History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 76

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 76

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).

During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Weld the building known as Masonic Hall was purchased, and, with some alterations, was converted into a rectory at a cost of $1600. In 1864 the chapel was enlarged and beautified. During the rectorship of Rev. Innes a parish building was erected for Sunday-school and other purposes, and an addition made to the rectory. There are connected with the church two Sunday-schools, which are successful in their work. The property of the church is valuable and in good repair.

CHURCH OF THE TRINITY, COATESVILLE.

The services of the Protestant Episcopal Church seem to have been celebrated for the first time in this town,

Sunday, Aug. 21, 1859, in a school-house which stood on the site of the present Baptist church, the Rev. Mr. Henry, of Downingtown, officiating. How often these services were repeated is not known, but they do not ap- pear to have been attended with any permanent results.

It was not till many years afterwards that the attempt was renewed to introduce the worship of this church. In the fall of the year 1868, a parish having been organized, the Rev. George G. Field became the first resident pastor, and still continues to be ; and regular services were com- menced, the congregation worshiping in a public hall. Horace A. Beale and Nathaniel P. Hobart were the first wardens ; and of the vestry, Messrs. Benjamin Miller, Charles Pennock, William Scott, John Speakman, John Stone, Dr. James Scott, Reese Welsh.

In the summer of 1871, a lot of ground on the Main Street having been given by Mr. Benjamin Miller, a small, inex- pensive, but convenient frame chapel was finished and con- secrated, to be replaced at some future time by a more imposing and substantial structure. It was speedily cleared of debt, and the sittings were free.

The present vestry is composed of H. A. Beale, Newton H. Stone, wardens; W. Scott, Benjamin Miller, Jr., John Speakman, George Henson, Amos Scott, William Pennock, Dr. William R. Blakeslee.

ST. MARY'S, WARWICK.

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, in the village of St. Mary's, Warwick township, was founded early in this century by the Rev. Levi Bull, D.D., of which he was rec- tor for more than forty years. He was the oldest Episcopal minister in the diocese of Pennsylvania, and through almost his entire ministry he was a resident of Chester County. The house of worship was built in 1806, and rebuilt and enlarged in 1843. The late John Starrett, of Warwick township, Chester County (father of Mr. Thomas K. Star- rett, proprietor of Warwick Furnace Farm), left by will the sum of $1000 for the purpose of remodeling and re- pairing St. Mary's church, and this sum was applied as intended by the donor in the summer of 1880. It was repainted, repaired inside, supplied with a slate roof, had a large vestibule constructed, etc. This is a vast improve- ment to the church edifice, both inside and out.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, in Honeybrook township, was organized in the year 1835.

METHODIST CHURCHES .*

Isaac Rollins was probably the first Methodist preacher that the people of Chester County heard. He is first al- luded to in the journal of Rev. Francis Asbury. The first quarterly meeting after Asbury's appointment as assist- ant by Mr. Wesley was held at Joseph Presbury's, Har- ford Co., Md., Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1772. In answer to the question, " How are the preachers stationed-Bro. K. [King], Bro. W. [Webster], and I. R. [Isaac Rollins]-on the other side of the bay ?" (This, the Eastern Shore, embracing the work in Kent and Cecil Counties, Md.)

While he was laboring on the Eastern Shore of Mary-

* By Rev. Geo. W. Lybrand.

280

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

land, he went up into Chester County, Pa., where he broke up some new ground. Methodism entered Chester County at its south end, in Marlborough township, and traveled up north through its centre, from which it radiated east and west. Here Isaac Rollins was useful. He penetrated the county to its centre early in 1773, and established several preaching-places.

Shortly after Rollins had introduced Methodism into the county, Rev. Francis Asbury paid his first visit. I copy from his journal :*

"Monday, March 21, 1773 .- Being a rainy day I set out from New- port, New Castle county, Delaware, late for Marlborough ; there wos, notwithstanding, a large congregation waiting. Though unwall, I gave them an cxhortation at night, and I. R. [Isaac Rollins] preached. He has been of soma uss to the people here.

"Tuesday, 22 .- My mind was serene, and I felt a nearness to God -n determination to live to Him alene. Went to T. E.'s [Thomas Ellis'] and felt much life while presching to a large company there, but was afflicted with a violent pain in the head.

"Wednesday, 23 .- Many great people attended the preaching at W.'s [Woodward's, on the Brandywine] and we had a comfortable time. Roda thence to S. H.'s [Samuel Hooper's]. Many Quakers were present, and it was a moving season. I then went about twenty miles through wet weather and bad roads to Mr. T.'s [Tossey's]. This was in Delaware."

Rollins was thrown from a mettlesome horse, not far from the Yellow Springs, Chester Co., Pa., and died on the spot. This was in 1783. Near the Little Eagle, Uwchlan township, Chester Co., Pa., is a fenceless lot, on which are a few graves. Some ancient Methodists are buried here, and here it is most likely a grave was made for Isaac Rollins. (So says tradition.) On this lot stood Benson's chapel.

In 1774 the name of the circuit was Chester. It em- bracod Chester County, which up to 1789 embraced Dela- ware County. There were appointments for preaching in Marlborough, at Thomas Ellis', at Woodward's, on the Brandywine, west of West Chester, at Samuel Hooper's, probably in Goshen, and in the course of the year in Uwchlan and Coventry.

The preachers that followed Rollins and Asbury were Danicl Ruff and William Watters. This was in 1774. Watters, at the Conference of 1774, was appointed to Tren- ton circuit, where he laborcd, with the exception of one quarter, when he changed with Daniel Ruff and preached in the Chester Circuit. While here he was useful in heal- ing a division in the young society in Goslien, Chester Co. Abraham Rollin, from Patapsco Neck, in Maryland, who had a wish to be a traveling preacher, but, on account of his extreme roughness and ranting, could not obtain the sanc- tion of the Methodists, in the summer of this year came into Chester Circuit, and having made a party in this society, endeavored to settle himself upon them as their minister. He had influenced some of the inost wealthy of the society, George Smith in particular. They were holding their secret meetings to carry out their plans. Mrs. Smithi had had a dream, in which she saw Mr. Watters before her eyes,- beheld him as one sent to deliver them from imposition ; and as soon as she saw him she recognized him as the per- son she had seen in her dream. The result was A. Rollin

was dismissed, and Mr. Smith, his wife, and two daughters, with the rest that had broken off from the Valley or Grove society, returned to it. The pastors since have been :

1775, Richard Webster; 1776, no appointment; 1777, Robert Lind- say ; 1778, no appointment; 1779, Joseph Cromwell; 1780 (Chester in- cluded in Philadelphia, the name of Chester does not appear), John Cooper, George Mair; 178] (the circuit, embracing all the work in this section, is called Pennsylvania), William Glendenning, Samnel Rowe, Isasc Rollins; 1782, William Glandenning, John Coleman ; 1783 (Chester), Reuben Ellis, John Hagerty, Thomas Haskins ; 1784 (called Philadelphia), Le Roy Cola, Jeseph Cromwell, Jeremiah Lambert; 1785, Ira Ellis, James Thomas, Thomas Vassy (elder) ; 1786, Henry Oghurn, Peter Moriarty, Caleh Bnyar (elder); 1787, Samuel Dudley, William Thomas, Elders John Hagerty and William Gill ; 1788 (this year the work was arranged inte three appointments, -Philadelphia, Chester, and Bristol), Philadelphia, Lemuel Green ; Chester, Robert Cann, John Milburn ; Bristol, William Dougherty ; Elder Richard Whatcoat. 1789 (Chester), William Dougherty, James Campbell, Elders Henry Willis and Lemnel Green; 1790, Sylvester Hutchinson, John Cooper, Elder Richard Whatcoat; 1791, John Mc- Claskey, Isaac Robinson, Simon Miller, Elder Lemuel Green ; 1792, Joseph Lovell, Joseph Wainwright, Elder John McClaskey ; 1793, Robert Cloud, William Hunter ; Wilmington, Evan Rogers ( who after six months is to change with Robert Cloud), Elder Freehorn Garrett- son. 1794 (this year Chester Circuit was divided; the new circuit called Lancaster, from Lancaster County, Pa. Chester members : whites, 200; colorcd, 19; Lancaster: whites, 256; colored 4), preach- ers : Chester, William Early, James Smith; Lancaster, Isaac Rohin- son, Elisha Pelham, Elder Valentina Cook.

My impression is that the Rev. Matthew Magce was also sent in 1794 to Chester. In the "Minutes" of this year, among those ad- mitted on trial, appears the name of Matthew McGee. His name does not appear among those stationed. As Bishop Asbury did not pub- lish the Minutes to the fall, the inference is his death led him to leave out his name. Asbury refers to him in his journal : " McGes dicd of the malignant fever (the yellow fever)."+ His remains are interred in the burial-ground of the Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. The following is the inscription on his tombstone :

" Rev. Matthew Mages, died Sept., 1794, in the 33d year of his age.

" Long did lie walk in wisdom's shining wsys,

A pattern of sweet innocence and grace,

A faithful preacher of the holy word,

An humble follower of his gracious Lord."

1795 (Chester and Lancaster united), John Jarrell, Thomas F. Sar- gent, John Robinson, Eldar John Merrick ; 1796 (Chester), Thomas Bell, Samuel Welsh; 1797, Chester, William Colbert ; Strasburg.t William Pann Chandler; 1798 (Strasburg and Chester), William P. Chandler, Daniel Highy; 1799 (Chester and Strasburg), William Colbert, Edward Larkins, Robert Bonham.

The " Minutes of the Conferences" have, in addition, James Har- ron. Herron was not on the circuit; at the request of Joseph Jawell, be accompanied him to the work in Canada, with the consent of Bishop Ashury. My impression also is that Robert Bonham, who was a supernumerary, was not on the circuit. Ha died in the month of June, 1800, in Baltimore, Md. Thomas Wars was eldar from 1796 to 1799. In 1797 the name presiding elder occurred for the first time. 1800 (Strasburg and Chester), Stephen Timmons, Richard Sneath, Thomas Jones ; 1800-1, Joseph Everett, presiding alder.

In 1801 the distriets are named Chester and Strasburg, in the Phil- . adelphia District ; preschars, William Hunter, Stephen Timmons, Robert McCoy. 1802 (Strasburg and Chester), William Hunter, John Bethel ; presiding older, Thomas Ware. 1803 (Strasburg and Chester), Anning Owen, William Brandon ; district called Chesapeake, Christo- pher Spry, presiding elder. 1804 (Chester : the field the sama; only the name of Chester is given), William Hunter, Joseph Osburn, Joseph Stephens; presiding elder, William Colbert. 1805, William Hunter, David James, Jamas Meore; 1806, John Walker, William Early ; 1807, Daniel Ireland, Peter Beaver. For 1805-7 the presid- ing elder was Solomon Sharp. 1808, Asa Smith, John Bathel, Thomas Miller ; presiding alder, W. P. Chandler. 1809, John Walker, Thomas

* Asbury's Journal, vol. i. p. 45.

t Vol. ii. 331.

# The new nama given to Lancaster Circuit in 1796; both of these circuits were united this year.

281

METHODIST CHURCHES.

Miller; 1810, Richard Snenth, John Fox; 1811, Richard Sneath, Jaines Laws ; 1812, Thomas Dunn, William S. Fisher. In 1809 the district was called Schuylkill. For 1809-12 William Ilunter was pre- siding elder. 1813, William S. Fishor, John Fornon, Joseph Samson ; 1814 (Chester and Wilmington), George Sheets, Thomas Miller, Samuel P. Levis (George Sheets and Thomas Miller to change onec a month). For 1813-14 the presiding elder wns Henry Boehin. 1815, Asa Smith, Joseph Samson ; 1816, William Torbert, Charles Reed.

In 1815 the presiding elder was Robert R. Roberts. 1816, R. R. Roberts reappointed presiding elder, but his ordination as hishop of the M. E. Church, in May, 1816, made a vueaney, which was filled hy Daniel Hitt, one of the recent book agents.

1817, William Hunter, William Torbert; 1818, John Goforth, Samuel Budd (part of the year Samuel P. Levis, to relievo Jolin Goforth); 1819, John Robertson, Phineas Price. For 1817-19 the prosiding elder was Daniel Hitt. 1820, William Leonard, Thomas Davis; 1821, David Bartine, Thomas Davis ; 1822, William Hunter, David Bartine, John Talley ; 1823, Thomas Miller, William Allen. For 1820-23 tho presiding elder was James Bsteman. 1824, HIenry Boehm, John Woolson ; 1825, H. Boehm, Levin M. Prettyman; 1826, Jacob Gru- ber, Samuel Grace, J Talley (sup .* ) ; 1827, Jacob Gruber, William Cooper. For 1824-27 the presiding elder was Joseph Lybrand. In 1825 the district was ealled Philadelphia. 1828, Thomas Miller, Eliphalet Reed ; 1829, Edward Page, Daniel Fidler, Robert Lutton (sup.); 1830, Edward Page, Thomas MeCarroll, John Talley (sup.). For 1828-30, William Thateher was presiding elder. 1831, William Ryder, Nathaniel Chew, John Talley (sup.); 1832, William Ryder, James B. Ayars, John Talley (sup.). In 1831-32, M. Force was the presiding elder. 1833, James B. Ayars, John Edwards, Robert E. Morrison, John Talley (sup.). In 1833, District South Philadelphia, the presiding elder was Lawrence MeComhs.

In 1834, Chester Cireuit underwent a change ; a new circuit was formed, ealled Radnor, which embraced, as a part of it, the appoint- ments Grove, Downingtown, Salem, and Charlestown.

Raduor Circuit, 1834, David Best, Richard W. Thomas ; 1835, R. W. Thomas, John Perry ; 1836, William Cooper, Jesse Ford. For 1834-36 the presiding elder was John Potts. 1837, W. Cooper, James Hand; 1838, James B. Ayars, Charles W. Jackson : 1839, J. B. Ayars, Frederick Gram : 1840, Henry G. King, James Neill. For 1837-40 the presiding elder was Solomon Higgins. 1841, 1I. G. King, Levin M. Prettyman ; 1842, George Lacey, Christopher J. Crouch.

In 1843, Grove Circuit was formed from Radnor, which embraced Grove, St. John's, Salem, and Charlestown.

Grove: 1843, Thomas Sumption, Thomas C. Murphey ; 1844, T. Sumption, James R. Anderson. For 1841-44 the presiding elder was James Smith. 1845, David Dailey, John W. Mecaskey : 1846, David Dailey, George W. Lybrand ; 1847, the " Minutes" have it John Led- num, one to be supplied. A change was made after Conference, and Henry S. Atmore was brought from Chatham and placed in charge. J. Addison Whitaker was brought from Nottingham Cireuit as junior preacher, and William Major was sent to Nottingham under the pre- siding elder.

The circuit on the Wilmington Distriet, 1845-47, Daniel Lambdin presiding elder ; 1848, H. S. Atmore, local preachers assisting him ; 1849, James Harmer, Stearns Patterson ; 1850, James Harmer, Wil- liam C. Robinson ; ; 1851, Joseph H. Wythes, John H. Boyd. For 1848-51, James Smith was presiding elder; 1852, J. H. Wythes, John J. Jones.

1853 (Grove Circuit reduced again ; Salem, Charlestown, and Val- ley Forge associated with Phoenixville, Grove with Downingtown and St. John's), Joshna H. Turner ; 1854, Joseph Carlisle. Reading Dis- triet : 1852-54, John D. Curtis was presiding elder ; 1855, J. Carlisle; 1856-57, Daniel L. Patterson ; 1858, William H. Burrell. For 1855- 58 the presiding elder was James Cunningham. 1859 (Grove and Downingtown), W. H. Burrell; 1860-61, John Shields; 1862, George W. Lybrand. For 1859-62 the presiding elder was Thomas J. Thompson ; 1863-64, Vaughan Smith ; 1865-66, Jerome Lindamuth. For 1863-66 the presiding elder was William L. Gray.

In 1867, Grove separated from Downingtown. 1868, L. B. Hughes. For 1867-68 the presiding elder was Joseph Castle. 1869-70, Stephen Townsend. 1869-70, South Philadelphia District, William L. Gray pre-

siding eldor. 1871-72, Samuel G. Hare. For 1871-72, W. C. Rob- inson was the presiding elder. 1873-75, John E. Kessler; 1876-78, William II. Fries ; 1879-80, John R. Bailey ; 1881, William Rink. 1873, Chester Distriet, William MeCombs presiding elder ; 1877-80, Susquehanna Distriet, George Cummins presiding elder; 1881, Wost Philadelphia District, Jacob Dickerson presiding elder.

BENSON'S CIIAPEL.

It is probable that Rev. Joseph Pilinore, one of Rev. John Wesley's first missionaries to America, preached in Uwchlan township in 1772. In 1774 the preachers made an appointment in Uwchlan, where a society was raised up near the Little Eagle tavern, where Benson's chapel was built in 1781. There was a society at this place, for Ben- jamin Abbott preached at Benson's in 1780. This meet- ing was the parent of Batten's or Hopewell Church. The offspring lives, but the parent is no more. The lot on which the church stood is still in possession of the Meth- odists, on which are a few graves. Some ancient Metho- dists are buried here, and here most likely a grave was made for Isaac Rollins, the first Methodist preacher that the people heard.

GROVE (WEST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP).

In 1774 a society was formed in Goshen. This was afterwards called the Valley meeting, and now is known as the Grove. This is the oldest society in Chester County, having continued from its first formation, while several that once were have eeased to exist. When this society was formed, some of the land-holders of the region belonged to it. This gave it permanency. Among the number was Mr. George Hoffman, who, it is said, was the first Metho- dist in Chester County. He joined under Richard Web- ster, was a member of society fitty years, and died Dec. 30, 1829, aged ninety-six years. He was one of the founders of the first meeting-house. Its size was 30 by 40 feet, with three doors,-north, south, and west front, -an end gallery on the west, and a tub pulpit on the east. The society for a few years worshiped in a school-house which stood a little west of the present church. It was in this school-house that the Rev. Benjamin Abbott preached in 1780. This house, known as the "old stone chapel," was built in 1783. Sept. 11, 1784, Mr. George Hoffman and Eve, his wife, executed a deed transferring one aere of ground, on part of which the chapel had been already built, to the Methodist society, for the consideration of five shillings lawful money. February, 1813, a deed was given by Jobn Boyer and Elizabeth, his wife, conveying to the trustees of the meeting-house 70 square perehes of land, designed to make it more convenient to gain access to the meeting-house. In 1844, under the pastoral charge of Revs. Thomas Sumption and James R. Anderson, the present church was built. In 1851 one-half acre was purchased and added to the graveyard, in 1866 two acres more of Eli Pyle. April 27, 1868, church was legally in- corporated. In 1868 the cemetery was laid off in lots. It is one of the most beautiful of our cemeteries.t

SMITH-SHOP.

This was located a short distance from the Boot tavern. It became a preaching-place in 1834. It was fixed up for

* "Sup." stands for "supernumerary," -- one who renders partial service.

+ Harmer died Sept. 8, 1850, and W. C. Robinson placed in charge. 36

# In the cemetery of this church is buried Rev. Matthew Magee, who died of yellow fever, September, 1794, aged thirty-three years.

282

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

meetings by John S. Inskip,-slab seats, tanned floor, but powerful times. It belonged to his father, and it was some time before his father would consent to have it fitted up for meetings. It was not a separate charge, but connected with the Grove. John S. Inskip was " admitted on trial" in the Philadelphia Conference in 1836. He is still an active worker in the ministry, preaching no longer at the place.

WEST CHESTER.

First Methodist preaching in West Chester was by Rev. William Hunter, February, 1810, in the old court-house. (Hunter this year was presiding elder on the Schuylkill District. He died in Coventry, Chester Co., Pa., Sept. 27, 1833.) First class formed in 1815; supplied with preaching from Chester Circuit. First church built in 1816, on Gay Street east of Darlington. New church erected in 1840-42, corner of Market and Darlington, pres- ent site. This building was remodeled, etc., under the pastorate of Rev. John B. Mccullough, at an expense of $8000.

Preachers .- From 1810 to 1827, West Chester supplied with preach- ing from Chester Circuit, with a few exceptions. 1823-24, West Chester and Coventry, William Hunter (sup.). It would appear from the stewards' book of Chester Circuit that they were still con- nected with the circuit. The receipts for the year 1823, $32; for 1824, three quarters, $24.25. In 1827, West Chester was set apart from the circuit, and was left to be supplied by the presiding elder, Rev. Joseph Lybrand, who appointed Whitefield Hughes. In 1828 the first return of members, 95 whites; preacher appointed, Danicl Parrish ; 1839, Jesse Thompson ; 1830-31 (West Chester and Marshallton), Levi Scott; 1832, Thomas Sovereign, Levi Scott (sup.) ; 1833, Josiah F. Canfield; 1834, James II. MeFarland; 1835, Bar- tholomew Wecd; 1836-37, John Lednum; 1838, Dallas D. Lore; 1839-40, William Urie; 1841, Matthew Sorin ; 1842-43, John Nichol- son. (This beloved pastor died during his pastorate, at the residence of his father-in-law, Mr. John Wilmer, in Philadelphia, Oct. 11, 1843, in the 37th year of his age. Rev. Thomas Muller filled the vacancy.) 1844, Elijah Muller ; 1845-46, David E. Gardner. (Again this church is bereaved in the death of a pastor. This event occurred in West Chester, November, 1846. David W. Kollock, a local elder from Philadelphia, filled out the term of D. E. Gardner.) 1847-48, David Shields ; 1849-50, James L. Houston ; 1851-52, Alfred Cookman; 1853-54, Charles Karsner; 1855-56, Peter J. Cox; 1857-58, Michael D. Kurtz; 1859-60, James M. McCarter ; 1861-62, James R. Ander- son ; 1863-65, Curtis F. Turner; 1866-68, John B. MeCullough ; 1869-71, William Major; 1872-74, Wesley C. Best; 1875-76, George Cummins; 1877-79, Sylvester N. Chew ; 1880-81, Robert J. Carson.

PHIŒNIXVILLE.

Methodism was introduced into this town by Rev. Samuel P. Levis, a local preacher, in 1826. (Levis was a traveling preacher from 1811 to 1818. In the latter year he located.) The first class, of 12, was formed in 1826, only one member of which (Mrs. Nickles, now in her eighty-second year) remains. The first congregations met to hear preach- ing in a paint-shop, which still stands, and is the property of the Phoenixville Iron Company. The first church was built in 1828, and the present one in 1854, during the pastorate of the late Rev. C. J. Crouch.

Preachers .- From the information gathered, we place the appoint- ment with Lancaster Circuit in 1828 : Samuel Grace, David Best, John Lednum ; 1829 (a new circuit, called Reading), David Best, Manlove Hazel, Joseph Carey (sup.); 1830 (Waynesburg), John Lednum, Daniel Fidler, Joseph Carey (sup.) ; 1831-32, George Woolley, Jacob Gruber; 1833 (in Chestor Circuit), James B. Ayres, John Edwards, Robert E. Morrison, John Talley (sup.) ; 1834 (in Radnor Circuit),

David Best, Richard W. Thomas; 1835, R. W. Thomas, John Perry ; 1836, W. Cooper, Jessc Ford ; 1837, W. Cooper, James Hand; 1838, Pbonixville to be supplied (members reported at the Conference of 1839, 123 whites) ; 1839-40, David Shields; 1841, William W. McMi- chael ; 1842-43, Thomas S. Johnson ; 1844, Isaac R. Merrill; 1845, Jo- seph H. Wythes ; 1846-47, Nicholas Ridgeley ; 1848-49, Henry R. Cal- lowny ; 1850, James Y. Ashton ; 1851-52, Stearns Patterson ; 1853 (Sa- lem, Charlestown, and Valley Forge associated with Phoenixville and made a circuit), ('hristopher J. Crouch, John F. Meredith ; 1854, C. J. Crouch, one to be supplied ; 1855, Samuel R. Gillingham, Wesley Reynolds ; 1856, S. R. Gillingham, Charles W. Ayars; 1857, John Shields, Horacc A. Cleveland ; 1858, John Shield, George D. Miles; 1859-60 (Phoenixville a station), Allen John ; 1861-62, William Ma- jor; 1863-64, Jeremiah Pastorfield ; 1865, Allen John; 1866-67, James Flannery ; 1868-70, George Ileacock ; 1871-73, Henry R. Cal- loway ; 1874-76, John Dyson; 1877-78, Henry E. Gilroy ; 1879-81, Goldsmith D. Carrow.

ANDERSON'S, NEAR VALLEY FORGE.

Iu 1780, Rev. George Mair, who was the junior preacher on the Philadelphia Circuit (John Cooper being the senior preacher), received Mr. Isaac Anderson and his companion, Mrs. Mary Lane Anderson, into the Methodist society, and there was preaching in their house, and sometimes in their school-house. A society was raised up which at one time numbered 40 members; but as no chapel was built in this neighborhood, in the change of times this society, which was near the Valley Forge, was dissolved. In the treas- urer's book for Chester and Strasburg Circuits for 1802, under date of August 7th, the names of the classes are reported with collections. Among these Anderson's returns $2. In the steward's book for Chester Circuit, June 22, 1805, the class is still in existence. The latest return from the class of money was Nov. 26, 1824. As soon as a class was organized at Daniel McCurdy's, in the valley, the class at Anderson's was discontinued; this was in 1825. Bishop Asbury visited the home of Isaac Anderson in 1812. I give the record of the visit made :

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 76

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