USA > North Carolina > Craven County > New Bern > History of the Presbyterian church in New Bern, N.C. : with a resume? of early ecclesiastical affairs in eastern North Carolina, and a sketch of the early days of New Bern, N.C > Part 9
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PRESBYTERIANISM IN NEW BERN.
converted into a Meeting-House as aforesaid, and for the occasional performance of Divine Service by such Minister of the Christian Reli- gion as the Presbyterian Pastor for the time being, or other persons having charge of the said building shall think proper to admit-WE also severally promise to deliver and make titles for such property specifically subscribed by us respectively for said purposes : the sums of money to be paid in one year, in quarterly payments to the person or persons whom the commissioners to be appointed as hereinafter provided for, or a majority of them shall direct .- And the property specifically subscribed to be delivered and titles made to said Com- missioners in trust for the purposes and to the uses contemplated by this subscription ; and it is agreed that a majority of the subscribers hereto, after forty shall have subscribed, shall have authority at a meeting of a majority of said forty subscribers, or a majority of those who do meet, after notice be given, to appoint five Commissioners, who, or a majority of them, shall have power to make contracts for fulfilling the objects of this SUBSCRIPTION.
Newbern, December 10, 1807.
The result of this appeal is not now known.
James Wadon Thompson.
The teachers before named were succeeded about 1812 by Rev. J. W. Thompson, who was a Presbyterian minister from Virginia, and a relative of Mr. Burch. He taught in the Aca- demy building, where he also preached, as well as in the old Baptist meeting-house, at the corner of Metcalf and Johnson Streets, near Cedar Grove Cemetery. He married Miss Me- hetabel Blanchard Carney, a daughter of one of the "original thirteen members" of this church, and of Huguenot ancestry. It is probable that at this period Presbyterian services, at least prayer-meetings, were held at the house of Mrs. Minor, on Craven Street near Pollock, and at the residence of Mrs. Robert Hunt, which was the Brissington House, on East Front Street above Broad, and now the residence of Henry R. Bryan, Esq. Mr. Thompson was a consumptive, and remained here only a short time. He probably died in Raleigh in 1815, and was followed here by
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REV. JONATHAN OTIS FREEMAN, M. D.
Reu. Jonathan Otis Freeman, M. D.,
Who was teaching in New Bern about 1816. Dr. Freeman was born in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Mass., April 6th, 1772. He was the third son and fifth child of Hon. Nathanael Freeman, who was twice married, and was the father of twenty children. He was probably educated in his native State, and took his degree of Doctor of Medicine. On the 10th of De- cember, 1794, he married Lucy Crocker, of Falmouth, Mass. Dr. Freeman first practised medicine in association with his father in his native town, where he was also a Justice of the Peace. Subsequently he settled in Falmouth, Mass., whence he came to Edenton, N. C., in 1805, and taught school. Thence he moved to New Bern, and became principal of the New Bern Academy. Associated with him were his two bro- thers, Frederick and George W., who were or became Episco- pal ministers. The latter became rector of Christ Church, Raleigh, N. C., and afterwards the Bishop of Arkansas.
Rev. J. O. Freeman was a distinguished educator. He taught also in Salisbury, Raleigh, and Washington, N. C., and gave many of our prominent men their classical training for college, and to his faithful teaching they attributed their future honors. His school in New Bern numbered nearly two hundred, and some of his pupils still remain, who have spoken to me about him. He pursued and popularized the Lancastrian system. An aged lady recently said: "If there ever was a Christian, he was one; and we all loved him so much." He preached in the Academy, and his unaffected piety and gentleness won uni- versal favor with all classes. During his ministrations here we have the first record of the formal organization of the Presby- terian Church; but the formation was not by him, and I cannot ascertain what part he had in it. Dr. Freeman removed to Salis- bury, N. C., in 1820, and opened a school. He was dismissed from Orange to Concord Presbytery in April, 1821 ; and August 4th, 1821, he organized the Salisbury Church with " thirteen " members, and remained its pastor until 1826, during which period the corner-stone of the present church building was laid,
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PRESBYTERIANISM IN NEW BERN.
and the church well started on its career of usefulness. He then labored in Virginia and in Orange Presbytery, and died in Washington, N. C., November 2d, 1835, in his sixty-third year. His oldest son, Edmund B. Freeman, was Clerk of the Supreme Court in Raleigh from 1836 to 1868. At his house Mrs. J. O. Freeman died, May 27, 1844. Dr. Freeman was esteemed as a physician, honored as a clergyman, eminent as an instructor of youth, and enjoyed in a remarkable degree the sincere re- spect and warm affection of many filling high places, as their learned and beloved preceptor.
Organization.
Rev. John Witherspoon was born in New Bern, aud was educated at Princeton College. He preached here frequently. In his younger days his fame as a preacher was upon every tongue. His father, Dr. Witherspoon, a physician, was the son of the distinguished Revolutionary patriot, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, President John Witherspoon, D. D. of Princeton College, and married the widow of Gov. Nash, of New Bern ; so Rev. Mr. Witherspoon was half-brother of Judge Frederick Nash. He lived in Hillsboro, founded the Presbyterian Church there, and was its first pastor. He died in 1854.
It has already been stated, that in 1827 nearly all the Min- utes of Orange Presbytery were consumed by fire with his house in Hillsboro, N. C., and that a committee was raised to recover as much as possible of the lost history of the church. In this book of statistics, thus compiled, it is recorded that the New Bern church was organized on the 7th of January, 1817, by Rev. John Witherspoon ; that it then consisted of nine mem- bers, and that Dr. Elias Hawes and Robert Hay were made ruling elders.
From other trustworthy sources we learn, that this organi- zation was effected in the house and parlor of Mrs. Elizabeth Minor, on Craven Street, near Pollock. The daughter of Mrs. Minor, Miss Julia Minor, still living, says that her mother always stated this as the birthplace of the New Bern church.
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THE THIRTEEN.
Uniform tradition, and the mural tablets in our church (placed there many years ago), affirm that there were thirteen original members. It may be that, on the formal gathering as a church, and after the election, ordination and installation of elders, four other persons were received and enrolled as of equal standing and date with the nine spoken of in the Presbyterial minute ; for I have been told that Mr. Witherspoon received Mrs. John Jones into the church ; or it may be that, in the ten years that elapsed between the organization of the church and the destruction of the Minutes, his memory erred as to the original number.
The Thirteen.
Dr. Elias Hawes and Robert Hay, ruling elders ; Mrs. Eunice Hunt, a daughter of President Jonathan Edwards, D. D., of Princeton College ; Mrs. Lydia Stewart, Mrs. Sarah Webber, Mrs. Lucretia Bell, (afterwards Mrs. John Jones,) Jolin Jones, Mrs. Jane Carney, Mrs. Frances Devereaux, Mrs. Mary Dewey, Mrs. Elizabeth Minor, Mrs. Luisa Morning, and Mrs. John C. Stanly, a colored member.
Was this the first gathering of the church in New Bern ? The facts already adduced about the call laid before Presby- tery in April, 1808, and the pustorate of Rev. J. K. Burch, seem to show an organized and working church then ; and after- wards, when the tie was severed by Presbytery, the charge signi- fied their ussent by their representatives. The New Bern con- gregation again appears on the Assembly's Minutes in 1813 as contributing ten dollars to Missions. Life was still manifested, though no pastor led the flock. There can be little doubt as to both of the elders named, and other adherents, being in the city during all the silent years. So it must be that here, as in many of our early churches, a sturdy cluster of Presbyterians gathered and acted as if organized, getting what ministerial ser- vice they could, and watching for an opportunity of securing a pastor, and effecting a permanent crystallization. This was ac- complished, after some years of trial to faith and hope, on the ever memorable 7th January, 1817. Mr. Witherspoon preached
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PRESBYTERIANISM IN NEW BERN.
in the old Baptist church. In this movement Dr. Freeman must have assisted; but it doubtless was consolidated, and thoroughly established for an onward and successful career, by the valuable labors of the Rev. J. N. Campbell, who was the next preacher after this formation. The date of his advent is unknown; but he continued here until some time in 1820.
Reu. John Nicholson Campbell
Was born in Philadelphia, March 4th, 1798. His maternal grandfather was Robert Aitken, a Scotch Seceder immigrant in 1769, and the publisher of the first English edition of the Bible in this country. Mr. Campbell entered the University of Pennsylvania, but did not graduate; studied theology and the classics under Rev. Ezra Styles Ely, D. D .; was a while Pro- fessor of Languages in Hampden Sidney College, Va .; was licensed to preach by Hanover Presbytery, May 10th, 1817; and commenced his ministry in Petersburg, Va., where he some- times preached for Dr. Benj. Rice, then pastor of Tabb Street Church. Here he married his first wife, (a daughter of Robert Bolling, Esq.,) who died in a few years. He subsequently mar- ried Miss E. T. Tilghman, of Maryland, who still survives him. .
From Petersburg Mr. Campbell came to New Bern, where Rev. W. B. Sprague, D. D., says he was instrumental in estab- lishing the first Presbyterian Church; and Mrs. Campbell writes me, "I have frequently heard my husband speak of New Bern, and say that he was instrumental in establishing there the first Presbyterian Church; but so many years have passed since then, that I cannot recall any particulars about it. My husband did not remain there long. I think the climate did not agree with him." It is probable that Dr. Rice, who had formerly lived in New Bern, directed Mr. Campbell thither.
In the autumn of 1820, Mr. Campbell was chosen Chaplain to Congress; and though only twenty-two years old, discharged his difficult office in a highly satisfactory manner. In 1823 he was the assistant of Rev. Dr. Balch in Georgetown; and in 1824 or 1825, took charge of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C. Soon the church was crowded,
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REV. JOHN NICHOLSON CAMPBELL.
and his reputation spread widely. Here he was intimate with Hon. William Wirt, and associated with the great men of that day. President Andrew Jackson was a member of his congre- gation. When the famous imbroglio about Mrs. Eaton oc- curred, and broke up the President's Cabinet, Mr. Campbell came in conflict with the President, who tried to control the Church's action. Mr. Campbell spoke to him with the utmost plainness, and proved to be a man of as iron will as "Old Hickory" himself, and as inflexible in the line of duty ; so a breach occurred between them. Through Chief-Justice Spen- cer, of New York, Mr. Campbell was introduced to the First Presbyterian Church in Albany; was called thither, accepted the pastorate thereof, and was installed in office on Sept. 11th, 1831. This position he retained till his death, March 27th, 1864.
Mr. Campbell was one of the Regents of the State Univer- sity, and was identified with all the public charities of Albany. On Sabbath, March 20th, he filled the usual services, and preached with his accustomed vigor. On Monday he attended the meeting of Regents in the Capitol. But on the next Sab- bath, Easter, as his congregation-most of whom scarcely knew that he was sick, or seriously so,-were assembling for their communion service, they were startled to learn that Dr. Camp- bell's spirit was passing to the sanctuary above, there to cele- brate the marriage supper of the Lamb with the ransomed, and with the glorified Redeemer. His health had nearly always been infirm, but his constitution was elastic, and his strength of purpose indomitable, so that his labors were prodigious and un- remitting. His funeral was attended by the Governor and his staff, and by both Houses of the Legislature, which adjourned for the purpose. The flag on the State Capitol was lowered to . half-mast from respect to his memory, and on account of the public loss sustained by his death.
Dr. Campbell was a man of regal presence, with manners suited for a court ; of large executive and financial abilities, and profound knowledge of human nature; of quick, keen, and vigorous intellect, and a retentive memory, stored with
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PALMY DAYS .- 1818.
vast, varied, and practical knowledge about almost every phase of life. He had a fine flow of spirits, a pleasant and winning address, and the power of administering the keenest and most withering rebuke without giving offence. His taste was exact and classic, both as to his own person and to large architectural superintendence. Adorned with these gifts and powers, with an open heart and open hand, frank, yet firm, it is not surpris- ing that he was called "the pope " in his church.
He was always a graceful and impressive speaker, preach- ing-after the Scotch fashion-in gown and bands; a Chris- tian without austerity, bold, manly, liberal, yet a decided Presbyterian; a man of mark and great usefulness in his gen- eration. The aged and honored Rev. Theodoric Pryor, D. D., who probably heard him preach in both Petersburg and Albany, writes me, that Mr. Campbell "was a handsome man; a man of great culture, and one of the most eloquent pulpit orators that I ever heard." This is the clergyman whom God sent at this epoch to be the leader of the gathering Presbyterian .band in this city.
Dalmy Days .- 1818.
About the year 1818 is considered the palmy day of this . ancient Borough, then more than one hundred years old. Many .of those whom North Carolina delights to honor had walked, or still walked, these beautifully shaded avenues, graced society, and fostered successful political and commercial enterprises. Others were soon to stand before the Commonwealth and receive their palms and laurels, won by beautiful integrity of character, Christian virtues, brilliant intellectual powers, all illustriously devoted to philanthropic labors and patriotic states- manship. The names of Coor, Hatch, Bryan, Xavier Martin, Gov. Nash, the two Governors Spaight, Stanly, Gaston, Sit- greaves, Graham, Shepherd, Badger, Manly, will not soon lose their fragrance, or cease to be cherished as a goodly heritage. New Bern had attained to an enviable reputation in the State, and its social refinement was one of its marked features, that both adorned and fascinated.
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PALMY DAYS .- 1818.
The first steam-mill in New Bern had been erected by Wil- liam Shepherd in 1812, from prize-money he had received from successes of the celebrated privateer "Snap Dragon." It was on the Trent. Soon another sprang up at Union Point. Then there were Capt. Blaney's celebrated limpid castor oil factory, the Harvey cordage works, turpentine and rosin-oil distilleries, grist-mills, saw-mills, a tannery, a rum-mill, and ship building, all adding greatly to the material prosperity of the city. Old Mrs. Bartlet and her daughter, Mrs. Emery, kept in the Badger House, near Christ Church, the best public table in North Carolina, where as true a band of single gentlemen as were then extant on the south side of the Potomac, daily dis- cussed ham and turkey, or venison and jelly, in the identical hall where once convened the venerable Senate, constituted by the King to legislate for the colony. An extract from some rattling and amusing rhymes of Mr. Stephen M. Chester, in 1818, will pleasantly picture some of the surroundings :
ACADEMY.
"But turn we to the classic school, Where science holds her transient rule, Where culture trims the tender shoot, And grafts the stock with future fruit : The mansion daily gathers there Two hundred minds its smiles to share,
Though architecture has not spread Her splendors round the tyro's head.
JAIL.
"The jail I well-nigh had forgotten, In truth the fabric's almost rotten ;
The doughty prisoners get out Once every month, or thereabout ! And every convict for Jack Ketch The poor militia have to watch.
POLICEMEN.
'Tis true the town guard every night Consists of four good 'gemmen white,' But should you seek its cautious keepers, You'd find them snoring 'mong the sleepers.
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PALMY DAYS .- 1818.
PILLORY. "The stocks and pillory hard by Have witnessed many a piteous cry, And many a sable back has smarted With comfort from the lash imparted.
DISTILLERIES.
"Along the banks where Trent and Neuse Their sparkling waters wide diffuse, Industrious art rears other piles, And growing wealth its toil beguiles. There, from a hundred stills dispensed, Spirits of pine are fast condensed ; Beneath that fabric rude and large, The fiercest mastiffs guard their charge Of various hides for leather steeped, In vats with bark astringent heaped.
ROPE WALKS.
"The narrow house which there protrudes Its awkward length for many roods, Shelters the twisting rope that forms The cable to contend with storms ; Here the strong screw expresses oil The griping cholera to foil ; And there from grain its essence flows, A lethe for unnumbered woes.
INHABITANTS.
"The people of this curious town Are of all hues, black, white, and brown, And not a clime beneath the moon But here may find some wandering loon. Welsh, Irish, English, French, and Dutch, Norwegians, Portuguese, and Scotch, And other aliens, claim attention, Whose very names would tire to mention. Each State is also represented, Some satisfied, some discontented ; A host of Yankies, 'mong the rest, Like birds of passage build their nest, And having wasted all the land, Fly off to some more distant strand.
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CHURCHES.
"Such is the picture fresh from nature, And true, I think, in every feature ; Drawn to amuse, perchance to tease you ; This is New Bern, how does 't please you ?"
Unsightly and uncared for small tenements marred the town more then perhaps than now. But a spirit of improvement was beginning, it may be partly from rhyming satire; and one of the fruits of it was the brick Bank of the State of North Carolina, soon followed by its rival, the Bank of New Bern.
Churches.
The churches were in shabby condition. Our poet says:
EPISCOPAL CHURCH. "A church of George the 2d's reign Still flings its shadow o'er the plain, But mouldering on its ancient base, Must soon resign its resting place.
METHODIST CHURCH.
"Next comes a house without a name- To that of church it has no claim, And yet the long misshapen pile Contains a throng 'twixt either aisle, And in the galleries perch'd above, To join in prayer and feasts of love ; Its various worshipers can tell Why they reject a spire or bell.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
"The Baptist Barn comes next to view Where winter winds turn noses blue, And shiv'ring devotees retire Right glad from worship to the fire : But Presbyterians in the lurch, Too poor, or mean, to build a church, Are glad to find admittance here When its own priests don't interfere."
Rev. Mr. Campbell was an eloquent and popular preacher. Traditions linger here still of his great power as an orator. He
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PRESBYTERIANISM IN NEW BERN.
was also an enterprising gentleman, and had a valuable coadju- tor in Mr. Chester. He and Mr. Meredith, the able Baptist preacher, used alternately the "Old Baptist Church." I quote again the contemporary Mr. Chester: "The Baptist Barn" was at that time the established patronymic of the nutshell that subsequently became the present pretty church of that denomi- nation. It was unglazed, and wholly destitute of casements ; had nothing but plain shutters to exclude the winds of heaven, which were of course necessarily admitted with the light. The framework of the gallery was an unclothed skeleton of bones. The whole interior of the building without any lining to its tim- bers, and four-legged benches all the accommodation in the shape of seats afforded by the unfurred, unceiled, unplastered and un- painted edifice."
"Notwithstanding its rude state, however, it long furnished to the Baptist and Presbyterian societies alternate opportunity to worship God; and the Rev. Mr. Campbell and the Rev. Mr. Meredith officiated interchangeably in the apology for a pulpit. The favor of the Presbyterians, thus propitiated, contributed not a little to the gradual transformation of the building to its present neat and comfortable shape." The two congregations united in renovating the "barn."
In the newspaper-carrier's address on New Year, 1819, writ- ten by Mr. Chester, allusion is made satirically to " bubbles burst" in the past twelve months. One was the steamboat admiration and expectation, when the steamer Norfolk arrived to establish a route to Elizabeth City, and so North and South; and
" Hundreds flocked down to see the wonder, In spite of rain and even thunder ; And such their rapture to possess it, 'Twas not in language to express it."
In three short months the golden dreams failed, and the Nor- folk was sold.
" Then building churches was the theme, The tottering old one urg'd the scheme;
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PUBLIC MEETING.
And Presbyterians, who had none, Were certainly in need of one. 'Twas wonderful to mark the zeal Each congregation seemed to feel ; Devotion saw its altar rise, As if by magic, to the skies ; Tho' both the noble piles were finished, The stock continued undiminished, For lo ! the pews were sold for more Than the whole churches cost before ;- All this had castle-building done, Yet avarice has not yet begun, And much I fear our niggard place Has not, and never will have grace To look above the narrow views Ascribed to infidels and Jews."
Thus the church bubble seemed to burst. Presbyterians, how- ever, evidently felt the importance of securing a church of their own; had probably increased in numbers and ability ; were aroused by occasional satires; and had now a capable and popular leader in Rev. Mr. Campbell. Hence, I am not sur- prised to find in the " Carolina Centinel, New Bern, October 17, 1818," the following :
"NOTICE.
"These persons disposed to unite themselves as a Presbyterian con- gregation in this place, are requested to meet at the court-house at three o'clock this afternoon, for the purpose of organizing said society by the appointment of
" TRUSTEES.
" There are other important objects, which will be fully explained at the place of meeting; and it is earnestly requested that all who wish to be considered members of said congregation, or are willing to lend their aid in support of its worship, will attend .- Oct. 17."
Mr. Chester says this "was the first meeting ever assembled in the place regularly to organize a Presbyterian congregation." How to reconcile this statement with that given already from the Minutes of the Presbytery, in the keeping of Mr. Wither- spoon, does not at this distance appear. No record of the action of the meeting-called above-has. been found.
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PURCHASE OF LOT.
In the earlier movement to assist the Baptists in finishing their church near Cedar Grove Cemetery, Mr. Chester had been efficient. He was especially zealous and helpful in now advising and assisting to raise funds to erect the church edifice used by our people to-day. Then, as since, the ladies must have been faithful and fruitful in godly labors, for Mrs. Minor is said to have headed the subscription list, and her efforts and interest were so great, that Dr. Hawes, the ruling elder, used to call it " Mrs. Minor's Church."
urchase of Lot.
Trustees were doubtless elected at the meeting held in the court-house; and in 1819 they bought the premises on which the church stands from Mr. Edward Graham for $1,200. (See particulars under " Property Data," page 179.) Ground sold at large prices then apparently. This lot is located on New (now Neuse) Street, between Hancock and Middle.
Foundation Laid.
Wednesday, the 9th day of June, 1819, was the memorable time when the corner-stone of the first Presbyterian Church in New Bern, N. C., was laid. Judge James H. Hutchins, now a ruling elder in Austin, Texas, was raised and then living in New Bern. He attended the Sabbath-school when it was held in the lower East-room of the "New Bern Academy " as early as 1819. He told me that the Church had a meeting in that room on the day above named, and came thence in the after- noon to lay this corner-stone.
Fortunately I am able, from an old copy of the " Carolina Centinel, New Bern, June 12th, 1819," to give an account of this interesting event, and present the handsome address made on the occasion by Rev. J. Nicholson Campbell.
From the Carolina Centinel, Newbern, June 12th, 1819:
"The Trustees of the Presbyterian congregation in this place have commenced the erection of a House of Worship, to be 70 feet in length and 52 in breadth, and capable, by computation,
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