"PRETTY MEADOWS" 1763

In February, 1763 a 120 acre tract of land was warranted to Edward Elliot, and was named as "Pretty Meadows". In 1782 "Pretty Meadows" was sold to William Wallace, an innkeeper of Carlisle. In April 1769, an adjoining tract to "Pretty Meadows", of 142 acres, was warranted to John Pedan, who came from Lancaster County, and was named "Down Patrick".   In John Peden's will, dated August 1, 1775, is the clause: "And I allow, in case my child dies, that my wife, Martha, shall have that plantation lying in Sherman's Valley, known as "Down Patrick", she to pay twenty pounds to the other executor, to be put to use for the support of a minister in Dongegal."  By her will, dated a year later, it passes to  her brother, William Wallace. Thus William Wallace, owner of the "Pretty Meadow" tract, came into possession of the "Down Patrick". 

There is no record of any improvements until 1775, when part of it was under cultivation by some squatters who had been driven off by hostile Indians. Not  until 1776 or 1777 did Elliot and Peden clear and cultivate land there. Tradition says these lands were settled earlier but there records do not bear it out. Wallace transferred the  ["Down Patrick"] lands  to James McNamara in 1793.McNamara erected the first house in the place, and later a mill, and it came to be known as "McNamara's Mill". Above are excerpts H. H. Hain's book

 Thus grew Markelsville! "Pretty Meadows" remained farm lands.

Today on the site is the Campbell's farm. First owner was Roy Campbell, now his son, Oscar