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Archiver > PACENTRE > 2006-04 > 1144098646


From: Justin Kirk Houser <>
Subject: Re: [PACENTRE] Scot- Irish Traditions
Date: Mon, 03 Apr 2006 17:10:46 -0400
References: <040320060234.10965.4430899D00044B4A00002AD522058864429D0A0902070B9D0E0B@comcast.net><011201c65750$a6b640c0$ef7b9041@neuman>
In-Reply-To: <011201c65750$a6b640c0$ef7b9041@neuman>


I would doubt it, as those who arrived here were what were known as Ulster
Scots and in many cases carried down Scottish traditions. This was
combined with a fierce spirit of independence.

See here:
http://www.ulsterscotssociety.com

In this area, many of the Scots-Irish became Methodists.

See the history of the early Methodist Church here:
http://bellefonte.topcities.com/churches/page2.html

It includes Roland Curtin's (local ironmaster) humorous commentary on the
topic:
A postscript of a letter dated Bellefonte, March 7, 1803, from Roland
Curtin to Judge James Potter, is as follows: "P.S.­ The major part of
Dunlop’s hands are becoming Methodists, which prevents the rapid sale of
whiskey I have had in November and December. However, I empty the barrels
tolerably fast, and I send a few to Chicklekamouch and Moshannon."

These individuals heavily influenced the dialect spoken in this area,
together with the Pennsylvania Germans.
See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Pennsylvania_Accent
I must qualify this article by stating that I have never heard of some of
these expressions, and that I know of several others unique to this area
which are not even mentioned. It seems to have been written by someone not
entirely familiar with our area and way of life, at least in my
opinion. Much of it seems to be correct, however.

Justin

At 02:53 PM 4/3/06, Nancy Neuman wrote:
>Do you think the Scots Irish Presbyterians who arrived in this part of PA in
>the 18th century observed St. Patrick's Day and this traditional meal?
>
>Nancy

Justin Kirk Houser
http://users.adelphia.net/~jkhouser84/
www.jkhouser.com
Listowner,
Member, Board of Directors, Bellefonte Area School District
Historian, Schürch Family Association of North America
Lay Leader, Valley View United Methodist Church (near Bellefonte, PA)
http://users.adelphia.net/~jkhouser84/church1.htm
Certified Lay Speaker, The United Methodist Church
Assistant Lay Leader, The State College District, UMC
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (St.
Mark 16:15)


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