USA > Maryland > Somerset County > Princess Anne > History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church, Princess Anne, Maryland > Part 3
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
According to the Minutes of Manokin Session, the building standing in 1747 was old enough to be in need of repairs. (See chapter on "Interesting Events," under 1747.)
This seems to be about all that can be reliably ascertained prior to 1747, relative to the original building or buildings.
The church which is now standing was erected in 1765, on the site of the former church or churches.
At a meeting of the Session held in December, 1764, a month after the Rev. Jacob Ker became Pastor, which was attended by him and ten Elders, the following action was taken:
"The Session, finding that the meeting house was decayed, in almost every part, and not worth repairing, and that it is too small to contain the people that often attend, do determine to build a new one of brick, 50 by 40, in the clear, 16 feet from the water table to the plate, to be covered with cypress shingles, to have a gallery at each end for Negroes, with such windows, doors, pews and other matters, as shall be convenient."
At a meeting of the Session held in March, 1765, "Mr. James Wilson offered to build the house for 600 pounds, which was accepted by the Session." Singularly enough, no reference is made on the Sessional records of the erection and completion of the building. At a meeting of the Session held on the 23d of December, 1765, it was "Ordered, That Messrs. Nehemiah King and Samuel and David Wilson collect the several sums remain- ing due for the meeting-house." This church was erected on the site of the old building.
On the 15th of September, 1767, the Session directed Levin
36
History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
Wilson to "get the windows and doors painted with Turkey-point paint."
December 26th, 1788, Messrs. John and James Wilson and William Jones were appointed a committee by the Session "to have the necessary repairs done to the house."
On the 23d of July, 1799, the Session took the following action : "Ordered, That Mr. John Porter be applied to to build a new Session house and repair the church." The Sessional record further states: "These repairs were completed by May 9th, 1800, and cost 30 pounds, 7 shillings, and 6 pence." It is interesting to note that in the entries relative to the payment of Mr. Porter's bill, the dollar mark ($) is used for the first time.
From the Sessional records of July 7th, 1801, we learn that "A late break having happened from a crowded gallery, which rendered repairs necessary, a committee was appointed to have the repairs made." Labor was cheap in those days. Workmen were engaged to do the work at "six and six pence per day."
The Session appointed a committee on the 5th of August, 1812, "to inspect the house and have such repairs made as may render it comfortable." The following month (September 2d), the committee reported "that window shutters, bars and bolts were required." The Session also took the following action : "As the ground of the church lies unenclosed, and ye legal title is vested in Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, who is aged, Resolved, That Messrs. George Handy and Samuel Ker apply to Mrs. Jackson for a transfer of the property to the use of the congregation." On the 13th of May, 1813, it was reported by the committee that Mrs. Jackson had given "a deed to Messrs. George Handy and Samuel Ker, conveying to the congregation any rights which may hereafter be found invested in her."
The following resolution was adopted by the Session August 18th, 1813: "Resolved, That as ye congregation is increasing, and the demand for pews greater than can be met, that there be an addition of at least twenty feet at the western end of the
37
The Church Buildings.
church, and that some new arrangement of the pulpit and pews takes place."
On the 28th of August, 1815, a committee was appointed by the Session "to prepare a plan for ye enlargement of the Presbyterian Church in Princess Anne." Messrs. Samuel Ker and George Handy were appointed to "prepare a petition to Somerset County, at April term, for a commission to mark and bound the lot of ground on which the church stands."
The following year the Session was still considering the problem of the enlargement of the church. On the 28th of March, 1816, it was "Resolved, That an addition of twenty feet to the west end of the church be agreed upon, and if, upon in- spection of the walls, it should be judged practicable, ...... that there should be a half or whole story raised upon the old walls; and that the whole interior of the church should be remodelled as to the pews, putting the pulpit in the west end."
At this same meeting (1816), it was "Resolved, That a substantial enclosure be erected around the building."
At a meeting held on the 7th of April, 1817, it was deter- mined that "in consequence of the great scarcity of money," it would be inexpedient to carry out the plans for the enlargement of the church. However, it was determined to appropriate the money already collected for that purpose to "the enclosing of the yard." It was also "Resolved, That the south part of the ground belonging to this church, on which stands a saw house, be exposed to public sale."
In 1837, the present parsonage and lot, adjoining the church, was purchased of William W. Handy, Esq.
The external woodwork of the church was painted in 1855, and repairs made. The parsonage was also repaired and reno- vated, at a cost of $2,500.00.
In the spring of 1860, the congregation raised the sum of $1,500.00 for the erection and furnishing of the present lecture room.
erE
38
History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
In a sermon preached on the 12th of September, 1873, Dr. A. C. Heaton, the then Pastor, said :
"In 1872-3, the church was closed to divine worship for fifteen months, undergoing extensive repairs. The first service was held on Sunday morning, September 7th, 1873. The mode of entering, the roof, and the entire internal arrangement of the house, have undergone a change. The galleries, which at one period in the history of the congregation were essentially for the servants of the families worshipping here, have been entirely removed ; the number of sittings has been very considerably mul- tiplied, and the convenience and comfort of the house, as a place of sacred worship, very greatly enhanced. Not only has the appearance of this ancient structure been very greatly improved, but it has been rendered far more happily adapted to its sacred uses."
Dr. Heaton speaks of it as being of such "comely propor- tions, such beautiful simplicity, so rich, ornate and yet so rigidly chaste in all its finish." Continuing, he says: "It was by the indefatigable labors of the ladies of the church that the first money was raised for these improvements, and it was by their skilful and preserving handicraft that the last additions of elegance and comfort were made to these repairs. In addition to this, the thanks of the congregation are due to two of them, whose names I am not permitted to mention here, whose gener- ous contributions have materially aided in the prosecution of this work. We are indebted to a most excellent and worthy gentle- man of Philadelphia for the chandelier and lamps with which this house is lighted. The cost of the improvements was above $4,500.00."
The Rev. William H. Logan, who became pastor of the church in January, 1891, wrote from Wilmington, Delaware, under date of May 1st, 1908 :
"During the summer of 1891, extensive repairs were made to the church, entirely remodelling it. The recess pulpit was
39
The Church Buildings.
enlarged. the present ceiling put in, the walls frescoed, the floor recarpeted, a new chandelier and pulpit lights added, the cellar excavated and furnace put in, and the house painted-all costing about $1,500.00, which was paid for at the time. (The tower, I think, had been built during Mr. Voorhees' pastorate.) I planted a number of shade trees in 1896. One of the most im- portant improvements to the property was laying the pavement in front of the church and up to the door of the manse. The graveyard was enlarged in 1891, and later the field was taken in, making the fine cemetery that is now such an improvement to the property."
Mr. Logan added this interesting information: "It was the tradition that the body of the Rev. William Stewart, Pastor of the church from 1719 to 1734, was buried under his pulpit- probably the first building erected. It must have been torn down and a kiln of brick burned on the ground and the walls of the present church erected around it, for John W. Crisfield, Esq., informed me that he was one of a committee who had a new floor put in the church now more than sixty years ago, and that they then cleared out the debris of the bricks.
"We had colored men digging out the present cellar in 1891. One morning they ran into the manse in a frightened state and told me that they had come on a grave. I went with them and found their statement true. The top clay was very hard for three feet, and under this the sand, so that the shape of the grave was very plain, and we could see how the fire had burned down into the clay. We found pieces of the wood of the coffin, a skull and other bones. There was, however, not much of the body left after being under ground for some one hundred and fifty years. The bones proved to be a curiosity, and many came to see them. They were carefully placed in a box, together with an outline sketch of the church history, and reburied on the north side of the heater, under the church, for some future delver to find and wonder over."
40
History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
The exterior walls of the church are much as they were when erected in 1765.
The graveyard surrounding the church is a quiet, beautiful spot, and loving hands and loyal hearts care for it tenderly, for the sake of its hallowed associations. It was enlarged in 1891. It is the resting place of many by whom the old church and its traditions were held sacred, and who labored with unselfish devo- tion that its blessed influences might be perpetuated. It is for the living to see that their labors were not in vain.
It is a rare privilege to be permitted to write this brief tribute to their worth. May the memory of their faithful living, devoted services and uplifting influences long abide as a blessed benediction and inspiration to us who loved them !
"Daily the tides of life go ebbing and flowing beside them,
Thousands of throbbing hearts, where theirs are at rest and forever, Thousands of aching brains, where theirs no longer are busy, Thousands of toiling hands, where theirs have ceased from their labors, Thousands of weary feet, where theirs have completed their journey."
41
Interesting Events.
INTERESTING EVENTS.
It is generally understood that the earlier Sessional records of Manokin, Wicomico and Rehoboth churches, were lost when the house of the Rev. William Stewart, in Princess Anne, was destroyed by fire. Mr. Stewart died in 1734-35. The Rev. J. T. H. Waite, who was Pastor of the Salisbury Church from January, 1856, to May, 1867, thus writes, in an "Historical Sketch of Wicomico Church," prepared in 1861:
"Doubtless the records of Wicomico were either united with those of Manokin, or in a separate book, in the house of Mr. Stewart at the time, and at the same time destroyed ; for the two losses-the loss of Mr. Stewart's house and the loss of the Wicomico minute book-are mentioned as occurring about the same time; and it is evident that the Rev. Mr. Stewart was the Pastor of the united congregations of Rehoboth, Manokin and Wicomico, because in the next, or new, Session books of Wicomico and Manokin, these two churches were united under the ministry of the Rev. Hugh Henry,. . . .. and no mention is made in either place that the union is anything new. It is without doubt, therefore, that the first Session book of Wicomico was lost, with the first one of Manokin and Rehoboth, in the house of the Rev. Mr. Stewart, who having one, was likely to have had both the books in the pastoral possession."
The oldest known Sessional records of the Manokin Church date from July 20th, 1747. The following items of special in- terest are to be found therein :
1747. July 20th. "The congregation of Manokin to Col. Robert King, to repairing the meeting-house and building a study house, fourteen pounds, twelve shillings."
"It is agreed on, by and between the congregation and Cap- tain Henry Waggamon, that the said Waggamon erect a gallery
42
History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
for Negroes to sit in, in the meeting-house, and that the steps or door of such gallery to enter at the north-west corner of the said house, and to the whole length of the house ; the galleries to be ten feet wide, .. .. the outside steps to be good and sub- stantial."
1747. Sptember 14th. "Being Sacrament Day, the collec- tion amounted to five pounds, five shillings."
1747. December 7th. "The two Sessions of Manokin and Rehoboth met to settle affairs with Rev. John Hambleton, in relation to a glebe or plantation, which the Sessions engaged in their call to Mr. Hambleton to perform, or have in readiness for his use and benefit, so long as he shall continue minister or Pastor of the two congregations. And the Sessions could not, through some disappointments, accomplish this design of getting such a glebe, the Rev. Mr. Hambleton agreed to take, in consideration thereof for the first year, the sum of three pounds, current money ; and, for the second year, the sum of four pounds, which sums are ordered him by the two Sessions, it being money due to the two congregations aforesaid for part of their time which the said Mr. Hambleton preached in Snow Hill congregation ; and, for the third year, the said Mr. Hambleton agrees to take and be satisfied with whatever rents may be had from a planta- tion belonging to Captain David Wilson, which was formerly Andrew Thompson's, and that Captain David Wilson shall rent the said plantation to the best advantage."
1748. April 25th. "At a meeting of the Session held on this date, there were present Rev. John Hambleton, and Elders John Gray, David Wilson, Thomas Brown, Henry Waggamon, Thomas Jones and Thomas Pollit." One of the actions taken was this : "It is ordered and consented to that Mr. Thomas Jones accompany the Rev. Mr. Hambleton as Elder to Synod in Phila- delphia, which is to sit May 25th, A. D. 1748." An examina- tion of the Minutes of Synod reveals the fact that Messrs. Ham-
43
Interesting Events.
bleton and Jones were present, as representatives from the Pres- bytery of New Castle, at the meeting of Synod.
"The Manokin Session hath complied with their obligation to the Rev. Mr. Hambleton, respecting the three pounds in lieu of the glebe."
"The gallery which Captain Henry Waggamon agreed with the Session to have built is complied with, according to contract, and the cost thereof amouuts to the sum of nine pounds, eleven shillings and five pence."
1748. September 5th. Communion service was observed this day. Mr. Hambleton was assisted by the Rev. John Erskine, whose name does not appear in the published list of Presbyterian ministers from 1706 to 1881.
1749. January 24th. The Session took action on three small legacies left to the use of the Manokin congregation : one of fourteen pounds, from Robert Wilson, deceased; one of ten pounds, from John Gray, deceased ; and one of seventeen pounds from John Tunstall, deceased.
1750. February 19th. Reference is made to a bequest of ten pounds, being a legacy left to the congregation by Robert Allason, deceased.
1751. September 16th. "This day the Session agreed with Mrs. Geddes to take care of the meeting-house, for which she is to have 15 shillings per annum."
"It is ordered that Mr. Thomas Sloss and his wife have liberty to sit in the pew which formerly belonged to Mr. Thomas Brown."
1752 September 24th. "To the Rev. Hugh Henry, for his assistance at the Sacrament, one pound. twelve shillings and four pence."
1753. April 22d. At the meeting of Session held this day, nine Elders were present, together with the Pastor, Rev. John Hambleton. At this meeting it was "ordered that Nehemiah King, Henry Waggamon and Thomas Jones, at some convenient
44
History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
time after the date hereof, and in the presence of Zerubbabel King, survey that part of a tract of land purchased by the Ses- sion from Zerubbabel King as a glebe for the benefit of Manokin congregation, which lieth on the north side of King's Branch, being part of a tract of land called Gullet's Advisement."
Then follows a statement that on the third day of August, 1753, the land was surveyed and found to contain thirty-eight acres. Twenty-two acres had already been paid for, and the remaining sixteen acres were purchased at twenty shillings an acre.
1758. It was ordered that two of the Elders go to the Pres- bytery of Lewistown, "with a call to the Rev. Hugh Henry, for the one-half of his labors between the two congregations of Mano- kin and Rehoboth." The Presbytery was to meet at Cold Springs, in Sussex County, Delaware, July 25th.
It was also agreed at this meeting "that Thomas Jones un- dertake to have sundry repairs done on the meeting-house and back pews."
1758. The call was approved, and Mr. Henry "took the pastoral care of the congregations of Manokin and Rehoboth" either in August or December of 1758.
1759. January 15th. "Ordered, that William Skirven take into his possession and care ye communion table cloth; also that he take care of and keep clean ye meeting-house and Session house, and keep ye door and ye windows of ye same shut, for which ye Session agree to give him for his trouble fifteen shill- ings by ye year."
1759. April 28th. "It being ye preparation Saturday before ye administration of ye H. S., ye persons following applied for admission to ye H. Table, and, after due examinal, were admitted, viz., Christopher Double, Benjamin Polk, Mary Polk, William Benston and Mary Dunham."
1759. November 5th. "It is agreed that ye Session have a certain fixed time of meeting to be remembered and observed
45
Interesting Events.
by all ye members conscientiously, and ye quarterly days on ye Mondays immediately preceding the several County Courts held in this county, on which it is ordered and agreed this Session always meet; and this exclusive of occasional calls it may have besides.
"It is also ordered, that George Irving purchase from Ben- jamin Burridge a book, well bound, to contain, or in which to insert, ye members and acts of this Session."
At this meeting of the Session, it was determined that "ye members of the congregation be divided," and certain Elders be responsible for collecting the subscriptions of the members. The largest subscriber was Nehemiah King, who gave the sum of three pounds, ten shillings, to the current expenses of the church.
1760. June 16th. "Ordered, That Mr. William Skirven purchase a lock and have it fixed to the gallery door; and also to repair the two windows on each side of the pulpit; also to have the racks fixed in the meeting-house yard."
1760. October 19th. The communion service was observed on this day, and the sum of one pound, six pence, was paid to the Rev. John Harris for assisting the Rev. Hugh Henry, Pastor, in the service.
1761. January 20th. The Session "this day contracted with Mr. David Wilson, and sold him the land, which hath been purchased for the use of the congregation of Manokin, being part of a tract of land called Gullit's Advisement, for the sum of forty pounds."
"It is ordered that Captain Ephraim Wilson use his conve- nience to recover from Negro Somerset a year's rent due from him to the congregation, which hath been owing since ye year 1747."
1761. April 20th. "It is ordered that Nehemiah Bozman sit with Mr. Thomas Sloss in pew No. 4; that John Anderson sit with William Smith in pew No. 12; that John Law sit in the
46
History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
pew under the stairs, which leads up into the gallery, No. 10. Mrs. Jane Strawbridge is permitted to hold a pew at the S. W. corner of the meeting-house, at the back of Mr. George Irving's pew. Mr. David Wilson is permitted to hold a pew at the S. E. corner of the meeting-house, at the back of Levin and Samuel Wilson's pew."
1761. June 30th. "Whereas, The Session on the 20th of January last, did contract with Mr. David Wilson for the sale of a certain parcel of land formerly purchased by them for a glebe, containing thirty-eight acres, but as the Session since such contract apprehend that they are entitled to other lands which may be contiguous to the former lands, which, if so, the whole might answer the former intended purpose of making a sufficient glebe ; and as it is judged that the two congregations of Wicomico and Pocomoke are equally entitled to such suspected lands, it is agreed that the three aforesaid Sessions all meet at the Session house at the head of the Manokin, for which purpose the Rev. Hugh Henry hath undertaken to give notice to the Sessions of Pocomoke and Wicomico. In the interim, Captain James Polk and Mr. William Skirven are ordered to make what inquiry they possibly can into the title of the land aforesaid. To all of which the said David Wilson, being present, consented to."
1761. August 18th. "Pursuant to the business of the last Session, Col. Robert Jenkins Henry, from Pocomoke Session, and Messrs. Benjamin and William Vennibles, from Wicomico Session, appeared, and after full inquiry and examination of all the concerns of the land belonging to the congregation, and mature deliberation thereon, they judge that there is no more land belonging to knowably by any of them, than that part of Gullet's Advisement which they contracted to sell to David Wil- son at their meeting the twentieth of January last, and do now recontract with the said David Wilson on the terms agreed on at that session, and order that all the order of the Session be observed."
47
Interesting Events.
1762. February 8th. "Since our last sitting, Messrs. Thomas Sloss, Levin Wilson, William Polk, Samuel Wilson and David Wilson are chosen, and regularly set apart. to sit in the capacity and serve in this congregation as Elders."
1762. August 16th. This is the last recorded meeting at which the Rev. Hugh Henry presided. He probably died shortly after this date.
1763. March 18th. "On the day and year above written, was paid by the said Session, the sum of thirty pounds and ten pence to Mr. James Henry, on account of, and in behalf of, the administratrix of the late Rev. Hugh Henry of this county, deceased." Twelve Elders of the church attended this meeting.
1764. May 15th. "The congregation of Manokin, having unanimously approved of the ability of the Rev. Mr. Jacob Ker, and entertaining a good opinion of his piety and integrity, the Session de resolve to give the said Mr. Ker a call to take charge of this congregation, under God, presuming that the Wicomico Session will join in the said call in behalf of this congregation. It is also resolved that the sum of sixty pounds annually be offered in the said call to Mr. Ker, on behalf of this congregation, for his ministerial labors among them. It is ordered that Mr. Samuel K. Wilson attend at the next New Brunswick Presbytery, of which Mr. Ker is a member, and there present their call, to- gether with such member of Wicomico Session as shall by them be sent for that purpose."
1764. June 5th. "Mr. Samuel Wilson reported to the Session, in observance to their order, he, with Captain William Winder, from Wicomico Session, attended the New Brunswick Presbytery, at Elizabeth Town, in West Jersey, where they did present to the said Presbytery a permission from Lewistown Presbytery, to prosecute a call at the New Brunswick Presbytery for the aforesaid Mr. Ker .. .. Thereon, Mr. Ker obtained his dismission from that Presbytery, and cheerfully signified his
48
History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
intention of accepting the call, and proposed being down between the middle and last of this instant." „
1764. July. "The Rev. Mr. Ker, having removed from the New Brunswick Presbytery and settled in this congregation, ever since the second Sabbath this instant, agreed that a call for him be prepared to the Lewistown Presbytery, at their next meeting."
1764. August 16th. Eleven Elders were present at this meeting. The following was presented :
THE CALL OF PRINCESS ANNE AND WICOMICO TO THE
REV. MR. JACOB KER.
"Dear Sir-
"We, the united congregations of Princess Anne and Wicomico, having through the kind Providence of God had the opportunity of hearing you preach sundry times, and observing your instructive conversation and example, we trust to our great comfort and edification, do unanimously and heartily agree to invite and call you, Reverend Sir, to take the present charge and oversight of us in the Lord; and we promise that upon your accepting this our call, we shall, through the grace of God, care- fully attend upon, and improve by, each of your ministrations, receiving the Word of the Lord at your mouth as well as sub- mitting to your due exercise of discipline and counsel, if our faults shall be such as will expose us thereto; and that you may attend on the duties of your office without distraction from the cares of this life, we promise you a comfortable and sufficient support, according to our several abilities, particularly that each of the congregations for themselves will give you sixty pounds per annum during your regular incumbency among us.
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.