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 7
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Matthew Robertson (Robeson), who died at the age of ninety-two, was upwards of half a century a faithful member of the church, and one of those to whom the land first owned by the congregation was patented by the heirs of Penn.
William Brown was a Ruling Elder more than a quarter of a century. His youngest daughter, Cath- arine, was married in 1776 to Dr. McMillan, and shared with him the trials and privations of life on the frontier, upwards of forty years.
Colonel Robert Smith was an active patriot during the Revolutionary War, sheriff of Chester County, a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the State Legis- lature in 1785.
William Hunter was a successful agent in collecting funds for restoring the Meeting-House after it had been destroyed by fire ; a Justice of the Peace, and one of the executors of Mr. Carmichael's estate.
Joseph Grier was a lieutenant in the Continental Army, and one of the "Thirty Men" who were left to keep up the camp-fires, near Trenton, while the Amer- ican army moved to the attack at Princeton.
John Culbertson, Esq., and David Denny were active in arresting the suspected, and did good service by forwarding supplies to the "Continental Army" and assisting the families of those in the field.
Matthew Stanley was a member of the State Legis- lature in 1829, '30, and many years a Justice of the Peace.
Robert Ralston held the office of Prothonotary dur- ing Governor Wolf's administration, 1829-'35. He took an active part in the organization of the Presby-
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terian Church at West Chester, and was one of its first Ruling Elders.
Andrew Buchanan was a member of the State Leg- islature in 1855, '56, and one of four brothers who were Ruling Elders in the Presbyterian Church,
A son of each of the following Ruling Elders en- tered the Gospel Ministry : William Kennedy, Joseph Grier, Samuel Ralston, John Templeton, and Caleb Liggett.
The fathers of the Ruling Elders whose names are subjoined were also Ruling Elders: William Denny, William Lockhart, David Buchanan, John McClure, Joseph McClure, John Ralston, Andrew Buchanan, John F. Templeton, and James Liggett .**
* Dr. Grier, " Historical Discourse ;" Records of Session ; Penna. Magazine ; Local Memoranda ; Office of Register of Wills.
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TRUSTEES.
As it has been found impossible to obtain the names of many who held the office of Trustee, lists of them are given at those periods only when either their ser- vices being most needed, or some incidental circum- ยท stance caused their names to be placed on record.
The Trustees when the Manor Meeting-House was built, in 1761, were Rev. John Carmichael, John Cul- bertson, Esq., James Moore, Esq., William Denny, Samuel McKinly, and Francis Gardner.
When the Meeting-House was destroyed by fire, in 1786, those who, as Trustees, took an active part in its restoration were Samuel Cunningham, Esq., John Culbertson, Esq., James M'Clure, David Denny, James Dunwoodie, William Anderson, and Robert Lockhart.
In 1839, when the interior of the building was re- modelled, John Templeton, Esq., John Ralston, James Dorlan, Thomas M'Clune, James K. Grier, William W. M'Clure, Joseph Mackelduff, and John M'Cach- ran composed the board of Trustees
James G. Templeton, Charles T. Forrest, John Weber, Lewis Worrall, James G. M'Clure, David Harris, Isaac Sahler, Zebulon W. Davis, and Baxter B. M'Clure held the office when the new church edifice was commenced in 1875. Three of them were
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the sons of those who were Trustees thirty-six years before.
The Trustees at the present time are James G. M'Clure, Charles A. Robeson, W. P. Moore, Charles T. Forrest, Zebulon W. Davis, Joseph P. Graham, Robert Shields, Samuel C. Mackelduff, and Francis Growe.
SEXTONS.
THE Sextons, so far as can be ascertained, have been John M'Cachran, Isabella M'Cachran, James Neal, James Millegan, Sr., James Millegan, Jr., Joseph Sims, Samuel Parsons, John Sinn, Griffith Sinn, William Ballentine, and Robert Cairns .*
* Local Memoranda ; Sessional Records in part.
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THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS.
" How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation."-ISAIAH lii. 7.
THOSE whose names are appended prepared for the Christian Ministry under the direction of the Rev. Nathan Grier. The Biographical notices of them have been arranged in the order of their license to preach the Gospel .*
Rev. William Woods Licensed in June, 1794.
David M Conaughy, D.D., LL.D. .
Oct., 1797.
Patrick Davidson .
" Oct., 1797.
Matthew G. Wallace . " April, 1799.
Thomas Grier April, 1800.
Joshua Knight
Oct., 1800.
Thomas Hood .
Aug., 1802. Sept., 1805. Sept., 1806.
66 Levi Bull, D.D.
Alexander Boyd
James Buchanan
Sept., 1806.
Robert White
66 April, 1809.
William Kennedy .
April, 1809.
John F. Grier, D.D. .
June, 1810.
Robert S. Grier 66
" Sept., 1812.
Samuel Parke .
April, 1813.
John H. Grier .
" April, 1813.
John N. C. Grier, D.D. .
April, 1813.
John W. Grier
Sept., 1818.
* Minutes of Pres. of Newcastle.
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REV. WILLIAM WOODS.
The Rev. William Woods, who appears to have been the first that pursued his Theological studies under the direction of the Rev. Nathan Grier, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa. His academical education was obtained at Dr. Smith's school in Pequea, and his col- legiate at Dickinson College, of which he became an Alumnus in 1792. He was licensed by the Presby- tery of New Castle, June 17, 1794, and spent some years after his licensure as a missionary in the western counties of this State.
Mr. Woods accepted a call from the united churches of Bethel and Lebanon, in Alleghany County, Pa., as the successor of the Rev. John Clark, and was in- stalled as their pastor by the Presbytery of Redstone, June 28, 1797. The pastoral relation was dissolved in 1831, and he died October 17, 1834.
Bethel, of which Mr. Woods became sole pastor some years before his death, was organized by Dr. McMillan, and is one of the oldest churches in West- ern Pennsylvania. "It shared largely in the blessed influences of the revivals of 1803-'04." **
* Smith, " Old Redstone;" Minutes of Presbytery of Newcastle.
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REV. DAVID M'CONAUGHY, D.D., LL.D.
Rev. David M'Conaughy, D.D., LL.D., was born in Adams County, then a part of York County, Pa., in September, 1775. He was graduated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, September 30, 1795, standing the first in his class. After the usual course in Theology under the direction of the Rev. Nathan Grier, he was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, October 5, 1797.
Having received a call from the united congrega- tions of Upper Marsh Creek (now Gettysburg) and Great Conewago, he was installed as their pastor in October, 1800. He continued in this relation, faith- fully and acceptably discharging his ministerial duties, until the spring of 1832, when the pastoral relation was dissolved at his request.
In May, 1832, he was inaugurated President of Washington College, Pa., an office which he filled with dignity and ability until October, 1849, when the infirmities of age caused him to resign. He con- tinned to reside at Washington until his death, Janu- ary 29, 1852.
Dr. M'Conaughy was an early and zealous advocate of the temperance cause, and his influence, both as a pastor and as the President of a college, was wide- spread and beneficial. He left the congregations com- mitted to his oversight in a prosperous condition, and "every year of his administration added strength and reputation to Washington College."
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After his retirement from the Presidency, Dr. M'Conaughy published a volume of Discourses, chiefly Biographical, of Persons eminent in Sacred History ; a Brief Summary and Outline of the Principal Sub- jects comprehended in Moral Science; a few Bacca- laureate Addresses, and some Sermons.
His style is generally vigorous, although somewhat diffuse, and his writings exhibit clearness in the state- ment of facts, a judicious selection of the subjects discussed, and an earnest desire to promote knowledge and religion.
The degree of D.D. was conferred on him by Jef- ferson College in 1833 ; of LL.D. by the Trustees of Washington College on his retirement from the Presidency of that Institution .*
REV. PATRICK DAVIDSON.
Patrick Davidson was born in 1775, and completed his collegiate course at Dickinson College, Carlisle, September 30, 1795.+ He was licensed by the Pres- bytery of New Castle, October 5, 1797, and passed the next twelve months in supplying churches with- out a pastor.
In April, 1798, Mr. Davidson received a call from
* Dr. Nevin, " Churches of the Valley ;" Sprague, " Annals of American Pulpit ;" Rev. Dr. Elliott's Com. Discourse.
+ Among his classmates were Chief Justice Taney, Judge Kennedy, of the Supreme Court of this State, Dr. McConaughy. President of Washington College, and Dr. Williams, President of Jefferson College.
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the congregation of Fagg's Manor, Chester County, Pa., which he declined on account of the smallness of the salary. The call, accompanied by a promise of increased support, was renewed at the meeting of Presbytery in October of the same year, and accepted.
He was installed in April, 1799, and remained about a year. He then applied for a release from his charge, alleging "that although the congregation had done all that was reasonable, yet certain unpleasant circumstances had occurred which destroyed his com- fort and hindered his usefulness."
The Presbytery granted his request, and on the 19th of October, 1800, he was installed pastor of the church at Toms Creek, Maryland, by a committee of the Presbytery of Carlisle. In 1801 he also became pastor of the church at Piney Creek in the same State, giving to each of these churches one-half of his time.
His pastoral relation with both congregations seems to have been harmonious and pleasant until the close of the summer of 1809. In August (15th) of the same year he was elected Principal of the Academy at Fredericktown, Md., and removed there shortly after- wards. This caused dissatisfaction among his people, who complained that the preaching of the Word was neglected, and at the meeting of Presbytery in the Spring of 1810, they asked for supplies. Mr. Davidson being absent, the Presbytery deferred action until its meeting the next September (26th), when the pastoral relation was dissolved.
At the same meeting of Presbytery a number of charges against Mr. Davidson were presented by a
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member of one of his congregations. A Committee of Presbytery, after a careful examination, considered them unfounded and censured his accuser.
He was dismissed at his own request on the 25th of September, 1814, to the Presbytery of Baltimore. During his connection with the Academy at Frederick- town " he supplied the Presbyterian Church at that place, and preached occasionally at Pipe Creek and Creagertown in the vicinity."
Mr. Davidson died October 9, 1824. He was the first that was called to his reward of those who entered the ministry from the Divinity School of the Rev. Nathan Grier .*
REV. MATTHEW G. WALLACE.
The Rev. M. G. Wallace was born about the year 1774. Where he received his academical training is not known. He was graduated at the College of New Jersey in September, 1795, and succeeded the Rev. Mr. McPherson as principal of the Brandywine Academy, where he remained about three years. While he had charge of the Academy he pursued the study of Theology, and was licensed by the Presby- tery of Newcastle, April 4, 1799. He removed im- mediately afterwards to Ohio, and was one of the first Presbyterian ministers who settled in that State.
* Minutes of Presbytery of Carlisle ; Rev. W. Simonton, " History of Toms Creek Church ;" Rev. W. Noble, " History of Fagg's Manor Church."
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About 1802, Mr. Wallace became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati. Subse- quently he preached at Springfield, Hamilton, and other places in Ohio. In the latter part of his life he resided at Terre Haute, Ind., without a charge, and died there August 12, 1854.
Mr. Wallace was an excellent classical scholar, a sound theologian, and a faithful minister of the Gospel .*
REV. THOMAS GRIER.
Middletown, the oldest, and for nearly a century and a half the only, Presbyterian Church in what is now Delaware County, Pa., was established before 1724. It seems to have been among the first organ- ized outside of Philadelphia. As the records are lost, its early history is obscure. A copy, however, of Watts's Psalms and Hymns, presented to the church by the author, has escaped the ravages of time, and is justly regarded as an interesting memento of that eminent and godly man.
In the latter half of the first year of the present century the congregation known by the name of Middletown presented a call to the Rev. Thomas Grier to become their pastor. This call he accepted, and was ordained and installed December 16, 1801.
Mr. Grier was graduated at Dickinson College in 1797, studied divinity under the Rev. Nathan Grier,
* Dr. S. Alexander, " Princeton College in the Eighteenth Cen- tury ;" " Reminiscences of Rev. Dr. J. N. C. Grier."
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and was licensed by the Presbytery of Newcastle, April 3, 1800.
He remained at Middletown until the close of Sep- tember (30th), 1808, when he resigned and accepted a call from the church at West Town, Orange County, New York, in the bounds of the Presbytery of Hudson.
Of his pastorate at Middletown little is known ; but taking his subsequent ministry as a guide, it may be inferred that it was faithful, laborious, and suc- cessful.
He was installed at West Town, February 7, 1809. The bounds of the congregation were large, embrac- ing the territory now occupied by four churches. He labored with great diligence and acceptance until difficulties arose with some of the members of his charge on the subject of baptism. The matter was finally brought to the notice of the Presbytery, and in April (18th), 1827, the whole matter was referred to a Committee, which accepted his resignation in September (12th) of the same year.
Shortly afterwards Mr. Grier became pastor of the church at Milford, Pike County, Pa., and remained about a year. He then settled at Centreville, N. J., where a meeting-house was built for him. After a pastorate of nearly three years in that place, he re- moved to Cold Spring, on the Hudson, where he continued to occupy the pulpit until his death.
" He was taken siek while preaching from the text, ' Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and your children.' "
Mr. Grier preached without the aid of notes, and
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with such earnestness and solemnity as frequently to melt his audience to tears. His sermons were practi- cal, sound in doctrine, and imbued with much of the spirit of his Divine Master. His labors, especially during his pastorate at West Town, were greatly blessed.
In 1815 there was a copious outpouring of the Spirit among the people of his charge, one hundred and three being added to the church in that year, and fifty-seven in the year immediately following ; all on a profession of their faith. In 1820 a still greater awakening took place. and a hundred and ninety-four became members of the visible church.
Mr. Grier married a Miss Mccullough, of Little Britain, Lancaster County, Pa., and one of his sons, George W. Grier, resides in Goshen, Orange County, N. Y .*
REV. JOSHUA KNIGHT.
About the middle of the last century a number of Presbyterian families associated together and emi- grated from Connecticut to Southwestern Central New York. They purchased a quarter township of land, and settled on the Chenango River, a tributary of the Susquehanna, near where the town of Sherburne now stands. They arrived on Thursday, and by the next Sabbath they had built a log meeting-house, in which divine service was held every week. This building
* Com. from Rev. T. Sheelar, Orange Co., N. Y. ; Smith, " Hist. of Delaware Co. ; " Minutes of Presbytery of Hudson.
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having in the course of time become no longer fit for public worship, they determined to erect another. A difference of opinion, however, about the site of the new meeting-house led to a division. A part of the congregation withdrew, organized as a second church, and built a house at some distance from the town.
In 1802 the Rev. Joshua Knight, a graduate of Dickinson College in 1798, and a licentiate of the Presbytery of Newcastle in 1800, was installed pas- tor of this church. He discharged the duties of the office with acceptance until 1823. In that year he married the daughter of his first wife, step-daughter, and as a consequence was deposed from the minis- try by the Congregational Association of Chenango County. He removed shortly afterwards from Sher- burne to a farm belonging to his wife on the Mohawk River, in Herkimer County, where he spent some years in agriculture. He subsequently engaged in mercan- tile pursuits, but his property having been destroyed by fire, he was reduced to penury. His wife died of grief, and he, after having, as reported, officiated as a Universalist elergyman, closed his earthly existence as a pauper.
That the evening of a life whose morning and noon were passed prosperously and respectably should have been clouded by poverty and disgrace, gives rise to many sad and monitory reflections. But the duty of the biographer is the stating of facts, not the penning of meditations on the errors and frailties of humanity.
His children by the last marriage all died when young. A son by his first marriage, it is said, resides in Michigan.
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The second church at Sherburne was small, never numbering more than two hundred members. It shared largely in the revival of 1816. In 1830 it disbanded and formed another organization in a vil- lage five miles distant .**
REV. THOMAS HOOD.
Thomas Hood was born on the farm now in the possession of the family of the late Matthew Stanly, July 2, 1781. He was awakened to a sense of his lost condition by the preaching of the Rev. Nathan Grier. After he had been connected for some time with Mr. Grier's congregation, he determined to enter the ministry. His preparatory training was received at the Brandywine Academy, and his collegiate at Diekinson College, where he was graduated in Sep- tember, 1799. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Newcastle, August 3, 1802, and spent about three years as an occasional supply in the central counties of this State.
In October, 1805, Mr. Hood was installed by the Presbytery of Huntingdon pastor of the united con- gregations of Buffalo and Washington, in North- umberland, now Union, County, Pa. At first he gave to each of these congregations half his time. But the congregation at Washington having been
* New York Hist. Collections ; Hotchkin's "Hist. of Western New York ;" MS. Com. from Rev. J. Chambers, Pastor of Cong. Church, Sherburne.
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reduced by the change of residence of many of its members, they consented, in 1809, to an agreement for Mr. Hood to preach there every fourth Sabbath.
At a meeting of the Presbytery held at Bellefonte in 1810, the residents of Milton and vicinity, in North- umberland County, requested permission for Mr. Hood to preach for them one-fourth of his time. This request was granted by the recently-formed Presbytery of Northumberland, and he conducted religious services at Milton once a month as a stated supply until Octo- ber 7, 1812, when he was installed as pastor.
On the 20th of April, 1819, he accepted an invita- tion to give the congregation at Milton one-half of his time. "This arrangement continued until he resigned the pastorate, April 21, 1835." Mr. Hood was noted for the excellence and solidity of his matter rather than for elegant diction or an attractive delivery.
After his withdrawal from the active duties of the ministry, Mr. Hood resided for some years on his farm in Buffalo Valley, Union County, but he finally removed to Lewisburg, the seat of justice of the same county, where he died March 17, 1848.
He was married in April, 1803, to Miss Mary Hazlitt. His second wife was Miss Hannah M'Clure, to whom he was married in March, 1848, a short time before his decease .*
* Com. from Rev. J. C. Wattson, D.D .; " Hist. of Presbytery of Huntingdon ;" " Reminiscences of Ex-Governor Pollock."
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REV. LEVI BULL, D.D.
The Rev. Levi Bull was born in Warwick, then a part of East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, November 14, 1780. He manifested an aptitude for learning at an early age, and was graduated at Dick- inson College in September, 1798, before he had completed his eighteenth year.
He commenced the study of Law in the office of James Hopkins, Esq., Lancaster, Pa., but before he was admitted to the Bar his religious opinions under- went a change, and he resolved to devote himself to the service of the Altar. With this object in view he passed through the usual theological course in the Divinity School of the Rev. Nathan Grier, entered the ministry of the Episcopal Church, and was or- dained by Bishop White in 1805.
Instead of seeking a rectorship at a distance, he devoted himself to the preaching of the Gospel in the vicinity of his native place. His earnestness and faithfulness, together with his popular manners, caused his ministrations to be largely attended, and resulted in the organization of several Episcopal Churches, which still exist.#
The possessor of ample means both by inheritance and marriage, Dr. Bull generously assisted every be- nevolent object, and the deserving poor never sought
* Dr. Bull was rector in 1833 of St. Mary's Church, Warwick Township, Chester County; Bangor Church, Churchtown, Lancaster County ; and St. Thomas' Church, Morgantown, Berks County.
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his aid in vain. Imbued by a truly Christian philan- thropy, he regarded ministers of the Gospel of every orthodox denomination as his brethren, and mingled freely with men of every creed. He is the only Episcopal clergyman whom the writer remembers to have seen occupying a Presbyterian pulpit. At his death, which took place August 2, 1859, he was the oldest rector of the Episcopal Church in Pennsyl- vania. The degree of D.D. was conferred on him in 1844 by the Western University of Pennsylvania, located at Pittsburg.
The father of Dr. Bull, Colonel Thomas Bull, was a soldier in the " Continental Army ;"* a Representa- tive from Chester County in the State Legislature nine sessions, 1793 to 1801 inclusive, and a delegate to the Convention which framed the Constitution of Pennsylvania, adopted in 1776.
The eldest son of Dr. Bull, Colonel Thomas K. Bull, a gentleman of liberal education and pleasing address, resides on the paternal estate. He was a member of the State Legislature three years,-1846, '47, and '48. Another son, James, held the office of Prosecuting Attorney for Chester County, and a third son, William, recently deceased, was a member of the Philadelphia Bar.
A grandson of Dr. Bull, the Rev. Levi Bull, is a rector in the Episcopal Church.
* Colonel Bull was among those taken prisoners by the surrender of Fort Washington in November, 1776, and endured all the priva- tions and sufferings of that Libby of the Revolutionary War, the British prison-ship. He is said to have broken his sword rather than surrender it.
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A discourse commemorative of Dr. Bull was de- livered by the Rev. Dr. May in 1859 .*
REV. ALEXANDER BOYD.
Alexander Boyd, a native of Cumberland County, Pa., was born about 1780. When quite young he re- moved to the vicinity of Pittsburg, and prosecuted lis academical studies at Cannonsburg, before Jeffer- son College was founded. His collegiate course was completed at Dickinson College in 1799.
Having spent some years in teaching, and passed through the usual course in Theology under the direc- tion of the Rev. Nathan Grier, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Newcastle, September 30, 1806. In 1808 he was installed pastor of the church in Bed- ford, Pa., by the Presbytery of Carlisle. After labor- ing there about eight years he accepted a call from the Presbyterian Church at Newtown, Bucks County, where he was installed by the Presbytery of Phila- delphia in 1817. Owing to a difference of views between him and a number of the leading members of his congregation on the subject of temperance, he resigned his charge at Newtown, in 1838, and settled at Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pa. He remained there until a year before his death, which occurred in 1845.
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