USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > History of the Presbytery of Washington : including a brief account of the planting of the Presbyterian church in Western Pennsylvania and parts adjacent, with sketches of pioneer ministers and ruling elders ; also sketches of later ministers and ruling elders > Part 20
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He was a truly godly man. One who knew him well testifies that his love of prayer (family, public and private), of reading the Scriptures (in connection with the annotations of Scott the commentator), of attending upon the preaching of the word, and of religious conversation, so absorbed his mind that he con- stantly seemed to live in the world as one who was not at all of it.
Mr. Maxwell was twice married. From a daughter by his first wife was born Rev. Josiah Welsh, the founder, and until his death, in 1877, the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Salt Lake City.
The second wife was Mrs. Jane Fulton (widow of John Ful- ton, of Florence), whose maiden name was Jane Mccluskey, sister of Rev. John McCluskey, D.D.
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Rev. James M. Maxwell, D.D., of Monongahela City, Pa., is a child of this second marriage.
Mrs. Maxwell, by her first husband, was the mother of Rev. Robert John Fulton, who was licensed by the Presbytery of Washington, and died at Cumberland, Guernsey County, O., in 1855, shortly after his installation as pastor of the then large and flourishing church of Buffalo.
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ENOCH HAYS was born December 1, 1802, near Burgettstown, Washington County, Pa., and received in early life into the com- munion of the church of Raccoon, during the pastorate of Rev. Moses Allen. He became an elder in Three Springs Church about the year 1862 or '63, having previously been ordained to . the office at the organization of the Pine Grove Church, from which he took his dismission to Three Springs, in 1862.
Mr. Hays was a consistent and exemplary follower of Christ, and faithfully discharged the duties of his office as elder. Having lived forty-one years on his farm in Brook County, W. Va., he entered into rest February 13, 1872, aged three-score and ten. His summons was a very sudden one. "He walked with God, and was not, for God took him."
MILL CREEK.
ALEXANDER MCCULLOUGH was one of the first elders in this church. His name first appears on the roll of Presbytery in 1800. He was, in both lineage and character, a pronounced Scotchman-(" Auld Sawney " he familiarly called himself). He was noted for his fidelity in reproving sin, yet doing it so judi- ciously as not to give offence. He was seldom absent from church, was active in keeping up the prayer meeting, and in every respect was an earnest, zealous worker. He died about the year 1830, full of years, and of faith, and good works.
GEORGE MCCULLOUGH was a brother of Alexander McCul- lough, and said to have been younger, though his name appears on the roll of Redstone Presbytery in 1793, seven years earlier. The tradition is, that he was an able and efficient officer in the church. . He died in 1812.
DAVID KERR came from Ireland when a young man. His wife's name was Cornelia Chamberlain. He was owner of a
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DECEASED RULING ELDERS. 225
large farm one mile east of Hookstown. As an elder he was faithful and earnest in efforts to promote Christ's kingdom. He took delight in training the young. He had them come to his home to "say their questions." At other times he met them for the same purpose at the home of Andrew Poe. Mr. Kerr was an elder for about thirty years, and died in 1824.
JOSEPH MCCREADY was born July 9, 1786, and died October 3, 1862, having served as an elder about fifty years. In early life he married Elizabeth Ewing. A second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Calhoun. Father McCready, as he was commonly called in his later years, was eminent for his piety, efficiency and usefulness. His personal appearance was made especially ven- erable by gray locks reaching to his shoulders and a healthy countenance that beamed forth the spirit of Christian love. He was remarkably endowed with the spirit of prayer and exhorta- tion. He had a deep voice, somewhat tremulous in its opening utterances. He often spoke with tears rolling down his cheeks and words of entreaty flowing from his heart. In the great re- vival of 1853 he was a most efficient helper in leading anxious souls to the Saviour. Mr. McCready was also particularly zealous for the temperance cause, both in word and deed. His lamented death was the result of a lamp explosion. But the call, though unexpected, did not overtake him unready. It was the Master's voice which he heard, and he entered into rest.
JAMES MOODY was born April 6, 1793, near Easton, Pa. He came to the Mill Creek neighborhood with his parents, in 1819, and was made an elder in 1833, serving nearly forty years, until his death, December 30, 1872. He was an earnest friend of the temperance cause, and being a man of intelligence and ready utterance, he did effective work as a speaker at temperance meetings. He was also very active in securing the acceptance of the free school system.
In his later years he gave exemplary proof of his interest in Mill Creek by compiling from the written records then extant, and from reliable tradition and personal knowledge, a history of this venerable church from its organization down till near the time of his death. Mr. Moody was a brother of Rev. Samuel Moody, who died in 1856, aged fifty-five years.
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THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
MATTHEW GLASS was elected an elder in 1840, and was a faithful laborer, always diligent and active. He organized and maintained a prayer-meeting in Hookstown for many years; was very zealous in the temperance cause. He died in 1851, aged fifty-four years.
JAMES MCKINLEY was elected an elder in 1840, and was a good man, of strict integrity and sound in the faith. 'He was born in Ireland, and brought to this country by his parents, in infancy. He died in 1856.
FAIRVIEW -- (THE FLATS).
HENRY PITTENGER was one of the original elders of this church in connection with John Eadie and John McMillan. He was born February 25, 1735, and was elected an elder at the organization of the church; and continued in office until his death, in 1825. A son, Nicholas, entered the ministry. John Pittenger, another son of Henry, was born January 20, 1771, and was elected an elder in this church before 1812, and exer- cised this office for half a century, or until his death, in 1860. Four of his sons became ruling elders in different churches, three of whom are now dead.
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Abraham, one of his sons, is now an elder in this church, thus presenting this interesting and remarkable fact -- three genera- tions from one family represented in the eldership of one church in an unbroken succession covering nearly a century of time.
JOSEPH W. ALLISON was born. March 31, 1830, and died De- cember 30, 1883. Was elected elder in 1858, and served the church in this office faithfully until his death. He was a man of large intelligence, well informed on all the leading questions of the day, and represented his county in the House of Delegates of the State of West Virginia. He was large-hearted and benev- olent, always contributing liberally to the boards of the church, and the cause of humanity. He loved God's Word and his house and his people; and his place in the sanctuary was rarely unoccupied; and for two years previous to his last sickness it was not marked by a single absence. His end was peace, and his memory is blessed.
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DECEASED RULING ELDERS.
WASHINGTON FIRST.
The original elders in this church ordained and installed at its organization 1793, were four, viz .: Andrew Swearingen, Joseph Wherry, Robert Stockton, and William McCombs. Since that time, including the present session, 37 have been ordained and installed. Of these, 26 have gone to wear their crowns and share the glory promised to those who are faithful unto death.
ROBERT STOCKTON came, in 178.4, from near Chambersburg, Pa., where most of his children were born. He purchased a farm in Franklin township, near Washington, on which he resided until his death in 1824. He was the father of Rev. Joseph Stockton, (g. v.). Another son, Thomas, became an elder in the church of Washington while the father was yet living. A daughter, Eliza - beth, was married to Rev. James Cunningham. Another daugh- ter, Jane, was the second wife of Rev. John Brice.
JOSEPH WHERRY was born near Wilmington, Del .; came to Washington county about 1790, with wife and oldest child. Died May 5, 1826, aged 74.
ANDREW SWEARINGEN was a brother of Van Swearingen, first sheriff of Washington county. They were sons of John Swea- ringen, who came from Berkeley county, Va., before the Revo- lution, and settled in Springhill township, Fayette county, Pa. Both sons were captains in the Revolutionary war. Andrew was justice of the peace, first in Yohogania, and then in Wash- ington county. Also served as treasurer of Washington county. He was an extensive landholder, and lived on one of his tracts in Chartiers township. He served as an elder until his death, which took place June 26, 1824, in his 78th year.
WILLIAM McCOMBS .- He held the office of coroner in Wash- ington county in 1784. Had lands in Strabane, Somerset and Canton townships. He sold the Somerset farm to his brother Robert in 1792. Previous to this he served as elder in Pigeon Creck Church. His name appears repeatedly in the records of both Redstone and Ohio Presbyteries. He died on his farm in Canton township in 1807.
WILLIAM SHERRARD was an early resident of Washington, Pa .; an elder of unblemished reputation, and died with unsha- ken confidence in his Redeemer, Dec. 17th, 1818, aged 75.
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THOMAS STOCKTON, son of Robert, was descended from a pious and godly ancestry. His grandfather as well as father was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was elected to the same office during the pastorate of Dr. Matthew Brown, somewhere between 1805 and 1822, and died in 1849 much respected and beloved and lamented in his death. He was the father of Rev. John Stockton, D.D., for fifty years the pastor of Cross Creek in this Presbytery.
JAMES ORR was born in Penns Valley, Centre County, Pa., in 1775. His boyhood was spent in Franklin county, Pa. He was married in 1797 to Miss Margaret Hawkins, of Chambersburg, Pa., and came at that time to reside in Washington. He was a carpenter by trade. Thirteen children were the fruits of his marriage, and four of his daughters became the wives of minis- ters. Rev. Albert O. Johnson, one of the martyred missionaries: in India during the Sepoy rebellion, and Rev. W. F. Johnson. D.D., for 25 years a missionary in India, and now president of Biddle University, N. C., were his grandsons. Three of his daughters were married to Presbyterian ministers. He seems to have enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors, and was called by them to several responsible positions-among them were magistrate and bank director. As a member of Session he was wise and faithful, and as a Christian eminent and consistent. He died in peace, January 31, 1858.
GEORGE BAIRD, Esq., was the son of Dr. Absalom Baird, sur- geon in the Revolutionary army. He was born in Kennett Square, Chester county, Pa., in 1785, and was brought to Wash- ington by his parents at the age of five years. He was educated in Washington Academy, now Washington College, and for som time taught the classics in that institution. He held the office- of magistrate and sheriff of Washington county, and was als ' elected a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. He made a profession of religion in 1812, under the ministry of Dr. Brown and was elected to the eldership in 1847. He was a member. from this Presbytery, of the General Assembly which met ir Nashville, Tenn., in 1855. He was a very conscientious man warm-hearted, a liberal giver, and a man of prayer.
Hoy. R. R. REED, M.D., was born in Washington, March !?.
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1807, and was the son of Alexander Reed, a prominent mer- chant of that place. He graduated at Washington College in 1825, and also graduated in medicine at the University of Penn- sylvania, in Philadelphia, in 1828. He was converted and made a profession of religion in the same year, during a quiet revival of religion in the church of Washington. He was elected to the office of ruling elder in 1847, and held the office until his death. Two of his sons entered the ministry, viz., Rev. Alexander Reed, D.D., who died at Denver, Colorado, November 18, 1878, and Rev. William B. Reed, who is still living.
Dr. Reed was elected a Representative from Washington County to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, and was also a member of Congress, in both of which offices he commanded the highest regard, both as a gentleman and a Christian. He was frequently a member of Synod, and also represented this Pres- bytery in the General Assembly. He was especially interested in the work of the Sabbath-school, and was the beloved and effi- cient Superintendent of the Sabbath-school in this church for twenty-six years previous to his death. He was a very intelli- gent and godly man, of great warmth of affection and sympathy, very active in all Christian work, very efficient and reliable, "the pastor's friend." He died December 14, 1864, in the fifty-eighth year of his age.
CHARLES HAWKINS was born in Baltimore, November 27, 1773. Spent most of his early life in Chambersburg, Pa., and from IS17 until his death lived in Washington. His ancestors were Cove- nanters, of which church he was also a member until ISHI, when he united with the Presbyterian Church, under the ministry of Dr. Matthew Brown, and was elected an elder in 1827. His pastor says of him: "A man of holy dedication, great power in prayer, and carrying with him the confidence and sympathy of God's people in a remarkable degree." He mentions this inci- dent : " Dr. Matthew Brown, my predecessor, was present in my prayer-meeting shortly after I came here. Before beginning his lecture, he turned to me and asked, ' Is Charles Hawkins here? Call on him to pray. I must hear him pray once more before I die. I can't speak until I am lifted up to God by one of lis prayers." He died February 25, 1864, in the ninety-first
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year of his age. He was the father of Rev. John L. Hawkins, of Melrose, Kansas.
JACOB SLAGLE, the son of Christian Slagle, who came from: Germany, was born in Baltimore, Md. His father died in 1794, and in 1804 Mr. Slagle came to Washington, as an apprentice to the saddlery business. He united with the church of Washington in 1824, during the pastorate of Rev. Obadiah Jennings, and was elected an elder in 1829, which office he held for forty-five years, or until his death, which occurred June 7, 1872, in the eighty- fourth year of his age. He was several times a representative of this Presbytery in the General Assembly. He held the office of School Director, Trustee of the Female Seminary, and Asso- ciate Judge of the courts of Washington County, and was often chosen as counselor in business and church difficulties. He is said to have been remarkable for straightforward truthfulness and candor, very judicious, kindly and sympathetic. He was the father of Rev. B. W. Slagle, of Defiance, Ohio; of Judge J. F. Slagle, of Pittsburgh, and also of John S. Slagle, an elder in the First Church of Allegheny, Pa.
JOSEPH HENDERSON was born in Accomac County, Va., and came to Washington in 1816. He was Sheriff of Washington County, member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, Postmaster in Washington during the administration of John Quincy Adams, Deputy Surveyor of the Land Office of Pennsylvania under Gov- ernor Ritner, and also Adjutant-General. He studied law in Harrisburg, and opened an office in Washington in 1839; was not much of a pleader, but an excellent counselor, and was held in the highest esteem for honesty, integrity and kindness. He made a profession of religion in 1826; was elected an elder in 1847, and was always a consistent Christian and faithful Sabbath- school teacher until his death. He represented this Presbytery in the General Assembly at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1854. He died September 19, 1872, aged seventy-five years.
SAMUEL VANCE was born in Somerset Township, Washington County, Pa., March 13, 1791, and died February 25, 1874. For forty years, until his death, he was a ruling elder in the First Church of Washington, having been inducted in 1834, under the ministry of the Rev. David Elliott, D.D. He was the last on
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earth of the eleven venerable members of Session who welcomed the present pastor, Dr. Brownson, in 1849. He represented the Presbytery as a Commissioner to the General Assembly of 1860, which met in Rochester, N. Y. He left the record of a consistent life and a faithful officer of the church. At the end he rested, without doubt or fear, upon the one atoning sacrifice, only long- ing for the vision of the Lamb. The Rev. Joseph Vance, D.D., pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Chester, Pa., is his son. A son (John Vance) and son-in-law (William Paul) are members of the same Session in which his wise counsels were so long given.
UNITY.
FRANCIS BRADDOCK, Sr., was a principal founder and supporter of this church. He settled in the neighborhood about the year 1805. Served as elder from the church's organization until his death, a period of forty-two years ; he died March 25, 1856, aged seventy-seven years, and bequeathed to the church a valuable legacy, a portion of which was used in purchasing a house and lot. He often visited the sick and sorrow-stricken; his place in the house of God was seldom vacant; and his last Sabbath on earth was spent in leading the prayer-meeting in the church. Three of his sons-Francis, Cyrus and Joseph-became minis- ters. The late Rev. W. P. Braddock, of Pittsburgh, was a grandson.
MOSES DINSMORE settled in the neighborhood in 1812. He was one of the first bench of elders ordained August 27, 1814. He died April 3, 1836, aged fifty-three years. Being dead he yet speaketh. One of the ways in which his influence has been wonderfully perpetuated is through his descendants. Six sons studied for the ministry. Their names are Robert S., Francis B., Thomas H., John, Moses and William. Most of these have entered into rest.
ABRAHAM RICKEY was born August 26, 1804, in New Jersey, and removed with his parents to Green County, Pa., about the year 1810. He served as elder for thirty-three years and was faithful and conscientious in the discharge of the duties of his office. He was ever ready to uphold the hands of his pastor in every good work. He died July 28, 1880.
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THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
EAST BUFFALO.
JOSEPH DONAHEY, SR., came from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1790, bringing with him a certificate of church membership of himself and wife Mary (Alexander) Donahey, signed by Robert Nelson, minister of Parish of Omagh. He had become a fol- lower of Christ in early life, and was made an elder of East Buffalo at its orgaization about the year 1818. He became the founder of an extensive family whose influence for good in the Presbyterian Church continues to the present day.
MARTIN ELY was born in 1790, in Buffalo, then Donegal Township, Washington County, Pa., and died 1871, in his eighty- first year, on the farm where he was born. Mr. Ely was of German descent, and first worshiped in the Lutheran Church which stood where the East Buffalo Church now stands. He was married to Ann Jolly about the year 1811. Their children were five sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living. He was made an elder in East Buffalo Church, if not at its or- ganization in 1818, not a great while afterward. He lived a de- vout exemplary life. Elisha Ely of the present Session of East Buffalo is a son. Rev. J. C. Ely of Xenia, Ohio, Rev. R. W. Ely of La Moure, Dakota, Rev. Martin L. Donahey of Napoleon, Ohio, and Rev. Joseph A. Donahey of Waynesburg, Pa., are grandsons.
JOSEPH DONAHEY, JR., son of Joseph and Mary (Alexander) Donahey, was born October 18, 1792. He held the office of ruling elder first in the church of East Buffalo and subsequently in Claysville Church. He died suddenly in the town of Wash- ington, March 28, 1859, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. It was written of him at the time that, " He loved the house of God and rarely was his scat in the sanctuary vacant. To the poor, he was kind and charitable; to the benevolent enterprises of the church his purse was always and liberally opened. To his home the ministers of Christ were always welcome, and often were his pastor's heart and home made glad by his private gifts. He trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation, and through a long life gave evidence that he walked with God."
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CLAYSVILLE.
WILLIAM MCLAIN was born near Cannonsburg, Washington County, Pa., June 23, 1779. He settled in Claysville in 1830, and remained there until his death March 2, 1872, aged ninety- three years. Was ordained and installed an elder February 5, 1832, and served in this office faithfully for over forty years. His life as a follower of Christ extending over sixty years was full of worthy helpful deeds, and he was permitted to see all his children, to whom his memory is a precious legacy, members of the church which he had loved and served so well. One son, Samuel A., entered the ministy in 1835. Two, John and Joseph R., are elders in the church of Claysville. A. K. Craig of the same Session is a son-in-law. A daughter, Martha, was married to Rev. Alex. McCarrell, D.D. Three of her sons, Joseph J., William A. and Thomas C., are Presbyterian ministers. An- other son, S. J. McCarrell, Esq., is an elder in the Market Square Church, Harrisburg, Pa.
GEORGE MCCONAHEY was born in 1801, was installed about 1845, died January 19, 1866. Was a very useful elder, and for many years precentor in the church.
HUGH CRAIG was born March 3, 1795. He united with the church February 4, 1832. He was ordained and installed an elder March 17, 1850. He served in several civil stations, -- School Director, Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner, and Member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. He was very faith- ful in his attendance on public ordinances, always in the prayer- meeting. He died November 18, 1854. A. K. Craig of the present Session, and Hugh K. Craig, Baptist minister, are sons.
JOSEPH DONAHEY. JR., was born in 1792. He was installed as a ruling elder in this church June 4, 1857. He died March 2S, 1859. He was a spiritual man and noted for his benevolence in everything connected with the interests of the church. (Vide East Buffalo.)
HUGH MCCLELLAND was born December 13, 1789. He was a ruling elder in the United Presbyterian Church of South Buffalo, and also in the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington. He was installed in this church June 27, 1869, and died January 5, 1885.
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THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
THOMAS S. IRWIN was an elder in the Claysville Church for a quarter of a century. He was generally known as "Major" Irwin, having been from 1837 to 1845, a major in the State Militia. In his time he was a Brigade Inspector, Justice of the Peace, a local Census Taker, and for twelve years Post Master of Claysville. In religion, morals, politics, or any question with which he became identified, he was always a man of strong convictions.
JOHN SAWHILL was intelligent, kindly and public-spirited. Though a quiet, humble man, he nevertheless exerted consider- able influence in the church and community. He has one son in the ministry, Rev. Eldon O. Sawhill of Enon Valley, Pa.
MOUNT PROSPECT.
WILLIAM HUGHES (See Upper Buffalo). Of the first Bench of Elders, consisting of Wm. Hughes, John Cowan, and Wm. Simpson, it is testified that they were men of strong minds, de- termined purpose and devoted piety. They carried upon their hearts the interests of the newly organized church, and impressed upon it their characters, which will likely remain as long as the church has an existence.
CHARLES CAMPBELL was born on what is known as the Mason Campbell farm in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pa., October 31, 1786. He was married February 22, 1810, to Esther Mason, and was ordained and installed an elder in 1828. He died a comparatively young man, having only spent about five years in office. He was a man of marked integrity, with good wisdom, and a good spirit. His name is connected with the history of the church and the Sabbath-school from the very beginning. He died June 4, 1832.
ROBERT LYLE .- (See Cross Creek).
HUGH MCCONAUGHEY .-- This name is one deservedly held in great respect by the people of this church and community. He was unobtrusive and modest to a marked degree, but an earnest, faithful, and fervent Christian man. There was no interest of the cause of Christ which he did not make his personal interest. He was wise in his counsels, faithful in his works, and sincere and honest in his friendships, a man to whose influence all were ready to yield.
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He was a native of Washington County, and married Isabel Walker (a sister of John Walker, Sen., who was well known in Washington County), then of Fulton County, Pa. He became an elder in 1828, and died in the fall of 1874, having filled the office of elder with great acceptance for forty-six years.
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