USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > Frankfort > A history of the First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, Kentucky, together with the churches in Franklin County, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America > Part 1
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.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FRANKFORT, KY.
LIBRAR
PAINGO /
JUL 7 1954
THEOLOGICAL
BX 9211 .F77 F52 1901 Averill, William H. A history of the First Presbyterian Church,
Fort Ine Darker.
from
The daughters of
DUPLICATE
FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE
Louisva LIBRARY OF Presbyterian TheuleRival Seminary of Konta ky.
Presbyterian Seminary
RY
.
١
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FRANKFORT, KY., 1849.
Photo by T. L. Edelen,
A HISTORY
OF THE
LIBRARY OF PRINCETON JUL 7 1954 THEULE RY
: AL
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FRANKFORT KENTUCKY
TOGETHER WITH THE
CHURCHES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
IN CONNECTION WITH
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
LIBRARY OF Presbyterian Theole
BY
W H AVERILL Clerk of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church 1901
250/ A 952
DUPLICATE
FOR SALE MONFORT & CO., PRINT, K EXCHANGE CINCINNATI,
Louisville Presbyterian2.Seminary
LIBRARY
Photo by J. L. Waggener.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A TYPICAL FRANKFORT STREET IN SUMMER.
NOTE.
The impelling motive of this work has been a desire to preserve in a permanent form, to our Church and to all others who may be interested in these matters, the history of our local congregations, some portions of which would doubtless be lost if not recorded at this time. Much more of interesting detail might have been included in the volume, but in order to keep it within reasonable bounds, it has to some extent been a matter of selection, using only such material as would likely be of general interest, and at the same time directly connected with the object in view.
W. H. AVERILL.
FRANKFORT, Ky., August, 1902.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN KENTUCKY. I3 A Brief Glance at its Early History.
CHAPTER II.
THE UPPER BENSON CHURCH
25
CHAPTER III.
THE LOWER BENSON CHURCH. 49
While in Connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
CHAPTER IV.
THE FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT. 61
Settlement of the Town. Sketch of the Church During the Century. Centennial Services, March 31, 1901. Buildings. Ministers. Ruling Elders. Church Music. Spirituality and Revivals. Benevolence. Ladies' Societies. Bible Societies.
CHAPTER V.
SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 197
Early History and Methods. Subsequent Work. Superintendents. Leestown Mission School.
CHAPTER VI.
GENERAL SUMMARY. 233
Statistics. Tabular Statements. List of Ministers, Officers and Members from the Organization to Date.
APPENDIX. 267
The Love House. The Brown Mansion. Exhibit of Church Expenditures 1829. Presbyterial Livery Bill. Synodical Livery Bill. Subscription to Sabbath- school 1819, with Sample Page of Expenditures. Roster of Classes 1826. "Ancient Advice." "A Steward's Account." Mementos.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
For some of the data used in Chapters I. and II. I am indebted to " Davidson's History of the Presby- terian Church in Kentucky," and to "An Outline of the History of the Church in Kentucky," by Professor Robert H. Bishop.
For matter used in Chapter II., in addition to the above works, recourse was had to the Minutes of Ses- sion of that Church, and to information obtained " by word of mouth" by the writer from members of the family of Thomas Paxton, who were cognizant of many of the facts, and in some of the events active participants.
For items embraced in Chapter IV., we are indebted in part to "An Account of the First Settlement," by Robert McAfee, and to an address delivered upon the occasion of Frankfort's Centennial, in 1886, by the late John Mason Brown.
The facts detailed in Chapter V. are mostly taken from the Diary and Account Books of Mrs. Margaretta Brown, and the later Sabbath-school Records.
Thanks are also due to Mr. Leo Oberwarth, archi- tect, of this city, for preparing drawings of early build- ings; to Mr. T. L. Edelen for photographs, and to Mrs. Jennie C. Morton, of the Kentucky Historical Society, for the print of the "Love House," taken from her poem read at Frankfort's Centennial.
4
"So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."* - I Cor. iii. 7.
* Text of discourse by Dr. John Witherspoon in opening the first General Assembly, 1789.
CHAPTER I.
A GLANCE AT THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN KENTUCKY.
In taking up the subject of the proposed sketch, it may be well, for the benefit of the average church member of to-day, and a reminder to those who are already informed on the subject, to glance briefly at the history of our Church in Kentucky during the forma- tive period, covering the latter part of the eighteenth century.
The district of Kentucky, originally a part of Fin- castle County, Virginia, was set off as a special county in 1776; and in 1780 erected into a " district " with three counties, Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln. In 1792, about eighteen years after the first permanent settle- ment, it was admitted into the Union as a sovereign State.
In considering the beginnings of the Presbyterian Church in this district we should bear in mind the state of society in the settlements, with its many unfavorable conditions. The War of the Revolution had just termi- nated, and in addition to the vices and lawlessness, by no means as vet abated, which had been engendered by that long and bloody contest, there had come a fearful period of spiritual declension and skepticism over the whole land, owing in a large degree to the spread and influence of French infidelity.
This section of the country was as yet in an unsettled and very precarious condition, and from all accounts the environments of our forefathers here were by no
·
14
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
means conducive to spirituality, or favorable even to the observance of the outward forms of religion. Their necessities were great and urgent, and for defense against the ever-present and impending danger of the attacks of the Indians, they were compelled at all times to go fully armed, even while at work in the field or in their social gatherings. Their time was mostly taken up in providing for the pressing needs of their families, and in the intervals of labor the people, old and young, indulged freely and with keen enjoyment in many sports and amusements, dancing and other recreations, as a compensation for the enforced confinement within their cabins and " stations."
The exploits and escapes of their fellow settlers and the dangers and exigencies of their daily surroundings engrossed their attention and formed the chief topics of serious thought and conversation, and it is hardly to be wondered at that religion occupied but a small share of their attention. Many who in their homes beyond the mountains had led exemplary lives, being here removed from the oversight and restraint of the Church, were no better than those who made no pretensions to Godliness. *
Upon the advent of the Rev. David Rice, in October, 1783, who came to the territory in response to an invi- tation of some of the settlers, and who was the first minister of our Church to enter Kentucky, the state of religion as depicted by him was in a very low condi- tion. He found very few men who by their lives main- tained a good religious character, and the great majority of settlers were given over to intemperance, Sabbath-
* Davidson's History.
15
EARLY ILSTORY OF CHURCH IN KENTUCKY.
breaking, gambling, and other kindred vices .* Under the circumstances Mr. Rice did not think it wise to attempt at once the formation of churches, but deemed it best to preach to the people for a time, mingle with them socially, and prepare them for organization at a later period .*
After a year's labor he thought that the time had come, and that the way was open for the formation of churches. This was accordingly done in 1784, in the vicinity of Harrods and McAfee Stations, in what is now Mercer County, with three places of worship, Cane Run, Forks of Dicks River, and Concord (Danville), with Har- rods Station as a central point. t During the succeed- ing year several other congregations were organized in the district, Pisgah, New Providence, Paint Lick, Salem, Walnut Hills, Mt. Zion (Lexington), Hopewell and Whitley Station. These congregations being greatly scattered and far removed from Hanover Presbytery, Virginia, which had jurisdiction in this territory, imme- diately felt the need of some sort of organization for the better regulation and greater efficiency of the churches. Accordingly a " general meeting " for con- ference was called to assemble at Cane Run in March, 1785. ¡ The ministers present were David Rice, Adam Rankin, James Mitchell, with Terah Templin, a proba- tioner. Five churches were represented by two dele- gates each : Caleb Wallace and William McCune from Cane Run, Thomas Maxwell and Samuel Woods from Paint Lick, James McCoun and George Buchanan from New Providence, James Beard and James Allen from
* Bishop's Memoirs of Rice. + Davidson's History.
.
16
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
-
Salem, Richard Steele and John Brooks from Mt. Zion (Lexington).
The first business transacted by the Conference was the appointment of a committee to obtain the concur- rence of Hanover Presbytery in a petition to the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, then the highest court of our Church, for separation into a new Presbytery. The state of religion in the territory was discussed, and resolutions were adopted recommending the election of three ruling elders in each congregation, and providing for the religious instruction of the children. The Con- ference was in session three days, and adjourned to meet again in the same place in July following, the meeting to be opened with a sermon by Mr. Rice. *
The ministers present at the July meeting were David Rice, Adam Rankin, with Terah Templin and James Crawford, probationers. Twelve congregations were represented by two ruling elders each. After the opening sermon by Mr. Rice, he was chosen to preside as Chairman, and Caleb Wallace was elected Clerk. Among the recommendations adopted by the " Conference " were the following : *
" That in the absence of ministers, the elders should assemble the congregations and conduct religious serv- ices, with prayer, singing, reading the Holy Scriptures and judicious selections from approved doctrinal and practical discourses.
" That the several parts of divine service be per- formed with the greatest decency and solemnity. That good clerks be employed in every congregation to lead
* Davidson's History.
17
EARLY HISTORY OF CHURCH IN KENTUCKY.
the singing, and that grave and agreeable tunes only should be used.
" In view of the dangers to which the country was still exposed from the Indians, of the general declension of virtue and the alarming prevalence of vice, a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer was appointed.
" And in view of the scarcity of books in the terri- tory and the difficulty of ministers procuring these helps, thus retarding their progress in knowledge and useful- ness, it is recommended that in each congregation col- lections be at once made, to raise a fund with which to purchase books, which were to be loaned to ministers and probationers, at such places and under such regu- lations as the Conference or the future Presbytery may direct."
In consequence of these recommendations, churches were at once formed at various points, elders ordained and installed, and religious services inaugurated. In the autumn of the same year (1785) Rev. Edward Craw- ford and Charles Cumming were appointed by the Pres- bytery of Hanover to visit Kentucky, and with Rev. David Rice to constitute a commission for the special purpose of examining and ordaining candidates for the gospel ministry, and by it Terah Templin and James Crawford were ordained at Danville.
The Presbytery of Transylvania was organized on October 17, 1786, in the Court House at Danville. Five ministers and five ruling elders were present: Revs. David Rice, Adam Rankin, Andrew McClure, James Crawford and Terah Templin,* with Ruling Elders
* Rev. Thomas B. Craighead was absent, providentially, and was afterwards enrolled.
18
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
Richard Steele, David Grey, John Bovel, Joseph Reed and Jeremiah Frain, and constituted that august and honorable body, the first Presbytery of Kentucky. Rev. David Rice, of course by common voice, presided as Moderator. Rev. Andrew McClure was chosen Stated Clerk. The proceedings were conducted with great dig- nity and decorum, in strict accordance with the old forms of procedure. *
The bounds of the Presbytery included, besides the district of Kentucky, the settlements in Tennessee on the Cumberland River, and those north of the Ohio River in the territories of Ohio and Indiana. Shortly after its organization the Presbytery received a valuable addition in the Rev. Samuel Shannon, of Virginia, who at once took charge of the churches at Bethel and Sink- ing Spring, where he remained four years, and then removed to Woodford Church, where he continued until he took charge some years later as pastor of the two Benson Churches, in Franklin County, where he terminated his ministry.
In the year 1787 the Synod of Virginia appointed a Committee on Missions, for the purpose of assigning fields of labor to ministers and licentiates who were desirous of entering upon that work. Some of these, constituting a noble band of talented and consecrated young men, chose Kentucky - Robert Marshall, Cary H. Allen, William Calhoun, John P. Campbell, Samuel Rannells, Robert Stuart, Robert Wilson and John Lyle ; and their coming and their subsequent labors were a benediction to the scattered congregations, but few of which were able to maintain the regular stated means of
* Minutes of the Presbytery.
19
EARLY HISTORY OF CHURCH IN KENTUCKY.
grace. A number of ministers from North Carolina and other States came to Kentucky about this time, and the Presbytery, owing to the increased number of churches and the great extent of territory, which had no definite limits on the south and west, and covered the settle- ments north of the Ohio River, with the consent of the Synod of Virginia was divided into three Presbyteries, Transylvania, West Lexington and Washington. The latter included the churches in Kentucky east of the Licking River and those north of the Ohio. West Lex- ington included those west of the Licking, south of the Ohio and east of the Kentucky River, while Transyl- vania covered the territory west of the Kentucky, includ- ing Indiana and Tennessee. This was in 1799, about. sixteen years after the advent of David Rice, the first missionary of our Church to enter Kentucky, and the number of Presbyterian ministers had increased to. twenty-six.
On October 14th, 1802, by authority of the General Assembly, the Synod of Kentucky was formed. The organization took place in Lexington, and the opening sermon was preached by Rev. David Rice,* who was chosen Moderator. The total number of ministers within its bounds was thirty-seven. Seventeen only were present, to-wit : From Transylvania, David Rice, Samuel Finley, Matthew Houston and Samuel Robin- son. From West Lexington. James Crawford, Samuel Shannon, Isaac Tull, Robert Marshall, James Blythe, James Welch, Joseph P. Howe, John Lyle and Samuel Rannells. From Washington, James Kemper, John
* Isaiah viii. 20.
20
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
P. Campbell, Richard McNemar and John Thompson. These seventeen ministers, with thirteen ruling elders present, constituted the first Synod of Kentucky.
It was not until the year 1814 that the Synod of Ohio was organized, holding its first meeting in Chillicothe on the last Thursday of October, and from thenceforth the Ohio River constituted the northern boundary of the Synod of Kentucky. In 1816 the Synod asked authority from the General Assembly to make another division, and in 1817 the Synod of Tennessee was formed, thus confining the territory of the Synod of Kentucky to State lines.
Of all the ministers who aided in the formation and early building of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky, for wisdom, orthodoxy and advocacy of good order, for amount of labor done and good results accomplished, Rev. David Rice easily stands pre-eminent. He was born in Hanover County, Virginia, in December. 1733 : was licensed in 1762; labored in Virginia twenty-one years, and in Kentucky thirty-two years. He died at his home in Green County in 1816, at the age of eighty- three years. It is estimated that in the fifty years of his active labors fully one hundred thousand persons heard from his lips the Gospel in its simplicity, presented with power, and in unmistakable terms. *
His name and his good work should be held in grate- ful remembrance by all Presbyterians, and especially by those of Kentucky. It is gratifying to note that the two Syrods of Kentucky, in just though tardy recogni- tion of his eminent worth and services, inaugurated in
Bishop's Memoirs.
2I
EARLY HISTORY OF CHURCH IN KENTUCKY.
the year 1889 a movement to raise a suitable monument to his memory. This after some years' delay was finally erected and dedicated.
Of some of the other ministers of that early period, co-laborers of "" Father Rice," mention will be made in another chapter, in connection with the history of the Benson Churches of Franklin County, where they min- istered, one as pastor, others as regular or occasional supplies.
-
*
4
UPPER BENSON CHURCH-1795. The First Church built in Franklin County.
CHAPTER 1I.
UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
The beginning of organized Presbyterianism in what is now Franklin County was in the year 1795, the date of the formation of Hogsett Church, or, as it was after- ward known, "The Upper Benson Church," by which latter name it was entered upon the roll of Louisville. Presbytery.
Among the earliest settlers of this section was Mr. Thomas Paxton, who came out from Virginia in 1788. He first went to McAfee Station, in the vicinity of which he remained for a few months, and then located his future home on a tract of land on the waters of Little Benson Creek, which now forms a part of the southern boundary of Franklin County. His title to the tract was covered by a military claim or warrant, granted for services in the Revolutionary War, and was signed by Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia, dated A.D. 1784, " and in the year of the Commonwealth the eighth," and embraced one thousand acres. The survey included land on both sides of the creek for about one mile. It was at that time a beautiful perennial stream, fed by numerous fine springs and nourished by the primeval forests through which it flowed. In this matter Mr. Paxton showed wisdom and foresight, for thereby he secured the control of the water privilege, which subsequently became a great factor in his devel- opment of the section. After selecting a site for his home and erecting a house, (a two-story, hewed-log
26
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
building of four rooms,) making a clearing and putting in a crop, he returned to his native place in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and married Miss Rebecca Hogsett, with whom he returned to his new Kentucky home in April, 1790.
Mr. Paxton was a man of great energy and force of character, and, although still under thirty years of age, was skilled in mechanics, which accomplishment was of great service in the new country, where conveniences were few and skilled workmen rare.
After establishing his home, being a devout Presby- terian, Mr. Paxton felt the absence of the stated means of grace, and immediately took steps to secure the ben- efits of the preached Gospel, and to eventually establish a church of his own faith and order. Looking in the direction of the churches of New Providence, Harrods Station and vicinity. then the principal source of relig- ions influence in this section, he secured the visits of a number of ministerial brethren, who held religious serv- ices in this neighborhood. Upon these occasions the settlers within reach would assemble, upon notification, at the Paxton place, where the services were usually held.
Among the ministers who thus visited and preached here in 1792-3 was Rev. Cary H. Allen,* one of the young missionaries sent out by the Synod of Virginia. He labored two years among the scattered congrega- tions, and then settled as pastor of the churches of Paint Lick and Silver Creek, where, after a brief pastorate, lie died in 1795. He was a graduate of Hampden Sidney, a very popular and acceptable preacher, greatly beloved
* Minutes of Session.
27
UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
by all classes of the people, and very successful in his ministry. His death was universally deplored, as men of his talents and popular gifts were greatly needed at the time. *
Rev. William Calhoun, who came to Kentucky with Rev. Cary Allen, as a missionary sent out by the Synod of Virginia in 1787, and who labored for some years in this Presbytery, " preached for this people from time to time." ; Although a young man, he was a very solemn and impressive preacher, and bore a very high character for godliness and consistency. He finally settled as pastor of the churches at Ash Ridge and Cherry Springs, which he served for several years, and then returned to Virginia, where he lived and labored to an advanced age. *
Rev. Samuel Shannon, pastor at that time of the Woodford Church, visited and preached regularly for the people of Little Benson. The section was rapidly filling up with settlers, and in the spring of 1795, the way seeming clear, a Presbyterian Church was organ- ized in Mr. Paxton's house. Rev. Samuel Shannon was the officiating minister, and Thomas Paxton and Robert Armstrong were chosen ruling elders. f Steps were immediately taken for the erection of a house of wor- ship. Mr. Paxton set apart, on the extreme western end of his tract, a suitable site for church purposes. This was on elevated ground, overlooking for some distance the valley of Benson, and about a mile from his residence.
In the fall of the same year a comfortable building
* Bishop's Memoirs.
i Minutes of Session.
28
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
was finished and occupied by the little flock. The house was a neat structure of hewed logs, compactly built and closely joined with mortar, twenty-eight by forty feet in size. The work was done by the neighbors and friends, and out of materials near at hand, from the foundation of stone to the wooden pins which held in place the shingles of the roof. The location was admirably chosen, beautiful for situation, and acces- sible to the more thickly settled country west of it, and towards the village of Lawrenceburg, five miles away. This building served the needs of the congre- gation during its entire existence. After a few years, however, improvements were added. The entire out- side was sheathed with weatherboarding, and the inte- rior lathed and plastered. The pulpit was moved from the side to the end of the building, opposite the entrance. A schoolhouse was built near by and facing the front door, and an inclosure made for a burial ground.
This building stands to this day, and is a monument to honest materials and good work. The timbers remain sound, the framing of the doors, windows and roof, held together by wooden pins, are intact, and the mortar (one of the lost arts) is harder than stone itself. Emigrants in large numbers coming to the State, this section was rapidly filling up with settlers, and the land was all occupied speedily, although it was not as yet to any great extent inclosed. There were no public roads, and bridle paths through the woods and along the water courses were the highways of communica- tion to those able to ride, while many, less fortunate, had to walk. Notwithstanding this, some who habit- mally attended the church walked five to six miles to enjoy its privileges, and one worthy mother carried her
.
29
UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
infant that distance. In developing the material inter- ests of the neighborhood, Mr. Paxton, in addition to a tannery and sawmill on the stream, built and equipped a grist mill, which was from the beginning a success, as these conveniences were much needed throughout the country, and at once superseded the family hand mills and rude appliances for grinding corn. This "Paxton's Mill" became a noted mill seat, a place of resort for many miles around, and especially when it was greatly enlarged and improved for grinding wheat, when it was for a time the only flouring mill within a large radius, supplying even Frankfort in part for a period with its products.
All these public improvements added materially to the growth and development of the community, and consequently to that of the church. Though not able to employ a minister for all his time, there was preaching with some regularity by passing brethren, and by others who were induced from time to time to come for special four days' services. Among these were Rev. William Mahon,* Samuel Shannon,* Samuel Rannells, * Dr. John P. Campbell * and Samuel B. Robertson. *
A number of additions to the church at this time included some families from the "lower neighborhood," as it was called, among whom were William Boyd and Robert Hamilton, who were elected elders and added to the session of this church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.