USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 144
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208
These streams furnish a plentiful irriga- tion and excellent water-power for the nu- merous mills. The cereals are now grown with great success in Lower Chanceford.
More wheat is raised to the acre within the past few years than was raised on ten acres half a century ago. Since 1875 tobacco has been cultivated. It is now one of the most important farming products. The land grows an excellent quality and yields abund- antly.
The census of 1880 gave Lower Chanceford a population 2,475. The real estate valuation in 1884 was $570,139; number of taxables, 719.
TAXABLE LIST OF 1783.
The following is a complete list of the names of taxable inhabitants of Chanceford and Lower Chanceford in 1783, together with the number of persons in each family, amount and valuation of property :
Valuation.
Thomas Allison, 60 acres, 2 horses, 7 persons. £50 John Arnold, 50 acres, 1 horse, 6 persons . 40
William Adams, 2 horses, 3 persons 12 William Allcock, 160 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons William Anderson, 28 acres, 1 horse, 4 persons James Alexander, 70 acres 201 30 50 Hugh Adams, 80 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. 49 Martin Armstrong, 158 acres, 1 horse, 4 persons Joseph Allison, 80 acres, 1 horse, 1 person .... Henry Adams, 2 horses, 5 persons. . Henry Alexander, 2 horses, 8 persons .. 26 10 38 24 John Andrew, 250 acres, 4 horses, 11 persons. . Mathew Adams, 175 acres, 2 horses, 9 persons. James Airs, 150 acres, 1 horse, 2 persons. .. William Adams, 573 acres, 3 horses, 11 persons George Burgholder, 100 acres, 2 horses, 1 ferry, Fullodon Bridges, 6 persons. 3 persons. 182 111 89 316 135 2 150
Wm. Buchanan, 233 acres, 2 horses, 7 persons. John Buchanan, 1 horse, 3 persons. 10
Christian Burgholder, 70 acres, 1 horse, 4 per- sons ..
Joseph Burgess, 207 acres, 1 horse, 1 mill ... .. 138
John Buchanan, Sr., 150 acres, 2 horses, 9 per- sons ..
Robert Blain, 220 acres, 3 horses, 6 persons .. . Christian Baker, 120 acres, 2 horses, 1 oil-mill, 4 persons.
William Barnes, 1 horse, 4 persons ..
Charles Bradshaw, 150 acres, 2 horses, 12 per- sons .
Abraham Burgholder, 112 acres, 3 horses, 6 persons 98
Robert Blain, heirs of Coopers, 200 acres .. 100 77
John Conrad, 9 persons
Michael Cauffman, 60 acres 60
George Cross, 80 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. 126
Henry Crowell, 2 horses, 4 persons. 25
Peter Crowell, 88 acres, 2 horses, 2 persons .. 48 124
Andrew Coon, 150 acres, 3 horses, 7 persons . .
Jacob Coon, 88 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons ... Adams Coon, 60 acres, 2 horses, 7 persons. 60 55 45
John Cooster, 40 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons.
George Christ, 150 acres, 1 horse, 2 persons .. . 90 82 i co
Michael Coon, 100 acres, 2 horses, 8 persons .. John Canady, 2 persons.
Christian Crailly, 80 acres.", 35
John Coon, 208 acres, 2 horses, 11 persons . 131
Christian Coon, 1 horse, 3 persons .. 20
Widow Campbell, 160 acres, 2 horses, 4 persons 83
William Crarry, 60 acres, 1 horse, 1 ferry, 6
persons 293
103 143 90 20 103
Adam Cunningham, 132 acres, 2 horses, 5 per- sons ..
FINLEY GRAY.
DAVID MCKINLY. NATHANIEL MORGAN.
7-10
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
Valuation.
Jas. Craigmiles, 225 acres, 3 horses, 10 persons £146 Wm. Kelley, 208 acres, 3 horses, 10 persons ... 164 John Caldwell, 117 acres, 1 horse, 7 persons .. . 86 John Commons, 2 horses, 8 persons. 25 Widow Cowley, 100 acres, 6 persons. 55 John Cage, 2 horses, 8 persons 25
Rev. James Clarkson, 165 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons 118
John Cornelius, 1 horse, 9 persons. 12
James Duncan, 250 acres, 3 horses, 9 persons. .
140
John Duncan (Smith) 132 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons ..
James Douglas, 40 acres, 1 horse, 5 persons. . . 127 Wm. Donnelly, 60 acres, 1 horse, 3 persons .. . 136
Alexander Downing, 250 acres, 3 horses, 5 per- sons 160
John Donnelly, 60 acres, 2 horses, 10 persons. William Dougherty, 336 acres, 3 horses, 4 per- sons. .
40
212 Wm. Douglass, 300 acres, 3 horses, 10 persons James Downing, 200 acres, 1 person. 200 100 Phillip Elias, 4 persons .. 11 76
George Elias, 100 acres, 2 horses, 7 persons .. . .
Samuel Elder, 131 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons ... 75
James Elder, 138 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. 115
Widow Evens, 30 acres, 1 horse, 3 persons. John Elder, 131 acres.
Solomon Folk, 1 horse, 4 persons.
John French, 40 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons, 1 still.
254
Robert Fullerton, 100 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons 71
Samuel Fullerton, 1 horse, 6 persons ..
15
Richard Freeborn, 6 persons ..
John Fullerton, 333 acres, 1 slave, 3 horses, 6 persons, 1 still.
251
James Fellow, 150 acres. 1 horse, 3 persons. . 91
James Fulton, 160 acres, 2 slaves, 2 horses, 5 persons
180
John Fullerton, Sr., 100 acres, 1 servant, 2 horses, 3 persons.
74 94
Wm. Fullerton, 144 acres, 3 horses, 10 persons Thomas Gowan, 130 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. 96 Robert Gobble, 8 persons .. 5
Thomas Graham, 1-horse, 5 persons. 13
Barnard Good, 30 acres, 2 persons. . 18
Thomas Grove, 100 acres, 1 horse, 6 persons .. 74
William Greer, 80 acres. 2 horses, 3 persons. . 65
John Grove, 190 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons. 126
Robert Gill, 1 person ...
George Gibson, 1 horse, 8 persons . 13
Jacob Grove, 150 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. 104
Joseph Klein, 200 acres, 1 horse, 1 person. 118
Mathew Gelgore, 350 acres, 1 slave, 5 horses, 9 persons. 307
Jas. Henderson. 180 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons. Henry Herrot, 2 horses, 7 persons .
122
Wm. Houlton, 123 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons. . Charles Holmes, 419 acres, 4 horses, 4 persons. James Hill, 220 acres, 1 horse, 5 persons. ..... 761 George Henry, 150 acres, 2 horses, 9 persons. . 103
118 249
John Henderson, 200 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons 120
Samuel Hannah, 80 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons .. 76 William Hendry, 300 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons 195
John Henderson, weaver, 150 acres, 2 horses, 4 persons .. 100 14
John Henderson, cooper, 1 horse,,5 persons ... Widow Henry, 1 horse, 1 person. 8
209
Joseph Houlton, 240 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons. Hugh Henderson, 50 acres . 25 Wm. Owens, 20 acres 33 38
Thos. Johnston, 100 acres, 2 horses, 3 persons. Joseph Jackson, 810 acres, 4 horses. 8 persons Wm. Johnson, 158 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons. . John Kirkwood, 50 acres, 2 horses, 2 persons, 1 chair. 1 mill, 2 stills 55
Thos. Kirkwood, 30 acres, 2 horses, 7 persons 29
Belthaser Kieth, 120 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons £85 George Keener, 90 acres, 1 horse, 4 persons .. 55 Lodwig Kieth, 30 acres, 1 horse, 6 persons ... 26 Patrick Kill, 130 acres. 2 horses, 8 persons. . . Thomas Kelly, 761 acres, 2 slaves, 3 horses, 3 persons 606 55 87
88
John Kirkwood, 60 acres, 1 horse, 2 persons .. . Conrad Lookup, 150 acres, 2 horses, 4 persons Wm. Leaman, 130 acres, 2 horses, 4 persons. . 103 36 John Leekey, 3 horses, 7 persons. . 86 Widow Little, 100 acres, 2 horses, 3 persons .. . James Leaper, 180 acres, 3 horses, 6 persons. . 145 Wm. Long. 250 acres, 4 horses, 4 persons. 197 John Lush, 280 acres, 3 horses, 8 persons .. 203
James Logue, 350 acres, 1 servant, 3 horses, 7 persons
193
George List, 122 acres, 2 horses, 8 persons. James Lavid, 250 acres, 2 horses, 2 persons. .. John McCall, 100 acres. 3 horses, 6 persons. . Wm. McGuffy, 200 acres, 2 horses, 5 persous. Widow McClurg, 150 acres, 2 horses. 4 persons Wm. McCalla, 178 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. . Wm. Maxwell, 210 acres, 1 horse, 6 persons .. . Stephen Mckinley, 337 acres, 5 horses, 9 per- sons
John Marlin, 334 acres, 1 slave, 2 horses, 3 persons .
Toal McCalister, 2 persons.
Widow Marlin, 365 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons. John Menary, 150 acres, 3 horses, 11 persons. Samuel Martin, 3 horses, 4 persons ..
Frederick McPherson, 63 acres, 1 horse, 8 per- sons .
18 53
Wm. Morrison, Sr., 300 acres, 4 horses, 1 still, 7 persons. .
Wm. Mccullough, 2 horses, 7 persons.
John McCandless, 112 acres, 2 horses, 6 per. sons
Wm. Morrison, Jr., 250 acres, 3 horses, 6 per- sons
James Marshall, 250 acres, 3 horses, 8 persons. John McQuon, 1 horse, 2 persons .. .
Michael McAfee, 69 acres, 1 horse, 8 persons. James Martin, 1 horse, 6 persons.
Widow McMollon, 40 acres, 3 persons.
Alexander McCurdy, 1 horse, 3 persons.
Robert McClennon (blind), 100 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons.
Patrick McGee, 300 acres, 2 horses, 2 persons. John Mitchel, 230 acres, 4 horses, 6 persons .. . Andrew McCleary, 250 acres, 1 slave, 4 horses, 6 persons.
Wm. Maughlin, 248 acres, 4 horses, 7 persons. John Mcclennon, 2 horses, 5 persons. .
Daniel Newman, 1 horse, 4 persons ..
George Newburg, 150 acres, 1 horse, 3 persons, 1 ferry. 108 13
Samuel Nelson, 208 acres, 1 slave, 3 horses, 9 persons.
792
John Olrich, 50 acres, 1 horse, 2 persons.
George Orson, 420 acres, 3 horses, 5 persons, 1 ferry 307
Benjamin Pedan, Esq., 307 acres, 1 slave, 5 horses, 10 persons .. 283
Robert Pendry. 1 horse, 3 persons.
James Pedan, 151 acres, 3 horses. . 123
James Porter, 60 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. 55
268 21 107 202 148 8 46 15 20 10 79 183 179 267 171 20 Wm. McDowell, 185 acres, 1 horse, 4 persons. John Michael, 259 acres ..
120 125 140 125 8
Wm. McCandless, 229 acres, 3 horses, 6 per- sons.
Moses McWharter, 2 horses.
James Nichelson, 1 horse, 2 persons ..
Leonard Isenhouer, 150 acres, 2 horses, 4 per- sons. 126 101 593 95
Valuation.
John Lavid, 900 acres, 2 slaves, 4 horses, 5 persous 598 86 153 99 145 104 107
222
25 86 12
226 3 203 110 21 Thomas Mathess, 2 horses, 3 persons.
Same M. Ercan
1
741
LOWER CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP.
Valuation.
Archibald Purdy, 50 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons £50 Andrew Paxton, 146 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons 105
Wm. Pollock, 100 acres, 3 horses, 2 persons .. . 80 John Ports, 1 horse, 6 persons. 35.
David Parker, 1 horse 10
John Patterson, 161 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons. 112
Nicholas Quigley, 15 acres, 3 horses, 4 persons Henry Robinson, 188 acres, 2 horses, 4 persons
51
John Reed, 300 acres, 4 horses, 4 persons ... 18
Wm. Ross. 843 acres, 2 slaves, 5 horses, 5 per- sons, 2 stills 693
Widow Reed, 1 horse, 6 persons.
Walter Robinson, 100 acres. 50
Wm. Rea, 4 persons 3
Martin Robert, 188 acres, 3 horses, 9 persons. 139
Wm. Read, 310 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons .. 309 Thomas Rea, 75 acres, 1 horse, 7 persons .. 75 206
John Rippy, 300 acres, 3 horses, 6 persons. Wm. Reed. 2 horses, 3 persons .. 30
Joseph Robb, 342 acres, 3 horses, 13 persons. 223
James Robinson, 240 acres, 1 servant, 3 horses, 10 persons. 169
Joseph Read, Esq., 165 acres, 4 horses, 1 mill, 9 persons .. 207 Thomas Ramsay, 235 acres, 2 horses, 8 persons. 172 James Ramsey, 100 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons. 80 Thomas Scott 150 acres, 1 horse, 4 persons. . .. 90 Robert Smith, 355 acres, 3 horses, 9 persons. 256
Allen Scott, 150 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons .. 96 Robert Stewart, 250 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons. . 195 Hugh Sprout, 350 acres, 4 horses, 5 persons. 119
75
Robert Shaw, 150 acres, 2 horses, 4 persons.
117
Rowling Stewart, 64 acres, 1 horse, 4 persons ..
40
Peter Snyder, 50 acres, 1 horse, 2 persons. 33 Andrew Stealy, 1 horse, 7 persons 10 Stephen Stealy, 30 acres, 1 horse, 5 persons. 32 Widow Smith, 130 acres. .. 65
Jacob Spots, 150 acres, 3 horses, 5 persons. 116
Jacob Steally, 150 acres, 3 horses, 5 persons. 121
Daniel Sinclear, 140 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. . 112 James Stewart, 200 acres, 3 horses, 3 persons. . . 136 Gawin Scott, 400 acres, 2 slaves, 3 horses, 8 per- sons. 366
Archibald Shaw, 100 acres, 2 horses, 3 persons. 86 John Stewart, 345 acres, 2 horses, 8 persons. 214 Samuel Stewart, 50 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. . 50 John Smith, 240 acres, 1 horse, 9 persons. 134 Peter Sangry, 180 acres, 2 horses, 9 persons. 126
Casper Sailor, 166 acres, 2 horses. 10 persons 199 James Spear, 140 acres, 2 horses, 8 persons 100 William Stewart, 150 acres, 2 horses, 6 persons. 105 Patrick Smith, 100 acres, 3 horses, 9 persons ... 85 James Turk, 193 acres, 3 horses, 6 persons .. 136
Ephraim Turk, 123 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons. . 90 Alexander Turner, 60 acres, 4 horses, 8 persons. 120 John Thatcher, 350 acres, 4 horses, 7 persons. . 213 George Thompson, 2 horses, 5 persons ... 20
Thomas Wilson, 206 acres, 2 horses, 5 persons .. 165 Isaac Williams, 259 acres, 3 horses, 3 persons .. 180 Matthew Wallace, 200 acres, 3 horses, 7 persons 149 Widow Wilson. 100 acres, 1 horse, 1 person .... 68
James Wiley, 100 acres, 3 horses, 5 persons. 95
Samuel Woods, 20 acres, 2 horses, 7 persons. . 27
John Winter, 140 acres, 2 horses, 3 persons, 1 saw-mill .. 91
Moses Wallace, 1 horse.
James Wryburn, 80 acres.
John Wyley, 60 acres, 1 horses, 4 persons. 45
SINGLE MEN.
James Cunningham. Emanual Reichard.
Samuel McClorg.
William Johnston.
David McKinley. William Sprout.
Isaac McCewin. John McCreary.
Samuel Sprout. Robert Nelson.
James Sprout. James Patterson.
William Wilson.
Martin Robert.
William Buchanau.
Robert Armstrong.
John Sinclair.
James Wyley. William McCall.
Alexander Craigmiles.
Daniel Filloon.
John Hill.
John Kelley.
James Long.
William Elder.
William McKee.
Thomas Lush.
Phillip Maxwell.
David Duglass.
Andrew Stewart.
Andrew Forgeson.
Joseph Glen.
Joseph Reed.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Chanceford Presbyterian Church. -- This church is located a short distance southeast of the village of Airville, and its early his. tory was intimately connected with the Slate Ridge Church, of Peach Bottom Township, the two congregations, being served by the same pastors for many years. The exact time of its organization could not be accur- ately ascertained, though references are made to it in official records as early as 1760. The first settlers of this interesting section were a very worthy class of Scotch-Irish, many of whose descendants are now members of this church. The first house of worship was known as "the tent," which was removed and a substantial church built. The present church was built in 1850. This one is soon to give place to a new one.
Rev. John Strain was installed pastor in 1762, and served until his death in 1774. Rev. John Slemons was installed in 1781, and his pastoral relation dissolved in 1799. Rev. Samuel Martin, D. D., was installed in 1799, pastoral relation dissolved in 1845, and he died the same year. Rev. John Farquhar was ordained and installed in 1846, and died in 1866. He was highly educated. Some of his published sermons and other writings are of rare merit. Sketches of the clergy- men preceding him, will be found in the history of the Slate Ridge Church in this work. The next pastor was Rev. Robert Gamble, who was installed in April, 1867, and served until September 20, 1882. Rev. C. B. Cross, present pastor, was installed in September, 1883. He is a graduate of Princeton.
The present parsonage is located near the church, surrounded by ten acres of church- land. The congregation is large, and com - posed of an intelligent and prosperous people.
In the adjoining large cemetery rest remains of the former members of this church, including a number of Revolutionary pa- triots.
The United Presbyterian Church .- This
-
Robert Marlin. John McCall.
- Thomas McCreary.
Samuel Shaw. John Adams.
Thomas Duncan. William Davis. Peter Smith.
118
Jonas Sour, 100 acres, 1 horse, 8 persons. .
742
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
church body was organized in 1858, at Pitts- burgh, by the union of the Associate Pres- byterian and Associate Reformed Presbyte- rian Churches, whose history runs back into Scotland, as Covenanters and Associates (Seceders).
The present members in York County, are the descendants of Presbyterians, who im- migrated to this country from the Province of Ulster and county of Antrim, the Scotch- Protestant districts of North Ireland. The rise of rents and tithes and several bad har- vests from 1724 to 1729, and the oppression of the government, led many to immigrate to America. Four thousand and two hun- dred sailed in three years. A number sold themselves for four years to pay their pas- sage. Some of them arrived in York County as squatters, in 1723, and as settlers in 1732. A part of them were from Scot- land. Their first religious services were held in dwelling houses and in tents.
The church at Airville' was organized March 27, 1771. William Gabby and Dan- iel Sinclair were elected ruling elders. The Rev. John Cuthbertson had preached occa- sionally in that locality, for about twenty years previous to this time, and after the or- ganization, he frequently officiated.
A Remarkable Missionary .- Rev. Cuth- bertson seems to have been a remarkable trav- eling missionary through Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and Connecticut. He arrived in this country from Scotland, in 1751, and landed at Newcastle, Del. He kept a diary, in which he reports having preached during the first year, 120 days, bap- tized 10 children, married 10 couples, and rid- den on horseback 2,500 miles, exposed to all the dangers of frontier life. He preached in private houses and in tents. Some of these tents, he writes, were located in groves, with an elevated platform for the speaker, and board nailed against a tree to support the Bible. Thus did this apostolic man toil for thirty-nine years, during which time he preached 2,452 days, baptized 1,806 children, married 240 couples, rode on horseback about 70,000 miles, or nearly equal to three times around the globe. The last year of his life was spent in York and Lancaster Counties. He died in 1791, aged seventy- five years, and his dust now rests in an un- pretentious graveyard, on the peaceful banks of the Octorara Creek, in Lancaster County.
Anecdotes of Rev. Cuthbertson .- He was very highly revered by the people with whom he worked, and many interesting stories are related of him, which were transmitted to posterity by former generations. A few, to
illustrate that there was a vein of humor in his nature, should be related: He was once asked if it were wrong to sing songs, when he answered in his broad Scotch, that he thought it would not be wrong to sing "I love Lillie and Lillie loves me." It is also said that if any one made an excuse that the table was not well supplied, or that the ac- commodations were not good, he would say, "None of your sunful excuses." He was very fond of a cup of tea, especially after a fatiguing day's journey on horseback. As tea was a very rare article then in this coun- try, he was accustomed to carry it with him in his saddlebags, for his own use. Arriv- ing at his stopping place in this county, while on a trip westward, late one evening. he handed the precious parcel to the lady of the house, asking her to prepare some for supper. She complied cheerfully, emptying the entire contents into a kettle of water, boiled well, carefully drained off the liquid and served up the leaves after the manner of greens. When the reverend guest per- ceived the error as he commenced to par- take of his meal, he exclaimed, in character- istic Scotch, "Dear woman, if you had gi'en me the broth, you might have had the kale." At one time he says he traveled eleven miles searching for a wagon to borrow. Such ve-
hicles were very scarce then.
Early Members and Clergymen .- Some of the first members of this church in 1774, were William Wilson, George Buchanan, Hugh Ross, William Smith, James Ander- son, Samuel Dickson, William Fullerton, Samuel Nelson, William Maughlin and Al- exander Ewing.
Revs. Lind and Dobbins preached as sup- plies until the arrival of Rev. Charles Camp- bell, of Stewarstown, Ireland, who was in- stalled in 1801. Lower Chanceford and Hopewell were in one charge, and so con- tinued until the year 1858. Rev. Campbell died in 1804, at the age of thirty-six.
Rev. Josiah Wilson became pastor in 1808, and died in 1812. He lived near Muddy Creek Forks, on the farm now occupied by Francis Grove. There was no regular pas- tor then until 1843, when Rev. D. B. Jones was ordained and installed. During the thirty-one years without pastoral care, the congregation became much weakened. . Some families met for worship during this inter- val. Mr. Jones remained until 1847, and was soon afterward succeeded by Rev. Will- iam Carlisle, who resigned in 1856. In May, 1857, Rev. Joseph Boyd was called and remained one year.
There was at this time, an Associate Pres-
743
LOWER CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP.
byterian congregation in Lower Chanceford, connected with the Guinston charge. In 1858 this congregation united with the one at Air- ville, and formed the United Presbyterian Church of Lower Chanceford. The pas- tors since that have been Rev. T. F. Baird, from 1861 to 1865, when he died. Rev. D. G. Bruce, from 1869 to 1872, when he re- signed. Rev A. S. Aiken was ordained and installed on the 29th of April, 1875, and is the present efficient pastor. To him we are indebted for much of this information.
In the old "Nelson Graveyard," one-half mile below Airville, on the York and Peach Bottom wagon road, rest the remains of many of the early covenanters of this sec- tion. There is now a new cemetery adjoin- ing the remodeled church in the village. This, and the church, are surrounded by a beautiful grove of oak trees. The present church building was erected in 1843. A neat and cozy parsonage belonging to the congregation was erected in 1884.
Pine Grove] Presbyterian Church .- This church is situated in Lower Chanceford on the wagon road, leading from York to Peach Bottom, twenty-five miles southeast of the former and five miles northwest of the latter place, and equi-distant from the Presbyterian Churches of Lower Chanceford, Slate Ridge and Slateville.
Rev. Samuel Park, who had completed and resigned a pastorate of forty years in Slate Ridge Church, began to hold meetings in the vicinity of Pine Grove Schoolhouse in 1851, preaching every alternate Sabbath af- ternoon in private houses, and subsequently in Pine Grove Schoolhouse. July 28, 1853, a few Presbyterian families, residing in that vicinity, who felt the inconvenience of the distance to be traveled over in reach- ing the churches above named, resolved upon erecting a church edifice (40x35 feet) on land donated by James Barnett. The building was finished in 1857, and October 30, 1857, the church of Pine Grove was organ- ized by a committee of Presbytery appoint- ed for that purpose. There were then five members and two ruling elders. These eld- ers, whose names are James Barnett and Herman Snyder, yet live and continue to of- ficiate in the capacity for which they were chosen. Other elders, as circumstances re- quired, were elected and ordained, whose names were James McKay, Thomas Norris, Enas F. Barnett and Daniel Shenk. Mr. Mc- Kay, who was elected an elder in 1858, died in 1864. The session, as now constituted, con- sists of four elders: James Barnett, Herman Snyder, Enas F. Barnett and Daniel Shenk.
The deaconate was introduced into this church in 1876 also. The names of those who have served in this capacity are D. J. Barnett, Alexander Monroe, Jr., Richard Ruff, S. P. Snyder and G. T. Barnett.
There have been received to membership in this church seventy-six persons; the re- movals by death and otherwise number forty- one, leaving, at this date, a membership of thirty-five.
The Rev. Samuel Park continued to preach to this people up to 1859. The Rev. T. M. Crawford, then pastor of the Slateville church, and the present occupant of the pul- pit of Pine Grove, has ever since 1859, in the main, supplied the Pine Grove pulpit, excepting two and one-half years, included in 1871, 1872 and 1873 when it was occupied by Rev. Alexander F. Morrison, who was at the same time pastor of New Harmony church, and excepting also four and one-half years in the aggregate, when Rev. Sam- uel Park, Rev. John Farquhar, pastor of Lower Chanceford church, and Rev. Robert Gamble, his successor at Lower Chanceford, and Rev. J. D. Smith, successor of Rev. Samuel Park at Slate Ridge, and Rev. D. M. Davenport, successor of Rev. T. M. Crawford at Slateville-were at different stages of the church's history associated, and took their turns with Mr. Crawford in supplying the pulpit at Pine Grove.
This church has its Sabbath-school, prayer. meetings and ladies' missionary societies, and has been contributing statedly to all the objects of benevolence recommended by the General Assemblyof the Presbyterian Church.
Airville Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church embraces Salem, McKendree, Pros- pect and Bethel Churches. The first two are in this township, the third in Fawn and the last in Chanceford. The entire member- ship is about 400. There is a Sunday-school in each of the four churches, whose aggregate membership is 600 pupils. The original name of the charge was Castle Fin Circuit, which name was held from 1825 to 1883, when the present name was adopted. June, 1825, to 1840, Castle Fin Circuit included the present charges in Harford County, Md., Shrews- bury, Stewartstown and Wrightsville. The parsonage was located near Castle Fin, and was burned in 1872. In 1877 a parsonage was built at Airville. The following is a list of the pastors of this circuit from 1825 to 1885:
Revs. P. D. Lipscomb, John Monroe, R. Barnes, James Ewing, William Butler, E. Nichodemus, Joseph Parker, Zech. Jordan, John W. Cronin, William Hank, Isaac Col-
744
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
lins, Penfield Doll, Asbury Harden, Oliver Ege, now the oldest member of Central Pennsylvania Conference; Thompson Mitch- ell, James R. Durborrow, George Berkstres- ser, Alfred Wiles, Joseph S. Morris, J. W. Cullum, John Stine, E. D. Owen, Samuel" Ellas, T. B. Lemon, John Mckinley, John McFarland, James A. Coleman, Samuel Cor- nelius, E. W. Kerby, Charles Clever, Asbury Rilley, John Anderson, Job A. Price, P. E. Watters, William G. Furgeson, Joseph S. Lee, J. F. Brown, Wesley Howe, John B. Mann, Albert Hartman, John S. Clarke, John A. McKindless, Elisha Butler, Harry White, Frederick Crever, John Z. Lloyd, Henry Webster, H. H. Minnich, Lewis H. Clarke, Thomas Wilcox, Josiah P. Long, Levi S. Crone and A. W. Decker.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.