USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 23
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At this meeting Thomas Campbell was appointed elder, his son Alexander was licensed to preach the gospel, and John Dawson, George Sharp, William Gilchrist, and James Foster were chosen deacons.
Upon the basis of the declaration and address, elder Thomas Campbell formed two congregations, one at Cross Roads, six miles northwest of Washington, Penna., and the other on Brush Run, eight miles southwest of the same place.
. This denomination has the following churches in Washington County, one in Washington, formerly at Martinsburg, two miles east of the borough, one at Pigeon Creek, one at Maple Creek, one at Peters Creek, one at West Middleton, one at the Dutch Fork, one at Independence, and one at West Findley.
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST CHURCH.
The church in Washington worships regularly in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, having leased the same for this purpose. It was originally organized at the house of Richard B. Chaplin, in Washington, on Thursday evening, the 12th day of May, 1831. The persons present on that occasion were Richard B. Chaplin, Samuel Marshall, Henry Langley, Frederick Huffman, and Franklin Dun- ham, Mrs. Sophia Chaplin, Jane McDermot, Hannah Acheson, and Hannah Marshall, who, after mature deliberation, formed themselves into a church, having for their rule of faith and practice the Holy Scriptures, and submitting themselves to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. They also appointed R. B. Chaplin and Samuel Marshall to preside at their meetings for worship and to ad- minister the ordinances.
On May 15, 1831, the church met at R. B. Chaplin's house for the first time, and the brethren and sisters broke the loaf and partook of the wine, in commemoration of the sufferings and death of Christ. Since which time they continued to meet at the house of Samuel Marshall, and the school-house on the farm of Henry Vankirk, Sr., four miles south of Washington, until the fall of 1836, when they
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removed to the brick meeting house in Williamsburg, where the church continued to meet until June, 1867, when they removed to Washington, to hold their meetings in the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
The ministers who have regularly officiated were Professor Robert Milligan, of Washington College, and Rev. L. P. Streater, when the church was at Williamsburg, but since its removal to Washing- ton, Rev. J. B. Crane took charge of it in 1867, and Rev. T. A. Crenshaw in 1869.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was regularly constituted on October 14, 1814, in Washington, by delegates previously appointed by each of the Bap- tist churches of Peters Creek, Tenmile, and Uniontown, with such others as should meet as an advisory council. Peters Creek church was represented by Rev. David Phillips, Charles Daily, and Joseph Phillips; Tenmile Creek by Rev. Matthias Luse ; Uniontown church by Rev. William Brownfield.
On the 15th of October, 1814, the Rev. Charles Wheeler was or- dained to the ministry and received the imposition of hands by Rev. D. Phillips, M. Luce, and W. Brownfield.
This church adopted the covenant and constitution as expressed in the Confession of Faith adopted by the Philadelphia Baptist Asso- ciation.
On the 25th of March, 1811, the legislature passed an act to confirm the title of the First Baptist church to lot No. 77, on Belle Street, in the town of Washington.
The members of the congregation met at the brick school-house in the rear of the lot, on November 17, 1817, to take into consideration the building of a house of worship, when a subscription paper was opened and a committee appointed to procure subscriptions. Feb- ruary 1, 1819, the subscribers were notified to pay their subscriptions without delay to John Barrington and Hugh Wilson, as the church edifice was finished. This is the plain substantial brick church which stands on the western end of Belle Street.
Rev. Charles Wheeler was pastor of the church from 1814 to 1839. Rev. Mr. Anderson was his successor, and resigned in March, 1842. Rev. C. T. Johnson was elected October 15, 1842, and served until September 9, 1843, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. B. W. Tisdell, who preached until October 2, 1846. His immediate successor was the Rev. Thomas Swain, who resigned September, 1850. Rev. George W. Young took charge of the congregation December 19, 1850, and upon his resignation he was followed by Rev. Malachi Taylor, who was installed December 5, 1855 ; he resigned and Rev. John Boyd became his successor, April 16, 1858, who preached until January, 1860, when the Rev. William Wood supplied the pulpit un- til the election of Rev. Robert Telford, on February 18, 1866, but he resigned June 10, 1868, since which time the church has had no regular minister, but is occasionally supplied.
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In connection with the Baptist church, we might add that a meet- ing of the stockholders of the brick school-house erected upon the Baptist church lot was held on the 27th of May, 1816, to establish a Female Baptist Seminary, when a constitution was adopted. The seminary was subsequently opened by Rev. Charles Wheeler, assisted by Miss C. Cairns.
A. M. E. CHURCH
Was organized in the year 1818. Of its history all I could glean were the names of its founders, viz : Benjamin Dorsey, George Bol- den, John Clouby, Caleb Eddy, Hark Lives, Margaret Cramer, Hannah Smith, Terry Robinson, Maria Conner, Betsy Phillips, and Chloe Warfield. They have a neat frame church with a Sabbath school connected.
Wright's Chapel (an African church) has a small building near the former, with a Sunday school.
BRANCH BANK OF PHILADELPHIA. BANK OF WASHINGTON. FRANKLIN BANK OF WASHINGTON, and FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WASHINGTON.
These four institutions have existed in our town, and we shall speak of them separately.
The Bank of Philadelphia was chartered March 5, 1804. By additional legislation on March 3, 1809, it was permitted to establish eight branches, provided the people of the place in which it was proposed to be located would sanction it. Washington was selected, and its citizens sanctioned its establishment. Its original charter was limited to 1814, but afterwards extended to May 1, 1824.
They erected a banking-house on the corner of Main Street and Strawberry Alley (now owned by David Aiken, Esq.), which cost $11,700, and sold it when the bank closed to the Bank of Washing- ton. Parker Campbell was President, and John Neale Cashier. It existed from 1810 to 1822.
BANK OF WASHINGTON. ,
On the 10th of January, 1814, the people of Washington County, in general meeting assembled, considered the expediency of establish- ing an original bank, with a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars; shares to be valued at fifty dollars each. The people sanctioned the project, and the grand jury indorsed it in the follow- ing words : " We conceive it to be our duty to countenance and en- courage all institutions, companies, or associations that have for their end the genuine interests of the county. They conceive the contem- plated association called the Bank of Washington, is of that character. They, therefore, earnestly recommend it to the attention
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of the legislature, and pray that a charter of incorporation be granted to said bank." This indorsement was signed by Daniel Leet, foreman, and eighteen grand jurors. This influence had the desired effect upon the legislature, for we find that they passed a general banking law on the 24th of March, 1814, dividing the State into twenty-seven districts, limiting its charter for eleven years, or until the year 1825.
Thomas H. Baird was elected President, and John Barrington Cashier ; the capital stock to be not less than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, or more than two hundred and twenty thousand. The Directors named to sell stock on May 4, 1814, were Thomas Patterson, David Shields, Thomas McGiffin, Thomas Hoge, Alex- ander Murdoch, Daniel Moore, and Parker Campbell.
In January, 1818, the Bank of Washington forfeited its charter, but it was afterwards revived, February 2, 1818, the causes having been removed ; but on March 23, 1818, it was rechartered under the name of the
FRANKLIN BANK OF WASHINGTON.
It must be borne in mind that this is not the present institution, of which we shall speak presently. On account of the mismanage- ment of its finances, and continued lawsuits, it ceased to exist, although the legislature was required from time to time to extend its charter.
FRANKLIN BANK OF WASHINGTON.
On March 9, 1836, an act was passed incorporating the Franklin Bank of Washington, and appointed as Commissioners Alexander Reed, Daniel Moore, William Hunter, Robert Officer, Thomas McGiffin, F. J. Lemoyne, David Eckert, Jacob Slagle, Henry Lang- ley, John K. Wilson, Thomas McCall, William Brownlee, George Wilson, Samuel Murdoch, Walter Craig, Samnel McFarland, James Stevens, Thomas Morgan, John Cooke, Enoch Wright, William Smith, Joseph Henderson, Alexander Sweeney, Samuel Mount, C. M. Reed, Aaron Fenton, James Ruple, George Black, John Morgan, James Watson, John S. Brady, and T. M. T. McKennan. These Commissioners met, and on April 30th, appointed Robert Officer, David Eckert, and Dr. F. J. Lemoyne to sell eight hundred shares of the capital stock of the Bank, it being limited to five hundred thousand dollars. The amount being sold on May 19, the balance of the stock was disposed of.
September 15, 1836, the stockholders held an election for direc- tors, which resulted in the selection of Alexander Reed, Daniel Moore, Daniel Houston, David Eckert, William Hunter, Samuel Murdoch, Nathan Pusey, William Brownlee, Thomas McCall, Robert Wylie, John S. Brady, Aaron Fenton, and George Wilson.
The directors elected Alexander Reed, President, and John Mar- shall, Cashier. On account of the decease of Alexander Reed, the
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directors, on September 22, 1842, elected Daniel Houston, who served as President until December 21, 1843, when T. M. T. McKen- nan, Esq., was elected. Mr. McKennan having deccased, Collin M. Reed was elected July 29, 1852, and filled the office until the Bank became the First National Bank.
John Marshall continued as Cashier until March 16, 1857, when James McIlvaine, the present incumbent, was elected. On April 20, 1837, Samuel Cunningham was elected Clerk.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The Franklin Bank of Washington was reorganized by the stock- holders as the First National Bank of Washington, on January 1, 1865, with C. M. Reed as President, James McIlvaine as Cashier, Samuel Cunningham as Clerk. On May 1, 1865, Andrew S. Ritchie, Esq., was appointed Teller. The capital stock of the Bank is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with a surplus fund of seventy thousand dollars. It owns a fine two-story brick banking-house, on Main Street and Bank Alley, valued at four thousand five hundred and sixty-cight dollars. The first Board of Directors of the First National Bank were C. M. Reed, A. W. Acheson, J. S. Brady, M. H. Clark, William Davis, H. H. Clark, John H. Ewing, Joseph Henderson, Thomas Mckean, Jacob Slagle, Alexander Seaman, John Stewart, and James Watson.
BANKING HOUSES.
There are two banking houses also in Washington, William Smith and Son, and Samuel Hazlett, both of which are extensively engaged in their legitimate business.
WASHINGTON FEMALE SEMINARY.
The origin of this seminary can be truthfully dated to the 26th November, 1835, when the following citizens met at the house of T. M. T. McKennan, Esq., to take the initiatory movement to organize a female seminary in this borough. The citizens referred to were Rev. David Elliott, John Harter, John Wilson, James Reed, Wm. J. Wilson, William Hunter, Jacob Slagle, Robert Officer, William Smith, David Eckert, John Koontz, and T. M. T. McKennan. Rev. Dr. D. Elliott appointed Chairman, and T. M. T. McKennan, Sec- retary. Many other citizens were, from business and professional duties, prevented from attending the first meeting, but their devo- tion to the establishment of a female seminary was afterwards evinced by their zeal and perseverance in advancing its interests. Their names are Alexander Reed, Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, Thomas Morgan, Samuel Mount, Samuel McFarland, John Grayson, John H. Ewing, James Brice, Jolın K. Wilson, Dr. James Stevens, Alex- ander Ramsey, James Ruple, Alex. Sweeney, Wm. Sample, James
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McCadden, John Marshall, Andrew Shearer, Dr. John Wishart, Samuel Hazlett, George Kuntz, Robert Wylie, Rev. Dr. D. McCon- aughy, James McCoy, Joseph Lawrence, Dr. Robert R. Reed, John L. Gow, Samuel Cunningham, Collon M. Reed, John S. Brady, Hugh W. Wilson, D. Houston, Dr. H. Buchanan, Sample Sweeney, John Bausman, Daniel Moore, James G. Strean, Rev. Thomas Hanna, Dr. R. P. Lane, N. F. Brobst, Joseph Templeton, Samuel Vance, Hon. Abraham Wootring, Wm. Brownlee, James and Henry Langley, Wm. McKennan, George Lonkert, Samuel Clokey, Wm. Gabby, Rev. James I. Brownson, Dr. M. H. Clark, Dr. John W. Wishart, Dr. Thomas McKennan, Thomas Mckean, and V. Hard- ing, who have been its warm and steadfast friends, promoting its interests pecuniarily, by subscription to stock and otherwise, as the records of the Board of Trustees constantly show. It is eminently due, therefore, that their names should be perpetuated, many of whom will appear in its history as its trustees.
At the meeting of the 26th of November, referred to, and after a full interchange of opinion, Messrs. Jacob Slagle, John Koontz, and David Eckert were appointed to ascertain if a suitable place could be procured for opening a seminary in the spring of 1836, while Messrs. T. M. T. McKennan, Wm. Hunter, John Harter, Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, and Thomas Morgan were authorized to confer with Alexander Reed, Esq., on the prospect of purchasing lots for the erection of a seminary on the east end of Maiden Street.
The Committee to procure a suitable place reported on November 30th that the Masonic Hall, which stood on the eastern end of the lot, upon which was the residence of John Grayson, Esq., with an entrance from Maiden Street, east of Main, could be rented, where- upon the same committee were instructed to rent the same, based upon the encouraging fact that Messrs. David Eckert, James Reed, and Samuel Mount had ascertained that between thirty and forty scholars would be obtained, the tuition of which would yield between six and seven hundred dollars. While these committees were making the preliminary arrangements about a suitable place and tuition, the Committee on the purchase of ground upon which to erect seminary buildings reported that Mr. Alexander Reed would sell the lots for the contemplated purpose.
The friends of the establishment of the seminary believing that its varied interests would be better promoted by procuring the sale of stock, in which every citizen would feel a deep interest, appointed Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, Alexander Sweeney, and James Reed to ascer- tain what amount could be procured, who, on December 18, 1835, reported the sale of eighty-five shares, equivalent to $4250.
With such encouraging prospects Messrs. F. J. Lemoyne, T. M. T. McKennan, Samuel McFarland, and Thomas Morgan were in- structed to procure two suitable persons for teachers. This com- mittee, at a subsequent meeting, reported that they had procured the services of Mrs. Francis Biddle, and had given her authority to
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select an assistant. Her stipulated salary to be six hundred dollars, clear of rent, fuel, furniture, and incidental expenses. The trustees also resolved that all excess over the six hundred dollars, derived from tuition, and the payment of all incidental expenses, should be paid to Mrs. Biddle in addition to her salary.
T. M. T. McKennan, Esq., chairman of the Committee to confer with Alexander Reed, Esq., on the purchase of his lots, reported December 18, 1835, that Mr. Reed would sell the lots for two hun- dred and fifty dollars, and the price of the fencing, which would be about fifty dollars ; which report was accepted, and the trustees in- structed to purchase the lots.
The lots being secured, and $4250 subscribed, Messrs. Alexander Sweeney, James Reed, and W. J. Wilson were appointed to obtain plans, &c., for the contemplated seminary buildings; and, on the 14th March, 1836, the stockholders held their first meeting for a permanent organization, under the articles of association which had been prepared by Rev. Dr. McConaughy, Alexander Reed, and Dr. F. J. Lemoyne. The building committee delayed making a report until March 14, 1836, when they reported and recommended that a building committee be elected, with full power to adopt a plan, ob- tain sealed proposals for work and materials, contract for sinking a well and putting a pump therein, to have a general superintendence, and draw upon the treasurer to meet the necessary expenses. This well-matured recommendation met the unanimous approval of the trustees, and the following persons were elected said committee, viz : Dr F. J. Lemoyne, James Reed, James Ruple, Robert Officer, and James Brice.
John Harter was appointed treasurer, instructed to collect one- fifth part of each share of stock, and pay the same out to the order of the building committee. He served as such until July 30, 1836, when Alexander Sweeney was appointed, and served until October 26, 1837, when John Grayson was elected. Messrs. John Koontz, David Eckert, John Grayson, R. H. Lee, and Rev. Dr. D. Elliott were instructed to provide suitable furniture, and act as a board of trus- tees and visitors for the present year. The trustees directed the building committee, on July 30, 1836, to call in the remaining instal- ments in such proportions as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the new buildings and premises.
On the 14th of February, 1837, the stockholders adopted a new constitution, having in view the necessity of procuring an act of in- corporation from the legislature. This constitution contained fifteen articles, vesting certain powers in the board of trustees-to consist of nine members, elected annually by the stockholders; to fill vacancies, to provide the mode of election on shares of stock, to employ a principal, and manage the preliminary affairs of the insti- tution, placing the edifice and appurtenances under the care of the principal and trustees; the principal to have charge of the domestic affairs of the seminary, under the sanction of the trustees ; the
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principal and her assistants to instruct the scholars in such a course of studies as the trustees would approve; dividing the seminary into three classes, and requiring three years' study to complete the course and receive a diploma; the trustees to establish the price of tuition, fees, &c .; the treasurer to be elected by the stockholders, and dividends to be declared when the institution is free of debt, and an annual report to be made. Such were its provisions, which in- strument, after discussion, was unanimously adopted.
Under the constitution an election for nine trustees was held February 17, 1837: the Board consisting of Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, John Marshall, Jacob Slagle, Dr. John Wishart, Rev. D. McCo- naughy, Joseph Lawrence, Dr. Robert R. Reed, John L. Gow, and Alexander Reed. While upon the subject of trustees I shall at this time add the names of those who have filled and are now filling the office :-
September 26, 1837, Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, Dr. R. R. Reed, Jacob Slagle, Rev. Dr. D. McConaughy, were re-elected, and John H. Ewing, James Brice, John Grayson, Samuel Hazlett, and Samuel Cunningham constituted the Board.
December 11, 1850, Dr. Wilson Addison and Mr. Ross, executors of the estate of Mrs. Jane Addison, deceased, executed a deed for four feet of ground adjoining the seminary lot, which enabled the trustees to adopt a plan for the building so as to occupy the ground up to the Addison grant.
On the 14th of April, 1838, the legislature incorporated the Washington Female Seminary, and appointed as trustees Rev. Dr. D. McConaughy, Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, Dr. John Wishart, John Grayson, Jacob Slagle, Dr. R. R. Reed, John Marshall, John L. Gow, and Joseph Lawrence.
April 4, 1839, John Grayson and John L. Gow were instructed to prepare an address to the citizens of the surrounding counties of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio in reference to the prospects of the seminary.
November 18, 1839, John L. Gow resigned the office of trustee, and Alexander Sweeney was appointed.
March 1, 1838, the trustees signed a memorial to the legislature asking an appropriation of $1000 per annum, for five years, which was granted, the law requiring the payment to be made quarterly, and the treasurer was authorized from time to time to receive the same.
December 7, 1841, Dr. R. R. Reed and John Marshall tendered their resignations as trustees, and T. M. T. MeKennan and Collin M. Reed were appointed.
July 14, 1846, John H. Ewing was appointed a trustee in the room of Joseph Lawrence, Esq.
December 13, 1849, the trustees ordered a perpetual insurance of $6000 on the seminary buildings.
August 24, 1858, on account of the death of the Rev. D. D. McConaughy and T. M. T. McKennan, Esq., the Board proceeded
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to fill the vacancies by the election of Rev. James I. Brownson and Dr. M. H. Clark.
December 17, 1858, Dr. John Wishart resigned his trusteeship, and on January 19, 1859, Dr. John Wilson Wishart was elected to fill the vacancy ; at the same time Dr. Thomas McKennan was elected in place of Hugh W. Wilson, deceased.
January 12, 1866, Alexander Sweeney having died, V. Harding was elected, and Dr. John Wilson Wishart having resigned Thomas McKean was elected.
With this necessary digression we shall return again to the gene- ral history of the seminary, commencing at the period before the charter was obtained, and when arrangements were being made to complete and furnish the seminary. At the meeting of June 8, 1837, it was stated that if the whole amount of $4250 were paid in, it would require an additional one thousand dollars ; whereupon Messrs. James Brice, Alexander Reed, Samuel McFarland, T. M. T. McKennan, and Samuel Hazlett were appointed to sell additional stock, who, on the 22d of June following, reported that they had obtained seven shares, equal to eight hundred and fifty dollars. Being thus encouraged the trustees directed the building committee to have the buiding painted, provide suitable furniture, and borrow $500, and to pledge the new stock for its payment.
At a meeting of the trustees held December 18, 1840, the trus- tees taking into consideration the increase of pupils and the healthy state of the Seminary, determined that it was both expedient and necessary to erect additional buildings, they therefore appointed Dr. R. R. Reed, Dr. John Wishart, and T. M. T. McKennan, to sell new stock for that purpose. So successful were the committee, that on January 28, 1841, the Board appointed Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, John Grayson, and Dr. R. R. Reed, to receive plans for the proposed building and issue sealed proposals for the work and materials. On the 8th of March, 1841, the execution of the work was awarded to Messrs. Wm. Allen and Thos. Cooper, for the sum of $3231.59, but Mr. Allen removing from town, Henry Shearer was substituted in his place. The contractors were required to have the buildings finished by October 20, 1841. An insurance was placed upon the building amounting to $5000, and $200 appropriated for this purpose. Dr. Jno. Wishart, Alexander Sweeney, and Jacob Slagle, appointed to contract for the furnishing of the additional building.
January 28, 1846, Messrs. T. M. T. McKennan, Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, and C. M. Reed were appointed to obtain subscriptions of new stoek to erect an east wing to the building, and on February 28th they reported the sale of twenty-six shares, equal to $1300. This amount not being considered sufficient to justify the trustees, the question was postponed and renewed at a meeting of the stock- holders on February 3, 1848, when various plans were suggested and the whole question postponed for the action of a future meet- ing. While the trustees and stockholders were deliberating upon
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the necessity of erecting additional buildings, a fire occurred on December 1, 1848, destroying the new building which had been pre- viously erected. The Franklin Fire Insurance Company, having been notified of the fact, telegraphed that the loss would be promptly met, and on December 13th Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, T. M. T. McKen- nan, and Sample Sweeney were appointed to sell additional stock, who reported the sale of forty-three shares, equal to $2150. The trustees met on February 17, 1849, and appointed Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, John H. Ewing, Sample Sweeney, James Brice, and James Ruple a building committee to borrow money and make a contract for the erection of the west wing to the Seminary building. On the 18th of May the committee report that they have contracted with Robert Ramsey for the erection of the west wing and an additional story on the old building, for the sum of $4900, to be completed by October 1, 1849. On January 30, 1850, the building committee made a.final report and received a vote of thanks for the able manner in which they had discharged their duties.
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