USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pa. : containing an outline of the state from 1682, until the formation of Washington County in 1781. History during 15 years of union. The Virginia and new state controversy--running of Mason's and Dixon's line--whiskey insurrection--history of churches, families, judges, senators, assembly-men, etc., etc. > Part 17
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Among the prominent members of this South Tenmile Church none were more so than Samuel Harvey, who is a son of Thom. as Harvey, who settled on the farm where his grandson, Charles Harvey, now resides, at an early day, Samuel Harvey having re- moved to Waynesburg a few months ago. Two brothers, Rob- ert and George, made up the balance of his father's family. His aneles were William, Joseph and Samuel, and his aunts were Maria and Prudence. His grandfather emigrated from Philadelphia among the earliest settlers of this region.
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IHISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
William Harvey (uncle to the present Samuel) settled on the tract of land now owned and occupied by William II. Cook, who is his nephew. The descendants of William Harvey were quite numerous, consisting of Norwood, Robert, Joseph, William, Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah, also Mary, married to James Throck- morton, Margaret, married to John G. Dinsmore, and Amanda, married to David Gray, now of Burnt Ranch, California. This old gentleman, William Harvey, was a man of considerable prominence in the community in which he lived, being the first Post Master in this section of country, giving his name to the office, "Harvey's." He was educated for a Presbyterian minis- ter, but from some cause was never inducted into that position, yet he was a diligent instructor of youth in the church, said to be the best Bible class teacher the whole neighborhood could produce ; but he was destined to come to an untimely end, by itwo wounds inflicted by an ax in the hands of an insane boy whom he had raised. Mr. Harvey had been frequently cau- tioned by his neighbors with reference to the danger he was in from this boy, but the old man turned a deaf ear to all the warn- ings, took the crazy boy with him to the barn to assist in grind- ing an ax, where his body was found by other members of the family, the lunatic having immediately fled to a dry well on the farm, where he concealed himself so successfully that no trace of him could be found until the day of the funeral, when just as the broken-hearted relatives were about taking leave of the corpse the frenzied lunatic broke through the crowd, up to the side of the coffin where he stood with a vacant stare until arresi - * ed and taken to the asylum. In this same locality has existed for many long years a very numerons family by the name of Throckmorton, which is descended from Daniel Throckmorton. who builded his cabin on the waters of South Tenmile, almost in a howling wilderness, and died near the same place at nor one hundred years of age, leaving Daniel, Jr. Isaac. William.
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Phoebe, Polly and Jane as heirs to his large estate. A distant rel- ative of this old man, Joseph Throckmorton, was the father of the following children : James, Joseph, Daniel and Job were his sons; while his daughter Sarah was married to Samuel Harvey ; Mary Ann was married to Isaac Throckmorton; Elizabeth was mar- ried to John Kegley ; Catharine was married to John Reese. Morford Throckmorton's children were as follows, viz .: Samu- uel, Morford, John, Dr. William and J. Reed. His daughter Margaret was married to Caleb Grimes ; Alice was married to Jesse Lazear. The children of James Throckmorton were Job, James and Westley, sons. His daughter Mary married James Braddock; Nancy Married Washington Ferrel ; Jane married William Elder; Unice married Jesse Braddock ; Catharine mar- ried John Cole and Elizabeth married Samuel Mccullough. The children of Isaac Throckmorton (son of old Daniel) were Spencer and Isaac, while his daughters married the following men : Catharine to Jonas Jacobs; Rachel to John McCul- lough ; Sarah Jane to Josiah Cathers ; Elizabeth to John Woods: Ursula to Jones Doran, while Eva and Spencer died single, in Illinois, with milk sickness. Daniel Throckmorton, Jr., was the father of Axtel, Oliver and Judson. Another extensive fanuly in the same neighborhood was the Hendershots, of which Peter Hendershot seems to have been the ancestor. His sons were Thomas, Jacob, Isaac, David and Abram. His daughter Mary was married to Sylvanes Sutton ; Harriet was married to Darius Sutton. Of these sons of old Peter, Jacob and David still live. The sons of Thomas Hendershot were Peter F., Isaac B., Dr. John T. His daughter Mary became the wife of John Hiskey : Parnel became the wife of Mulford Burrows, while the daugh- ter Sarah has long since been dead.
The Tenmile Baptist Association held its first meeting at Mt. Hermon Church, Washington Co., Pa., October 1, 1859. The following Churches are or have been in connection with that asso-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ciation : 1st Goshen ; 2d, North Tenmile; 3d, South Tenmile ; 4th, Bates Fork; 5th, Bethlehem ; 6th, Fish Creek; 7th, Beu- lah; 8th, South Wheeling ; 9th, Enon.
GOSHEN CHURCH .- In giving this brief account, we regret to say that we cannot avoid some omissions in the statistics, as some part of the records have either been lost or the proceedings not registered in the Church Books.
The Goshen Baptist meeting house was built in Greene town- ship, Greene county, Pennsylvania, in the year A. D., 1771, and the church was constituted by Revs. Isaac Sutton and Dan- iel Fristo, November 7, 1773. The constituent membership was 30. The first deacon chosen was Jacob Vanmeter, on the 11th of December, 1773. At this time Rev. James Sutton was called to the pastoral office of the church, and continued his labors with the church until 1775. About this time Rev. John Corbly was received by letter from the Mill Creek Baptist Church, and was ordained to the Gospel ministry June 10, same year, and called to the pastoral care of the church, and continued his labor with them until the year 1803, making 28 years. Rev. Thomas Har- vey succeeded Bro. Corbly, and continued this relationship un- til 1808; during part of this time he was assisted by Rev. Amos Mix; then Bro. Stone was called, who continued for about nine years. Bro. James Seamor was then called as a supply, and continued until 1821. Bro. Jacob Myers was then invited to preach in connection with Bro. Seamor, as often as he could. On April 21, 1824, Bro. Seamor was recalled and continued to serve as its pastor for nine years ; then Bro. F. Downey was in- vited to preach for the church once a month, and continued for ten months. On December 25, 1830, he and Bro. Seamor were called for one year. On March 24, 1832, Bro. James Seamor was recalled, who continued to serve the church until March 2,
* These bricf histories of these churches are taken from the minutes of the various associations, without re-writing .. Some contradiction in dates and in the different ways of spelling the same names will be found. That I cannot account for .- AUTHOR.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
1934, when they called Brother Seamor and Rev. Benoni Allen, who labored for them in conjunction for one year. At this pe- riod the church called Bros. Milton, Sutton and William Wood, who served them in conjunction for one year. They then re- called Bro. H. Sutton for one year. On February 25, 1837, the church called Rev. J. W. B. Tisdale, who continued with them for three years. On July 25, 1840, Rev. Jno. Curry was called and continued for one year. Feb. 5, 1842, Rev. Levi Griffith was called to the pastoral charge of the church, who continued ! s services for four years. The pastorate of this brother was greatly blessed of the Lord, to the good of this people, in the restoration of peace and harmony, and in the ingathering of many precious souls. Bro. William Wood succeeded Bro. Grif- iith in the pastoral charge of this church, and continued three years. The church then called Bros. William Whitehead and John Thomas, who labored in conjunction for one year. Bro. William Wood was then recalled and served the church for three years. At the expiration of this term the church extend. ed a call to Rev. S. Kendall, who continued for eighteen months. "The Rev. G. W. Hartzog was called as a supply for one year. .After this Rev. Joel Greene served the church as its pastor one year. Bro. S. L. Parcel was called to the pastoral charge of this church, and continued his labors with them for two years. J. B. Sharp followed Bro. Parcel and continued for two years. Brother S. Kendall was recalled to serve as pastor of this church, and continued for the period of twenty-one months. Bro. C. Tilton, the present pastor, commenced his labors with them April 1st, 1864, under whose labors the church has been blessed of the Lord. The whole number of pastors and supplies from the constitution of the church until the present time is 23. In connection with the regular ministrations of the pastors and supplies, this church has enjoyed the valuable labors of many ministering brothers in protracted efforts and visitations. Nun-
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ber of deacons since the constitution of the church, 17, four of whom are still living, and are in active service. Whole num- ber of membership from beginning, 845; whole number dismiss- ed, 343; whole number died, 177; whole number excluded, 131; left without letters, 6 ; present number, 188.
BETHLEHAM CHURCHI .- The Bethleham Baptist Church was- constituted September 22, 1843. The recognition council con- sisted of Revs. L. Griffith, Wm. Wood and James Woods. Number of constituent members, 26. The first deacon, Brother James Huffman, has been dismissed to the North Tenmile: Church. Since the organization the following brethren have. been elected deacons : John R. Hughes, Abijah Heaton, Jesse Craig, John Regester, Benjamin Shirk, Jacob Weaver, Solo- mon B. Wise and John Ross; the last four are surviving at present. The first clerk was Brother James Boyd, succeede. T. . by Brother John Regester, and he succceed by Brother Solo- mon B. Wise, the present clerk. Brother Amos Pratt was call- ed to the pastoral care of the church in October, 1843. He was- succeeded by Rev. Simeon Sigfried, Sr., who served for one year, he being succeeded by Rev. Charles Tilton, who continned to serve the church until April, 1850. During Brother Tilton's pastorate, Brother J. A. Pool acted in conjunction with Brother Tilton as a supply for a short time. Rev. Wmn. Whitehead was. called to the pastoral care of the church in April, 1850, and served. until April, 1851, when Rev. Wm. Ellis was called, who served. until April, 1852, when Rev. C. Tilton was recalled to the pas- toral care of the church, and continned until April, 1868, mak- ing the whole pastorate of Brother Tilton twenty years. Thic- next pastor, H. K. Craig, commenced serving the church in: April, 1868. The whole number of persons having their mem- bership in the church is 349, of which 57 have been dismissed by letter ; excluded, 88; deceased, 40; leaving at present 363. members.
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The pastors were assisted during these years by Revs. Wm. Wood, Sr., Samuel Kendall, A. J. Collins, Solomon Parshel, C. Tilton and William F. Burwell in protracted meetings. While the church has had her seasons of adversity, she has also had many seasons of rejoicing. Our trust is in God, looking forward to the time when "they shall teach no more every man his neigh- bor, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord; fo: they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the great. est of them, saith the Lord ; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more."
SOUTH WHEELING CHURCH .- The South Wheeling Church was constituted September 19, A. D. 1840. The ministers present were James Woods, Isaac Pettit and Levi Griffith. The visitors were Phillip Axtel, Daniel Throckmorton, Mr. B .: ne and others. This interest seems to have begun especially through the divine blessing npon the ministerial labors of Rer. Woods, who was chosen the first pastor. The first Deacons chosen, four in number, were Francis Baldwin, Ezekiel Braden. Henry Bane and Mordecai Bane, one of whom, Ezekiel Braden. still lives and is recognized in an official character; but he is quite infirm, and destined soon to follow those who have gone . before. Wm. Gray was chosen first Clerk. The Articles o! l'aith adopted were eleven in number, upon which the Church 1:nited with the Monongahela Association. continuing with it until the formation of the Tenmile Association, with which it has since been connected. About 420 members, for a longer or shorter period, have had their religious home in this church. about 100 being the present membership at the writing hereof. During these thirty-seven years of its history ten ministering brethren have served as pastors, varying as to time from three months to thirteen years, generally one or two years being the length of pastoral engagements, Bro. Job Rossell serving the onger period. Changes, by reason of death and other causes.
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have been made in the offices of deacon and clerk. Ezekiel Braden, Daniel Lewis, Isaac Booher, H. R. Sherrick and F. W. H. Baldwin are the present deacons, and W. R. Barnett the present clerk. In the early part of its history, church sittings and privileges were comparatively few in this community. A great change has been wrought in this respect through the la- bors of other denominations. We find the names of twenty- eight ministers upon the church book, who have kindly visited, aided in seasons of protracted worship, or served as pastors. At times its prospect for usefulness has been small ; but it has realized many seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, who has been better to it than it deserved. Some three years since we erected a new house of worship, located at Ryerson's Station, being about a mile from the former place of meeting, and the second house erected; and though not en- tirely paid for, yet arrangements are such that a full discharge of the debt is expected soon. The church has co-operated in general objects of benevolence, but perhaps not to the full ex- tent of a faithful steward of the manifold grace of God, whose goodness endureth continually. Rev. J. Y. Burwell is serving in the pastoral relation at present. May the Lord of the Har- vest render fruitful the soil, water from clouds of mercy, and give increase as shall be for His glory and gladden the, hearts of His people.
ENON CHURCH .- The Enon Baptist Church was constituted September 22, 1848. The recognition council consisted of Rev. Wm. Whitehead and Rev. Chas. Parker. Number of constit- nent members, 13. The first deacons were Brothers Morris Jones and John Feaster. Brother Feaster was dismissed by letter to some other sister church. Since the organization the following brethren have been elected : James Allum, in the year 1853 ; Joshua Ackley, 1856 ; Wm. Clutter, 1868 (by letter from South Tenmile Church). These four are still deacons.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Brother Geo. D. Jones is the present clerk. Rev. Wm. White- head was called to the pastoral care of the church at its consti- tution in 1848. He was succeeded by Rev. John West, in 1850. Rev. Wm. Whitehead was recalled in 1851 and 1852. Rev. John Edmonson supplied in 1853; succeeded by Rev. Lewis Sammons, in 1854; succeeded by Rev. George W. Hartzog, ending in the year 1857; Rev. John Henderson for 1858 ; then Rev. Lewis Sammons was called as a supply for the year 1859 ; then Rev. Morgan Tilton was called April 1st, 1860, ending his labors in 1863; Rev. Lewis Sammons was recalled for the year 1864, ending in 1865; Rev. David G. Zook was called September 1st, 1865, ending his labors in 1867; Rev. Mor- gan Tilton was recalled in 1868, who served as pastor. Ww omit giving the number of excluded and deceased, for want of correct dates. We find many omissions. The pres- ent, membership is about. 96. In connection with the regular ministrations of pastors and supplies, this church has enjoyed :he valuable labors of many ministering brethren in protracted meetings and visitations. Our trust is in the blessed Savior. May his Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts.
BEULAHI CHURCH .- About the year 1823, Lewis Ketcham moved where the meeting house now stands, and had preaching at his house as often as he could obtain it, which for many years before the constitution of the church was every fifth Sabbath, bry the pastors of Tenmile (now Mt. Hermon) Church, and some- times by visiting ministers. Several times three days'meetings were held at other points near. Elder Isaac Pettit was the prin- cipal laborer at this station, but was assisted by Brethren Mat- thias Luce, Charles Wheeler, Wm. Wood, Levi Griffith, and others. In January, 1843, Brother Trevor Richards, of Virgin- ia, commenced preaching once a month at Powers' School House, not far from the present location, and continued his meetings abont once a week each visit till April. when it. was resolved
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
by Tenmile, Bates' Fork and South Tenmile churches, to con- stitute a church on the first of May next, which was according- ly done by Brothers I. Pettit, E. T. Brown, and T. Richards, acting as officers for the occasion. A building committee was ap- pointed, who superintended the construction of the meeting house the same year. The pastors who preached for Beulah Church, and the time they served are as follows : Elder Trevor Rich- ards, three years, once a month, from the 1st of April, 1843 to the 1st of April 1846; Elder John Thomas, two years, once 3 month, from 1846 to 1848; Elder Wm. Whitehead, one year, twice a month, from 1848 to 1849; Elder Charles Tilton, four years, twice a month, from 1849 to 1853; Elder Caleb Rossel, six months, and S. L. Parcell, licentiate, supply, six months. from 1853 to 1854; Elder Job Rossel, four years, twice a month, from 1854 to 1858 ; Elder H. K. Craig, ten years, twice a month, for six years, and every Sabbath for four years, 1858 to 1868. No pastor from April 1st, 1868, to July 1st, 1869, in which time the church repaired their house, at a cost of six hundred dol- lars ; Elder W. F. Burwell, from July, 1869, to April 1st, 1871 : Elder Patton, supply, four months, and Elder C. Haven, supply, one month, during the year to April, 1872; since then no pas- tor. S. L. Parcell, one of the members, was licensed to preach in the year 1853, and ordained to the Gospel ministry in Janu- ary, 1854, and was an acceptable pastor of two or three churches.
FISHCREEK CHURCH .- The Fishcreek Regular Baptist Church was located in Springhill township, Greene county, Pa. It was constituted on the 31st day of July, 1844. The council con- sisted of Elder Simeon Sigfried, James Woods, Benoni Leont- ard and A. J. Bowman. The exact number of constituent mem- bers is not known; but when received into the Monongahela Association in the following September, 1844, 22 were reported. The pastors and the time they served the church are as fol- lows: Elder James Woods to April 1st, 1845; Elder Charles
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Tilton to April, 1847, two years, once a month; Elder Benoni Leonard to April, 1848, once a month; to April, 1852, the church: was without a pastor for three years ; Elder Thomas Rose, to April, 1854, two years, once a month ; Elder Solomon Parcel, to April, 1845, one year, once a month ; Elder Lewis Sammons, 10 April, 1859, four years, once a month ; to April, 1860, Elder John West, one year, once a month ; to April, 1863, Elder Lew. is Sammons, three years, once a month ; to April, 1864, Elders Job Rossell and Lewis Sammons, each one year, once a month : to April, 1870, Elder Sammons, six years, two Sabbaths in the month ; to April, 1871, the church was without a pastor one year; to April, 1872, Elder F. Morrow Sturm, two Sabbaths in the month. It was during this year that the name of the church was changed to New Freeport. Soon after this feat was ac- complished, Brother Sturm went over to the Southern Method- ists, and had his name changed. To April, 1873, Elder Rossell. once a month, one year; to April, 1874, Elder Milton Owen, a supply, once a month, one year. For eleven years the Church was destitute of a house of worship, and met in the school house. But through the aid and lead of Brothers C. Tilton and S. l'ercel they succeeded in 1855 in building a neat frame church. "Jx36 feet in size, in which they now meet for divine worship. During the thirty years of the church's existence about three ยท hundred persons have been baptized into its fellowship, and of that number about two hundred were baptised by Elder Sau- mons. Springhill Valley and Belton were off-shoots from the parent stem. Belton from emigration and other causes has be- come extinct. Springhill valley still lives. The deacons. as far as the writer can learn, are all still living (with the exception of Brother Carl Moore, who has gone to the rest that remains for the people of God), viz. : Silas Ayers, Jacob J. Moore, Joseph Whitlatch, Isaac Bebout and Jacob Ayres. Broth- er Silas Avres is near 85 years of age, is confined to his
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
home, and will soon have to lay his armor by and dwell with Christ at home. It is to be hoped the other deacons will be. spared for many years to work in the Master's vineyard.
New Freeport is one of the most important centers in the Tenmile Association. Aleppo township has no Baptist church ; Gilmore has none; Jackson has one near its northern border. Thus New Freeport has a surrounding population of more than four thousand souls. The question might be asked, why is th ... church so small-only seventy-five members ? In reply I would say, many have moved away ; some have gone home to re -: from their toils ; some have gone to other denominations, (for no pains have been spared to proselyte from our ranks ;) and, sad to 'ell, many have gone back to the world-zealous in the servi ... of Satan. Our trust is in Zion's King, that in years to con'". there will be a strong and prosperous church at New Freeport.
NINEVEH .-- The Prophet Jonah, after his submarine voy:"" had been completed, wrote a partial history of the Ninevin -. But that history is so old that perhaps many of the readers .t this history of Greene county have overlooked it of late year -. : come to this conclusion from the fact that I greatly surprise !! me of them a few Sabbaths ago by asserting that the book . : Jonah does not say that he was swallowed by a whale. I woul : advise all my readers to go and read this old book of Jonat over again, and there they will find that the language used is "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow ny .Jo- nah." After they have informed themselves on this subject. I respectfully invite their attention to the history of a small vil- lage of the same name, in Morris township, Greene county. Pa., a place which I visited a few days ago, and obtained from Amos Day, M. C. Lightner, Warren Mankey and his wife, the following information : This town is situated on a branch of Brown's Fork of Tenmile creek, at a point where three origi- nal tracts of land met ; these tracts were known as the "Car.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ter, Barker and Iams tracts. " In the year 1845 William Day purchased three acres of land about the center of the present town. On this lot he erected a small house, in which his son, Francis (Frank), commenced selling goods, which were furn- ished by Alexander Sweeney, of Washington, Pa. This three- acre lot was divided out into small lots, on which quite a num- ber of good houses were erected ; and also a Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, which was built about 1850. This same build- ing is still in existence, but after the lapse of thirty years it had become somewhat dilapidated and also antiquated, when the congregation resolved to extensively repair it, which was ac- complished during the summer of 1881, at a cost of fifteen hun- dred dollars. A Methodist Episcopal Church of the most mod- ern style of architecture, presenting a neat, chaste, tasty appear- ance, has been erected within the last three years. The lead- ing spirits in the enterprise were Dr. Win. Throckmorton and John D. Patterson, assisted by the community at large. Rev. W. D. Slease is pastor in charge ; Rev. J. R. White is his as. sistant, who is located in the village. The present stated sup- ply of the Cumberland Church is Rev. Johnson. Dr. William Throckmorton is the practicing physician of the place. There are two stores, one of them owned by J. W. Day, the other by J. S. Lewis & Bro. There are several persons in this place di rectly and indirectly engaged in the manufacture of light bug. gies and carriages. I claim to know something about the man. ufacture of these articles, having learned this business when I was a boy, and from the samples of wood, iron, steel, paint. varnish, duck and workmanship which I saw, I am satisfied that no man nor set of men can put up hand-made buggies of this style for sixty dollars, and yet this is all they ask for an "open top " buggy. Among the persons engaged in this busi- ness, I found Samuel Burroughs, R. B. McGlumphy, and others. I. F. Milliken is engaged in the cabinet and undertaking busi-
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