Cemetery

Burials in the Paxton Church graveyard date from the early 1700’s. In those days graves were not laid out in neat rows of assigned spaces, but were randomly arranged in the general area of the present cemetery. In 1792 a stone wall was constructed around those graves that were marked. In 1852 the enclosure was expanded to the south about 90 feet, to it’s present size and shape. It contains the burials of some of this area’s earliest settlers and a number of active participants in the Revolution. You are invited to take a walking tour of this historic location. By following the suggested route shown on the map, you will pass the resting places of those persons listed below, persons who helped found our country and make it great.

  1. HENRY McKINNEY (1714-1777)
    An early settler of this area. He fought in the Revolution when over 60 years old.
  2. WILLIAM KELSO (1737-1788)
    His father established Kelso’s Ferry, now Wormleysburg.
  3. REV. JOHN ELDER (1706-1792)
    Famous “fighting parson” and organizer of the Paxton Boys. Born and educated in Scotland, was a pastor of Paxton Church from 1738-1791. A staunch supporter of the Revolution, he recruited for the army.
  4. ROBERT ELDER (1742-1818)
    Eldest son of Rev. John Elder, fought in French and Indian War and the Revolution. A ruling elder of Paxton Church.
  5. JOSHUA ELDER (1744-1820)
    Second son of Parson Elder. Involved in the military during frontier troubles and Revolution.
  6. ROBERT McCLURE (1763-1839)
    Although young, fought in Revolution. A Ruling Elder of Paxton Church
  7. JOHN HARRIS, JR. (1726-1791) (include the picture)
    Founder of Harrisburg and son of man who made the original settlement there. J.H. Sr. established a ferry across river 1753, is buried near John Harris Mansion.
  8. WILLIAM MACLAY (1737-1804)
    Fought in French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. A lawyer, elected the 1st U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. Married a daughter of John Harris II.
  9. JOHN GILCHRIST (1761-1835)
    Joined the Revolution at age 15. Was captured.
  10. JAMES CROUCH (1764-1794)
    Served in the Revolution. Was captured in Quebec.
  11. EDWARD CROUCH (1764-1827)
    Fought in the Revolution. Member of 13th Congress
  12. JAMES COWDEN (1737-1810)
    Born in Paxtang. Fought in the Revolution. In 1809 was a Presidential Elector for Madison.
  13. CAPTAIN JOHN RUTHERFORD (1737-1804)
    Fought in the Revolution, commanding a company from Middletown.
  14. THOMAS RUTHERFORD (1707-1777)
    Came from Ireland in 1729. He and his wife, Jean Murdoch, are the ancestors of Rutherfords of this area.
  15. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD (1749-1785)
    Served as a lieutenant in the Revolution.
  16. JOHN GRAY (1698-1785)
    One of the earliest settlers here. Came from Ireland in 1730. Was captain of a rifle company in John Elder’s battalion during French and Indian War.
  17. ROBERT GRAY (1757-1848)
    Served in the Revolution, wintering at Valley Forge with George Washington.
  18. MICHAEL SIMPSON (1740-1813)
    Fought in Indian forays and Revolution, becoming a Brigadier General. His brother, William Simpson, was among the first killed in the war.
  19. JACOB AWL (1727-1793)
    Born in North Ireland, he came here to be a tanner. Settled near his relative, John Harris. Was a commissioner in laying out the country of Dauphin. Served in the Frontier wars and Revolution.
  20. JOHN BRISBAN (1730-1822)
    A native of Ireland, he came here about the beginning of the French and Indian War. Served as a Captain in the Revolution.
  21. THOMAS FORSTER (1696-1772)
    Born in Ireland of Scotch parents, was among the first to settle in Paxtang. Fought during Indian troubles. Helped establish Paxton Church and donated 20 acres where it now stands.
  22. MOSES GILLMOR (1749-1825)
    Born in Ulster, Ireland. Came to Hanover in 1766. Went back to Ireland before the Revolution, returning in 1783. A merchant active in political affairs, he helped established Market Square Presbyterian Church.
  23. GENERAL JOHN KEAN (1728-1801)
    One of the first settlers of Harrisburg. Heled several government positions including Judge and State Senator. Fought in Revolution. In 1800 was a Presidential Elector for Jefferson.
  24. JAMES ELDER (1895-1918)
    Killed in France during World War I.
  25. DR. M. LOUISE RUTHERFORD (1892-1976)
    Served as a Deupty Attorney General of Pennsylvania.
  26. LT. DONALD I. RUTHERFORD, JR. (1924-1945)
    Only member of Paxton Church killed in World War II.
  27. DARWIN F. PICKARD (1875-1950)
    Served as pastor of Paxton Church 1901-1905.
  28. RICHARD FULTON (1706-1774)
    One of the earliest settlers of this area, arriving in 1722. Kin of the steamboat inventor.
  29. WILLIAM BROWN (1720-1787)
    Born at sea of Scotch parents. An organizer of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. A member of the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1776. Proposed the emancipation of slaves in the Commonwealth.
  30. LUCY LORRETT (1747-1847)
    Lived 100 years. A faithful slave of the Crouch family.
  31. GEORGE LORRETT (1773-1862)
    Born on a farm in Lower Swatara Township, where his mother was a slave. One of the first blacks to own property in Dauphin County. Called “King George,” he died the last slave in the county.
  32. DINAH (1788-1878)
    Faithful and beloved “Mammy” to several generations of Cowdens.
  33. GEORGE WASHINGTON (date unknown)
    A slave who came north in 1865 with the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
3500 Sharon St., Harrisburg, PA 17111 | 717.561.0510 | www.paxtonchurch.org