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 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
1
3
1
283
SKETCHES OF CHURCHES.
more, James H. Dinsmore, Robert Dinsmore, Thomas N. Dins- more, J. S. Braddock, Francis Braddock, Samuel Mahaffy, John M. Hastings, John Marquis, William M. Ferguson, Robert J. Fulton, Robert Criswell, George M. Spargrove, Charles P. French, C. C. B. Duncan, Samuel Ramsay, Jonah Lupton, D.D., Joseph Waugh, Ph. D., John W. Hagen, Joseph Coe, William H. McCuskey.
FORKS OF WHEELING .*
Authorities differ as to the date of the organization, varying from 1787 to 1790, and from the fact that all the records prior to 1849 were consumed in the burning of the dwelling of Dr. Hervey, very little can be known of its history up to that time. We have depended in a great measure on a few items left on a loose scrap of paper found in the sessional records in the hand- writing of Dr. James Hervey and a sketch from the pen of Mr. John C. Hervey, published in the Wheeling Intelligencer, March 29, 1876.
At the formation of the church the Session consisted of the following persons: John Wait, Robert Stewart, and Jas. Mc- Connell. Subsequently John Baird and William Maxwell are recorded; but there is no account of their election. In 1836 the Session seems to have been composed as follows : John Faris, Richard Campbell, Adam Faris, Hugh Milligan, John Thorn- burgh, and Thomas Buchanan.
Additions have since been made as follows : December 10, 1838. David Faris, James Wherry, Josiah Brown, and Samuel D. Faris.
October, 1859, David Thornburgh, William Maxwell, Hugh McConnell, and Findly Lowry.
August 15, 1867, Archibald Waddell, Henry Reed, John W Brown, and David B. Boggs.
November 13, 1873, John C. Hervey, Daniel S. Thornburgh, and James Baird.
November 3, 1881, Thomas Y. Hervey and Alfred Davis.
All the above have either died or have removed, with the fol- lowing exceptions, who now, August, 1888, constitute the Ses- sion : John W. Brown, Daniel S. Thornburgh, James Baird, Thomas Y. Hervey, and Alfred Davis.
* By REV. L. GRIER.
284
THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
Soon after the organization, Rev. John Brice was installed pastor of Forks of Wheeling (then called Wheeling,) and Three Ridges (now West Alexander), and continued to divide equally his labors between them, until his death. Mr. Brice was suc- ceeded in this double pastorate by Rev. Joseph Stevenson, who remained about six years, when he resigned that he might de- vote all his labors to West Alexander.
In 1811 a call was given to Rev. William Johnston, which, for some reason, he did not accept.
In 1812 Mr. James Hervey commenced, and continued as stated supply until 1813, when a call was given him, which he. accepted ; and in the records of the Presbytery of Ohio we find the following minute :
" The Pres. of Ohio being met at the Forks of Wheeling, on the 20th of April, " 1814, did, with fasting and prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the Pres., " ordain Mr. James Hervey to the office of the Gospel Ministry, and installed him "pastor of the united congregations of Wheeling Town & Forks of Wheeling.
" JOHN ANDERSON, Clerk."
This arrangement continued until 1828, when Mr. Hervey resigned the charge of the church at Wheeling, and the Forks asked and obtained his services for three-fourths of his time, the remainder being given to a new organization called West Union.
This pastorate continued until 1839, when the Forks, at a congregational meeting presided over by Dr. Mccluskey, made out a call for the ministerial services of their pastor for the whole of his time, which was accepted by him and consummated by Presbytery. The relation thus formed continued until the death of Dr. Hervey, September 13, 1859, making a continued pastorate of more than forty-seven years.
After a vacancy of fourteen months, the congregation held a meeting November 12, 1860, under the moderatorship of Rev. David Hervey, and a call was made out for the ministerial services of Rev. Laverty Grier, of East Springfield, Ohio, which he accepted, and commenced his labors on the first Sabbath of January, 1861, and was regularly installed in the following June by a committee of Presbytery, Rev. R. V. Dodge preaching the sermon and Rev. James Alexander delivering the respective
..
285
SKETCHES OF CHURCHES.
charges. The relation thus forned continues to the present time, August, 1883, the two pastorates covering a period of more than seventy-six years.
The membership in 1820 numbered 128; in 1860, 134; in 1888, ISO. It must be remembered, that in 1820 the bounds were much greater, embracing the City of Wheeling, the territory of what are now West Union, Wolf Run, Allen Grove and Lime- stone; so that from the parent stem have grown seven branches.
Of the statistics of the church little can be given. It has been blessed with great harmony, and a gradual, regular, though not rapid, growth; and has always been above the average in contributions to objects of benevolence. There have been comparatively few communion seasons in which there have not been some accessions, and there have been revivals of great power. In the years 1849, 1853, 1866, 1869, and 1871 there were very large additions.
MINISTERS .-- The following sons of this church entered the ministry : John M. Faris, Josiah Milligan, John Kelly, William Faris, Faris Brown, Alfred Jones, W. W. Faris, and J. V. Mil- ligan.
Two others died before completing their theological studies. These were Mckinley Hervey, son of Rev. Dr. James Hervey, pastor of the church, and David Brown, son of Josiah Brown, an elder in the same.
LOWER BUFFALO CHURCH (INDEPENDENCE, PA.) .*
The date of the organization of this church is not certainly known, as all the records of the church, before the year 1835, are lost. But it was probably organized between 1785 -1790.
The number uniting in the organization is unknown, as also their names; and the names of the first elders are lost.
It is thought that Arthur Scott, (afterwards a member of Ses- sion) and his wife, Ann Scott, were among the first members.
PASTORS .- Rev. James Hughes, 1790 to 1814; Rev. Jacob Cozad, 1818 to 1828; Rev. James W. McKennan, 1829 to 1835; Rev. David Hervey, April, 1835 to 1849; Rev. James Fleming, 1858 to 1869; Rev. S. L. Davis, M.D., November
* By REV. HENRY G. BLAYNEY.
286
THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
15, 1870 to 1872; Rev. Wm. McCrea, 1873 to 1874 ; Rev. J. I .. Reed, 1875 to 1883 ; Rev. Henry G. Blayney, June 10, 1884, to the present time.
The church was supplied from 1849-1854, by Revs. Andrew Virtue, E. Quillin and - Stewart; and by Rev. James W. McKennan as stated supply, 1854-1857. During the pastorates of Rev. James Hughes and Rev. James W. McKennan, this church was united with West Liberty (Short Creek).
RULING ELDERS. - The names of the first ruling elders are unknown. The names of those who are known to have held this office in the church, are as follows, viz .:
Samuel Green,* ruling elder in IS18; died about 1820. Arthur Scott,* ruling elder in 1818; died 1843.
John Amspoker, ruling elder in 1818; dismissed about 1825.
Lewis Kerr, an elder from Pigeon Creek Church, elected and installed about 1828; dismissed to West Liberty, Va., Decem- ber 20, 1855.
Jacob White, elected 1823; removed to Wellsburg, Va.,
Steven Caldwell, ordained June 21, 1838; dismissed to Wells- burg, Va., 1839.
Joseph Scott, ordained June 21, 1838.
William Hair, ordained June 21, 1838; dismissed to State of Indiana, 1839.
Samuel C. Meaks, ordained or installed ruling elder in 1835 ; . time of death unknown.
David Campbell, from Cross Creek Church, installed Septem- ber 15, 1848; served until death, November 15, 1858.
John Lamb, ordained and installed September 15, 1844; re- moved west.
Prof. A. F. Ross, of Bethany College, Va., ordained and in- stalled September 15, 1844; dismissed to West Liberty, Va., December 20, 1855.
David B. Waugh, 1851-53; removed to Iowa, 1863.
Lyle Patterson, 1851-53; removed to East Buffalo Church 1860-61.
* These two brethren were probably ruling elders a number of years before this date (ISI8).
:
3
287
SKETCHES OF CHURCHES.
Alexander Adams, installed 1851-53.
Samuel B. Campbell, installed May 20, 1858.
Jas. K. McConaughy, installed May 20, 1858 ; died May 21, 1883.
William Liggett, installed December 29, 1867.
James Boyd, installed December 29, 1867; died October 8, 1880.
James T. Craighead, installed December 29, 1867; dismissed to Cannonsburg, Pa., 1870.
David Buchanan, installed June 6, 1874.
Cyrus S. Wells, installed June 6, 1874; dismissed to Iowa 1877.
Wm. J. Patterson, installed between December 1, 1877 and April 14, 1878.
David A. Scott, installed June 12, 1887.
David B. Mulholland, installed June 12, 1887.
John Wells, installed June 12, 1887.
HOUSES OF WORSHIP .- Four churches have been erected and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God by this congrega- tion.
The first church was built of logs-such a church as the fathers were accustomed to erect in this region of country in the carly days. It is said that it would seat about three hun- dred. It stood in the southwest corner of what is now Lower Buffalo graveyard, one mile and one-quarter west of the village of Independence, Pa. But it was in Brooke County, Va. (now West Virginia).
Here the attendance was good. The people came from long distances, as much as six and seven miles-from over on Short Creek, from up and down Buffalo Creek, from all the surrounding country and even from Wellsburg. This log church stood for thirty years or more.
The second church was built of sandstone, in 1822. It was about the size of the first. It was also in Virginia. It stood about one-fourth of a mile east of the old church, or one mile west of Independence.
288
THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
"It was a good, solid building ; the walls were plastered, and it was ceiled overhead. It had a nice pulpit, and was seated with pews." This building was occupied for twenty-eight years.
The third church was built in 1850. The citizens of Inde- pendence, many of them, not having a convenient way of get- ting to church, were anxious to have a new church built "in town," and one of their number, Richard Carter, whose wife was a member, to secure this end, generously presented to the church a large, nice lot, well suited to the needs of the congre- gation for all purposes. This was thankfully accepted. On this a new church was built. It was a frame building, neat, plain and comfortable -- well painted and seated. Here they wor- shipped for thirty-two years.
In the summer of 1882 this church was so completely recon- structed that it might be, and is called, a new church; and this is the fourth they have built. It is the last and best of all. It was built during the pastorate of Rev. J. L. Reed, to whom great credit is due. This church gives general satisfaction. It is modern in style, and is well adapted, in all its appointments and arrangements, to the taste and needs of the congregation. It is heated from beneath. It has a tower and bell, a lecture- room extension and pulpit recess. And will seat comfortably (when the folding doors connecting the lecture-room with the audience-room are thrown open) three hundred and fifty or more. It was dedicated free of debt, amidst great re- joicing.
The church of Lower Buffalo has been blessed with the out- pouring of God's Spirit at different times in its history. Spe- cial mention should be made of those times of refreshing en- joyed by so many of our churches in this region of country in the early days, when this church was refreshed also ; and in the year 1858 the first of the labors of Rev. James Fleming, the Spirit was poured out; and again in 1885, when God vis- ited this people by his Spirit, when over thirty souls confessed Christ, and were added unto the church.
A Women's Foreign Missionary Society has been kept up
SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 289
for many years. It has added very materially to the contribu- tions; besides, has been useful, in developing a deeper love for the great work of converting this world to Christ, in the hearts of some.
Joseph Waugh and D. B. Fleming (this last a son of one of the pastors) have entered the ministry.
One of our members, Miss Lucy Crouch (now Mrs. Lehman), is laboring in the foreign mission field in China.
The Sabbath-school in its present organization has been con- ducted in the church for more than forty years. But before this, for a number of years, without special organization, effec- tive work was done for the young similar to that which is now accomplished by the Sabbath-school. It has been, and is still, a most useful arm of the church. The school is now fairly up to the average school, considering the membership of the church, which has never been so large as some of the neighboring churches, that have a much larger territory.
The lowest number of members was thirty-seven, in the year 1858, when Rev. James Fleming began his labors with this peo- ple. There was soon a very encouraging increase in the num- ber. The highest number was one hundred and seventy-two, in 1885, the first of the present pastorate.
To God be all the glory for all the good, both pastors and people have, by His Spirit, been enabled to accomplish.
The present session is-Henry G. Blayney, pastor, Joseph Scott, Alexander Adams, Wm. Liggett, Samuel B. Campbell, David Buchanan, Wm. J. Patterson, David A. Scott, David B. Mulholland, John J. Wells, ruling elders.
WEST LIBERTY (SHORT CREEK) .*
It is impossible to determine with absolute certainty the date of the organization of this church. As nearly as can be deter- mined it was in June, 1788.
Among those connected with the church at its organization were William McKinley, Nathaniel Coleman, John Waite, Wil- liam Faris, William Brown, William McCulloch, Moses Chap- lain and their families.
* By REV. A. B. LOWES.
19
290
THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
PASTORS AND SUPPLIES .-- The Rev. James Hughes, who was licensed by the Presbytery of Redstone, April 15, 1788, was ordained by the same presbytery, and installed the first pastor of Short Creek, in connection with Lower Buffalo, April 21, 1790. This pastoral relation was dissolved June 29, 1814. During an interval of fourteen years following, in which the church was dependent upon the presbytery for supplies, the names of the Rev. Messrs. John Anderson, Matthew Brown, Elisha McCurdy, Thomas Marquis, Obadiah Jennings, and Wil- liam and Andrew Wylie, appear as supplies. The Rev. James W. McKennan was pastor from 1829 to 1834; the Rev. William D. McCartney, stated supply from 1836 to 1837; the Rev. Na- than Shotwell, pastor from 1840 to 1854; the Rev. James W. McKennan, stated supply from 1854 to 1858; the Rev. William Aiken, pastor from 1858 to 1859; the Rev. David Hervey, sup- ply from 1859 to 1864; the Rev. John A. Brown, pastor from 1864 to 1875; the Rev. David B. Rogers, pastor from 1876 to 1878; the Rev. Thomas F. Boyd, pastor from 1880 to 1882; the Rev. John J. Graham, supply from 1883 to 1886; the Rev. Abram B. Lowes, supply from 1886 to 1888.
RULING ELDERS .--- The original session consisted of William McKinley, Nathaniel Coleman, William Brown, John Waite and William Faris. William Mckinley died May 20, 1838, aged seventy-five years; Nathaniel Coleman died June 2, 1810, aged sixty years ; William Brown died July 3, 1832, aged seventy-nine years » John Waite died 1822; William Faris died 1818. Suc- ceeding the above were: David and Henry Hervey, John Max- well, Robert McFarlain, Henry Giles, John Sharp, Prof. Andrew Ross, Andrew Yates and James Waite. Of these, John Sharp died 1846; John Maxwell died August 11, 1855, aged fifty-three years ; Robert McFarlain died August 11, 1858, aged sixty-four years; Andrew Yates, dismissed to West Alexander, Pa., died December IS, 1876; Arthur Boggs, dismissed to Princeton, Ill .. June, 1876; Prof. Andrew Ross, dismissed to New Athens, O., died 1876; James Waite died 1884, aged seventy-two years ; James P. Smith was, at his own request, released from acting, 1880; Montgomery Walker, elected 1866, was dismissed to Wellsburgh, W. Va., 1868; John C. Faris, elected IS68, was
291
SKETCHES OF CHURCHES.
dismissed to West Alexander, Pa., 1880; Thomas C. Hammond, elected 1868, was dismissed to Bellair, O., 1870. The present session consists of A. Ridgely Jacob, James Rogers and J. Brown Atkinson, elected 1881; Byers Yates, Henry Spear and William North, elected 1885.
PLACES OF WORSHIP .-- Before the erection of a house of wor- ship, meetings were held on the flat some distance southwest of the town. Here, it is said, were witnessed some thrilling scenes in connection with what was known as "the falling exercises," in the remarkable revivals in the beginning of the present cen- tury. In 1791 Providence Mounts, and Hannah his wife, "in consideration of the love and affection they had for the congre- gation on Short Creek under the care of the Rev. James Hughes, and for the further consideration of five shillings to them paid, bargained, granted, sold, released, aliened, and confirmed two lots of land in the Town of West Liberty, for the use of said congregations, and for all Christian people of all denominations to bury their dead in."
Upon these lots the first meeting-house was built as early as 1793. It was a two-story frame building, with the pulpit in the south side, and having a gallery around the two ends and north side. The pulpit was of the elevated kind, being as high as the second story of the house, and was reached by a narrow winding stairs. The clerk's desk was also elevated, and in front of the pulpit. The second house was of brick, 56x36 feet, with a four- teen-foot ceiling, and was erected in 1855. The contract price was $1400 and the material of the old building. The third and present house was built in 1873, and was dedicated December II, 1873. The cost was $10,000. The parsonage was par- chased in 1880, at a cost of $1450. Of this sum $500 was given by Mrs. Lavinia Taylor, and $300 by Mrs. Sarah Standiford. Mrs. Standiford also left $500 to be permanently invested for the support of the church.
SABBATH-SCHOOL .- No full and accurate record of the history and work of the Sabbath-school is at hand. It was organized as early as 1826, perhaps earlier. William Mckinley, Sr., was for many years superintendent of the male department, and Mrs. Hester Walker, of the female department. In 1826 the school
292
THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
reported six teachers and more than one hundred scholars. It has been maintained, with more or less interest, from that early period.
An interest in missionary work was early manifested by the church, begotten, no doubt, by the missionary spirit and zeal of the first pastor, Rev. James Hughes. In 1809 the united charge of Short Creek and Lower Buffalo is reported as giving $20 for missions, and in 1810, $40 for the same. At a meeting of the women in 1827, $60 were contributed for missions. The Women's Foreign Missionary Society and the Cunningham Band were organized in 1876.
Four of the sons of this church have entered the ministry, as follows : Edward Grafton Mckinley, John H. Trussel, Lewis W. Barr and Andrew C. Brown.
To this list might be added the names of Smiley Hughes, a brother of the first pastor, and who died soon after his licensure; and the eminent Nicholas Murray, both of whom spent a part of their early youth here.
The above are the prominent points of the church's history as gathered from meagre church records, and traditions from the descendants of the early fathers of the church.
CROSS ROADS-(KING'S CREEK.)*
The organization of this church took place about the year 1785, on King's Creek, Washington County, Pa. Messrs. Philip Jackson, Miles Wilson and John McMillen constituted the first session. From November, 1785, until April, 1788, the Revs. Thos. Marquis, Thaddeus Dod, Joseph Smith and Joseph Patterson supplied the church with preaching. April 22, 17SS, this body, in connection with the newly organized church of Mill Creek, presented a call to Rev. John Brice, which was de- clined. The first recorded observance of the Lord's Supper was on the fourth Sabbath of August, 1788, when Revs. Joseph Smith and John McMillen conducted the service. During the next four years calls were extended successively to Revs. George Hill, Robert Finley and William Swan, which were not accepted, so that the church of King's Creek never had a set-
* BY MRS. ELIZABETH STEVENSON POTTS.
293
SKETCHES OF CHURCHES.
tled pastor. When the Presbytery of Ohio was formed, in 1793, this church was included in it, so that we have been un- able to find any record of its work during the next five years. Although much good was done here, yet the location was not considered central enough, and accordingly a change was pro- posed, to a point three miles to the south, where the Pittsburgh pike crosses the Washington road, and where the village of Florence now stands. A new house of worship was here crected, and in 179S the organization was transferred to this place. Since then it has borne the name of Cross Roads.
PASTORS .-- In November, 1799, this people united with the congregation of Three Springs in giving a call to Rev. Elisha McCurdy. In June, 1800, he was ordained and installed as the first pastor. His ministry lasted till the fall of 1835, but he supplied the pulpit till the spring of 1836.
Rev. Daniel Deruelle was stated supply from 1836-37; Rev. William Burton was pastor from November, 1839-41; Rev. Joel Stoneroad, was pastor from 1842-50; Rev. J. S. Wylie was stated supply from the fall of 1850-51, when he received a call, but was never installed, as he died, February 10, 1852, in Florence, Pa .; Rev. O. M. Todd was pastor from Novem- ber 9, 1852, to January, 1858; Rev. J. P. Caldwell was pas- tor from 1860-64; Rev. Andrew Boyd was pastor from 1864- 65 ; Rev. D. M. Miller was pastor from September 25, 1867, to October 1, 1871 ; Rev. S. F. Forbes was pastor from Febru- ary, 1873, to April, 1876; Rev. Ross Stevenson, D.D., was pas- tor from 1877 to September, 1882. Rev. A. F. Alexander, the present pastor, was installed June, 1883. The first ruling elders, as already stated, were Messrs. Philip Jackson, Miles Wilson and John McMillen, who were ordained and installed in 1785. Philip Jackson died February 10, 1803; Miles Wilson was dis- missed 1814. Since then, with the date of their ordination or installation affixed, there have been-John Travis, 1800, dis- missed 1809; John Riddle, ISoo, withdrew 1804; Samuel Fulton, 1803, died 1819; James Proudfoot, Sr., 1803, died May 2, 1856; John Duncan, Sr., 1803, died March, 1850; Joseph Jackson, Sr., 1807, died 1824; James Allison, 1807, died 1814; James Kerr, 1815, died 1847; George Anderson, 1815, dis-
294
THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
missed 1819; Robert Withrow, 1820, dismissed 1845; James Wallace, 1820, died October, 1863; Thomas Thompson, 1820; and Robert Patterson, 1831; were transferred to Burgettstown October 18, 1849, with sixty other members, to form the church there; Hon. James McFerran, 1831, died No- vember 3, 1866; John Duncan, Jr., 1831, died 1876; Norris Duncan, Sr., 1853, died 1855; John McConnell, Sr., February 20, 1853, died April 11, 1879; William Mercer, Sr., February 20, 1853, died June 13, 1876; John 'Amspoker, December 27, : 1855, dismissed -, - .; William J. Cool, December 27, 1855, died September 28, 1880; David Van Eman, December 27, 1855, dismissed 1867; Peter Teel, December 27, 1855, died September 13, 1871; David Culbertson, September, 1867, died December 29, 1878; Daniel Crane, July 10, 1870, dismissed -, ----; James Magill, November 30, 1879, dismissed in the fall of 1885; Marion Jackson, ----- -- , 1875, died June 24, 1888. The present session consists of Messrs. S. M. Mc- Connell, who was elected July 10, 1870, Josiah Scott, Septem- ber, 1872, Finley Scott, September, 1882, W. A. P. Linn, 1884.
HOUSES OF WORSHIP .-- The first church building was a log structure, built in 1786, on what is now known as the McCas- lin farm, King's Creek. The second, or the first building on the new location, was also of hewn logs, seventy feet long and thirty feet wide, cruciform in shape; built in 1798. A new house, of brick, was finished in 1831. At the dedication Rev. C. C. Beatty, of Steubenville, O., preached the sermon. This structure was five rods north of the old one, and from some unknown cause, was burned to the ground the night of Sep- tember 25, 1845. The present building, also of brick, was then erected, and dedicated June, 1847. Rev. Joel Stoneroad preached the sermon. The congregation own the four acres surrounding this building. May 14, 1864, they purchased, for the use of a parsonage, four and one-half acres of ground, on which is erected a two-story frame house, with all necessary buildings adjoining. This purchase was made for the sum of one thousand dollars.
PASTOR'S SALARY .- The salary of Rev. Elisha Macurdy was £120, one-half payable in money, the balance in "good mer-
3
.
295
SKETCHES OF CHURCHES.
chantable wheat." As the church progressed, the salary of the pastors was slightly increased, until the sum of $1,000, besides the use of a parsonage, has been reached.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.