History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 130

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 130

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GEORGES CREEK ACADEMY.

The Baptist Church in Smithfield saw, as early as 1854, the necessity of an academy of learning in the town. The subject was brought up at the monthly meeting. The Methodists and other denominations were willing to aid the enterprise, and thus the project took definite shape, and in 1856 the court at March sessions granted a charter to the Georges Creek Academy, and constituted the following per- sons a body politic to carry into effect the object for which it was founded, viz., " A seminary of learn- ing." The original trustees were Enos Sturgis, Rev. Isreal D. King, Hon. John Brownfield, Dr. HI. B. Mathiot, Benjamin F. Brown, William Conn, Isaac Franks, John Summers, Gideon G. Clemmer, A. J. Patton, Luther W. Burchinal, William P. Grithin, James Hess, John Downey, Rev. Caleb Russel, John E. Taylor, Aaron W. Ross. In 1856 the contract was awarded to Luther W. Burchinal & Co. to build the necessary. school-house. In the spring of 1857 the academy was ready for occupancy. Since then the Georges Creek Academy has been one of the sources of knowledge for that whole community. Sometimes during its most prosperous sessions there have been more than one hundred students attending. The professors who have had charge of this academy are as follows, viz. : C. A. Gilbert, Mrs. C. A. Gilbert, Aaron Ross, Joseph Smith, H. H. Bliss, J. B. Solo-

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

mon, A. L. Purinton, Fannie Gerard, Miss Bryce, Carrie Mathiot.

Gen. Alexander McClellan had built an academy upon his farm long previous to the erection of the Georges Creek Academy. He used it for school pur- poses and also for preaching, but we will not refer to it here at length, as it belongs to the portion of Georges township which was given to Nicholson when it was formed in 1845.

After the passage of the act of 1834 establishing public schools, the January term of court of Fayette County in 1835 appointed Squire Ayers and James Robinson school directors. The amount of State ap- propriation for this township for 1835 was $124.461, and county appropriation 8248.933. The township reported to the county treasurer Jan. 5, 1836, in com- pliance with the requirements of the law.

The subsequent school directors of this township have been Stephen Richards, William Moser, Wil- liam Miller, Henry Bowell, James Franks, Frederick Roderick, Daniel Smith, Nathaniel G. Hurst, Jona- than Custer, Henry Brownfield, Jacob Haldeman, Henry Hayden, Isaac Harvey, Jacob Kyle, John L. Patton, Samuel Vance, James Hugh, Reuben Hague, Teagle Trader, William MeCleary, Joseph Swaney, Ethelbert Sutton, John A. Sangston, John A. Patton, Humphrey Humphries, William Vance, Hugh De- yarınon, U. L. Clemmer, Joseph Moser, John N. Freeman, Moses Nixon, Alexander Swaney, John First, Wm. Sturgis, George D. Moore, Solomon Smith, Robert Britt, George T. Paull, Joel Leather- man, Henry B. Mathiot, William Hague, John M. Clark, Alexander Deyarmon, Peter S. Haldeman, Isaac Franks, Abraham Hibbs, John Swaney, Abra- ham Brown, William Custer, William Rhoades, Jack- son Wilson, William D. Nixon, Warner Hugh, Otho Victor, S. A. Fouch, William Trader, H. J. Dough- erty, William Shoof, Henry Kyle. 1

CHURCHES.

One of the earliest churches of the county was on the Philip Rogers farm, in the township, the property being now owned by the Fairchance Iron Company. The log church was built upon the summit of a hill,

Loveberry. It was the custom to gather in the morn- ing and remain nearly all day at the church; the people invariably carried their trusty old flint-lock rifles with them, and were ever on the alert for their red foe. This building was eventually destroyed by fire, which originated in the forest. A few logs were left to mark the site of the ancient temple of wor- ship. In 1820 these logs were visible, but within the space inclosed within the logs were walnut-trees of thirty years' growth apparently. One feature of the pioneers of this section evidently was their religious zeal, and it was handed down to their descendants, thus founding the Christian religion, and lending to this community all the prosperity attendant upon the worshipers of God.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church was originally a branch of Great Bethel Baptist Church of Union .- town. On the 30th of October, 1784, it was consti- tuted an independent church, with twenty-seven members, viz .: William We Is, Rebecca Wells, Jo- seph Thomas, Jane Jenkins, Owen Davis, Hannah Davis, Joseph Brown, Abigail Brown, David Morgan, Robert Hanna, Ann Griffin, Jeremiah Becks, Dinah Becks, Thomas Bowell, Ann Bowell, Richard Reed, Sarah Reed, Ann Coombs, Eliza Carr, Eliza Ash- craft, Sarah Hardin, Jonathan Pane, Balthazcr Drago, Margaret Wood, Philip Jenkins, Jesse Coombs, Abraham Hardin.

After the church had been organized the first pastor to preside over the congregation and minister to their spiritual needs was James Sutton, a brother of Isaac Sutton, then preaching for the Great Bethel Church. The messengers to the Association, Sept. 10, 1785, were Philip Pearce, Thomas Bowell, and Rev. James Sutton. At a business meeting held on Sept. 9, 1786, the following-named persons were appointed to meet at the house of William Archer, each one being re- quested to bring a horse, in order to draw logs to the saw-mill to make seats for the meeting-house: David Morgan, William Wells, Richard Reed, Jeremiah Beck, Charles Griffin, Philip Jenkins, Joseph Brown, an.l John Taylor.

Rev. James Sutton acted as pastor until May 12, near the Morgantown road and the old Cherokee ' 1787, at which time he was dismissed at his own re- trail. The site commanded a view of the country eastward to the mountain, and westward over the valley then owned by the Carrs, now in the posses- sion of the Colliers. This church was built before the Revolution. It was a German Baptist Church. Nothing is left to mark the location but a very an- cient graveyard. When the Corbly family was mur- dered by the Indians in Greene County a messenger came to this church and informed them of that ter- rible slaughter. When the news was brought they were at worship. quest, to accept a call to the Mount Pleasant Church, Monongalia County, Va. Rev. Samuel Woodbridge was the second preacher for this congregation, ac- cepting a call as early as March 1, 1786. At that time it seems to have been quite common for the churches to have two or more preachers at the same time. One would preach twice in each month, and the other minister would alternate with him. On the 3d of November, 1788, Rev. George Guthrie was chosen pastor. At this meeting it was decided to meet during the winter at the house of John Griffith ; this was necessary on account of the church needing

Among the ministers who cared for this frontier church we may mention John Corbly, the father of : some repairs. Dec. 13, 1788, Philip Jenkins was ap- the ill-fated family, Thomas Stone, Mayberry, David

pointed to assist William Wells in settling the ac-

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count for repairing the church. Rev. John Corbly was the next minister, having received his call Dec. 13, 1788. On the 13th of June, 1789, David Love- borrow was called and accepted, becoming their fifth preacher. At the monthly meeting Oct. 10, 1789, it was decided to complete the carpenter-work on the meeting-house, and to meet the next Friday to plaster the house. Dec. 10, 1791, Owen Davis was appointed to lay out the grounds where the meeting-house and graveyard were, so that the graveyard could be fenced. At the monthly meeting, Sept. 8, 1792, Robert Han- nah and David Morgan were appointed "to select men to put in joice at the meeting-house." At this same meeting a call was extended to Rev. Benjamin Stone, of Hampshire County, Va., who became their next minister. Rev. John Patton assumed the pas- torate in 1811, and continued for many years in charge of this church.

It was decided Feb. 10, 1816, that " the congregation must have a new church." The old church had served its purpose well, and now the movement was to replace it with a more commodious brick church. Accord- ingly Richard Patton and Robert Hannah, Jr., were appointed to procure a lot for the same. Subsequently Michael Franks and Robert Britt were appointed to receive from Charles Brownfield a deed for the bury- ing-ground and lot for the new church. The new church building was erected by Gideon Way as contractor and builder, and was completed in 1825. About this time Rev. James Frey was called to the charge, and remained pastor until 1831, at which time Rev. George J. Miles, of Milesburg, Centre Co., Pal., was called to preach for this people. Oa the 13th of February, 1832, Rev. Benoni Allen succeeded G. J. Miles, at a salary of 8150 per year. Jan. 12, 1832, Rev. John Thomas was chosen to preach once a month. In 1833, Eliel Freeman was granted permission to hold a singing school in the church.

Oct. 10, 1835, Rev. David Thomas was called to preach once a month, at a salary of $50 per year. In March, 1836, a Mr. Gould was permitted to talk upon the subject, "The Abolition of Slavery," in the church. He proceeded to lecture, and considerable controversy springing up, it was thought best that he should not speak again in the church. When he could no longer secure the church for his lecture against slavery he procured a room in the house at present occupied by William Campbell as a hotel, and would have spoken there but for the timely knowledge received from a friend that a plan had been perfected whereby he was to be kidnapped and handed over into the hands of the Virginians, who were anxious to lay hands upon him.

In 1837 it was decided that the members of the church should hand in their valuation of property, and support the preacher according to their means. May 12, 1838, Joseph Grover, alias William F. Mis- sildine, of Medina County, Ohio, was called, and ac- cepted the call at $150 per year. After acting as

pastor for a time he became popular and married into one of the most highly respectable families in the church. Soon there came a report injurious to his character; upon inquiry it was found to be true. Upon finding that his true character was known he left the country and never returned. The succced- ing preacher was Rev. J. W. B. Tisdale, who came Dec. 8, 1838, at a salary of $200 per year. At the meeting of Feb. 9, 1839, an Auxiliary Mission So- ciety was organized in conjunction with the " Monon- gahela Home Missionary Society." In this society Squire Ayers was made president; Enos Sturgis, vice- president ; N. R. Walker, secretary ; and D. Patton, treasurer. In 1843, Rev. A. J. Penny was called as pastor, at a salary of $200 a year. The next minister was Rev. Caleb Rossel, who was called March 7, 1846. He was followed by Rev. J. M. Purinton, March 8, 1851. At the monthly meeting Feb. 7, 1852, it was resolved to open a Sabbath-school in the church April 1, 1852.

On the 13th of May, 1854, Rev. Israel King was chosen pastor. In 1855, John Sutton was appointed to take charge of the singing. April 12, 1856, Rev. D. B. Purinton was called to minister to the church, and he served until Sept. 12, 1857, at which time he was succeeded by Rev. A. J. Collins. In 1858, John E. Patton took charge of the choir. In 1859 the church purchased a house from William Hannah for four hundred and fifty dollars, which they con- verted into a parsonage.

For a number of years the church building, which had been completed in 1825, had been considered un- safe; accordingly the church concluded to erect a new house of worship. The following building com- mittee was appointed : Phineas G. Sturgis, Jeremiah Burchinal, Luther W. Burchinal, Samuel Anderson, and William Conn. In 1862-63 the present large brick church was built at a cost of about four thou- sand dollars, one hundred thousand brick being re- quired in its construction. The lot upon which it was built was bought of William Parshall, Esq. The new church was dedicated in January, 1864. During the two years required for the erection of their new house of worship the Methodists kindly gave them permis- sion to hold service in their church.

This church has had since its organization in 1784 the following ministers : James Sutton, Samuel Wood- bridge, George Guthrie, John Corbly, David Love- borrow, Benjamin Stone, James Estep, John Patton, James Frey, George J. Miles, Benoui Allen, John Thomas, David Thomas, Joseph Grover, J. W. B. Tisdale, A. J. Penny, Caleb Ros-el, J. M. Purinton, Israel King, A. J. Collins, D. B. Purinton, J. MI. Hall, Jonathan Smith, J. Moffatt, and William Wood. This church has licensed the following persons to preach, viz. : James Patton, Nov. 12, 1809; William French, Sept. 13, 1823; Jeremiah Burchinal, Sept. 13, 1823; William Wood, Sept. 30, 1830; Levi Grif- fith, Sept. 30, 1830; David Evans, Sept. 30, 1830;

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

John Rockafellow, Aug. 24, 1832; Abraham Bow- man, June 8, 1833; Garret Patton, Jan. 13, 1839; S. Kendall, April 9, 1842; W. W. Hickman, Nov. 11, 1843 ; Lewis Sammons, Feb. 8, 1851 ; Benjamin F. Brown, Ang. 12, 1854; Phineas G. Sturgis, Oct. 7, 1854; George W. Hertzog, Jan. 13, 1855. Some of the secretaries have been Philip Jenkins, Jeremiah Sutton, Richard Patton, Moses Jeffries, Robert Han- nah, Reuben Sutton, David Evans, W. Miller, Eu- gene Sturgis, D. P. Smith, Phineas G. Sturgis, T. J. Conn. Some of the treasurers have been A. J. Sut- ton, T. Burchinal, and Gideon G. Clemmer. The fol- lowing were among the early deacons: Owen Davis, Feb. 12, 1785 ; Robert Hannah, Sept. 8, 1792; Jere- miah Kendall, Jan. 13, 1798 ; Michael Franks, Feb. 9, 1822.

TENT PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCII.

This church was organized a number of years be- fore the present century. As early as Nov. 14, 1792, David Smith was licensed by the Redstone Presbytery to preach, and at once settled at the Tent and at Georges Creek. These two appointments he contin- ued to fill until shortly before his death, which oc- curred Aug. 24, 1803. He was the father of the Rev. Joseph Smith, who has in his "Old Redstone" done so much to embalm the history of the Presbyterian Church. At the time when Rev. Smith was pastor over this congregation it is most likely that they worshiped in an old log house; but previous to 1792 this church had derived its name from the fact, it is said, that they worshiped in a tent. In 1805 the Union Presbyterian Church of Georges township bought from Daniel Dimond a lot of ground upon which to build a house of worship. They immedi- ately proceeded to erect their church building, which was a large log structure. In this church they wor- shiped for a considerable length of time. About this time Ebenezer Jennings was their pastor. Rev. Jen- nings was raised on Dunlap's Creek, near New Salem, this county, and was a brother of the noted attorney from Steubenville, Ohio, who defended Philip Rogers, and was successful in clearing him in the Polly Williams murder trial.

John Adams was preaching for the Tent Church during the war of 1812. Then came William Wiley, who was pastor about 1820. Rev. Ashbel Fairchild took charge of the church in 1827, and re- mained its pastor for a great many years, during which time there was great prosperity. The church had decided to build a new church. In tearing down the log structure a melancholy accident occurred, which resulted in the death of Thomas Heddy and Henry Dimond. The weather-boarding on the west- 1 ern gable had not been taken off, and the rafters

death, and it was with considerable difficulty that their bodies were extricated. Mr. Dimond's residence was near by, almost opposite the present residence of William James. The pulpit taken from the old log church is at present used by a Presbyterian Church near Elliot's Mill, in Wharton township.

The brick building, the walls of which are yet standing, took the place of the former rude building, and met with no accident until April 14, 1878, when, as the sexton was kindling a fire for the morning service, the building was fired from a defective flue and was soon destroyed. The members of the church imme- diately set about rebuilding, and the contract was soon thereafter let to Fuller, Laughead & Co., of Uniontown, who soon had the new church ready for the dedicatory ceremonies, which occurred Aug. 4, 1878, Rev. S. S. Gilson, of Uniontown Presbyterian Church, preaching the sermon, and Rev. S. L. Bergen being installed pastor. In addition to the names of the ministers already mentioned the following have preached for this church : Revs. Rogers, J. C. Hench, and J. B. Dickey.

The Rev. Ashbel Green Fairchild, D.D., was born at Hanover, N. J., May 1, 1795, and graduated at Princeton College in the class of 1813. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Jersey in April, 1816, and was ordained an evangelist by the Redstone Presbytery, July 1, 1818. He commenced preaching at Georges Creek in 1822. In 1827 he re- signed from that charge, which was connected with Greensboro' and Morgantown, and was installed pas- tor of the Tent Church. He was the author of the "Great Supper," "Baptism," "Unpopular Doc- trines," and "What Presbyterians Believe." He died June 30, 1864, after a long and useful life, and left a lasting influence for God and the right.

The Rev. David Smith, the first pastor of the Tent Presbyterian Church of whom we have any knowl- edge, was born in 1772, and after graduating at Hampden Sydney College he came West, and was li- censed by the Redstone Presbytery to preach, Nov. 14, 1792, and settled at Georges Creek and the Tent Churches. He was the father of Rev. Joseph Smith, the historian of "Old Redstone." He died Aug. 24, 1803.

SMITHFIELD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This society was organized about 1819, by Dennis Batty and a Mr. Stevenson. The place of their meeting was at Dr. Sackett's residence, one mile south of Smithfield. James Smith applied to the preacher on the Redstone Circuit to organize a church, and a sufficient number of members having been se- cured the society was organized. At that time Red- stone Circuit included all of Fayette County. The having been stripped of all the boards a puff of wind ! original members of this church were as follows : struck the gable and blew the rafters against one an- other, there being nothing to stay them, and before they had warning sufficient to save themselves they were caught between the rafters and were crushed to James Smith, Candacy Smith, Rachel Smith, Martha Smith, Freeman Smith, Stephen Smith, Mary Smith, Hannah Smith, Benoni Freeman, Mary Freeman, Lydia Dunham, Eve Sackett, Rebecca Cooley, Nancy

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GEORGES TOWNSHIP.

Griffin, Gen. Alexander McClellan, and, soon after, Dr. Sackett.

The preaching was continued at the house of Dr. Sackett for two or three years, after which it was changed to the house of James McCormick, who had in the mean time connected himself with the church. At sundry times they had service at Benoni Free- man's and James Smith's. The church had the ser- vice of a minister every two weeks. Henry B. Bas- com, - Poole, John Watterman, Simon Lauck, and Thornton Fleming were some of the eminent ministers who preached for this church in its infancy. Occasionally the presiding elder would come to Smithfield. The most prominent of these elders was the Rev. Thomas M. Hudson. He was considered the most eloquent divine that ever preached in this part of the county. When it was announced that Rev. Hudson would preach the church would not hold the congregation, and hundreds would stand on the outside and listen to his eloquence. He not only possessed remarkable power and magnetism as a speaker, but was one of the best singers west of the Alleghenies.

In 1833 a camp-meeting was held in the grove on Gen. Alexander MeClellan's place, on the hill above where Georges Creek Academy now stands. Gen. MeClellan advertised that he would keep all of the preachers who came to the camp-meeting. This proved to be a great meeting, and thoroughly built up and established Methodism in the vicinity of Smithfield. Among the ministers who were present and preached were Revs. Drummond, George Holmes, W. Stevens. On Sabbath there were about three thousand people present.

Jan. 27, 1834, the trustees of the Methodist Epis- copal Church bought from Thomas Gaddis a lot in Smithfield, containing nine thousand six hundred square feet, the consideration having been fifty dol- lars. The names of the trustees were Benoni Free- man, James McCormick, Stephen Smith, Thomas Batt, and Alexander Brownfield.

The preachers in this church have been, in addition to those already named, as follows, viz. : J. K. Miller, John Martin, John J. White, David L. Dempsey, David Hess, William Tipton, Hamilton Cree, Warner Long, Ebenezer Hays, Henry Kerns, Richard Jordan, John L. Irwin, Samuel Wakefield, - Gorden, M. Ruter, McClaig, John S. Lemon, L. A. Beacom, Joseph | Horner, Henry Long, William K. Foutch, William C. P. Hamilton, W. K. Brown, H. Snyder, Isaac P. Sadler, John McIntire, E. B. Griffin, Thomas H. Wilkinson, A. L. Chapman, J. L. Stiffy, Charles Me- Caslin, J. Momyer, D. J. Davis, Sylvanus Lane, M. D. Lichliter, R. J. White, John T. Stiffy, and W. L. MeGrew, who is the present pastor. Under the pas- torate of John T. Stiffy, in 1878, a substantial brick parsonage was erected at a cost of about fifteen hun- dred dollars.

persons for the local ministry : IIenry B. Mathiot, James H. Green, S. E. Feather, and W. Richards.

The leaders of classes have been William McCleary, John Downey, R. C. Baily, William P. Green, John L. Whetstone, and Wesley Laken. At an early date there were others.

The stewards of the church have been IIenry B. Mathiot, Ignatius Feather, Thornton F. Farmer, William E. Reynolds, James McCormick, Aaron Ross, J. H. Stumm, William MeCleary, and P. S. Haldeman.

FAIRCHANCE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

This church was built jointly with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, about the year 1840. About 1855 the Cumberland Presbyterians sold their interest in the house of worship to the Methodists, and the latter church has until the last few years used this church building for their meetings. Recently the building has become so thoroughly unfit for meeting, on account of want of repairs, that the house has been abandoned. The congregation thought that it was not worth repairing, and have now collected sufficient money to ereet a commodious house of wor- ship, which has been already let to the contraetors, and will be completed in the present season (1881).

Among those who organized this church the fol- lowing members may be mentioned : Elias McIntire, Theophilus Ellsworth, John Means, Jacob Waid, John Pugh, Samuel Colley, Isaac Harvey, John Carr, Abram Hayden, and their several wives.

The ministers who have preached to this congre- gation are as follows: Denton Hughes, Peter T. Laishley, Amos Hutton, William Betts, F. H. Davis, Isaac Francis, Henry Palmer, Jesse Hull, James Phipps, John Tygert, John Rutledge, Milton Still- well, Peter T. Conaway, Henry Lucas, George G. Con- way, William Wallace, and Edward A. Brindley.

FAIRCHANCE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This society was organized about 1840. Among the first members were A. J. Osborn, William Campbell, Solomon Smith, Joel Leatherman, Mrs. John Hay- den, and Adam Canan. As early as 1830 there were some members of this branch of Presbyterianism in Georges township. Prominent among them were William Nixon, Isaac Nixon, and Judge Samuel Nixon.

On the property of William Nixon, now owned by Col. J. Robinson, there was a Cumberland Presby- terian camp-meeting held in 1833, and for several years subsequent, There were a number of substan- tial tents erected, and the arrangements were com- plete for camp-meeting. The Revs. Donnell, Bryan, Sparks, Bird, and John Morgan were present during the exercises, and preached to the large concourse of people that gathered to attend something new in that region. The church was much strengthened by the additions from the camp-meeting. Afterwards

This church has produced the following-named ' the members succeeded in building a church in union

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

with the Methodist Protestants, and had preaching for some fifteen years. During the time while the society flourished Revs. Andrew J. Osborn, James Power Baird, William Hannah, and J. Henderson were pastors over the flock.

WOODBRIDGETOWN SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was a log structure, and was built by the Rev. Samuel Woodbridge, somewhere near 1790. Mr. Woodbridge acted as pastor himself for many years. Enoch David was also a preacher here; he died Nov. 28, 1798, and his remains were interred at the graveyard near the church. Other preachers were John Corbly, -Stone, - Mayberry, and Thomas Hersey, who was chaplain of a regiment in the war of 1812. William Brownfield preached there some- times. It has long since gone to ruin.

GROVE GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.

On Sept. 15, 1837, William Moser, of Georges town- ship, sold to Sunuel Ache, Ephraim Walters, and Daniel Moser, trustees for the Georges German Bap- tist Association, fifteen and a half perches of land in Georges township, for the purpose of erecting a church. In 1838 this church (a log building) was built. The families who constituted the membership of this church were the Bakers, Gans, Leathermans, Mosers, Aches, Covers, and Longaneckers.

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History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 130

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314