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 5
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The first confirmation class, composed of thirty- eight persons, above referred to by Bishop Chase, in- cluded William R. Dickinson, Joseph G. Doddridge, Nar- cissa Doddridge (Wellsburg), Alexander McConnell, John McConnell, James Cunningham, William Cunning-
WILLIAM R. DICKINSON RESIDENCE, CENTRAL BUILDING
ACADEMY " SERVICES 1522-1838
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A NEW ERA.
ham, Jane Cunningham, Catherine Cunningham, Wil- liam A. Elliott, George Elliott, William, Ruth, Elizabeth, Anna and Susanna Baxter, George Atkinson, Andrew Young, Joseph Griffin, Charles S. Barron, George Beatty, William Baker, John Henderson, Jane Hender- son, Rachel Elson, Eleanor Cunningham, John Atkinson, John Hanlon, Elizabeth Beatty, Charity, Catherine and Margaret Hendricks, Mary Cairns, Rachel Elliott, Mar- gery Hanlon, John Foster, Jemima Marsh, Nancy Ham- mond. To this list is appended a note of the confirma- tion of Bezaleel Wells and Sarah Wells, his wife, at Worthington on June 11, 1820.
In order to give a connected account of the early work at Steubenville and the formation of the Ohio dio- cese we have omitted to follow the progress of the little band which organized at Mrs. McGuire's house in 1800, the origin of St. James's parish. Having moved a few miles further west the place of holding service went with her, but about 1814 she moved out of the county, which severed her connection with the parish. Services were continued, however, at other dwellings and at White's schoolhouse. At a meeting on December 1, 1816, Dr. Doddridge presiding, was prepared and signed the first memorial asking leave to form a diocese in the western country, already noticed. At this meeting Robert Max- well and James Strong were elected Wardens, and John McConnell, Andrew Elliott, John Foster and John Cun- ningham, Vestrymen. Mr. Cunningham was appointed lay reader, with instructions to perform public service every Sunday when the rector was absent, at such place or places as the congregation might appoint. A Vestry meeting was held on August 20, 1817, at which a list of fifty-two communicants was reported with thirteen bap- tisms during the previous two years. It was ordered that a site for a church edifice and graveyard be pro-
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
cured from Andrew Elliott. In pursuance of this reso- lution an acre of land was secured in the southwest cor- ner of Section 33 in Cross Creek township, -near the Wayne township line as being a more central location for the country members, generally, while those to whom Steubenville was nearer could attend services in that place. Preparations were made for erecting a church edifice of wood, the congregation meanwhile assembling in the schoolhouse. The deed was made on July 7, 1821, for the nominal consideration of $15, the instrument reciting that the church was built. At the first annual convention of the diocese Charles Hammond, the dele- gate from St. James's, was elected Secretary, and took a prominent part in the proceedings of that body. At this convention Dr. Doddridge made the following report : "St. James's Church in the County of Jefferson, nine miles from Steubenville, was formed about two years ago, it contains about thirty families and is increasing. The number of communicants, fifty-two; the number of baptisms within two years has considerably exceeded one hundred. They are a steady, pious people, and zealously attached to the doctrines and worship of our Church."
With the exception of permanent seats the new church was ready for use on the occasion of Bishop Chase's first visitation, on May 17, 1819, when twenty- two persons were confirmed, including James and Pru- dence Strong, Edward and Jane Lewis, Moses and Mary Finley, Alexander and Mary Cunningham, Benjamin and Mary Cunningham, Benjamin and Patience Doyle, Abner, Mary, Margaret and Isabella Hutton, Thomas and James Dugan, Robert, George, Alexander, John and Prudence Henderson, Alexander and Mary McConnell, Margaret McConnell, David and Jane Finley, William and Mary Cunningham, James and Jane Cunningham, Catherine and Eleanor Cunningham, William McCon-
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A NEW ERA.
nell. This list evidently includes eleven confirmed next day at the Finley residence, who became members of St. James's, making thirty-three in all. Benjamin and Pa- tience Doyle soon after became identified with St. Paul's.
A week later a contract was made with Edward Lewis to construct twenty-four pews for the church, painted in mahogany and number on the ends next the aisle, for $50.00 out of the amount of the subscription for this church raised in Steubenville. Daniel Dunlevy, Gabriel Armstrong and Edward Lewis were added to the Vestry in 1821, the two last named becoming War- dens.
About this time one William Seaton conducted serv- ices at intervals, but he does not appear to have ever be- come a canonical priest in this diocese, and his habits be- ing inconsistent with his office, he retired to a farm which he purchased near Olivesburg, Richland County. St. James's was represented in the convention of 1819 by John Goodrich, and St. Paul's by Ephraim Root. John C. Wright, of the latter parish, was elected member of the Standing Committee.
CHAPTER V.
A FATHER IN ISRAEL.
Rev. Mr. Morse Accepts Call to St. Paul's-His Early History and Ordination-Old Church at Duanesburgh-Interesting Coincidences-Congregation Moves to "Old Academy"-Mr_ Morse Assumes Charge at Cross Creek-Death of Father Doddridge-Founding of Kenyon College-Internal Trou- bles-Bishop Chase's Last Days.
One of the first steps taken by the newly elected Vestry of St. Paul's Church was to secure a permanent rector, and an arrangement was made with the Rev. In- trepid Morse, then officiating in the central parts of the diocese, to give one-fourth of his time to this parish, one- half being given to Zanesville, and the other fourth to different places. None then realized that an association was then to be formed, which would last nearly half a century.
As previously stated, Mr. Morse was born at Cor- nish, N. H., on March 21, 1791, being the son of John and Abigail Chase Morse, and a nephew of Bishop Chase. He attended school at Fairview, Conn., and afterwards took up the study of medicine. As the members of the Chase family within a few years be- came communicants of the Church, Mr. Morse was brought up in her faith and practice, but when a young man he was impressed by the self-denying labors of the Moravian missionaries among the Indians to such an extent that he seems to have contemplated uniting with them for that work. The following extract from a letter written him by his cousin, George Chase, from Hart- ford, Conn., dated May 3d, 1814, throws some light on this matter :
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A FATHER IN ISRAEL.
I have reserved this page to give you freely my mind con- cerning certain subjects. I have asked father (the future bishop), what he would think if I should enter into the society of the Moravians. "If you had any real design of going there I would tell you, but it is not possible you should have got any such whim in your head." "Well, suppose I had, what would you say?" "All I would say would be this, you would one day bitterly repent it." From my father's opinion, given more freely on this subject, forgive me, Intrepid, if I say, I cannot much regret your disappointment. The Moravians are apostolic and indefatigable people, but they entirely seclude themselves from the innocent pleasures sent by kind Heaven to cheer ns in this Vale of Misery. Your motives are good in endeavoring to Christianize the savages, but are there not among people of our blood, country and habits, who, although their Christian light faintly gleams like daybreak, are greatly ignorant of the sub- lime truths of our holy Religion? Would it not be more useful to endeavor to lead them in the right path than the very uncer- tain prospect of bringing, but a few natives to Christianity? Their minds are fixed and their prejudice against white people for their fraud and treachery is insurmountable; at the present time, too, it is particularly dangerous. [The War of 1812 was then in progress, and the Western savages were generally in arms against the United States.] These few thoughts, dear Coz., I have flung together, hoping you will excuse their bold- ness and imperfections, and view only the heart and feelings with which they are delivered. * *
Write me a long letter soon, and tell me where I shall direct the answer. Tell me of every circumstance that has be- fallen you, what were your thoughts when climbing the steeps of the Green Mountains, and what have been your adventures on the banks of the Hudson. My dear father sends his best love to you, and tells you to continue in that path of virtue you have so sincerely begun. Dear mother sends her love to you, and requests you to remain as good a Churchman as you were at Cheshire; for she says, unless you "abide with the ship" you cannot be saved.
It is apparent from the above that young Mr. Morse had suggested to his cousin, George, that he ascertain the feelings of the family as to him ( Morse) joining the Moravians. It was evident that such action would not meet with their approval, and either this or other circumstances induced him to "abide with the . ship," to which he was faithful unto death.
Mr. Morse now determined to study for Holy Or- ders, and placed himself under the jurisdiction of Bishop
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
Hobart, by whom he was ordained deacon in Christ Church, at Duanesburgh, N. Y., near Schenectady, on September 10, 1818. It may be stated as a matter of in- terest that James Duane, member of the Continental Congress and first Mayor of New York City, having in- herited a large tract of land in what is now Schenectady County, N. Y., founded the town of Duanesburgh, and built the edifice in which Mr. Morse was ordained. George W. Featherstonaugh, Esq., of Schenectady, N. Y., a great grandson of James Duane, has kindly fur- nished the writer with a picture of the church herein pro- duced, with the following particulars :
This church was built by James Duane at his own expense about 1790 and completed in 1793. It is a two-story building with a steeple. Underneath the church is the family vault, in which are the bodies of James Duane and his wife and several others of the family. This vault. was masoned up in 1852. The church contains one of the old-time pulpits with a sounding board above it. The church itself remains just as it was built, and I think likely it is the only Episcopal Church in the state which has not undergone some changes. On the walls are mural tablets to the memory of James Duane and his wife, William North and others. James Duane's pew remains just as it was. excepting that the curtains have been removed. The pew of General North (locator and namer of Fort Steuben] also remains as it was when occupied. I find in James Duane's journal in his handwriting, under Sunday, August 25, 1793: "Christ Church in Duanesburgh was consecrated by the bishop. Rev. Mr. Cutting read Prayers, Rev. Mr. Ellison preached the sermon on the occasion, which was much admired by a crowded assembly, who filled and surrounded the church. Everything was conducted with the utmost order and solemnity, and every- body was highly satisfied. * *
At that period (1818) my grandfather, after whom I am named, was the moving power in the church, was a friend of Bishop Hobart, and the Bishop when in Duanesburg was always entertained by him. A Mr. Bruce in 1817 was a deacon in the Church and a tutor residing at my grandfather's house. He was advanced to the priesthood in 1818, and at about this period Bishop Hobart writes to my grandfather that a Mr. Doane. who. I think, was the father of the late Bishop Doane, N. Y., would come to Duanesburgh and take the place of Mr. Bruce, a lay reader and as a tutor in my grandfather's house at $200 a year. I do not find, however, that Mr. Doane ever went to Duanes-
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CHRIST CHURCH, DOANESBURGIL X Y. BUILT 1.0
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A FATHER IN ISRAEL.
burgh, and am inclined to think that Mr. Morse must have come there instead, and been ordained as a deacon in 1818, was a lay reader in the Church, and acted as tutor in my grandfather's house. Of this I am not sure. I am sending you a photograph of the church. It is not very clear and too much obscured by the trees, but will give you an idea of the building. The church is well endowed, and has sufficient funds to keep it up and pay the salary of the minister without calling on the congregation. Hence its good state of preservation.
As General North did not die until 1836, it is not improbable that Mr. Morse met him while at Duanes- burgh, and it is certainly an interesting coincidence that the founder of Fort Steuben and the first rector of St. Paul's should have both been so intimately associated with the little proprietary village in. northeastern New York.
Bishop Hobart's certificate reads as follows :
I do hereby license the Rev. Intrepid Morse, this day ad- mitted by me to the Holy Order of Deacons, to preach the gos- pel in the Church of God, he conforming to the canons of the Church and to the direction of the ecclesiastical authority. Dated at Duanesburgh the 10th day of September in the year of Our Lord, 1818, and in the 8th year of my consecration.
JOHN HENRY HOBART, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York.
Two days later Bishop Hobart isssued another pa- per commending Mr. Morse to friends of the Church everywhere. This was no doubt in view of his conten- plated work in the western field, in fact, on the day of the ordination the bishop signed a certificate stating that "The Rev. Intrepid Morse, deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church, has my permission to remove from this diocese to the State of Ohio, or to any other diocese of the Church."
It was natural that the newly ordained deacon should turn his face towards Ohio, if for no other reason
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
than that his uncle, Philander, was already on the ground and bishop-elect of the new diocese. He started prompt- ly for the West, arriving in Ohio in October. Mr. Chase was soon obliged to go to Philadelphia for consecration, and during his absence Mr. Morse took up his uncle's work with marked success. The bishop in his conven- tion address bears this testimony to Mr. Morse's labors : "He had celebrated divine service fifty-two times; in Worthington twenty-four, in Columbus nine, in Dela- ware four, in Berkshire 6, Chillicothe two, Zanesville three, Somerset one, Lancaster one, Circleville two, be- sides attending four funerals, and all to the approbation of those who attended on his administrations. No one, who considers the distance between these places and the inclemency of the season in which the young deacon traveled to them, but must acknowledge his activity and commend his zeal."
On March 13, 1819, Mr. Morse was authorized to solemnize marriages in Franklin County, and having served the office of deacon well, on June 3, he was ad- vanced to the priesthood at Worthington by Bishop Chase, it being the latter's first ordination service.
The formal arrangement by which Rev. Intrepid Morse was to devote one-fourth of his time to St. Paul's was consummated at the residence of George Chapman in Steubenville on June 26, 1819. Half of his time was to be given to Zanesville, and the remainder to mission- ary work. Dr. Doddridge still retained charge of St. James's, Cross Creek. Mr. Morse took an active part in the convention of 1819, being elected member of the Standing Committee, and also deputy to the General Convention of 1820, with Ephraim Root, lay deputy. John Goodrich, Jr., was the delegate from St. James's, and John C. Wright, of Steubenville, was elected one of the trustees of the Episcopal fund still in futuro.
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A FATHER IN ISRAEL.
At the annual parish election, April 3, 1820, George Chapman and Bezaleel Wells were chosen Wardens, and Nicholas Hutchins, Jacob C. Hoghland and Daniel L. Collier, Vestrymen. Delegates to Convention, Bezaleel Wells and John C. Wright. A week later an arrange- ment was made with Rev. Mr. Morse by which he was to give one-half his time to Steubenville on a subscrip- tion of $300 per annum.
The diocesan convention met on June 7, with St. Paul's and St. James's parishes fully represented, Rev. Dr. Doddridge now having a seat as diocesan mission- ary. He reported regular work at St. Thomas's, St. Clairsville, and St. James's, Jefferson County, and occa- sionally at St. Peter's, Morristown, and Seneca in Mon- roe County. St. James's then had fifty communicants, a. large number for this section. At this time he asked relief from some of his clerical labors, as age was fast approaching, and he was obliged to depend principally on his medical profession for the support of himself and family.
Mr. Morse made quite a lengthy report, showing thirty-six communicants at Zanesville, and twenty at Steubenville. The fact of the two places being nearly one hundred miles apart prevented the ministrations of a clergyman alternately, except at considerable intervals, but these intervals were filled by a lay reader at Zanes- ville, and one was contemplated at Steubenville. Mr. Morse also occasionally officiated at Pittsburgh, St. John's, Brooke County, Va .; Wellsburg, Wheeling, Smithfield, Cadiz, St. Clairsville, Morristown, Barnes- villes, Seneca, Centre, Malaga, Somerset (Monroe County), Little Beaver, Cambridge, Coshocton, Gran- ville, Lancaster, Circleville and Portsmouth, generally catechizing the children on Sundays, although it would seem that most of his time must have been spent in the
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
saddle. He baptized sixty children and three adults, and attended five funerals. He called special attention to the situation in Monroe County, where there were many Church people, but no one to look after them. One indi- vidual repeatedly traveled thirty miles to St. Clairsville in order to attend the Church services, and he found nearly a hundred families in that section deprived of all religious services. The fields were white, but the labor- ers were few, and, as a result, to-day there is not a single organized parish in Monroe County.
On June 11, at Worthington, Philander Chase, Jr., was ordained deacon by his father, the bishop, Mr. Morse preaching the sermon from Luke X. 2. Philan- der, Jr., was born at Brattle, Vt., while his father was a missionary in Northern New York. He was a graduate of Harvard, and served as a lay reader under Bishop Griswold, of what was then known as the Eastern Diocese, composed of the present New England states, except Connecticut.
By invitation of Commodore MacDonough, the vic- tor of Lake Champlain, who had been presented for con- firmation by the elder Chase at Hartford, and was now in command of the U. S. frigate Guerriere, Philander accepted a position on that vessel with the pay of chap- lain, which gave him the opportunity of visiting Europe and supplementing his studies by foreign travel. On his return he came to Ohio and was ordained as above stated. He was appointed a professor in the college at Worthington, and, although not robust in health, he did considerable missionary work. During the Bishop's ab- sence on his visitations, Deacon Chase maintained serv- ices at Worthington and neighboring points, and during the fall vacation of the college performed divine service tivice at Steubenville during the absence of the rector,
WELL-STOKELY MANSION.
L
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A FATHER IN ISRAEL.
also at St. James's, St. John's, Virginia, and at Wells- burg.
While the record is silent on this point, it is more than probable that on this, his first visit to Eastern Ohio, he met Miss Rebecca R., daughter of Bezaleel Wells, whose stately mansion in "The Grove," at the south end of the town, was not only the most conspicuous resi- dence along the river, but the liberal dispenser of hos- pitality. It was practically the rectory for several years, and every bishop of the Church in the diocese of Ohio found a welcome within its walls. In 1902 this fine old manor house was removed to make room for a manufac- turing establishment, and now only pictorial reproduc- tions serve to remind one of its former glories.
During the two following years Mr. Chase's work was pursued along similar lines with the exception that in June, 1822, he took full charge of the Zanesville par- ish relieving Mr. Morse, where he continued until Janu- ary 27, 1823, when a violent hemorrhage of the lungs compelled him to give up active work until the latter part of April, although he was not altogether idle. On Sunday, June 8, Mr. Chase was ordained priest at Zanes- ville, which was now his home, although he spent con- siderable time at Steubenville. His health was grad- ually becoming worse, and in the hope of improvement he borrowed a hundred dollars from his cousin, Mr. Morse, and that fall went to Charleston, S. C. He left an infant daughter, thirteen days old, who was born at her grandfather's home in Steubenville on August 26, 1823, and at this writing still lives, Miss Mary Chase, of Gambier. Hopes of improvement proved fallacious, and Mr. Chase died not long after reaching Charleston. His remains were interred on March 3, 1824, in St. Michael's churchyard, where they now repose.
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
On August 24, 1820, Bishop Chase made his second Episcopal visitation to St. Paul's, which he records as follows: "On the morning of the 24th, Thursday, we rode to Steubenville, one of the stated parishes of the Rev. Mr. Morse. In the evening divine service was held, Mr. Morse read prayers, and myself delivered the ser- mon. Friday and Saturday, the 25th and 26th of Aug- ust, the same duties were performed, and one adult bap- tized. The congregations were large and devout. Sun- day, August 27, being uncommonly fine, a large congre- gation collected; prayers were read by Rev. Mr. Morse, and the sermon by inyself. The Apostolic Rite of Con- firmation was administered to thirty-four, and the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to forty-five. In the afternoon divine service and a sermon, the former by Mr. M., and the latter was delivered, though with much difficulty, by myself. At candle lighting, the duties were performed by the Rev. Mr. Morse, my own voice having, to a painful degree, failed me. Much is to be said in favor of this congregation of our Church in Steubenville. Considering the recent date of their first formation, few parishes have done so well. They support their clergy- man for nearly one-half his time, and lively expectations are entertained that they will soon build a church."
Previous to this the Bishop, with Mr. Morse, had made a journey through Southeastern Ohio, confirming eleven at Zanesville, holding service at Woodsfield in Monroe County and other points, with a large congrega- tion at St. Clairsville, tour through Belmont County, twenty communicants at Finley's cabin, service at Smith- field, and eighteen confirmed at St. James's, Cross Creek on August 23. This is only a sample of the work car- ried on that summer, yet at the General Convention of that year the Committee on the State of the Church had only to report that, "From the remote region of Ohio lit-
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A FATHER IN ISRAEL.
tle information has come, but several congregations are known to have been gathered, one at Dayton and one at Miami."
At the annual election held on April 23, 1821, Bezaleel Wells and Joseph Beatty were elected Wardens, the former holding this position until his death on Aug- ust 14, 1846, and the latter until 1830. The Vestrymen were George Chapman, Brice Veirs and Daniel L. Col- lier, Messrs. Wells and Collier being chosen as delegates to the Diocesan Convention, which assembled on June 6. Charles Hammond was delegate from Cross Creek, and Mr. Morse was elected Secretary of the convention. These two parishes were represented on every important committee appointed during the sessions, and Messrs. Morse and Wells elected to the Standing Committee of the diocese; also, with Mr. Hammond, charter members of the Missionary Society, which authorized Rev. Phi- lander Chase, Jr., to proceed East to solicit funds, which he did, returning with $2,911.09, of which $423.25 came from Trinity parish, New York. By special act of the legislature the Trustees of the Bishop's fund (prospec- tive), of whom Jolm C. Wright was one, were incor- porated.
The only change made in St. Paul's Vestry the fol- lowing year was the election of Edward Wood in place of Mr. Collier, and this composition remained until 1827, Mr. Collier being appointed Recording Clerk, and Brice Veirs Convention Delegate. A new arrangement was made with Mr. Morse, by which he gave up the Zanes- ville parish, and devoted three-fourths of his time to Steubenville at a salary of $400 per year. Dr. Dod- dridge had resigned the Cross Creek church, and early in 1823 Mr. Morse took charge of it at $100 per year for one-fourth his time, with Jesse Maxon, lay reader ; Messrs. Armstrong and Lewis, Wardens; John McCon-
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