USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Frenchtown > Semi-centennial history of the Frenchtown M.E. Church with a chapter of reminiscences, and brief sketches of the pastors, also, a chapter on the part this church bore in suppressing the rebellion > Part 2
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Previous to this he was at the Frenchtown bridge for a number of years. Levi Mettler was his successor. Mr. Silverthorn removed to
19
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Kansas and was killed by a runaway team of horses, November 24th, 1882.
John V. Hull, the last of the original trustees moved to Lambert- ville, where he died January 18th, 1891.
We close this chapter with the first report of the Board of Trustees, dating back fifty years.
C. A. SLACK IN ACCOUNT WITH M. E. CHURCH.
DR.
To cash from
George Carpenter $1 00
John Rodenbaugh 5 00
Rachel Silverthorn 2 00
1844.
Sept.
Henry Snyder 20 00
John V. Hull 5 00
Oct. 2. Lime. 2 50
26. John Rodenbaugh. 1 75
Nov. 9. Ann Eliza Williams 5 00
9. Mary Williams. 8 00
29. Mary Smity 5 00
Barzila Williams 2 00
1845.
March
Isaac Hartpence. 3 00
April 7.
Hiram A. Williams 15 00
Jonas Smith 3 00
Barzila Williams 3 00
Caroline Williams 1 00
Amos Opdyke 5 00
April 17.
Catharine Leonard
5 00
George W. Waterhouse 1 00
Joseph A. Halden 5 00
John H. Prevost 5 00
George Salter 1 50
May 3. John V. Hull 4 11
A. Silverthorn 6 42
May 5. Jeremiah Matthews. 3 00
James Williams 15 00
Mary Williams 17 00
John Williams. 5 00
N. Williams. 5 00
Margaret Williams 1 00
20
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
By C. Shuster 7 00
May 7. A. Silverthorn 5 62
9. Wilson Bray 5 00
Andrew Williamson 5 00
William Search 5 00
12. Rachel Silverthorn
18. By C. Shuster
3 00
24. Thomas Silverthorn 2 00
27. Hiram Bennett. 2 00
25 00
July 6. A. Silverthorn 1 75
2 00
By a friend 3 00
Daniel S. Pursal
1 00
A. M. Palmer
5 00
Jonas Thatcher 78
C. Snyder. 31
Jan. 31. Jacob Fullmer 300 00
May A. M. Palmer. 8 00
William F. Moore. 110 00
Error in Geo. Thorne's Act. 1 00
Ann E. Williams 2 00
CR.
By cash paid in book.
Sept. 3. H. Capner's note.
20 00
10. 18 00
17. For nails 25
Oct! 2. For lime
2 50
26. William S. Jones 1 75
Nov. 13. William Logan. 1 00
14. H. Capner's note 7 00
18. For nails 1 70
N. Williams 7 07
Dec. 30.
For nails 50
1845.
Jan. 2. Whitelead 55
7. For nails 1 00
22. For zink 30
April 7.
Hedges & Reading. 25 00
22. William Lippincott 11 00
Hiram Deats 11 00
2 00
June 2. J. M. Pursal
27. J. J. Zanes.
21
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Pittenger Fitzer 3 25
May 7. John Case 57 00
5 62
9. L. M. Prevost 15 00
4. Daniel Brink. 8 55
27. Hedges & Reading 10 00
June 2.
25 00
July 9. For nails.
80
Oct. 31. For boards.
1 98
William S. Jones 3 00
13. Expenses to Court 1 00
1846.
Jau. 9. Whiting & Cooley 1 98
L. M. Prevost & Son 1 30
William S. Jones. 4 16
75
Receipts not in book.
Jan. 31. L. M Prevost. 50 00
Hedges & Reading 50 00
William Silverthorn 6 19
William Huffman
20 00
John Case. 77 03
William S. Jones.
20 00
Feb. 4. George Thorn
10 00
17. John Sailor
4 14
24. T. Pittenger 6 92
March 7. S. C. Allen 1 62
14. Insurance 17 70
23. Hedges & Reading 24 16
April 18.
George Thorn 5 87
William Huffmar
20 00
John George.
15 00
May 23.
in full 25 00
1. William S. Jones
30 60
5. Vansyckle
12 00
June 15. Hiram Deats
9 72
July 31. Whiting & Cooley
5 00
60 18 00
1845.
Dec. 19. A. M. Palmer
50 00
22
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
CHAPTER III. ORGANIZATION OF THE FRENCHTOWN M. E. CHURCH.
So shall my words be that goeth forth out of my mouth : it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it -Isa. 55: 11.
W E copy the following, with some additions, from an article prepared by the writer, and read by Miss Laura Woolverton, before the Hunterdon County Historical Society at Frenchtown, N. J., June 22d, 1894 :
The first step towards the organization of a Methodist Episcopal Church, is the formation of a class. It may consist of eight or twelve persons, with one appointed as leader. This is the door to membership in the church. Any person professing a desire to flee from the wrath to come and giving his or her name to the leader, after attending the meeting for six months, is eligible to membership in the church, by the recommendation of the leader. This first step toward the organization of the Frenchtown M. E. Church was taken in the year 1842, under the leadership of the Rev. Joseph Gaskill, who formed a classs of eleven persons. The following pastors have served the church in the order named. In speaking of them we will use brevity, because a personal sketch of the twenty-eight pastors will appear in another chapter.
The second on the list is Zerubbabel Gaskill, who was the pioneer temperance advocate in this field of labor. We are indebted to Rev. A. E. Ballard for the following, which is taken from the "New Jersey Conference Memorial :"
" He found the Quakertown circuit in a condition so deplorable that there were scarcely enough living to bury the dead. Bacchus, that fell demon of discord, said in his heart; I will ascent into heaven ; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God ; I will also sit upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north ; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds ; I will be like the Most High. Isaiah 14: 13-14. And he did get the upper hand of many of the stars of the congrega-
23
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
tion and also the leading men of the place. For these men discarded minister and church and God, all at the bidding of Bacchus. Mr. Gaskill prudently but fearlessly opened the batteries of truth against this citadel of satan. Men are always extremely sensitive when conscience is silenced at the demands of interest or self-indulgence. This was the case now, and the opposition becoming very formidable, first tried raising a storm of popular indignation to silence the stupid one-idea fanatic who was capable of the senseless temerity of insisting that Christians ought not to make, sell or drink rum; and they did succeed in awaking the elements. The rains descended, the floods came and the winds blew ; but like the sturdy oak he only bent to the blast till its fierceness was spent and then stood up as firmly and defiant as before. Failing in this they changed their tactics and raised the cry of persecution, and if their version had been reliable it would have been true, that they were the most thoroughly abused of men. Failing also in this, and finding that neither weeds nor tufts of grass would do, they tried the virtue of stones. Two trustees of the church at Everitts- town, demanded the keys of the sexton and closed the house against him. But Amos Opdyke another of the trustees backed by others and aided by Wesley Johnson, a Presbyterian, who made a key, opened it for him to preach on the subject in question. Being foiled again a mob took the matter in hand and tried the persuasive powers of rotten eggs and other missiles, together with bonfires and yelling, and whooping like a pack of savages. Fortunately for the ministers and the cause, the ladies of some of the malcontents attended this service and received in part, the application of the egg argument. Meanwhile the appeal of the speaker was so calm, logical and convincing as to enlist the favor of the better part of the people and thus to secure a triumph. The turbulent party then threatened to waylay and lynch him if he attempted to fill an appointment at another place; but he did meet the engage- ment and that, too, without being maltreated. These expedients failing they next resorted to the desperate alternative of an attempt to starve him out. When told of this design he replied, 'they might as well try to starve a bear.' Nor was this a vain boast. The sum he received cannot be named, but he was drven to perplexing straits. Friends aided him. He exchanged wheat flour for indian meal, because it would go further. He sold part of their scanty furniture and thus purchased the needed supplies for his family. At the same time he stood up to his convictions with manly and unflinching firmness, until the end of his term."
A. M. Palmer was his successor during 1845-'46. The house of Wilbur Slack, on the corner of Second street where Mr. Hoffman now
24
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
resides was then the parsonage. Brother Palmer now lives in Newark, N. J., and is Conference Treasurer of the various benevolences of the church. During his pastorate an episode occurred at a baptismal service which took place a little below the bridge that spans the river. David O. Roberson informs the writer that there were about fifty baptisms and four of this number by immersion. Mary A. Fisher, who afterwards became Mrs. David O. Roberson, Amy T. Pittenger and Ann Calvin were three of the number. A young man hailing from the rural district of Everittstown, by the name of Apgar thought he would baptize a dog. Apgar climbed out on the root of a tree that extended over the water with the dog in his arms, and when Brother Palmer was about to immerse a subject in the name of the Holy Trinity, said Apgar undertook to plunge the dog, but losing his footing the dog and he both went in together and the latter came near drowning.
T. T. Campfield followed in 1847-'48 ; he also served another term, 1855-'56. During his second term as pastor the parsonage was purchased.
S. W. Decker followed in 1849, and remained two years which was then the time limit. He was something of a politician of the Demo- cratic persuasion, and was elected Superintendent of public schools of Alexandria township, which at that time included Holland township and the Borough of Frenchtown. Brother Decker was the first Methodist preacher in the remembrance of the writer to bring notes or manuscript into the pulpit. It was considered at that time next to the unpardonable sin and under no circumstances could be allowed. He was waited upon by the church officials and requested to reform or vacate the pulpit. At the close of his term lie entered the New Jersey State Prison as Chaplain.
In 1851-52 we find Rodney Winans with Joseph Horner in charge. The circuit at that time took in Quakertown, Frenchtown, Milford, Little York and Everittstown. They were both acceptable preachers, above the average in pulpit efforts. There was a gracious revival at Everittstown.
In 1853 Curtis Talley was pastor. This was his last charge.
In 1854 Brother Harris was the preacher in charge. He came from the South and returned thither at the close of the year. In 1855-'56 T. T. Campfield served a second term.
In 1857-'58 William M. Burrows' name appears. He served the church acceptably for two years.
In 1859 J. W. Barrett was preacher in charge. The writer remembers one sermon of his to this day from the text, Matthew, fourth chapter, 3d verse. He now resides in Newark, N. J.
25
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
George H. Jones followed him in 1860. He was an M. D., and in later years practiced medicine at Boonton and Phillipsburg. He was a prominent mason and a charter member of Orion Lodge, No. 56, F. and A. M. and the first W. M. of the same. He was also prominent in Oddfellowship and now resides in Camden, N. J.
Walter Chamberlin comes next in order, who served the church during 1861-'62, and now resides at Derby, Conn. The church at this time was greatly improved. A basement was put under, the side galleries were taken down, a spire erected and a bell purchased. The improved church was reopened February 28th, 1862, Bishop E. S. Janes officiating in the morning and Dr. Wiley in the evening. An amusing episode is remembered during his pastorate. Brother Cham- berlin was an indefatigable laborer and very persistent in his way. An extra meeting had been in progress a number of weeks with but little apparent success. Near the close of the evening service he asked for an expression from the members if the meetings should be continued another week. The vote was in the negative. About that time a dog came perambulating up the aisle into the altar, but the animal's move- ments were greatly accelerated by the up-lifted foot of the pastor, while the dog hastened toward the door singing a tune to the key of a screechy G, while the dominie remarked, "The devil and the dogs always assemble with the people of God."
W. E. Blakeslee came in 1863, remaining two years. He is now filling one of the best appointments in the district-Fulton street, Elizabeth, N. J.
Henry J. Hayter was his successor. During his ministration the little barn in the rear of the church was built. He lives at Bradley Beach, N. J.
J. B. Taylor was pastor for the next three years, 1868-'70. The church was again enlarged, twenty feet being added to the rear, which accounts for its being all long and no wide. Brother Obadiah Stout was the contractor and did the work. At the second reopening O. H. Tiffany preached the first sermon, and in the evening Dr. John Hanlon officiated. This last sermon is remembered to this day for its eloquence and adaption. Brother Taylor is now stationed at Nyack, New York.
During 1871-'72 and '73, Cornelius Clark was in charge of the work. He was known as a progressive temperance champion. He founded and published a paper in the interest of prohibition called The Home Visitor, which now, if the writer is correctly informed, has the largest circulation of any local paper published in Hunterdon County. Brother Clark is at Rockaway, N. J.
26
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
H. C. McBride was here in 1874. He had conscientious scruples in regard to preaching in a pewed church. The seats were by order of the trustees made free and have remained so since.
He was followed by E. M. Griffith, P. G. Ruckman and J. H. Runyon, who served in the order named.
During the pastorate of the last named, the parsonage debt was paid.
E. M. Griffith's health failed during his second year on the charge. A committee appointed by the quarterly conference, offered the follow- ing resolutions which were unanimously passed :
Resolved, That we tender to the Rev. E. M. Griffith and family our heartfelt sympathy in this their affliction, and while in the providence of God he may no longer go in and out before this congregation as pastor, wherever his lot may fall, he and his family shall have a large place in our affections and prayers.
Resolved, That while it is with profound sorrow, we feel the necessity laid upon us of accepting his resignation, that we commit our cause to Him who is " too wise to err and too good to be unkind."
Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to renewed diligence in the Master's cause, resolving in the strength of God's Eternal Son, though the workman fall the work shall not cease.
D. M. MATTHEWS, A. S. HARRING, Committee.
S. D. SLACK.
After the failure of Brother Griffith's health, P. G. Ruckman filled the balance of the year, closing up with a gracious revival. He was afterwards a transfer to Nebraska where he remained seven years.
Thomas E. Gordon followed in 1880-'81 and was succeeded by I. N. Vansant, who remained three years. During the term of the latter the church was frescoed and beautified at an outlay of $1,000, all of which was provided for, and there was an aggressive movement in every department of Christian work. He is now pastor of the Bloomsbury M. E. Church.
S. D. Decker came in 1885, remaining three years, which were crowd.d with activities. The old parsonage was moved back, the present structure erected during his second year. During his last year the church was painted, at a cost of $215. He is stationed at Decker- town, Sussex County, N. J.
In 1888-'89 J. O. Winner was preacher in charge. His two years were years of seed-sowing and productive of good results.
1890-'91 M. T. Gibbs was pastor. During his first year the church was blessed with a revival of religion such as had never been seen
27
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
in Frenchtown. He also organized an Epworth League which has been, and is a power for good. A committee was also appointed during his pastorate, consisting of L. D. Hagaman, Benjamin Philkill and the writer, to raise money to cancel a debt of $1,500, the most of which had been hanging over the society for a quarter of a century.
In 1892, William McCain became pastor and remained for three years. During his second year a Junior Epworth League was formed from which may come results as far reaching as Eternity. His three years here were characterized by the working of the Holy Spirit.
This was manifested most clearly internally in Christian experience. During the last year this inner light developed in a class-meeting revival, which was truly refreshing.
Difficult places were always made easy by the presence of God as a very present help in time of trouble. The congregations and mid- week meetings were good. During his second year there was a con- flagration in the church; the fire broke out on a lovely Sabbath morning in May ; one of the members of the present Board of Trustees is the guilty party. However, we are glad to chronical the church was not burned, but the last dollar of the evidence of indebtedness went up in smoke.
In 1895, the present pastor E. H. Conklin, was sent to Frenchtown. The barn was removed and sheds in the rear of the church erected during his first year, and in this, our semi-centennial, we are expecting an advance movement in every department of Christian work.
The following subscription lifted the last dollar of indebtedness :
William H. Rittenhouse 2 00
Edward Hinkle.
15 00
W. H. Martin 10 00
Obediah Stout.
3 00
Isaac T. Cronce
4 50
Hugh Echlin
13 00
Mrs. Solomon Stout 15 00
Mrs. K. Lancaster
1 50
Mary Pinkerton 3 00
Joseph Pickle and John O. Smith
130 00
Margaret Smith 2 00
D. M. Matthews.
77 00
A. W. Lundy
10 00
Benjamin Philkill
15 00
Amy W. Anderson 3 00
Susan Johnson. 50
3
28
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
Sarah J. Stout 1 00
Kate F. Henarie
25 00
David Roberson 75 00
Mary Hummer
1 00
William C. Kline
8 00
John H. Kline
20 00
Judson Hoff.
1 00
James E. Sherman
15 00
Sedgwick Gano
1 50
Samuel Gano.
2 00
Priscilla Hartpence
4 50
Mrs. Andrew Slack
5 00
N. T. Rittenhouse
25 00
Catherine A. Wanamaker
10 00
William B. Horner
1 00
Reuben K. Niece.
45 00
William Silverthorn
12 00
B. F. Fisher
2 00
Ella Shurtz
40 00
Joseph Aller
10 00
George Stinsman
5 00
Mindy Britton
2 00
Mrs. Wright 1 00
John W. Pinkerton
3 00
Margaret Roberson 3 00
Rebecca Kimble
6 00
James Kugler
3 00
Slack & Holcombe
10 00
Henry Cronce and wife
1 00
Mrs. Loraine Opdyke.
1 25
Wilson Roberson,
3 00
Fayette Burgstresser
2 50
G. Lambert Everitt 1 00
Mrs. Opdyke. 1 00
Lavina Pittinger
3 00
Lizzie Rittenhouse 1 00
N. R. Sinclair 1 00
Mona H. McClain 1 00
Sylvester B. Horner
2 00
Porter Tettermer 5 00
Mrs. Daniel M. Everitt 4 00
Lucretia Roberson 1 00
29
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Harry Grover 10 00
Albert Sinclair 3 00
Mrs. Sarah Horner 1 00
L. S. D. Kerr
50 00
Hezekiah Hoff.
15 00
Mrs. Elizabeth Wright
2 00
H. B. Hawk. 10 00
S. S. Shuster 10 00
5 00
N. R. Shuster
4 00
L. D. Riegel
3 00
Judson Kugler
10 00
T. W. Holcombe.
4 50
W. H. Sipes.
G. W. Hummer 45 00
11 00
W. H. Stahler
35 00
Harriet Barcroft 30 00
W. V. Gordon
3 00
Ann Scuyler
1 00
F. W. Opdyke 5 00
Alfred Curtis. 5 00
Miss Lizzie Smith 5 00
Samuel M. Rittenhouse 1 00
Mrs. George Snyder 1 00
Kate Rittenhouse 5 00
Harry S. Slack 1 00
S. H. Stahler 1 00
Peter Stryker 1 00
1 00
D. D. Britton
1 00
Tillie Trimmer 50
Mrs. Annastatia A. Warford
1 00
M. E. Srope.
2 00
A. H. Vreeland 5 00
Sylvester Riegel
4 00
Peter A. Fisher and wife
4 00
Wilbur Slack. 20 00
L. D. Hagaman and wife
75 00
Samuel Dalrymple 5 50
H. W. Bellis. 3 00
Chester Taylor 1 00
Alonzo Butler 2 00
Levi Case & Son
Charles B. Salter
30
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
John R. Apgar 1 00
Mrs. Morris Maxwell 5 00
Wm. P. Loper 1 00
Andrew Slack
20 00
Samuel Opdyke.
1 00
Rev. Wm. H. McCain
25 00
Hannah Williams 5 00
E. W. Bloom 45 00
Edward Rittenhouse
30 00
Edward Lair
12 00
Wm. Gorden & Son
45 00
Theo. Fritts.
3 00
John L. Slack
15 00
Morris Maxwell 5 00
L. M. Hoffman 30 00
Josiah Butler. 4 00
John P. Lance. 2 00
Mrs. Daniel Stahler 2 00
Augustus Cronce
3 00
Lucy Snyder
2 00
Belle M. Webster
1 00
Matilda Nixon
1 00
Sarah Sinclair
1 00
Kate Taylor
2 00
Mrs. Leidy
3 00
Anna A. Lyons
3 00
Rev. M. T. Gibbs
10 00
W. Blakeslee and mother
2 25
Sophia T. Hoff
7 00
Mrs. Irving McClain
3 00
I. L. Niece. 30 00
Mary C. Swan. 2 00
F. B. Fargo 75 00
Ura Larue. 2 00
Phæbe V. Stryker
1 75
Matilda J. Risler 1 50
Frank F. Maxwell 3 00
A. P. Williams 1 00
Mary Cronce. 1 00
Mrs. S. L. Reading
12 50
Wm. Niece and wife, 17 50
George F. Bloom 7 00
31
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Thomas Mechling
2 00
Mary McClain 2 00
Mrs. Houghawout
1 00
Charles R. Everitt and wife 4 00
Wm. E. Culver
1 00
.3 *
32
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
CHAPTER IV.
REMINISCENCES BY JOHN W. LEQUEAR, ESQ , REVS. A. M. PALMER, WALTER CHAMBERLIN, CORNELIUS CLARK AND JOSEPH GAS- KILL.
" 'Tis greatly wise, to talk with our past hours, And ask them what report they bore to Heaven, And how they might have borne more welcome news."
Reminiscences by J. W. Lequear.
IN contemplating the change time has wrought even in this county, one is filled with surprise and thankfulness. At my birth there was not a single newspaper published in this county, and now there are not less than a dozen. The first one published was the Hunterdon Gazette and Farmers' Weekly Advertiser, by Charles George, March 24, 1825. Churches were few. There were none in Milford, Frenchtown, Stockton, and only one in Lambertville-the Presbyterian Church -built, I think, in 1818; indeed, but few houses in any of these villages. St. Thomas Stone Episcopal Church, near the northern boundery of Kingwood, and the St. Andrew Episcopal Church, at Ringoes, and the old stone Presbyterian Church.
The Baptists occupied much of the intervening country, and where- ever they settled they gave a free opportunity to all others to settle and enjoy their religious belief without fear or molestation. Their place of meeting was at Baptisttown, with occasional preaching at outlying stations. There was not a single Methodist Church in the county.
About the year 1815, the Methodists formed a class and began to hold meetings in Kingwood at the house of Thomas West. In the year 1816 they purchased a lot from Mr. West's farm, and soon set about building the first Methodist house of worship in the county, so far as I know. Before the building of their house, they held out- door meetings in Mr. West's woods; a large rock still bears the name of Pulpit Rock. The first trustees were : Thomas West, Joseph West, Jacob Hart, Darius Everitt, Christopher Snyder, William Serch, and Abraham Slack, some of whom were well known to the writer.
Soon after this they held a camp meeting below Milltown, near William Keer's present residence. I cannot obtain the names of the
33
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
preachers who took part in this meeting, but presume Manning Force, then a young preacher, took an active part in it, as he was instrumental in organizing this society. The first preachers I remember hearing were Manning Force and Jacob Heavener. Mr. Force was a tall, slender man, of fine, pleasant countenance and sweet-toned voice, while Mr. Heavener was an energetic speaker full of zeal in his fiery denun- ciations of sin.
The Fox Hill Methodist Society was organized, I think, about the year 1819. After some years Manning Force became presiding elder. The distance from Fairmount to Kingwood is about thirty miles. I frequently saw Mr. Force making the journey on horseback, with his saddle-bags strapped on behind, containing his clothes, and oftentimes the mud was nearly knee deep, requiring him to wear overalls to pro- tect him from the mud. This good man died February 22, 1862, aged seventy-two years, having passed fifty-one years in the ministry.
The Bray family emigrated from Middletown, Monmouth County, in 1713, purchasing land and settling in Kingwood. They were earnest Baptists in their religious faith. The West family were members of the first Methodist class formed in Kingwood. Wilson Bray having married Mary West, he united soon after with the Methodists. Two years after his term as Sheriff had expired, he bought the homestead and farm of his father-in-law, Thomas West, who resided near the Kingwood M. E. Church, to which he removed from Flemington. They had a large family of sons and daughters, and this home became the "Preacher's Home" until Mr. Bray's death. The itinerant preachers always felt sure of a social and Christian welcome.
I think it was in the fall of 1838 that the great revival took place in this church, conducted by Rev. James M. Tuttle. I remember being there the first night he preached, and remember his text: " Behold, I stand at the door and knock." This earnest servant of God died November 22, 1887, aged seventy-eight years, after fifty-one years in the ministry.
I have a distinct remembrance of hearing many of the old-time ministers, but have forgotten their names; perhaps Caleb Lippencot was one of the first I became acquainted with, preaching at Kingwood and Sergeantsville in 1845; he was a portly man, a plain, but earnest speaker. But the first preacher I became intimately acquainted with was Stacy W. Hilliard, who was about my own age, and we became warm friends. He died August 31st, 1873.
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