History of the Rocky Spring Church : and addresses delivered at the centennial anniversary of the present church edifice, August 23, 1894, Part 6

Author: Wylie, S. S. (Samuel S.); Pomeroy, A. Nevin. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. : Franklin Repository Press
Number of Pages: 240


USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Chambersburg > History of the Rocky Spring Church : and addresses delivered at the centennial anniversary of the present church edifice, August 23, 1894 > Part 6


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Standing amid such associations what emotions .should stir our hearts today? Pride? Yes, indulge it, for who can boast a nobler ancestry than those of you who claim kinship with these heroic dead. Gratitude? Yes, deep and profound let it be, from all, for the loyal and helpful service the men of Presbyterian faith rendered the cause of American independence. Reverence? Yes, in abundant measure, for this people adorned their heroism with the noblest virtues and employed it in a sacred cause.


But better still, let us here enkindle our patriotism and pledge anew our devotion to the cause of human freedom, that we may the better guard the heritage bequeathed us. In no other way can we so well honor the memory and perpetuate the fame of the Presbyterians of the American Revolution.


THE HISTORIC FAMILIES OF THE CUMBERLAND


VALLEY.


. BY WILLIAM HENRY EGLE, M. D.


Among these representatives of theological and legal lore surrounding me, if I have not the eloquence of the one or the profoundness of the other, I trust that at least I may have your attention and interest in what I have to say in a cursory resume of the family history of this charming valley. Without any further prelude, you will pardon my abrupt launching forth with my subject-The Early Scotcli-Irish


Settlers of the Cambiatiand Volley, or, rather, it Historie Families.


On the eastern end of this valley, close to the water's edge, is a small one-story stone structure, known in Provin- cial or ante-Revolutionary days as the Kelso ferry-house, erected in 1734, of which we have positive knowledge, it yet remains, the oldest residence in this valley. From that land- mark, almost to the Pennsylvania-Maryland line, between years 1720 and 1740, families of Scotch-Irish extraction, the whose ancesters, after having been seated in the Province of Ulster, Ireland, for possibly two or three generations, emigrated to Pennsylvania, and became the pioneers of the Cumberland Valley, and from thence passing on to the com- munities South and West, to which they gave their own distinguishing characteristics. Many of the later genera- tion have exerted a marked and beneficent influence, in- dividually and as families, upon the material progress, the educational and religious advancement, and the political action of the several Commonwealths where they settled. Of much concerning them-of the martial spirit exhibited by them and their descendants upon the battlefields of their country-of the high positions they have held in the Coun- cils of the Nation, in the pulpit and the forum-it is not my province now to speak. The time is too brief to enter fully into the life-history of the early pioneers of this valley, and of the generations who have become famous in the annals of the States and the Nation. You will bear with me, however, in a rapid glance over the records of some of the early settlers-brave men and bright women-whose descendants have loomed up above others in many sections of our Union.


It may be interesting to note just here, that at a distance of about ten miles apart, were located the churches of the Scotch-Irish Presbyterian settlements. The first west of the Susquehanna was Silvers Spring Meeting House, fully ten miles distant from old Paxtang on the east side of the river,


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then Meeting House Spring, (Carlisle), followed by Big Spring, (Newville), Middle Spring, (Shippensburg), Rocky Spring and Falling Spring, (Chambersburg), ant Mossy Spring, (Greencastle). Around these magnificent springs, clustered at first, the Scotch-Irish settlers-and here they erected their churches and schools-and the allusion is thus made, that we may the better be guided in the reference to the historic families brought to our remembrance.


James Silvers and Richard Parker were probably the earliest permanent settlers in the valley, the former locating about 1720 at the Spring which yet bears his name, although so frequently named Silver Spring, instead of Silvers. His descendants went into the Shenandoah Valley prior to 1750, and in the female line intermarried with the First Families of Virginia. Richard Parker located near the glebe of Meeting House Springs on the Conodoguinet in 1725. His family became quite noted and influential in the early his- tory of the valley, aud were connected with the Dennys, Dunbars and Creighs, early settlers, and whose descendants have made their mark in Western Pennsylvania and other localities of our Union. Major Ebenezer Denny was a soldier of the Revolution, and his son Harmer Denny, who married a daughter of Gen. James O'Hara, was a member of Congress and of the State Constitutional Convention of 1837-8. Other members of this family were the late Rev. Thomas Creigh, D, D., of Mercersburg, and Rev. Joseph Alexander Murray, D. D., of Carlisle, both of whom were valient soldiers of the Cross-faithful ministers of the Gospel of Christ.


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Of the Armstrongs, there were two prominent families- that of John of Carlisle, and that of Joseph of Hamilton township, now in Franklin county. Of the history of Col. John Armstrong, the "Hero of the Kittaning," every Penn- sylvanian ought to be familiar, as also, with the services of his son, who rose to be a General in the War of the Revolu- tion. His descendants are more especially represented by


scattered in many States. just as prominent even though not crowned with such great wealth. The first Joseph .Arm- strong was an officer in the French and Indian War; and, strange to say, all the histories of the valley give the son


. the honor reaped by the father, the son being too young for the Indian wars, while the father died prior to the strug- gle for independence. The second Joseph Armstrong was a brave and gallant officer during the War of the Revolution, and his remains lie in yonder graveyard. Most of their descendants have gone out into the South and West, and, during the late conflict for supremacy of the Union laid down their noble lives in defence thereof.


At Big Spring, possibly as early as 1734, settled Archibald McAllister. His son Richard laid out the town of Hanover, York county, was a member of the Provincial Assembly and Colonel of one of the York County Battalions of Asso- ciators in the Revolution. Some of his children went to Georgia, and became quite prominent there-while of their descendants-Matthew Hale McAllister died as a Judge in California. Others were representatives in Congress, while one was for many years the acknowledged leader of the "Four Hundred" in New York City, Mr. Ward McAllister. One portion of the McAllister family went to Virginia, and with them the Mitchels and McKnights, also early settlers near the Big Spring. From these came that great distin- . guished soldier of the War of the Rebellion and famous astron- omer, General Ormsby Mcknight Mitchell, and whose daugli- ter now vies with Miss Proctor as the leading astronomer of today.


What family in the entire Colonies became more famous than the Butlers of the Cumberland Valley in the contest of 1776? Their fame is not restricted to this locality alone, but is national in its range. About 1745, Thomas Butler and Eleanor his wife, settled in West Peunsboro' township in the valley. Their five sons became eminently distinguished


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in the War for Independence; Richard, the oldest, was an Ensign in the French and Indian War, and entered the Revolutionary struggle as Major of the Eighth Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the same, and transferred to Morgan's Rifle Command in June 1777. This legion was composed of picked men de- tached from the several regiments of the Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia Lines. Soon after the Revolution, in the conflict with the Indians of the Northwest Territory, Colonel Butler was appointed by President Washington a Major-General under St. Clair, and was mortally wounded at the Miami disaster. William Butler became Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line. Thomas Butler entered the service as First Lieutenant of the Second Pennsylvania Battalion, became Captain in the Third Regiment of the Line and was in every action that was fought in the Middle States during the war. His in- trepid conduct at Brandywine in rallying a detachment of retreating troops, and his defending a defile in the face of a heavy fire from one of the enemy, at the battle of Monmouth, are noted incidents in our Revolutionary History. In the St. Clair expedition, against the Indians, he commanded a battalion and was seriously wounded-his surviving brother Edward removing him from the field with difficulty. Upon his recovery, he was continued in the military establishment and in 1794 was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel Coin- inandant of the Fourth sub-legion. Percival Butler served in the Pennsylvania Line, as a Lieutenant in the Second and Third Regiments. He removed to Kentucky and was Adjutant General in the, War of 1812. One of his sons, William O. Butler, was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Vice President in 1848. Edward Butler, the youngest of the brothers, was an officer in the Second, Fifth and Ninth Regiments of the Pennsylvania Line, serving with distinction in the contest. Under General Wayne he served in the Northwest in 1991, as his Adjutant General.


He removed to Teamore, where he died. All of the five brothers left numerous descendants, many of whom served meritoriously in the L'aited States Army and Navy. ·


It need not be here remarked that the Cumberland Valley was a nursery of brave officers of the Revolution-as well as of other wars. The records prove it, and it is to be regretted that some one, with the time and inclination, as well as love and fascination for the work, will not take up this interesting subject, that some of the historical scaven- gers who are today writing up American history, always to the disparagement of Pennsylvania and her people, may have their mental strabimus removed, and see what even the First Families of this lovely Valley alone have accomplished.


There were Irvines and Irwins, notably prominent among the early. settlers. Of the first named, we have General William Irvine, a hero of the Revolution, and a man around whose name there is a halo of martial glory which is to be honored and revered by every lover of his country. He served during the entire war with distinction, and was one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati. His brother-in-law, James R. Reid, was a Major in the war, and a member of the Continental Congress. Some of the Irvine family went to the Southward after the Revolution. As to the Irwins, James Irwin settled in the lower part of the val- ley prior to the formation of Cumberland county. Of his children, Archibald Irwin, was an officer in the French and Indian War and served in the Revolutionary struggle. He married Jean McDowell, and they were the ancestors of Ex- President Benjamin Harrison and the family of Governor Francis R. Shunk. To the family of Irwins, which settled in the Eastern portion of the valley we shall allude further on.


William Linn settled in Lurgan in 1736. His father fought on the side of "The Orange" at Boyne-water. His descendants became distinguished in every prominent walk in life. A grand son, Rev. William Linn, was a Chaplain in the Pennsylvania Line, and the first Chaplain of the


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children, a daughter married Charles Boekden Brown, the novelist: another, Simeon De Witt, Surveyor Gencall of the United States in 1706; while a son was the Rev John Blair Linn an eminent Presbyterian divine. In the fourth generation we have William Linn a noted lawyer and author; and the fifth in line of descent, my friend, Hon. John Blair Linn, of Bellefonte, the historian of the Buffalo Valley.


William McGaw came to Pennsylvania early in the "Seventeen Thirties." Of his children three became dis- tinguished. The eldest, Samuel, became a Minister of the Gospel, was made a Doctor of Divinity and was Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. Robert Magaw was a soldier in the Revolution and Colonel of the Fifth Penn- sylvania Battalion of the Line. He married Miss Van Brunt of Long Island, died at Carlisle in 1790, and was buried in Meeting-House Springs graveyard. Dr. William Magaw was Surgeon of Colonel William Thompson's Bat- talion of Riflemen in 1775-continued as Surgeon of the First Regiment of the Line, remaining in the service until January 1, 1783. He died at Meadville. All left decend- ants, but none reside in the valley.


Of the Chamberses, there were two distinct families-that of Falling Spring and that of Middlesex, both prominent in the history of the valley-both honored by distinguished representatives today. Of the brothers, James, Benjamin, Robert and Joseph Chambers, so much has been made familiar through the histories of Cumberland and Franklin counties, that it is necessary for me to only allude to their services in the War of Independence and that the bravest of the family rose from a Captain in Colonel William Thompson's Battalion of Riflemen to Colonel of the Tenth Regiment of the Line, subsequently transferred to the com- mand of the First Regiment. He was wounded at the « Battle of Brandywine. Colonel Chambers, title of "General" · came to him afterwards. The name of this family of Cham-


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bers is perpetuated in the naming of the beautiful town five miles distant. Of the Middlesex family of Chambers, Colonel William Chambers served with the militia in the Revolution, was a man of prominence in public affairs, and is represented in the fourth generation by that distinguished divine, Rev. Talbot W. Chambers, D.D., of New York City. Tobias Hendricks settled three miles east of Harrisburg, about 1729 or 1730. His grandson William Hendricks, enlisted the first company west of the Susquehanna for the contest for liberty. Within ten days after the reception of the news of the Battle of Lexington, and as soon as orders were received, he was on his march to join Washington's little army in front of Boston. His was one of the two Pennsylvania companies of expert riflemen which were ordered upon the Quebec expedition under Arnold. There the gallant Hen- dricks lost his life on the last day of the last month of the year 1775. From this family of Hendricks sprung Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks of Indiana.


John Potter settled in the Valley prior to 1740. He was the first Sheriff of Cumberland county. Their son, James Potter, was a hero of the Revolution, rose to be a Brigadier General, and became Vice President of Pennsylvania during the war. He settled in Centre, then in Northumberland county, but died at the residence of his son-in-law, Captain James Poe, in the Valley.


Speaking of the Poes reminds me of the fact that several of that name were early settlers in Antrim township. From these came, besides Captain James, just alluded to, a soldier of the Revolution, the Indian fighters of Western Pennsyl- vania and Virginia, Adam and Andrew Poe, whose thrilling exploits are given in "Incidents of Border Life." Another member settled beyond the Line in Maryland, became the ancestor of Edgar Allen Poe, that erratic genius, whose poetic fire flashed as his young life went out in sudden darkness. Accidental circumstances made him born in Boston, but his ancestors lived in this Valley, settled here


Over a century and a half ago, and as with thee chala all her children.


Among the early settlers were the Caldwell's and Calhoun -. Some of these went into the Virginia Valleys, and thence into the Carolinas and Georgia, while Kentucky and Ten- nessee honor their descendants today. Of this stock came John Caldwell Calhoun, the nullifier of South Carolina. During the recent conflict for the perpetuity of the Union, many of these people took an active part in the Rebellion, especially those South, who became distinguished in the cause of the Confederates. In the West others were . arrayed on the Union side of the struggle, some of whom perished in that fratricidal strife ; but, all proved.the bravest ot the brave, leaving imperishable renown on the name.


No doubt you have all heard of the Brady family. Hugh Brady settled near Middle Spring, prior to 1740. He had quite a large family of children, the most noted of whom was John Brady, his second son. He was the father of Cap- tain Samuel Brady, the eldest of the family, and General Hugh Brady, who was greatly distinguished in the service of his country during the early part of the present century. Of the gallant exploits of Captain Samuel Brady, it would take a volume to narrate, and, much that is said of him belongs to the record of his uncle Samuel Brady, who was an officer in the War of the Revolution, wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, where two of his sons, Samuel, his eldest, and John, a youth of fifteen years, were in the same conflict. With his family are intimately connected the Sharps, early settlers, as also the Quigleys. Captain John Brady perished, as also did his son, by the hand of the red savages of the forest, and the second Samuel Brady was cradled among dangers. Much that has been said of him is entirely erroneous, but accounts of his many conflicts and hair-breadth escapes are all well authenticated. He never was a cruel toe, as has been pictured by some of the recent writers ot sensational history. The late A. Brady Sharpe, of


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Carlisle, was a distinguished descendant of this family. Many of the funky intermarried with the families of Cham- bers, Wallace, Hanna, Carnahan, and Irvine.


Andrew Gregg, of Bally-arnat, near Londonderry, Ireland, settled in the Cumberland Valley prior to 1750 on a farm adjoining the glebe of Meeting-House Springs, which was in sight of his dwelling. His son, Andrew, born near Carlisle, was one of the most distinguished men from 1791, when he entered the public service, until his death. He was a Member of the Lower House of Congress sixteen years, and in 1807 served as United States Senator from Penn- sylvania. His wife was Martha Potter, daughter of General James Potter, just referred to. Among the most distin- guished of the family of the same surname, was the late General J. Irvin Gregg, who served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion, and also David McMurtrie Gregg; the present most excellent Auditor General of Pennsylvania, who was promoted Brevet Major General U. S. Volunteers, for highly meritorious and distinguished conduct throughout the campaign, and who participated with his cavalry com- mand in the most important engagements in the War for the Union. From the first Andrew Gregg's son John, descended Andrew Gregg Curtain, properly named the "War Governor" of Pennsylvania.


Charles Maclay, as also his brother John, settled in the Valley about 1742. From the former were descended William and Samuel, both United States Senators from Pennsylvania. Of them, and their distinguished services to the State and Nation, time will not allow us more than an allusion. John Maclay's son John was an elder in the Middle Spring Church. They left a large family, including men and women, who became distinguished in their various callings. Elizabeth, daughter of John Maclay the first, married Colonel Samuel Culbertson, of "The Row." Their descendants include Rev. James Culbertson, of Zanesville, Ohio; Mrs. John Rhea, the widow of General Rhea, who


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was a Member of Congress from l'ennuivania, and the Kev. S. C. MeCute, of Iowa. It is doubtful whether any one family in the United States contains as many representa- tive men and women, as are found among the "Maclays of Lurgan."


Thomas McCormick, grandson of James, who was at the siege of Londonderry,-came to Pennsylvania in 1735. He located in East Peninsboro township in Cumberland county about 1748. He died about 1762, leaving a family of five sons and a daughter. From their son James are descended the McCormicks of Harrisburg, while from Robert, who married Martha Sanderson, we have the grandson, Cyrus H. to whom the world is indebted for the famous reaping machine, and which has made the family not only famous but wealthy.


About the year 1730 there came into the lower part of the Cumberland Valley, the family of William McDowell. He settled at the foot of Parnell's Knob, about ten miles west of Chambersburg, but was driven away by the Indians, subsequent to Braddocks defeat .. It was during his absence from home, that he died at the residence of friends near the Susquehanna, and was buried at the old Donegal Church graveyard. He left a large family and they are the ances- tors of the McDowells, who have not only assisted to make this valley famous, butt became quite prominent in the history of the Carolinas and Kentucky. During the War of the Revolution, several of them distinguished themselves as officers in the Pennsylvania Line, and there has recently been published in the Second Series of Pennsylvania Archives, an interesting journal of Lieutenant William McDowell of the First Pennsylvania Regiment concerning the Southern Campaign of 1781-82. This family is con- nected with the Maxwels, Pipers, Newells, and Reynolds, as well as the Findleys of the Cumberland Valley.


Jolin Williamson settled in the Valley as early at 1740; his wife was Mary Davidson, belonging to that family of the


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THE ROCKY SPRING


neighborhood. Of their children the Rev. Hugh William- son, was a distinguished divine, as also a soldier of the Revolution and an author of considerable note, being the historian of South Carolina. Another son, John, was a distinguished lawyer, but after the Revolution he became a wealthy merchant of Charleston, South Carolina. A daugh- ter, Margaret, married first, William Reynolds. Lett early a widow with a small family, she married Daniel Nevin. From them descended the Nevin family, the inost distin- guished of whom was the great theologian of the Reformed Church, Rev. Jolin Williamson Nevin, D. D. Another - daughter, Mary Williamson, married a Mcclintock, while Rachel Williamson intermarried with the Montgomerys.


William McLene settled about 1745 near what is called Brown's Mills in Franklin county. He had located some time in Chester county, where his son James received the rudiments of a good education, at the New London Academy. " It is a remarkable fact that many of the most prominent of the historic families of Cumberland county remained with their friends and neighbors who had previously removed from Ireland, in the Scotch-Irish settlements in Chester and Lancaster counties, for several years, until the farmns were made tillable and their homes were erected in the Valley. It is more than probable that owing to this fact, the repre- sentative men of this locality prior to the Revo- lution, were educated at the Classical Academy at New London, then under the charge of the Rev. Francis Alison. James McLene took an active part in the early deliberations of the conferences, through and by which, Pennsylvania declared herself a free and in- dependent State. Mr. McLene served not only in the Assembly but in the Supreme Executive Council, as well as in the Continental Congress. He was a remarkable man in many respects, and, until his death in 1806, he was influen- tial in public affairs. He was buried in Brown's Mill grave- yard, four miles northeast of Greencastle.


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PRINISTERIAN CHURCH.


The Pomeroys settled in Letterkenny township, prior to 1740. The various members took active parts in the strug- gle for independence. Many of the descendants remain in the Valley, with whom some of the prominent or represen- tative families have intermarried.


The ancestors of Presidents James K. Polk and Andrew Jolinson were early settlers in the Cumberland Valley, and from thence went first to Virginia and subsequently to Kentucky and Tennessee. As is well known, the ancestors of President Buchanan were also settlers in the Valley and that distinguished statesman was born at "Stony Batter," in this county of Franklin.


Recently in glancing over the signers of the celebrated Mecklenburg Declaration, approved and signed by the Pro- vincial Congress of N. C., the 20th of May, 1775, I was especially struck with the number of persons connected therewith, who were natives of the Cumberland Valley, and I wish briefly to refer to them : Hezekiah and John McKnitt Alexander were born in the lower part of the Val- ley. They were members of the Committee of Safety for Mecklenburg County, as well as delegates to the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, in April, 1776. John David- son was the son of John and Ann Davidson, who settled in West Pennsboro township about the year 1731. He served also during the War of the Revolution and became quite distinguished. Another Davidson was Patrick, who settled about the same time in the Valley. His son George removed to North Carolina in 1750, and was the father of General William Davidson, born in the Cumberland Valley ' in 1746, and who so distinguished himself in the Revolu- tionary War. He was killed near Cowan's Ford in 1781, thus falling in the prime of life and when of great useful- ness to his country. North Carolina has honored herself and him, by naming one of her counties for this noble and patriotic soldier. John Irwin settled in the Valley, in what was subqently Milford township, about 1734 ; his son Rob-




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