USA > South Carolina > Berkeley County > Goose Creek > St. James church, Goose Creek, S. C. : a sketch of the parish from 1706 to 1909 > Part 1
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Gc 975.701 C38wa 1823849
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02310 7896
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ST. JAMES CHURCH
GOOSE CREEK, S. C.
A SKETCH OF THE PARISH
FROM 1706 TO 1909.
JOSEPH IOOR WARING
( Erected 1713-14.) ST. JAMES CHURCH, GOOSE CREEK.
1823849
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Waring, Joseph Ioor, comp.
D 286635 .9 : St. James church, Goose Creek, S. C. A sketch of the parish from 1706 to 1909. [By] Joseph Ioor Waring. (Charleston, S. C., The Daggett printing co., 1909]
70 p. front., plates, port. 23cm.
OHALF CARD
I. Title.
Recat
200423
Library of Congress
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16-183 19
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1 ,0423
ON
As
THE DAGGETT PRINTING CO. CHARLESTON, S. C.
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By request of the Vestry of St. James Church, Goose Creek; the writer has prepared this little volume and presents it to the Public with no claim to literary merit or ability, but only as a modest contribution to the history of the early days of our Church and State; and a memorial of the old Parish of which it treats.
As will be noted, most of the material has been gathered from "Dalcho's History of the Church in South Carolina," and other authorities. The ancedotes are merely from tradition, and only as such are they here presented.
The story of those old days has always appealed to the writer "With love, far brought
From out the storied past; and used
Within the present."
So this has been a labor of love, and as such it is offered, with the hope that it will give as much pleasure to its readers, as the prep- aration has afforded its author.
JOSEPH IOOR WARING.
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THE section of country in the lower portion of South Carolina commonly known as the Parish of St. James Goose Creek, was much sought after by the early colonists, its rich lands offering many inducements, while its proximity to Charles Town rendered it safe from the incursions of hostile Indians. These lands were therefore soon occupied, having been acquired mostly by grants from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. The country was set- tled principally by English and French colonists, the latter being Huguenots, and inclined towards the Church of England, because of the kind treatment afforded them after their flight from France upon the Revocation of the Ediet of Nantes.
These people were without the services of a minister until the year 1700, when the Rev. William Corbin, A. M. arrived from Middlesex England. Although the Church of England had not yet been established by law in the colony, Mr. Corbin was engaged to minister to the people of Goose Creek. There is no record left of his work. He returned to England in 1703. In 1702 the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts" sent over the Rev. Samuel Thomas as their first Missionary to South Carolina. His Mission was principally to Christianize the Yemassee Indians, but at the time of his arrival these Indians were in a very restive state, and Governor Johnson refused to allow him to go amongst them, making him his Chaplin, and ap- pointing him "to the care of the people settled upon the three branches of Cooper River.'' Ile was instructed to make Goose Creek his principal place of residence. At this period Goose Creek was represented to the Society as "One of the largest and most populous country towns, and settled by English families entirely well affected to the Church of England" (Dalcho). The term town here used included the many settlements or plan- tations in the neighborhood, there never was a "town" in the true sense of the meaning.
Mr. Thomas found only five communicants, but soon increased the number to thirty-two. In a letter written by him dated May 3rd, 1704, he says: "The town minister has a very noble maintenance out of the publick treasure, but we country ministers having nothing to trust to, but only a small and uncertain sub- scription. The country stands in need of more ministers, es- pecially of one for a place called Goose Creek, a creek the best settled with Church of England families of any in Carolina. They have a small Church built, and at the earnest request of some of the inhabitants I lately preached there, administered the blessed sacrament, and baptized seven children. The congre- gation was so numerous that the Church could not contain them, many stood without the door. * * * * " * *
"I fear under the present charge which the country is by reason of the war, these people can't maintain a minister with- out assistance from England." (Dalcho)
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In a memorial dated the same year, addressed to the Society relating to the condition of the Church on the Province of South Carolina, he thus describes Goose Creek.
"The next parish to Charlestown is Goose Creek, one of the most populous of our country parishes, containing, (as near as I can guess) about one hundred and twenty families. Most of the inhabitants, are of the profession of the Church of England, excepting about five families of French Protestants, who are Calvin- istic, and three families of Presbyterians, and two Anabaptists. Here is a small Church for some years erected by some few of the chief inhabitants, in which they have Divine Service, and sermons and sacraments, as often as they could procure a minister to officiate. I officiated there constantly once a quarter, at which times I always administered the blessed sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The number of communicants was about thirty, of whom one was a Christian negro man. The Church at Goose Creek was well frequented as often as any of our ministers officiated there. The number of heathen slaves in this parish I suppose to be about two hundred, twenty of whom I observed to come con- stantly to Church, and these and several others of them well understanding the English tongue, and can read." (Dalcho)
This refutes the charge sometimes made against the colonists that they opposed the Christianizing and education of the Slaves.
In 1705 Mr. Thomas went to England, and returned in October of the same year, bringing his family with him. He died in Charles Town a few days after landing, "having laid a good foun- dation for his successors to carry on the work." As yet there was no organized Parish, but on November 30th, 1706, by an Act of Assembly the Parish of St. James, Goose Creek was laid off together with seven others, viz: St. Andrews; St. Bartholomew; St. Johns, Berkeley; St. James, Santee; Christ Church; St. Thomas and St. Denis; St. Pauls, Stono. By an Act dated December 8th, 1708 its boundaries were defined as follow. "To the Northeast by the bounds of St. Johns Parish, and to the Back River; to the East by Cooper River, to the bounds of the Parish of St. Philip's Charles Town; and to the South West by a North West line from the Northernmost corner of the plantation or tract of land formerly belonging to Mr. Christopher Smith deceased, the bounds of St. Philip's Parish unto the North West bounds of Berkeley County, and to the North West by the said bounds of the said County." (Daleho)
Upon the death of the Rev. Samuel Thomas, the Society sent out the Rev. Francis LeJau, D. D. He was a native of Angers, France, and a Canon in St. Paul's Cathedral, London.
He arrived in October, 1706, at Charles Town. Writing home shortly after, he mentions to the Society that he had met with a kind reception from the Governor and Chief Justice Trott, and had received many civilities from the people. He states that
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his parishioners were busy collecting material for building a Church and Parsonage, a gift of one hundred acres of land was made in 1708 by Captain Benjamin Sehenekingh. The original plat is still in the possession of the Vestry, it is drawn on parchment, and bears the following explanation.
"This plat represents the form and shape of 100 acres of land given by Capt. Benjamin Schenckingh to the Parish of St. James, Goose Creek, South Carolina. One acre thereof for to build a Church on, and the rest for ye use of the Rector or Minister of said Parish for ye time being. The conveyance from him ye said Schenckingh to the Church Commissioners for ye use above, being dated October 18th, 1706."'
The Church was built on traet of 16 aeres given by Benj. Godin and was probably of wood.
The following are some of the curious Oaths which were re- quired from the Wardens and Vestrymen upon being solemnly sworn into office about this period.
"I Doe Sollemnly Sweare & Declare that I will justly & truely Execute ye Trust or office of a Church Warden for this Parish for ye Ensueing year according to ye Laws & Usages of this Province, to ye best of my Skill, Knowledge, & Power, without prejudice, favour, or affection, and untill I Shall be thereof duly discharged, Soe help me God."
"We Underwritten doe Sollemnly & Sincerely in the presence of God Profess, Testifie, & Declare that we doe believe that in ye Sacrament of the Lords Supper there in not any Transubstantia- tion of ye Elements of Bread & Wine into the Bodey & Blood of Christ at or after ye Consecration thereof by any person whatsoever and that ye Invocation or Adoration of ye Virgin Mary or any other Saint & ye Sacrifice of ye Mass as they are now usd in Church of Rome, are Superstitious and Idolatrous. And We doe Sollemnly in ye presence of God Profess, Testify, & Declare that we doe make this Declaration & every part thereof, in ye plaine & ordinary Sence of the word read unto us as they are commonly understood by English Protestants without any evasion, Equi- vocation, or mental reservation whatsoever, & without any Dis- pensation already granted for this Purpose by ye Pope, or any other authority, or Person whatsoever or without any of any such Dispensation, from any Person, authority whatsoever or without thinking that they are or can be aquitted before God or be absolved of this Declaration, or any part thereof, although ye Pope or any other Person or persons or Power whatsoever should dis- pence with or annull ye Same or Declare that it was Null & void from the beginning."
"1, A. B. Do Sincerely promise & Swear I will be faithful & bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Ann."
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"I, A. B. Do Sweare that I doe from my heart abhor, detest, & abjure as Impious & hereticall that damnable Doctrine & Posi- tion that Princes excommunicated or Deprived by the Pope or any authority of ye See of Roame may be deposed or murdered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever."
"And I doe Declare that no Forreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State, or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction, Power, Superiority, Preeminence, or authority Ecclesiasticall or Spir- ituall in this Province, or any other of his Majestys Realins & Dominions."
"I Doe Solemnly Sweare & Declare that I will justly and truely Execute ye office or Trust of a Vestryman of ye Parish of . according to the best of Skill, Knowledge, & Power, without pre- judice, favour, or affection.''
On Easter Monday April 14th, 1707, the parishioners held a meeting and clected Robert Steevens, and John Sanders Church Wardens, and Ralph Izard, George Cantey, Capt. James Moore, Arthur Middleton, Capt John Cantey, William Williams, and Capt Daved Deas Vestrymen. Dr. LeJau was elected first Rector, this however was without the form of law, and the Commissioners of the Church Act advised that the Rector be elected according to the provisions of this Act.
They met December 14th, 1707, and confirmed their choice. Dr. LeJau proved an active and diligent Rector. Besides his regular charge, he officiated once a month in Charles Town, during the absence of Commissary Johnson, and sometimes vis- ited other settlements in the neighborhood.
At this time there were residing in the Parish about one hun- dred families, containing one thousand persons. In the first year of his Mission, he baptized twenty-one children, and in the second, nineteen. The communicants numbered thirty-five. He instructed and baptized many negroes and Indians.
It was customary on the occasion of a baptism to pay a small fee to the Rector: noticing that the people neglected to bring their children to be baptized, on this account, Dr. LeJau abolished the custom, and thus induced many to bring their children for- ward to receive this Holy Rite. His zeal and piety won for him the esteem and love of his parishioners, and as an evidence of this they voluntarily subscribed the sum of £60 per annum in addition to his regular salary from the Society.
Dr. LeJau had continually represented to the Society the need of a secular school in the Parish, and urged them to send a suitable instructor.
Accordingly in 1710 Mr. Benjamin Dennis was sent over, a good school was started and continued until 1715, when it was broken up on account of the Indian War, which broke out in that
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year, and drove most of the inhabitants of the Parish into Charles Town for protection.
In 1714, the communicants had increased to seventy whites, and eight blacks. The congregation having become too large for the old building, it was removed and the present Church of brick erected on the site in 1714. A parsonage was also built at the same time. In 1717, Dr. LeJau was taken sick, and after a long illness died, and was buried in front of the Chancel, where a marble slab was afterwards placed to mark the spot. It is in- scribed as follows;
"Here lyeth the body of the Revd Francis LeJau Doctor in Divinity of Trinity College Dublin who came to this Province October 1706 and was one of the first Missionaries sent by the Honorable Society to this Province and was the first Rector of St James Goose Creek, Obi jt 15th Sept 1717. Aetat 52 To whose memory this stone is fixed by his only sou Francis LeJau"'
Upon the death of Dr. LeJan, the Vestry wrote to the Bishop of London, and asked that another Missionary be sent over; this was not done immediately, and until 1720 the Parish was without a regular minister, and services were conducted only occasionally, by such clergymen as could be secured temporarily.
In 1717, a handsome Book of Common Prayer was presented to the Church by Abel Kittleby, Esq., of the Middle Temple London, a Landgrave of Carolina. This Book has long since been lost.
There being no Bishop in the Province, the Church had never been consecrated, and in order to prevent the building being used for secular purposes the Vestry passed the following reso- lutions which were entered upon the Journal July 14th, 1719.
"Resolved, Agreed and Ordered, "That the Church being now completed, finished, and made convenient for Christian worship- ping of the Holy and Eternal Trinity, One God forever Blessed, after the manner and form of the Church of England, and this Province, that it be forever hereafter set apart from all Temporal uses and wholly appropriated to and for the uses aforesaid for- ever."
Accordingly the Vestrymen aforesaid do by these presents, Give, Appropriate, and Ordain this Church by the name of St. James Church, to be for the uses aforesaid to the inhabitants of this Parish in general, and their heirs forever. Excepting only such Pews or Seats as are hereafter mentioned, nominated, and established on the Principal Benefactors to the same.''
"Agreed and Ordered, That the two lower Pews of the middle two rows of Pews be and are for the use of the Church wardens
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and the Vestrymen of the Parish and their successors the same forever" These Pews are now suitably marked with brass plates setting forth the purpose for which they were devised.
"Agreed and Ordered, That for and in consideration of the Pious contributing and zealous industry and care of Arthur Middleton, Esq in promoting this holy work of building this Church, and also by giving four acres of land or thereabout, to the Par- sonage of this Parish, That one enclosed Pew or Seat containing about five feet six inches by seven feet of ground shall and is hereby Ordained, Given, and Appropriated Solely and Only to the use of the said Arthur Middleton, Esq, and his heirs forever." (Dalcho)
The same deed of gift was made in favor of Benjamin Schenckingh for giving one hundred aeres of land. To Benjamin Godin for sixteen acres for a Churchyard, and to the following persons for "Their Pious Contributing and zealous industry and care. "'
Col. James Moore, Roger Moore, Mrs. Anne Davis, Benjamin Gibbes and John Gibbes, to each of whom a Pew was given. The other Pews were then sold according to custom.
In 1720, the Society sent over the Rev. Francis Merry, A. M. as Missionary. He gave great offence by his conduct, and in a letter written to the Society the Vestry stated that "Mr Merry's behaviour was so indiscreet that the Parish could not elect him, that His Excellency Governor Nicholson, and all the Clergy were very sensible of how he had behaved himself, etc."
They therefore asked for another Missionary, Mr. Merry was recalled and returned to England.
In 1723, the Rey. Thomas Morritt was invited to take charge of the Church, until a Missionary should arrive.
The following Report of the Parish is found in a Memorial from the Rev. Win. Tredwell Bull, who is supposed to have dis- charged the duties of Commissary for a portion of the time be- tween the death of Rev. Gideon Johnston in 1716, and the ap- pointment of his successor, Rev. Alexander Garden, in 1726. It is entitled "A Short Memorial of the present state of the Church and Clergy in His Majesty's Province of South Carolina."
Among the thirteen Parishes he mentions as the second "St James, Goose Creek, a rich and populous Parish. The Church which is about. 16 miles from Charles City, is a neat and regular but not a large brick building. To this Church has lately gone over a Missionary from the Honorable S. P. G. the Rev. Mr. Ludlam. The stated salary from the public Treasury allowed to this and each of the other country Parishes is, £ 100 per Annum, proclamation money or value thereof, in curreney of Carolina. Also a very handsome Parsonage house of brick, and a glebe of
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about one hundred acres."
(Signed) Wm Tredwell Bull
Late Minister of St. Paul's, Colleton County and Commissioner to Right Rev. Lord Bishop of London in So. Cu., London August 10 th, 1723,
In August of this year, the Rev. Richard Ludlam, A. M. ar- rived having been sent out by the Society; he was immediately dlected Rector of the Parish. He entered upon his duties August 31st, 1723. He proved a faithful and zealous worker, particularly interesting himself in coverting and instructing the slaves, at that time mostly African born. He wrote home to the Society that he found his Parishioners "Sober, well disposed, and atten- tive to public worship. That the people continued to bring their children to be baptized, and many devoutly received the Lord's Supper." In 1728, thisgood man died, much lamented by the people. In testimony of his regard for the Society, and his affection for his Parishioners, be bequeathed all of his estate, real and personal, to the Society in trust, "for erecting, and maintaining a School for the instruction of the Poor Children of this Parish." After the payment of all his debts the value of the estate was computed to be about £2,000, currency. In 1729, the Society appointed the Rev. Mr. Thomas his successor, but he was drowned while going to embark near Sheerness England.
In the Parish Register of St. Andrews Parish we find the fol- lowing entries by Rev. William Guy:
Buried Sept. 29th, 1728, Mrs. Ludlam.
Buried Oet. 12th, 1728, Rev. Mr. Ludlam, Rector of St. James, Goose Creek.
The husband followed the wife to the grave within twelve days. It is most probable that they were buried at St. James.
In 1730, the Society ordered the Rev. Lewis Jones of St. Helena's Parish to take charge of this Church, but afterwards determined to continue him at that Mission.
In 1732, arrived the Rev. Timothy Millechampe, A. M. who was elected Rector immediately, He returned to England, in 1738, and petitioned the Society that his Salary be continued during his absence from the Parish. This request was granted, and he remained away until the following year.
On August 23rd, 1742, a letter was laid before the Vestry, from the Society, stating " That £592 7s. 6d. Sterling are now at inter- est at 10 per cent, per annum, and that there are some lands yet unsold. The Society desire you would consider how much money may be proper to be laid out in erecting a School house in the Parish, of St. James, Goose Creek, according to the Will of the Rev. Mr. Ludlain, and to send an estimate and to give your thoughts on the subject." The Vestry had considered the bequest of Mr. Ludlam insufficient to build and endow a School, and so had placed the money at interest, and proposed to raise
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a sufficient sum by subscription to carry out the plan. The Society concurred in their views. In 1744, the following paper was circulated in the Parish.
"Whereas nothing is more likely to promote the practice of Christianity and Virtue than the early and pious Education of Youth. We, whose names are here underwritten, do hereby agree and oblige ourselves, our Executors and Administrators, to pay yearly for three years successively, viz: On or before June 18th, 1745, 1746, 1747, to the Rev. Mr Millechampe, or to the Churchwardens for the time being, the several and respective sumas of money over against our names, respectively inscribed, for the setting up of a School House in the Parish of St James, Goose Creek, on the land for that purpose purchased for in- structing children in the knowledge and practice of the Christian Religion, and for teaching them such other things as are suitable to their capacity.
Sa. Middleton £100
Wm. Middleton 100
John Morton. 60
Zach Villepontoux 50
Peter Taylor. 25
Thomas Middleton 50
20
James Kinloch.
40
Gideon Fourcherand. 10
Mag. Eliz. Izard 30
Mary Izard ..
20
Susanna Lansae
10
Jane Morris .. 20
Joseph Norman. 20
Richard Tookerman 5
Benjamin Mazyek 15
Paul Mazyek. 50
Robert Brown 15
William Wood. 8
Robert Adams. 5
Peter Taylor. 100
John Channing 100
C. Fourcheraud 100
Robert Hume. 100
John Parker 70
W. Withers 50
Benj. Smith 50
John Fibbin 30
John Mackenzie. 100
John Moultrie, Jr 100
W. Blake .. £100
Cornelius Dupre. 5
Alexander Dingle. 5
Stephen Bull 5
G. Dupont. 7
Henry Izard. 60
Richard Singleton
William Allen 25
Martha Izard
20
Maurice Keating 10
James Bayley. 10
Joseph Hasfort.
15
James Marion.
5
Peter Porcher.
15
James Singleton
10
Isaac Porcher 5
Benj. Singleton. 10
Rachel Porcher. 5
Thomas Singleton. 10
Benj. Coachman 100
Thomas Smith.
50
Henry Smith .. 50
Sedgewick Lewis 25
James Lynch. 30
James Coachman 40
John Deas. .
100
Rebecca Singleton
25
Peter Tamplet.
50
Joseph Dobbins.
25
There is no record as to whether a School House was erected at this period however.
Mr Millechampe being desirous of again visiting England on
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account of bad health, was, on his departure presented with this testimonial by the Vestry.
"SOUTH CAROLINA
We, the Churchwardens and Vestry of the Parish of St. James, Goose Creek, do Certify whom it may concern, that the Rev. Timothy Millechampe, Missionary for the Venerable and Honorary Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts to this Parish, has behaved as a worthy Clergyman of the Church of England among us, nigh the space of fourteen years, and whom we believe well affected to the present Constitution, both in Church and State: and in all things, whether respecting his Life or Doc- trine, acquitted himself as a good Pastor, and Discharged the Duties of his Holy function with all Diligence and Fidelity, to the Advancement of the good Work the Society are engaged in, and to our Benefit and Approbation. Given under our Hands at the Parish Church in the Province aforesaid the 25th day of June 1746.
BENJ. MAZYCK GIDEON DUPONT
Churchwardens.
WILLIAM MIDDLETON PETER TAYLOR ZACK VILLEPONTOUX RICH. SINGLETON HENRY IZARD THOMAS MIDDLETON Vestrymen."
His absence was very much regretted, he remained away so long however, that the parishioners became dissatisfied, and in 1748, the Vestrymen wrote to the Bishop of London complaining of this, and requesting him to send another Missionary.
Mr. Millechampe had in the meanwhile recovered his health, and had been offered the Rectorship of the Parish of Colesbourne in England. He had accepted the offer, still retaining his position in Carolina.
Hearing of the action of the Vestry, he wrote to the Society, pleading as an excuse his delicate health, but stating that having now recovered entirely, he desired to return to Goose Creek, but wished to hold his Parish in England by supplying a substitute. The Society disapproved of this arrangement, and directed their secretary to write him a letter of dismission from their service. This letter was as follows.
"Charter House May 21st 1748
Sir-The Committee and afterwards the Society considered your letter, and came to the following Resolution:
Agreed that Mr. Millechampe be dismissed from the Mission of
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St James, Goose Creek, in South Carolina, and that his salary cease from Lady Day (March 25th) he being instituted to the Rectory of Colesbourne in the Diocese of Gloucester.
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