Ancestry and early influences

The Scotch-Irish invasion of Pennsylvania — The Cree forbears settle in Chester County — Remove to Franklin and Hunt- ingdon — A unique diary — Walkers and Elliotts in the American Revolution — A poet schoolmaster — Queen Street house — John Cree — Jemima Kirby — Mother's letter.

ABOUT the years 1735-1738 there was a considerable exodus of Irish and Scotch-Irish families from Ulster, Ireland, to the new territories that the Penns were opening np in North America. This was due in part to the oppression of the Presbyterians by the government, but more especially to the fact that many of their leases were expiring, and the landlords were demanding higher renewal rates than the tenants were able to pay. In September, 1736, alone, one thousand families sailed from Belfast. Among those who came over in 1737 were the Crees, the Walkers and the Elliotts, who all settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In the year 1736, by treaty with the Indians, the country west of the Susquehanna was opened up for settlement and for several reasons was rapidly occupied. First, the character of the territory was very inviting — its beauty and fertility, its springs and streams; also, on account of a dispute with Maryland in regard to the boundary line, the Penns were disposed to issue special licenses and in other ways encourage settlement along the border. Most of the settlers in Chester, Berks, York, and other counties west of the Susquehanna, were Quakers, Mennonites and certain German and other sects, all non-resistants. The "Dutch" and the "Irish" could not get along peaceably together, so Penn's agents were instructed to send the German immigrants to York County and the Scotch-Irish ("That pugnacious and impractical race," as one of the early governors called them) to the country east of the river; well did the Penns know that the presence of these sturdy men, with their attachment to Protestant modes of thought and government, would put forever at rest all fears as to the adherents of Catholic Maryland disturbing their rights along the southern boundary. However, this difficulty was amicably settled in 1767, by the laying out of what has since been known as "Mason and Dixon's Line."

In 1761, the Crees, the Walkers and the Elliotts removed from Chester County. Captain Alexander Walker and Francis Elliott settled in Path Valley, Franklin County; David Cree settled seven miles away in Aughwick Valley, Huntingdon County. Of the life of these early pioneers of the wilderness but little is known; it is safe to presume that it was much the same as others of that period. The country was still filled with Indians, who roamed here and there, generally peaceable, but not always so. Chambersburg, the nearest town, was not laid out till 1764. Wild animals were abundant, and the country although fertile was covered with timber ; much of the land was on limestone foundation and the rocky nature of the ground made cultivation difficult. It is almost impossible to realize the struggles of these hardy settlers in extracting a living from nature under the conditions which surrounded them. And yet they succeeded and reared large families.

In the diary of the Rev. Philip V. Fulton, who passed through this country in 1775, may be found the following :

June 22. Rode north into Path Valley. Stopped at one Elliott's (Francis). He keeps a genteel house with good accommodations. I saw a young woman, a daughter of his, who had never been over the South Mountain, as elegant in her manner and as neat in her dress as most in the city.

June 23. Passed by the Narrows into Tuscarora Valley. On the way all day, usually a small path and covered with sharp stones. Spent the night at James Gray's.

June 24. Before breakfast came a Scotch matron with her work and spindle, twisting away at the flax. I rode on after breakfast to Mr. Samuel Lyon's twelve miles, yet in Tuscarora. He lives neat, has glass windows and apparently a good farm. Then rode to the Juniata, stopped at John Harris, Esq's. He lives elegantly. In the parlor where I am sitting are three windows each with twenty-four lights of glass.

It is extremely probable that the young woman referred to, the daughter of Francis Elliott, was the same who married David Walker and became the great-grandmother of Thomas K. Cree. It is of interest to note that the writer speaks of certain settlers using glass in their windows, as though it were unusual at that time so far from "the city."

Alexander Walker had five sons — John, Robert, Samuel, James and David. He died in 1775. In 1777, during the Revolutionary War, the First Battalion of Cumberland County militia was formed and placed under the command of Colonel James Dunlap. One of the three companies of this battalion was raised in what is now Franklin County and was commanded by Captain Noah Abraham of Path Valley; the first lieutenant of this company was Archibald Elliott, and the second lieutenant was Samuel Walker. Robert Walker was a private in the same company. The other Walker brothers also served various terms of enlistment. John Walker married a Miss McGruire, and David Walker married Francis Elliott's daughter, settling in Aughwick Valley about a mile from David Cree.

In the family of David Cree were eleven children, born from 1774 to 1794. The second of these was James, born September 20, 1776. March 1, 1803, James Cree married Elizabeth Walker, the daughter of David Walker, born November 18, 1774. James and Elizabeth Walker Cree had eight children, the second of whom, John Elliott Cree, was born July 16, 1805, married June 24, 1830, Jemima Kirby. John and Jemima Kirby Cree had five children, Thomas Kirby Cree being the third.

The following letter from Thomas to his brother James announces the death of their grandfather, James Cree, and contains a tribute to his memory:

Pittsburgh, Pa., February 12, 1858.

Dear Bro. Jim :

I have just received the enclosed dispatch, containing the melancholy intelligence of Grandfather's death. When I last saw him he told me that it was hardly likely we would ever meet again. Last summer, when I had expected to go home, I thought that his surmises would not prove correct. Had I then known what I now know, I would have gone, let the consequences have been what they might. I never knew how much I loved him till he was lost to us.

When I was there since he has been blind, we were much together, and I think he had come to be much attached to me. But he has gone now, and I sincerely hope we may both be as fitted to meet our final Judge as he — for he was one of the righteous men of the earth

Your brother,

Tom.

James Cree died February 11, 1858, near Burnt Cabins, Huntingdon County, Pa., after a few days' illness, aged eighty-one years. His wife Elizabeth, aged eighty-three, had strength sufficient only to prepare the clothing for his burial, and a few days later followed her husband. Miss Polly Walker, her sister, had died January 22, and another sister, Susan Walker, within a few days of that date. It is very unusual that four persons so closely related and all over eighty years of age, should without any special disease die within about two weeks of one another.

Among the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who came to America between 1760 and 1765 were William Withney and Nancy Bryan, who had been married in Ireland, and who settled about five miles west of Chambersbnrg on the Warm Spring Road. About him we know very little, but anyone visiting the old farm and realizing the beauty of the location, with the extended views of mountain and valley, will have no fault to find with his taste. In this beautiful spot he lived and died. Captain Adam Poe, one of his executors, said his only epitaph need be — "Here rests an honest man." Their children were, Arthur, who married Mary Wise and lived in Hagerstown; Jean, who married Thomas Kirby; Elizabeth, who married John Kennan and moved to Ohio ; Agnes, who married William Armstrong, and John, who died a bachelor.

The Kirby family came from Wales, and originally settled in Virginia. Thomas Kirby, who was born there in 1757, came to Pennsylvania about 1778. He was by occupation a schoolmaster, and was evidently of a senti- mental turn, since there are still extant specimens of poetry of his composition. Among these are two "Love Songs" written at the Back Creek schoolhouse, June 20 and August 26, 1780. Two sisters followed him to Chambersbnrg, but after a few years returned to Virginia. In 1784 he married Jean Withney and moved to Hagerstown; three children were born to them in Maryland, but they all died young and were buried at Brown's Mills, where he taught school for a time. Soon afterwards he returned to Chambersburg and resumed his profession of teaching in a building on Queen Street, where was located afterwards the home of John and Jemima Cree^ and where Thomas K. Cree was born. Thomas Kirby was also a conveyancer and surveyor. He was a great reader and had the best library then in Chambersburg. He died in the Queen Street house in 1815; his wife Jean continued to reside there for twenty years, dying in 1835. Both are buried in the graveyard of the Falling Spring church at Chambersburg.

Jemima Kirby was born in the Queen Street house in November, 1800. She was married June 24, 1830, to John E. Cree. For some reason he was led to drop the "E" and was known simply as John Cree. With the exception of a short time spent in Pittsburgh, after their home was burned by Confederate cavalry in 1863, Jemima Cree lived her whole life in the Queen Street house (or the one which replaced it in the same location), where she was born and where she died, March 24, 1892. John Cree died there February 21, 1890.

John Cree was a skilful cabinetmaker and for many years conducted a furniture factory on West Queen Street, where much of the furniture of the Chambersburg of that period was made. He never used tobacco, and was naturally desirous that his sons should not do so. One day on coming around the corner of the barn he found Thomas and three boys of the neighborhood puffing in turn from the stub of a cigar that they had picked up somewhere. He appeared to be very much pleased at the sight, saying: ^^Why how nice it is that you boys are large enough to smoke ! That is very nice indeed ! But I am afraid that is not a very good cigar you have there ; I will give you some money, and you can go down to the cigar store on the corner and get each of you a cigar for himself." So he gave them five cents with which to buy five cigars; the quality may be guessed by the price. The boys each bought a cigar and smoked it, or as much of it as he could, and they were cured for the time being of all desire to smoke.

Of his character much might be written. Quiet, patient and of the most gentle dispo- sition, he was the friend of everyone. It is doubtful whether he ever had an enemy. His consistent Christian life was an object lesson for the entire community. For many years he was an elder in the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church and the superintendent of the Sunday school — later he was an elder in the Central Church. His devotion to his church was without measure and no sacrifice was too great, no labor too arduous in her service. Always in his place when possible, even in his later years when he was too deaf to hear anything of the service ; always willing to perform any duty assigned him, he unconsciously set an example worthy of emulation. "Apparently the mildest of men, he possessed a strong will, and though meekness was characteristic of him he was not without spirit. Kindness and honesty were his in a marked degree, but of all his virtues humility was preeminent. Humbly and quietly he walked through life, daily exemplifying the beauty of the faith which was his solace and strong support. Friend and neighbor testify to his integrity, the sick and suffering cherish the remembrance of his helpfulness. Children and grandchildren revere his memory. Like one of old, he walked with God, and he is not, for God took him." Such was the father of Thomas K. Cree.

Jemima Kirby had three sisters, Mrs. William S. Davis, Mrs. Silas Harry, Mrs. William Gilmore, and a brother, James E. Kirby. Of these, Thomas K. Davis, in his book, The Davis Family, says: "The four sisters and their brother remained in Chambersburg. All reared families, and what jolly times we cousins had growing up together! The Kirby sisters were all clever, intelligent and witty, amiable and hospitable, with plenty of Scotch-Irish humor, full of fun and laughter, making their homes attractive centers of good fellowship — and withal good Christian women, devoted to their Lord and Master and their church."

Jemima Kirby was a remarkable woman. Given a fair education in the private schools of the town, she supplemented it by being all her life a reader of good books. Her mind was early stored among other things with David's Psalms and Scott's poems, from both of which she could recite at length when over ninety years of age. Her powers of description were wonderful, and it is to be regretted that she did not write for publication. In later years her vivid memory made the recital of the events of her life most fascinating, covering as it did nearly an entire century. Her descriptions of the people she had known, and of the life of her home town were full of interest to her children, her grandchildren and her many friends.

Always rather delicate in health, her bright mind, strong will, fearless spirit, loving disposition, quick wit and deep religious feeling made her a unique personality, a power in the circle in which she moved and of the town in which her life was spent.

She was a born letter writer, and the letters which have been preserved are full of interest, especially those called her "war letters," written between 1860 and 1865. No better account has been given of those exciting times in the Cumberland Valley than may be found in them. Those written to her son James after he went to Pittsburgh in 1849, show the beauty and force of her character, and the lovely life of the Chambersburg home. One of these letters is here given as showing the influence which she endeavored to exert over her sons when separated from them. It may well be assumed that she wrote similar letters to her son Thomas, although it is not known that any of them have been preserved. This letter was probably written in January, 1849:

Sabbath evening, about % past 7.

My dear James:

You will think on opening this letter: "What, Mother writing on the Sabbath!" Let me account for it. I am sitting here alone. Father and Jane are at church, and the children gone to bed. It was too early for Thomas, but he was not well. I felt low spirited without any particular cause for it, and thought I would commence a letter to you to cheer me up, as when I am writing I almost fancy I am talking to you. I believe that if there is any one time when we miss you more than another it is in the twilight of a Sabbath evening, when we gather round the stove and your place is vacant; we often try to sing as we did when you were here, but we soon miss our leader, and have to stop. Jane E. does not sing as well or as much as she did, owing to a lump she has in her throat. Kirb. is learning, but his voice is still rather loud and wild.

I am pleased with your account of spending your Sabbaths, but hope that you will not forget that we are enjoined to attend the private as well as public exercises of the day. Always try to have time to think over what you hear, and some time to devote to reading the Bible and other good books. I think there is no danger of your reading improper works, as, although you are away from us, I know, or at least hope, that you will not forget the instruction you received on that subject. There are few things that have more to do in the formation of a young man's character than his reading. Shun novels as well as other works that would seem more dangerous. They have been the ruin of many a young man, as well as females (correct that grammar). Beside their bad effect on the moral character of youth, they destroy a taste for all useful as well as religious reading. By useful I mean history, etc. Shun them, therefore, next to drinking and bad company. This advice may be useless to you, but if you should be led into temptation, think of it.

(Monday morning) Do you intend attending Mr. Brown's church regularly? If so, I think it a good choice, as he is very highly spoken of, and it is much more pleasant, I think, than going over to Allegheny.

I wrote the first page of this, as you will see, last night, and tho' I did not intend writing any news, yet I had to stop, as a "still small voice" would say, "Do not today what can be done tomorrow." I said I felt low spirited; I think the term was wrong, as I only felt lonely. I am so old-fashioned that I look back almost with regret to the "days of old lang syne," when the evenings were spent in social converse, reading, catechizing, etc., around the fireside of home ; and I know that when families are scattered far and wide, the parents sleeping in the dust, and the children perhaps far apart, such evenings would be a ''green spot" to look back to, and a link to bind their affections together. But things must change, and in towns and cities, where there are so many sinks of vice open on the Sabbath, there must be night preaching to try to counteract their influence; and of course when there is preaching, it is our duty to attend

I remain, as ever, your affectionate mother

J. K. Cree.

Mrs. Cree died at ninety-two years of age, outliving her husband and all of her children but James and Thomas. The destruction of the family home and furniture, in fact their entire possessions, by the burning of Chambersburg in 1864, was a great loss. For many years there was some prospect that the national government might reimburse them, but it was never done.

Note. The children of David Cree were: Samuel, born February 14, 1774; James, born September 20, 1776; John, born September 30, 1778; Jane, born April 5, 1780; Mary, born May 2, 1782; Ann, born June 8, 1784; Hannah, born May 6, 1786; Jonathan and David, twins, born October 4, 1788; Robert, born January 1, 1790; Alexander, born October 20, 1794.

James Cree died February 11, 1858, and wife Elizabeth eight days later, February 19. Their children were as follows: David, born January 2, 1804; married September 10, 1824, to Debora Dickson; died August 8, 1890. John Elliott, bom July 19, 1805; married June 24, 1830, to Jemima Kirby; died February 21, 1890. James, born May 20, 1807; married November 22, 1835, to Eliza Walker; died May 22, 1882. Eliza, born June 9, 1809; married May 10, 1831, to Brice Blair; died April 12, 1876. Walker, born August 20, 1811; married November 26, 1835, to Ellen Neff; died December 14, 1900. Jonathan, born June 17, 1814; married December 4, 1845, to Ehoda J. Elliott. Anna, born April 20, 1816; married January 1, 1846, to John M. Walker; died January 8, 1884. Mary, born December 27, 1818; died August 17, 1820.

The children of John and Jemima Cree were : James Walker Cree, born in 1831; married in 1858, Cornelia E. Dunham; died in 1906. Jane Elizabeth Cree, born in 1834; married in 1861, William S. Everett; died in 1864. Thomas Kirby Cree, born August 27, 1836; died December 3, 1912. Mary Cree, born in 1841; married Jere B. Shenafield; died in 1884. Ellen Cree, born in 1845; died in 1850.

This is not really a biography. It is an account of Thomas K Cree's ancestors and the life they led in the early days after they arrived in the USA from Ireland. It is taken from Thomas Kirby Cree: a Memorial edited by Major John K. Cree and H. S. Ninde, Association Press, New York, 1914.

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