USA > Delaware > Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 1 > Part 16
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The Rev. George Ross was sent by the so- ciety as a Missionary to New Castle in 1705. He speaks in 1708 of his Congregation being much diminished by epidemical sickness, and for this and some difficulties that occurred he removed in 1709 to Chester. The disapproval of this step by the Society led to his return to England, and having successfully vindicated his conduct, he was restored to his mission.
On his voyage back to America he was taken prisoner by a French cruiser (Feb. 9. 17II) and carried into Brest, stripped of all his clothes and treated in the most inhuman man- ner. On his release he returned to Chester, but not long after, by direction of the Society, resumed the Mission at Newcastle.
During this interval, while Mr. Ross was ab- sent, the Rev. Robert Sinclare and the Rev. Jacob Henderson officiated in Newcastle. With this interruption of about four years, the Rev. Mr. Ross continued to minister at New- castle until his death in 1754.
In addition to the charge of Newcastle Church Mr. Ross had during much of his in- cumbency the care of White Clay Creek Church. This excellent and faithful man was succeeded in 1757, by his son, the Rev. Æneas Ross, who went to England for ordination in 1739-and was first appointed to the charge of the congregations at Oxford and Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania.
During the interval between the death of the father and the entrance of the son upon the charge, the Parish was visited by the Rev. Aaron Cleveland, who had been a Congre- gationalist minister. Mr. Cleveland visited England and was ordained in 1755, and was shipwrecked on his return voyage and suffered greatly. He was appointed to Lewes, but after a brief stay there was transferred at liis own request to Newcastle. On his journey to
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Connecticut for the purpose of removing his mother country. While Bishop White and family he was overtaken by illness at Phila- delphia, and stopped at the home of his old friend, Dr. Franklin. This illness terminated fatally Aug. 11, 1757.
The Rev. Æneas Ross was in charge of the church at Newcastle for about twenty-five years, from 1757 to 1782. His ministry em- braced nearly the whole period of the Revo- lution.
The Rev. Charles Henry Wharton, D. D., was Rector of the church from 1784 to 1788 He removed to Burlington, where his long and hon- ored ministry was terminated by death in 1833. He represented the diocese of Delaware in the first General Convention held in 1785. The Rectorship of his successor, the Rev. Robert Clay, continued from 1788 until 1824, and that of the Rev. Stephen Wilson Presstman from the latter date until 1843. The Rev. Geo. W. Freeman, D. D., the next Rector, within a year after entering upon the charge of the parish, was called to the arduous and respon- sible position of Missionary Bishop of Arkan- sas and Texas by the General Convention of 1844. He died in 1858.
The inhabitants of Appoquinimink were so zealous as to build a convenient church about the year 1705 .. The church for a considerable time had only occasional services rendered by Mr. Biorck, Mr. Ross and others. The next ministry of any permanence was that of the Rev. Mr. Hackett, which lasted five years. He died in 1733 and was buried in the grave yard of Immanuel church, New Castle, where his monument has been carefully preserved, bearing an epitaph in Latin written by his father-in-law, Mr. Ross. The last Missionary sent out to this station by the Society was the Rev. Philip Reading who arrived in 1746. His Memorial stone in the church yard in good preservation records that "In full hope of the glorious inheritance above he left this world Oct 29, 1778, in the 58th year of his age." But as the troubled times of the Revolution came on he experienced much tribulation. It was perfectly natural that many of the Clergy of our church, and especially Missionaries of the Society, who had been occupied with their pastoral duties and had taken little part in the agitating question which broke out into so fierce a flame, should consider their allegiance still due to the
others of eminence justified the Revolution, and recognized in their public worship the authority of Congress, there were many who considered themselves under obligations to use the whole liturgy, such as it was when they were ordained. Whatever may be our judgment as to their decision, we must admire their fidelity to the convictions of conscience and their patient endurance of obloquy and peril.
St Anne's Church, the venerable edifice in which Mr. Reading ministered for so many years, is still standing in a good state of preservation, the burial ground overshadowed by majestic oaks. For the convenience of the Congregation a new and handsome church has been erected in the neighboring town of Middletown, which was consecrated to the worship of God, April 4th, 1872.
The beginning of the church at Dover was the appointment of the Rev. Thomas Craw- ford as Missionary of the Propagation Society in 1704, in response to a petition signed by twenty-two inhabitants, dated Aug. 30th, 1703. In 1708 he reports, "our church is now finished, it is all glazed and almost full of pews." This church was a slight frame struc- ture and did not last thirty years. There is reason to believe that Mr. Crawford's labors were abundant and successful. He evinced much solicitude for the spiritual welfare of the African population, as did several of those who followed him.
Under the ministry of the Rev. Geo. Frazer in 1733, a subscription was started to build a new brick church, which was not completed for some years. In 1744 the Rev. Arthur Usher reports, "at my first arrival there was a brick church begun at Dover, which is now finished, and two wooden chapels begun which I hope to see finished before Spring." These chapels were, the one at Duck Creek at the northern extremity of the county, the parent of St. Peter's Church, Smyrna ; the other at Mispillion on the southern border, from which sprang Christ Church, Milford. Mr. Usher reports that there are 382 adults of the Church of England in his parish, his parish including the whole of Kent County.
Then arrived a season of extreme depression of which Dover has experienced more than one. When the Rev. Hugh Neil came, 1750,
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he "found the church in a miserable condition, [ accompany him in a tour through Sussex more like a refuge for wild beasts than a house and Kent counties. August 6th, he attended the Governor to the Court House in Lewis Town and read divine service. Mr. Ross was so impressed with their spiritual wants that he returned in April of the following year for a week's visit, held frequent ser- vices and baptized more than one hundred, amongst whom were seven in advanced life. Col. Keith transmitted a copy of the journal of Mr. Ross to the society, and warmly sec- onded his appeal for aid. In consequence, the Rev. William Beckett was sent out as mission- ary in 1721. He fixed his residence at Lewes, " a large and handsome town on the banks of the Delaware," the centre of a mission which comprised the whole county of Sussex. dedicated to the worship of God." His re- ports however soon wear a less sombre hue. He estimates those inclined to the church to be about half the population of the county, and says, "it is with the utmost pleasure I can acquaint you that in this extensive mission, my Congregation appears in a flourishing con- dition." The number of his communicants had doubled. He had baptized 177 white children and 10 adults. He shows great in- terest in the African race and blesses God that his labor has not been lost. They gave constant attendance from the different parts of the country, and he had baptized of them 109 adults and 17 children.
In 1758 Mr. Chas. Inglis, from Lancaster, Penna., crossed the ocean to obtain Holy Orders, and speedily returned as missionary to Dover; with a salary promised of $50 per annum. This was the modest commencement of a career of growing reputation and distin- guished service. The six years of Mr. Inglis' ministry at Dover seemed to have been the most prosperous in the history of the parish for at least a century and a half from its formation.
The next resident minister was the Rev. S. Megaw, afterward Rector of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, who was in charge from 1767 to 1775. He was the last Missionary there of the Propagation Society.
The Parish was probably vacant during the Revolution. In 1786 the Rev. Samuel Roe was called to the Rectorship by the Vestry. He departed this life Feb. 8th, 1791, and his monument is in the churchyard.
The Vestry of Christ Church, Dover, united · with the Rev. John Bissett, Rector of St. Anne's Church, Appoquinimink, in calling the first convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Delaware, which was held in Dover, December 3, 1791. The Parish was then vacant.
It was therefore with great satisfaction that lay delegates therefrom were welcomed in the Diocesan Convention of 1859. On Ascension Day, May 17, 1860, the renovated church, scarcely to be recognized in its new arrange- ment, was solemnly and joyfully consecrated to the worship of the Triune God.
In 1717, the Rev. Mr. Ross was invited by Colonel Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, to
A subscription was at once commenced for a church. He writes Sept. 1, 1722, "The frame of our church was raised on a high bank, in the centre of our town, on the 6th October last, and we hope to finish it the next summer. The other two churches we have raised at distant places. We intend to fit them up with all convenient speed." These, no doubt, were St. Matthew's, Cedar Creek, and the first St. George's Chapel, Indian River, May 19, 1724.
A fourth church, built in the middle of the forest, was opened by the name of St. John Baptist. In one of his last letters, Sept. 26, 1742, he was enabled to assure the Society that his " four churches were filled on Sundays and holy-days, and that in summer time as they were unable to hold the congregations, he. was often obliged to preach under the green trees." Mr. Beckett probably died soon after this date. In 1745, the Rev. Arthur Usher was at Lewes. He reports the Sussex churches as flourishing, full on Sundays of devout attendants."
Mr. Inglis writes to the Society in 1765, "I hear a missionary is appointed for Lewis Town. I am extremly glad of it. A mission- ary is much wanted there. For three years past, I have preached three or four times each year at Cedar Creek, in the upper part of Sus- scx county." At his instance that congrega- tion had set about building a new church. In that church the writer officiated several times, but it has now vanished from sight. Mr. Inglis also informs the Society in 1765, that " the lines between this province and Mary-
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land are now run out and fixed according to a erroneous and unjust. The tone of morality decree in Chancery. By this division Sussex and religion throughout the State is higher and purer for their influence. And even to this day where the traces of their ministry had seemed obliterated, churches start up in the field that had long lain fallow. The shock of the Revolution and the withdrawal of the important aid so long extended by the So- ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the interruption of regular pastoral ministrations were of necessity disastrous in their effects. will be twice as large as it is at present, and one or two Maryland churches will be thrown into the lower end of it." Accordingly since that time there have been included within the limits of the Diocese the church at Dagsboro, previously in Worcester Parish, Md., Christ Church, Broad Creek, before in Stepney Par- ish, and St. Mary's Chapel, N. W. Fork Hun- dred, not far from the present site of Seaford.
The last missionary of the Society in Sussex county was the Rev. Samuel Tingley, who came not later than 1776, and continued throughout the trying period of the war. He was not in favour with the patriots, and gives a touching description of the privations and indignities to which he was exposed. "With- out exaggeration he could say that he had scarce bread to eat or raiment to put on." By substituting general supplications for those in authority in place of the specific mention of the king, he was able to keep his churches open, and was almost daily employed in trav- elling and preaching. In 1782 he visited New York, and writing from thence the first com- munication he had been able to send to the Society for six years, he says that " he had not the Registers of his churches with him. With regard to Baptisms there had been several thousand since he wrote last. There was not one clergyman of the church officiating for a hundred miles in length except himself. For which reason wherever I preached, for the purpose of givng the parents opportunity to present their little ones to the Lord, it will not be thought strange that I have baptized from thirty, forty, to fifty at one time "
The exploration of the early annals of the Church in Delaware is calculated to heighten our estimate of the diligence, zeal and godli- ness of the first ministers. That such men were in the field was greatly owing under God to the watchful care and supervision of the venerable Society. Where the church was by law established and sustained, as in Mary- land and Virginia, unworthy men often crept and occasioned great harm and scandal. This is an admitted fact. The evil]_report thus occasioned has led some persons to judge unfavorably of the general character of the Episcopal Clergy during the colonial period. Such an impression, as regards Delaware, is
PART SECOND.
In the measures taken for uniting and organizing the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, the congregations of Dela- ware participated from the outset. Representa- tives were present at the preliminary meeting in the city of New York, in October, 1784, from which issued the call for the First General Convention. This Convention, which assem- bled in the city of Philadelphia, from Septem- ber 27th to October 7th, 1785, was composed of clerical and lay deputies from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary- land, Virginia and South Carolina. The dep- uties from Delaware were the Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D., and Messrs. Thomas Duff, James Sykes, John Reece, Joseph Tatlow, Alexander Reynolds and Robert Clay. This important Convention laid the foundations of the Protestant Episcopal Church as a national Church in the United States of America. They prepared and proposed a constitution, which is essentially the basis of that now established. They revised the Book of Com- mon Prayer, and although "The Proposed Book," as it was called, then issued, was not adopted, many of the alterations were after- wards retained and constitute the difference between the worship of the Church of England and our own, differences however not affecting any essential part of doctrine or discipline. The Convention also adopted an earnest and respectful application to the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England, asking them "to confer the Episcopal character upon such persons sufficiently qualified, as shall be recommended by this Church in the several States here represented." On the Committee for the consideration of these momentous subjects are found the names of the Rev. Dr. Wharton and Mr. Sykes of Del- aware.
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In the General Convention of June, 1786, which ratified the Constitution, there were present from Delaware the Rev. Charles H. Wharton, the Rev. Sydenham Thorne, Messrs. Robert Clay and Nicholas Ridgely. This Convention returned an answer to the Bishops of the Church of England, intended to obviate some difficulties which they found in granting the prayer for the transmission of the Episco- pate. The individual signatures of the mem- bers are subscribed to this letter. It was de- termined by ballot that Wilmington, in the State of Delaware, be the next place of meet- ing. This Convention, the only General Con- vention which ever met in Delaware, assem- bled on the toth of October, 1786. It consist- ed of ten clerical and twelve lay deputies from six States, viz : New York, New Jersey, Penn- sylvania, Delaware, Virginia and South Caro- lina. ,The representatives from Delaware were the Rev. Charles H. Wharton, the Rev. Syden- ham Thorne, Messrs. James Grantham . and James Sykes. The Convention met in the Academy Hall, a building which stood on Market street, between Eighth and Ninth, and which was removed about fifty years ago. They attended divine service in the Old Swedes' Church, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. Magaw. This Convention took final action with regard to the corres- pondence with the English Archbishops, the forms of testimonial forwarded for persons to be consecrated to the Episcopate, and the ob- jections made by the English Bishops to cer- tain alterations in the Book of Common Prayer. Of these alterations the most im- portant concerned the Creeds. The Conven- tion restored in the Apostles' Creed the words that had been omitted, "He descended into Hell," by a close vote. Of five Dioceses, three were divided, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware; New Jersey and South Carolina voted affirmatively. Numerically the clergy stood nine Ayes, one No ; the laity five Ayes, six Noes. The negative clerical vote was that of the Rev. Dr. Wharton. The Convention unanimously restored the Nicene Creed, and refused to adopt what is called the Athanasian Creed, with nearly equal unanimity, there being only three dissenting votes. The Con- vention signed the testimonials of the Bishops elect, viz : the Rev. Samuel Provost, of New York, of the Rev. William White, of Pennsyl-
vania, and of the Rev. Daniel Griffith, of Vir- ginia.
In the important Convention of October, 1789, when Bishop Seabury of Connecticut and the deputies from New England acceded to the Constitution and came into union with the Convention, and the Book of Common Prayer was carefully reviewed and put into its present shape, there were present as clerical deputies from Delaware, the Reverends Jos- eph Cowden, Robert Clay, and Stephen Sykes, and as lay deputy, James Sykes. As no Con- vention of the Diocese had yet been held, their appointment must have been by the Ves - tries of their respective Parishes. The first Convention of the Diocese, held Dec. 2, 1791, did appoint four clerical and five lay deputies to the General Convention of 1792. The only one who attended was the Rev. John Bissett, who was elected Secretary. The names of the Rev. S. Thorne and Nicholas Ridgely, Esq., appear in the list of the Stand- ing Committees appointed by the General Con- vention, to act during the interval between its sessions.
The Diocese was regularly represented in all General Conventions until that of 1811. The Church had been constantly declining since the Revolution, and was at this time greatly depressed. In the General view of the state of the Church reported by the House of Deputies is found the following statement. " There being no representatives from the States of Delaware, Virginia and South Caro- lina, and no copies of the journals of the Con- vention of those States, the House is unable to speak with certainty as to the situation of the Church in those districts. They fear indeed that the church in Virginia is from va- rious causes so depressed that there is danger of her total ruin. The church in Maryland is still in a deplorable condition, but the zeal manifested in some parts yields a hope that she will again rise." There is no reason to suppose that a fuller statement respecting Delaware would have been more hopeful. In the General Convention of 1814, Delaware was represented by the Rev. William Pryce and the Rev. Robert Clay. The report says, " The condition of the church in this State is truly distressing and the prospect gloomy. There is however an increasing anxiety mani- fested for obtaining clergymen. Some of the
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vacant congregations have the service per- [ had been issued for a Convention to be held formed on Sunday; by laymen. Where the Lord's Supper has been administered by visit- ing clergymen, the communicants have been numerous." In the report made to the Gen- eral Convention of 1817, there is little evidence of improvement. In this Convention there was present but one clerical deputy from the Diocese, (Rev. William Wicks,) and no lay- men. "There are," it is stated, "the remains of eleven congregations, but only two of them are supplied with ministers. From the year 1810 to 1816 there was no regular Diocesan Convention held. Distressing as is the condi- tion of the Church in this Diocese there is reason to believe that her prospects are bright- ening. Within the last eighteen months there have been admitted as candidates for orders four young men of piety and talents, and an Episcopal Missionary Society has been estab- lished in Wilmington." In the General Con- vention of 1820, there were present two cleri- cal and two lay deputies from Delaware. The tone of the report is decidedly more encour- aging. "Several churches had been repaired and had received considerable additions of families and communicants. There are four- teen churches most of which have regular ser- vices, and those not thus favored are visited occasionally by the clergy of the State. The Conventions have been better attended. On the whole great reason to be thankful." And yet to this more hopeful representation it is subjoined, " There are four officiating clergy- men and about two hundred communicants." The Diocese is henceforth regularly repre- sented in the General Convention, and although for some time no material changes for the bet- ter are noted, the reports do not breathe the tone of despondency of a few years before. In the General Convention of 1829, we find the names of gentlemen who were thenceforth usually continued as deputies from the Diocese until removed by death. Of the clergy such was the Rev. Stephen W. Presstman, and of the laity, William T. Read, John Cummins, Richard Mansfield and Samuel Paynter. Num- ber of communicants about 217.
The first Convention of the Diocese met at Dover, Dec. 3rd, 1791. The call came from the Rev. John Bissett, Rector of St. Anne's Church, Appoquinimink, and the Vestry of Christ Church, Dover. A previous summons
in Dover on the last Tuesday of Sept. 1786, but there is no evidence to show that it assembled. The first Convention was com- posed of three clerical, and eleven lay dele- gates. The clergy present were Sydenham Thorne of Christ Church, Mispillion. John Bissett of St. Anne's, and William Skelly of Christ Church, Broad Creek. The Rev. Mr. Thorne was elected President, and the Rev. Mr. Bissett, Secretary. The churches repre- sented were Emmanuel, Newcastle Co., by Kensey Johns, St. Anne's, by Joshua Clayton, St. James, by Thomas Duff. In Kent Co., Dover, by James Sykes, Mispillion, by John Davis. In Sussex Co., Christ Church, by Jonathan Waller, St. Matthew's (Cedar Creek) by Isaac Beauchamp, Prince George's (Dags- boro) by Samuel Derrickson, St. George's (Indian River) by Woodman Stockly, St. Mary's Chapel (N. West Fork) by William Bradley, St Peter's Church (Lewes) by Phillips Kollock. A Constitution was framed, adopted and signed by the members, and a few canons were enacted. A standing committee was elected, consisting of four clergymen, the Rev. Robert Clay being added to the three in attendance. This Convention compares favor- ably in numbers and efficiency with those that followed for some forty years. The next Convention was held in 1794, two that had been appointed, having failed to meet through the prevalence of sickness and other causes. It consisted of two clerical and eight lay members. The Rev. Sydenham Thorne had departed this life, and Rev. Joseph Clarkson of Trinity Church, Wilmington, presided. Convention met at Dover, until 1796, when it assembled at Lewes, and from that time in different parishes. The first Confirmation mentioned is in the report of Trinity Church, Wilmington, of sixty-three persons confirmed by Bishop White, of Pennsylvania, July, 1793. It is added, "though not required by the Con- stitution, this is here inserted at once to show the practice of the church in general, and the state of this church in particular." It was evidently something quite novel. The Con- vention of 1797 directed an address to be drawn up by the Standing Committee, and presented to Bishop White, requesting him to visit the State for the purpose of adminis- tering this Apostolic rite. I do not think
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Bishop White ever visited Kent and Sussex. [ Convention of 1823, there were present but Probably some Confirmations were held on two clergymen and eleven laymen. One of the clergymen, the Rev. Daniel Higbee, had the charge of six parishes. the southern borders of the State by the Bishops of Maryland, and Bishop Claggett confirmed once in Wilmington.
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