History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 75

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 75

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).

the rector of the parish, and continued in that position fer three years, when he moved to Lancaster, and Rev. Mr. Backhouse resumed the charge, and continued doing so until his death, which occurred io 1750. Fer a year the parish was without a rector, but lay services were held, and the religious zeal was kept up. In 1751, Rev. George Craig came over from England as a missionary, and he was able to officiate at St. John's at least eight Sundays a year. Notwithstanding the irregular supply of a clergyman, the parish continued to grew, and waxed strong in members, so that in 1753, twenty-four years after the parish was origi- nated, a new and larger church was built, it being of stone, and 22 by 48 feet in size,-more than double the size of the first one. The parish was ten years in building this church. In 1769, Rev. Mr. Craig was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Barton, who was rector of this parish, as well as those at Caernarvon and Lancaster, until 1776. At that time, his health failing, he started home to England, but died on the passage. His farewell sermon was listened to by a large congregation, much affected at his leaving them. From 1776 until 1783 the pulpit was vacant, owing, ne doubt, to the general confusion incident to the Revolutionary war. In 1784, Rev. J. Fred Illing, of the Lutheran Church, was made pastor of St. John's, but in 1788 the Rev. Elisha Riggs was installed as rector, and continned so until 1793, when he was succeeded by Rev. Levi Heath. In 1799, Rev. Jeseph Clarkson took charge of the parish, and re- mained there until his death, thirty-one years afterward. In 1822 he obtained an assistant, Rev. William Augustus Muhlenberg, who, after two years' service, was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Bowman, who remained until 1827. Rev. Jehn Baker Clemson then became assistant rector, and con- tinued se until 1831. In that year Rev. Richard Umstead Morgan succeeded Rev. Joseph Clarkson as rector, and had charge of the parish fer three years. In 1835, Rev. Ed- ward Young Buchanan began his rectorship, which lasted until 1845, when there was a vacancy for a year. In 1846, Rev. Henry Tullidge assumed charge of the parish, and remained fer eight years. In 1854, Rev. E. P. Wright became rector, and after two years was succeeded by Rev. William G. Hawkins, whe, after two years, was followed by Rev. George G. Hepburn, whe resigned in 1860. Rev. Henry R. Smith then became rector, and remained for ten years. He also held services at Intercourse, Parkesburg, Churchtown, and Morgantown. During his rectorship St. John's church was remodeled, and made a handsome, com- fortable building. In 1872 he resigned his charge, and in 1875 was drowned while bathing at Beach Haven, N. J. For two years after his resignation St. John's had no regular clergyman, when, in 1874, Rev. Thomas Mee became rector, but left the next year. Rev. Henry Tullidge, who had been rector frem 1846 te 1854, was recalled, and still re- mains in charge of this old and venerable parish, which, during its existence of one hundred and fifty years, has had twenty rectors.

The present church building is of stone, 40 by 55 feet, and was erected in 1838. It is an imposing-looking struc- ture frem the outside, and the intcrier is very beautiful. During the Revolutionary war a troop of English cavalry occupied the old church building as a barracks. In the

276

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

graveyard adjoining the church several hundred persons have been buried, for, although the inclosure is quite a large one, yet it is almost an impossibility at this date to open a new grave without exhuming parts of human re- mains. There are many quaint and curious headstones, with skulls and cross-bones, and angels' heads and oldtime epitaphs engraved thereon.

ST. PETER'S, GREAT VALLEY.

In the northeastern part of East Whiteland township, near the line of Tredyffrin township, stands an ancient church, known as " St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Great Val- ley." In 1849, Rev. Thomas W. Winchester, the then rector of the church, wrote a sketch of its history, which, with some additions and alterations, bringing it down to the present time, is here given.

The present church, it appears from the records of the vestry, was erected in 1744, and the following note is en- tered upon the first page of the vestry-book :

" 1744, Be it remembered that this year St. Peter's Church was built under the care of Rich. Richison, Math. Davis, Jno. Cuthbert and Morris Griffith."

The next entry is as follows :

"Memorand. that on the fifteenth day of April, A. D. 1747, was held a vestry at St. Peter's Church, which was the first there ever held, and the following persons were chosen vestryigen : Wm. Moore, Morris Griffith, Rich. Richison, Matthew Davis, Jno. Cuthbert, Jas. David, Jno. Hunter, Robt. Powel, Geo. Aston, Wm. Owen, Thos. Rob- erts, Geo. James. Wardens, Edward Pearce, Jno. Evans."

On the site of the present building there once stood a log church, but so little is transmitted to the present gen- eration that no certain information respecting it can be fur- nished. There appears, however, this record on the book of the vestry : " May 19, 1752 .- The said vestry approve of the disposal of the old log church." The logs were sold to a member of the vestry, with which he erected a dwelling-house for a son, who raised in the same a large family of children. It is thought that the log building must have been erected some forty or fifty years before the present building was completed.

At a meeting of the vestry in September, 1748, a dis- tribution of pews was made to sundry individuals, and a subscription made to finish the church. This subscription amounted to about £140, the subscribers generally giving £5 each. One subscriber to the amount of £5 was William Currie, who held pew No. 7, and it is presumed that he was at this time a lay reader to the congregation.

The following entry appears on the minutes of the vestry :

"St. Peter's Church, June 3d, 1750 .- At a meeting of the vestry then and there held it was ordered that Rich. Richison aud Jno. Potter should agree with some joiner to huild a pulpit, a reading desk and a communion table, and to floor and banister the same, and accordingly they agreed with Jno. Wayne for £12 to do and complete the same workmanlike."

On Dec. 4, 1770, the vestry agreed to erect galleries along the west end and south side of the church. These galleries were superintended and directed by Robert Powell and Edward Pearce, the latter individual being also the mechanic and builder of the same.

It appears that on Jan. 1, 1752, at a vestry meeting, the minister of the congregation was present. This is the first mention made of him, and the rector at that time was the

Rev. William Currie, who had officiated for some time before this as lay reader. The probable time of his ordi- nation was some time during the year 1751, he having sailed to England for the purpose of receiving his ordina- tion.

" Aug. 2, 1762 .- At a vestry held this day it is ordered that two stables should be built, 20 by 16, and two stoves had to accommodate the congregation, the same to be had and completed as soon as may be, the same being done under the care and inspection of Edward Pearce, David Jones, Richard Richison, and Robert Ralston, so appointed by said vestry." These two stables were soon after erected by Edward Pearce, and were of course intended to protect the horses of the members of the church from the inclement weather. These stables stood until the last ten or twenty years, when, becoming old and dilapidated, they were taken down and removed.

In 1771 a wall was built along the front or west side of the graveyard by Edward Pearce, who seems to have com- bined the two occupations of mason and carpenter, at least as far as St. Peter's church is concerned.

On the 15th day of May, 1774, the following memoran- dum is found entered on the vestry-book :

" At a meeting of the wardens and vestry of St. Peter's Church held this day agreeable to the request of the committee of the different Episcopal Churches in the city of Philadelphia, in order to delegate a person out of our body to represent us at a general consultation held in said city on the 24th instant, when John Francis was unanimously chosen for the above purpose."

This meeting in Philadelphia, it is presumed, was called for the purpose of organizing the Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania, and also to adapt the church and its services to the new state of affairs brought about by the Revolu- tionary war.

The first title to the land on which the church stands bears the date May 30, 1774, Math. Davis granting the same to William Moore, Thomas James, Morris Griffith, Richard Richison, and John Cuthbert, these persons hold- ing the grounds for the use of the congregation. The price or yearly rent of the ground is named in the deed at one ear of Indian corn, to be paid annually whenever legally demanded.

The church was incorporated by the Legislature March 4, 1786. The names of corporators were as follows : Thomas Bull, Benjamin Thomas, Richard Richison, John Rowland, John Francis, Cromwell Pearce, Thomas Wilson, Joseph Rowland, Richard Robinson, Joseph Evans, and Roger Little.

The Rev. William Currie, the first regular rector of St. Peter's, served the church as such, in connection with the Radnor and Perkiomen Churches, until independence was declared. Feeling that he could not violate his ordination vows by refusing to pray for the king of England, he gave up the charge of the churches, but occasionally preached by request, and after Bishop White was elected chaplain to Congress again officiated in the church, and at all times performed the marriage service and administered the ordi- nance of baptism .*

After the connection of Mr. Currie with the church had

*Sce also biographical sketch.

277

EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.

been broken, and also the infirmities of age coming upon him, the congregation were for some time without a settled pastor, its main dependence being placed upon occasional visits from clergymen performing missionary duties through the country.

In the year 1788 the Rev. Slator Clay, father of Jchu C. Clay, D.D., of Philadelphia, took charge of the rector- ship of St. Peter's ; he remained the rector of the church until the day of his death, some time in September of the year 1821. The character of this venerable man, which is so familiar to many who are still living, will never be for- gotten by the people of St. Peter's.

For about three years the church was without a settled rector, and depended upou supplies. At the expiration of this time the Rev. Samuel C. Brinkle was called to the church, and he remained the rector for about nine or ten years. His successors were the Rev. William H. Recs, who officiated about six years; Rev. Simon Wilmer, about six months; Mr. Rees again for a short time; Rev. Wil- liam Hilton, about four years; Rev. William Peck, three years; Rev. William H. Woodward, three years; Rev. William L. Suddards, of Philadelphia, three months; and the late Rev. Thomas W. Winchester, who took charge of the congregation in the latter part of September of the year 1849. He was succeeded at his death, which occurred in February, A.D. 1858, by the Rev. Samuel Hazlehurst. Since Mr. Hazleburst the rectors in charge have been Rev. A. E. Tortat, Rev. W. R. Stockton, Rev. De Witt C. Loup, and Rev. Thomas J. Taylor.

St. Peter's may truly be called the mother of churches. St. Mary's Church, of which the Rev. Dr. Bull was so long rector, may be said to be a branch from St. Peter's. The members lived distant from the church, and as their own neighborhoods felt the need of divine service, they came together with their neighbors and erected church buildings. This was the case with St. Andrew's, West Vincent. Some of the steadiest members of old St. Peter's left it when this new congregation was organized. So was it with St. Paul's, West Whiteland, and St. Peter's, Phoenixville, and Trinity, West Chester; and, indeed, it is not to be doubted that nearly every Episcopal church in Chester County has re- ceived or drawn some nurture from this venerable congre- gation, which has given until it is left impoverished for a want of a sufficient number of people to fill its courts.

St. Peter's has been the recipient of several liberal be- quests since its organization. Some of the money, unfor- tunately, was not well secured, and thus a portion of it has been lost from the pious uses which the donors intended.

The old church Bible, with the prayers of the Church of England bound up with it, long in use at the church, is now in a good state of preservation, though one hundred and forty-three years old. It was published A.D. 1738. The communion set presented by Queen Anne of England is still in existence, but not now the property of the church.

We subjoin here extracts from Dr. Perry's " Historical Collections of American Colonization Churches," in which mention is made of this church.

" LONDON, Ang. 3, 1728.

"TO THE HON. SEC. P. G. F. P. :

" The memorial of their lately arrived missionary from Pennsylvania in America.

"I must own to you that my labors beyond my line and of travel- ing from place to place, to keep the people steadfast in the faith, &e., &c. . . . to Perquiomine, which is 20 miles, and Whitemarsh, which is 12 miles, and to Great Valley, which is 30 miles (from the place of my habitation), where they have laid the foundation of a church just befure I left the country, and is about 8 miles distant from Radner.

" ROBERT WEYMAN."

Mr. Currie to the secretary of the Society for the Prop- agation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts :

" RADNOR, March 31, 1760.

"REV. SIR .- I must bog leave to acquaint the Secretary, that although my hearers are many in number, especially at Radnor and Great Valley, yet they are become so very careless and lukewarm, that I cannot get them to meet on an Easter Monday to choose a vestry, &c., &c. I am Rev. Sir, &c.

" WILLIAM CURRIE."

The oldest gravestone in St. Peter's churchyard bears the date A.D. 1709.

The following dates have been taken from gravestones in the burial-ground of St. Peter's Church :

James David, d. July 24, 1746, aged 73.

Roger Martin, d. July 1, 1770, aged 63 yrs. 9 mos.

Moses Griffith, d. Jan. 27, 1766, aged 79.

Cromwell Pearce, d. Aug. 4, 1794, aged 62.

Sampson Davis, b. June 3, 1789; d. June 20, 1862.

John G. Bull, b. Apr. 26, 1772; d. Apr. 13, 1846. Col. Cromwell Pearce, b. Aug. 13, 1772; d. Apr. 2, 1852.

Ezekiel Bowen, d. Nov. 16, 1805, aged 72.

Richard Robinson, d. Feh. 16, 1811, aged 69. Rev. John Gemmill, V.D.M., d. Dec. 14, 1814, aged 54.

John Ralston, d. Sept. 1, 1825, aged 81 yrs. 10 mos. and 27 days. Nathan MacVeagh, d. Oct. 18, 1842, aged 81 yrs. 11 mos. 12 d. Rebecca, wife of Nathan MacVeagh, d. Jan. 5, 1833, aged 71 yrs. 2 mos. 26 d.

George Wersler, d. May 14, 1832, aged 81 years.

ST. JOHN'S (PENN TOWNSHIP).

The Protestant Episcopal church at Penn Station is the fourth edifice which has been used as a place of worship by the parish, which is known ecclesiastically as "St. John's Church, New London Cross Roads."

The third building, now in a dilapidated condition, stands in the old graveyard, one mile from the village of New London. The second structure is in existence as a dwelling-house, and removed from its original site. The first, erected as long ago as 17-, has disappeared entirely.

As far as can be ascertained from very meagre and much torn papers, the pastors have been as follows : Revs. John Gordon, 1744; Israel Acrelius ; John Abram Lidenius, 1755; Elisha Rigg, 1791; George Handy, 1808; Jacob M. Douglass, 1824; George Kirke, 1829. Rev. Kirke's was a long pastorate of forty years. Since him the rec- tors have been Rev. J. H. Mac Elrey, Rev. J. L. Hey- singer, Rev. George Hall, Rev. Wm. Augustus White.

ST. PAUL'S (WEST WHITELAND).

The St. Paul's Episcopal Church, West Whiteland, was organized Feb. 23, 1828, by the election of Cromwell Pearce and Jonathan Jones as wardens, and Joseph B. Jacobs, Thomas H. Pearce, Dr. Andrew Wills, Robert Ralston, William Tredenick, Thomas H. B. Jacobs, Em- mor Elton, Isaac Pawling, Joshua Hunt, and James Ken- ney as vestrymen. The church building was erected in the same year (the corner-stone being laid May 1, 1828), and consecrated May 28, 1829.

278

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The congregation was gathered through the efforts of Rev. Samuel C. Brinckle, of St. David's Church, Radnor, and he had as rectors or ministers in charge the following clergymen : R. N. Morgan, from May 31, 1829, to Dec. 16, 1832 ; Cyrus H. Jacobs, from Dec. 16, 1832, to Jan. 1, 1836; William Hilton, from July 24, 1836, to July 26, 1841; William Henry Rees, from November, 1841, to April 1, 1844; William H. Woodward, from Ang. 18, 1844, to Sept. 30, 1847; William L. Suddards, from Jan. 1, 1848, to May 1, 1848; H. Hastings Weld, during the summer of 1848; Thomas W. Winchester, from Sept. 16, 1848, to Oct. 1, 1854; Thomas L. Green, from April 1, 1855, to Dec. 25, 1857; Samnel Hazlehurst, from Jan. 1, 1858, to April 1, 1864; Joseph W. Cook, from July 1, 1864, to Jan. 1, 1868; A. Emelius Tortat, from April 12, 1868, to Oct. 1, 1871; Robert F. Innes, from Dec. 18, 1872, to October, 1875; G. Livingston Bishop, from June 4, 1876, to Feb. 26, 1879 ; De Witt C. Loup, for a short period, and Thomas J. Taylor, the present rector (1881).

During a part of this period the church was united with St. Peter's, Great Valley, in one charge, and it is so united at the present timc.

HOLY TRINITY, WEST CHESTER.

The Church of the Holy Trinity was organized on the 23d day of November, 1835. The first vestrymen were Cromwell . Pearce, Lewis Brinton, John Solomon, George W. Pearce, Anthony Bolmar, James A. Keech, John H. Brinton, John Hunter.

The first meeting was held the next day after their elec- tion, when they chose their first pastor, Rev. George W. Cole. Mr. Cole's successors have been Revs. Edwin W. Wiltbank, Richard Newton, Rt. Rev. G. T. Bedell, and Revs. John B. Clemson, Lewis P. Balch, William Newton, John Bolton.

The charter was obtained from the Supreme Court, bears date the 28th day of April, 1838, and is signed by the Hon. John B. Gibson, chief justice, and his associate judges.

The first church edifice was erected on the north side of Gay, east of New Street, in pursuance of a resolution of the vestry, passed April 9, 1838. Previous to this date there was no Episcopal edifice in West Chester, and those who held to that faith had held services in the court-house. It is said that the meeting which decided to build a church was called by the Rev. Levi Bull. The first edifice is still owned by the parish, and used as a chapel and Sunday- school room.

Among the vestrymen of the church for many years was Dr. William Darlington, the distinguished botanist, who continued an active member to the period of his death.

In 1838 there were 18 communicants, and the Sunday- school numbered 6 teachers and 32 scholars. The corner- stone of the new edifice was laid July 3, 1868, by the Rev. Henry J. Morton, assisted by the Rev. J. Bolton, rector, and others. On the occasion an historical address was read by Addison May, Esq. The officers of the church at that time were :

Rector, Rev. John Bolton; wardens, Lewis Brinton, James H. Bull; vestrymen, Lewis Brinton, James H. Bull, Henry Buck walter, John

T. Worthington, Wayne MacVeagh, Eugene Paulio, William W. Jef- feris, Cadwallader C. Sellers,. Charles S. Bradford, Jos. B. Dilling- ham, Albert Entriken, Addison May; treasurer of the church, Chas. S. Bradford ; secretary of the vestry, Addison May; huildiog com- mittee, Rev. John Bolton, Lewis Brinton, James H. Bull, Addison May; treasurer of the building committee, Addison May ; architect and designer, Rev. John Bolton ; contractor, Bently Worth; chief mason, Strode Batton ; sexton of the church, Jeremiah Caine.

In 1863 the present rector, Rev. John Bolton, was called, and since his rectorship he has confirmed about 300 persons, and the total number of names appearing on the church records of members is 430, a large number of whom have removed to other parishes, principally Philadel- phia. The present number of communicants is 160. The Sunday-school numbers 135 scholars and 23 teachers.

The officers in 1881 are :

Rector, Rev. John Bolton ; wardens, William W. Jefferis, Charles S. Bradford; vestrymen, W. W. Jefferis, J. Hunter Worrall, George M. Rupert, Dr. Wm. B. Brinton, George Achelis, Charles M. Grimm, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, Thomas H. White, Henry Norris, Charles S. Bradford, Jr., Reuben Fithian, J. W. Nivin.

ST. PETER'S, PHOENIXVILLE.

This church was organized in the summer of 1838, the members holding services in the school-house near " the Knolł."

The corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Onderdonk, D.D., on Easter Sun- day (April 25th), 1840. The lot of ground was presented by Messrs. Reeves, Buck & Co. The church, however, was not finished until December, 1852, when it was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Alonzo Potter, D.D., LL.D. Though small, yet it was over twelve years in being built.

The first clergyman sent as a missionary by " the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania" was the Rev. Henry F. E. Whitesides, in the fall or winter of 1838. He resigned in the course of the year 1839.

In December, 1849, the Rev. Oliver A. Shaw took charge of the church, in connection with St. Gabriel's, Morlattin, Berks Co., and Christ Church, Pottstown. He resigned in October, 1842. The Rev. Marmaduke Hirst was the next rector, continuing in charge until the year 1845. The Rev. I. P. Nash followed, resigning his charge in 1851, leaving only 18 communicants. The Rev. Samuel Durburow was elected in September, 1851, and continued in charge until the spring of 1855. In September the Rev. George Alexander Crooke, D.D., DD.L., was elected rector, continuing in charge about eight months.

The Rev. T. W. Winchester commenced his labors as rector June 5, 1856, and continued in charge until Febru- ary, 1858, about one year and eight months, when he died.

The present rector, the Rev. W. R. Stockton, was elected Ang. 15, 1858; vestrymen (1881), William H. Reeves, A. B. Emery, John Detwiler, Gen. B. F. Fisher, Harry R. Griffen, James W. Pennypacker, S. R. McShea, Ellis B. Reeves, William Quick.

Within the few last years the church has been greatly improved and beautified, the walls having been frescoed in oil colors, stained glass put in all the windows, a new and large memorial window placed in rear of chancel, and the church rendered very attractive in appearance.

The grounds have been graded, terraced, and planted

279

METHODIST CHURCHES.

with shadc-trees. A large and commodious rectory has been built with all the modern conveniences.

The communicants now number 150, and every pew in the church is rented.

A new and handsome organ was purchased April, 1879. ST. JAMES', DOWNINGTOWN.

The records of this parish show that the services of the Episcopal Church were held in Downingtown in November, 1842, the Rev. G. T. Bedell (the present Bishop of Ohio), then rector of the church of the Holy Trinity, West Chester, officiating. The attendance was so encouraging that he advised the formation of a parish, and on November 6th, after divine service, Rev. Mr. Bedell explained the customs and government of the Episcopal Church, and at his suggestion a committee was appointed to report the names of 12 gentlemen to act as vestrymen. After a few moments' consultation, the following were nominated and elected as vestrymen :

Messrs. John D. Steele, John F. Parke, J. B. Moorehead, Gideon Taylor, Charles Pusey, Allen W. Wills, Dr. Andrew Wills, John Mc- Kialey, J. Dutton Steele, Joshua Hunt, John Hunter (of West Ches- ter), and Dr. J. Stuart Lecch.

Services were held for some time at the house of Dr. Andrew Wills, afterwards in the Masonic Hall, now St. James' rectory.

June 20, 1843, the corner-stone of the present church building was laid. It was finished, and consecrated by Bishop H. W. Onderdonk October 26th of the same year. The church was enlarged in 1864.

Rev. Mr. Bedell, of West Chester, was invited by the vestry to take charge of the congregation, in connection with his work at West Chester, which he declined. The missionary society of St. James' Church, Philadelphia, offered to contribute $400 for two years towards the sup- port of a resident minister. The offer was accepted, and as a mark of respect and gratitude to that society, it was resolved to name this parish " St. James." .

The Rev. William Augustus White, of Boston, was called as the first rector. He entered upon his duties in November, 1842, and resigned in 1845. The other rectors have been :

The Rev. Samuel Hazlehurst, October, 1845, to May, 1847; Rev. H. Hastings Weld, June, 1847, to July, 1854; Rev. Wm. P. Ray and Rev. P. Browne Morrison, 1856 to 1858; Rev. John B. Henry, 1858 to 1863; Rev. Benj. A. Rogers, 1863 to 1866; Rev. Jesse Y. Burk, 1866 to 1870; Rev. Wm. White Montgomery, for about one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Rob't F. Innes in July, 1871; he resigned, October, 1880, and was succceded by the present rector, the Rev. W. G. Ware.

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.

History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 75

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