USA > Maryland > Harford County > History of Harford County, Maryland : from 1608 (the year of Smith's expedition) to the close of the War of 1812 > Part 11
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
site, about the year 1769. This building also was with- out stoves, but in 1814 chimneys were put in and the church warmed. In 1820 a building committee, con- sisting of Jeremiah Bayless, James Glasgow, Reuben H. Davis, Benj. Silver and James Pannel, were ap- pointed, and a new church was constructed. This is the present church building, which, however, in the year 1870, underwent extensive repairs at a cost of nearly ten thousand dollars, the building being reno- vated throughout.
The following is a list of the regular pastors who have served this church: Andrew Bay, Caleb Johnson, William Finney, R. H. Williams, W. W. Ralston, John R. Paxton, W. T. L. Kieffer, Calvin D. Wilson, S. C. Wasson.
William Finney was elected pastor March 31, 1813. The call which was formally made out, and in behalf of the congregation signed by Richard Barns, James Fulton, Andrew McAdow and Zephaniah Bayless, was presented to the Presbytery of New Castle at New London, Pa., April 6, 1813. He held the call under advisement until the ensuing fall session (September 23) in order to see whether there was a sufficient frag- ment of this lacerated congregation to justify him in assuming the pastorate. He then accepted the call, and was ordained and installed November 17, 1813, preaching a sermon on that occasion from Acts 4: 12.
Rev. William Finney was a native of New London, Chester county, Pa., and was the second son of Judge Walter Finney, a major in the Revolutionary Army, whose commission, dated August 10, 1776, is now in the possession of his great-grandson, Walter Finney,
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of Churchville, Md. He graduated at Princeton Col- lege with distinction, in the class of 1809; studied the- ology under Rev. Samuel Martin, D. D., of Chance- ford, Pa., joined New Castle Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry April 4, 1810, and was licensed to preach October 1, 1812, at the age of twenty-four.
His long pastorate of forty-one years closed October 4, 1854, when he resigned, much to the regret of his people. His farewell sermon was an historical dis- course, which is of great value to this church. The people attested their affection for him by requesting him to supply their pulpit, which he did off and on for several years.
Following is a list of some of the elders who have been connected with this church :
b. born. d. died.
I. Michael Gilbert, b. about 1707; d. 1796.
2. Robert Rhea, who is the first elder from this church reported at Presbytery.
3. James Gallion.
4. William Pritchett.
5. John Hawkins, b. about 1716; d. 1783.
6. John McAdow, d. 1802.
7. Joseph Stiles, d. December 1790.
8. John Hays, a bachelor brother of Archer Hays, d. 1802.
9. Thomas Archer, father of Dr. John Archer, Sr.
IO. Henry Ruff, d. 1795.
II. Benjamin Bayless, son of Samuel, Sr., and brother of Samuel, Jr.
12. Daniel Kenly, grandfather of Geo. W. Kenly, d. 1796.
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IIISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
13. William Ramsay, father of Thos. Ramsay, b. 1725, came from New Jersey ; d. 1800.
14. William Hollis, d. 1786.
15. Samuel Bayless, of Samuel, Sr., b. about 1735.
16. Andrew McAdow, son of John, d. June 28, 1844.
17. James Fulton, son of Capt. William, from Scot- land, and father of John C., William and James, Jr., d. October 31, 1825, aged 62 years.
18. Richard Barns, b. June 25, 1762; d. November 29, 1830.
19. Zephaniah Bayless, ordained in 1808, d. May 5, 1851.
20. James Glasgow, M. D., ordained November 23, 1822, d. August 19, 1823.
21. Alexander Hanna, father of John, William, Robert. and Balch, d. December 27, 1829.
22. James Pannel, ordained June 19, 1824, resigned June 22, 1853.
23. John Kirk, ordained April 4, 1829, d. January 5, 1831.
24. Robert H. Archer, M. D., ordained June 11, 1826. 25. John C. Fulton of James, ordained October 18, 1834.
26. John Barnes of Gregory, ordained September 30, 1859.
27. Thomas Archer of Dr. Robert, ordained September 30, 1859.
28. James M. Anderson of John, ordained October 17,. 1863.
29. John A. Hanna, ordained October 17, 1863.
30. R. Harris Archer of Thomas, June 18, 1870.
31. Jas. H. Ball, New Jersey .*
*Rev. W. T. L. Kieffer.
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
COKESBURY.
The first Methodist college in the world for higher education was located at Abingdon, in the present First district of Harford county. The foundation of the college is due to Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury, two bishops of the Methodist church. The school was called from the names of the two founders-Coke- Asbury modified into Cokesbury.
The establishment of this institution of learning was at a time when the new government was trying its wings. The Revolution had just closed and all the unsettled conditions which accompany a change of gov- ernment after a successful rebellion prevailed here. Money was scarce, but Asbury was equal to the emer- gency. Coke was the author of the idea, but to Asbury was largely due the successful establishment of the col- lege. This school seems to have been in his thoughts always, and he devoted many of the best years of his life to this work. For its financial success he traveled many weary miles through the wilderness, preaching and soliciting subscriptions, and when the building was consumed to ashes and all his work proved in vain, the poor man was almost overwhelmed. He wrote in his journal "We have a second and confirmed report that Cokesbury College is consumed to ashes, a sacrifice of ten thousand pounds in about ten years. If any man should give me ten thousand pounds to do and suffer again what I have done for that house, I would not do it. The Lord called not Mr. Whitefield nor the Metho- dists to build colleges. I wished only for schools ; Dr. Coke wanted a college."
There were only fifteen thousand Methodists in
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
America at this time, and with this small number the building and opening of this school was remarkable. Dr. Thomas Coke was sent by John Wesley to America from England to superintend the churches. He and Asbury met at Barrett's Chapel, Dover, and the ques- tion of founding a school for higher learning under control of the Methodist Church was discussed. One thousand pounds sterling was subscribed before the conference met, enough to begin work, and then came the matter of the selection of a site. In those days the post road passing through Abingdon was the main highway between the North and the South, and as steam had not come into use, the traveling population were very familiar with that route. Harford Town, or Bush, was going down. Bel Air had been chosen the county seat. The Pacas had started a new town on the hill- Abingdon-and had laid it off into streets and lots, a plat of which can now be seen in the clerk's office at Bel Air. Richard Dallam, one of the leading men of the county, and quartermaster in the American Army, lived there with his family. William Paca, who was born there and who had signed the Declaration of Independ- ence, was then governor of the State, and the new town laid out by his people may be reasonably supposed to have had the good will of the distinguished governor and his wealthy friends. Moreover, the location was high and healthy. From the high ground could be seen Bush river stretching its winding course, with "promontory, creek and bay." Old Baltimore, it is true, had been abandoned for nearly an hundred years, but the beautiful shore line was there, the view not ob- structed as now by the railroad bridge, which was not built until fifty years later.
THE SITE OF COKESBURY COLLEGE, ABINGDON
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Off in the distance, further down the river, lay Abbey Island Point and Legoes' Point in full view ; and a lit- tle further away, glistening in the sun, lay the broad waters of the Chesapeake, across which could be seen the high banks of Kent county. Close by was Otter creek, like a silver thread just over the hill; and Otter Point, with deep water, where large vessels could come to load and discharge their cargos, was only a mile away.' There was a new Methodist church which had been built in 1784. Truly, the outlook for Abingdon to become a large town was excellent, and here they de- cided to build the new college. Bishop Asbury was present on June 5, 1785, to lay the corner-stone and preach the foundation sermon. On May 30 of the same year, Dr. Coke purchased from Richard Dallam, for sixty pounds, four acres of land adjoining the new church, for the site of the college, and on this land was erected the college hall at a cost of more than four thousand pounds. This sum represented an average contribution of more than one dollar for every Metho- dist church member in the country.
Five trustees managed the business of the school. The college had a boarding department, but the plan was to have as many students as possible board in the village. The college dormitory, therefore, was con- structed with especial reference to the number and size of the recitation rooms, and the quarters for the stu- dents were rather contracted.
The building, of which no representation is known to be extant, was of brick, one hundred and eight feet in length and forty feet in width, facing east and west. It is described as standing on the summit and centre
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of six acres of land, with equal descent and proportion of ground on each side. It was three stories in height and divided into two parts. The east and west ends had on each floor two rooms, in size twenty-five by twenty feet. On the first floor, in the centre of the building, was the college hall, forty feet square; over it, on the second floor, two school rooms, and on the third floor two bedrooms. Such was the arrangement of the building which was thought in "dimensions and style of architecture fully equal, if not superior, to any- thing of the kind in the country."
Before the building was entirely completed a pre- paratory school was opened by Mr. Freeman Marsh, a Quaker. Dr. Coke said that the college was intended primarily for the sons of preachers ; next, for the sons of "our friends ;" thirdly, for "our young men (preach- ers)," and, fourthly, "for orphans."
He felt that the name college might appear too pre- tentions at first, but took comfort from the fact that "we give high-sounding names in America."
John Wesley was applied to for a recommendation for a president of the college, and he named Rev. Mr. Meath, who was master of a grammar school at Kid- derminster, in England; the recommendation of Wes- ley was favorably received by the trustees, who voted to call Mr. Meath, and Dr. Coke was requested to com- municate the call to the proposed president. Mr. Meath was to receive sixty pounds annually, lodging in the college, board, washing, etc., for himself and family. The call was accepted and Mr. Meath, accompanied by Patrick McCloskey, who also was to teach in the new school, arrived in this country in the fall of 1787. In September of the same year Bishop Asbury was at
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Abingdon, superintending the opening of the college. Meath's inauguration occurred in December, lasting three days, on all three of which Bishop Asbury preached.
At the beginning there were twenty-five students. Letters of advice came from Wesley as to the method of conducting the institution, in one of which he said he wished the children to be made "critical scholars in Latin, Greek and Hebrew." Meath, the president, and McCloskey and Marsh, assistants, left in the first year. In 1788, Dr. Jacob Hall, of Abingdon, was elected president, the fact that he was a native of the State being a consideration in his election.
There were thirty students in the year 1788. Dr. Hall's assistants were Rev. John Hargrove, Rev. Jo- seph Toy and Charles Tait. Mr. McCloskey came back and resumed his position as teacher, dying in 1791.
There were seventy students in 1791. It is thought that no graduation or conferring of degrees was ever held by the college, as there is no mention of any. The curriculum included English, Latin, Greek, logic, rhet- oric, history, geography, natural philosophy and astron- omy, to which it was proposed later to add Hebrew, French and German.
In this day of reading-rooms, gymnasiums and care- fully arranged hours of recreation, with a patronage of field sports by the faculty in all colleges, it is diffi- cult to understand the rigid discipline at Cokesbury.
Here is one of the regulations : "Let this rule be ob- served with the greatest nicety, for those who play when they are young will play when they are old." No games or plays for the boys! Their employment was
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
to be that of the "greatest public utility, agriculture and architecture." There was a carpenters' shop for recreation. Gardening was another, and they might bathe in a pool, one at a time, and under no considera- tion swim in Bush river.
The students were to study seven hours daily, rise at four o'clock in the morning and go to bed at nine o'clock.
The college ran into debt, which, in 1789, amounted to about eight thousand dollars.
In 1794 the Maryland Legislature granted a charter to Cokesbury, and authorized the conferring of the usual college degrees. In 1795 the authorities deter- mined to abandon the collegiate department and main- tain only an English free school, but before this plan was fairly tried the life of the school came to an end. On December 4, 1795, the building was burned to the ground, and everything connected with it destroyed. The fire was thought to be of incendiary origin. The fame of this school was great in its day, and even to this time bricks are sought and carried away as relics. The bell which called the students to their duties was preserved, and now hangs over Goucher Hall at the Woman's College, in Baltimore, chief relic of the once famous college of Cokesbury .*
HARFORD BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church is situated in the forks of Winter's Run, between Jarrettsville and Upper X-Roads, in the Fourth election district of Harford county.
During the space of one hundred and forty-seven years there have been only six elders, or pastors, of
*Dr. Bernard C. Steiner.
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
this church, and two of these elders served this con- gregation for nearly an hundred years. Elder John Davis was the minister in charge from the building of the church, in 1754, until the time of his death, in 1807, a period of fifty-three years. Rev. William Grafton, the present incumbent, began his labors there May 18, 1859, and thus up to this time his continuous service to the church has extended over a period of forty-two years, making, with the time of Elder John Davis, ninety-five years. The elders of this church since 1754, the date of its organization, have been as follows :
Elder John Davis, 1754 to 1807.
Elder William Wilson, 1807 to 1839.
Elder Eli Scott, Elder James Brown, Elder Francis Thorn, 1839 to 1859.
Elder William Grafton, 1859 to -.
Some of the dates in the records of the church are missing and it is difficult to determine the time of the beginning of the service of several of the elders. Be- sides this, the early minutes are effaced and had to be supplied by a summary in October, 1803. In 1839, during the term of Rev. William Wilson, a dispute arose as to the attitude of the church toward temper- ance societies and benevolent institutions, and a divi- sion was made in the congregation. The elder, Wil- liam Wilson, left his charge, with a number of his con- gregation, and thereafter officiated and had his church building at Rock Ridge, or Cherry Hill, which had been built a short time previously.
The following is a copy of the recital at the begin- ning of the records and a list of some of the early mem- bers :
"The church of Jesus Christ in Harford County, In
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
the State of Maryland was Constituted on the First Day of November In the year of our Lord-One thou- sand seven hundred and fifty-four, then under the pas- toral care of Elder John Davis, who Still continues to preside over her, But through some cause to us un- known the Church book has Become so defaced that the true state of the said church From time to time since her constitution up to this Date cannot be known;
"And as the God of Zion hath been Generously pleased of Late to Revive his work Within the bounds of this Church so that Considerable Numbers have been added to those that still Remain of her former Numbers ; And We deeming it Necessary as well for our own comfort as for the Information of Others to revive the articles of her former Constitution . .
"Be it known therefore that we whose names are hereunto subscribed Do as in the presence of God Pro- fess to believe the truths contained in the following Covenant and to submit to the Ordinances and modes of Government therein contained that is to say"
[Here follows covenant.]
October, 1803 : Martha Denbow,
John Watkins,
Drucilla Tolon,
Elizabeth Watkins, Elizabeth Tolon,
Philip Garrison, Sarah Dever,
James Thompson,
Ruth Dever, now Norris,
John Thompson,
John Thompson,
Thomas Durham,
Susanna Thompson,
Nathan Durham,
Benjamin Amos,
Margaret Durham,
Sarah Amos,
Frances Thompson,
Ann Amos, now Alderson,
David Durham,
Dixon Stansbury,
Sarah Durham,
Dixon Stansbury, Jr.,
John Denbow,
Easter Stansbury,
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Elizabeth Amos,
Mary Carleton,
Charity Hitchcock,
Thomas Poteet,
Elizabeth Guiton,
Joshua Thompson,
Sarah Cruet,
Casandra Thompson,
Wm. Robinson,
Clemency Thompson,
Sarah Robinson,
Elthiah Brown,
Samuel Grafton,
Jesse Bussey,
Mary Grafton,
Eleaner Bussey,
Wm. Durham,
Dina Anderson,
Jane St. Clair,
Jane Davis,
Elizabeth Armstrong,
Migail Denbow,
James Perine,
Dolly Renshaw,
Catherine Baker,
Susanna Norrington,
Mary Norris,
Elizabeth Thompson,
Lattice Jordan,
Mary Husk,
Mary Grear,
Martha Thompson,
Ezekiel Weeks,
Stephen Rigdon,
Elizabeth Weeks,
Hannah Brice,
Ann McGovern,
Ann Hewett,
Mary Smithson,
Christian Jordan,
Sarah Wilson,
Isaac Persons,
Susanna Amos,
Phebe Persons,
Elizabeth Davis,
Josiah Hitchcock,
Elizabeth Baker,
Thos. D. Cockey,
Martha St. Clair,
Wm. Perrigoe, Hannah Perrigoe,
Jemima Hynes,
Ellen Perrigoe,
Elizabeth Whitaker,
Sidney Perrigoe,
Edward Parrish,
Rebekah Perrigoe,
Delia Parrish,
Joshua Jones,
Mary Jones,
Elizabeth Slade, Jane Renshaw, Naomi Amos,
Wm. Parks,
Chloe Parks,
Ann Parker,
Elenor Parks,
John Davis,
Benj. Talbott,
Jane Davis,
Catherine Talbott,
Naomi Guiton,
Sabrina Wilson,
Wm. McGovern,
Rachael Kent, now White- ford, Hannah West,
Aquila Grear,
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Rachael Harryman,
Thomas Lemmon,
Rachael Stevenson,
Comfort Lemmon,
Ruth Towson,
Ann Edwards,
Philemon Towson,
Belinda Cox,
Joseph Bosswell,
Abraham Cole, Jr.,
Philip Pindle,
Margaret Griffith,
Elizabeth Boswell,
Benjamin Green,
Joseph Sater,
James Cole,
Thos. Cole,
Zebediah Cox,
Rachael Cole,
Charlotte Baxter,
Chloe Cockey,
Sarah Corbin,
Clarrissa Burnham,
Thomas Beareman,
John Burnham,
Sarah Bearemen,
Ann Burnham,
Catherine Bearemen,
Sarah Sollers,
Rachael Crow,
Ruth Owings,
Martha Boreing,
John Burnham, Sr.,
Mary Lane,
Rachael Willson,
Discretion Walker,
Margaret Willson,
Mary Steel,
Margaret Thomas,
Elizabeth Cromwell,
Nathan Cromwell,
Ellenor Hutson,
Peter Parks,
Ruth Inseworth,
Wm. Loveall,
Samuel Fort,
Mary Tipton,
Elizabeth Fourt,
Abraham Cole,
Ruth Griffith,
John Lemmon,
Amon Butler, Jr.,
Ellenor Lemmon,
Ruth Butler,
Joseph Stansbury,
Amon Butler,
Sarah Stansbury,
Elizabeth Butler,
Dorcus Ensor,
Absolem Butler,
Thomas Cole,
Susanna Butler,
Ann Dunawin,
Charlotte Bond,
Thomas Dunawin,
Mary Gill,
Polly Bond,
Mary Baxter,
Thomas Downey,
Hunt,
Hannah Sater,
Mary Kidd,
Ann Young,
Elizabeth Willson,
Elexis Lemmon,
Thomas Ford,
Mordecai Cole,
Hannah Butler,
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
Sarah Kidd,
Richard Choate,
Sarah Cole,
Sarah Choate,
Ann Jorden,
John Banks,
Patty Jordon,
Mary Banks,
William Buckingham,
Joshua Tracey,
Sarah Buckingham,
Abraham Bareing,
Richard Lane,
James Bareing,
Elizabeth Lane,
Elizabeth Bareing,
Elizabeth Green,
Edward Choate,
Thomas Fuder,
Thomas Gist,
Alexander Bosswell,
Penelope D. Gist,
Vincent Tipton,
Francis T. Talbott,
Bryan Tipton,
Nancy Gist,
Thomas Kelly,
Sarah Bareing,
Sarah Kelly,
John Perigoe,
Hannah Lemmon,
Matthew Day,
Jemima Plowman,
Nelly Sollers,
Rebecca Cunningham,
Polly Bareing,
Sophia Chenowith,
Patience Lee,
Wm. Blizzard,
Henry Green,
Surany Blizzard,
Elizabeth Green,
William Chenoweth,
Elizabeth Gorsuch,
Sarah Chenoweth,
John Gordon,
Nicholas Hedington,
Evan Watkins, etc.
Delia Hedington,
THE FRIENDS IN HARFORD.
The first settlement of "Friends" in Harford is veiled in much obscurity, but there are reasons for concluding that they found their way here shortly after their estab- lishment in the adjacent colony of Pennsylvania, where Penn, in his holy experiment, "laid the foundation of a state with a government, deriving its just powers from the consent of the governed," where not only the persecuted members of his own religious denomination should find a peaceful home, but the good and oppressed
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of all lands and every religious persuasion should find an asylum and the pure and peaceable principles of Christianity should be carried into practice. The en- lightened understanding of Lord Baltimore had led him to adopt sentiments akin to those actuating Penn in his movements, and thus, no doubt, many of this faith gladly embraced the opportunity afforded to "worship according to the dictates of their own conscience with none to make them afraid."
Perhaps it may be permitted to draw the line of divergence between the reasons actuating the proprie- taries of these neighboring colonies. With high appre- ciation of the noble minds and enlightened statesman- ship of the Lords Baltimore, and aside from the spirit of criticism, simply state the fact of history that what was granted as a privilege by them was conceded as an "inalienable right" by Penn, which is the true ground and teaching of democracy in government, and always held and taught by Friends.
The inference of Friends' early settlement here may be drawn from the names and traditions of many of our oldest families, being those of the early migration to these Western shores, the public records showing them faithfully supporting in many instances the principles and testimonies against oaths, military ser- vice and pursuing other society characteristics.
The first religious meeting of this denomination in Harford county, so far as can be ascertained, was that of Bush river. The date of its establishment is not known. It continued in existence until about the year 1820. There is a spot near Bush river bridge, on the Philadelphia Railroad, which has been designated as the place where the meeting was held. Only a portion
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
of what was said to be the foundation of the meeting house could be seen many years ago. The first authentic record now fixes the date of the establishment of Deer Creek meeting in 1736, held then as now at Darlington. It was a branch of Bush river meeting. On September 29, 1737, Nathan Rigbie conveyed three and a half acres, part of "Philip's Purchase," tothe trustees of the Quaker Meeting House at Deer Creek, and on May 25, 1789, James Rigbie executed a confirmatory deed of the same lot to Joseph Warner, Hugh Ely, Jacob Baldwin and Isaiah Baldwin, trustees, etc. (Liber J. L. G. No. K., folio 347. Land Records of Harford county. First deed, Liber H. W. S. I. A. I, folios 17 and 18, Land Records of Baltimore County.)
Next in order of establishment we find that of Little Falls, near Fallston, about the year 1738, (not on its present site, however), and Broad Creek, near Dublin, in 1828. A meeting was established at Fawn Grove, York county, Pa., near the Maryland line, many of its members living in Harford. It was held as early as 1780.
The settlement of the meeting at Little Falls calls for more than a passing notice.
William Amos, a resident, large land owner and officer in the militia of the county, was walking on his premises one Sabbath morning, when his meditations and their effect upon his mind were of that character that he called worship. Here he afterwards resorted from a sense of conviction and found satisfaction in continuing the practice. Finally, being joined by sev- eral of his neighbors, upon comparing notes and mak- ing inquiry, they found their views on religious mat- ters coincided with Friends, and going twenty miles
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HISTORY OF HARFORD COUNTY.
to the meeting of Gunpowder, in Baltimore county, and their case being favorably considered by that body, they were taken into membership.
William Amos, from being a soldier in the military in the service of his country for the support of national power, became a soldier of the cross, whose weapons are not carnal, but spiritual, and having a gift in the ministry of Christ, was a favored instrument in calling many from "darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God." Living to an advanced age, he saw his "children's children grow up to usefulness and call him blessed," and now rests in the yard of the home of Garret Amos, one of his descendants, near Winter's Run, on the Bel Air pike.
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