BIO: William BERTRAM, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 168-169.
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  BERTRAM, WILLIAM, was born February 2, 1674, in the city of Edinburg, 
Scotland.  He received his education in the university of his native 
place, studied for the ministry, and was licensed by the Presbytery of 
Bangor, Ireland, who game him "ample testimonials of his ordination, 
ministerial qualifications, and regular Christian conversation."  He 
married, about 1706, Jane Gillespie, the widow of Angus McClain, and 
their children were, John, first, second and third, who died in 
infancy; Phebe, died at age of seventeen, and Elizabeth, married James 
Galbraith.  During one of those periodical political excitements in the 
British Isles, the son disappeared, and his parents, under the 
impression he had come to America, determined, if possible, to 
ascertain his whereabouts, and came to Pennsylvania about the year 
1730.  Failing in their search, they decided to remain in this country, 
and the following year we find the Rev. Mr. Bertram unanimously 
received by Donegal Presbytery, which he joined.  At the same time 
George Renick presented him an invitation to settle at Paxtang and 
Derry, which he accepted.  He was installed November 17, 1732, at the 
meeting-house on Swatara.  The congregations then appointed 
representatives, who executed to Bertram the right and title to the 
"Indian town tract," situated in Hanover township, on the north side of 
the Swatara, containing three hundred and fifty acres.  On the 
settlement of Rev. Bertram the congregation in Swatara took the name of 
Derry, and the upper congregation, on Spring creek, was styled Paxtang.  
In 1735, Mr. Bertram complained of the "intolerable burden" he was 
under with the two congregations, and September 13, 1736, he was 
released from the care of Paxtang.  The Rev. William Bertram died on 
the 2d of May, 1746, aged seventy-two, and his remains are interred in 
Derry church graveyard, his wife dying prior thereto.  He was a 
faithful minister of the gospel.  It may be stated that through his 
marriage with Miss Gillespie, his descendants became heirs to a 
handsome estate in Edinburg.  Efforts were made to secure this, but the 
difficulties inherent upon proving descent, we presume, have been the 
means of keeping the rightful parties from enjoying this patrimony.