William Harkness was born 1 Oct 1739, in the North of Ireland, and when a young boy immigrated with his father, William Harkness,Sr. and settled amoung the Presbyterians of Donegal, in Lancaster. He married in 1771, Priscilla Lytle, of the same Scotch-Irish stock and living in the same settlement. The name William Harkness is found on the list of taxables of Cumberland County as early as 1753. In 1776, he entered the colonial service as an ensign and together with Mr.Lytle, his brother-in-law, was amongst the conflicts at Brandywine and Germantown. At Germantown, Mr. Lytle was killed by his side. After the war Mr Harkness, by purchase, added to his property until he possessed a large estate of some 700 or 800 acres. On it he erected a large stone dwelling house, amoung the first of that kind in the valley and devoted himself to agriculture and other business pursuits. His house was famous for its hospitality.
William Harkness died 4 May 1822; Priscilla, his wife, 31 Oct 1831. Both are buried in the old grave-yard at Silver Spring. Their daughter, Mary, became the wife of Major Robert Lamberton, of Carlisle. (from the History of Cumberland County)
William Harkness died 4 May 1822; Priscilla, his wife, 31 Oct 1831. Both are buried in the old grave-yard at Silver Spring. Their daughter, Mary, became the wife of Major Robert Lamberton, of Carlisle. (from the History of Cumberland County)
William Harkness was born 1 Oct 1739, in the North of Ireland, and when a young boy immigrated with his father, William Harkness,Sr. and settled amoung the Presbyterians of Donegal, in Lancaster. He married in 1771, Priscilla Lytle, of the same Scotch-Irish stock and living in the same settlement. The name William Harkness is found on the list of taxables of Cumberland County as early as 1753. In 1776, he entered the colonial service as an ensign and together with Mr.Lytle, his brother-in-law, was amongst the conflicts at Brandywine and Germantown. At Germantown, Mr. Lytle was killed by his side. After the war Mr Harkness, by purchase, added to his property until he possessed a large estate of some 700 or 800 acres. On it he erected a large stone dwelling house, amoung the first of that kind in the valley and devoted himself to agriculture and other business pursuits. His house was famous for its hospitality.
William Harkness died 4 May 1822; Priscilla, his wife, 31 Oct 1831. Both are buried in the old grave-yard at Silver Spring. Their daughter, Mary, became the wife of Major Robert Lamberton, of Carlisle. (from the History of Cumberland County)
William Harkness died 4 May 1822; Priscilla, his wife, 31 Oct 1831. Both are buried in the old grave-yard at Silver Spring. Their daughter, Mary, became the wife of Major Robert Lamberton, of Carlisle. (from the History of Cumberland County)
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