Does anyone know if, or how, the Joshua Harley (ca.1745-1831) who lived at Burkittsville, Maryland, connects to this Harley family?? The folklore in Maryland holds that he did come from Harleysville, but do not say much else. Was Joshua descended from Peter Becker?? Joshua's youngest daughter, Matilda (1804-1862), rests in the grounds of Providence Baptist Church, Wither's Mill, Miller Township, Marion County, Missouri, beside her husband, Ezra Slifer (1803-1865). At 01:25 AM 2/8/08 -0500, ORWAHIST@aol.com wrote: >The Primitive Christian and The Pilgrim December 24, 1878 page 809 Death >of Elder Harley. Harleysville, Pa., Dec. 10, 1878. Dear Brethren: At >the request of many of the friends and brethren I inform you of the death >of our dear old brother, Eld, Samuel Harley, who was well know to you for >many years. They desire that it be published in your paper, and also in >the B. A. W., as he was so extensively known. Elder Samuel Harley was >born on the 26th of Nov. 1795, and died at the residence of his only son >Jonas Harley, (on the premise where he lived ever since he commenced >housekeeping) October 26th, 1878, aged 82 years and 11 months. He was >the great-grand son of Eld. Peter Becker of Germantown, who was the first >minister of the Brethren in America. He came over in 1719, ten years >before Alexander Mack. His grandmother was P. Becker’s daughter, who >was married to his grandfather Rudolph Harley. His father’s name was >Abraham Harley. Elder Samuel Harley has two brothers in the ministry – >one older and one younger than himself – namely Abraham and Benjamin >yet living. His grandfather Rudolph Harley was also a minister, and the >first that ever preached at Indian Creek. He died in 1809, at an advance, >and is also buried here in the family burying ground by the side of this >father-in-law, Peter Becker, who died in 1754. Eld. Samuel Harley was >first chosen with my father to the office of deacon but was soon after >called to the ministry, in which he served the Church with >unflinching faithfulness for nearly fifty years, about thirty of which as >an elder, having for many hears the entire oversight of all the members >in Montgomery, Bucks and Lehigh counties, and very frequently assisted >the brethren in Chester, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Dauphin and other >counties in holding lovefeast, &c. he was eminently a peace-make, and >the happy instrument in the hands of the Lord in adjusting old broils and >difficulties of various kinds. But his labors, manifold and arduous as >they have been, are now ended on earth, and we believe then home as a >sheaf fully ripe in the garner of the Lord. He was not able to speak much >for the last two years. His afflictions were oft times very severe and >painful without a mummer or the least complaint, but anxious for >his release. He had his sense until the last moment of his life, and >died quite calm and serene without any struggle, or even the moving of a >muscle.