Big Spring Presbyterian Church

One of central Pennsylvania’s oldest burial grounds, Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery preserves more than two centuries of local history. Deeded to the congregation in the 18th century, this expansive site contains the graves of early settlers, community leaders, pastors, and numerous veterans of the American Revolution. A historical marker at the cemetery commemorates the Revolutionary War soldiers buried here, verified by the Cumberland County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

A few of those Revolutionary War-era burials include: 

• William Denning (1737–1830) – A local blacksmith who contributed to the war effort by producing cannon for American forces.  

• Captain William McCracken (1753–1803) –  Served in the Revolutionary War and was buried here, remembered as one of the area’s wartime leaders.  

Additional Revolutionary War burials exist throughout the cemetery, marked both by stones and historical records. 

The cemetery also includes a historical marker commemorating William Denning, a Revolutionary War–era blacksmith whose labor supported the Patriot cause in ways that were essential, constant, and often overlooked. Blacksmiths like Denning occupied a critical position between civilian life and military necessity, transforming iron into the tools of war and maintenance that kept armies moving. His work ensured that soldiers, wagons, horses, and weapons remained functional as the war strained every available resource.