The genealogy of the prominent family of which this gentleman, James P. McCALMONT, is a worthy representative can be traced to one William McCAMMONT, who was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and served seven years in the Revolutionary war. A relative, the famous Maj. James McCAMMONT, had charge of forty troopers when Gen. WASHINGTON crossed the Delaware, and was a distinguished officer throughout the Revolutionary war. William McCAMMONT and his relatives were very prominent workers in the churches of the Cumberland Valley, in eastern Pennsylvania. He came to Cross Creek township, Washington county, soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, and was buried in this county [Washington County, Pennsylvania]; but little, however, is known concerning his life.

His son, John McCALMONT, was born in 1781, in Lancaster county, Penn., and was married to Mary PROUDFIT, of York county. In 1808 he and his wife crossed the mountains on horseback with their only child James. They located about one mile west of Hickory, in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county [PA], where he followed the blacksmith's trade, also being a successful farmer and rapidly accumulated property. At the age of sixty years he retired from active work. He was a perfect type of the hospitable, generous-hearted, social pioneer, always glad to welcome friends at any time. He died in 1859, and was buried in the Hickory United Presbyterian cemetery, of which church he was a member. In politics he was a Whig originally, and later a Republican.

John McCALMONT was twice married, and his first wife bore him the following children: James; Nancy, who never married; Mary, wife of John HENDERSON, Mt. Pleasant township; David, a farmer of Mt. Pleasant township; John, living in Mt. Pleasant township, was married April 15, 1842, and on June 14, 1892, celebrated his golden wedding, and died March 10, 1893, and was buried March 13; Alexander, a retired citizen of West Middletown, Pennsylvania; Eliza, who married Samuel MOORE of Mt. Pleasant township; and, Samuel, deceased at the age of twenty years. Alexander is the only living member of this family. The mother died and was buried in Hickory cemetery, and for his second wife John McCALMONT was married to Mrs. Margaret (McKEE) MOORE, a widow lady, who bore him no children, and survived him seven years. She was buried in the Hickory cemetery.

James McCALMONT [son of John] was born January 29, 1807, in York county, Penn., and was but a child when he crossed the mountains with his parents to Washington county. His education was received in the log cabin schools of Mt. Pleasant township, and his boyhood was passed on the farm of his father, where, as the eldest son, a considerable amount of work fell to his share. In early youth he took charge of the home farm, and in 1835 was married to Sarah McBURNEY, who was born in 1811, near Midway, in Washington county [PA], a daughter of John and Sarah (HUNTER) McBURNEY. The following children were born to James and Sarah McCALMONT: Mary A., Mrs. Samuel FISHER, of Columbiana county, Ohio; Elizabeth J., wife of John H. MILLER, of Mt. Pleasant township; John A., a farmer, of Robinson township; James P., whose sketch follows; Sarah H., wife of W. B. McCLURE, an expert civil engineer of Los Angeles, Cal.; David A., a farmer, of Robinson township; Robert Mc., an agriculturist, living near Xenia, Ohio; Esther A., wife of Rev. Joseph McNAB a United Presbyterian minister, of Tingley, Iowa: and Kate, married to Rev. J. A. SHRADER, a United Presbyterian minister of Butler county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. McCALMONT resided on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township for three years after their marriage, and in 1839 removed to Robinson township, this county [Washington County, Pennsylvania], purchasing the farm of Rev. Moses ALLEN, where they lived many years. James McCALMONT was a scientific farmer and an extensive wool grower, giving considerable attention and study to the improvement in quality and length of that staple, and meeting with signal success. He was a leader in the Associate Church, and in 1839 was elected as an elder in the Burgettstown Church, where he remained until 1863. He then transferred his membership to the newly organized Centre United Presbyterian Church, in which he was installed as elder, holding that office until his death. In politics he was a Whig and Republican, and was a very strong Abolitionist. Although his party was hopelessly in the minority in Robinson township, he was chosen to fill nearly every local office; he was secretary of the local division of the first temperance society organized in his neighborhood; was the first road commissioner under the new system; and, was elected squire two terms. A true and faithful friend, and an honored citizen, he passed to his rest October 31, 1890, with the words: "The old man is worn out. I am at peace with my friends, my family and my God." His wife had preceded him in 1879, and both are buried in the Centre cemetery, near Midway.

James P. McCALMONT was born November 18, 1842, near Candor, Washington Co., Pennsylvania, and received a very fair education, considering his limited opportunities, the greater part of his time being devoted to farm work. On August 22, 1867, he was united in marriage with Mary C. McFARLAND, who was born December 29, 1844, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Van EMMAN) McFARLAND, of Robinson township. The children of this family are as follows: Luella, Sarah J., Samuel J., Joseph M., John E. and Robert V. All are living and at home.

After his marriage James P. McCALMONT resided in Mt. Pleasant township four years, then located in North Fayette township, Allegheny county [PA]. In 1875 he came to Hanover township, Washington county [PA], and settled on the "John McCONNELL" farm, where he has successfully followed general farming, stock raising and dairy business. He has an excellent, practical education, and is a progressive man.

In 1868 he was elected an elder of the United Presbyterian Church at Centre, and in 1876 became a member of the Paris United Presbyterian Church, with which his wife and four eldest children are identified. Politically he is a Republican, and is in sympathy with the Prohibition doctrine.

SOURCE: Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania p. 522. J.H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1893.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2009