History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 166

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 166

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In September, 1812, it was determined to secure the services as pastor of Rev. William Johnston. The pledge for support was signed by ninety persons, and read as follows : " We whose names are hereunto sub- scribed, desirous of having the means of grace statedly administered at Dunlap's Creek meeting-house, and having a prospect of obtaining, in connection with Brownsville, the ministerial labors of Mr. William Johnston, at present a licentiate of the Ohio Presby- tery, do engage to pay for his support, and as an ac- knowledgment for one-half of his labors in the Dun- lap's Creek congregation, the sums set opposite our names per annum in half-yearly payments." The paper was dated Sept. - , 1812, and signed by Eben- ezer Finley, George Gallaher, John McClean, Robert Baird, John Moss, Enoch French, James McCormick, James Adams, John Wallace, Jacob Walter, F. Lewis, Aaron Baird, Encal Dod, John McCormick, Alexander Baird, John Cunningham, Jr., William Ewing, Com-

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

fort Arnold, Thomas Davidson, Jeremiah Davidson, Jolin Cunningham, Armstrong Porter, David Porter, William Porter, Joshua Corey, Nathaniel Breading, William Hazel, Alexander Wilson, Samuel Haney, Jesse Brown, Joseph Sprott, Samuel Taggart, Violet Hays, George Chalfant, John Moore, Maxwell Dearth, Henry Conkling, John Saladay, Joseph Willey, Easter Landers, Jacob Moss, Robert Boyd, James Finley, John McDougal, Charles Porter, William Linn, Ephraim Dilly, Joseph Green, Benjamin Ross, Thomas Gallaher, John Coulter, James Cunning- ham, William Cunningham, Joseph Dilly, L. B. Dod, Jolın Fulton, Noah Lewis, Elijah Coleman, Johnston Van Kirk, Samuel Stanberry, John Luckey, Aaron Torrence, Elizabeth Ross, Nancy Crawford, Elizabeth Mills, James Corbitt, David Jackson, James Laug- head and sons, Peter Hammon, William Ramsey, John Torrence, Jesse Ross, James Kelly, Andrew Clark, Hugh Laughlin, James Gilmore, Prettyman Conwell, James Gibson, Margaret Porter, Barbara Porter, A. Littell, William Mustard, Polly Englehart, John Gallaher, Benjamin Barton, Thomas Scott. Of the foregoing not one is now living. The last who died was Armstrong Porter, who lived until 1879, and reached his ninety-sixth year.

In March, 1813, Rev. Mr. Johnston entered the pas- torate, and continued therein nntil December, 1839. Soon after the commencement of his pastorate (in 1814) the handsome stone church now in use was built. Mr. Johnston's successor was the Rev. Sam- uel Wilson, who was called Jan. 1, 1840, and installed November 17th of that year. His pastorate lasted until May 1, 1869, after which he moved to Illinois. When he began his labors at Dunlap's Creek the church membership was eighty-two; when he closed them it was one hundred and eighty-three. Rev. J. P. Fnlton, his successor, was the pastor from 1870 to 1879, when the present pastor, Rev. W. G. Nevin, began his labors.

In 1853, to accommodate the large number of meni- bers living in the neighborhood of New Salem, the society built at New Salem a substantial brick chapel, where services are regularly held by the pastor of Dunlap's Creek. There is also at New Salem a flourishing Sunday-school in connection with the church. Of that school Ebenezer Finley has been the superintendent twenty-eight years. He is, more- over, the oldest member of Dunlap's Creek Church, his period of connection therewith embracing fifty- three years. For forty-seven years he has been a ruling eider. Dunlap's Creek Church enjoys much prosperity. The membership in March, 1881, was about two hundred and seventy-five. The church property consists of two houses of worship, a parson- age, and twenty-six shares of bank stock, bequeathed by Mary Ann Gilmore, widow of Hugh Campbell, of Merrittstown. The elders are Finley Chalfant, Johnson Van Kirk, E. T. Gallaher, Hayden Baird, Ebenezer Finley. The trustees are Theodore Van

Kirk, W. S. Craft, Joseph Woodward, and Albert MeMullen. Johnson Van Kirk is superintendent of the Dunlap's Creek Sunday-school.

During the pastorate of Rev. Samnel Wilson the Dunlap's Creek Presbyterial Academy was fonnded in 1849, partly by the churches of the Presbytery, but chiefly by members of Dunlap's Creek Church. Rev. Samuel Wilson was the first principal, and John S. Craig the first tutor. The principals succeeding Rev. Mr. Wilson were James Black, Joseph Power, Simon B. Mercer, Caleb B. Downs, George W. Chalfant, S. J. Craighead, T. D. Ewing, D. H. Sloan, R. B. Porter, W. J. Burchinal, and William Fulton. The academy was a very popular school in its day, and frequently had npwards of one hundred students on the rolls. In 1875 it ceased to exist, because the support extended to it had become inadequate for its continuance.

The Dunlap's Creek graveyard, in the centre of which stood the old Dunlap's Creek log church, con- tains within its weather-beaten and time-worn old stone-wall inclosure many reminders of the past and of those who were foremost among the pioneers. There are to be found in it many handsome monu- ments, as well as neglected graves and broken tablets, which tell how apt the living are to forget the dead. Many old tombstone inscriptions are defaced and illegible, others are still easily read. Among the latter are those erected to the memories of Jane Moore, who died Dec. 6, 1787; Jane Findley, June 5, 1793; Lewis Davidson, Nov. 16, 1793; "Elizabeth, ye wief of Lewis Davidson," April 24, 1794; John Mackey, May 19, 1794; Samuel Torrance, 1797; Jacob Jen- nings, 1796; Mary Hany, Jan. 10, 1802; Violet Find- ley, 1804; Jane Torrance, 1808; John Porter, 1812; Ann Porter, 1813; Margaret, consort of David Craft, 1812; William Wallace, 1804; Thomas Gallaher, 1806 ; Mary Cunningham, Oct. 23, 1822; John Ful- ton, 1825; John Gallaher, 1820; and David Bread- ing, who died (aged 85) in 1844. Upon the tombstone of Elizabeth Baird, who died in 1826, is written, " N.B. The deceased was consort of Robert Baird."

Two of the pastors of Dunlap's Creek Church were laid to rest in the old churchyard. They were the Revs. Jacob Jennings and William Johnston. The tablet over Mr. Jennings' grave has the following :

" In memory of the Rev. Dr. Jacob Jennings, who for twenty years was pastor of this congregation. That he was a true fol- lower as well as a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ was testified by his long-continued works and labor of love in two arduons professions combined.1 He died in the faith of the gospel of Christ, and in the hope of that life and immortality which are thereby brought to light, Feb. 7, 1813, aged sixty- nine. 'And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.' "

A handsome shaft perpetuates the memory of Rev. William Johnston, and bears this inscription :

) Physician and minister.

R Finley

737

REDSTONE TOWNSHIP.

" In memory of Rev. William Johnston, who departed this life Dec. 31, 1841, in the fifty-eighth year of his age and thir- tieth of his ministry. In him talents, intelligence, aod those Christian virtues wbich adorn the relations of life wero happily united and blended. 'They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to right- eousness as the stars for ever and ever.' "

Beneath the same stone lies Martha, his wife, who died June 9, 1860. In the old churchyard lies also Ebenezer Finley, one of the fathers of Redstone, and by his side lie the four worthy women who were his wives.

REDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH.

Baptist worship was held in Redstone before 1847, but until that time there was in the township neither church organization nor meeting-house connected with the Baptist denomination. Brownsville was the point to which the Redstone Baptists journeyed to church, although public services were sometimes held in private houses and school-houses in the neighbor- hood of the creek. In 1847 a meeting was held at the house of William Colvin to discuss the subject of building a church; and a lot being offered for the purpose as a donation from Levi and D. C. Colvin, prompt action was taken by the appointment of Wil- liam Sharpless, William Colvin, and Elias Hutchin- son as a building committee to take charge of the matter of erecting a house of worship. Assistance being readily forthcoming, the house was built that year near the junction of Colvin's Run and Redstone Creek. An inscription upon the front of the structure testifies that it is the "Regular Baptist Meeting- House." At the dedication Rev. James Estep preached the sermon.

Rev. E. M. Miles and William Penny were engaged to supply the preaching, but no church organization was effected until Mr. Penny came, when he and the Rev. William Wood formed the church, with a con- stituent membership of upwards of forty-five. Among the pastors who served the church after the organiza- tion may be named Revs. John Scott, William Hick. man, Daniel Kelsey, and - Smith. The last pas- tor was Rev. O. O'Brien Strayer, who relinquished the charge in November, 1880. April, 1881, the mem- bership was thirty-eight. The deacons were D. E. Whetzel and Earhart Grable; the trustees, Benja- min Phillips, Estep Colvin, and Alfred Cooper.

CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Feb. 1, 1874, Alanson Wilcox, an evangelist of the Church of Christ, met with a company of persons at the Redstone school-house, and by the advice and consent of Elder Wesley Lorimer, of Cookstown, formed the Church of Christ in Redstone. The or- ganizing members were Robert S. Goe, Hittie Goe, Catharine Goe, Dora Goe, Lizzie A. Higinbotham, Louisa Higinbotham, Stephen Phillips, Caroline Phillips, D. R. Hazen, C. R. Hess, Emily R. Hess, Otho Brashears, Lizzie Brashears, Lucy Brashears,

Anna Brashears, Emanuel Stewart, Rebecca Stewart, Hester Hess, Maggie Simpson, --- Shook, W. G. Hubbs, John Johnson, Levi Colley, Caroline Colley. Those baptized at the first meeting were George Hig- inbotham, Emma Higinbotham, Rachel Higin- botham, Louise Higinbotham, Dilworth Craft, Mary F. Craft, Hattie E. Craft, William Matthews, Mary A. Matthews, Aaron Hess, Lizzie MeHenry, Rockey Mc- Cune, Mary E. Eagle, David Shook, John Wilgus, Mrs. B. E. Wilgus. One hundred and twenty per- sons have been received as members of the organiza- tion to the present time (April, 1881), and of these about sixty remain.

In 1875 the present house of worship (called the Christian Chapel) was erected at a cost of $3500. The successive pastors have been Revs. S. F. Fowler, J. W. Kemp, D. L. Kincaid, and - Satterfield. The pastorate is at present vacant. The elders are Clark Hess and Solomon Crumrine. The deacons are Robert Goe, John Colley, Otho Brashears, and Levi Colley.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ROBERT FINLEY.

Robert Finley was born April 4, 1809, in Redstone township, and there died Oct. 7, 1874. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. His education was received in the common schools, and was supplemented by exten- sive reading. He was a man of keen observation, and was noted for the wonderful powers of his mem- ory. He was married to Catharine Caruthers, of Sewickley, Jan. 23, 1833. There were six children. Four died in infancy. Mary M. married Jeremiah Baird ; Samuel E. Finley married Sarah Bnrchina); Catharine died June 9, 1842.

Robert was married again May 13, 1845, to Anne Hurford, of Luzerne township. They had five chil- dren, two of whom are dead. The three living are Thomas W., John E., married to Josephine Hazlett ; Margaret A., married to James G. Wilson.

One who had known Mr. Robert Finley long and intimately thus wrote of him, "Seldom are we called upon to record a death which makes so sensible a breach in the church and community as that of Mr. Robert Finley. For forty-five years he was a member, and for thirty-five an active and efficient trustee, of the Presbyterian Church of Dunlap's Creek. He was the youngest son of Ebenezer Finley, Sr., deceased who had been a ruling elder for some seventy years ; a grandson of Rev. James Finley, one of the first min- isters of the gospel who crossed the Allegheny Moun- tains, and founder of Rehoboth, in the Presbytery of Redstone, who was a brother to Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, president of Nassau Hall, New Jersey, an ancestry in covenant with God. Mr. Finley pos- sessed great vigor of constitution and energy of char-

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

aeter, and marked success in business. He was a ette County with him. They were all Quakers. Grif- judicions counselor, a genial friend and companion. fith, Sr., died in 1823, his wife a few years afterwards. Hon. Griffith Roberts has no membership in any church, but has always been a liberal contributor to He enjoyed life in the best sense, and loved to see others enjoy it in like manner. His example of strict temperance, of industry, prudent economy, and gen- erous hospitality and wise counsel was of great value to young men. His benevolent spirit found pleasure in seeing all embrace the gospel, and be temperate, honest, industrious, peaceful, prosperous, and happy, but had little patience with laggards, tipplers, and spendthrifts. His charity was genuine and expan- sive, embracing all classes and denominations ; a lover of good men, whose society he greatly enjoyed, heing in cordial sympathy with them in the love of Christ and his cause.

" He left a large circle of friends to lament his loss. His place will not soon be filled. The church has lost one of its pillars, the community one of its most earnest, upright, and exemplary business men."

"Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth !"

HON. GRIFFITH ROBERTS.

Hon. Griffith Roberts was born in Redstone town- ship, Fayette Co., Pa., where he now resides, March 7, 1807. He is of Welsh stock, and was educated in the common schools. His early life was spent upon his father's farm. He was married Dec. 14, 1826, to Nancy Fought, of Redstone. He remained upon his father's farm one year after marriage, and then moved to a farm adjoining the one upon which he now lives, and remained there twenty-five years, and then moved to his present place of abode. He has had four children, -Hannah, married to James M. Cook ; George, mar- ried to Eliza Franks; Philip (now dead), married to Eliza A. Balsinger ; Elizabeth, unmarried. The first office Mr. Roberts ever held was that of captain of a militia company when a young man. He has held all the offices of the township, except that of constable. He was nominated and elected associate judge of Fay- ette County in 1876 by a flattering vote. He held the office until it was abolished in 1881, discharging the duties in a manner creditable to himself and satisfac- tory to his constituents. He held the office of county commissioner for three years, 1866, 1867, 1868. His wife, Nancy, died Dec. 25, 1858.

His father, Abraham Roberts, was born in Chester Connty, Pa .; came to Fayette County when a young man, and married Elizabeth Morris, of this county. They had eight children,-four sons and four daugh- ters. Griffith was the second, and is the only one re- siding in Fayette County. The others who are living reside in the West. Abraham died in 1819; Eliza- beth died in 1845.

the various denominations. He rather leans to the belief of his father. His morality is unquestioned. He is well and favorably known in the county. He is worthy of the confidence his friends have in him, and is a genial gentleman of the old school.

JAMES MADISON LINN.

The grandfather of James Madison Linn, Andrew Linn, settled in Fayette County at a very early date. He had his farm patented. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the first settlers west of the Alleghenies. They were driven back east of the mountains several times by Indians.

James M.'s father, Capt. Isaac Linn, was horn upon the farm where his son now resides in 1774, He was married on Oct. 22, 1796, to Jemima Voorhes. They had eight children. James M. was the fifth. Isaac Linn was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was captain of an infantry company, and served during the war, going during his period of service into Canada.

James Madison Linn was born July 20, 1808, upon the farm where he now resides, and was educated in the common school, and studied the classics under a

Mr. Roberts' grandfather, Griffith Roberts, came from Wales when a young man and settled in Ches- ter County, Pa., where he married Rachel Jeffries. They had but one son, Abraham, and came to Fay- ' private tutor. He was married May 13, 1841, to Mary

JAMES M. LINN.

Samuel be Ability

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REDSTONE TOWNSHIP.

Linn, of Redstone township. They had eight chil- dren,-William Voorhes, now dead; Isaac, married to Emma Stewart ; Ayers, deceased ; Jemima A., married to John C. Hanna ; Samuel S. B., married to Florence A. Holmes; Charlotte L., married to S. A. Phillips; Alcinda C., not married; Mary E., married to O. D. Porter.

In the early portion of his life Mr. Linn was occu- pied as a clerk, and afterwards engaged in distilling. For many years past he has followed farming and milling, and has held important township offices. He is a member of the Old Redstone Baptist Church, as is also his wife. He started in life with nothing, and gradually accumulated his considerable property, which consists mostly of lands, but he has a good share of money also.

DAVID HIBBS.

The late David Hibbs, who died May 18, 1868, was born in Redstone township, July 15, 1809. He was of English descent, and was educated in the common schools. He was married April 18, 1839, to Hannah Walters, daughter of Ephraim Walters, of Nicholson

David Hills

township, and sister of Ephraim Walters, of Mason- town, German township, and of Dr. Jefferson A. Walters, now living in Dayton, Ohio, a gentleman of prominence, and a considerable and careful contribu- tor to genealogieal literature. They have had nine children. Two died in infancy. The seven living are Jefferson W., who married Ellen Van Kirk ; Mary

Frances, who married Joseph Antram; Elizabeth, married to Dr. J. P. Sangston ; Harriet A., married to John F. Hess; Lucetta, George L., and John G., unmarried.

Mr. Hibbs held the usual township offices intrusted to a careful business man, and was for three years a member of the almshouse board. In all these posi- tions he conducted the public business in a satis- factory manner. For many years he was a member of the German Baptist Church, and held the office of elder for a number of years. His pecuniary start was small. By industry and careful business management he was able to leave his family in comfortable circum- stances. His success was due to his integrity, his in- dustry, his devotion, his unselfishness, and charity. These made his character great,-" the virtues are the forces and powers in life." He was a quiet man, made but little show, and did his duty as nearly as he was able, and was content. The best legacy he left his family was a good name.

SAMUEL C. HIBBS.

Samuel C. Hibbs was born in Redstone township, Feb. 14, 1802. He is of English stock, was educated in the common schools, and learned the business of farming, and has been engaged in it all of his life. He was married in January, 1833, to Elizabeth Beal, of Menallen township. They had six children,-Ma- linda, married first to James Niccolls, again to Dr. King, of Bloomington, Ill .; John, married to Hannah Lackey; Aaron, married to Margaret Weltner; Ben- jamin, who was a soldier in the late war, was wounded at City Point and died there. His remains are buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery at New Salem. Robert, married Anna Davidson ; Elizabeth, married to James Finley. The sons are all farmers. Mr. Hibbs has long been a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1874. He had a small start in the world in a pecuniary way. The fine farms which he owns, or rather which he has given his children, thus sensibly starting them well in life, he made by his own industry. He is active for one of his age, and is evidently contented and happy. His moral status is excellent. Those who know him respect him as a citizen and a man. His father, Lacy Hibbs, was born east of the Alleghenies, and came to Fayette County early in life and settled upon the farm where his grandson, Aaron, now resides. He married Sarah Craft, of Fayette County. They had eight children. Samuel was the sixth, and is the only one living. His ancestors were Quakers.

THOMAS CAUFIELD.

Thomas Caufield is of Irish stock. His father, Timothy Caufield, was born in County Galway, Ire- land, in 1784, and migrated to America in 1810, locating in Belmont County, Ohio. He married

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Nancy Hynes, of that county, in 1826. Mrs. Cau- field died in 1831, leaving three children, John, Thomas, and Daniel. John resides in Clarke County, Iowa. Daniel was merchandising in Kansas during the struggle for supremacy there between the North- ern and Southern political forces, and has not since been heard of by his friends in Pennsylvania.

Timothy Caufield moved from Belmont County, Ohio, into Fayette County, Pa., in 1834. He was a contractor on the National pike, and spent much of his life in operating upon public works, building roads, etc. He was married a second time in 1836. The maiden name of his second wife was Elizabeth Detson, who died in 1872. Mr. Caufield died Dec. 30, 1873.

Thomas Caufield was born April 24, 1829, in Bel- . pecuniary interest, to urge upon litigants a peaceful mont County, Ohio, and removed with his father to Fayette County, Pa., in 1834. He was educated in the common schools, and has spent nearly all his life upon the farm where he now resides. He was mar- ried July 15, 1874, to Maggie L. Lynn, of Millsboro', Washington Co., Pa. Her great-grandfather, Wil- liam Lynn, was one of the pioneers of Fayette County, settling in Redstone township, on a farm ad- joining her husband's, about the time the county was organized. The farm remained in the name for three generations. Mr. and Mrs. Caufield have had four children, three of whom are living,-John Gibson, Carrie Lynn, and Mary Edna.

Mr. Thomas Caufield has never held or sought po- litical office. He is a well-informed gentleman, hav- ing read much, particularly of history, remembering well what he reads, and applying the results of his study to practical purposes, much more than it is cus- tomary for farmers to do. His neighbors esteem him for his honesty and fair dealing.

JAMES W. CRAFT.

James W. Craft's grandfather, George Craft, came from Germany, and lived in Maryland, near where the battle of Antietam was fought, until the year This band, under the leadership of Mr. Craft, fur- nished music for all the Masonic and military parades of Uniontown, Washington, Brownsville, and many other places from 1824 to about 1835. So good was its music that Gen. Jackson said it surpassed any martial music he had ever heard. So great was Mr. Craft's fondness for music that he continued to play 1771, when he removed with his family to Western Pennsylvania, and settled on the farm on which his descendants have ever since resided. David Craft, the father of James W. Craft, was born in 1763, and married, in 1788, Margaret Woodrow, who died in 1812, leaving him a family of thirteen children, only two of whom are now living,-Elijah Craft, of this : on his two favorite instruments, the flute and the county ; and Elizabeth Sproat, of Guernsey County, Ohio.

David Craft approved of the cultivation of the minds of his children. He with some of his neigh- bors engaged a graduate of the University of Oxford to teach a select school, in which he placed his sons.

The old Craft homestead is one mile east of Mer- rittstown, Fayette Co., Pa.

The late James W. Craft. of Redstone township,

was born Feb. 13, 1807, and died Feb. 20, 1880. He was of German stock, and was married in 1847 to his cousin, Caroline E. Craft, of Redstone township. There were born to them nine children, seven of whom are living, five daughters and two sons,- Ellen L., married to Samuel Colvin ; Loretta, mar- ried to Joseph (). Miller ; Hester B., married to Dr. H. W. Brashear; Richard N., married to Rebecca Nutt; Hayden R., married to Laura Bell Colley ; Annie M., married to John R. Carothers ; Jessie Ben- ton, single.

Mr. Craft was a justice of the peace in his native township for about thirty years, and was not only a justice in every sense of the word, but was eminently a man of peace, never failing, contrary to his own settlement of their difficulties. As nearly as possible he followed the golden rule. Under the preaching of the pioneers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,-Morgan, Bryan, Sparks, and others,-he became a member of the Hopewell branch of that communion. When the final hour came he expressed himself as ready and willing to die, "having full as- surance of a blessed immortality."

Mr. Craft was educated in common and select schools. He cultivated a taste for the higher grades of literature, and had great admiration and love for the English classics, a high appreciation for Camp- bell, Gray, and others of the British poets, and was able to quote many of their finest productions.

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History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 166

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