History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 186

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 186
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 186

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

Lundy and Esther Lewis, report that the same was orderly ac- complished," and from that beld the 23d of Fifth month, follow- ing that Benjamin Lundy and Esther, his wife, request a certi- ficate to Plainfield Monthly Meeting, which was produced, ap- proved and signed by the clerk." On Sixth month 20, 1815, the representatives appointed the preceding month to attend the quarterly meeting, report that they all attended and inform "that it is recommended to the monthly meetings to appoint suitable committees to assist and encourage Friends in making wills in time of health." After due deliberation such an ap- pointment was made. About the year 1818, the subject of estab- fishing an institution for the guarded education of Friends' children was agitated, but the definite steps which resulted in the Friends Boarding School of Mt. Pleasant were not taken until years afterward.

The memorable division which occurreed in the various Yearly Meetings in America, and which originated the two branches commonly known as Orthodox and Hicksite Friends, took place in Ohio Ninth month and sixth day, 1828, during the week of Yearly Meeting. The party sympathizing with Elias Hicks adopted the simple name of Friends, while the other par- ty assumed the name of Orthodox Friends; each party, how- ever, claiming to hold the principles of George Fox and other early ministers and writers of the church, The probability is that from the rise of the Society in the 17th century, there had really existed differences of opinion on some doctrinal points which were not particularly regarded in the earlier days, while still warm from the fever kindled by persecution, and filled with the spiritual health which the presence and influence of the de- voted men and women who were instrumental in the rise and carly prosperity of the society, had nourished. But when

"Full long its feet the flowery ways Of peace had trod," and

"Too cheaply truths, once purchased dear, Were made its own."

Controversy more and more prevailed on points which have perplexed the great and good in all ages of the christian church, and respecting which widely diverse judgments have been reached by holy, God-loving, righteous men. As is the univer- sal tendency where people are met on the basis of opinion, there developed two broad parties, which were necessarily irrecon . cilable, so long as that spirit prevailed, which in this age "gib- bets men in sermons and burns them in print," and a permanent separation ensucd. Oftimes

"God's hand within the shadow lays The stone whereon His gates of praise Shall rise at last."

Perhaps from this cloud which caused grievous mourning among many in both divisions came a baptism into deep things, which brought such into a new nearness to God's truth, That spiritual comfort is dispensed, independent of theological articles of opinion, seems patent since unquestionably these branches of the church, both continued to receive strength from an edifying Gospel ministry, and to abound in members highly blessed spiritually.

For years the Orthodox branch continued meetings for worship at both Mt. Pleasant and Short Creek. Early in the year 1829 the branch denominated, Hicksite purchased land one mile west - of Mt. Pleasant at a point central, for those in membership, and soon occupied a meeting house, built thereon for particular meet- ings, but continued to have the use of the houses at Short Creek and Mt. Pleasant when desired for quarterly and yearly meet- ing purposes.

The Orthodox yearly meeting of Ohio was again disrupted in 1854, into what are known as the Gurney and Wilbur factions. Soon after this, those in harmony with the part denominated Gurney Friends discontinued the use ofthe house on Short creek, all consolidating in the meeting convening in the yearly meet- ing house in Mount Pleasant, and those denominated Wilbnrites found it desirable to discontinue their meeting, held at Short creek, the members being attached to their meetings at other points. The boarding school property remained in the posses- sion of this branch until 1874, when the supreme court of Ohio, by its decision settled the title in favor of the Gurney division. Previous to this decision the Wilbur Friends had continued to hold their yearly meeting at Mount Pleasant, but soon after made arrangements to remove it to Barnesville, Belmont county. Their last yearly meeting was held at Mt. Pleasant, in Tenth month of 1877.

Those who worship still in Mt. Pleasant appear to have de- parted, in some measure, from the plain, simple form of earlier years. They now send out ministers into the world as evan- gelists, and have adopted the same practice of singing, praying and preaching that other churches have, and the general man- ner of conducting the religious services is not very different from other churches,

As one of their ministers expressed himself, it is now an aggressive and progressive church. After all its vicissitudos and' trials it is still in a prosperous and flourishing condition, having had an addition of forty members within the last year.

A Sabbath school was organized in connection with this church May 3, 1858, with Ellwood Ratcliff as superintendent. Early in its history caro was extended toward certain children, who were prevented from attending from want of suitable clothing, and a committee was appointed to supply the wants of those in need Solicitude was also felt for colored children and a committee was appointed in their behalf. This school is still continued.

Friends known as Hicksites hold their meetings regularly in the house one mile west of Mt. Pleasant, built soon after the division of 1828. The meetings appear to be conducted in the primitive style of Friends, and those assembling to be substan- tial, intelligent citizens of the community.

A Sabbath school has also been established here for a num- ber of years which appears to be under efficient management.

THOMAS SHILLITOE'S DIARY RELATING TO FRIENDS' OHIO YEARLY MEET- ING.

In connection with the history of the Friends' churches of Warren township, Belmont county (see page 346), is given a brief sketch of the life and character of Thomas Shillitoe, ac- companied by some extracts from a diary he kept, the action of the Stillwater quarterly meeting, in reference to the teaching's and proceedings of Elias Hicks and his followers. For the same reasons there expressed, we give the following extracts froin his diary of the Friends' Ohio yearly meeting pertaining to the same subject :

"Seventh day morning, 6th of Ninth month, 1828, the first sitting of the Ohio Select Yearly Meeting commenced at Mt. Pleasant. At the time appointed for the meeting to assemble Elias Hicks and two other preachers of his party tried to gain admittance, but, being refused, they replied that they could hold their meeting in the open air as George Fox did, Furnishing. themselves with chairs, in company with about twelve of the select members of this Yearly Meeting who had united them- selves with the Hicksite party, they held their meeting outside of the meeting-house fence. Although their voices were at times, heard in our meeting, yet it did not appear the meeting suffered thereby, except the minds of Friends being affected with sorrow on their account. In the afternoon attended the meet- ing for sufferings. Friends being aware of the difficult situation they were likely to be placed in, on the day when the Yearly Meeting for the general concerns of the society was to commence, a consultation took place on the subject and it was concluded to have the usual doors open, and that the doorkeepers should be requested to endeavor to keep the meeting select, but not to use force.

"First day morning, 7th of Ninth month, 1828, attended the meeting at Mt. Pleasant. It may easily be supposed the pros- pect of going to meeting this morning must have been formida- ble. The house was crowded, and before the meeting was fully gathered, Elias Hicks stood up and occupied much time setting forth " his doctrines." "After he had taken his seat a Friend rose and informed the andience of the situation in which Elias Hicks stood with his friends at home. From the great concourse of people we passed in the afternoon on their way to Short creek meeting, where Elias Hicks was to be, I had cherished a hope we should have had a quiet meeting at Mt. Pleasant, but we had not long settled down before two of the preachers of the Separatists rose one after the other. On their being requested again and again to sit down, the Hicksite party shouted from various parts of the meeting, manifesting such violence of tem- per that it appeared safest to suffer than to go on. Although it was as distressing a meeting as most I have sat in, yet when it closed I could not say I regretted my lot was cast amongst Friends to share with them in their exercises.

Second day, 8th, Ninth month, 1828. At eight o'clock this morning the committee of men and women Friends on Indian affairs met, to which committee strangers were invited, of which number I considered myself to be one. When the bush @ss of

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

this committee closed, Friends and the clerks remained in the house. The time for the gathering of the Yearly Meeting on the general concerns of the society, being nearly come. these Friends filled up the minister's gallery and front seats. Printed , notices had been served on Elias Hicks and others, and copies nailed on the doors of the men's and women's house (room), signed by the trustees of the property, warning them not to enter the meeting-house during the sittings of the Yearly Meet- ings. Numerous doorkeepers were also in attendance, but the Separatists became so violent that it appeared no longer possible for the doorkeepers to maintain their posts unless they repelled force by force. Friends conferred together, when it seemed safest to request the doorkeepers to desist from their charge and leave the doors. This taking place, the mob, headed by two of the preachers of the Separatists, poured into the house like a torrent, accompanied by some of the rude rabble of the town. They violently opened the doors that had been kept fast, and some young men entering the women's house (room) committed the same outrage. After the assembly had become quiet beyond what could have been expected, all circumstances considered, the clerk, Jonathan Taylor, opened the Yearly Meeting amidst this crowd of intruders; on which one of the Separatists' party stood up and declared he was authorized by the members of the Ohio Yearly Meeting to order the clerks that were then at the table to quit, and give place to such clerks as they should choose for themselves, at the same time naming an individual for the . office, which nomination was confirmed by many of the Separa- lists shouting out at the same time, " That's my mind; that's my mind. Why does not our clerk come forward?" The Sep- aratists then crowded between the front seats and up on the table and ordered the Friends who were standing near the clerk's table to quit; but, their demand not being complied with, they began to use violence, on which the clerks were ordered to take down the names of such as appeared to take an active part in such proceedings. This did not check their proceedings. and finding that they were not likely to succeed in driving Friends from the part of the table, they endeavored to do so by a door behind the clerk. My seat being next to the clerk, a man of large stature and bulk came over the gallery-rail almost upon me, and after him two young men. I was on the point of get- ting up to leave the house, but before I was upon my feet one of the Separatists near me, looking up, exclaimed that the gallery over our heads was falling. A great crash at this moment was heard over our heads, which it was afterwards proved had been produced by oneof the Separatists breaking a piece of wood. Immediately on an alarm being given, "the gallery is falling," from the other side of the house there was an ontery, "The house is falling." The door of the women's house (room) was thrown open and they were told the house was falling. A sud- den rush in every direction produced a sound not unlike thun- der, and brought down a small part of the ceiling in the gallery. This raised a considerable dust, and had the appearance of the walls giving way and the ceiling coming down. Whilst I was making my way from my seat a Friend informed the meeting it was a false alarmn. The Separatists who had crowded into the minister's gallery and given this alarm, instead of making their way themselves out of the house, called out, " Make way for the Old Friend." Others said, " Let the Old Friend come by." So I had no difficulty until I reached the door where the crowd was very great. Some were thrown down, and were in dan- ger of being trampled to death. A young Friend told me they forced the sashes ont with their feet and tumbled out of the win- dows. One young man, report says, in his fright, dropped out of an upper window. The Separatists having now obtained access to the door at the back of the clerk's table, voices were heard above the general uproar, "Now is the time, rush on," which they did, but not being able to get possession of the table, it was broken to pieces. In a short time I returned into the Meeting again. When the tumult and uproar had some- what subsided, it was proposed that we should leave this scene of riot; which, being united with Friends, adjourned.

Third day, 9, of Ninth month, 1828. Morning-Friends met in the meeting house lot, at Mt. Pleasant; opened the select meet- ing and adjourned it to Short creek meeting house, admittance having been denied them to Mt. Pleasant meeting house. The yearly meeting standing adjourned to ten o'clock this morning Friends were advised to make a formal demand of the men's and women's house. They therefore assembled in the yard of the meeting house, at Mt. Pleasant, and the trustee for the property, with two of the representatives, went into the meeting house, the Separatists meeting being then sitting in it, and in an audi- ble manner demanded quiet possession of the house to transact

the business of the yearly meeting of Ohio select. After much quibbling on the part of the Separatists, when pressed to give a decisive answer to this question, whether they were willing to quietly resign the meeting house ? The answer they gave was: " There is no reply." The Seperatists then resumed their busi- ness. Notice was now given that Friends being kept out of their house, would open their yearly meeting in the yard ; men and women collected accordingly, at the front of the meeting house, the men to the cast and the women to the west ; here we had a large and solemn meeting. Friends were informed that in consequence of the injury which Jonathan Taylor, the yearly meeting's clerk had received yesterday, from the pressure at the table, he was unable to give his attendance, the assistant clerk was therefore requested to open the adjourument, which was accordingly done, after which the yearly meeting was adjourned to Short Creek meeting house, in which not a few of our com- pany on this solemn occasion were bathed in tears ; some of the youths amongst others.

Fourth day, 10. Ninth month, 1823. Friends met according to adjournment, at Short Creek, meeting house, and were favored - with a solid sitting together ; the meeting being opened a min- ule was made stating the cause whereby Friends were bronght under the necessity of quitting their own house and also ex- cluding from the sittings of this yearly meeting, such members of society as had united with others in producing the riot at Mt. Pleasant meeting house, and who had otherwise identified them- selves with the separatists . The chief subject that occupied at- tention at this time was what measures Friends were to adopt to secure peaccable enjoyment of their privilege in holding their meetings, select, and the names which had been taken down of those who had been the most active in the riots and in break - ing the clerk's table, were read over.

Fifth day morning, Friends again met. The inceting contin- ved large, and the weather being fine, was a favorable circum- stance as many were obliged to take their seats under tempor- ary awnings out of the meeting house, the windows having been taken out to accommodate the numerous company. Friends were favored with a quiet, comfortable sitting together.

Sixth day morning, the meeting again assembled, and matters which came before it were conducted in great harmony. The trials Friends had passed through had brought them very near to each other.

Seventh day morning, the meeting continued to be largely at- tended. In the afternoon I attended an adjournment of the meeting for sufferings.

Third day, 16th, Ninth month. The yearly meeting again met and attended to the various concerns which still claimed atten- tion having grown out of the present trying state of the society. Friends separated in great nearness of spirit ; the cheeks of most were bedewed with tears of sympathy and affection at the pros- pect of the sufferings that awaited them, through the opposition to be expected from their revolting brethren in their meetings at home.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This was one of the first churches organized in Ohio, but like too many of our first churches, its carly history is somewhat ob- scure. It is to be regretted that our forefathers did not more carefully preserve more of the early events and incidents in their respective churches, which would now be so highly appreciated by their descendants.

About 1798, Dr. John McMillan, the great apostle of Presby- terianism in Western Pennsylvania, crossed the Ohio river, and founded at least two churches, one on Short creek, now Mount Pleasant ; the other at Richland, now St. Clairsville. The spot is still pointed out where, on the farm now owned by Robert Finney, where Beech Spring school house How stands, near Short creek under the spreading branches of the forest trees, with a tent, or covered stand for the minister and leader of the singing, was effected the organization of this church. The names of those asking for the organization are lost. The first elders were Richard MeKibbon, Thomas MeCune, James Clark and James Eagleson. This tent or meeting place was three and a half miles southeast of the present village of Mount Pleasant. Two graves were once here, but the plowshare has left no trace of this last resting place of their ocenpants, and their names are now forgotten.

The first house built was a rude log one, about one and a fourth miles southeast of the place where the organization took place. It was at the foot of Hogue's hill, near the waters of Little Short creek, and was a very primitive structure, without

68-B. & J. Cos.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

stove or fireplace. At this house the cougregation met and worshiped twenty years. A cemetery, containing a hundred graves, was also made, but little now remains, except here or there a dilapidated tombstone to indicate where now sleep these silent dead. For the next eleven years the congregation occu- pied the Associate Reformel church, known as the Union House, within the present enclosed graveyard and near Mr. Murray's. This building was a bewed log house and stood on a bill about one and a fourth miles north of the old log house at the foot of Hogue's hill, and two miles cast of Mount Pleasant. This house was made into thresbing machines by Thomas Mitchell, Robert Theaker and James H. Drennen.

The pastor of this church, during these thirty-one years, was Rev. Joseph Anderson, who, after serving Short Creek and Richland some time, as a supply, was installed by the Presby- tery, August 20, 1800. He had been licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, October 17, 1798, and was ordained by the same Pres- bytery previous to his installation over these churches. His ordination, it is said. took place under a large tree on the farm of the late Clark Mitchell, and the honor was his (Anderson's) of being the first Presbyterian minister ordained west of the Ohio. One-third of his time was given to Short Creek and two-thirds to Plymonth. After serving both churches for many years, he was called for the whole of his time to Richland, though he continued to supply Short Creek for some years afterward. Mr. Anderson was a man of zeal and true piety, of good presence and address, but moderate abilities. He was dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Charles, Missouri, in 1835, and died at Monticello, in the same state, in 1847, in the eightieth year of bis age.

In 1829 the foundation was laid for a new house in Mount Pleasant, and the building completed in the winter of 1829 or 1830. It is not known whether it was dedicated or not. The building committee consisted of Adam Dunlap, John Hogg and William Pickens The brick work was done by Samnel Miller, the wood work by Henry Amrine, and Dr. Hamilton raised the money among the Masons to build the pulpit. This stood for twenty-five or twenty-six years. The walls becoming cracked, it became unsafe, and it was determined to build a new one, the present edifice. This house was completed in 1855. The build- ing committee was William Reid, Joseph Kitheart and William McGee. Contractor for the wood-work, J. H. Sidebottom ; ma- son work, Charles Mercerand John Smith. A. G. Kinsey burn- ed the brick ; cost, $2, 115.80. Rev. Samuel Boyd, of Bridgeport, preached the dedicatory sermon from Chronicles xx., 15. The house was frescoed and repaired in 1870, at a cost of $800-pa- pered by the ladies of the congregation. The pulpit was remod- elled in 1877, and the floor first carpeted, at a cost of $190.

There have been twenty-four ruling elders from its organiza tion down to the present time :

1798-Richard Mckibbon, Thomas MeCune, James Eagleson and James Clark.

1808-Thomas Major and Adam Dunlap.

1829 John Alexander and Jacob Zull.

1832-David Baldridge, John Theaker and John Major.

1839-Joseph Blackford, Joseph McCune and Archibald Ma- jor.

1844-Henry Amrine, Geo. M. Theaker and Samuel McCona- hey.

1869-John A. Major and T. M. McConahey.

1873-C. O. Harbont, James G. Theaker, R. S. Kitheart and J. P. Bracken.

The Rev. Benjamin Mitchell, who succeeded Rev. Joseph An- derson as pastor of this church in 1829, served it faithfully until 1877, when he was relieved from the active duties of his place by Rev. W. S. Pringle, a young man of much promise.

THE PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.

This school was organized on the second Sabbath of Novem- ber, 1868, with an enrollment of sixty-eight scholars and a small library.

The leading spirit in the organization was Dr. A. J. Alexan- der, now pastor of Scotch Ridge Church. He was made superin- tendent, and R. M. Theaker was appointed secretary ; William McGee, treasurer, and Lycurgus Smith, librarian, R. M. Theaker was the second superintendent, Mitchell MeConabey the third and O. M. Bracken, the present superintendent, is the fourth.

The amount of contributions in ten year, $457; number of verses recited 74,210.

Three premiums were awarded ono'ne occasion: Thomas Mitch- ell, for reciting 849 verses ; John R. Fisher, for reciting 692 verses ; Bell Oliver, for reciting 571 verses.

On another occasion premiums were awarded Ella Dilworth, 350 verses ; Clara Howard 312 ; Lafie C. Reid.

Clara Mitchell was absent but one Sabbath in ten years, and that on account of sickness.

The enrollment for 1879 was 150; number of volumes in the library 500.

M P. CHURCH.

The first Methodist Church built in Mt. Pleasant township was a small brick built in the village of Mt. Pleasant about the year 1815, at the east end ofthe town, on ground owned by David McMasters, a local minister. The house was used some years for school purposes. About the year 1827 the subject of lay dele- gation commenced to be agitated in the church, and during that year a separation took place. With but few exceptions the members withdrew from the M. E. organization and organized non-episcopal societies. They continued to occupy the same church building. The lot had not been leased by the society, and David McMasters dying in that year, it was subsequently deeded to the Methodist Protestant organization, which was or- ganized in 1829 by William B. Evans, a local minister. Samuel Pennington was the first class leader ; Rev. David McMasters, Anna McMasters, Aaron B Townsend, Mary Withrow, Mrs. Kurlin, James Davis and wife, were some of the original mem- bers, none of whom are now living. In 1839, the old house was taken down and a new church building erected on the same site, 40 by 50 feet. While taking the old house down, one of the walls fell on Henry Marshall and John Sidebottom, breaking Marshall's thigh and injuring Sidebottom less seriously. When the new house was near completion it took fire from a defective flue and destroyed the roof and plastering, delaying its completion until 1842. During the rebuilding, the society occupied the Pres- byterian Church, Our new house, when finished was the house of the Union Sabbath school, was used for temperance meetings, school exhibitions, and other public meetings and was replaced by a new house 40 by 60 feet, in 1869 on the same lot. This structure has basement and vestibule and was dedicated by Alexander Clark in the winter of 1869, costing about $6,000. The society, like all others, has had its days of prosperity and its seasons of adversity. During the winter of 1864, there was a remarkable religious awakening under the larbors of Rov. John L. Scott. The meetings continued near one month. some sessions continuing all day and night without adjourning. Over 200 were converted and 100 added to the church. The local min- isters, of this society have been David McMasters, Pinckney Lewis, John H. Mercer and Henry Heberling. The church has been favored by the labors of the following traveling ministers : Wm. B. Evans, Rufus Richardson, Moses Scott. E. E. Scott, Wm. Callege, T. Hopwood, Z. Ragan, J. S. Thrapp, Thomas Fairchild, Jacob Nichols, John Burns, J. W. Case, William Baldwin, T. L. Scott, G. W. Hissey, H. T. Bradford, J. B. McCormick, T. L. Diddle and J. M. Woodward.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 186

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728