Edward OHail, Henry Logan, John McClellan, Allen Torbet and George Robinette (father of George Robinette, elder in St. Petersburg Church). Those later appointed were: Wm. Ross, Alexander McCurdy, George Crocket, George Smith and Wm. McMullen. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- McCONNELLSBURG OR GREAT COVE CHURCH This Presbyterian Church organized about 1769, and first church about 1791. First elders were: Wm. Alexander, Wm. Gaff and Charles Taggart. Later added were: Alex. Alexander and James White. -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V99 Issue #410 *******************************************