USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 2
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"During all these trying experiences of frontier life covering a period of nearly a quarter of a century, but one breach or violation of the peace principle held by our people is recorded."
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
This single instance, which Brother Sell calls the " Jacob Neff Episode " occurred within the bounds of the Clover Creek congregation. U. J. Jones, after giving a copy of a report of "Thomas Smith and George Woods, both, we believe, Justice of Peace at the time to Presi- dent Wharton," in which there is no direct reference to the Brethren, refers to the Neff incident as follows :
" The band of Indians, after the Dunkard massacre, worked their way toward the Kittaning war path, leav- ing behind them some few stragglers of their party whose appetite for blood and treasure had not been satis- fied. Among others, an old and a young Indian stopped at Neff's Mill. Neff was a Dunkard ; but he was a single exception so far as resistance was concerned. He had constantly in his mill his loaded rifle, and was ready for any emergency. He had gone to his mill in the morn- ing without any knowledge of Indians being in the neigh- borhood, and had just set the water-wheel in motion when he discovered two Indians lurking, within a hun- dred yards, in a small wood below the mill. Without taking much time to deliberate how to act, he aimed through the window, and deliberately shot the old Indian. In an instant the young Indian came toward the mill, and Neff ran out of the back door and up the hill. The quick eye of the savage detected him, and fired, but missed his aim. Nothing daunted by the mishap, the savage followed up the cleared patch, when both, as if by instinct, commenced reloading their rifles. They stood face to face, not forty yards apart, on open ground where there was no possible chance of concealment. The chances were equal; he that loaded first would be victor in the strife, the other was doomed to certain death. They both rammed home the bullet at the same time- with what haste may well be conjectured. This was a critical juncture, for, while loading, neither took his eye off the other. They both drew their ramrods at the same instant, but the intense excitement of the moment caused the Indian to balk in drawing his, and the error or mis- hap proved fatal, because Neff took advantage of it, and succeeded in priming and aiming before the Indian. The latter, now finding the muzzle of Neff's rifle bearing upon him, commenced a series of very cunning gyrations and
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contortions to destroy his aim or to confuse him, so that he might miss him or enable him to prime. To this end he first threw himself upon his face; then, suddenly ris- ing up again, he jumped first to the right, then to the left, then fell down again. Neff, not the least put off his guard, waited until the Indian arose again, when he shot him through the head.
" Neff, fearing that others might be about, left the mill and started to the nearest settlement. A force was raised and the mill revisited ; but it was found a heap of smoul- dering cinders and ashes, and the dead bodies of the Indians had been removed. It is altogether likely that the rear of the savage party came up shortly after Neff had left, fired the mill, and carried away their slain companions.
" For the part Neff took in the matter he was excom- municated from the Dunkard society. Nevertheless, he rebuilt his mill; but the Dunkards, who were his main support previously, refused any longer to patronize him, and he was eventually compelled to abandon the business."
Brother Sell speaks of the same incident as follows:
" Daniel Ullery was the original owner of Roaring Spring. He built the first mill. Jacob Neff was his miller. During the Indian massacre of 1777 he shot an Indian. He was counseled by the church for his viola- tion of her peace principles. He did not plead justifica- tion. He admitted that it was wrong to take human life but said his deed was done under strong temptation and excitement. He was excused, but required not to speak of his act in company in a boasting or justifying way. This restriction he frequently violated and he was ex- pelled from the church.
" This story has been repeated and exaggerated and the church through it misrepresented so that we take this opportunity to tell the story as we have it from our own traditions. The history of Juniata Valley says that when Neff rebuilt his mill the Brethren refused to pa- tronize him. This is not correct. The chain, or abstract of title shown that Neff never owned the mill, did not build it in the first place, did not in the second place.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
Ullery built and rebuilt it. It was a necessity in the new settlement."
But it is due the reader to have another glimpse of trials and sufferings of earlier days. The value of the data lies in the fact it was written in 1855, a quarter of a century before Howard Miller thought to make his " Record of the Faithful."
The author * declares he writes purely as an historian and without prejudice. He says :
" The Great Cove, Little Cove and Canolloways' are mentioned frequently in government papers as far back as 1749, Indian traders having penetrated them at a much earlier date than that. .. . For fertile limestone land, beautiful scenery, and splendid farms, few valleys in the State equal-none surpass-the Great Cove now known as Morrison's Cove.
" About 1755, a colony of Dunkards took up the south- ern portion of the Cove, and their descendants hold pos- session of it to this day. They have unquestionably the finest farms as well as the most fertile land in the State, and right glad should we be to end their portion of the chapter by saying so, or even by adding that for thrift and economy they stand unsurpassed; but a sense of candor compels us to speak of them as they are,-' noth- ing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice!'
" In the first place, let it be understood that we are in no particle indebted to them for one iota of the blessings of government we enjoy. They are strict non-resistants ; and in the predatory incursions of the French and In- dians, in 1756-63, and in fact, during all the savage war- fare, they not only refused to take up arms to repel the savage marauders and prevent the inhuman slaughter of women and children, but they refused in the most posi- tive manner to pay a dollar to support those who were willing to take up arms to defend their homes and their firesides, until wrung from them by the stern mandates of the law, from which there was no appeal.
" They did the same thing when the Revolution broke out. There was a scarcity of men. Sixty able-bodied ones among them might readily have formed a cordon of
* U. J. Jones' History of the Early Settlement of the Juniata Valley, 1855', Chapter XVIII.
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frontier defence, which could have prevented many of the Indian massacres which took place between 1777 and 1780, and more especially among their own people in the Cove. But not a man would shoulder his rifle: they were non-resistants! They might, at least, have fur- nished money, for they always had an abundance of that, the hoarding of which seemed to be the sole aim and object of life with them. But, no; not a dollar! They occupied neutral ground, and wished to make no resist- ance. Again : they might have furnished supplies. And they did furnish supplies to those who were risking their lives to repel the invaders,-but it was only when the almighty dollar accompanied the demand.
"After the massacre of thirty of them, in less than forty-eight hours Colonel Piper, the lieutenant-colonel of Bedford county, made a stirring appeal to them. But it was of no avail; they were non-resistants ; and evidently determined to remain such.
"Of the peculiar religious tenets of these primitive people we do not profess to know anything; hence our remarks are unbiased. We are solely recording historical facts.
"As a curious anomaly in the history of the present generation, it may be stated that, although they perform that part of the compact between government and a good citizen which relates to paying taxes, they never vote, neither can the most seductive persuasions of politicians bring them to the polls.
"Like their forefathers, they are non-resistants-pro- ducers, but non-consumers.
" During the Indian wars of 1762, quite a number of murders were committed in the Cove, and many captives taken but the particulars were too vague for history.
" The first Indian depredators, or at least the greater portion of them, were seen at a camp-fire by a party of hunters; and if the proper exertions had been made to cut them off, few other outrages would have followed. The supposition is that there were two parties of about fifteen each, who met at or near Neff's Mill in the Cove. On their way thither, the one party killed a man named Hammond, who resided along the Juniata, and the other party killed a man named Ullery, who was returning
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
from Neff's Mill on horseback. They also took two chil- dren with them as prisoners.
" The alarm was spread among the inhabitants and they fled to the nearest forts with all despatch; and on this first expedition they would have had few scalps to grace their belts, had the Dunkards taken the advice of more sagacious people, and fled too ; this, however, they would not do. They would follow but half of Cromwell's advice ;- they were willing to put their trust in God, but they would not keep their powder dry. In short, it was a compound they did not use at all.
" The savages swept down through the Cove with all the ferocity with which a pack of wolves would descend from the mountain upon a flock of sheep. Some few of the Dunkards, who evidently had the latent spark of love of life, hid themselves away ; but by far the most of them stood by and witnessed the butchery of their wives and children, merely saying, "Gottes wille sei gethan." *
One cannot help but admire such devotion to the prin- ciple of non-resistance as the foregoing reveals. Yet insistent upon the mind is the thought,-what a pity these dear forebears were not just as eager to provide avenues for the culture of the minds and hearts of their young people through the Sunday-school and educational institutions as they were to make such splendid sacri- fices. In a couple generations thereafter, as this history reveals, this training came.
* " God's will be done." This sentence was so frequently repeated by the Dunkards during the massacre, that the Indians must have retained a vivid recollection of it. During the late war with Great Britain, some of the older Indians on the frontier were anxious to know of the Huntingdon volunteers whether the " Gotswiltahns " still resided in the Cove. Of course our people could not satisfy them on such a vague point.
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CHAPTER II The Kishacoquillas Valley Congrega- tion and Its Growth in Mifflin and Adjoining Counties
1780
1800
1820
1840
1860
1880
19,00
1920
a1781 Kishacoquillas Valley
Dry Valley
Burnham
19211
....
1916
Lewistown
1865
Spring Run
1802
Aughwick
Ardenheim
b1878
a Later known as Lewistown (country) and Dry Valley, interchangeably. b While this point was developed by ministers from Huntingdon the territory was part of the Aughwick congregation.
LEWISTOWN (Country)
The territory included all of what is now Spring Run, Dry Valley and Lewistown city congregations, but dur- ing its history few members lived in the city of Lewis- town: hence its name in distinction from the active present day city church by the same name.
Arthur Buchanan became the first settler in Mifflin county, when in 1755 he built a cabin where Lewistown now stands. Among the settlers that followed there were a few families of Brethren.
From the beginning the Indian name Kishacoquillas Valley was applied to the church composed of scattered membership in parts of Huntingdon, Center and Mifflin Counties, though they were considered for a time a
* To John C. Swigart, of Mattawana, the reader is indebted for the history of this congregation as herein given.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
branch of the Aughwick congregation. About 1800 the members organized themselves into a congregation but there is no record who presided over the church in these times. Neither is it known when the congregation changed its name to Lewistown.
In an early day Henry Nearhoof of Aughwick and Peter Shellenberger of Lost Creek preached for these members but it is believed that John Swigart who mi- grated from Berks County in 1792 or thereabouts, was the first resident minister. He died November 28, 1806, in his 49th year and is buried on the farm where he set- tled. He is the forebear of the Swigarts and others re- lated who are scattered through these parts. About the same time Jacob Kinsel also moved from Berks County and became a leading spirit among the members. He died in March, 1832, aged seventy-four and is buried in the family graveyard on the home farm. Another early settler is Abram Miller, who came from Dauphin County and by some it is claimed that he was the first resident minister. He died in 1803 and was buried on his farm near Granville, Pa. His daughter, Catherine, married John Swigart, son of John Swigart above mentioned, and after the birth of two daughters died at the early age of twenty-two. Mary, one of these daughters, became the wife of Bishop Joseph R. Hanawalt and is the mother of George and John S. Hanawalt. The name Steely is men- tioned traditionally in this connection, but nothing further is known of him. In fact little can be said of the labors of these brethren for there is no record. No doubt their field included every valley they could reach and faithfully, patiently and hopefully they pressed forward amidst dangers not even imagined in this day.
One John Rothrock migrated from Northampton County before the Revolutionary War and settled on what is now known as the Andrew Spanogle farm. He had a son Joseph who united with the Brethren, became a minister and bishop and served the church for many years. He was a man of deep piety and exercised a very large influence in and out of the church. Joseph had a son called Abraham who succeeded him in the ministry and bishopric. On September 27, 1850 John Kline of Virginia officiated at the ordination of Abraham Roth-
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
DIED
On the 11th ult, andthe residence of her Sun, Joseph. R. Hananwalt, in diver town- Ship, Mrs Susanah Hanawatt, aged 81 years 7 month and is days
It would be injustice to allow this- good old lady to pass down to the silent hans of the dead with a single remark in life; 11 cfože the writer would simply state that she is one of twin siste 1. What was born in Cunville (then dory) tpy (the premises lately boupied by he's bro. then Gelige Rathnik, and i'n mez liftstu Surtien her sister about twelve years. Her sisters name was Mary, who was married to John Hanawalt, and they to Naca Wayne Township, nearly op. Nesite Almunt"Union on the duniala. Susannah was married To George Hanawalt, who resided in Oliver township, In the western: extrem- tre Augusins valley. Thus thatwe firstly own nectadetonifies husa within a short distance of each other fer about fifty year, when death ther- ugh the instrument of Con para Tively old age, Began to Stimmen
y one after another until she one of Field persons named. She survived her husband about-
nawall was a zelous member of nker or baptist Church for sixty
ared during which
patiently for her
During her life-
henceforth, she preformed many kind areas. foot was approved and instructed , hungry was ted, the maken il the homeless lagged the comjo ass were thecrew by the sound of er motherly voice, and the unmut. the poor were contributed to part cularly when sick. peace to her ashes,
E
The above writing was prepared by George, the grandson of Susannah Hanawalt, the first person baptized in the Lewistown congregation. Her death occurred in 1854. Photo loaned by Daniel R., son of George Hanawalt, Akron, Ohio.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
rock. About 1857 Abraham moved to Kansas; later, dur- ing the Civil War, he was shot in one of the guerilla raids of those times, but recovered and continued to preach the Word of Life.
Among the early settlers in Mifflin County was one George Rothrock. To him were born twin daughters, Susannah and Mary, who were first cousins of Joseph Rothrock before mentioned. The family came into the community when the twins were quite young, perhaps in 1786. Later these sisters married two brothers, George and John Hanawalt. Susannah, the mother of Joseph R. Hanawalt, was baptized in 1794, one of the first, if not the first person received into the church by baptism in this territory. During her life she was familiarly known as "granny " Hanawalt, was deeply mourned by all when she passed away in 1854. Her body with her husband lies in the Spring Run cemetery.
David Eshelman moved in from one of the eastern churches, was called to the ministry in 1836, served the church well until 1850 when he moved to Berks County.
John Spanogle came into the congregation about 1845 and after four years of faithful labor he returned to Aughwick congregation.
Another early preacher that should be mentioned is John Hanawalt. He was a colaborer with Joseph Roth- rock and from all accounts the first minister in this con- gregation who preached in the English language. He died in 1827 at the age of sixty-two.
About 1850 or earlier, the church decided that half their public service should be conducted in the English. This opened the door to a number of influential families that did not understand the German and as a result the church grew rapidly. This was particularly true during the leadership of Joseph Rothrock Hanawalt. He was called to the ministry September 25, 1845 at a lovefeast held in a barn on the Kinsel farm. He was an able speaker in the English, a man with a large vision and constantly striving to extend the bounds of the kingdom. He served the church faithfully until he was sixty-seven years old, his age at his death. Before his death in 1877, he remarked one time that when he came to the church
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there were thirty-five members and now there were over two hundred.
Adam Young was called to the ministry in 1859 and in the spring of 1865 moved to White County, Indiana, where he served the church as bishop until his death.
All through the decades the members had been wor- shiping in their homes and later in school houses. Many and blessed were the seasons of worship and more cher- ished was the fellowship even in their crowded quarters when beds on the floor or elsewhere in the barn were so common an occurrence as not to be mentioned. But the rapid growth of the church beginning about 1850 created a demand for a suitable meeting house. Accordingly Joseph R. Hanawalt, Peter S. Myers, Reuben Myers, Jacob Mohler and William Howe were appointed a com- mittee on location. Inasmuch as the membership was about equally divided into two groups they were unable to agree upon a site and so brought in a report recom- mending that one house be built where now is the Dry Valley house and the other on the present loca- tion of the Spring Run house near McVeytown. This report was accepted and in 1858 the two houses, each 40 x 60 feet and each costing $2,000.00, were built. Samuel Myers, the father of Peter, Samuel and Reuben and the grandfather of J. Allen Myers, furnished the lum- ber for the Spring Run house which was dedicated on Saturday, January 1, 1859. Joseph R. Hanawalt preached in the morning, using for his text 2 Chronicles 6; in the evening George Brumbaugh spoke from Acts 3:19. The following day, Sunday, messages were given as follows : Abram Rohrer, Hebrews 1; Peter S. Myers, 1 Peter 1:13; George Brumbaugh, John 13:17.
No record has been handed down concerning the dedi- cation of the Dry Valley house. Nevertheless it is a good frame building, with basement and well adapted to hold lovefeasts and other large gatherings.
It is safe to say that Lewistown (country) has the earliest official records in the District. The opening record is illuminating, for in it is found :
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
MINUTES OF THE COUNCILS of the GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The first minutes record the meeting held August 9, 1862 in the Spring Run house. Solomon Z. Sharp, elected to the ministry that same year was made secretary. The first item of business is: "The minutes of the Annual Meeting were read and discussed which consumed the principal part of the forenoon."
Those were Civil War days. "Some young brethren .. . had gone to war " and it was "agreed they should be considered out of the church according to the Gospel." The records of the next meeting (Oct. 11, 1862) states that several brethren "attempted to go to war but cir- cumstances prevented them." It was decided before they could commune they had to make "an open confession of their fault before the church."
At this same meeting two secretaries were appointed "to record preceedings . . . to state all cases and de- cisions . . . but not to read the names of individuals." "Using the liberty " before prayer at church services was by some thought to be abused for this query (April 18, 1863) "Do the brethren observe the instruc- tions of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy ? when they ex- hort at length before prayer " was answered by the council, " By no means." The order of service perplexed some for at the same meeting this was sent to Annual Meeting: "Should the brethren have prayer before any other exercise when they came together for public wor- ship?" Members were instructed "to indulge in no political spirit " in those very trying times of 1860. The Civil War granted the privilege to pay instead of going to service. This congregation decided that a drafted member " should pay $75.00 and have his assets taxed with the rest of the members to make up the balance." Evidently the congregation met her financial affairs on an equalized taxation basis.
The church declared herself (Jan. 9, '64) under no obligation to help pay the fines of " members . . . vot- ing or electioneering and afterwards drafted." At a fall meeting (Oct. 8, '64) the deacons are ordered "to write
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
out a statement of the business obtained by their visiting and present it to the bishop or moderator before opening of the council."
The congregation's attitude towards the public school is seen when it answered (May 20, '65) "Is it wrong to enter into such games as parties, plays, etc., quoit pitch- ing, etc., etc?" by saying "Considered wrong except for school exercises where the teacher is responsible." "New Testament classes conducted according to the order of the church in the opening and the closing are unanimously encouraged."
The two groups of members, gathering around their respective places of worship, prospered under the loving supervision of Joseph R. Hanawalt, the bishop of both congregations, but the two centres led pleasantly to the next division of territory. It is no surprise, therefore, to learn that at a council meeting held in the Spring Run house September 23, 1865, a committee consisting of Joseph R. Hanawalt, William Howe, Peter Myers, Philip Mertz, John Rupert, John Price and George S. Myers, was appointed to establish a dividing line. They met April 21, 1866 in the home of George S. Myers and framed the following satisfactory dividing line: "That the point of starting said line be at the foot of Blue Ridge, opposite the Three Locks, crossing the river at the Three Locks, thence along the public road by Strodes Mill and saw mill, then by Hope Furnace and Hugh Mc- Kee's to top of Jack's mountain, turning eastward fol- lowing top of said mountain until opposite road on east side of the farm where Abram Glassmyer now lives on the road leading to ' Squire Haffey's, thence direct to Stone mountain, the place of termination."
Thus was the congregation amicably divided Septem- ber 23, 1865, the western section taking the name Spring Run and the eastern retaining the name Lewistown- sometimes called Dry Valley.
The Lewistown congregation after the division of ter- ritory had the following officials :
Ministers: Jacob Mohler, William Howe, Adam Young, John Price and Andrew Spanogle.
Deacons : Philip Mertz, Isaac Price, John Keever, Ben- jamin Howe.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
Jacob Mohler was chosen bishop and Philip Mertz treasurer. No secretary was appointed and no records kept. Even the treasurer, a fine faithful man whose honesty was never questioned, kept no record. He simply carried the bag, received what was given him and paid such bills as the church ordered him to pay. As far as record goes he never made a statement of receipts and expenditures. Not until November 2, 1869 were pro- visions made for keeping record and then George S. Myers and Samuel Reichard were jointly appointed as secretaries.
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