USA > Georgia > Liberty County > History of the Midway Congregational Church, Liberty County, Georgia > Part 1
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CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
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https://archive.org/details/historyofmidwayc00stac
James Stacy
HISTORY
OF THE
MIDWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
LIBERTY COUNTY, GEORGIA, .
9
BY
JAMES STACY,
PASTOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEWNAN, GEORGIA.
"Non Sibi Sed Aliis."
S. W. MURRAY, Printer, NEWNAN, GA.
7
LLLL
TO ALL THE DESCENDANTS AND FRIENDS OF THE · MIDWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, LIBERTY COUNTY, GEORGIA,
1S THIS VOLUME LOVINGLY INSCRIBED, BY THE AUTHOR.
WILLY ENU. COM
MIDWAY CHURCH. Erected in 1792,
TO THE READER.
The following pages were prepared during the idle mo- ments and such scraps of time as the writer could afford to take from an otherwise active and busy pastorate. Though a volume of unpretending size, considerable labor was re- quired in its preparation, on account of the dispersion of the people and the removal by death of all the older citizens. Had the writer only commenced the work of gathering ma- terials at an earlier date, before the death of the older peo- ple, who were familiar with the early history of the church, he would have been spared a vast deal of labor and at the same time been able to produce a work much more satisfac- tory to himself and to his readers.
To the many friends who have rendered assistance, he re- turns his grateful acknowledgements. Especially does he feel under obligations to the Rev. Thomas Sumner Winn, now of Stewart Station, Alabama, who was not only born and reared among the Midway people, but was also pastor for seven years, and who, though now an octogenarian, is still in possession of his faculties and powers in a remarka- ble degree.
He must also express his great regret, that after all his care, several typographical and other errors have crept in to mar the work. He would call attention to a few of these, especially such as concern the statement of facts.
1. By the omission of the word "not" on page 60, first line, the writer is made to affirm that there were church or- ganizations at the different Retreats, just the reverse of what he intended to say.
2. The statement on page 72, concerning the ordination of Dr. Buttolph, needs correction. He was not ordained by Charleston Presbytery, but by Georgia Presbytery at Flem- ington, November 19, 1854.
TO THE READER.
3. On page 109, in giving the number of ministers, men- tion was made of only "one Episcopalian." On page 148 the name of Rev. H. K. Rees was added, makingtwo. There should still be added a third, that of Rev. W. R. McConnell, who was the son of Dr. Wm. P. and Ann A. McConnell, born at Riceboro, October 31, 1829, and who, after one year in South Carolina college, and serving through the Confeder- ate war, was ordained as Episcopal minister by Bishop Beckwith, January, 1879, and at present is engaged in mis- sion work on the Ogeechee river. So that instead of one, there are three Episcopal ministers going out from the old church, with a total of eighty-three instead of eighty-one.
4. The foot note on page 135 is misleading, having refer- ence more particularly to the lower portion of the county. A small Methodist church was organized at Taylor's Creek in connection with the Ohoopee circuit, as early perhaps as 1808.
5. On page 155 please read Anna for Julia McKinne, as matron of the Augusta Orphans' Home.
6. Then on page 230, the statement concerning the burn- ing of the Walthourville parsonage is erroneous. The par- sonage at Walthourville was never burned. It was Dr. Ax- son's own plantation home that was consumed by fire, after his removal to it from Walthourville.
It is a matter of great regret that no pictures could be ob- tained of the three early pastors, Rev. Messrs. Osgood, Al- len, and Murphy.
Asking the kind indulgence of the reader, and invoking God's blessing upon the effort, we send forth this little vol- ume upon its mission.
Respectfully,
JAMES STACY.
Newnan, Ga., August 1, 1899.
HISTORY
-- OF-
MIDWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
I propose writing a history of the Old Midway Congrega- tional Church, Liberty County, Georgia, for the reasons : (1.) It has a history to write. (2.) Many of the sources of information are fast passing away, and unless now gathered will soon be gone and gone forever. (3.) None but one reared in her bosom and thoroughly conversant with her spirit and home life, as well as in sympathetic touch with her present embarrassments and trials, can competently speak on her behalf, which necessarily fixes the duty upon some one of her few surviving sons. (4.) Being recently made Historiog- rapher of the Synod of Georgia, it falls properly within the sphere of my duty to undertake the task. The history of that people is so interwoven with that of the Presbyterian church in Georgia, that to write the one is, to a great extent, to write that of the other. (5.) Then, lastly, gratitude to God, for having cast my lot in such a community, and giving me such an ancestry, as well as the ten thousand sacred memories of the past, and the innumerable tender, loving recollections of so many of her sainted dead, alike prompt me to undertake the work of gathering up and preserving for future generations, the simple annals of a people so won- derfully blest of God, and with a history so singularly unique, and in many respects so very marked and extraordinary.
2
HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH.
PREVIOUS HISTORY.
In the early part of the year 1630, a company of Puritan emigrants, gathered principally from the counties of Devon, Dorcet, and Somersetshire, met at the New Hospital, Ply- mouth, England, with a view of emigrating to the New World. After a day of fasting and prayer, and a sermon by Rev. John White, who had manifested deep interest in their undertaking, they selected Rev. John Warham, of Exeter, and Rev. John Maverick, as their ministers. On March 30, 1630, the colony embarked for New England, in a vessel of four hundred tons, chartered for the purpose, named Mary and John, and commanded by Captain Squeb. There were one hundred and forty passengers-a company of God-fearing people-as we are told, "the word of God was preached and expounded every day during the voyage."1 After seventy days' sailing, they entered the harbor of Nantasket, May 30, 1630, and after a few days' reconnoitering, landed at Mat- tapan, where, in the course of the summer, they laid off their town, which they named Dorchester, in honor of the old home of so many of them in England, and also that of Rev. John White, their friend and patron.
REMOVAL TO WINDSOR.
After a residence of five years at Dorchester, the colony became dissatisfied, when the greater portion removed du- ring the latter part of 1635, to Connecticut, and settled at Mattaneang, now known as Windsor, on the bank of the Connecticut river ; their places at Dorchester, however, being soon filled with other emigrants, chiefly those who came with Rev. Richard Mather from England. Rev. John War- ham accompanied the colony to Windsor, where he lived till his death, April 1, 1670, Rev. Mr. Maverick having died at Boston, February 3, 1636, before completing his arrange- ments to go with them to Windsor.
THE CAROLINA COLONY.
In the year 1695, some sixty years after the removal to (1) His. Dor. Boston, 1859, Page 18.
3
ORDINATION OF MR. LORD.
Windsor, some of the Puritan element having reached the shores of Carolina, and being destitute of religious ordinan- ces, they sent an invitation to Dorchester, Mass., for some one to come and minister to them in holy things. The re- quest was sent to Dorchester doubtless for the reason that some of the petitioners had either come from that place, or from the same neighborhood in England. Hence Rev. Mr. Danforth, their pastor, in his farewell sermon reminds them "of the importunity, both by letter and otherwise, that was used, and that a minister should be sent, and he should be ordained also. Sundry godly Christians there being pre- pared for, and longing after, the enjoyment of all the edify- ing ordinances of God ; there being withal in all that country neither ordained minister, nor any church in full gospel or- der. So neither imposition of the hands of the Presbytery nor donation of the right hand of fellowship can be expected there."1
Hence, too, thefact that Mr. Norman, one of those who subscribed to the covenant, as we shall afterwards see, was from Carolina, and doubtless the messenger bearing the re- quest.
In response to this call, the church laid hands upon Mr. Joseph Lord, from Charleston, Mass., a graduate of Har- vard, and at that time teaching school at Dorchester and studying theology under the pastor, Rev. John Danforth. The following is the account given of the ordination :
ORDINATION OF MR. LORD.
"October 22, 1695, being our lecture day, was set apart for the ordination of Mr. Joseph Lord, for to be pastor to a church, gathered that day for to go to South Carolina, to settle the gospel there, and the names of the men are these :
Joshua Brooks, Nathaniel Billings, and Simon Daken, of Concord; Wil- liam Norman, of Carolina ; William Adams, of Sudbury; Increase Sumner, and William Pratt, of Dorchester, and George Fox, of Reading.
"These, with Mr. Lord, did enter into a most solemn covenant to set up the ordinances of Jesus Christ there, if the Lord carried them safely thither (according to gospel truth, with a very large profession of their faith.)
(1) Howe's His. Page 120.
4.
HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH.
"There being several messengers from other churches that day-from Boston, Rocksbury, Nonandon, Milton, Dorchester, (Charleston). These messengers did meet together and did carry on that work with great solem- nity that day, Mr. Lord first praying and then preaching out the 5th Mat- thew, 13th verse : "Ye are the salt of the earth." After this the ministers laying their hands upon him, Mr. Morton did give him a very solemn charge, and Mr. Hobert give him the right hand of fellowship.1
EMBARKATION TO CAROLINA.
About six weeks after the ordination, the pastor and his little flock were ready to embark to their distant untried home. How momentous the occasion ! How solemn the hour of parting! In the farewell meeting Mr. Danforth preached a sermon, taking for his theme the parting scene of Paul and his companions and the Christians of Tyre, in Acts xxi:4-6:
" "And finding' 'disciples, we tarried there seven days, who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way. And they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city, and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed; and when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship and they returned home again."
How appropriate this subject and text to the occasion of the separation between a beloved pastor and this little band, to whom he had ministered for fifteen years, now going forth as missionaries of the cross, in the name and with the benediction of the church upon them! Their friends, like those of the Apostles, likewise followed them to the place of embarkation, and after kneeling down and mingling their supplications with every expression of Christian tenderness, bade them a long and affectionate farewell.
On Thursday, December 5, 1695, they set sail from Boston on the brigantine Friendship, Captain Hill. On the night of the 14th they encountered a gale and came near being wrecked, the wind "being so boisterous." They observed a day of prayer on board, and after fourteen days were landed at Charleston, Friday, December 20th, whilst other vessels leaving Boston at the same time had a month's passage. The following is the account given in their church record :
1 Pub. Rec. P. 109-10.
5
ELDER PRATT'S ACCOUNT.
"December 5, 1695, the church for Carolina set sail from Boston. De- cember 14th, at night, the skiff was near run under water, the stormy wind being so boisterous. They kept a day of prayer on board and safely landed at Carolina December 20th. The other vessels had a month's passage; this but about 14 days."
William Pratt, one of the eight covenanting members, and afterwards made elder in the Carolina church, kept a diary of the journey, a copy of which I have before me, the origi- nal being in possession of Mr. Joshua Crane, of Bridgewater, Mass., a regular descendant of Elder Pratt. I here insert a portion of it, as it gives a particular account of the voyage, and at the same time corrects some errors into which several writers have fallen as to the date of the embarkation, the number of vessels, and also the number and size of the colo- ny. His account is as follows :
ELDER PRATT'S ACCOUNT.
"On December the 3, 1695, we, the church that was gathered in order to carry the gospel ordinance to South Carolina, at this time some of us went into a long boat to go on board the brigantine Friendship, of Boston, in New England, in order to our passing to Carolina, but missing the vessel at first, by reason of the strength of the wind could not come up with her again, but were constrained to endure the cold two or three hours before we could get at any land, till at length we got to Dorchester Neck, and from thence returned to Boston all in safety.
"December 5th we set sail on the aforesaid vessel to go on our voyage, and having a moderate and _ eady gale on the Sabbath evening, which was the eighth day of the month and the fourth day of our being on the sea, we were in the latitude of the capes of Virginia. This evening the wind began to bluster, being at the northwest, and the day following blew hard continually, increasing its strength that on Monday, the 9th day of the month, in the evening, were fain to tie by, i. e., take in all the sails except the main course which, being reefed, was left to give the vessel some way as well as to steady her, the helm being pushed to leeward. So we continued till Tuesday night, and about midnight the wind was risen so high that the vessel was like to have sunk by reason that the small sail was enough then to run her under water, and had like to have done it; but the seamen made way for the vessel to rise by furling the main sail and bearing it before the wind. We were fain to sail thus, excepting sometimes the wind abated, as by fits for a short time it did, at which we lay bye, as before, all the next day and part of the day following. Either on Wednesday or Thursday we agreed to set apart Friday to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, and to beg of Him prosperous winds and weather. On Thursday, about noon, the wind
-
6
HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH.
began to fall and the sun to shine out, which it had not done so as that there might be any observations after our going out before, so that on Friday we could, with some comfort, carry on the work of the day.
"On Saturday the 10th day of our voyage, we found that we were gotten almost as far southward as the latitude of 31 degrees, and wanted much westing, for the northwest wind had driven us southeastward. On Sabbath day, which was the 15th day of the month, we were so favored with wind as that we went with great speed on our course, and on Monday, and so for- ward, the wind often shifted, yet not so as to hinder our going on in our de- sired course, though we could not go with so much speed as we desired. Thursday morning, being the 19th day of the month, we came in sight of the land of Carolina, but were, by a disappointment, hindered from getting in that day ; but the next day we got in, through divine goodness, being the 20th day of December.
"When we came to the town our vessel fired three guns, and the people, to welcome us to the land, fired about nine, which was more than us all. And when we come to an anchor, being in the evening, many of the people, being worthy gentlemen, come on board us and bid us welcome to Carolina, and invited us ashore and to their houses. I was among the best kindly en- tertained that night, and kept in Charleston about a week and then was carried by water up to Mr. Norman's. Increase Sumner and I were kindly received and entertained by the Lady Axtell, and though two other men were endeavoring to get into favor with the lady and other neighbors, and to obtain the land at Ashley River, and that we might not obtain it, yet they could not prevail ; for as soon as we came, the lady and others of the neigh- bors did more highly esteem of us than of the others, as they told us, and rejoiced at our coming, though there was no more of the church than In- crease Sumner and I ; and after we had discoursed secretly with them, they were not only very kind to us, but also used all means, and took great pains, to obtain our settling upon Ashley River, and that we should endeavor to persuade our pastor and the church to settle there.
"Our minister was at this time up at Landgrave Morton's, and some of the church at Charleston. Our minister and church were strongly persua- ded by the Lieutenant General Blake and many others to go to New Lon- don1 to settle, and upon that account were persuaded to go to Landgrave Morton's, which was near this place.
"About a week after we went by land to Charleston and were carried by water up to Landgrave Morton's. We, many of us together, went to view the land at New London. After two days, we returned to Landgrave Mor- ton's.
"Mr. Lord called me aside and I had much discourse with him ; and when he heard what I had to say concerning Ashley River, and concerning New London, Mr. Lord was wholly of my mind and willing to take up, upon those conditions that we discoursed about, at Ashley River, which conditions were kept private between two or three of us. When I sought earnestly to God
1 Now Wilton.
ELDER PRATT'S ACCOUNT.
for wisdom and counsel, God was gracious to me; for which I have great cause to praise His name, as well as for many other signal mercies. We kept something secret from others, which was greatly for our benefit. .
"We came from there to Mr. Curtis', and from there to Mr. Gilboson's. We were very kindly entertained at every place where we came. We heard of some of those that came from New England that had been guilty of gross miscarriages what was a trouble to us, but Mr. Gilboson called me aside and had much discourse with me. Afterwards he told me that he was glad that I came to Carolina, that he had seen me and had opportunity to dis- course with me. He told me he was much discouraged to see the illcarriage of those that came from New England, but afterwards he was better satis- fied and told me he did think there was a great difference between the per- sons that came from New England. Though many did manifest their dis- like of bad persons that came from New England, yet they were glad of the coming of good persons. We tarried there two or three days, being kindly entertained, and when we came away they gave us provision for our voyage down to Charleston and were very kind to us ; from there we came to Gov. Blake's, where we were kindly entertained ; and we dined with them, and after some discourse with Governor Blake, we came to Mrs. Cumers', where we lodged all night, being very kindly entertained, next day the people being very kind.
"We had a comfortable voyage down to Charleston, being the 14th of January. The 16th of January was the election day at Charleston. After this Mr. Lord and some of the church came up to Ashley River, and upon the Sabbath after, being the 26th of January, Mr. Lord preached at Mr. Nor- man's house upon that text in 8th of Romans, Ist verse. There were many that came to hear, of the neighbors round about, and gave diligent attention.
"The second day of February being Sabbath day, Mr. Lord preached at Ashley River upon that text, Ist Peter 3:18. Most of the neighbors came to hear. All the next neighbors and several persons came about ten miles to hear. The sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered that day and two deacons chosen. At this time there was great joy among the good peo- ple
"The first day of February being the last day of the week, and the sacra- ment to be administered, and many of us to come away on second morning to Charleston to come to New England, we set apart some time in the af- ternoon to pray unto God, and there was much of the Spirit of God breath- ing in that ordinance ; and when we took our leave of our Christian friends there were weeping eyes at our departure. We had many a blessing from them."1
From the above account it appears that Mr. Norman2 had gone from Carolina to Dorchester to press the call for a
1 See Diary.
2 Several of this name in Liberty County, doubtless descendants.
8
HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH.
minister; that there was only one small vessel (at one time styled a "Brigantine," at another a "Skiff") instead of two, as heretofore believed, there being no necessity for two to carry only nine people; that they embarked Thursday, December 5th, and not 14th, as some others have asserted ; that the church was composed of only eight male members, only two of these directly from Dorchester, with the pastor, Rev. Joseph Lord. There being no account of their families, the supposition is, that if they had any, they went back af- ter them as Elder Pratt did. In his diary he gives an ac- count of his return to New England and of a second voyage to Carolina with his family, consisting of his wife, Elizabeth Baker Pratt, and only daughter, Thankful Pratt, sailing from Nantasket, January 18, 1697, and also gives the rea- son for the prayer-meeting on Saturday afternoon before their communion at Ashley River, February 2nd ; that many of them were to go away Monday morning after to Charles- ton to go to New England. The account also shows that the people of Charleston were expecting them, and that their arrival had awakened considerable enthusiasm, as was evinced by the firing of a salute of about nine guns by the people of the town in honor of the event, an event truly worthy of such enthusiastic demonstration.
CHOICE OF LOCATION.
After spending a few weeks in examining the claims of dif- ferent places, especially New London (now Wilton) and the Ashley River, they decided upon the latter, and settled upon the bank of said river, and named the place Dorchester, after the place from whence they had come.
The place thus selected was immediately up the river some eighteen miles from Charleston, near the head of tide-water, the land low and swampy, and yet dotted with dry oak and hickory hammocks, which were easily cultivated and pro- ductive. The country generally in a state of wild forests, yet doubtless with an occasional settler. This we infer from the fact that it was directly up a stream navigable for small crafts, and only eighteen miles from Charleston, which had
9
CAROLINA CHURCH.
then been settled for sixteen years, and the principal com- mercial centre of the province, taken in connection with El- der Pratt's statement about the "next neighbors," and "people coming from ten miles" to the communion service. Still, after all, the settlers must have been very sparse, their principal neighbors being the Stonos and Westoes, tribes of Indians.
The colony reached Charleston Friday, December 20, 1695. It was not until January 14, 1696, that they decided upon the locality for their settlement. On Sabbath, January 26th, Mr. Lord preached his first sermon at the place selected for the church building, and held his first communion under the branches of a large oak which stood near by, which was standing in 1849, but since fallen and gone to decay.
A't the time of this communion two deacons were chosen, their
names not given. It was a time of great rejoicing. The prayer-meeting held on Saturday afternoon before, in view of the fact that several of them expected to leave on Monday morning for New England (probably for their fam- ilies as already hinted), and the parting scenes at its close, when so many eyes were weeping, and hearts giving utter- ances to the richest benedictions, all showed that to be a most memorable occasion. The following is the brief ac- count of it which we find in the records of the Dorchester, Mass., church :
"February 2, 1696, then was the first sacrament of ye Lord's supper that ever was celebrated in Carolina. Eight persons received (the communion) such as were of ye church by virtue of communion of churches; and there was great joy among the good people of Carolina, and many thanksgivings to the Lord. The good Lord prosper their undertakings for His own glory and the good of souls, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Amen."1
CAROLINA CHURCH.
LConcerning the life, growth, development, and general history of the Carolina church, we have very little reliable, definite knowledge. We know the names of the regular min- isters and general terms of office, but who were the deacons, and names, or precise number of members, we have no
1. Pub. Rec. P. 109.
10
HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH.
means of determining, as the records of the old church seem hopelessly lost, and the records of the Midway church only give a list of some forty families that emigrated to that place, without even specifying which were members and which were not. The records of the Dorchester, Mass., church, show, that in addition to the eight covenanting members already mentioned, eight others were dismissed from said church to the Carolina church on Nov. 1, 1696, viz : Deacon Sumner's wife and family, and his brother, Sam- uel Sumner, with his wife and family, with Peter O. Kelley's wife and six children.ª From Pratt's Diary we learn also that "Job. Chamberlain and his wife, Joanna, Joanna Way, . and Mary Way, all of Dr. Mathers' church, became mem- bers," There might have been others, but these are all I have been able to identify with Mr. Lord's church in its ear- ly beginning. The eight above mentioned, added to the original eight, make a total of sixteen members, of whom Increase Sumner was a Deacon, and William Pratt an El- der.b There were doubtless others added from time to time from their old homes in Massachusetts, as well as other sec- tions, for, in looking over the early settlers of the Massa- chusetts colony, I see a number of Liberty county names, showing that in all probability, many of the early Dorches- ter settlers came from New England. I seriously doubt, however, if there could, at any time, have been in the Caro- lina church over one hundred members, as would appear first, from the small size of the church building ; second, from the rather discouraging lettere of Mr. Lord to Judge Sewall, of Boston, dated March 25, 1706; third and lastly, from the statement of Mr. Osgood. In a letter to a friend in 1746, he reported a membership of only about seventy. In that letter he says: "About two years ago the number of com- municants in our church were but little over thirty; now they are above seventy;"d and this only six years before the removal to Georgia.
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