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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
property, where they are now located on 2nd street, and in two years from the date of or- ganization, the membership increased from thirty to one hundred and fifty, and the Sunday School from sixty-five to nearly four hundred scholars. In the year 1881, about forty of the members of the church of the Covenant withdrew, with their Rector, to or- ganize the second church of the denomination, in the upper part of the city. The new church was organized May 23rd, 1881,a vestry elected, the Rev. J. L. Estlin was chosen Rector, and it was resolved, at the meeting for organi- zation, that the corporate name of the church should be, "The Reformed Episcopal Church of the Redeemer." The church is located at the S .. W. corner of Eighth and Monroe streets. A frame building that had been
used for a carpenter shop, and was formerly a chapel, was purchased at a cost of $4,000, which amount of money was paid down, the building rapidly repaired, and was open for divine services the first Sunday in June, ISSI. The church now has a membership of fifty, a Sunday School of more than 200, and is en- tirely out of debt.
[NOTE : Bishop Cummins was the leader of a strong party in the Protes- tant Episcopal Church, who, for several years prior to the division, had labored to effect certain radical changes in the Prayer Book, for the purpose of bringing it more into harmony with the doctrines of Evangelical Protestant Churches. Particularly did they desire that part expunged, which teaches Baptismal Regeneration and the efficacy of the Sacraments. These reforms they agitated, in the press and in the conventions of the church, on the ground that the Prayer Book, as it stands, was unscriptural, and its manifest tendency toward Ritualism and even Romanism. Failing to secure the changes they desired they withdrew from the Protestant Episcopal Church, as stated above, and revised the Book of Common Prayer, expunging from it all objectionable features. This, as we understand it, is the historic reason for the existence of the Reformed Episcopal Church. - EDS. ALDINE PUBLISH- ING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BY REV. J. L. VALLANDIGHAM, D. D.
N writing a history of the PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, or rather brief sketches of the several churches of that denomina- tion, it will not be necessary to set forth the doctrines, order, government, and discipline of that church. These are to be found in the "Westminster Confession of Faith," a book well known and widely circulated. Presby- terianism in Delaware is the same as Presby- terianism in every other State of the Union- the same as Presbyterianism in every land where it is to be found. And never before have its doctrines been more firmly believed, or cordially embraced, by those who have ranged themselves under its banner.
The first Ecclesiastical Court of the Presby- terian Church of this country was the Presby- tery of Philadelphia, organized in 1705 or 6, and consisting of seven members. In 1716, the number of ministers and churches having considerably increased, it was deemed ex- pedient to divide the Presbytery. This was accordingly done, and four Presbyteries were constituted-the Presbyteries of Philadelphia,
New Castle, Snow Hill and Long Island. To the Presbytery of New Castle was assigned the supervision of all the churches of Delaware. This Presbytery was organized at New Castle, March 13th, 1717. The members present at that time were-Ministers, James Anderson of New Castle, George Gillespie of Head of Christiana, Robert Witherspoon of Appo- quinimy, and David Evans of Welsh Tract : with Elders David Miller from New Castle, John Steel from Head of Christiana, and William Williams from Welsh Tract. Daniel Magill and Hugh Canon, ministers of Patuxent and Patapsco, were absent. The Presbytery thus constituted consisted of six ministers, and had under its care six churches. Its terri- torial limits were not strictly defined. The same Presbytery now, covering the whole State of Delaware, and the whole of the East- ern Shore of Maryland, consists of 48 min- isters, and has under its care, 52 churches. Of such of these churches as are located in the State of Maryland. we have nothing at present to say, our object being to present brief sketches of those that are located in the State of Delaware.
OLD CHURCH BUILT 1M140.
J. K.RIGHT. &C.
NEW CHURCH BUILT 1840
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WILMINGTON _ DEL
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
THE CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE was the first | of New Castle and Mr. Kirkpatrick by Chris- Presbyterian Church in the State of Delaware. tiana Bridge. Contention ensued, and finally the Presbytery placed the call in the hands of Mr. Morgan. He at first accepted, but after- wards declined it. It is supposed to have been organized as early as 1684 or 5. Previous to that time the Pres- byterians of New Castle and vicinity wor- shiped with the people of the Dutch Church, which was founded there in 1657. And we have satisfactory reason to believe that this same Dutch Church was, about 1684 or 5, merged into the Presbyterian Church, as we find no trace of its existence after that time.
The first pastor of the New Castle Church was the Rev. John Wilson, a native of Scotland. He probably commenced his labors in New Castle about 1700, and with the exception of a short interval in 1703 remained as pastor till his death in 1712. Part of this time he also supplied the Head of Christiana Church.
The second pastor was the Rev. James An- derson, also a native of Scotland, where he was ordained by the Presbytery of Irvine, and came to this country in 1709. He labored in New Castle from 1713 to 1717 when he ac- cepted a call to the Wall Street Church, New York city. Rev. Robert Cross, born in Ire- land in 1689, was ordained and installed pas- tor in 1719. This was probably the first or- dination in the Presbytery of New Castle. He remained till the fall of 1723, from which time to 1746 the church depended on supplies. Rev. Hugh Stevenson was with them for one year, and Rev. Gilbert Tennent for some months, to whom they gave a call which he agreed to accept, but afterwards left them in a manner irregular and disorderly, with which both the people and presbytery were dissatis- fied. Other calls were probably extended but the records of the Presbytery are lost from 1731 to 1760.
Rev. John Disk, was pastor of that church and Drawyers from 1746 till his death in 1748. Rev. Daniel Thane was pastor at New Castle and Christiana Bridge, from 1756 till 1763, soon after which he died. He was a native of Scotland, and a graduate of Nassau Hall. He preached and taught in Orange county, New York, and among his pupils was that eminent statesman, DeWitt Clinton.
For some years the churches were without a pastor. Among those who in the mean time supplied them were Revs. Morgan and Kirk- patrick. At the meeting held for choice of a pastor Mr. Morgan was chosen by the Church
The churches then gave a call to the Rev. Joseph Montgomery, who accepted and was installed April 16. 1769. The Revolutionary war interfering with his labors as pastor, he, on the 29th day of October 1777, resigned and became a chaplain in the American army. After the war he settled in Pennsylvania and became prominent as a politician, serving both as a member of the State Legislature and also. as a member of Congress. For some years after his resignation the churches were vacant.
In 1784 the Rev. Samuel Barr arrived in this country from Ireland, a licentiate of the Pres- bytery of Londonderry. After laboring for some years in various parts of Pennsylvania, he was, on the 9th day of August, 1791, in- stalled as pastor of the two churches. On the 9th day of August, 1796. the pastoral relation was dissolved He continued to reside in New Castle till his death, May 31, 1818.
Rev. John E. Latta was the able and faithful pastor from 1800 till his death, September 20, 1824, and Rev. Joshua Danforth from 1825 to IS28, when he resigned to accept a call from one of the churches of Washington City. In May, 1830, the Rev. John M. Dickey became pastor for 18 months, and Rev. John Knox from 1832 till 1834.
The next pastor was the Rev. John Decker, who was ordained and installed February 24, 1835. In the spring of 1842 the pastoral rela- tion was dissolved.
His successor was the Rev. John B. Spots- wood, D. D., who still remains, beloved by his people, and enjoying the respect and esteem of the whole community.
HEAD OF CHRISTIANA CHURCH is one of the oldest Presbyterian Churches in Delaware. The precise time of its organization is not known. We know, however, that as early as 1708 it was supplied every alternate Sabbath by Rev. John Wilson, who was then pastor of the church at New Castle. He continued thus to supply it till his death in 1712. The first pastor was the Rev. George Gillespie. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1683, and educated in the University of that city. On the 6th of June, 1711, he was licensed by the
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
Rev. John McCrary became pastor of Chris- tiana and White Clay Creek Churches in 1769, which he served acceptably till his death, June 18, 1800. He was a candidate for the office of moderator of the General Assembly sitting in Philadelphia in 1791, but was defeated by Rev. John Woodhull, D. D. He left two sons and three daughters. His eldest son removed to the South where he became prominent in com- mercial and political life. For a time he was an avowed infidel, but was converted through the instrumentality of a pious wife and became a devoted member and elder of the church The Hon. George W. McCrary, a member of President Hayes' Cabinet, and now U.S. Judge, is believed to be one of his descendants. Mr. McCrary was pastor of the church of Head of Christiana during the whole of the Revolu- tionary war, and he and his people were warm friends and advocates of Independence. Some of them served in the army during the whole of the war ; others fell on the field of battle.
After the death of Mr. McCrary the church was vacant eleven or twelve years. Rev. John Waugh, principal of Newark Academy, sup- plied it part of the time.
In the churchyard lie the remains of two other Presbyterian ministers who, during that long vacancy or afterwards in the temporary absence of the pastor, occasionally supplied the church-the Rev. Charles Wallace, and the Rev. Pierce Chamberlain. Mr. Wallace was an Irishman, and for complicity in the rebel- lion of 1798, against the British government, was tried and convicted and was about to be executed, when through the earnest interces- sion of a young lady, he was released, and im- mediately came to this country. He labored for some time on the eastern shore of Mary- land. Mr. Chamberlain was pastor for a num-
Presbytery of Glasgow, and in the spring of | ber of years of a church in Erie, Pa., and 1712 came to this country. In the spring of afterwards Principal of a Female Seminary in Newark. He was the father of the Rev. George W. Chamberlain now a Missionary of the Presbyterian Board in Brazil. 1713 he became pastor of Head of Christiana Church. Here he labored faithfully and suc- cessfully till his death, January 2, 1760. He was a man of talents, learning and piety, and Rev. Andrew K. Russell became principal of Newark Academy in 1811, and also pastor of this and White Clay creek churches till 1839, when his death occurred. A biograph- ical sketch of Mr. Russell will be found in this volume. during his long pastorate of 47 years exercised a most salutary influence not only on his own congregation but also throughout the bounds of the Presbytery. His descendants residing in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsyl- vania occupy honorable and useful positions in society.
For three or four years the churches were supplied part of the time by Revs. Alexander Hoberton and Wm. R. Work, both now of Philadelphia.
In 1842, Rev. Elijah Wilson became pastor of Head of Christiana and Newark churches. In the spring of 1845 he assumed the super- vision of a Female Seminary in Newark, and his labors proving too arduous he relinquished the care of the churches in 1846. He pub- lished a book entitled "The Living Pulpit." He now resides in Jackson, Ohio.
The Rev. Joseph Burr, was elected pastor of Head of Christiania Church, March 22, 1848, and installed May 8th, following. He was born near New Castle in 1791, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1811,and be- gan the ministry in 1812. Being in feeble health he resigned in 1853. His death occur- red in 1854, Rev. J. L. Vallandigham, who was then pastor of the church, preaching his funeral sermon from Rev. xiv: 13. He was a godly man and faithful in the ministry, often laboring beyond his strength.
In October, 1853, the Rev. James L. Val- landigham was elected pastor of Head of Christiana Church, and also of White Clay Creek and Newark Churches. The arrange- ment was that he should give one-half of his time to White Clay Creek, and the other half to Head of Christiana and Newark. In ac- cordance with this arrangement, he com- menced his labors in the united charge on the first Sabbath of December, 1853. On the 4th day of May, 1854, he was installed pastor of the three churches-in the morning at White Clay Creek, and in the afternoon at Head of Christiana, the people of Newark attending at the latter place and uniting with that congre- gation in the installation services. The pas- toral relation of Mr. Vallandigham with New- ark Church was dissolved on the 3d day of Oc-
.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
tober, 1860; and his relation with White Clay | still there, the congregation now worship in Creek Church on the third day of May, to take : an edifice in the village of Odessa. An annual pilgrimage, however, is made to the Old Church, where a day is spent in religious services and social enjoyment.
effect on the thirty-first of that month; and since the first of June, 1875, the whole of lis time has been given to Head of Christiana Church.
All that we have to say further in regard to Mr. Vallandigham will be found in the follow- ing extract from the Historical Discourse de- livered by Prof. Wm. D. Mackey at White Clay Creek Church on the 9th day of July, 1876: "James Laird Vallandigham is a native of New Lisbon, Ohio, a son of the Rev. Clem- ent Vallandigham, who was for thirty-two years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of that place. His mother's maiden name was Rebecca Laird. His paternal ancestors were Huguenots, and among the early settlers of Virginia. His maternal ancestors were Scotch- Irish, and settled in Pennsylvania. He gradu- ated at Jefferson College, taught a number of years in New Lisbon, Ohio, and in the Buck- ingham and Snow Hill Academies, Worcester county, Maryland, studied law with Irving Spence, Esq., and Hon. Andrew W. Loomis, and practiced some five or six years in his na- tive town. He was married Sept. 24, 1839, to Miss Mary E. Spence, of Snow Hill, Md. Having united with the church, he relinquished the law, and studied theology with his pastor the Rev. A. O. Patterson, D. D. He was li- censed April 16, 1845, by the Presbytery of New Lisbon, but continued teaching in various places, and in the meantime, supplied vacant churches. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Baltimore April 3, 1850, and installed pas- tor of the Monokin Church, Princess Anne, Maryland. Soon afterwards he also became pastor of the Rehoboth Church. His pastoral relation with those churches was dissolved in November, 1853." He immediately removed to Newark, Delaware, where he still resides, is at this writing, January, 1882, still pastor of Head of Christiana Church.
THE DRAWYERS CHURCH. The precise time at which this church was organized is un- known. We have documentary evidence that it existed in 1708, and was supplied by Rev. John Wilson, who was pastor of the church in New Castle. It was then known as the Church at Appoquinimy. It was afterwards called Drawyers from the creek of that name near which it stands. Though the building is
The Rev. Robert Witherspoon was the second pastor of this church, from 1714 till 1718. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Young, who served the congregation till his death in 1721, and Rev. Henry Hook, from 1722, till his death in 1741. Both Mr. Young and Mr. Hook were from Ireland. The Rev. John Dick, to whom reference has already been made, labored for a short time in this church in connection with that of New Castle. The Rev. Hector Allison was pastor from 1753 to 1758. For the following ten years the church was without a pastor. From 1768 to 1796 the Rev. Thomas Read was pastor, part of this time acting as Principal of Newark Academy. The Rev. John Burton was stated supply from 1804 till 1822, and Rev. Joseph Wilson was pastor from 1822 till 1830.
From the first of July, 1832, till April, 1833, the church was supplied part of the time by Rev. Nicholas Patterson, and part by Rev. David DeForrest Ely. During this period a revival occurred resulting in an addition of about thirty persons to the membership of the church. The Rev. Warren G. Jones was pastor from 1833 till August 14th, 1835, and the Rev. Charles Brown from the November following, till May, 1839. The Rev. George Foote was installed November 18th, 1839, and labored here and at Port Penn till April, 1848. Rev. Isaac W. K. Handy served from June, 1848, till April, 1853, preaching part of this time also at the Forrest Church, Middletown. Rev. David McClure was pastor from 1853 to September, 1854, and Rev. Hemingway J. Gaylord from April, 1855, till April, 1861. From this time till April, 1867, the church was supplied successively by Rev. Francis Hendricks, Rev. Michael Burdett, and Rev. H. L. Howard. Rev. John Crowell was pastor from 1867 till April, 1878. His successor was Rev. W. V. Louderbaugh, the present pastor, who was ordained and installed September 24th, 1879.
The present church edifice, in the town of Odessa, was dedicated May 9th, 1861.
THE PENCADER CHURCH, originally called WELSH TRACT, was organized as early as
14
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
1710, perhaps earlier. The first pastor was the Rev. David Evans. He was licensed in 1711, supplied the church for some time, then went to Yale College, and graduated in 1713, and on November 3d, 1714, was ordained and installed as pastor serving the church till 1720. He was stated Clerk of New Castle Presby- tery for a number of years. He labored for some time in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and died in 1751.
The next pastors were Rev. Thomas Evans, from 1720 till his death in 1743, and Rev. Timothy Griffith, from 1743 till his death in 1754. The following twelve years the church was without a pastor and depended upon sup- plies.
From 1767 till 1773, the church was sup- plied by the Rev. Alexander McDowell, who was then Principal of Newark Academy. Rev. Samuel Eakin was called May 22d, 1776, and remained till his death in 1783. He was suc - ceeded by Rev. Thomas Smith, who ministered till 1801. Rev. John Burton was pastor from 1801 till 1808; Rev. John Collins from 1803 till 1805; Rev. Samuel Bell from 1808 till 1833. Mr. Bell labored also at St. George's. Rev. Hugh Hamill was pastor from 1833 till 1837, serving also the church at Elkton. Rev. James McIntire was pastor from 1837 till 1849; and Rev. Horatio S. Howell from 1849 till 1852. Mr. McIntire and Mr. Howell while laboring here gave also a part of their time to the church in Elkton. Rev. J. B. Jervis was pastor of the Pencader Church from 1852 till 1855 ; Rev. George Foot from 1855 till 1866; Rev. Edward Webb from 1866 till 1871 ; Rev. Jason Rogers from 1871 till 1879. In Novem- ber, 1880, Rev. George Rogers, formerly of the Lutheran Church, was installed and is now serving as pastor.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LEWES was organized at an early period in the history of this country : the precise time,however, can- not now be ascertained. Its first pastor was the Rev. Samuel Davis, a native of Scotland | or of the North of Ireland. When he com- menced his labors here we do not know. He resigned in 1715, and removed to Snow Hill, where he died in 1725.
The second pastor was the Rev. John Thompson. He came from Ireland in 1715, and in April, 1717, was installed as pastor. He remained till 1729. It was during his pastorate
that the old Brick church was built. He was a man of mark in his day : " able, learned, judi- cious and evangelical," the author of several books that evinced his soundness in the faith, and his ability as a writer.
The next pastor was the Rev. James Martin, also from Ireland, settled here in 1734. It was during his pastorate that the Cool spring church was organized, though the precise date is not known. It has generally been united with Lewes in one pastoral charge, but of late years connected with the church of George- town. Mr. Martin died in May, 1743, and was buried in front of the pulpit in the old Brick church. In disposition he was amiable and gentle, but firm and decided. Some of his · descendants still remain, esteemed and hon- ored members of the church of which he was once the pastor. In the town of Lewes, on the 19th of November, 1735, the Presbytery of Lewes was organized.
On the 5th of May, 1756, the Rev. Matthew Wilson was installed pastor of Lewes and Cool Spring Churches. It was his first and only charge. He remained till his death, March 31, 1790. He was eminently useful and by every one much beloved.
Rev. Francis Hindman was pastor of the united congregations of Lewes, Cool Spring and Indian River, from 1791 to 1795. His pas- torate was not harmonious or successful. His successor was the Rev. John Burton, from 1795 till 1805. He was a. Scotchman, very eccen- tric, but frank and kind-hearted, and highly esteemed. His death occurred in Wilmington in 1825, and he was buried at St. George's.
The Rev. James P. Wilson, son of the Rev. Matthew Wilson, for a short time supplied the churches of Lewes, Cool Spring and Indian River. He afterwards become pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, and was greatly distinguished for learning and ability as a preacher.
Rev. Joseph Copes was pastor of these three churches from 1807 till his death, 1812. He was a man of great strength of character and earnest piety ; a sketch of his life will be found in this volume.
The Rev. Benjamin Ogden was pastor from April, 1823, till some time in 1826, and Rev. John Mitchelmore from May, 1827, till his death March 4th, 1834. He was one of the passengers on board the steamer Wm. Penn,
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
which was burned on that day, and in endeav-
pastor from April, 1768 till April, 1778, five oring to escape, he was drowned. His body years of that time laboring also in the Second was recovered and interred in the cemetery of the Third Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. It was remarked by one of his elders that "his daily life was a sermon." Such sermons tell. The Rev. Adam De Witt was pastor from June, 1834, till November, 1838. He lives in Cecil County Maryland, esteemed and beloved, though unable to perform pastoral labor. The Rev. Cornelius H. Mustard was pastor from 1839 till 1851. Then for two years he was in the employ of the Bible Society, but in 1852 re- commenced his labors at Lewes and Cool Spring, and continued as stated supply till 1856. He died in 1870. He was a faithful pastor,com- manding the respect and esteem of his people. Church of Wilmington. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Princeton College, a popular preacher and highly esteemed. He was one of the noble band of ministers who laid the foundations of Presbyterianism in Western Pennsylvania. Rev. Wm. R. Smith became pastor in 1780 of this church, and of the Sec- ond church of Wilmington. He was released from the care of Lower Brandywine in 1785, continuing with the second church of Wil- mington, until 1795. He then removed to New Jersey where he died in 1815. He be- longed to a family distinguished in the annals of the Presbyterian church, being a son of Rev. Dr. Robert Smith, and a brother of Rev. The Rev. Wm. C. Handy was pastor from 1857 till 1859; Rev. Andrew Thomas from 1860 till 1861 ; and Rev. G. H. Nimmo from 1861 till 1870. From this time till the spring of 1873, the church was supplied successively by the Rev. W. E. Gaylord, Rev. C. F. Boyn- ton, and Rev. G. L. Wolf. The Rev. C. F. Boynton commenced his labors as pastor in April, 1873, and resigned Jan. 30, 1876. The Rev. Daniel Tonny supplied the church for a few months in 1876. The Rev. W. W. Reese was pastor from March, 1877, till March, 1881. The Rev. Austin C. Heaton, D. D., was elected pastor, Nov. 6, 1881, and has just entered upon his new field of labor. The time of the organiz- ation of the churches of Cool Spring and Indian River is not known : they were generally united with Lewes, forming one pastoral charge. Samuel Stanhope Smith, and Rev. John Blair Smitlı, all eminent divines. Rev. Samuel Henderson was pastor a short time in 1813 ; with this exception the church depended on supplies from 1785 to 1825, when Rev. Thomas Love became pastor of this and also of Red Clay Creek churches. In the fall of 1831, and again in 1832 there were large accessions to both churches, the fruits of a gracious visitation of the Holy Spirit. In October, 1856, Mr. Love relinquished the pas- torate of Lower Brandywine, and gave the whole of his time to Red Clay creek. In November, 1860, the present neat and comfort- able building was completed and dedicated. The church was without a pastor from 1856 till April, 1861, when Rev. David W. Moore, a graduate of Princeton college and seminary, was ordained and installed.
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