Jeremiah 29:5 – Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce …
In celebration of 250 years of our country, I hope you have enjoyed learning about distinguished historical figures from across the generations. Not all of our subjects of study have been local, but many of them have been. It has been a joy of mine to research and learn right along with many of you as we gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices, courage, and tenacity of individuals within our community and beyond who have selflessly contributed to the betterment of our country. This week’s person of interest will be my last in this series, and it seems fitting to end with the beginning!
Our town’s founder, Benjamin Chambers, was born in Castlefin, County Donegal, Ireland in 1708 to Scots-Irish parents. Early in Benjamin’s life, his family resettled in Chester County outside of Philadelphia where the family financially prospered. In 1734, at the young age of 26, Benjamin purchased some 400 acres of land from William Penn. That same year, Benjamin married Jane Scott and together they established their lives in the frontier of Franklin County. Benjamin wisely chose his location to settle at the confluence of the Falling Spring and Conococheague Streams. His grain-producing grist mill, constructed along the Conococheague, drew other settlers to this area. By the 1750s, Benjamin’s simple beginnings had blossomed into quite a thriving community!
Hostilities during the French and Indian War necessitated the creation of a stockade to protect the people and surrounding land from attack, and in 1756 Fort Chambers was successfully completed. Over time, our little community continued to grow and by 1764 Benjamin Chambers knew that further planning was a must. He laid out plans for “Chambers Town” which included a courthouse, churches, and other community businesses. His vision and energy helped to establish our town as the county seat in 1784. Beyond commercial ambition, Benjamin was very civic-minded and served as a Justice of the Peace among other local government roles. Father to five children, his offspring left their own mark on this area. Son James was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War and served in many crucial battles, later becoming a key community leader in his own right.
A final note on our town’s founder is the high value Benjamin Chambers placed on religious freedom. He didn’t just voice this, but put his words to action. As part of the town’s planning, Benjamin gave three separate tracts of land to three churches in our area – Falling Spring Presbyterian Church, Zion Reformed (now Zion United Church of Christ), and First Lutheran Church (now First Evangelical Lutheran Church). His only stipulation for this gift of land was that each church annually present a rose from their church gardens to his family, and to his heirs after his death. This tradition continues to this day, with members of the Benjamin Chambers family annually receiving a rose from each of the three churches – now known as the Rose Rent Churches of Chambersburg.
Dear Lord, we thank you for Benjamin Chambers, the founder of our town! We thank you for his vision and example. … I can’t help but think that if it were possible to give Benjamin a glimpse of Chambersburg today, that he would be truly grateful for the many who have come after him., for those within our community who have so selflessly contributed to our town, and to our great nation.
Blessings to all,
Diana
Resources:
“Who was Benjamin Chambers? History of the Founder”, staff report dated 4/25/23, Franklin County Free Press –
https://fcfreepresspa.com/who-was-ben-chambers-history-of-the-founder/
Frontier Tour Brochure –
https://www.explorefranklincountypa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Frontier-Brochure.pdf
Benjamin Chambers, Find a Grave –
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11639178/benjamin-chambers
“Rose Rent Paid in Chambersburg”, by Jennifer Fitch dated 6/3/18, Herald Mail Media – https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2018/06/03/rose-rent-paid-in-chambersburg/44481485/
“Revolutionary Hero, the Life and Legacy of James Chambers”, Staff report dated 11/11/23, Franklin County Free Press – https://fcfreepresspa.com/revolutionary-hero-the-life-and-legacy-of-james-chambers/
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