History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 73

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 73

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).

Rev. William Smith, April 1, 1834, to April 1, 1836.

Rev. Thomas Larcombe, April 1, 1836, to April, 1837.

Rev. Dyer A. Nichols, April 2, 1837, to April 1, 1843. Rev. Andrew Collins, Oct. 1, 1843, to April 1, 1849.

Rev. William S. Hall, July 1, 1849, to Oct. 1, 1819.

* Of John Lent 55 feet and 9 inches, at $15 per foot, and of David Meconkey 9 feet at $20 per foot.

268

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Rev. John P. Hall, Oct. 1, 1850, to May 31, 1852. Rev. Joseph Currio, Sept. 1, 1852, to Oct. 1, 1854. Rev. William S. Hall, March 4, 1855, to Oct. 31, 1856. Rev. Joel E. Bradley, Nov. 1, 1857, to April 1, 1869. Rev. I. D. King, Oct. 1, 1869, to June 1, 1872. Rev. G. G. Craft, Feb. 1, 1873, to July, 1874. Rev. William H. Stenger, Feb. 28, 1875, to the present.

The following have been deaeons :

John T. Taylor, Jonas Shutt, George C. Nichols, Henry Place, Enoch Jones, I. M. Davis, Joseph Rapp, Joseph Pennypacker, Thomas D. Grover, Thomas W. Young, John Morgan, Peter Rankin, Eher Eachus, Henry Dyer, Isaac Philips, John Richards, Joseph McAfee, and Levi B. Kaler.

The first church was completed in October, 1833, at a cost of about $1300, but in 1852, the membership having increased to 333, the building was too small, and prepara- tions were made for a new one. This was dedicated in July, 1854. In 1880 it was renovated inside and out, and a gallery added, increasing the seating capacity about 200.

EAST NANTMEAL.

The East Nantmeal Baptist Church was organized at the house of John Liggett, now occupied by his son, bearing the same name, Nov. 5, 1841. Of the 26 constituent members, 9 are still living, viz. :

Rev. Josiah Philips, now minister at Jenkintown; Jesse . E. Philips, Lewis Philips, Priscilla Griffith, Eliza Liggett (still mem- bers of the church) ; Mrs. Margaret R. Sigman, now of Pottsville; Mrs. George R. Stiteler, now of Vincent Baptist Church ; Joshua Burgoyne, a deacon of Pughtown Baptist Church ; and Mary Harple, Dow a member of Radoor Baptist Church.

Two of the constituent members were from Bethesda, 15 from Vincent, and 9 from Windsor. Those from Windsor were chiefly new converts, the fruits of meetings held at the Union and Hause's school-houses by Revs. Andrew Collins and Thomas S. Griffith, and had been re- ceived into the Windsor Church.

The church had no house of worship for two years from its organization, but met alternately at the above named school-houses.

In November, 1843, the house recently taken down was dedicated. The sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas S. Griffith, pastor of the Windsor Church, from these words : "This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

The cost of the old house in cash was something over $800. Much of the material, hauling, and labor was donated, as is usual in country places.

Very special tokens of the Divine presence were mani- fested during the first three pastorates, namely, Revs. A. Collins, D. A. Nichols, and John Duer. During the first year (1851) of Mr. Duer's ministry 88 persons were added to the church, and 45 the second year.

In January, 1856, 11 persons were dismissed to aid in constituting the Pughtown Baptist Church.

During the years 1861 and 1862 quite a revival spirit pervaded the church under the ministry of J. W. Griffith, and many were added to the church.

The two men chiefly instrumental in organizing this church were Owen Philips and Rev. Andrew Collins. The first deacons were Owen Philips and Caleb Liggett. Napoleon B. Markley, John Liggett, Jesse E. Philips,

Samuel Ewing, Solomon Handwork, Jacob Starrett, Sam- uel Gartley, and Lewis Philips have served the church in this capacity ; the six last named are now acting officers of the church.

It is remarkable that in the forty years of the existence of the church it has had but three clerks, and those three were brothers, namely, Josiah Philips, Jesse E. Philips, and Lewis Philips. During the year 1880 the church built a neat and substantial house of worship, worth about $3500. The present pastor is Rev. William H. Ellis, a native of Somerset Co., Pa.

EAST BRANDYWINE.

The church building was erected in 1842, and the church constituted Feb. 21, 1843. The first pastor was Thomas S. Griffith ; deaeons, Joseph Guthrie, James Guie, and Lewis Gray ; clerk, William D. McFarlan. The con- stituent members were :

James Guie, Harriet A. Guie, Wm. D. McFarlan, Matilda McFarlan, Joseph Guthrie, Margaret Guthrie, Susan A. Bicking, Margaret Bickiog, John S. Bicking, Esther E. Frame, Bennet Powell, Rebecca Powell, Martha Webb, Esther Palmer, Edith Moore, Sarah Hanson, Eliz. Rump, Sarah Kerlin, David Mendenhall, Wm. Russell, Rebecca Russell, Samuel Aikens, Phebe Webb, Lewis Gray, Rachel Aikens, Eliz. Smith, Martha J. Robinson, Jobn Silvester, Jones Knight, Ra- chel Southwood, Eliza Pennington, John I. Gray, Parke Ingram, Wm. Moore, Emeline Ingram, David Shuler, John W. Moore, Lydia Bond, Susanna Gray, Isaac Foreman, Eliz. Gray, Eliz. Baum, John Knight, Eliza Knight, Mary Moore, Jacob Liggett, Hannah White, Barbara Liggett, Mary Yourt, Sidney Ingram, Eliz. Scott, Eliz. Syl- vester, Margaret McCulloth.

The church building was burned Mareh 9, 1856, and rebuilt the same year. Incorporated Aug. 9, 1864. First trustees, Joseph Guthrie, James Guie, and William D. McFarlan; after the death of Joseph Guthrie, William Guthrie was elected to fill his place. William D. McFar- lan clerk the whole term (with a short interval of a year or two by Joel R. Dean), and is at present the clerk.

Succession of pastors : Thomas S. Griffith, H. S. Haven, William J. Nice, John S. Christine, John M. Richards, George H. Mitchell, Jesse B. Williams, B. H. Fish, George H. Mitchell, S. Livermore, E. V. Ring, C. E. Young, T. C. Guessford, Maris Gibson, T. A. Lloyd, William Mar- low, and James M. Guthrie. The parsonage, purchased March 22, 1870, is situated in Guthrieville.

PUGHTOWN.

A meeting having in view the organizing a new church was held Dec. 22, 1855, Samuel Bartolett chairman, and Charles M. Griffith secretary. Jan. 17, 1856, it was re- solved to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors for sacramental purposes. Samuel Bartolett and David Philips were elected deacons, and C. M. Griffith clerk. Jan. 19, 1856, a council of delegates from East Nantmeal, Vincent, Windsor, Phoenixville, and Bethesda Churches convened and organized an independent Baptist Church at Pughtown. A sermon was preached from 1st Peter, xi. 9, by Elder W. S. Hall. The church has been supplied by the following persons :

Elder Theophilus Jones, August, 1856, to April, 1859. Elder John Perry, August, 1859, to December, 1861. Elder John Entriken, May, 1862, to June, 1863. Elder J. G. Walker, January, 1865, to June, 1868.

269

BAPTIST CHURCHES.

Elder E. P. Barker, October, 1868, to February, 1869. Elder S. Bolsey, July, 1869, to October, 1869. Elder William Barrows, June, 1870, to the present.

June 14, 1856, trustees elected, S. Bartolett, Robert McNeeley, William Reagan, J. Rooke, and David Philips.

Present trustees, J. R. Nyman, J. Burgoyne, Rufus Styer, William Nyman, and R. MeNeeley ; treasurer, Edwin. Morris; clerk, Rufus Styer.

The constituent members were:

Samuel Bartolett, Catbarine Bartolett, William McFarInn, Rebecca MeFurlan, Francis Brownbaek, Priscilla Nyman, Edwin Morris, Jona- than Rocke, David Philips, Joshua Burgoyne, Samuel Weilner, John Funk, Catharine Morris, Matikla Rooko, Tamson Philips, Margaret Miller, Sarab Funk, Sarah Guest, Sarah Curell, Charles M. Griffith, Melchi Guest, Martha E. Griffith, Elizabeth M. Guest, Robort Me- Neeley, Alice Ann McNeeley.

In 1876 there were 85 members.

COATESVILLE.

Several persons in and near Coatesville met together from time to time at different places until Sept. 3, 1867, when a Council convened, with Rev. James Trickett, of West Chester, as moderator, and D. W. Ilunter, of llephzibah, as clerk, and was recognized as a regular Baptist Church. From the school board they had, on April 3, 1867, secured a building, which was then fitted up as a place of worship. In 1869 the most of the building was torn down and the erection of the present edifice commenced, the basement of which was opened for use about Jan. 1, 1870, and the upper room dedicated Nov. 10, 1870.

The constituent members were :

Emaline Chandler, Sarah Clark, Henry Clark, Mary B. Campbell, Jane Clark, Thomas W. Ford, William G. Ford, Ellen Ford, Rufus D. Ford, Benjamin A. Ford, Margaret Ford, Moses Ford, William D. Griffith, Emma E. Griffith, Mary Jane Hoskins, Alice Happersett, Annie Jakewish, Hannah E. Keech, Robert Kirkpatrick, Annie E. Kirkpatrick, Sarah E. Kauffman, William Moore, Mary J. Moore, Amanda A. Moore, Mary A. Miller, Sallie C. Miller, Ann Mace, Abel G. Powell, Sarah M. Powell, Maria P. Rowe, Hannah D. Rhoads, Mary Rudolph, Malinda Reese, Jarvis Rudolph, Samuel Sharp, Anna Stott, Rev. A. C. Wheat, P. P. Wheat, David Y. Wilkinson, Rebecca Y. Wilkinson, Isaac Wilkinson, Sarah Williams, Sarah J. Woodward, Ruth Ann Wagner, Emma Young, G. Frank Young, Jane Young, Jane B. Young, Susan Zook.

The pastors have been : A. C. Wheat, chosen Sept. 3, 1867, resigned Dec. 1, 1868; C. M. Deitz, chosen May 2, 1869, resigned April 1, 1876; E. Wildman, chosen Dec. 1, 1877, till death, June 23, 1880; E. Edwards, chosen Dec. 5, 1880, to the present. Deacons chosen (all still in office) : William Moore, Sept. 3, 1867 ; Thomas W. Ford, Jan. 11, 1868; Joel R. Dean, Oct. 9, 1869; John W. Moore, March 11, 1871 ; Abel G. Powell, March 11, 1871. Clerk, A. G. Powell, from Sept. 3, 1867, to the present.

WILLISTOWN.

A Baptist meeting-house, to take the place of the old one which fronted west on the " Intersection road," was built in 1875 at Malvern. The structure is 56 by 80 feet in plan, and accommodates a large. congregation. The new parsonage, just south of the meeting-house, was added in 1877.

This church was organized in 1833 as a branch from the Great Valley ; present membership, 319.

The following are the officers of the church at the present time: Pastor, Rev. E. W. Bliss ; deacons, Jesse Thomas, Abner Cornog, William E. Compton, Joseph A. Malin, Franklin Rogers ; trustees, Joseph A. Malin, Abner Cor- nog, John T. Harrar, George T. Harlan, Gideon T. Ruth.

WEST CALN.

The following extracts from the minutes of Hephzibah Church contain all the history we have of the establish- ment of this church :

February, 1842 .- " A letter from the following-named brethren and sisters was read, wherein they request letters of dismission from our body, in order to be constituted into an independent church of Jesus Christ, to be located in the neighborhood of Wagontown :

" William Davis, Eldad Roberts, Adam Rees, Joseph Allison, John L. Kurts, Benjamin Kurts, Frederic Jesinskey, Jesse Rhoads, George Brockman, James ITall, Mary Doran, Susannah Wilson, Anna Hum- sher, Margaret Mellarg, Ann W. Rees, Eliza Ligget, Jane Boyd, Leah Done, Joanna Mason, Ellen Allison, Rebecca Boyd, Lydia Boyd, Rebecca Roberts, Ellen Roberts, Sarah Carney, and Mary Darlington.

"Whereupon it was Resolved, that the request of the aforesaid brethren and sisters be granted on condition of their paying all arrearages due the Church."

May 16, 1842 .- " Br. Jenkins wishing to devote some part of his time in the service of the West Caln Church, i- was Resolved, that his labours be dispensed with one-fourth of his time for that pur- pose; a corresponding reduction to be made in his salary."

The church is now without a pastor, and the membership small in number.

LAWRENCEVILLE.

Rev. W. H. H. Marsh, a young man about nineteen years of age, began a series of meetings in February, 1858, in what was known as the old school-house, resulting in a great revival. The school-house being too small, the Ger- man Baptists allowed the use of their house, where, on Wednesday, April 14, 1858, a Council convened by invita- tion for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church. This Council organized by appointing Elder D. Jefferis moder- ator, and David Philips clerk, when the names of delegates were read from the following churches : Lower Providence, Phoenixville, Balligomingo, Vincent, Windsor, Brandywine, East Nantmeal, Pughtown, Bethesda, and Caernarvon. The articles of faith and church covenant were read by Rev. W. H. H. Marsh, after which they were recognized as a sepa- rate.and independent Baptist Church. Up to this date the number, including those baptized and admitted by letter, amounted to 67,-25 males and 42 females. The church at this time being without a house of worship, purchased land of Stover Whorman and Michael March, erecting a liouse 40 by 50 feet, with audience-room and basement, at a cost of $1700, and dedicated Dec. 12, 1858. The following are the pastors since the organization : Rev. W. H. H. Marsh, to Jan. 1, 1860 ; Rev. John M. Perry, front Jan. 1, 1860, to September, 1861 ; Rev. A. B. Still, from May 1, 1862, to Jan. 9, 1864; Rev. Robert Dunlap, the years 1864 and 1865 ; 1866, no pastor ; Rev. David Phil- lips, from April 1, 1867, to April, 1869 ; Rev. A. H. Em- mons, 1870 and 1871; and from this time until May 1, 1880, Rev. J. Wilson Griffith, of Birchrunville, supplied the church, when Rev. C. W. O. Nyce was called as pastor of the church, filling the pulpit to the present.

270

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF WEST CHESTER.

Jan. 9, 1874, a number met at the house of James Hoopes, and concluded to withdraw from the First Baptist Church of West Chester and form a new church for ac- complishing a new work, being led to this action on account of differences of opinion arising in regard to doctrines, and for other causes. The following persons signed their names for the new organization :

'Payne Gould, R. Maris Frame, James J. Hoopes, George Fitzsim- mons, J. W. Cooper, George A. Framo, James G. Thompson, Mary A. Fendall, Maria Howarth, Mrs. R. G. Strickland, Mary Houpes, Mary A. Frame, Sarah M. Fitzsimmons, Susan E. Acker, Elizabeth J. Cooper, Sallie W. Clouser, Kate Gilespie, Mrs. George R. Guss, Mrs. Ann Howarth, Mary M. Garrett.

Additional names soon after increased the number to 39. The first prayer-meeting was held at the house of J. G. Thompson. Feb. 10th, at the house of Payne Gould, it was resolved to organize into " The Mount Olive Baptist Church of West Chester," and the officers selected were: Deacons, R. M. Frame, Payne Gould, J. J. Hoopes ; clerk, George Fitz- simmons ; trustees, J. G. Thompson, George Fitzsimmons, J. W. Cooper. April 2d the name was changed to " West Chester Baptist Church," and again, on the 16th, to " Be- rean Baptist Church of West Chester." Services were regularly held at Cabinet Hall, and the first sermon preached was by Rev. W. R. McNeil.

Oct. 14, 1874, Brother J. D. Acker donated a lot 80 by 30 fect on west side of Walnut, between Miner and Barnard Streets, and Nov. 2, 1874, the corner-stone of the new church structure was laid by Rev. Edwin MeMinn, pastor in charge. The building was completed and dedicated the following year.

The pastors of the church have been as follows :

Rev. Edwin McMinn, chosen May 6, 1874; Rev. William R. Mc- Neil, chosen Dec. 29, 1875; Rev. T. A. Lloyd, choscu Dec. 3, 1877; Rev. James M. Guthrie, chosen March 6, 1881.

The officers of the church for 1881 are:

Trustees, Eli Baldwin, Plummer Jefferis, H. J. Clouser ; treasurer, Il. J. Clouser; clerk, Horace G. Branson ; assistant clerk, William Baldwin; superintendent of Sunday-school, Plummer Jefferis.

LONDON TRACT.

The history of the London Tract Church is involved in that of the Welsh Tract until 1780, and we therefore give the history of the latter up to 1770. In the spring of the year 1701 several Welsh Baptists in the counties of Car- marthen and Pembroke decided to remove to America, and as one of them was a minister, it was concluded to form themselves at once into a church. Their names were Rev. Thomas Griffiths, Griffith Nicholas, Evau Edmunds, John Edwards, Elisha Thomas, Enoch Morgan, Richard Davis, James Davis, Elizabeth Griffiths, Lucy Edmunds, Mary Jones, Mary Thomas, Elizabeth Griffiths, Jennet Davis, Margaret Mathias, Judith Morris. These sixteen, which may be styled a church emigrant, met at Milford Haven in June, 1701, and embarked in the ship " James and Mary," and on the 8th of September landed at Philadelphia. They settled at first about Pennypack, and remained a year and a half, during which time 21 persons joined them. Finding it inconvenient to remain there, they purchased land in New Castle County, and gave it the name of Welsh Tract, to

which they removed in the spring of 1703 and built a meeting-house.

They were the first to receive the "Century Confession," to which 122 of them subscribed in the year 1716. Their records were kept exact, but written in Welsh, until the year 1732. At what time a branch was established in Lon- don Britain is unknown to us, but it was as early as 1729. Thomas Morris, of that township, in his will dated Nov. 26, 1731, gives to Owen Thomas and Richard Whitting " £2 for the use of the meeting-house that is in Indian town in London Britian." Another brauch of the church was in Kent County, thirty-two miles distant. In 1770 there were about 100 families belonging to the church and branches, of whom the following individuals had been bap- tized and received into communion :

Isaiah Lewis and David Evans, deacons; Thomas Jamos, Esq., Thomas McKim, Esq., Jobn Evans, Esq., William Buckingham, Wil- liam Buckingham, Jr., John Buckingham, John Bowen, Thomas Davis, Jobn Davis, Thomas Jones, Joseph Gardner, Abel Davis, Daniel Davis, William Eynon, Joseph Price, Lewis German, Benja- min Jones, Daniel Griffiths, David Hughs, Hugh Glasford, Isaac Hughs, Jacob John, James Jones, William James, Jacob Lemmon, Richard Lemmon, John Townsend, James Williams, Edward Miles, John Morgan, John McCormick, Enoch Morgan, James Mundlo, Alexander McKim, Thomas Robison, Morris Thomas, Nicholas Paine, Jane Buckingham, Jane Bowen, Anne Bush, Hannah Bon- ham, Sarah Braken, Ruth Cloud, Hannah Connoly, Mary Caun, Mary Clark, Mary Rogers, Margaret Morphy, Esther Rees, Hannah Davis, Rachel Davis, Elenor Davis, Esther Davis, Mary Price, Han- nah Eynou, Jane Evans, Mary Evans, Rachel Faris, Mary Evans, Rachel Griffiths, Mary Griffiths, Abigail Giles, Elizabeth Prichard, Margaret Williams, Hannah Duglas, Gwen Hughs, Phebe Ilugbs, Hannah Hughs, Elizabeth John, Tamar James, Susannah Jones, Hannah Jones, Joanna Jones, Jeunet Jones, Mary Jury, Choice (Joyco?) Townsend, Sarab Whitten, Catharine Watson, Susannah Watson, Mary Watson, Jane Williams, Deborah Whitten, Sarah Jones, Elizabeth Lemmon, Mary Lewis, Sarah Miles, Sarah Miles, Jr., Mary Morgan, Hannah McCormick, Margaret Morgan, Mar- garet Muudle, Rachel Morrison, Elizabeth Morgan, Agnes McKim, Sarah Oborn, Catharine Rees, Mary Roberts, Elizabeth Robison, Mary Rhodewell, Jane Rowland, Mary Thomas, Mary Thomas, Jr., Han- nah Thomas, Elizabeth Singleton, Rev. Robert Lemmon.

The first minister was Rev. Thomas Griffiths, born in 1645, in Llanfernach parish, and county of Pembroke, who accompanied the first congregation to this country. IIc died and was buried at Pennypack, July 25, 1725. His colleague and successor was Elisha Thomas, born 1674, in Carmarthenshire, who arrived with the others in 1701. He died Nov. 7, 1730, and was buried at Wesh Tract, where a tombstone was erected to his memory. He left two daughters, Rachel and Sarah, the first of whom married . a Jones, and secondly Rev. David Davis. A daughter by her first husband married Johns Evans, Esq., of London Britain, and had children,-John, Rees, Mary, and Oswell.

The third minister was Enoch Morgan, also one of the original congregation, born 1676, at Alltgoch, in the parish of Llanwenog, in Cardiganshire. He died March 25, 1740, and was buried at Welsh Tract. His colleague and suc- cessor was Rev. Owen Thomas, born 1691, at Gwrgodllys, in the parish of Cilmanllwyd, and county of Pembroke, who arrived in America in 1707. He continued in care of the church till May 27, 1748, when he removed to Vin- cent township, and there died in 1760. His children were Elizabeth, Morris, Rachel, Mary, David, Sarah, and Owen. He left behind him the following remarkable note :

RESIDENCE OF CYRUS HOOPES, WEST MARLBOROUGH.

. .. .

"GREEN LAWN MANSION." ESTATE OF JACOB HAYES, DECEASED, NEWLIN.

271

BAPTIST CHURCHES.

" I have been called upon three times to anoint the sick with oil for recovery. The effect was surprising in every ense, but in none more so than in that of our brother, Rynallt Howell. Ile was so sore with the bruises of tho wagon when bo was anointed that he could not bear to be turnod in bed otherwise than with the sheet. Tho next day he was so well that he went to meeting."

The next minister, David Davis, was born in 1708, in the parish of Whitchurch, and county of Pembroke, and arrived in this country in 1710 and died Aug. 19, 1769. By his wife Rachel, daughter of Rev. Elisha Thomas, lie had children,-Rees, Jonathan, John, Susanna, Mary, and Margaret, who, except John and Margaret, in 1770 were married into the families of Miles, Bouham, Bentley, and Parr. Jolin supplied the church for a time after his father's death, but in 1770 was about to remove to Boston.

Cotemporary with Rev. David Davis was the Rev. Grif- fith Jones, born Oet. 8, 1695, at Alltsawr, in the parish of Llanon, in Carmarthenshire, who came to America in 1749 and settled at Duck Creek. He died Dec. 4, 1754, and was buried at Peneader.

A warrant was granted Oet. 15, 1701, to William Davies, David Evans, and company for 30,000 acres of land. This was probably what was known as the Welsh Traet, in New Castle County. The London Traet Church was so called from being within the purchase of the London Company, in Chester County.

It was not until Nov. 21, 1780, that this was constituted an independent congregation, when the following appear to have been dismissed from the Welsh Traet :

William Buckingham, John Evans, John MeCormick, Jane Buck- ingham, Ruth Cloud, Ano Baldwin, Mary Evans, Phebe Hughes, Ilannah McCormick, Sarah Whitting, Rachel Murrison, Rachel Mor- gan, Gweny Dansmore, Deborah Whitting, Elizabeth Robeson, Sarah Bracken, Jane Evans, Sarah Scott.

The land upon which the church stands belonged to the Evans family, who were among the most prominent mem- bers. The record-book for 1780 to 1830 was destroyed by a domestic in the family of John W. Tawresey, who used it to kindle the fire as occasion required. For this reason little can be given of the history of the church during this period.

Thomas Fleeson appears to have been appointed pastor Nov. 22, 1780. In 1808, Jethro Johnson was pastor, and by agreement with the other churches preached two Sab- baths here, one at Brandywine, and one at Hephzibah in each month. Thomas Barton, who died March 23, 1870, was pastor for fifty years. Rev. George W. Staton became pastor March, 1873, and was succeeded by Joseph L. Sta- ton, November, 1880, who officiates at present.

At some former period a neat stone building was erected with the entrance facing the south. In 1863 the house was remodeled, and the entrance placed at the east end. In 1879 the graveyard was enlarged by purchase of land from Lewis Passmore.

The oldest stone records the death of John Boulton, who died May 19, 1729, aged fifty-one years, but it is lying flat, and probably not upon the grave. Other dates are as follows :

John Devonald, d. Mar. 8, 1735-6, aged 52; John Evans, Jr., d. Apr. 14, 1738, aged 38: Lydia Evans, d. Ang. 6, 1745, aged 18; Mary, wife of Evan Rice, and dau. of John Evans, Jr., d. Jan. 20,

1752, and their dau. Mary was buried with her mother, aged 18 days; Evan Evans, born 1732, d. Oct. 22, 1794; his dau. Elizabeth, b. April 18, 1774, d. Apr. 5, 1794; John Williams, d. Oct. 16, 1746, aged 58.

GREEN VALLEY.

From the records of Hephzibah we obtain the following :

" Whereasa Number of our members Residing in Newlin and Parts adjacent having Desired to have Candidates for Baptism Examined amongst them and Baptized there, having Considered their Case have agree'd that as many of them as shall sign this paper be Constituted as a branch of this church, and to have full power to Examine, Bap- tize, and Reecive members amongst them and administer tho ordi- nance of the supper when opportunity may serve, Provided that they Continue under the Laws of Christ and the discipline of his Church according to the Scriptures and still remain as members of this Church till opportunity serves to Constitute them into a separate Church.

"Done at our meeting of Business

on tho 19th of June, 1834, and signed by order of the Church.

WM. GRIFFITH, Clerk.

James Jefferis.

Phebe Rodeback.

Moses Kecch.

Sarah Rudolph.

Job Keech.

Betsy Anne Wilkinson.

Jethro J. Jefferis.

Lydia Ogdeo.

John Woodward.

Elizabeth Jackson,

Thos. Lilley.

Mary C. Jefferis.

Jeffries Keech.

Ilannah C. Jefferis.

Robert Keech.

Mary Lilley.

Jane Keech.

Mary Jefferis.

Jane Keech.

James J. Wilkinson.

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 73

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162