Introduction

Joseph Junkin I's forebears, originally Huguenots from France in the 16th century, emigrated from their home near Inverness, Scotland into Ireland sometime before 1688 during the Stuart's persecution. They, like Joseph, were Covenanters (Reformed Presbyterians) and were a strongly Calvinistic group. Their members sang or chanted only the Psalms in worship, and prohibited the use of instrumental music. They were Covenanters of the strictest type, and left their country for conscience' sake.

Joseph Junkin I was born at Monahan, County Antrim, Ulster, Ireland, about 1715. He is thought to have been the son of John Lewis Junkin (1678-1762) and Margaret Lynn (born ca. 1680), daughter of the Laird of Loch Lynn. This has not been documented.

In 1735 or 1736, Joseph Junkin emigrated to the Colonies with his wife and two brothers Thomas Junkin and James Junkin. Joseph landed at New Castle, Delaware where uncles and cousins had previously settled. Thomas settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, while James chose Berks County, near Philadelphia. James had two sons, Adam (unmarried) and Benjamin who settled in the Sherman Valley of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He later moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania. Joseph tarried for a time in the vicinity of Oxford, Pennsylvania, before heading out for the Pennsylvania frontier.

Coming from the rural districts of the "old country", Joseph and Elizabeth sought the frontier, where lands were to be had for the "taking up," with small fees for records and surveying. It was to a virtual unbroken wilderness near Harris's Ferry, now Harrisburg, near the flowing Susquehanna and the present site of New Kingston, Pennsylvania, where about 1738, Joseph I brought his bride. It is said that at this time there were no settlers West of him, and of course none to interfere with his lines of survey.

Life on the Pennsylvania frontier was seldom dull. Often the family was forced leave their dwelling at night, hiding in the cornfield or the "flaxpatch," for fear of Indian assault. In the year 1755, during the French and Indian War, the Junkin Family was forced to escape from savage barbarities by fleeing to Chester County, where they stayed for a season with relatives.

Joseph Junkin I and his wife Elizabeth Wallace established the "Junkin Tent" soon after their arrival In what is now Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. This outdoor meeting place served the area as a church and services were held more or less regularly. It was here that the first Covenanter communion in the new world was celebrated. The Rev. John Cuthbertson, a Scotsman, served 250 communicants on August 23, 1752. According to Rev. Cuthbertson's diary, he baptized most of the Junkin children, and evidently headquartered at Elder Junkin's when he was in the vicinity. Known later as "Widow Junkin's Tent", it was a simple stand or dias, with a shelter for the minister, and a board on which to lay the Bible erected by Joseph Junkin I.

On page 28 of the biography of George Junkin¹ written by his son David X. Junkin in 1871, the exact location of the "Junkin Tent' is revealed in the following quote:

"It was known from my earliest memory," says Dr. J. in his reminiscences, "as 'Widow Junkin's tent', and stood three hundred yards from the dwelling first erected by my grandfather (photo at right). About the dawn of my memory that 'tent' was removed one mile west, to James Bell's place." [possibly the site of the Bell Tavern, still standing in 1998 - Eric Davis].

WITF-TV
Wed, 22 Apr 2009
14:57:26 EDT

Junkin Tent Historical Marker Planned

(Harrisburg) -- Twenty-one new historical markers will soon be added across the commonwealth, including three in the midstate. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has approved the signs, which are meant to tell stories about significant people and events. One marker will be placed in New Kingstown, Cumberland County, to commemorate Junkin Tent, the site of the first Reformed Presbyterian communion in the New World. In Franklin County, a marker in Mercersburg will honor members of the 54th Mass Regiment, the most famous African American unit of the Civil War. In Berks County, a marker will tell the story of Boyertown Burial Casket Company, which was once the second-largest company of its kind in the world and one of the first to be publicly traded on major stock exchanges. The detailed stories behind many of the 2,200 historical markers across the commonwealth can be found at www.ExplorePAHistory.com.

The Junkin Tent Marker Announcement

What historic event occurred in 1752 in the area that today is known as New Kingstown, Cumberland County, PA?

ANSWER: Members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, who fled Ireland because of religious persecution, conducted their first recorded Communion in America on this site. This week long event attended by 250 people, occurred on August 23, 1752 in a field on the centrally located farm of Joseph Junkin Sr., a Reformed Presbyterian member. The Reverend John Cuthbertson, a recent immigrant and their first ordained minister conducted the ceremony in a grove of trees. They formed a canopy for benches and the Bible stand: thus the nomenclature 'Junkin Tent'. Metal tokens denoting good standing were issued to those people whom the minister deemed worthy of receiving communion. Religious services were held regularly on this spot until 1817 when it was moved to another location.

Although the Junkin home remains standing, the 500 acre farm was divided and developed into the area now known as New Kingstown - aka New Kingston, PA. The threatened demolition of the Junkin stone house on North Locust Point Road recently motivated a group of concerned citizens, aware of the historic significance to the community and posterity, to initiate efforts to preserve and protect this small, unique oasis of Cumberland County, PA.

The first official accomplishment of this body is the designation by the state of Pennsylvania of the site of the 18th Century 'Junkin Tent' Communion. A Pennsylvania State Marker will be dedicated here on August 21, 2010 with invited dignitaries, descendants, and members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America joining the public for a ceremony and related events.

We urge all to support this historic preservation project and request those who wish to attend the dedication to view The Junkin Tent Project website. You will find a schedule for August 21st. the family history on the Junkins, and the Covenanters plus an order form for the purchase of Commemorate Coins. You can also order the coin by contacting our Treasurer Judy Norrie at 137 State Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. 717-697-1441. All money collected, after the costs involved for the marker, will be for the Junkin House Restoration. Website: www.newkingstownprojects.org

We look forward to seeing you 10 a.m at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in New Kingstown and the complimentary noon luncheon at Kanaga House. To attend the luncheon you will need to email ticket@newkingstownprojects.org

Sincerely,

The Junkin Project Committee