This is rich and important township in the very heart of the county, and one of the latest formed, yet this very fact causes the exact date of its formation to be in the greatest doubt.  The county records giving an account of its organization having all been destroyed in the burning of Chambersburg in 1864, we fix upon the date above from the best recollection of old citizens.  The territory was taken from Peters and Hamilton Townships.  The township received its name in honor of Thomas Campbell, the founder of Campbellstown (St. Thomas).  Emigrants had arrived within its borders before the land titles of the Indians were extinguished.

EARLY LAND ENTRIES.

     The early land entries were as follows: Joseph Armstrong, Aug. 26, 1751.  Neighbors:  Patrick Knox, Robert Elliott, Johnston Elliott, Mathew Patton, Isaac Patterson.
     Thomas Armstrong, Aug. 4, 1738  (No one adjoining)
     Robert Clugadge, May 24, 1743.  (No neighbors.

Page 610 -
     Michael Campbell, Feb. 15, 1749.  Neighbors:  John Holliday, William Campbell, James Campbell, James McFarland, John Crane.
     Archibald Campbell, Oct. 8, 1798
     William Campbell, Feb. 15, 1749.  Neighbor:  James Campbell.
     James Campbell, Apr. 15, 1743.  Neighbors:  George Galloway, Michael Campbell, William Campbell.
     George Cumming, Mar. 3, 1744.  Neighbor:  John McConnell.
     Thomas Espy, Feb. 26, 1750.  Neighbors: James McBride, Robert Clagadge.
     John Holliday, Dec. 14, 1742.  Neighbors:  Sam. Holliday, Samuel Jack, James Holliday, William Campbell, Michael Campbell, Samuel McClintock, Robert Richey.
     William Holliday, Sept. 7, 1753.  Neighbors:  John McClellan, William Beatty, Thomas Dunwoody, John McCulloh.
     James Hamilton, Oct. 27, 1748.  Neighbors:  Richard Peters, James McElhany, Archibald Campbell, Peter Kingrey, John Irvin.
     Robert Hamilton, Mar. 20, 1750.  Neighbors: James Morton, Daniel Eckels, Hugh Bones, James Henry, James Ferguson, John McLean.
     John Potter, 1751, and Harry Johnston, 1750.  Neighbors:  William McClellan, Samuel Templeton, John Fenton, James Scott, John McCoy, William Holliday, James Antrican.
     William Rankin, May 8, 1751.
     Richard Sewell, Mar. 10, 1749.
     James Barton, Jan. 22, 1753.
     Alexander Walker, Jan. 20, 1753.  Neighbors:  Richard Benson, Andrew Bratton, William Bard, John McLean.
     (The list of taxables for St. Thomas Township, in 1785, is embodied in those of Hamilton and Peters Townships.)

VILLAGES.

     St. Thomas, the principal village, is located about eight miles west of Chambersburg.  The first settlers in this neighborhood came as early as 1737.  The village was laid out by Thomas Campbell in 1790, and for many years it was known as "Campbellstown."  This name was attached to it almost exclusively for about sixty years.  Even when the official name was given it, it still followed after the idea of being in honor of Thomas Campbell, and so they merely added the expressive "St." to his given name, and thus it became St. Thomas.
     Col. John Armstrong, John Campbell and John Dixon were the first settlers in this neighborhood.  Col. Armstrong settled on the farm now occupied by Samuel Walker and owned by Mrs. Samuel Rhea, about three miles north of the village of St. Thomas.
     John Campbell made his improvement on what is now the farm of Fredericks Gelwicks' heirs, near the head of Campbell's Run, one mile west of the village.  John Dixon settled where William D. Dixon now lives, at the head of Dixon Run, one mile north of the village.  Mr. William D. Dixon informs us he thinks that John Campbell was the first to settle in the township and make a permanent improvement; that he was followed next by John Dixon.  There was the strong bond between these families - they were of the "Argyles" of Scotland, and it seems wherever the Campbells went, there you would also find the Dixons.  Mr. Dixon also informs us the name "St. Thomas" was the suggestion of William Archibald, whose descendants now live on the old farm one mile east of the village.  The only controlling forces were the Argyle clan.

Page 611 -

     St. Thomas or "Campbellstown" Presbyterian Church was organized in 1813, to accommodate members and others who had been accustomed to attend either at Mercersburg or Rocky Spring.  The first Pastor, Rev. Dr. Elliott, then minister of the congregation at Mercersburg, preached but six Sundays in the year.  Rev. Dr. McKnight, of Rocky Spring, preached here one half his time.  He became pastor on the 9th of April, 1816, at $450 salary for the two congregations.  He was installed Sept. 25, 1816.  From that date to the present, this congregation has been under the charge of the preacher serving Rocky Spring.  Dr. McKnight continued his labors faithfully until he resigned Jan. 20, 1836, having served nearly twenty years.  For a time after this resignation, Rev. Robert Kennedy, of Welsh Run, supplied the people.  In May, 1840, Rev. A. K. Nelson took charge of the congregation.  After an efficient pastorate of thirty-three years, he resigned Apr. 10, 1873, when the present pastor, Rev. S. C. George, began his labors.
     Their church building was erected about the time of the organization of the church; repaired several times, and walls rebuilt.  These repairs were at the expense solely of David Wilson.  The ruling elders have been David Wilson and William Gillan, who were connected with Rocky Spring, John Wise, Thomas Gillan, Capt. W. E. McDowell, John M. Shields, Michael Keyser, Samuel H. Gillan.

     Evangelical Lutheran Church. - The date of the organization of this body can not now be ascertained.  The first pastor was Rev. John Frederick Moeller, who served for twenty years; his connection ceasing in 1829.  During his pastorate the first church was erected.  It was built in jointure with the German Reformed congregation and the Lutherans and Presbyterians.  The building was completed in 1829.  The three congregations worshiped there until 1853, when the Lutherans bought out the Reformed.  The Lutherans and Presbyterians built a new church in 1854.  The pastor was Rev. David H. Focht.  This is still standing and is owned by the two congregations.
     The pastors of the Lutheran congregation were Rev. J. F. Moeller, to 1830; Rev. John Ruthrauff, to 1833; Rev. Reuben Weiser, to 1835; Rev. Samuel Ruthrauff, to 1836; Rev. Peter Sahm, to 1840; Rev. John N. Hoffman, six months; Rev. David Smith, to 1845; Rev. William Kopp, to 1847; Rev. Adam Height, to 1850; Rev. Peter Paul Lane, to 1853; Rev. David H. Focht, to 1855; Rev. George Sill, to 1859; Rev. Solomon McHenry, to 1866; Rev. J. Keller Miller, to 1869; Rev. A. C. Felker, to 1871; Rev. A. H. Sherts, to 1884.  Rev. Jas. A. Hartman is the present pastor.

     Williamson was laid out in1870 by Samuel Z. Hawbecker.  He built the principal buildings in the place.  It is on the southern Pennsylvania Railroad, five miles from Marion; has about sixty inhabitants.

     Edenville is at the foot of Parnell's Knob, northwest of St. Thomas.

< BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS >