USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > East Donegal > Authentic history of Donegal Presbyterian Church, located in East Donegal Township, Lancaster Co., Pa > Part 2
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* James A. Patterson resigned before the remodeling was completed and S. Smith Patterson chosen in his place.
Before the remodeling in 1851, the exterior of the Church was not plastered, the windows and doors were arched ; there were three entrance doors, one on the south, one on the east and one on the west end of the Church building ; the aisles leading from these doors were paved with bricks ; four large pillars supported the ceiling (these may still be seen at Mount Joy, on the east side of Mr. Harry Newcomer's hardware store); the pulpit, with the precentor's seat on its front and a high sounding- board overhead, was on the north side ; the pews were of the high, square-box variety, in which "tired Nature's sweet restorer" found little comfort.
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THE DONEGAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
It is sad to see all these old memorials changed and passing away; the ruthless hand of modern improvement spares not the haunts and loved objects of our boyhood days. The future historian will find as many changes in old Donegal and its environs as we of to-day recognize in the transformations wrought in the past half-century. The mind is lost in wonder and amaze- ment when contemplating the rapid advance in every department of thought and human industry.
In remodeling the old building the large pillars, pulpit, pews and brick-covered aisles were removed ; the interior was laid with a substantial board floor ; a vestibule divided off at the east end ; the south and west entrances closed, and a new one made in the east end in addition to the one already there; square window and door frames were substituted for the old arched ones, and the exterior was plastered to hide the unsightly joints of the old with the new wall, so that nothing remains to remind us of the ancient structure except the hip roof. The material of the old pulpit and pews was used in their reconstruction but so much changed that one unacquainted with the alteration would not recognize it .*
* " Fac-simile of a plan of Donegal meeting-house, December 25th, 1766, from a drawing by Bertram Galbraith .- The above plan represents the building as it stood up to the year 1772, when it was remodeled by Col. Hugh Pedan, Peter Acker and Henry Cassel, trustees. Then a door-
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way was cut at each end of the main aisle ; the windows were enlarged." -Columbia, April 28th, 1877.
"The foregoing plan of the interior remained intact until the year 1851. In the year 1772 a slight change was made in the building by cutting a doorway in the end walls which gave an entrance to the large aisle ; the old window frames, which had arched tops and sash with small panes of glass, were taken out and the frames and sash now in the walls were substituted."-Columbia, Pa., August 2d, 1892.
The above two statements are copies from a printed and framed description hung up in the Church at Donegal. The following is from Notes and Queries by Dr. Egle, of Harrisburg (No. 4 series, vol. I., page 229 reprint), written by the same person as the above two extracts : "The foregoing plan of Donegal Church shows the arrangement of the pulpit, pews, aisles and entrance doorway on the east side of the building facing the graveyard from the time of its erection in 1730 to 1774, when Captain Zachariah Moore and Hugh Pedan remodeled the building by cutting a doorway in the south and west end, putting in square-head window frames in place of the old circular-head ones, and new sashes with large panes." These extracts were written by the same person, and that neither of these three statements of the same remodeling of the Church, differing in dates, the persons who did the work and character of the work, can be correct is proven by the following item taken from a bill in the original minutes of the trustees, the account of which is given on page 16 of this work : Zachariah Moore's account, Nov. 19th, 1800 :- "To cash paid John Smith for breaking a door in the meeting-house, 15 shillings." In the extracts above quoted it is said "a doorway was cut in the end walls in 1772 ;" again "a door was cut at each end of the aisle in 1772 by Hugh Pedan, Peter Acker and Henry Cassel," and two years afterwards (1774) "Hugh Pedan and Zachariah Moore cut a door- way in the south and west end." It is recorded in the minutes of the trustees above quoted that Zachariah Moore had a doorway broken in the meeting-house in 1800, just twenty-eight years after the events recorded in the foregoing extracts. In two of the above statements it is said that "The windows with circular-arched top frames were taken out and square ones put in their places, in 1772 and 1774." This was not done until 1851 when Dr. Nathaniel Watson, John M. Hoover and James A. Patterson re- modeled the Church. Mr. James A. Patterson testifies to the fact of the arched window frames being taken out and square ones put in their places in 1851. My own recollection of the arched window frames is distinct, as well as other persons who are still living. We will leave the reader judge as to the correctness of these statements. The object in adding this somewhat lengthy note is to demonstrate the fact that the time of building and remodeling the Church is not known, and that many things which have been written and published concerning Donegal Church are incorrect and unreliable.
.
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represent the location of the Church building. X, represents the location of the sexton's house. G, R, the graveyard. S, represents the spring, the stream from which constituted a part of the original boundary line. The dotted lines represent the roads as at present located. S, T, represent the location of the Mansion house of the Stephenson farm (now Cameron's). This property was patented by James Stephenson. It was deeded to his grandson, David Watson, in 1780. David Wat- son and wife deeded it to their son, Dr. John Watson, whose son, Dr. Nathaniel Watson, sold it to the Hon. Simon Cameron in 1872.
THE PASTORS OF DONEGAL CHURCH.
For the purpose of a better apprehension of the first pastor- ate of Donegal Church and the relation which it sustained to the first Presbytery of the Church in America, it may be well to invite attention to a brief outline of that organization. "The first leaf of the records of the first Presbytery being lost, the book opens with the brethren in session at Freehold on a Thursday, engaged in examining Boyd for ordination. They held 'Sederunt 2d' on Friday ; sustained his trial on the Lord's Day, Dec. 27th, 1706 ; his ordination was performed at the meeting-house in this place before a numerous assembly."- (Webster's History of the Presbyterian Church in America.) "The original members, as far as can be ascertained from the minutes, were Francis Makamie, Jedediah Andrews, George McNish, John Hampton, John Wilson, Nathaniel Taylor and Samuel Davis. To these may be added John Boyd, who became a member by ordination in 1706."-(Charles Hodges's History of the Presbyterian Church, page 94. ) The second meeting was held in Philadelphia. We will pass over the subsequent meet- ings, except to say that aid was solicited from Europe, and that with the cheerful concurrence of the brethren some of them at various times made application to different places. "In 1710 Wilson and Anderson wrote to the Synod of Glasgow."-(Web- ster's History, page 94. ) It may be observed that the name of Anderson is mentioned the first time in the history. The
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THE DONEGAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
intercourse of the brethren during nine years was harmonious and happy. Quiet, steady growth in numbers marked each successive meeting.
"The Presbytery of Philadelphia met in that city on Tues- day, September 18th, 1716. On Friday, the 21st, they resolved to divide themselves into subordinate meetings, or Presbyteries, which consisted of : first, the Presbytery of Philadelphia ; second, the Presbytery of Newcastle ; third, Snowhill, and fourth, Long Island. The following were the members of Newcastle, viz. : Messrs. Anderson, McGill, Gillespie, Witherspoon, Evans and Conn."-(Webster's History. )
The name of Anderson again appears. The ministers who served as pastors of Donegal will be noticed in the order of their ministration.
The first pastor of Donegal, "The Rev. James Anderson was born in Scotland, November 17th, 1678 ; he was ordained by Irvine Presbytery, November 17th, 1708 ; he arrived in this country April 22d, 1709 ; he settled in Newcastle ; he was called to supply a church in the city of New York, where he remained until 1726 ; he was called, September 24th, to Donegal on the Susquehanna and accepted it ; he was installed the last Wednesday in August, 1727."-(Webster's History. )
" The Donegal Presbytery was organized and held its first meeting at Donegal, Oct. 11th, 1732, and consisted of Messrs. Anderson, Boyd, Orr, Thompson of Chestnut Level, and he proposed to Donegal Presbytery to employ an itinerant in Vir- ginia. In April, 1738, Anderson was sent to Virginia, bearing a letter to the government of Virginia soliciting its favor in be- half of our interests. The Synod provided supplies for his pulpit and allowed for his expenses in a manner suitable to his design. Anderson performed his mission satisfactorily. He married Mistress Suit Garland, daughter of Sylvester Garland, of the head of Apoquinomy, February, 1712-13. She died December 24th, 1736. He married Rebecca Crawford, Dec. 27th, 1737." -(Webster's History, page 332. )
Anderson died July 16th, 1740. (He and his wife, Suit, are buried at Donegal, grave No. 127. ) "His son, Garland Ander-
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son, was one of the witnesses of Andrew's will (Jedediah) in I742. He married Jane, daughter of Peter Chevalier, of Philadelphia ; he died early. His daughter, Elizabeth, married Samuel Breeze and resided in New York ; a woman of great excellence."-(Webster's History.)
The list of the Rev. James Anderson's children is from a mutilated leaf of his family bible. In his will the names of James, Susannah and Thomas alone occur, but he refers to all his children. He left a large estate, including the present site of Marietta, the ferry called "Anderson's Ferry" and land on the opposite side of the river.
The will of the Rev. James Anderson (a true copy). - " The last will and testament of James Anderson of Donegal in Lan- caster County. Imprimis. I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife, Rebecca Anderson, the half of this plantation whereon I now live, including the house, barn, run to or about the place where Bank's house and improvements was, with some land at the riverside bottom, during her natural life ; also I give and bequeath to her assigns forever the third part of my moveable estate and ye use and services of the negro wench Dinah while she and Dinah lives. In the next place, I give and bequeath to my son James the other half of this plantation to him, his heirs and assigns forever, to the possession of which he is to enter when at age or marries, and that piece of land over the river opposite to the place I also give to him and his heirs forever. I have payd and have a warrant in lien under the hand of Receiver General and paid for the patent to Mr. Peter's to him and his heirs and assigns forever. I also give and bequeath to him the negro man Pline to him and his heirs and assigns forever ; this in the meantime my will is that he pay one-half of the mortgage and quit rent yearly till all the mortgage be payed. Item : I give to my daughter Susannah the negro wench Bell to her and her heirs. Item : I give to my dearly beloved wife Rebecca my son Thomas as her own son and child to be brought up by her as her own in the way she shall see cause. Tho' my desire is that if possible that he may be brought up to learning and particularly to the ministry, and that half of
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the plantation that I have left to my wife during her natural life fall in after her descease to him and his heirs and assigns forever. The remains of my estate, if there be any, my will is that it be equally divided between all my children. Itom : My will that if any of my children die without heirs ys that is hereby left to them shall be equally divided between all the rest. Item : I leave my said dearly beloved wife sole and only executrix of this my last will. Item : I give to my niece Susannah Bradford those bills and bonds which belonged to my former fatherinlaw, now in the hands of Mr. Sherer of Newcastle.
"JA. ANDERSON.
"This 14th day of July, 1740, witness William Allison, Robert Allison."
" Be it remembered, that on the 22d of July, Anno Dom: 1740, the last will and testament of James Anderson, Dec'd, was proven in due form of law and administration with the Testament of the Said Dec'd annexed was granted unto Rebecca Anderson and Garland Anderson (the executrix having renounced) they having first given Bond well and truly to administer the Said Deceased's Estate and bring an inventory thereof unto the regis- ter's office in Lancaster County on or before the 24th day of August next and also to render an account of Said Administra- tion on or before the 24th day of July, 1741.
" Given under the Seal of Said Office
" Sa. Blunstan Dep. Regter."
All his children were his first wife's. His son Garland be- comes one of his administrators, although not mentioned in his will as a legatee.
The following abstract from the will of his son, James Anderson (No. 2), and a quotation from a deed is inserted as corroborative evidence to the chart of the family on pages 27 and 28 : Abstract of the will of James Anderson (No. 2) dated 1790 : "Wife Margaret, son James Anderson (No. 3), son in law William Kelly, three grandchildren, Elizabeth, John and Ruth Kelly, children of my daughter, Susannah ; grandson James Anderson (No. 4), granddaughter Margaret Anderson,
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grandson Joseph Tate Anderson, granddaughter Ruth Ander- son, grandson Thomas Anderson and grandson William Ander- son. Executors, my wife, son James and Richard Keys."
Quotation from deed between Thomas and James Anderson : " This indenture Sept. 2d, 1758, between Thomas Anderson (No. 5), of Donegal Township yeoman, and Mary, his wife, of the one part, and James Anderson (No. 2) yeoman of the other part, whereas James Anderson (No. 1), deceased, father of the above named Thomas and James Anderson, by last will, duly executed and proved among other things, did devise and be- queath unto his wife Rebecca one-half part of his plantation, whereon at the time of executing the said will he lived, during her natural life, and after her decease to his son Thomas, party to these presents, and the other half part to his son James Ander- son, party to these presents, etc."
Quotation from deed between James Anderson (No. 2) and wife to James Anderson (No. 3):
" This indenture, made the 22d day of July, 1772, between James Anderson and Ruth, his wife, of the Township of Done- gal, yeoman of the one part, and James Anderson, the younger, son of the said James Anderson, of the same township, yeoman of the other part, witnesseth that the James Anderson and Ruth, his wife, for and in consideration of natural love and affection which they have and bear for and towards the said James Ander- son, the younger, their son, and for his better preferment and advancement in the world and in consideration of the sum of five shilling lawful money of Pennsylvania to them in hand, paid by the said James Anderson, the younger. It being a part and parcel of a certain tract of land, containing 305* acres, which the Hon. Proprietors did grant a patent, bearing date 1736, to James Anderson, father of the said James Anderson, the grantor, who by his last will and testament, dated the 14th of July, 1740, etc."
*This tract covered a part of the present site of Marietta, which the Rev. James Anderson bequeathed to his wife and his son, James Anderson (No. 2). The ferry from the Lancaster County to the York County side
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THE DONEGAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
of the river was established by the Andersons and was known as Ander- son's Ferry for a number of years, and was afterwards known as Keesey's Ferry. This is continued at the present time by steamboat between Marietta and Accomac.
The list of the Rev. James Anderson's children is from a mutilated leaf of his family bible.
His son James Anderson (No. 2) lived on his patrimonial estate. He was a member of the Assembly in 1776 and 1778-80. His first wife was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Bayley. His second wife was Margaret Tate. He died June Ist, 1790 ; buried at Donegal (grave No. 128).
James Anderson (No. 3) served in the Revolution. He was twice married. His first wife was the daughter of the Rev. Joseph Tate. His second wife was Margaret Chambers, of Cumberland Co., Pa. He died Dec. 13, 1799.
James Anderson (No. 4) was twice married : first, to Mary Bayley, daughter of John Bayley ; second, to Mary McQueen. His daughter by the first wife, Mary Bayley Anderson, married David B. Prince, who was principal of York Academy from 1819-66. Their children were David Oaks, James Anderson and Mary Elizabeth (surnamed Prince). James Anderson (No. 4) died June 7th, 1815. He was buried at York, Pa. His son, Joseph Tate Anderson, was a druggist in Marietta, Pa., with whom the writer was well acquainted. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. He was twice married : first, to Jane McMordie, daughter of the Rev. Robert McMordie, a chaplain in the Revolutionary army ; second, to Cornelia S. Rock, of Lititz, Pa. He died March 28th, 1857.
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The writer deems it more appropriate to introduce the gene- alogical charts of the Rev. James Anderson and his descendants in this section of the work, rather than the part assigned to the families of the Church. His descendants are very numerous, so that it is impossible to trace all the various branches, who are widely dispersed. None of them are in the vicinity of Donegal.
A great-great-great-grandson, Mr. James McMordie Ander- son, and son of Joseph Tate Anderson, resides in Chicago, to whom the writer is greatly indebted for valuable information.
A Partial Chart of the Rev. James Anderson's Descendants
[ Mary Bayley Ander- son, b. Jan. 12, 1797, married David B. Prince James Anders n No 5 Joseph Tate Anderson No. 2, b. Aug. 19, 1800, married Ist, Jane McMordie: 2d, Cornelia S Rock. Daughter died in in- fancy
Ist wife's child : James M Mordie An- derson, married Elizabeth P. Barker 2d wife's children : Mary Susan Anderson Jose ph Tate Anderson
Jennie Elizabeth An- derson, married Samuel F. Boyd
( Son b. 1888, died 1888 Daughter b. 1890, died 1890
Edna Mildred Boyd Donald Meredith Boyd
Edith Florence Boyd Rebecca Hughes James Anderson Hughes
Nellie Hughes Herbert F. Hughes
Garland Anderson married Jane Chev- alier
Ann Anderson b. July 24, 1716, married John Stew- art Daughter born Feb. 17, 1717 Daughter born Feb. 23, 1718
Rev. James Anderson | James Anderson No. 2 No. r, married rst, 1 b. May 14, 1721,
Suit Garland; 2d, Rebecca Crawford
married Ist, Ruth { Susannah Anderson b. May Bayley ; zd, Mar- garet Tate Son born Dec. 18, 1722 John Anderson b. Jan. 13, 1724
:,,!751, married William Kelly
William Anderson b. March 6, 1787 Mi hael S. Anderson b. Aug. 13. 1789 Chambers Anderson b. Nov. ist, 1791 Garland Anderson b. Dec. 14. 1793 Elizabeth Anderson b. March 8, 1796 Eleanor Anderson
Susannah Anderson b. Oct. 14, 1725 Son born March
Thomas Anderson b. June 13. 1752 Mary Anderson b. April 18, 1756 Daughter horn June 13. 1758, died in in-
b. Feb. 6, 1799
Son born July
Thomas Anderson
1 fancy
1 b.
[ Ist wife's children: James Anderson No. 4 b. Oct. 18, 1767, married rst, Mary / Bayley ; 2d, Mary McQueen Margaret Anderson h. Dec 4 1769 Joseph Tate Anderson b June 6, 1771 Ruth Anderson b. Nov. 4, 1773
Margaret Anderson b Sept. 9. 1804 Jane Anderson b. Aug. 5, 1806 Benjamin Anderson b. June 12, 1810
Eliza Ann Anderson b. Feb. 4, 1812 Sarah Jane Anderson b. Sept. 4, 1814
( James Anderson No. 3 b. Dec. 26. 1741, married Ist, Jean Tate; 2d, Margaret Chambers Mary Anderson b. April 6, 1744 Suit Anderson b. Feb. 22, 1746 Anna Anderson h, Nov, 23, 1748
2d wife's children : Thomas Anderson b. Jan 29. 1779 Jean Anderson Sept. 26, 1780 John Anderson b. Jan. 4. 1783 Mary Anderson b. Jan. I. 1785
Nellie Boyd Anderson married Ist. Frank Hughes; 2d, James Plowman
Maggie Anderson
A Partial Chart of the John Stewart Family
Descendants of Ann Anderson, daughter of the Rev. James Anderson.
[ John Stewart married Mar- garet Harris, daughter of Jno. Harris
Margaret Stewart married Joseph Mathers Mary Stewart, died
John Stewart Robert Stewart Mary M Stewart Seth F. Stewart Rev. James H. Stewart George R. Stewart 2d wife's son : Reuben Stewart
Samuel Mathers
Margaret H Kelly, died Rebecca Jane Kelly married George M.
Graham, M. D. John Harris Kelly, died Rev. Joseph Clark Kelly 1
Dunning McNair
David McNair
Wilkins McNair Eliza G. Stewart married Rev. Jas. Thompson
Margaret Stewart
John Gemmill Stew- art married Eliza- beth Steinman
Zach. G. Stewart, M D., married Jane Laird
George H. Stewart married Emeline
Chappelle
Thomas H. Stewart married Elizabeth Osborne
Robert Stewart married Lucy Lowne
Charlotte A. Stewart Eliza T. Stewart George H Stewart Mary Emeline Stewart Z Chappelle Stewart Margaret H. Stewart Thomas H. Stewart Margaret H Stewart married Francis Laird Stewart Mary S. Stewart married Wm. Brewster Thomas Francis Stewart W'm. Brown Stewart Lucy Morton Stewart Wm. T. Stewart Mary Jane Stewart Ann Eliza Stewart
Wm B. Stewart married Mary Laird Anna Maria Stewart married, Ist, John H. Woolverton; 2d, Wm. Kinsloe
Mary Linn Stewart married Rev. G. W. Shaiffer
Anna M. Woolverton Wm. H Woolverton married Edith Beaver Emma Shaiffer Anna Shaiffer Satiah (Suit) Shaiffer Laura A Shaiffer
Robt. Stewart married
1 Mary Wilson
Smith
Robert Stewart ( Thomas Stewart
Wilson Smith Ann Eliza Smith married Rev. J. H. Pressley William Smith Robert Smith Mary Jane Smith
I To the Rev. Joseph Clark Kelly the writer is indebted for the information relating to the descendants of Ann Anderson, daughter of Rev. James Anderson.
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( John Stewart married Ann Anderson, daughter of the Rev. Jas Anderson, the first Pas- tor of Done- gal Church.
Jean Stewart Suit Stewart Geo. Stewart married Mar- garet Harris, daughter of Thos. Harris
George Stewart married Jean -
James Stewart Elizabeth Stewart Frances Stew- art Mary Stewart married Jas. Patterson
Thomas H. Stewart married Ann Gemmill
( George Stewart, died Jane Stewart, died John Stewart, died James Stewart, M. D. married Ist, Jane Fuller, 2d, - - Miller
Ann Stewart married Col. David McNair
Ann Bryson Stewart married Joseph Kelly, M. D. George McNair Maria McNair Margaret McNair
Ann Thompson married Ist, John J. Bucher, M. D .; 2d, Ja- cob Gemmil, M. D. Jane Thompson, died William Thompson John Stewart
T. Calvin Stewart, D. D. Satiah (Suit) Stewart married E P. Walker Jacob Stewart, attorney Robert Stewart, M. D. Sarah Stewart
Win. T. Stewart Robert L. Stewart, D. D. Eliza Stewart Thomas Stewart, M. D. Frank L. Stewart married Margaret H. Stewart
George H. Stewart Mary Ann Stewart Wilson Stewart Jane Stewart { Margaret Stewart married Thomas
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THE DONEGAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
After the death of Anderson, the following extracts from the minutes of Donegal Presbytery relate to Donegal Church :
"Presbytery met at the Forks of Brandywine in September, 1740. Mr. Lyon was ordered to supply Donegal the first and third Sabbath of this month. At the meeting in November, Mr. McDowell and Mr. Caven were to supply the pulpit. April 8th, 1741, there was a call from Donegal to Mr. Lyon, and Mr. Sankey was appointed to moderate the call. Mr. Lyon and Mc- Dowell to supply Donegal. Forks of Brandywine, July, 1741 .- A supplication from Donegal requesting Mr. Lyon to answer their call. Mr. Lyon accepts the call. Chestnut Level, Oct. 8th, 1741 .- Mr. Lyon says there was some disturbance at Done- gal on his account. His case was deferred until our next. At the meeting of Presbytery at Donegal, Mr. Lyon returned the call to Presbytery." He subsequently relinquished his connec- tion with the Presbytery. "Mr. Bell ordered to supply Done- gal the third Sabbath of each month. Mr. Black at Donegal the fifth Sabbath of January, 1742. Paxton, April 7th, 1742 .- Pursuant to a supplication from Donegal, Mr. Black is appointed to preach there and to moderate in forming a call to Mr. Bell on the last Tuesday of this month. Chestnut Level, June 15th, 1742 .- Mr. Bell accepts a call to Donegal. Mr. Bell ordained at Donegal, November 11th, 1742. Mr. Bell's conduct inves- tigated at Donegal, 1744. He was deposed by Presbytery, March 8th, 1744. He appealed to Synod."
Whether this case was ever acted upon by Synod is not stated in the minutes of "Presbytery: Messrs. Caven, Sankey and Black were appointed to supply Donegal." " Hanover, June 12th, 1745 .- Mr. Gillespie to supply Donegal." Minutes of Presbytery were lost to June 16th, 1747. A call for Mr. Tate in the hands of Presbytery from Donegal :
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