Rev. John Strain was born in about 1728 or 1731 in an unknown location. A bachelor, he died on 12 April 1774 in Pennsylvania, very likely in York County, where he resided. One obit below, says he was in the "46th year of his life," meaning he was 45 and the other, "aged 43." His slab table stone says he was aged 43. He was unmarried and resided with "his mother" Jean, who appears to have outlived him.

Per below, "John Cathcart, to the care of Mr. Strain, York county." List of Letters remaining in the Poft-Office at Lancafter, per the 19 Dec 1771 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia), p 4. This is perhaps another connection to his "dear brother David Strain" (of Lancaster Co. in 1771, died in 1783). William Cathcart, John's suspected father, died 8 Jan 1797 and resided in West Hanover, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. William Cathcart wrote and signed multiple Strain documents and had a family there. Cathcart could have been a maiden name of one of the Strain wives, like David's or Cathcart's wife may have been a Strain. (This site was edited and saved but again it did not properly save. Lost data). See below doc. He had a brother David, who signed with his mark in 1774. David gave right to his "mother In Lae" (law), to administer his dearest brother John's estate.

An Historical Discourse Relating the Origin and History of the Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church in Peachbottom, York County, PA.; by Joseph D. Smith, Pastor, published by the congregation, Philadelphia: Alfred Martien & Co., 1868; pages 7 - 14 says: "...this church was without a pastor in 1759. The man who next became the minister and pastor of this church was Mr. John Strain. Of his ancestry and birth-place we have no knowledge. He was probably born in 1728. The first notice we have of him, is as a student in Princeton College, where he graduated in 1757 - a year memorable as that in which Jonathan Edwards entered on the duties of President of that institution. Where, or with whom he studied theology, we do not certainly know. It has been conjectured that he studied theology under Dr. Finley. He was licensed to preach the gospel on May 29, 1759. From the minutes of the Newcastle Presbytery of this time, we learn that several of the churches under its care were then vacant, and Mr. Strain and others were appointed to supply them. He was ordered by Presbytery to supply Slate Ridge (page 8) and Chanceford the 3d and 4th Sabbaths in July following his licensure. His acceptableness as a minister of the word, from the beginning of his ministry, is evinced by the desire of several congregations to secure him as their pastor. At the meeting of the New castle Presbytery, October 11, 1759, calls were tendered him from Marsh Creek, Forks of Brandywine, Chanceford and Slate Ridge. These calls were taken under consideration by him until the next meeting. In the meantime, among the churches which he was appointed to supply, was that of Slate Ridge and Chanceford, on the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th Sabbaths of December 1759, and also on the 2d and 3d Sabbaths of March, 1760. It is on record, that at this time Mr. Strain had his house burned, and chiefly what was in it. He applied to the Presbytery of Newcastle for charitable collections. Presbytery ordered the congregations under their care to take up collections for him. At the meeting of Presbytery, when he was required to give answers to the calls in his hands, he stated that he was yet undetermined about settling at all, and with the leave of Presbytery, he was inclined to return all the calls. The Commissioners from the several congregations plead that the calls be continued in his hands. At the next meeting of Presbytery, Mr. Strain returned all the calls, and asked leave to itinerate, and for this purpose he asked to be ordained. He was ordained, Sine Titulo (may mean "without title"), December 17, 1760. (page 9) .....on the 17th of November, 1762, Mr. Strain was installed pastor of the Chanceford and Slate Ridge churches. Not long after Mr. Strain's installation, he and Rev. James Hunt with their congregations were set off from the Newcastle Presbytery, and annexed to the old Donegal Presbytery. Mr. Strain and his elder, James Smith, met with the Donegal Presbytery for the first time, June 19, 1763. Mr. Strain opened the Presbytery with a sermon on 1 Peter ii. 7. In the minutes of this Presbytery we discover that Mr. Strain and his elder are almost always late in their attendance on the meetings of Presbytery, - generally arriving on the second day of the session. By this late attendance we obtain the names of some of the ruling elders of this and the Chanceford church, which otherwise would have been unknown to us. The names we obtain in this way are - Hugh Whiteford, Esq., Rowland Hughes, Joseph Wasson or Watson, John Steel, James LEIPER, James Gordon, James Clarke....(page 10) James Smith and Patrick SCOTT. Of these, we judge, Whiteford, Steel, LEIPER, Gordon, Clarke and Patrick Scott, were elders in this church, and that James Smith, Hughes, Wasson, Cowan, and Thomas SCOTT, were elders in the Chanceford church. We are not, I think, from their late attendance, to charge this good minister and his elders with dilatoriness or sloth. When a man rode on horseback from this place to Carlisle, Lower Marsh Creek, Middle Spring, and Big Spring, on such roads as were at that time, we think he had a valid excuse fro late attendance. We judge that it was about the time Mr. Strain became pastor of this church, or shortly afterwards, that the people began to bury in this graveyard.

In 1765 or 1766, Mr. Strain purchased a farm in Fawn township. This township, in which our house of worship now is, did not exist until 1817. All was Fawn township, until a division was made and a new township constituted, called Peachbottom, in 1817. The Rev. John Strain of Fawn township bought of David Bradford of the same township fifty acres of land. The price was 130 pounds, lawful money of Pennsylvania, Mr. Strain's farm is described as adjoining lands of John Edmundson, and of one White. Mr. Strain's deed for this land was sealed and delivered in the presence of Nathaniel Semple and Thomas Armor. The acknowledgment of this deed is in the following words: "York Co., ss. Before me, Cunningham Semple, Esq., one of his Majesty's Justices, &c., for said county, personally came David Bradford, and acknowledged this his act and deed. Set to my hand and seal, Nov. 13th 1766. Cunningham Semple." It is said that Mr. Strain's farm and residence was where widow Miller now lives. This was a convenient (page 11) place, being about equi-distant from the churches to which Mr. Strain ministered. Tradition says Mr. Strain had a man who worked his farm, and that he gave himself to the ministry of the word and prayer, and that he was unmarried, his mother keeping house for him. He was of a sickly constitution, as we learn from the minutes of the old Donegal Presbytery. Shortly after he joined that Presbytery, Presbytery excused him from supplying vacancies on account of his weak state of health. At another time they appointed him to supply some vacant congregations, "unless he go a journey for health." Although sickly, the pastor of two churches, and abundant in his labors among his flocks, he added to these labors for a time, that of a theological instructor. The record is, "Mr. Hezekiah James Baulch, having obtained the degree of B.A. in the College of New Jersey, and applied himself about the space of a year to the study of Divinity under the care of Mr. Strain, &c."

"By the death of Rev. Gilbert Tennent in 1764, the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia was left vacant. A call from this church for Messrs. Duffield and Strain to be joint pastors of that congregation, was laid before the Donegal Presbytery at its meeting on May 25, 1768, and requesting their concurrence. They proposed to give to each of them 200 pounds, per annum, for their support, and offered a number of auguments for their removeal. An address from the united congregations of Chanceford and Slate Ridge, warmly remonstrating against the removal of Mr. Strain, was brought in and read, and commissioners from the congregations were fully heard. The issue was, that these ministers did not accept this call. Duffield afterwards did go to Philadelphia, but Strain remained with his people here until his death."

Mr. Strain's ministry here extended over a period of twelve years - from 1762 to 1764. As a preacher of the gospel, "he is still remembered as one of the most eloquent ministers our Church has ever produced." The late Dr. A. Alexander gives the following description of his preaching: - "The Rev. John Strain was a preacher of uncommon power and success. His manner, as I have heard from some who attended his ministry, was awfully solemn. Many were awakened under his pungent and searching discourses; and his method of dealing with those who came to him under concern of mind, was thought to be singular at that time. He would authoritatively exhort them to believe on the (page 12) Lord Jesus Christ, and would then turn away from them. Sometimes after preaching to the people, and offering Christ to them earnestly, when, after the benediction, they were going out of the house, he would rise up, and cry out in the most heart-piercing tone of inquiry - 'What! are you going away without receiving Christ into your hearts?' His plan of preaching was, to represent to the sinner his ruined condition, and then urge him by every solemn and tender entreaty, immediately to close in with the offers mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ. I have often heard Hugh Weir, who was a subject of grace under Mr. Strain, repeat whole sermons which he had heard him preach. His opinion was that he had never heard any preacher equal to him; especially in the earnest and tender beseeching of sinners to be reconciled to God."

In the memoirs of the Rev. Joseph Eastburn, who was born and lived in Philadelphia, and who during the latter part of his life was the stated preacher in the Mariner's Church in that city, I find an account of an interview between Mr. Eastburn and Mr. Strain, which confirms what has already been said respecting Mr. Strain's method of dealing with inquirers. Mr. Eastburn was anxious about his salvation, and his father observing his distressed countenance, insisted on knowing what was his trouble. He made it known to his father, and he says: "He took me to see pious ministers. A Mr. Strain was often in town at that time, to whom I made my case known. He gave me the advise Paul gave to the jailor, and pressed me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ immediately; warning me against false resting places, and insisted upon it I was now doing so, and said while I hoped to be saved in any other way but through Jesus, I was practically calling God a liar, who declared there was no other way." The late Dr. Martin said of Mr. Strain, that "he was a man of great piety, great zeal, and ardor. He would reach the passions by eruptions of piety and passion, by unexpectedly shooting aside of his subject, and taking them (his hearers) unawares with a frightful exclamation or a rapturous one. He was one of those men whose subject would enchain him no longer than it would have effect. When it failed, he used a new expedient. He was much loved by many, and was thought to be successful. There were, however, some who were displeased with his fervor, and left his ministry on that account. All concurred that he was a man of God, and intimate with his Saviour."

In the chief work of the ministry, that of preaching the gospel and directing men into the way of life, we have learned that Mr. Strain was a good and eminent workman. In the deliberations of the church courts of hs time, and in conducting the business of these courts, he took a prominent part. Relating to the part which he took in conducting the business of the church courts, an anecdote is told of him and the Rev. George Duffield. As to its (page 13) truth we cannot vouch for it, but will relate it as given by Dr. Alexander. "Mr. Strain was near-sighted, and of a very grave and solemn aspect. At the Synod Mr. Strain acted as clerk. One day when he dined with Dr. Duffield, who was fond of a jest, the latter slipped into the coat-pocket of the former, in which he had various papers of the Synod, a pack of cards loosely rolled up in a paper. When they returned to the church and the session was opened, Strain arose to read some paper or report, and thrusting his hand into his pocket drew out the pack of cards, which, being loose, were scattered on the table and the floor. Duffield of course enjoyed the fun, but Strain no how embarrassed, but with awful solemnity said, "When I see that man in the pulpit I am so delighted and edified with his preaching that I feel as if he ought never to come out, but when I see his levity out of the pulpit I am disposed to think that he sould never enter it again.' "

Like many other of the early and eminent ministers of our Church he did not live to old age. As he was attached to, and lived among his people, so he died among them. In the Pennsylvania Gazette of June 1, 1774, there is an account of the death and burial of Mr. Strain. It reads thus: - "On Saturday, the 21st of last month, departed this life, in the 46th year of his age, the Rev. Mr. John Strain, pastor of the Presbyterian churches of Slate Ridge and Chanceford. Of whom it may be said, he was a man of God, and that in exemplary piety, unaffected humility, steady friendship, a close walk with God, energy and a power for sublime description, there were few of the present day equal to him..... An extensive acquaintance with the liberal arts and sciences, and a critical knowledge of the doctrines of religion and ca(s)uistic divinity, added to his other qualifications, and joined with a happy strength of genius, and peculiar zeal and diligence in the execution of his ministerial office, rendered him a workman that needed not to be ashamed...... To spend and be spent in the cause of his dear Redeemer, and for the salvation of immortal souls, was his meat and drink, and labors were crowned with remarkable success..... In a word, in him was exhibited to view a living picture of primitive Christianity in its genuine simplicity, dignity and spiritual glory. As he lived, so he died, rejoicing in a full faith of that glorious gospel (of Jesus), he had preached to others. And his last words, as an anticipation of the hallelujahs of Heaven, were, to a friend that sat by him, inviting him "to praise the Lord for his goodness." His remains were interred on the Monday following at Slate Ridge, attended by a numerous concourse of people of various denominations. 'Your fathers, where are they?.... and the prophets, do they live forever?' " Strain is mentioned 53 times in this source.

"John Cathcart, to the care of Mr. Strain, York county." List of Letters remaining in the Poft-Office at Lancafter, per the 19 Dec 1771 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia), p 4. This is perhaps another connection to his dear brother David Strain (of Lancaster Co. in 1771, died in 1783). William Cathcart, John's suspected father, died 8 Jan 1797 and resided in West Hanover, Lancaster Co., PA. William Cathcart wrote and signed multiple Strain documents and had a family there. Cathcart could have been a maiden name of one of the Strain wives, like David's.

There was another article on John Strain, 1759-1774 in Annals of the American Pulpit, Presbyterian, Vol. III, Wm Buell Sprague, p 215 which references a manuscript by Rev. Archibald Alexander, D.D. and Rev. Richard Webster. The years listed are the ones he was licensed.

Rev. Strain's obituary from the 1 June 1774 issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette, #2371 from the Library of Congress' Newspaper & Current Periodical Room. It was located in the America's Historical Newspapers database. The above transcribed obituary is pretty close, with a few minor corrections I made. See copy on the right, under "click here to view all images."

His dust lies here, awaiting the voice of the archangel and the sound of the trump of God. Over his grave has been placed a tombstone on which are engraved these words: - "In memory of the Rev. Dr. John Strain, who departed this life April 12, 1774, aged 43 years.

'In yonder sacred house I spent my breath,
Now mouldering here, my body lies in death,
But yet shall rise, and one day will declare
A dread amen to truths I published there.'
Done by the people of Slate Ridge congregation."

It goes on to say: "We observe a discrepancy between some parts of this inscription and other accounts of this minister and his death. On the tombstone he is called Dr. John Strain. In no document, minutes, or account that I have seen, was the title of "Doctor" given to him. On the tombstone we read that he died April 12. In the minutes of the Donegal Presbytery, and in the Pennsylvania Gazette, it is stated that he died on the 21st of May. On the tombstone it is "aged 43 years." In the Gazette he is said to have died in the 46th year of his age, or 45. As the stone was placed over his grave perhaps a considerable time after his death, the errors were made in the inscription by those who were not familiar with his age, time of decease, and proper title."

"Previous to the death of Mr. Strain, Presbytery, at its meeting in April, 1770, ordered that the congregation of Slate Ridge send a Commissioner to our next meeting to give an account respecting Mr. Strain's salary. In the minutes of the meeting of Presbytery succeeding Mr. Strain's death it is recorded: "An account of arrearages due from the congregation of Slate Ridge was brought in by a commissioner. An account likewise was brought in, in a letter from James Leiper, administrator of Mr. Strain's estate. The commissioners declare that the congregations are ready and willing to do all in their power, in their present circumstances, to have their arrears paid."

Based on the above discourse: he was born in about 1728, was unmarried and lived with his mother. If this is true, it means Jean Strain was likely his mother. I note that the John Strayn who died in Lancaster Co. in 1752 had a wife Mary in his will and not Jean, ruling out a connection as the son of that John Strayn. Pulling at straws here.

=It appears that Rev. John Strain had a brother David, who named his unnamed mother in law to handle John's legal affairs. David could not write his name (not at all unusual for these times) and his statement does not list where he resided, nor the name of his mother in law. It also opens the question, did John and David have different mothers since the term "in law" was used? In the end, Jean/Jane Strain handled John's estate, along with James Leeper. I have a copy of the document from the York Co., PA Archives that says:

Thes(e) are tto sertevie (certify) whom they may conseren (concern) That I do mak(e) over all my Right to my mother In Lae (law) to adminster (administer) or Chuse (choose) how shal(l) administer on The Estet (Estate) of may (my) Derrest (Dearest) Brother John Stren

As wittnes (witness) my hand this 10 day of Jun 1774

Witness at Signing
William Smylee

his mark
David (:) Storn or Strin

(No county or state is mentioned on this slip of paper)
(His mark does not match the one David Strain, Sr. used on his 1783 will, but it may not be a problem. Especially if he could not write.

=Indexed, I found "Strain John Revd his perfonal Estate, p 23" is listed on the York Co., PA Orphan's Court Docket 1749-1781, Vol A-D. See page 23 on the right (Image 454 of 593, FS). It says: Came into Court James Leiper Acting Administrator of all and fingular the Goods and Chattels Rights and Credits which were of the Reverend John Strain(,) late of Fawn Township deceafed, and produced his Administration Accompt of the faid Estate as fettled with the Register of this County; By which it appears That there is a Balance of the Sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Pound Twelve Shillings and Six Pence half penny, in the Hands of the faid Administrator fubject to Distribution; Which being examined by the Court(.) It is thereupon Ordered That the fame be and is hereby confirmed. (It was also found in York Co. Court House, York, PA Wills and Index 1770-1776, Vol 3 C, Familysearch (per 310 or 6470 & page 228 is 446 of 647, Film # 005534481, filmed Nov 1949).

=Rev. John Strain born about 1728 to 31 (ABOUT 1730 above). He entered college in 1752 and graduated from Princeton (or The College of New Jersey) in 1757. He was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle 29 May 1759 and ordained "sine titulo" in 1761 by same. He was a pastor at both Chanceford and Slate Ridge, York Co. In 1765 he was deeded a lot in Peach Bottom Twp. He died 21 May 1774 (month and day vary) in Slate Ridge in York Co. (CMOTP, p 45-6; Princetonians 1748-1768; obituary in The PA. Gazette, Phil., PA, June 1 1774 - Library of Congress - the last 2 received from Bill Geary of Annandale, Virginia and Ellen Osbourn who sent them to him.)

Rev. John Strain was the successor of Rev. Black at the Presbyterian Church at Slate Ridge in Peachbottom Twp., in York Co. In 1760 "he was installed joint pastor of this and of the Lower Chanceford congregation. In his time the fourth church was erected. Mr. Strain died in March 1774. He was a man remarkable for his piety, and was distinguished for his zeal and fidelity in his holy office. His labors were much blessed; and, after he had ceased from the earth his memory was affectionately cherished." (History of York Co., PA, p 36, p 763 has more data.)

"...in 1766, after the death of Gilbert Tennant, Mr. Duffield and Rev. John Strain of Chanceford and Slate Ridge in York County, were invited to become joint pastors, each with a salary of two hundred pounds ($533.20 per Webster, p 672, Sprague's Annals, Vol. 3, p 188)," at the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle. (AHOT, p78).

Rev. John Strain, who was probably born in 1728, and was graduated at Princeton College in 1757, licensed to preach in 1759, ordered by the Presbytery to supply Slate Ridge and Chanceford in July the same year, and ordained December 17, 1760, was next pastor. ... Mr. Strain was installed pastor of the Slate Ridge and Chanceford congregations by Sterling, Andrew Bay and Finley, November 17, 1762. Not long after his installation, he and his congregations were annexed to the Donegal Presbytery, the sessions of which he and his elder, James Smith, met June 29, 1763. Some of the ruling elders of Slate Ridge and Chanceford, at this time, were Hugh Whiteford, Rowland Hughes, Joseph Watson, John Steel, James Leeper (see letters of administration), James Gordan, James Clark, James Smith, Patrick Scott, J. Cowan and Thomas Scott. ... Mr. Strain purchased a farm adjoining lands of John Edmundson and James White in 1765, within the present limits of Peach Bottom Township (formerly in Fawn Twp. per deed) He was not a man of great physical endurance. Hezekiah James Balch, a graduate of Princeton, pursued the study of theology with him about this time, for one year. In 1768, Revs. John Strain and George Duffield received a call to become joint pastors of the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, at a salary of 200 pounds each. The next session of Donegal Presbytery assembled at Slate Ridge, when a joint address from the congregations of Chanceford and Slate Ridge, remonstrated against the removal of their pastor. He yielded to their wishes, and remained as their minister until his death in 1774. He is traditionally remembered as one of the most eloquent ministers of the Presbyterian church of his time, and very earnest and zealous in his work. There are a number of eulogies of his character, delivered at the time of his death, still in existence, and The Pennsylvania Gazette, then the leading paper in Philadelphia, published an extended obituary of him. His remains were buried in the graveyard adjoining the Slate Ridge church. On the tombstone, neatly carved, is the following inscription: "In memory of Rev. Dr. John Strain, who departed this life April 12, 1774, aged forty-three years.

="26 Jun 1774(,) An Inventory of the Goodes and Chattles belonging to the Estate Case of the Revrd. Mr. John Strain deceased of Fawn township(,) York County.

To A Perale (clothing maybe) £ 27
To A Library £ 50, 14 shillings
To A Mulato slave £ 60
To Horned Cattle £ 32
Horse Creatures £ 45
A Book Prefs 2 shillings
Wheat in the Ground £ 15
The Plantation £ 80
money due from the two congregations to the amount £113.
Plus various furniture including 2 beds, animals, flax, wheat, corn & rye in the ground, etc.
Signed: (Appraised by) James Edger, Senr., William Smyle; (drawn line separates these names - perhaps witnessing it) Jeane (her mark) Strain & James Leeper."

="Exhibited into the Registers Office at York, the 3d Day of June Anno Domini 1778 by James Leeper Acting Administrator."

Letters of Administration for Rev. John Strain in 1774:

Know all Men by thefe Prefents, That We Jean Strain of Fawn Township, James Leeper of Chanceford Township, James Edgar Junior and William Smiley both of Fawn Township aforesaid all of the County of York, and Province of Pennfylvania, are held and firmly bound unto Benjamin Chers(?), Efq; Regifter-General for Probate of Wills, and granting Letters of Adminiftration in the Province of Pennfylvania, in the sum of four hundred pounds, lawful Money of the faid Province, to be paid unto the faid Benjamin Chers(?) ....dated this 24th day of June 1774.

The Condition of the above Obligation is fuch, That if the above-bounden Jean Strain and James Leeper Adminiiftrators of all and fingular the Goods and Chattles, and Credits of the Reverand John Strain deceafed, do make, or caufe to be made, a true and perfect Inventory...(due) into the Regifter's Office in the County of York, at or before the twenty fourth Day of August next enfuing...

Jean her mark Strain

James Leeper, James Edgar Jun, William Smylie

=Western PA. Historical Magazine, Vol. 17, p. 33, article called The Narrative Of A Pioneer Preacher: Rev. George M. Scott. The original document is a small notebook of 39 pages. It was contributed by Anna J. Jeffery of Waynesburg whose grandfather (G.M.Scott) wrote it in his own hand. It was read at the 1934 Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania meeting by James M. Miller, professor of English & American Literature at Waynesburg College (PA.) who added the footnote. It begins: "About 1785, I began to study the Latin language under the tuition of a Mr. Hindman, in Hanover township*, Dauphin County and boarded the first year with my brother in law John McFerran, and afterwards with a widow Strain who had an excellent library of good books, formerly the property of her brother, the Revd. Mr. Strain deceased. #3 I continued here till I finished my third year, in which I read through the course of Latin and Greek then taught in best institutions, then returned home to my father's house in Northampton County." (footnote #3 says: "Probably the Reverend John Strain, one of the most eloquent of the early ministers, who preached from 1761 until his death in 1774 at Chanceford and Slate Ridge, York County." Note: Widow Strain, is Elizabeth Strain (Mrs. David Strean), a widower in 1783, residing in Hanover Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.

=Since we don't know Widow Strain's (of Hanover Twp.) maiden name, it's possible her brother was also a preacher and the Latin books were his. I note that Rev Matthew Woods who died 13 Sep 1784 is buried at Old Hanover Churchyard, near the Strain home, is also a candidate. Widow Strain is Elizabeth Strain, the late wife of David Strean AKA David Strain (probated will 2 Oct 1783). Her name is listed in the only remaining known church records (Dr. Thos. H. Robinson's) as an Old Hanover church member. Her daughter Jennet and son in law Capt. Jas. McCreight are also buried there and James witnessed Rev. Wood's 1783 will.

=Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Cardiff, Maryland is currently about 1/4 mile from this location in Delta, Pennsylvania. The same congregation attended the original church here, a log construction that was replaced by a 2nd building at the Maryland site. This Maryland site was replaced with the 3rd to 5th buildings here in Pennsylvania and the current 6th site was built in 1893 at the Maryland location. There is more data online. (source addy was removed by FaG.)

=I note a kind Findagrave volunteer, familiar with this cemetery, tried to find Rev. Strain's gravestone to photograph but it could not be located in March 2012.

Then in Oct 2012 I located the cemetery record keeper who confirms Rev. Strain's gravestone was readable in the late 1950's to early 1960's when his dad's (14 page) copy of the cemetery inventory was made. It is in the unnumbered Old Section. He is about "12 lots from Dr. Zenas Macomber's stone," but there is no marker for Dr. Strain any longer. Later when the photos were taken, he wrote "Rev. Strain should be buried very near those horizontal tablets that look like crypts [the Scott family]." It is unknown what happened to the stone. He sent me a copy of the cemetery survey page. Above grave #615 to 618, it says: "The next four markers are on large slabs paralell (sic) to the ground." The first 3 are the Scotts (Patrick, Margaret, Isabel, Elizabeth and Martha. The 4th is #618, Strain, Rev. Dr. John d 12 Apr 1774, 43 yr. The next entry Agness Tarbett, died in 1772, and says "this marker not in place." Tarbett and Strain's stones from 1772 and 1774 are clearly deteriorating due to age and erosion. See photos on side, of the 3 Scott flat slabs (Patrick, Margaret/Isabel & Elizabeth/Martha) mentioned above. John's plot appears to be to the left of the 3 Scott slabs in the vacant area.

=No idea what happened to his "mother" Jean or Jane. 2-2017, there are no other Strains listed buried at Slate Ridge on Findagrave, nor any Jeans or Janes in the right age groups.

In Dec 2022, his grave was located by a kind volunteer and cleaning began. After 248 years, his marker is in pretty good shape but hard to read in parts. The small marker placed on top of John's slab in the photo, belongs to Mary Pickett. It will be removed.

The 9 Dec 2022 photo says "The Rev. Dr. John Strain grave crypt on the right [red bricks] behind the Patrick Scott family." Next to it are two small standing gray stones "for the Whiteford children, Sarah and Mary Ann."

The parenthesis in the transcription below is not legible from the posted photos, but recorded in various records.

Volunteer shared " Most likely it was Patrick Scott who built his coffin and buried him. Patrick was known for being the coffin maker and did the burials in Slate Ridge in his time."

Bio researched and written by LSP, all rights reserved