USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the sesqui-centennial of Paxtang Church, September 18, 1890 > Part 4
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" By order of a meeting of Paxtang congregation.
"JOHN RUTHERFORD,
"JOSHUA ELDER."
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
his distinguished grand-son, Major-General George R. Snowden, of Philadelphia.
One of Paxtang's children, resident in the west, pres-
SUPPLICATION SENT TO PRESBYTERY, 1796.
" PAXTANG, Jan'y, 1796. " To the Moderator of Carlisle Presbytery about to meet at Big Spring : "By order of the Committee of Presbytery which sat at Paxtang the 3d of Nov'r last, the Congregation of Paxtang was notifyed the last Sunday but one which we had meeting that the sense of the Congrega- tion wou'd be taken on the next Sabbath whether we wou'd adhere to Harrisburg & break the Union with Derry, or whether we wou'd con- tinue the Union with Derry & break off with Harrisburg. Accordingly after sermon last Suuday the heads of families were desired to attend, 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 continuing the Union with Derry and relinquishing Harris- burg ; they likewise chose the bearer Capt'n John Rutherford as their Commissioner to wait on Presbytery with this Remonstrance, praying that Presbytery wou'd grant us Supplies & dissolve the Congregation of Paxtang from their Obligations to Mr. Snowden & that he might discon- tinue his 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 us, and what few supplies were alloted for us at the last Presbytery we fell short even of these on ac- count of the age and inability of one of the members appointed to sup- ply us ; We, the subscribers, in behalf of this Congregation who met for that purpose do most earnestly beg and entreat that Presbytery would
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ent here to-day, says of Mr. Snowden: "Those of Pax- tang congregation whose memories run back sixty years, will remember as an occasional visitor, this very
be pleased to grant as many Supplies as they can with convenience ; we likewise wish that if there be any young or unsettled members be- longing to Presbytery these might be sent to us that we might have an opportunity of the Gospel once more regularly established and admin- istered in all the forms thereto belonging ; and your Supplicants as in duty bound shall ever pray."
APPEAL OF THE PAXTANG CONGREGATION TO THE MODERATOR.
" PAXTANG, Oct. 1, 1797.
" To the Moderator of the Reverend 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 Commissioner to present this remonstrance to Presbytery and to answer such interrogatories as may be required of him.
"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 :
"SIR,-The bearer, Edward Crouch, is our commissioner, appointed by the congregation of Paxtang to wait on the Reverend Presbytery 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 grant us Supplies in the meantime. Signed in behalf and with the approbation of the congregation by JOSHUA ELDER."
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worthy gentleman. In his sixties he looked hale and vigorous, grey eyes, iron grey hair, a full face, and weight one hundred and sixty pounds. The writer remembers his voice as strong and sonorous, and that he delivered his words with measured deliberation. He never failed to state to his auditors two facts. First. That Philadelphia was the place of his birth; and secondly, that he had heard Independence bell ring on the morning of July 4, 1776."
A call was then given to the Rev. Joshua Williams, who accepted the same, and he was ordained and in- stalled October 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 pas- torate only lasted one year and eight months, ending on the 30th of June, 1801. Mr. Williams seemed to have had trouble collecting his stipends, for we find him complaining to Presbytery, in 1803, about his salary arrears. The moderator was directed to write to these churches and say, "that if these arrearages are not dis- charged before the next meeting of Presbytery, that body would be under the disagreeable necessity of with- holding 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 Sep- tember, 1805. A grand-son of his, Col. Joshua Williams, of the city of Minneapolis, has come to do reverence here to-day.
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
On May 29, 1807, Mr. James R. Sharon was installed, both congregations agreeing to pay the same salary as that promised to Mr. Williams.
In 1808, the "meeting-house" and "retiring-house" were put in thorough repair .* The latter, built about
*As a matter of interest to their descendants, now widely scattered, we give the names of those contributing thereto :
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
Robert Elder, . 3 15 0 Sarah Wilson, 1 2 6
James Cowden, .3 15 0 John Forster, 1 10 0
Edward Crouch, .3 15 0 Charles Chamberlain, . 0 15 0
Elizabeth Gray, . 1 2 6 John Ross, . 0
9
43
John Gray, . 1 5 0 Michael Simpson, . 1 10 0
John Wiggins, . 1 17 6 Jean Carson, . 0
7 6
James Rutherford, . 2 5 0 Joseph Burd, 2
5 0
Samuel Sherer, . 1 17 6 Robert Gray, 1
10 0
John Gilchrist, . . 1 10 0 Thomas Walker, . 0
17 6
Samuel Rutherford, .. 1 10 0 William Caldhoon, . 1 0 0
William Rutherford, .1 10 0 John Rutherford, .0 15 0
Robert McClure, .1 10 0 Michael Simpson, . 6 0 0
John Richey, .1 17 6 James Awl, . 0 7 6
Thomas Smith, .2 5
0 Joseph Burd, 2 5 0
Susanna Rutherford, . 0 11 3 David Patton, 1
2 6
Thomas Elder, . 1 10 0 Robert Gray, 1 10 0
John Carsou, . 0 10 0 Thomas Walker, . 0
17 6
Josiah Espy, . 1 10 0 John Walker, 0
17 6
James Awl, 1 2
6 Jacob Richards, 1 10 0
John Allison, .0 17 6 Jean Wilson, 1 5
0
James Cochran, . 0 15 0 Frederick Hatton, . 0
11 3
Ann Stephen, . 0 15 0 William Calhoon, .1 0 0
John McCammon, .0 15 0 John Finney, .0 10 0 Mary Fulton, . 1 17
6 Joseph Wilson, . . 1 2
6
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
the period of Mr. Elder's decease, was a small log build- ing near the church, used for meetings of session, and as a study by the pastor during the interval between the morning and afternoon service, and on week-days as a school-house. The "repairs " at this time consisted partly in the running up two board partitions, thereby creating a vestibule at each end, with the audience- room in the center. 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 remaining within the memory of some of the present congregation. There was little uniformity in the Paxtang pews of that day, as each had been built by the family occupying 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 this people. His pastorate covered a period of almost thirty-six years, and ended only with his life, April 18, 1843. During these years the gospel
Mary Rutherford, . .. 0 7 6 William Whitely, . . . 0 6
William Larned, . 1 0 0
David Stewart, . .0 15 0 -
James Stewart, 0 15 0 Thomas McCord, .0 15
0
1
Joshua Elder, 3
0 0 Elizabeth Wills, .1 10 0
Thomas Buffington, . . 0 15 0 Hugh Stephen, . .0 15 0 John Elder, . 1 10 0 John Rutherford, .0 15 0
6
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
of peace reigned, and little is left for the historian but to record the fact .*
My venerable friend, Dr. Hiram Rutherford, to whom I am much indebted for information relating to the "long ago," gives me these recollections of this devoted minister : "The tall, lank figure of Mr. Sharon was one of the fixtures and features of Paxtang, sixty years ago. His soft, white, delicate skin, blue eyes, dark hair, narrow chest-his soft, weak but clear voice, hack- ing cough, etc., marked him as one short for this world. Yet he was punctual in his duties, preached good, sen- sible sermons, attended all christenings, marriages, and funerals. With all odds against him, he lived his three score and ten, and at last was gathered to his fathers, ripe for the harvest, with eternal 'sunshine on his head.' His residence was in Derry, and he usually came up to Paxtang of a Saturday evening. In winter he wore a dark colored overcoat, with a moveable cape. His lower limbs were cased in velveteen (dark) overalls, or as then called, cherre-valles. Mounted on his chestnut sorrel horse, with riding whip in hand, and that hand and arm at an angle of forty-five, he moved over the road at a steady jog trot, mile after mile, a slender, gaunt figure, so unique, that he was recognizable as far
*Mr. Sharon preserved a full record of his ministerial acts-marriages, baptisms, admissions, and dismissions-which is printed in the Ap- pendix to this volume.
PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 83
away as he could be seen. At recess he staid in the log study house, generally alone, and in his passage thence to the church, he always carried his spectacles in his hand, greeting but few as he passed, with eyes bent on the ground before him. Then the loud call of Mr. Jordan would be heard, 'Mr. Sharon has gone in.' I have heard my father speak of Mr. Elder's passage under similar circumstances from the study house to the church. Mr. Elder was an austere man. As he emerged from the log building he carried in his hand a book, with his fingers among the leaves, and his eyes fixed ten feet ahead of him. With measured, deliberate steps, he looked neither to the right or left, and greeted no one on the way."
On October 1st, 1844, the Presbytery of Carlisle met at Paxtang. A call was placed in the hands of Rev. John M. Boggs, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Done- gal. Mr. Boggs accepted, but asked that his ordination be postponed until the spring meeting, in order that he might attend the Theological Seminary at Princeton during the winter. His request was granted, and he was ordained April 9, 1845, and installed soon after as pastor of Paxtang and Derry. His pastorate was un- eventful, and was dissolved on October 6, 1847.
The field was now vacant for a period 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
.
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back of the pulpit walled up, new shingles placed upon the roof, and a floor laid throughout the entire building, the halls and ceiling plastered, the pulpit taken down from its perch on the north wall, and a new one placed at a much lower elevation against the western wall New pews of modern style and uniform character were built, and the old pulpit, pews, and furniture, which had been in use since Mr. Elder's time, were sold at public auction.
On September 28th, 1849, a call from Paxtang and Derry was placed in the hands of Rev. Andrew D. Mitchell, Paxtang promising three hundred dollars and Derry two hundred per annum. Mr. Mitchell accepted, and was ordained and installed April 10, 1850. Mr. Mitchell was a single man when he accepted these charges, but married a few years afterwards. Hitherto Paxtang had never needed a parsonage. Mr. Bertram lived near Derry on his farm; while Mr. Elder and Mr. Sharon, who had occupied the field for a century, were both practical agriculturalists and lived on their farms : and Mr. Boggs was unmarried. It now, however, be- came necessary to provide a house for Mr. Mitchell, and the present parsonage was erected, and was occupied by him during the remainder of his pastorate, which ended February 12, 1874. Near the close of Mr. Mitchell's pastorate the inside of the church was partly remodeled and arranged pretty much as it now stands.
In November of the same year (1874) a call was made
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out for the Rev. William W. Downey by Paxtang, Derry having died out. Mr. Downey accepted, and was installed April 29, 1875. In 1878 this pastorate was dissolved, and the congregation for several years was acceptably supplied by the Rev. William A. West of Harrisburg.
On the 16th of June, 1887, having previously accept- ed a call, the Rev. Albert B. Williamson, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, was ordained, and continues in the pastorate.
Intimately connected with Paxtang Church was the school which flourished from the earliest times down to the establishment of free schools in Dauphin county. It was never under the control of the church as an ecclesiastical body, but the same men who composed the congregation were the patrons of the school, and the building itself was the property of the congregation. It may therefore fairly be considered as an appendage of the church, and the old masters stood next in rank and dignity to the clergyman. Here flourished such men as Francis Kerr, Joseph Allen, Benjamin White, James Couples, Francis D. Cummings, and others celebrated in their day and generation as educators, and from whose instructions went forth many young men after- wards distinguished in every walk of life.
Originally the congregation owned a tract of twenty acres in the shape of a paralellogram, whose length was about three times its width. Nearly forty years ago a
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
portion of this tract was sold, leaving a square of six or eight acres, covered largely with forest-trees, among which are several giant oaks that were doubtless trees when Columbus landed on the shores of America. Near the center of the tract stands the church, the par- sonage occupies the southeast corner, and between the two lies the graveyard. In early times no distinct limits were set to the burying-ground, and the people buried their dead anywhere, according to their fancy, in the clearing to the south and southeast of the church. Graves were seldom marked, and a few years obliterated all trace of them. As families became permanent and the number 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 standing. This wall does not by any means include all the graves of Paxtang. It did, however, surround all that were marked by tombstones or protected by fences. In 1819 a new roof was placed upon the wall ; the contractor was Matthew Humes. The ground en- closed 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
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
without disturbing the remains of several of the un- known and forgotten dead. The old south wall was (then) taken down, and during the summer of 1852 the grounds were extended ninety feet, and the whole covered with wood, and so it stood until the summer of 1882, when the wall was again repaired, and a new roof of wood placed thereon.
This church building is the oldest house of Presby- terian worship in the entire State of Pennsylvania. It has seen the revolution of years carrying away the generations of men, their habitations and their churches. Although the benches and the desk speak of modern origin, yet the doors hang upon the solid posts in unison with the stone walls, and while as now the storms of a century and a half have left their marks, give no signs of speedy decay.
And now, my friends, after this summary of events transpiring in old Paxtang for one hundred and seventy years, let us go into yonder God's Acre, far older than the church itself. With our greatest American poet-Longfellow :
"I like that ancient Saxon phrase, which calls The burial ground God's Acre ! It is just ;
It consecrates each grave within its walls,
And breathes a benison o'er the sleeping dust."
In my boyhood days there was over the entrance, on a semi-circular board these lines :
"Persons entering this consecrated ground are en-
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
treated not to walk or stand upon the graves or grave- stones-such to the living are sacred."
Bearing this injunction in mind, we will simply look over the wall, for there is not a foot of ground where the dead lie not. To the left of the entrance and to- wards the north side are several generations of Elder ; to the east rest the remains of Parson Elder of blessed memory,-in the northwest corner his sons Colonels Joshua and Robert Elder, both men of mark in the Revolutionary era. East from this, not far from the center, rest the remains of John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg; and near by those of his son-in-law, Wil- liam Maclay, Senator from Pennsylvania in the First Congress of the United States. Close by and around the latter are those of his sons-in-law, Dr. John Hall and William Wallace. A little to the south of Elder's grave rest the Montgomerys, one of the oldest families in Paxtang; and on a line with them and to the south are the remains of Andrew Stewart and his wife Mary Dinwiddie, sister of Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia. They were the ancestors of the Reverend John Stew- art, who, notwithstanding his early teachings by his Covenanter father, accepted ordination at the hands of the Established Church, returned to America under the auspices of the Society for the Propagation of the Gos- pel in Foreign Parts, missionated among the Mohawks in the Valley of the Hudson, became a loyalist during the Revolution, and from him have descended several
7
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
of the most prominent personages in Canadian history. East of this line of graves is that of Thomas Ruther- ford, the ancestor of all the clan, many of whose de- scendants remain steadfast to the principles and wor- ship of old Paxtang Church-and one of whom, [Abner Rutherford, who died September 2, 1890, aged 76] the sturdiest oak of all, has recently fallen in the battle- storm of life; while farther east are the remains of William Brown, to whom the United Presbyterians are indebted for bringing to this country those staid old Covenanters Dobbins and Lind. Between these are the remains of Captain Crouch, Captain Cowden, and a little to the south those of Robert Gray, Captain Bris- ban, General Michael Simpson, and other heroes of the Revolution who fought and bled in defense of liberty. Eight generations lie in that myrtle-covered grave- yard, and yet they represent only a fraction of those who once worshiped in this place. The thousands who sought homes in the wide expanse of our glorious heritage, took deep inspiration here, and the influences for godliness which from this church have gone forth, will not be known until the Resurrection morn. This congregation may wander away, and this building pass into decay, but the teachings of the saintly men who have here gone in and out, will live on, forever, AND FOREVER !
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
While Dr. Egle was speaking, the wooden supports of the benches gave evidence of weakness, and an omi- nous cracking sound caused the people to arise very quickly. A witty western elder present notified the moderator that "It is evident that modern planks are not those of which Presbyterianism is made of." Later on, when the seats again broke, Moderator Stewart said: "We are bound to be descendants to-day."
Moderator STEWART. If you will leave those seats about five minutes, the carpenter will have them re- paired, and everything made firm. There are some advantages in having planed boards; but I think our ancestors, who sat on slabs, sat on firmer seats. [Re- newed laughter and applause.]
The audience sung a hymn, No. 575.
I love thy kingdom, Lord ! The house of thine abode, The church our blessed Redeemer saved With his own precious blood.
I love thy church, O God ! Her walls before thee stand, Dear as the apple of thine eye, And graven on thy hand.
If e're to bless thy sons My voice or hands deny, These hands let useful skill forsake, This voice in silence die.
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
For her my tears shall fall ; For her my prayers ascend ; To her my cares and toils be given Till toils and cares shall end.
Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.
Sure as thy truth shall last, To Zion shall be given The brightest glories earth can yield. The brighter bliss of heaven.
Moderator STEWART. This is Paxtang's day, of course. We all understand that there were Presby- terians here, and they were noble people ; but they had neighbors, and those neighbors were most excellent peo- ple. It is well for us on this occasion to remember these neighbors, with whom they lived in peace, and whom they highly regarded. It was therefore deemed appro- priate by the committee that something should be said of the Presbyterianism of this region outside of Paxtang; and they have asked Rev. William A. West, the stated clerk of this Presbytery, than whom no more fitting person could have been selected to speak on this topic. Therefore, we will ask Rev. Mr. West to now address us on the subject of "Presbyterianism in this Region."
ADDRESS OF REV. WILLIAM A. WEST.
PRESBYTERIANISM IN THIS REGION.
The character of a church, of a community, of a peo- ple must necessarily be conditioned largely by the original make-up of that church, community, people ; the character of their early leaders and the influences thrown around them during the plastic and formative period of their history.
It were to be expected that among a people with such antecedents as theirs, and having had a leader- ship such as that enjoyed by the early Presbyterians of this region, there would be found those excellencies and virtues which afford at once beauty and strength of character. Theirs was a Presbyterianism of a type quite distinctive-not liable to be neutralized and lost, but possessing power to perpetuate itself. They were men and women of clear views, which they held in- telligently. They had strong convictions which made them ready to speak and to act, when occasion de- manded, with decision and promptness. With them every principle and every measure had to be weighed in the balances of right and wrong, as held by them. This was the standard by which was fixed the seal of approval or disapproval. In the strength and manli- ness of their characters they would have scorned to recognize the easy-going doctrine of expediency, which
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PAXTANG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
helps so many men over the rough places to-day in business, in politics, in religion. This regard for the principle of right constituted the groundwork of what is so often laid to their charge as characteristic obstinacy. They were obstinate. There is no denying this. But theirs was no mere willful obstinacy-obstinacy for the sake of obstinacy. It was the obstinacy of conviction ; and as such, it is a trait to be held in honor rather than reproach. The man who will contend for and is willing to suffer for what he deems right is the man who is worthy of admiration and confidence.
It was not without cause that these men with their families left their old homes. They had been subjected to wrongs and oppression which they hated and would not endure. It was with high aspirations and noble purposes they crossed the deep and endured hardships and privations and perils. There were homes to be made. There were priceless privileges, religious and civil, to be secured and enjoyed. There were rights to be sought and maintained. In the pursuit and pros- pect of objects such as these, they could "hope all things, bear all things, endure all things." A people possessing such traits of character were well fitted to be pioneers in the settlement of a new country and to lay securely the foundations of civil and religious in- stitutions that should prove blessings to them and their descendants.
On this occasion we would glance hurriedly at several
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prominent characteristics, which marked the early Presbyterianism of this region, and which have left their trace behind them-their regard for Education, for the Services of the Sanctuary and for the Word of God and the Standards of the Church, their Public and Patriotic Spirit, and their Conservatism.
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