USA > Maryland > Somerset County > Princess Anne > History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church, Princess Anne, Maryland > Part 6
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After the removal of Mr. Laird, Rev. Ferdinand Jacobs, who was successor of the former as Principal of Washington Academy, occasionally filled the pulpit; and as the Sessional records declare, these occasional services by no means abated the desire to obtain a permanent ministry.
About the close of the year 1835, the Rev. Enoch Thomas, a licentiate of Wilmington Presbytery, was employed for a term of six months, but as his labors did not prove acceptable to the congregation, he left at the expiration of that time. Early in the spring of 1836, this field was visited by the Rev. Samuel B. Jones, a young man of great promise, and who received a call, but he did not accept it. Again, in the autumn of the same year, a Rev. James P. Steadman visited the congregation and proved
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Historical Sermon.
highly acceptable to the people, and was urged to accept a call, but he declined the invitation.
Some other candidates came, but no success was secured in . obtaining a Pastor until the spring of 1837, when Mr. Jacobs received a unanimous call, at a salary of $600.00, to become the Pastor of the united charge. Mr. Jacobs did not enter directly upon his labors until the close of the year.
It was about this time that the united congregations took the important step of purchasing a parsonage, and they succeeded in procuring the lot, and a house upon it, in the location where the present Pastor now resides.
As the years 1837 and 1838 are distinguished in the history of American Presbyterianism by the division of the Church and the constitution of two Assemblies, it would be unpardonable not to notice the course taken by these two congregations; and their views and feelings will be best delineated by transcribing a series of resolutions passed at a joint meeting of both Sessions. At a joint meeting of the Sessions of Manokin and Wicomico churches, held in Princess Anne, Tuesday, the 9th of April, 1839, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
"Resolved, First. As the sense of the united Sessions of Manokin and Wicomico churches, that that Assembly which met in May last, in the Seventh Presbyterian Church, Philadel- phia, and which then continued its sessions until its final ad- journment, is the true and only General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America.
"Resolved, Second. That from love, as we trust, to its Scrip- tural faith and order, which we value more than silver and gold, we hereby declare our unwavering adherence to the Presbyterian Church, of which the Assembly above described is the true Gen- eral Assembly, notwithstanding that by the decision [afterwards reversed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania] of a civil court, the control and use of its permanent funds and other of its ex-
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ternal possessions have been adjudicated to what we cannot but call a foreign body ;
"AND WHEREAS, Lewis Presbytery, under the care of which these churches are at present, has hitherto failed to declare its adherence to the true General Assembly as above described ; and
"WHEREAS, An order was passed by the Synod of Philadel- phia, at its last session, directing, in case of the continual failure of Lewis Presbytery to declare its adherence to the General As- sembly acknowledged by the Synod, that the ministers and churches within the bounds of the Presbytery that do not adhere to that Assembly, shall be attached to the Baltimore Presbytery ; therefore,
"Resolved, Third. That the ministers and delegates from these churches to Presbytery be requested to make another effort to obtain a decision on the question as early as practicable during the approaching spring session.
"Resolved, Fourth. That in case the Presbytery fails to declare its adherence to the General Assembly which we now acknowledge, and which the Synod acknowledges to be the true General Assembly, we then apply to be taken under the care of and watch of the Baltimore Presbytery, according to direction of the Synod above specified.
"Resolved, Fifth. That Mr. Robert Patterson is hereby ap- pointed the Ruling Elder to represent the congregation of Mano- kin and Wicomico in the Presbytery of Lewis, which is to meet at Laurel, Delaware, on the 26th of May next."
The following record in the Session books is to the effect that the Presbytery did at the ensuing meeting fail to make a declara- tion of its adherence, and the result was that these churches and their Pastor, together with Mr. Jacob W. E. Ker, then a licen- tiate of Lewis Presbytery, did seek a connection with the Pres- bytery of Baltimore.
Mr. Jacobs continued to labor pleasantly and acceptably with these charges until the summer of 1841, when from some
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apprehension that his ministry was not as grateful as it had been, he felt constrained to seek a dissolution of the pastoral relation. To this the congregation, though somewhat reluc- tantly, acceded, and accordingly it was dissolved.
It was during the pastorship of Rev. Mr. Jacobs that the Eldership was strengthened by the addition of Messrs. William T. G. Polk and Joseph G. Polk. It was on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1840, that they were solemnly set apart to this sacred office.
As we have now reached a period which is fresh in the recol- lection of most of those present, all that propriety will permit us to do is simply to speak of events in their chronological order.
After the termination of the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Jacobs, the pulpit remained vacant but a short time. Early in the autumn of 1841, the Rev. Theodore W. Simpson, of Win- chester Presbytery, Virginia, visited this field, and received a unanimous invitation to become its Pastor.
But before Mr. Simpson came to enter upon the duties of his charge, the Rev. Messrs. Harrison, of Alexandria; Van Rensse- laer, of Washington ; and Bachus, of Baltimore, made a visit to these churches and preached several days in succession, to the great edification of God's people. This visit will be remembered a long time, as it awakened a new interest and imparted a fresh impulse to the cause of Presbyterianism throughout this entire region. Soon after this visit of these brethren, Mr. Simpson removed his family to this place, and entered upon his ministerial duties.
The pastoral relation now formed continued until some time in the spring of 1849, when, by mutual consent, it was dissolved.
The particular event that occurred during Mr. Simpson's incumbency was the very general and thorough repairing of the church building. This occurred in the year 1847.
After Mr. Simpson's removal, the pulpit remained vacant only a few months. Rev. James L. Vallandigham, a licentiate
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of the Presbytery of Baltimore, visited this people, preached and received a cordial invitation to become their Pastor.
I should not omit to mention here that during the interval occurring between Mr. Simpson's removal and Mr. Vallandig- ham's induction, an important event took place-the sundering of the connection of the two congregations. The cause which led to this separation was the increased demand for ministerial labor in both parts of the church. The action of a meeting of the joint Sessions upon this particular matter is couched in the following resolution :
"Resolved, That we are of opinion that the time has come in the providence of God, when the connection which has so long existed under one pastoral charge should no longer exist, and that each church should endeavor to support a Pastor."
Mr. Vallandigham was installed Pastor of this church on the 3d of April, 1850, and continued his labors with this people and the neighboring congregation of Rehoboth, until the autumn of 1853, when he was dismissed.
During the pastorship of Mr. Vallandigham, a heavy be- reavement befell the congregation in the removal, by death, of the venerable and beloved Elder, Dr. Samuel Ker. This oc- curred on the 8th of December, 1851. For more than fifty years he had discharged the duties of his sacred office with a zeal and fidelity that is worthy of imitation by all who have assumed similar responsibilities. He was an ornament to his office, a pattern to his brethren, a holy and good man, not riper in age than he was in grace for the glories of the New Jerusalem.
The additions to the Session during this pastorship were those of Isaac D. Jones and the late lamented John H. Done. The interval that occurred between the dissolution of the last pastoral relation and the formation of the present one, was some- what over one year.
It was during this interval that the old and inconvenient residence of the Pastor was removed and the present structure
1
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erected. The accomplishment of this object at that time was an effort of no inconsiderable magnitude; and too much credit cannot be awarded to the members of the Building Committee, which was composed of the late General George Handy and Hon. John W. Crisfield, by whose enterprise and princely liberality the undertaking was brought to a successful completion.
The present pastoral relation was instituted on the 20th of June, 1855, and will, on the 20th proximo, have existed ten years.
1860 During this period, the congregation has added a tower to the church building, procured a bell, and made other repairs and improvements, and built a comfortable and convenient lec- ture room.
The eldership during this time has been strengthened by the addition of Messrs. James M. Dryden and Levin T. H. Irving. Mr. Heaton closed his sermon with these words:
"May I not well come to you and say, 'Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations.' Who is there here this day whose bosom does not swell with deep emotion as all the associations of the past, with the power of a mighty flood, come rushing over him. To-day we stand on holy ground. We are permitted to come up to-day and worship in a sanctuary hal- lowed to the service of Almighty God one hundred years since. My brethren, I am not insensible that I am standing where great and good men have stood before, and methinks I hear the silent whispers of their sainted spirits saying, 'Brother, be thou faithful unto death.' And who of you can occupy these seats which have so long been occupied by the devout worshippers of this sanctuary, without deep emotion. How many feet have trodden these aisles which are now walking the golden streets of Jerusalem! How . many voices here sung the praises of God which are now praising Him in higher and nobler strains in the upper courts! How often has the blessed Spirit softened the heart and made the tear of penitence flow! How many hearts have been made to rejoice ! How often have the followers of the blessed Jesus here been
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History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
comforted, supported and strengthened ! To how many solemn vows have these consecrated walls borne witness! How often has the sacramental table been spread here! How many fore- tastes of heaven have been here experienced! Surely no heart can refrain from blessing God for all His goodness and mercy vouchsafed to His covenanted people. We bless Him for all His providential care and protection of this ancient church, that amid all the mutations and convulsions of more than one hundred and eighty years, He has had here a seed to serve Him.
"Moreover, it is affecting and solemn to think how many successive generations this house has seen pass away.
'Where many a pious foot hath trod That now is dust, beneath the sod; Where many a sacred tear was wept, From eyes that long in death have slept. The temple's builders, where are they- The worshippers? All passed away. We rear the perishable wall, But ere it crumble, we must fall.'"
The original manuscript of this sermon is in the Presbyterian Historical Society, Witherspoon Building, Philadelphia.
In a sermon preached at the close of his twenty-five years' pastorate, Dr. Heaton asked these pregnant questions :
"What has been the character of my pulpit ministrations ? Have I sought to amuse and entertain you at the expense of truth and the Word of life? Have I sought popular applause rather than your present and eternal good? Have I trifled with your immortal interests, lulled you to sleep in your sins and been unmindful of the retributions of eternity? Have I looked upon you as frail and imperfect men, whose depravity consists in not knowing your duty and the only remedy for your guilt and sins more instruction and more light? I feel perfectly con- fident that no one will allege anything of this kind against my
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public teaching and preaching. If there be one sweet reflection in reviewing my ministry in this congregation, it is this, that I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. I have kept back no part of the truth of God. The Gospel of the blessed God has been the great burden of my preaching in this pulpit. That system of doctrine which is revealed in the New Testament, and was re-evolved by the Reformers of the sixteenth century, I have sought to unfold, explain and enforce upon your hearts and consciences .. . Most of my sermons I have written out in full, and they are fruits of more than thirty years of study, hard and exhaustive labor. But it has not been my habit to repeat former productions, and indulge in indolence at the expense of my hearers.
"With the profoundest conscientiousness, I can aver that I have loved my work ; that I have gloried in preaching the Gospel of Christ, and that no occupation or position on earth is so grate- ful to my spirit."
This was a noble declaration, and one in every way worthy of this faithful and devoted servant of God. Dr. Heaton also took this opportunity to pay a high tribute to his Elders :
"I wish to express my great pain in being separated from a Session of such ability, wisdom and uniform kindness and urban- ity. Never, from beginning to end, has there ever been an un- pleasant word uttered in the deliberations of this body."
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History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
MINISTERS OF THE MANOKIN CHURCH,
CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
"They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ," Acts 5: 42.
Dr. John S. Howk, in "Rehoboth by the River," writes: "We find it set forth in the Somerset County records, that the Grand Jury in 1672, through their foreman, David Brown, a Scotchman, and certainly a Presbyterian, called Rev. Robert Maddux to preach at four places in the County. We have good ground for claiming Robert Maddux as a Presbyterian." One of the four places referred to above was "at the house of Christopher Nutter, at Manokin."
The Manokin Church is generally supposed to be one of the five churches organized by Francis Makemie, who came to America in 1683, although a church building was certainly here before he came. He died in 1708, at the age of fifty.
By the will of John Galbraith, dated August 12th, 1691, "Mr. Thomas Wilson, minister of the Gospel at Manokin," is given "five thousand pounds of pork." (See Bowen's "Days of Makemie.) Wilson seems to have been in charge of this field from 1686 to 1698.
Rev. George McNish, Stated Supply, 1705-10. Died in 1722.
Rev. Thomas Bratton, Stated Supply, 1711. Died October, 1712.
Rev. Robert Lawson, Stated Supply, 1713. Died November, 1713.
Rev. William Stewart, 1719-1734. Died in 1734-5.
Rev. Patrick Glascow, 1736-41. Died March 23d, 1753.
Rev. John Hamilton (also written Hambleton), 1746-1755 (circa).
During the vacancy that followed, Revs. John Erskine and John Harris officiated in the pulpit.
Rev. Hugh Henry, 1758-1763. Died in 1763.
Rev. Jacob Ker, 1764-1795. Died in 1795.
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List of Ministers.
Rev. John Collins, Stated Supply, 1796.
Rev. John Brown Slemons, 1799-1821. Died in 1832.
Rev. Henry Blatchford, Stated Supply, 1822. Died September 7th, 1822.
Rev. William Campbell Kidd, Stated Supply, 1822-23.
Rev. Robert McMordie Laird, Stated Supply, 1824-25.
Rev. Joshua Moore, 1826-28.
Rev. Robert McMordie Laird, Stated Supply, 1828-35. Died in 1835.
Rev. Enoch Thomas, Stated Supply, 1835-36. Died soon after.
Rev. James W. Stewart, Stated Supply, 1837.
Rev. Ferdinand Jacobs, 1837-41. Died in Nashville, Tennessee, March 11th, 1894.
Rev. Theodore William Simpson, 1841-49. Died in Rockville, Md., April 5th, 1890.
Rev. James L. Vallandigham, 1850-53. Died in Newark, Delaware, April 15th, 1904.
Rev. Austin Carpenter Heaton, 1855-80. Died in Middletown, Delaware, December 14th, 1887.
Rev. Henry V. Voorhees, 1881-1889. Died October 10th, 1897.
Rev. W. L. Bailey, Stated Supply, 1889.
Rev. William Henry Logan, 1891-1900. Died in Wilmington, Delaware, August 27th, 1910.
Rev. R. A. Robinson, 1900-1903.
Rev. Lewis R. Watson, 1905-
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History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
ELDERS OF THE MANOKIN CHURCH.
"Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine," 1 Timothy 5: 6.
At the first recorded meeting of the Session of the Manokin Church, April 25th, 1748, the following members were present: Rev. John Hambleton, with Elders John Gray, David Wilson, Thomas Brown, Henry Waggamon, Thomas Jones and Thomas Pollit.
This list does not claim to be complete. The date following the name is the time when the Elder's name first appears as a member of Session. The second date is when he died or when his name last appears in the Minutes.
John Gray, 1748.
David Wilson, 1748, 1783.
Thomas Brown, 1748.
Henry Waggamon, 1748.
Thomas Jones, 1748, 1766.
Thomas Pollitt, 1748, 1788. .
Nehemiah King, 1749, 1765.
Colonel Robert King, 1749.
Ephraim Wilson, 1749-50, 1774.
John Baird, 1749-50.
George Irving, 1749-50, 1769.
William Skirven, 1749-50, 1774.
Benjamin Townsend, 1750-51.
James Polk, 1759, 1769. Thomas Sloss, 1762-63.
-William Polk, 1762, 1801. (Died prior to May 6th, 1806.) Levin Wilson, 1762, 1769.
Samuel Wilson, 1762, 1789.
(Break here of nine years in Sessional records.) Thomas Irving, 1783. -Benjamin Polk, 1783, 1795. William Heath, 1783, 1790. Colonel William Jones, 1788, 1820.
Scotch grandfather
ROBERT PATTERSON 1829-78
WILLIAM T. G. POLK 1840-74
7
LEVEN T. H. IRVING 1863-92
RUDOLPH S. COIIN 1876-1909
ELDERS. LENGTH OF SERVICE.
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List of Elders.
James Wilson, Sr., 1788, 1796 (?) James Wilson, Jr., 1788, 1807. (Died prior to July 10th, 1810.) Thomas King, 1788, 1796. Denwood Wilson, 1788, 1790. John Wilson, 1788, 1796.
- Jonathan Pollitt, 1788, 1805. (Died prior to July 10th, 1810.)
- Gillis Polk, 1789, 1793.
-Samuel Pollitt, 1789, 1802. (Died in 1803.)
„Benjamin Pollitt, 1794.
-William Pollitt, Sr., 1796, 1799.
Colonel John C. Wilson, 1796, 1808.
Dr. Samuel Ker, 1796, 1818, 1830, 1851.
Dr. Ker resigned in 1818, when he removed to Snow Hill, Md. He returned to Princess Anne and resumed the office of Elder in 1830. He died December 8th, 1851.
Colonel George Handy, 1802, 1820.
George Irving, 1802. (Died in 1804.)
Thomas Pollitt, 1803, 1817.
Josiah W. Heath, 1803, 1817.
Elias Bailey, 1801, 1817. (Was ordained May 3d, 1805.)
Dr. Thomas Handy, 1806, 1809. (Removed from Princess Anne in 1810.)
.... Jesse Wainwright, 1810, 1820.
William Stewart, 1810, 1830. (Died May 29th, 1850.) Stephen Collins, 1820.
(Break in Session records from 1820 to 1829.)
- Robert Patterson, 1829, 1878. (Died January 13th, 1878.)
- William T. G. Polk, 1840. (Died December, 1874.)
- Joseph G. Polk, 1840. (Died November, 1870.)
Isaac D. Jones, 1852. Dismissed, at his own request, to a church in Baltimore, October 9th, 1870.
John H. Done, 1852. (Took his seat as a member of the Session, but does not appear to have served subsequently. He and Mr. Jones were ordained October 17th, 1852. He was born March 29th, 1818, and died July 25th, 1856.)
Levin T. H. Irving, 1863. (Elected November 1st, 1863. Died August 24th, 1892.)
James M. Dryden, 1863, 1867. (Born 1808. Died 1885.)
William Broughton, 1870. (Ordained July 10th, 1870.)
John Elzey Fontaine, 1870. (Ordained July 10th, 1870. Died 1874.) Rudolph S. Cohn, 1876. (Died in Norfolk, Va., July 5th, 1909, aged 61.) William C. Fontaine, 1976.
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History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
E. B. Cook, 1876.
Dr. A. D. Woodruff, 1876. Dismissed October, 1880, to a church in Georgetown, D. C.
William P. Rider, September 30th, 1894. (Born 1823; Died 1906.)
Dr. Charles W. Wainwright, September 30th, 1894. Wilmer O. Lankford, September 30th, 1894.
Robert W. Adams, November 1st, 1908.
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List of Members, 1910.
MEMBERS OF THE MANOKIN CHURCH IN 1910.
"Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity," 1 Timothy 4: 12.
Adams, Robert W.
Dixon, John Alvin.
Adams, Mrs. Robert W.
Elzey, Mrs. Mattie C.
Adams, Eleanor V.
Fitzgerald, Mrs. George B.
Adams, Morris H. Adams, Mary L.
Fontaine, William C.
Ball, C. C.
Fontaine, Nannie C.
Ball, Mrs. C. C.
Fontaine, Charles W.
Barnes, Mrs. Samuel S.
Gale, Mrs. William H.
Barnes, Mrs. Laura.
Gibbons, Charles James.
Beauchamp, Mrs. O. T.
Handy, C. J.
Beauchamp, Mildred.
Handy, Mrs. C. J.
Beauchamp, Elizabeth M.
Handy, Mrs. George H.
Broughton, Mrs. Mary A.
Handy, Miss Sallie B. W.
Brown, Mrs. George.
Hayman, Ernest.
Cauzey, Alonzo.
Hayman, Mrs. Louisa.
Crisfield, Ellen.
Hickey, Mrs. Ella G.
Crisfield, Mary.
Hickman, Mrs. Milton.
Crisfield, Louise.
Huffington, Ellen.
Carey, E. J.
Handy, Charles F. Handy, Indiana R.
Calloway, Mrs. Isaac.
Jones, Georgia Gelston.
Calloway, Mary V.
Jones, William S.
Cohn, E. Herman.
Jones, Llewella W.
Dougherty, Mrs. Z. J.
Dale, Mrs. Sallie.
Jones, Olivia. Jones, John H. D.
Dashiell, Mrs. W. H. Dryden, Orrie.
Jones, Oscar. Jones, Mrs. Oscar.
Dryden, Mrs. Orrie.
Jones, Mrs. E. Frank.
Dale, Richard.
Lankford, W. O.
Dashiell, Mrs. Hance. Dixon, Mary W.
Lankford, Mrs. W. O.
Lankford, W. O., Jr.
Fitzgerald, Mrs. A. B.
Barnes, Samuel Sherwood.
Haines, Mrs. Anna.
Carey, Raymond M.
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History of the Manokin Presbyterian Church.
Lankford, Mrs. Ida.
Powell, Mrs. J. H.
Lankford, Miss Eva.
Powell, Cornelia.
Lankford, Mrs. Lizzie.
Powell, Miriam Grace.
Lankford, Clarence P.
Powell, J. Arthur.
Lankford, Dr. Harry Marshall.
Polk, E. B.
Lankford, Columbus.
Polk, Mrs. E. B.
Lankford, Mrs. Columbus.
Pollitt, Mrs. Carrie.
Lankford, Amanda Elizabeth.
Pollitt, Mrs. Susan A.
Lankford, Mrs. W. F.
Pusey, Sydney C.
Lankford, Dr. Catherine F.
Pusey, Mrs. Norman.
Long, S. C.
Packard, Alice E.
Long, Mrs. S. C.
Reid, Mrs. Augustus.
Long, Miss E. M.
Reid, Mrs. Joseph W.
Long, Miss S. L.
Reid, Mrs. Joseph B.
Long, William Broughton.
Reid, Mary S.
Long, E. D.
Ross, Lillie F.
Long, Mrs. E. D.
Ross, Clara Emma.
Maddox, Robert Hoblitzel.
Ross, Sallie B.
Maddox, Henry R.
Ross, Annie.
Malone, Sydney G.
Scott, Joseph G.
Miller, Mrs. John.
Scott, Mrs. Joseph G.
McAllen, Mrs. Mary.
Smith, Mrs. Frank. .
Oates, Mrs. E. D.
Smith, Mrs. T. J.
Page, Henry.
Wainwright, Dr. C. W.
Page, Mrs. Henry.
Wainwright, Mrs. C. W.
Page, Anne.
Wainwright, Charles W.
Pasquith, Henry T.
Wainwright, Frances N.
Powell, J. H.
Watson, Mrs. L. R.
.
APPENDIX
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Early Presbyterianism.
EARLY PRESBYTERIANISM ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.
The following quotations will indicate both the sources and the general date of the early Presbyterian settlements on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
"As the troublous times under these English monarchs [the Jameses and Charleses, 1600-1685] unsettled the English people, the best of them became willing to take refuge in the American wilderness. Along with them came the Reformed Dutch of Holland, and the Huguenots of France. Most of these people- Huguenots, Dutch, English, Scotch and Irish-were essentially Presbyterian. They were Calvinists in faith, and believed in the government of the congregation by elders."-"Presbyterians," by Dr. George P. Hays.
"During the troublous times from 1670 to 1680, a consider- able number of families removed from the North of Ireland to the Barbadoes, Maryland and Virginia."-"Rise of Presbyterian- ism in America," by Dr. Charles A. Briggs.
"A large number of Presbyterians settled, from the year 1670 to 1680, in the lower counties of Maryland and established several churches, at least twenty years before the close of the century."-"Scotch and Irish Seed in American Soil," by Dr. J. G. Craighead.
In all probability, the exact date and the particular place at which the first Presbyterian organization in America was effected will never be known definitely. The Rev. A. T. McGill, D. D., at one time a professor in Princeton Theological Semi- nary, writes in reference to this beginning :
"Maryland has claimed it, and historians generally concede this claim, because in answer to an application from Colonel
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Stevens [of Somerset County, Maryland], in 1680, to the Pres- bytery of Laggan, Ireland, Francis Makemie came to Maryland in the year 1682, and began to organize churches at once. Be- yond all question, Francis Makemie, the Irishman, born in Donegal and educated among the Scottish universities, began the organization of our Church throughout the land, with abounding missionary toil to gather it and amazing skill of administration to settle it."
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