|
|
Historical Highway MarkersSettlement at Timber GroveA-137
Timber Grove, two miles northeast, is believed to be the first European American settlement in what is now Rockbridge County. The community, composed mainly of Scots-Irish immigrants, had been formed by the late 1730s. Presbyterian minister John Craig, who traveled extensively in the backcountry, baptized several residents in 1741, and a meetinghouse had been constructed by 1748. A small cemetery is the only remnant of this settlement. In 1755-56, community members built the stone Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church here. John Mackey, traditionally regarded as the area’s first European settler, is buried in this church’s cemetery; his gravestone is significant because of its age and craftsmanship.
Department of Historic Resources, 2022 See a problem? Report it to HighwayMarkers@dhr.virginia.gov. |
DHR could use your help! We don't have a recent image of this marker. If you have one that you'd like to submit for inclusion on this site, please send it to HighwayMarkers@dhr.virginia.gov. |
|
References/Bibliographic Citation: Taylor Sanders, A Journey in Faith: The History of Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church (Lexington, VA, 1999). William Couper, History of the Shenandoah Valley, vol. 1 (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1952). Joseph A. Waddell, Annals of Augusta County, Virginia (C.R. Caldwell, 1902). Oren F. Morton, A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia (Staunton: The McClure Co., 1920). George West Diehl, The Brick Church on Timber Ridge (Verona, VA: The McClure Printing Co., 1975). Historical Sketch and Year Book of Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church (ca. 1931). William Mackey House, National Register of Historic Places nomination (1993). |