The Presbyterian Church of the Upper West Conococheague

The Presbyterian Church of the Upper West Conococheague was established in 1738 about two

miles east of Mercersburg at a place now known as Church Hill. The early church was served by

itinerant preachers until 1754 when the Rev. John Steel became pastor. These were troubled times;

the Indians had become bolder with Braddock's defeat so that the Rev. Steel felt compelled to

have his rifle close by the pulpit during church services. Security was also afforded by a stockade

surrounding the church. In 1794, on ground given by the Hon. Robert Smith, a new church was

built in the new town of Mercersburg. The structure at Church Hill was abandoned and the

building was removed in 1885 [Note M8]. The stone walled cemetery remains today [Note M13].

Franklin County was erected in 1785 [Note M9], set off from Cumberland County; since the church

moved into Mercersburg in 1794, the records of this church are associated with Franklin County

today, although events before 1785, including the 1776 marriage, were all in Cumberland County.


(1785)  Franklin County, created 9 Sept. 1784, from Cumberland County, when Antrim, Peters,

Hamilton, and seven other townships were transferred to the new Franklin County [M3 p.114].


Sources from the Church Records

According to the 1846 Church History [Note M10], Rev. John King was first ordained in 1767,

and came to the Conococheague Presbyterian Church in 1769, where he served continuously for

over 40 years, until his retirement in September 1811. During that time, Rev. King kept his own

'register' himself, at least until approximately 1805. He suffered from a rheumatic ailment during

his last six years; he died soon thereafter, on 15 July 1813, and was buried there, in Church Hill

cemetery [M13]. Unfortunately, Rev. King's contemporary 'church register' is not available today.


The earliest known source, 'Church Records 1769 1811' [M11], is only available on microfilm,

and shows 'Daniel McNench' and 'Mary Smith' married 11 June 1776 by Rev. John King D.D.

This earliest known source is cataloged as "Transcript of records, 1769-1813" document [M11]

("1769-1813" in the film title, vs. "1769 1811" actually written on the title page). This document,

also known as 'Church Records 1769 1811' and short reference '1769 1811', has the handwritten

description "Mercersburg Church Records" and the dates "1769 1811" written on the title page.


Rev. King received his D.D. degree in 1792, from Dickinson College, Carlisle, the county seat

of Cumberland County, still in present-day Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The handwritten

pages in the '1769 1811' document (baptisms, marriages, membership, etc.) that have been titled

". . . by John King D.D." were written after 1792, and probably soon after Dr. King died in 1813.

So, this earliest document "Transcript of records, 1769-1813" was probably created ca.1813-1820.

______________________________________________________________________

Daniel McAninch 1776 Marriage, Cumberland Co., Penn.   Copyright Frank McAninch

McAninch Family History Newsletter           v.XXVII n.2           July 2019          p.2019-20


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