USA > Delaware > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 6
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In the journal of the Rev. George Keith, given in the "Collections of the Protestant Episcopal Church," it is stated that Rev. Mr. " Claiton " had baptized, before Mr. Evans's time, " of men, women and children in Pennsyl- vania and West Jersey, of English and Welsh, about five hundred ; many or most of them having been Quak- ers and the children of Quakers, and Quakerly affected ; and besides these, many who had left Quakerism and had joined to the church had been baptized in infancy, not having been born of Quaker parents." Thomas Mar- tin, in behalf of the Friends' Meeting, sends a letter re- sponding to one that Mr. Clayton had sent to the Yearly Meeting. Mr. Martin declares that the Friends are not the enemies of the Church of England, but that they "pray to God for the prosperity and peace of all that fear God in all Societies of Christians, more especially
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in her, by whose clemency (under God), we enjoy our present peace and liberty, both in things spiritual and temporal." . Mr. Clayton writes to the clergy of a con- siderable party of Friends and Anabaptists wishing unity with the Church of England, and writes to the Gover- nor that the Keithians (Quakers) are strongly inclining to the Church. He worked to draw in those that were without. Mr. Martin's letter reminds one of the kindly words penned by the Puritans on the Mayflower; and these things show a common interest in the Christian life.
Mr. Robert Suder wrote to the Governor, saying of Mr. Clayton, "We have had that blessing of so good a divine as the worthy Mr. Clayton." A historical sketch of the Church in Burlington, N. J., by Jeremiah Bass, Esq., her Majesty's Secretary to the Province of New Jersey, speaks of Mr. Clayton's work in that province.
In Watson's Annals is a statement from Rev. Morgan Edwards's book "Materials for a History of the Bap- tists," recording that Mr. Clayton invited the Baptists to a conference to further church unity, but the invitation was ineffectual.
Mr. Clayton died in Sassafras, Maryland, in 1699. Hawkins's History says of Mr. Clayton and Mr. Mar- shall, of Charlestown, "as pious and happy in their con- duct as could have been found."
The Rev. Dr. Evan Evans was the second missionary in charge of Christ Church. The Rev. Dr. Ethan Allen, and Humphrey's History of the Propagation Society, are authorities given in Sprague concerning him. He is supposed to have been born in Wales, and was sent to Philadelphia by Bishop Compton, of London, A.D., 1700. Before two years had passed 500 new members were added to the church. They asked King William
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III. for a stipend for the missionary, and he gave them 50 pounds, and the people added their contributions. Mr. Evans was zealous in his work, and affected the country people by his preaching, and they formed par- ishes at Marcus Hook and Chester (then called Uplands), and at Radnor and Oxford. He was active and ener- getic, and visited these places. While Mr. Thomas was his assistant he used to preach monthly to a society of young men, who met on the Lord's Day, after evening prayer, to read Scripture and sing Psalms, when the rector read Collects. The young Quakers would stand under the windows of the church at night when the young men had removed thither from their place of meeting, and many were said to have been drawn into the membership of the church. Mr. Evans notes the baptism of several Quakers.
After this devoted missionary had served four years, an assistant was given him. In asking the Society for an assistant, he styles Philadelphia, "That remote part of the world." In 1707 he went to England, and the Swedish pastor, Rev. Andreas Rudman, took his place, but died before his return. The Church Review, of April, 1852, describes the connection of Dr. Evans with the Swedish Mission.
While in England Mr. Evans memorialized the ven- erable Propagation Society for a Bishop for America. He thought that a college would follow the establishing of the Episcopate. Colonel Heathcote desired a com- missary, if a Bishop could not be had, and names Mr. Evans as suitable for that office, as he had "given such large proofs of his great temper and extraordinary ser- vices to the church." :
In 1709 Mr. Evans returned from England, probably bringing from Queen Anne the silver Communion
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Service still owned by the church. In 1711 the church was enlarged.
In 1716 Mr. Evans resigned the position as missionary- at Christ Church and revisited England. He was a grad- uate of Brazen-Nose College, Oxford, and received his degree of Doctor of Divinity from an English university. When Dr. Evans first came to this country he wrote back that he had reached New York, by God's assist- ance, after a " dangerous and tedious passage " of eleven weeks.
In 1707 Dr. Evans gave the Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, an encouraging ac- count of the " Open Door " (Rev. 3 : 8), which God had set before His church in Philadelphia. The weak infant had grown, and numbers had been added, and the Light of the Gospel had spread to neighboring provinces, and the church was becoming truly the Catholic church of the region. The Philadelphia congregation was mostly from the Quakers and others who had dissented from the Church of England. Dr. Evans went to various points to serve parishes in Pennsylvania, and to Evesham, West Jersey, undergoing fatigue in his earnest labors for · Christ. At Montgomery and Radnor he preached in Welsh once a fortnight for four years.
This earnest missionary appears to have held Oxford and Radnor in connection with Christ Church, accord- ing to Dr. Dorr. In 1718 he removed to Maryland, and took charge of St. George's and St. John's parishes, in Baltimore county, now Harford county. St. George's Church was called Spesutiae, or the hope of Utie, as the Latin words signify. Colonel Utie was a pioneer, and the settlement was so called, but the family have now no representatives in the region. The church had been erected probably before 1683, for the use of the settlers
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on the shores of the Chesapeake and the surrounding country. A new church was built on a beautiful spot. The inhabitants were all of the Church of England, which was then the established church there. There was the blessed spectacle so often longed and prayed for, of one spiritual speech among the people of God. On al- ternate Sundays Dr. Evans officiated at St. John's, twenty miles distant, through an almost unbroken forest. We can imagine the good man riding among the trees of "the Lord," and preparing himself to lead his rustic flock rightly in their devotions when he should reach his journey's end.
Dr. Evans died in 1729, after a laborious life of use- fulness in Christ's Church. His will commended his soul to Almighty God, hoping for forgiveness of sins through Christ's merits. He wished his body to be interred at the north end of the "altar table" in St. George's Church, and desired that Rev. George Ross, of New Castle, should preach his funeral sermon. It is thought probable that his widow, who was named Alice, went to live with their only child, who had married Rev. Mr. Lloyd, of England. There were grandchildren. The inventor, Oliver Evans, whose life has been pleasantly related to Rev. George A. Latimer, in a pamphlet, is said to have been a descendant of Dr. Evans.
Dr. George W. Archer, a local historian of Maryland, in a recent article, describes the site of the ancient "Gravelly Church," which Dr. Evans found as the par- ish church at St. George's. It takes its name from the surrounding gravel. The place is overgrown with trees. It was called "Old Spesutiac" to distinguish it from "New Spesutiae " Church. The new church dates from 1718 when Dr. Evans began his ministrations. The Rev. J. Harry Chesley, the present rector, has kindly aided
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my investigations. He suggests that the furthering of the new church enterprise may have been the result of the zcal of Dr. Evans. James Phillips gave the site of the old church. One of his descendants is now a warden. Colonel Thomas White, the father of the Bishop, is buried in Spesutiae churchyard. The old church site was some distance from the spot where the successive newer churches have arisen. The present modern church is beautifully situated on a headland, which over- looks a winding creek, forming a part of the headwaters of Bush River. The creek has born the name of Church Creek from ancient days, and it is pleasant to give re- ligious associations to natural objects, and glorify God in his works. I have a relic from an old mulberry post lately unearthed at the site of " Gravelly Church." The post formed a part of the fence enclosing the ancient building.
The Rev. S. W. Crampton, a former rector, has writ- ten a history of St. George's parish.
Dr. Evans was visiting Philadelphia in 1721, and on the Sth of October, being Sunday, he preached in the morning in Christ Church, and was performing service in the afternoon, when he was seized with a fit of apo- plexy and carried from the church, and died on the fol- lowing Wednesday. It is thought that an obliterated epitaph may mark the place of his grave in this church, where he was buried and where he had taught so many concerning Christian life and doctrine before he was so suddenly caught heavenward. The servant of God was ready to hear the divine summons. He was much be- loved for his piety and peaceful disposition and he was deeply lamented. He was faithful in admonishing his flock to prepare for their heavenly home, and esteemed sudden death a great favor. The seventy-fourth chapter
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of Thompson Westcott's History of Philadelphia, gives an extract from the Pennsylvania Mercury as to his death and burial, which has guided these notes. He left the precious testimony of a faithful missionary, and was, as was quaintly said, "a great instrument towards settling religion and the Church of England in those wild coun- tries." His able paper, prepared for the Society, show- ing the needs of the Colonial Church, was a courageous and hopeful exhortation. The Society sent Welsh books of Divine Service to those settlements served by Dr. Evans, which needed them.
Wm. Penn said of Dr. Evans, he "appears a man sober and of a mild disposition." Colonel Gookin com- mends him as diligent "in all parts of his function." Colonel John Evans says that the town of Philadelphia is " of the greatest consequence." In A.D., 1709, only one minister served the Church of England there, and if they should be unhappily deprived of him, the Colo- nel writes the Secretary of the Society that "all man- kind would agree that an immediate supply would be necessary." How many clergy now serve Philadelphia? Let us thank God for the improvement.
The Rev. George Keith speaks of Dr. Evans in his journal. Rev. George Ross, of New Castle, commends heartily his fidelity and character. Dr. Hawks's manu- scripts refer often to him, as do the early annals of the American Church in general. Rev. Henry Nichols, of Chester, Pennsylvania, describes him as " a credit both to his church and country." Dr. Evans used to interpret the Rev. George Keith's preaching into Welsh for the Welsh hearers. He signed a letter to Lord Baltimore, with other clergy of the western shore of Maryland, expressing acknowledgments for his regard to the clergy and the Church of England.
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He also signs a similar letter to President Brookc.
The Rev. John Thomas was assistant to Dr. Evans. The doctor used to go from forty to sixty miles from Philadelphia to hold services, chiefly for Welsh emi- grants, and he needed assistance. In 1703 Rev. George Keith wrote the Bishop of London, commending Mr. Thomas. He also acted as schoolmaster, being diligent in teaching, and in preaching in country places. Lord Cornbury also commends Mr. Thomas, and calls Mr. Evans "a very sober, pious man." Mr. Thomas was now going to England to receive Priest's Orders, com- mended by the rector and vestry. He had worked in Trinity Church, Oxford.
When Dr. Evans went to Maryland, Rev. Thomas Hughes filled the vacancy for a year, and he is the first classed among thie assistant ministers by Dr. Dorr. He was from Virginia. The Rev. Messrs. John Talbot, Humphrey, Ross and Sandel also performed occasional duty.
Rev. John Vicary was commissioned by the Bishop of London to take charge of Christ Church in 1719. His health failed at the end of 1721. He returned to England, and it is thought probable that he died in the early part of the year 1723. In Mr. Vicary's illness the vestry asked " William Assheton to read prayers and sermons on Sundays," while Rev. Robert Weyman was to be waited on with a request to supply the church and administer the Holy Communion. The blessing of the church service was appreciated. Mr. Vicary died in England and his family afterward returned to that coun- try.
Governor Keith styles Mr. Vicary "a very ingenius preacher," and adds that he " gave a general satisfaction to the people in the exercise of every part of his sacred
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office." The duty, however, was too great for him, "being very weak and consumptive." Keith declares that Philadelphians paid "honor and respect" to their clergy. In this case the work in this vineyard was soon over, and the laborer went to his heavenly reward.
After Mr. Vicary's death, and during his illness, Rev. John Urmston " officiated about a year."
In 1724 the Rev. Dr. Richard Welton, a Non-juring bishop, that is one of that class who were originally so named because they would not take the oath of allegi- ance to William and Mary, came as a stranger to Phila- delphia, when Christ Church had no clergyman, and its doors were shut. Several of the vestry were assured of the doctor's orthodoxy, and some English newspapers said that he had taken the oath, and conformed to the Government, though he had been deprived of his Eng- lish living. The doctor was asked to officiate at Christ Church until a missionary came. His preaching at- tracted the congregation. There is much of romance in the history of the Non-jurors, and Rev. John Talbot, of Burlington, New Jersey, and Ralph Taylor were also bishops of this class, who were in this country. Dr. Welton had been consecrated by Taylor in England. While he greatly pleased the congregation, in 1726 the English Government recalled him, apparently on account of the complications of this Episcopate. In April, 1726, Sir William Keith, Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsyl- vania, wrote to the Bishop of London that Dr. Welton had been served with his Majesty's order to return to Great Britain, and departed by way of Lisbon. Rev. William Becket, of Lewes, Delaware and the Fulham MSS. name Dr. Welton. An article by Rev. Dr. Ben- jamin Franklin, Secretary of the Historical Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, on the "Non-juring
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Episcopate in the United States," gives a letter froni Reliquia Hernianc, from the Reading Post (England), under date of Lisbon, August 31, 1726, N. S., which says that Dr. Welton died there of dropsy in 1726. An Episcopal seal was found among his effects, which it is said that he had used in Pennsylvania, privily. He was ordered home, but went to Portugal. Hearne adds : "This is the famous Dr. Welton, minister at White- chappel, who suffered much for his honesty (Jacobin- ism), and was, it seems, a bishop, and is now removed from the malice of all his enemies." So closed this "brief, but very acceptable " ministry, (as it is styled in Sprague) at Christ Church. Rev. Jacob Henderson, Commissary in Maryland, wrote the Bishop of London that the people were fond of Dr. Welton. The conse- cration of Dr. Welton is noted in "Percival on the Apostolic Succession." The Non-jurors lasted a cen- tury in England and Scotland.
After the departure of Dr. Welton, the Rev. Robert Weyman occupied the " parsonage house," and seems to have officiated the greater part of the time ; the ves- try accepted the offer of Rev. Messrs. Leadman and Holbrook to lend their assistance.
In 1726, Rev. Archibald Cummings took charge of the parish, and held it over fourteen years. The church was enlarged during his incumbency, the elder Dr. John Kearsley guiding the architecture. Mr. Cummings was the first clergyman styled rector. He died in 1741. His wife was Jane Elizabeth Assheton. The private register of Mr. Cummings, preserved by Christ Church vestry, shows that he was a most laborious man. Often four, and sometimes six funerals are recorded in one day. He presented several valuable books to the library of Christ Church. His death occured on a Sunday, and
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the faithful rector departed from this world on a day of worship to enter on a ceaseless worship in a higher and heavenly life. The wardens and vestry report his death to England, calling him a "worthy minister." He was buried in the church, according to English custom, and it is added " with that Solemnity and Regard becoming the Universal good character and esteem which he bore among his acquaintance, of every Religious Denomination and Society, for his Learning, Piety, Moderation, and every other good Quality that might Adorn his sacred Function." The report was made to Bishop Gibson, of London. There was a happy inter- course between Mr. Cummings and the bishop, who gave counsel to the colonial priest.
The Pennsylvania Gasette, in an obituary notice, styled Mr. Cummings Commissary of the Province of Pennsylvania, and of the three counties which used to be treated as a part of Pennsylvania, but now consti- tute the State of Delaware. He is described as a zeal- ous assertor of Christianity, professing the doctrines of the Church of England, a faithful pastor, and an able preacher, and an eminent example of piety. He was universally esteemed, and was charitable towards differ- ent religious societies, and his death was much lamented. The epitaph on the stone in the floor of the church states that Mr. Cummings was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin.
After the death of this rector, the neighboring clergy offer to serve the church by turns, until winter checks their travel. The vestry beg the bishop for a clergyman before winter. Wm. Pyewell and Joseph Danby were wardens, and Joseph Kearsley and Richard Peters were among the vestry. On a second paper, commending Richard Peters, Benjamin Morgan and W. Chancellor
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are added, making four church wardens. On the second paper the following names appear : Thomas Hopkinson, Thomas Greome, Tench Francis, George Claypole, James Wragg, Anthony Duche, Richard Farmar, James" Pearson and Robert Greenway.
Rev. Mr. Lindsey writes from New Bristol, upon Delaware of Mr .. Cummings, saying : " He bore a most excellent character for learning and piety, and his death is universally lamented by all, and particularly by us missionaries, and will be hardly, I believe, forgotten by any of us while we live."
After Mr. Cummings died Rev. Eneas Ross officiated for two years. He was an assistant minister, and aided Dr. Janney during a portion of that time. In 1743 he resigned his position, and became rector of Oxford and Whitemarsh.
The Rev. Doctors Jenney, Peters, Duche and White followed Mr. Cummings in the rectorship of Christ Church. I have treated of them in a discourse at St. Peter's Church, of which they were also rectors. I would add as to Rev. Thomas Coombe, the associate of Bishop White in assisting Dr. Peters, that in Dr. Bird Wilson's Life of the Bishop his literary knowledge is spoken of. He was an author, and translated the Latin poems of his teacher, Beveridge, and wrote a poem entitled "The Pennsylvania Auburn," apparently a con- tinuation of Goldsmith's "Deserted Village." A notice of him is given in Duyckink's Cyclopædia of Litera- ture. He was a pulpit orator. His mother was Sarah, daughter of Thomas Rutter.
An interesting link in the rectorships of Christ Church is the fact that Dr. Jenney married Bishop White's parents and baptized their first-born son. Dr. Archer has sent me some extracts from the manuscript
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letters of the future bishop to Edward Benedict Hall, of Shandy Hall, Maryland, which treat of the friendships of his companions in a lively way ; the stamp act and its repeal are spoken of in a patriotic manner, and the lad of sixteen shows his serious turn of mind in the following words: "So Mr. Phillips has paid the debt which we must all one day discharge. In this particular the poor peasant enjoys the same privilege with the haughty tyrant. Oh, then, may we not say with the seraphic Dr. Young,
" 'Why all this toil for triumphs of an hour, What though we wade in wealth or soar in fame, Earth's highest station ends in 'here he lies,' And ' dust to dust' concludes her noblest song.'"
The youthful Mr. Hall, to whom the letters were addressed, was a nephew of the first wife of the father of Bishop. White, and was the grandfather of Rev. Dr. Wm F. Brand, the author of the Life of Bishop Whit- tingham. When Bishop White was a candidate for holy orders in England, he became acquainted with Dr. Johnson, and there is a pleasant letter from the doctor to him in Boswell. He also knew Drs. Kennicott and Lowth, and Goldsmith.
The first official Episcopal act of Bishop White was the ordination of Joseph Clarkson to the diaconate in Christ Church, May 28th, A.D., 1787. There was no more need of a voyage of three thousand miles and back for ordination. There was a loving and faithful bishop at home, who could " visit the several churches, ordain some, confirm others, and bless all," as Rev. John Talbot's plea for a bishop in America beautifully expressed it. Rev. Dr. John Henry Hopkins described his boyish interest in the visit of the bishop to Pitts- burgh, when his father, Bishop Hopkins, was the Rector
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of Trinity Church in that city. It was a sensation when the green coach that had rolled from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh over the mountains came to its destina- tion, Bishop White held the Episcopal office over forty-nine years. He outlived the great prejudice against bishops, and consecrated many to that high office. Of those ordained by him the Rev. Drs. Clem- son, Hare, Morton and Buchanan and Rev. Benjamin Hutchins still survive.
The bishop was devoted to missions and the amelior- ation of prisons, and other benevolent works. He was a simple and instructive preacher. Bishop Davies has one of his manuscript sermons, comparing the character of St. John the Baptist to that of Christ. The handwriting is large and clear. The yellow paper is enclosed in a marbled-paper cover, and shows anti- quity. The sermon-book was home-made, and much smaller in size than those now used. A Convention Sermon of Bishop Madison, and Bishop Jarvis's sermon on the death of Bishop Seabury are among the relics of Bishop White's library at St. Peter's rectory.
Bishop White was peaceful, and was not bitter to the loyalists, though he was chaplain to Congress, and Washington, who worshipped in this church, was his fast friend for life. While Bishop White was a man of peace, he was firm and decided when principle was involved. He was once the only resident Episcopal clergyman in Pennsylvania. The flocks were scattered in Revolutionary days, and folds wasted and shepherds driven away, as Anderson describes it ; still the lonely clergyman was hopeful and laborious, and he saw better days. His wise and loving zeal in strengthening the bonds of brotherhood in the English and American churches after the Revolution, deserve remembrance
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on both sides of the ocean. In his old prayer-book, the pasting of the prayer for the President over that for the King is a striking indication of the change of government. Pen erasures also note changes. The Church of England prayer-book was adapted for the use of the American Church by changes and omissions of State prayers before the American prayer-book was published. There was one of these corrected books at Christ Church, and another at St. Peter's.
Bishop White was an unselfish and a hospitable man, and he was at the head of various benevolent societies. Bishop Stevens in his centennial discourse on the found- ing of this diocese, delivered in this church, quoted Wordsworth's lines :
"To thee, O saintly White, Patriarch of a widespreading family, Remotest lands and unborn times shall turn, Whether they would restore or build."
Bishop Perry devoted a discourse to the commem- oration of the centenary of the consecration of Bishop White.
Bishop White consecrated Bishops Robert Smith, Bass, Dehon, Bowen, H. U. Onderdonk and Otey in Christ Church. Since Bishop White's day Bishops Carlton Chase, Cobbs, Hawks, Alonzo Potter and Bow- man have here been consecrated. Here Bishop White is buried, and Bishop Potter's funeral was observed when his spirit had passed from the Golden Gate of California to the gate of pearl above. The first and many succeeding Diocesan Conventions have met here, and the first General Convention chose this hallowed spot as a place of its meeting, while other General Conventions met herc.
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