Colonel John K. Longwell, a native of Adams County, "emigrated" to Maryland as a young man and married into one of those pioneer families, the McKalebs. In other words, to be definite, his wife was Sarah McKaleb. The late Edward McPherson, statesman and historian, knew Colonel Longwell quite well and thought highly of his ability both as an editor and "concerned citizen." Mr. McPherson, in his historical and genealogical writings, often consulted Colonel Longwell and gave his old friend and neighbor full credit for his help in "untying many a knotty tangle." The McKalebs and Longwells attended Piney Creek Presbyterian Church, and many were buried in its graveyard.

One can only speculate on what brought the Longwell and McKaleb families together, but a walk through the cemetery at the church reveals many family connections.

The first two graves in the plot at Piney Creek are those of the Longwell family. The Longwells originally settled in what is now Adams County and Colonel John K. Longwell wrote several interesting sketches about the good people of Gettysburg—of his day and generation.

"In memory of John K. Longwell, born October 18, 1810, died April 8, 1896."

"In memory of Sarah McKaleb, wife of John K. Longwell, born January 16, 1814, died December 1, 1898."

"Sacred to the memory of Margaret Ann Ege, wife of Andrew G. Ege, Esq., and daughter of Major John McKaleb, died January 22, 1851, aged 38 years, 2 months, and 26 days." (The young bride for whom the elegant mansion "Antrim" was built. She and her sister, Sarah McKaleb Longwell are buried beside each other in Piney Creek Cemetery.)

"In memory of Sallie Longwell, daughter of John K. and Sallie McKaleb Longwell, born February 10, 1845, died June 22, 1905."

"In memory of Jennie Longwell, daughter of John K. and Sallie McKaleb Longwell, died September 11, 1854, aged 12 years."

"Sacred to the memory of Joseph Augustus Longwell, son of John K. and Sallie McKaleb Longwell, died September 6, 1854, aged 6 years." (Brother of Jennie Longwell. The siblings died within a week of each other. Such incidents were comparatively common in the nineteenth century.)

"In memory of John E. McKaleb Longwell, son of John K. and Sallie McKaleb Longwell, died June 18, 1830, aged 10 years." (A third child of John and Sarah Longwell who died relatively young.)

"In memory of Sarah J. Longwell, who died January 5, 1882, aged 66 years."

"In memory of Margaret Longwell, died August 7, 1879, aged 62 years."

"Sacred to the memory of William Thomson, died July 4, 1800, aged 89 years." (From the information on his tombstone, William Thomson was born in 1711. He lived through several critical periods of history and took an active part, according to tradition, in at least one of the early struggles in which this country was involved. He was reputedly a frontier ranger during the French and Indian War, although no record has substantiated this. Just how the Thomsons are related to the McKalebs is not known, but since they are interred in the same plot at Piney Creek, some degree of relationship must have existed.)

"In memory of John McKillip, died March 19, 1834, aged 80 years." (A sea captain who arrived in Taneytown in 1780 and left many offspring. There is reason to believe that at an earlier date, the name "McKaleb" might have been spelled "McKellip/McKellip." Both versions are found in the cemetery, which lends substance and foundation to what would otherwise be only a surmise. According to a reliable tradition, John McKellip took part in the American Revolution and is remembered as a patriot.

"In memory of Ann McKillip, wife of John McKillip, died December 14, 1827, aged 64 years." (Genealogy is filled with "surmise" and traditions. To the exact degree, memories and relationships are sometimes lost over the years, and it is often assumed that "such was the case," or "it must have been that way." The Thomson and the McKillip/McKellip family tradition points to intermarriage —Ann McKillip, the wife of John McKillip, was a daughter of William Thomson. This may well be true, for several factors seem to bear it out, not the least of which is the location of the graves in the family plot. )

"In memory of John McKellip, son of John and Mary McKellip, died July 1803, aged 15 months."

"Sacred to the memory of Sarah Jane McKellip, daughter of James and Mary A. McKellip, born September 6, 1843, died March 8, 1844."

"In memory of James McKellip, died May 4, 1859, aged 55 years."

The cemeteries of Taneytown tell the story of the history of the town. It is up to us, as citizens, to preserve the stories found there before it is too late!

David Buie is a Taneytown Resident who has a passion for
Carroll County and its place in history.

Read other history articles by David Buie

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