In 1778, James Irwin the pioneer, closed his eyes upon a comfortable home, in the presence of his "beloved wife Jean", and his sons and daughters. He was buried in the White Stone graveyard at Church Hill.

--information gathered from "Paull-Irwin: a family sketch" By Elisabeth Maxwell Paull; 1915 

from Elson Irwin's Index

NOTES ON JAMES IRWIN FAMILY

Family tradition says that the Irwin family is descended from the John Irwin who received a manor in Ireland in Cromwell's time. They came to Pennslyvania about 1727-9, supposedly landing in Wilmington, Delaware. The family came to the West Conococheague settlement in Peters Township then in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania., and now in Franklin county. Their land was about four miles south of Mercerburg.

James Irwin and his sons had numerous land warrants in this area. At the time of his death James Irwin, he owned six different tracts of land near the Conodoguinet Creek. His home became known as Irwinton Mills. He was a farmer and a blacksmith.

The family were devout Presbyterians and belonged to the West Conococheague congregation which in 1738 built its first log church building at a place called Church Hill. This building, enlarged twice, served the congregation until 1820 when a stone building was erected. In 1855 the congregation abandoned this structure and from then on worshipped in Mercersburg. The Irwins are buried at the site of the original church at Church Hill.

Like many others James Irwin was a distiller which did not seem to interfere with his or his family's devotion to Presbyterianism.

He brought up a large family of sons and daughters who were influential citizens, loyal to both country and church. One son, Archibald, served in the French and Indian Wars and the Revolution, and was commissioned an ensign in April 1756.

A fine stone house, a gristmill, and a sawmill were built by James Irwin and added to greatly after his death by his son, Archibald. The house, unusual for its day, continues to merit admiration.

James Irwin died about April in 1778 and was buried in Church Hill. His wife died in 1781. James Irwin and his wife were great great grandparents to Benjamin HARRISON, twenty third President of the United States.

There were ten children mentioned in the will of James Irwin, which was probated 21 April 1778 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

Links

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/i/l/Sharen-Williams-PA/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0126.html
• http://thecityobserver.org/irvine/b8789.htm#P8789
• Find A Grave Memorial# 78674494