It is only on rare occasions that I add a book to the list of "must haves" for the study of Scotch-Irish genealogy.  This one is for our friends with Pennsylvania connections and it is certainly a rare item.   Published in 1856 "by a descendant" it is titled: "A Tribute to the Principles, Virtues, Habits and Public Usefulness of the Irish and Scotch Early Settlers of Pennsylvania,"   Chambersburg, Pa., Printed by M. Kiefer & Co. 1856, 171 pages.   >From the preface the following:   "The writer of the Tribute contained in this work, had long desired to see from the Historical publications in Pennsylvania, a vindication of the character and principles of the Irish and Scotch early settlers of this great State and their descendants against reproach, as well as aspersion, cast upon them in some modern publications having pretensions to Historical accuracy...The writer, feeling as if the sand of his Time glass was nearly run out, and that he ere long must be laid aside from labor... has hastily thrown together in his leisure hours, taken from other avocations, the remarks contained in the subsequent pages." Those other avocations are Dr. Foote's Sketches of North Carolina and Virginia, Day's Historical collections, Dr. Smith's Old Redstone, Dr. Alexander's Log College, Dr. Miller's Life of Dr. Rogers, Dr. Elliott's Life of McCurdy and others, Craig's History of Pittsburgh, Hazard's Colonial Records and Archives of Pennsylvania, and American Archives by Force and Gordon's History of Pennsylvania, Mr Rupp's Histories of Lancaster, Cumberland and Franklin counties. The style of writing and knowledge of early Presbyterian history indicates the author may have been a member of the clergy*.  There is a lot of detail on the early members of the church as well as problems with the Indians and the struggle over land rights during the westward expansion.   The book reads a bit like Prof. Hagy's thesis on the early frontier settlement at Castle's Woods, Virginia and it is a combination of history, genealogy and geography. *I have been told recently that Judge Chambers is the author of this work. Listed below are the other books and manuscripts previously offered to the various surname lists that are predominately Scotch-Irish: The Laggan and its Presbyterianism and In the Days of the Laggan Presbytery, 1905,1908, by the Rev. Alexander Lecky, B.A., member of the Royal Sociey of Antiquaries of Ireland, Belfast, Davidson & McCormack, 54 Kings St.  211 pages    On our recent trip to Donegal we met J.B. Shannon, age 90, who assisted in the 1975 reprinting of this book.  He is the last living person who had anything to do with these books and he says they are still the BEST source for Ulster Presbyterian research.  From Lecky I quote, "The lists of names of former generations of Lagganeers, and their places of abode, that are given in the Appendixes, and which NEVER before appeared in print, whilst they may of necessity prove dull reading to those who have no acquaintance with the locality, will not, I hope, be altogether uninteresting to those who bear the same name, or live in the same places..." Fighters of Derry, Their Deeds and Descendants, being a Chronicle of Events in Ireland during the Revolutionary period 1688-1691, by William Young, Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 350 pages.    One of the most difficult sources to locate, in fact almost impossible.  Months worth of reading and packed with great genealogy.  Contains the following biographical sketches:    1.  The leaders of the County Associations who, with their levies, took part in the preliminary operations and contributed much of the man power for the Defence. 2.  The Apprentice Boys and those responsible for shutting the gates on the 8th Dec. 1688. 3.  The actual Defenders during the 105 day siege (over 1200 genealogical sketches) 4.  Those engaged in the relief of the city A History of the Siege of Londonderry and Defense of Enniskillen in 1688 and 1689, with Historical Poetry and Biographical notes, by the Rev. John Graham, M.A. Rector of Magilligan in the Diocese of Derry.  Includes the Battles of the Boyne, Athlone, and Aughrim and the siege and Capitulation of Limmerick by Lord McCaulay, Toronto, 1869    The historical poems are family genealogies about those who were at Derry and where they came from.  Along with "Fighters of Derry" these two sources contain more actual genealogical information than any others I have seen. Three Hundred Years in Innishowen, Being More Particularly an Account of the Family of Young of Culdaff with Short Accounts of Many Other Families Connected with Them, by Amy Young, 1929, The Linenhall Press, Belfast, 311 pages.    Some of the names included are Young, Hart, Harvey, Cary, Vaughan, McLaughlin, Skipton, Richardson, Knox, Ussher, Smith, Nesbitt, Chichester, Ball, Lawrence, Crofton, Boyd, Stuart and many others. The Laggan and its People, by S.M. Campbell, privately printed. A look at the history of the Laggan (Presbyterian Derry/Donegal) through the eyes of a local historian. Draws on local lore, Abercorn papers, records from PRONI. The Tinkling Spring: Headwater of Freedom, A Study of the Church and Her People, 1732-1952, by Howard McKnight Wilson, 1954, Fisherville, Virginia 542 pages    The best source of information on the Scotch-Irish of Augusta/Rockbridge Counties in Virginia.  Includes the Baptismal Records of the Rev. Craig.  In-depth study of the early families of the Shenandoah Valley. Castle's Woods: Frontier Virginia Settlement, 1769-1799, a thesis presented to the Faculty of the Department of History, East Tennessee State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of master of Arts, by James W. Hagy, 1966, 150 pages.    The most popular of the documents offered, this covers the families who settled in Russell county, Virginia when it was considered the frontier.  If your ancestors came through southwestern Virginia, this document is the history of your family.  Contains information on specific families as well as the farmers, speculators, artisans, and preachers who resided there.  Lots on the Indian battles that were a daily feature of life on the frontier.  Names like Russell, Walker, Porter, Cowan, Houston, Boone, Montgomery, Fraley, Thompson, Anderson, Kilgore, and 50 or so other "Scotch-Irish" families make this an invaluable resource for your family history. The Reverend Samuel Houston, V.D.M., by George West Diehl, 1970, McClure Publishing Co. 125 pages History of the early Virginia Presbyterians through the life of the Rev. Samuel Houston, kin to Sam Houston of Texas fame. The Stirling Merchant Gild and Life of John Cowane, founder of Cowane's Hospital in Stirling, by David B. Morris, Town Clerk, Stirling, Jamieson & Munro, LTD. 1919, 367pages. This is really two books in one.   The first part deals with the Gild. Laws, history, struggle with Unfreemen and with the Crafts, Administration, Merchandising, Conditions of entry, etc. and the second part which is about the life of John Cowane, Dean of the Gild and his contributions to it. Well there you have it.  The best documents I have found.  If you are interested in purchasing any of the above items (I would like to make copies for free but I can't) contact me at cscunc@aol.com for  details. Regards, Robert Cowan 525 Harrogate Rd. Matthews, North Carolina 28105