Chestnut Level, PA: 1700's Church with two cemeteries

Описание: My friend Chris and I visited the Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania a few weeks back. It was a beautiful (but CHILLY) Saturday morning with clear skies and sunshine. Our research indicated that this was the place where we'd likely find the oldest known gravestones in Lancaster County. The church itself was reportedly built in the mid-1700s, but is still very much in use today. The building, the grounds, and the two cemeteries are all in excellent condition - obviously well cared for.

The oldest LEGIBLE stone is in the new cemetery, belonging to Elizabeth King who died in 1732. But I have since learned from the church's website that there is an older stone in the old cemetery - that of Elizabeth McPherson (1690-1726). This stone is visible in the video at the 7:14 time mark. It's the one between two American flags. (If you pause the video, you can see that the stone is no longer readable.) Based on the records available to the church, it is believed that Mrs. McPherson - first wife of William McPherson - was the first burial in the old cemetery.

Also of note, as to the gravestone of Sarah Patterson (shown at the 19:20 mark)... the Burial List of the old cemetery shows that she was born in 1717 and died in 1760. So that seems to clear up the odd way the death date was originally carved.

I have seen far too many burial grounds less than half this old that are in terrible condition. So I definitely commend the folks who tend to these Chestnut Level sites... they are doing some great work.

MORE INFO:
Church History
https://www.chestnutlevel.org/history

Old Cemetery History
https://www.chestnutlevel.org/cemetery

Burial List of Old Cemetery
https://www.csmedia1.com/chestnutleve...