History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 12

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704

USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 12
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 12

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The society moved along in their weekly meetings, and, in 1827, the great question of the comparative benefits of the penitentiary or gallows was revived, and finally the old decision in favor of the gallows was reversed, and the penitentiary was decided to be the greater blessing of the two.

The Debating Club seems to have kept ac- tively alive, and the people showed much in- terest in all its acts and doings.

On the 7th day of November, 1837, the

town of Fairfield had a Library Room, and on that day a meeting was called, and the Fairfield Library Society was organized. Joseph Wilson was appointed President, and T. A. Wood, Secretary.

A committee of three, Jacob H. Love, R. B. Slocumb and T. A. Wood were appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the society. Their report was adopted, and Jef- frey Robinson was appointed Secretary.

At the first regular meeting, the record says William F. Turney "delivered an able and eloquent lecture on the subject of the Fairfield Literary Society." The record then recites " the following subjects were assigned to the following members, to speak from in turn: Daniel Turney, Agriculture; J. Rob- inson, Mathematics and Geography; J. H. Robinson, the Propriety of Correct Language in Speaking; T.A. Wood, the Utility of Com- mon Schools and Education; C. J. Ridgeway, Commerce; N. N. Smith, History; William F. Turney, Anatomy; J. A. Robinson, G. T. Snodgrass and J. G. Stuart were named as lecturers, but their subjects are not given. Then we find J. H. Robinson assigned to a lecture on the Inconsistency of Negro Slav- ery; and D. Turney, on Agriculture, a sec- ond time; T. A. Wood lectured on the Util- ity and Advantages of a Railroad from Monnt Carmel, via Fairfield to St. Louis; N. N. Smith, history, second time; W. F. Turney, anatomy, second time; Joseph Wilson, on the Truths and Evidences of Christianity, continued; James A. Robinson, on the In- consistency of Negro Slavery, continued; Leander Turney, Education.

We find pasted in the front part of the record book a letter dated "Lebanon, Ill., February 24, 1836," and addressed W. F. Turney and Thomas A. Wood, committee in behalf of the Fairfield Library Society. The letter is signed by B. F. Kavanaugh. The

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

letter is written on foolscap paper, folded without envelope, and is sealed with an old- style red wafer, that we used to get in those round, wood boxes, that always had a wafer stuck on the top of the box. The postage on this letter was 25 cents. It seems to have been written by Mr. Kavanaugh, in response to an invitation to deliver an address before the literary society. We give a paragraph from the letter that will go far to explain its purport: "Then, sirs, permit me to con- gratulate you in the successful efforts which have been made by yourselves and those with whom you have the honor to be associated in the organization of a society which has for its objects the expansion and illumination of the immortal mind. * Take for example Herskill, who was once a com- mon soldier under the British banner, who, while standing sentinel at night, had the large powers of his giant mind wakened into action, while he gazed upon the heavens, and ere its labors were concluded, the science of astronomy was extended, and the learned were informed of the existence of a large worlds connected with the sun, of which ours is a member. And while the great planet, which now bears his name, shall wheel in his course, in distant space around the sun, the name of 'Herskill' will be carried down the tide of time, till the heavenly messenger an- nonnces that 'time shall be no more.' And who shall say his praise shall cease with time ? "

In a further examination of the records we find the Debating Society by resolution were admitted as spectators to the Literary So- ciety. A library had been established, and at the meeting of the literary society, Janu- ary 23, 1836, a resolution was passed in which it was resolved that each member of the so- ciety " in order to promote the general diffu- sion of knowledge be requested to use his in-

fluence to obtain new members to the Fair- field Library."

The moral tinge that prevailed in those literary works is made evident by the follow- ing resolution, pas-ed at a regular meeting of February 6, 1836. " On motion agreed that this society will read Dr. Blair's lec- tures through at their subsequent meetings, each member to read a suitable number of pages at each meeting to take it in turn as they speak, and on motion agreed that Dr. William F. Turney read the first evening, which he proceeded to do.

From an old file of the Wayne County Press we extract the following items in the account book of David Wright; the entries were made just fifty years ago.

This day book was commenced January 1, 1834. The items given below are copied ver- batim and are interesting as illustrating life in the early times in Wayne County. The first item in the book is suggestive of the habits of the early settler. Here it is: Job Chapman, + gal. whisky. $ 31}

The next charge is of the same character but covers more historical ground :

Moses Renfro, By 10 lb. Deerskins .. . .. . $1 00 To 1} yds. bleached muslin@ 37}.

To 23 yards calico @ 43g.

To 2 1b. coffee. 50

To 2 1b. shugar. 33

To 2 gal. whisky 1 00

The next customer was certainly extrava- gant for those days:

Peter Staton. to 5 yards drah cloth ... ... $14 31}

Those were the times before Ayers, Wake- field, Hostetter et al supplied almanacs, for evidence of which read this charge:

Nathan Attebury, to 1 Almanack. $ Gł

And then we have the following:

Henry Pickering, 1 box Lee's Pils $ 50

William Clevenger, 8} lbs. honey 37}

Presley Simpson, 1 quart whisky. 25

1 pint molasses 10

Thomas Parmer, 1 casteel acks. 3 00

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Caleb Wilmans, I cow and calf. 9 00

1 steer 2 years old. 6 00

Jacob Beard. 6 gunflints. 6+

William Robberts, 1 fir hat. 4 75

Asa Attepervy, 1 lb. pepper. 43ª

C. A. Parks, 7 yards calico. 2 62}

paper pins. 188

I pair puff combs 25

Pressley Simpson, 1 oven and lid. 2 50

Ilugh Steward, 5 weeks board for James. 1 00

David Reed, 2 ounzes sowing thread. 12}

1 coon skin 12}

2 rabit skins 8

2 lb. feathers.

1 quart whiskey 18%

George Tibs, by 9} lb. Deerskin. 92}

James Butler, 1 deer skin. 75

+ 1b. ałum. 12

John Attebury, { oz camfire. 12}

Andrew Hall, 6 needles. 6}

Harmon Horn, by 3 days work 2 25

1 yard flax linen

188

A. C. Wright, 4} Ibs. coffee 1 00

CHAPTER VIII.

A COMPLETE HISTORY OF ALL THE CHURCHES-THE METHODIST-DIFFERENT BAPTISTS -CHRISTIAN-PRESBYTERIAN-CATHOLIC-WHO ORGANIZED THEM-

SKETCHES OF THE PROMINENT CHURCHMEN, ETC

"Saw ye not the cloud arise, Little as the human hand ;

Now it spreads along the skies ; Hangs o'er all the thirsty land." -- Old Hymn.

A MONG the early pioneers in the Illinois country were some of the soldiers of Gen. George Rogers Clark, who. after his successful expedition and capture of this vast domain, returned with their friends and settled in this Territory. A few of these had been trained in the principles of Chris- tianity, though we have no positive assurance that. there were any church members among them, but there is a tradition that a Mrs. Bond had once belonged to the Presbyterian Church.

William Goodman, 1 quart whiskey 189

I spelling book 18ª

David Reed, 1} }b. cotton. 30

James Campbell, 1 tucking comb. 50

Richmond Hall, 2 gallons whiskey 1 00

1 yard lasc. 12}

& fish hooks. 12}

1 yard riben. 63

Caleb Wilmans, ¿ dozen tea spoons. 25

Lowisa Butler, 1 yard lase 37}

1 comb 31}

Josiah C. Reed, 1 pair shoes. 1 00

John Cox, 16g lhs. butter, @ 6 cents. William Clevenger, 1 lb. nales. 124

¿ 1b. tea 50

3 pair hams 12} 1 4 lb. calf skin 50

James Turner, 2 pair uppers

William Irvin, 2} yards janes 2 50

We are, however, led to the conclusion that their hungering after the "Word of Life" was great, inasmuch as, in the absence of the Gospel ministry and all sanctuary privileges, some of them were in the habit of assembling at private houses on the Sabbath day, for the purpose of hearing read the Bible or any other good books that could be obtained for the occasion.

One of their number (generally Judge Bond) would read, after which they would discuss the subjects read and inquire of each other the meaning of the different passages that had attracted their attention. It is not at all probable that there was any public praying at these meetings, as there were none

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

so far advanced in the cause as to undertake so great a task.

The first Gospel minister to visit Illinois was a Baptist by the name of Smith, who preached to the people in 1787, and we un- derstand that there were some conversions under his ministry, among whom was Capt. Joseph Ogle, who afterward became a Meth- odist class leader and a prominent man in the commonwealth.

Conspicuous among those who have borne the story of Calvary, and carried the glad tidings of salvation to the pioneer cabin, offering in the name of the Great Master, life to fallen men, was the itinerant Methodist preacher.

Invincible, untiring ; if one should fall by the way another would rise up to take his place. In the frontiers, without roads or bridges, swimming swollen streams, enduring cold and hunger, with other hardships and privations, poorly clad and often without the means of securing adequate covering ; keep- ing watch with the stars at night, far away from human habitation, with no sounds to cheer or disturb their quiet, save the winds or storms among the forests, the howl of wild beasts, and sometimes the echoing war- cry of the savages : alone in the world, with poverty as a constant companion, far away from loved ones, they pressed the battle to victory, denying themselves that others might live. Others may have equaled them in zeal and good works, but certainly none ever surpassed them.

So far as is now known, the first Methodist preacher to visit Illinois was Joseph Lillard, in 1793. He had been a circuit preacher in Kentucky. and after bis location came to this country, and after preaching to the people, organized the first class in the Territory, and appointed Joseph Ogle class leader. He was a good man of moderate ability, but some-

times afflicted with mental trouble. During one of these periods of abberation he escaped from his friends, and while wandering in the woods, came across the body of a man who had recently been murdered and scalped by the Indians. While he tarried gazing upon the mangled remains, the cloud passed from his mind, and becoming conscious he returned and gave the alarm. Thirty years afterward he again visited Illinois and preached to the people, finding many things changed for the better.

In 1796, Rev. Hosea Riggs, a local preacher, settled in Illinois, where he became of great service to the church and country, dying at the advanced age of eighty-one years, in 1841.

He was a Revolutionary soldier. Rev. John Clark came to Illinois. and preached and taught school, being loved and honored by all who knew him. He preached the first Protestant sermon west of the Mississippi River. In his old age he joined a sect of Baptists, calling themselves "Friends of Humanity," but retained the confidence of his old friends.

Rev. Thomas Harrison, settled near Belle. ville, in Illinois, in 1804, and labored with acceptability for more than fifty years.

In 1803. Rev. Hosea Riggs visited the Western Conference in Kentucky, and secured a circuit preacher for Illinois. Ben- jamin Young was the first itinerant circuit preacher in the Territory, commencing his work in 1803. He reported sixty-seven church members in Illinois at the end of the year.

In 1S04, Joseph Oglesby was appointed to Illinois. and the membership was increased to 140 during the year. He was a man of good stock. and died a few years since in Indiana, greatly respected.

In 1S05, William McKendree was Presid- ing Elder, and not at that time a Bishop as

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Gov. Reynolds states. He was a soldier in the Revolution, a great preacher. the peer of any man in the nation, and was receiving, as any other itinerant preacher, a salary of only $80 a year. He was soon afterward elected Bishop, and we would here remark that a Bishop is the only member in the M. E. Church that is entitled to neither a vote nor a veto.

In 1805, Charles B. Matheny was pastor this year, and. on account of ill health, Io- cated in Springfield in 1818, where he left an honorable record and a worthy family.

In 1806. Jesse Walker came, and though volumes might be written in his praise, the want of space admonishes ns to pay more re- gard to their chronological order than the character of the preachers.

1807-John Clingan, P. C .; James Ward, P. E. 272 members.

1808-Jesse Walker. P. C .; Samuel Park- er. P. E.

1809-Abraham Amos; 341 members on Illinois Circuit.

1810-Cash Creek Circuit, Thomas Kirk- hạm.

1811-Cash River, Baker Wrather; James Axley. P. E.

1812-Illinois Circuit was attached to the Tennessee Conference. Wabash District, Peter Cartright, P. E .; Little Wabash Cir- cuit, John Smith.

1813-Jas. Porter, P. C. ; Jesse Walker, P. E. 1814-John C. Harbison.

1815-Daniel McHenry.

1816-Illinois for eight years formed a part of the Missouri Conference. John Har- ris, P. C .; Samuel H. Thompson, P. E.

1517-Daniel McHenry.

1818-Charles Slocumb. P. C .; Jesse Haile, P. E.

1819-20-Thomas Davis, P. C .; David Sharp, P. E.

1821-H. Vredenburg and Thomas Rice. 1822-Wabash and Mt. Vernon, Josiah Patterson and William H. Smith.

1823-Wabash and Mt. Vernon, William H. Smith. P. C .; S. H. Thompson, P. E.

1824 - Illinois Conference established. Wabash Circuit. Cornelius Ruddle.

1825-Wabash Circuit, Thomas Davis, P. C. : Charles Holliday, P. E.

1826-Robert Delap.

1827-James Hadley.

1828-William Mavity; George Lock, P. E.

1829-John Fox and Alfred Arrington.

1830-Thomas H. Files and Philip T. Cordier.

1831-Thomas H. Files and James M. Massey.

1832-James McKean and J. W. Corbin; Michael S. Taylor, P. E.

1833-James W. Corbin and William Mavity.

1834 -James Walker; John S. Barger, P. E.

1835-John Fox.

1836-William Taylor and William Met- calf.

1837-Rhodam Allen and John Parsons; Hooper Crews, P. E.

1838 -- Arthur Bradshaw; A. E. Phelps, P. E.

1839-G. W. Strebling; G. W. Robins, P. E.

1810-William Cummings and Ashael Brown.

1841-John Shepherd; Barton Randle, P. E.

After this year, the work in Wayne County was called Fairfield Circuit.

It will not be out of place to mention a few incidents in connection with some of the foregoing preachers.

The fiery, impetuous and fearless Daniel

100

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

McHenry was the right man for the circuit during the Indian war, as a less courageous man would have failed in the midst of dan- gers so menacing. He was a terror to evil- doers and entertained a great antipathy to slavery. On one occasion he, with his son and a negro, actually whipped and drove back into Kentucky a company of kidnapers.

After an absence of fifty years, William H. Smith visited the Conference at Mt. Vernon and met a few of his early parishoners.

Cornelius Ruddle, while moving from his circuit at New Haven to Equality, with both his horses, was killed by a falling tree. His wife was compelled to return on foot four miles to the settlement to procure help. James Hadley's wife died in the vicinity of Fairfield. Father Mavity (pronounced Mo- vit-ee) died and was buried at Mellrose's, in Edward's County, on the place now owned by Mr. West.

Alfred Arrington is remembered by very few now living here, but by those few well remembered. Though unassuming, he proved to be a young man of great erudition, and became an able and eloquent preacher. He was expelled from the church, after which he studied law, became an able advocate, and settled in Chicago, where he was elected Judge, and died a few years since,'a Roman Catholic.

While crossing the Little Wabash River, at the mouth of White Oak Creek, a little below the "Air Line" Railroad bridge, in 1839, William Metcalf was drowned. He lies buried in the Mathew Crews' Cemetery.

More than sixty-seven years ago, or within a few weeks after the first settlers had come to the region of Burnt Prairie. in 1816. came John Harris, the Methodist circuit rider, following the wake of the early pio- neer, serving the flocks, gathering up the scattered fragments that had strayed into

the wilderness waste, carrying the glad tid- ings to the lost, administering to the spiritual wants of a people widely separated, and per- suading men to seek a better inheritance and live better lives. At his first appearance in the settlement, in August, 1816, Mr. Harris preached at the house of Alexander Hamil- ton, to five persons as his congregation, viz .: Mr. Hamilton, his wife and two nieces and George Meritt, a young man at that time.

Early in the winter of 1817, Archy Rob- erts, a talented local preacher, settled on the southeast quarter of Section 11, Town 3 south, Range 8 east, and at his house it is thought the first Methodist society was or- ganized. It is also stated by Mr. Meritt that it was several years before the ministers of other denomination visited these settlements.

In 1817, Daniel McHenry, on his rounds, found the Gillison family, and established preaching at their house. In the new settle- ment the necessaries of life were not only costly, but hard to obtain. Mrs. Gillison had carded, spun and wove a piece of jeans. taken it on horseback to Shawneetown, and sold it, taking in part pay corn meal at $1 per bushel, which she brought home, and with this fed the circuit preacher's horse on his first visit. So glad were many of the people to have these messengers of Christ make their monthly rounds, that they would endure almost any hardship and undergo many privations, that they and their children might obtain the " Word of Life." To this society belonged the Robertses, Fileses, Pattens, Gillisons and others.

In 1820, John Bovee, with his family, re- moved to Big Mound Prairie, and found here an organized Methodist society, with regular circuit preaching at Hugh Stewart's, north- east quarter of Section 5, Town 2 south. Range 7 east, latterly the home of the late Rev. John Chambers. The early members

101

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

were Stewarts, Robinsons, Gastons, Bovees and Andrew Hall's family. Rev. James A. Robinson was born here, and Rev. James M. Massey, step-son of Bovee, grew to manhood in this settlement. In 1831, the preaching was removed to Bovee's house, on the south- east quarter of the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 9, where it remained about five years, when it was again removed to the Bovee Schoolhouse, southwest quarter of the north- west quarter of Section 32, in Lamard Town- ship. and became the headquarters for Methodism for many miles around. About 1859, as the membership had increased and the house would no longer answer the de. mands of the congregation. Mt. Olivet Church, a substantial log house was built about sixty rods west of this place, which amply serves the society at the present time. The cemetery is still near the schoolhouse. Many souls have been converted at this place, and among the most prominent revivals were those resulting from the protracted meetings conducted by Revs. Samuel Walker, C. W. Sabine, C. A. Young and Robert D. Ellis. Connected with this society at present are many good and substantial members, and the sabbath school has been in a flourishing condition for many years.

Ebenezer .- In 1819 or 1820. the untiring itinerant appeared at Andrew Crews, in Mas- sillon Township, and the organization of a Methodist society was, shortly afterward ac- complished. Among the first members were Audrew Crews and family, Jonathan Douglas and wife, McMackens, Monroes, George Wil- son and probably some others. After 1829, the place of worship was at Matthew Crews' dwelling house for a number of years, and this society became the center of the circuit, and in fact, the most prominent Methodist organization in Wayne County. James Crews was the first class leader. In 1840,

when the Crews' dwelling house would no longer accommodate the increasing congre. gations, it was determined to build a church house, when Matthew Crews remarked that "it must be ready before the next quarterly meeting." This declaration gave assurance that the work would be done, and a substan- tial log house, with two glass windows, a large stove (the first in the township), and fine, broad plank seats, made bench fashion, was erected on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 31. in Mas- sillon Township.

At this place was also established a ceme- tery and a camp ground. The church was called " Ebenezer," a name by which the so- ciety has been known for the past forty-four years.

While R. H. Massey was on the work in 1865, the society erected a neat, frame chapel, 24x36 feet, at a cost of $1,000, on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 35. Jasper Township (land do- nated by John M. Creighton), and this house still serves as a temple of worship, where an active society still offers up prayer and praise. In 1851, under the ministry of Thomas Sharp, at the camp ground, a sweeping re- vival visited this community.

The principal revivals at this place since that time have attended the labors of Revs. Hazen and C. W. Sabine, although there has been some revival influence almost every year.

Woodland .- As early as 1826, a Methodist society was organized at the dwelling of John McMacken, northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 21, in Jasper Township, on the place now owned by Mr. G. E. Shank. Among the first members were the McMackens. Bradshaws, Douglases. and George Wilson. Some of these were transferred from the Crews' society. The

102

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

preaching was sometimes at the house of Jonathan Douglas. Clinton McMacken, James and Thomas Bradshaw were early class leaders, and, in fact, five sons of Mrs. Ann Bradshaw became leaders at this place.

An amusing incident occured here, shortly after the organization of the society. A boy fell asleep, during preaching one day, and, dreaming that the hogs were in the yard clapped his hands and hollowed, to frighten them away, when the preacher, mistaking the shout for a conversion, ex- pressed great satisfaction that another sinner had turned from his evil ways.

The increase in the congregation at this place, had placed the society under the necessity of providing larger accommodations. In 1843, it was determined to build a church house, and the only question agitating the brethren was with regard to the location. J. J. Bradshaw had offered an acre of ground on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 15, when Thomas Bradshaw terminated the controversy by proposing that all go to work in the morning, with axes and broadaxes. Some hesitated for a while, butiby the next evening the woods were ringing with the sound of axes and falling trees, and Wood- land, a neat log church, was completed, which serves the congregation as a place of worship at the present time, though they greatly need, and ought to have a better house for the worship of God.

There have been many revivals of religion at this place, and many have found peace and rest here, that have entered into their great reward.

Rev. Arthur Bradshaw of the Illinois Con- ference entered the itinerancy from this place, and Rev. Lewis A. Harper, of the Southern Illinois Conference, preached his first sermon here.

From information that seems to be reliable, we have reason to believe that there was a Methodist society in existence at Virden's as early as 1830.

The appointment was supplied from Mt. Carmel, at first, and latterly, from Albion Circuit. Two camp-grounds were established near this place, many years ago, and the church has been favored with good revival influences, at different times.

Among the early members, were the Ver- dens, Melroses, Robinsons, Scotts, Ewings and others. Dr. H. G. Thrall, a talented and useful local preacher, and Rev. L. A. Harper were probably licensed to preach at this place.

Rev. J. A. Robinson, whose wife was a Melrose, from this society entered upon his long and useful career as an itinerant minis- ter.

Many years ago, the society built a log church house on the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 24, Town 2 south, Range 9 east, in Leach Township. The church is still flourishing to some extent, and after a long course of usefulness, is still in the field, but we are unable to give any statement as to their numerical strength. The church is sometimes known by the names of Scottsville, Wabash, and Brushy Prairie.

We have no means of ascertaining, at pres- ent, when the first Methodist organization was established in this community, as Wayne County formed a part of a large scope of country, known as Wabash Circuit, the records of which are not now known to be in existence, and the records of Fairfield Cir- cuit did not commence until 1842. We have been able to ascertain, with certainty, that there was a society in existence in 1830, at Moses Woods' house, in the southwest quar- ter of the northwest quarter of Section 30, in

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 12

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 704

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704