USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Brandywine > History of the Presbyterian Church in the Forks of Brandywine, Chester County, Pa. (Brandywine Manor Presbyterian Church), from A.D. 1735 to A.D. 1885 : with biographical sketches of the deceased pastors of the church and of those who prepared for the Christian ministry under the direction of the Rev. Nathan Grier > Part 10
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In May, 1840, a Committee of the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia met and organized a church under the name of the West Nantmeal Presbyterian Church .*
The same month (May, 1840) the Rev. Alexander Porter, who had received his classical and theological education in the College and Seminary at Princeton, N. J., was ordained and installed as pastor. Mr. Porter was released from his charge in May, 1843. During his pastorate forty-three were added to the membership of the church.
Mr. Porter was succeeded, in October, 1843, by the Rev. William H. McCarter, a graduate of Jefferson
* The name of the Township in which it is situated having been changed, it is now called Fairview Presbyterian Church.
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College, Pennsylvania, and of Union Theological Sem- inary, New York. Mr. McCarter labored with fidelity and acceptance until October, 1849, when he received a call to the pastoral oversight of a Presbyterian Church at Edwardsville, Indiana, and removed to that State.
The successor of Mr. McCarter was the Rev. B. B. Hotchkin, late pastor of Marple Presbyterian Church, Delaware County. While Dr. Hotchkin, who is well known as an author and an earnest, impressive speaker, had charge the church was highly prosperous. In June, 1859, Dr. Hotchkin, always desirous of enlarging his sphere of usefulness, accepted a call to his late pas- torate, where his ministrations were greatly blessed .*
The next year the church was dependent on supplies, but in October, 1860, the Rev. D. C. Meeker became pastor. Mr. Meeker, who received his collegiate train- ing in the University of New York, and his theologi- cal at Union Seminary in New York State, remained until October, 1868, when he was called to labor in another part of the Master's vineyard. His relations with the members of his flock were harmonious and pleasant, and they parted with regret from their faith- ful shepherd.
After the retirement of Mr. Mecker, the congrega- tion obtained the services of the Rev. A. Nelson Hol- lifield, who discharged his pastoral duties with much ability until the close of 1875, when he accepted a unanimous call to the Presbyterian Church of Hunt- ingdon, Pa., where he was installed in January, 1876.
* Dr. Hotchkin died October 13, 1878, in the seventy-second year of his age.
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During his ministry one hundred and thirty-three were added to the membership of the church, and the meeting-house, which had become much impaired, was replaced by a large and commodious structure, at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars.
In May, 1876, the Rev. William Boyd, who was graduated with honor at the University of Pennsylva- nia, and completed his theological course in the Semi- nary at Princeton, was installed. Young, ardent, and gifted, Mr. Boyd soon won the confidence of the com- munity, and his field of usefulness rapidly increased .*
Besides a well-attended Sunday-School, conducted in the church building, another is maintained during the summer season in an outlying portion of the con- gregation, a short distance from Loag's Corner, where there is also stated preaching every month.
Surrounded by a rural but thrifty and intelligent population, with a new church edifice, a parsonage, and a beautiful cemetery, all without incumbrance, Fair- view Church cannot fail to increase in numbers and usefulness, nor cease to diffuse the blessings of order, temperance, and piety .;-
* In March, 1883, Mr. Boyd, much to the regret of his congrega- tion, received and accepted a call to become pastor of the Second Pres- byterian Church of Camden, N. J. He was succeeded in September of the same year by the Rev. William P. Breed, Jr., a son of the Rev. Dr. Breed of the West Spruce Street Church, Philadelphia.
+ " History of Fairview Church," by Rev. W. Boyd ; Local Mem- oranda.
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CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, DOWN- INGTOWN, PA.
DOWINGTOWN, one of the oldest towns in Chester County, was settled by members of the Society of Friends who had emigrated from Wales. The site was well chosen, being near to the "Indian Trail" leading from the Delaware to the Susquehanna, and in the midst of a beautiful and fertile valley. Besides, it was supplied by one of the main branches of the Brandywine with abundance of water-power, so im- portant in a new settlement.
Possessing these advantages, it might have been sup- posed that the growth of Downingtown would be rapid, and that, like Lancaster, Reading, and other inland towns, it would, ere long, rise to the dignity of a city. But its inhabitants, satisfied with their possessions and pursuits, not only advanced slowly in the march of improvement, but even rejected proffered sources of wealth and importance; among others a proposition to make their village the seat of justice when Chester County was divided.
There was consequently little opportunity or induce- ment for the active and enterprising Scotch and Scotch-Irish to make it their home and establish the church of their fathers. It should, therefore, not ex- cite surprise that near a century and a half passed
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after the first settlement of Downingtown before a Presbyterian Church was organized within its limits.
In 1843 some God-fearing men, whom the activity and business introduced by the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the spirit of enterprise in general, had caused to settle at Downingtown, adopted measures leading to the establishment of a Presbyterian Church. Neigh- boring clergymen of that denomination were invited to preach, and religious services were held at private residences and in school-houses and halls obtained for the purpose. Their number increased slowly, but in 1860 they felt sufficiently encouraged to undertake the building of a church edifice. Accordingly, they obtained a lot and erected a meeting-house.
Owing, however, to causes which it would be neither beneficial nor perhaps possible to trace, dissensions arose, many withdrew from the church, pecuniary difficulties increased, and the building was finally sold and occupied for secular purposes.
But the Christian men and women who were at- tached to the doctrines and government of the Pres- byterian Church did not despair. Believing that the Most High would cause light to shine out of darkness, they faithfully and prayerfully continued the good work, and in October, 1861, had the satisfaction of seeing the Central Presbyterian Church of Downing- town organized by a Committee of the Presbytery of Newcastle.
The congregation was dependent for some time on supplies, but in 1862 extended a call to the Rev. Mat- thew Newkirk, who was ordained and installed April 24, 1862.
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Under his faithful oversight the membership of the church increased so much that it was determined to erect a house for public worship. The building was commenced in June, 1863, but, owing to unforeseen causes of delay, it was not completed and dedicated until August, 1864.
Mr. Newkirk, who considered no labor too humble or too severe provided it furthered the interests of his people, remained until 1868, when he became pastor of a church in Philadelphia .*
Mr. Newkirk was succeeded by the Rev. John Rae, a licentiate of the Western Theological Seminary, at Alleghany, Pa. Mr. Rae continued in charge until April, 1872, when he obtained his release and went as a missionary to Washington Territory.
The pastorate of Mr. Rae, though short, was not without its beneficial results. While he occupied the pulpit fifty united with the church, several of them in the morning of life.
The present pastor, the Rev. Francis J. Collier, a graduate of Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., and of the Theological Seminary at Princeton, succeeded Mr. Rae, and was installed October 7, 1872.
Mr. Collier is a ready speaker, and his expositions of Divine truth are well calculated to arouse the con- science and impress the heart. Since his connection with the church its membership has continually in- creased. Seasons of awakening have occurred, in
* Mr. Newkirk has recently resigned the pastorate of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, corner of Broad and Diamond Streets, Phila- delphia.
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which many " have been born again." The well-con- ducted Sunday-School is becoming more and more efficient, and both the pastor and his people are earn- estly engaged in extending the blessed influence of the Gospel of Him at whose advent was proclaimed peace on earth and good will to men .*
* " History of the Church," by the present pastor ; Minutes of Pres- bytery ; Local Memoranda.
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ACADEMIES.
BRANDYWINE ACADEMY.
A SCHOOL was opened for instruction in the classics and the higher branches of science about 1792 in a part of the building, which stood until 1863, imme- diately West of the Upper Graveyard.
This school, which was a necessary adjunct to the Theological School, was placed at first under the di- rection of the Rev. Mr. McPherson, a native of Ire- land, who was subsequently deposed from the ministry on account of intemperance and died in the Chester County poor-house.
After the withdrawal of Mr. MePherson, Mr. Mat- thew G. Wallace, a graduate of the College of New Jersey in 1795, became principal. He remained, pursuing at the same time his studies in theology under the direction of the Rev. Nathan Grier until his licensure, in 1799, when the school was closed.
In 1802 it was reopened by Mr. John Ralston, of Cumberland County, Pa., also a theological student. He died in the fall of 1804, and Dr. John F. Grier, who in the spring of that year had opened a classical school in Pequea, took charge of it. He discharged the duties of principal with much ability until his settlement at Reading, in 1809, when the school was
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suspended. It was subsequently conducted about three years by the Rev. John W. Grier, who resigned in March or April, 1822, and removed to the Chester County Academy. After the retirement of Mr. Grier the school was finally elosed.
At this Academy, which was the first institution of a higher grade than a common school opened in this part of Chester County, the Rev. Drs. D. Elliott, J. F. Grier, J. N. C. Grier, and the Rev. Messrs. Hood, Kennedy, J. H. Grier, J. W. Grier, R. S. Grier, J. Buchanan, J. E. Grier, M.D., Matthew Grier, M.D., Benjamin Griffith, M.D., and the Hon. David Potts received the whole of their preparatory training in the classical languages and English Literature.
The Rev. Messrs. A. G. Morrison, Robert M'Cach- ran, and Benjamin M. Nyce also passed some time in studying the Greek and Roman Classics at this Institution.
So far as is known this Academy was well con- ducted, and its pupils exerted a wide-spread, bene- ficial influence .*
HOWARD ACADEMY.
This Institution was opened for the reception of pupils November 13, 1848, in the village of Rock- ville. It was under the direction of Elder John Ralston and his brother James, as proprietors, and a graduate of the College of New Jersey, who had
* " Reminiscences of Rev. Dr. Grier ;" Com. from Rev. R. McCach- ran ; MSS.
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spent several years in teaching, as principal. At first this school was regarded by many as a doubtful experiment. But it soon became favorably known, and attracted pupils from every part, not only of Chester County, but also from the cities of Lancaster, Reading, and Philadelphia.
The instruction was thorough, and the course of study embraced all that is required for admission to our best colleges or for an entrance on the study of any of the learned professions.
With the exception of three months, when his place was supplied by the Rev. Mr. Ogden, of Easton, it continued with increasing patronage and usefulness under the superintendence of the first Principal, until September, 1855, when, having ac- cepted a professorship in one of our large cities, he resigned.
After his withdrawal a select school was kept in the building by Miss Louisa Ralston, of Honeybrook. It was subsequently conducted as an academy by Mr. Watson, of Milton, Pa., who was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, a native of Scotland, noted for his superior classical attainments and his accurate acquaintance with history. But owing to the institu- tion having been several times discontinued and to other causes which it is neither important nor perhaps possible to trace, its popularity declined, and in Sep- tember, 1862, it was finally closed .*
In addition to upwards of thirty who have been successful as teachers and others who engaged with
* See Appendix L.
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advantage in agricultural, mechanical, or mercantile pursuits, the following members of the learned profes- sions received a part or the whole of their preparatory training in this Academy :
REV. JOHN C. THOMPSON.
Mr. Thompson was graduated at Lafayette College in 1855, completed his theological course at Princeton in 1858, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New- castle in the Spring of the following year.
Shortly after his licensure he accepted an invitation to supply the First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tenn., and resided in that city until the Rebellion forced him to withdraw. He then settled as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Smyrna, Del., but in 1864 took charge of the Presbyterian Church at Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pa. He remained there, ear- nestly and faithfully discharging the duties of his charge, until 1873, when he accepted a call from the Presbyterian Church at Hagerstown, Md. During his pastorate the church edifice was replaced by a beautiful and commodious structure, and his ministra- tions there as elsewhere were greatly blessed.
On the 1st of January, 1879, Mr. Thompson took charge of the Southwark Presbyterian Church, Phila- delphia. In June, 1880, he was called to the South Broad Street Presbyterian Church, and in 1885, by a union of Broad Street Church with the Scotch Pres- byterian Church, became pastor of the united church, which is rapidly increasing its membership and means of doing good.
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REV. DAVID W. MOORE.
Mr. Moore received his diploma from the College of New Jersey in 1858, and was graduated at the Theo- logical Seminary at that place in April, 1861. On the 5th of the succeeding May he was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, Delaware. While he had charge of that church Mr. Moore passed some months as a chaplain with the Army of the Potomac, then lying near Pe- tersburg, Va. The pastoral relation was dissolved at his request in October, 1872, and he resided in the Southwestern States, chiefly in Mississippi, until Oc- tober, 1873, when he accepted a unanimous call to become the pastor of the congregation at Mc Veytown, Mifflin County, Pa. In 1883 he resigned and became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Kennett Square, Chester County, where he is laboring with great success.
Mr. Moore has always taken a warm interest in education, and his plain, practical discourses prove him to be an earnest and faithful disciple of his Di- vine Master.
REV. THOMAS M. GRIFFITH.
Mr. Griffith entered Dickinson College in the Autumn of 1854, and received the degree of A.B. four years later, standing the second in his class. He passed the next winter as a teacher at Chester, Pa., and in the Spring of 1859 was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Philadelphia Conference of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
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Since his licensure Mr. Griffith has been engaged in the faithful discharge of the duties of his sacred office, with the exception of a part of one year, which he spent travelling through Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land. He is one of the most popular pastors of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is daily in- creasing his reputation and usefulness.
REV. JOHN A. LIGGETT, D.D.
Dr. John A. Liggett, a son of the late Elder Caleb Liggett, entered Lafayette College, Easton, in 1853, and was graduated in 1857. His theological studies were completed in the Seminary at Danville, Ken- tucky.
In 1861 he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church at Crittenden, Ky., where he remained until 1864, when he became pastor of the Second Presbyte- rian Church of Rahway, N. J.
Since his connection with the church at Rahway there have been several ontpourings of the Spirit among the people, and the membership of the church during his pastorate has been more than doubled.
Dr. Liggett's discourses in the pulpit exhibit a ready command of language, a familiar but not unpolished style, and an earnest desire to promote the everlasting welfare of his hearers.
The degree of D.D. was conferred on him at its last Commencement by Lafayette College.
REV. ISAAC MAST.
Mr. Mast was born near Morgantown, Berks County, Pa., October 14, 1835. After leaving the Academy,
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in September, 1855, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was graduated in the Autumn of 1859. He taught the next winter at Reading, Pa., and joined the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1860.
In 1871 his health failed and he passed a year in California. Having returned with renewed strength, he engaged, with his usual zeal and faithfulness, in ministerial work until the winter of 1875-76, when, being unable to continue his pulpit labors, he spent some months in Florida. But the balmy breezes of the Peninsula did not reinvigorate his physical system, and in June, 1876, he sank the victim of that wide- wasting disease, consumption.
While a student in the Academy, Mr. Mast was noted for the genial disposition, modesty, and earnest desire to do right, which endeared him in after-years both to his ministerial brethren and to the members of the congregations of which he had the pastoral oversight.
He published an account of his observations and adventures while sojourning in California. This work, entitled "The Gun, Rod, and Saddle," may be read with advantage by all who desire to increase their knowledge of the land of gold and romantic scenery .*
WILLIAM IRWIN, M.D.
Dr. Irwin studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Joseph Gaston, of Honeybrook (Waynesburg),
* MSS. Collections ; Personal Reminiscences.
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and received the degree of M.D. from Jefferson Col- lege in 1856. He married a daughter of the late John M. Mullin, Esq., of West Brandywine, in 1857, and settled the same year as a physician at Smyrna, Lan- caster County, Pa. He remained at Smyrna with in- creasing patronage until 1865, when he removed to Christiana, on the southeastern boundary of the same County, where he soon obtained an extensive practice.
Dr. Irwin continued in the active discharge of his professional duties until his physical system, never ro- bust, became so much impaired as to render him un- able to satisfy the increasing demand for his services. Such, however, was his attachment to his calling, and his desire to assist those who needed medical aid, that he did not relinquish his attendance on his patients, when his health permitted, until a short period before his death. This took place on the 13th of November, 1877, in the fifty-first year of his age.
Dr. Irwin was a diligent student, who spared neither time nor money to make himself familiar with the re- quirements of his profession. He died much regretted by those who had shared his friendship and experi- enced the benefit of his medical skill.
H. CLAY MEREDITH, M.D.
Dr. Meredith completed his classical course at Oak- land Institute and Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He pursued the study of medicine under the supervision of his father, the late Dr. Stephen Meredith, and was grad- uated at the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1864. Immediately after his grad- uation Dr. Meredith entered the Army of the United
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States as an assistant surgeon. He remained actively engaged until the close of the war, when he resigned and commenced the practice of his profession at Pugh- town, Chester County.
Dr. Meredith. like his father, has the reputation of being a skilful, well-read physician, and his success justifies the confidence which is placed in his knowl- edge and ability.
JOHN WELLS, M.D.
Dr. Wells, after the close of his preparatory course at the Academy, entered the office of Dr. J. Rode- baugh, Charlestown Township, Chester County, as a student of medicine. He commenced his attendance on the lectures at the University of Pennsylvania in 1852, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution in March, 1854.
Dr. Wells settled as a physician at his native place . in Charlestown Township, and owing to his genial dis- position and acknowledged ability was soon largely patronized. He continued the practice of his profes- sion with increasing reputation and usefulness until his death, August 15, 1871.
The decease of Dr. Wells while still in the prime of life cast a gloom over a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteemed him as an upright citi- zen, and appreciated his worth as an attentive and skilful physician.
JOHN N. C. HAPPERSETT. M.D.
Dr. Happersett, a grandson of the Rev. Dr. J. N. C. Grier, read medicine with Dr. A. K. Gaston. of
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West Brandywine Township, Chester County. He entered the Medical Department of Jefferson College in the Fall of 1857, and was graduated in March, 1859.
Dr. Happersett commenced the practice of his pro- fession at Hollidaysburg, Pa., in the spring of 1860. His skill as a surgeon brought him into notice, and he was soon largely patronized.
On the outbreak of the Rebellion his patriotism led him to seek an appointment in the army. His appli- cation was successful, and in August, 1861, he was commissioned as an Assistant Surgeon. He served with distinction during the campaigns of the army of the West, and at the close of the war was assigned to the Department of the Carolinas. June 26, 1876, he was commissioned as " surgeon in full" and sta- tioned at Fort Hamilton, in the Department of the East.
Dr. Happersett deservedly ranks high as a skilful surgeon and a successful practitioner, and the respon- sible position which he now holds in the army of the United States shows that he discharged the arduous duties of previous appointments with faithfulness and ability.
EUGENE GASTON, M.D.
Eugene, eldest son of the late Dr. A. K. Gaston, of West Brandywine, completed his classical education at the West Chester Academy. He read medicine under the direction of his father, entered the medical department . of the University of Pennsylvania in
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1863, and received the degree of M.D from that Institution in March, 1865.
Believing with Horace Greeley that the West affords the best opportunities for the employment of energy and ability, Dr. Gaston determined to become a resident of the Great Valley of the Mississippi, and settled as a practising physician in Vermilion County, Illinois, near the eastern boundary of that State. His success has justified the choice of his location, and the extensive and increasing demand for his services has exceeded the most sanguine expectations of both himself and his friends.
If length of days should be allotted him, Dr. Gaston, when near his threescore and ten, will no doubt merit and retain, as his father did, the patronage which he received during the preceding forty years.
ALFRED JONES, M.D.
When he withdrew from the Academy, where he had pursued his studies with diligence and success, Dr. Jones engaged in teaching a common school, but finally turned his attention to a preparation to enter the medical profession. Three years of close applica- tion were rewarded by the degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
Immediately after his graduation he commenced the practice of medicine, which he pursued with en- couraging success until the breaking out of the civil war, when his patriotism led him to enter the army. He received a commission as quartermaster from Governor Curtin, and accompanied the expedition to Beaufort, South Carolina. In July, 1864, he was
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taken prisoner while bearing despatches to General Hartranft, and did not obtain his release till near the close of hostilities, when he was mustered out of the service.
Before he resumed the practice of his profession Dr. Jones visited Europe, where he remained two years. While abroad he became a graduate of the Medical College of Paris, and attended the clinics of the hospitals of Vienna and Berlin. After his return he settled as a physician in Philadelphia, where his energy, perseverance, and faithful discharge of his professional duties have secured a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Jones stands high in the estimation of the medical fraternity as a physician of skill, ability, and great moral worth .*
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