The first settlements in Derry township were created by soldiers from Forbes' army in 1762. After hearing of the land being settled by soldiers from Forbes' army, John Pomroy, a man of Scots-Irish descent, left his home in Cumberland valley and settled in Derry township, near present-day New Derry. Later, James Wilson came and settled near by and they helped one another build and farm. One winter, a few years after settling in Derry township, Pomroy and Wilson returned to their homes in the East. When they returned, each brought with him a wife. Pomroy married Isabel Barr. Later, her father and two of her brothers, along with William Guthrie and Richard Wallace and others migrated to Derry township.