USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 100
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 100
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The building is an unpretending stone structure, thirty-six by sixty-six feet, without ornament of any kind, and has stood without change in its outward appearance for more than one hundred and forty years. The stones used in the construction of the walls are rough limestone, and so irregular in size and shape that a modern mason would pronounce them utterly unfit for building purposes, and yet no firmer or better walls can be found anywhere. Their strength seems to lie in the mortar used, which is now as hard as the stone itself, and the storms of almost a
30G
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
century and a half have had so little effeet upon it ! that the marks of the mason's trowel are as distinet to-day as when he finished the work.
Ground had scarcely been broken for the new house when the dissensions between Old and New Sideism arose in the church, which resulted in the division of the congregation. Mr. Elder and a portion of the people adopting Old Side views, remained in po-ses- sion of the property. The New Side people secured two acres of land about two miles farther east, and immediately erected thereon a rival church, and in 1745, Rev. John Roan became their pastor, and con- tinued his labors among them until his death in 1775. Mr. Roan wa- at the same time pastor of the New Side Churches of Derry and Mount Juy.
This movement seriously erippled the congrega- tion, and was the main cause for the delay in finish- ing and furnishing the building. Mr. Elder'- salary was also greatly reduced, but was supplemented by the Old Side people of Derry, who at this time united with Paxtang under his ministrations. The minutes of Donegal Presbytery from Sept. 28. 1745, to June, 1747, and from Oct. 9, 1750, to June 5, 1759, having been lost, Mr. Elder's private papers, many of them, being also lo-t or inaccessible, it is somewhat difficult to trace the history of Paxtang during this period, probably the most trying one in its existence. The French war was in progress and the Indians very troublesome. "Many a family mourned for some of their number shot by the secret foe or carried away captive. Their rifles were carried with them to their work in the field and to the sanctuary. Elder placed his trusty piece beside him in the pulpit. Death often overtook his flock as they returned to their scattered plantations. In 1756 the meeting-house was surrounded while he was preaching, but their spies having counted the rifles, the Indians retired from their ambu-cade without making an attack." On another occasion, in the same year, they came for the purpose of attacking the worshipers in church. but by mistake they arrived on Monday instead of Sunday, and after waiting several days, finding they were discovered, left the settlement by way of Indian- town Gap, murdering a number of persons on the Swatara and carrying off several prisoners.
Notwithstanding all these difficulties, Mr. Elder and his congregation prospered. They finished their church and furnished it, not very neatly, but very substantially. The building had three doors of en- trance, and the pulpit was built against the north wall, high above the heads of the congregation and directly opposite the southern entrance. An aisle ran through from east to west, and another north and south from the southern door to the pulpit.
The congregation seems to have acquired no legal title to their property until 1754. as we find that on the 8th of June, 1754, Henry Forster and Ann, his wife, gave their deed for twenty acres striet measure, con- sideration ten pounds.
The following curious document also bears the date 1754. When the disorganization and separation caused by Old and New Sideism took place in Pax- tang and Derry, some ten or twelve years before this, no regnlar call seems to have been made ont to Mir. Elder, he just took charge of the Old Side people of .both congregations, and this paper may have been i drawn up simply to place matters in proper shape. There is no tradition of any misunderstanding occur- ring at this time between Mr. Elder and his people : " To the Reverend Mr. Jno. Elder.
" SIR, -We, the Inhabitants in the Township & Congregation of Pax- taug & Berry, Being now Destitute of a settled Gospel minister amongst us; Being also Dreply Sensible of the great loss & Disadvantage we & ours may sustatt, In regar I of our souls & spiritual Concerns by our living in such a Cotulition in this Wilderness; & having had Sufficient Proof of, & being well pleased & satisfied with the ministerial abilities & qualifications of y'u, the Revd. Jno. Elder, Do unanimously Invite & Call y'u to take the Pastoral Care & oversight of us, Promi-ing all due subjection, submission & obedience to the Doctrine, Discipline & Govern- ment & Ordinances Exercised & administred By y'u as our Pastor in the Lord. And that y'u may be the Better Enabled to attend upon y'r l'as. total & ministerial work amongst us, without Auxions & Distracting Cares about y'r worldly Concerns, WE Do hereby Cheerfully Promise & Engage to take Care of y'r Support and maintenance for an Honourable & Creditable manner Suitable to & befitting y'r IIncurable Function & office as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst us; Knowing that the Lord bath ordained thit they who Preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel. In testimony of all wh we have hereunto sub- scribed our Names This 26th of September, 1734."
*Thos. fforster.
William Harris.
*W'm. Armstrong.
Robert Gilchrist.
*John Harris. Juho Gilchrist.
*Thus. McArthur.
William McAlevy.
*James Wallace.
John Foster.
David Walker.
David McClanochan.
*Robert Chambers.
David Reany John Craig.
William Stoe.
Joho Wyllie.
. Thomas Simpson. Thomas Mays.
James Collier.
Hugh Hays.
Thomas Dougan. Andrew Moore.
Henry Mckinney.
Andrew Stephen.
David Foster. John llays.
John Bell. Henry Walker.
John Morrow.
John Walker.
Heory Renick.
John Walker.
John John-ou.
Jamies Walker.
(Bliver Wyllie. Samnel Simpson.
Hugh Carothers.
James Carothers.
Thomas Renick .
James Williamson.
Patrick Montgomery.
Samue Galbraith.
Richard Cavit.
Hugh Mlchillip.
William Bell.
Matthew Cowden.
Thomas King.
James Houston.
Edward King.
James Tom. Julin Starling.
John Wiggins, jr.
Andrew Hannah.
James Gilchrist.
Peter Corbit.
James Mitcheltree.
W'nı. Kerr.
John Neal. William Hannah.
Jolin Gray.
Jolin Carson.
William Wilson.
James Drummond.
Michael Whitley.
Samuel Ilnuter.
Thomas Alexander.
Alex. Johnson.
Valentine Stero.
George Gillespy. Patrick Gillespy.
Andrew Houston. Alex. Johtistun.
David Patton.
Samuel Stephenson.
Thomas Rutherford.
James Potts. Joseph Wilson. John McCormick. John Cavit.
Mathias Taylor. Stephen tiamble.
Alex'r Mahon.
.
Robert Montgomery.
Joseph Kerr.
* Moses Dickey.
1
397
SWATARA TOWNSHIP.
James Galbraith.
Chas. Clarke.
Robert Wallace.
Mary Mellvain.
*John linrris.
James Harris.
James Foster.
Samuel Shaw.
James Freeland.
Thomas Aikens.
Robert Armstrong.
Th. Strean.
Hugh Wilson.
Thomas McClalen.
James Wilson.
William Brison.
Robert Chambers, jr.
John MeClintock.
Arthur Chambers.
James Pavis.
William Reney.
James Rodgers.
Robert McCallen.
Hugh Rodgers.
John Hutchison.
Joe MeNut
Charles McClure.
Widow Rodgers.
Hugb Black.
Seth Rodgers.
Robert suvilgrass.
Jue Shoday.
Thomas Black.
Robert Harris
Jean Black.
W'm. Gilbruith.
W'm. Laird.
David Jamison.
Matthew Laird.
Robert Walker.
Elizabeth Park.
On June 22, 1764, at a meeting of Presbytery held at Derry, Mr. Elder and four other ministers declared their intention to cease from active membership in the judicatory. This decision was not acted upon by Synod until May 19, 1768, when they were joined to the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, so that for a period of about four years Paxtang was not repre- sented in any of the church court -. The trouble aro-e out of the old party feeling of the Old and New Side-, which, notwithstanding the union, was still rampant in the Presbyteries. Upon the formation of Carlisle Presbytery, 1786, Paxtang was joined thereto, and has remained in that connection ever since. After the death of Mr. Roan, Oct. 2, 1775, Paxtang and Derry were again united solely under the charge of Mr. Elder. The congregation at Harrisburg was formed April 12, 1797, and added to Mr. Elder's charge, as was also the New Side branch of Paxtang.
In 1789 some repairing was done at Paxtang, a- the following papers will show :
We, whose names are nudlerwritten. do promise to pay to James Joboston & William Smith the several som, antiexed to our names, on demaud, for Laying the Allies in Paxtang Meeting House. Witness our Lands at Paxtang, the Ioth Day of Angust, 1759.
£ d.
£ s. d.
William Kerr 0
6 R- Jaml Chambers 0
6 7 Jacob Awl 1)
6 Richard Fulton - C. William Smith.
6 samnel sherer 0
- 5 11 John Rutherford 1)
6 Thomas Murray. 7
Joseph Huteb:uson 0 7 6 . James Rutherford 6
We, the underwritten subscribers, do promise to pay to Jolin Ruther- ford the several sums annexed to our names on demand for Laying the Allies in Paxtang Meeting House. Witness our hands the 22d Day of Angust, 17×9.
£ s. d. £ d. d.
George & Joseph Gray ..... 0 1 0
Jeremiah Sturgeon. 0 7 6
Rolt Gray. 0
10
simply those who were present at the congregational meeting held on the 7th of March, 1793. The paper itself is in the handwriting of James Caldwell, but the names and figures were written by the sub- scribers, each one for him or herself, and all in the same ink :
We the under subscribers do each of us promise to pay annually the Aums Annexed to our nanies, to the trusters of Paxtang congregation, er the collectors appointed by then, as n salary due to the Rev. Mr. Show- den for the one-third part of his labors amongst us, and while he con- tinnes a regular preaching pastor in said congregation and we members of it. Given under our hands this seventh day of March, A.D. 1793.
£ 8.
d.
a. d.
James Caldwell I
6
Jacob Awl 2
5 0
John Means
0
15
John Rutherford, 1 15
0
John Willson.
1
5
1 = William south. 15
0
William Calhoun 13
13
0 Josiah Espy.
1
0
Joshua Elder. 2
Thomas MeArthur. 1
2
John Elder, Jr.
1
"
Barbara Walker
.
John Gilchrist
Alexander McCay 0
4 James Cochran
1
Thomas Forster 17
ti Jobn Wilson, Jr
10
0
William Mc Roberts.
15 Andrew Stephen 0
=
James Johnston 16
Thomas Brown
IS
9
William Boyd. S
1
William Wanders
0
10
0 Adam Birbe 10
0
Panel Bruns in.
0
17
Alexander Mahargue.
15
0
Alexander Willson. 1
5
0 William Kerr. 1
15
Mr. Snowden was installed Oct. 2, 1793, but soon found the labor of attending to three congregations ton great for hi- bodily strength. His efforts to eur- tail his labors called forth the following papers, the result being that he was relieved of both Paxtang and Derry and retained only by Harrisburg :
LETTER SENT TO PRESBYTERY IN 1795.
"PAXTANG, Octr. 5, 1795.
" To the Rerd. Presbytery of Carlisle about to convene at Harsh Creek in the County aj York :
" WHEREAS, Mr. Snowden has signified to his congregation in Derry Township that he is no longer able to offici ite in his Ministerial capacity to them on acet. of Inability of body, & that he purposes to apply to Presbytery for a Discharge from said congregation which we conceive, if he might be indulged in his Request, wou'd leave the congregation of Paxtang in a very distressing & Perilous Situation ; that the two con- gregations bave lived for many years past in perfect price, friendship and unanimity, and that we do not wish for a schisni between us now : that if the nuion is once bruke there will be no probability of us being united again ; that it MIr. Snowden is rendered incapable of undergoing the faligne of the three congregations in less than three years in the prime of life, by afl probability he will not be able in a short time to attend to two congregations, and of consequence we shall be lett with- out a pastor and the means of giving a call to another. We, therefore, pray to be considered as united with Derry, and that if Me. Snowden should insist on being disunited from them, that Presbytery will appoint a committee of their body to enquire into the matter before anything decisive may take place; and that the majority of this congregation, how much soever they may be attached to Mr. Snowden, would rather he should leave us as he found us, than submit to a dissolution of the nuion subsisting between us.
" By order of a meeting of Paxtang congregation.
"JOHN RUTHERFORD, "JOSHUA ELNFR."
The pastorate of Rev. John Elder, after a duration of more than half a century, closed on the 13th of SUPPLICATION SENT TO PRESBYTERY, 1796. " PAXTANG, Jan'y, 1790. " To the Moderator of Carlisle Presbytery about to meet at Big Spring : April, 1791. The congregation, after hearing various candidates, finally united with Derry and Harrisburg in a call to Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden, of Philadel- " By order of the Committee of Presbytery which sat at Past dig the 344 of Nov'r lust, the Congregation of Paxtang was notify of the last Sunday but one which we had meeting that the sense of the Congress- thu would be taken on the next sabbath whether we would a There to Harrisburg a break the Union with Perry, or whether we would con tinue the Union with Derry & break off with Harrisinng. A. wrlingly phia, each congregation agreeing to pay him nitty pounds per annum. The following subscription is probably not a full list of the Paxtang people who contributed to the support of Mr. Snowden, but . after sermon last sunday the heads of families were desired to attend,
1 1) James Cowden 10
1
Richard Carson 0
1
() Mary Peacock 7
6
Rahard Fubon
6
7 C. Thos. McArthur. 0 6 John Wilson ..
398
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
and after the business was explained to them, we proceeded to take the votes of the People, & it appeared that a Majority of the Congregation was for continning the Union with Derry and relinquishing Harris- burg; they likewise chose the bearer Capt'n John Rutherford as their Commissmmer to wait ou Presbytery with this Remonstrance, praying that Presbytery would grant us Supplies & dissolve the Congregation of Paxiang from their Obligations to Mr. Snowden & that he might discon- tinue bis labors to them unless ordered to supply them as any other Gentleman.
SUPPLICATION SENT TO THE PRESBYTERY OF CARLISLE, 1796. " PAXTANG, Sept. 3, 1796. " The Reverend Presbytery of Carlisle :
"GENTLEMEN,- Whereas we are now destitute of the Gospel Ordi- nances being regularly administered to ns, and what few supplies were alloted for us at the list Presbytery we fell short even of these ou ac- count of the age and ralality of one of the members appointed to sup- ply us; We, the subscribers, in behalf of this Corrregation who met for that purpose do most earnestly beg and entreat that Presbytery would be pleased to grant as many Supplies as they can with convenience; we likewise wish that if there he any young or unsettled members be- lunging to Presbytery these uright be sent to us thit we might have an opportunity of the Gospel once more regularly established and admin- istered in all the formis thereto belonging; and your Supplicants as in duty bound aball ever pray."
APPEAL OF THE PAXTANG CONGREGATION TO THE MODERATOR. "PAXTANG, Oct. 1, 1797. " To the Moderator of the Reverent Presbytery of Carlisle :
"SIR,-We again acknowledge our dependence and renew our request in praying Presbytery to give us such and as many supplies during the winter season as they can with convenience. The bearer. Mr. James Rutherford, is appointed our Commi-sioner to present this remoustrance to Presbytery and to answer such interrogatories as may be required of bim.
"Signed in behalf of Paxtang congregation by " JOSHUA ELDER."
LETTER TO THE MODERATOR OF CARLISLE PRESBYTERY, 1798. " PAXTANG, Sept. 25, 1798. " To the Moderator of Carlisle Presbytery :
"Sin,-The bearer, Elward Crouch, is our commissioner. appointed by the congregation of Paxtaug to wait on the Bevereil Pre-bytrry of Carlisle with a call for the Reverend Joshua Williams for the one-third of his labors in union with Derry, whom we expect will apply for the remaining two-thirds; likewise to solicit the Presbytery to graut us Supplies in the murantime. Signed in behalf and with the approbation of the cougregation by JOSUTA ELDER."
Mr. Williams accepted the call, and was ordained and installed Oct. 2. 1799, Derry to receive two- thirds of his time and pay one hundred and twenty pounds, and Paxtang one-third and pay sixty pounds. This pastorate only lasted one year and eight months, ending on the 30th of June, 1801. Mr. Williams seems to have had trouble collecting hi- salary, for we find him complaining to Pre-bytery in 1803 abont his salary arrears. The moderator was directed to write to these churches and say " that if these arrear- ages are not discharged before the next meeting of Presbytery, that body would be under the disagree- able nece -- ity of withholding from them that attention and regard which they pay to churches under their care." This did not have much effect, for we find them still unpaid in September, 1805.
May 29, 1807, Mr. James R. Sharon wa- installed, both congregations agreeing to pay the same salary as that promised to Mr. Williams.
In 1808 the " meeting-house" and " retiring-house" : Oct. 6, 1847. The field was
were put in thorough repair. As a matter of interest to their descendants, now widely scattered, we give the names of those contributing thereto :
£
£
1. d.
Robert Eller.
3 13
0
Sarah Wilson
1
C
6
James fossilen.
3
15
0
Jolin Forster
1 10
Edward Crouch
3 15
Charles Chamberlain. U
15
Elizabeth Gray
1
6
John Rues ...
0
9
1
John Gray.
1
5
0 Michael Simpson ..
1
10
U
John Wiggins.
1
17
Jean Carson ..
0
6
James Rutherford 5
0
Joseph Hard
Thomas Walker.
U
17
C.
samuel Rutherford .. .
1
1u
1)
William Caldhoon
1
€
0
William Rutherford ..
1 10
C
John Rutherford
0
15
n
Robert Mellnie ..
1 10
()
Michael sin. juli.
6
0
=
John Ritchey
1
17
James Awl.
0
2
5
U
Susanna Rutherford 0
1
1
10
U
Josiah Espy
1
10
0
John Walker ..
0
17
G
James Awl.
1
14
6
Jacob Richards,
1
10
0
James Corhran
0 15
=
Frederick Ratton U
11
3
Aun Stephen.
0
15
0
William Calhoon ..
1
0
C
John MeCanimion
0
15
John Finney
10
0
Mary Fulton ..
1
17
6
Joseph Wilson ...
1
6
Williamn Larned.
1
0
0
David stewart .
15
James Stewart .
0
15
Thomas Jef'ord
15
U
Joshua Elder
0
()
Elizabeth Wills.
1 10
John Elder 1
10
0
Juhn Rutherford
0
15 0
The "retiring-house" was a small log building near the church, used for meetings of session, and as a study by the pastor during the interval between the morning and afternoon serviee, and on week-days as a school-house.
The "repairs" at this time consisted partly in the running up of two board partitions, thereby ereating a vestibule at each end, with the audience-room in the centre. The partitions were of yellow pine, as was also the ceiling, which was placed in position at this time. The pews were left standing in the western vestibule, and were still in position within the memory of many of the present congregation. There was little uniformity in the Paxtang pews of that day, as each had been built by the family oc- cupying it, and by their own architect. Two huge ten-plate stoves were placed in the long aisle, the smoke from which ascended through pipes to the loft. and made its escape as best it could through a small hole in the comb of the roof.
Mr. sharon was a man of eminent piety, and was greatly beloved by his people. Hi- pastorate covered a period of almost thirty-six years, and ended only with his life. April 18, 1843. During these years the gospel of peace reigned, and little is left for the his- torian but to record the fact.
Oct. 1, 1844, the Presbytery of Carlisle met at Pax- tang. A call was placed in the hands of Rev. John M. Boggs, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Donegal. Mr. Boggs accepted, but asked that his ordination be postponed until the spring montino in order that he might attend the Theologica ry at Princeton during the winter. His req granted, and he was ordained April 9. 1845, illed soon after as pastor of Paxtang and De
Ilis pastorate was unever
1 was dissolved ant for a period
5
C
Sunttel Sherer.
1
17
6
1
10
John Gilelnist
1
10
3
1
10
0
Jolin C'ats mn
10
0
Thomas Walker
b
John Allison.
5
U
Mary Rutherford
6
Willam Whitely.
0
12
Thomas Butsueton. 15
Hugh Stephen ...
0 15
Thomas Smith ... ·2 5
Josh Bund
David Patton.
Thomas INder
Robert Gray
Jean Wilson.
1
Robert Grav
---- --
-
399
tth- ırd. ry-
the vel-
IN - en, in.
nd
to
rs ed
ill
le
i:
if
le
2
1.
1
,
f
A
1
" OUNAISE." RESIDENCE OF AATEMAS WILHELM, SWATARA TOWNSHIP, DAUPHIN GO., 24.
399
SWATARA TOWNSHIP.
of more than two years, during which time extensive alterations and repairs were made. The whole inside of the building was removed. the western door and the small window back of the pulpit walled up, new shingles placed upon the roof, and a floor laid through- out the entire building, the halls and ceiling plas- tered, the pulpit taken down from its perch on the north wall, and a new one placed at a much lower ele- vation against the western wall. New pews of mod- ern style and uniform character were built, and the old pulpit, pew-, and furniture, which had been in use sinee Mr. Elder's time, sold at public auction.
Sept. 28, 1849, a call from l'axtang and Derry was placed in the hands of Rev. Andrew D. Mitchell, Paxtang promi-ing three hundred dollars and Derry two hundred per annum. Mr. Mitchell accepted, and was ordained and installed April 10, 1850. MIr. Mitchell was a single man when he accepted these charges, but married a few years afterwards.
Hitherto Paxtang had never needed a parsonage. Bertram lived at Derry ; Elder and Sharon, who had occupied the field for a century, were both practical farmers and lived on their farms; Boggs was unmar- ried. It now, however, became necessary to provide a house for Mr. Mitchell, and the pre-ent parsonage was erected, and was ocenpied by him during the re- mainder of his pa-torate, which ended Feb. 12. 1974. Near the elose of Mr. Mitchell's pastorate the inside was again remodeled and arranged as it now stands.
In November of the same year a call was made out for Rev. William W. Downey by Paxtang, Derry having died out. Mr. Downey accepted, and was in- stalled April 29. 1875. In 187S this pastorate was dissolved, and the congregation ha- ever -ince been supplied by Rev. W. A. West, of Harrisburg.
Intimately connected with Paxtang Church was a school which flourished from the earliest times down to the establishment of free schools in Dauphin County. The school was never under the control of the church as an ecclesia-tical body, but the same men who composed the congregation were the patrons of the school, and the building it-elf was the property of the congregation. It may therefore fairly be con- sidered as an appendage of the church, and the old masters stood next in rank and dignity to the clergy- man. Here flourished -uch men a- Francis Kerr, Joseph Allen, Benjamin White, James Couple-, Fran- cis D. Cummings, and others celebrated in their day and generation as educators, and from whose instruc- tions went forth many young men afterwards distin- guished in every walk of life.
stands the church, the parsonage occupies the south- east corner, and between the two lies the graveyard. In early times no distinct limits were set to the bury- ing-ground, and the people buried their dead any- where, according to their fancy, in the clearing to the south and southeast of the church. Graves were sel- dom marked, and a few years obliterated all trace of them. As families became permanent and the num- ber of these graves increased more care was taken, tombstones began to be erected and lots fenced in. The want of uniformity, however, in these fences and of regularity in the selection of lots rendered the grounds very unsightly. as well as very difficult to keep clear of weeds and briers. This state of affairs existed until 1791-92, when the ground was inclosed by a stone wall, the greater portion of which is still stauding. This wall does not by any means include all the graves of Paxtang. It did. however, surround all that were marked by tomb-tone- or protected by fences. The only one of these fences still standing is that around the graves of the Simpsons ; it is built of iron, and is in as good condition to-day as when fir-t erected. In 1819 a new roof was placed upon the wall; the contractor was Matthew Humes. The ground inclo-ed had very nearly all been buried over once, and some of it twice before the wall was erected. In course of time, therefore, it became impossible to dig a grave without disturbing the remains of several of the unknown and forgotten dead. In November, 1:51, the following paper was drawn up and signed. It is in the handwriting of Joseph Gray :
" At a meeting of the congregation of Paxtang Church, on the 27th of Novouiber, 1851, it was decided by a majority of the me-ting. that the graveyardought to be enlarged about ninety feet, on the south side, atho that the yard wall requires a new cover, either of wood, iron, or at me. We, the subscribers, whose names are hereto annoyed, do promise to pay for said purpose the sums by us subscribed according to the materials which may be used for covering, the contract to be given by public let- ting to the lowest bidder or bidders."
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