Letter: James Hamilton, Jr. to his mother Mrs. Sarah Hamilton, 1839
James Hamilton, Jr. was in Baltimore for Emma J. Wilson’s wedding on April 23.
Browse Encyclopedia
The Cumberland County Historical Encyclopedia is an expanding publication on the history of the Cumberland County. Covering a wide range of topics and the entire Cumberland County geographic region, the Encyclopedia seeks to be an initial entry point to those interested in the County's history. Entries seek to provide a list of resources available as well as showcasing some of the Cumberland County Historical Society's own collections.
Mary Hamilton (1796-1831)
Mary Hamilton, daughter of Judge James and Sarah Hamilton, was born in Carlisle on August 2, 1796. Letters between Mary’s father and his friend John Brown of Philadelphia provide details of her early life. Mary was nine years old in November 1805 when she was sent to Mr. and Mrs.
Sarah Howard Thomson Hamilton (1770-1842)
Sarah Hamilton's daughter, Susan Thorn, bequeathed the miniature portrait of her mother “in a square frame” to Mrs. Mary Moore. Its whereabouts are unknown. We are left to form a picture of Sarah Hamilton, or Sally as her husband and her sister Mary Veazey referred to her, from remarks about her in their letters.
Harrisburg Nail Works
While other mills served their local community and if successful, exported some of their products, this nail manufactory in East Pennsboro Township became one of the largest of its kind in the United States.
Regina Hartman
During the colonial era, Cumberland County was on the western frontier of colonial settlement. Although treaties had been signed allowing legal settlement, peaceful relations with Native Americans was not achieved until the 1770s.
Dr. Frederick Hartzell of Churchtown, Cumberland County, PA
Many doctors worked in multiple towns and villages during their early careers before finding enough work to settle in one location. It was the same with Dr. Frederick Hartzell. He served the village of Churchtown from 1875 until his death in 1894.
George “Dorsey” Hendel, Jr.: Liveryman
The son of Carlisle silversmith George Hendel and his wife Rosanna Jumper, George Hendel, Jr. was born on August 20, 1815. He did not follow his father’s profession, and by 1837 he was in the livery business with James Gaulagher.
Martin Herman’s Descendants hold a Centennial Celebration in 1871
Having arrived in Philadelphia from Germany in July 1752, Martin Herman settled on a tract of land in Silver Spring Township on April 15, 1771. He named his tract “St.
Hickorytown: An 1880s Snapshot of a Village on Trindle Road
Newspaper editors encouraged residents of towns and villages in the county to send them items of interest for publication. The editor of the Carlisle Weekly Herald included a letter from a resident of Hickorytown in its December 20, 1883 issue.
Susana McMurray Higgs (1794-1877)
Daughter of a Carlisle tavernkeeper, wife of an English iron worker, Aunt to a well-known actress, and benefactress to the poor, Susana McMurray Higgs was born, lived much of her life and died on the same property in Carlisle.