USA > Maryland > Cecil County > A history of the Rock Presbyterian church in Cecil county, Maryland > Part 1
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BX 9211 R65J6 Copy 2
ROCK CHURCH
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Chap.
BX9211
Shelf
R65J6
PRESENTED BY
Copy2
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
P
i Will
Cecil Co ý
A HISTORY
, OF THE
Rock Presbyterian Church
1
IN
CECIL COUNTY, MARYLAND.
REV.
BY THE John
Henry JOHNS. 11
OXFORD, PA. "OXFORD PRESS" BOOK AND JOB OFFICE. 1872. +
BX9211 R65 J6 1
Company 2
LEWISVILLE, Sept. 4th, 1872.
REV. J. H. JOHNS,
Dear Sir-The undersigned Committee appointed by the Trustees of the Rock Presbyterian Church, respectfully request for pub lication your discourse delivered at the re-dedication of the church, on the 4th of July last.
Respectfully,
C. C. BROKAW, CHARLES RAMSAY, S. W. MORRISON.
ZION, Sept. 6th, 1872.
C. C. BROKAW, CHARLES RAMSAY, S. W. MORRISON,
Gentlemen-In compliance with your request, I herewith submit for your disposal the historical dis- course referred to in your letter of the 4th instant.
Respectfully,
J. H. JOHNS.
CC 2201 011/11/
HISTORY.
History embalms the past, it collects the prominent events, cus- toms, characters and valuable experience of its times, carefully wraps them in suitable drapery and lays them away in the archives of the nation for preservation. Ancient Egypt excelled in the art of embalming, and shrunk from no toil or expense deemed necessary to preserve the memory of its national glory. It carved deep in durable rocks, it built the most substantial monuments, it embalmed the bodies of its dead in the most imperishable method, and it collected the grandest library of ancient times. The Alexandrian library num- bered seven hundred thousand volumes, embracing among other treasures the riches of Grecian and Roman literature. War and fanaticism destroyed it. The loss was irreparable, and has ever since been deplored by the civilized world. There is nothing in ancient Egypt that we admire more than her skill and success in embalming the past. Would that her spirit had ever been more prevalent. It is the duty of every people to preserve for the benefit and satisfaction of unborn generations the history of their times. A little care in recording facts and providing for the safety of records would invest the story of the past with much more interest, and greatly facilitate the labors and enhance the pleasure of historians. The early history of many of our Presbyterian churches is sadly defective, because of the scarcity of records. There seems to have been a prejudice against church records, and hence for the greater part of a century we have but few facts furnished on which to base reliable histories. We are gratified to find the spirit of historical research awakening, and hope that ere long every possible effort will be made to wrest from oblivion what little information remains respecting the origin and work of our early churches. It is with this object in view that we have for some years, and from every available source, been collecting the material for an historical sketch of the Rock Church. This church is entitled to a history, for it is a century and a half old,-has accomplished a noble work for a noble cause, and has lived a greatly diversified life. My hearers, such a history should possess a peculiar interest for many
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of you. This is the church of your ancestors,-the religious home of your forefathers, where they, as faithful children, assembled weekly to pay their homage to their Heavenly Father. This is the spiritual fountain of living waters, where their souls, thirsting for righteous- ness, drank to thirst no more. This institution was in faith and prayer founded by them in the hope that it would bless, as the Gospel alone can bless, their decendants " until time shall be no longer." The original settlers of this region were Scotch Presbyterians who had been driven by persecution and oppression from Scotland to Ireland, and from Ireland to America. They commenced migrating to this country about the beginning of the eighteenth century. The chief landing places were Philadelphia and New-Castle, and from these centres they scattered throughout Delaware, Maryland and Pennsyl- vania, and as far south as North Carolina. They were a resolute, determined people, who had principles and dared maintain them, who had a religious faith, and for it would endure any suffering and incur any sacrifice. In this wild wilderness of America, they sought reli- gious freedom and found it. Though widely scattered from each other, we soon hear of them erecting meeting-houses, and travelling many miles for the purpose of worshipping the living God.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ROCK CHURCH.
In the spring of 1720 we find no Presbyterian church in Cecil Co., Md., nearer than Bohemia Manor, none in Delaware nearer than White-Clay-Creek, and none in Chester Co., Penna., nearer than the Great Valley. The scattered people had been occasionally visited by ministers of the Gospel, but they yearned and longed to have " the Gospel settled among them." Preachers were scarce and the people poor, and it was both difficult to secure and to support a minister. But at a meeting of New-Castle Presbytery, May 18th, 1720, we find the following record : " A certain number of people lately come from Ire- land, having settled about the branches of Elk river, have by Thos. Reed and Thos. Caldwell their commissioners supplicated this Presby- tery, that, at what time this Presbytery think convenient, they would appoint one of their number to come and preach among them, and then to take such notice of their circumstances and necessities, as, by his report made to this Presbytery at their next session, the Presby- tery may the more clearly know how to countenance their design of having the Gospel settled among them. The said commissioners hav- ing subjected themselves to the care of this Presbytery, the Presbytery took the affair into consideration, and in compliance with the above- said supplication, the Presbytery do appoint Mr. Samuel Young to preach one day among said people, between this and the first day of July next, and to take cognizance of their circumstances, and to make report thereof to our next session." At the next meeting of Presby- tery, June 28th, 1720, Mr. Young reported : " That he had fulfilled the
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appointment of our last Presbytery with respect to the people of Elk river, and after a serious inspection and inquiry into that affair, he judged that said people will in a short time, be capable to maintain a minister of the Gospel among them. Whereupon appeared here from the above-said Elk-river people two commissioners, name of James Smith and Thomas Sharp, with a letter of thanks to the Presbytery, and a petition wherein they supplicate to be formed into a congrega- tion, and to have supplies of preaching from this Presbytery. Pres- bytery having deliberately considered said petition, it was put to the vote whether or not they should be erected into a congregation, and it was carried in the affirmative." From the tenor of these records we should judge the society when organized to have been a very fee- ble affair. At the birth of the feeble child, who thought that it would live for 152 years ?
SUPPLIES, 1720-24.
The first supplies to the church appointed by Presbytery were Robert Cross, of New-Castle, and George Gillespie, of White-Clay- Creek.
Robert Cross was born in Ireland. 1689, came to this country a Pro- bationer, and was settled pastor of New-Castle, September 19th, 1719. He did not receive a sufficient support from that people, and after four years was called to Jamaica, Long Island. He was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia for more than twenty years. He died in 1766.
George Gillespie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to America a Probationer. He was ordained and installed pastor of White-Clay Creek May 28th, 1713; preached a great deal in neighboring churches, especially at Elk-river. He organized the congregation at the Head of Christiana, and served it until his death, January 2d, 1760, aged 77 years. He was an active Presbyter, a godly man, and his ministry was both long and fruitful. His decendants are numerous throughout this region.
The Rev. Samuel Young is the first preacher mentioned in connection with this congregation. He was from Donaghmore, County Down, Ireland, and a member of the Presbytery of Armagh. He was re- ceived into the Synod of Philadelphia, September 23d, 1718, and was appointed by New-Castle Presbytery to supply Drawyer's Church, Del. The Elk-river people gave him a call, Sept. 27th, 1720, which he declined to accept. He preached at Drawyer's, and died before June 6th, 1721. He left a widow.
Rev. Daniel McGill was called to Elk-river in 1721, and preached here for nearly two years without accepting the call. He was a native of Scotland, joined the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1713, and be came pastor of Upper-Marlborough, on the Patuxent river, western shore of Maryland. He left Marlborough 1720, and in 1721 we find-
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him preaching in this locality. The great difficulty in the way of his settlement here was the inability of the people to pay the salary they promised. The Rev. Robert Cross was sent here by Presbytery to stir up the people on this question, and the salary was paid up. Mr. McGill again considered the call, but after a time, the salary not be- ing paid, he declined its acceptance, and acted as a supply to many of the vacant churches. He died February 10th, 1724, at his home in London-Tract. Del. He was a learned man, a valuable member of Synod, and much admired as & preacher. He was austere in his man- ner and sulky in his disposition. While preaching here, the following advertisement appeared :
"1722. Ran away from the Rev. D. McGill, a servant clothed with damask breeches and black broadcloth vest, broadcloth coat of cop- per color, lined and trimmed with black, and wearing black stockings."
The Rev. Thomas Craighead received the next call. He was born in Ireland. After preaching ten or twelve years in Ireland he came to New-England, and labored at Freetown, Mass., near Fall river, from 1715 to 1723. He joined New-Castle Presbytery January 28th, 1724, and was called to Eik-river in May of the same year, but declined. He went to White-Clay-Creek. In 1723 he went to Pequea, Lancaster Co., Pa .; September 7th, 1726, he went to Hopewell, and in 1738, after preaching a sermon and pronouncing the benediction, he dropped dead in the pulpit. These four years must have been full of disap- pointment and discouragement to the infant church. Three ministers have been called and all have declined.
The Rev. Alexander Hutcheson, a Probationer from Ireland, became pastor of Bohemia Church in 1723. That church was feeble, and he spent much time preaching to other congregations. He was one of the chief supplies of Elk-iiver until they obtained a pastor, and was a valuable minister of the Gospel. He died in October, 1766. The church is four years old and still without a pastor, but it perseveres in its efforts to secure one, and is at length rewarded with success.
THE FIRST PASTORATE, 1724-1739.
Joseph Houston came from Ireland to New-England a probationer, preached a few months at Freetown, Mass., was received by Presby- tery of New-Castle July 29th, 1724, and appointed to supply the Elk-river church. September 14th, Robert Linton and Andrew Steel, commissioners for the congregation, presented him a call. This he considered until Presbytery met at Christiana, October 6th, when he accepted it. The commissioners, Robert Finney, Roger Lawson and Andrew Steel, requested that his ordination might be hastened, show- ing their eagerness to have a pastor. Hence October 15, 1724, he was ordained and installed. The records of Presbytery relating to that event are interesting, and we shall present them. " A procla- mation being made three times at the door of the meeting-house by
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Mr. Alexander Hutcheson, that if any person had anything to object . against the ordination of Mr. Joseph Houston, they should make it known to the Presbytery now sitting ; and no objection being made, they proceeded towards his ordination, and accordingly he was sol- emnly set apart to the work of the ministry, with fasting,'prayer, and imposition of the hands of the Presbytery. Mr. Thomas Craighead preached the sermon and presided." Thus began the first pastorate in this church, which continued for fifteen years. It must have been successful, although we know it was at times very discordant. In 1726 there was a violent strife among the members about seats. The mat- ter was at last referred to Presbytery for settlement, and the following action was taken : " The Presbytery, hearing the mind of the major part of the congregation, Ordered that the minister's seat be next on the right hand of the pulpit; Ordered, that Robert Finney have the seat before William Hoge's, paying said William Hoge for his ex- pense in building and dividing it; or the next to the minister's, laid out for Andrew Steel, as Robert Finney shall please to make choice, and in case he choose the last, then Andrew Steel may have the first. Ordered, that Abraham Emmet, Sr., and Roger Lawson exchange seats, and ir any difficulty be in the value of the seats, that they ac- commodate the same in a friendly and christian manner." We hear no more of this trouble, but the same year another arose of still greater magnitude and violence, respecting the organization of the present New London congregation. Robert Finney, with many others, lived many miles from the Elk-river church, and were anxious to have a church organized nearer them, in the neighborhood of New London.
Mr. Houston and the Maryland part of his congregation stoutly op- posed this movement, because another church so near would weaken their own, and because some of those belonging to the new enterprise had refused to pay off their arrears of salary. This war between the two congregations was waged in Presbytery and Synod for four years. However, the persistent New London people received a separate organization, May 26th, 1728. Mr. Houston assisted in supplying many of the churches of Presbytery. His name appears in the earliest records we have of Lower-West-Nottinghanı : "March 23d, 1725, Ordered that Mr. Houston supply the people at the mouth of Octoraro the fifth Sabbath of May, and Mr. Thomas Evans the third Sabbath of April." The original name of that congregation was Mouth of Octoraro. Mr. Houston was moderator of the Synod of Philadelphia, September 19th, 1733, and for a long time stated clerk of Presbytery. He seems to have been a most active, faithful worker for the cause of souls. In 1739 he left this church for some unknown reason, and was installed pastor of the Goodwill Presbyterian Church of Orange county, New York, before May, 1740. He died in October, 1740, aged 48 years. His descendants are still found in Orange county,
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N.Y. He died poor, judging from the fact that his bond was remitted by Synod, in 1740, in favor of his widow and family.
THE SCHISM, 1741-61.
After Mr. Houston left, the church was dependent on supplies for four more years. During this time it became divided into two distinct congregations, called the Old-Side and the New-Side. In 1741 there . was a great schism in the Presbyterian church throughout this country , the result of the revival of religion that attended the labors of White- field. The excitement ran high, and many unwise things were said and done by all parties. Criminations and recriminations brought about a most serious and uncalled-for division, that lasted for seven- teen years. Many of our already feeble churches were divided. A portion of the Elk-river people went off with the New-Side, and formed a separate organization.
The Old-Side Congregation .- This church, in 1743, having been four years without a pastor, and two years rent asunder, did not present a very inviting field of labor to any minister. It was a period of dark- ness and deep anxiety to its friends. But God sent them that very year one of his most valuable servants, the Rev. Alexander McDowel, who became their second pastor. The McDowel family came from Ireland, and settled on the Burden Tract, Va., 1737. Mr. McDowell appeared in Donegal Presbytery, Sept. 4th, 1739, and was licensed by it. July 30th, 1740, and sent to supply several congregations in Vir- ginia and Maryland. He was ordained, October 29th, 1741, to go as an evangelist to Virginia, and in the Fall was directed to itinerate in New-Castle Presbytery. Several churches asked for his services, and among them the Elk-river. He was a supply, or pastor, of West-Not- tingham in 1742, and in 1743 he took charge of Elk-river-the Old-Side congregation. For seventeen years he faithfully performed the duties of pastor to this people. He was a man of more than ordinary mental abilities, an excellent scholar, and a laborious educator. He took a conspicuous part in the actions of both Presbytery and Synod. In 1747 he was the moderator of Synod. While the Synods'of New York and Philadelphia were deliberating the question of reunion, in Phila- delphia, 1758, Mr. McDowel was the bearer of a message from his Synod to that of New York. He was an active member of the asso- ciation founded in Synod for raising funds for the support of ministers' widows. For many years he had charge of an academy, and both taught and preached. He resigned his charge of this congregation in 1760, asked for his dismission from New-Castle Presbytery, and it was granted. Whether he ever united with any other Presbytery we do not know, as he rejoined New-Castle Presbytery during the meeting of Synod, May, 1761. He never again became a settled pastor, but continued to supply many of the vacancies in the Presbytery. He left this locality for Newark, Del., in 1767, and for several years was
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Principal of Newark Academy. He died January 12th, 1782, and was most probably buried in the stone graveyard, Lewisville, Chester Co., Pa., where repose the remains of his wife and son. The following epitaph is from a slab covering their tomb : " Here rests what was mortal of Mrs. Anne, the wife of the Rev. Alexander McDowel, emi- nent for her early piety, native modesty, sweetness of temper and suitable conduct in every situation. Who was born July 14th, 1725, and interred July 14th, 1751. And of Thomas their son, who was interred December 20th, 1750, aged 5 years."
The New-Side Congregation, organized 1741, seems to have had no regular pastor for eleven years, but only occasional supplies. In 1752, the Rev. James Finley was ordained and installed their pastor. They were unable to give a minister a competent support, but, under Mr. Fin- ley, they became united with the Head of Elk, as the church at Elk- ton was then called. The Records furnish the following actions of Presbytery in reference to this union :
" October 15th, 1760. Ordered, that the congregation of East Not- tingham previously take means to satisfy the Presbytery whether they are able to support Mr. Finley, independent of the Head of Elk : and if any other adjacent congregations have any objections, it is' ordered that they be then brought in." "Dec. 18th, 1760. Judge, that the union between the congregation of the Head of Elk and East Not- ingham be dissolved. and consequently that the Head of Elk is to be looked upon as a vacancy."
In 1761, Elk-river and East-Nottingham congregations, after nearly twenty years separation, became one again, under the pastoral care of Mr. Finley. They did not unite as readily as some of the divided · churches, and, judging from the delay, there must have been consider- able opposition to the reunion. But, through the influence and persuasion of Mr. McDowel, and the force of poverty, they at length reunited, without any formal action.
THE UNITED CHURCH UNDER MR. FINLEY, 1761-1783.
The Rev. James Finley was born in County Armagh, Province of Ulster, Ireland, February, 1725, and was of Scotch parentagé. When nine years old, he landed with his parents at Philadelphia, September 28th, 1734. He was educated at Fagg's Manor school, under the care of the Rev. Samuel Blair, and afterwards of the Rev. Mr. Smith. In early life he was the subject of Divine grace ; was at Fagg's Manor during the great revival of 1740, and travelled hundreds of miles with Whitefield for the benefit of his society, and most probably studied theology with his brother, Rev. Samuel Finley, of West Nottingham. He was settled over the New-Side party of this congregation in 1752, and for nine years the two brothers were pastors of these contiguous charges. Mr. Finley's ministry was successful. He labored diligently to build up the church ; was a conscientious, firm, fearless man, emi-
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nent in piety, and a devoted, excellent pastor. He spent much time going from house to house, teaching and catechising the young and old. His people were strongly attached to him, and did not permit him to leave in 1783, until they had done everything in their power to retain him. As early as 1765, he and Philip Tanner, one of his elders, went west to " see the lands." A few years after, the Synod of Philadelphia sent him into Western Pennsylvania, to missionate for at least two months. He had a family of six boys, and wished to settle them in that new country. He bought a farm in Fayette Co., Pa., and in 1772 placed his son Ebenezer, then a youth of fourteen years, in charge of it. Some four years afterwards this son was hotly pursued by some Indians, and with great difficulty escaped death at their hands. Mr. Finley was at home, 300 miles east of the scene, and said that he was strangely impressed one day that his son's life was in great danger. He knelt down and prayed and prayed, and after a time arose, feeling that the danger was over. Ebenezer soon came East, and he and his father, by comparing notes, found that while the son was being pursued by the Indians, bis father was on his knees praying for him! Mr. Finley applied for a dismission from Presby- tery in 1777, in order to go West with his family ; but his congregation and Presbytery positively refusing to let him go, he consented to stay. Still there was a field of usefulness for him in that country, and he longed to be with them. In 1782 he again applies for his dismission, and still his people protested, and Presbytery refused to grant it. As the records relating to this matter are of so much interest, we shall present them in full.
MR. FINLEY'S REQUEST .- " Finding his congregation weak, and looking on this as an additional call to provide for himself and family elsewhere, had, some years ago, procured land to the westward on easy terms-that several of his children had removed thither, and others were inclinable to follow, and that he thought it his duty to to endeavor to be near them, and that though he is sorry to leave a people he has long lived in harmony with, yet thinks it will be his duty, if not removed now, to give up with his charge in a few years ; but when it must be much more inconvenient, if not an insurmount- able task to remove. That he thinks there is a more rational prospect of his being more useful elsewhere than here, and that the minis- ters where he proposes to remove are such as that he can with sing- ular satisfaction join with in laboring to promote the kingdom of Christ; for which reasons he begged to be released from his present charge.
P. S. That when he accepted a call from part of the present united congregation of Elk, he made it a condition that his acceptance should not be considered as a bar in the way of his removing to the West- ward afterwards, if he should choose to do so.
Mr. Thomas Sharp and Samuel Moffat, commissioners from the
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congregation under Mr. Finley's care, earnestly prayed that Mr. Finley may not be dismissed, for the following reasons :
To the Rev. Presbytery of New-Castle, sitting at Elk Meeting-house, the 23d and 24th days of April, 1782.
REV. FATHERS-As our dearly beloved Rev. Pastor, Mr. James Finley, hath applied to you for a dismission from his congregation, and offered his reasons for his request, which he has favored us with a copy of ; we, his auditory, constituents of said congregation do, in the most humble manner, lay before you our objections and reasons against his obtaining an absolute dismission, viz:
1st. Because we are both able and willing to give him a competent and comfortable support, and earnestly desire to render his life as happy as we can ; and because it appears evident to us that the pro- vision he has made, together with that he may make, under his pres- ent circumstances, for himself and family, by the blessing of God, sufficient. His lands to the Westward were procured on easy terms, and there are few families in these parts so well provided for ; and besides there is a prospect of a further enlargement to this congrega- tion, provided he continues in it.
2d. We readily grant that natural affection is an incumbent duty on all parents toward their children, and doubt not that such affection leads him to be near his children, who have removed to the West- ward; but we think that those his affections as a parent can by no means stand in competition with his ministerial charge over, and care of, the souls in this congregation, as a pastor.
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