Judge James Edgar and Mary McCowan

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Husband Judge James Edgar ¹

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           Born: 15 Nov 1744 - York Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 8 Jun 1814 - Smith Twp, Washington Co, PA 2
         Buried: 

       Marriage: 

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Wife Mary McCowan ³

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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   Other Spouse: John Stevenson (1735-1795) 4 - Abt 1765

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Children

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1 F Catharine Edgar ⁵

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           Born: 
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         Spouse: John Wilkin (Abt 1756-1818) 5

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General Notes: Husband - Judge James Edgar

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He was one among the earliest settlers in what afterwards became the township of Smith, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and he was for a period of thirty-five years one of the most respected citizens of Washington County. He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, on the "Slate Ridge." His father's family emigrated from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, but he was never in the latter state, except on a visit to his relatives. He represented his native county in the Constitutional Convention of 1776. In the summer of 1779 he migrated west of the mountains and settled in what is now Smith township, Washington County. July 10, 1784, he warranted a tract of two hundred and seventy acres "on the waters of Raccoon Creek," surveyed to him Feb. 22, 1785. And on the 6th of September, 1787, he warranted another tract of one hundred and forty-two acres, surveyed to him Oct. 17, 1787, as "Nineveh." In November, 1781, he was elected with Col. John Canon to represent the county in the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, and in the same year was elected to the Council of Censors. In 1788 he was appointed associate judge, which position he held till disabled by infirmities which compelled his resignation. Dr. Carnahan says of Judge Edgar,-
"This truly great and good man, little known beyond the precincts of Washington County, had a good English education, had improved his mind by reading and reflection, so that in theological and political knowledge he was superior to many professional men. . . . He lived in retirement on his farm except when the voice of his neighbors called him forth to serve the Church or the State. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, and on one occasion addressed a congregation of at least two thousand people on the subject of the insurrection, with a clearness of argument and a solemnity of manner and a tenderness of Christian eloquence which reached the understanding and penetrated the heart of every hearer. The consequence was that few, if any, in his neighborhood were concerned in that affair."
Judge H. H. Brackenridge mentions Judge Edgar as follows: "He was an associate judge of Washington County, and a kind of rabbi in the Presbyterian Church in the Western country. His head was prematurely hoary with prayers and fastings and religious exercises; his face thin and puritanical, like the figures of the old Republicans in the Long Parliament of England."
The Reporter (of Washington, Pa.), in its issue of August 22d of that year, published the following obituary notice of him:
"Departed this life on the 8th day of June last James Edgar, of Washington County, Pa., in the seventy-first year of his age. The character of this eminent and respected patriot and father in the church is extensively known in our county and in the churches. He was a native of this State; in his early youth he hopefully became a subject of true religion; while young was chosen and ordained a ruling elder in the church, which office he continued to fill with good effect while able to act. In the year 1778 he was called into public life as a statesman, being chosen to the convention which formed the constitution of the State, after which time he was repeatedly chosen a representative in the Legislature from the counties of York and Washington. In later life he several years filled the office of associate judge of Washington County, until disabled by infirmity he resigned. Till his last he continued to manifest himself a sincere friend of the cause of Christ and of his country; was much engaged to promote the interests of the church and the good of the State. In his last long illness he bore his affliction with Christian patience, breathing the spirit of Christianity. His end was peaceful and quiet. The evening before his departure he, with considerable confidence, informed his family that he hoped to get his dismission from the body that night; accordingly about three o'clock in the morning he resigned his last breath without a struggle or any indication of pain." [HWC 1882, 912]

He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, and was a member from that county of the Provincial Conference which met at Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, June 18, 1776, to make provision for a "new government in this province on the authority of the people only." On July 8, 1776, elected (and served) as a delegate from that county to the convention which framed the Constitution of 1776; a member from that county of the Council of Safety, 1777; member of Sup. Ex. Council from that county in 1777; removed to and settled in Smith (later Cross Creek) township, Washington County, in the fall of 1779; with John McDowell, member of the Board of Censors for Washington County in 1783; commissioned, with William McFarland, an associate justice, Sept. 30, 1788, and held that office till his death. In 1794 he was prominent in the Whiskey Insurrection on the side of law and order.

1 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 238, 912, 934.

2 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 238, 912.

3 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 935.

4 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 934.

5 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 914.