USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > Allen > History of the Allen Township Presbyterian church and the community which has sustained it, in what was formerly known as the "Irish settlement," Northampton county, Pa > Part 1
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Gc 974.801 N81cl 1555922
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01203 5603 ORY 70
HISTORY
OF THE
ALLEN TOWNSHIP PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AND THE
COMMUNITY WHICH HAS SUSTAINED IT. ,
IN WHAT WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE
"IRISH SETTLEMENT," 1
Northampton County, Pa,
BY REV. JOHN C. CLYDE, A. M., Whose Ancestry have been identified with the Settlement from its Infancy.
PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY THE PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY. R. MAGEE & SON, PRINTERS. 1876.
TO
MY COUSIN,
MISS JENNIE HORNER,
A DESCENDANT OF ONE OF THE OLDEST FAMILIES IN THE IRISH SETTLEMENT, WHO STILL RESIDES WITHIN ITS BOUNDS, THE FOLLOW-
ING PAGES ARE INSCRIBED AS A' TOKEN OF ESTEEM AND
REGARD, BY
THE
AUTHOR.
-
red according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875. by Rev. JOHN . CLYDE, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
-
1555922
PREFACE.
N the summer of 1866, the author's attention was directed to the subject of preparing a History of the Irish Settlement. At that time he commenced the collection of ma- terials for the purpose. The original plan was to prepare a history in two parts; one to treat of the religious, and the other of the secular affairs of the community. It soon became apparent that the col- lection of material for the secular part would be a formidable undertaking. In the face of insuperable difficulties, as it seemed, this feature of the work was dropped. A manuscript History of the Church, how- ever, was completed in 1870, but without any defi- nite purpose of publishing the same. At the earnest solicitation of friends, that manuscript, re-modeled, revised, re-written, and amplified, we have presented in the following pages.
It was the author's intention to include in this volume two additional chapters, relating more par- ticularly to the secular affairs of the community. By this means he hoped to interest the descendants
iv
Preface.
of the old families of the Settlement, in order to secure their co-operation in obtaining material for a companion volume to the present one, treating of the secular affairs of the Settlement. One of the chapters omitted was a necrology, being a transcript of all the inscriptions upon the tombstones in the old burying ground. The other was composed of gen- ealogies and reminiscences. It was a source of regret to the author to find, when ready to go to press, that these chapters could not be included. It is the present intention, that any disappointment arising from this source shall only be temporary in its character. The author hopes that, at no distant day, he will be able to present a secular history of the Settlement as a companion to the present volume, in accordance with his original design. The gen- ealogies omitted, though nearly two hundred and fifty in number, and to a high degree satisfactory as regarded the generations of the old families between their arrival in this country and 1876, were neces- sarily incomplete in some particulars. In the secu- lar volume we hope to include the necrology, and make the genealogies perfect as far as possible down to 1876. We invite all, therefore, who have not already done so, to furnish us with perfect genealo- gies of their families, so far as they can, together with reminiscences of the Settlement or individuals. The professional and public career of individuals in
٢١
V
Preface.
church or State, their religious beliefs, &c., are solicited, together with any other matter which would be interesting to posterity. The author would be thankful, if persons, who know of sources of in- formation relative to the Settlement or its people, would make known the same to him. Thus may be constructed a permanent record of what our ancestors have done to assist in securing the present prosperity of our nation. Whilst the secular chapters have been omitted from this volume, the history of the Church has been retained complete, which includes much of the secular affairs of the Settlement.
In the preparation of these pages we have been indebted to many descendants of the old Settlement families, both within and without its bounds. We * have been assisted by the present pastor and officers of the Church to no small degree.
We would also acknowledge the kindness shown us by Rev. Amzi L. Armstrong, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and Rev. H. C. McCook, Custodian of Philadelphia Presbytery minutes, in furnishing extracts and permitting us to peruse the early minutes of these Presbyteries for records bearing upon the early ecclesiastical affairs of the Settlement Church. We have also consulted Rupp's History of Northampton county, Henry's History of Lehigh Valley, Dr. Charles Hodge's and Webster's Histories of the Presbyterian Church, Dr.
vi
Preface.
D. X. Junkin's Historical Discourse at the Semi- Centennial of the Presbytery of Newton, &c.
It is hoped what we have written with reference to the Church will be found to be, in the main, correct and trustworthy. If some of the names are not spelled, in all cases, as the present generation would spell them, we would say we have given them as they are found in the old records.
FRAZER, PA., November, 1875.
J. C. C.
CONTENTS.
-
CHAPTER I. 1728-1760. PAGE
First Settlers. The Allen Purchase. First Pastorate, Rev. Eleazer Wales. David Brainerd's Preaching. First Church Building. Second Pastorate, Rev. Daniel Lawrence,
9
CHAPTER II. 1761-1783.
Rev. John Clark's Ministry. Parsonage Farm. The Seceder Church. Rev. John Rosbrugh's Ministry. Deeding of Church and Grave Yard Lots. Rev. Francis Pep- pard's Removal to the Settlement, 32
CHAPTER III. 1784-1812.
Rev. Francis Peppard's Pastorate. Incorporation. Rev. Robert Russel commences Ministry. Affairs of the Parsonage Farm. Building Grave Yard Wall. Sale of Old Church, 57
CHAPTER IV. 1813-1825.
New Location and New Church Building. Origin of Alternation in Services, . 78
CHAPTER V. 1826-1835.
Unfortunate Investments. Failure of Northampton Bank. Rev. Robert Russel's Death. First Sessional Records. Pastorate of Rev. Brogan Hoff, . 92
viii
Contents.
CHAPTER VI. 1836-1869. PAGE
Rev. Leslie Irwin's Pastorate. First Preaching at Cata- sauqua. Preaching in Bath. Grave Yard Re-modeled, 108
CHAPTER VII. 1870-1875.
Rev. D. M. James' Ministry. Causes of Settlement's decline. Auspicious Circumstances in Community. New Church at Bath. Re-modeling of Old Church at Weaversville, 125
CHAPTER VIII.
Sketches of Pastors. - Eleazer Wales, Daniel Lawrence, John Clark, John Rosbrugh, Francis Peppard, Robert Russel, Brogan Hoff, Leslie Irwin, D. M. James, . . 145
CHAPTER IX.
Church Officers .- Elders, Trustees, Officers of Board, Col- lectors, 178
ECCLESIASTICAL CONNECTIONS.
1728-1738(?)-PRESBYTERY OF PHILADELPHIA. 1738-1751-PRESBYTERY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.
1751-1758-PRESBYTERY OF ABINGTON. 1758-1770-PRESBYTERY OF PHILADELPHIA, (Ist.) 1770-1777-PRESBYTERY OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 1777-1821-PRESBYTERY OF PHILADELPHIA.
1821-1851-PRESBYTERY OF NEWTON.
1851-1870-PRESBYTERY OF PHILADELPHIA, (New 2d.) 1870-1876-PRESBYTERY OF LEHIGH.
F af A Sa W ha as
in it ev the pa
IRISH SETTLEMENT.
CHAPTER I.
1728-1760.
N 1728, John Boyd, who had married Jane Craig, went with Col. Thos. Craig from Philadelphia to the Forks of Delaware and settled in what was afterwards known as the Irish Settlement .* At or about the same time, Hugh Wilson, Samuel Brown, and probably a few more went thither and settled. In 1731, there had accumulated a sufficient community to assume the name of the Craig Settlement. If the record from which we derive our information is correct as to dates, and that it is so is substantiated by the best of evidence, we find these families followed the example of the Scotch-Irish in other parts of the country, in occupying vacant
* Hamilton Record.
2
10
Irish Settlement.
lands not yet opened to settlers. The Craig, or Irish Settlement, was in existence before the Allens, whose name is identified with it, became possessed of the land which it occupied. The Allens came into posses- sion in the following manner: In 1681, Charles II, of England, granted the province
of Pennsylvania to Wm. Penn. At the death of Wm. Penn, in 1718, his sons, John, Thomas and Richard, became Pro- prietaries of the province. By a joint warrant of the Proprietaries, dated at London, May 18th, 1732, the Surveyor General of the province was directed to lay off a tract of five thousand acres for the personal use of Thomas Penn. This was done, and the tract thus laid off in- cluded the Craig, or Irish Settlement, as we shall presently see. The same day (May 18th, 1732,) on which the warrant was dated, Thomas Penn made an assign- ment of the tract of land to Joseph Turner, of Philadelphia. At this point the Allens come to notice. Wm. Allen, Esq., of Philadelphia, who became the Hon. Wm. Allen, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, in 1750, was an intimate friend of the Penn family. His daughter, Ann, became the
wife of Gov. John Penn. Through this intimacy, Wm. Allen acquired large landed estates in the province. Among others, he became possessed of the five thousand
P
S
B
1 1
t
11
Irish Settlement.
acre tract set off for the personal use of Thomas Penn. The warrant for the land which had passed into the hands of Joseph Turner, May 18th, 1732, was by him trans- ferred to Wm. Allen, Sept. 10th, 1735. That this tract embraced the Craig, or Irish Settlement, is made clear from the following facts: June 13th, 1743, Wm. Allen deeded over to James Craig two hundred and fifty acres of the five thou-
sand acre tract. These two hundred and fifty acres acquired by Jaines Craig, were in the immediate vicinity of the present church building at Weaversville, as the church and graveyard lots were deeded over to the congregation by James Craig. Thus we see the Irish Settlement came under the auspices of the Allen family in I735. From Wm. Allen, or his heirs, the early settlers received the titles for their land, a fact which proved disastrous to many of them, as the Allens espoused the royal cause in the American Revolution, and their lands, we believe, were forfeited.
It is not unlikely that families removed to the Settlement between 1731-35, when Wm. Allen became possessed of the land. But when Mr. Allen assumed control there doubtless was a new incentive to the Scotch-Irish people to emigrate to that part of the country. Although he was a friend of the Penn family, he was also
1 e
1
12
Irish Settlement.
friendly to Presbyterianism. In 1755, when the Synod of Philadelphia provided a fund for the relief of the widows and children of deceased ministers, Hon. Wm. Allen became a trustee of the same. In 1763, when the Synod of New York and Philadelphia desired to present an address to the King of England, Hon. Wm. Allen was chosen with others to bear the same to His Majesty. He presented one hun- dred acres of land to the Deep Run Pres- byterian Church as a parsonage farm. By these and other acts of consideration for Presbyterianism, we may justly infer that the Scotch-Irish were induced to settle upon lands owned by him that they might thereby secure the favor of one who was not averse to the religious principles held by them. By the year 1737, the Settle- ment had grown to considerable propor- tions. By this time we find the following families living there :
Thomas Craig, John Boyd, Hugh Wilson, James Horner, Thomas Armstrong, Robert Gregg, John Hays, . James Kerr, . James King, Arthur Lattimer, John McNair, James Ralston, John Walker and . Robert Walker.
These, with a few others perhaps, may be regarded as the early settlers. With the influx of Scotch-Irish families the Set- tlement gradually came into notice as the
13
Irish Settlement.
Irish Settlement, instead of the Craig Set- tlement, so called from its founder.
Having the principles of Scotch-Irish Presbyterianism within them, we may truly say they carried the Gospel with them into the wilderness. Although not absolutely positive, collateral evidence perhaps justi- fies us in making the statement that the Settlement Church was organized by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, under the ministry of Rev. Eleazer Wales, as early as 1731, and that Thomas Craig, if not the original Elder, was at least a member of the first Session.
It will be noticed that the names of Rev. Eleazer Wales and Elder Thomas Craig appear upon the roll of the Synod of Philadelphia for the first time, we believe, in 1731. It would seem the Settlement Church had been organized by that time, and these representatives were present at Synod in performance of their duty. As- suming this to be the fact, we find this pastorate continued until 1734. In this year, however, "by the records of the Philadelphia Presbytery, it appears that the Rev. E. Wales resigned the pastoral charge of Allentown." From 1734 to 1738, the church seems to have been in an unsettled condition. In 1738, however,
* Webster, in Rupp, p. 482.
14
Irish Settlement.
they sought supplies from the Presbytery of New Brunswick instead of Philadelphia.
It appears that their application came up before the Presbytery for consideration July 31st, 1739, as they were convened at New Brunswick. In answer thereto, it was "agreed that Mr. Gilbert Tennent preach at the Forks sometime this fall." It seems Mr. Tennent fulfilled his appoint- ment, and visited the Settlement in the latter part of 1739. In the spring of 1740 they again applied to the Presbytery for a supply of preaching. The matter came up for consideration May 31st of that year. The following action was taken with reference thereto :
"In compliance with the afore-mentioned supplication for supplies, the Presbytery doth appoint as follows: That Mr. Robin- son supply the Forks the first Sabbath in July ; that Mr. Campbell supply Tehicken half his time, and Newton and the Forks the other half equally between them."
The Presbytery convened at New Bruns- wick again that year, August 2d, at which time it was reported that the foregoing appointments had been complied with. The same day "a call was presented from the Forks of Delaware for Mr. McKnight's labors." This call seems not to have been accepted. Two days later, at the same meeting of Presbytery, (August 4th, 1740,)
15
Irish Settlement.
the people again petitioned for preaching. We find a reference made to it, under that date, in the following record :
"A petition from the Forks of the Dela- ware and Mr. Green's being presented to the Presbytery, in compliance therewith they thought proper to advise Mr. Camp- bell to supply them as often as he shall judge proper, till our next."
How often, or just what length of time Mr. Campbell continued to preach under this appointment, does not appear. He ceased, however, before the spring of I742. On May 29th, 1742, we find the people petitioning again for preaching. This time they petitioned in conjunction with Greenwich. We are unable to decide from the records whether this petition from the Forks was from the Mt. Bethel people, to the exclusion of the Settlement ; or from the Settlement to the exclusion of Mt. Bethel; or from them both conjointly. There is little doubt, however, but that the application was at least shared by the Settlement people. The minister they de- sired to have sent to them was Rev. Chas. McKnight. The application came up be- fore Presbytery on the above date, as the Presbytery was convened in Philadelphia. Whether Mr. McKnight was secured or not does not appear. If he did go it was but for a short time, for Oct. 12th of this
1
16
Irish Settlement.
year we find the people again asking for supplies. In answer to this application the Presbytery appointed Mr. Campbell to devote one-third of his time to them. For immediate supply of the pulpit we find the following appointments by Presbytery : Rev. Wm. Dean was appointed to preach the next Sabbath (i. e., next after Oct. 13th, 1742,) at Neshaminy, and then three Sab- baths at the Forks of the Delaware. After this he was to supply Cohansie and Cape May until within three Sabbaths of the next meeting of the Presbytery, which was to be on the fourth Tuesday of May, 1743. These three Sabbaths were to be spent in the Forks of Delaware.
With Mr. Campbell devoting one-third of his time to the Settlement and Green- wich, in addition to these six Sabbaths of Mr. Dean, the Settlement must have enjoyed a good supply of preaching from October 12th, 1742, to the latter part of May, 1743. At the meeting of Presby- tery in Philadelphia, on the fourth Tuesday of May, (May 26th,) 1743, three calls were presented for the services of Mr. Dean. One from the Forks of Delaware, one from the Forks of Brandywine, and one from Cape May. Mr. Dean not being prepared to decide whether he would accept one or any of these calls, was granted till the next meeting of Presby-
17
Irish Settlement.
tery to consider the matter. In the mean-
time Presbytery directed Mr. Dean to supply the Forks of Delaware until their next meeting; at the same time preach as much as was convenient at Pequea. The Presbytery next convened August 12th, 1743, at which time Mr. Dean, by letter, signified that he was not yet ready to de- clare his acceptance of any one of the calls: which had been presented to him, but was: willing to continue to supply under the then existing arrangement. Presbytery directed him to continue to supply in the Forks of Delaware, and instead of preach- ing at Pequea and Forks of Brandywine, as was intended, devote that time to preaching at Tehicken and Bethlehem, N. J. At a meeting of Presbytery held Oct. 12th, 1743, Mr. Dean declared his non- acceptance of any of the calls that had been presented to him. It now seems his labors ceased in this locality until the next year. We find the next day, Oct. 13th,. 1743, Mr. Campbell is permitted by Pres- bytery to supply Tehicken and Bethle- hem, which had been assigned to Mr. Dean. If he had been devoting one-third of his time to the Forks of Delaware and Greenwich, as by appointment Oct. 12th, 1742, which does not clearly appear, he now ceased to devote so much time to the Settlement as formerly. Presbytery simply 2*
18
Irish Settlement.
requestd him to supply the Forks of Delavare sometimes. At this same meet- ing of Presbytery, Oct. 13, 1743, Rev. Charles Beatty was ordered to supply in the Forks of Delaware sometimes. At the spring meeting of Presbytery, 1744, we find the people asking supplies. The
Presbytery considered their petition May 26th, and accordingly sent Mr. Dean to supply the Forks till the next meeting, which was on Sept. 12th. There being no record to the contrary it is presumed Mr.
Dean fulfilled the appointment. Whether he devoted his whole time to the Settle- ment or not does not appear ; at all events we find that during this summer of 1744, David Brainerd, the celebrated missionary to the Indians, made his first recorded visit to the Settlement. From Mr. Brai- nerd's diary we learn that he preached there July 23d, 1744, from Matt. v, 3 :
" Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
On the 4th of the following September, he again preached there. His text was, Luke xiv, 22 :
" And the servant said, Lord it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room."
Presbytery convened Sept. 12th, 1744, at which time Mr. Dean's appointment
19
Irish Settlement.
in the Forks having closed, the people renewed their application for supplies. In accordance with this application Rev. Elea- zer Wales, their old pastor, was appointed to supply them the two last Sabbaths of September, and the first Sabbath of October.
Mr. Beatty was also appointed to supply one Sabbath, and Mr. Dean as much as he could until the next meeting of Presbytery. We find, however, that Mr. Dean did not preach in the Settlement in accordance with this appointment, as he was dismissed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Oct. 4th, of this year, to connect himself with the Presbytery of New Castle. In the latter part of October, of this year, we find David Brainerd again visiting the Settle- ment. He speaks of making a journey from the Susquehanna to the Forks of the Delaware. At the end of the second day's journey he says he and his party came to an Irish Settlement. The distance from the Susquehanna to the Settlement being about two days' journey, and on the direct route to the Forks of the Delaware at Easton, there is little doubt but that this and the Irish settlement spoken of in Mr. Brainerd's diary, are identical. On this journey the Rev. Eliab Byram, member of the Presbytery of New York, accom- panied him. They arrived at the Settle-
20
Irish Settlement.
ment on Saturday evening, and the next day preached to the people.
On the 14th of April, 1745, we find in the diary of Mr. Brainerd the following record :
" Was disordered in body with fatigue of the late journey, but was enabled, how- ever, to preach to a considerable assembly of white people, gathered from all parts round about, with some freedom, from Ezek. xxxiii, II."
This was at Mt. Bethel or Easton, some doubt existing as to which of these places was the scene of Mr. Brainerd's mission- ary labors. However, some of the white people referred to were doubtless from the Irish Settlement.
On May 19th, 1745, the Presbytery met and the Settlement people made their usual application for preaching, accom- panying it with a request for the adminis- tration of the Lord's Supper in their midst. From the records of this meeting of Pres- bytery we learn that Mr. Daniel Lawrence preached at the Forks and Greenwich on the last Sabbath in June.
Presbytery convened Sept. 20th, 1745, at which time two calls were brought in for the pastoral services of Mr. Daniel Lawrence. The one was from the two Bethlehems, the other from Maidenhead and Hopewell. Mr. Lawrence not being
21
Trish Settlement.
present at the meeting of Presbytery, con- sideration of these calls was deferred until the next meeting. Under the circum- stances, Mr. Lawrence was directed to supply two Sabbaths at Maidenhead and Hopewell, and then he was to repair to the Forks of the Delaware. He was to supply two-thirds of his time in the Forks, and devote the other third to the two Bethlehems.
In the early part of 1746, we find David Brainerd again in the Settlement. In his diary, under date of Feb. 18th, 1746, we find the following record :
" Preached to an assembly of. Irish people nearly fifteen miles distant from the Indians." This distance being about the same as that from Easton to Weaversville, there is little doubt but that this sermon was preached in the Irish Settlement, near the latter place. This was near the end of Mr. Brainerd's earthly labors, as he died in 1747.
About the year 1746, the first church building was erected in the Settlement. It was a rude log structure and stood a little to the southeast of the present church building.
The graveyard was occupied for burial purposes about the same time, or perhaps a little earlier. The oldest stone is in
22
Irish Settlement.
memory of James King, one of the first settlers, and bears date of 1745.
July 21st, 1746, Presbytery convened. At this meeting there was a supplication from the congregations of Maidenhead and Hopewell, requesting the labors of Mr. Lawrence until the next meeting of Pres- bytery, by way of trial, with a view to his settlement among them. Also a similar supplication from the Forks of Delaware, for his services for one year with a view to his settlement there. Likewise a supplica- tion from the Bethlehems for the same purpose. Some people from Oxford Furnace also supplicated that they might share the labors of Mr. Lawrence in case he should be appointed to supply the Forks of Delaware. It seems that in the midst of this clamor, as it were, for the services of Mr. Lawrence, the Presbytery returned him to his labors in the Forks, with instructions to preach every fifth Sabbath at Tunis Quick's, (?) in the Forks of the Delaware. Thus things seem to have remained until the meeting of Presby- tery, Oct. 16th, of this year. At this meeting, the people in the Forks renewed their call for Mr. Lawrence to undertake the pastoral charge among them. The matter being proposed to him by Presby- tery, he signified his acceptance of the the call ; Presbytery thereupon appointed
23
Irish Settlement.
a committee to ordain and install him. This committee was composed of Rev. Richard Treat, Rev. James Campbell, Rev. James Davenport, Rev. James McCrea and Rev. Charles Beatty. Rev. Richard Treat was to "preside over the whole affair." Mr. Lawrence was given John iii, 18, from which to preach a popular sermon as part of trial for ordination. He was also directed to prepare a Latin Exegesis and hand it in to the committee, in the Forks of the Delaware, on the first day of April, 1747. The committee having as- sembled in the Forks at this time, and these requirements having been complied with on the part of Mr. Lawrence, Presby- tery directed the committee to proceed to his ordination and installation if the way should be found in all other respects clear.
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