USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 7
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The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
Solomon Lohr, Wm. Faust, Jos. H. Rauch, Daniel Finger, Frederick Holshouser, Joseph Meisenheimer, Joseph H. Reinhardt, Jacob Hunsucker, John Peeler, Jacob Shupping, Samuel Yokeley, Peter Finger, Moses Foil, Solomon Warlick, George Barnhardt, Peter Fink, Valentine Leonard and Paul Yost.
14. The Ministers of the Classis.
The first session of the North Carolina Classis was held in Clapp's (now Brick) Church, in Guilford County, Saturday, May 21st, 1831. The ministers present at the meeting of Classis were the following: William Hauck, John G. Fritchey, D. B. Lerch and John H. Crawford. The statistical report for that year shows the enrollment of John Brown and George Boger as additional members. These were the charter mem- bers of the Classis. They have been followed by a long line of successors in the past seventy-six years. The following is a list of all the ministers whose names have appeared on the roll of Classis:
1. John Brown never attended a session of Classis, but the report shows that he was pastor of seven churches in Rockingham and Augusta Counties, in Virginia. His name disappears from the roll after the annual meeting in 1833.
2. William Hauck at the organization of Classis was elected President. He was pastor of the churches in Davidson County. His name was erased from the roll of Classis in 1837.
3. John H. Crawford was chosen the first Secretary of the Classis, which held its first meeting in one of
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his churches. He was at the same time pastor of four churches in Guilford and Orange Counties. He was dismissed to the Classis of Virginia in 1858.
4. John G. Fritchey was elected Corresponding Sec- retary by the Classis in its initial meeting. At the time he was pastor of five congregations in Lincoln County. He was dismissed to Zion's Classis in 1841.
5. Daniel B. Lerch was the first Treasurer of Classis, and was pastor of four churches in Rowan, Cabarrus and Montgomery Counties. He had been ordained by the Synod at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1830, when permission was given to organize the new Classis. He died while still quite young, March 18, 1834.
6. George Boger was not present at the first meeting of Classis, at Clapp's Church, but attended the second meeting, at Leonard's Church, in Davidson County. He is reported without a charge. He died June 19, 1865.
7. William C. Bennet first went as a missionary to South Carolina. He became a member of the Classis in 1833, when he was reported as pastor of six congre- gations in the Newberry and Lexington districts of South Carolina. He was dismissed to Zion's Classis in 1837.
8. W. C. Rankin was received from the Tennessee Synod of the Lutheran Church in 1835. In 1838 he went West as a missionary.
9. John Lantz was ordained August 5, 1838, having been licensed by Synod in September, 1837. The committee on ordination consisted of Revs. G. A. Leo- pold, J. G. Fritchey, J. H. Crawford and Elder Nathan-
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iel Edwards. It was customary in those early days of the Classis to appoint elders on ordination committees. Rev. G. A. Leopold, of the Maryland Classis, who had been invited to a seat as an advisory member, was appointed on the above committee of ordination. Rev. Lantz was dismissed to the Classis of Virginia in 1869.
10. David Crooks was received as a licentiate from Zion's Classis, in 1838, and was ordained in October of that year by a committee consisting of Revs. J. H. Crawford, G. A. Leopold, George Boger and Elder Jacob Leonard, Jr. He died January 24, 1859.
11. George A. Leopold was received from Maryland Classis in 1839. He was suspended from the Gospel ministry in 1842, and his name disappeared from the roll in 1843.
12. George W. Welker was licensed by the Classis March 27, 1842, and was ordained the same day by a committee consisting of Revs. J. H. Crawford, J. Lantz and Elder D. Clapp. He died July 9, 1894.
13. S. S. Middlekauff was received as a licentiate from Mercersburg Classis in 1842, and was ordained August 1, 1842, by a committee consisting of Revs. J. H. Crawford, G. W. Welker, J. Lantz and Elder H. Schwenk. He died in 1845.
14. Jeremiah Ingold was licensed by the Classis April 27, 1844, and on the same day was ordained by a committee consisting of Revs. J. Lantz, S. S. Middle- kauff and D. Crooks. He died February 12, 1893.
15. F. W. Plassman was licensed April 17, 1844, and on the same day was ordained by Revs. J. Lantz,
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S. S. Middlekauff and D. Crooks. He died September 30, 1848.
16. Thornton Butler was licensed January 26, 1848, and was ordained March 11, 1848, by Revs. G. W. Welker, J. Lantz, J. Ingold and Elders Peeler and Kluttz. He was dismissed to Illinois Classis in 1869.
17. C. H. Albert was received as a licentiate from Lebanon Classis and was ordained the first Sunday in May, 1852, by the whole Classis as a committee. He was dismissed to Goshenhoppen Classis in 1853.
18. William Sorber was received as a licentiate from Philadelphia Classis April 13, 1853, and was ordained the same day by the Classis as a committee. He was dismissed to Philadelphia Classis in 1856.
19. Gilbert Lane was received as a licentiate from the Reformed Dutch Church in 1856, and was ordained at the same time by Classis as a committee. He was dismissed to the Classis of Schoharrie, Reformed Dutch Church, September 19, 1857.
20. P. Allison Long was licensed Friday before the second Sunday in June, 1858, and was ordained December 14, 1858, by the Classis as a committee. He was dismissed to the Tuscarawas Classis December 20, 1871.
21. Samuel J. Fetzer was received from the Virginia Classis November 18, 1858. He died August 8, 1861.
22. A. S. Vaughn was received from the Goshen- hoppen Classis May 4, 1860. His name disappears from the roll after 1861. He was received a second time from the Presbyterian Church, June 14, 1882. He was dismissed to the Presbyterian Church March 24, 1884.
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23. E. Boehringer was received from the Maryland Classis in April, 1862. His name does not appear on the roll of ministers after his reception.
24. Jesse W. Cecil was received a licentiate from the M. E. Church, April 25, 1862, and was ordained July 18, 1863, by Revs. G. W. Welker, P. A. Long, J. Ingold and Elders Correll and Peeler. He died March 5, 1899.
25. Thomas Long was licensed April 28, 1862, and was ordained the first Sunday in May, 1863, by Revs. G. W. Welker, T. Butler, P. A. Long and Elder D. R. Hedrick. He died December 25, 1898.
26. John Ingle was licensed May 25, 1863, and or- dained by the Classis as a committee May 23, 1864.
27. Michael L. Hedrick was licensed May 23, 1864, and was ordained January 12, 1873, by Revs. T. Long, J. C. Denny and J. W. Cecil.
28. J. C. Denny was received a licentiate from the Presbyterian Church September 15, 1866, and was ordained the same day by the Classis as a committee. His name was erased from the roll November 14, 1878.
29. Jacob C. Clapp was licensed April 27, 1867, and was ordained May 2, 1869, by Revs. T. Butler, T. Long and J. Ingold.
30. Peter M. Trexler was licensed June 2, 1871, and in the same year was ordained by Revs. P. A. Long, J. Ingle and J. C. Denny.
31. John A. Foil was received a licentiate from the Philadelphia Classis May 2, 1874, and was ordained July 5, 1874, by Revs. J. C. Clapp, P. M. Trexler and G. W. Welker.
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32. Julius H. Shuford was licensed July 4, 1874, and was ordained July 5, 1874, by Revs. J. C. Clapp, P. M. Trexler and G. W. Welker. He was dismissed to the Classis of Shelby, June 25, 1881. He was received the second time from the Classis of Northern Illinois, May 9, 1888, and was dismissed the second time to the Classis of Virginia, May 1, 1889. He was received the third time April 26, 1894, from the Classis of Virginia.
33. Robert F. Crooks was licensed May 26, 1877, and was ordained the first Sunday in June of the same year by Revs. J. A. Foil, J.H. Shuford and J. C. Denny. His name was erased July 17, 1888.
34. G. Dickey Gurley was received from Westmore- land Classis June 23, 1881. He was dismissed to the Illinois Classis November 25, 1886.
35. Paul Barringer was licensed June 25, 1881, and was ordained the first Sunday in September of the same year by Revs. J. C. Clapp, G. D. Gurley and J. Ingle.
36. A. P. Horn was received from Lehigh Classis October 20, 1883, as a licentiate, and on the same day, by request of Classis, was ordained by a committee of the Synod of the Potomac, consisting of Revs. E. R. Eschbach, T. F. Hoffmeier and A. S. Weber. He was dismissed to the Lehigh Classis January 6, 1885.
37. Calvin B. Heller was received as a licentiate from Maryland Classis June 29, 1884, and was ordained June 30, 1884, by Revs. G. D. Gurley, A. P. Horn and Paul Barringer. He was dismissed to the Classis of Virginia November 17, 1891. He was received a second time from the Juniata Classis, October 1, 1902.
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38. Lewis Reiter was licensed and ordained October 2, 1885; the committee of ordination consisted of Revs. J. Ingold, J. A. Foil and G. D. Gurley. He was dis- missed to the Classis of Virginia May 7, 1891.
39. Joseph L. Murphy was licensed October 23, 1885, and on the same day was ordained by Revs. J. Ingold, J. A. Foil and G. D. Gurley.
40. Jacob C. Leonard was licensed May 4, 1889, and was ordained October 10, 1889, by Revs. J. L. Murphy, J. C. Clapp and Paul Barringer.
41. J. M. Luther Lyerly was licensed May 4, 1889, and was ordained October 10th, of the same year, by Revs. J. L. Murphy, J. C. Clapp and Paul Barringer.
42. Allen R. Holshouser was received from Wichita Classis December 28, 1889. He was dismissed to Wichita Classis April 29, 1892. He was received a second time from the Miami Classis, November 18, 1903.
43. Jesse Richards was received from Tiffin Classis May 1, 1890. He was dismissed to Tiffin Classis December 12, 1894.
44. D. P. Lefever was received from Philadelphia Classis November 17, 1891. He was dismissed to Mercersburg Classis February 16, 1894.
45. Andrew H. Smith was received a licentiate from Schuylkill Classis October 8, 1892, and was ordained October 9th, of the same year, by Revs. J. C. Clapp, J. A. Foil and J. L. Murphy. He was dismissed to Allegheny Classis August 26, 1897.
46. James D. Andrew was licensed May 6, 1893, and was ordained July 30, 1893, by Revs. G. W. Wel- ker, J. C. Clapp and J. C. Leonard.
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47. Harvey A. M. Holshouser was licensed April 27, 1894, and was ordained May 13, 1894, by Revs. J. C. Clapp, A. H. Smith and J. A. Foil. He was dis- missed to the Presbyterian Church May 5, 1905.
48. Wm. H. McNairy was licensed April 27, 1894, and was ordained July 29, 1894, by Revs. J. W. Cecil, J. C. Leonard and M. L. Hedrick.
49. B. Frank Davis was received from Miami Classis July 28, 1894. He was dismissed to the Presbyterian Church November 14, 1901.
50. A. Shulenberger was received from Maryland Classis May 7, 1896. He was dismissed to Virginia Classis February 23, 1901. He was received a second time from the Classis of Virginia July 10, 1906.
51. Clarence Clapp was licensed May 9, 1896, and was ordained May 31st, of that year, by Revs. J. C. Clapp, J C. Leonard, J. W. Cecil and A. H. Smith. His name was dropped from the roll May 12, 1906.
52. Wm. H. Stubblebine was received from Wyom- ing Classis January 28, 1897. He was dismissed to Miami Classis May 4, 1898. He was received a second time from Miami Classis February 28, 1902. He was dismissed to Philadelphia Classis May 26, 1904.
53. Theodore C. Hesson was received a licentiate from Gettysburg Classis July 15, 1897, and was or- dained July 18th, of that year, by Revs. A. H. Smith, J. A. Foil and J. L. Murphy. He was dismissed to Gettysburg Classis May 2, 1902.
54. L. M. Kerschner was received from the East Pennsylvania Classis December 30, 1897. He was dismissed to the Presbyterian Church April 19, 1900.
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55. C. H. Riedesel was received from Ursinus Classis December 30, 1897. He was dismissed to Heidelberg Classis November 30, 1903.
56. Wm. 1. Long was received from Juniata Classis May 12, 1898. He was dismissed to Philadelphia Classis May 10, 1902.
57. J. N. Faust was received a licentiate from Goshenhoppen Classis June 11, 1898. and ordained the same day by Revs. Paul Barringer, J. M. L. Lyerly and A. Shulenberger. He was dismissed to Philadel- phia Classis May 16, 1902.
58. G. A. Stauffer was received a licentiate from East Susquehanna Classis January 7, 1899, and was ordained March 12th, of that year, by Revs. J. C. Clapp, J. D. Andrew and J. W. Cecil. He was dis- missed September 11, 1902, to Lancaster Classis (Ohio Synod).
59. Henry E. Sechler was licensed May 6, 1899, and was ordained November 9, of that year, by Revs. J. L. Murphy, J. C. Clapp and J. Ingle.
60. John H. Keller was received a licentiate May 21, 1901, from West Susquehanna Classis, and was ordained June 30, 1901, by Revs. Paul Barringer, W. H. McNairy and C. H. Riedesel.
61. Joshua L. Bowers was licensed May 21, 1901, and was ordained July 14, 1901, by Revs. H. A. M. Holshouser, J. M. L. Lyerly and Paul Barringer.
62. Wm. B. Duttera was received a licentiate June 26, 1901, from Tiffin Classis, and was ordained the same day by Revs. J. M. L. Lyerly, W. H. McNairy and C. H. Riedesel.
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63. David E. Bowers was licensed May 17, 1902, and was ordained the same day by Revs. W. H. Stubblebine, J. D. Andrew and J. H. Keller.
64. S. W. Beck was licensed May 17, 1902, and was ordained March 22, 1903, by Revs. J. L. Murphy, J. C. Clapp and J. A. Foil.
65. W. W. Rowe was licensed May 17, 1902, and was ordained July 22, 1902, by Revs. J. C. Leonard, H. A. M. Holshouser and D. E. Bowers.
66. Wm. H. Causey was licensed May 20, 1903, and was ordained June 7, 1903, by Revs. J. C. Leonard, H. A. M. Holshouser and M. L. Hedrick.
67. Shuford Peeler was licensed May 20, 1903, and was ordained July 12, 1903, by Revs. J. C. Leonard, J. D. Andrew and D. E. Bowers.
68. Chas. W. Warlick was licensed May 20, 1903, and on the same day was dismissed to Juniata Classis.
69. Chas. E. Wehler was received from Philadelphia. Classis October 3, 1904.
70. George Albert Snyder was received from Mary- land Classis October 3, 1904.
71. Frederick Cromer was received from Eastern Ohio Classis October 29, 1904. He was dismissed to the same Classis November 20, 1905.
72. Lucian W. Showers was received from Clarion Classis November 20, 1905. He was dismissed to Clarion Classis October 22, 1906.
73. J. Silor Garrison was received from Allegheny Classis May 9, 1906.
74. Milton Whitener was licensed May 12, 1906, and was ordained July 29, 1906, by Revs. J. L. Murphy, C. E. Wehler and C. B. Heller.
1.
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75. A. Samuel Peeler was licensed May 12, 1906. He was dismissed to St. John's Classis May 12, 1906.
76. Wm. S. Clapp was licensed May 12, 1906.
15. Annual Meetings of Classis.
The following is a list of the places of the annual meetings of Classis, together with the names of the Presidents :
1831. Brick Church (Clapp's), in Guilford County. Rev. Wm. Hauck, President.
1832. Pilgrim Church, Davidson County. Rev. J. H. Crawford.
1833. Savitz's Church, Rowan County. Rev. J. G. Fritchey.
1834. Grace Church, Lincoln County. Rev. J. H. Crawford.
1835. Brick Church. Rev. J. G. Fritchey.
1836. Pilgrim Church. Rev. W. C. Bennet.
1837. Lower Stone, Rowan County. Rev. W. C. Rankin.
1838. St. Paul's, Lincoln County. No quorum be- ing present, Classis adjourned to Lower Stone Church. Rev. J. G. Fritchey.
1839. Coble's Church, Guilford County. Rev. G. A. Leopold.
1840. St. Matthew's Church, Lincoln County. Rev. J. Lantz.
1841. Emanuel's Church, Davidson County. Rev. J. Lantz.
1842. Savitz's Church, Rowan County. Rev. D. Crooks.
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1843. Beck's, Davidson County. Rev. G. W. Welker.
1844. Brick Church. Rev. D. Crooks.
1845. St. Matthew's Church. Rev. J. Ingold.
1846. Grace Church, Rowan County. Rev. J.
Lantz.
1847. Emanuel's, Davidson County. Rev. J. H. Crawford.
1848. Brick Church. Rev. J. Ingold.
1849. Newton. Rev. J. H. Crawford.
1850. Mt. Zion, Rowan County. Rev. T. Butler.
1851. Beck's Church. Rev. J. Ingold.
1852. Brick Church. Rev. T. Butler.
1853. Lincolnton. Rev. J. Ingold.
1854. Mt. Gilead, Cabarrus County. Rev. J. Lantz.
1855. Bethany, Davidson County. Rev. Wm. Sor- ber.
1856. Brick Church. Rev. J. H. Crawford.
1857. Newton. Rev. J. Lantz.
1858. Grace, Rowan County. Rev. D. Crooks.
1859.
Pilgrim. Rev. J. Ingold.
1860. Brick Church. Rev. S. J. Fetzer.
1861. Grace, Catawba County. Rev. A. S. Vaughn.
1862. St. Paul's, Rowan County. Rev. J. Ingold.
1863. New Jerusalem, Davidson County. Rev. T.
Butler.
1864. Long.
Mt. Hope, Guilford County. Rev. P. A.
1865. Grace, Rowan County. Rev. J. Ingold.
1866. Daniel's, Lincoln County. Rev. J. W. Cecil.
1867. Bethany, Davidson County. Rev. T. Long.
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1868. St. Mark's, Alamance County. Rev. J. Ingle.
1869. Newton. Rev. J. Ingold.
1870. Mt. Zion, Rowan County. Rev. J. C. Denny.
1871. Emanuel. Rev. J. C. Clapp.
1872. Brick Church. Rev. J. Ingold.
1873. Hickory. Rev. J. W. Cecil.
1874. Lower Stone. Rev. J. C. Clapp.
1875. Hebron, Davidson County. Rev. J. Ingold.
1876. Brick Church. Rev. J. A. Foil.
1877. Newton. Rev. P. M. Trexler.
1878. Mt. Zion. Rev. J. Ingle.
1879. Emanuel. Rev. J. H. Shuford.
1880. Brick Church. Rev. J. Ingold.
1881. Salem, Lincoln County. Rev. M. L. Hed- rick.
1882. Mt. Zion. Rev. J. Ingold.
1883. Pilgrim. Rev. G. D. Gurley.
1884. Mt. Hope. Rev. G. D. Gurley.
1885. St. John's, Catawba County. Rev. P. M.
Trexler. 1886. D.D.
St. Luke's, Rowan County. Rev. J. C. Clapp.
1887.
Concord. Rev. Paul Barringer.
1888. Mt. Carmel, Davidson County. Rev. T. Long.
1889. Brick Church. Rev. C. B. Heller.
1890. Maiden. Rev. P. M. Trexler.
1891. Bethel, Stanly County. Rev. J. L. Murphy.
1892. Hedrick's Grove, Davidson County. Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D.
1893. Bethel, Catawba County. Rev. J. M. L. Lyerly.
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1894. New Gilead. Rev. P. M. Trexler, D.D. 1895. Calvary, Davidson County. Rev. J. A. Foil, Ph.D.
1896. Conover. Rev. A. H. Smith.
1897. Mt. Hope. Rev. J. L. Murphy.
1898. Newton. Rev. Paul Barringer.
1899. Lower Stone. Rev. W. A. Long, Ph.D.
1900. Beulah, Davidson County. Rev. A. Shulen-
berger.
1901. Faith. Rev. J. D. Andrew.
1902. Daniel's, Lincoln County. Rev. W. H. Mc-
Nairy.
1903. Hickory. Rev. H. A. M. Holshouser.
1904. High Point. Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D.
1905. Lexington. Rev. J. L. Bowers.
1906. Bethel, Stanly County. Rev. C. B. Heller.
1907. Burlington. Rev. D. E. Bowers.
FART
CHAPTER IV.
THE EASTERN GROUP OF CHURCHES.
1. The Brick Church, Guilford County. (This sketch is largely taken from "Colonial Records.")
THE fathers of the Reformed Church in this State, it appears, never imagined that it could be of any interest to future generations who they were, or what they did to perpetuate the Church they loved, for they have left scarcely any records of their deeds of piety. It is a matter of much regret that they were so indifferent to an honest Christian fame. It is true that in one sense they were alive to the proper results of their lives, for they were studiously anxious to bestow upon their children churches, schools and the means of grace. Greatly have some of their de- scendants undervalued the faith and constancy of these fathers. The reverence that would delight itself in collecting the deeds of these Christian pioneers of the faith in North Carolina, so as to form them into a memorial to the praise of these good men who lived and died in the Southern wilderness, could one hun- dred years ago have found many valuable traditions among those who then were the fathers of these churches ; but alas, they have been permitted to carry these historic treasures with them to the voiceless grave, and there, with their dust, sleep the recollec-
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tions of their youth that made the unwritten history of the infant churches in the South.
Each inch of ground near the "Brick Church" is historic. Near it lies the uncared-for famous battle- ground of the Revolution. The church is the best way-mark to direct the traveler or antiquarian to the graves of the brave men who, on American soil, shed the first blood in resistance to tyranny. All around the church, too, are scattered the unknown graves of men who, during the Revolution, about the time of the battle of "Guilford Court House," fell in a skir- mish in the county between a body of British soldiers and some mountain men from the western counties of the State. He who journeys westward through our State on the old Salisbury road leading from Hillsboro to that place, by a shorter detour, will find himself on the eminence where stands the church near the public highway, and from thence looks over a scene of deep historic incidents-scenes the memory of which has almost faded away, because they have found no his- torian to tell the living generation of those deeds sacred to freedom and religion.
Late on Saturday evening in the autumn of 1748, three emigrant families on their way from Oley, Berks County, Fennsylvania, to Western North Carolina, in quest of a new home, arrived near where stands St. Paul's or Grave's Church. They pitched tents for the night near a spring of living water, and soon each one was busy in his or her appropriate work of preparation. They seem to forget the fatigue of long travel, and had one then looked in upon them he would have seen
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BRICK CHURCH, GUILFORD CO., N. C.
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that they looked forward to the coming Sabbath as a day of rest. They conscientiously kept God's holy Word while journeying slowly to their distant homes in the wild woods. The fathers of the "Brick Church" were Sabbath-keeping men. How many of the bless- ings which their children have since enjoyed may be traced to this keeping of God's command we cannot say; yet, no doubt, God has remembered children's children for this hallowed Sabbath, there kept by the brothers George Valentine and. Ludwig Clapp, or Klapp, and Mr. Hunter, their brother-in-law. These Penn- sylvanians were descendants of emigrants from Hesse, in Germany, and all members individually and by inheritance of the Reformed Church. The sound of the energetic strokes of the axes of the emigrants in felling wood to last their camp-fires over the Lord's Day, echoing through that dense forest, attracted to their encampment a settler living near by, ever on the watch for passing emigrants, to hear news from the old, far-distant home. In this case, to their mutual joy, they proved to have been old neighbors and acquaint- ances in Pennsylvania.
By the advice and under the direction of this man. in the beginning of the next week, they examined the land unoccupied and contiguous to his. The brothers Clapp made choice of lands on Beaver Creek, which proved to be of the very best; but Hunter pushed farther westward to the forks of the Yadkin, whither he had started. The Beaver Creek settlers bought their lands of one McCulloh, who was the agent of the Colonial proprietor of North Carolina. These
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two families were the original founders of the Reformed Church in Guilford County. In a few years, however, they were followed and joined by the Albrights, Court- ners, Mays, Swings (Schwencks), Greesons, Ingolds, Hoffmans, Fousts (Fausts), Ingles, Linebergers, Weit- zells, Sharps (Scherbs), Shepherds (Schaeffers) and others, whose descendants made the "Brick Church" congregation afterwards in its palmiest days. After the cabins were roofed and patches cleared, a school- house was erected hard by where the "Brick Church" now stands. No doubt even then the members of the Reformed Church had a definite purpose at some future day to there build themselves a house in which to worship the God of their fathers. The tradition still lingers about here that the location of this church was determined by a dream. The wife of George Clapp, who was an Albright, and who was the great- grandmother of Joshua Clapp, before she left her Pennsylvania home had distinctly presented to her mind in a dream the scenery surrounding the cemetery in which she should be buried. The scenery of her vision was found in a portion of the farm purchased by her husband, and a marked feature of which was a large rock. On the hill in the cemetery adjoining the church rests the dust of this pilgrim, and at its foot near the spring may be found the enduring rock that served as the reason for the choice of this burial- ground. There was no regularly organized congrega- tion until about 1770, although several persons had visited the communities or churches in this State pre- vious to this time in the character of ministers, although
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