The Donegal Society is dedicated to promotingthe collection and preservation of the history ofthe Scots-Irish who founded the DonegalPresbyterian Church; to maintain, beautify,and preserve the grounds, trees, spring, ceme-tery, and buildings; and to be a focal point forall descendants and others interested in theobjectives of the Society; to preserve the livinghistory and heritage through membership andreunions.

DonegalSociety

The18th Century

1786 The Commonwealth ofPennsylvania grants the Charter for theChurch.

Keeping history alivefor generations to come.

The Donegal SocietyAn important resource for

the heritage and genealogy ofthe Scots-Irish in America.

1714 Emigration of Scots-Irish tothe Susquehanna Valley begins. 1721 The Donegal Church is organized

and pastoral supplies are requested.1732 The Presbytery of Donegal isorganized. 1740 Two hundred acres of land

are deeded by William Penn. A newchurch is built of stone, replacing theearlier log meeting house.

1777 During services an express riderbrings news that General Howe is prepar-ing to invade Pennsylvania and engagesCol. Lowery, who was attending services, to organize his men to defendthe front.

The congregation gathers around theWitness Tree to pledge allegiance to thecause of Independence.

18th Century

19th Century19th Century

20th Century20th Century

1810 The study house is built abovethe Donegal Spring.

1899 The Witness Tree Chapter ofthe D.A.R. presents a monument to thechurch listing the names of those whoserved in the Indian Wars and theRevolutionary War. The tradition of ThePlanting of Trees is born.

1912 The remains of Rev. ColinMcFarquhar, pastor of the church duringthe Revolutionary War, are exhumedfrom a cemetery in Hagerstown, MD,and interred in the cemetery at DonegalPresbyterian Church.

1914 A constitution and bylaws aresubmitted, and adopted, during theAnnual Reunion in June.

1851 The church is remodeled. Theold horse used to drag the stones fromthe quarry site to the church dies, andfollowing an ancient Irish custom, thehead of the horse is buried beneath thepulpit during the remodeling. Accordingto folklore, the buried head of the horsewill aid in the projection of the voice ofanyone speaking at the pulpit.

Keeping history alivefor generations to come.

DonegalSociety

The

MembershipMembership is open to anyone interested in the preservationof the historical and cultural significance of the DonegalPresbyterian Church, and the Scots-Irish settlement inLancaster County, regardless of their genealogical heritage.Members meet for annual reunions held on the DonegalPresbyterian Church grounds, the third week of June.

Anyone interested in membership should call (717) 653-1943,or write to the Society at the address below.

Directions to theDonegal Presbyterian Church

From Route 230 in Mount Joy, turn left on N. Angle Street,then right onto Donegal Springs Road, then left on ColebrookRoad for one block, then right again onto Donegal SpringsRoad to the church.

From Route 283 travelling West, take the Elizabethtown-Rheems exit, turning left at the end of the exit and continuingstraight. Turn right onto Colebrook Road, stay on ColebrookRoad for several miles, then turn right onto Donegal SpringsRoad to the church.

From Route 441 travelling North from Marietta, turn righton Route 743 to go to Maytown, then turn right on DonegalSprings Road to the church.

1988 A bronze medallion iscast to commemorate the 75threunion of the Donegal Society.

1891 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552(717) 653-1943

1917 The first of the many com-memorative markers, listing historicalevents, is unveiled.

1921 The Witness Tree is inducted intothe Trees Hall of Fame by the AmericanForestry Association. The Society agrees toseek to obtain a charter of incorporation.

1925 The memorialentrance wall and gateway arecompleted and dedicated. 1947 The Donegal Sunday

School plants a tree in memory ofthose who fought in World War II.

1911 The Donegal Society wasofficially formed.

1909 The first annual reunion ofDonegal Presbyterian Church was held.

By the mid 18th Century 12,000 Scots-Irishwere coming to America each year.

By the mid 18th Century 12,000 Scots-Irishwere coming to America each year.

Most of the early settlers were Scots whohad been relocated to Ulster, Ireland,

around Donegal and Derry, fromwhere they emigrated to America.By 1722 those arriving in theSusquehanna River area chose theirland for settlement and named thearea Donegal.

The Donegal Presbyterian Church haschanged little since its remodeling in

1851. At that time the stone walls were plas-tered, the windows were squared, and newentrances were made at the gable end of thebuilding.

The spring at the foot of the hill was essen-tial for members who made long journeys toattend services. The spring water providedrefreshment for the horses, as well as the con-

gregation who would enjoy a midday meal between themorning and afternoon services prior to returning home.

Preservation of the grounds and grove arean important part of the charter of the

Donegal Society. Many of the trees in thispeaceful setting have been dedicated to thememory of early pastors and influentialmembers of the Society. In the 1930’s, workwas started to develop a trust fund for thetrees. Miss Mary Cameron, a descendant ofSimon Cameron who was Secretary of Warunder Abraham Lincoln, was the first chair-person to oversee the preservation of the treesand grounds.

Headstones in the cemetery provide an amazingly well-preservedgenealogical resource about the settlement and development of the

Donegal area from the 18th Century through today. Burial plots continue tobe available to members of the Donegal Presbyterian Church. Special fundsand donations are used to cover maintenance of the grave markers and keepthe cemetery well-preserved and in good condition through the years.

The study house was built in 1810-1811 and over the years has been used formany purposes. At one time it was the caretaker’s dwelling. It was remodeled

in 1976, with careful attention given to preserving all the historic aspects of thebuilding and architecture, and dedicated as the William Kerr Study House in honorof Reverend William Kerr, pastor from 1807-1821. Today it houses the records ofthe Church and Society, the pastor’s office, and meeting rooms.

Enter the grounds throughthe memorial gateway,

framed by two stone pillars,erected in 1925. Each pillar con-tains tablets that honor all whoserved in World War I, and theDonegal Society members whogave their lives in World War I.The dedicatory address wasgiven by General Robert E.Davis, Adjutant General of theU.S. Army.

The original Witness Tree was a stately white oakthat grew and flourished for nearly three cen-

turies, but sadly had to be replaced. The currentWitness Tree was grown from the original tree, andstands in the same spot as a proud testimonial to thepreservation of the Donegal Society and the DonegalPresbyterian Church.

It was around the original Witness Tree that con-gregants gathered in 1777 to pledge their support ofthe fight for independence from British rule.

The Gateway

The Grove

The Church

The Donegal Cemetery

Kerr Study House

Donegal Spring

The Witness Tree