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 In October 1807 a small group of Presbyterians organized the Eight Tracts Associate Church just west of Portersville. The members, led the Reverend Alexander Murray, held their services in a barn, stores, or private homes until a log cabin church was built in 1810. They acquired land in 1822 and soon erected a wooden frame church. A cemetery was also established on the grounds. The church was replaced with a wooden frame building in 1841. In 1882 the group adopted the name of Mountville United Presbyterian Church. The church underwent a major remodeling effort in 1956-57, with an upgraded interior and the digging of a full basement. The building was also encased in red brick. The congregation proudly celebrated its 200th anniversary in November 2007. In December 2012 the congregation, having issues with the PCUSA, aligned itself with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). (Sep 2013) Full Size |
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 The gravesite of Alexander Frew (1801-1895), the son of early settler John Frew. Alexander was among the first “white” children born in Slippery Rock Township. (Sep 2013) |  (Sep 2013) |
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 The final resting place of John Frew (1770-1853), an early pioneer who settled in Slippery Rock Township in about 1796. (Sep 2013) |  (Sep 2013) |
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Comments
Joan Forrester Keefe #
I am Joan Keefe and my Grandmother Forrester was a direct descendant of John Frew (1770-1853) who was one of the founding members of The Mountville Presbyterian Church near Portersville, Penna. John Frew’s second son was John Hamill Frew (1803-1865) who was married to Jane Thompson Frew (1809-1868). After the death of John Frew in 1853, John and Jane moved their entire family to Monmouth, Illinois. Their oldest son was Alexander Murray Frew who was the father of my dear Grandmother, Wilma Ethel Frew Forrester. Alexander Murray married Rebecca Jane McFarland in Washington, Iowa in 1865. Their children were Carl, Frank, Jessie and Wilma. Wilma eventually moved to Denver Colorado where she met my Grandfather, Reverend Ernest Gallagher Forrester. He was the senior minister of the Fairmount United Presbyterian Church. They married on June 26th, 1906. Their only child, John Ernest Forrester was born on 26th May, 1916. He was my father. Joan Keefe.
Murdeane Heller #
Hi Joan,
I just happened upon your posting and found it very
helpful. I have been on ancestry.com for about 4
years and am also a Frew descendant. From what I
have found so far, it appears that John Frew (1770-
1853) was my 3rd great grand uncle. He was a son
of Alexander Frew born in Ireland (1770-1853) dying
and buried in Ellwood City at the Slippery Rock
Presbyterian Cemetery. With the information that you
posted, I can fill in some of my missing relatives.
It would be good to hear from you and perhaps I have
some information you need and I would be more than happy to share.
Regards, Murdeane
Joan Forrester Keefe #
Hello Murdeane, We have just returned from our home in Venice Florida. I just went into Mountville United Presbyterian Church website and saw your message. If you have the information concerning the birth notice of John Hamill Frew born 1803 and died 1865, I would really appreciate it. He was the second son of John Frew and Margaret Hamill. I have a lot of information for more lines into the Revolution and sublementals for the DAR chapter here in Beaufort, South Carolina. I have been working on the family tree for the last five years. I received much of my information from my mother after her death in April, 2010. I has really been having a wonderful time of trips to many new places and lots of cemeteries and even the DAR Headquarters in Washington. Joanie Keefe
Joan Forrester Keefe #
Murdeane Heller, I would love to know if you have any information concerning the birth record of John Frew who was the oldest child of Alexander Frew (1737-1819). Or if you may have a Bible reference to the birth of John Hamill Frew the second oldest son of John Frew and Margaret Hammill Frew. He was born in 1803. Thank you Joanie Keefe
Don Artman #
Hi Joan; My wife was is descended from John and Margaret Hamill Frew also – from their 6th child, Hugh, and his wife Rachel Thompson. With your email address, I can send you a 36-page PDF Ancestry Report of information I’ve gathered (with notes and source info) for their daughter, Mary Jane. Hopefully, you will find something of use. And you may find things we ‘need’ to know! My email address is dartman2@neo.rr.com if you prefer to contact me direct. Thanks for your attention, Don Artman
Don Artman #
Don, Sorry for the delay in responding to your email of last December. In the meantime my husband and I have traveled back to western Pennsylvania, especially around Beaver, Ellwood City, and have visited the Historical Societies in both locations. I would love to receive your Ancestry Report. I am defended through John Hammill lFrew, the second oldest child of John Frew and his wife, Margaret Hammill Frew. John Hammill had this oldest child, Alexander Murray Frew who was the father of my beloved grandmother, Wilma Ethel Frew Forrester. I am Joanie Forrester Keefe. Look forward in receiving your information. Joanie Keefe
Don Artman #
Don, I forgot to give you my email.
keefekeefegolf@aol.com.
Jeffery White #
Robert White is my G3 Grandfather (pictured headstone here) and was wondering if anyone has any information about him. I am trying to figure out who his father was for one.
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