It has been suggested that I query on this list, hoping for information on the Lairds of Cumberland and, perhaps York Counties, in Pennsylvania. My ancestor, George BAXTER married Eleanor BEATTY, 1794, in Hopewell Twp, York County Pa in a Seceder's Presbyterian Congregation there, but know nothing of the families of either of these people. George and Eleanor had 7 children, all of whom seem to be named for family members; 2 of them were Mary Laird Baxter, born in 1804 and Andrew Finley Baxter in 1800. Another daughter, Rosanne Baxter is my 3rd Great grandmother, the eldest of the children, and born in 1794. Unable to find anything on the Baxters I went "fishing" for an Andrew Finley, and found his will of 1806, York County, in which he leaves property and money to his "niece Ellinor Baxter", and money to Roseann Baxter, to be paid her when she reached the age of 20. He also leaves things to Andrew Finley Laird, Abigail Laird and Mary Laird (perhaps the woman who Mary Laird Baxter was named for.) I founds Finleys, Lairds and McFarlanes all intermarried in the Newville area of Cumberland county, PA, in the local Presbyterian churches,( one of which I believe was a Sededer's church), and even found a Roseann McFarlane who died in 1812...was this who Roseann was named for? I feel sure all these are related, but sure need help figuring out how! Sandra -----Original Message----- From: Tena Hanna <mjhanna@jps.net> To: Sandra Ferguson <ferg@intelos.net> Cc: PLairdhoward@aol.com <PLairdhoward@aol.com> Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 12:11 PM Subject: Re: McFarlans in PA Hi Sandra, yes, you are correct this is confusing. I believe you need to post a query on the Laird-L at rootsweb. I was on this list and there is a researcher Patricia Laird Howard, who has researched the Laird line in Pennsylvania "extensively". >From the Laird family you just might get clues about your Baxter line. Patricia and her brother both have worked on their tree for 25 years. I will carbon her with this message and perhaps she can help you. My Lairds were primarily in Cumberland County. I know that finding the original documents, as you have, is the only answer to unraveling the relationships. Cemetery records, church records, published genealogies really help. Have you tried writing the Historical Society in or around Mifflin township? I have had wonderful luck with the Cumberland Historical Society in Carlisle, Pa. Lets keep in touch. Tena McDowell Hanna From: Sandra Ferguson To: Tena Hanna Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 1:24 AM Subject: Re: McFarlans in PA This is getting confusing, isn't it? Or, is it just me? I've just come upon all these Scots, so I need time to catch up. This is what I know to be so. Eleanor Beatty married George Baxter in Hopewell Twp in 1793, and Roseanne Baxter was born in 1794. There followed John McDonald in 1795, Margaret 1796, Susannah 1798, Andrew Finley 1800, Jane 1802 and Mary Laird 1804. Today I got, from the Archives in York, the papers concerning a George Baxter who died intestate in 1805. The bottom of one of the pages was signed by Elliner Baxter, so I feel fairly sure that this wa my George.....I had wondered why no further children were christened to these two, and now I know why. I also have the will of Andrew Finley, who died in 1806 and left money and the use of hid home for 5 years to his niece Elliner Baxter.....he also left 400 lbs. to Roseann Baxter to be paid her when she reached 20 years......so, I feel sure this is, somehow, Elliner Beatty Baxter's uncle......I'm just not sure how. Andrew Finley also leaves things to Andrew Finley LAird, his niece Mary Laird and Abigail Laird. do you want me to send you a copy of A. Finley's will as an email attachment? I just can't figure out how all these people fit together. If Andrew Finley was the uncle of Eleanor Beatty Baxter, he could be her mother's brother (I don't know her parents are...I 've been told they were from Mifflin Twp, but that is undocumented by me)...or her father's sister's husband...right? Do you know if the Presbyterian churches you mention were just ordinary ones, or Seceder/Reform Presbyterian? A. Finley was one of the early members of the round Hill Presby. church in Hopewell, and the Baxters and Smiths were also Seceders. Good to hear from you....we need to stick together! Sandra