PAFRANKL-L Archives

Archiver > PAFRANKL > 2004-11 > 1099852925


From: "Joyce Cooper" <>
Subject: History of Franklin Co. by Sherman Day-LOCATIONS
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 10:42:05 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)


Hope this hits some of you right smack in your research!

P. 349-

Chambersburg

Chambersburg, the seat of justice of Franklin county is one of the most
flourishing inland towns in the state. It is situated at the confluence of
Falling Spring and Conococheague creeks. It is 143 miles west of
Philadelphia, 48 miles southwest of Harrisburg and 77 northwest of Baltimore
The town was laid out in 1764, but remained a small village until after the
peace of 1783, and the establishment of the (Franklin) county in 1784. The
population within the borough limits in 1830 was 2,794 and in 1840, 3239.
Its public buildings are a courthouse (erected in 1842), a jail, eight
churches, an academy, a banking -house and a masonic hall. Most are of
elegant structure and architecture. There are several well-built hotels; and
three weekly newspapers, two in English and one in German.

In other messages, I have reported on the Chambers family etc. who founded
parts of Franklin County and Chambersburg.
*****************************************************************************
****************************
Mercersburg

Mercersburg is situated in the S.W. part of the county on a branch of W.
Conococheague creek, 15 miles from Chambersburg. The town is on elevated
ground in the midst of a fertile and picturesque country. It was
incorporated as a borough in Feb., 1831. Population in 1840, 1143.

People mentioned to be from that area were:
James Black
Wm. Smith
Wm Smith's son
Col. James Smith, long a captive among the Indians
An uncle to Hon. Judge Robert Smith
Gen. Mercer
Gov. William Findley born there.
David Elliott, D.D.
Rev. John Steel
Thomas Creigh

The Presbyterian church at this place is one of the oldest buildings there.
Rev. Dr. King, pastor of the church left a little book with the names of his
congregation. The names were almost universally Scotch:
Campbell
Wilson
McLelland
McDowell
Barr
Findlay
Welsh
Smith etc.

In 1767, the session of the presbyterian church was composed of these
members:
Wm. Maxwell
Wm. Smith
John M'Dowell
Wm. M'Dowell
John Welsh
Alexander White
John M'Lelland
Jonathan Smith
Wm.Campbell
Robert Fleming
Samuel Templeton
"Names of some of the more respectable and worthy families in the
neighborhood in that day."

Hope this is of some help to you.

Joyce in CA
http://www.geocities.com/jarmscoop

In 1832, the Prebyterian church which had been divided into two groups, which remined somewhat united, had a major growth.

This thread: