USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > New London > Historical discourse delivered on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the New London Presbyterian Church, Chester County, Pennsylvania : June 22, 1876 > Part 3
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BENEVOLENT WORK.
In the last century very little was done in this department of Chris- tian usefulness. The people were straitened in their means, and Prov- idence had opened very few doors in this direction. An occasional collection to help an Academy or College or to send a missionary to the frontiers or the Indians was all that was attempted. But when the 19th century was ushered in, as the churches increased in numbers and strength, the field of effort was widened, and the missionary and Bible societies, and presently the tract society and other agencies for
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reaching the destitute and saving their souls, came into existence. This benevolent spirit began to be felt in this congregation. Towards the close of Mr. Grabam's pastorate, monthly concert collections were made, a ladies' sewing circle was established, and "the ladies' mission- ary cent association" was formed, consisting of 66 members, who each agreed to pay a cent a week to aid in foreign missions. This was merged in a more extensive plan of beneficence which embraced both sexes and which went into operation in March, 1838. This was call- ed the Benevolent Fund, and it has continued, by the same name, though under various forms, from that day to this, over 38 years. This has been so successful, and so creditable to the congregation, that its history, as an early plan of systematic bereficence, may properly be dwelt upon. Its written annual reports and treasurer's accounts, which have all been preserved, afford us ample materials. Before its inception, the annual amount raised for benevolent purposes was not much over $30. This benevolent fund at first was a plan by which a number of subscribers agreed to pay a certain sum each 'every month. The first year there were 30 names, and the monthly sums ranged from 50 to 61 cents, whilst the sum raised, including some distinct do- nations, amounted to $90. This was to be divided by six managers chosen equally from the session and from the other subscribers. The first year it was given to the then three boards and to buy tracts for monthly distribution, which was all along a feature of the scheme. In the beginning of 1844 a change of plan was made. The monthly sub- scriptions were succeeded by half-yearly contributions, the congrega- tion being divided into 14 districts, each of which was to be visited by a committee of one man and two women, who were to solicit from every church member and other generous persons. This continued till 1870, when we returned to the monthly donations, to be solicited in the same way, and the donations to be made for specific objects. As this method required no managers, they were dispensed with. Once more, in 1873, the plan was radically changed. The congrega- tion unanimously voted to adopt the system of Sabbath morning offer- ings, to be made in the church, those for 10 months to be distributed among the boards of the church, according to the assembly's schedule, and those for two months to be for donations to other objects and for home work. This is still our method.
As to the results of these plans, it may be said in general that the proceeds increased with every change, especially with that made in 1870. The number of contributors also largely increased. Thus the 36 donors of 1838 had grown in 1868 to 338. All the existing boards of the church were aided every year, according to their supposed rela- tive claims. Besides these, other societies were helped, some regu- larly and others occasionally. Frequently too, assistance has been rendered, by extra efforts,to outside claims of various kinds, and some- times largely. Thus we have aided several weak churches in build-
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ing houses of worship, and the subscription to the re union memorial fund in 1871 amounted to about $400. Omitting all that was raised for salary and the improvements of property, the aggregate, in the 40 years of the present pastorate, of sums contributed for benevolent ob- jects and church expenses is $18.240, an average of $456. The small- est annual amount was $69 in 1838, and the largest was $1205 in 1871. As this aggregate was nearly all given in small sums, it shows another proof of "the power of the littles." It also shows a commendable de- velopment of the benevolent feeling, partly caused by the system in- troduced, and partly by the frequent and earnest presentation of the subject to the people.
PREACHING WORK.
This has, according to the divine arrangement, always been regard- ed here as the principal means of doing good and reaching the souls of men. The various pastors and supplies, have faithfully labored in this direction. But little is known of the preaching pow- ers of Mr. Gelston or Mr. Wilson. Mr. Alison was a learned man and an able preacher. The writer has seen some of his sermons carefully written out. Mr. Graham was earnest and zealous, and his preaching, especially in his latter years, partook of that character. The present pastor preaches from short written outlines. In olden times, two sermons were delivered on the Sabbath, with a brief inter- val between the services, the people remaining for both. During the 26 years of Mr. Graham's time, the church was closed every third Sabbath, as he was absent at the Rock. For the last 40 years, the congregation has assembled regularly for worship every Sabbath morning, and the afternoons of that day have been occupied in preaching at Kinibleville, Auburn, and district school-houses. It ap- pears, from his register of sermons, addresses, &c., showing when and where and on what texts or subjects these have been delivered, that the present pastor, since he settled here, has preached 5410 times. Many of these were at funerals, temperance meetings, Sabbath school celebrations, and abroad. Communions have always been special seasons for preaching. They have been observed twice a year, in the Spring and Fall. Last century, they spread over four days and called for five sermons. Latterly, they occupy three days. Ministers from other places are often called in to assist. Until the pres- ent church was built, in 1844, the communicants sat around tables in the broad aisle, from two to four tables being successively served ; but since that time they havesat in pews. Tokens have long since been dispensed with. Besides sermons on appointed days of fasting or annual thanksgivings, the pastor has regularly prepared an annual discourse reviewing the events of each year, and a decennial going over each ten years, and several series of sermons on a variety of important topics.
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PASTORAL WORK.
Pastoral visiting has always been more or less attended to. From a register of visits that has been kept since 1836, it appears that in the last 40 years there have been paid 7200 visits to families and to the siek,making an average of 180 yearly. The highest number recorded in one year is 307, which was in 1859, and the lowest is 122, in 1864.
In early times the ministers held frequent examinations in the Shorter and Larger Catechisms, using Fisher's Catechism as a text book. In 1846 a system of yearly pastoral meetings was entered upon, which has continued ever since with the exception of two years. These meetings have varied from 12 to 17 in number, held at private houses in as many different districts, to which the families of the district have been invited. Besides other religious exercises, the chief object is the recitation of the catechism for young children and the Shorter Catechism. This is mainly for the children, but adults are examined also when willing. These meetings were held in the winter until recently when they have been conducted in May and June. There have been held 374 of these meetings, at which the average yearly attendance has been about 212 and the average num- ber catechised each year has been 123. These pastoral meetings have had a very marked influence in keeping up an interest in family catechising.
A Bible-elass has been kept up by the pastor for many years every Sabbath morning in the church, for one hour before public worship. To this all are invited, and in this way several parts of the Scriptures have been studied. ·
Tract distribution has been carried on quite extensively. For many years each family was supplied with a tract monthly, and the pastor in his visits has scattered many thousand of these. The whole number of pages of tracts and catechisms and papers that have been distributed gratuitously has been 403,500, at a cost of about $394. These figures feebly express the moral value of this agency for good.
Since 1844 the pastor has kept constantly on hand a supply of Bibles and Testaments of different sizes for sale at cost and for gra- tuitous bestowment. In these ways 450 copies have been distribu- ted. Besides these, many of the sacred volumes have been scattered through this region by Bible agents and colporteurs.
Efforts have been frequently made to establish and perpetuate prayer-meetings, and sometimes with such success that as many as five such meetings were held every week in as many parts of the congregation. At other times there were but two or three ; but we have always maintained a central one at New London village,on Sab- bath evenings, which has been well attended and productive of much good.
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PROTRACTED MEETINGS AND REVIVALS.
In 1831 protracted meetings began first to be held in this church. They were about that time attracting much attention over the land, as a valuable means of awakening an interest in their soul's salva- tion among large numbers of persons at one time. They were first called two days' meetings, then three days', and afterwards four days' meetings, from the times of their continuance. In recent times they are frequently protracted to two or three weeks, and even to two or three months. In this part of the church they have been carried on by several neighboring ministers, either appointed by the Presbytery, or invited by the pastor, topreach and conduct the services. In the earlier meetings of this kind, there were always three sermons in a day, but lately most of the services after the first week are held in the evenings. There have been some twelve or fourteen of these protracted meetings in this church, and almost every one has been followed by considerable additions to its membership. Frequently precious revivals have occurred in connection with them. Our book of members shows the following times of revivals, and their results in the way of additions : In 1831 and 1832, there were 53 members add- ed ; in 1842, there were 17: in 1845, there were 40 ; in 1852, the number was 12 ; in 1854, it was 27; iu 1857, it was 28; in 1859, it was 29; in 1865, it was 29; in 1866, it was 21 ; in 1867, it was 16 ; in 1872, it was 38 ; in 1874, it was 6. These numbers added make 316.
MEMBERS, FAMILIES AND BAPTISMS.
In the early settlement of this region the population was homoge- neous. They were all Scotch-Irish or their descendants. The churches were Presbyterian, and were ministered to by preachers from the North of Ireland. Their religion was solid and sound, but not emo- tional. Their young people became communicants often as a matter of education. We have no means of learning the number of mem- bers at any time in the 18th century. The earliest list that we have is in 1820, the eleventh year of Mr. Graham's time, when he records 143. It may be remarked in passing that but two of these are now living, viz : Andrew Whitcraft and Mrs. Mercy Wiley. In 1836, at the beginning of the present pastorate, the number of communicants was 190. Of these, 43 are still living, and of them 20 are yet mem- bers here. In 1846, ten years later, the number was 220; in 1856, it was 223 ; in 1866, the list counted 258, and at this time, our number is 232. The highest number was in 1868, when it was 277. Since the year 1836, during the present, pastorate, there have been added, on examination, 397 ; on certificate, 187, making a total of 584 additions; being a yearly average of 15. In the same time there have been dis- missed to other churches 308 members ; 190 have died ; 21 have been suspended, of whom 6 have been restored ; and the names of 15 who have gone to parts unknown have been taken from the roll. At this
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time, var male members are 71 and the female 161 ; those who are heads of families are 160 in number, whilst those who are not are 72. If in that time we had received as many members on certificate as we have dismissed in that way, our present number would have been 353. This difference arises from the strong tendency of our people to re- move to cities and towns and to the West. It is a consolation to re- flect that other churches are strengthened by onr losses, and that we have the honor of raising up and furnishing members to other congre- gations which perhaps often need them more than we do.
The families of the congregation consist of two classes-those who are pewholders, and those who are only adherents. The earliest list of pewholders extant is for the year 1798, and it contains 88 names. On a careful examination, it is found that persons bearing 25 of these family names are still connected with us. As this is a point which in- terests ns all, I may be allowed to record here these names, which are, Kelton, Wangh, McClenachan, Cuningham, Correy, Straw bridge, Gib- son, McDowell, Hndders, Fnrey, Sherer, Hodgson, Lemmon, Wiley, Dickey, Kennedy, Davidson, Boozer, Huston, Booth, Crowl, Wood- side, Kimble, Steele, Williamson. There are others however among these 88 names who have descendants here now, but they are through female lines. and of course bear different surnames. In 1810, there were 92 holders of pews; in 1818, there were 72; in 1836, about 100 ; in 1846, there were 97 ; in 1856, there were 102; in 1866, there were 100; and in this year, 1876, there are 84.
There are always other families, more or less attached to this con- gregation, and occasionally worshipping with ns, who are not renters of pews, but may be called adherents. The number of these cannot be precisely counted, but is generally about 30. If these be added to the numbers above recited, it will make our families count as a rule about 130. In the last 40 years, the new families of both kinds who have come in in various ways have been about 290; those that have removed, left, or been broken up by deaths or otherwise have been about 275.
As baptism is pre-eminently a family ordinance, it may here be prop- erly referred to. There are no records of baptisms preserved prior to 1822. Since that year the names of 720 persons have been registered as baptised, of whom 202 were adults and 518 were infants. This makes a yearly average of 13.
The people of this congregation have generally followed the busi- ness of farming. Towards the close of the last century they had worn out their farms by unskillful tillage, and hence many of them were obliged to sell and emigrate to the West and South. This introduced families of other denominations and greatly changed the character of the population. In early times, whilst the people had to work hard for small returns, they were plain and simple in their ways and man- ners, and their style of living was rongh. Of later years, as the wealth
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of the country has increased, there has been a corresponding increase in their expenditures, as may be easily seen in the prevailing taste for finer dress and equipage and buildings. As a people, they may be said to have been firm, even stubborn.in their opinions. In their religion, they were sound in the faith and not demonstrative. In the first schism which rent the Presbyterian church in 1741, their minister, Mr. Alison, and most of his members were strong partisans on the "Old Side." In the second schism in 1837, both minister and people went with the"Old School." Although in both these there were adherents to the opposite parties, yet it may be said to the credit of the congre- gation that in neither instance was it split into two churches. as was the ease with very many societies all over the land. There have al- ways been some well-educated cultured men and women in this com- munity, for which in good measure we may thank the older and the later New London academies. Governor Thomas Mckean, before referred to, was born in the house now owned by Joseph Pearce. At Jeast S Presbyterian ministers sprung from New London families, viz : Matthew Wilson, D. D., pastor at Lewes, Del .; Wm. Finney, pastor at Churchville, Md., George Duffield, D. D., of Detroit ; W. Scott, F. Graham, who became President of Delaware College ; James W. Dickey, of Iowa ; James L. Mackey, for 16 years missionary at Co- risco, Africa ; Elkanah Maekey, pastor at Snow Hill, Md .; and Wm. D. Mackey, now Prof. at Newark College ; besides, S. Sentman of the Lutheran Church and John B. Mccullough of the M. E. Church. Sev- eral other ministers received their Academical education at New London. We have had a succession of excellent teachers in our Aead- cmy, among whom may be mentioned Messrs. Magraw, Boggs, Kerr, the two Grahams, Wyers, Porter, Faehiz, Duffield, McDowell, Gil- bert, Stephenson, Huston and Davis, under whom hundreds of pupils have been fitted for active usefulness. One of our people, Mr. Dickey, has been sent to Congress ; nine at least, Messrs. Reed, Ross, Me- nough, Kelton, Cuningham, Hodgson, Correy, Dickey and Wheeler, have served in the State legislature ; seven have filled county offices, viz : Walter Finney, John Menough, James Alexander, James Kelton, John W. Cuningham, Joseph Hodgson, and John M. Kelton ; and we have furnished justiees of the peace, lawyers for the bar, and physi- cians. Besides these civil officers, we have supplied men to fight the battles of their country. In the great Revolution, the New London pastor went out as a chaplain, and many of his people went with him. In the late war of the rebellion, the patriotic spirit ran high amongst us and furnished to the government faithful soldiers, and officers for both the army and the navy.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Up to about 1790. Rouse's version of the psalms was used by the people in public praise. Then Dr. Watts's psalms and hymns were
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introduced, though with much opposition, as was the case in all the congregations of this region, many of the people being very hostile to all innovations. This continued in use until 1843, when it was sup- planted by the Assembly's psalms and hymns. But few resisted this change, although it drove away from us one elder. The singing was led by the clerk, who stood at a desk below the pulpit, and who also in the olden times read out the lines. The young folks were instruct- ed, after a fashion, at the singing-schools which were held on winter evenings at school-houses, and which also served an additional pur- pose as places of amusement and social enjoyment. When the new church was built in 1844, a place was reserved in the front of the gal- lery for a choir, and accordingly one was inaugurated and has contin- ued ever since. In 1866, at the desire of many of the people that the choir should be furnished with a cabinet organ, one was provided ; and since that another has been procured for the session-house, to be used by the sabbath-school.
Funeral customs have undergone great changes. Long ago, cakes and liquors were handed round as refreshments amongst the people assembled. A relic of this usage still continues in the spreading of a feast, without the liquors, in one of the apartments, to which the friends are invited. Old persons can also notice marked changes in the coffins and shrouds and wreaths of flowers, in the hearses and graves and tomb-stones, and in cemetery regulations.
There are no records of deaths prior to 1836. The number register- ed, including, besides those connected with the congregation, all those to whose funerals the pastor has been invited, is 820, making a yearly average of 20. Of these, there were 596 adults and 224 children. 192 of these deaths were of members of this church. Nearly 50 of our members die every 10 years.
Records of marriages have been preserved since the beginning of 1822. The whole recorded number is 795, making an annual average of nearly 15. The present pastor has officiated at 626 of these wed- ding ceremonies.
This time differs greatly from the past in the expenses of living. Formerly the people lived very much on the produce of their land, and few things were bought with money. What little of that they had went very far. Now it is the reverse. Food, clothing, boarding, building, every thing is enhanced in price. This has been brought about by a variety of circumstances. Railroads, mails, banks, improve- ments, above all war and its results have had much to do with it. In general, we may ascribe it to the progress of the age and of civiliza- tion.
CONCLUSION.
Thus have I endeavored to set before you the leading facts in the history of the New London church. In order to compress it as much
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as possible, I have aimed to confine myself to the strict history, and to avoid comments, moralizings and illustrations, which it would have been easy to make, leaving to you to fill up with these as your own thoughts may suggest. Still I have found these facts so crowding up. on me, that it has been difficult to make such compression, and thus the work has grown far beyond my expectations. It has been to me a congenial work, and if the hearing of it has been as pleasant to you as the preparing of it has been to me, I shall be satisfied.
ORGANIZATION
OF THE CHURCH OF NEW LONDON, P.4., 1876.
PASTOR : REV. ROBERT P. DU BOIS.
SESSION :
John M. Kelton,
William K. Correy,
William S. Huston, Joseph T. Phillips,
Joseph M. Fulton. TRUSTEES :
William S. Huston, Pres't,
Dr. G. D. Armstrong, Sec'y,
Robert H. Strawbridge,
Hugh Jackson,
George S Smith, J. Wesley Kennady, William D. Eves, Jun., John B. Nieweg.
TREASURER : Joseph M. Fulton.
SEXTON : Edward Barber.
MEMBERS :
Mrs. Mercy Wiley, Alice Moore,
Mrs. Mary Boozer,
Mrs. Jane Crowl,
Mrs. Sarah Dickey, Rebecca Waugh, Ann Waugh, William D. Eves, Sen., Hugh Jackson,
Mrs. Mary Jane Jackson, John Pool, Jane Lemmon, Mrs. Eliza Lysle, Hannah McGuiggan,
Mrs. Christiana Hutton, Jesse C. Dickey, William Crooks, Robert H. Strawbridge, Elizabeth Davidson, Samuel McGuiggan, Mrs. Martha S. Eves,
Mrs. Margaret Ford,
Mrs. Susan Furey, John M. Kelton, Catharine S. Gibson, James McDowell, Isabella Waugh,
Mrs. Susan Pool, Margaret Williamson, Mrs. Mary N. Correy,
Anna V. Latta, Mrs. Martha Huston, John Huston, Tabitha M. Nivin, James Eves, Robert Strahorn,
Mrs. Mary Ann Strahorn, Mrs. Hannah S. Passmore, Mrs. Anna M. Armstrong,
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Mrs. Harriet G. Nichols, Mrs. Mary E. Phillips, Dr. G. D. Armstrong, William S. Huston, Hannah Pool, William K. Correy,
Mrs. Eliza M. Commons, Dr. Francis L. Du Bois, Julia Emma Mackey,
Mrs. Mary Murtaugh, Emma Jane Crooks, Mrs. Hannah M. Crowl, James M. Huston,
Franklin Gillespie,
Dorah Gibson,
Mrs. Eliza Jane Gillespie, Isabella Jackson, Mrs. Martha A. Lemmon, Mrs. Anna Mary Bickings, Amelia Martha Huston, Mrs. Amanda A. Mackey, Mrs. Eliza Ingram,
Mrs. Susan Jane Huston, Mrs. Martha Jane Ilumes, Mary McGniggan, Mrs. Anna M. McAlister, Annie T. Phillips, Jesse S. Anderson,
Amelia P. Du Bois, Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, Mrs. Mary Jane Burk, Mrs. Rachel T. Phillips, Mrs. Ellen W. Harlan, James Lemmon,
Mrs. Marietta Storey, Mrs. Jane Kennedy, Susanna Wiley,
Mrs. Margaret M. Storey, Beulah MeGuiggan,
Mrs. Hannah J. Garrett, Mrs. Anna M. Inmes, George C. Boyd, Levi McDonald, Mrs. Jane P. Canning, Mary Anna Ifuston,
Mrs. Mary McDonald,
Mrs. Marg't F. Gallagher, Francis Henry Huston,
George R. Storey, Mrs. Marion Parker, Clara Kimble,
Joseph Bayard Watson, Anna Wigfall, Elizabeth Founds, Rachel Kennedy, Dr. James Fulton,
Mrs. Anna Mary Fulton, William S. Exton,
Joseph M. Fnlton,
Mrs. Sarah Anna Fulton, Isabella Storey, Charles II. Moore,
Mrs. Elizabeth Dickey, Mrs. Letitia W. Storey, Mrs. Sarah Jane Huey, David Humes,
Mrs. Lydia Woodward, George S. Smith, Saralı Scriminger,
Mrs. Anna E. Hudders, Mrs. Ilannah A. Marvel, Mrs. Emma W. Conard, Thomas H. Marvel, Thomas Cavender,
Mrs. Martha J. Mearns, Mrs. Mary Cavender,
Sarah Jane Cavender,
Mrs. Sarah E. Hall, Catharine Strahorn, Mrs. Ruth Anna Gray, Turner Kennedy, Lizzie J. Mackey, Mrs. Rachel McHenry, Thomas Phillips,
Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Mrs. Mary J. Wilson, Harriet R. Jackson,
Jannie Gillespie, William K. Commons, Sarah Jane Commons, Hannah A. Commons, Ellie Y. Mackey,
Elkanah D. M. Hustox, Alfred R. Huston, Amanda Jane Huston, Marshall Huston, Phebe R. Huston,
Benjamin Ingram,
Mary Ida Phillips, Mrs. Hannah Anderson, Mrs. Elizabeth W. Kimble,
Mrs. Jane Kimble, Thomas Hindman, Barbara Ilindman, Peter Dougherty,
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Smith, J. Baker Storey, Mrs. Margaret Miller,
Ann Ryon, Susan Wright, Rebecca Wright,
Mrs. Elizabeth Storey, Mrs. Sarah Ann Wilson,
Sarah Elizabeth IInston, Anna W. Steele,
Mrs. Sarah E. Steele,
Mrs. Jane C. Kennady, Charles Canning, Sarah Foreman, Alfonza Mearns, Thomas Humes, John H. Nieweg, John M. Quillen, Mrs. Mary Quillen,
Priscilla Ann Kimble,
William S. Kelly,
Mrs. Lucinda A. Kelly, Mrs. Lucretia M. Price, Caroline Jones,
Mrs. Marg't B. Strahorn, Mrs H. P. Williamson, Harvey P. Williamson, Augustus Hamilton, Th. Franklin Woodside, W. Rankin Huston, Conrad Nieweg, Mrs. Emma Nieweg, Mrs. A. B. Strawbridge, Mrs. Mary S. Johnson, Clara Woodward, John B. Nieweg, Mrs. Maggie D. Eves, Ernest T. Brown, Mrs. Mary F. Kent, Joseph Gallagher,
J. Franklin Montgomery, Mrs Elizabeth Hindman, John K. Huey.
Mrs. Mary E. Seaver, Mrs. Sarah Timanus, Saralı D. Strawbridge, Mrs. Anna E. Willard, Mrs. Mary E. Smedley, Mrs. Mary Hall, Mary Oldham, David A. Crowl, Mrs. Marg't J. Hodgson, Ilannah P. Commons, Jane D. Woodside, Mrs. Sarah Hudders, Mrs. Martha A. Boyd, Robert Kennady, Mrs. Lydia A. Kennady, John K. Booth, Mrs. Ann D. Booth, Charles N. Sproul,
Mrs. Rebecca Biles, Mrs. Margaret J. Steele, Mrs. Miriam C. Lysle, Mrs. Mary Jane Smith, Augustus Smith, Jr., Henry D. Strawbridge, J. Newton IIuston, Mary Davidson, Mrs. Agnes M. Ingram, Mary Elizabeth Holt,
Mrs. Ruth A. Dougherty, Mrs. A. M. Strawbridge, Mrs. Amanda M. Boyd,
William D. Eves, Jun., Dr. James S. Eves, Mrs. Phebe Foreman, Mrs. Sarah Anna Slack,
William P. C. Woodside, Mrs. Lizzie II. Adams, Mrs. Aun Sproul,
Mrs. Hannah Hamilton,
Joseph T. Phillips, J. Armstrong Mackey,
J. Wesley Kennady, Mrs. Elizabeth Kennady, Laura Cavender, Augustus Smith, Sen.,
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