Norriton Presbyterian Church

PENNSYLVANIA GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTIONS. NORRITON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. COPIED BY ADDAMS S. MCALLISTER, PH.D.* This is the first church of the Presbyterians built in Montgomery County. It is located at the north corner of Norriton Township, where the township line crosses the Germantown turnpike. It is stated that the church was founded in 1689, and that the place was used for burial as early as 1700; no existing stones indicate any such early date. A division occurred in the congregation in 1730, resulting in the found¬ ing of the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church. By an act of Legis¬ lature approved March 18, 1822, the congregations of these two churches were incorporated into one body-politic. So far as actual use is con¬ cerned the Norriton church has been practically abandoned, and seem¬ ingly all interments are now made at the Lower Providence church. The complete records of the names, dates, ages and family connections shown by the inscriptions on the stones in the yard, are grouped in the exact order in which the graves are found. S.M.B.-no data. David Keesey, born Jan. 14, 1777, died Nov. 23, 1853. Catharine, wife of David Keesey, born Aug. 17, 1782, died May 24, 1855. M.E.K.to data. Charles Richards, died Aug. 18, 1804, aged 65 years. Maria Richards, died Aug. 11, 1814, aged 67 years. Robert Dorn (or DOKN), died Jan. 19, 1748, aged 40 years. Robert Thomson, died Aug. 6, 1747, aged 40 years. Benjamin Bayles, of Harford County, Md., died Dec. 28, 1781, aged 48 years. James Curry, “a soldier and officer of the Revolution,” born A. D. 1755, died A. D. 1838, aged 83 years. Ann Curry, daughter of Archibald and Sarah Curry, died Jan. 3, 1810, aged 19 years. Agness Curry, died Jan. 14, 1803, aged 86 years. James Curry, died April 8, 1788, aged 84 years. Archibald Curry, died May 9, 1824, aged 64 years. Sarah, wife of Archibald Curry, died April 6, 1838, aged 76 y. 1 m. 4 d. Archibald Thomson, Esq., died Nov. 1, 1779, aged 39 years. 1789, aged 42 years. Hannah, relict of Archibald Thomson, died Nov. James Thomson, died Sept. 7, 1750, aged 40 years. John Thomson, died Nov. 13, 1748, aged 26 years. (name not given), died Nov. 1748, aged 31 years. [This is probably MOSES Thomson.] - * It is regretted that lack of space hias delayed until the next issue of the Publications, Dr. McAllister’s complete record of “ Inscriptions on the Gravestones of St. James’, Perklomen.” (218) Pennsylvania Gravestone Inscriptions. 219 Rebeckah Thomson, died Nov. IS, 1748, aged 63 years. Archibald Thomson, died Sept. 17, 1746, aged 68 years. Samuel Thomson, died Sept. 22, 1746, aged 35 years. Robert Thomson, died Aug. 6, 1747, aged 40 years. Robert Gurry, died Nov. 9, 1794, aged 60 years. Mary Curry, died April 9, 1804, aged 97 years. James Thomson, died April 2, 1823, aged 82 years. James Stroud, died Jan. 26, 1822, in the 27th. year of his age. Henry Delrayend (1), died July 1, 1778, aged 5 years, 6 months. Delrayend ( ?) , died June 27, 1778, aged 1 year, 7 months. John Fulton, died May 1, 1830, in the 82nd. year of his age. Jane, wife of John Fulton, died April 14, 1829, in the 67th. year of her age. Mary, wife of James Fulton, died Sept. 7, 1830, aged 24 years, 3 mo. 8 days. no data). J. F. (child Joseph Fulton, born May 18, 1801, died Feb. 2, 1837. Aaron Fitzwater, died July 20, 1796, aged 5 mo. 18 days. Jane, wife of William Fitzwater, died Dec. 7, 1839, aged 78 years. William Fitzwater, died Sept. 6, 1841, aged 75 years, 6 months. Mark Fitzwater (no data evidently full grown). Emaline, wife of Aaron Phillips, died April 20, 1866, aged 59 years, 4 days. Hiram Hess, died Dec. 18, 1848, aged 22 years, 6 months. Deborah Hess, died Oct. 8, 1847, aged 63 years, 5 mo., 22 days. Daniel Hess, died May 25, 1852, aged 69 years, 4 months. Eliza McOlathery, died May 17, 1814, aged 21 years, 9 days. Charles McGlathery, died April 21, 1855, aged 85 years, 6 months. William McGlathery, born Oct. 4 ( 1), 1775, died Aug. 4 (t), 1850. Jane, wife of William McGlathery, died July 1, 1829, aged 56 years. Samuel McGlathery, died Mar. 11, 1831, aged 50 years. Isaac McGlathery, died July 28, 1834, aged 82 years. Rachel McGlathery, born April 14, 1757, died March 22, 1842. Sarah McGlathery, died Oct. 7, 1807, aged 79 years. Henry McGlathery, died July 9, 1799, aged 82 years. Christopher Stuart, died May 27, 1799, aged 51 years. Elizabeth, wife of Christopher Stuart, daughter of William and Martha Bull, born in Norriton Township, July 13, 1753, died at Philadelphia, April 4, 1838. Martha Patterson, wife of John Patterson, died Dec. 29, 1818, aged 44 years, 10 months, 12 days. John Patterson of Philadelphia, died Aug. 20, 1850, in the 82nd. year of his age. Christopher Stuart Patterson, died Dec. 12, 1826, aged z4 years. William Orr Patterson, born Sept. 3, 1805, died Aug. 28, 1828. Barbara Henderson, wife of Matthew Henderson, died Jan. 25, 1772, aged about 34 years. “Also three of their children who all died in their infancy. ’’ David J-IIVES (exactly as engraved), died Oct. 11, 1741, aged 50 years. William Armstrong, died Oct. 20, 1818, aged 46 years, 10 months. - - — 220 Pennsylvania Gravestone Inscriptions. Simon Armstrong, died Oet. 21, 1815, in the 84th. year of his age. John Armstrong, died April 24, 1814, aged 42 years, 4 months. Ezra Armstrong, died July 12, 1796, aged 29 years, 11 months. Mary Percy, died Sept. 27, 1824, aged 55 years. 'William Armstrong, died Oct. 16, 1807, aged 24 years. Kebeeca Armstrong, died Sept. 6, 1807, aged 22 years. Benjamin Armstrong, died Sept. 4, 1799, aged 23 years. Margaret Armstrong, died May 8, 1791, aged 49 years, 8 months. Ephriam Armstrong, died Nov. 6, 1804, aged 74 years. Mary Armstrong, died Nov. 13, 1776, aged 76 years. Joseph Armstrong, died Sept. 29, 1766, aged 80 years. Mary Armstrong, died March 4, 1762, aged 21 years. Joseph Armstrong, died April 29, 1740, aged 4 years. Rebeka, relict of George Smith, died Sept. 24, 1815, aged 58 years. Annah Trump, died May 27, 1780, aged 1 year, 2 months, 12 days. Stephen, son of Stephen Porter, died in August, 1793, aged 12 years. Francis, son of Stephen Porter, died in August, 1793, aged 3 years. Ann, wife of Stephen Porter, died Sept. 12, 1783, aged 28 years. Ann Porter, daughter of Stephen and Ann Porter, died Sept. 17, 1783, aged 8 weeks. Robert Porter,* died July 14, 1770, aged 72 years. hideous, wife of Robert Porter, died Sept. 18, 1771, aged 63 years. Robert, son of Robert and Lileous Porter, died Sept.’ 23, 1768, aged 29 years. Mary, daughter of Rol>ert and Lileous Porter, died May 14, 1760, aged 18 years. Margaretta, daughter of Stephen and Margaret Porter, born Nov. 15, 1796, died Nov. 20, 1880. Mary Porter, daughter of Stephen and Margaret Porter, died Mar. 23, 1820, aged 21 years. Margaret, wife of Stephen Porter, died Sept. 27, 1822, in the 64th. year of her age. Stephen Porter, died April 9, 1832, in the 81st. year of his age. Joseph Porter, son of John and Mary Porter, died May 28, 1766, aged 6 mo., 10 d. Elizabeth Porter, dau. of John and Mary Porter, died Dec. 28, 1772, aged 4 years, 2 months. John Porter, died Nov. 1822, in the 94th. year of his age. Mary, wife of John Porter, died Dec. 1826, in the 91st. year of her age. Ann, late wife of Andrew Ziegler, died Jan. 26, 1784, aged 32 years, 10 months. Elisabeth, dau. Andrew and Ann Ziegler, died Oct. 21, 1777, ag. 2 weeks, 5 days. John Hanna, died Sept. 25, 1801, aged 71 years. * Robert Porter, 1698-1770, was an elder in the Norrlton Church in 1741. Is said to have reared nine sons and five daughters, and was the ancestor of the distinguished Pennsylvania family of his surname. Pennsylvania Gravestone Inscriptions. 221 Jane Hanna, sister to John Hanna, died March 7, 1808, in the 74th. year of her age. Catherine (also spelled Catharine), wife of Mark Freeman, merchant of Philadelphia, died June 18, 1776, aged 34 years. William Henderson, died Sept. 6, 1819, in the 53rd. year of his age. Eliza MeCrea, died March 7, 1891, in the 90th. year of her age. Mary, wife of Carl C. Foster, born Oct. 4, 1806, died Jan. 18, 1867. John MeCrea Foster, born Oct. 19, 1830, died April 15, 1861. William C. Foster, born Dec. 19, 1832, died Dec. 1, 1859. Hannah, daughter of John and Catharine MeCrea, died July 8, 1822, in her 11th. year. Samuel, son of John and Catharine MeCrea, died Dec. 8, 1807, in his 4th. year. Catharine, wife of John MeCrea, died Sept. 5, 1856, in the 81st. year of her age. John MeCrea, died March 3, 1823, in the 5Sth. year of his age. Abner WThite, died April 28, 1817, in the 71st. year of his age. Jane, wife of Abner White, died April 19, 1826, in the 72nd. year of her age. Joseph White, died June 1819, in the 41st. year of his age, also Nathaniel, infant son of Abner and Jane White, died Mar. 21, 1790. Margaret, dau. Abner and Jane White, died Feb. 1802 in her 29th. year. Hannah White, died March 1841, in the 61st. year of her age. Martha Bryant, died March 1840, in the 65tli. year of her age. Joseph MeCrea, died April 18, 1805, in the 86th. year of his age. Mary MeCrea, died May 3, 1821, in the 100th. year of her age. Jane, wife of John Christey, died July 21, 1756, aged 72 years. John Christey, died April 11, 1766, aged 87 years. Zachariah Burns, died Aug. 25, 1818, aged 42 years. Margaret Burns, died Oct. 25, 1840, in the 68th. year of her age. William Burns, died July 13, 1838, aged 28 years, 5 months, 10 days. Thomas Armstrong, died Feb. 25, 1804, aged 2 years, 8 months. David E. Armstrong, died June 24, 1794, aged 1 year, 5 months. William Armstrong, died July 15, 1800, aged 5 years, 6' months. David R. Armstrong, died July 15, 1800, aged 10 months. Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Armstrong, died June 14, 1802, aged 33 years. Joseph Armstrong, died July 22, 1844, aged 82 years. Eleanor Armstrong, died March 1, 1816, aged 21 years, 7 months. William Armstrong, died March 6, 1806, aged 68 years. Joseph, son of B. E. and E. B. Armstrong, died Aug. 20, 1836, aged 3 years. Solomon Stewart, died March 31, 1807, in his 49th. year. Hannah, wife of Solomon Stewart, died Aug. 7, 1831, in her 72nd. year. Rebecca Darrah, died Oct. 14, 1854, in her 94th. year. Joseph Law, died Dec. 26, 1844, aged 72 years. Rebecca, wife of Peter Dehaven, died Aug. 17, 1828, aged 54 y. 7 mo. Robert Dunn, died June 19, 1748, aged 40 years. 222 Pennsylvania Gravestone Inscriptions. Margaret Alexander, relict of Eobert Dunn, died Ap. 9, 1798, aged 85 years. Lieutenant George Dunn, died May 21, 1805, aged 62 years. Mary Dunn, died May 6, 1821, aged 70 years. LOWER BURYING GROUND, BRANDYWINE MANOR PRESBY¬ TERIAN CHURCH, CHESTER COUNTY.* COPIED BY MBS. LINWOOD L. RIGHTER. Rev. William Dean, departed this life, July 9, 1748, aged 29 years. James Kirkpatrick, bom in County Tyrone, Ireland, died April 27, 1814, aged 50 years. William Sims, born Jan. 6, 1787, died July 18, 1872. Sarah, wife of William Sims, born Nov. 13, 1786, died Peb. 22, 1875. Samuel P. Jones, died Jan. 23, 1864, aged 28 yrs. 5 mo. 23 days. Milton Jones, died Peb. 14, 1848, aged 78 years. Joanna Jones, died July 26, 1868, aged 78 years. Jane Wilson, consort of William Wilson, died Aug. 2, 1816, aged near 72 years. J. Me. Wilson, aged 6 yrs. Rd Wilson, aged 2 yrs. Died September-October, 1808. Jac Wilson, aged 5 yrs. Jane Thompson, wife of William Thompson, died Jan. 10, 1840, aged 72 yrs. 8mo. 4 days. Sarah Thompson, died Jan. 6, 1807, aged 17 years. Gideon Wilson, died Peb. 25, 1790, aged 88 years. John Smith, died March 29, 1818, aged 69 years. John Smith, died Dec. 19, 1765, aged 79 years. Susanna, wife of John Smith, died Dec. 24, 1767, aged 76 years. Parents of fifteen children. Samuel Cuningham, died June 26, 1806, aged 74 years. Sarah, wife of Samuel Cuningham, died Jan. 30, 1807, aged 66 years. John Cuningham, died Jan. 24, 1816, aged 47 years. John McGill, born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, A. D. 1755, died Oct. 7, 1837, aged 82 years. Margaret, wife of John McGill, born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, A. D. 1751, died Oct. 2, 1830, age 79 years. William McGill, son of John and Margaret McGill, born Sep. 30, 1782, died Peb. 16, 1825. Wilhelmina, wife of William McGill, bom Jan. 20, 1798, died July 12, 1864. John McGill, son of William and Wilhelmina McGill, born Apr. 10, 1819, died Mar. 7, 1822. James McGill, son of John and Margaret McGill, bora Oct. 12, 1784, died Peb. 26, 1873. » War description of this ground, see Dr. M'Clune’s History of the Presby¬ terian Chureh in the Forks of the Brandywine, 17SS-i885. Pennsylvania Gravestone Inscriptions. 223 Wilhelm ina Edgar, born Jan. 9, 1812, died May 22, 1875. Rebecca Williams, died Mar. 4, 1843, aged 56 yrs., 1 mo., 3 days. M. A. J. Esther goffer, 1848-1917. M. E. Annie Soffer, daughter of William and Martha S. Soffer, born Sept. 16, 1843, died April 19, 1895. William Soffer, born I>ee. 25, 1807, died June 17, 1888, aged 81 years. Martha, wife of William Soffer and daughter of Robert and Esther Smith, died July 24, 1865, aged 60 years. Robert Smith, died Feb. 5, 1822, aged 51 years. Esther, consort of Robert Smith, died May 1, 1850, aged 80 years. Capt. John Craig, died Mar. 12, 1825, aged 72 years. David Thompson, died Aug. 29, 1817, aged 70 years. James Creswell, died July 13, 1837, aged 66 years. Mary Creswell, died May 4, 1821, aged 79 years. Sarah Creswell, daughter of James R. and Sarah Creswell, died Mar. 31, 1837, aged 43 years. Samuel Miles Creswell, died 3, 1868, aged 46 yrs., 10 mo., 23 days. James Ross Creswell, son of Samuel M. and T. A. Creswell, died Mar. 29, 1848, aged 4 yrs., 9 mo., 29 days. Isaac Phillips, died Sept. 23, 1833, aged 89 years. David Gibson, died Nov. 23, 1829, aged 83 yrs., 8 mo., 21 days. Robert Beatty, died Mar. 22, 1814, aged 63 years. Margaret, wife of Robert Beatty, died Jan. 21, 1818, aged 36 yrs., 7 mo. William Lomas, died Mar. 7, 1843, aged 66 years. Margaret Lomas, died Sept. 6, 1862, aged 81 years. Joseph Lomas, died Jan. 10, 1842, aged 42 years. Eliza Lomas, died May 17, 1869, aged 62 yrs., 9mo., 3 days. Thomas Lomas,, Died May 13, 1883, aged 75 yrs., 2 mo., 27 days. Mary McKee, died Oct. 12, 1843, aged 83 years. John Walker, an infant, died Mar. 2, 1828. Robert Buchanan, died May 28, 1846, aged 62 years. Robert Caruthers, son of Robert and Jane Caruthers, died Aug. 1, 1842, aged 37 yrs. Robert Caruthers, died Aug, 2, 1849, aged 81 years. Jane, wife of Robert Caruthers, died Peb. 26, 1856, aged 82 years. Samuel Caruthers, died Mar. 14, 1857, aved 65 years. William Caruthers, died Sept. 19, 1863, aged 65 years. George Phillips, died Jan. 9, 1788, aged 81 years. Pour young children of John and Kunigunda Reibeling 1863. —— — SECEDER BURYING GROUND, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BRANDYWINE MANOR. COPIED BY MRS. LINWOOD L. RIGHTER. Nathaniel Irwin, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, was at the Paoli Massacre, bom Dec. 28, 1757, died Apr. 17, 1836. Peter Irwin, bom Nov. 7, 1790, died Oct. 3, 1866. 224 Pennsylvania Gravestone Inscriptions. Elizabeth, wife of Peter Irwin, died Jan. 17, 1870, aged 75 years. Jared Irwin, died Sept. 25, 1815. Mary, consort of Jared Irwin, died May 19, 1832, aged 77 years. George Irwin, Sen., died Oet. 3, 1815, aged 87 years. Rebecca, consort of George Irwin, died Aug. 12, 1792, aged 59 years. Margaret Robinson, wife of William Robinson, died Apr. 1794, aged 92 years. William Robinson, died 1768. His grandson died Apr. 25, 1826, aged 56 years. [Roth on same stone.] Ruth Ross, died 1815. Also her daughter, aged 2 years. Eliza J. Robinson, daughter of William and Margaret Robinson, born Oct. 18, 1806, died Aug. 6, 1874. Jane Irwin, died Oct. 8, 1859. George Irwin, died Jan. 10, 1846, aged 77 years. William Irwin, died Nov. 29, 1828, aged 64 yrs. James C. Irwin, son of Nathaniel and Hannah Irwin, died May 28, 1880, aged 44 years. Amzi B. Irwin, son of Nathaniel and Hannah Irwin, died June 22, 1879, aged 53 years. Nathaniel Irwin, died Sept. 26, 1880, aged 83 years. Hannah Irwin, died April 4, 1887, aged 75 years. Elizabeth Irwin, died Jan. 19, 1910, aged 82 years. Mrs. Lorentz. [Modern stone, no date.] [In a field on the west side of the Skippack turnpike, about one-half mile north of Broad Axe, Whitpain township, Montgomery County, stands a single stone inscribed : ] Here lyeth ye body of Ann late wife of Thomas MacCarty, who departed aged 57 years. this life March ye 21 first, in the year of our lord 17 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST GRAVEYARD, FRENCH CREEK, CHESTER COUNTY.* COPIED BY C. HOWARD COLKET. John Horn, died Jan. 30, 1809, aged 72 years. Margaret, wife of John Horn, died July 9, 1827, aged 84 years, 6 months, 19 days. John, son of John and Margaret Horn, died July 12, 1791, in the 19th year of his age. Philp Thomas, died Sept. 13, 1773, in the 76th year of his age. Esther Thomas, wife of Philip Thomas, died June 11, 1750, in the 50th year of her age. Mordecai Thomas, son of Philip Thomas, died Aug. 15, 1771, in the 32nd year of his age. •This graveyard is situated about -a half mile from Coventry ville. For description of, see Futhey and Cope’s History of Chester County, p. 272. Pennsylvania Gravestone Inscriptions. 225 Elizabeth, the mother of Philip Thomas, (lied May 21, 1744, in the 80th year of her age. John Thomas, son of Philip Thomas, died March 15, 1736, in the 29th year of his age. Sarah, wife of David Thomas, died Dec. 7, 1789, aged ,24 years. Hazael Thomas, died Oct. 24, 1860, aged 80 years. Adam Dampman, died Aug. 19, 1811, aged 52 years. Elizabeth Dampman, died Oct. 11, 1836, aged 75 years, 2 mo., 10 days. In memory of John Mcracken [no dates]. In memory of Peninnah mcracken wife of John mcracken [no dates]. Thomas Harris, died Feb. 28, 1748, aged 34 years. Ann Hugh, died Jan. 17, 1771, aged 66 years. Anne, wife of Elijah Ayers, died Feb. 15, 1796, aged 37 years. Ruth M., wife of Benjn Evans, born Jan. 4, 1794, died Jan. 21, 1863, aged 69 y’r’s. and 17 days. MaTy Evans, wife of Joshua Evans, senior. Evan James, died Nov. 27, 1825, aged 69 years, 7 months. Rachel James, died Aug. 9, 1815, aged 59 years. Evan, eon of Evan and Rachel James, died Feb. 19, 1815, aged 26 years, 6 months. Hannah James, died Sept. 26, 1819, aged 27 years, 7 months. Ruth, wife of George Dipple, born Dee. 15, 1799, died March 18, 1869, aged 68 y’rs., 3 mon’s., 3 d’s. Jacob Price, son of George Price, born Sept. 25, 1784; died aged 1 year, 4 months. Ruth Anna Coel, born Jan. 11, 1811; died June 14, 1860, aged 49 yrs., 5 mos., 1 day. Johan Christoph Knauer, born in Coburg, Oct. 4, 1702; died Aug. 12, 1769, aged 66 yrs., 10 mo., 8 days. Michael Bayer, died Feb. 16, 1777, aged 51 years, 1 month, 10 days. Wentel Danfelser, March 17, 1797. Mardret Danfelser, May 11, 1804. Walter Aeler is here buried, 1778, aged [illeg] years, 14 months, 4 days [translated from the German], The following were removed to St. Mary’s Churchyard, Warwick, Chester County: Rebekah Templin, died Dec. 28, 1790, in the 2 year of her age. Samuel Templin, died Nov. 16, 1832, in the 724 year of his age. William Templin, died Sept. 3, 1810, in the 78th year of his age. Mary Templin, wife of Richard Templin, died April 6, 1776, in the 78th year of her age. Mafy Ann Templin, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Templin, died May 25, 1827, aged 25 years, 9 months. Richard Templin, died April 13, 1775, in his eighty-seventh year. IJ. Hanan Benner, Mark Hippie and Abraham Hippie were here burned. No stones erected.