1. William Fife, Sr., 1720-1799, Revolutionary War Veteran

Captain, Washington Co. Militia, 4th Co. 2nd Bat. Followed his brother John from Northern Ireland to this area in 1767, calling his claim of 386 acres "Fifers Delight." "Captain Billy" and his company of 96 men from this area patrolled the western border between Pittsburgh and Wheeling and accompanied the ill-fated expedition of Col. Wm. Crawford against the Indians on the Sandusky Plains. While returning home, Captain Billy found a child wandering alone, brought her back and adopted her.

2. John Fife, Sr., 1721-1800, Revolutionary War Veteran

Born in Scotland, emigrated to Northern Ireland, then to Virginia in 1756. He was the first settler in the Upper St. Clair area, acquiring 1000 acres at the head of McLaughlin Run about 1763. He was a tailor by trade and served as a private in Captain Billy's company during the Revolution.

3. James Fife, 1764-1841, Revolutionary War Veteran

Served in William Fife's Company -- each man provided his own horse and equipment. Enlistments lasted a period of months, the men returning home to plant or harvest crops then reenlisting.

4. James Kiddoo, 1762-1823

Emigrated from Scotland with his mother and brother. Acquired a large plantation in 1781 in area of Brownsville Road (now part of South Park). He registered his still as required by law thus incurring the wrath of John Holcroft (Tom the Tinker) and his men who burned his still house, shot the still full of holes, and carried away part of the grist mill. James Kiddoo was ordained an elder in 1795 and served Bethel for 28 years. His son, Thomas, served for 50 years. The oldest marked grave in the cemetery is Elizabeth Kiddoo, first wife of James, dated 1784.

5. The McCulley Family

These tombstones together reveal that mrs. Ann McCulley and her children Harriet, 21; Joseph, 19; Eleanor, 15; and Maria, 10, died in 1829-30 from consumption (tuberculosis). The epitaph reads "Another victim sinks into the Tomb, Struck by Consumption's dire unerring dart, Again fond friends are called to bewail the doom, Of whom love had linked to many a hart (heart)." Childhood diseases, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, and dysentery took a heavy toll.

6. Rev. John Clark, 1718-1797. First pastor of Bethel and Lebanon Churches, 1783-1794

Born in New Jersey, graduated from Princeton, called at the age of 63 to serve two frontier churches which he named Bethel and Lebanon. He wore 18th century small clothes with buckles and stock and a large white wig. A close friend of Rev. John McMillan, he led Bethel church in the Revival of 1787. He tried to prevent violence during the Whiskey Rebellion by meeting with irate farmers gathered at Fort Couch.

Mrs. Margaret Clark 17__-1807. Beloved wife of John Clark.

Her will honored his wishes to free their slave Dido, and donate his plantation Plain Truth (now part of Coverdale and Bethel Senior High) to Jefferson College to provide funds for poor and pious young men to study for the ministry.

7. Rev. William Woods, 1771-1834. Second Pastor of Bethel and Lebanon Churches, 1797-1831.

Called to serve Bethel and Lebanon until 1820 when they divided, then serving Bethel until 1831. He acquired and lived on the tract of land formerly owned by John Clark. He is buried beside his first wife Frances Moore who died August 12, 1826. His second wife, Ann Wright moved to Upper Ten Mile.

8. James Miller, 1763-1844

Youngest son of Oliver Miller. He inherited the Homestead in 1782 and built the stone house, 1808 to 1830. He was involved in the Whiskey Rebellion with his brothers William and Oliver Jr. He lived to be 81. Dr. Marshall recorded "he was long an honest, sincere and upright member of Bethel Church." In the same area are Oliver, Daniel, Belle, Albert, and Ida. Five generations of Millers lived in the stone house until 1927 when the Homestead became part of South Park.

9. Infant Daughter of Hannah and William Eggers

Died in Dec. 1851. The epitaph has worn away but a little lamb sleeps at the base of the marker.

10. James T. Phillips, 1839-1865, Civil War Veteran

Graduate of Bethel Academy. Killed in battle near Mather's Run in 26th year of his age. "A brave and noble soldier, he died early in defence of the best government on earth." He was buried Feb. 2 attended by a large concourse of weeping friends."

11. John Gilfillan, 1839-1862, Civil War Veteran

Attended Bethel Academy, then Jefferson College to become a minister. Wounded in the Battle of Fair Oaks and taken to a field hospital. He was met there by his brother and brought back to Pittsburgh. Infection set in and death resulted before he could be returned to his home in Upper St. Clair. Four generations, beginning with Alexander and Martha (Boyd) Filgillan are buried here.

12. Samuel Morgan Adams, 1824-1864, Civil War Veteran

A first Lieutenant in 62nd Penna. Vol. Reg., Co. Wounded near Bethesda Church and died that night. Often the bodies were never returned but a stone was erected as a memorial.

13. Dr. Cornelius W. Wycoff, 1837-1913. Fourth pastor of Bethel church, 1873-1913

Born and educated in Ohio, he was the first pastor to live in a manse provided by the church. His 40 years of service began just after the Civil War and ended just before World War I. He used a team of gray horses called Bett and Coll to visit the members of the congregation. The present white church sanctuary was built in 1910 at the close of his ministry. His wife Martha is buried beside him.

14. Dr. George Marshall, 1806-1872. Third Pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church, 1833-1872.

First permanent records kept during his pastorate. Founder and teacher at Bethel Academy which stood near Bethel School Administration Building. Trustee of Jefferson College. An expert linguist in Latin and Hebrew, he is said to have had the largest library in the area. On his tombstone is an open bible and the words "Rembmer the words that I spake unto you while I was yet with you." He was also a farmer and acquired over 100 acres of land. His brick home still stands on marshall Road today.

In response to President Lincoln's call, Captain Espy organized the St. Clair Guards. These volunteers formed Company H of the 62nd Regiment, Penna. Volunteers. He was wounded in the Battle of Gaines Hill, on June 27th and died near there on the 6th of July. As recorded by Dr. Marshall "He died among enemies and unattended by friends, and yet we hope not alone, for Jesus was with him and calmed his dying moments and Angels took his departing spirit home to glory."

16. Rev. Murray C. Reiter, D.D., 1878-1946. Fifth Pastor of Bethel Church, 1914-1946

He is located in the fourth section of Bethel Cemetery. Former pastor of Chartiers Church and Wilson, which trace their beginnings to the ministry of John McMillan. Served during the years of the depression and supported Beadling and Coverdale Missions. Moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery. He is buried beside his beloved wife Emma.

17. Peter Croco, 1745-1818, Revolutionary War Veteran

His father Andrew Kracau was born in Poland, emigrated to Germany where Peter was born. Peter served six years as grenadier in army of Frederick the Great of Prussia. He came as a Hessian during the Revolutionary war, was wounded in Battle of Brandywine. Was put on picket duty and deserted to American side. Married Elizabeth Ulrich and came west in 1792. He died in 1818 and was buried in the orchard of his nearby farm. His grave cannot now be found but a marker has been placed here in his memory.

This unusual monument was erected in the early 1900s based on a story passed down in the Hultz family. Henry Hultz, an early settler in the area, was deep in the forest chopping wood and heard chopping in the distance. Fearing it was an Indian, he cautiously searched in the area only to meet his new neighbor, William McCulley. They became close friends. Isaac, grandson of Henry, courted and married Jenny, granddaughter of William. The epitaph is on the front of your folder.

Section titled "Civil War" from "1776-1951 Bethel's 175 years of Christian Service,"
Bethel Presbyterian Church

Many men of Bethel responded promptly to President Lincoln's call in 1861 for volunteers to meet what was here branded as the "Slaveholders' Rebellion." Dr. Marshall, the pastor of Bethel, was granted leave of absence on September 26, 1861, to spend six weeks with the army at Washington. Here again the Bethel roster includes names of men of the neighborhood as well as of the church. The list follows:

Scores of veterans of the Civil war are buried in Bethel Cemetery.

Return to the Western Pennsylvania Civil War Resources Home Page or to the 9th Pennsylvania Reserves Home Page.