History of Chestnut Level, (Lancaster County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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James Latta, educator, was born in Ireland, in 1732; son of James and Mary (Alison) Latta. His parents brought him to America and he was among the early students at the College of Philadelphia, entering May 25, 1754, and was graduated salutatorian at the first commencement, in the class of 1757. He was a tutor in the college, 1756-59, when he resigned to complete his preparation for the Presbyterian ministry, studying with the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, vice-provost of the College of Philadelphia, 1755-79. He was a missionary in Virginia and the Carolinas, 1759-61; stationed at Deep Run, Bucks county, 1761-70, and at Chestnut Level, Lancaster county, 1770-1801. He was the moderator of the third general assembly of the Presbyterian church in' America. He established and conducted a flourishing school at Chestnut Level, which was suspended by the outbreak of the American Revolution, and he then joined the army as private and served as chaplain. Subsequently another school in the bounds of his congregation being without a principal he conducted it for several years and he became well-known as an educator. He married Mary McCalla and had sons: the Rev. Francis Alison, University of Pennsylvania, 1790; the Rev. William, University of Pennsylvania, 1794; the Rev. John Ewing, University of Pennsylvania, 1795, and the Rev. James, Jr., ordained April 3, 1811, all Presbyterian clergymen. He received the degree of A.M. from the College of Philadelphia, in course, and the honorary degree. of D.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1799. He is the author of Psalmody, and sermons. He died at Chestnut Level, Pa., Jan. 29, 1801.

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

History of Chestnut Level, (Lancaster County) Pennsylvania

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