The Witness Tree Monument
Donegal Presbyterian Church
Beneath this Witness Tree a new born patriotism found notable expression
On a Sunday morning in September 1777 an express rider came to tell the congregation of Donegal Church that the British army under Lord Howe had left New York to invade Pennsylvania. This news demanded from them all a new attitude toward the facts which challenged them to show proof of their patriotism. Their pastor....
the Rev. Colin FcFarquhar had been accustomed to offer prayers for the King of England. Pastor and Congregation gathered under this historic tree, and together joined hands, and under its shade pledged their loyalty to the cause of liberty and the founding of a new nation in the western land.
The Rev. Colin McFarquhar was a graduate of Edinburgh University, Scotland. A scholar of the highest attainments and finest Christian character, he came from Garelock, Dumbarton County, Scotland near the firth of Clyde, and on May 22nd, 1775, was received into the Presbytery of Donegal. For ten years he was separated from his family who were detained in Scotland and after freedom was declared, when they rejoined him in Donegal, his pastorate in this church lasted for thirty years until 1806, when upon the death of his wife, he resigned his charge. He died in 1822 at his daughter’s home in Hagerstown, MD, and his remains were brought here where they
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Among the names of the families who were members of Donegal Church about that time were the following: Acker, Adnew, Allison, Bayley, Beul, Boods, Bynes, Caldwell, Cameron, Cassel , Chamberlain, Clark, Clingar, Cook, Cowan, Craig, Curry, Emmock, Evans, Fulton, Galbraith, Hays, Henry, Howard, Hutcheson, Jamison, Johnson, Kelly, Kerr, Keys, Little, Lowery, McClure, McKean, McLLan, McQueen, Maers, Mayes, Mercer, Middleton, Miller, Montgomery, Moore, Muirhead, Patton, Patterson, Pedan, Porter, Robertson, Scott, Spears, Sterrett, Stevenson, Templeton, Thompson, Vance, Watson, Whitehill Wilson, Woods, Work.
“For they gat not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm same them, but thy right hand and thine arm and the light thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them” Psalm 44:3
(Inscription on the base)
Placed by the Donegal Society June 13, 1919
Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1917.
Location. 40° 6.06′ N, 76° 33.966′ W. Marker is near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It is in East Donegal Township. Marker is on Donegal Springs
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Donegal Presbyterian Church (here, next to this marker); The Witness Tree (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Donegal Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Telegraph (approx. 1.9 miles away); In honor of those who served our country in Korea & Vietnam (approx. 2 miles away); Honor Roll (approx. 2 miles away); In honor of those who served in the World War (approx. 2 miles away); Simon Cameron (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Joy.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
