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 18
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
The presbytery of Transylvania met in the court house at Danville, on Tues- day, October 17, 1786. Mr. Rice presided as moderator, by appointment of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McClure acted as clerk. The following ministers were present: Rev. David Rice, Adam Rankin, Andrew McClure, James Crawford, and Terah Templin, recently ordained by a commis- sion of Hanover presbytery. There were five ruling elders present, as repre- sentatives of as many churches. viz : Messrs. Richard Steele, David Gray, John Bovel, Joseph Reed, and Jeremiah Frame.
There were at this time twelve congregations in a more or less perfect state of organization, viz .: Cane River, Concord (Danville), the forks of Dick's run, New Providence (Me Afee's station), Mount Zion ( Lexington), Mount Pisgah, Salem. Walnut Hill, Hopewell, Paint Lick, Jessamine creek, Whitley's station, and Crab Orchard.
By the year 1802, the number of Presbyterians had so multiplied, as to call for the erection of a synod. Accordingly, on Tuesday, October 14, 1802, the synod of Kentucky held its first meeting, in the Presbyterian church in Lexington. Mr. Rice preached the opening sermon, and was elected moderator. Mr. Marshall was chosen clerk. The number of members present was thirty ; of whom sev- enteen were ministers, and thirteen elders. The total number of ministers within the bounds was thirty-seven. The synod was composed of the three presbyte- ries of Transylvania, West Lexington, and Washington. in Ohio. During the sessions, Cumberland presbytery was set off from Transylvania, embracing the south-western portion of the State. and part of Tennessee. Thus it will be seen, that the territorial jurisdiction of the synod was co-extensive with the settlement of the entire region west of the mountains.
The members of the synod were as follows :
Of the presbytery of Transylvania, Ministers present. David Rice, Samuel Fin- lev, Matthew Houston, Samuel Robertson, Archibald Cameron. Elders, Andrew Wallace, James Bigham. Court Vorts. (Voorhees). Ministers absent, Thomas Craighead, Terah Templin, James Balch, James McGready, William Hodge. John Bowman. William McGee. John Rankin, Samuel Donald, William Mahon, Samuel McAdow, John Howe. James Vance, Jeremiah Abel.
Of the presbytery of West Lexington. Ministers present, James Crawford, Samuel Shannon, Isaac Tull, Robert Marshall. James Blythe, James Welch. Jo- seph P. How. Samuel Rannels, John Lyle. William Robinson. Elders, James Bell, Robert Maffet, Malcolm Worley, William Scott, Joseph Walker, William MeConnel. Samuel Hayden, William Henry. losent, Rev. Barton W. Stone.
Of the presbytery of Washington, Ministers present. James Kemper. John P. Campbell, Richard Me Nemar. John Thompson, John Dunlavy. Elders, Robert Gill, John Campbell. Ministers absent, John E. Finley, Matthew G. Wallace.
The liunits of the synod were reduced, in 1814, by the erection of the synod (132)
133
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
of Ohio ; and in 1817, by the erection of the synod of Tennessee ; since which time its boundaries have corresponded with those of the State. It consistr at present of six presbyteries : Transylvania, West Lexington, Louisville, Muhien- burg, Ebenezer, and Bowling Green ; comprising seventy-nine ministers, on# hundred and forty churches, and eight thousand and forty-eight communicants, This statement does not embrace the members of twenty-seven churches, which failed to report the number of their communicants to the General Assembly ci 1846, and which are supposed to contain about fifteen hundred communicants ; making the whole number in the State about nine thousand and five hundred. In 1838, there were several ministers and churches which separated from the synod, and formed a new synod, which is commonly designated the New School synod, and which embraces three presbyteries, fourteen ministers, twenty-one churches, and nine hundred and fifty-four members.
The contributions, during the year 1845-6. to the General Assembly's Boards of Education and Missions, foreign and domestic, exceeded $13.000. indepen- dently of all that has been done for Center College, which is under its control, and has an endowment of over $70,000.
The Rev. DAVID RICE (or " Father Rice," as that venerable man was familiarly known), was born in Hanover county, Va., December 20, 1733. He was con- verted under the preaching of President Edwards, and studied Theology under Rev. John Todd. In the struggle for national independence, he took a warm and zealous part, and did not esteem it unbecoming his clerical profession to harangue the people on their grievances at county meetings.
In 1783, he removed to Kentucky, and identified his fortunes with the infant colony. Besides his active duties as a minister of the gospel, and the organiza- tion of many churches, he was zealously engaged in advancing the cause of edu- cation. He was the first teacher in the Transylvania seminary, and for several years the chairman of its board of trustees; and when that seminary, after its removal to Lexington, fell under deistical influence, he took an active part in rats- ing up a rival in the Kentucky academy. The public estimation in winch he was held, may be inferred from his election as a member of the convention which met in Danville in 1792, to frame a state constitution. He exerted his influence in that convention, but without success, for the insertion of an article providing for the gradual extinction of slavery in Kentucky.
Previous to Mr. Rice's arrival in Kentucky, marriages had been solemnized by the magistrates ; but after that event, the people made it a point to procure the services of a clergyman. On the 3d of June, 1784, he married a couple at Mc- Afee's station, and on the 4th, preached the funeral sermon of Mr. James M'Cann, sen., the first sermon ever preached on the banks of Salt river.
Father Rice's talents were of a plain, practical cast-not of a commanding or- der. His judgment was sound, his disposition conservative, and his deportinens exemplary. He spent much time in prayer. In the pulpit, his manner was sol- emn and impressive ; in his intercourse with society, dignified and grave. His person was slender, but tall and active, and even at the age of seventy, he exhib- ited an astonishing degree of alertness. He died in Green county, on the Isth of June, 1816, in the 83d year of his age. His last words were-" Oh, when shall I be free from sin and sorrow !"*
Rev, JAMES CRAWFORD removed with his family to Kentucky in 1784. Like most of the pioneer Presbyterian ministers, he was from Virginia. He seuled at Walnut Hill, where he gathered and organized a flourishing church. Although laboring under feeble health, he was zealous and active in the cause of his Mas- ter, and numerous converts were added to the church through his instrumentalny. He was a plain looking man, of very grave demeanor ; not a popular presentes, but highly useful and instructive. He died in March, 1803.
The Rev. TERAR TEMPLIN, having been licensed by the Hanover (Va.) pres-
. This sketch, as well as most of those which follow. is abridged from " The History of the Presby- serian Church of Kentucky," by the Rev Robert Davidson. D. D .- a work eloquently and classically written, and displaying very extensive research-published at New York early in the present year.
134
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
bytery in 1780, soon after came to Kentucky, where he received ordination in 1785. He located in Washington county, on the south side of the Kentucky river, where he organized several churches, and did the work of an evangelist faithfully. He also organized several churches, and supplied destitute congrega- tions in Livingston county. He died October 6, 1818, at the advanced age of seventy-six. Faithful to the attachment of his early years, which had been pre- maturely sundered, he never married. His talents were respectable, his manner solemn and impressive, and his deportment exemplary, guileless, and unassu- ming.
The Presbyterian ministry of Kentucky was reinforced, in 1786, by.the acces- sion of the Rev. THOMAS B. CRAIGHEAD, and Rev. ANDREW MCCLURE. Mr. Craighead was a native of North Carolina. Shortly after his arrival in Kentucky, he was called to the pastoral charge of the Shiloh congregation in Sumner county, Tran. Here, being opposed to the extravagancies of the times, and sus- pected of favoring Pelagianism, he became unpopular. In 1805, a commission was appointed by the synod of Kentucky, which was directed to investigate the correctness of the report of his unsoundness. The investigation which suc- ceeded, a long and protracted one, resulted in the suspension of Mr. Craighead from the gospel ministry. He made several ineffectual efforts to have the sus- pension removed, but did not succeed until the year 1824. when he was enabled to make so good a vindication of himself, and to explain his views so much to the satisfaction of the General Assembly, that they restored him to his ministe- rial standing. Not long after this event, he departed this life in Nashville, aged about seventy years. For some time before his death, he had suffered under the combined misfortunes of poverty and blindness. Mr. Craighead was of a tall but spare figure, not less than six feet in height. He excelled as an extempora- neous orator-his eloquence being of that fervid kind which captivates and caf- ries away the hearer in spite of himself. The Hon. John Breckinridge said of him, that his discourses made a more lasting impression upon his memory than those of any other man he had ever heard.
The Rev. ANDREW MCCLURE, who removed to Kentucky in company with Mr. Craighead, in 1787, organized the Salem and Paris churches ; and in 1789 took charge of the latter, where he remained till his decease in 1793, in the 39th year of his age.
In 1784, the Rev. ADAM RANKIN, of Augusta county, Va. came to Kentucky, and settled in Lexington. He immediately became the pastor of Mount Zion church, and subsequently, in conjunction, of that of Pisgah, about eight miles south-west of Lexington. In 1792, he separated from the Presbyterian church, on account of psalmody, carrying with him a majority of his congregation, and retaining possession of the church edifice in Lexington. The portion adhering to the Presbyterian communion erected a new building ; and in 1795, called the Rev. James Welch to the pastoral charge.
Eight Missioners of the Synod entered Kentucky in the following order, viz : Robert Marshall in 1791; Carey H. Allen and William Calhoon in 1799; John P. Campbell and Samuel Rannells in 1794; Robert Stuart and Robert Wilson in 1798 ; and John Lyle in 1800.
Rev. ROBERT MARSHALL was a native of Ireland, emigrating to Pennsylvania in his 12th year. He enlisted in the American anny when sixteen years of age, and was in six general engagements in the revolutionary war, one of which was the hard-tought battle of Monmouth, where he narrowly escaped with his life, a bullet grazing his locks. He was licensed by Redstone presbytery to preach the gospel, and after his removal to Kentucky, was ordained, in 1793, paster of Bethel and Blue spring churches. He was an active leader in the great revival of 1800, and carried away by the torrent of enthusiasm that swept over Kentucky. In 1503. he embraced the views of the New Lights, but afterwards saw his error. and, in 1811, returned to the bosom of the church. In Iste, he was reinstated in the pastoral charge of the Bethel church, where he continued till his decrase in 1833, at the advanced age of 73. As a preacher, Mr. Marshall was clear,
135
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
logical, systematic, and adhered closely to his text. He was occasionally calm, mild and persuasive ; but more generally warm, vehement, and even startling: 13 his language and manner, particularly when he attempted to rouse and impress his audience.
Rev. CAREY H. ALLEN, on the 11th of October, 1794, was ordained pastor of Paint Lick and Silver creek churches. He was a mirthful, fun loving, pleasant companion, and a great wit and satirist. Sanguine and impulsive, his sallies partook occasionally of no little eccentricity. On his way to Kentucky, he put up for the night at a house where the young people had assembled to dance. The handsome stranger was invited to join them, and no denial would be taken. At length he suffered himself to be led to the floor, and to have a partner assigned him, when all at once he called to the musician-" Stop ! I am always in the habit," said he, " when I enter on any business that I am unaccustomed to, first to ask the blessing of God upon it. Now. as I find myself in new and unexpected circumstances, I beg permission to implore the Divine direction in the taatter." Suiting the action to the word, he dropped on his knees. and poured forth a prayer in his characteristic impassioned manner: then, springing to his feet he followed the prayer with a powerful and eloquent exhortation. Mute with astonishment at such an unlooked-for interruption, the company stood spell- bound. They were enchained by eloquence such as they had never listened to before; the orator's burning words sank into their souls, and found an echo in their consciences : death and judgment flashed their terrors before their eyes ; and they felt how unprepared they were to meet their God. Bursting into tears, they besought him to tell them what they must do to be saved. Ile remained and preached in the neighborhood a few days ; and several hopeful conversions were the happy result of a measure which many would consider of questionable pro- priety, and which it must be admitted, in less skillful hands, might have proved a signal failure. Mr. Allen was a man of highly popular talents, impassioned eloquence and ardent zeal. He was remarkably fluent-his style original and forcible-and he never failed to make a powerful impression wherever he went. After a brief ministry of less than two years, he was carried off by consumption amid flattering prospects of usefulness, on the 5th of August, 1795.
The Rev. JOHN POAGE CAMPBELL, M. D., unquestionably the most brilliant iu this constellation of missionaries, was born in Augusta county, Va., in 1767, and removed to Kentucky with his father when fourteen years of age. He gradu- ated at Hampden Sidney in 1790, and in 1792 was licensed to preach. Such was the esteem in which he was held, that he was at once associated with his preceptor, (Dr. Moses Hoge), as co-pastor of Lexington, Oxford, New Mon- mouth and Timber Ridge congregations. In 1795, he took up his abode in Ken- tucky, and his first charge was the churches of Smyrna and Flemingsburg. He afterwards exercised his ministry in various places, among which were Danville. Nicholasville, Cherry Spring, Versailles, Lexington. and Chillicothe; and in 1911, he officiated as chaplain to the legislature. Dr. Campbell possessed an acute and discriminating mind ; was an accurate and well read theologian: an able polemic ; and decidedly the most talented, popular, and influential minister of his day. His pen was very prolific. His published writings were numer us and able, among them-Strictures on Stone's Letters on the At. nement-Essays on Justification-Letters to Craighead-A Sermon on Christian Baptisin-The Pelagian Detected, a Reply to Craighead-An Answer to Jones, and Review of Robinson's History of Baptism, &c., &c. Dr. Campbell was married the 'e tines, and on his demise, left a family of nine children. His death occurr 1 on the 4th of November, 1811, at the age of 53, in the vicinity of Chillicothe, Ohio.
The Rev. SAMUEL RANNELLS was born in Hampshire county, Va .. Docen: 10th, 1765. He was licensed in 1791, and the next spring visited Kentucky as one of the synod's missionaries. In 1996, he was ordained over the united churches of Paris and Stonermouth. which charge he retained for twenty-two years, until his death, March 21th, 1917, in the 524 year of his age. He was a man et eminent piety, of exemplary conduct, and of respectable talents -- remark- ably gifted in prayer, and a zealous and indefatigable minister.
-
.
-
136
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
The Rev. ROBERT STUART came to Kentucky in 1798. In December of the same year, he was appointed Professor of Languages in Transylvania University, but resigned in the year following. During the year 1803, he preached to the church of Salem; and in 1804, took charge of Walnut Hill church, about six miles east of Lexington, which he continued to retain for nearly forty years. He has performed much laborious service in the church-is a man of rare pri- dence and discretion-and is esteemed by all who know him, as " an israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile." This venerable father still lives, in the 75th year of his age, while most of his early companions in the ministry of Kentucky, have gone to their rest.
The Rev. ROBERT WILSON was descended from ancestors whom persecution had driven from the north of Ireland to western Virginia. He entered Kentucky as a missionary in 1998, and on the expiration of his engagement, married and set- tled in Washington, Mason county, where he remained till his death. October 31, 1623, in the fiftieth year of his age. He was an amiable and estimable man, possessing great equanimity of temper, and remarkable throughout his whole ministerial career, for his active, humble and devoted piety. While his labors were sigvally blessed among his own flock, it was through his unwearied exertions that the churches of Augusta and Maysville were organized ; and those of Smyrna and Flemingsburg owed to him their preservation when languishing without a pastor.
The Rev. JOHN LYLE was a native of Rockbridge county, Va. born on 20th October, 1769. He was licensed to preach the gospel in 1795. In 1797, he came to Kentucky as a missionary, and in 1800 took charge of Salem church, where he remained for several years. Mr. Lyle subsequently removed to Paris, where he established a female academy, which became one of the most flourishing in the state, embracing front 150 to 200 pupils. In 1809. he declined teaching. but con- tinued in the active discharge of his ministerial labors until 1825, on the 2ºd of July of which year he departed this life. He bore a prominent part in the trying scenes through which the church was called to pass during the early period of his ministry. He was a man of sound judgment and studious habits; his manner, in the pulpit, feeling and earnest, and his matter sensible. As an evidence of the blessed fruits of his faithful, earnest and affectionate style of preaching, on one occasion, at Mount Pleasant, the Rev. William L. McCalla noted the names of thirty-three persons impressed by the sermon, thirty-one of whom afterward became respectable members of the church.
REV. ARCHIBALD CAMERON. [A sketch of this distinguished divine, prepared by a friend, but too long for insertion under this head, will be found under the head of Shelby county. ]
Rev. JOSEPH P. Howe came from North Carolina in 1791, and was ordained in July, 1795, over Little Mountain (Mount Sterling) and Springfield. He was a good man-praved and sang well-and took a conspicuous part in the Great Re- vival. He died in 1830.
Rev. JAMES WELCH, from Virginia. was ordained pastor of the Lexington and Georgetown churches, in 1796. in which charge he continued till 1901. He was obliged to practice medicine for the support of his family. In 1799, he was ap- pointed professor of ancient languages in the Transylvania University, which station he filled for several years.
Revs. MATTHEW HOUSTON, JOHN DUNLAVY, and RICHARD MCNEMAR, who came to Kentucky about the close of the last century, became Shakers-the latter still living.
Rev. JOHN HOWE was installed pastor of Beaver creek and Little Barren. in April, 1798. He is still living, and has been for many years connected with the church at Greensburg.
137
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Many other ministers came to Kentucky about the close of the last century, among them the Rev. WILLIAM ROBINSON, who, in 1804, was dismissed to Wash- ington Presbytery ; Rev. SAMUEL FINLEY, from South Carolina; Rev. JAMES Www. from Virginia ; Rev. JAMES KEMPER, and Rev. SAMUEL B. ROBERTSON, and Rev. JOHN BOWMAN, and Rev. JOHN THOMPSON, from North Carolina.
Rev. JAMES BLYTHE, D. D., was among the early and distinguished preachers in the field. He was born in North Carolina in 1765, and came to Kentucky, as a licentiate, in 1791. In July, 1793, he was ordained pastor of Pisgah and Clear creek churches. To these churches he ministered, as pastor or stated supply, for upwards of forty years. Dr. Blythe took an active part in the establishment of the Kentucky academy. When that institution, in 1798, was merged in the Uni- versity of Transylvania, he was appointed professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, and Geography ; and. subsequently, on the resignation of Mr. Moore, fulfilled for twelve or fifteen years the duties of acting president.
On the election of Dr. Holly, as president. in 1818, Dr. Blythe was trans- ferred to the chair of Chemistry in the medical department, which situation he retained till 1831, when he resigned.
As a preacher, Dr. Blythe was full of energy and animation, in his earlier career ; in his latter years, he yielded more to the softer emotions. His native strength of character, prompt decision, and practical turn, enabled him to acquit himself creditahly in every situation ; while, in deliberative bodies, and the courts of the church, these qualities gave him a marked ascendency, to which his portly funre and commanding appearance contributed not a little. He died in 1812, aged seventy-seven years.
In the year 1820, died the Rev. JAMES MCCHORD. He was born in Baltimore in 1785, and removed to Lexington when five years of age, His education was liberal, and at an early age he proceeded to read law with the Hon. Henry Clay. Becoming pious, he devoted his life to the ministry. He was chosen the first pastor of the second Presbyterian church of Lexington in 1815, which situation he held till the year 1819. when he removed to Paris. His published writings were considerable, among them two volumes of sermons. Mr. MeChord was a remarkably brilliant man-possessing a rapid and comprehensive intellect, a glowing and gorgeous style, and an exuberant imagination. His successors in the second or McChord church, were able and eloquent men-the Rev. John Breck- inridge in 1823; Rev. John C. Young in 1829; Rev. Robert Davidson in 1832; Rev. John D. Matthews in 1841 ; and Rev. John H. Brown, in 1844.
The Rev. GIDEON BLACKBURN was one of the most eloquent divines of the west ; and his early history presents a most remarkable instance of perseverance in the face of difficulties. Left an orphan and penniless when about eleven years of age (being defrauded out of the handsome patrimony of twenty thousand dol- lar4), a kind school-master gave him instruction gratuitously ; and he obtained a situation in a saw-mill, where he tended the saw from dark till day-light, study- ing by a fire of pine-knots. In this way he earned a dollar every night, and made rapid proficiency in his studies. Thus he struggled on till ready to enter roilege. To defray this new expense, he labored as a surveyor for four months ; frequently sleeping in a cane-brake to avoid the Indians, and having no shelter iron the rain but a blanket. He received for his pay fourteen horses, valued it forty dollars a-piece. These he took to Maryland and sold for fifteen handre 1 dollars ; with which he discharged all his debts, and went through Dickinson college. Thus early enured to hardships. he was admirably fitted for the arduous duties of a missionary to the Cherokee Indians, to which he was appointed by the general assembly in 1803, when 31 years of age. In 1827, he was appointed President of Centre College at Danville, which situation he filled till 1-30, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Young. The last years of his life were spent in Illinois.
The Rev. JOHN MCFARLAND and the Rev. DAVID NELSON were clergymen of a high order of talent. The former died, while pastor of the Paris church, in 1-2"; the latter departed this life, in Illinois, in 1844.
.
138
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
The Rev. THOMAS CLELLAND, D. D., is among the few surviving ministers who took part in the great Revival commencing in 1800. He was born in Mary- land in 1777, and came to Kentucky when very young. He has been for nearly half a century, an active, laborious and remarkably successful herald of the eross. His printed works have been numerous and popular. At the age of three score and ten, there seems to be but little abatement of his mental and physical ener- gies.
The Rev. JOHN BRECKINRIDGE, D. D., was the sixth of nine children of the Hon. John Breckinridge, (of whose life a sketch will be found under the head of Breckinridge county). He was born at Cabell's-Dale, on North Elkhorn, on the 4th day of July, 1797; and died at the same place on the 4th day of August, 1841, having just completed his 44th year. Some account has been given of his paternal ancestors, in the notice of his father; and of his maternal, in that of his elder brother. Joseph Cabell Breckinridge. His father died when he was nine years old ; and from that time, he was reared under the care of his widowed mother, and brother Cabell, who was his guardian. His education was conduct- ed at the best schools which Kentucky afforded, and completed at Princeton college, N. J., where he spent about three years as a pupil, and graduated with great distinction in the autumn of 1818, having just completed his 21st year. He was destined by his family for the profession of the law. During his residence in Princeton college, he became a subject of divine grace, and united himself with the Presbyterian church, to which his paternal ancestors had been attached from the period of the reformation of the sixteenth century, in Scotland ; and determined, against the earnest wishes of all his immediate family --- not one of whom was at that time a professor of religion-to devote himself to the gospel ministry, and, as it is believed, to the work of foreign missions. The providen- tial dealings of God constantly frustrated this latter intention, but the former was carried into effect; and after spending several years more in Princeton, as a student of the theological seminary there, and part of the time as a tutor in the college, he was licensed and ordained a minister of Jesus Christ, in the Presby- terian church of the United States.
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.