To Dorothy grosz@cybertime.net and others researching the PALMER surname in Crawford County. Here are some references I found to that surname in the "History of Crawford County, PA, 1885." On page 393, in the history of Meadville: "The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1850, with five members, by Rev. Jacob PALMER, the first pastor of the congregation. They held services for a time in a small brick building in the rear of the Lutheran Church, but in 1853 purchased from the Baptists for $500 their present property on the northeast corner of Liberty and Arch streets. The building was repaired in 1867, partially destroyed by fire in 1876, and rebuilt the same year. The church record only goes back to 1861, since which time the following preachers have had charge: Revs. John Franklin, Hanfield, John Gibbons, W.H. Brown, Benjamin Wheeler, J.M. Morris, Benjamin Wheeler, W.J. Phillips, W.P. Ross, E.C. Herbet, J.M. Griffin, John Russell, J.M. PALMER and R.H. Jackson. The membership is now about seventy, and the attendance at Sunday-school averages about forty children." On page 486, in the same section: "The African Methodist Episcopal Congregation meets in Trinity Chapel, which stands on the southeast corner of Elm and Myrtle Streets. It is a frame structure, 32x62 feet, and was reared in 1870 at an expense of $3,500. The class had been organized the year previous by Re.v Benjamin Wheeler, with ten members. The first male members were: John Neal, Robert Jackson, Theodore A. Thompson, Benjamin Gaylord and Willis Marion. Rev. J.A. Hemsley and others soon after united. The membership now comprises thirty-two. The pastors have been: Rev. B. Wheeler, 1869-72; J.M. Morris, 1872-75; B. Wheeler, 1875-77; W.A. J. Phillips, 1877-79; J.M. Morris, 1879-80; A.R. PALMER, 1880-83; S.T. Jones, 1883-84." On pages 619 and 620, in the history of Rome Township: "An early Methodist society flourished at Centreville prior to 1831, meeting at the schoolhouse, at the cabin of Samuel Winton and elsewhere. Among its members were Samuel Winton and wife, James Coyle, William Haskins and Roswell Buell. The class possessed only a few members and did not continue for many years. Centreville Circuit was organized in 1831 and has had the following ministers: T. Thompson and J. Sumerville, 1831; J. Scott and J. Robinson, 1832; D. Richey and S.W. Ingraham, 1833; W. Carroll, 1834; J.W. Davis and A. Keller, 1835; R. Peck and W.B. Lloyd, 1836; C.C. Best and H.S Hitchcock, 1837; J.A. Hallock and I. Scofield, 1838. The class probably did not long survive this latter date. The present class was organized in 1863. Johnson Merrill and wife, Samuel Post, John Buell and Samuel Winton and wife were early members of it. Meetings were held in the Presbyterian and afterward in the Congregational Church until the present commodious frame edifice, about 36x60, was reared in 1875 at a cost of $2,500. The class was a part of Riceville Circuit until 1873, when Centreville Circuit was formed. It embraces but two appointments, Riceville and Centreville, and has had the following pastors: J.W. Wilson, 1873-74; M. V. Stone, 1875-76; J.L. Mechlin, 1877; D.R. PALMER, 1878-79; G.W. Clark, 1881; L. Beers, 1882; Frederick Fair, 1883. The membership of the society is about seventy-five." More to follow on this surname! Kathy Brubaker Volunteer Genealogist Linesville Historical Society kbrbkr@toolcity.net