SCOTLAND VILLAGE

COTLAND, Pennsylvania, is a flourishing and picturesque village on the east bank of the Conococheague Creek about five miles northeast of Chambersburg. Its main street winds southward from the C. V. R. R. bridge with aimless gentle curves to the low rolling hill from whence the township road leads on toward South Mountain. The present population numbers about 350 and a three department public school offers fair facilities for the completion of a grammar school course. Easy access to Chambersburg and Shippensburg gives the boys and girls of the village excellent educational advantages. A suitable train schedule enables a score of skilled workmen to live the simple pleasant life of the country, while their daily wage is earned in the county seat.

The first permanent settler was Alexander Thompson who with his wife and twelve children left the old home at "Corker Hill" near Glasgow, Scotland, because of the oppressive government prevailing and determined to seek a new home in America. The eldest son Robert remained behind when the family sailed from Greenock about the middle of July, 1771. About September 10th of the same year the vessel landed at Boston where the crew deserted leaving the passengers to reach the wharf as best they could. After a few days sojourn in Boston the party hastened on to see Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, at Princeton, N. J., to whom Mr. Thompson bore letters of introduction from mutual friends in the old country. Dr. Witherspoon had started on a journey but the Thompson family came up with him at Philadelphia and presented the letters, receiving most kind and courteous treatment.

It was the purpose of Mr. Thompson to push on to the Ohio river but difficulty of travel, etc., for such a large family caused him to purchase a plantation much nearer Philadelphia. The spot chosen was the present site of Scotland. In 1773 Alexander Thompson wrote his friends near Glasgow, that he had purchased a plantation lying in a broad valley, which extended through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, one hundred miles from Philadelphia and about the same distance from Fort Pitt.

The plantation, which he gave the name of "Corker Hill" after his old home, occupied both sides of the Conococheague Creek and included the land now occupied by the village of Scotland, Pa., the J. Shields farm, the C. M. Davidson farm (Battenmore) the Hiram McKenzie farm, part of the M. K. Burgner farm and the Pennsylvania S. O. I. S. farm. It consisted of more than six hundred acres on which had been erected a two story, six room, log dwelling house well built and comfortable. The best information obtainable gives the location of this house as near to or on the spot where the John Shields's house now stands. The first owner seems to have occupied the place intermittently for about eleven years and had but few acres cleared for cultivation.

Alexander Thompson with the help of his three sons cleared fifty acres during the first year and raised excellent crops of corn, wheat, and other staple products from the beginning. He at once planted an orchard of two hundred apple trees, which became noted for the quality and abundance of its fruit.

In letters written by this settler to his friends we have found most excellent descriptions of the resources, soil, climate, people and general conditions as

Page three

he found them during his early days in America. These letters praise in highest terms the land of his adoption and never express the slightest regret for having left his native country.

Alexander Thompson was a man of clear, honest mind, sound principles, strong physique and great energy. These traits he and his good wife seem to have transmitted to their fifteen children, thirteen born near Glasgow, Scotland and two in America. William, Alexander, Jr., and Archibald entered the American Army and made excellent records as soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

A family historian tells us that many descendents gained "high and honorable positions in politics, commerce, higher learning, the professions and as honest, industrious, cultivators of the soil."

Besides those bearing the name Thompson, mention may be made of the Agnews of New York, the Wylies of Philadelphia, the Watsons of Pittsburgh, the Hendricks of Indiana, together with a host of the better families of Franklin County.

This Early Settler was himself an active and prominent supporter of the Reformed Presbyterian Church which he regarded as the lineal successor of the Covenanters of Scotland (British Isles).

For many years the religious services of that church were held in his house. Often during the beautiful summer weather the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed in the Orchard and closely followed the worship of the covenanters.

The Covenanter or Reformed Presbyterian church of Scotland was regularly organized August 17, 1791. First a log structure then later a substantial stone church housed the congregation.

It is said that Alexander Thompson wielded a wider influence in its councils and contributed more to the subsequent history of the societies of this faith than any other individual of his generation. His house was the religious center of a wide area of country. Here in September, 1795, a general meeting was held, in which the following persons representing the different societies of the Kittatinny Valley, participated: William Galbraith, John White, John Renfrew, Wm. Guthrie, John Walker, John Steel, James Shireman, Alexander Thompson, Wm. Coder, Robert Davidson, Anthony Burns, Thomas Duncan, John Guthrie, Thomas Castor, Wm. McCrea, William Speer, John B...................., and David B.... . .. At this meeting eight individual societies in what is now Franklin and Cumberland Counties were recognized. The, dicipline of these bodies was rigorous and exclusive. Among the early pastors of this scattered flock appear the names of Rev. John Cuthbertson, James Reid, David Scott, James R. Wilson, Wm. L. Roberts, J. McLeod Wilson, Moses Roney, Robert Lusk, Samuel W. Crawford, Thos. Hanna, and Joshua Kennedy. The last named resigned his pastorate in 1860, and in a few years but a small percentage of the members of the Scotland charge remained.

Alexander Thompson had long since closed a useful properous holy life on the 26th of February 1800. His remains were interred at the old Presbyterian Church at Rocky Spring near Chambersburg, and his grave marked by a suitable memorial stone.

The Old Stone Church had fallen into ruin and was torn down about 1898. All that now marks the sight is the secluded little burying ground in the heart of the village, with an entrance lane leading in to it from the main street just in front of the present Post Office.

Page four

Locust Grove Mills was the early name of the village; so named from the location of a Grist Mill on the banks of the Conococheague creek now known as the Schleichter Mill. This mill was for many years one of the busiest places in the county. David Snively, Frederick Roemer, John Sleichter, Henry Sleichter and others at different times operated the Mill in connection with a general store. For some time Mr. Hargleroad operated under one management Locust Grove Mills, Clifton ills, and Hambright's Mills, and the flour was hauled to Baltimore, Pittsburg, and other cities by the old wagoners. It was the privilege of the writer to have many interesting talks with the late John W. Etter. who lived to the advanced age of 95 years. He was one of the men who followed wagoning before the Pennsylvania Rail Road was built and if space and time would permit his tales of the road and wayside taverns would be highly entertaining.

On the sight of the original S. O. I. S., pumping station "Uncle Billy Thompson" conducted a large clover hulling mill operated by water power. An unusual Autumn flood on the Conococheague swept it away in 1878.

The Village Blacksmith Shop built nearly a century ago, now operated by A. N. Kurtz, has been a busy center during all the history of the village. Jacob Bittinger, Robert Mahon, John Mahon and others kept the forge fires burning for many decades. It was in this shop that Hon. T. M. Mahon, who represented this district in the National Congress for a number of terms, learned his trade. The stone shop although one of the oldest buildings in the village seems destined to a continued usefulness not only as a workshop but also as a political forum of the community.

About one hundred years ago a prosperous sickle factory was operated along the lane leading to Battenmore, but the grain cradle, the drop reaper and the modern self binder long since closed its doors.

Previous to the Civil War the Garver family owned a large part of the old Thompson plantation and Jacob Garver operated extensive cement, stave and saw mills up to about 1870.

The village Post Office was named Scotland in deference to the wishes of the founder and among the early Postmasters appear the names of Andrew Criswell and M. R. Chambers. When the C. V. R. R. was built a wooden bridge spanned the Conococheague at that point. This was burned by the Confederate raiders during the Civil War, but hastily rebuilt. Later an iron bridge replaced the wooden structure and in 1887 a substantial stone arch bridge was erected. The present massive concrete arch was built in 1909 when the extensive improvements were made along the C. V. R. R.

Four physicians have practiced from the village of Scotland, namely, Dr. Chas. Garver, Dr. Francis Raifsnider, Dr. Geo. A. Blair and Dr. J. J. Coffman. The last named located here about thirty-five years ago and in connection with the practice of his profession took an active part in the Franklin County, Cumberland Valley and State Medical Societies, serving as secretary of the first named nearly a score of years.

The village now has two churches. After worshiping in the house then used for school purposes for about four years the United Brethren congregation erected their church building in the year 1874. The Lutheran congregation first worshiped in the Old Covenanter Church but erected their present church in 1895.

More than half a century ago Prof. Mason Kendall was a music teacher of more than ordinary ability and the results of his teaching are manifest today in the training handed down through two generations. The Old Music Master

Page five