James and Jane Laird Family

This section of Lairdgenealogy.com is dedicated to James and Jane Laird. James and Jane are
the oldest known direct Laird ancestor we have documented to our family, (about 1690). James
and Jane came to Colonial America in the year 1737, this fact is proven by a deposition given by
Captain William Laird their son, our uncle nine generations back born in the year 1727. The Laird
family landed at Cecil's Court House, James sent his son Hugh up to Swatara Township to get
their Son in-Law William Snoddy (pronounced Snowday) to bring them to his property. An
interesting fact is that part of the family was already in America, how long we don't know, but
long enough to clear land for a farm and plow the fields. The warrant map on the side of this
article shows the location of the Snoddy farm, it is the McFarland farm on the map, Mary
Mcfarland being Mary Snoddy's daughter, and receiving title later.

William Snoddy and family move to America, bringing along John Laird. What year they land
is anyone's guess, but it has to be long enough for William to die and Mary to remarry as
James Laird and family arrive in America.
1737, James and Jane Laird's family land at Cecil's Court House. They send their son Hugh
to fetch William Snoddy from his farm to help them move to Swatara Township.
Upon reaching William Snoddy's farm, Hugh Laird finds that William is dead, and his sister
Mary Snoddy is about to marry James Ireland.
James and Jane get a farm of their own. James dies in the year 1737 leaving the farm to
Jane his wife.

John Laird (my direct ancestor, eight generations back) came to Colonial America before the rest
of the Laird family, along with his sister Mary Snoddy . They arrive in Pennsylvania before 1737.
John Laird was born about 1714 and married Agnes Black, August 17, 1738. We do not know if he
knew Agnes before moving to Colonial America, but Mary Snoddy had the lot next to the Blacks
and I do believe there is some kind of family connection before they moved from Northern
Ireland. The bible record to the right is a copy from John and Agnes Laird's bible. John Laird and
Agnes are buried in Derry Church, their head stones are still legible to this day.

Agnes Black was baptised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the year 1718, this fact does not
prove that the Black family was living in Philadelphia as it was common practice to travel to the
nearest Presbyterian church to have a baptism. November 15, 1732 Hugh Black helped to form
Derry Church, formerly Swatara Church. This shows the Blacks were in America a fair amount of
time before the Laird family. Hugh Black would die later during the French and Indian War.

Hugh Laird (born 1742, seven generations back) and his wife Mary are important figures in the
creation of "The Union Meeting House." On March 19, 1800, Jacob Rohler deeded one acre of
land adjoining a graveyard to Hugh Laird, John Richcreek, and John Miller, trustees, for one
pound and ten shillings. On that land a new school house and meeting house for any one that
would preach the Gospel was to be built. This is the location that Laird reunions are held every
year. The graveyard is also in good order as it is well taken care of. In 1869 it was agreed to
erect a Lutheran Church one half mile down the road, "Rohler's Lutheran Church." Many of my
ancestors worshiped at this church. Spanglers, Kunkels, Lairds, and others are also buried
there.

James Laird (born 1785, six generations back) married Catherine.

Reuben Laird (born 1807, five generations back) married Sarah King.

James King Laird (born 1831 four generations back) married Amanda Paup. James was a
blacksmith by trade.

William Penn Laird (born 1858, three generations back) married Ida C. Sowers. William Penn
Laird and his family are pictured above. William was a carpenter by trade.

Martin Luther Laird (born 1882, two generations back) married Lottie Bell Kunkel. Martin was a
farmer, and school teacher.

John William Laird (born 1926, one generation back) married Phyllis Jean Miller. John was a
business owner.