Strongstown Cemetery
The Old Strongstown Cemetery
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The old Strongstown cemetery is pictured above, and plans are now being made
for perpetual care of the burial ground. Its history goes back to 1803, the
year Indiana Co. was formed, for it was then that James Strong, Jr., of Windsor
Township, York county, purchased this tract. In 1807, James and Catherine Howard
Strong moved their little family to the new home a few rods from this spot.
In a few years they were followed by James and Barbara Emenheiser Hill, also
of York county, who bought the adjoining tract.
Lumbering in the surrounding pine forests increased activity in the quiet community,
and the two friends saw an advantage to be gained by laying out a town and selling
lots. Strongstown was laid out for James Strong and James Hill by James Evans
in 1823.
Two stories are told of the manner in which the town was named. One story is
that the two men drew straws, and the one selecting the shorter one received
the honor. The other story is that a date was set for the dead-line on housebuilding
and the person having the most cabins erected by that date would be the winner.
However, James Strong received the honor.
This became a shopping center for lumbermen and early settlers for miles around,
and sometimes things got quite lively over the week-end. A tradition in the
Strong family credits Mrs. Strong and Mrs. Hill with having discussed the name
of the town long after a decision had been reached. Grandmother Hill still thought
it would have been nice if the village had been named Hilltown. "Hilltown,"
sniffed Grandmother Strong, "Hilltown." "Well, I think it's a
good thing they did call it Strongstown. Hilltown! Why, they might just as well
have called it H——town and been done with it!"
Soon these devout Lutherans found the need for a church, and services were held
in the homes of James Strong. Jacob Sawyer and George Bowers, and sometimes
in the school house. In 1832, a log church, 20-30 was erected on this ground
for the "use of all Christian denominations." James Strong sold the
ground to Ac trustees, Jacob Strong and George Mardis, Sr. for the sum often
dollars. Jacob Bennet was the stone mason and John Fink was the carpenter.
It is said the first man to be buried in the litde cemetery was Thomas Hull
who had been killed by falling from a wagon. Soon it became the final resting
place of many others including the founder of the town.
The little church is gone, but the graves of the early settlers remain. Their
remote descendants have scattered from New Jersey to California, and even to
the "islands of the sea" for one family reports from Porto Rico. Since
members of the James Strong Society of Pennsylvania believe they have more relatives
buried there than any other family they have started a movement for perpetual
care. All credit for its fine appearance today goes to Ralph RummelL local resident,
who has cared for the cemetery the past 3 years without making charge.
The society will sponsor a pie social in Penn Run Grange HalL Friday evening,
November 10th. This is to be a community affair and the public is invited. Envelopes
will be sold containing the name of the owner of the pie. There will be a guess
cake, a cake walk, door prize, and a free coffee for all who buy pies.
Details concerning plans for a trust fund may be obtained by contacting Mrs.
Charles L. Strong, Penn Run: Mrs. Grace Rankin, Strongstown, or Mrs. Frances
Strong Helman, 732 Locust Street, Indiana.