USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 50
USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
This method cannot fail to be of great advantage to the schools, since the Deputy Trustees, being part of the very people for whom the work is undertaken, and having their own children at the same schools, they must have an inter- est in the reputation of them, and do all in their power to advance good education in them. Besides this, being always near at hand, they can advise and encourage the master, and help him over any difficulties he may meet with ..
But, 6thly. As the keeping up a spirit of emulation among the youth is the life of all schools, therefore, that we may leave as little room as possible for that remissness, which sometimes hurts charities of this nature, we shall, as far as
685
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
our situation will permit, have a personal regard to the ex- ecution of the whole. As the Assistant Trustees may often want our advice in removing difficulties and making new regulations, we shall so contrive it, that Mr. Schlatter shall be present with them at their quarterly meetings, to consult with them, and concert the proper measures to be taken .- Besides this, we shall have one general visitation of the whole schools every year, at which one or more of us shall endeavor to be present. On these occasions, such regula- tions shall be made, as may be wanted; and careful inquiry will be made whether any parents think themselves injured, by any unjust exclusion of their children from an equal bene- fit of the common charity, or by the partiality of the mas- ters or otherwise. At such visitations, books will be given as rewards and encouragement, to the diligent and deserv- ing scholars. The masters will likewise have proper marks of esteem shown them in proportion to their fidelity and in- dustry in the discharge of their office.
7thly. With regard to the number of schools to be open- ed, that will depend partly on the encouragement given by the people themselves, and partly on the increase of the so- ciety's funds. A considerable number of places are propo- sed to fix schools in; but none are yet absolutely determi- ned upon, but New Hanover, New Providence, and Read- ing .* These places were first fixed upon because the peo- ple of all persuasions, Lutherans, Calvinists, and other Pro- testants, moved with a pious and fatherly concern for the
Since the original publication, petitions have been sent to the Trustees General, from Upper Solfort, from Vincent township, in Chester county, from the borough of Lancaster, from Tulpehocken and several other places, all which will be considered as soon as pos- sible. Feb. 25, 1755 .- Penna. Gaz."
Note .- Schools were also established; in . 1756, besides the places mentioned at Lancaster, York, Easton, and several other places.
15*
686
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
illiterate state of their helpless children, did, with true Chris- tian harmony, present their petitions, praying that their nu- merous children of all denominations in these parts, might be made the common object of the intended charity. . And for this benevolent purpose, they did further agree to offer school houses in which their children might be instructed together, as dear fellow Christians, redeemed by the same common Lord and Saviour, and travelling to the same heav- enly country, through this valley of tears, notwithstanding . they may sometimes take roads a little different in points of smaller moment.
This striking example of unanimity and good agreement among all denominations, we hope, will be imitated by those who shall afterwards apply to us for fixing schools among them ; since it is only upon the aforesaid generous plan for the common benefit of all, that we find ourselves em- powered to institute such schools. But while the petitions are agreeable to this, our plan, as now explained, they will not be overlooked, as long as the funds continue. And if the petitioners shall recommend school masters, as was the case at New Hanover, New Providence, and Reading, such school masters will have the preference, provided they are men of sufficient probity and knowledge, agreeable to all parties, and acquainted with both the English and Dutch (German) languages, or willing to learn either of these lan- guages which they may not then be perfectly acquainted with.
These are essential qualifications; and unless the generous society had made provision for teaching English as well as Dutch, (German) it would not have answered their benevo- lent design, which is to qualify the Germans for all the ad- vantages of native English subject. But this could not have been done, without giving them an opportunity of learning English, by speaking of which they may expect to rise to
687
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
to places of profit and honor in the country. They will likewise be thereby enabled to buy or sell to the greater ad- vantage in our markets, to understand their own causes in courts of justice, where pleading are in English, to know what is doing in the country around them, and, in a word, to judge and act entirely for themselves without being obli- ged to take things upon the word of others, whose interest it may be to deceive and mislead them.
We have only further to add, that having thus published, in our names, a true and faithful account of the rise and progress of this excellent charity, down to the present time, we hope it will candidly be received as such, and prevent many wrong conjectures and insinuations, that might other- wise have been made, if we had not given this genuine and necessary information concerning it. From the foregoing plan, it plainly appears, that as the chief management is in the people themselves, it must be entirely their own faults, if these schools do not become the greatest blessing to many generations, that ever was proposed in this country. Such, and so benevolent are the designs of this new society !
And surely, now, we may be permitted, in their name, to address you, countrymen and fellow Christians, for whose benefit the great work is undertaken ! We cannot but en- treat you to consider, of what importance such a scheme must be to you, and your children after you. We are un- willing that there are any persons, who do not heartily wish success to a design so pious and benevolent. But, if, un- happily for themselves, there should be any such among us, we are bound in charity to suppose they have never yet re- flected that, whilst they indulge such wishes, they are in fact acting a part, plainly repugnant to the interests of lib- erty, true religion, and even of human nature.
Mankind in general are, perhaps, scarcely raised more, by their nature, above the brutes, than a man well instructed
688
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
above the man of no knowledge or education; and whoever strives to keep a people in ignorance, must certainly harbor notions or designs that are unfavorable, either to their civil or religious liberty. For whilst a people are incapable of knowing their own interests, or judging for themselves, they cannot be governed by free principles, or by their own choice ; and though they should not be immediate slaves of the government under which they live, yet they must be slaves or dupes to those whose councils they are obliged to have recourse to, and follow blindly, on all occasions, which is the most dishonorable species of slavery.
But, on the other hand, a design for instructing a people, and adorning the minds of their children with useful know- ledge, can carry nothing in it but what is friendly to liberty, and auspicious to all the most sacred interests of mankind.
Were it otherwise, why are so many of the greatest and best men, both of the British and the German nations, en- gaged in the undertaking? Why have they, as it were, stooped from their high spheres, and even condescended .to beg from house to house, in order to promote it! Is not all this done with the glorious intention of relieving from dis- tressful ignorance that was like to fall upon you ? Is it not done with a view to call you up to all the advantages of free and enlightened subjects, capable of thinking and acting for yourselves ? And shall they call you in vain ? God forbid ! If by any infatuation you should neglect the means of knowledge and eternal happiness, now offered you, think seriously what must be the consequence. You will be ac- countable in the sight of Almighty God, not only for your own sad negligence, but for all that misery and slavery, which you may thereby entail upon your hapless offspring to the latest generations. Your very names will be held in abhorrence by your own children, if, for the want of instruc- tion, their privileges should either be abridged here, or they
689
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
should fall a prey to the error and slavery of our restless enemies.
But on the contrary, if proper instructions are begun now, and constantly carried on among you, no design can ever be hatched against your religion or liberties, but what you shall quickly be able to discover and defeat. All the arts of your enemies will be of no avail to sever you from your true in- terests, as men and as protestants. You shall know how to make the true use of all your noble privileges, and instead of moving in a dry and barren land, where no water is, you and your posterity shall flourish from age to age, in all that is valuable in human life. A barren region shall be turned into a fruitful country, and a thirsty land into pools of wa- ter. The wilderness and solitary place shall be glad through you, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose .- Isa. 35.
That you may soon be placed in these happy circumstan- ces, shall be our continual endeavor, as it is our sincere prayer. But if ever you hope to be so, or to transmit the glorious privileges of Protestants and Freemen to your pos- terity, we must observe, that in this time of danger, (when a popish enemy has advanced far into our country, even to your very doors,) it becomes you to be extremely jealous for your safety. It becomes you to exert yourselves for the calm enjoyment of that religion, for the sake of which you crossed the stormy ocean, and encountered the horrors of the desert. It becomes you to secure your children the full and free possession of these fair seats, which your own hands have formed out of the vast wilderness. Whatever unfavor- able notions you may apprehend the government at home has fallen into concerning your conduct, on account of the great distance, you may now be sure, that while you do your duty as good subjects, we shall at all times present you in the most impartial light to the honorable society of
690
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
London; and as this Society consists of some of the best and greatest men of the English nation, who have generously taken you and all your concerns under their protection, they will always be glad to receive you in kind and acceptable terms, to the continuance of our most gracious Sovereign.
By order, and in behalf of the Trustees General. WILLIAM SMITH, Secretary. Philadelphia, Feb. 25, 1755.
791
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
1 . 1. ! 0
1
CHAPTER XI.
Religious History-The Lutherans-The German Reformed-The Presbyterians-The Episcopalians-The Moravians-The German Seventh Day Baptists-The Roman Catholics-The Methodists- The Baptists-The Evangelical Association-The Church of God -The German Baptists-The Friends or Quakers-the Menno- nites.
LUTHERANS .- It has been ascertained that some Luther- ans had immigrated to America as early as 1621 ; and ma- ny before 1650, and settled in New York; but they had no minister of their own denomination laboring among them before 1659, when Jacob Fabricius arrived and labored among the Lutherans in New York for eighteen years, and then left his flock there and went to Pennsylvania, connect- ed himself with the Swedish Lutheran Church at Wicaco, now Southwark, Philadelphia, where he preached fourteen years ; during nine of which he was blind. He died 1692.
From A. D. 1682, especially in 1708, '9, '10, and 1720, thousands of Germans crossed the Atlantic, and settled in various parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and North Caro- lina, among whom were many Lutherans : some of settled at Schoharia, and Schenectady, in the state of New York, among these Revds. Falkner, Knoll, Rochendaler, Wolf, Hartwick, Van Duehren, Bockenmeyer and others, minis- tered.
Of the first who labored in the interior of Pennsylvania was the Rev. Stoever, who had collected a congregation as early as 1732, near Lebanon. Settlements of Germans har-
692
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
ing been made in the lower part of York county ; at Hano- ver and at York; four and twenty heads of families, prin- cipally from Wuertember, associated in 1733, and formed the first Lutheran Congregation west of the Susquehanna river. The names of the members of the first congregation who had thus associated, are, as far as can be ascertained, Christial Groll, Philip Ziegler, Heinrich Schultz, George Schwaab, John Adam Diehl, Jacob Sherer, Mathias Schmei- ser, George Schmeiser, Martin Bauer, George Adam Zim- merman, George Ziegler, Joseph Beyer, Jacob Ziegler, Va- lentine Schultz, Michael Walch, Carl Eisen, Paul Burk- harddt, Henrich Zauck, Gottfried Mauch, Christian Kraut. They procured a Church Book in which the names of the first, and all subsequent members have been registered.
During the first ten or fifteen years, the congregation was visited by the Revds. Candler, H. M. Muhlenberg, F. Handschuh, Brunnholtz. In 1744 a church was built in York; having previous worshipped in private dwellings. Soon after the church was finished the Revd. Mr. Schaum became their pastor ; he, however, remained a few years, and was succeeded by the Revds. Hochheimer, Bager, and Rause.
During Rause's time, the congregation grew consider- ably, so that in the year 1762, it consisted of five hundred and fifty members. The successors of Rause were the Revds. Hornell,' Bager, Nicolaus Kurtz, Jacob Goering; a sound and learned divine, of extensive erudition and powerful elo- quence. He administered to the congregation twenty-one years. He died November 27, 1807.
The Revd. John George Schmucker, D. D., became pas- tor of this and other congregations in connexion with this, in August, 1809. He labored faithfulfy in his arduous charge for thirty years ; but owing to bodily infirmity, disabling him to discharge the duties of his office, as he would wished to
693
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
have done, he relinquished the York congregation; and it is now under the pastoral care of the Rev. Augustus H. Loch- man. "
At present there is another Lutheran Church in the Bo- rough of York, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Oswald. Besides these two, there are rising of twenty or more Lu- theran congregations and churches in York county. The Rev. Schmucker, Lochman, Albert, Deininger, Oswald, German, and Burke, officiate in the several Lutheran Churches.
. GERMAN REFORMED .- From the year 1682, at different intervening periods, Germans immigrated to America, some of whom, at a comparatively early period, settled in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and other States- among these were many who were members of the German Reformed Church, and whose care it was to have ministers of their own denomination in their midst. Thus we find, in the early settlements at Schoharie in New York, the Ger- man Reformed had a Church in Weisersdorff, and the Revd. Frederick Heger, a German Reformed minister, officiated there as early as 1720. Heger was succeded by the Revd. John Jacob Sehl, also a German Reformed minister.
At Goshenhoppen, in this State, German settlements were commenced about the years 1699, or 1700; and there we find a German Reformed congregation organized as early as 1717, and having for their pastor the Revd. Henry Goet- schy, whose field of labor was very extensive.
Many German Reformed settled, at an early period in Philadelphia, and they had the Rev. George Michael Weiss, as their pastor as early as 1727. The numerous German Reformed of Lancaster county had as their minister, the Revd. Johannes Bartholomaeus Rieger, who arrived in this country in 1731.
And in this county, the German Reformed were so anxi-
16
694
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
ous to have a spiritual instructor, that from necessity they waived the good custom, to have a German Reformed min- ister, they called the Rev. Jacob Lischy, then a Moravian, to settle among them.
On the 12th of August, 1744, George Meyer, Philip Rothrock, Elders of the church, and others invited, by let- ter, the Rev. Jacob Lischy, to assume the pastoral charge of the German Reformed at York. This invitation he de- clined ; but ere long another invitation was sent him, which he accepted, in May 1745; and shortly afterwards arrived at York, took charge of the German Reformed congregation.
On the same Sabbath that he preached his introductory sermon, the Sacrament of the Lord's supper was dispensed to the members of the congregation. Shortly on Lischy's arrival, the trustees of the congregation-Jacob Welsch and Samuel Welsch took up a lot in the town of York, to erect a house of worship on. This was lot No. 91-surveyed by T. Cookson, March 11th, 1746, for the use of the congre- gation. Here they erected a wooden building, as the first German Reformed Church west of the Susquehanna river. Having a church, they were also mindful to secure a par- sonage, "or to erect a house for their minister for the time being." Lot No. 48 was purchased. It was originally surveyed to George Schwaab, George Meyer, Henry Wolf, Jacob Obb, Joseph Welschhans and George Hoak, as Trus- tees for the congregation.
Shortly after the congregation at York was fully organ- zed ; others were established in the county ; but they were still few in number. From the Church Records at York, it appears that in 1751, there were congregations at York- town, Kreutz creek, Codorus and Bermudian creek, all un- der the pastoral charge of Lischy-the whole of those num- bering only eighty seven members.
The Revd. Lischy remained here till about the year 1758
695
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
or '59. It appears that he either voluntarily seceded from the German Reformed connection, or was suspended, and subsequently expelled. In the Coetual proceedings of that body, of October, 1760, it is urged against him as a com- plaint, that he was acting with duplicity, and that his course of conduct was exceedingly objectionable :
" Dr. Lischy heeft ons niet laaten weeten van die vriend- elyke Brief van de Hoog. Eerw. Synodeus und E. Classis aen hem geschrewen, endas hebben wy'er onkundig van ge- weest: zyn gedrag zoo ergerlyk zynde, dat men geen ge- meynschap kenne hebben en schynt van dag to dag erger to worden, zoo dat men niets goeds van hein hopen kenne in 't toekomende."
After Lischy's leaving, the congregation here, and others in the county, were, for a short time, destitute of a pastor. In seeking for another minister, their attention was turned to the Revd. Johann Conrad Wirtz, pastor of the churches of Rachor and Fally, in Jersey. The congregation sent him a letter of invitation, by the hands of Mr. Spengler, of York. He visited them in September, 1761, and preached. Soon after, he consented to become their pastor ; provided his congregations in Jersey would agree to his leaving them, and by the approbation of the English Presbytery of Bruns- wick, who had ordained him to the ministry. Having ob- tained the consent of his congregation and Presbytery, he returned to York, May 5th, 1762, and on the 9th, being the Sabbath, he preached his inaugural sermon from these words: Und ich nahm das Buechlein von der Hand des En- gels, und verschlang es. Und es war sues in meinem Munde, wie Honig; und da ich es gegessen hatte, grimmete michs im Bauche.
It appears the congregations under the pastoral care of Revd. Wirtz, prospered ; though his usefulness among them
-
696
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
was soon interrupted ; for he died on Wednesday, Septem- ber 21st, 1763.
On the death of their faithful and beloved minister, the congregations were destitute of a pastor for two years. In September, 1765, the Revd. William Otterbein commenced his labors here, and continued to administer to these con- gregations for nearly nine years.
In May, 1764, the Revd. Daniel Wagner took charge of the congregation, and ministered faithfully, and with great success, till 1786, when he removed to Tulpehocken, in Berks county. During Mr. Wagner's stay at Tulpehock- en, the Revds. Stock and Droldenier, were the pastors here. In 1793, in the month of October, the Revd. Wagner re- turned again to York, and took charge of the congregation, and remained till October, 1802, when, on an invitation from the German Reformed, in Maryland, he settled in Frederick city.
After an interval of eighteen months, the Revd. George Geistweit took charge of the congregation, in May, 1804, and continued till 1820, when he resigned his charge. He was then succeeded by the Rev. Lewis Mayer, D. D., who arrived here, January 8th, 1821; and labored with great faithfulness, till April, 1825; when, having accepted the appointment of Theological Professor of the German Re- formed Theological Seminary, then located at Carlisle, he resigned his pastoral charge. The Revd. Mayer was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Ross Reily, in April, 1827, and contin- ued till his health failed him in 1831. The congregation was, from the time of Reily's resignation, for a period of a year, supplied by the Professors and Students of the Theo- logical Seminary-as the Seminary had been removed from Carlisle to York. In October, 1832, the Revd. John Cares was called as their pastor by the congregation. He dis-
697
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
charged the duties of his office till he was disabled by severe indisposition. He died in 1843. The Revd. Herman Doug- las had charge of the congregation for some time-immedi- ately after the decease of the Rev. Cares.
The number of German Reformed congregations in this county, is thirty-one. The ministers laboring in this county are the Revds. Daniel Ziegler, Herman Douglas, Jacob Sechler, John Reinecke, William C. Bennett, Daniel Riegel, Frederick W. Vander Sloot, and Jacob Geiger. Thenum- ber of church members exceeds two thousand in the county.
PRESBYTERIANS .- Settlements were made at an early pe- riod, principally by English and Scotch families in what are termed the York county Barrens. The first settlers here were Presbyterians. A congregation was organized and church erected, near Muddy creek, prior to 1750. The Revd. Whittlesay was their first pastor ; and as the popu- lation was rather sparse, when he commenced his labors, he administered to the wants of those who then inhabited what is now within the limits of Chanceford, Lower Chance- ford, Fawn and Peachbottom townships. As the popula- tion increased, several churches were erected within the li- mits of these townships, and also in various parts of the county, viz : at York, and in Manahan, now Carroll town- ship.
The Revd. Whittlessy labored some years among the people of his charge in the "Barrens." He was succeeded by the Revd. Mr. Morrison, an emigrant from Scotland .- During his time the second church was erected. Mr. Mor- rison was succeeded by the Revd. Mr. Black, who took charge of the two congregations, and during his time the the third church was erected.' The successor of Mr. Black, was the Revd. John Strain, who was, in 1760, installed
16*
698
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
joint pastor of several congregations. In his time the fourth church was erected. Mr. Strain died March 1774.
The, Revd. Smith succeeded Strain. He preached at the Slate Ridge, and Lower Chanceford Church. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. John Slemons, who preached at Slate Ridge and Lower Chanceford ; having preached ten years at the former place, he resigned that part of his charge; but continued to labor a few years longer at the latter place. As soon as Mr. Slemon resigned the Slate Ridge, the Revd. Dr. Samuel Martin became pastor of this congregation, and on the resignation by Mr. Slemon of the Lower Chanceford church, he took charge of both, where he labored till 1812 ; but sometime in 1814 became pastor of the Lower Chance- ford congregation anew, and the Revd. Mr. Parke took charge of the Slate Ridge* congregation. Each continued till 1834.
PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION IN YORK .- Several Pres- byterian families resided in York prior to 1751; but no separate place of public worship was owned by them. An Episcopal church had been erected in York about the be- ginning of the Revolution of '76, in which the Presbyterians worshipped, for some years, in common with the members of the Church of England.
In 1789, they erected a house of their own, in which they have since worshipped. Their first stated pastor here, was the Revd. Robert Cathcart, who was ordained and installed pastor of this and the Hopewell congregation by the Pres- bytery of Carlisle, in October, 1793. The congregation, at the time of his ordination, consisted of some twenty-five families.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.