A small group of Presbyterians began holding meetings in the late 1790’s in the rural area around what later became New Wilmington – then located in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Early settler James Waugh donated land to the group and a small “tent” was erected, which was soon replaced with a crude log cabin chapel. The congregation was officially organized as the Neshannock Presbyterian Church in 1799 and the Reverend William Wick soon arrived to preach regular sermons. In 1819 a newer log cabin chapel was erected and a church cemetery was also soon laid out. In the fall of 1841 a larger wooden frame church was opened at the same location and served the congregation for the next sixty years. In the late 1890’s the congregation decided to construct a new building, but a dispute commenced about whether to build at the same location or move east into the nearby settlement of New Wilmington – laid out by James Waugh back in 1824. In June 1899 it was decided to abandon the current location and relocate into town. The new church as opened in early June 1900 and the old church west of town was soon torn down. The cemetery, the final resting place of many of the area’s earliest settlers, remained is use and was greatly improved within the next few years. The cemetery is still in use today and is located in the heart of Amish country. It continues to serve the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1999.
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Comments
Ronda #
Is there a list of those buried in Neshannock Presbyterian Cemetery?
Jeff Bales (EDITOR) #
(EDITOR’S NOTE) Thanks for your interest. Well, start at findagrave.com which currently lists about 142 burials at the cemetery. Check it out at:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2191917&CScn=neshannock+&CScntry=4&CSst=40&
The New Castle PA library also should have a copy of Dwight Edward Cooper’s 1999 book – Neshannock Presbyterian Church Cemetery: Wilmington Township Lawrence County Pennsylvania. It lists all the burials. You may be able to have your local library get it via inter-library loan. Ask them if they participate it that service. If that is not feasible try calling the Neshannock Presbyterian Church located in New Wilmington
at 724-946-2081 to see if they hold the burial records. Hope this helps. Jeff
Jeff Bales (EDITOR) #
Ronda, any names in particular you are looking for? I could search old obituaries if they were buried from about 1895 until now. Jeff
Darlene #
I was wondering if you have list of any Donaldson’s buried in this cemetery. If so how could I get a copy of the cemtery listing with the title page and page where they are listed. I dont find them on findagrave.
Ebenezer Donaldson wife Mary
Thank you
Darlene
Dors #
I was wondering if there are two difference cemeteries in Lawrence County, PA – one named Neshannock Presbyterian Church Cemetery – and one named Nesshnnock United Presbyterian Church Cemetery?
Jeff Bales Jr (EDITOR) #
(EDITOR’S NOTE) Doris, Yes, there are two Presbyterian churches and associated cemeteries named “Neshannock” in Lawrence County. They are not affiliated in anyway. The Neshannock Presbyterian Cemetery is located on Route 208 west of New Wilmington, while the Neshannock United Presbyterian Cemetery is located on Fairground Road in Hickory Township. Hope this helps! Jeff
Sue #
I’m thinking that my family were there too early for a marked grave as they were among the first settlers but just in case, the family name was Chappin who had land alongside Pomeroy.
Is there a hope that maybe their names are comemorated please?
Martina Weber #
Good evening, i would like to have the information about Emma R.Porter born 03/25/1877 and died 04/07/1882. I am wondering Emma Porter’s parents are buried in Neshannock Presbyterian Cemetery ? My friend tried to find them. Thank you
Mandane Ennis #
I am looking for 2 individuals who are said to be buried in Neshannock Presbyterian Cemetery
1. is a minister by the name of William Irvin Taylor born March 2, 1854 Warren Co, Ky and died Dec. 31, 1934 in New Wilmington. Lawrence Co, Pennsylvania —death cert stated he was buried in Neshannock Cem—-
2. his wife—-
Gertrude Earl Temple Taylor
Birth 24 Jun 1860 in Elkton, Todd, Kentucky
Death 12 Jan 1929 in New Wilmington, Lawrence, Pennsylvania ——-I have searched findagrave for this cemetery but can not find it —-what site you gave for findagrave does not work either—-would appreciate any info on this matter or better directions for findagrave
Yours truly. Mandane Ennis 3 rd cousin of Gertrude
Debbie Riddle #
I was wondering if there was any record of an Isaac Cochran born 09-18-1857 buried in your cemetary? His wife Emma L Cochran was buried there in 1937.
Thanks
Jennifer Myers Joy #
Hello I am searching for a couple ancestors that may be in your cemetery. John, Emily, Eliza(beth) or Catherine Mayres (Meyers or Myers or Mairs) Many different spellings according to census. They would have passed after 1850
Thank you
Jim Johnson #
I am a descendant of Captain Matthew Dawson (died 1/17/1863) who is buried in the church cemetery. I plan to visit the cemetery soon and would like the location of his grave site. Would you be able to provide that location to me.
Nancy Kozura #
If the library does not have Dwight Copper’s books you can purchase them from Mechlingbooks.com from Chicora PA.
Sandy #
Hello, Not sure how my information got entered here before I even inquired. Christopher Irwin helped build the first Neshannock Church. His son Luke was an elder but moved to Iowa in 1851. By all accounts we feel his Father passed pior to his moving. My sister attempted to find it a few years ago. A Revolutionary registry project in 1935 apparently noted his as one they couldn’t find and reached out by newspaper article for help. Found ? Could you please share any information you may have. He may be buried at a homestead for all we know. Not sure where that is. Thank you, Sandy
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