History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 53

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 53

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Lancaster County (then Chester) received a due proportion of these emigrants. The carly titles of land, the names of townships and towns give evidence of the nationality of these hardy pioneers, whose

places in this part of the county have been occupied by a different nationality (the Pennsylvania Ger- mans). Their desire for knowledge gave origin to our schools and institutions of learning, and their love of freedom left its impress upon our form of government. The names of Scott, Patterson, Pedan, Lytle, Galbraith, Hayes, Anderson, Allison, Mitchel, Sterret, MeClellan, Watson, Stephenson, Jamieson, Tate, Craighead, Muir, Muirhead, Wilson, McFar- quhar, Baillie, Clark, with many others, have been associated with the early history of Donegal Church, which is situated near a beautiful spring, three miles west of Mount Joy. The date of its organization can- not be accurately ascertained, as the early records have been lost or destroyed. The earliest reliable record pertaining to Donegal Church is "an application made by Andrew Galbraith to New Castle Presby- tery, Aug. Ist, 1721, for supplies for Chickens Longus (Chique-alunga).+ Gillespie and Cross were sent. Roland Chambers renewed the request next year. In May, 1723, Conestoga applied, but Hutcheson failed to go, being unable to obtain a guide thither. In the fall he and MeGill were sent to ' Dunngaal.' In 1725, Donegal obtained one-sixth of Boyd's time, and he served them till they called Anderson."- Webster's History of the Presbyterian Church.

The Rev. James Anderson, the first pastor, was called Sept. 24, 1726, and installed the last Wednes- day in August, 1727. Hle continued pastor until his death, July 16, 1740.

Donegal Presbytery was organized Oct. 11, 1732, and consisted of James Anderson, Adam Boyd, Wil- liam Bertram, and Robert Orr.

Soon after the organization of the church a log meeting-house was built in what is now the northern part of the graveyard. It was probably during the pastorate of the Rev. Anderson, or, if not, certainly very soon after his decease that the second church was built. The location selected was a few rods north of the old one. This church, which is still standing, was constructed of the stones which were found thickly strewn over the ground in the imine- diate vicinity and in the magnificent forest which surrounded the meeting-house clearing.

The pioneers in Donegal had been dilatory about taking out patents for their lands, and hence it was not strange that they should have long delayed taking this step in securing title to the ground set apart for the meeting-house. The patent, being ap- plied for, was finally granted by Thomas, Richard, and John Penn, June 4, 3740, to Rev. James Ander- son, John Allison, James Mitchell, and David Hays, trustees. The amount of land patented was two hun- dred aeres, described as "glebe land for the use of

4 The stream to which Donegal Spring gives origin is a manch of Chiquesalunga Creek, and was at one thing called Littlo Chiquesalungo, as is evident hom an all patent dred in possession of the Rev. Peter Niasly, whose land (contignous to Donegal) is bounded on the south by siud streamu, and on the west by that of Andrew Galbraith.

1 James Bayley owned and resided npon the farm now owned by Abca- ham N. Cussel, adjoining Duffy's Park on the north.

2 Acknowledgment is su ulo to J. L. Ziegler, M.D, of Mount Joy for- ongh, for much of the authentic and valuable matter of this sketch.

3 Hlodge's llistory of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

lat Lient. Patrick Huys.

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

the congregation." It is possible that the stone church was not built until this patent was obtained.

. After the death of Rev. James Anderson the church was supplied until 1747, when the Rev. Joseph Tate was called and installed in 1748, who served as pastor until his death, Oct. 10, 1774, from which time the church was supplied until 1777.

Near the close of Mr. Tate's pastorate the church building was remodeled. The only entrance was through an arched double door-way in the centre of the side facing the graveyard, which is on the southeast. There were two windows at each end, and in the rear towards the spring the windows in number corresponded with those in front. The tops of the window-frames were arched and corresponded with the door-way. The door was made of two-inch oak-plank heavily battened. The window-shutters were also battened. The muntins and rails of the sash were constructed of lead. When Col. Hugh Pedan remodeled the church he cut a door-way at each end opposite the aisle running in front of the pulpit, and tore out the window-frames and put in others with square heads, and made new paneled shutters and sash entirely of wood. John Bayly, Esq., had a large walnut-tree which stood upon his land sawed into boards, out of which a new pulpit and sounding-board were made. The pulpit stood unusually high, with a stairway of a number of steps. There was a circular railing which inclosed a space in front of the pulpit for the clerk.

Alter the Rev. Joseph Tate was unable to preach, the congregation sent the following paper to Pres- bytery, which speaks for itself :

" To the Ker'd the Second I'veshytrie of Philud'a when Sitting.

" The Supplication of the Congu of Donnegall most humbly Sheweth.

"That your Supplicants, since the Death of our late worthy Pastor, are greatly distressed on account of the destitute stute we are left in, being deprived of that invaluable mercy the Ordinances of the Gospel dispensed to us in a stated way.

" That it is nevertheless some alleviation of our trouble, that we are under your Wisdom's care, who, we flatter ourselves, will compassionate us in ont disconsolate state, and be ready to assist us to the utmost of your power ; To you therefore under Christ the great & faithful Shep- herd, we Commit our Selves, earnestly entreating you may send us ns many supplies as you possibly can : and your Supplicants as in Duty bound shull ever pray."

The pulpit was again supplied by Presbytery until the summer or fall of 1777, when Colin McFarquhar, who had come from Scotland and preached at Bed- ford and Cumberland Valley Churches, accepted a call. For thirty years he presided over this charge with dignity, and during a very trying period in the history of the country. His congregation was made up of patriots, who were intensely hostile to and em- bittered against the king and Parliament who were imposing burdens upon them. They were not slow in giving expression to their indignation against their oppressors. Upon one occasion, in a moment of great excitement, when the congregation were at worship, a messenger came to Col. Lowrey to order out the militia and march in defense of the commonwealth. I

The congregation adjourned and met under the great oak-tree which stands in front of the church, and formed a circle, and vowed eternal hostility to a cor- rupt king and Parliament, and pledged themselves to sustain the colonists and do what they could to crash the tyrant.

During the period of Mr. McFarquahr's term the congregation was very large. It became necessary to place benches in the broad aisle in front of the pulpit, and in the aisle leading from the main entrance, to give sufficient seating capacity for the congregation, which sometimes numbered five hundred persons, about one-third of whom were communicant mem- bers.

In the year 1799 a new roof of pine shingles was put on the church. Prior to that time the roof was covered with oak shingles, eut from the trees in the woods surrounding the meeting-house.

In 1777 the Rev. Cohn MeFarquhar was called, and served as pastor until his resignation in 1806. Rev. William Kerr was called, ordained, and installed 1807; died Sept. 22, 1821. Rev. Orson Douglas was installed in 1822, and resigned in 1836. Rev. Thomas Marshall Boggs was ordained and installed April 27, 1837. Rev. William F. Houston presided. Rev. Samnel Martin, D.D., preached the sermon and de- livered the charge to pastor, and Rev. John II. Symmes delivered the charge to the people. Rev. Mr. Boggs died Nov. 10, 1850. Rev. J. L. Rodgers was called as pastor Aug. 21, 1851, and resigned in September, 1856 ; during Mr. Rodgers' pastorate he preached. in Donegal and Mount Joy on alternate Sundays. From 1856 until 1869 the Rev. John J. Lane served as pastor. Rev. John Edgar was called in 1869, and resigned in 1870. Rev. William B. Browne supplied Donegal Church from 1871 until 1880. Rev. Cyrus B. Whitcomb called to Donegal Church Nov. 13, 1880; installed April 16, 1882. Pas- toral relation of Mr. Whitcomb with Donegal Church dissolved by Presbytery June 14, 1882. Since the dissolution of the pastoral relation of Mr. Whitcomb the church has been supplied by the Rev. Robert Gamble, who was unanimously called as pastor Aug. 19, 1883.

Biographical Sketches of the early Pastors of Donegal Church. - JAMES ANDERSON was the first minister regularly installed, and of him we shall first speak. He was born in Scotland Nov. 14, 1668, and was ordained by Irvine Presbytery Nov. 17, 1708, with a view to his settlement in Virginia. He sailed for America March 6, 1709, and arrived in the Rappa- hannock River on the 22d day of April of the same year. Hle was not satisfied with the state of affairs there, and' he came north and entered Philadelphia Presbytery Sept. 20, 1709, and settled at New Castle, where he supplied several churches in that Presby- tery. On Sept. 20, 1717, he received a call from a Presbyterian congregation in New York City, and with the approbation of the Philadelphia Synod he

PLAN OF DONEGAL MEETING - HOUSE, DECEMBER 99, 1760, DRAWN BY BEATHAM GALBRAITH.

DONEGAL CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD.

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EAST DONEGAL TOWNSHIP.

accepted the call. After being installed he soon found that he had made a mistake. His congregation did not like his plain and severe preaching, and he felt it his duty to resign the charge. As before stated, he received a call to Donegal Sept. 24, 1726. In the summer of 1727 he purchased three hundred acres of land, located along the river, from Robert Wilkins. He built his dwelling near the stream of water which ran through his plantation near Marietta, where he lived for the remainder of his life. In the following year or two he also purchased a farm along Little Chikis Creek just above its junction with Big Chikis Creek. For the years 1729 and 1730 he gave one-fifth of his time to the people of Swatara and Derry. He belonged to the " Old School," and being a person of strong convictions and forcible ex- pressions he suited his congregation, who were of like faith and plainness of speech.

Mr. Anderson married Miss Garland, daughter of Sylvester Garland, of Virginia, in February, 1713. She died at Donegal Dec. 24. 1736. On the 27th day of December, 1737, Mr. Anderson married Rebecca Crawford, the daughter of Edward Crawford, of Donegal.

MY. Anderson traveled among the weak congrega- tions in Virginia and elsewhere, and while on a visit to Opequan he contracted a cold, from which he died, soon after his return, on the leth day of July, 1740.

The Presbytery and Synod declared frequently that he was in high esteem for " circumspection, diligence, and faithfulness as a Christian minister."

REV. JOSEPH TATE was called to Donegal in June, . 1748. The congregation agreed to give him seventy pounds to buy a plantation and seventy pounds salary.

On the 15th day of December, 1748, he married Margaret, the eldest daughter of Rev. Adam Boyd, of Octorara. He was eccentric, but fearless in reproving vice and the errors of the day. He was a fluent and graceful speaker. He died Oct. 11, 1774, aged sixty- three, and left his wife, Margaret, and the following- named children surviving him, viz. : Matthew, Adam, John, Benjamin, Jane ( Anderson), Margaret (Me- Queen), and Saralı.

REV. COLIN MCFARQUHAR was born in Scotland, "he died in 1822, aged ninety-three.

and educated at Edinburgh University, where he also filled a position as teacher in that institution. He was a fine Greek and Latin scholar. In 1775 he came to America to seek a place where he could settle, leav- ing his family behind him until he was permanently located. Ile preached at several of the churches in Cumberland Valley and in Virginia, and was a stated supply at Bedford. He came to Donegal and preached a trial sermon in the fall of 1775. The congregation were pleased with him, and they gave him a call, which he accepted. He boarded at the tavern of Samuel Scott, at "Big Chikis, known as Capt. Hugh Pedan's tavern, where he continued to board for several years.

Upon blank leaves of the " Universal Seats Alma- nac" Mr. McFarquhar made a record of the names of every member of his congregation and of their fam- ilies .. The following is a copy of memoranda made by him in the almanac :

" The Universal Scots Almanack," for the year 1774. The most Putty is on the inside of the cover and reads as follows, viz: " The l'isle, of Donegal to meet ut Shipping, 3rd, Tuesday of Deer, next. " Memalath- thun-"Paper Twist Breches"-" Turpentine." " Catechising Rull of Je members of the congregation of Donegal taken down Nus 1776.

" 1778 Apr

Presbyterys appointments of supply-viz.

" Eust Pensborough at District

" Shrewsbury 4th Sab May

" Little Cannawago 2 Sab July

" Hanover, 5th Sab Augst"

May 17, 1779, Received of Salary for 1778 £22,14, 9 of arrars of 1777 €2.3,-11-9 Bill of Salary 1777,-172-10-7"

Ou another unge, the following : "1780 Maich, then gave in Liah to Mrs. Scot one hundred dollars"

April 3, 1780 From Wm Wilson in the name of the Congregation in part of Stipend for year 1779, and 1780-ix half Joanura-one- 30) pieces 2 guineas and a silver dollar an all 021-12-6.

" 7th, April 1780 Then gave more in Loan to Mr. Hannah scot 200 dolars.

Appointments for 1780, 2, Sab., June, Slate Rulge, 3, Sale , at Chance- ford, 2, S.b., August, Hanover, 3, S.b., October, Carlysle."

April 25, 1780, received from James Wilson as collector of stipends for years 1779 and 1780, four hundred dollars.

May lo, gave in loan to Mrs. Hannab Scot, 70 dollars.

May 20, received from William Miller 1; Joantes, from William Me- Kean, one guinea.

Widow Hannah Scot, $2-14

Mr James Work, Co.

Froin Benjamin Miins, !, Joannes,

June 24, gave in loin to Mis Scot of Continental bills, sou dallas. The above returned by Hannah Scot September 1, 1780. Hannah Woot Jon dollars

September 2, 1780, gave in loan to Mrs. Hannah Seot (Ist), con hun- dred and eighty dullar -.

Sep. 15, gave Mis, Seot 4 hard dollars.

Sep. 29, 1760, then gave Robert Sprars biftren pounds tru -Inthis as hard money, which together with five pounds he has in his handsot the stipends he received is collector, makes twenty pounds in part of fifty pounds which he gave me in loan when Iwent to New York in beta- ber 1779.

"Nov , 11, 1780, which day I paid Mis. Hannah Scot for any board wages, jeerding the fust Nav 1780 She owes mein hard dollar and t2-14; the bard money fot stipends for years 1779 and 1750 '

After Mr. MeFarquhar gave up his charge, after the death of his wife, Elizabeth, in 1805, he removed to Lancaster and resided with his daughter, Mr -. Hugh Willson. Subsequently he went to Hagerstown, where

REv. WILLIAM KERE was born in Bart town-hij., in this county, in October, 1777. He had nine brothers and sisters. His parents were members of the Associate Reformed Church. His father died soon after his birth, and he was left to the tender care of a pious mother. He was sent to the school of the neighborhood, and at an early age gave promise of a useful and brilliant career. He was sent to Jef- ferson College, at Cannonsburg, Washington Cu., l'a., where he graduated. He then went to Wilmington, Del., and became principal of an academy, and while thus engaged connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, and, in pursuance of what he deemed to be his duty to the cause of religion, placed himself under

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

the care of New Castle Presbytery. In 1804 he was sent by Presbytery to supply the congregation at Harrisburg, Pa., where he preached for eighteen months. After one or two trial sermons he received a call from Donegal Church, and in 1807 he was in- stalled. He married Mary Elder, only daughter of James Willson.

Mr. Kerr was not averse to farming pursuits, and it was no unusual cireunistance to find him plowing when parties went to his dwelling to get united in the holy bonds of matrimony. Mr. Kerr died sud- denly in Marietta in 1821. IFis daughter, Mary Elder Kerr, married Hermanus Atricks, Esq., of Harris- burg. Dr. James Wilson Kerr, about forty-three years ago, removed to York.

REV. ORSON DOUGLASS, who succeeded Mr. Kerr, was born in the town of Middlebury, in Vermont. He practiced law in that State for a short time, but his health having become impaired by excessive ap- plication to his studies, he went to Georgia, where he taught school for a short time. After his father's death he determined to study for the ministry, and came on to Princeton, where he pursued his theologi- cal course. It seems that he returned to Georgia after being admitted to the gospel ministry, where he had charge of a congregation for a short time. The father of Mrs. Douglass was very much opposed to 1 her going so far away from home, and in consequence of his wishes Mr. Douglass gave up his charge in Georgia and accepted a call in Old Donegal. Mrs. Foulke pays a just and feeling tribute to her father's · character. She never knew him to be angry or out of temper, and he was extremely careful not to wound the feelings of any one. He was the most unselfish of men. No one has had a better opportunity to no- derstand thoroughly the character of Mr. Douglass than his daughter, and it is a pleasure to know the good qualities of one of Old Donegal's pastors from so authentic a source. ITe married a daughter of James Stewart, a presiding elder in Dr. Ely's church, in Philadelphia. He was a cousin of the late Stephen Douglass. Ile resigned his charge in 1836 and moved ! to Philadelphia, where he took charge of a Marine Church, and afterwards became agent for one of the , who was a trained teacher, also taught a classical church missions.

REV. THOMAS MARSHALL BOGGS was born near Cross Creek, in Washington County, l'a., June 26, 1813, and was the son of John and Sarah Boggs, Hle was a very bright boy, and far in advance of other boys of the same age. ITe was sent to an academy at Cross George Marshall, D.D. He entered Washington Col- lege, and graduated with second honors in his class at the age of eighteen years. He attended the Theo- logical Seminary at Pinceton, and on leaving there he took charge of the academy at New London Cross Roads, in Chester County. He married Amelia Jane, daughter of Gen. John M. Cunningham, of Chester County. Ilis death occurred in 1850, and he left his

widow and son, William Marshall Boggs, now a prac- ticing lawyer in Cambria County.

Elizabeth married Rev. John Edgar, who was also a pastof of Donegal.

Schools .. The first school house erected in this township was built at the Presbyterian meeting- house at Donegal Spring, a few years after the church was built. School was only kept during the winter months. One of the earliest teachers was William Wright. An Irishman named Joseph Jeffries taught there and at Brenneman's and at Marietta seventy- five years ago.

Colin MeFarquhar, of the ministers of Old Done- gal Church, was the only one in its early history who taught a classical school. While he resided in May- town he prepared a number of young men for their entrance into college. Hle was a very fine classical scholar. He received the highest praise from a num- her of college professors and members of the Lancas- ter County bar for the thorough manner in which he taught young men who entered the ministry and the profession of the law.

The second oldest school-house stood near the spring in Duffy', Park. It was a school-house as early as 1750. I think, however, that the building prior to that time was used as a dwelling. When John Lowrey purchased the farm, about 1746, he built a dwelling a fourth of a mile farther down the run, and brought the water from the run in ditches near to his dwelling. The first cabins of the pioneer set- tlers were always built near a spring or stream of water.

An Irishman named Murphy taught in this school- house prior to the Revolution. About the year 1800, Mrs. Evans, who owned the land, rented the little log school-house to Mr. Bell and Sally; who remained there for several years, cultivating a little patch of ground in the heart of a large woods. After Sally Bell removed to Marietta, it was occupied by Samuel Craig, one of Charley Sewell's slaves, who drove Mrs. Evans' coach. After he went to Hayti, in 1825, it was torn down.

Thomas Marshall Boggs, the minister at Donegal, school in Marietta and Mount Joy.

His brother, John, taught a classical school in Ma- rietta. Private schools outside of the towns were done away with after the common school system came into successful operation.

John Scott, an eccentric Irishman, came to Donegal Creek village, under the care of his uncle, Rev. 'about the year 1799. Ile was an ardent Presbyterian and member of Donegal Church. He was never mar- ried. He had a room or two in Maytown, where he lived when not engaged among the farmers. He was a very frugal man, and it cost him but little to live. He saved several thousand dollars. When the infirm- ities of old age came upon him he devised the bulk of his property to the schools of Donegal township. But few, if any, of his acquaintances or friends had

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EAST DONEGAL TOWNSHIP.

an idea of the amount of the old man's savings while he lived. After his death an effort was made to have ; years ago along "Groves' Run," and about a mile from the river.

his estate escheated. Abraham N. Cassel, who was one of the school directors of the township, hearing of the movement, went to Harrisburg, and after con- sulting with Mr. Jacob Foreman, who was a member of Assembly from Conoy township, and with William ITiester, a member of the Senate, an act of Assembly was passed authorizing this trust fund to be invested for the use of the schools of Donegal township. Conoy township having been a part of Donegal township, it was also included in the bill, and thus the Scott school fund, amounting to several thousand dollars, was saved to the district, and the children of Old Donegal are now reaping the benefit of this old man's savings. When they enter the graveyard at- tached to Donegal Church, let them not forget to keep his memory green by caring for his tomb.

When the common school system was started in 1834, the citizens of the township refu-ed to accept the law, and declined to levy a tax to support the same. A. N. Cassel, William D. Slaymaker, and a majority of the school directors were warm friend, of the law. They employed teachers and made them- selves personally responsible for the payment of the teacher-' salaries. In the following year the farmers gradually came to the support of the law.

Mills .- John Galbraith built the first grist- and saw-mill in the township about the year 1721. it was located on Donegal Meeting-House Run, on the north side of the Marietta and Mount Joy turnpike. The old mill was torn down, and a new and much larger one was built of stone on the opposite side of the turnpike by Henry Sharer in 1810. There was also connected with the mill a still-house. It was re- eently owned by Henry Hiestand.

John Mais erected a fulling-mill in 1730 on Little Chikis Creek, about one and a half miles south of Mount Joy. For nearly a hundred years this mill ran. There is nothing left of it now but the founda- tion walls.

Anderson's Ferry Hotel was built by James An- David Cook & Son had a grist-mill on Chikis prior ! derson, son of the minister, soon after he obtained the patent for his ferry, about the year 1741.

to the Revolutionary war.

John Greider had a grist-mill in Donegal town- ship prior to 1776.

Joli Grove built a grist- and saw-mill prior to the Revolution, which stood near the mouth of Groves' Run, now called Shock's Run, two miles west from Marietta. Groves sold the mill to Abraham Shock.

Henry Sherer built a large stone grist-mill near the junction of Big and Little Chikis Creeks in 1809 or 1810. It is more generally known as "Johnson's mill.".

There was built more than a hundred years ago a "corn-mill" upon the northern branch of Donegal Meeting-House Run, a short distance south of the Mount Joy and Middletown turnpike. It was built probably by Gordon Howard. Many years ago it was more generally known as Brenneman's mill.

Cunrad Ziegler built a grist-mill about forty-five

Christian Haldeman about forty-five years ago built a large stone grist-mill on Donegal Meeting-House Run, near its mouth. It is now owned by John Baker, who also owns a rolling-mill close by.

About the elose of the Revolution, Jacob Graybill erected a stone grist-mill on Donegal Run, about three-fourths of a mile above the old Galbraith mill. ITis son Jacob erected a new mill of brick in 1830. It is owned by Mr. Nissly, and is called Nissly's mill.

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History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 53

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320