History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 76

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150

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The private schools in Aston, other than the old- time contribution schools, have not been numerous, but their story, so far as I have yet learned, is full of interest. During the second war with England, Joseph Neef, a Frenchman, who attempted to estab- lish the system of study then employed at the noted Pestallozzi, in Switzerland, removed from Philadel- phia to Village Green, where he remained for several years. David Glascoe Farragut, who, almost half a century afterwards, became the great naval hero of the nineteenth century, while residing at Commodore Porter's home at Chester, became a pupil of Mr. Neef. The latter had as a tutor in his school Phiquepal D'Arusmont, a Frenchman, who subsequently became prominent because of his marriage to Fanny Wright, -the strong-minded lecturer of half a century ago,- who drew upon herself public denunciation simply because her views and opinions were noticeably in advance of the age in which she lived. She was pos- sessed of large means, and the marriage, on the part of D'Arusmont, was mercenary, and eventuated in a few years in a separation between the ill-mated couple. Previous to 1820, Joseph Neef closed his school at Village Green and removed therefrom.

About 1845, Rev. Benjamin S. Huntington, an Episcopal clergyman, established a seminary for

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

young ladies at Aston Ridge, which soon acquired popularity, the scholars being drawn largely from the Southern States. The principal, however, was con- stantly enlarging the building until finally he became bankrupt.

An interesting incident occurred in June, 1851, when, in removing an old house adjoining the seminary building to make room for proposed improvements, a beam was found on which was distinctly marked the date, "February 26, 1704," and in the cellar wall was discovered a leaden medal of unknown date, but evidently of great age. This house, which was built of hewed logs of yellow poplar, was erected by Thomas Dutton (born in England in 1679) at the date men- tioned, and was located on part of the original Dutton tract of five hundred and ninety acres. On Jan. 14, 1859, Benjamin S. Huntington sold the estate to Wil- liam Moronoy, and the latter conveyed it, on May 4th of the same year, to "The Philadelphia Theological Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo," where, while the new seminary was building at Overbrooke, the educa- tional work of this institution of learning was con- ducted, Rev. Jeremiah F. Shanahan, the present bishop of Harrisburg, occupying the presidential chair in the college while it remained in Aston. When the new building was completed in the summer of 1871, the estate near Village Green, comprising twenty-eight and a half acres, was offered for sale. On September 7th of that year the property was sold to " The Sisters of St. Francis" of Philadelphia. For a time the old seminary building was used for the novitiate of the community, but it soon became too small to meet the demands of the order, and by per- mission of Archbishop James F. Wood a new convent was erected, the corner-stone of which was laid May 29, 1873, Archbishop Wood officiating. On May 29, 1879, the corner-stone of the new chapel was laid, and on Oct. 4, 1881, the chapel of "Our Lady of Angels" was dedicated by the Very Rev. John White, of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, he being authorized thereto by Archbishop Wood. The convent is under the supervision of Mother Mary Agnes, general supe- rior, and here those wishing to join the community are received and trained for their future calling to minister at the bedside of the sick in hospitals or in private houses, or teaching children iu parochial schools. There are upwards of two hundred and fifty sisters in the community, all of whom come every year to this novitiate to make their annual retreat. The present beautiful edifice, "The Convent of Our Lady of the Angels," is a conspicuous object in the charming rural picture which strikes the eye as you approach it from any direction.

About 1857, J. Harvey Barton established a semi- nary at Aston Ridge in a large brick building still on the Rockdale road, near by the Baptist Church. It was an institute in which both sexes were received and educated, and deservedly ranked high, many of its pupils having risen in the battle of life to prominent

positions. For several years Hon. James Barton, Jr., Stephen C. Hall, and other well-known citizens of the county were employed as instructors at the seminary. In 1866, J. Harvey Barton discontinued the school, since which time the building has been occupied as a dwelling.

Churches-Mount Hope Methodist Church .- This sanctuary is situated on the Concord road, just above Village Green, on the noted "Aston Ridge," and its story begins three-quarters of a century ago, in 1807, when the original building was erected on a lot of land given for that purpose by Aaron Mattson, a noted paper-manufacturer in the township in those early days, and within that quiet "God's Acre" the body of the generous donor, at an advanced age, was laid to rest many years ago. The deed from Mattson to Powell Clayton, Edward Carter, Daniel Carter, Robert Johnson, John Little, George Sneath, and Peter Longacre recites that the lot shall be held " for- ever in trust, that they shall erect and build . . . thereon a house or place of worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America, only those preachers ap- pointed by the General Conference, and none others, to preach and expound God's holy word therein." The church was of stone, in size thirty by forty feet, and, as was the case with all the early churches, par- ticularly those built by the Methodist society, was plainly finished and furnished, wanting in almost all the accessories of comfort now deemed so essential to a place of worship. For years the church was depend- ent on the services of the circuit preacher, and when his duties called him to other places the local minis- ter led the congregation in religious exercises. During its early struggles Rev. James Caughey, a noted re- vivalist from England, visited the United States, and during his journeyings preached in the remote Mount Hope Church, and for miles around the people gath- ered there to hear his sermon. The result of his preaching was a noticeable increase in the member- ship of Mount Hope, and the building soon became too small to accommodate the congregation. In 1838 an addition of twenty feet was made to the edi- fice, the building entirely remodeled, and six acres of ground purchased, in addition to that already com- prised in the churchyard. In May, 1847, Rev. John Mills, who was then the pastor in charge, died, and was buried in the graveyard at Corner Ketch. Mr. Mills was by birth an Englishman, and had served fifteen years as a soldier in the British army, but being converted to the gospel teachings, had devoted the remainder of his life to the ministry of the Methodist Church.

Sept. 3, 1860, Mount Hope Methodist Church was incorporated, and in 1877 the commodious parsonage was erected near the sanctuary, the sum expended being partly the purchase-money received from the sale of the old parsonage lot at Marcus Hook to the Wilmington Circuit by Lewis Massay, which is more

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fully alluded to in the account of St. George's Church, Lower Chichester.

In the churchyard at Mount Hope several genera- tions of the old families of Aston are interred. Con- spicuous among that number was George McCracken, who died only a few months before he had attained his hundredth year of life. George McCracken died on his estate on West Branch of Chester Creek in 1873. He was born in Ireland in 1773, and shortly after he came to this country (early in the century) settled in Aston, and continued to reside there until his death. Although his career was not marked with remarkable incidents outside of the usual happenings of rural life, he was a good citizen, who left an unblemished name to his numerous descendants. Four years before his death, on May 1, 1869, while a number of the fam- ily and friends had assembled at Mr. MeCracken's house to attend a funeral there, the upper floor or the porch, on which about thirty persons were standing at the time, gave way, and fortunately, although several persons were hurt, no serious injury was sustained by any one. In 1851 the church was part of Mount Hope Station, and in 1852 it became Village Green Circuit; from that date the pastors have been as follows : 1851, Rev. John B. Maddox; 1852-53, Rev. Ignatius T. Cooper, D.D .; 1854-55, Henry G. King; 1856-57, Henry Sutton ; 1858, Ignatius T. Cooper, D.D .; 1859- 60, Henry H. Bodine ; 1861-62, Rev. James Flannery ; 1863-64, Rey. James L. Houston ; 1865-66, Rev. Henry Mauger; 1867-68, Rev. William C. Johnson ; 1869-71, Rev. John A. Watson ; 1872-74, Rev. Edward Townsend; 1875-77, Rev. William McGee; 1878-80, Benjamin T. Spring'; 1881-83, George T. Hurlock ; 1884, William Rink. In March, 1878, Mount Hope Church was set off as a special station.

Crozerville Methodist Episcopal Church .- In the autumn of 1851 a number of the members of Mount Hope Circuit residing in the immediate neighborhood of Rockdale, believing that the cause of Methodism could be advanced by the erection of a church edifice at that place, gathered at the house of Rev. John B. Maddox, near Village Green, which meeting resulted in the organization of a board of trustees and the ap- pointment of a building committee. The trustees were Norris L. Yarnall, Archibald McDowell, John Blackburn, Robert Moss, Robert McCartney, John Thompson, William McBride, Amos Cummings, and David Burnite, and the building committee, Dr. Bar- ton, Rev. Henry G. King, and Archibal McDowell. The first meeting of the trustees was held in Park- mount school-house on Nov. 18, 1851, when, to aid the movement, John P. Crozer donated a lot of ground for the church building, and also subscribed gener- ously to the building fund. In the spring of 1852, although the structure had not been erected, a petition was presented to the Philadelphia Conference urging that the Rockdale Church, as it was then known, should be separated from Mount Hope and consti- tuted a regular station. The request was favorably

considered and Rev. George W. McLaughlin ap- pointed the first pastor. At that time services were held in the Temperance Hall at Taylortown, now known as Lenni. The first Quarterly Conference was held on June 13th, and continued the following day, at which Rev. T. J. Thompson, presiding elder, was chairman. The church edifice in the mean while had been pushed forward, and was completed in the sum- mer of 1852, the audience-room being formally dedi- cated on June 27th of that year, Rev. Dr. William Ryan, of Philadelphia, preaching the dedicatory sermon. On that day nearly seven hundred and fifty dollars was contributed. At the Quarterly Conference held Feb. 19, 1853, as a recognition of the generous favors extended to the society by Mr. Crozer, a resolu- tion was adopted to change the name of the church from Rockdale to Crozerville, which order was made, and by that title the congregation was incorporated December, 1860. The basement of the church was completed in September, 1852. The attendance in- creased rapidly, and by degrees the indebtedness which had rested on the church was liquidated uutil, in 1866, it was absolutely freed from debt. Ten years subse- quent to the last date the parsonage was erected and carriage-sheds built at the church, the cost of these improvements amounting to two thousand two hun- dred dollars. During twenty years' service the origi- nal edifice became dilapidated, and in the summer of 1882 the congregation renovated and thoroughly renewed the structure, which was formally reopened Oct. 22, 1882, Dr. A. J. Kynitt preaching the sermon.

The following pastors have been in charge of the Crozerville Church since its founding : Revs. George N. McLaughlin, 1852; Dr. Ignatius T. Cooper, 1854; John O'Niel, 1856; Joseph Dare, 1858; Alfred G. Scott, 1860; John Frame, 1862; Francis W. Harvey, 1864; Edward P. Aldred, 1865; Welmer Coffman, 1867; Stephen Townsend, 1869; Henry White, 1870; A. L. Welon, 1872; H. U. Tebring, 1874 ; Abel How- ard, 1875; James C. Wood, 1877; T. W. McClary, 1879; Alex. M. Wiggins, 1881; Ravil Smith, 1882.

Chester Heights Camp-Meeting Association .- In 1872 an association of Methodists purchased a farm in Aston, on the line of the Baltimore Central Rail- road, and was incorporated under the title Chester Heights Camp-Meeting Association. The tract con- tains about one hundred and sixty-two acres, of which about sixty was woodlaud, which is inclosed with a close fence seven feet high, having gates located at convenient points for the admission of those attend- ing the meetings. The improvements consist of a large excursion-house, seventy by one hundred and twenty feet ; a portion of this building is two stories in height, which is used as lodging-rooms, while in the rear building is one story open at the sides, and can be used in rainy weather for holding religious services. In front are three or four hundred settees, capable of seating between three and four thousand persons, so arranged that all in attendance can have

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an uninterrupted view of the speakers. The grounds are supplied with water from a neighboring stream, which is forced to a reservoir by a steam pump. A number of handsome permanent frame dwellings have been built in the grove, which add greatly to the at- tractive appearance of the grounds. The hour of each meeting is announced by the ringing of a bell, which can be heard at considerable distance. By the provisions of the act incorporating the association the grove can be used only for purposes not in con- flict with the discipline of the Methodist Church, and no excursion where dancing is permitted can be al- lowed access to the grounds. A post-office, known as Chester Heights, has been established by the United States at this station on the road, and during the con- tinuance of the camp the mail distributed here is large. The association furnishes free railroad tickets to ministers to the Heights and lodging while there. The cost of lighting, water, police, and other regula- tions designed for the general comfort and safety of the guest is paid by the association. The location of the camp at this point has been advantageous to the neighborhood, and affords a market for many articles of produce raised by the farmers near by.

Crozer Chapel at West Branch .- In 1836, John P. Crozer erected a stone school-house sixty feet in length by about forty feet in breadth, which, inas- much as it was occasionally occupied for divine ser- vice, was generally known as the Chapel. The build- ing was two stories in height, the second floor being used for school purposes and the lower room for a Sunday-school, and, whenever opportunity offered, preaching by any clergyman of a recognized re- ligious sect was had therein, the chapel not being in any wise a denominational church. After the es- tablishment of the free public school this building was used by the directors of Aston for many years for school purposes. It has now ceased to be so used, but, still standing, has been changed into dwelling- houses, and is now the property of John B. Rhodes.

"The Blue Church."-About 1818 the church which was known by this name was erected, almost entirely at the cost of James Lindsay, on the west side of the Logtown road, a short distance above where the highway leading from Lima intersects with the former road. On March 1, 1822, James Lindsay, of Aston, conveyed to William Glenn, James McMullen, Samuel Hunter, and their succes- sors, trustees of the First Branch of the United Pres- byterian Congregation of Aston, Providence, and Springfield, " for and in consideration of the love of God and promotion of Religion, and also in consider- ation of the sum of one dollar," for the use of the congregation mentioned, "a small lot of land with a meeting-house built thereon." Rev. John Smith, an Irishman, was the first and only pastor of Mount Gilead, for such he designated the church, having assumed the charge in 1819, and he will be recalled as the first advocate of the cause of temperance out-

side of the society of Friends in Delaware County ; and until his death, on May 10, 1839, he never per- mitted an opportunity to pass unimproved to urge his views thereon. After his death, which resulted from his horse treading on him as he led the animal to water, the church languished. John P. Crozer records, under date of Monday, October 4, 1842, in his diary, "I was yesterday at the 'Blue' meeting-house. A stranger was there, sent by the Presbytery of Phila- delphia to this and the Middletown meeting-house to make some attempt to infuse life into these de- caying churches." The attempt, however, so far as the Blue Church was concerned, was fruitless. It finally ceased to be used as a place of worship, until to-day the building has disappeared, and the ancient God's acre, wherein the "forefathers of the hamlet sleep," is indistinguishable from the field which sur- rounds it.

The Baptist Church at Village Green .- Early in 1860 a Methodist Church was erected at Village Green, which was dedicated May 17th of that year, and was retained by that religious denomination until 1865, when dissension spread in the congrega- tion, which resulted finally in the lot and building being sold by the sheriff, Richard S. Smith becoming the purchaser. For several years it was conducted as a Church of England mission ; but finally, as the weight of years pressed heavily on Mr. Smith, who was its main support, it languished until 1871, when it was sold to Mrs. Sallie K. Crozer, and for ten years was conducted as a mission, under the direction of the Crozer Theological Seminary, the students in that institution supplying the pulpit. In 1881 it was made a separate church, and Rev. Miller Jones was called to the charge. At that time a parsonage was purchased and ground adjoining the church, on which sheds for the shelter of vehicles and horses were erected. The church is now in a flourishing condition.

The Baptist Chapel at Bridgewater .- The brick chapel at Bridgewater was built in 1874 on a lot pur- chased from Samuel Haigh & Co. in that year. It is a missionary station under the control of the Upland Baptist Church, and its supplies are furnished from the students of Crozer Theological Seminary.

Calvary Episcopal Church .- In 1833, Richard S. Smith, an active Episcopalian, who had recently removed from Philadelphia to Rockdale, established a Sunday-school in a vacant room in the upper story of his nail mill at that place, his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Beach Smith, and his daughters teach- ing the scholars, while he discharged the duties of superintendent. The nearest Episcopal Church at that time was five miles distant, hence the residents in the neighborhood of Rockdale of that denomination were compelled to worship at Mount Hope Methodist Church or the Presbyterian Church at Middletown. The success attending the Sunday-school was so marked that it was resolved to form a congregation of Episcopalians at that locality, and to that end

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Bishop Onderdonk authorized Kingston Goddard, a student of divinity, to officiate at Rockdale as lay- reader. The field was so promising that, under the auspices of the Advancement Society, Rev. Marma- duke Hurst was detailed as missionary, the bishop designating the feeble congregation as Calvary Church and admitting the parish to representation in the Con- vention. The number of worshipers which gathered in the mill-room grew so rapidly that it was deter- mined, if possible, to raise sufficient funds to erect a church edifice, and so untiring were the efforts of Mr. Smith and those associated with him in the move- ment, that, notwithstanding many rebuffs, at length the subscriptions obtained aggregated a sum to justify the outlay. On Aug. 18, 1836, Bishop Onderdonk laid the corner-stone. The building was hastened forward, the roof raised, the floor of the church laid, the basement designed for the Sunday-school plas- tered, and in the latter apartment, on Christmas-eve, 1836, the first services were held, Rev. Richard D. Hall, rector of St. Paul's Church, Chester, officiating on that occasion. In October, 1838, Rev. Mr. Hurst tendered his resignation, and Rev. Alfred Lee was appointed rector at a small salary, it being understood that a dwelling should be provided for his family ; hut as no parsonage could be procured the rector was invited to make his home at Mr. Smith's house, which he did, and he continued there while he was in charge of the parish. During his ministry the congregation raised means sufficient to finish the church and fur- nish it. The ability displayed by the rector in this remote rural church was such that it attracted general attention in Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, and when, in 1841, the Diocese of Delaware elected the first bishop of that State, Rev. Mr. Lee was the unani- mous selection of that body. He thereupon resigoed his charge at Rockdale to assume the exalted station to which he had been called. In 1845, Mr. Smith, who in that year sold his real estate at Rockdale, pre- sented to the church an acre of ground adjoining the sanctuary, which tract he had reserved in the sale of his property. The present main stone structure, with its lofty spire, for many years was a conspicnous object outlined against the sky, but it was devoid of a clock. In 1859, John B. Rhodes and Thomas Blackburn, both young in years, and at that time employed in the mills in the neighborhood, resolved that Calvary Church steeple should be lacking in that respect no longer, but when they broached the subject they were ridi- culed by the older persons in the congregation. They had, however, determined that a clock should be had, and as they were without means they resolved them- selves to make the time-piece. Learning that the works of an old clock, which had been discarded by one of the churches in Philadelphia as worn out, could be purchased for a small sum, the young men bought it, and every spare moment they devoted to repair it, until they were satisfied that it was in thorough order, when it was placed in the steeple to the astonishment

of the residents of the village. For several months the hands marked the time to a charm, and the bell proclaimed the passing hours with commendable ex- actness. One Sunday, just as the rector had announced his text, the clock began to strike, and it kept on striking until it had scored a hundred hours, and was hammering industriously away, as if determined to reach a thousand before it would cease its reckless announcements. John B. Rhodes, who was present, could bear it no longer, but hastening up to where the untruthful time-piece ticked and struck, he removed it from its exalted position, and although since then Calvary Church has had another and more trust- worthy clock, the marvelous performance of the one I am relating still lingers in the recollections of the good people of that locality.

In 1868 the congregation determined, " as a thank- offering for the blessings of peace," to enlarge and beautify the church, and to that end erected wings to the edifice, so that the structure was in the form of a cross, the two new transepts representing the arms, and the shorter limb being the new chancel addition. The new walls were of brick pebble-dashed, and the old walls were studded, lathed, and plastered, and finished in the natural color of the mortar. The first story is used as Sunday-school rooms. The ceiling of the church is of yellow pine oiled, with walnut ribs and mouldings. The windows are enameled glass, excepting that in the chancel, which is a stained- glass memorial window to the first wife of the late Robert L. Martin. On Feb. 14, 1869, worship was resumed in the church, Bishop Lee, of Delaware, officiating in the consecrating services. The cost of these improvements was about five thousand dollars. Since that time a lot of three acres was purchased at Rockdale by Bishop Potter, William Martin, and Richard S. Smith, and presented to the church for a parsonage, and thereon a handsome stone double house has been erected, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The rectors of Calvary Church have been as follows :

Rev. Marmaduke Hirst, 1835-38; Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, D.D., 1838-41 ; Rev. Benjamin S. Huntingdon, 1841-47 ; Rev. Charles W. Thomson, 1847-48; Rev. Charles Brick, D.D., 1848-53 ; Rev. John K. Mur- phy, 1853-68; Rev. William Ely, 1868-74; Rev. James Walker, 1874.

On Sunday, June 24, 1883, the semi-centennial an- niversary of Calvary Church was observed, with ap- propriate ceremonies, the venerable Richard S. Smith making an historical address on that occasion. Since that time Mr. Smith has passed away, but on the inner walls of the church the congregation, with ex- cellent taste, have erected a tablet to the memory of the man who founded, and in its infancy sustained, the struggling parish by his energy and means.

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 76

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150