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 38
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He preached the gospel plainly and forcibly, and his weight of character gave him a large reach of influence. He was frequently called to act as moderator of presbyteries and synods. In a veritable sense, he was an apostle of Presbyterianism in the places where he labored, and is so desig- nated in the local histories. It was while on a visit to his son, Rev. Edward Wright, D.D., at Delphi, Ind., that the veteran entered into rest. He died August 31, 1854, in his seventy-eighth year and the fifty-second of his min- istry. His remains were interred at Logansport, Ind.
Mr. Wright was married, in 1808, to Miss Jane Weakly, of Cumberland County, Pa. Two sons, Hon. John W. Wright, of Washington, D. C., and Williamson Wright, Esq., of Logansport, are living. Rev. Edward Wright, D.D., who died in 1866, left two sons in the ministry-Rev. Williamson Wright, of Texas, and Rev. John Elliott Wright, D.D., of German- town, Pa.
REV. REID BRACKEN, son of Thomas and Anne (Shannon) Bracken. was born in York County, Pa., in 1778. The same year the family removed to Washington County, Pa., within the bounds of Chartiers Church, of which the father became an elder, and he was also a Trustee of Canonsburg Academy.
Reid Bracken was a member of the first class graduated from Jefferson College-that of 1802. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, October 17, 1805, and ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, April co, 1853, and installed pastor of the churches of Mount Nebo and Plain, now Butler and Allegheny Counties, Pa. From the latter he was released in Isi, giving part of his time thereafter to Middlesex and then to Portersville. but all the while giving half his time to Mount Nebo, of which he continued pastor thirty-seven years. He died July 29, 1849, in his seventy-second year and the forty-fourth of his ministry. He was a man of stalwart frame, and not averse to " laboring with his own hands." He stood high as a sound and earnest preacher of the gospel.
Mr. Bracken was married, May 1, 1806, to Mary, daughter of Rev. William Graham, a distinguished minister of the Valley of Virginia.
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REV. ANDREW MCDONALD, son of John and Martha (Noble) McDonald, was born May 10, 1779, in the Robinson's Run settlement, in what is now Washington County, Pa. The family were among the founders of Raccoon Church. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1803; studied theology with Dr. McMillan ; was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, October 17, 1805; ordained by the same August 22, 1810, and installed pastor of the church of White Oak Flats, now Mount Carmel. Afterwards was included in his charge Sewicklyville, and at a later date Flaherty's Run. For twelve years he cultivated this extensive field with great labor and hardship. From 1822 to the end of his life he was debarred from active ministerial work by ten- dencies to mental disturbance. His death took place April 9, 1846, in his sixty-seventh year.
Mr. McDonald was married, April 3, 1810, to Katharine, daughter of John Riddle, Esq., a ruling elder in Raccoon Church. Two of their sons were, in 1840, ordained ruling elders in Mount Carmel Church, of which church Mr. McDonald's twin-brother, William McDonald, had been a ruling elder from its organization. Rev. H. Reed McDonald, of Sistersville, W. Va., is a grandson.
REV. CYRUS RIGGS, son of Joseph and Hannah (Cook) Riggs, was born in Morris County, N. J., Oct. 15, 1774. Toward the close of the century the family removed to Western Pennsylvania, locating in the Ten Mile settlement in Washington County. Soon after this the son, Cyrus, began his studies at the Canonsburg Academy, which however he was compelled to relinquish because of lack of means. Accordingly, having married, he removed to Mercer County and settled down to the life of a farmer. Sub- sequently, through encouragement extended to him by Dr. McMillan and others, he was led to resume his studies, and graduated at Jefferson College in its second class --- that of 1803. Having completed his theological studies under Dr. McMillan, he was licensed by Presbytery of Ohio Oct. 17, ISO5. On the 21st of Oct., 1807, the Presbytery of Erie, to which he had taken his dismission, ordained and installed him pastor of the churches of Fairfield and Mill Creek, in Mercer and Venango Counties, Pa. Resigning this charge in 1812, he was pastor of Scrub Grass and West Unity from 1814 to 1834, meanwhile becoming a member of the Presbytery of Allegheny at its erection in 1821. In 1835 he removed to Illinois and preached at various points, chiefly at Elkhorn, where he died, Feb. 14, 1849, in the seventy- fifth year of his age and the forty-fourth of his ministry.
The lady to whom Mr. Riggs had become united in marriage in early life was Mary, daughter of Edward Ross, of Washington County. The date of their marriage was July 25, 1797. They had eight children, one of whom was the late Rev. C. C. Riggs, D.D., of Beaver Presbytery. The eldest daughter, Hannah Riggs, was long a missionary to the Indians, laboring among the Ottawas on the Maumec.
REV. JAMES ROBINSON, son of Robert and Rebecca (Wallace) Robinson,
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was born in York County, Pa., in 1769; was resident in Washington County as early as 1794; was married to Elizabeth Wilson, who with their only child, a babe, was killed by the falling of a tree one Sabbath morr ing when on their way to the Upper Buffalo Church. It is said that this dis- tressing bereavement was instrumental in leading him to consecrate his life to the Christian ministry. He pursued his studies at Canonsburg Acad- emy, and was a member of the Philo Literary Society in 1798; was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio Oct. 17, 1805. Meanwhile he had been married to Mary Welsh. In June, 1806, received a call to church of Crooked Creek, and on June 3, 1807, was ordained and installed pastor of the same by Presbytery of Ohio. In June, 1808, received a call to Pick- away Plains and Mt. Pleasant, Ross County, O .; was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Lancaster, and preached the opening ser- mon at its organization. Text Heb. 10: 19-20. Removed to Darby, in Union County, in 1820, and was pastor of Upper and Lower Liberty Churches until 1828. Preached at Tiffin until 1834, Hopewell and Orange- dale until 1838, Olivesburg until 1845, and on the 22d of April, 1847, at the house of his son, John W. Robinson, in Union County, O., he rested from his labors in the seventy-eighth year of his age and the forty-second of his ministry.
The testimonies to the personal worth of Mr. Robinson, and his fidelity as a minister, are most full and explicit. His second wife, Mary Welsh, died in 1809, and a few years thereafter he was married to Mary Scott, of Washington County, Pa. One of his sons and the husbands of his three daughters held the the office of ruling elder. Four of his grandsons are elders. A grandson, the Rev. Horace S. Snodgrass, of the Presbyterian Church, preaches at Monterey, Cal. Another grandson, Rev. James Hus- ton, is a missionary in Brazil, under the Presbyterian Board. Of his nu- merous descendants, there are scarcely any who are not faithful adherents and professors in the church of their fathers.
Father Robinson's remains lie interred side by side with those of his last wife in Mitchell Graveyard, on Big Darby, Union County, O.
REV. SAMUEL WOODS, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Woods, of Cum- berland County, Pa., was born Jan. 15, 1799, and was a younger brother of Rev. Wm. Woods, Sr. (g. v.). He graduated at Dickinson College 1802. Began his study of theology east of the mountains, and, completing it in the West, was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio Oct. 17, 1805. In Oct .. 1807, calls were presented from Tygart's Valley, Va., and from Liberty, O., the latter of which he accepted, and was dismissed in Dec. following to the Presbytery of Washington (Chillicothe), by which he was received April, 1808. On the 14th of June following was ordained and installed pastor of Liberty Church. This relation continued until his death, which occurred at his home in Delaware-now Union -- County, O., April 2th. 1815. in the thirty-seventh year of his age, and the ninth of his ministry. His last sermon was preached on the 16th of April, and two days afterward
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he was taken with pleurisy, which proved fatal. His funeral was attended by Rev. James Hughes, who in the year preceding had removed from the Panhandle of Virginia to Urbanna, O.
Mr. Woods was married, January 21, ISO6, to Margaret, daughter of John Power, ruling elder of Rehoboth Church, in Westmoreland County, Pa. She was a granddaughter of Rev. James Finley, and a nicce of Rev. Dr. James Power. Of the children born to them the only one surviving-is James Finley Woods, Esq., of Greensburg, Pa. Their only daughter, Eliza, became the wife of Rev. Benjamin Dolbear, who at a later date was pastor of Liberty Church.
REV. ABRAHAM SCOTT, son of Josiah and Violet (Foster) Scott, was born June 19, 1765, in York, Pa. The family settled in 1773, in what is now Washington County. The father was an original member of Chartiers Church, and one of the first bench of elders. Abraham Scott was married June 18, 1793, to Rebecca, daughter of Hon. John McDowell. Several years after this he began his studies in Canonsburg Academy, and was graduated at Jefferson College in 1804. Studied theology with Dr. Mc- Millan, and was licensed by Presbytery of Ohio June 25, 1806; was or- dained sine titulo by same Presbytery July 12, 1808. When the Presbytery of Steubenville was erected, in 1819, he was one of the members constitu- ting it. From 1824 to 1829 he belonged to Presbytery of Lancaster. In 1829 he returned to Presbytery of Steubenville. At a later date his name appears on the roll of the Presbytery of St. Clairsville. As far as known, he did not at any time assume a pastoral charge, but continued preaching as he had opportunity. He died March 19, 1841, in his seventy-sixth year. His wife survived until 1855. There were born to them twelve children ; and their descendants are numerous in Eastern Ohio and elsewhere. To a very large extent they adhere to the faith of their fathers. Not a few of them have been men of position and influence in civil life.
REV. CLEMENT VALLANDIGHAM was a son of Colonel George Vallan- digham, one of the earliest settlers in the West. His name appears in 1774 as one of the justices of the Court of Augusta County, under com- mission of his majesty, George III., and in the year following as one of a committee assembled at Pittsburgh to draft resolutions favoring resistance to British oppression. Colonel Vallandigham was also a conspicuous official in the early history of Washington County after the Virginia domination ceased. When Allegheny County was erected, in 1788, his place, which was near where Noblestown now is, fell within the limits of the new county. Here the son was born, March 7, 1778. He was graduated at Jefferson College in 1804; studied theology under Dr. McMillan; was licensed by Presbytery of Ohio, June 25, 1806; by the same Presbytery was ordained, June 24. 1807, and installed pastor of the united congregations of New Lisbon and Long's Run (O). The year following was annexed by Synod to the new Presbytery of Hartford (Beaver) ; was released from Long's
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Run January 14, 1817. He continued pastor at New Lisbon until his death, which occurred October 21, 1839, in the sixty-second year of his age, and the thirty-fourth of his ministry. In personal appearance Mr. Vallandighan was of medium height, well built but not corpulent; his hair was dark brown, inclined to curl; he had blue eyes and Roman nose-a strong, clear voice, and his manner of delivery was animated and earnest. Hc very seldom wrote his sermons in full, but used short notes or a skeleton - and was a ready extemporaneous speaker.
Mr. Vallandigham was married, May 14, 1807, to Miss Rebecca Laird, a member of Raccoon Church, Washington County, Pa. Of four sons who survived the father, all entered the learned professions. The oldest, who alone survives, is Rev. James L. Vallandigham, D.D., of Newark, Del., and pastor of Head of Christiana Church since 1854. George L. was a licentiate of Presbytery of New Lisbon, and afterwards a minister in the Protestant Episcopal Church. John L. was a lawyer and died carly. Clement L. was also a lawyer, and prominent in State and National politics.
Four brothers of Mrs. Vallandigham were graduates of Washington College-John Laird, who was a lawyer, and Rev. Messrs. James, Robert and Francis Laird.
REV. JONATHAN LESLEY graduated at Jefferson College 1806, licensed by Presbytery of Ohio June 3, 1807; ordained, sine titulo, by the same, July 12, 1808 ; dismissed to Presbytery of Hartford, April 21, 1809; was pastor at Harpersfield until 1821; in 1815 was detached, together with his charge, and annexed to Presbytery of Grand River; was engaged in mis- sionary labor many years ; died in 1840.
REV. MOSES ALLEN was born September 5, 1780, in Westmoreland County, then including all of Southwestern Pennsylvania. His mother's name was Coe ; was educated at Canonsburg Academy ; studied theology with Dr. McMillan ; was licensed by Presbytery of Ohio, June 24, 1807, and by the same Presbytery was ordained, December 2, 1807, and installed pastor of the churches of New Providence and Jefferson, in Greene County. Pa. This relation was dissolved October 16, 1816, and on the 27th of May, 1817, he was installed pastor of church of Raccoon, in Washington County, where he continued until 1836. In 1839 was installed pastor of the church of Crab-apple, O., where he remained until his death. This took place January 16, 1846, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, and thirty-ninth of his ministry. The description which has been handed down of Mr. Allen's personal appearance in his later manhood is, that he was tall and heavy- shouldered, frame fully six feet high. He had a long, thin face, large nose. and gray hair combed straight down over his thin temples ; his cast of countenance grave and rather austere. His dress was the then fashionable spike-tailed coat, stove-pipe hat and regulation white neckerchief. He carried an ivory-headed cane, and his general mien was dignified and impressive. His preaching was very methodical and systematic, sometimes
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very earnest also. He was abundant in labors. During his twenty-two years' pastorate at Raccoon, he preached two thousand six hundred and eighty-five sermons, and administered the Lord's Supper seventy-five times ; admitted to communion three hundred and twenty-seven ; baptized five hundred and fifty-seven infants, and solemnized one hundred and ninety- five marriages. Mr. Allen was married, June, 1805, to Catharine, youngest daughter of Rev. Dr. John McMillan. Their family was a large one, and their descendants are, to a large extent, members of the Presbyterian Church.
REV. JAMES SCOTT, son of Josiah and Violet (Foster) Scott, was born in York County, Pa., February 22, 1772; was a younger brother of Rev. Abraham Scott (g. v.); graduated at Jefferson College, 1805; studied theology with Dr. McMillan ; licensed by Presbytery of Ohio, October 20, 1807; ordained by same, August 23, 1808, and installed pastor of the churches of Clinton (Mt. Vernon), Frederick and Ebenezer, in State of Ohio; was one of the five members set off in 1808 to constitute the Pres- bytery of Lancaster; was an original member of the Presbytery of Rich- land at its erection in 1817. His pastoral relation to the churches of Frederick and Ebenezer was continued about twenty years, and to the Church of Mt. Vernon somewhat longer. After he had ceased to be a settled pastor he continued to reside at Mt. Vernon, preaching in the sur- rounding country and supplying vacant churches until a few weeks before his death, which took place at his residence in Mt. Vernon September 18, 1850, in the seventy-ninth year of his age and the forty-third of his min- istry.
Mr. Scott was married, July 10, 1810, to Jane, daughter of Captain Archi- bald Wilson, of Newark, O.
According to the testimony of Rev. Henry Hervey, D.D., who knew him intimately, he was a man of great personal worth. Though he had above the common gifts, he was exceedingly modest and unassuming. His remembrance of Scripture texts was remarkable. He did not have great gifts of oratory, but his preaching was always edifying and impres- sive. He was an eminently devout man. For sixty years of his life, not a day was passed without secret prayer.
REV. JAMES CUNNINGHAM was born in Eastern Pennsylvania Aug. 16, 1772. He had been married and his wife (Elizabeth Hays) had died before he began to study for the ministry. His home was in the bounds of Upper Buffalo Church. He graduated at Jefferson College 1805; was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio June 30, 1808. Dismissed to Presby. tery of Lancaster April 19, 1So9, and ordained by same Nov. 10, 1809, and installed pastor of the. churches of Salem and Fearing (Ohio) ; was set off to the Presbytery of Richland at its erection in 1817. After his resig- nation of the foregoing pastoral charge, he preached at Maryann, Utica, West Carlisle and other churches in those parts. In several instances, a
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special blessing followed his labors. He died at his home in Martinsburg, O, Sep., 1857, in the 85th year of his age and the 50th of his ministry. Like his fellow-laborers in Central Ohio, John Wright, James Scott, Wm. Jones and others, he won the veteran's crown of honor. Mr. Cunning- ham was thrice married. His last wife was Rebecca, daughter of Robert Stockton, ruling elder in the Church of Washington, Pa.
REV. THOMAS HUNT, son of Jonathan and Christiana Hunt, was born near Princeton, N. J., Aug 12, 1769. The family came to Washington Co., Pa., in 1788. In May, 1797, Thomas received a certificate of dismission from Ten Mile Church to unite with Three Springs, he having removed to Holiday's Cove. When the churches of Cross Roads and Three Springs in 1799 made out a call for Mr. Elisha Macurdy, Mr. Hunt, "a young man" was one of the commissioners to prosecute it before Presbytery. ( Vide " Life of Macurdy.) At the time Mr. Macurdy preached his great "war sermon" at Upper Buffalo, Mr. Hunt was present and led the sing- ing. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1806; was licensed by Pres- bytery of Ohio June 30, 1808, and on the 27th of Dec., 1809, was ordained and installed pastor of the 2d Church of Pittsburgh by Presbytery of Red- stone. In this relation he continued eight and a half years, during the last two of which he served as Stated Clerk of Presbytery. After relinquishing his charge in Redstone Presbytery, he returned to Presbytery of Ohio, and May 20, 1819, was installed pastor of the churches of Two Ridges and Richmond, in Eastern Ohio. From the latter of these he was released in 1826. He died at Two Ridges, Jefferson Co., O., January 14, 1850, in the Sist year of his age and the 42d of his ministry.
Mr. Hunt was married, March 10, 1791, to Rhoda Pool, by whom he had to children. Seven of these were born previous to his licensure. Mrs. Hunt died Jan. 3, 1815, and was interred in the burying-ground of the 2d Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. A second wife was the widow of Rev. David Smith-a daughter of Rev. Dr. James Power. She died March 14, 1839. The year following he married Elizabeth Colmery, of Washing- ton Co., Pa., who survived him but a short time. The only one of Mr. Hunt's children now living, is Thomas Hunt, of Toronto, O., a ruling elder, and over So years of age. Rev. W. B. Carr, of Latrobe, Pa., is a grandson.
REV. WM. JONES was born of Welsh parents Dec. 25, 1774, in Mary- land. His father fell in battle at Stony Point, and his mother died soon afterwards. Thus orphaned in childhood, he was taken into the family of Rev. John Clark, who cared for him with fatherly affection. He was brought to the West by Mr. Clark on his removal thither to take charge of Bethel and Lebanon Churches, and in early manhood was married to Elizabeth, daughter ot George Gilston, of Western Pennsylvania. At Mr. Clark's death he inherited by bequest, among other things, part or all of his library. He is believed to have been made an elder at Bethel carly in Mr.
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Wood's pastorate. His studies for the ministry were pursued chiefly at Canonsburg. He taught in Pittsburgh in 1804, and afterward moved back to Canonsburg ; was licensed by Presbytery of Ohio Oct. 20, 1808, and in Oct., 1809, was dismissed to Presbytery of Lancaster, and was ordained by the same Dec, 26, 1809, and installed first pastor of the churches of Zanes- ville and Springfield (now a ward in the city of Zanesville). In 1812 this relation was dissolved and he accepted a call to the churches of Circle- ville and Walnut Plains. In his long ministry Mr. Jones preached either as pastor or stated supply at Truro, Adelpha, Tarlton, Amanda, Mt. Car- mel, South Bloomfield and other points in Central and Southern Ohio. At the time of his death, and for many years previously, he was a member of the Presbytery of Columbus. His last engagements, when he was far up in 80, were at Waynesburg and Caroline, in Northern Ohio. He died at Attica, O., Dec. 11, 1866, in the 92d year of his age and the 59th of his ministry. He died as he had lived-in favor with God and man-a labo- rious worker, a faithful and acceptable preacher. He had trained himself to considerable skill in sacred music and was fond of teaching it to his young people, and was revered and loved by them accordingly.
Mr. Jones was twice married. His second wife was Martha Keys, of Hillsboro', O. By his first wife nine, and by his last wife eleven children were born to him. Six of his sons became physicians. One son was a minister, Rev. Wm. Jones, Jr., late of the Presbytery of Bellefontaine.
REV. JOSEPH STEVENSON. ( Vide sketch by Dr. Brownson.)
REV. GEORGE VANEMAN, son of George and Rebecca (Scott) Vaneman, was born April 23, 1786, in Washington County, Pa., within the bounds of Pigeon Creek Church. He made profession of his faith while a student of Jefferson College, from which institution he graduated in 1806. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, December 22, 1808; and the year fol- lowing was dismissed to the Presbytery of Lancaster, by which he was ordained, December 22, 1809, and installed pastor of the church of Newark, Ohio. This relation was dissolved in 1813. His subsequent pastorates were Mansfield, Ohio, 1816-20; New Providence and Jefferson, Greene County, Pa., 1821-35; Findlay, Ohio, 1835-41. After resigning at Findlay, he preached as stated supply at Blanchard, McComb, West Union and other churches. He died at McComb, Hancock County, Ohio, March 12, 1877, in the ninety . first year of his age and sixty-ninth of his ministry ; and was buried in the Findlay cemetery.
Mr. Vaneman had honor as a pioneer minister. He was the first pastor of three now important churches-Newark, Mansfield and Findlay. His ministry was interrupted, for a short time, by a tendency to mental disturb- ance ; but in his old age he continued to bring forth fruit, and his last end was peace.
He was married, September 3, 1810, to Miss Maria Cooper, of Knox County, Ohio. Of their six children three are yet living. One son-J. C.
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Vaneman -- is a ruling elder of West Union Church, Ohio. Three nephews are Presbyterian ministers-Rev. T. B. Vaneman, of Canonsburg, and Rev. Messrs. George and Craig R. Vaneman, of Texas.
REV. JOHN MATTHEWS, son of James and Prudence (Gordon) Matthews, was born in Franklin County, Pa., February 7, 1778. Early in the present century he was resident in Beaver County, Pa., and was a parishioner and pupil of Rev. George M. Scott, pastor of Mill Creek Church. He had a brother (William Matthews) who was employed by the Presbytery of Ohio to accompany Mr. Scott on a missionary tour to the Indians, and who after- ward became a minister, and was pastor of the church of Neshannock, in Hartford Presbytery.
John Matthews graduated at Jefferson College in 1807. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, June 22, 1809; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, October 17, ISIo; and installed pastor of the churches of Waterford and Gravel Run. In 1817 he removed to Missouri, and was one of three pioneer ministers who established the Presbyterian Church in that State. For many years he endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, laboring to found and build up churches, chiefly in Missouri and Illinois.
He preached the opening sermon of the first Presbytery formed west of the Mississippi River-the Presbytery of Missouri, formed in 1818; also of Centre and Kaskaskia Presbyteries in Illinois, and of the Synod of Illi- nois in 1831. His long and faithful service gave him a position of especial honor and filial affection ainong contemporaries, by whom he was usually spoken of as Father Matthews. He died at Georgetown, Ill., May 12, 1861, in the eighty-fourth year of his age and the fifty-second of his ministry.
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