Bios: Rev James Latta,  - 1801: Lancaster County 

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  Southern Lancaster County Historical Society.    

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    --- The following submitted courtesy of Southern Lancaster County 
Historical Society, P. O. Box 33 , Quarryville, Pa. 17566 
 e- mail at SLCHS@aol.com  Typed by Marie Malark


 REV. JAMES LATTA was pastor of Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church , and also
 principal for some years of an academy held there.  His pastorate began in 1771,
 and covered a period of thirty years.  When he was called to the charge his
 salary was fixed at £100 Pennsylvania currency, and this was never increased
 and sometimes was not paid in full.  He manifested a deep interest in the cause
 of the American Independence.  On one occasion he accompanied the soldiers on
 their campaign, and also acted as chaplain for some time.  In 1785 he vigorously
 defended the church incorporation acts, and this action on his part incensed 
 a number of the members of his congregation against him.  He advocated the
 introduction of Watt's Psalmody in church service, but they were not adopted
 into general use, until years after his death.  He received the degree of Doctor
 of Divinity from the University of Pennsylvania.  His death occurred in January,
 1801.  Francis Latta, his son, was pastor of the same church from 1810 to 1825.