USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Churches of the valley, or, An historical sketch of the old Presbyterian congregations of Cumberland and Franklin counties, in Pennsylvania > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Churches of the valley, or, An historical sketch of the old Presbyterian congregations of Cumberland and Franklin counties, in Pennsylvania > Part 13
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" In memory of Martha Beard, wife of John Beard, Junr., who departed this life, December 17th, 1795, aged 40 years ; also Agnes Beard, mother of the above, departed this life, Feb. 20th, 1810, aged 80 years."
Beside these two graves is another, marked by a head and foot of blue slate, which was erected
" In memory of Jane Jamison, daughter of John and Agnes Baird, Senr's, departed this life, December 9th, 1799, aged 24 years."
Around these graves a paling fence once stood. This has now partially fallen down, and parts of it lie scattered about the tomb. Two sides yet remain, which meet at a right angle. The whole appearance of the fence and graves, indicates exposure to the de- stroying hand of time for many years. In the south- eastern portion of the yard are two substantial lime- stone tombs, supporting marble slabs, one of which is dedicated to the memory of "Mrs. Mary Culbertson, consort of Joseph Culbertson, and daughter of James Finley, Esq.," who died in 1817. The other "is dedicated to the memory of James Finley, Esq., and Jane his wife. James died the 27th day of Septem- ber, 1812, in the 73d year of his age. Jane departed this life on the 21st of July, 1814, aged 69 years." Not far from this is a grave, thickly covered with thyme, and marked by a couple of rough limestones, on one of which we read, " G. Vance, 1793." Near this,
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are three other graves, similar in appearance, all co- vered with thyme and marked by pieces of limestone, upon the respective headstones of which, the following initials are rudely chiselled :
"P XL N × L M × L."
A few paces from these is a marble stone, which is erected,
" In memory of Mary, the wife of James Gibson, who departed this life, April 25th, 17-, in the 71 year of her age.
" All you that come my grave to see Prepare for Death and follow me Prepare for Death make no delay For suddenly I was snatched away."
We copy the above just as we find it. It will be perceived that the year of her death is not given.
There are many other graves in the yard, a descrip- tion of which would be tedious to the reader, and re- quire more space than we can appropriate to it. We have given those which are the most prominent, and strike the visitor as interesting, either on account of their venerable appearance, or the quaintness of the inscriptions which they bear. Those about which we shall say nothing, are of recent date ; and differ in no respect from those seen in any modern church- yard. We may also state that the inscriptions which
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ROCKY SPRING CHURCH.
we have given above, are copied from the stones with- out any alteration in regard to spelling.
Of the early history of the Congregation of Rocky Spring, we know little. We do not know precisely how many years have elapsed since it was organized, but we do know that divine services were held in the old church, one hundred and nine years ago. In the year 1742, we learn from the minute-book of the Ses- sion of the Middle Spring Church, near Shippensburg, that a meeting was held by the congregation, for the purpose of making some arrangement in relation to the distribution of the pastoral labours of the Rev. Mr. Blair, who, it appears, was the minister of the Middle Spring, Big Spring, and Rocky Spring congregations. It was then determined that the reverend gentleman should preach on every third Sabbath, at each of these places, alternately. These congregations were esta- blished about the same time, by the Donegal Pres- bytery, in Lancaster County, in this State. The Presbytery was accustomed to send out missionaries to preach for the different churches, in their infancy, before they were large enough to support a settled minister. This appears to have been the manner in which the church at Rocky Spring was supplied, for some years after its establishment. 1
At the time the old church was built, the land upon which it stood belonged to the government, and had never been surveyed by the congregation. When the present building was about being erected, a warrant was taken out by the Trustees, and the land occupied
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by the congregation was then, for the first time, sur- veyed. The following is a transcript of the original warrant, copied from the official draught filed in the office of the Deputy Surveyor, and politely handed to us by Samuel M. Armstrong, Esq. " Warrant for 5 acres, granted to George Matthews, Esq., James M'Calmont, Esq., James Ferguson, Esq., Joseph Culbertson, Esq., and Samuel Culbertson, Trustees for the congregation including the Rocky Spring Church .- November 6th, 1792." A draught of the land is attached to the above, which, of course, we cannot transfer to paper, without unnecessary labour and expense.
We shall now speak of the several ministers who have officiated at Rocky Spring as its regularly or- dained pastors. The period embraced by the labours of these gentlemen, is about eighty-three years.
The first regular minister of the church, was the Rev. John Craighead, of whom we have already spoken. Mr. C. was the son of Mr. John Craighead, who settled at an early date on Yellow Breeches Creek, near Carlisle, and who was a cousin of the
He Rev. Thomas Craighead, pastor of Big Spring. received his education at Princeton College, of which Institution he was a graduate. He was installed as pastor at Rocky Spring, in 1768, but we presume he had been accustomed to preach there before that time. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, as previously stated, he raised a company from the mem- bers of his charge, and joined the army of General
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Washington, in New Jersey. Of his valour there can be no question. " He fought and preached alternately," says a friend, in noticing his character, "breasted all danger, relying on his God and the justice of his cause for protection."
His company was present at the battle on Long Island, and acquitted themselves with much gallan- try. Mr. C. was also with the army, when Fort Wash- ington was evacuated, and fell into the hands of the British. His friend, the Rev. Dr. Cooper, for many years pastor of the Middle Spring Church, was also present on this occasion, and was, we believe, also captain of a company. He and Mr. C. were very intimate, and were in the same mess, as they were congenial spirits. Mr. Craighead was somewhat celebrated as a humourist, and many good jokes are told of him by many aged persons, by whom he is well remembered. One day, it is said, going into battle, a cannon-ball struck a tree near him, a splinter of which nearly knocked him down. "God bless me !" exclaimed Mr. Cooper, " you were nearly knocked to staves." " Oh yes," was his reply, "and though you are a Cooper, you could not have set me up."
Mr. Craighead was a tall, handsome man, with dark chestnut-coloured hair, and possessed a strong, clear, and musical voice. His disposition was mild, affable, and peculiarly winning ; which, together with his agreeable social qualities, rare conversational powers, and fine humour, made him the favourite of
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all who chanced to know him ; and from his promi- nent position, there were few persons in the neigh- bourhood who did not know him. His ministry was at one time interrupted for a few months, by mental alienation, and we are told by intelligent persons, that, after his recovery, his zeal and efforts in the cause of his divine Master, as well as his strong intellect, seemed to have been greatly increased in energy by his temporary insanity. His sermons were well pre- pared, forcible, and persuasive ; and were delivered with a power and eloquence peculiarly his own. His public as well as his private life, was pure and un- exceptionable. He lived on the farm recently occu- pied by Mr. Byers, which is a couple of miles from the church. In 1799, the year in which his pastoral relation had been dissolved, this good man gave up his spirit to his Creator, and entered upon the reward which, through divine grace, his long life zealously spent in the cause of Religion, so well prepared him to enjoy.
After the existence of a vacancy in the congrega- tion for about one year,-Mr. Francis Herron, now the Rev. Dr. Herron, was elected to preside over the spiritual interests of the flock. He was ordained and installed April 9th, 1800, on which occasion " Dr. King preached a sermon from Matt. v. 14, and Mr. Linn presided, and gave a charge." Dr. H. con- tinued faithfully to discharge the duties of his station for about ten years, at the expiration of which time he was chosen the pastor ofthe First Presbyterian Church
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in the city of Pittsburg. He continued to fill this station, with great credit to himself and benefit to his people, until about one year since, when, in conse- quence of advanced age, he resigned the charge, after having carefully watched over its welfare for about forty years. Dr. Herron's ministerial connexion with the Church at Rocky Spring was eminently successful, and through his zealous efforts, he added many converts to its numbers. Dr. H. ranks among the first ministers in the Church, as a pious and faithful shepherd, an accomplished scholar, an able and convincing preacher, and above all, as an humble and conscientious follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When Dr. Herron resigned his place at Rocky Spring, it was supplied by the Rev. John M'Knight, D.D., who ministered to the people for several years. The relation existing between him and the congregation was interrupted by an invitation to preside over Dickinson College, when the presi- dency of that Institution was made vacant by the death of its incumbent. The Doctor was well known to our older citizens, as he resided in Cham- bersburg; and for us to speak of his many vir- tues, his talents, his fervour in discharging the du- ties of his divine mission, would be a work of superero- gation. He lived a useful and holy life, and at an advanced age was called to his reward. His death occurred in 1823, and his ashes now repose beneath a handsome monument in the lovely cemetery at-
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tached to the Presbyterian Church in Chambers- burg.
The vacancy occasioned by the removal of Dr. M'K., was supplied by his son, the Rev. Dr. John M'Knight, for many years a resident of our town. The labours of this gentleman were abundantly suc- cessful : and all the members of the church yet living, will testify to the able and affectionate manner in which he discharged the duty imposed upon him. Mr. M'K., after preaching at Rocky Spring for several years, removed to Philadelphia, where he is yet engaged in the ministry, in connexion with the New School Presbyterian Church. His successor is the Rev. A. K. Nelson. Mr. N. accepted the call from " Campbellstown and Rocky Spring," in 1840, with the understanding that the half of his time was to be given to each of these congregations ; but he has, for some years, at least, been preaching also occa- sionally on the Sabbath at Strasburg, where many of his charge reside .- These are all the ministers, who have been regularly ordained to preach in this ancient temple of the Lord.
In latter days the congregation is gradually de- creasing, and seems to be in a fair way soon to become entirely extinct. We learn this fact with much regret, and feel pained that the hallowed spot, around which so many endearing recollections cling, should cease to occupy a place among churches, or at least, should fall into other hands than those of the same denomi- nation, who worshipped in it for more than a century.
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At the time of its erection, it was attended by a few of the early settlers only, some of whom had come from the mother country to seek a home in the new world, where they might enjoy, unmolested, their cherished religious opinions. As the country became more thickly settled, the congregation also became large, and occupied an important position among the churches in the Cumberland Valley. People resorted to Rocky Spring, from Loudon, Mercersburg, Green- castle, Chambersburg, Culbertson's Row, Greenvil- lage, Roxbury, Orrstown, Strasburg, and from the whole valley along the mountain foot, extending nearly to Shippensburg. When there chanced to be no preaching at Middle Spring, the people of that con- gregation were accustomed to worship here.
But the original settlers have long since died, and their descendants, to a considerable extent, have moved to other regions ; and persons from other places (particularly Germans) have taken their places. These, generally, belong to other denominations, and have deserted this ancient temple of the Most High. Then, again, other churches have sprung up in the neighbouring towns, and many of those who formerly attended at Rocky Spring, can now enter the sanc- tuary nearer their homes, without the inconvenience of riding several miles, as was formerly necessary. All these circumstances have conspired to diminish the congregation, and its doom seems inevitable. Services, we are told, are only held about once in four weeks, and we very much fear, that before
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very long, the interval will be indefinitely pro- longed.
Patriotism has ever been a predominant feature in the character of the Presbyterians in the Cumberland Valley. It pervaded especially the old congregation of Rocky Spring ; and when their bleeding country called for the services of her sons, none were more ready than they to respond to the call, and freely offer themselves, if need be, upon the altars of Free- dom. Many of the people, as we have shown, marched with their minister ; others had participated in the war previously, some of whom sealed their de- votion to their country with their lives, on the battle- field. In 1774, a meeting of the Presbyterian Church was convened at Carlisle, in Cumberland County, of which our county then formed a part, and passed a series of patriotic resolutions, expressing their sympathy with the cause of oppressed America ; and in the name of the Lord of Hosts, declaring their willingness to participate in the dangers of the strug- gle, whenever the government might demand their ser- vices. Considering the near connexion existing be- tween the inhabitants of the two counties at that period, and the fact that the assembly was formed by the Presbyterians of the Cumberland Valley, it will readily be conceived that our churches acted a pro- minent part in making these patriotic declarations. Patriotism then pervaded all classes, from the minister down to the humblest member of his flock, and was something more than that wild, roving spirit of ad-
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venture, which so often prompts men, particularly in these latter days), to engage in warfare; it was a higher and nobler feeling-a principle of resistance to oppression, and a firm, unconquerable desire to establish the liberty of America, and secondarily, that of the whole world.
We may here also add, that this steadfast and self-sacrificing devotion to their country, was emi- nently characteristic of the Presbyterian ministry and membership, as a body, throughout the land, during the Revolution.
" That man," it has been remarked, with truthful- ness that history attests,* " will go on a desperate adventure, who shall proceed to hunt out the Presby- terian tories of that day. Our ministers were Whigs, patriots, haters of tyranny, known abettors of the very earliest resistance, and often soldiers in the field. It was not they, nor any of them, who acted as guides for invading generals, or who wrote pas- quinades for New York Journals, or who insulted Washington by scurrile letters. On these points we ask no better task than that of printing a few docu- ments, when the truths suggested shall be denied. The name of a Presbyterian Whig stank in the nos- trils of truckling courtiers, renegade Scots, and non- juring semi-papists, as much in the Colonies as at home ; and the revolutionary struggle was carried on,
* Review of "Davidson's Presbyterian Church in Kentucky," Princeton Repertory, October, 1847.
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in a large part of the Middle and Southern States, by the sinew, sweat, and blood, of Presbyterians."
We have thus, hurriedly, given a general sketch of the venerable and romantic spot long known as Rocky Spring. The neglected condition, and general decay- ing appearance of the church, portend a speedy ruin. A few short years will only have elapsed, before the stranger will stand by the tottering walls on the hilltop, and sadly meditate upon the past history of the sacred pile. Then the descendants of the old congregation will have gone, and no one will be able to recount the many stirring events connected with it in former years, or reverentially commemorate its departing glory.
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CHAPTER XI.
PATH VALLEY CHURCHES.
AT an early day in the history of Pennsylvania, the people were forbidden by laws, "repeatedly sig- nified by proclamations," to take possession of the lands beyond the Kittochtinny Mountains, not pur- chased of the Indians. This prohibition was grounded in a fear, on the part of the existing authorities, that if such a course should be pursued, "a breach might ensue between the Six Nations of Indians and this Province." Notwithstanding this precautionary enact- ment, however, the wave of emigration soon rolled beyond the limit designated for the residence of the daring pioneers. Neither the prospect of peril, nor the apprehension of the privations and toils incident to a settlement in the wilderness, could repress the adventurous spirit which swelled their bosoms, or restrain them from the occupancy of the vast and inviting tracts of land, which spread out beyond the Blue Mountains.
The following extract from a letter, dated July 2d,
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1750, from Richard Peters, who had received orders from Governor Hamilton, to give information to the proper magistrates, against all such as had presumed to violate the law which he had published by procla- mation, and to bring them to a legal conviction, will shed some light upon this subject, in regard to Path Valley :
"On Wednesday, the 30th of May, the magistrates and company, being detained two days by rain, pro- ceeded over the Kittochtinny Mountains, and entered into the Tuscara Path, or Path Valley, through which the road to Alleghany lies. Many settlements were formed in this valley, and all the people were sent for, and the following persons appeared, viz. : Abra- ham Slack, James Blair, Moses Moore, Arthur Dun- lap, Alexander McCartie, Felix Doyle, Andrew Dun- lap, Robert Wilson, Jacob Pyatt, Jacob Pyatt, Jr., William Ramage, Reynold Alexander, Samuel Pat- terson, Robert Baker, John Armstrong, and John Potts, who were all convicted by their own confession to the magistrates, of the like trespasses with those at Shearman's Creek, and were bound in the like recognizances to appear at court, and bonds to the proprietaries, to remove with all their families, ser- vants, cattle, and effects, and having all voluntarily given possession of their houses to me, some ordinary log houses, to the number of eleven, were burnt to the ground; the trespassers, most of them cheerfully, and a very few of them with reluctance, carrying out
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all their goods. Some had deserted before, and lay waste."
It is not possible, of course, to justify the conduct of these primitive settlers in this portion of Franklin County, in taking possession of it contrary to law, yet much apology is found for them in the circum- stances of the country at the time, and in their wil- lingness to risk any conflict into which they might thus be brought, with the aboriginal inhabitants. It is also gratifying to know, that they promptly and peaceably submitted to the requirements of the law, as carried into effect by the officers of government.
The first preaching by a Presbyterian minister, among the almost exclusively Irish or Scotch-Irish population of this region, of which we have any know- ledge, was in 1767. In that year "verbal applica- tions in behalf of a few in Path Valley," were made to Presbytery. The appointment, under this request, was given to the Rev. Robert Cooper, who was direct- ed to preach to that people a Sabbath, "at discretion." After this, supplies were occasionally sent to that re- gion, and not without success, as would appear from the fact, that in 1769, "application was made by a commissioner, for the Presbytery to endeavour to ac- commodate some differences subsisting among the congregation, concerning the situation of their meet- ing-house or meeting-houses."
The people, as we learn from the Presbyterial re- cords, were divided into two parties. One party in- sisted for a meeting-house near James Montgomery's,
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where they had found a warrant for a piece of ground, for the sole purpose of a meeting-house and grave- yard, and where they had already put up logs for a place of worship. The other party insisted for two meeting-houses, and that neither of them should be at James Montgomery's; or, if one house only should be allowed, that it should be placed lower down, so as to be near the centre of the congregation. To harmonize these conflicting views and feelings, Pres- bytery appointed a committee of five Ministers and five Elders. This committee, however, after hearing the statements of commissioners from each of the par- ties, were not able to adjust the existing difficulty, as is evident from the following minute of their proceed- ings :
" The committee, finding that the majority of the people are for the house which is begun at James Montgomery's, and that they had never applied to the Presbytery to interpose in this matter, nor are now willing to leave it to the decision of this committee, judge that they can not proceed to do anything in this matter, except by way of advice, which was done by the Moderator."
In the year 1773, the congregations of "Upper Tuscarora" and "Path Valley," which were united as a charge, placed themselves under the pastoral care of the Reverend Samuel Dougall. In 1779, Mr. Dougall resigned his relation to the former of these congregations, and the other applied for, and obtained, the whole of his labours, "promising to contribute
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and pay annually to him, the sum of £100, and the quantity of one hundred bushels of wheat, during the present circumstances of the times." Mr. Dougall departed this life, October 4th, 1790.
After this event, the Rev. David Denny was called to the Upper and Lower Churches of Path Val- ley, and continued to serve them in the Gospel, from 1793 until 1800, when he accepted the pastorate of the Church at Chambersburg.
Mr. Denny was succeeded by the Rev. Amos A. M'Ginley, a native of Adams County, Pennsylvania, who became pastor of the congregations in 1802, and continued to be so until April, 1851, when he resigned his charge, though he officiated as their stated sup- ply till October following. The Rev. William A. Graham is now the pastor of the Upper Church of Path Valley, and the Rev. L. W. Williams is the pastor of the Lower Church, in connexion with the Church of the "Burnt Cabins," which is a colony from the Lower Church.
Dr. M'Ginley, though he has retired, by reason of the infirmities of old age, from the active duties of the ministry, still lives in the midst of the people whom he has long and faithfully served, and is uni- versally beloved. For nearly fifty years, has he pro- claimed the glorious Gospel of the blessed God to the same community, and now at length, he has, under the burden of advanced years, forsaken his pulpit, that others may occupy it, and hold up, as he has done, Jesus crucified, as the hope of a guilty and perishing
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world. Thus we pass away ; thus the day for activity in God's service hastens to its close ;- and never per- haps is a sense of this rapid transientness or fugacity of life more vividly flashed upon the soul, than when turning over the records of an ecclesiastical body, we read, in almost the same book, of the licensure of a man in all the vigour of youth, to fight the battles of the Lord, and then, of permission given him as a veteran tottering with age, to lay down the weapons of his warfare. Certain it is, however, that if there is any vocation in which old age has nothing to be dreaded or deplored, it is that of serving God in the ministry of reconciliation. The life of a man invested with this high office, may have been spent in compa- rative quietness. It may, too, have presented but little to the world, to interest or attract. Yet has that man's life been devoted to the highest and holiest purposes. He has been striving to stem the current of human corruption ; he has been labouring for God ; he has been endeavouring to elevate and heal fallen and diseased humanity ; he has been casting the seeds of life into a dying world ; he has been battling for the right and the true against enemies seen and invisi- ble ; he has been watching for souls,-
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