History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 59

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).

About 1830 a series of incidents began which are some- times referred to as the church war between the Presby- terians and Methodists. Wilkes-Barre had only recently been embraced within the limits of the newly organized Oneida Methodist Conference, and constituted a regular charge. The Methodist circuit preachers had held meet . ings from time to time and had obtained a considerable following, their services often being held in the old

church, the exclusive right to the use of which was claimed by the Presbyterians; but which, on account of its having been erected by the joint contributions of per- sons of all denominations, and many unconnected with any, the Methodists maintained ought to be open for their services a portion of the time. The Presbyte- rians had possession of the keys, and in time the doors were locked against the Methodists, who were so aggres- sive as to force them with a crowbar. A number of amusing incidents of this period, during which, at times, both denominations attempted to hold meetings in the church at the same time, are related; but it would be both uninteresting and unprofitable to enter into detail in treating this unfortunate religious strife. It was final- ly brought to an end by the purchase by the Methodists of the interests of the Presbyterians in the building, the latter denomination having at that time erected a more commodious house of worship, which long since was superseded by other improvements which have culmi- nated in the present elegant and costly structure on Franklin street, near Northampton.

Early Sunday-Schools .- Previous to the organization of Sunday-schools in Wyoming the children were met by office bearers in the church more or less frequently, and instructed in the catechism and most likely in general re- ligious truths suggested thereby. The following note appears in the church record under date of July 9th, 1814:

"Voted unanimously that in the opinion of members present it is the duty of the church to meet frequently with their children for catechism, etc., and that this church concurs with the assembly in recommending the first Tuesday in each month for such meeting."

"All present covenanted to attend with all their children if in providence it should be so ordained that they can.' Four places were appointed for these monthly meetings.

In the spring of 1818 a union Sunday-school of Pres- byterians, Episcopalians and Methodists was organized. Oristus Collins, Dr. Edward Covell and Zachariah B. Peet started the enterprise, and Judge Oristus Collins is supposed to have been the superintendent. In the fall objection was made to the use of the shorter catechism in the school and a division took place. A portion of the school met in the office of Judge David Scott, who was its first superintendent. The records of these early Sunday-schools are very meagre, and their history cannot be written with that certainty that is desirable. By some authorities there is a claim that in the Sunday-school under the superintendency of Judge Scott the Episcopa- lian element predominated. Sectarianism undoubtedly had small place in the plans of the originators of the first Sunday-school. Judge Collins has always been promi- nently identified with the Presbyterian cause, and he continued to act as superintendent of the original school, or became its superintendent after the division, and its sessions are believed to have been held in the old Wilkes- Barre Academy. It is probable that with more or less regularity a Sunday-school was maintained during the . succeeding seven years, though there are no records that

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

such was the case. In 1825 the school was strengthened, or a new organization effected (it is uncertain which), by some ladies from Philadelphia, among whom were Misses Mary Gardner and Susan Mitchell, under whose man- agement it soon manifested a vigorous life. It was held in a building, now destroyed, which stood on the site of Music Hall block. About this time a general interest in the Sunday-school cause became manifest, and schools were opened in various localities around Wilkes-Barre, which have many of them been maintained since.

Later Sunday-School History .- March 31st, 1837, the "Home " school was organized, Mr. W. C. Gildersleeve being reappointed superintendent, a position which he had long held, and serving until June 30th following, when he was succeeded by John M. Burtis. The school has since had a continuous existence under a number of successive superintendents, among the earlier of whom were John O. Baker, Dickinson, Grier, Wurts, Nathaniel Rutter, Andrew T. McClintock, W. S. Parsons and Judge Collins, the latter serving from 1858 to 1867. In the latter year W. S. Parsons was again chosen superintend- ent, and held the office for five or six years. His suc- cessor was Mrs. S. H. Lynch, who was succeeded by the present superintendent, Rev. F. B. Hodge. A number of mission schools have been established in various locali- ties in and around the city, some of which have dis- banded or become connected with other churches. According to the last annual report the aggregate mem- bership of the Presbyterian Sunday-schools of Wilkes- Barre was as follows: Teachers and officers, 114; schol- ars, 1,229; total, 1,343.

Welsh Presbyterian Church .- The house of worship of this church is located at the corner of Northampton and Meade streets. It was erected in 1867. Previous to that date the congregation worshiped in a small wooden building in the locality known as "the Empire." The church was organized in 1864, with the following named members: Robert Wright and wife, Lewis S. Jones and wife, Mary Lewis, Richard Roderick, Stephen Jones, William J. Lewis and wife, David Moses and wife, James Roderick, John C. Jones, J. W. Jones and wife, Thomas Lewis and wife, Elizabeth H. Jones, David I .. Richards and John T. Griffth and wife.

The first pastor was Rev. J. Hughes, who was in charge for seven years. During the three succeeding years the church was without a pastor. In 1874 Rev. T. B. Thomas, the present pastor, took charge.

This is the strongest Welsh church, numerically, in the city. It supports missions on Rolling-mill Hill and in Ashley. The number of members enrolled is 195; the congregation numbers about 500.

The Sunday-school has a membership of 290. The super- intendents are Mr. Samuel Williams and Mrs. C. S. Jones.

The Memorial Presbyterian .- This church was erected as a memorial to Frank Cleveland, Mary Catlin and Lynde Henderson, only children of Calvin and Fanny D. L. Wadhams, who died of scarlet fever in the order in which they are named January 4th and 16th and Febru- ary 9th, 1871.

The work was begun May 21st, 1872, and July 20th the corner stone was laid with appropriate services.

While waiting for the completion of the edifice the necessary steps were taken to secure the organization of a church. The need of another Presbyterian church in the city was apparent, the large house of the prosperous First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre being more than filled. On the minutes of Lackawanna Presbytery, of April 17th, 1873, is the following record; "The un- dersigned (Calvin and Fanny D. L. Wadhams) petition that a committee be appointed with power to organize a church in the city of Wilkes-Barre, to be known as Me- morial Church." This request was granted, and Febru- ary 24th, 1874, the church was organized, with the fol- lowing members, who presented letters of dismissal from other churches:

Calvin Wadhams, Fanny D. L. Wadhams, John W. Lynde, Stella M. Shoemaker, R. C. Shoemaker, Frederick M. Shoemaker, Charles P. Hunt, Anna M. Hunt, P. M. Bar- ber, Mary B. Barber, Susan C. Hunt, J. A. Rippard, Catharine P. Rippard, George S. Rippard, Mary E. W. Rippard, Jennie Rippard, Christian Sleppy, Juliet H. Metzger, Malinda A. Metzger, Ann M. Hunt, John Rod- erick, Margaret Roderick, Eleanor Griffith, Nettie Mc- Neish, Joseph Brown, Ann Brown, Elizabeth S. Spence, Elizabeth S. Harrower, Anna M. Doran, Elizabeth Doran, Frances L. Doran, Gertrude Blackman, Albert Barnes, Sarah Barnes and George H. Lake, from the First Pres- byterian Church of Wilkes-Barre; Hattie Lake, from the First Presbyterian Church, Scranton; Anna M. Wells, from the Congregational Church, Glastonbury, Conn .; Elvira B. Hathaway, from the Presbyterian church, Tioga, Pa., and O. F. Harvey, from the Brainerd Presbyterian Church, Easton, Pa.

Silas B. Hathaway and Sophia J. Harvey, after exam- ination, were received on profession of their faith. J. A. and George S. Rippard were elected elders. Immed- iately after the organization a meeting was held for the purpose of calling a pastor, which resulted in the choice of Rev. W. H. Swift, who was ordained and installed May 7th following, and has served continuously since. The dedication of the church took place April 8th, 1874, with appropriate ceremonies, after which it was given to the congregation by Mr. and Mrs. Wadhams upon cer- tain specified conditions.

The history of the Sabbath-school antedates that of the church. A Sunday-school was organized by J. A. Rippard and Calvin Wadhams, in the upper room of a beer house at the corner of Washington and Jackson streets, on the first Sunday in November, 1870. There were only thirteen persons present, but by April, 1871, the membership had increased to 75. At that date the school changed its place of meeting, occupying a store room in Hillard's block, on North Main street, where its membership increased to 100, until March, 1872, when it was discontinued on account of the prevalence of small- pox among those attending. It was reopened in the fol- lowing June, however, with an attendance of only 23, in an old building which stood near the Memorial church,

Samuel Till

MARGARET PELL.

THE PELL FAMILY.

Josiah Pell, sen., was born in New York city, April 24th, 1734, and married Elizabeth Jackson, born in New London, Conn., in 1758, for his second wife. Josiah Pell, jr., was his son by a former marriage. Mary, eldest child of Josiah, sen., and Elizabeth Pell, was born in Hanover, August 15th, 1792; married John James, an English gentleman, of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and died May 22nd, 1860. Thomas Pell was born in Hanover, March 20th, 1794, and died September 25th, 1804. Samuel Pell was born in Hanover, November 4th, 1796. Silas Pell was born in Hanover, August 9th, 1800, and died July 14th, 1836.

Mr. Pell came from New York to Hanover during the Revolutionary struggle, being obliged to leave his former home on account of the confiscation of an ample fortune, arising out of political troubles. With what little he could save he purchased the old Pell homestead in Han- over. While the war was in progress he, with his father- in law, was taken prisoner by the Indians. Mr. Jackson was killed, and Mr. Pell effected his escape. He died May 15th, 1801; his wife September 24th, 1805, leaving their young children to the care of an uncle in Newport until Samuel was eighteen years old, when they removed

to Hanover on the old farm. May 15th, 1830, Samuel married Margaret, daughter of Henry and Anna Lines, born in Hanover, May 2nd, 1807. Mrs. Pell's grand- father, Conrad Lines, was a settler in Wyoming before the massacre; was driven off and returned to New York, whence he had come, remaining there five years before again locating in Hanover. Henry Lines was born in 1773, and died in March, 1835.

Samuel Pell was a well known farmer, and for many years a prominent man in Hanover, where he was justice of the peace fifteen years. He was characterized by in- tegrity, industry, benevolence and sterling worth. He removed to Wilkes-Barre in 1861, and died October 22nd, 1873. The children born to Samuel and Margaret Pell were: Elizabeth, February Ist, 1831 (died November 25th, 1833); Mary, November 10th, 1832 (married Matthias Petty December 28th, 1854); Harriet, September 24th, 1835 (married Maurice Hann, of New Jersey, December 19th, 1860); Margaret, February 26th, 1839 (died July 4th, 1854); Anna, March 18th, 1842 (married M. H. Post August 24th, 1869); Harrison, August 12th, 1844 (died June 28th, 1847); and Emily, February 15th, 1847 (mar- ried John Lee).

JAMES CLARKSON.

The subject of this sketch was born in Hermonch, Scotland, and resided there in the employ of Lord Maitland, having charge of his estate. During his en- gagement he married Margaret McGill, of Hermonch. In the year 1830 he emigrated with his wife and one child to America and settled in Philadelphia, engaging with a Mr. Graham to labor on his farm. Not feeling contented living in that avocation, he removed to Car- bondale, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, Pa., where he formed a partnership with Mr. Peter Campbell and engaged in cattle dealing and slaughtering. In this he was moderately successful for a time, when he and his partner entered into the employ of the Delaware and

Hudson Canal Company as contractors. Mr. Clarkson was soon appointed superintendent of the mines of the company, which position he held for thirty years. He then resigned and lived retired until his death, which oc- cured November 10th, 1876. His family consisted of two children, Jennie and Edward Clarkson. Jennie died in 1852. Edward Clarkson is still living. Mr. James Clarkson was one of the earliest pioneers of Carbondale, and his business connections with the interests of that town were of such importance that much of its progress has been due to his efforts. He was a man respected by all who knew him, and the fruits of his integrity will . always be held in respect by his fellow citizens.

229

PRESBYTERIAN AND METHODIST CHURCHES, WILKES-BARRE.

but which has since been removed to North Franklin street, near North. Obliged to seek other quarters in the spring of 1873, the school met in the unfinished church edifice, and on the first Sunday in September following took possession of the chapel in the rear of the church. Mr. Wadhams resigned the superintendency May Ist, 1878, when he was succeeded by Samuel Roberts. As first organized the school was one of the auxiliaries of the First Presbyterian Church. In 1874 the membership was 303, including 156 colored children. Early in 1879 there were 305 officers, teachers and scholars, and the colored element had almost entirely disappeared, there being only sixteen of the latter race in the school.

The missionary work of the ladies of the church has been successful. The church membership is constantly increasing. The session of the church has been strength- ened by the election of additional elders :- Lewis H. Litts, who had previously been ordained at Newton Pres- byterian church, Pa., in 1851, and Samuel Roberts, or- dained and installed June 8th, 1876. Two deacons, Charles Pearce and Dr. O. F. Harvey, were ordained June Ist of the same year.

The Covenant Presbyterian Church was organized June 23d, 1876, in the First Presbyterian Church, by Revs. T. P. Hunt, N. G. Parke, W. H. Swift and F. B. Hodge. The original members were eighteen in number, viz .: Horace F. Owens, Samuel Andrews, Anthony Jackson, Levi Brown, B. Dorsey, Decatur Blue, John Logan, O. T. Hazen, William Jones, Washington Williams, Mrs. L. Hazen, Mrs. Mary Logan, Mrs. Ellen Brown, Mrs. Jane Owens, Mrs. Mary Hill, Mrs. Sarah Walker, Mrs. Lizzie Logan and Mrs. C. Andrews.

Horace F. Owens, Samuel Andrews and Anthony Jack- son were duly elected and ordained the first elders of the church, and the former was the first superintendent of the Sunday-school. The number of scholars in 1879 was 45.

The first pastor of the church was the present incum- bent, Rev. William D. Robeson, who has sustained the pastoral relation without intermission. Mr. Robeson is a graduate of Lincoln University. He was installed over his people in the Memorial Presbyterian Church, August Ioth, 1876. Covenant Church has no house of worship. Its services are held in Gildersleve's Sunday-school mis- sion room.

METHODISM.

Early Methodism .- Methodism was brought to the shores of America in 1766. It took root in the Wyoming valley at a very early day, although it was but partially organized and poorly equipped. It was introduced into this section of Pennsylvania in the following way. An- ning Owen, a blacksmith, lived and worked at his trade a short distance above the present borough of Kingston on the main road leading to Pittston. In the stirring times of 1778 he joined the little band that went out to meet the invading forces of British and Indians. He escaped from the field of battle, but was hotly pursued by an Indian foe. In this moment of peril he promise

his Maker that if spared he would lead a new life, and in the future would devote his energies to His service. He outran his pursuer and concealed himself along the shore of the river, and in due time made good his escape. When in the Eastern States he attended a Methodist service, and was deeply convicted of sin and converted to God. He obtained a license to exhort, and in 1788 returned to the valley and began his Christian work by holding prayer meetings at his own house, the influences of which were productive of much good. Simi- lar meetings were soon held in other portions of the val- ley, and it was not long before Methodist classes were formed at most of the principal points in this region.

In 1789 the Rev. Nathaniel R. Mills, who traveled Newburg circuit, visited Wyoming. He was the first Methodist itinerant who came to this part of the State. In 1791 Wyoming was made a circuit. Rev. Robert Cloud was the presiding elder, and Rev. James Campbell was appointed minister. The district embraced Newburg, Wyoming, New York, New Rochelle and Long Island. One hundred members were reported as belonging to the Wyoming circuit, and 50 of these belonged to the class on Ross hill. In 1793 Bishop Asbury visited Wyoming and preached in the court-house at Wilkes-Barre. He remained but a short time. Wyoming circuit was trans- ferred from conference to conference, and its size was from time to time diminished. The early preachers, plain and uneducated men, pious, earnest and of a heroic mould, followed closely the pioneer settlers, and shared their dangers and hardships. The work done and the seed sown by their faithful hands have not been in vain. Their meetings were often held in private houses, and when these were found too small for their congregations they resorted to barns and the open air. The quarterly meetings and camp meetings were memorable occasions, and people came from settlements many miles away, large numbers coming under the influence of the Cross. Thus was laid the foundation upon which have since been erected, so many Methodist churches and flourish- ing congregations throughout all northeastern Pennsyl- vania.

The Methodists had held service in Wilkes-Barre for thirty years. The society was small and their means scanty, and they had no special place of worship. In 1826 Rev. George Peck was appointed to Wyoming cir- cuit, with Philo Barberry. There seemed to be a neces- sity that Wilkes-Barre should have the entire services of one man. The presiding elder consequently took George Peck from the circuit and stationed him at Wilkes-Barre, which was thus early made a station, with three outside preaching places-Hanover, Newport and the Plains. In 1827 the commissioners of Luzerne county leased to the Methodists the large upper room in the old court-house for a period of ten years, at a yearly rental of ten cents, for a church or place of public worship. June 26th, 1827, the first Methodist conference ever held in Wyom- ing convened at Wilkes-Barre. Bishop George was the presiding bishop. In 1829 the Oneida Conference was formed out of the Genesee Conference, and Wilkes-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Barre became a conference appointment in the following year. In 1831 the Methodists became the undisputed proprietors of the old church on the public square by the purchase from the Presbyterians of all their right, title and interest in the same for $1,000.

First Methodist Episcopal .- September 16th, 1830, the Methodist church in Wilkes-Barre was formally organ- ized. Rev. Charles Nash was preacher in charge, and the following persons werc its first official members: Ex- horters-Robert Miner and Comfort Cary. Stewards- Gilbert Barnes, Sharp D. Lewis, Ziba Bennett, Robert Miner and David Thompson. Class leaders-Gilbert Barnes, Robert Miner, Thomas Brown, Lorenzo Ruggles, David Thompson and Samuel Gaskill. Trustees-John Carey, Joseph Slocum, Ziba Bennett, Sharp D. Lewis, Lewis Worrall, Abraham Thomas and Anning O. Cha- hoon.

The church continued to grow in numbers and influ- ence. As there were no accommodations in the church on the square for social meetings, Ziba Bennett in 1836 built and gave to the church the use of a building for such purpose on North Main street, on the site of J. H. Montanye's tin store. The public preaching services and the Sunday-school continued to be held in the old church. The increasing prosperity of the church soon demanded other and more suitable quarters. In 1846 the subject of a new church edifice was considered, and a committee was appointed to solicit the necessary funds to erect the building, Ziba Bennett having donated a lot on Franklin street for that purpose. In 1847 sufficient funds had been subscribed to warrant the trustees in commencing the erection of the new church edifice. The old church on the square was offered for sale and ar- rangements were made to begin the new church in the spring of 1848. Ziba Bennett, Lord Butler, William Wood and Sharp D. Lewis were appointed a building committee. In 1849 the old church was sold to O. Col- lins, G. M. Hollenback and Charles Dennison for $600. It was subsequently pulled down and removed.

The new church on Franklin street was completed and dedicated October 4th, 1849, by Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D. D., now Bishop Peck. It cost exclusive of the lot $8,200, and was dedicated free from debt. At that time it was the finest and most commodious building of the kind in the country round about. The enterprise was started under the pastorate of Rev. David Shepherd, prosecuted and continued under that of Rev. Bostwick Hawley and completed under that of Rev. Thomas H. Pearne.

The following pastors served this church from 1826 to 1850:

Rev. George Peck, 1826-28; Revs. Joseph Castle and Silas Comfort, 1828-30 (Wilkesbarre and Wyoming were united for these two years, when Wilkes-Barre was again made a station); Rev. Charles Nash 1830-32; Rev. H. F. Rowe, 1832, 1833; Rev. Selah Stocking, 1833-35; Rev. J. M. Snyder, 1835-37; Rev. Robert Fox, 1837, 1838; Rev. D. Holmes, 1838-40; Rev. John Davison, part of 1840; Rev. D. W. Bristol, 1840-42; Rev. John Seys, 1842, 1843;

Rev. D). Holmes, 1843, 1844; Rev. D. A. Shepherd, 1844-46; Rev. B. Hawley, 1846-48; Rev. Thomas H. Pcarne, 1 848-50.

In 1851 Newport, one of the outside preaching places, was taken from this charge and made a separate station. In 1852 the population had increased and the churches multiplied to such an extent in this section that a new conference, the Wyoming, was set off from the Oneida Conference. The present Wyoming Conference does not include more than one third of the territory that was embraced in the Wyoming circuit in the year 1800. In 1854 the church on the Plains was made a separate charge.

Ross Street Methodist Episcopal .- The growth of the church and the increasing population of Wilkes-Barre soon required another church in the southwestern por- tion of the town. For a number of years there had been a church class and a flourishing Sunday-school at Wood- ville. In 1855 the project of building a second church took form, and in May, 1857, the Ross Street M. E. Church was organized; and soon after their house of worship, a brick edifice which cost, including its enlarge- ment in 1876, about $6,000, was completed. It was built on a lot generously donated by Moses Wood. A parsonage was erected in 1856. Rev. William Wyatt, then presiding elder of the district, and Mrs. Wyatt were active in the organization of the church and the erection of the house of worship. The membership in 1879 was about 200. The first pastor was Rev. A. Brooks, who remained two years. His successors and their terms of service have been as follows: Revs. S. Weiss, two years; H. Wheeler, three years; J. G. Eckman, three years; L. C. Floyd, three years; L. W. Peck, two years; F. L. Hil- ler, three years; D. C. Olmstead, two years; H. M. Crydenwise, present incumbent (1879).

There is an efficient Sunday-school connected with this church. It has a membership of 342. The first superintendent was " Mother " Wood; the present super- intendent is Hon. C. Wadhams.

In 1869 the old parsonage, which stood where William Tuck's residence now stands on Franklin street, was sold and a new and fine one was built on the lot adjoining the present church, at a cost of about $10,000.

In 1870, as Wilkes-Barre had grown to such an extent in the northern part of the town, and as there was no place for worship near by, a mission chapel was erected on North Franklin street at a cost of $2,700. The lot was kindly donated by Charles A. Miner, George B. Kulp and Edward H. Chase. A Sunday-school had been started the year before, and was held in the public school building on Courtright avenue. When the chapel was completed it was removed there. The following persons have been superintendents of the school: Theron Burnet, P. M. Carhart, Charles H. Wheelock, W. G. Weaver; D. Stur- devant, A. C. Montanye and Frank Puckey. The school numbers at present I superintendent, 17 officers and teachers, 79 scholars in main school, 80 scholars in the primary school; total, 177.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900