USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Middle Spring > History of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, Middle Spring, Pa., 1738-1900 > Part 11
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
Reynolds, John, Esq., born 1749, died October 20, 1789.
This modest stone, what few vain marbles can,
May truly say, Here lies an honest man.
Ritchey, John, born January 7, 1766, died February 4, 1814.
Ritchey, Mary, consort of John, born March, 1765, died October 26, 1844.
Ritchey, Jane, born 1806, died January 11, 1862.
Rippey, Samuel, Sr .. born 1713, died August 22, 1791.
Rippey, Isabella, died March 10, 1778.
Searight, Sarah Catharine, born 1852, died February 12, 1853.
Snoddy, James, born February 17. 1814, died March 24, 1885.
Snoddy, Margaret, born June 21, 1791, died August 3, 1865,
Summerville, David, born 1749, died September, 1794. Summerville. Martha, wife of David, born 1749, died May 3, 1821.
Summerville, Margaret, daughter of David, born 1782. died January 23, 1847.
Swansey, Samuel, born 1782, died July 30, 1836. Wright, George, Sr., born 1714, died March 26, 1779. Wright, Susanna, wife of George, born 1726, died De- cember 14, 1781.
200
THE MIDDLE SPRING
Wright, Susanna, daughter of George, Jr., born Novem- ber 13, 1785, died November 19, 1786.
Wright, George, son of George, Jr., born October 22, 1779, died September 16, 1782.
Wright, William, son of George, Jr., born June 23, 1787, died September 8, 1792.
THE LOWER GRAVEYARD.
201
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS.
HANNA'S GRAVEYARD.
Barr, John L., son of Robert L., and Mary A,, born 1863, died December 1, 1864.
Barr, William, son of Robert L., and Mary A,, born May 1859, died June 13, 1865.
Barr, Maggie B., daughter of Robert L., and Mary A., born 1866, died February 11, 1870.
Beaty, Elizabeth, wife of John, daughter of Samuel Wherry, born 1777, died October 19, 1815.
Beaty, Elizabeth E., born January 4, 1809, died No- vember 25, 1863.
Cooper, Samuel K. born 1811, died 1836.
Deihl, Esther, wife of Peter, born May 1778, died June 5, 1866.
Elliott, John, born December 29, 1797, died February 15, 1871,
Elliott, Elizabeth, wife of John, born 1809, died April 2, 1867.
Foughender, Mary H., wife of Wm., born March 9, 1835, died August 27, 1866.
Hanna, William, born 1803, died July 7, 1861.
Hanna, Martha, wife of William, born January 7, 1810, died January 30, 1840.
Hanna, Jane, wife of William, born March 1, 1808, died April 14, 1877.
Hanna, Martha E., born January 19, 1840, died De- cember 5, 1846.
Hanna. Samuel, born October 27, 1833, August 21, 1850.
202
THE MIDDLE SPRING
Hanna, John, born 1845, died December 13, 1846. Holmes, Susan, born December 17, 1779, died Febru- ary 14, 1850.
Kelly, H. J. No dates.
Kerr, Paul, born 1767, died November 28, 1846.
Laughlin, Robert B., born February 25, 1803, died August 8, 1868.
All you that come my grave to see,
Prepare for death and follow me.
Prepare for death make no delay, For suddenly I was called away.
Laughlin, Maria, wife of Robert B., born March 5, 1802, died November 17, 1879.
Laughlin, John, born November 13, 1772, died June 7, 1859.
Laughlin, Mary, wife of John, born June 2, 1782, died July 7, 1832.
Laughlin, Margaret, born April 12, 1811, died Feb- ruary 7, 1888.
Martin, Ann, born April 1, 1782, died March 2, 1863. Maxwell, Margaret, born 1819, died January 1, 1850.
McElhinny, James, born August 16, 1791, died Febru- ary 15, 1870.
Our Father has gone to mansions of rest From a region of sorrow and pain,
To the radiant band by the deity blest Where he never can suffer again.
McElhinny, Elizabeth, wife of James, born April 15, 1802, died November 16, 1881.
Sweetly sleeping.
McElwain, William G., born July 3, 1813, died August 13, 1870. McElwain, Margaret, born 1821, died March 13, 1859. McElwain, William B., born 1794, died August 8, 1874.
203
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
McElwain, Susanna, wife of Willim B., born 1797, died May 2, 1839.
McElwain, Elizabeth, wife of William B., born October 1809, died May 26, 1853.
McElwain, Ellen, daughter of William B. and Susanna, born February 6, 1833, died December 23, 1860. MeKinney, David, Sr., born 1746, died March 19, 1819. Mckinney, Jennet Smith, wife of David, born 1752, died April 11, 1843.
McKinney, William Reynolds, son of Abram S. and Margaret R., born 1831, died January 1, 1836. Miller, Henry G., born August 15, 1813, died May 2, 1871.
Miller, Elizabeth, wife of H. G., born April, 1819, died September 7, 1874.
Mitchel, John, born January 25, 1825, died January, 17, 1894.
Mitchel, Mary, born April, 1827, died May 21, 1897. Mitchel, William, born 1776, died September 29, 1854. Mitchel, Mary, wife of William, born December 24, 1801, died August 28, 1877.
Mitchel, Clarence, son of John and Clementina, born November 18, 1892, died January 10, 1894.
Montgomery, Ellen, born June 11, 1789, died Decem- ber 15, 1864,
Morrett, Mary J., wife of William, born 1829, died Feb- ruary 17, 1892.
We miss thee from our home dear mother We miss thee from thy place, A shadow o'er our life is cast, We miss the sunshine of thy face. Mowrey, David, born April 13, 1824, died January 27, 1862.
204
THE MIDDLE SPRING
Mowrey, Clarissa, daughter of David and Mary J., born May 1852, died June 21, 1853.
Mowrey, Joseph E., son of David and Mary J., born 1857, died October 4, 1862.
Mowrey, Jane M., born 1828, died March 26, 1888. Newcomer, Sarah A. Elliott, wife of Benjamin, born 1844, died May 20, 1874.
Peebles, William, born 1781, died October 22, 1830.
Peebles, Eleanor, wife of William, born 1789, died Sep- tember 14, 1859.
Peebles, William D., son of William and Eleanor, born 1821, died April 13, 1837.
Peebles, Benjamin A., born October 28, 1825, died July 4, 1877.
Death is certain, the hour unseen.
Peebles, Martha Barr, wife of B. A., born December 4, 1823, died August 1, 1874.
Peebles, William A., son of B. A. and M., born 1857, died April 6, 1858.
Peebles, Martha Ellen, daughter of of B. A., and M., born 1859, died December 22, 1863.
Peebles, Hugh Barr, son of B. A., and M., born 1862, died October 1, 1865.
Peebles, Hugh B., son of R., and S. E., 1862.
Peebles, Martha Bell, daughter of R. and S. E., 1863. Peebles, William, son of R., and S. E., 1864.
Peebles, Sarah Ellen, wife of Robert, born 1828, died August 1, 1864.
Pislee, Peter, born January 1801, died March 28, 1853. Pislee, Elizabeth, wife of Peter, born October 1803, died December 10, 1847.
Pislee, James, son of C., and Catharine, born January
205
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
1832, January 26, 1833.
Pislee, Franklin, P., son of C. R., and B. H., born May 27, 1853, died August 3, 1853.
Pislee, Horace B., son of C. R., and B. H., born Feb- ruary 12, 1856, died July 3, 1856.
Reinhardt, Augusta Louisa, born July 17, 1829, died November 29, 1864.
Reinhardt, Sophia H., born 1825, died October 15, 1879.
Reinhardt, Ernst Edward, born October 21, 1831, died February 17, 1872.
Smith, Jane Nicholson Cooper, wife of John, born 1807, died 1835.
Smith, Abram W., born 1806, died January 20, 1848. Smith, Dr. D. R., born 1812, died May 7, 1864.
Requiescat In Pace.
Smith, Harvey, son of Dr. D. R., born 1853, died March 28, 1870.
Smith, Jacob, born 1763. died May 26, 1825.
Smith, Eleanor, wife of Jacob, born 1782, died July 7, 1833.
Wagoner, William, born 1792, died May 16, 1853.
Wherry John, born 1806, died March 14, 1835.
Wherry John, born 1777, died April 14, 1828.
Wherry, Margaret, wife of John, born 1775, died June 26, 1837.
Wherry Samuel, born 1746, died January 21, 1826.
206
THE MIDDLE SPRING
MIDDLE SPRING IN THE REVOLUTION.
The Scotch Irish are justly credited with being the first to respond to the call for defenders of the liberties of the colonies against the aggression of the British. Not only did they respond promptly to the call, but it was largely through their instrumentality that the call was made. The characteristic foresight and aggressiveness of the race early recognized the interference of the mother country, and expeditiously gathered themselves together in public meetings to express their indignation and offer their protests against the encroachments of those, who were assuming unjust rights and responsibilities.
The most noted of these was the Mechlenburg Decla- ration, in which the citizens of Mechlenburg County, North Carolina, on May 31, 1775, absolved themselves from all allegiance to the British crown, declaring them- selves a free and independent people, under no control but the power of God and general government of Con- gress.
Then we have the Westmoreland County resolutions, adopted May 16, 1775, bearing testimony against the arbitrary laws of Parliament. The action of these people anticipated the united action of the colonies in Philadelphia, more than a year. While the fires of patriotism were being kindled in different parts of the country, the inhabitants of Cumberland County were up in arms to defend their rights.
On July 12, 1774, nearly a year before the Mechlen- burg Declaration, the citizens of the different townships of Cumberland County, assembled in council in the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, of which the
207
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
venerable John Steel was pastor, for council and deliber- ation on the stirring events of the times. This assembly solemnly declared that the inhabitants of Boston, by the enforcement of the obnoxious Port Bill, "'are suffering in the common cause of all the colonies." Robert Me- gaw, James Wilson and William Irvine were appointed deputies from the county, to meet other deputies from the several counties of Pennsylvania, to concert measures, preparatory to the general Congress. The deputies left for Philadelphia, where the committee was to meet, on the 15th of the same month.
We find the names of these three members from Cumberland County registered as taking part in the proceedings of the provincial committee, holding their meeting in Carpenter's Hall, while the Assembly was deliberating in the State House. The important matter resting on the Provincial Committee, was, to impress Assembly with the necessity of calling a congress of deputies from all the colonies, and to make the appoint- ment of such from Pennsylvania at once. The Assem- bly heeded this importunate plea, and as a consequence the first Continental Congress was held in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, September 5, 1774. Cumberland County was again represented by nine deputies at the Provincial Council in 1776.
The important place occupied by Middle Spring, and her influence in the valley at that time, can be judged from the fact, that three of those nine deputies were members of her communion. These staunch defenders, John Maclay, Hugh McCormick and Hugh Alexander, declared that the Scotch Irish of the Cumberland Val- ley had one voice for the union of the separated colo-
208
THE MIDDLE SPRING
nies and they helped by personal contact and patriotic address, to lead the thirteen colonies, by their represen- tatives, to unanimously adopt the Declaration of Inde- pendence on July 4, 1776.
The cause of civil and religious liberty in the hearts of our ancestors, was greatly strengthened and directed by an able, self-denying ministry. This is especially true of the Presbyterian clergymen of the Cumberland Valley.
Rev. John Steel, of Carlisle, who, in his earlier days had been a leader in the expeditions against the Indians, now became Captain of the first company that marched from the Valley after the Declaration of Independence.
Rev. John King, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mercersburg, said to the men of his charge, who were about to enter the conflict, "The cause of American In- dependence and Liberty, which has now called you to go forth to the scene of action, is indeed a cause in which it will be glorious to conquer and honorable to die." After urging his men to duty, he accompanied them as chaplain.
Rev. John Craighead, whose peerless eloquence and soul stirring appeals moved his people to go to the field of strite, placed himself at their head as captain, per- forming also the double duty of chaplain.
Rev. William Linn, was appointed chaplain of the Fifth and Sixth Penna. Battalions, February 15, 1776. Shortly after the Battalion was ordered to Canada, he resigned and accepted a call, April 9, 1777, to the Big Spring church, at Newville.
Rev. Robert Cooper, then pastor of the Middle Spring church, entered into the struggle with his whole
209
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
soul, believing with his ministerial brethren, that the cause of American independence was a divine cause, that in the struggle, not only the rights of men, but the sacred interests of Christ's Kingdom were involved. It may be that the intense love of country shown by Dr. Cooper, was partly due to the fact that he was in Philadelphia, as moderator of the synods of New York and Philadelphia, in May 1776, and while there, be- came surcharged with patriotism, and from the fulness of his heart, poured it forth upon his people on his re- turn, until they, catching his spirit, resolved to enlist in the defense of their beloved land. Certain it is that no church in this valley, or elsewhere, that we know of, sent as many men into the patriot army as the Middle Spring church, and well may she be proud of her rec- ord. Brave were the hearts of the noble Scotch-Irish defenders of their country, and sacred are the shades, beneath which their consecrated dust awaits the resur- rection morning, when they shall answer the last roll call.
The following persons took part in the Revolutionary war and were members and adherents of the Middle Spring church. The companies in which they served are given as fully as could be ascertained on searching the public records. The military titles borne by some, were no doubt conferred after the war, perhaps from military service, many appearing on the rolls as privates in the war, who in after years were given a title.
Anderson, William, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, pages 254 and 268.
Barr, William, Private in Capt. Robert Shannon's Co.,
210
THE MIDDLE SPRING
Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, pages 614 and 667.
Blythe, Benjamin, Lieut. of Capt. Samuel Blythe's Company of Rangers on the frontier in 1780, MSS. Archives of Pennsylvania.
Blythe, Samuel, Captain of a company of Rangers in 1780, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Col. 15, page 764.
Brackenridge, Samuel, Private in Capt. Thomas Askey's Co., Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 564.
Brady, Samuel, Captain Eighth Pennsylvania Continen- tal Line, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 650.
Brady, Joseph, Captain Seventh Company, First Bat- talion, Cumberland County Militia, Pennsylva- nia Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 14, page 421.
Campbell, Francis, Private in Capt. James A. Wilson's Co., Sixth Pennsylvania Battalion, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 185.
Clark, Robert, Private in Capt. Alexander Peebles' Co., Fourth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 580.
Cox, Samuel, served in Pennsylvania Line, rank not given, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 13, page 45.
Culbertson, Robert, Lieut. Colonel First Battalion, Cumberland County Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 14, page 392.
Duncan, David, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, page 793.
Dunlap, James, Colonel First Battalion, Cumberland
211
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
County Militia, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 563.
Henderson, Matthew, Captain in Pennsylvania Line, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 10, page 691.
. Herron, William, Private in Capt. Alexander Peebles' Co., Fourth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 580.
Herron, James, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, pages 269 and 633.
Herron, David, Private, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, page 289.
Herron, John, served in Pennsylvania Line, rank not given, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, pages 636 and 656.
Johnston, John, Private in Capt. Rippey's Co., Sixth Battalion, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 181.
Kearsley, Samuel, promoted February 18, 1778, Captain in Eleventh Continental Line, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 2, page 46.
Leeper, Charles, Captain in Second Battalion, Cumber- land County Militia, commanded by Col. John Davis, killed at Crooked Billet, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 14, page 398.
Lowry, James, Private in Capt. Abraham Smith's Co., Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 172. Maclay, John, Private in Capt. Joseph Brady's Co., Seventh Class Associators, commanded by Col. Watts, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 596.
Maclay, Charles, Captain Eighth Co., First Battalion
212
THE MIDDLE SPRING
Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 14, page 395.
McComb, Thomas, Sergeant, Pennsylvania in Revolu- tion, Volume 1, page 218. Mahon, David, Private in Capt. Charles Maclay's Co., Eighth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 602. Mahon, Archibald, Private in Capt. Charles Maclay's Co., Eighth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Ar- chives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 602.
McClelland, Thomas, Private in Capt. Charles Maclay's Co., Eighth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Ar- chives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 602.
McCune, John, Private in Capt. Charles Maclay's Co., Eighth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. 15, page 602.
McCune, Samuel, Private in Capt. John Campbell's Co., Cumberland County Militia, called into ser- vice, January 5, 1778. Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, pages 633 and 783.
McCune, James, served in Pennsylvania Line, rank not given, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 13, page 156.
McKee, James, Private in Lieut. Daniel Smith's Co., in service January 1778, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 595.
McKee, John, Private in First Battalion, Cumberland County Militia, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 564.
MeKnight, John, Private Seventh Co., Eighth Battal- ion, Cumberland County Militia, in service 1780, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23,
213
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
pages 686, 720, 757.
MeKnight, David, Lieutenant First Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Line, commanded by Col. Daniel Broad- head, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 329.
McKensey, (Mckinney) Andrew, Sergeant in Capt. Matthew Scott's Co., State Regiment of Foot, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1. page 266. Mckinney, Joseph, Private in Capt. Alexander McCoy's Co., Cumberland County Militia, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 567,
Montgomery, Samuel, Lieutenant in Capt. Samuel Hay's Co., Second Battalion, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 174.
Miller, Isaac, First Lieutenant, Eighth Co., First Bat- talion Associators, commanded by Col. James Dunlap, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 14, page 395.
Patterson, Andrew, Private in Captain Thomas Ken- nedy's Co., Cumberland County Militia, called in service July 28, 1777, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 1, page 570.
Peebles, Alexander, Captain, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 1, page 579.
Peebles, William, appointed Captain March 9, 1776, died in 1776, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 220.
Peebles, Robert, Lieutenant 3rd Pennsylvania Conti- mental Line, mustered out as Captain April 15, 1779, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 453.
Quigley, James, in Colonial service, commissioned En-
MISDE Î
214
THE MIDDLE SPRING
sign March 25, 1756, in Rev. John Steele's Co., of Cumberland County Rangers, MSS. Archives of Pennsylvania. In Revolutionary service, Private in Col. Robert Adams' Co., Sixth Bat- talion, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 10, page 190.
Quigley, Robert, Lieutenant, Seventh Co., First Battal- lion, Cumberland County Militia, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 14, page 395.
Quigley, Samuel, Private in Capt. Thomas Askey's Co., First Battalion Associators, Pennsylvania Ar- chives, 2d series, Vol. 15, page 563.
Reynolds, William, Ensign, Pennsylvania Archives, 3d series, Vol. 23, page 271.
Rippey, William, commissioned January 9, 1776, Cap- tain of Sixth Penna. Battalion, Continental Line, Penna. in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 179.
Rippey, Samuel, Private in Capt. Alexander Peebles' Company, Sixth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Archives. 2d series, Vol. 13, page 580.
Scott, James, Private in Capt. Andrew Fanier's Co., Cumberland County, Militia, called into service May 1, 1780, Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. 23, page 681.
Scott, Matthew, promoted Captain, April 18, 1777, State Regiment of Foot, Pennsylvania in Revo- lution, Vol. 1. page 266.
Scott, William, appointed February 11, 1776, Sergeant in Capt. Abraham Smith's Co., Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 171.
Smith, Abraham, Captain Sixth Battalion, Pennsylvania Line, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 171.
215
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Sterritt, Alexander, Private in Capt. Alexander Peebles' Co., Fourth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Ar- chives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 580.
. Strain, William, Captain Fifth Co., Sixth Battalion As- sociators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 14, page 464.
Thompson, John, Private in Capt. Jeremiah Talbot's Co., Sixth Pennsylvania Battalion, Pennsylvania in Revolution, Vol. 1, page 179.
Trimble, William, Private in Capt. Alexander Peebles' Co., Fourth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Ar- chives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 580.
Walker, Samuel, Second Lieutenant in Capt. Thomas Askey's Co., First Battalion Associators, Penn- sylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 563. Wherry, Samuel, Private in Capt. Noah Abraham's Co., Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 575.
White, John, Private in Capt. Charles Maclay's Co., Eighth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Archives 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 602.
Wills, David, Private in Capt. Charles Maclay's Co., Eighth Class Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 602.
Woods, John, Private in Capt. Noah Abraham's Co., Associators, Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Vol. 15, page 574.
Soldier sleep, thy tranquil brow Needs no earth crowned glories now. Slumber on, thy rest be sweet, Immortal fame thy winding sheet.
216
THE MIDDLE SPRING
HOPEWELL ACADEMY.
Hopewell Academy, although not an institution of the Middle Spring Church, was so closely connected with it, and exerted such a great influence in the enlighten- ment of the generation in which it flourished, that a his- tory of the church would be imcomplete without refer- ence to it.
This institution, as far as can be ascertained, was es- tablished by John Cooper in the fall of the year 1810, and took its name from the township in which it was located.
The school building was an oblong structure, of hewn logs, with a single entrance, sliding windows, and a gable projecting over the end towards the road, unsupported by pillars. It stood near the mansion house of the farm to which it belonged, on the east. The road from Ship- pensburg to Newburg at that time, ran directly by the academy building.
John Cooper. the founder and only teacher of the school, was the only son of Rev. Dr. Cooper. He was a graduate of Dickinson College, and studied for the ministry, but owing to failing health, was obliged to abandon the ministry and take up farming. Having followed this vocation for a time, he conceived and car- ried out the idea of starting a classical school. For the profession which he chose, Mr. Cooper was admirably adapted. He was universally and justly esteemed one of the best linguists of the day. His instruction was rudimental and thorough. He had himself been a pu- pil of James Ross, auther of the Latin Grammar, then generally used. Like Ross, he required his pupils to
217
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI
learn and apply with much exactness, the rules of gram- mar, and analyze and parse sentences and words, taken at random from different parts of the lesson. As a re- sult, so proficient in this respect, were they regarded, that when they presented themselves at any of the colleges for examination, the mere announcement of the name of their preceptor gave them a passport to entrance into the classes to which they aspired.
Besides the superior scholarship of Mr. Cooper his character was so complete as to exert a most happy influ- ence upon the youth under his care. "He was," says Dr. D. B. McGinley, "one of the most amiable of men. I do not remember to have seen his temper ruffled, though the boys often tried him sorely. He was very courteous in manner and treated every one who ap- proached him with the utmost politeness. Even his correction of an error in recitation was so mild and gen- tle, as to bear with it a seeming apology." Soon after the commencement of the school it was well attended for one of its character. in a country place, and under a single teacher. Much of the time the small building was crowded, the students coming largely from abroad, all parts of the Cumberland valley being represented. Those who came from abroad were boarded and lodged in the family of Mr. Cooper, or found accommodations in the houses of the neighborhood. Many rode several miles each day on horse back from their homes. The school was kept up with almost no intermission until 1832, when it was discontinued because of the extreme de- bility of Mr. Cooper. The moral, christian influence it exerted, had a highly elevating effect on the community and the Middle Spring church. It also sent out to the
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.