USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Silver Spring > Exercises in commemoration of the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania ; Thursday, August 1909, 2.00 P.M > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
(15)
After Mr. Hays' resignation the Rev. Henry Wilson, who was born near Gettysburg, graduated at Dickin- son College and, licensed to preach the gospel by the Carlisle Presbytery, became pastor. From 1806 to September 22, 1814, he had been a professor at Dick- inson College, when he came to minister to this peo- ple. November 30, 1823, he preached his farewell sermon, having received a call from the church at Shippensburg. He died March 22, 1849, in Philadel- phia, and was buried at Hartsville, Bucks County, among the people whom he had last served.
Rev. James Williamson was Mr. Wilson's successor. He was born at Newville, Pa., 1795; graduated at Washington College in 1817; ordained by the Presby- tery of Luzerne June, 1821; became pastor at Silver Spring 1824, and continued in that relation until April 21, 1833, when he received a call from Milton, Pa. October 31, 1838, Rev. George Morris, a foreign licentiate from Scotland and under the care of Phila- delphia Presbytery, was called. He was imbued with Scotch ideas, and never became familiar with Ameri- can habits. manners and customs. His pastorate ended in 1860, when he was called to Mansfield. Ohio; from there he went to Baltimore, where he died in 1883. December 10, 1860, a call was made to Rev. W. H. Dinsmore, which was accepted. He was born in Green county, Pa .; graduated at Princeton College and Theological Seminary. His pastorate terminated here April, 1865. While pastor, he labored for some time for the Christian Commission among the soldiers in North Carolina. He died May 26, 1877, while pastor at Deerfield, N. J. During the spring of 1861 a vaca- tion of three months was granted to Rev. Mr. Dins- more. and Rev. John S. Stewart, a graduate of Prince- ton Seminary, was elected to supply that period. Rev. Mr. Dinsmore was succeeded by Rev. W. G. Hillman, who began his pastorate April 17, 1866. Mr. Hillman was born in Darthmont, Devonshire, England; grad- uated at Plymouth College, and after preaching a few years in England came to America. He remained at Silver Spring until October, 1867; went west, and died in Jefferson, Iowa, November 2, 1882. Rev. W. B. Mc- Kee was Mr. Hillman's successor. He was born in Boalsburg, Pa., and graduated at the Western Theo-
(16)
logical Seminary in 1858. He had been ordained as an evangelist and in October, 1868, was called to Silver Spring, where he remained two years. December 28, 1871, Rev. R. P. Gibson was engaged as a supply, and on September 27, 1872, received a call to become pas- tor, which he accepted. He was born in Chemung county, New York; graduated at Yale College and Princeton Theological Seminary. His first charge was Silver Spring, and he labored there until October, 1875.
The next pastor of this historic charge was Rev. Thomas J. Ferguson, son of Judge Ferguson, long an elder in the United Presbyterian Church at Dry Run, Franklin county, at which place the present pastor first saw the light of day. Mr. Ferguson acquired his higher education at the Chambersburg Academy and at Westminster College, New Wilmington, in this state. After graduating from the college in 1875, he entered the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, grad- uating from that institution in 1878. He was ordained a minister of the gospel by the Shenango Presbytery in April of that year. Receiving a call from Silver Spring church, he began his pastoral work October 1, 1878, and from that day to the present time has ministered to the people of that congregation in a most acceptable and successful manner. The then young pastor entered upon his work with an earnestness and enthusiasm that won the confidence of his parishioners and which has not abated in all these years of stren- uous labor. He studied his people as well as his books, that he might render them efficient service. He is al- ways found in the front rank in all reform move- ments calculated to lift people into a higher and purer moral and intellectual atmosphere. The warm friend of education, he is keenly alive to the advancement of the public schools, willing to serve as a director that he may have better opportunities to secure teachers of high standing in the profession. He can always be found at educational meetings, striving to stimulate teachers and patrons to do their best to improve the colleges of the common people. He is deeply inter- ested in the cause of agriculture, a leader of Farmers' Institutes, and as a counselor at farmers' clubs he has done much to make life on the farm more pleasant and more remunerative. His readiness to help in
(17)
every work for the uplift of others has won for him the esteem of the community. He does not, however, permit his activities in these fields of usefulness to in- terfere with his life work, the preaching of the gospel and the onerous duties of a pastor. A beautiful and commodious chapel was erected near the main church edifice in 1885, mainly through his energetic efforts, by the liberality of Henry McCormick, Esq., in memory of his daughter, Mary. A full description of this handsome building would demand more space than can here be given. Rev. Thomas J. Ferguson has gone in and out before this people for more than thirty years, rejoicing with them when they rejoiced and sorrowing with them when they sorrowed. He is their minister, their counselor and friend, and has held their esteem, confidence and affection for more than a score and a half of years. What higher praise for work well done could one have or desire?
A warrant was granted to this church for a tract of land by the Proprietors of Pennsylvania on September 21, 1770. to James Galbraith and others in trust for a Presbyterian congregation. It was surveyed Novem- ber 3, 1770, and contained seven acres. The present church was built in 1783, during the incumbency of Rev. Mr. Waugh. It was remodeled in 1866, the gal- lery which extended on three sides was torn out, the doors were moved from the west to the south side, a vestibule built on that side and the walls frescoed. The church edifice, which preceded the present one and which both tradition and the records show was the first meeting house west of the Susquehanna and north of York county, was a small log building near where the present house stands. No record of the building of that house or of the organization of a church in it can be found. The only vestige of this building is some of the poplar logs which were used in building a barn on the farm now owned by George Hoover, Esq., and in the erection of Mary McCormick chapel several years ago some of the same logs were sawed into boards and used for the construction of a pulpit in that building. The members of the congregation which worshiped within its walls have long ago dis- appeared, and with them the memory of this venerable edifice and the interesting incidents which were doubt-
(18)
Jess associated with its history have well nigh perished.
The cemetery adjoining has a history for antiquity as well as the church. The first grave we find on en- tering bears the following inscription : "In memory of James Wood, who died February 24, 1750." He was an Englishman by birth and over his grave is placed a large sandstone with the above inscription, and a coat-of-arms showing prominence in his ancestry. A little farther to the left lie the remains of "John Ham- ilton, who departed this life December 29, 1747, aged 47 years ' "Here lie the remains of William McMean, who departed this life 1747, aged 35 years." Near by that of "Margaret Mateer, wife of Samuel Mateer, who was born in County Down, Ireland, died July 3, 1802, aged 100 years." West of the above that of "Jonathan Hoge, born July 23, 1725; died April 19, 1800." He received a liberal education; was brought up as a farmer; was a justice of the peace from 1764 to the Revolution; was a member of the constitutional con- vention of July 15, 1776; member of the Assembly in 1776; and again from 1778 to 1783; a member of the Supreme Executive Council from March 4, 1777, to November 9, 1778; and from November 3, 1784, to October 20, 1787; member of the Council of Safety from October to December, 1777; one of the commis- sioners to remove the public loan office in 1777; and by Governor Mifflin appointed one of the Associate Judges of Cumberland county, August 17, 1791.
The following Revolutionary soldiers are buried there and doubtless there are others whom we failed to locate-
Capt. John Carothers died January 11, 1782, aged 38 years and 7 months. He was in actual service July, 1776, and in 1777 and 1778 was first lieutenant in Capt. William McClure's 5th company, 2nd battalion militia, and a captain of militia in 1780 and 1781.
Major Andrew Galbraith, Esq., died March 8, 1806, aged 54 years. At an early period in his life he de- voted himself with enthusiastic ardor to the service of his country and the hardships which he endured, in common with many others, during the Revolutionary War, gave the first shock to a constitution naturally strong and athletic. On his return to domestic life,
(19)
being possessed with an ample patrimony, he was assiduous of it and by unremitting attention and in- dustry greatly increased its value. According to fam- ily tradition he was on Washington's staff. The family of Galbraith is of the remotest antiquity, the name being derived from the Celtic. The Galbraiths, in the Gaelic language, are called "Britons," and were once reckoned a great name in Scotland. His paternal ancestor, James Galbraith, was born in 1666, in the north of Ireland, from whence he emigrated about the year 1718, settling in Chester county. A number of his relatives were married in prominent and distin- guished families. His niece, Rebecca Galbraith, on June 26, 1765, married Ephraim Blaine. He was in Col. Watts' battalion in 1776 and captured at Fort Washington. He was one of the original trustees.
Ensign William Harkness died May 4, 1822, aged 82 years, 7 months and 3 days. He was a member of Capt. John McTeer's company, and saw service dur- ing 1777 and 1778. Prior to that time he owned a tract of 600 acres, extending from Marble street, Me- chanicsburg, south beyond Chestnut Hill, and re- sided at what is now the farmhouse northeast corner of Chestnut Hill Cemetery. Also owned a number of slaves. There was no public road near the buildings at that period. He was elected a trustee in 1790.
James Hume died June 25, 1811, aged 71 years. He was a private in Capt. John McTeer's company. Was of English nationality and entered the service July, 1777. Along with the distinction of having been a Revolutionary soldier, James Hume was a prominent citizen. Ile owned a large tract of land and engaged in farming; also carrying on tanning and other enter- prises and did much toward the development of the country.
Capt. John Lamb died July 14, 1813, aged 64 years, 6 months and 17 days. His company was fourth in the 3rd battalion, 1777, and was in the service 1780. Capt. Lamb had a patriotic sister who said to him: "Go, and sooner come home a corpse than a coward." He was elected a trustee in 1802.
Matthew Loudon was 2d lieutenant in Capt. Floid's company, 3d battalion, in 1778, and died January 10, 1801, aged 72 years. He and his two wives, Elizabeth
(20)
McCormick and Ann Copenger, lie buried in the same grave. Elected a trustee in 1797.
Samuel Martin died September 28, 1828, aged 84 years. He was a member of Lieut. James Irvine's company, 3rd battalion, Cumberland county militia, 1778, and in 1780 was a member of Capt. James Lloyd's company.
Howard Moor died January 27, 1804, in his 59th year. Was a member of Capt. James McCurdy's com- pany, 3rd battalion militia, 1780.
Abraham McCue died December 3, 1795, aged 55 years. He was in Capt. Thomas Laird's company, 3rd battalion, militia, 1780.
Capt. John McTeer died April 10, 1790, aged 54 years. His company was first class in service, 1777 and 1778. He was from the neighborhood of Lis- burn and continued to live there until his death. Had a family of seven children, most of whom inter- married with prominent and honored families of the county and reared families who were long conspicu- ous in the social and business life of that section.
Lieut. James Oliver, Esq., died February 11, 1786, aged 54 years, 11 months and 15 days. Was Ist lieutenant in Capt. James Floid's company, 1776. He lived along the creek north of Hogestown, was a worthy citizen and an eminent .mathematician. His daughter, Isabella, was the first poet of the Cumber- iand Valley, and celebrated a number of places on the Conodoguinet in verse.
John Orr died November, 1794, aged 68 years, and was a member of Capt. William Sanderson's company, 3rd battalion, militia, 1778.
Lieut. Christopher Quigley, Esq., died September 25, 1813, aged 73 years. He was in Capt. John Trindle's company, 1777, and Capt. McTeer's com- pany, 1778. Elected a trustee 1788.
Capt. John Trindle died in 1784, aged 53 years, and his company was 2nd in the 3rd battalion.
Capt. Alexander Trindle died August 5, 1785, aged 46 years. A member of the Light Dragoons, 4th com- pany. The above brothers were from the neighbor- hood of Trindle Spring, were prominent, and it is to be regretted our genealogical data is so meager.
Capt. Samuel Wallace died October 3, 1798, aged
(21)
about 6S years. He came to America in 1756 from Ireland and in 1768, purchased lot No. 13, in "Lowther of Manor" located in what is now Lower Allen township. Mr. Wallace was an ardent advocate of independence and when the third battalion of Cumberland county was formed he was chosen cap- tain of company 5 and mustered into service under Col. William Chambers, July 31, 1777. This company was in service six weeks near Bedford. In May, 1778, company 5 was called a second time under the same regimental officers. In July, 1778, he, with all of his neighbors, who were enrolled as "Associators," took the oath of allegiance to the State as required by the Government. The Silver Spring Presbyterian Congre- gation was incorporated September 25, 1786, and Samuel Wallace was one of the original trustees.
David Hoge died December 5, 1804, aged about 69 years. He received a good education; took a very active part in the Revolutionary contest, and was sheriff of the county of Cumberland from 1768 to 1771. His son John entered the Revolutionary army at the age of sixteen; became second lieutenant in Col. William Irvine's (sixth) battalion, and was cap- tured in the Canada campaign at Three Rivers, June 8, 1776. He was not exchanged until 1779. In 1783 he was chosen a member of the Council of Censors, under the Constitution of 1776, and was one of the members of the Constitutional Convention of 1789-90. He was chosen to the State Senate in 1791, and again in 1794, and served in Congress in 1804 and 1805. The grandfather of David Hoge was a native of Musselburg, Scotland; came to America shortly after 1682. On the same ship came a family con- sisting of a Mr. Hume, his wife and daughter. On the passage the father and mother both died, and William Hoge took charge of the daughter and landed in New York, where he left the girl with a rela- tive and settled himself at Perth Amboy, N. J. He subsequently married the daughter, Barbara Hume, removed to Penns Three Lower Counties, now the State of Delaware; from thence to Lancaster county, and finally to the Valley of Virginia, south of Winchester, where he and his wife lived and died. They had a large family, many of whose descendants
(22)
became distinguished in church and state. David's father's name was John, who was born in 1699, while his father lived at Perth Amboy. He went with his father to the Three Lower Counties and there married Gwenthleen Bowen Davis, who claimed to belong to the royal family of Wales, and retained her maiden name after marriage, as due to her royal birth. The Hoge tract is south of what is now the village of Hogestown and was purchased from the Proprietors about 1729, and here John Hoge, his sons, John, Jonathan and David, and all of his fam- ily lived for many years. David Hoge was one of the original trustees. He was a member of Capt. James Sample's company, 1778, and Capt. James Bell's company, 1780, 3rd battalion, militia. His life was an active and busy one, and it is a sad fact that his remains repose in Silver Spring cemetery in an unmarked grave.
Several years ago a large oak tree stood a short distance from the entrance-in later years, owing to its immense size and outspreading branches and the danger accruing incident to its fall, it was re- moved. Now the spot is bare and cheerless and ex- posed to the rays of the scorching sun. Previously it was shaded and cool, and a lovely spot for the visitor to linger and meditate upon the life and char- acter of the departed, and also upon the interesting scenes which were long ago enacted there. This tree no doubt stood there when the old log church was erected, and had sheltered that ancient congregation from the oppressive heat of many a Summer day. Perhaps here the pastor and his flock assembled and exchanged the courteous salutations of friendly in- tercourse upon each successive Sabbath day. Here, too, the venerable sires and matrons of the congre- gation may have met before the hour of service, or during intermission at noon (as in those days there were two sermons preached and worshipers carried their lunch), and talked over the exciting events of the Revolution, and expressed their kind interest in those of their brethren and neighbors who were fight- ing for our independence under the illustrious Wash- ington. As we wander through this ancient grave- yard a feeling of awe pervades our mind when we
(23)
look upon the resting places of many who lived al- most two centuries ago. Here sleep many brave spirits who ventured their all to secure the precious freedom which we enjoy. Here are they who settled around us on every side, the stroke of whose axe first broke the stillness of the forest, who first cleared the fruitful felds which during summer are covered with luxuriant harvest and which are in possession of these then unborn. Here rest the remains of the ancestors of some of our community, who have long since ceased the struggle incident to human life. Here lie the remains of brave men of other nations who came to our land, and among the wilds of a savage and uninhabitable region built a house of worship. The graves of many of these bear no in- scription by means of which the name and station of the occupant can be ascertained. Many are only marked by rude lime stones, others of slate which have almost crumbled to pieces after the long lapse of years since they were erected.
In this paper prominence will be noticed in the Seoteh-Irish element, but there was a necessity for so doing which we feel sure all will acknowledge, inas- much as the early population that flocked into this beautiful territory was so largely composed of this class of people. Never need their descendants feel ashamed of so noble an ancestry. Never, either, can they over-estimate the sacrifices which they made in taking possession of this beautiful valley in which their spirit still lingers. No privations seemed to depress them, no exposure to intimidate them, no toil to discourage them. They were accustomed to hardships from the beginning, not only in clearing the forest and preparing the land for cultivation, but also in their contests and warfare with the Indians. As a distinguished speaker once said, "The Cumber- land Valley became the bloodiest battleground we have had since the beginning of our civilization;" and the history of this pioneer church, established one hundred and seventy-five years ago, the heroie strug- gle of its founders, the hardships and sufferings they endured. the valor they displayed in meeting a ruth- less, savage foe, and the final triumph they had in upholding and advancing Christian civilization, is a
(24)
theme worthy of the pen of the most illustrious his- torian and the voice of the most eloquent of men. From 1753 to 1758 this rich valley, now made at- tractive by beautiful homes, fertile farms, prosperous villages and a teeming population of industrious, in- telligent and happy people, was the scene of con- stant alarms and cruel bloodshed. Without provoca- tion and without much warning there were pre- cipitated upon the early settlers all the horrors of an Indian war. Under its blasting influence the lands were scarcely tilled, the plow rested idly in the fur- row and there was little return to the husband- man. On every hand were suffering and distress; men were shot down as they toiled in the field, and women and children were carried into captivity by the remorseless foe. Ministers of the gospel laid aside their robes of office and became leaders of their people in scenes of blood made necessary in defend- ing their homes and firesides. Many of the once powerful warlike tribes that roamed through this val- ley were known and feared from the seaboard to the lakes, have been exterminated and their very names blotted from existence, save where they appear upon the pages of history. Others have been driven toward the setting sun, where they reside in a semi-civilized state, and are but sorry representatives of the once proud and stately warriors, the crack of whose sharp and unerring rifles made the woods ring, and whose canoes danced upon the waves of the pic- turesque Susquehanna, two hundred years ago. But they are all gone, and the bones of their ancestors are the only relics which they have left behind them. The hand of the same inscrutable Providence that suffered them to march as mighty conquerors from the west to the east, crushing out the existence of a weaker people in their triumphant march, blighted them in the noonday of their glory, and, like the re- ceding waves of the sea, drove them back in the direction whence they came, where they scattered, and the ties which bound them together as tribes dis- solved even as would ice beneath the rays of a tropical sun.
But what of the pioneers and founders of this his- toric church? They, too, are all gone. Each forever
(25)
in his narrow bed is laid. While we reflect upon the fact that it was through the privations and hardships they endured that we enjoy the rich blessings of this beautiful and teeming valley, let us hope they are enjoying a peace they knew not on earth, in that val- ley "where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest."
Mrs. Wilbur F. Harris, of Harrisburg, Pa., sang the solo, "Just as I Am,"-Hawley. The accompanist for this and all the special musical numbers was Miss M. Elizabeth Orth, of Harrisburg, Pa.
The Chairman introduced the next speaker :
"It is said that the authorities were glad to have the Scotch and Irish come in and settle this valley. They were a wall of defense against the Indians. They had the reputation-they had it then, they have had it ever since-of rather enjoying a "scrap," and con- sequently they have been ever since on the firing line in every battle for truth and righteousness, and it is fitting that we should have a word to-day about the early patriots of Silver Spring. We are glad to hear from Mr. Jerry Zeamer, of Carlisle."
(26)
THE EARLY PATRIOTS OF THE SILVER SPRING.
By J. Zeamer.
Since early in the settlement of the Kittochtinny Valley, Silver Spring has been both a religious center and a center of patriotism. Within the adjacent country lived James Silver, John Hoge, William Walker, Tobias Hendricks, Joseph Irvine, Samuel Huston, George Croghan, William Trent, Edward Ward, James Galbreath, James McTeer, William Trindle, Moses Starr and Robert Callender, whose lives contributed to the upbuilding of our government of civil and religious liberty. After them came Ephraim Blaine, Alexander Blaine, George Gibson, John, Jonathan and David Hoge, John, Robert and Andrew Galbreath, William Hendricks, Alexander and Joha Trindle, James Sample, Oliver Pollock, and others whose names and services might be held up to your admiration did time permit. Almost without ex- ception they were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the nationality so noted in history for piety and courage and love of justice and liberty. When two or three were gathered together they founded a church, and, that attended to, they formed military associations for the protection of their homes and sanctuary and the maintenance of law.
William Trent was the earliest to enter the military service of the Province, for it is recorded that in June, 1746, Governor George Thomas appointed him captain of one of the companies that were raised in Pennsylvania for a campaign against Canada. At that time he yet lived in Chester county, and the company under his command was from that part of the Province. The several companies went as far as Albany, New York, where they were held until the fol- lowing summer, when the expedition against Canada was abandoned. Trent then returned to his home and
(27)
soon afterwards he and George Croghan came and set- tled in the vicinity of the Silver Spring. They were brothers-in-law and here jointly purchased from William Walker a large tract of land which had for its northern boundary the Conodoguinet creek. Upon this tract of land George Croghan established for him- self a home, which he called Pennsborough. William Trent's sojourn at the Silver Spring was more brief than Croghan's, for after the town of Carlisle was laid out he moved to it and there engaged at keep- ing a store.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.