History of Carlisle, (Cumberland County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Biographies:

William Thompson, soldier, was born in Ireland, about 1725; immigrated to America, and settled in Carlisle, Pa. He was captain of a troop of cavalry during the French war in Canada, and later made his home at Pittsburgh, Pa., being one of the purchasers of old Fort Pitt, when it was abandoned by the British. After the battle of Concord in 1775, at the call of the Continental congress for troops, Pennsylvania raised eight companies of riflemen and made Thompson colonel of the regiment. He served under Washington at the siege of Boston, skirmishing at Lechmere Point; was commissioned brigadier-general in the Continental service, March 1, 1776, and in the same month relieved General Charles Lee in New York; but on April 22, was ordered by Washington, who arrived April 13, to march with four battalions to reinforce Gen. John Thomas in Canada. He went to Albany by water, and marching thence overland to Canada, met Thomas while making his skilful retreat from Quebec. On the death of Thomas, June 2, 1776, the command of the army fell to Thompson, who, on June 5, despatched Colonel St. Clair , at the latter's suggestion, to surprise and capture the British post at Three Rivers. Gen. John Sullivan , who had left New York three days later than Thompson, arrived in camp, with six battalions on June 6, assumed command, and sent Thompson to Nicolet to assist St. Clair. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Thompson was captured. He was paroled in August, 1776, and returned to Pennsylvania, but was not exchanged until 1778, and took no further active part in the war. He died at Carlisle, Pa., Sept. 4, 1781.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

James Gleddes Craighead, clergyman, was born near Carlisle, Pa., March 5, 1823; son of William and Hetty (Weakley) Craighead; grandson of Thomas and Margaret (Gilson) Craighead; great-grandson of John and Rachel R. Craighead; great-great-grandson of the Rev. Thomas Craighead, a native of Scotland, who came to New England in 1715, settled in New Jersey in 1724 and in Pennsylvania in 1733, and was a famous pioneer Presbyterian clergyman; and great great grandson of the Rev. Robert Craighead, a native of Scotland, who removed to Ireland and was settled as pastor of the Presbyterian church of Donoughmore in 1657. James Geddes Craighead studied two years at Dickinson college and was graduated at Delaware college in 1844. He was graduated at Union theological seminary., New York, in 1347, and was licensed to preach by the 4th Presbytery of New York, Oct. 11, 1847. He preached at Watertown, Wis.. 1847-49, and at Northumberland, Pa., 1850-54. In 1856 he became editor of the New York Evangelist and remained as such until 1870. He then spent six years in travelling for his health. He was corresponding secretary of the Presbyterian historical society at Philadelphia, 1876-78, and was dean and professor, theological department, Howard university, Washington, D.C., 1879-95. He was married in 1850, to Harriet, daughter of Jesse and Susan Van Auken of New York city. Maryville college, Tenn., gave him the degree of D.D. in 1871. He published: The Craighead Family (1876); and The Story of Marcus Whitman (1895). He died in Washington, D.C., April 28, 1895.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Robert Davidson, clergyman, was born in Carlisle, Pa., Feb. 23, 1808; son of Robert (1750-1812) and Margaret (Montgomery) Davidson. He was graduated at Dickinson in 1828 and in theology at Princeten, in 1831. He was ordained by the Cumberland presbytery as pastor of the second Presbyterian church, Lexington, Ky., in 1832, resigning in 1840 to accept the presidency of Transylvania university. He resigned the presidency in 1842 and removed to New Brunswick, N.J., where he was pastor, 1842-59. In 1860 he was made pastor of a church in New York city, in 1864 of the church in Huntington, L.I., and in 1868 removed to Philadelphia. He was a member of the A.B.C.F.M.; permanent clerk of the General assembly, 1845-50; and a delegate to the General assembly, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1869. He received the degree of D.D. He published: History of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky (1847); Elijah, a Sacred Drama, and Other Poems (1847); and The Christ of God (1870). He died in Philadelphia, Pa., April 6, 1876.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Robert Alexander Lamberton, educator, was born in Carlisle, Pa., Dec. 6, 1824; son of Robert and Mary (Harkness) Lamberton. He was graduated at Dickinson, A.B., and valedictorian, 1843, A.M., 1846. He was admitted to the bar in 1846 and practised in Harrisburg, Pa., 1846-80. He was lieutenant-colonel of the lst Pennsylvania militia in 1863, and at the time of the invasion of the state by the Confederate army he was a member of the staff of Governor Curtin. He was secretary of the diocesan convention of the P.E. church for the diocese of Central Pennsylvania, 1871-91, and a member of the standing committee; was a prominent Mason; a member of the state constitutional convention of 1872; a trustee of Lehigh university, 1871-98, and president of the institution, 1880-98; a director of the Lehigh Valley railroad, and a trustee of the estate of Asa Packer. He was married, Sept. 14, 1852, to Anne Buchler of Harrisburg, Pa.; of their sons, William B. Lamberton was a member of the bar of Dauphin county, Pa., and James M. Lamberton was a master Of St. Paul's school, Concord, N.H. President Lamberton received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1880. He died in South Bethlehem, Pa., Sept. 1, 1893.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor