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 13
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223
IN " THE FORKS OF BRANDYWINE."
after the necessity for it had ceased. During the pastorate of the Rev. Nathan Grier, Watts's Psalms and Hymns became the text-book, much to the dis- satisfaction of the older members of the congregation. This, as is well known, has been forced to give place in many churches to the Hymnal, for what reason is difficult to discover. If the sturdy founders of Pres- byterianism and their immediate descendants adhered somewhat tenaciously to an almost literal translation of the inspired anthems of the " man after God's own heart," the Presbyterians of the present day have gone to the opposite extreme in discarding even the title, and to a great extent the songs, of "the sweet singer of Israel."
The names of but a few of those who " led the sing- ing" have been preserved. Mr. Benjamin McClure was precentor during a considerable part of the Rev. Nathan Grier's pastorate. Major George Dorlan also officiated until near his decease, in 1829. He was succeeded by Mr. William Forrest. For more than thirty years the singing was conducted by Elder John Ralston. After the remodelling of the Meeting- House in 1839, the choir was seated in the front of the gallery, instead of at the base of the pulpit The introduction of the choir was considered quite an in- novation on time-honored custom, but within the last few years the departure from Puritan simplicity has been further increased by invoking the aid of instru- mental music.
It has been said that a Presbyterian Church never dies. While this is true in the main, and especially in Chester County, where the number of Presbyterian
224
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Churches has been nearly doubled during the pre- sent century, yet a change in the location of meet- ing-houses has become manifest. This is seen not only in the erection of buildings for public worship where none previously existed, but also in the replacing of old meeting-houses by new. There being no villages, the first settlers generally erected their church edifices on high ground, and
"The decent church that topped the neighboring hill"
could be seen here as well as in the fatherland. But the march of improvement has caused the new meet- ing-house in many instances to be placed at a distance from the site occupied by the one first erected. The employment of water-power, the advantage of streams for navigation, and of railways which necessarily pass where the least grade must be overcome, have caused cities and villages to spring up in valleys and low grounds. Hence new meeting-houses, whenever it can be done, are placed where easiness of access by the present means of travel is most readily obtained. This change of site, while it has often been a means of increasing the number in attendance, and in some instances has saved weak churches from being dis- banded, has also caused a neglect of the graveyard connected with the first meeting-house. New burial- places are sought, and the enclosure where the re- mains of the founders of the church were laid is too frequently left with no Old Mortality to restore the time-worn epitaphs on its tombstones, or Nehemiah to rebuild the broken-down walls of the "city of the dead."
225
IN " THE FORKS OF BRANDYWINE."
Before the Revolution, and years afterward, the cocked hat, knee-breeches, and silver shoe-buckles extending across the foot were the favorite costume of the elderly and middle-aged gentlemen of the con- gregation. The hat was three-cornered, one corner being on each side in front, and another usually adorned with a tassel behind. As breeches left the part extending from the knee to the ankle exposed, those who were not furnished with well-proportioned limbs frequently attempted to remedy the defect by placing a pad or bandage on the back part of the ex- posed member. But this, like many attempts at im- provement, sometimes failed. The pad would become displaced and mar the appearance, instead of adding to the proportions of the part which it was intended to aid. The face was close shaven, but a part of the hair of the head was allowed to acquire its full length. This was plaited or surrounded by a ribbon and per- mitted to hang down the back. It was not unlike the Chinese appendage euphoniously styled a pig-tail, ex- cept that it depended from the back of the head in- stead of from the top. As the hair in the queue, as it was called, required oiling occasionally, in the course of time it imparted a shining appearance to the upper part of the well-worn coat.
The ladies generally attended meeting dressed in a short gown not unlike the modern sacque, and another article of dress which has given the prefix to the gov- ernment of those ladies who usurp the control of the household. On this part of the attire the most care was bestowed, and the variety and brilliancy of its colors was often the pride of the wearer. The hair
226
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI
which was not permitted to fall over the back, was covered by a sufficiently capacious, plain bonnet, which added to instead of detracting from the mod- esty of the wearer. Rings on the fingers were not common, and appendages from the ears were rarely seen. Even after these fashions, derived from the fatherland, had passed away, almost every one was attired in clothing of domestic manufacture. The "Sunday suit" was made to last as long as possible, and when it had been obtained by those who had not reached their full growth, the care with which it had been preserved was shown by its failure to cover a por- tion of the arms and lower extremities of the wearer.
From the organization of the Church until the es- tablishment of Sunday-Schools rendered them, in a measure, unnecessary, public examinations of the children whose parents belonged to the congregation were annually made by the pastor. These examina- tions, directed mainly to ascertaining the familiarity of the young with the Shorter Catechism, and their knowledge of religious truth, were occasions of inter- est and benefit to both the children and their parents. The latter being forcibly reminded of the duties de- volving upon them, and the former aided in becoming acquainted with the Scriptures and the doctrines taught and maintained by the Presbyterian Church.
After the ingathering of the Summer erops, a day was appointed to return thanks for the blessings of plenty and the fulfilment of the promise that seed- time and harvest should never fail. The day of the month was not always the same, but the day of the week was invariably Thursday. Why Thursday and
227
IN " THE FORKS OF BRANDYWINE."
no other day was selected is difficult to ascertain. It is most likely connected with some of those linger- ing superstitions respecting lucky and unlucky days which held such a conspicuous place in heathen my- thology, and which have not been entirely banished from Christian communities. The number is not so small as many suppose who still regard Friday as an unlucky day, and it is but recently that the execution of criminals ceased to be ordered on that day of the week exclusively. It was probably owing to the cus- tom of the Puritans and Presbyterians that Governors of States and the Chief Magistrate of the Union* have always selected Thursday for the day of State and National thanksgiving. The custom so becoming an agricultural community of appointing a thanksgiving after the harvest has been gathered is still observed by the congregation.
The Communion was held twice a year, in May and in October. The Sabbath immediately preceding the administration of the ordinances was called the prepa- ration Sabbath. On Friday of the same week, which was commonly observed as a Fast Day, there were re- ligious exercises, and also on Saturday and Monday. On the Sacrament Sabbath some pastor of a neighbor- ing congregation usually assisted, and after a sermon by the minister in charge the sacrament was adminis- tered. The communicants seated themselves at tables placed in the aisles, and, as the number was generally
* A national thanksgiving was appointed by President Lincoln in 1863, and his example has been followed by each of his successors. A thanksgiving was first appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania in 1843.
228
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
too large to be seated at one table, those first seated, after the elements had been served, retired, and others took their places, so that there were frequently three or four tables. Every one entitled to participate was furnished with a token, as it was called. This was a small square piece of lead with the letter C (Communicant) stamped upon it. These were taken up by the members of the Session after those desir- ing to commune had seated themselves in the aisle. Before commencing to serve the tables, an invitation was always given by the pastor to those who were in good standing in other orthodox denominations to unite with the members of his charge in commemorating the suffering and death of their common Saviour.
During the division of the Presbyterian Church into Old and New School, Dr. Grier and his congrega- tion remained with the Old Side. Unlike the schism of 1741, the division of 1837 was a division of churches, but rarely of congregations.
In 1838 the Meeting-House was broken into, and the Communion Service, hymn-books, and whatever could be conveniently carried were taken, and the furniture damaged. The perpetrators of the sacrilege were never detected.
For sixty years after the erection of the Meeting- House the congregation was dependent for water on a spring several hundred yards distant. In 1794, chiefly through the exertions of the Rev. Nathan Grier, a well was sunk near the church building. As the situation is elevated and the well consequently deep, it was used for upwards of a quarter of a century as a draw-well.
229
IN "THE FORKS OF BRANDYWINE."
It is worthy of notice that last year a long-needed improvement was made by the erection, at a cost of but little exceeding one thousand dollars, of thirty-five sheds, each nine feet by twenty, for the sheltering of horses and vehicles.
That the first settlers were consistent members of the church, and esteemed by their neighbors and acquaintances in their native land, is shown by the following certificate, which is a specimen of many that were brought by those who came to America to better their circumstances and enjoy the liberty to worship God without " let or hindrance":
Whereas the bearers here of John long & his wife design for America, these are to Certifie that they have lived in this Congrega- tion the most part of their time and still behaved themselves Soberly, and now at their departure from hence are free of all publiek Scandall known to us. as wittness my hand this 8th of July 1736.
SAM' DUNLAP.
LETTERKENNY, IRELAND.
This closes an imperfect history of a church which during one hundred and fifty years has been a beacon- light guiding to the haven of eternal safety. When those who attend the weekly services of its sanctuary shall meet to celebrate the three hundreth anniversary of the organization of a church in this portion of Zion, one hundred and fifty years will have been added to the list of centuries, and all now living, their children, and their children's children will have made the pilgrimage journey from the cradle to the grave.
That long interval now the unwritten future will then be the recorded past. A past in which they will
230
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
devoutly recognize, as we do, the guiding hand of the God of their fathers. A past which will contain many memorials of faithful pastors, of sincere worship- pers, and of sons and daughters of the church who aided in diffusing the cheering light of the Gospel in the now benighted regions of Asia, Africa, and the Islands of the Ocean.
APPENDIX.
A.
To all Charitable and well Disposed Persons to whom thes presents may Come :
THE PETITION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION IN THE FORKS OF BRANDYWINE
Humbly showeth : That your petitioners have lately ben brought as a Society, into afflictive and Trying Cireumstanees, By our Meet- ing house, an excellent and Commodious billding Beeing Reduced to ashes, Shortly after the Death of our Revª Pastor-We wish to have the public worship of God, Decently and Profitable Conducted amonghst us, in order to which the Erection of a house of Worship is Necessary. But by reason of the Scareity of Cash ; and the Sev- eral heave taxes we have paid and have To pay we ar Rendered unable to attain that valuable object without the assistance of our Christian Brethren in other places. We must hope for Success in our address to the Inhabitants of a Christian Country who know that Charity and compassion to the afflicted is the very Image of the Saviour, that God loveth a cheerful Giver and promiseth that those who Caste their Bread on the waters, shall find it after many Days: We therefore Relying on your Goodness and Generosity most Respectfully and Humbly request your kind assistance.
Signed in the Name of the Society By us the Trustees of the Con- gregation.
SAMUEL CUNNINGHAM, DAVID DENNY,
JNO. CULBERTSON, JAS. DUNWODIES, JAS. MCCLURE, WILLIAM ANDERSON,
ROBT. LOCKHART.
FORKS OF BRANDYWINE, March 7, 1786.
231
232
APPENDIX.
B.
CEREMONIES AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNER- STONE OF THE NEW CHURCH EDIFICE, AUGUST 7,1875.
The exercises were opened with an impressive prayer by the Rev. J. N. C. Grier, D.D. ; a Historical Sketch of the Church, prepared by a former member, was then read by the pastor, Mr. McColl, and short addresses delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Roberts, Totheroth, Hollifield, and Collier, pastors of the Churches organized originally either wholly or in part by members of the Manor Church.
The Box deposited in the Corner-Stone contained a copy of the New Testament, a Hymn-Book, IFistorical Sketch above mentioned, Historical Discourse, and Semi-Century Sermon of Dr. Grier, a list of the Church Officers, the Act of Incorporation, and specimens of the Silver Coins struck in 1875, presented by ex-Governor Pollock, Director of the United States Mint, the different Postage-Stamps, a Letter and Postal Card to our Children's Children, and a copy of each of the following periodicals : The Presbyterian Weekly, Presbyterian Banner, Woman's Work for Woman, The Village Record, Jeffer- sonian, Daily Local, and North American Gazette .*
C. PLAN OF SCHOOL AT NEW LONDON.
ESTABLISHED IN 1744 BY THE SYNOD OF PHILADELPHIA.
1. That all persons who please may send their children and have them instructed gratis in the languages, philosophy, and divinity.
2. That the school be supported by yearly contributions from the congregations under their care.
3. That if any funds remain after paying the salaries of the Mas- ter and Tutor, they shall be expended in the purchase of books and other necessaries for the school.
* Church Records ; Local Memoranda.
233
APPENDIX.
The Rev. Francis Allison, D.D.,* subsequently Vice-Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and the successor of Andrews as pas- tor of the First Presbyterian Church, who had opened an Academy near the village three years before, was appointed Master at a yearly salary of 20£ ($53.33}) Pennsylvania Currency.
This school became justly celebrated. Besides furnishing the church with well-educated ministers, it afforded instruction to many who became eminent as statesmen and scholars. Among its pupils were Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, and author of a translation of the New Testament remarkable for its fidelity ; Rev. John Ewing, D.D., Provost of the University of Penn- sylvania ; David Ramsay, the Historian ; Hugh Williamson, M.D., LL.D., a distinguished patriot and miscellaneous writer ; Rev. James Latta, D.D., an eminent divine and teacher ; George Reed and James Smith, signers of the Declaration of Independence ; Thomas MeKean, nine years Governor of Pennsylvania, and one of the seven natives of Chester County on whom the honorary degree of LL.D. has been conferred.
Although the school was under Presbyterian control, it afforded gratuitous instruction of a high order to all denominations alike.t
* Dr. Allison died November 28, 1779, and his remains were interred in the burial-ground adjoining the First Presbyterian Meeting-House erected in Pennsylvania. That Meeting-House, commonly known by the name of Old Buttonwood, stood at the Southeast corner of Bank and Market Streets, Philadelphia. It was built in 1704, rebuilt in 1794, abandoned and sold in 1821-22. The burial-ground remained until about 1810, when the dead of a hundred years were removed and its site occupied by warehouses. The first Presbyterian Church in America was built at Snowhill, Md., in 1685.
+ Minutes of Synod of Philadelphia; Rev. R. Dubois, "Hist. New London Pres. Church ;" " Biography of Eminent Pennsylvanians."
16
234
APPENDIX.
D COMMENDATORY LETTER GIVEN ADAM BOYD BY COTTON MATHER.
BOSTON, N. E., June 10, 1724.
Our worthy friend, Mr. Adam Boyd, being on a return to Europe, it is hereby certified on his behalf, that for the years of his late so- journing in these parts of the world, his behavior, so far as we under- stand, has been inoffensive and commendable, and such as hath justi- fied the testimonials with which he arrived hither. And we make no doubt that he will make a report of the kind reception which he and others of his and our brethren coming from Scotland and Ireland hither (whereof more than two or three are at this time acceptably ex- ercising their ministry in our churches), have found in this country, that will be very contrary to the misrepresentations which some dis- turbers of the peace have given of it.
We implore the blessing of our gracious Lord upon his person and his voyage and hope that wherever he may be disposed of, he may have the rewards and comforts of a patient continuance in well doing to attend him.
E.
NAMES OF THOSE WHO SUBSCRIBED FOR THE SUP- PORT OF MR. BOYD WHILE HE WAS PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN THE FORKS OF BRANDYWINE.
COPIED FROM HIS MEMORANDUM BOOK BY REV. A. B. CROSS.
Name.
When Subscription was made.
When it ceased.
John Henderson
Aug. 11, 1741
1757
James Wilson
1758
Joseph Mackelduff . 66 1750
" Paid to his death," in September, 1750. "His brother, Samuel, paid up until 1757."
235
APPENDIX.
Name.
was made.
When it ceased.
Francis Long
Aug. 11, 1741
1752
Paid until 1752. The last two or three years by his brother Joseph, he being dead.
William Dunbar
1746
" When he moved over the river" (the Susquehannah).
Samuel MeKinly
1758
Edward Irwin
1756
" Paid by his widow to 1756."
Robert Irwin
66
1758
" Paid by his widow to 1758." Patrick Lockhart
66
1758
" Paid by his widow to 1758."
John Bryan .
1758
" Paid by his widow to 1758." John MeDermid " Paid by his widow to 1758." Francis Alexander
66
66
1758
David Denny
1758
"Subscription doubled last five years." Abraham M'Connell
66
1751
" Moved over the Susquehanna." William Erwin .
60
66
" Increased his subscription in 1749 and '50. Moved over the River."
James Stewart .
1758
John Dunwoody
66
1758
William Wilson
66
" October, 1747, moved with his friends to Virginia."
Robert Steel .
66
" Moved out of place." James Porter
1757
Samuel Carroll
1750
" Moved to Virginia."
Andrew Donaldson .
.
66 1758
46
66
1758
66
When Subscription
236
APPENDIX.
Name.
James Mitchell .
Aug. 11, 1741
When it ceased. 1749
" Moved to Virginia."
Joseph Carroll .
" Moved to Carolina."
George Irwin
George Gordon .
16
1747
" Moved October, 1748."
Andrew Wilson
66
1758
John White .
1758
James Love .
1746
" Moved."
John Long .
1757
Paid by publications and riddles,* ex- cept one year, until 1757.
John Little .
1753
Matthew MeKorkell
1746
Removed to Leacock.
The above Thirty-one subscribers appear to have been those who guaranteed to Mr. Boyd the Salary of Twenty Pounds, when he took charge of the congregation in August, 1741.
SUBSEQUENT SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Name.
Commenced.
Ceased.
John Lewis .
1742
1758
William Ferguson
1742
1758
George Ahill .
Aug. 11, 1744
" Died." Probably that year.
John Elliott .
Feb. 3, 1745
1757
Joseph Poag .
Sept. 1, 17:45
1758
Alexander Laverty
Nov. 4, 1745
1746
" Moved."
George Little
1745
" Removed."
* The " publications" were notices of marriages, which the law re- quired to be publicly announced when performed by a clergyman. The " riddles" were sieves for winnowing mills.
When Subscription was made.
1755
66
1757
237
APPENDIX.
Name.
Commenced.
Francis Gardiner
1745
David Watson
April, 1746
David Henderson
April 14, 1746
" In October, 1747, he moved to Vir- ginia."
Alexander Maclean . " Moved to Carolina."
April 27, 1746
1757
Mary Darlington
Oct.
1746
1758
William Mains
1746
1750
" Moved to Carolina."
James Jack .
1746
1758
William Irwin
1746
1758
Andrew Wilson, Sen.
1746
1756
" Dead. Family Extinct."
Dougal MeIntire
1746
1752
Thomas Wilson .
1746
1757
John Wilson . " Moved."
1746
John M'Clure
1746
1753
William Norris
1746
" Moved."
Isaac MeKinly
1746
1752
" Moved over river."
John McCorkle .
1746
1748
" Moved."
1746
Hugh Mccrary . " Moved to Virginia."
1746
1751
Elizabeth Graham (widow)
1746
1752
James Scott .
1746
1757
Hugh Morrison .
1746
1758
James Watson
1746
1748
" Gone to Virginia."
Robert Woodrow
1746
" Moved out of Congregation."
1747
1758
Robert Smith
John MeHenry .
March,
1747
1757
Ceased. 1757 1
Thomas Karson .
238
APPENDIX.
Commenced.
Ceased.
Name.
David Shearer
1747
" Moved to Middle Octoraro."
Thomas McNeal
1747
1751
" Moved over the river." James Laird . " Removed."
1747
James Gibson
1747
1751
" Moved out of Congregation."
John Gibson
1747
1755
Frederick MeCaskie
1747
Alexander Maxwell
1747
" Absconded."
1749.
William Dunwoody .
Sept. 1749
1758
Fraley MeKewan
1749
1752
" Moved."
John Gardiner
1749
1758
James Ross
1749
1758
John Harper .
1749
" Moved to Octoraro."
Samuel Byers
1749
1757
William Little
1749
1758
James Ross
1750
Nov. 1751
George Ligate
1750
Nov. 1757
Thomas Scott
1750
1756
John Bell .
1750
1754
Hugh Shearer
1750
1752
Jane Jennings
May, 1750
1751
William Ratchford .
Nov. 1750
1751
" Moved to Carolina."
John McFarlane
1750
1752
George Robison .
Oct. 1750
June, 1753
1751.
Ludwick Ligate
April 26, 1751 1758
Cormick MeDermond .
" Removed."
239
APPENDIX.
Name. Patrick Mairork
April 26, 1751
1755
" He is an apostate."
1752.
Robert Wilson
1752
1756
Robert Futhey
1752
1758
James Moore
May 24, 1752
No date given, probably paid until 1758.
Theophilus Irwin
1752
No date given, probably paid until 1758.
Matthew Harbison .
1752
No date given, probably paid until 1758.
Franeis Gardiner, Jr.
1752
No date given, probably paid until 1758.
James and Robert MeClure .
1752
No date given, probably paid until 1758.
Joseph Long
1752
1757
James Beatty
1752
No date given, probably paid until 1758.
1753.
Thomas Hope
May, 1753
" Moved over the river."
Robert Robinson
June 27, 1753
1756
William Ross and Alexander Nesbit
1753
1757
Andrew Spence .
1753
1757
" By work, etc., to 1757."
Thomas Byle
1753
1758
George Campbell
May,
1753
1754
" Moved."
1754.
William Allan
1754
1755.
Alexander Gorden .
1755
1758
" Part in work."
James Spence
1755
1757
Robert Robison .
Sept. 15, 1755
1757
Alexander Donaldson
May 26, 1755
1758
Probably 1758.
Commenced.
Ceased.
240
APPENDIX.
Commenced.
Ceased.
Name.
Patrick Stewart .
May 26, 1755
1756
William Wallace
1755
1758
Probably 1758.
John Withrow
1755
1758
Probably 1758.
John Craige .
1755
" One and a half years."
John Patterson .
1755
1758
1756.
John Smith
May,
1756
1757
Samuel Byers
May 26, 1756
1758
" Robert Piersol paid one year."
" John Young and his brother, Archibald, generally pay me with- out subscribing." Also Samuel Ross, Samuel Long, " and Thomas Reah."
" Received from the congregation in the Forks of Brandywine all I expected from them."
" My relation to Forks of Brandywine dissolved in a most irregu- lar manner, October, 1758."
It will be observed .by the above list that during the last two or three years of Mr. Boyd's pastorate the names added to the list of subscribers for the payment of his salary were few. This was proba- bly owing to the fact that from 1756 or '57, when the "Seceder Meeting-House" was built, three churches,-Mr. Boyd's, the New Side, and the Seceder,-were attempted to be sustained within a short distance of one another.
-
241
APPENDIX.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS FOR MR. BOYD'S SALARY AT OCTORARO, SEPTEMBER 1, 1758.
Daniel Henderson.
Robert Kincaid (carpenter). Arthur Patterson.
William Henderson.
Thomas Hope.
Robert Gilkie.
John Brewster.
Robert Kincaid (weaver).
Charles Gilkic.
James Keys.
George Wilkins.
Richard Hope.
James Fleming.
Adam Hope (weaver).
William Fleming.
Alexander Rogers.
Sarah Thompson.
Robert Kelly.
Robert Wilson.
George Campbell.
Peter Fleming.
John Miller, Esq.
James Fleming, Sr.
John Miller, Sr.
John Fleming.
Archibald Gay.
John Kincaid.
Joseph Wilson.
Samuel Kincaid.
William Marshall.
Benjamin Wales.
John Turner.
Samuel M'Clelland.
Samuel Moore.
Charles Eaches.
John Maxwell.
William Morsel.
James Adaire.
Robert McPherson.
John Irwin.
John McPherson.
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