Family History: FOSTER family of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jon Berlin. jonberlin@hotmail.com USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ HISTORY OF THE FOSTER FAMILY COMPILED BY MISS C. M. W. FOSTER 1891 ---- 1892. PREFACE The Compiler of these statistics desires to mention as helpers in securing all the information herein given, Miss Nora Foster, of Robert; Misses Elizabeth and Ada, of Alexander; Mrs. Shields Brown, Mrs. Mary Sanderson and Mr. Robert Stewart. With their kind assistance I, the only representative of James White, have done the best I possibly could. If any branch has not been as fully represented as others, it is as greatly, perhaps more, regretted by myself than by them. An aged second cousin, Mrs. Elizabeth Gallagher, nee Foster, a granddaughter of William Foster, the brother of James, the subject of this record, has also, upon her dying couch, in the eighty-eighth year of her age, been a reliable helper. Her memory being vigorous as in womanhood's prime, I always referred to her for confirmation of anything doubtful or obscure, especially dates and localities. To her grandfather, William Foster, and mine, James Foster, who were laid together in the old Congruity church-yard, and their resting spot lost sight of, this humble memento is affectionately dedicated, hoping that their principals, moral, philanthropic and religious, shall be exhibited in the lives of their descendants through all their generations. While penning the last lines, the message came to my desk, "Mrs. Gallagher is just falling 'asleep in Jesus.'" "All the ships of life go out, And all are Heavenward bound." CATHERINE MARY WHITE FOSTER SCOTCH-IRISH We have been unable to obtain much reliable information regarding the history of the Fosters after their removal from Scotland to Ireland, at this, the close of the first and beginning of the second century after their arrival in America. By some it is claimed that they are descended from a certain "Forester," so-called from his occupation as "Chief Forester of the King's Forest" in Scotland. The name Forester became Forster upon their removal to Ireland, and finally Foster. This removal took place in the early part of the Seventeenth century, when James I of England (VI of Scotland) took possession of six counties in the North of Ireland, bestowing some of them upon his Scottish favorites. Their Scotch ancestry is shown by their features, complexions, family Christian names and their Presbyterianism; but the present generation claims to be American in every sense of the word, yet regarding "Our ancestry, a gallant, Christian race, Patterns of every virtues, Every grace." As Americans we date our history from the year 1790 A.D., when James Foster, a native of Ireland, came to America. James Foster had two brothers, William and John. Of the latter we know nothing beyond the fact that he was captain of a vessel on board which James came to this country three times before his marriage. William, also, came to America, married, and raised a large family, and now lies in Congruity church-yard beside his brother James. JAMES FOSTER Married Catherine White, and settled in Donegal County, Ireland, where all his six children were born. In the fall of 1790, when his youngest child was six years old, he came with his family to America. After sailing eleven weeks, they landed at Wilmington, Delaware, and thence journeyed to Mercersburg, PA., where they had friends. There they remained till the following spring; then again they took up their journey, crossing the Allegheny Mountains on mules. The oldest daughter, Margery, married to her full cousin, George Stewart, had a son about the same age as her youngest brother; the two boys were carried on a mule in a pack-saddle, one on each side, and sometimes becoming weary, they begged leave to walk awhile; once they lagged behind, and the mothers, turning to look after them, found that they had stopped in a potato patch, where persons were either planting or lifting potatoes, and little James W. Foster was filling his little breeches pocket with potatoes. His mother asked him what he was doing, and he said he was "gathering praties, for we might na' get any mare;" but he had to empty his pockets, leave his "praties," and march on. They traveled single files over the mule path, probably the trail path, which afterwards became a wagon road, and finally the pike from Pittsburgh to Baltimore. They reached the Loyalhanna, three miles north of what is now known as New Alexandria. There they located beside Mr. Freeman, a friend from the "Old Country." On the 26th of May, 1791, James Foster and George Stewart bought the original homestead tract from Elias Davis, of Mercersburg, PA., 196 acres, for 194 pounds, about twenty-two years after the first land titles are said to have been issued in this country. Here they erected a log cabin of a size sufficient to accommodate the two families, his own and that of his son-in-law, George Stewart; and here they lived together several years surrounded by dense woods, in which the Indians still prowled, frequently giving them alarm by night, sometimes yelling and whooping so near that they were compelled to desert their home and hide themselves in the fort, built for that purpose, or in hollow trees when they had not time to reach the fort. The last time that they were thus compelled to take to flight, it is said that while the others were hastening to a place of safety, James Sr., refused to go, and taking his youngest boy, James White, in his arms, said that "he and his Benjamin would hide themselves in the Lord, and they would not be afraid." However, none of his family were ever molested by the Indians. But their neighbors, the Freemans, at one time were discovered by the Indians, when hiding at the fort, not far distant from their home. Two of their daughters were carried away to Detroit, Mich., and their son scalped, whilst the parents had returned to their home to look after it necessarily. A flat stone marks the grave of the son, on the farm adjoining the Fosters. The daughters were subsequently recovered, but not in the lifetime of their mother. One was married to a brother of George Stewart, Margery Fosters' husband, and one of her daughters, Susan Stewart, still lives (1891) eight (8) miles from the old home, to tell the sad tale. James Foster lived but six years after locating his family in this place. Being a devout Christian himself, he reared his family in the fear of the Lord, and, during his last illness, had his youngest son frequently sit beside him and read to him the Scriptures. This son, James W., never read in his own family Romans, VIII Chapter without remarking, "That was the last chapter I read to my dying father," and, in like manner, when he read or sang the 116th Psalm he remarked, "That was my mother's Psalm." He died in the spring of 1796, and was buried in the grave-yard of Congruity Church, three (3) miles from his home. His son, Robert, and daughter, Margery, with a number of their descendants, are also buried there, awaiting the glad morn; while Alexander, Catherine and Polly, with their mother, fell "sleep in Jesus" in Armstrong County, and were buried there. Three sons and three daughters were born to James and Catherine Foster in Ireland. They were spared to raise them all, though the youngest, James W., was but twelve years old when his father died. MARGERY FOSTER, Oldest child of James and Catherine, was born in Ireland, Donegal County, in 1767, and was married there August 10, 1786, to her cousin, George Stewart. After coming to America, in 1790, they lived on her father's farm several years. Her brother Alexander, contracted with Mr. Allen Ralston for a tract of land (more fully described in Alexander's history), and, together with her husband, gradually cleared away the timber, and erected such a building as the inhabitants were accustomed to live in. This tract was purchased in 1791, at the same time when the "Foster Homestead," near New Alexandria, was purchased, and it became the home of the Stewarts, and is still occupied by a grandson. The oldest son did not live long after coming to this country. He was early called to a "Home not made with hands." The oldest daughter, supposed to have been born in Ireland also, from the fact that she was old enough to play with other children, along the banks of the Loyalhanna while living with her Grandfather Foster. While playing there, one summer evening, a thunder-storm came up suddenly. The children, not apprehending danger, played on till the rain, pouring down, frightened them, and then, in their haste to reach their home, the little child fell over the bank into a cluster of bushes low down. To these she held fast till other children reached their parents, who, by this time, were not far off, searching for them. They hastened to the spot, and saw her clinging to the bushes, but before they could reach her the rising waters loosened her tender hold, and they saw her swept rapidly down the stream in its then wildest surroundings. The storm continued, and they were obliged to abandon search for the night. Sad, indeed, was the household, composed of the two families, when they gathered around the family altar. The child's father conducting the worship, announced the 137th Psalm, "By Babel's streams we sat and wept." Early next morning the neighbors joined the family in searching, and before the night the little body was found. Another year elapsed, and when at their sugar camp, the children with them, the only other daughter, two or three years of age, fell into a kettle or tub of boiling sugar, just taken from the fire, and was scalded to death. Sorrowful and sad must these parents have been during their first decade in America. Of their children they lost one son and two daughters, but were blessed in raising three sons, and lived to see their children's children born in the "Stewart Homestead," two miles from New Alexandria, on the pike leading from Blairsville to Pittsburgh. Their three sons were William, born April 11, 1792, James, born May 10, 1798, and George, born April 15, 1801. WILLIAM STEWART, on a journey South, disappeared, and no trace of him was ever discovered, except a report that he died at New Orleans. He left two children, James and Violet. The latter married Samuel Marshall, and she left seven children, one of whom died or was killed in the army, and Joseph and Theodore reside in Kansas, and have together fourteen children. James was married to Ellen McCaw, and died, leaving one son, William, and two daughters, Bell M. and Anna E. The son, William Stewart, of Johnston, PA., has two daughters, Grace and Pearl. JAMES STEWART married Mary Ann Gallagher, and left three sons, Thomas, George, and John, and two daughters, Isabella, married to A.M. Milligan, D.D. (deceased), and Mary, married to D.O. Brown, of Saltsburg, Pa. The latter has one son, John, and one daughter, Mary. Thomas left one son, Frank Stewart. Of this family there are now living four children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Jean, the daughter of Frank Stewart, of Buffalo Gap, Dakota. GEORGE STEWART was married to Mary Sidler, and continued to live at the old homestead, with his parents, Margery and George Stewart, and kindly handed them down to their graves, his mother in 1842, in her seventy-sixth year, and his father in 1843, in his ninety-sixth year. George had two sons, Robert Foster and James White. The latter, in his fifteenth year, was attending a select school in New Alexandria, and during recess was playing ball on the banks of the Loyalhanna, the same stream in which his little aunt was drowned, when he fell over into the stream and shared the same fate. Robert and his wife are at the present time the light of this old home, created a century ago. The grandchildren of George and Margery now living are five, great- grandchildren eight, and great-great-grandchildren, sixteen. Fourteen of these are Marshalls, of Kansas, and two are daughters of William A. Stewart, of Johnstown, Pa. now living, in all, twenty-nine descendants. The amiable disposition of George Stewart, also of his two sons who lived to mature age, James and George, as remembered by their children and grand-children, is worthy of emulation and transmission to all generations. These two homesteads, created in 1791, are now beautified homes, occupied by the third and fourth generations; and one item concerning them is too good to be unrecorded in these days of degeneracy, that is: no tobacco has ever been used in them by their occupants except by one of the last generation of the Stewarts. Alas, that it should ever be introduced! The third homestead, mentioned as located, a few years later, in Armstrong County, so far as we have been able to ascertain, has been preserved equally pure from "the filth of the weed" and "the poison of the still." (See Psalms 107; verses 8,15,21,31.) ALEXANDER, Eldest son of James and Catherine Foster, in the year 1791, A.D., purchased a tract of two hundred and three acres, one hundred and thirty-five perches (203 A. 135 P.) of unimproved land in Salem Township. Here he cleared a spot on which he built, and, in 1796, he married Martha Ralston. They lived here until all their children were born, though he sold this property to his brother, Robert Foster, and brother-in-law, George Stewart, in 1806, and when his oldest boys were large enough, he started out with them on a wagon, with axes and provisions, to located anew for his enterprising family a larger field in Armstrong County, Pa., then a part of Westmoreland County. They made their way to what is now known as Rural Village, then designated as "a forest near Dayton, Pa." Here they chopped a way for their wagon along a narrow path, probably that of some wild animal, with which the forest then abounded, until they reached the site of the present family home, on the brow if a hill, which is now a beautiful lawn, sloping down to the highway on the edge of the village. There they pitched quarters for the night, and next day they decided that spot should be their choice. Just when and from whom they purchased the land has not been ascertained. A large part, perhaps all, of this original tract is still owned and occupied by the descendants. JAMES and MARGERY, of eight children, died unmarried, Margery in 1888, in her eighty-seventh (87th) year. ALLEN married Eliza Stoops in 1824, and they had seven children and twenty grandchildren; the number of great-grandchildren seems to be beyond our reach. ALEXANDER married Margaret Scott, and had eight children, all yet living, viz: A. Craig, married and living in Pittsburgh, Pa. And has a family of seven sons; Andrew Jackson, married and living in Peoria, Ill., and has a family of sons and one daughter; Samuel S., of Greensburg, Pa.; Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah and Margery. Alexander and Margaret Foster have in all nineteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. DAVID WHITE, youngest son of Alexander and Martha Foster was born January 17, 1814, studied law and located in Clarion County, Pa., where he practiced successfully, highly esteemed socially and professionally, but he was cut down in the brightness of his manhood at the age of thirty-five (35). On February 16, 1833, he married Sarah Elizabeth Hastings, who died January 19, 1836, leaving him one son, John Alexander Hastings, who grew up in time to serve his country in the late civil war. He (John A. H. Foster) left a young wife and boy, Ira, of Rural Village, and joined a company for the war, served successfully for many months till the battle of Gettysburg, on the 2nd of July, 1863. His corps (Fifth) was immediately put into position to hold Little Round Top, where he fell, and laid on the battlefield till the evening of July 4th, when he was conveyed to the house of his father's uncle, James W. Foster, in Gettysburg. There he was kindly cared for, and faithfully visited by his regiment's surgeon, Dr. Reed, of York County, but he became so homesick that, before he was quite able to travel, his surgeon gave him permission to go home. His friends, learning that the first train would go south, via Baltimore, instead of westward, told him he must wait for the next train, but he replied, "I'll go by the first train, if I must go via New Orleans." He went, and reached home safely, and after some time returned to his place in the army, and died about 1874, leaving one son, Ira, who married and has two children, boy and girl, and now lives in Rural Village. His father David White, Sr., on January 5, 1837, married his second wife, Mary Ann Gibson, of Freeport, with whose father he had studied law, and by her had five sons and three daughters, one son and one daughter dying young. William Gibson Foster, of the firm of Stevenson & Foster, Wood street, Pittsburgh, Pa., the oldest child of the second wife was born Spetember 28, 1837, and is now living in Allegheny City, Pa. He was married November 16, 1859, to Mary Ann Johnston, of Steubenville, Ohio, who died August 22, 1873. She had five children, the second, Elizabeth, dying in infancy. Now living are Charles F., *Mary Ada, William Gibson, Jr., and Emma Katherine. *Mary Ada Foster, chief assistant in compiling the family history, died May 13th, 1892, while it was being published. William Gibson Foster, Sr., married again, January 20, 1881 Anna L. Hunt, of Uniontown, Pa. Harrison Foster went South, to Nashville, Tenn., enlisted in the war, and has never been heard of since. Henry Foster, born May 3, 1842, died November, 1890 leaving one son, John, and a daughter, now living at Great Belt, Butler County, Pa., with their mother. Mary Emma, born January 1, 1845, was married to James M. Slusser, and died February 11th, 1873, leaving one son, Samuel, and two daughters, Anne Gibson and Cullie. Ella Ann and Edwin Bruer, twins, were born August 3, 1847. Edwin enlisted during the civil war, was wounded in battle, and died in the Woman's Hospital, New York City, December 6, 1863. Ella married George Iseman, of Freeport, Pa., and his three sons, George, Charles Foster and Samuel, and two daughters Celia T. and Carrie. David White, Jr., was born September 14, 1849, after his father's death, married about 1871, and is now living in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He has no children living. DAVID WHITE FOSTER, SR., died in 1849. His descendants now living are three children, fifteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Catherine Foster married John Stoops in 1822, and had six children, thirty one grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Martha Foster married James Speedy in 1832, and had five children and nine grandchildren. Number of great-grandchildren not ascertained. Isabella Foster married William Sloan in 1837, and died in 1889, aged eighty years. They had six children, A.C. Sloan, Mary J., married to Mr. Moorhead; W. H. Sloan, deceased; Martha A., married to Mr. Crisman; A.A. Sloan and N.F. Sloan. The grandchildren number seventeen. The descendants of Alexander and Martha Foster now living number about one hundred and sixty-five. ROBERT, Second son of James and Catherine Foster, was married in 1799 or 1880 to Polly Bovard. He raised two sons and four daughters and lived to the ripe old age of more than four- score years on the old homestead. JAMES FOSTER, the elder son, married Eliza George, in 1827, and died in 1878. His widow is still living. They raised two daughters and three sons, Robert A., James Wallace and William G. The latter was killed in the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864, in his thirty-second year, leaving one son. The daughters, Mary L. and Anna E., married brothers named Beeham, one now residing in Allegheny City, Pa., and the other in Kansas. The grandchildren of this branch number twenty-five great- grandchildren, fourteen. ROBERT, the younger son of Robert and Polly Foster, married, in 1840, Nancy Moorhead, who died in 1863, leaving three sons and five daughters. In 1864 he married Elizabeth Shields, and they had one daughter, Fannie. Robert Foster died in 1884, leaving a widow, three sons and six daughters, viz: Samuel, John and James W., Mary, married to Samual Bovard; Margaret married to John Steele; Martha Jane, Annie M., Eleanor A. and Fannie. His grandchildren number eight. The old homestead, which came from his grandfather, James, to his father, Robert, was handed down by his father to him (Robert, Jr.), and during his life it may truly be said, as it was at the time of his father and grandfather, that no stranger was ever sent away from their door uncared for. Their home was always known as the hospitable home where friends, acquaintances and stranger were kindly entertained, the grandfather having taught them not to neglect to "entertain strangers, some having entertained angels unawares." John, James and four unmarried sisters, with the mother, are now the occupants of the "Old Home." The stone house built by the second generation is now supplanted by a beautiful brick mansion, reared by Robert, of the third generation, and now occupied by the fourth. CATHERINE, the oldest daughter of Robert and Polly Foster, was regard by her father as a model of excellence. He was frequently heard remarking of her: "The bitter retort, the hasty or impatient reply never passed her lips, but she firmly closed them until the annoyance had passed away." Speaking freely of another's faults in her presence was always rebuked by a pained look upon her countenance, and she always knew some trait to be recommended. She was married, in the twenty-second year of her life, to Thomas Johnston, but she always revered the home of her childhood, and spoke of it as a home where the children were wisely guarded and carefully trained. By this time the old log cabin was deserted, and a large stone house near it was the home of the Fosters. In it was a large hearth, in which great log fires were built, and in winter evenings, around this bright fire, the children were gathered and instructed by the parents. Of this old home she said, as it was said of the grandparents, that the latch- string was always out. It was the common stopping place for strangers passing though the neighborhood, and if their was any want supposed to be felt anywhere in the neighborhood, provision was at once made and steps taken for its alleviation. She raised four sons and three daughters, who are all living Robert, Thomas, John and James, Mary, Martha (married to Samuel Ehrhart) and Frances. Twenty grandchildren remain. Six have been called away, two of them in the brightness of their youth Dr. Frank A. Johnston, of Parnassus, Pa., who was suddenly summoned to his eternal home, dying in the night, of congestion of the brain, leaving a wife and two little daughters, and Harry Johnston, in his twentieth year, died of typhoid fever. Seven great- grandchildren are living. MARY (Polly), the second daughter of Robert and Polly Foster, was born April 8,1808. During childhood she was noted for activity and daring. The time spent at this period in wandering along the "Crabtree" and the "Whitethorn" must have nurtured the passionate love of nature which was one of her distinguished traits until the very day of her death. Everything that had life, whether animal or plant, bird or bee, gave her pleasure and companionship. On March 19, 1833, she was united in marriage to Adam Robinson, of Indian County, Pa. It is related that the groomsman at this wedding fell violently in love with the bride's sister, Fanny, and proposed before he left the house, but was much chagrined and disappointed to learn that she was to be married the following week to Hardy Sloan. Immediately after the marriage, Mr. And Mrs. Robinson took possession of a farm in Loyalhanna Township, Westmoreland County, which is still in possession of the family. It was a portion of the very first land for which a patent was granted in Westmoreland County, the date being June 20, 1769. It was called in the official document "Grey's Mount," and on the hundredth anniversary of its issue the family brought out the ancient manuscript, re-christened the home with the original name, and by that name it is called to-day. The first dwelling was of logs, which was replaced, three years after the marriage, by the substantial stone house which became to every member of the household the ideal "sweet home." Six children were born of this marriage, two of whom died in early infancy. The eldest, Maria J., was married September 14, 1865, to David Galbraith, of Harrisburg, now of Buffalo, N.Y. The second, who reached maturity, was Robert Foster. Early in the war of rebellion he enlisted in Company I, Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, August 30, 1862. He recovered from his wound, and returned to his regiment three days before the fateful December 13th, of Fredericksburg, in which engagement he was again severely wounded, and was reported "missing," and from that day no reliable tidings ever came to those who wearily waited at home, though hope never died entirely until every prison had been emptied at the close of the war. All that remains to tell his sad story is his name and a simple couplet on the family memorial stone: "He rests where he wearied; He lied where he fell." John Wise, the third child, also enlisted in the "Old Eleventh" Pennsylvania Volunteers, at the age of seventeen, and was wounded at Bull Run, upon the same day with his brother. Together they lay as prisoners in the "Old Stone House" upon the field of battle, and together were carried to the same hospital, at Fairfax Seminary, Va. He, being more severely wounded, was discharged, and returned home after exactly one year's service. He was married, June 3, 1873, to Nannie H. McIlwain. The two grandchildren of Mary Foster belong in this family, viz.: Robert Foster and Wm. McIlwain. Mr. Robinson died at the homestead, upon the morning of his seventy-third birthday, April 13, 1874. Mrs. Robinson died ten years later, February 17, 1884, in the family of her daughter, where she and her youngest child, S. Lizzie, had found a home after the death of her husband. Fannie, the third daughter, was married to Hardy Sloan in 1833. She and her husband created and enjoyed a happy home. Margaret, the youngest daughter, was married to Henry Robinson, also enjoying a happy home. Though these two were the youngest sisters, they were the first called to join their parent on the other side. Neither of them left any children. CATHERINE, Second daughter of James and Catherine Foster, born in Ireland, 1779, was married to John Brown in 1798, and died of black fever in 1813, leaving seven children, all of whom grew up, and all were married, except Jane, who is now in her eighty-third year, and lives with her brother, John. Susan, married to Mr. McClatchy, died, leaving five children, fifteen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. James, now eighty-six years of age, and living at Slate Lick, Armstrong County, celebrated the sixtieth (60th) anniversary of his marriage to Miss Boyd, May 6th, 1890. A fine poem was composed on the occasion by his son-in-law, Rev. J. Fulton Boyd, of Steubenville, Ohio, which we would like to give if space is permitted. From this historical poem we gather that they raised two sons and five daughters, and have sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and all are said to take their places in their spiritual home, the House of God, as they come to years of choice. John married Elizabeth Craig in 1837, and settled near Kittanning, where they still reside. They had five children John Foster, married Lizzie McClelland; Mary, married John G. Sanderson; Craig, married Mattie Nobel; Catherine, unmarried, and Harvey (deceased), married Zarepta Foster, a great-granddaughter of William Foster, brother of James, who came to America in 1790. Their grandchildren number seven, all children of their son, John. Matthew married Catherine Foster, and resides in East Brady, Pa. He has seven children and eight grandchildren. Robert married Mary Dickey, lived and raised his family on the old "Brown Homestead," near Middlesex, where he had himself been raised. He died in 1862, at the age of fifty-two years, leaving a very interesting family of seven children. He was a very amiable man and affectionately devoted to his family. Polly married William Millen, long ago deceased, and lives with her children in Jefferson County, Pa., aged eighty-eight years. She had six children, fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her son, James, when a student for the ministry, entered the army, with many of his young friends, for the preservation of the Union of his country, and in the "Seven Days' Battle before Richmond," June 30, 1865, he fell, pierced by a ball through his thigh. He was left on the battle-field several days and nights, then taken to Richmond, where he died. Of the parents of this family, John and Catherine Foster Brown, the most sacred memory is handed down to the generations following. No secular traveling passed their home on the Sabbath without being arrested by "Father Brown," who was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Middlesex. An aged relative, still living, remembers how young men returning from Church on horseback, made sure to ride gently till out of Elder Brown's sight, and then, they cared not who saw them ride as fast as they could. Young people of the present day frequently remark that it was the strict Sabbath observance in the home of their childhood, that gave them a dislike for the Sabbath. That such is not a necessary consequence is satisfactorily proven in this instance, as all these six families of the third generation, like those of the original family, continued, even down to their successors, to live the Sabbath with all its duties as well as its privileges. It is well remembered, by some living, that the children of the original parent stock oft related how their "Father Foster," in their early home, required all his household, and all in his employ, to cease work on Saturday noon, to blacken their shoes, shave and prepare for the Sabbath, and so far as we can ascertain, this reverence for the Lord's Day was maintained throughout the second and third generations of all their families, and those of us who have lived to know the last two or three generations, can readily understand that where the loving reverence is wanting, it is not owing to the enjoining of reverence and obedience as sometime claimed, but to the lack of the "sprit of love," that love which embraced heart, and mind, and soul, and strength, "for the Lord, your God," and "your neighbor as yourself." POLLY, Third daughter of James and Catherine Foster, was married to Mr. Hindman, in what is now Butler County, Pa. Mrs. Hindman survived her husband, and lived to an old age, leaving no children when she died. JAMES WHITE, The youngest son of James and Catherine Foster, was but twelve years of age when his father died. His father had intended him for the ministry, and had started his education, in which he had advanced considerably in English and Latin, with this end in view, and at his father's death, the oldest son, Robert, was entrusted with his education; but his father's hopes were never realized whether from lack of funds or advantages in those days, or from an adverse inclination on the part of the young orphan, we have not learned. James, nevertheless, persevered in his education until he acquired a competency to devote his life to teaching. He accompanied his brother, Robert, a number of times, across the mountains to Chambersburg and Baltimore, with mules and pack-saddles, on errands of trade. In this way he made acquaintances East of the mountains, and arranged to take a course in the academy taught by Rev. A. Dobbins, D.D., at Gettysburg, Pa. He had commenced teaching at the age of sixteen, and had taught several years before he went to Gettysburg. He soon got to teaching in Adams County, going to the academy between his terms of teaching. When the War of 1812 broke out he enlisted in Maryland, and served as First Lieutenant. After the war, he located in Adams County, Pa., and married, in 1817, Catherine Sloop, who was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pa. After eight years of their marriage, their only child, Catherine Mary White, was born, whose mission, both they and she, in later years, recognized as that of accompanying them down the shady side of life, and, after summing up their days into one hundred and eighty years, to lay them away together in Evergreen Cemetery, at Gettysburg, which had so recently quaked with the thundering cannon of the late war. No more may those hills be so shaken until commanded to give up their dead. When any of our friends visit the famous battle-field, and National Cemetery at Gettysburg, from the south side of the Soldiers' Monument, they will see an entrance to the adjoining cemetery of the citizens, and almost in a straight line South, on the brow of the Summit in a two minutes' walk they can find the grave of this, the last born and the last survivor of those who crossed the ocean together as a family in 1790. We are reminded of an incident well called by Jennie Brown, as often related by her mother and grandmother. When they went aboard the ship to sail for America, Mother Foster requested room for her family that was free from "live filth;" the captain called a mate, and gave orders to put every one her family, with their baggage, off the vessel and they were all put off and left behind. The vessel set sail for the then great ocean trip, and whether storm or wrong steerage was the cause is not remembered, but the ship went down and nearly every one on board was lost. Shall not the living descendants of this parent stock unite with the "happy sprits" gone before, in thanksgiving to Him by whose good Providence, as well as by His creation, our existence has been protected. There are now living of this family between three hundred and fifty and four hundred descendants, and, with very few exceptions, all are in connection with some branch of the Presbyterian Church, and the original all received their church education under God, and "the home" in Congruity Church, under the pastorate of Dr. Porter, who was called to that church when it was organized in 1788, and preached there thirty-five years. The average age of the second generation, five* out of the six living representatives average eighty-six years. In this, our centennial year, Frank Stewart (great-grandson of George and Margery Stewart) and his family were compelled to flee from their home in Dakota, near Buffalo Gap, from the "Indian Outbreak." The youngest great-grandchild of James and Catherine Foster, Fannie F., with her mother, residents of the old "Homestead," near New Alexandria, spent the greater part of the year 1890 at Mercersburg, Pa., where the great-grandparents and all their children spent the Winter of 1790-1791, shortly after their arrival in America and previous to their settlement in Westmoreland County. *Since this was compiled, Mr. John Brown (one of the five) and his wife died, a few hours apart, and were buried in one grave. Also, his sister, Jane Brown, (one of the five) has since died. For the benefit of those who may celebrate the next Centennial, we mention some points of contrast in the progress of the present, with the condition of our ancestors one hundred years ago. Then, eleven weeks was considered a favorable journey across the Atlantic; now, from six to eight days is sufficient for the majestic steamer to ply her course across the great deep, and our dear old grandmother would now find the most exquisite staterooms for herself and family. Instead of plodding across the mountains on mules, searching for an Indian trail through which to pass, we now have choice of beautiful drives over the mountains in comfortable carriages with finest of horses, or go whirling through hill and dale at the rate of from forty to sixty miles an hour by the mighty power of steam. Electricity is propelling, through our cities, street cars at a speed and with an accompanying terror, equal almost to that of the railroad steam cars, and though we have not, as yet, achieved the art of "sailing through the air," we see it in vision to be realized long ere another centennial dawns upon our unborn descendants. The stately mansion of brick and stone has taken the place of the original log cabin, built with a capacious fire place, into which they rolled logs to make the fire for heating and culinary purposes. These immense fire places or open hearths, as they were called, have long since given way to stoves of small dimensions; first for wood, then for coal, and lastly there has come from the heart of the earth the wonderful natural gas, which heats the home and moves the machinery, economizing both space and labor. A century ago it required weeks and often months to send or receive communications from points far or near, by land or water. Now we speak to our friends across the ocean or in our own cities by telegraph or telephone, and sermons preached in Edinburgh or London on Sabbath may be read here on Monday, and just a little in the future the invalid and infirm in their chambers may hear the voice of their pastor in the sanctuary. In a word, so great is the development of the present, and so eager the propensity for an increase of knowledge "running to and fro," as it is written, that except the time of restitution, enlargement and purity be hastened, the human intellect will not be sufficient to grasp and control another such progressive century; but as our revered ancestor, who died in the toils and throes of our American history, said in the language of Paul, "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed us" (Rom. Viii, 18); so may we rejoice in "the earnest expectation of the creature," waiting "for the manifestations of the sons of God." "Earth's story goes on like the chance of the seasons, God turns a new leaf for each oncoming age, And each with its failures, successes and reasons, Contributes an ill or well-written page." BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. By urgent request of some of our number, I give my experience and some incidents, as seen by citizens of the famous battle of Gettysburg. All who have read accounts of the battles of '63 are aware that immediately after the battle of Chancellorville, General Lee began to arrange for the invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Early in the month of June, the Marylanders bordering Pennsylvania began to move their horses through our town to Harrisburg and places north of the Susquehanna. Sometimes, as rumors of the Confederates' approach ceased, they returned. But on reaching their homes, and sometimes before they reached, they were again startled with alarm, and back they turned toward the Susquehanna. Thus for three weeks we were entertained with the tramp, tramp of droves of horses, marching to and fro. But from June 20th occasionally the enemy's camp fires were in sight. Then our town became an isolated spot. None came in to bring us tidings good or bad, and no one ventured out, excepting once when the suspense became intolerable (and to which the battle itself brought relief), two prominent citizens, still discrediting the rumored nearness of the rebels in force, decided to ride out on horseback until they would learn something reliable. They went on the Chambersburg road, six miles, to Cashtown, at the foot of the South Mountain. Here they alighted and went into a hotel to make inquiry. They were inside only a few minutes, when lo! A squad of rebel cavalry rode up and captured their horses. One of the gentlemen had ridden his family pony, a very valuable and idolized animal. And now, under the impulse of anxiety for the animal's welfare, he hastened out, and, with apparent generosity, made a present of him to General Wade Hampton. A few days later, when the Confederates took possession of Gettysburg, this man with his family deserted their home, and traveling on foot to go outside the lines of battle; five miles from town they crossed the path of their pony, mounted by a General. These two gentlemen came back to town minus their horses, thus bringing the inscrutable evidence that they had seen the rebels. The next day they appeared in sight of town, but retreated. A day or two later, June 26th, they made their raid upon the town, capturing part of our militia (40 the records say), which they claimed to have found in barns, hogheads, etc. They boldly raised their flag over our town and played Dixie tunes in the court house. But they did not succeed in gathering any booty in the place, so next morning they left us. As yet we had no knowledge of the whereabouts of our men, hence we were in increased suspense until 28th, Sabbath noon, when two regiments of Union cavalry arrived, under command of General Copeland. Then our doors and windows opened, and our soldiers were greeted with songs and shouts, as well as fed with bread and pie. My father, then seventy-nine years of age, sat in his arm-chair very composedly, cogitating, "If those 'Hessians' were only here now we would make a pot-pie of them." But early Monday morning our reconnoitering guardians marched in the opposite direction from the enemy, and the somber cloud of suspense and dread enveloped us more densely that before. For several weeks our business houses had been closed, goods and bank possessions had been sent to Philadelphia. Five hundred of our population were colored people, who feared the approach of the Southern rebels more than death. These played hiding and peeping all this time. On one of these Sabbaths their quarterly meeting was to be held. Their bishop, a large, fine looking and able speaker came, and with the few who would venture out he commenced the meeting. I was invited to hear him and went. He spoke kindly and courageously to them, but whilst singing, "The year of jubilee has come," the oft repeated rumor, "The rebels are coming," came also, and in a moment bishop and people had disappeared, some of them were never discovered till after the battle. June 30th, at 9.30, the rebels' advance force came within one-half mile of Gettysburg, but retreated a short distance at 11.30. Our hearts and spirits were revived by the entrance of Buford's cavalry, 6,000 coming from the directions of Emmetsburg (southwest). They passed through Washington Street, on which we lived, to a grove north of Pennsylvania College. With these 6,000 Union cavalry between us and the enemy, we felt the battle begun and victory won! July 1st, when skirmishing commenced, we went to our western balcony to watch the manoeuvring at 10 A.M. The artillery began to play, and First Corps came up, General Reynolds dashing through our streets, and called to us to go to our cellar. The infantry were marching double quick, some on the street and others on different lines west, through the fields to west of Seminary Hill, whilst cavalry messengers flew over fences and fields like a shower of meteors. Occupants of the seminary and other buildings on the ridge came running down the hill faster than "double quick." Old Lady Thompson, occupant of Lee's headquarters, however, never deserted her house. Her house and lot were filled with Union wounded and dying during the first day; she remained to care for them, and had a daughter living at the foot of the hill, who baked up a barrel of flour into bread, which she carried up the hill to the wounded, and refused to cease doing so during the three days. Her clothes were riddled with bullets. She was about seventy years of age. Her son and family, consisting of wife and two children, the younger one day old, were obliged to leave their house, carrying their children. They were passed through the rebel lines to their rear. They all survived to tell the tale. We remained on our balcony watching the forming of the left wing, notwithstanding the unseen shells whizzing over our heads, it being our first experience, we neither realized danger nor obeyed orders of passing officers until 1 P.M.. the Eleventh Corps coming rushing in Washington Street, urged on to support the right wing, our attention was called to their pleading for water. They dare not stop to drink, but we carried it to our front door and poured into their tins as they passed. The officers frequently said to us, "stop giving water, they have not time to drink." Many of them got their last drink from our hands, as they were hurried along, saying as they went, "We'll fight the enemy from your doors, we'll drive them or we'll die." A few minutes after we left the balcony, a twelve pound shell struck it, demolishing roof and ceiling. For two hours we carried water to the front door and poured into their tin cups. Then came the sudden 3 o'clock reversal, no one asked for water now, though the officers still called to us to go to our cellar. But, as we had not been hit yet, we did not heed further than respect for them, induced us to retire till they were out of sight. As artillery wagons, cavalry and infantry dashed along, pell mell upon each other, we failed to observe the men dropping into nook and corner wherever an opening offered. The last time we were ordered to our cellar, we inquired for the meaning of this rush, they replied they were only changing fronts, but urged our retreat to the cellar. We again turned in, but only to re-appear, when lo! Horses and men were falling under the enemy's charge, and our own garments grazed by bullets. We fell back, as if met by a storm, locked the door and made for the cellar, where we had placed my aged parents several hours before. Passing through to the inside cellar door we spied a soldier couched in the open door of a back porch. I inquired if he was wounded, he said, "slightly," and if invited would go with us to the cellar. We regarded him simply as a slightly wounded man, and so invited him; but my first thought was to repair to the cellar window to take in the situation; my first sight was a space of thirty or forty feet. Then, instead of the Blue, the Grey. Their leader, hatless, with long hair standing on edge, furious yelling and firing, curdling one's blood as the situation flashed upon us. In this moment of time our soldier had concealed his gun in a stovepipe, which stood in a corner, and his knapsack in the ashes of a fire place and himself under a potato bin. When I announced the situation, he said it will come all right, only please cover me with these chips. I began to pile on him the kindling near by, but the outer door opened and down came a rebel captain and two privates. The latter began to explore the cellar, whilst the captain very politely inquired whether there were any "Yankees" here. In this perilous situation there was no time for deliberation, but somehow, rather assuming than trying to conceal anxiety, I replied, "We are all here, I suppose you call us all 'Yankees.'" He said he meant soldiers in arms, as they overtook them they rushed into hiding places and they must hunt them out. By this time the other two came very near my "Yankee," and as he was not well concealed, I sprang between them and him, assuming nervous anxiety for my aged parents, which was a part, inasmuch as we knew not the consequence, if the soldier should be discovered. The captain, evidently moved with compassion ordered them to pass on up-stairs, "all is right here," he said Then to us, he said, "We must search the house, but come with us and see that nothing will be disturbed." But so glad to get them out of the cellar, I said, "Go where you please," and as soon as they were out we more securely covered up the Yankee. And though they searched every few hours, he escaped* whilst 2,500 others were marched to Libby and Andersonville. With these were three of our citizens, who a year after were liberated from Libby and sent home. Two of them were not recognized by their families and friends. The other never seemed to recognize his home and died a mute two weeks after his arrival. *The secreted Yankee still lives to relate his narrow escape, in Titusville, Pa. Lawyer Leander Wilcox. AFTER THE RETREAT, General Howard with his remaining force took position on Cemetery Hill and our town was a mass of rebels. Only now the order which had been given in the morning by General Reynolds, for those residing on the west side of the town to remove to the north or east side, reached us. My cousin, Bell M. Stewart, who was with us (from Westmoreland County, attending the Female Seminary), and my father, were very anxious to try to go. She had a large trunk containing her wardrobe, probably provided for a year's wear. This she commenced analyzing, and after putting two full suits on her person with a number of extras, she secured a pillow or bolster case, packed and stuffed it until she succeeded in stowing into it and an ordinary sized band-box, every article of her goods. Taking one under each arm she started for the door. My father followed her. They succeeded in getting my mother and me outside the door and the door locked behind us, with a promise from the rebels (who were urging us to go) that nothing should be disturbed (?). But what now, where and how could we go? I spied a neighbor at his door and ran to him and requested him to help me dissuade my father. Together we prevailed on him and my cousin to return to our house and cellar and share the fate of the Yankee, trusting the Supreme Ruler to guide and guard. And our gratitude to Him who so directed and preserved us is everlasting. When night approached we locked our doors and retired to our rooms, listened to the picket firing all through the night, undisturbed till break of day, then we heard an effort to open the back door, and to prevent them breaking in I hastened to open it. Two roughs, supposed to be Louisiana Tigers, stood there and demanded a light to "search for Yankees." I remonstrated, informing them that their officers had repeatedly searched the day before. They swore at their officers and said they would search for themselves. I proposed to go for a light, at the same time slipping to the cellar to see that the Yankee was still secure. While absent my father entered the room, one of them approached him, pointing his gun to father's breast, demanded fifty dollars. He told him he had not fifty in the house. Then the fellow said, "Give me what you have." Father took out his pocket- book containing only three dollars, and handed it over. Then swearing at him, they left. Our first concern now was to secret the Yankee in a more secure place. This being done, I went to the front door to report these desperadoes. Two officers stood before the door, and on seeing me commenced inquiry concerning the deed on the street. I reported the conduct of the two men. They said I should have come to the door immediately and sent word by any one to General Rhodes on the next corner, Middle Street. But they assured me we should be guarded another night. Accordingly, Captain Kitchen, I think of North Carolina, came and presented the men who were to protect our house. We were not again disturbed in two succeeding night and days. The last night they asked permission for the ambulance officers to occupy our porch to superintend the bringing in of their wounded from the Southwestern part of the field. This movement, however, was only the beginning of their retreat. On the second day there was nothing but picket firing until 4 P.M. Hence citizens and surgeons were busy looking after the wounded. Our front door bell rang. I went and opened. My glad surprise on seeing a Union officer in the midst of such a scene, I can never express. It was Dr. Heard of Boston, and Dr. Bache, of Philadelphia, both members of Reynolds' staff. They were held as prisoners in the rebel lines during the battle, but allowed to be on hospital duty. They lodged in our house after this until they were ordered to join their Regiment on the morning of the 5th. After 4 P.M., 100 rebel guns opened their belching throats and sent their screaming missiles over us. They were quickly responded to be as many more from the center and left wing of our lines. The work of those hours from 4 to 9 o'clock the fearful charges the alternate advances and repulsed, first upon the left and then upon the right the volleys of musketry on Culp's Hill, the terrible roar of which, combined with that of two or three hundred guns, to those between the armies, was like to an anticipation of "the rending of the Heavens and the crashing of worlds." Thankful we were, when informed that the battle was over for the night, though only to be renewed by daybreak in the morning. At 4 A.M. of the 3rd we were startled by the first gun, and so quickly was this signal answered that a very short time elapsed before we were again in our accustomed retreat, the cellar. The noise soon resumed the convulsive intensity of the previous evening. We became anxious about the surgeons in an upper room; after 6 o'clock we called them. They had been up watching the direction of the cheers and shots and did not wish to disturb us. We have them a light breakfast; one of them, was too solicitous to eat. They hurried off to their duty and had scarcely made to their exit, when a shell entered the room in which they had slept, tearing away the mantel, across the bed, leaving not a vestige of clothing upon it. And as my cousin and I were returning from the breakfast room to the cellar, another shell entered that room above the mantel, demolishing everything in its way, carting the weight if a clock into an opposite partition, and breaking everything on the table, even the forks. We could hardly be expected to have attained by this time the degree of composure manifested by General Howard the day before. While sitting on a tombstone reading a message, a shell bursting beside him, defacing the stone, yet it was said his eyes were not diverted from his paper. But it is truly marvelous what a calming effect such terrific scenes and emergencies, resulting from the contending powers of right and wrong, do have upon humanity. Every entering shell, with its increased demonstration of destruction, only imparted new vigor and fortitude to our patriotism. All this day the 300 guns continued their fearful work, only interrupted by two or three lulls, during which the bellowing of cattle and the mournful chirping of birds and fowls produced a sad refrain. In the afternoon our rebel guests became reticent; they gave us no more information. They were evidently preparing to retreat. Time and space are insufficient to tell of their shrewd manoeuvring in the evening to cover their prospective march. Many were the incidents of this day, even the effect of which may ever remain untold. But oh! that we would convey an idea of the glorious "4th of July" that dawned open Gettysburg after the night of the 3d. When the voices of citizens were again heard greeting each other from their chamber windows, as if they had just been resurrected from an untold ordeal to breathe their native atmosphere. Altho' the army had disappeared and ours could not venture rashly in, for we were still under fire of sharp- shooters covering their retreat, we could not be certain of the glad tidings of victory which had already reached those most distant parts of our country. Now began the influx of strangers and friends from every State, on the sad mission of search for their loved ones among the wounded and dead, alas! Too sad here to relate. And now, dear friends, allow me to close by adding that after burying my parents, my father aged 86 and my mother 94, I left Gettysburg to reside, at least for a time, in Johnstown, with my cousin, who shared the battle durance with me, as well as later days of trial. Of our flood experience, many of you know, Yes, through this, too, we were wonderfully protected by the same kind Hand which "--plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm." C.M.W.F