Index of Cumberland County Birth, Wedding, Divorce & Obituary Newspaper Records - 2003
This index runs from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.
State Commission Lists 48 Historical Markers in Cumberland County
Recently published by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is a 216-page, new edition of its popular Guide to the State Historical Ma1kers of Pennsylvania. The compiler is George R. Beyer, a Commission historian who manages the marker program. Another state historian, Harold Myers, has written introductions to the twelve sections of the book which correspond with the dozen geographical regions into which the Commonwealth is divided for the marker purposes.
Of interest is that the book lists not only the approximately 1,500 blue and gold aluminum roadside markers in Pennsylvania which first began to appear in a new program launched in 1946, but also about 150 of an earlier generation of less conspicuous bronze ones erected between 1913 and 1933. The latter, often jointly sponsored by a local historically-minded group, are usually bolted to large boulders. Three of these can be found in Cumberland County.
FARTHEST NORTH OF CONFEDERATES The farthest north attained by any organized body of the Confederate Army of General Robert E. Lee was reached here at the farm of Joseph Miller on the morning of June 28, 1863. Hearing that Sterrett's Gap was occupied by Union troops, these outposts returned to their command at Carlisle. From these hills the tide of Confederate invasion receded, destined never to return. Marked by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission and the Hamilton Library Association. [Dedicated at Sterrett's Gap October 26, 1929.]
SHIPPENSBURG Settled about 1733. Laid out and named for Edward Shippen (1703- 1781), merchant, mayor and justice of Philadelphia, later a resident of Lancaster, paymaster in the Forbes Expedition, a founder and trustee of Princeton University. Grandson of Edward Shippen (1639-1712) who was the host of William Penn, mayor and merchant of Philadelphia, Speaker of the Assembly, President of the Provincial Council, and Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. Marked by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission and Colonial Dames of America, Chapter II, Philadelphia, 1925. [Erected on the wall at King and Prince Streets, Shippensburg.]
FORT MORRIS This tablet marks the site of Fort Morris, erected in November 1755 by Colonel James Burd and used as one of the chain of forts to protect the frontiers during the period of Indian hostility following the defeat of General Edward Braddock. This site was purchased by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission and the Civic Club of Shippensburg in 1920 and the tablet placed by these organizations in 1921. [Erected on US 11 at King Street, Shippensburg, October 21, 1921.]
Forty five of the 1946 series are listed in the book. One was pan of a special project, launched during the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, which placed one in the seat of all sixty-seven counties. Cumberland's stands at the old court house:
CUMBERLAND COUNTY Formed January 27, 1750 from Lancaster County. Named for Cumberland County in England, it originally extended to Pennsylvania's western limits. Carlisle, county seat, was founded 1751. Crossed by major roads, county had a key role in westward migration. [Dedicated May 17, 1982.]