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 2
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About 1800 and 1801, during the religious excite- ment which prevailed throughout the State and country, " this little church shared, in common with the others, some of the calamities as well as the blessings for which
* Minutes of Session.
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
that period was noted."# Owing, however, to the coun- sels and influence of Rev. Samuel Rannells, together with the wisdom, prudence and firmness of the session, the church was spared the schism which rent many others. In the history of our country there have been several noted and widespread revivals of religion. The first, in 1741, was known as the "Great Awakening," when Whitefield came to America and preached through- out the colonies from Massachusetts to Georgia. Jona- than Edwards in New England, the Tennants in the middle sections, and other eminent preachers in Virginia and the Carolinas, were engaged in the work, which continued for several years. Under the influence of this revival many of our noted colleges were founded, in which was trained that noble generation of Presby- terians which acted such a prominent part in the stir- ring events of the "Revolution," and in the equally momentous and critical formative period immediately following, in which our National Constitution was constructed and adopted. The next great revival was at the time of which we write, the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Beginning in this State, it spread over the whole country, East and West, but was more remarkable in some of its features in Kentucky than elsewhere. It seemed to be a reaction against the widespread skepti- cism and decline in spirituality throughout the land, brought about in a large degree by association with the French Army and the spread of infidel writings, as well as the demoralization consequent upon the long and soul-trying war. This was the era of " Camp-Meet-
* Minutes of Session.
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UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
ings," which, originating in Kentucky, spread through- out all the western country, and which, notwithstanding their many objectionable features, wrought such wide- spread results for good that the movement has become known in religious history as the " Great Revival."
During the early years of the century Upper Benson Church was highly favored in having the ministrations of some wise and discreet men. One of these was Rev. Samuel Rannells, who was one of the Synodical missionaries sent out from Virginia in 1787. He was pastor of the churches of Paris and Stoner Creek until his death in 1817. He frequently made missionary tours, confirming the weak and struggling churches, and was often a welcome visitor here. "He was a zealous and successful minister, remarkably gifted in prayer, solemn and impressive in the pulpit, always acceptable in his ministrations to the pious and intelligent Christians, but unattractive to those without the Church. He was of great service to the Presbyterian Church in this section during the perilous times alluded to, in maintaining its purity and orthodoxy, and confirming and strengthening it in the faith. *
Another minister who occasionally, during several years, preached here was Dr. John P. Campbell. He came from Virginia while yet a lad, and was one of the first pupils in Transylvania Grammar School, under the teaching of Rev. David Rice. He completed his edu- cation at Hampden Sidney, and in 1787 was another of the party of young missionaries sent out by the Synod of Virginia to Kentucky. His first charge was Flem- ingsburg, and he labored afterward for eighteen years
* Bishop's History.
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
in Danville. Versailles, Nicholasville, Lexington, Mercer and Franklin Counties. * In 1811 he officiated as chap- lain to the Kentucky Legislature. In 1813 he removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he died the following year. All accounts agree that Dr. Campbell was the most bril- liant and best equipped mentally of all the preachers of Kentucky in his time. He was the author of a number of works of high merit, successfully combating the errors of the day. In an extended sketch by one who was associated with him it was said that " he was dis- tinguished as a naturalist, was an accomplished linguist, an able logician, an eloquent speaker and writer, a skilled physician, a sound and judicious divine, and a zealous and evangelical preacher of the Gospel."f
Rev. Archibald Cameron, ministering to the churches at Shelbyville and Mulberry, frequently preached at Upper Benson, and held protracted meetings, and for a time supplied the pulpit regularly once a month. The " protracted meetings " were at that time seasons of great interest, and continued usually four days, with two or more ministers present. The congregations were large. for the people attended, whatever the dis- tance. Mr. Cameron studied divinity with Rev. David Rice. He came, while yet a child, with his parents from Scotland, and grew up in Nelson County. He was ordained in 1796, and after six years took charge of the Shelby Churches, which he served continuously until his death in 1836. With these churches as a center, his labors extended over the neighboring coun- ties. He was a preacher of great eloquence and power, and as a sound and doctrinal divine had no superior in
* Bishop's History.
+ Bishop's Memoirs.
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UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
the Synod. In the troublous discussions and schisms of the early church he was always found on the side of orthodoxy and good order, and was of great service to all those to whom he ministered in maintaining them in the purity of their faith. *
In 1806 Rev. Samuel Shannon severed his connection with the Woodford Church and removed to Franklin County, where he became pastor of Upper Benson and Lower Benson Churches. The latter had been recently organized, a number of persons, including Robert Arm- strong, an elder, having been dismissed by Upper Ben- son to aid in its formation. Mr. Shannon served these churches until the outbreak of the War of 1812, when he entered the army as chaplain of one of the Kentucky regiments. He was a graduate of Princeton under the presidency of Dr. Jonn Witherspoon, and was one of the first three ministers of our Church who settled north of the Kentucky River in this territory. After the war he engaged in missionary work, mostly north of the Ohio River, though still retaining his home here. In 1822, while on one of his tours in Indiana, he contracted a fever, and was met on his returning journey by his family just in time to receive his dying blessing. He was a zealous and indefatigable minister, but owing to an awkward and unattractive manner and hesitancy of speech, he was not a popular preacher. He was a man of immense frame and great physical power, and many stories were told of his wonderful feats of strength and prowess during the war, in which, although a chaplain, he took an active part in the fighting. He was very highly esteemed for his uniform kindness of heart and
* Bishop's Memoirs.
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
good nature, and was always a welcome guest. His remains were buried at Upper Benson church, where his monument still stands under the shadow of this historic old building.
After Mr. Shannon's departure the church was in a low state of life and activity for several years. A number of the prominent members had left the neigh- borhood, and Mr. Thomas Paxton, one of the elders, had temporarily removed his membership to Frankfort, to assist in organizing a church there. The congrega- tion had to again depend upon irregular supplies, and those sent occasionally by Presbytery to hold four days' meetings and administer the sacraments. Following the " Great Revival," which began with the century and con- tinued several years, there had come (as is usually the · case) a great spiritual dearth in all the churches, many of them receiving very few or no accessions at all for ten or fifteen years. Among the ministers who came to the help of the church at this period was Rev. Eli Smith, of Frankfort, who was in 1824 induced to supply the pulpit statedly once a month. * Shortly after this the church took on a new lease of life and activity. It was about the time of the beginning of another " Revival Epoch " in the Church at large. Under the influence of this awakening Upper Benson Church was reorgan- ized. Mr. James Miller and James Hutton were made ruling elders. Mr. Thomas Paxton brought back his membership from Frankfort and was again added to the session, and a considerable number of persons were added to the membership. Rev. Eli Smith was largely instrumental in this good work, and his kind offices and
* Minutes. of Session.
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UPPER BENSON CHURCH
ministrations were never forgotten by the church. He - continued to preach for it even after he had given up the Frankfort charge, and prior to his removal to Paris, in 1829. In the year 1828 this session was called upon to aid in the formation of a church in the town of Lawrenceburg, about four or five miles distant. *
" This little town previous to 1828 was wholly given to ungodliness. Wickedness of almost every kind reigned unmolested, and it was impossible to induce the inhabitants to attend upon the preaching of a passing minister, and those who had formerly visited the place had become discouraged and long since ceased their visits .* In 1828 a praying man took up his resi- dence here. He engaged in family worship, and thereby attracted the notice of, and afforded amusement to, the town, and when he appointed a public prayer meeting, none but the blacks could be induced to attend. But being a man of perseverance as well as of faith, he continued to pray, and after a time his prayers were answered, and scoffs and sneers were changed to tears and supplications. He arranged for a four days' meet- ing, beginning on May 30th, 1828. The ministers pres- ent were Dr. Thomas Cleland, Reverends Smith, For- syth, and Moreland, together with the session of Upper Benson Church, in the neighborhood. With Mr. More- land as moderator, the session received upon examina- tion and profession of faith a number of persons. A deep impression was made upon the large audiences in attendance, which continued and deepened until twenty- five persons were received upon profession."*
At a meeting of session a few days later twelve
* Minutes of Lawrenceburg Church.
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
more persons were added. A church was at once formed, with Fielding L. Connor and W. K. Van Arsdale, elders, and a number of persons were at the same time received by letter from the Upper Benson Church. *
At a four days' sacramental meeting, conducted at Upper Benson Church in the month of June, 1829, conducted by Revs. John Jones, Andrew Shannon and James Hawthorn, a very large congregation was present, and a new enrollment of the members was made, and the following persons were received upon profession of faith: Mrs. Margerite Russell, Mrs. Julia Ann Jett, Miss Ann Black and Mrs. Margerite McGill. At a congregational meeting held shortly afterward, moder- ated by Rev. John Jones, Rev. James Hawthorn was elected pastor by unanimous vote, and duly installed by Louisville Presbytery in November following, at which time James McBraver and Matthew Davidson were added to the session, and H. McBrayer and John H. Paxton elected deacons. Mr. Hawthorn was at the same time installed pastor of the Lawrenceburg Church, giving to each church one-half his time.
On March 21st, 1830, twenty-one persons were dis- missed to the "Lower Benson Church," to aid in its reorganization, and several members were added here upon certificate, among whom were Fielding L. Connor and wife, from Lawrenceburg, and Mr. Connor, being a ruling elder, was added to the session of this church.
Mr. Hawthorn resigned the pastorate in 1835, and the church was again for a time without the means of grace, except such as were supplied by Presbytery once every three months during the pleasant seasons of the
* Minutes of Lawrenceburg Church.
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UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
year, and preaching about once a month by the Rev. Dr. Baker, of Frankfort. Rev. John D. Paxton, of Shelby County, frequently visited his relatives and many friends here, upon which occasions he always preached at the church. He had recently returned from a two years' residence in Palestine and extensive travels in the Old World, a very unusual achievement at that day, and was much sought after and welcomed by the churches. Our Assembly Board of Foreign Missions had not as yet been organized, but the attention of this church had been to some extent enlisted in this cause by the A. B. C. F. Missions. Rev. Mr. Paxton was the solicit- ing agent for this Board for several years, and made regular visits and collections here for that cause. The following ministers also preached here during the interim :* M. A. Remley, H. H. Hopkins, Joseph Huber and David Todd, holding sacramental meetings by appointment of the Presbytery.
In 1838 Rev. D. M. Winston, who had visited and preached here while pastor of Bethel Church, removed to this church and became stated supply. During his ministry here, being in feeble health, he was often vis- ited and assisted by his intimate friend and associate, Rev. Joseph C. Stiles, with whom he had recently emi- grated from the South, and who ministered to a group of churches in Woodford County. Mr. Winston died in 1840, liaving supplied the church about two years very acceptably. He was very highly esteemed and respected by the congregation, and his death was greatly lamented. He left a son and two daughters, all of whom are yet living. His remains were buried
* Minutes of Session.
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
beside those of his predecessor, Rev. Samuel Shannon, the first pastor, in the little God's acre on the hill. In the spring of 1841 Rev. Ephraim K. Lynn, who had been statedily supplying Lower Benson Church, con- sented to give one-half his time to Upper Benson. This arrangement was approved by Presbytery at its regular meeting here, at which time Mr. Lynn was duly installed, and at a congregational meeting Mr. J. A. Kellogg was added to the session.
In 1842, August Ist, a protracted meeting was opened in this neighborhood, and continued ten days. It strongly resembled in some of its features the camp- meetings of the previous generation. Preparations were made on a large scale, ministers invited, and accommodations provided for distant visitors. The locality selected was Franklin Springs, formerly known as Scantlan's Springs, and afterward as the Kentucky Military Institute. These springs, situated on the ". Harrodsburg Public Road," six miles from Frank- fort, had for years been noted for the medicinal quali- ties of the waters. Buildings had been erected for the temporary sojourn of invalids and visitors from a dis- tance, which included a main building and two rows of cottages, ten in each, on either side. A large and hand- some pavilion, to be used for dancing, covered the main spring, which was surrounded by a natural amphitheater. Dr. Joseph Roberts, of Frankfort, was the physician in charge, and the springs for a time became a popular resort. The gay and fashionable people of the neigh- borhood, of Frankfort and Lawrenceburg, frequently resorted hither in pleasant weather for dancing parties,
** Now the Stewart Home
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UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
which at that time was the absorbing amusement. This was all effectually broken up by the camp-meeting, in which many of the dancers were converted, and the noted dancing master and teacher from Frankfort, a Mr. Gaither, who came to scoff, remained to pray, made a public profession, and renounced his former calling. The services were conducted in the grove around the main spring and pavilion. The sessions of the two Benson Churches attended daily, and with Mr. Lynn as moderator, received a large number of persons, some joining these churches and many 'going to churches elsewhere.
Mr. Lynn resigned and removed to another State in 1843. and closed the last regular pastorate of this church. The church then had to return to the unsatis- factory arrangement of occasional supplies, without a resident shepherd. Rev. John Montgomery. John D. Paxton, Sylvester Scovill, A. A. Shannon, James Haw- thorn and J. J. Bullock were among those who preached here in 1843 and 1844, some of them by appointment of Presbytery, the others upon invitation of the church. In June. 1844, the church sustained a great loss in the death of Mr. Thomas Paxton, one of its founders and its chief and most influential elder and promoter. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. James Hawthorn, a former pastor, who also paid an eloquent tribute to Mr. Paxton, which appeared in the Protestant Herald at the time, and which is given in another place in this chapter.
Rev. D. C. Proctor, residing in Frankfort, supplied the pulpit of Upper Benson Church during the summer of 1845, and Mr. Hawthorn, having returned to reside in Lawrenceburg, occasionally held meetings in this,
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
his old charge, and administered the ordinances. The last minister who regularly supplied Upper Benson Church was Rev. Ben Mills, of Frankfort, who divided his time between it and Macedonia Church, Woodford County. This was in 1847.
In consequence of deaths and removals, the member- ship of the church had become so reduced in number that in 1848 the remaining few, the elders all having died or gone elsewhere, concluded to disband. The greater part joined the Lower Benson or Franklin Church; others, on the Anderson County side, went to Lawrenceburg, and a few united with Frankfort Church.
The Upper Benson Church had been in existence about fifty years, and filled an important and influential place in its time. It was the first church organized in this county, and the first of our faith and order in this immediate section south of the Kentucky River. Dur- ing its life it had at different times the ministrations of some of the best and most noted preachers in the State, and with few exceptions the ministers who served it were of more than average ability. Two of these died on the field, and were buried under the shadow of its walls.
The eldership of Upper Benson Church, while at no time composed of educated and highly cultured men, was noted for its sturdy and unwavering adherence to orthodoxy and the distinctive principles of our Church, and owing largely to this the unity and purity of the . body were maintained to the end. A large part of the records is taken up with judicial proceedings and trials of offending members. The principal causes of offense were habitual absence from service and "intemperate use of ardent spirits." One case, however, between two
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prominent members, one an elder, arising from a breach of the ninth commandment, assumed such proportions that it required the presence and action of a commission of Presbytery to settle it. Another case, in 1830, of very unusual character, was for a breach of the sixth commandment of the Decalogue. The record reads :
" WHEREAS, Mr. Wm. Johnson, a member of this church, has been arraigned before the tribunal of his country for a breach of the sixth commandment on the eighth day of February last, and by said tribunal has been found guilty, and duly condemned ; and,
" WHEREAS, On account of some defect in the legal proceedings he has obtained a new hearing, and for this is waiting in confinement, thus being unable to appear before this session; therefore,
" Resolved, That the session will withhold its full investigation of the case and final action until the case be issued by the civil court."
And the minutes show that, although W. J. did finally escape punishment, on account of some technicality, in the civil court, he was duly tried by the session, found guilty, and excluded from the church.
Although the benevolent operations of our General Assembly were as yet in a formative state, and only two or three of the Boards had been organized, this little country church was in full sympathy with all such work, and contributed cheerfully to every good cause that the session allowed to be presented. Prior to the formation of our Board of Foreign Missions this church contrib- uted regularly to this cause through the American Board. The session in 1830 took high ground on the subject of education for the ministry. They may have
LIBRARY OF sbyteriau Tarulecial
.
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
in their own experience seen the need of better prep- aration for the office. The following minute is good reading for their descendants and the Church to-day :
" In view of the destitution of the stated means of grace in the dispensation of the word and ordinances of God in our own land, and reflecting upon the con- dition of the nations of the earth still shrouded in nature's darkness, and believing that the command of the Redeemer, to make disciples of all nations, was deliv- ered to his church and is still obligatory upon it, and feeling and acknowledging that we, and all we have, are the Lord's, and as his stewards will ere long be required to give him a strict account of every talent, we. the session of Upper Benson Church, do most earnestly call upon all the members of this church to take this matter into their serious and praverful consideration. And we do further resolve, that, being a branch of Christ's Church, we are under obligations to use our exertions, as God may favor us, in training young men for the gospel ministry, and as officers of the church, according to Scriptural order, we feel it to be our duty and privi- lege to take the superintendence of this matter and press it upon the congregation. And we do now earn- estly urge upon every member of this church to con- tribute annually, as God may have prospered them, to the cause of education as operated by our General Assembly."
In the history of this church one man stands out prominently as its inainstay and support. The follow- ing obituary notice of him appeared in the Protestant Herald of June 15th, 1844:
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" In Franklin County, at his residence, on the morn- ing of the 8th inst., Mr. Thomas Paxton, in the eighty- fourth year of his age. He had been a ruling elder in Upper Benson Church since its organization in 1795, and may truly be said to have been the main support thereof. He was one of the few remaining soldiers of the Revolution, and lived an honest man, a sincere and devoted Christian, and was respected and beloved by all who knew him. His funeral was attended by a very large concourse of citizens, neighbors and friends, who assembled to testify their respect to the deceased. The occasion was improved by a sermon by Rev. James Haw- thorn from the words, 'Help, Lord; the godly man ceaseth, and the righteous fail from the earth.'"
In a subsequent issue of the same paper Mr. Haw- thorn, his former pastor, has the following communi- cation :
" Although indisposed to eulogize the dead or flatter the living, the writer deems the death of Mr. Thomas Paxton an occasion not only justifying, but demanding a more extended notice than is common or called for in other cases. A very few vestiges remain of a gen- eration of men who were manifestly raised up and qualified by the Disposer of all events for a momentous work. As from time to time they drop into the grave, it is wise for us to consider carefully how they acted their part in life, that we may profit by their experience.
" Mr. Paxton was born in Rockbridge County, Vir- ginia, November 15th, 1761. Of his youthful days we have but little information. We are assured, however, · that young as he was, he took an active part in the bloody yet glorious struggle by which our independ-
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HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
ence was achieved. Though not yet twenty years of age, he was present at the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis, and was one of the guard appointed over the person of that distinguished captive.
" In the fall of 1788 he came to this country, having been married the year previously to Rebecca Hogsett. He first came to McAfee's Station, but soon after settled in the place where he closed his mortal career. This was then a wilderness, almost untrodden except by savage foot. Shortly before this time, having fought his country's battles, he had enlisted under the standard of the great Captain of salvation, and in his new resi- dence one of his first cares was to secure the enjoyment of a preached gospel.
" In 1795 the Upper Benson Church was organized, and Mr. Paxton was made one of its ruling elders. This office he continued to sustain in it until released by death. And so faithfully, zealously and acceptably did he discharge the duties of his station that he justly earned for himself the reputation of being 'the pillar of the church,' Christ being the only foundation. In the remarkable excitement which prevailed in our State about the commencement of the present century, its attendant calamities as well as blessings were felt deeply in this congregation. But in the midst of the defection of some and the confusion and consternation of nearly all, Thomas Paxton, like the faithful sentinel, was found standing fearlessly at his post, and as the judicious pilot no doubt exerted a most happy influence in guiding this little barque safely through the tempest. And having, as Caleb and Joshua, by divine grace ' followed the Lord fully,' he realized even on earth in a high degree the blessing promised to such. He was permitted to see
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