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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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THO! HUNTER, LITH. PHIL!
THE HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
HISTORY
OF
The Presbytery of Huntingdon;
BY
WILLIAM J. GIBSON, D. D.,
PASTOR OF DUNCANSVILLE AND MARTINSBURG CHURCHES.
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BELLEFONTE, PA .: BELLEFONTE PRESS COMPANY PRINT. 1874.
1195042
PREFACE.
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The history of the Presbytery of Huntingdon was suggested more by circumstances of a personal character than of public consideration. The histories of other Presbyteries have been written, which have not had so long an existence, or more important events to record. It is proper at once to state, that no person is responsible for this history but the writer, though he has received material aid in preparing it from some of the brethren of the Presbytery, with others of the Presbytery of Northumberland, which was formed of members originally belonging to the Presbytery of Hunt- ingdon. For the historical part proper, the dependence has mainly been upon the Records of the Presbytery. External aid has been chiefly in the biographical part of the work. The names of all the brethren by whom I have been encouraged and favored with valuable help, are too numerous to mention. But I cannot forbear in this connection acknowledging my obli- gations to Dr. ROBERT HAMILL, the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery, and also Rev. ANDREW D. MITCHELL, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Carlisle, and the Rev. WILLIAM SIMONTON, of the Presbytery of Northum- berland. When indebted to others for biographical sketches, and other . service, the names are usually appended.
The question, how far the truth of history requires the exposure to public view of the frailties and sins of those who have been members of the Presbytery, has been embarrassing and difficult of solution. It could not be expected that in the history of nearly three-quarters of a century, there would be found no blots or scandals among the members of the Presbytery. If no mention were made of these, and a perfectly unstained record only appear, it might have the appearance, more of a eulogy than of an impar- tial history. Whatever may be justly said of the Presbyterian Church, it cannot be denied that she has ever been distinguished in maintaining purity in morals, and orthodoxy in doctrine in her ministry and members. And it is a well known fact, that it is more difficult to get into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church than that of almost any other known denomi- nation. But subjects of discipline among the members of the Presbytery have been few and far between, and almost every case originating out of the pernicious social customs of the times in which they lived.
The history of the Presbytery of Huntingdon is necessarily, in part, a history of the Presbytery of Northumberland. The first sixteen years of
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PREFACE.
its existence it covered all the territory now occupied by both Presbyteries. At the division in 1811, some of the most venerable members of the Presbytery were set off to the new organization. In view of this it seemed proper, as it was a great pleasure, to include in this history a sketch of the lives of those excellent fathers, though they were not members of the Presbytery of Huntingdon at the time of their death. To this end applica- tion was made to the descendants of those venerable men. Hence our obligations to Rev. Dr. ISAAC GRIER, Rev. JNO. P. HUDSON, and the Rev.' WILLIAM SIMONTON, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Northumberland.
The original design was principally to rescue from oblivion the names of the original members of the Presbytery, whose labors were so abundant, and whose trials and disadvantages were so great. In addition to the extensive fields which they had to cultivate, the want of suitable church buildings in which they had to minister, added greatly to their discomfort, which they shared in common with the people. The first churches were built of unhewn logs, without any plastering, sometimes without any floor, and always without fire. In the coldest season of the year, the minister had to preach and the people to hear, with their overcoats buttoned up to their chin, and seldom was the sermon less than an hour and a half, and often much longer. Instead of the cushioned pews of these days, slab-stools without any support to the back, and sometimes not even these, were the only sitting accommodations. In one instance, of which we have been informed, the congregation sat usually upon the sleepers on which the floor was afterwards laid, with their feet dangling to the ground. Our modern congregations with their expensive churches, luxuriously cushioned pews, multiplied heaters, and half-hour sermons, could they be transported back to those primitive times, might sooner renounce their faith in the gospel than submit to so much self-denial in the profession of it. But to those hardy gospel-loving people, a hardy God-fearing race of ministers preached, who expected to " endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
Let their ashes rest in peace, till they rise in glory in the general resur- rection morn.
DUNCANSVILLE, May 20, 1874.
PART I.
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CHAPTER I.
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INTRODUCTORY.
YEVERAL histories of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, in whole or in part, have been written, and by the most competent persons. We have been favored with the Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church by Dr. HODGE of Princeton; and the history of the church by the Rev. RICHARD WEBSTER. The former is the history of the church from its formal organization by the con- stitution of the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1705 to 1741, when the great schism occurred. The latter is the history of the church from its origin until the year 1760. No doubt Mr. WEBSTER's history would have been brought down to a much later period of the church, had not his life been cut short in the midst of his labors. Dr. C. VAN RENSSELÆR, who wrote a brief Memoir of the author, says in reference to his history, as published under his supervision : " Another remark I make here respecting his work is, that it only professes to give the early portion of the history of our church. The period embraced in the present volume is a little more than half a century, and is limited to the reunion of the Synods of New York and Philadelphia, in 1758. The reader, therefore, must not expect to find a complete history of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. The early portion, which is exceedingly rich in events and in illustrious men, possesses a peculiar interest ; and this is the portion comprehended within the scope of Mr. WEBSTER's researches." There is, therefore, much left by Dr. HODGE and Mr. WEBSTER for the future historian.
Much complaint has been made by all writers on the history of the church, because of the loss or obscurity of records, and that important facts and incidents have been buried with those who had cognizance of them, and might have perpetuated them by a permanent record. And this with respect to all the Synods and Presbyteries, in all parts of the church. And this has followed naturally from a want of consideration in regard to the great interest which future genera- tions would undoubtedly take in the events pertaining to the lives of the fathers, and these venerable personages themselves. Important
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
events, sufficiently known and interesting to those then living and acting, have been buried by the lapse of time beyond the hope of a resurrection. Several writers have of late endeavored to gather together and place on permanent record the facts of history that may yet remain in various parts of the church; but have had much occa- sion to complain of insufficient Presbyterial and Congregational records. Especially with regard to the latter cause of complaint, the writer, in entering on the history of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, has been much embarrassed. Some very worthy and excellent at- tempts have been made by late writers in various parts of the church to snatch from oblivion much local history of Presbyteries and churches, and with eminent success. Such has been the history of Old Redstone, by the late Rev. JOSEPH SMITH, D. D., and of the Pres- bytery of Erie, by the Rev. S. J. M. EATON, D. D.
The writer of the History of Huntingdon Presbytery cannot hope to equal their success in the execution of his purpose. The fathers of the Presbytery of Huntingdon have left but few written memorials behind them. They were not writers, but workers, and with such a wide and extended district of country as was originally compre- hended within the bounds of the Presbytery to be cultivated, and the few there were to cultivate it, they had no time to write and record, apart from the claims of present duty.
The history of the Presbytery of Huntingdon is the history of its original and deceased members, at least in part; therefore the utmost efforts have been made, consistent with circumstances, to collect materials to give reliable sketches of the lives of these fathers and brethren. With regard to the churches, and the dates of their first organization, in many instances the writer has been unable to obtain any certain dates; and this has been especially the case with refer- ence to the first churches supplied by the original members of the Presbytery. There is reason to believe that most of them were organized years anterior to the formation of the Presbytery; and some had no formal organization at all, at least none that could have been of record. The Presbytery of Huntingdon covered a district of country lying in the very centre of the State, between what was then known as the great west and the east; and as the population pressed from the East to the West, settlements were formed at various sup- posed desirable points in the centre. Here Presbyterians were found scattered among various communities, and sometimes forming the vast majority of these settlements. They brought with them their
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Bible, Confession of Faith, Psalm or Hymn Book-but most generally the Psalm Book in Rouse's version-and their love of the church of their fathers. But ministers to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances were few in comparison with the number of the settlements and points to be supplied; it was therefore but natural, and in many instances a matter of necessity, that these scattered Presbyterians, who were "as sheep without a shepherd" in the wilderness, should voluntarily band themselves together under the lead of their princi- pal men, who acted as elders, without any formal ordination, and the congregation without any formal organization. And those acting in the capacity of elders were, ordinarily, what the name imports, ( pres- buteroi,) the aged men of the various. societies. Some aged and godly men would first call the people together in social meetings for prayer and praise, and out of these sprang the larger gatherings. In this state the first ministers and missionaries found them; and without at all disturbing their voluntary organizations, proceeded to preach the word and administer ordinances to them. And who, at this late day, will censure them, though there was no formal organization of con- gregations, and therefore none to be recorded. The thing was there ; God approved and blessed his people by sending to them in due time the living minister, with the ordinances which He is accustomed to bless to increase in numbers and in grace. No doubt the best elders the church has ever had, came into office in this way ; godly men, to whom their co-worshippers voluntarily submitted. But it leaves us with inability to give date or history of the organization of many churches.
As the church in general, and the Presbytery of Huntingdon in particular, has been much indebted to the faithful eldership for her peace and purity, it is the design to gather and preserve such memo- rials of deceased elders of the Presbytery as the materials placed within reach may render possible. It is to be regretted that not only the first and original elders of the congregations at the time of the organization of the Presbytery have passed away, but the generation succeeding them having also passed away, their grand-children know little about them but their names. But something is known about elders of later date, worthy sons of venerable sires, who have stood in their lot in days of the Church's trials. The names and deeds of some of these shall be recorded, so far as space and means shall permit.
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CHAPTER II.
FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE PRESBYTERY IN 1795 TILL THE YEAR 1800.
The formation of the Presbytery-The first Moderator-Rules of Order-The extent of its Ter- ritory-The Pastoral Charges of the original members-The Missionary Fund-Action of Presbytery in relation to Aged and Invalid Ministers, and the Families of Deceased Minis- ters-Committee appointed to examine the Credentials of Traveling Ministers-The first Candidate for the Ministry-First Death-Resignations-Salaries-The first Stated Clerk- The first Commissioners to the General Assembly-No Alternates to the Elders appointed- Presbyterial Meetings-The second Candidate, and the first Licensed-Mr. S. Bryson Called, Settled, Resigns, Clted, Tried, and Suspended-Salaries-Prudence in settling controversies in regard to salaries-Attendance on Meetings of the Presbytery-Reference from Pine Creek.
T THE ministers who were constituted into the Presbytery of Hun- tingdon, originally belonged to and formed a part of the Pres- bytery of Carlisle.
The Presbytery was formed by the direct action of the General Assembly, but not without the concurrence of the Synod. An over- ture was laid before the Assembly through the Synod of Philadelphia, requesting the division of the Presbytery of Carlisle.
The following is the record of the act of the General Assembly, in accordance with which the Presbytery of Huntingdon was organized :
"The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States in America, having erected such of the members of the Carlisle Presbytery as were situated North of, or by a line drawn along the Juniata river, from the mouth up to the Tuscarora mountain, and along the Tuscarora to the head of the Path Valley; thence Westerly to the Eastern Boundary of the Presbytery of Redstone, so on to leave the congregation of Bedford to the South, into a Presbytery by the name of the Presbytery of Huntingdon; and appointed their first meeting on the second Tuesday of April, A. D., 1795, to be held at Mr. Martin's Church in Penns Valley ; in consequence of this act of the General Assembly, the Presbytery of Huntingdon met at the place and the day aforesaid.
Constituted with prayer by the Rev. JOHN HOGE, after he had preached from John 1:12, he being appointed by the General Assembly to preside until a Moderator was chosen.
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
The following ministers and elders were present at the organization and first meeting of the Presbytery : Rev. JOHN HOGE, JAMES MARTIN, HUGH MAGILL, MATTHEW STEPHEN, HUGH MORRISON, JOHN BRYSON, ISAAC GRIER, and JAMES JOHNSTON ; with the elders JOHN WATSON, WALTER CLARK, ROBERT SMITH, and WILLIAM HAMMOND. Mr. HOGE was chosen the first Moderator, and Mr. JAMES JOHNSTON, Clerk."
The first business attended to by the Presbytery was the adoption of rules for the transaction of business; thirteen in number, and very much the same in substance as now govern all Church courts in the transaction of business. No doubt they were copied from rules adopted by the General Assembly, so far as applicable to presbyterial business.
It will be seen by the act of the Assembly constituting the Presby- tery, that it covered a large district of country in the interior of Pennsylvania. There are now no less than fifteen counties embraced within the original bounds of the Presbytery, viz: part of Perry county, and all of Juniata, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Northumberland, Snyder, Union, Columbia, Clear- field, Montour, and part of Cambria. In all these bounds there were only eleven ministers, the eight who were present and enrolled on the first day, and three who were absent, namely : Messrs. DAVID BARD, DAVID WILEY and JOHN JOHNSTON. On the second day of the sessions of the Presbytery Mr. WILEY appeared, with his elder, DAVID VAN- DYKE, and were enrolled ; also ROBERT RIDDLE, Esq., a member of the Session of Shaver's Creek congregation.
The following are the pastoral relations of the original members of the Presbytery, who sustained pastoral charges at the time of the organization, so far as can be gathered from the minutes. But it is to be remembered that besides the pastoral charges in which they were formally installed, these ministers had various points which they statedly supplied, within what was considered the bounds of their respective charges; for congregational limits were then very much extended, and several congregations and pastoral charges now exist within the bounds of what was then a single charge.
The Rev. JOHN HOGE seems to have had no particular pastoral charge, but as an evangelist, or presbyterial missionary, supplied vacancies as providence opened the way, or Presbytery appointed. The only record made in the minutes concerning him even in the capacity of a Stated Supply, is the application of Briar Creek to have him appointed as their supply for one-third of his time; which request
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HISTORY OF THIE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
was granted. On all other occasions, at least with few exceptions, in the record of supplies, Mr. HOGE is appointed to supply vacancies at discretion. He was appointed by the General Assembly to preside and open the Presbytery at its first meeting to organize, probably because he was the oldest member of the Presbytery at the time; or present as a commissioner in the General Assembly when the Presby- tery was constituted.
Rev. JAMES MARTIN, the second on the roll, was the pastor of East and West Penns Valley, Warrior's Mark and Half Moon. HUGH MAGILL, pastor of Lower Tuscarora and Cedar Spring. Rev. MATTHEW STEPHEN, at the organization of the Presbytery, was not an installed pastor, but held a call from Upper and Centre congregations in Wayne township, Mifflin county, which he had accepted; but at the meeting of Huntingdon Presbytery, October 6, 1795, requested leave to return the call, not having been installed.
Rev. HUGH MORRISON was the pastor of Buffalo, Sunbury and Northumberland.
Rev. JOHN BRYSON, pastor of Chilisquaque and Warrior Run.
Rev. ISAAC GRIER, pastor of Pine Creek, Lycoming and Great Island.
Rev. JAMES JOHNSTON, pastor of East Kishacoquillas, and Stated Supply of West Kishacoquillas.
Rev. JOHN JOHNSTON, pastor of Hart's Log and Huntingdon.
Rev. DAVID WILEY, pastor of Cedar Creek and Spring Creek.
Rev. DAVID BARD, pastor of Frankstown congregation, now known as the congregation of Hollidaysburg.
It is worthy of notice, that after organization of the Presbytery, and the adoption of standing rules for the transaction of business, the first business taken up was the consideration of a recommendation of the General Assembly respecting contributions to the missionary fund; and finding that few of the members had paid due attention thereto, it was strictly enjoined on all the members to be attentive to that business ; and either convey their contributions to the Treasurer of Presbytery, or to the Treasurer of the General Assembly at their next meeting. Rev. JAMES JOHNSTON had been appointed Treasurer of the Presbytery. These missionary funds were designed for the same use as now, domestic and foreign, though applied through differ- ent agencies. At the same time, in compliance with a requisition of the General Assembly, the proposition to raise a fund for the support of invalid Presbyterian ministers, and the families of deceased ministers, who may need assistance, was considered; and the opinion
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
of Presbytery was expressed, with apparent unanimity, "that it was inexpedient, and probably would not answer the valuable end for which it was designed." When we consider the large field which the members of the Presbytery had to supply, the widely scattered con- dition of the Presbyterian societies, the newness of the various settle- ments, the comparative poverty of the people, and the difficulty of sustaining those who were in the active labors of the ministry among themselves ; we cannot wonder that the members of the Presbytery, at that early day, thought it inexpedient, because seemingly imprac- ticable to contribute to such a fund. It is only of late years that this object has been reduced to form, and made one of the regular objects of the churches' contributions; though certainly one which should never have been overlooked. It may be added, that there are reasons which might be assigned, why such a fund was not so imperatively demanded at that early day, as now, when the Church has become so extended, its membership so much more numerous, and its ministers greatly multiplied. In those times it was so much easier for ministers to get possession of a piece of land; which they did, and in most cases found it necessary to cultivate, at least, in part, as a means of support for themselves and families. These lands descended to their children; and to this day we have some of their descendants living amongst the people whom their fathers served in the ministry, in comfortable, if not in affluent circumstances. Yet it must not be understood, as if these fathers were opposed to having provision made for superannuated and invalid ministers and their families after their decease, but only that it was inexpedient and hopeless to urge it on the churches of the Presbytery at that time when more urgent objects were before them. They could not have been opposed to the object itself.
At the same meeting of the Presbytery a committee was appointed to examine the credentials of ministers coming within their bounds. So careful were they that no unsuitable and uncertified minister should impose upon the people. According to the strict presbyterian rules to which they had been accustomed, and which they had estab- lished among themselves as soon as they were set off into a Presbytery, no traveling minister might preach within their bounds without the consent of the Presbytery, if in session, or the committee on credentials, if he came during the intervals of Presbytery. And no congregation might invite, or employ a minister that did not belong to the Presbytery, without first asking the consent of the
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Presbytery for liberty to apply to the Presbytery of Carlisle for sup- plies-the very Presbytery from which most of the original members came; and also to the older Presbyteries. And this rule was universally observed at a time when there was the greatest need of ministers to supply the numerous vacancies within the extended bounds of the Presbytery ; and when every accession to their ranks tended to diminish the laborious service demanded of those already in the field. No doubt they were prepared to hail with joy every proper laborer that came into their bounds. There were great temp- tations to relax in the strictness of their rule in this respect. Presby- terians and Presbyteries have always exhibited a laudable degree of sensitiveness on this point. A pure and competent ministry has been the aim of the courts of the Church and of the people. At times Presbyteries and congregations may have been imposed on by unworthy candidates, but it has not been from wilful neglect on their part. And the care taken in this matter is still more noticeable from the fact that candidates for the ministry were very scarce. Yet at the first meeting of the Presbytery, one candidate offered himself to be taken under trial for the ministry, Mr. JAMES MAGILL, supposed to be a son, or other relative of the Rev. HUGH MAGILL. He continued under the care of the Presbytery for about a year and a half, passed most of his examinations and parts of trial, and upon the point of licensure requested a dismission from the Presbytery. This was at the stated meeting of the Presbytery, October 6, 1796. Whether he was dismissed to the care of another Presbytery, or with a view to connect himself with another denomination, or that he had given up the purpose of entering the ministry, is not known, as there is no other notice taken of it in the minutes, except that he applied for a dismis- sion, which the Presbytery granted, with a certificate of good moral character. After that time no more is heard of him. One fact connected with his several parts of trial, serves to show that the members of Presbytery were by no means disposed to pass lightly over the examinations of candidates, or the pieces for exercise appointed them for delivery before the Presbytery. Their examina- tions seem to have been very thorough, and they were not readily satisfied with any part of trial. Therefore a lecture delivered before them, and in the presence of a public audience, the Presbytery refused to sustain; though Mr. MAGILL afterwards passed through several other parts of trial to the satisfaction of Presbytery. What influence the refusal to sustain a lecture delivered by him may have
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