Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 70

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618

USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 70

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So great was the dissatisfaction of Messrs. Tate and Beard with these pro- ceedings, that they handed in to Synod a paper, in which they say: "We find our- selves obliged to declare to this Reverend Synod that we cannot submit to them; that we hereby decline all authority and jurisdiction of this hody, and that no judgment or determination thereof shall bind us, or affect our persons or ministry, until these differences of sentiment be removed hy better light, and satisfactory means he found to reconcile and unite us with this Reverend body again ""

The day following this one of stormy debates and unsatisfactory votes, the Rev. Richard Treat brought in an over. ture, "As a good expedient for the peace of this body and the satisfaction of the bre hren complaining, viz: That the late Presbytery of Donegal he restored to their former state, as before the last Synod, with the members settled within their bounds since that time."

The Synod agreed to this overture, and accordingly revived and restored the Pres- bytery of Donegal, and appointed that their first meeting be held in Carlisle on the fourth Tuesday of June, 1766 §

Thus terminated the career of the first Presbytery of Carlisle. It was short, hut full of earnest work for the Master. During the one year of its existence there were organized, hy committees of its appointment, the churches of Path Val- ley, Toms Creek, Piney Creek and, most likely, in Centre, Perry county.

It appointed a committee to determine

the location of churches in Perry county. It introduced two rules which have a place among the "standing rules" of our Presbytery to-day, viz: The one requir - ing annual reports from congregations as to payment of pastors' salaries; and the other requiring pastors and stated sup- plies to report annually as to fidelity in pastoral visiting, catechising, &c., out of which grew our "Narrative of the State of Religion." It placed in the hands of Mr. Cooper a call from Middle Spring, and on the 20th of November, 1765, ordained and installed him pastor of that church. It also ordained and installed Mr. Slem- ons pastor of Lower Marsh Creek church.

Her career, though brief, proved her worth her honorable parentage, and not unworthy the obituary which gives the last page of her records: "Here endeth the book of the records of Carlisle Pres- bytery, which was born the 22d of May, 1765; arrived to the vigorous exercise of rational powers the day following; con> tinued in perfect health, leading a quiet, peaceful, inoffensive and yet active life, until May 28th, 1766; at which time a design was formed against her, and the next day put into execution, when she peaceably expired, without complaint or groan. Of her may be said, she was born without original sin, lived without allowed actual transgression, and died without Presbyterial guilt." This and the previous obituary were, of course, extra Presbyterial! Hence, they were erased. But, by the pains taking of Rev. R M'Cachran, they were deciphered and restored sixty five or seventy years after.

One might have supposed the action of Synod (1766), restoring the Presbytery of Donegal, would have brought about peace and harmony among the me , bers of that distracted body. But such was not the case. The last clause in their re- storing act was fatal to any such result. The act reads: "That the late Presbytery of Donegal be restored to their former state as before the last Synod." If it had stopped here, all might have been well. But to this were added the words, "with the members settled within their bounds since that time." This last clause was the rock of offense. For in the time specified, the New Side element had gained Rev. Robert Cooper, of Middle

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Spring, and John Slemons, of Lower Marsh Creek. Hence the men who had overtured Synod, in 1765, for the division of the Presbytery, or the return of the members who had lately been added to the place whence they came, wholly ab- sented themselves from all the mectings of the reorganized Presbytery of Done gal; and proceeded to crect themselves into an independent Presbytery, taking the name of Donegal .** They ordained James Lang, of East Connecocheaguc.

The restored Presbytery of Donegal informed Synod, at its meeting, 1767, that "the dissatisfied brethren, viz: Messrs. Steel, Tate, Thomson, Samson Smith, M'Murdie, Elder and Beard, refused to meet with them, though duly notified; and that they have been informed that said dissatisfied brethren have proceeded to form themselves into a separate body, and have acted in a Presbyterial capacity ever sinee."++

At the same time, "a letter was brought into the Synod, directed to the Modera- tor, signed by the Rev. Messrs. John Elder and John Stee , as Moderator and clerk of a Presbytery, which they call the Presbytery of Doncgal, representing that they had been forced by sundry pe- titions, to apply to Synod to be crected into two Presbyteries, which petitions not having had desired suecess, they were laid under the disagrceable necessity of entering a declinature from the jurisdic- tion of the Synod " After a second read- ing, Synod decided that these brethren, having adopted the declinature, entered last year by Messrs. Tate and Beard, must not now be considered members of this body."##

When the Presbytery of Donegal met the 27th of June following, it caused the following record to be made in its minutes: "The Rev. Messrs Elder, Steel, Thomson, Tate, M'Mordie, Samson Smith and Beard have been, by the Synod, de- clared to be no members of the body, and consequently are no longer members of this body.'

In 1768. the matter was before Synod again. And after many propositions and mueh discussion, "for the sake of peace they authorized the Presbytery of Done- gal to receive Messrs. Thomson and Lang; New Castle Presbytery to receive

Messrs. Beard and S. Smith, and the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia to re- ceive Messrs. Steel, Elder, Tate and M'- Mordie, provided they apply for admis- sion the first convenient opportunity."

Against this action protests were en tered by various members. But they did not prevent the measures recommended going into effect. || ||

Thus was terminated this unhappy con- flict in the Presbytery of Donegal. It was protracted, having commenced several years before the division in 1741, and hav- ing continued fully ten years after the re- union in 1758. It was at times bitter and even fierce. There can be no doubt per- sonal feelings and prejudices entered at times into it. But the intensity of feel- ing and purpose, and the persistency with which it was carried on, arc to be attri- butcd mainly to honesty of conviction and characteristic Scotch Irish obstinacy. It furnishes a striking illustration of how far even good men may go in the midst of heated controversy.

And yet we have in the case of some of the prominent pastors, in this contro- versy, a striking illustration of the pro- found respect and Christian confidence which lay unseen behind it all. Upon the tombstone of Rev. John Roan, whose remains lie in the hallowed ground at old Derry church, is this inscription, said to have been written by his bitterest antago- nist, Rev. John Elder:§§

"Beneath this stone Are deposited the remains Of an able and faithful, Courageous and successful Minister of Jesus Christ."

After this adjustment of Presbyteries by Synod, Doncgal was composed of the following ministers:

John Roan, Derry, Paxton (branch) and Conewago.

George Duffield, Carlisle.

Robert Cooper, Middle Spring. John Slemons, Lower Marsh Creek. James Ling, East Connecocheague. Samuel Thomson, Great Conewago. John Hoge, Opekon, Tuscarora and Black Creek, Va.

James Hunt. West Nottingham and Little Brittain. SS

John Strain, West Nottingham (one of the churches) SS.

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Amos Thomson. [The history of the Presbytery of Car- lisle will follow in next Saturday's TELE- GRAPH .- EDITOR. ]

*Records Pres. Ch., p. 343.

+ Record - Pres. Ch., p. 350.

ĮRecords Pres. Ch , p. 34 .

¡Records Pres. Ch , pp. 356-3.8. §1b., p. 359.

** Records of Pres. Cb., p 366.

H Records of Pre -. Ch. , p. 365.

ttRecords of the Pres. Ch., pp. 384-386.

Web ter Hist Pies Ch., pp. 277-278.

lill Will any one having positive knowledge be kind enough to either confirm or correct this statement ?- W. A W.

§§ Messrs. Hu tand Strain were sent over to the Presbytery of Donegal, from the P'res. bylery o' New Castle by Synod in 1763, and thev and their churches were enrolled by Presbytery June 29th of the same year.

Records of Pres Ch , p 332.

Records Presbytery of Doncga', vol. 2, p. 83.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Historical, Biographical and Genealogical.

CXXVII.

EARLY EDUCATION within the bounds of Carlisle Presbytery was the subject of a very interesting address by Rev. Mr. Vance, at the recent Centennial of that venerable body. There are some faets, however, which it were well to incorpo- rate with his sketch, the principal of which is, that the Rev. John Roan had a school for the especial training of min- isters. There were at least three eminent divines of the Presbyterian Church whosc early education was intrusted to that faithful servant of the Gospel-William Graham, Joseph Montgomery and Samuel Eusebius McCorkle. We have before us the account of the first named who was afterward the founder of the now cele brated Washingtou and Lee University of Virginia. Mr. Roan's account book gives us the following :

"William Graham entered September 23, 1767.

"January 23d to 31st, 1768, absent.

"April 2d to 25th, absent.

"May 1st, absent some days.

"June 13th. Returned 8th mo., 2d.

"Dec. 24 h. Some days absent.

"Went away Feb'y 2,1762.

"In all here near 9 months. I told his father, June 10, 1769, that it should be charged at about £8 pcran . num, viz :. 6. 00. 0.

"Recd Dec'r. 21, 1769, of ye above .. 4 10. 0.

"Again, May, 1771. 0. 07 6.

"Jan. 20, 1773, 10. 0.

"Lent to Mrs. Graham, Nov. 25, 1773. 0. 10 0.

"Jan. 14, 1774. 1. 05. 0."

TRADE-BOATS ON THE DELAWARE IN 1754 .- The early population of the settle. ment at Bethlehem, in this State, was increas d yearly by immigrations from the Old World and by accessions from the neighboring counties, and with it too, its traffie. In order to keep a goodly steck of store goods always on hand to meet the demand, and for the hauling of machinery and material for their manu- factories, tbe wagon service had been largely augmented. With a view to lessen this expensive mode of carriage, the Moravians in July ot 1754, decided to build a boat, suitable for the transporta . tion of the products of their farms and mills to the capital, and for store and other goods ou the return trip. Work was at onee commenced, and the "Little Irene" was launched on September 27th. She was rigged with two masts and sails, and when loaded at her wharf with fifty- six bags of wheat, drew but eleven inches of water. Captain Shaute, Chief Mate Brinck and a crew of two negroes set sail a few days later down the Lehigh and into the Delaware to Trenton, making soundings, buoying channels and mark- ing rocks and sand bars for future voy- ages. On the 14th of October this expe- dition returned, and on the 6th of No. vember following the "Little Irene" with a cargo of linseed oil set sail for Philadel- phia, and made that port in less than five days. With a miscellaneous cargo she set sail on her return voyage, but on reaching the Falls of the Delaware, and being unable to sail around or be hauled over them, she was unloaded and sold at Trenton. This early attempt to establish a line of river boats to trade between Bethlehem and the capital of the Province was thereupon abandoned. J W. J.

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CREDITORS A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

The writer of the following letter, Henry Keppele, senior, was a prominent merchant of Philadelphia prior to and during the Revolution. He was the owner of considerable property in the towns of Lancaster, Lebanon and Read- ing. as his correspondence with his at torney Jasper Yeates, of Lancaster, to whom this letter was written, goto show. He may seem to be exaeting, but no owner of property to-day will allow his house to be occupied upwards of five years without attempting to collect the rent:

"PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 6th, 1775.

"SIR: By this opportunity would de- sire you immediately to issue against Bucher (Presbyterian minister) living in Lebanon for a debt of £48 15, being 5 years & 5 months house rent at $6 a year; the agreement was made between him & Mr. Dehaas for the same; he is now moved out of my house into another. Have also sent a Bond of John Sibbach, who now lives in Middletown, for which you will please to sue and lay the execu- tion upon his effects. Please to lett me know how my affairs stand with Stiegle; he is now in our Goal & likely to remain there some time; if you ean possibly find out any way to secure me, no doubt but you will do it; perhaps if you Issue an execution & let it remain in the sheriff's hands, he may possibly some time or other find out to secure part, if not all my debt.

"The money, per Mr. John Hubley, have rec'd, for which have given him a receipt, part of the money rec'd of Gart- ner & Kuntz (£24 12.4); and some time ago, when you was in Town paid me part of the debt; as I cannot now reeol- lect how much it was, should be obliged to you to let me know the sum that I may enter it regular. I suppose the £24 12.4 is full of their first Bond Their other Boud has been due some time, and I don't mean to favor them, as I don't think that I'm very seeure; must there fore desire you to take such steps as will get me my money soonest. I have still another bond from them in my hands, besides the one now in yours, which is not yet become due. I expected to have

rec'd George Fry's Debt before now, but am in hopes you have it secured for, "Sir, your obedient servant.

"HENRY KEPPELE. "To Jasper Yeates, Esq , in Lanc'r."

The "Presbyterian minister Bucher," was the Rev. John Conrad Bueher, pastor of the Reformed church at Lebanon. In early days this denomination was called German Presbyterian or German Calvin- ist. The trouble was not with the Rev. Mr. Bucher, but with his congregation, who were to pay the rent to Mr. Kep- pele, but failed to do so. It was, how- ever, paid in full shortly after this date. "Mr. Dehaas" was Col. John Philip DeHaas, of the Revolution, who resided at Lebanon many years. He died in Philadelphia on the 3d of June, 1786.

John Sibbach kept a store at Middle- town prior to the Revolution, coming there from Lebanon. Nothing further is known of him.

"Steigle." This is the celebrated Baron Steigle who, through certain parties, be- came financially ruined An interesting notice of him is to be found in the "His . tory of Lebanon County, " page 295.

"Gartner & Kuntz" were probably merchants of Laneaster.

"George Fry," the owner of the Frey estate, and the founder of the "Emaus Institute," of Middletown, was one of the worthies of Dauphin county Un- fortunately little is known of his early history, birth and parentage, but he left a bequest wh ch, if conducted as it now is, will perpetuate his name for genera- tions to come as one of the benefactors of mankind.

COL. JOHN STEELE.

[The first burial in the Harrisburg cemetery was General James Steele, a brother of Col John Steele, of whom we have this interesting sketch by a valued correspondent. ]

John Steele, son of William Steele, was born in Drumore township, Lan- caster county, in the year 1758. His father sent him to Rev. James Latta's academy at Chestnut Level, and while pursuing his studies he formed an attach- ment for Abigail Bailey, which was re- ciprocated by her. Her father hoped to see her marry a son of a wealthy neigh-

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bor, and was very much opposed to his daughter marrying young Steele, whom he thought did not have estate enough to support her befitting her position in society. He was therefore forbidden to pay his addresses to Miss Abigail, who in a very spirited manner told her father that she loved Mr. Steele and that if she did not marry him she never would wed another. Mr. Steele's father sent him to the Academy to be educated with a view of entering the ministry; but while at school he heard the call of his country to arms, and he told the venerable Dr Latta that until his country was free, he would relinquish his studies for the duties of the camp. His three brothers, Arehibald, James and William, enlisted on the same day.

John Steele entered the army as a volunteer, and although but eighteen years of age his soldierly bearing soon won for him the command of & company, which he led into battle at Brandy wine, where he received a British ball through his shoulder. From loss of bloodf from the wound which he received, he was re- duced to the point of death. Six faithful soldiers carried him upon a several

sheet miles to a house occupied by two elderly mai- den ladies, who nursed him faithfully until he was able to be removed. He never forgot their kindness to him. Before he could return to active military duty his father heard that he had been wounded, and after much search found him in Bucks county, whither he had heen carried, after many removals, to a place of safety.

He returned to his home before he had entirely recovered from his wound, and while there an unskillful surgeon thought it necessary to probe the wound, and in so doing divided an artery, and he had no means of tying it; to prevent him from bleeding to death his sister held the ori- fice with her fingers until a messenger was despatched to Lancaster, a distance of sixten miles, for a physician, who came, and when he arrived he discovered that he left his case of instruments in Lancaster, to which place he returned for them and during this time his faithful sister never took her fingers from the wound, an example of patience and heroic courage seldom seen anywhere.

As soon as Captain Steele recovered, he returned to his companions in arms, and followed General Washington through many battles, and participa'ed in the cap- ture of Corn wallis at Yorktown. When in New Jersey he was a member of Gen'l Washington staff. At the conclusion of the war he returned to his home with an arm disabled, poor and pennyless, but with the conseiousness that he bad served his country faithfully. In 1780, when he arrived in sight of bis father's mansion on leave of absence, he observed a large number of carriages and horses surround - ing his home, he knew that it meant a funeral procession. His heart was filled with agony, not having the remotest idea as to which member of his honored fame ily was about to be consigned to the grave. It was his father, the noble sire who sent forth every son of his to the war. This was a sad affliction to the young soldier.

Miss Bailey, who had waited seven long years for the return of Captain Steele, remained true to her pledge, and they were married in the year 1784. For severa: years prior to her marriage this remarkable lady had been living with her brother, Francis, in Laneaster and kept house for him. She frequently took her needle and work with her to the printing office of her brother, and watched him with great interest when setting type. She said, one day, "Brother, I think I can help you," and she immediately com- menced to set up the form from which was printed the first Pocket Almanack. ever published in Pennsylvania. The knowledge of printing thus obtained was of great value to her husband in after life.

Captain, subsequently General Steele, soon after his marriage removed from Lancaster to Philadelphia and embarked in the printing and publishing business, and with his own hands cast the type with which Mrs. Steele set up the first American edition of " Dilworth's Spelling Book," and a copy of the new testament.

His business was successful, and his restless and ambitious spirit prompted him to embark in other branches and more extensive business. He built a paper mill along the Octorara in

connection with his brother-in law,

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Col. James Thompson, and his nephew, Col. James Steele. To this place he re- moved from Philadelphia with his family. While there hc multiplied copies from his standing type, from which many editions of standard works were printed. The late Matthew Carey purchased these forms to prevent rivalry in the publica- tion of the same works. He was a per. son of undoubted genius, that could not be tied down to a particular avocation. Agriculture was a favorite pursuit, and he retired from his printing and paper manufacturing to his farm at Octorara. He did not remain long in retirement. Being one of the most ardent and ablest Jeffersonian Democrats in the State, he was not permitted to live in retirement; his friends insisted upon electing him to the Lower House and afterwards to the State Senate in 1801-a year of bitter par- tisan warfare, in which the Federal and anti Federal parties were nearly evenly divided. General Steele's election was contested in the Legislature, for the rea. son that he held an office supposed to be incompatible with that of Senator, and after a bitter fight the Federals ousted him from his seat in the Senate. He was re eleeted in 1803, and was admitted to his seat, and was Speaker of the Senate in 1805.

Governor McKean caused Wil- liam Dixon, the publisher of the Lan caster Journal, to be thrown into prison for libel, which was published in the heat of a political campaign. When he was released from prison the Democrats made all the political capital they could out of the affair, and got up a grand demonstra- tion in Lancaster. Gen. Steele was made chief marshal, and he made an eloquent, but inflammatory speech upon the occa- sion. in 1806 he was the candidate of his party for United States Senator, and ticd Andrew Gregg on several ballots, but was finally defeated by a few votcs.

In the year 1808 bc was appointed Collector of the Port in Philadelphia, a position he held until 1826, when he re- signed on account of declining health, and died February 27th, 1827. His wife died on the 13th of March following.

In all the years Gen. Steele held the office of Collector he never suffered a dol- lar of the Government money to remain

in his hands, but deposited every cent in bank, and the Government never lost a penny of the moneys collected by him. Hc was a strong advocate of domestic manufactures and the system of internal improvements by the State. In religious circles he was a ruling elder of the Third Presbyterian church, in Philadelphia, for many years.

Captain John Steele, son of the above, died at his home near Gordonville, Lan- caster county, October 27th, 1853. He had been a member oi Lodge No 51 of Ancient York Masons of Philadelphia, and Past Master. Appropriate ceremonies were held by the Masons, in memory of their distinguished deceased brother. Captain Steele commanded a company in the war of 1812, and subsequently was appointed Collector of the Port of Phila - delphia, a position he lield forsome years, a trust he executed with the strictest integrity. He was also controller of the public schools of Philadelphia For more than thirty four years, he served in the capacity of Secretary and Treasurer, Warden and Master in Lodge No 51 and filled the chair of the Right Worshipful Grand Master, in the Grand Lodge of Masons.

Captain Steele married Jane Porter, (1791-1867). Their daughter Abiann married Col. Reab Frazer, a distinguished member of the Lancaster Bar, and their children (surname Frazer) were:

i. Susan-Carpenter.

ii. Henry-Carpenter, of Pittsburgh.

iii. Real, Paymaster in the U. S. A.

iv. J. P. Wilson, a merchant of Phila. Capt. Steele's second daughter, Dolly, married Henry E. Slaymaker, Esq, a prominent citizen of Lancaster.

It may be related in this connection that Jamcs Buchannan was always es- teemed a valued friend of the family, but for some reason, best known to himself, declined to support Captain Steele for appointment as Collector of the Port of Philadelphia. Captain Steele, his friends, and especially his son in-law, Colonel Frazer, became very much angered at him, and opposed him politicelly with great spirit thereafter.

A daughter of General John Steele, No. 1, married the Rev. Doctor Milldol- lar. SAMUEL EVANS.

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THE COUNTY OF FRANKLIN.

A Resume of Events Connected with its Formation.

The county of Cumberland, the sixth county formed in the Province of Penn- sylvania, was erected in 1750. It em- braced "all and singular the lands lying within the said Province to the westward of Susquehanna, and northward and west ward of the county of York" (organ- ized the year previous). It was "bounded northward and westward with the line of the Province." From this vast area and ample limits were subsequently con- structed Bedford in 1771; a portion of Northumberland in 1772; Westmoreland from Bedford in 1773; Washington in 1781, and Fayette in 1783 from West- moreland. Originally comprising two- thirds of the area of Pennsylvania, the county of Cumberland is well deserving the name "Old Mother Cumberland."

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Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 70

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: s.n. Number of Pages: 618

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618