Newville, PA 17241

14 Comments to “Big Spring Presbyterian Church”

1. John Kilgore
   February 13th, 2010 at 2:55 pm

   

   I am researching KILGORE around the 1820’s. In particular a William Kilgore. I believe he would have been a member of your church. If so, I would like his family info Thanks

2. Jean Ross
   February 12th, 2010 at 5:02 pm

   

   I am looking for any information on one Simon Ross who was married to one Elizabeth Martin, perhaps in Ireland or in Pennsylvania. His 2nd wife was one Margaret McMechen Garret or Garrett who died 3 Aug 1845 and is buried in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Simon is believed to be buried in Newville area, perhaps by the Big Springs Presbyterian Church. He had 3 children by his second wife by the names of Samuel M. Ross, Margaret “Peggy” Ross and Ebenezer Ross. I can find no records on any of them in Cumberland County or Washington County, Pennsylvania. His children by his first wife Elizabeth Martin, were James Ross, born about 1762, Ruth Ross, born about 1764, Simon Ross, Jr., born about 1766, Sarah Ross, born about 1768, Jane Ross, born about 1770, Mary Ross, born about 1772, and Robert A. Ross born about 1774. Robert A. Ross is my great great grandfather. Does anyone have any idea what the A. might stand for? He was married to one Mary Templeton on 10 June 1807. I have the date of marriage from several sources, but there is no way of knowing in what town or church, they were married. I feel it might be in Newville. Mary died in 1817, probably in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1817. There is no proof of this, however. His 2nd wife was one Jane Barr. They were married in about 1822, and it was felt probably Washington County, Pennsylvania, but there are no records of any marriage for then in that year there or for several years before or after that there. They eventually moved to Fairview, Guernsey, Ohio. Robert A. died on 11 Sep 1858 in Fairview, Guernsey, Ohio. She died on 1 Oct 1834 in Adams Twp., Guernsey, Ohio. I have nothing further on her. Mary Templeton, the first wife of Robert A. was the daughter of one William Templeton, also of Newville. I have a copy of his Will which proves that his daughter Mary was married to Robert A. Ross as both she and he, Robert A. Ross are mentioned in the Will. His wife Frances is also mentioned in that Will. I have nothing on William Templeton or his wife Frances, other than the names. Would anyone know what the maiden name of Frances was and anything such as dates of marriage, death, etc.? My Simon Ross was born in Ireland and it was felt probably his wife was born in Pennsylvania, however, I found a boat called the Brig. George, which sailed out of Londonderry via Newcastle for Philadelphia. This was advertised in the Belfast News Letter 22 Aug 1769. Among the passengers were one Simon Ross and Mrs. Eliza. Ross. I feel but cannot prove that this Mrs. Eliza. Ross might be originally Elizabeth Martin and that they were married in Ireland and came to the USA together. Simon died in 1813. I have a copy of his Will and it said the the family Bible was to go to his 2nd wife, Margaret Garret or Garrett. Does anyone have any idea what might have happened to that family Bible. Margaret Garret or Garrett was married before, probably in Ireland and her husband died on the crossing to the USA or shortly after that. She settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and I did find a census, believe 1790 or early 1800’s that lists her as living there then. There is no date of marriage or place of marriage for Simon Ross and his 2nd wife Margaret Garret or Garrett. I find the spelling both ways. There is a step daughter Garret or Garrett listed too in Simons Will. No mention of an Elizabeth or Elizabeth Martin is listed, so I feel she was deceased long before he was. Since it is felt he is probably buried in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, I felt he perhaps was buried by his first wife Elizabeth Martin, somplace there. Simon Ross is listed as one of the early members of the Big Springs Presbyterian church in Newville. Simon Ross did own property in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, probably in the Newville area as early as about 1791 or 1792. I note that there were only 2 Simon Ross listed in the whole of the 1790 USA Census and the other in Massachusetts just could not be the one.

3. Yvonne Patterson Watkin
   January 25th, 2010 at 9:47 pm

   

   Would like to know also about early records of the Big Spring
   Presby Church. Looking for Patterson and Weir ca. 1750-
   1790. Supposedly they came from Londonderry, Ir.
   Any ideas as to where to look?

4. Rachel
   January 10th, 2010 at 9:56 pm

   

   I lived in Newville last year… very nice community for the most part .. you have your good people and bad as in any community small or large but I do miss it there!!! the kids are much happier back here at home in Indiana though!! I miss some friends I made there and bingo @ the firehouse!!!

5. Annette Stewart
   December 27th, 2009 at 7:30 pm

   

   Looking for “Michael” family records; some time before 1800. Jacob was born 1790, problem is not sure where or who family is. Church listed was “Presbyterian” so checking early PA churches. Any help or leads would be appreciated.

   Thank you,
   Annette
   OH

6. Janeal Carney
   September 25th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

   

   I am looking for Francis McCauley, married to Sarah, and their daughter Catherine McCauley who was born in 1763 in Carisle, Cumberland Co.

7. Dodie Musgrove
   August 16th, 2009 at 10:42 pm

   

   Dottie Haggard I wanted to respond and let you know I have some information on your Denison family in connection with the Thompson family. I am trying to confirm that Mary Williamson and Andrew Thompson Married in Big Spring Presbyterian Church all of their children were baptized and married there. When Mary died in 1790 Andrew married Martha Denison(French). I am looking for records from the church on the Thompson’s.

   Thank You for your Help

   Dodie

   Texaslady1606@aol.com

8. Dottie Haggard
   August 7th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

   

   My thanks to Jane Carson Topoly and Cara Holtry both I believe of Newville for there help with my ancestors John and Agnes Dennison Shannon mid 1700’s They were Big Springs members. If anyone has any information on the Shannons or Dennison I would be most grateful! Thanks.

9. David Blausey
   July 5th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

   

   I have the following from information collected by family members in the late 1940’s. “Records were found in a brass bound trunk of a descendant of Rev. Wilson. These included 1788 census records of the Big Spring Church. These rocords were compiled and published by Gilbert Ernest Swope, in Newville, Pa in 1898. One copy was gifted by the Cumberland County D.A.R. chapter to the D.A.R. library in Washington D.C. One was in the posession of Mrs. Guiles Flower, 166 Pomfret St. Carlisle, Pa. This may have been true in the 1940’s date. My ancesters were the Ewings and McBrides. Two generations of my Ewings were on the 1788 church census taken by Rev. Samuel Wilson.

10. Patricia (Sprott) Keller
    May 31st, 2009 at 8:05 am

    

    i have learned that my early Sprott ancestors first came from Ireland to Newville probably after 1750. One later donated land for the town of Darlington, PA. There is still a house in Darlington with a historical marker that states that it was the Sprott home.
    I would like any info about their beginning in Newville.

11. Nancy Denning Cook
    May 28th, 2009 at 9:31 am

    

    I am researching info on a relative William Dening. I have info on him being in that area and having a pew in Big Springs church in 1786 at the time of “Samuel Wilson, preacher of the gospel” i have not been able to find any history of his family..wife Elizabeth, daughter polly or son James. any help you couild supply would be appreciated. Thank you so very much and God Bless. Nancy Denning Cook

12. Robert Ashbaugh
    May 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    

    Looking for info on Alexander Scroggs(1708-1796) supposedly early founder of Big Springs Presby Church. Looking for burial site. Any help?

13. Mike Flowers
    February 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    

    Lois,

    There may be a registry at the Presbyterian Church. More records may be at the County Courthouse in Carlisle, PA.

14. Lois Haile
    February 7th, 2009 at 10:35 pm

    

    I am trying where to go to locate early records of Cumberland Co. PA. I am looking for early records of a Presbyterian Chruch around 1750-1800. Am wanting records of a William Nicholson, wife Dorcas. Possibaly connected to a Robert Nicholson. Do you know here I can find them?