The ancestorial home of the Elder family is assumed to have been Elderslie, near Paisley in Renfreshire, Scotland. Being about six miles from Glasgow. It was in this shire that the progenitor of the American family was born, about 1679. He moved to Lough Neagh, country Antrim, Ireland. The date of his arrival in Pennsylvania is unknown, but he died near Harrisburg, at seven o'clock July 28th, 1746, and is interred in an unmarked grave in The Paxtang Grave-Yard attached to the church, where his son, the famous "fighting parson," ministered for many

The wife of Robert Elder (immigrant died Oct. 25th, 1742, at 8 o'clock at night. She is also buried in Paxtange Grave-Yard. (above data taken from a records of Parson Elder, kept in vol. of Bishop Atterbury's sermons. Now in possession of Dauphin Co. His. Soc. )

Robert Elder b. 1679 Scotland d. July 28th, 1746 m.
Eleanor d. October 25, 1742

1. Robert Elder b. 1704 d. Path Valley 1807
2. John Elder b. January 26, 1706 d. July 17, 1792
   m1) Mary Baker
   m2) Mary Simpson.
   Known as the fighting parson of the French and Indian Wars. He was a graduate
   of the University of Edinburgh and about 1735 followed his father to America.
   He accepted a call to Paxtang Church April 12, 1778 and remained with the
   church until his death.
3. Thomas Elder b. 1708 m Mary Patterson. He died in Lancaster Co.
4. David Elder b. 1710
5. James b. 1712 came to America about 1752 m. Elizabeth (said to have been Maips) b. 1714 d. 1816 at home of her son-in-law Robert Kerr, in Fannett Twp., Franklin Co., Pa. James Elder, b. 1816 in Fannet Twp.. (Col. Robert Elder, son of Parson John Elder, always referred to this James Elder as his uncle.)
6. Thomas b. 1708 m. Mary Patterson
7. Ann b. 1713 supposed to have m. J. Anderson

Agnes Elder, Daughter of James and Elizabeth Elder was born March 17, 1763, Dry Run, Cumberland Co. (now Franklin Co.) Pennsylvania d. April 15, 1859 m. 1784 Robert Kerr. Robert Kerr was from Londonderry County, Ireland.

Agnes Nancy Bone Kerr is listed with eleven other children, the issue of Robert Kerr who married 1784 Agnes Elder and resided in Franklin County, Pennsylvania
---------------------------
Last updated August 19, 1982
------------------Sources:

   History of the Lucas and Simison Families by 
   Dora Ann Taylor, Drake University, 1938, pp. 24-46

   Letters From Joan Thompson, Payson, Arizona 85541

   Personal research.

My name is Sherry Nabring, and I am interested in the Elder family. My ggggggrandmother Rachel Boiler married Thomas Elder. I have been told that he was descended from the Elders you have listed in your family tree. His mother was Margaret (Peggy) Hill White or White Hill - father I believe died in North Carolina. I would really like to verify the information that I do have. Any information would be greatly appreciated. — Alan & Sherry Nabring, 1030 Fairview Drive, York, PA 17403 USA — 717-812-9856 — nabring@blazenet.net.

• 1759 m 5 Mar 1759 Swede's Church, Philadelphia
• 1761 had Martha Elder born abt 1761 married William Taylor
• 1762 lived Fannet, Cumberland Co (later Franklin) PA
• 1763 had Agnes Elder 17 Mar 1763
• 1778 James Elder pd tax of 12 + pounds Fannet, Cumberland Co., PA
• 1779 James Elder owned 200 acres, 3 horses & 3 cattle
• 1780 James Elder owned 200 acres, 6 horses & 6 cattle
• 1781 James Elder owned 230 acres
• 1782 James Elder owned 230 acres, 3 horses & 4 cattle
• 1784 daughter Agnes Elder married Jun 1784 Robert Kerr
• 1785 Franklin Co, PA Deed Bk I, page 212 - James & Elizabeth (Maipes) Elder - 1785 - gave their land and other things to Robert Kerr
• 1816 Elizabeth Maipes Elder d 17 Jul 1816 age about 106
• 1817 Robert Kerr d 13 June 1817 - in his will recorded (Bk C page 343 Chambersburg, Franklin Co, PA) provided for "my father-in-law James Elder" and mentions his wife, Agnes and their children
• 1818 James Elder d 13 Aug 1818 about the age 102 (James and Elizabeth are buried in the Spring Run Cemetery in Path Valley, Franklin Co., PA.)
• 1859 Agnes Elder Kerr d 15 April 1859 - her obituary states that both her parents lived to be over 1200

Source for the above research is Mary Cole

May 17, 2007