USA > Kentucky > Historical sketches of Kentucky : embracing its history, antiquities, and natural curiosities, geographical, statistical, and geological descriptions with anecdotes of pioneer life, and more than one hundred biographical sketches of distinguished pioneers, soldiers, statesmen, jurists, lawyers, divines, etc. > Part 17
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FRANCIS POSTHRESS Was admitted into the traveling connection at a conference held in Baltimore, on the 21st of May, 1776. In 1778, he was sent out to Ken- tucky in the capacity of elder. As a preacher, few in those days excelled him.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
His voice clear and musical ; his knowledge of the scriptures vast and accurate : his sermons bedewed with his tears in his closet, fell as the dews of life upon the hearts of his congregation ; sinners trembled before the Lord, and the keen flash of the Spirit's sword was felt passing all through the soul, discerning by its brightness, " the thoughts and intents of the heart." In the visit Bishop Asbury made to Kentucky in 1790, a single note made in his journal pours a flood of light upon the secret of his success. He says: "I met the preachers in con- ference," and adds: "Brother Poythress is much alive to God." Sermons anointed with the spirit of God, and baptized in the blood of the Lamb, will always " burn as fire in dry stubble." Brother Poythress continued to travel in the west, mainly in Kentucky, until the spring of 1800, when he .attended the general conference held in Baltimore, at which conference he was appointed to a district in North Carolina, including circuits from the sea shore to the summit of the Blue Ridge. The excessive draughts made upon his mind and body. by the labor of this district, unsettled his mental balance, so that during the summer he became partially deranged.
In the fall of 1800, he returned to Kentucky to his sister's, the widow Prior, who then resided in Jessamine county, about three miles from Nicholasville, where he remained a confirmed lunatic until his death.
HENRY BIRCHETT was born in Brunswick county, State of Virginia. He con- tinued between five and six years in the ministry, a gracions, happy, useful man, who freely offered himself for four years' service in the dangerous stations of Kentucky and Cumberland. Birchett was one among the worthies who cheer- fully left safety, ease, and prosperity, to seek after and suffer faithfully for souls. His meekness, love, labors, prayers, tears, sermons, and exhortations, were not soon forgotten. He died in peace, in Cumberland circuit, on the western waters, in February, 1791.
DAVID HAGGARD came out with Birchett, as a volunteer from the Virginia con- ference, to do battle in the hard service of Kentucky. He was appointed as colleague with Birchett on the Lexington circuit in 1790, and traveled a few years in Kentucky with considerable acceptability, when he joined O'Kelley's* party, returned to the east, and died in connection with the New Lights.
JAMES HAW was admitted into the traveling connection at a conference held on the 17th of April, 1782, at " Ellis's preaching house," in Sussex county, Vir- ginia, and appointed to labor as one of the first two ministers in Kentucky, in 1786, where he continued to travel until 1791, when he located and settled in Sumner county, Tennessee. In 1795, he joined O'Kelly's party. In 1800, he attached himself to the Presbyterian church, joined in with the Cumberland Pres- byterians when they separated from the mother church, and finally died in their communion, a few years after, on his farm in Sumner county.
PETER MASSIE entered the connection in 1789, and traveled successively the Danville, Cumberland, and Limestone circuits. At the close of '91, he departed for a purer clime. The published account briefly states that, " He labored faith- fully in the ministry for upwards of three years, confirmed and established in the grace of God, and useful. An afflicted man, who desired and obtained a sudden death, by falling from his seat and expiring December 19th, 1791, at Hodge's station, five miles south of Nashville." He was the first who fell in the harness on the western waters.
SAMUEL TUCKER was appointed from the Baltimore conference of 1790, to Limestone cireuit (now Maysville). Leaving his friends and all behind, he started to preach Jesus on the work assigned him, but in descending the Ohio river, at or near the mouth of Brush creek, about thirty miles below Portsmouth, the boat in which he was descending was attacked by Indians, and the most of the crew were killed ; but he continued to defend the boat with his rifle, until it floated out into the stream, beyond the reach of the Indians pursuing. He arrived at Lime- stone, and there died of his wounds. His remains now lie in the cemetery in Maysville, unhonored-the spot unknown.
* O'Kelly separated from the Methodist Episcopal church on the subject of episcopacy and the elective frenchise, in November, 1792.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BENJAMIN SNELLING was admitted into connection in 1788, and sent to travel the Lexington circuit that year. He continued in Kentucky but a short wise, and then returned to the east, and after remaining some time, he returned to Kentucky, settled in Bath county, where he finally died.
JOSEPH LILLARD was born in Kentucky, not far from Harrodsburg, and admit- ted into the traveling connection at the first conference held in Kentucky, at Masterson's station, April 26th, 1790. He was appointed that year to Limestone circuit. He traveled but a few years, and died near Harrodsburgh, in a located relation.
BARNABAS MCHENRY embraced religion and attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal church in the infancy of Methodism in the United States. Believing it to be his duty to preach the gospel, he joined the traveling connection in 17-7. In 1788, he was sent to Cumberland circuit, and continued to labor in the various circuits of Kentucky, faithfully and successfully. until 1796. when, in conse- quence of the loss of health, he located. In 1819, he was re-admitted into the traveling connection ; but his strength not being sufficient for the labors of an effective man, he was, in 1521, returned superannuated. This relation he sus- tained until death by cholera, June 16th, 1833, relieved him of all his infirmities. As an old apostle of Methodism, he was fond of the doctrines of the church, and took delight in teaching them to others. He lived in the enjoyment of the bless- ing of sanctification, and died in peace, going up from earth to take a position of nearer concernment in the lofty worship of heaven.
WILSON LES was born in Sussex county, Delaware, November, 1761, and admitted into the traveling connection in 1784. He was sent out to labor in hen- tucky in 1787, and continued to labor in the different appointments assigned him, as a man of God esteemed very highly, for his work's sake, until 1792. From that conference he was transferred to the east, where he continued to labor unit he finished his course, by the rupture of a blood vessel, in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, October 11th, 1804. Wilson Lee was a preacher of no ordinary acceptability, correct in the economy of himself and others. As an elder and presiding elder he showed himself' a workman that needed not to be ashamed. Professing the sanctifying grace of God, he carried about him the air and port of one who had communion with heaven; his life and conversation illustrated the religion he professed. He was neat in his dress, affable in his manners, fervent in his spirit, energetic in his ministry, and his discourses were fitted to the characters and cases of his hearers. His labors and his life were laid down together. It may be truly said, that he hazarded his life upon all the frontier stations he filled, from the Monongahela to the Cumberland river, all through Kentucky, in many of which stations there were savage cruelty and frequent deaths. He had to ride from station to station, and from fort to fort, sometimes with, and sometimes without a guide.
BENJAMIN OGDEN was born in New Jersey in 1764. In early life he was a soldier of the revolution, which gave distinction and independence to his coun- try. He embraced religion in 1781, at the age of 20. Progressing like "Timothy in the knowledge of religion, he united himself with the traveling connection in 1786, and received his first appointment to the then wilderness of Kentucky, in connection with James Haw, as a missionary ; and to him belongs the honor of organizing the first Methodist Episcopal church in Kentucky, in the house of Thomas Stevenson, of Mason county. Ill health compelled him to desist trom traveling in 1783, remaining in a located relationship for nearly thirty years. in 1-17, he r-entered the traveling connection, but soon sunk again under the press- ure of ill health-but earnestly destrous to be more extensively useful than he could be in that relation, he attempted the work of an itinerant agam in 1-21, and continued an effective man until 1827, when he was placed upon the superan- nuated list, and remained so until his death in 1834. Benjamin Ogden was a man of good natural intellect, and various attainments as a Christian minister. He was especially well instructed in the principles, and deeply imbued with the apart of his vocation, as a primitive Methodist preacher. After a long life of Laborious toils and effective service in the furtherance of the gospel, this venerable servant of God and his church-one of the first two missionaries who penetrated
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
the vast valleys of the Mississippi-was released by death from his militant charge-expiring in all the calmness and confidence of faith and hope, went to his reward.
JOHN PAGE was admitted into the traveling connection at Holstein on the 15th of May, 1791. He came over with Bishop Asbury to Kentucky, and was sta- tioned on the Lexington circuit. Traveled Danville circuit in '93-Salt river in '91-Limestone in '95-Green circuit, Holstein conference in '96-Hinkston in '97-Salt river and Shelby in '98-Cumberland in '99-Holstein, Russell, and New river in 1800-Cumberland in 1801-ditto in 1802. In 1803. he was appointed as presiding elder on the Cumberland district. In 1804 he located. Sometime afterwards he joined in a superannuated relation, and now lives on the Cumberland river, in Tennessee, near the mouth of Caney fork.
BENJAMIN NORTHCOTT was admitted on trial at the second conference that was held in Kentucky, at Masterson's station, May Ist, 1792, and appointed that year to Lexington circuit. In 1793 he was sent to Limestone circuit. This year he married and settled in the neighborhood of Flemingsburg, where he now lives- a preacher of holiness-illustrating the same in life.
JAMES O'CULL was admitted on trial at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, July 28th, 1,91, and appointed with Barnabas McHenry to Cumberland circuit. (compre- lending middle Tennessee). From Cumberland he returned back to Kentucky, marrien near Lexington, and afterwards settled on the North fork of Licking river, in Mason county, Kentucky, where a few years past he left for the " land that is afar off, where the King is seen in his beauty."
JOHN RAY was admitted on trial in 1791, and appointed to Limestone circuit. Traveled Green circuit in '93-New river circuit, Virginia, in '94-Bedford, Vir- ginia, in '95-Amherst, Virginia, in '96-Tar river circuit, North Carolina, in '97-Roanoke, North Carolina, in '98-Tar river circuit in '99 -- Caswell circuit, North Carolina, in 1900. Located in 1801, and returning to Kentucky, settled near Mount Sterling, where he lived a number of years, after which he was re- admitted into the Kentucky conference, and a few years past moved to Indiana, and there passed from earth to the spirit land.
WILLIAM BURKE was born in Loudon county, Va., on the 13th of January, 1770, and was received into the traveling connection in 1791. at McKnight's, on Tar river, North Carolina, and appointed to West New river, in Virginia. Met again in conference in the next year in the rich valley of Holstein, near the salt works, on the 15th May. and appointed to Green circuit, in the Western Territory (now East Tenn.). Met again in conference at Nelson's on the 13th of April, 1793, at which conference he volunteered for Kentucky, came out and attended the conference held at Masterson's station on the 6th of May, 1793, and was appointed that year to Danville circuit. Met again in conference at Bethel Academy. in Jessamine county, on the 15th of April. 1791, and appointed to Hinkston circuit. During the year traveled Hinkston, Salt river, and Lexington. As a faithful, effective, and labo- rious itinerant, William Burke continued to travel various circuits and districts in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio, until 1803, when he was changed from effective to a supernumerary relation, and appointed to Lexington circuit. In 1-09 he was appointed to the Green river district, and continued in that extensive and laborious work, until conference met in Cincinnati. October Ist. IsIt, when he was appointed to the Miami circuit, including Cincinnati. In 1912, from the conference which met that year in Chillicothe, he was appointed to Cineinnan station, the first station west of the mountains. In the fulfilling of that work, he lost his voice entirely, and was placed in a supernumerary relation for several years. He then superannuated, which relation he now sustains to the Kentucky conference. As a preacher, William Burke stood among the first in his Jay. Possessing a cultivated and accurate memory, he stored it richly with Bible truths, and joining with his biblical knowledge a deep acquaintance with human nature, he was enabled to adapt his sermons to the varied characters of his hearers ; nor did he fail, whenever a fit occasion offered. to rebuke sin boldly in high places. Possessing a large, muscular frame, he had a great deal of nativo physical courage, and this, added to high moral purpose, made him one of the
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
mint fearless and at the same time most effective men in planting the gospel of Irs in Christ in a new country. There are thousands in Kentucky. who yet remember the voice of William Burke pealing the thunders of Sinai around tom, and then softly wooing the melted heart to the foot of the cross. He is edl living in Cincinnati, his faculties unimpaired, and his attachment to the rause of Christ undiminished. Long may he be spared to guide by his discrim- mating counsel the ark of Methodism.
Methodism. planted as we have seen in Kentucky, as late as 1786, grew rapidly up to 1790 in numbers. In that year, at the conference held at Masterson's station, the numbers reported were
Whites.
Colored.
Lexington
424
32 -
Limestone.
66.
Danville
.3.22.
26
Madison
.212. 8
Cumberland
.241 .41
1265
107
Limestone circuit was taken from Lexington, and Madison from Danville cir- cuit, this year. When we take into consideration the fact that the country was at that time sparsely populated, the increase of numbers is somewhat surprising. In a little more than three years from the hour that the first missionary of the Methodist Episcopal church began to preach among them a free, present, and full sulration, we find that a church has sprung up, embracing within its pale a mem- pership of nearly 1100. Well might the hardy pioneers of that day say " behold what God has wrought." The increase of membership in Kentucky appears to have been steady and uniform in its growth.
In 1791 there were. Whites 1459
In 1792
66 2059
Colored 94 176
Bishop Asbury, in his journal, speaks of attending the Kentucky conference this year, which was held on the 26th of April, at Masterson's station. and says, " Vast crowds of people attended public worship,-the spirit of matrimony is prevalent here; in one circuit both preachers are settled-the land is good-the country new -- and indeed all possible facilities to the comfortable maintainance of a family are afforded to an industrious, prudent pair."
In 1795 there were whites 2262, colored 99.
This year FRANCIS AcuFF, for three years a traveling preacher, was called home to his reward. He was a young man of genius and improvable talents : he was brought up in Sullivan county, Tennessee, and died in August, 1795, near Danville in Kentucky, in the twenty-fifth year of his age. Bishop Asbury, speak- ing of his death says, " Francis Acuff from a fiddler, became a christian-from a christian a preacher-from a preacher I trust a glorified saint."
In 1800, the ordained preachers who had been traveling in the west, were re- queved by Bishop Asbury, to attend the general conference held that year in Baltimore, in order that their fields of labor might be changed, and new preachers went out to the western work. Consequently the majority of the old traveling preachers were recalled from the west, and an almost entirely new supply sent out.
The minutes for 1800 stand thus-
NO'S. IN CONNECTION.
Scioto and Miami-Henry Smith
Whites. Colored. 467 .. 1
Lunestone-William Algood. 417 ..... 20
Hinkstone --- William Burke.
283 .. 4
Lexington-Thomas Allen .. 273 .. 339 .. 67 15 Danville -- Hezekiah Harriman.
Salt river and Shelby-John Sale.
167. 7
Cumberland-William Lambeth Geren -- Junca Hunter
217. 10
431.
Holstein, Russell ) John Watson, John Page. 631. .... 64
and New nver, y 9
3248 240
·
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
No presiding elder being appointed that year, the first five circuits named above, were taken oversight of by William Burke. Harriman and Sale, being the only other elders in the entire western country, took charge of the remainder. The time of the meeting of the conference was changed this year from spring to the fall, and met in October at Bethel academy. Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat attended at this conference. William McKendree was appointed presiding elder for Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and part of Western Virginia.
WILLIAM MCKENDREE, whose name is in all the churches, and who was like an illuminated torch sent down for awhile from the upper sanctuary, to burn in the golden candlesticks of God's house on earth,-came out with Asbury and Whatcoat in the fall of 1800 from the Virginia conference, and at the-conference held that year at Bethel in October, was appointed presiding elder for all the western country, comprehending in his district the whole of Kentucky and part of three other states. viz : Ohio, Virginia and Tennessee. He continued travel- ing as elder over that immense scope of country for two years, when the dis- trict was divided into three parts-Holstein district, Cumberland district and Kentucky district. McKendree remained presiding elder of the Kentucky dis- trict for three years, when he was appointed to Cumberland district in the fall of 1806, and continued traveling in that work, until the general conference of 1808, held that year in Baltimore, when he was elected bishop, and in that relation he continued for twenty-five years, visiting successively all the states in the Union, often made the instrument in the hands of the Holy Spirit of breathing fresh life into the churches, and then again like the youthful David, of smiting some proud defier of Israel low. As a christian, William McKendree combined solemnity and cheerfulness together in such a manner as to command the rever- ence and esteem of all about him. As a preacher of the gospel, his sermons were replete with the sweet story of the cross-mingling together the sublime discoveries of faith and the sweet anticipations of hope, in such a manner as to captivate and entrance the hearts of his hearers. He departed for a home in Heaven in 1833. He sleeps sweetly.
From the conference of 1800, the church continued steadily to advance both in numbers and spirituality. The summer and fall of this year witnessed the com- mencement of these gracious outpourings of the Holy Spirit, which soon obtained the appellation of " THE GREAT REVIVAL." This work, commencing in Tennes- see and the lower parts of the state of Kentucky, gradually spread upwards into the interior of the State, leavening the country all around ; camp meetings at- tended by convening thousands, and continuing for days and nights and sometimes weeks together, took the place of the ordinary stated ministrations, and the water flowing from the simitten rock of Horeb, rolled its life-giving current to thou- sands of souls thirsting for salvation. In May 1801, the work broke out ir Madison county, Kentucky, and at a meeting on Cabin creek, the scene was awful beyond description-the novelty of the manner of worship-" the rangey of tents -- the fires reflecting light amidst the branches of the towering trees -- the candles and lamps illuminating the encampment-hundreds moving to and fro. with lights and torches like Gideon's army; the preaching, praying, singing and shouting, all heard at once rushing from different parts of the ground, like the sound of many waters, was enough to swallow up all the powers of contempla- tion." Meeting after meeting followed in quick succession until the 6th of August, 1501. when " the great general camp meeting" was held at Cane Rullar. about 7 miles from Paris ( Bourbon county). This meeting was the climax of all the rest, rendered wonderful by the almost incredible numbers that attended. as well as by the extraordinary scenes and developments there witnessed. "The ·concourse in attendance was most prodigious. being computed by a revolutionary officer who was accustomed to estimate encampments, to amount to not less than 20,000 souls." Although there were many extravagances and irregularities con- nected with and growing out of these protracted and highly excited meetings. yet good men of all denominations, now concur in the opinion " That the spirit of God was really poured out, and that many sincere converts were made." The evidence of the genuine nature of the work being seen in the humble, loving and holy walk of those who were the subjects of this work.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first Methodist meeting-house erected in Kentucky, was a log one, put up at Masterson's station, in the Lexington circuit, in 1787 or '88.
The next house of worship, was erected at Poplar Flats, in Salt river circuit, about 1790, called Ferguson's chapel.
About the same time, a log meeting-house was erected in Jessamine county. Drar Bethel Academy, called Lewis' meeting house.
In Danville circuit, a log meeting-house called Procter's chapel, was erected in Madison county, about the same time. In the fall of 1793, the second meeting- house in Danville circuit, was built in Garrard county, called Burke's chapel.
The first in Limestone circuit was Bracken meeting-house.
The first brick church built in Kentucky, was at Flemingsburg, and the second in Shelby county, called the brick chapel.
The limits assigned to this sketch forbid a more extended history of the Methodist Episcopal church. From the statistical accounts of the church, how- ever, it will be seen that from that period up to the present time, her march has bren steady and onward.
There were within the limits of the Kentucky conference
Whites. Colored.
In 1800
1626 .... 115
" 1810. 5513 .... 243
" 1820. 11,887. . .. 1199
" 1830 22.074 .... 4682
" 1840. 30,939. ... 6321
" 1815. 39,756. . .. 9362
From the above statistics it will be seen that the Methodist Episcopal church, has a little more than doubled its numbers every ten years, until the year 1830. In the spring of 1846, the church in Kentucky was divided into two conferences, the upper called "THE KENTUCKY CONFERENCE," the lower called "THE LOUISVILLE CONFERENCE." The first session of the Kentucky conference was held in September, 1846, at Covington.
The first session of the Louisville conference was held in October, at Hop- kinsville.
The numbers embraced in the bounds of the Kentucky conference were in the fall of 1846, Whites. Colored.
21,559 .... 5,151
Traveling Preachers 90
Local
240
Total.
27,040
In the Louisville conference there are about. 25,000
52,040
Add the ratio of increase up to this time from the conferences of 1846, and it will be about. 2,371
54,411
These statistical accounts will close this imperfect sketch of the rise and pro- press of Methodism in Kentucky. Though later than some others in entering into thus interesting field, yet with her characteristic energy, from the hour that she fest planted her banner in "Kentucky's tangled wilderness." down to the present tune, she has been first with the foremost, entering heartily into every benevo- lent plan having for its object the amelioration or evangelization of our race. Tens of thousands have already risen up and called her "blessed," and it she will continue to stand by the ancient land-marks, which have guided her thuy tar, generations yet unborn, feeling her influence and bowing before the force and purity of her doctrines, will say of her what has been said by an eloquent divine, "across the waters," that "Methodism is christianity in carnest."
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
IN the year 1783, the Rev. David Rice immigrated to Kentucky, and was the first Presbyterian minister who crossed the mountains. He gathered the scattered Presbyterians into regular congregations, at Danville, Cane run, and the forks of Dick's river. He was followed the next year by the Rev. Adam Rankin, who gathered the church at Lexington. and the Rev. James Crawford, who set- tled at Walnut Hill. In the year 1796, the Rev. Thomas Craighead, and the Rev. Andrew MeClure were added to the number. These ministers were shortly after organized into a presbytery under the name of the presbytery of Transyl. vania ; a euphonious and classical epithet for the backwoods. All the above named persons were from Virginia, except Mr. Craighead, who was of North Carolina.
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