USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > The church in eastern Ohio; a history with special reference to the parishes of St. Paul's, Steubenville, St. James's, Cross Creek and St. Stephen's, Steubenville > Part 1
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Gc 977.1 D77c 1829655
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02398 8667
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/churchineasterno00doyl_0
The Church in Eastern Ohio
A HISTORY
With Special Reference to the Parishes of
ST. PAUL'S, STEUBENVILLE ST. JAMES'S, CROSS CREEK AND
ST. STEPHEN'S, STEUBENVILLE
By JOSEPH B. DOYLE
Author of Memorial Life Edwin M. Stanton, Frederick William Von Steuben and The American Revolution, Jefferson County Twentieth Century History, Etc.
Steubenville, Ohio Published for the Author by H. C. COOK CO. 1914
1829655
REV. INTREPID MORSE. D.D.
D 2892 .241
DOYLE, JOSEPH BEATTY, 1849-
The church in eastern Ohio: a history with special reference ot the parishes of St. Paul's, Steubenville, St. James's, Cross Creek and St. Stephen's, Steubenville. Steubenville, O., H. C. Cook Co., 1914. xiv, 269p. front. , plates, ports. ,plan. 23cm.
"Limited edition, this edition of The church in eastern Ohio is limited to two hundred copies, of which is no. 119." 74-13458
ICN 174 1 OC PC /sh A ASh CAR Gr · GrSh Mss W Grf GriSh CSh G
LIMITED EDITION THIS EDITION OF THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO IS LIMITED TO TWO HUNDRED COPIES, OF WHICH THIS IS 119 NO
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Copyright, 1914, by Joseph B. Doyle. Published September, 1914.
04-13458
TO THAT WORTHY PIONEER, REV. JOSEPH DODDRIDGE, D.D., WHO LAID THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING COD IN THIS OHIO VALLEY, AND TO THAT SAINTLY PRIEST, REV. INTREPID MORSE, D.D.,
WHO CARRIED FORWARD THE SUPERSTRUCTURE TO A . STATELY EDIFICE, THIS BRIEF HISTORY IS RESPECT- FULLY DEDICATED.
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PREFACE
For several years the writer of this work has had in view the preparation of a brief history of the American Church in this section. One object was to preserve, be- fore it should be too late, the fast fading record of those who laid the foundations of that superstructure into whose heritage we have entered, and the other to correct some impressions as erroneous as the fiction that pretty much all that is valuable in America came from the "pil- grim fathers" or their descendants. In a volume pub- lished a few years ago by the Ohio Historical Society, giving an account of different religious bodies, the state- ment is made that "the Episcopalians came to Ohio in 1817." As this was written by a person outside the Church whose knowledge of her history was evidently limited, perhaps the expression might be excused on the ground of "invincible ignorance," but when we turn to Bishop Perry's monumental work we find almost the same thing. Although he refers to a lay organization at Boardman in 1809, they have no priest until eight years later, and the picture of the spiritual destitution of the Finley family gives a most one-sided view of conditions in this section. Another historian discovers that Dr. Doddridge did some itinerant work in Eastern Ohio in 1811, which is undoubtedly correct as an isolated state- ment, but ignores the fact that this itineracy had begun nineteen years earlier.
The original intention was to prepare a sketch of St. Paul's Church, Steubenville, alone, but its history was found to be so interwoven with that of other parishes in this neighborhood, as well as of the original diocese of Ohio, that it was found desirable to enlarge the scope of the undertaking.
Vil1
PREFACE.
In the lives of parishes as well as that of the Church at large are found incidents that some would prefer to have forgotten. But they are a part of the organization's history, and cannot be ignored in any fair portraiture of the past. While the writer has not refrained from the expression of views or drawing of conclusions where the situation demanded such, yet the object has been to pre- sent an unbiased report of events as they have occurred, without regard to individual predilections.
As most of the authorities used in this production are given in the narrative, it is not necessary to refer to them here. Acknowledgment should be made, however, to Misses Chase, of Gambier, for valuable information furnished, including original documents, and also to Charles P. Filson for useful artistic aid.
Trusting that this book may accomplish the purpose for which it is written, namely, the preservation of precious historical matter that might otherwise have been lost, and that it may prove a not inappropriate preliminary to the proposed publication which is expected to give a worthy history of the Ohio Diocese, it is hoped that it may be kindly received by the descendants of those sturdy pioneers who planted the Church in this valley, as well as those who have taken up the work and carried it on to the present day.
J. B. D.
Steubenville, Ohio, September 15, 1914.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1.
PIONEER CHURCHMEN
1
Gist's Journey to the Ohio Country. The First Christmas Service.
CHAPTER II.
THE DODDRIDGE FAMILY 6
Settlement in the Ohio Valley. Birth of Joseph Doddridge. Early Life and Career. Returns to the Church of His
Fathers. Missionary Zeal. Parish Founded in Brooke County.
CHAPTER III.
THE CHURCH COMES TO OHIO 19
First Services in Steubenville. Home of Mary McGuire. Agreement with Dr. Doddridge. Beginning of St. James's, Cross Creek. A Western Diocese Proposed in 1810. Meet- ings in 1816. Diocese of Ohio Created.
CHAPTER IV.
A NEW ERA 33
The Chase Family. First Bishop of Ohio. Organization of St. Paul's. Request of St. James's People for a Bishop. First Episcopal Visitations. Large Confirmation Classes. Interest of the People.
CHAPTER V.
A FATHER IN ISRAEL 50
Rev. Mr. Morse Accepts Call to St. Paul's. His Early His- tory and Ordination. Old Church at . Duanesburgh. Inter- esting Coincidences. Congregation Moves to "Old Acad- emy." Mr. Morse Assumes Charge at Cross Creek. Death of Father Doddridge. Founding of Kenyon College. In- ternal Troubles. Bishop Chase's Last Days.
CHAPTER VI.
PARISHES INCORPORATED 71
New St. James's Church Consecrated. Unprecedented Con- gregations and Confirmation Classes. Early Pewholders at St. Paul's. One-Fifth of Diocesan Communicants in Jef- ferien County St. James's Largest Parish in the State. Wedding
81
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII.
NEW CHURCH BUILDINGS
Activity of the Woman's Society. Purchase of Lot. Brick Edifice for St. Paul's. First Pewholders. Consecration Services. First Pipe Organ in the Town. Mr. Morse in Charge of St. Paul's Alone. Mr. Gray at St. James's. A New Brick Church at Cross Creek. Educational work. Diocesan Convention at Steubenville.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE OXFORD MOVEMENT 97
Opposition of Bishop McIlvaine. Enlargement of Church Fabric. New Organ Installed. Changes in Choir. Parish Burial Grounds. Infrequent Confirmations. Assistant Bishop Chosen. Chancel and Other Improvements. Assist- ant Rectors. First Ordination in St. Paul's. Early Christ- mas Festivals and Decorations.
CHAPTER IX.
A PERIOD OF TRIAL 114
New St. James's Church Consecrated. Troubles at St. Paul's. Disagreements with the Rector. Consultations with the Bishops. The Church Closed and Reopened. Res- ignation of Dr. Morse. Illness and Death.
CHAPTER X.
NEW RECTORS 123
Rev. Charles Gillette Called. Rapid Progress of the Parish. Alterations in Interior of Building. Unexpected Resigna- tion. A Land Purchase. Rectorship of Rev. Dr. Hull. Choir and Vestry Changes.
CHAPTER XI.
A GREAT STEP FORWARD 133
Rev. Thomas D. Pitts Becomes Rector. Eloquent Preacher and Attractive Personality. Purchase of Rectory. Move- ment to Build a New Church Consummated. Last Services in Old Building. Cornerstone Laying. Imposing Conse- cration Services. Description of the Structure.
CHAPTER XII.
PATHS OF PROGRESS 160
Resignation of Dr. Pitts. Purchase of Lot. Rev. R. W. Grange Becomes Rector. New Communion Set. Early Easter Services. Diocesan Convention. Financial Matters.
xi
CONTENTS.
New Bishop Chosen. Mr. Grange Succeeded by Rev. C. D. Williams. Parish House Built. Weekly Communion.
Vested Choir. Mr. Williams Resigns. Rectory Sold. .
CHAPTER XIII.
CHANGES AND TROUBLES 181
Rev. H. LeF. Grabau Called. Advanced Views of New Rec- tor. Toronto Mission. Convocation. Ordination. Dissat- isfaction. Exciting Parish Election. Chapel Furnished. Rector Resigns. Rev. G. W. Hinkle Succeeds. Efforts for Harmony. Centennial Celebration.
CHAPTER XIV.
DIVISION OF THE PARISH 196
Petition for Separation. Consents Granted. Third Ordi- nation Service. Fruitless Effort Towards Reunion. Fourth Ordination. Imposing Services. Correction of Name. Death of Mrs. Hinkle and Rector's Resignation. Rev. J. W. Foster Called. First Midnight Service. Debt Reduc- tion. Mr. Foster Resigns. Finances Improved.
CHAPTER XV.
PROSPEROUS YEARS 210
Calling of Rev. W. M. Sidener-Marked Revival of Inter- est. Parish Debt Extinguished. Large Increase in Com- municants. Growth of Sunday School. Enlargement of Parish House. Wells Memorial.
CHAPTER XVI. 226
THE VESTED CHOIR
Historical Resume. Embryo Organizations. Formal Inau- guration. Remarkable Musical Services. Record of Indus- try and Patient Work.
CHAPTER XVII.
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH 248
Organization of New Parish. Chapel Leased. Mr. Cow- ling First Rector. Purchase of Rectory Property. Mr. Gaylord Called. St. James's Centennial. New Church Edifice. Mr. Redhead's Rectorship. Parish House Built. Vested Choir. Mr. Bissell Called.
ILLUSTRATIONS
REV. INTREPID MORSE, D.D. .. Frontispiece Facing Page
JEFFERSON COUNTY INFIRMARY 22
Site of Mary McGuire Home.
STEUBENVILLE COURT HOUSE Services 1809-1816.
22
OLD COUNCIL CHAMBER 22 Services 1816-1822.
WILLIAM R. DICKINSON RESIDENCE 46
OLD ACADEMY 46 Services 1822-1833.
CHRIST CHURCH, DUANESBURGHI, N. Y.
52
WELLS-STOKELY MANSION 56
FEATHERSTONAUGH MANSION, DUANESBURGH, N. Y. 64
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, BROOKE COUNTY 64
KENYON COLLEGE 68
RT. REV. PHILANDER CHASE 74
RT. REV. CHARLES P. MCIL VAINE 74
PEW PLAN OF ST. PAUL'S, 1833 84
ST. JAMES'S CHURCH, CROSS CREEK 88
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, EAST SPRINGFIELD 88
OLD ST. PAUL'S 100
OLD ST. PAUL'S, INTERIOR, 1879 124
GRAVES OF MR. AND MRS. MORSE 124
REV. CHARLES GILLETTE 134
REV. ANDREW HULL 134 1
REV. R. W. GRANCE 134
RT. REV. CHARLES D. WILLIAMS 134
REV. THOMAS D. PITTS 144
xiv
ILLUSTRATIONS.
NEW ST. PAUL'S · 154
RT. REV. GREGORY T. BEDELL . L. 168
RT. REV. WILLIAM A. LEONARD 168
ST. PAUL'S PARISH HOUSE
172
ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL
172
REV. H. LeF. GRABAU
184
REV. GEORGE W. HINKLE
184
REV. J. W. FOSTER 184
REV. WILLIAM M. SIDENER 184
ANGEL OF THE RESURRECTION James Means Memorial.
204
RT. REV. FRANK DUMOULIN 212
HOLY CROSS MISSION, TILTONVILLE 212
BAPTISTERY, ST. PAUL'S 218
ST. PAUL'S CHANCEL 222
With Wells Memorial.
CHOIR CAMP, 1894 . 230
CHOIR BOYS AT INDIAN ROCK 230
ST. PAUL'S CHOIR, 1897 238
SOME EARLY CHOIR BOYS 244
REV. E. W. COWLING
250
REV. HERBERT L. GAYLORD
250
REV. EDWIN B. REDHEAD
250
REV. ALLEN P. BISSELL 250
ST. STEPHEN'S TEMPORARY CHAPEL . 256
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH AND PARISH HOUSE . 256
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, INTERIOR 260
The Church in Eastern Ohio
The Church in Eastern Ohio
CHAPTER I.
PIONEER CHURCHMEN.
Gist's Journey to the Ohio Country -- The First Christmas Service.
To fix the exact date when the first religious services in English were held in the Ohio Valley is, perhaps, im- possible. Before the cycle of the eighteenth century had passed its meridian the Anglo Saxon trader and trapper had invaded what was called the Indian country in suffi- cient numbers to disturb the followers of the King of France, who had marked this land in their minds as their own. Many of these adventurers were baptized mem- bers of the Church of England in the Colonies, but their dispositions, their isolated condition and their surround- ings were not such as to develop the religious side of their character, which in most instances, it must be con- fessed, was not very prominent. Among the leaders of this advance army was George Croghan, who came to Pennsylvania in 1741. He was licensed to traffic with the Indians in 1744, and from his success in this direc- tion became known as "The King of the Traders." His home in 1776 was probably within the present city limits of Pittsburgh, which was within convenient distance of
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
the Ohio country, and his standing is summed up by E. W. Hassler in his book entitled "Old Westmoreland," by the statement that "The man of most influence in this community (Fort Pitt) was the fat old trader and Indian agent, Col. George Croghan, who lived on a pretentious plantation about four miles up the Allegheny River. He was an Irishman by birth and an Episcopalian by religion when he permitted religion to trouble him."
The inference from the last clause might be that Croghan did not permit his religion to trouble him very much, but certain it is that he possessed the rugged vir- tues of honesty and decision of character which won for him the confidence of both Indians and whites, with the result that he was engaged in practically all the important missions to the Red Men which were undertaken during his career, and which contributed materially towards opening up the country to settlement. His son, George Croghan, Jr., married a sister of George Rogers Clark, another Churchman, whose daring march and skillful diplomacy during the War of the Revolution added the great Northwest Territory to the American domain, and made possible the ultimate expansion of the Nation to the Pacific.
The French were not unmindful of the encroach- ments of the British into what they considered their own preserves, and, in order to secure at least a "paper title" to this domain, organized an expedition under command of Chevalier Celoron de Bienville which, in the summer of 1749, passed down the Ohio River, warning off Eng- lish traders, and placing leaden plates on trees or under ground, giving notice to all concerned that this territory was claimed by the King of France. But the English colonists paid about as much attention to this pronun- ciamento as their ancestors two centuries before had re- garded the edict of the Bishop of Rome, which assumed
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PIONEER CHURCHMEN.
to divide the new world between the crowns of Spain and Portugal.
Among the other projects of that day was the secur- ing of lands for settlement by the Ohio Company, an or- ganization formed by George Washington, his half brothers, Lawrence and Augustine, and other prominent Virginians and Londoners. It was necessary to get some definite information concerning the country and its Indian inhabitants, so, accordingly, in the fall of 1750, an expedition was sent to this region in charge of Chris- topher Gist, the well-known pioneer, accompanied by Croghan. Gist had studied for the priesthood in Eng- land, but afterwards took up surveying and pioneer work. The party started from Colonel Cresap's home in Mary- land, on the Potomac River, on November 4, and on the 25th reached Logstown, a Seneca village on the Ohio River, about twenty-six miles northeast of the present city of Steubenville (air line). From thence they fol- lowed the river, which here flows almost due north, until they reached the mouth of Beaver. Thence following a northwest trail for about fifteen miles, they crossed the present boundary of the State of Ohio into what was afterwards a part of Jefferson County and within a cou- ple of miles of what is now the village of Achor in Co- lumbiana County. From there they proceeded westward south of Bayard to Big Sandy, near Oneida, all within the original limits of Jefferson County, reaching the town of the Wyandots at the forks of the Muskingum, now Coshocton. What happened there we will allow Mr. Gist to tell in his own words. His diary reads :
Tuesday, 25. This being Christmas Day, I intended to read Prayers, but after inviting some of the White Men, they in- formed each other of my intentions: and being of several differ ent persuasions, and few of them inclined to hear any good, they refused to come. But one Thomas Burney, a blacksmith who is settled there, went about and talked to them, and several
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
of them came, and Andrew Montour invited several of the well- disposed Indians, who came freely; by this time the morning was spent, and I had given over all thoughts of them, but seeing them come, to oblige all, and offend none, I stood up and said: Gentlemen, I have no design or intention to give offence to any particular sectary or religion, but as our King indulges us all in a liberty of conscience and hinders none of you in the exer- cise of your religious worship, so it would be unjust in you to endeavor to stop the propagation of his. The doctrine of sal- vation, faith and good works is what I only propose to treat of as I find it extracted from the Homilies of the Church of Eng- land; which I then read them in the best manner I could, and after I had done the interpreter told the Indians what I had read, and that it was the true faith which the great King and his Church recommended to his children. The Indians seemed well pleased, and came up to me and returned me their thanks, and then invited me to live among them and gave me a name, in their language, Annosonah .. The interpreter told me this was the name of a good man who had formerly lived among them, and their King said that must be always my name, for which I returned them thanks, but as to living among them I excused myself, saying I did not know whether the Governor would give me leave, and if he did the French would come and carry me away as they had done the English traders. To which they answered I might bring great guns and make a fort, that they had now left the French, and were very desirous of being in- structed in the principles of Christianity; that they liked me very well and wanted me to marry them after the Christian manner, and baptize their children; and then they said they would never desire to return to the French, or suffer them or their priest to come near them more, for they loved the Eng- lish, but had seen but little religion among them. And some of their great men came and wanted me to baptize their children, for as I had read to them and appeared to talk about religion they took me to be a minister of the Gospel. Upon which I desired Mr. Montour (the interpreter) to tell them that no minister could venture to baptize any children until those that were to be sureties for them were well instructed in the faith themselves, and that this was according to the great King's reli- gion, in which he desired his children should be instructed, and we dare not do it in any way than was by law established [ per- haps it was fortunate this law had not been in force on the first Whitsunday], but I hoped if I could not be admitted to live among them, that the great King would send them proper min- isters to exercise that office among them, at which they seemed well pleased, and one of them brought me his book, which was a kind contrived for them by the French, in which the days of the week were so marked that by moving a pin every morning they kept pretty exact account of time, 10 show me that he un- derstood me, and that he and his family always observed the Sabbath Day.
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PIONEER CHURCHMEN.
In his "Notes to Gist's Journal" William M. Dar- lington declares that "This no doubt was the first Prot- estant religious service ever held within the present state of Ohio."
What might have been the result had Gist been able to carry out his suggestion of sending "proper ministers" to his red brethren it is idle to speculate. French activity soon rendered abortive all plans of the Ohio Company, the border warfare followed, and after the peace of 1763 the Ohio country was made part of the province of Que- bec. Croghan died at Passayunk, Pa., in 1782, Gist hav- ing passed away in the South about twelve years before.
It was the policy of the British Government to dis- courage settlements in the Indian country as this was called, but that did not prevent the pioneers from com- ing out on their own account. Croghan conducted a party down the Ohio in 1765 and George Washington one in 1770, but we do not hear of them holding any services, although Washington was in the habit of car- rying his Prayer Book with him, and more than once acted as lay-reader, the most noted occasion being that of Braddock's funeral. So like that of Drake's chaplain on the Pacific coast in 1578, Gist's service and instruction on the banks of the Muskingum stand alone for a period of more than forty years.
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CHAPTER II.
THE DODDRIDGE FAMILY.
Settlement in the Ohio Valley-Birth of Joseph Doddridge- Early Life and Career-Returns to the Church of His Fathers-Missionary Zeal-Parish Founded in Brooke County.
The successful termination of the American Revo- lution and the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787 gave a marked impetus to emigration to the valley of the Ohio. Kentucky was already fairly populated, and the overflow from Virginia and Western Pennsylvania was seeking homes north and west of the river. But so far as the Church was concerned the immigrants were sheep with- out a shepherd. If any cry from the Western wilderness reached beyond the Allegheny mountains it was too weak to be heard, or if heard, the American Church was then too busily engaged in perfecting its autonomy, and, in- deed, trying to preserve its existence, to heed the appeal. The time was at hand, however, when that appeal was to be answered, at least in a measure. Among the early English emigrants to Maryland was the Doddridge fam- ily, members of the Church of England, but identified with the Wesleyan societies which had not then separated from the Church. Of these John Doddridge married Mary, daughter of Richard Wells, also of Maryland, and entered a homestead in the valley of Friend's Cove in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, a few miles south of the town of that name. Here on October 14, 1769, was born Joseph Doddridge, his eldest son. Neglecting to con- plete his title, the elder Doddridge lost his home, and early in 1223 moved to Washington County, Pa., near
7
THE DODDRIDGE FAMILY.
the line of the Virginia Pan Handle, and only a few miles from the Ohio River. The farm was located in Inde- pendence Township close by the present village of West Middleton, what was afterwards known as Doddridge's fort, one of the frontier blockhouses, being about three miles from the village. He was the first settler in that township, his original home being what was afterwards known as the Leggett farm on Cross Creek, afterwards removing to the Murdock farm, on which the fort was built. The elder Doddridge erected a small building on his place for school and worship, long known as Dod- dridge's Chapel, which passed through various hands and was finally taken down. The old graveyard still remains.
Mrs. Doddridge died on November 30, 1777, as the result of a kick from a runaway horse, and soon after Joseph was sent back to Maryland to school. It was a new experience for a boy only eight years of age, and utterly unacquainted with the outside world. He tells us that the first Christian service he ever heard was in the garrison church in Baltimore County, when he was about ten years old. The appearance of the church, the win- dows of which were Gothic, the white surplice of the minister, and the responses in the service overwhelmed him with surprise. Among his schoolfellows it was a matter of reproach to him that he was not baptized, be- cause as they said, "I had no name."
Young Doddridge remained in Maryland several years, and on his return home he assisted his father on the farm until about eighteen years of age, when he be- came an itinerant preacher in the Wesleyan Society.
Jolin Wesley died on March 2, 1791, a priest of the Church of England, and it was not until six years after his death, that the Wesleyan societies, contrary to his dying request, formally separated from the Church, and gave their preachers authority to administer the Sacra-
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
ments, especially the Lord's Supper. Wesley, however, had appointed Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury as su- perintendents of the American Wesleyans in 1784. Mr. Coke went through a form of ordination at Bristol, England, and the following December he performed the same ceremony for Asbury at Baltimore. Whether Wes- ley so intended or not, this was in effect a withdrawal from the Church, as the new officers and those ordained by them assumed all the functions of the priesthood so far as they considered the same necessary. Although fragmentary forms of the old ritual were used when de- sired, yet to all intents and purposes there was now a new religious organization in the field. That Mr. Doddridge was active in pursuit of the duties which he now assumed, and stood well with his associates is evidenced by the few scanty details which have come down to us. Hon. Thomas Scott, of Chillicothe, Ohio, who was a traveling Methodist preacher in the latter part of the eighteenth century, says: "My acquaintance with the Rev. J. Dod- dridge commenced at the house of Rev. John J. Jacob in Hampshire County, Va., in July, 1788. He was then in company with Rev. Francis Asbury, by whom he was held in high esteem. At a conference held at Uniontown, Pa., a short time previous, he had been received as a trav- eling preacher in the Wesleyan connection, was then on his way to the Holston circuit, and subsequently labored on the West River and Pittsburgh circuits. About this time at the request of Mr. Asbury he studied German in order that he might labor among the immigrants of that nationality."
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