USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 1 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
In the years 1800 and 1802 there were camp meetings held at this church and also in 1804, at which there was great excitement, and great numbers in attendance. "I attended two of these meetings; I was then seventeen years old. There was no noise, yet many would fall down and appear for hours insensible. But so far as my knowledge extends I could perceive no reformation in after life. I only speak from my own observation. In two or three years the Presbytery generally gave up those camp meetings. I think it was well to do so." A. GILES,
Monterey, S. C., October 5, 1853.
There was a difference of opinion then among good men as to these extraordinary scenes.
LONG CANE CHURCH, formerly Upper Long Cane, enjoyed the labors of Rev. Robert Wilson, D. D., until November, 1804. This is the statement in vol. I., p. 628 of this history, in which we anticipated the progress of our narrative. On consulting the minutes of the Second Presbytery we find that Dr. Wilson's desire to resign his pastoral charge was made known October 2d, 1804, and the church cited to appear and shew cause, if they have any, why the request should not be granted, but that the official release from his pastoral charge was on the third of April, 1805. The three ministers, Robert Wilson, William Williamson and James Gilliland, Sr .; were
147
LONG CANE-BRADAWAY.
1800-1810.]
on the same day dismissed to join the Presbytery of Wash- ington, in the State of Kentucky. The moving cause of the migration of two of these ministers, Messrs. Wilson and Gilli- land, was opposition to the institution of slavery. The Presbytery of Washington belonged to the Synod of Ken- tucky, but extended over the Southern portion of Ohio, where these three ministers took up their abode. After this, the congregation was frequently supplied by Presbyterial ap- pointment, Messrs. Dickson, Thomas Williamson, Waddel and Kennedy being appointed at sundry times, Rev. Dr. Montgomery and Thos. Williamson the most often. With each of these last named ministers they were about forming a pastoral relation which was prevented by the death of the latter and by the death of the wife of the former, which turned his attention in a different direction.
At a special meeting of Presbytery held at Poplar Tent, N. C., October 6th, 1809, William H. Barr, a licentiate under the care of Concord Presbytery, was received, and a call was laid before Presbytery from the Long Cane congregation for his services, which was by him accepted. At a pro re nata meet- ing held at this church on the 27th of December, 1809. he passed his trials, and on the 28th was ordained pastor of this church, Dr. Waddel, presiding, and John B. Kennedy preach- ing the ordination sermon, from Col. i .: 28. Thus was inaugurated a ministry which was peculiarly happy, able, and attended with blessed results. The number of church mem- bers in full communion at this time was about 120. (MS. of Robert Wardlaw, MS. Hist. of 2d Pres., by Dr. Waddel, Chairman. Minutes of Pres'y.)
BRADAWAY CHURCH, in Pendleton District, was under the pastoral care of James Gilliland, Sr., till April 4, 1804, when the pastoral relation between him and this people was dis- solved and he had leave to travel without the bounds of Presbytery. His dismission occurred, as we have indicated, and his subsequent history was given, vol. I., pp. 634, 635. " In July, 1802, the general revival in the Southern States, appeared here, where multitudes attended a communion sea- son and a most astonishing solemnity prevailed, the lasting effects of which, says the Committee on the History of the Pres- bytery of which Dr. Waddel was Chairman, "are still hap- pily experienced and visible in some." After Mr. Gilliland's departure the church was dependent on Presbyterial supplies
.
148
ROBERTS AND GOOD HOPE.
[1800-1810.
among which occur more than once, the names of Simpson, Templeton, McElhenny, Gilliland. Jr., Montgomery, William- son, and Dickson. This church consisted in 1809 of forty con- municants and was able to pay half the expenses of a minister.
ROBERTS AND GOOD HOPE were united under the care of Rev. John Simpson, till his lamented death in October, 1807. After his death these churches secured for a short time the services of Rev. Samuel Davis, as a supply. It is not known how long or with what success he labored. He appeared, says Rev. David Humphries, to be a devout man, a Nathaniel in whom there is no guile. He removed to the mountain re- gions of North Carolina and labored there for some years ; in 1821 he returned to this State and settled in Anderson Dis- trict on Broad Mouth Creek, and was there for a few years without a charge, after which he returned to his former settle- ment in North Carolina. He raised a pious family. Nothing further is known of his history. (MSS. of David Humphries.) The Rev. Andrew Brown was appointed by Presbytery to preach at Roberts as a supply in 1808, and Dr. Waddel at Good Hope. Rev. Mr. McElhenny was remembered by Mr. Humphries to have also preached at Good Hope and Roberts as a supply, but, as dates are not given, this may have been in the next decade.
As there are no records preserved giving an account of the organization of these churches, we can barely give the names of some whom tradition reports to have been among their first elders. The names of Messrs. Stephenson, Gilman, Hen- derson, Martin, Allen and Anderson, are mentioned. These are all remembered as very upright and worthy men, honor- ably filling the offices of elders in the church of Roberts.
Of the first elders of Good Hope little comparatively is known. Esquire -- Lusk was one of the first that held the office. He was well acquainted with the doctrines and polity of the Presbyterian Church, a man of prayer and exemplary in all his conduct. He with several others from this church moved to Pickens District and formed a portion of the Bethel Church. He is said to have died at Cedar Springs, Abbeville. Mr. McCreight was also early an elder here. He removed to Green County, Alabama, in 1820. Mr. Samuel Parker was another, a man of a spiritual mind and much concerned for the peace and prosperity of the church. Mr. Steele also was
149.
HOPEWELL, (KEOWEE.)
1800-1810.]
one of the first bench of elders. Mr. Thomas Beaty was an elder here at an early day. He came from North Carolina with a large family, which, for a time, formed a large portion of the church. Miny of their descendants are still here. He removed to Bethel Church in Pickens District. (MSS. of Rev. David Humphries.)
HOPEWELL ( KEOWEE.)-This congregation was dependent still longer on the Presbytery for supplies. The minutes of Presbytery show that Rev. Mr. Simpson was appointed twice and Rev. Mr. Dickson once to preach to them in 1805. Mr. Gilliland, Sr., Mr. McElhenny and Mr. Montgomery in 1802, and Mr. Templeton an ! Mr. Gilliland, Jr., in 1804. On the 12th of September, 1803, a cul was presented from this church.' or one-half the ministerial services of the Rev. James McElhenny, and from the same for one-fourth the ministerial services of Rev. James Gilliland, Sr. ; also a call from Car- mel, heretofore associated with Hopewell (Keowee), in the same pastoral charge. Mr. Gilliland accepts the call so far as it respects himself; Mr. McElhenny tikes it into consid- eration. A year passed, and Mr. McElhenny had not signi- fied his acceptance of these calls, but Hopewell again presents a call for half, and Carmel for half of the ministerial labors of Benjamin R. Montgomery. Presbytery is embarrassed, but places the calls in Mr. Montgomery's hands, " not knowing but it may be the design of the people to obtain the services of them both." The result was that Mr. Montgomery be- came their ordained pastor April 4th, 1805, Presbytery hold- ing its spring sessions at that Church. The ordination sermon was preached by Dr. Waddell. and the charge was delivered by Rev. John Simpson, the Moderator of Presbytery. Mr. Montgomery remained in this pastoral charge for two years, and was dismissed from it in September, 1807. The Rev. James McElhenny, who was now residing among them, and preached to them half his time, was their pastor through the remainder of this decade. The church was often known in popular language as "The Stone Church," the house of worship being built of that material in the year 1802. The great revival of 1802 was felt here, and some persons now living recollect the camp fires around the church, among the memories of their youth.
CARMEL CHURCH, which stands a few miles eastward of Hopewell, was formed in connection with Hopewell, and had,
150
CARMEL.
[IND-1810.
in these early times, a parallel history. It was supted in ยท like manner at the beginning of the century, Messrs. G. iland, Sr., Dickson, Cummins, McElhenny, Templeton, Bromt and Montgomery being appointed to supply its pulpit. T .= Rev. Benjamin R. Montgomery was pastor of this church a con- nection with Hopewell, as Dr. Reese had been befor, and James McElhenny afterward.
One of the first elders of this church, who has passed away since the author commenced gathering his materials br this history, was Thomas Hamilton. His father migrater from Scotland to Pennsylvania, where they lived for som= time, at a place there called Little York. It was during this time that Thomas Hamilton was born. His fath- then removed to York District, South Carolina. Thomas was sixteen years of age when the war with Great Britain com- menced, and at this early age he entered the service of his country. For seven years he was more or less activiy en- gaged in the struggle which tried men's souls. Findng his own horse, he served the greater part of this period n the cavalry, without any compensation, except twen --- eight dollars, which he received while acting for a short .me as wagon-master. It is known that he served under General Sumter and Wade Hampton. He was in several attles, besides many skirmishes, and often narrowly escape: with his life. He has often been heard to describe the =: cum- stances of the battle of the Cowpens, Blackstock, S :: Mile House (near Charleston), and the three weeks' siege a Nine- ty-Six. He had connected himself with the church n York . District. Soon after his settlement in this vicinity, te was elected an elder of Carmel Church, in which capatty he served the cause of his Master more than fifty years The following obituary notice of this worthy elder is from te pen of his pastor, the Rev. John Leland Kennedy.
DIED-On the 3d instant, at the residence of his son. ( I. D. K. Hamilton, in Anderson District, S. C., Mr. THOMAS HAMILTON, aged 93 years, 10 months. To record all that was excellent :: the life and character of this venerable man-to portray that brigi: ind im- pressive exemplification of the Christian character displayed iring a long and useful life-yet more strikingly during his last years and in- creasingly so till his expiring moments, would require rather te pages of a volume than such space as may be claimed in the publi- journal. He was one among the remnant of noble spirits that periled _ in the cause of freedom. So soon as that priceless boon was secured, he
151
1800-1810.] BETHLEHEM, CANE CREEK AND BETHEL.
entered the service of the King of Saints-the only acknowledged sovereignty of such spirits.
Though not blessed with any opportunity of a liberal education, his mind was trained in the school of Christ ; his memory was stored with a treasure of divine knowledge. The principles of truth had been most carefully implanted and nurtured from infancy ; for, to all within the circle where he moved, it was known that he loved and practiced truth unwaveringly. This world's wealth and honor was trash in his estima- tion, when compared with the Christian's portion. That his treasures were laid np in heaven could be doubted by none, for his heart and conversation were there.
Having been blessed with a partner of kindred spirit, he raised a large family in comfort, but not in affluence -withont earthly wealth, yet in the luxury of content. His humble abode was the delightful resort, the hospitable resting-place for all pilgrims. Nor were any, rich or poor, ever repulsed. Destitute of splendor at home, and equally un- ostentatious abroad, he, with his household, were cordially greeted and welcomed among the wealthy and distinguished. Cheerful piety beamed from his own eye, and was infused into all around ; while daily praise warbled from every tongne, as that precious volume from Heaven, administered richly the food and water of life, followed by that morning and evening incense, ascending from paternal lips, which was met by the gracious smile of a reconciled father, beaming through a beloved Saviour's face upon the eve of faith, heaven directed, by the life- giving Spirit. But we must limit, to facts more personal. This venera- ble patriarch had been a ruling elder in Carmel Church more than fifty years; and Presbyterial records, concurring with many living witnesses would allow that he was ever a true and faithful servant of the Church.
In proportion to means, with the foremost in liberality-excelled by none, in consistent, constant zeal, he lived a burning and shining light holding forth the Word of Life. Though very infirm for years before his death, his love for the House of God-his delight there to be-his deep felt increasing interest in the prosperity of Christ's Kingdom bore him onward superior to his frailty and infirmity. Ever watchful for the good of the flock, especially the youth, his benevolent soul thought and labored for all within his reach.
BETHLEHEM, CANE CREEK and BETHEL Churches. The Rev. Andrew Brown had been settled over the two first of these churches on the 18th of July, 1799. They had been gathered by him while a licentiate. On the 12th of Septem- ber, 1803 he obtained a dismission from his pastoral relations to these churches, and leave to travel beyond the bounds of the Presbytery. His absence could not have long for we find him not long after present regularly at Presbyterial meetings and he continued preaching to these same churches as a stated supply. On the 2nd of April, 1805, he reports BETHEL as a new church organized by him, which sends up its contribu- tion for ecclesiastical purposes.
NAZERETH (BEAVER DAM). On the 12th of September, 1803, "a society in the fork between Tugaloo and Keowee,
152
INDEPENDENT CHURCH, SAVANNAH. [1800-1810.
known by the name of Nazareth on the Beaver Dam desires to be entered on our minutes and supplied with the gospel," (Minutes, p. 62.) Supplies are ordered, viz, : Messrs. Simpson, Gilliland, Jr., and McElhenny, in 1803 ; Gilliland, Sen., Brown and Simpson, in 1804; Simpson and Brown, in 1805 and 1806.
RABOURN'S CREEK. On the 30th of September, 1309, "a petitition was handed into Presbytery from a neighborhood between Reedy River and Rabourn's Creek in Laurens Dis- trict desiring to be known on our Presbyterial book bearing the name of RABOURN'S CREEK CONGREGATION, at the same time re- questing supplies" (p. 139 of Minutes of 2d Pres'y) Messrs. Dickson and Montgomery were appointed to visit them with the ministry of the gospel.
THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF SAVANNAH .- It seems that the early records of the Independent Church of Savannah were destroyed in the fire of 1796 or 1820, and that the exact year of the organization of the church is unknown. Probably before 1756 at which time a grant was obtained for a site on which to erect a house of worship. But previous to this, as early as February, 1743, the inhabitants of Vernonsburg and the villages adjacent in the neighborhood of Savannah desiring a minister of the Calvinistic faith sought to obtain through the trustees of Georgia the services of Rev. John Joachim Zubly, a native of St Gall in Switzerland, of all which we have spoken in our first volume, pp. 266, 267. After preach- ing in different places he was settled at the Wappetaw Church on Wando Neck in the neighborhood of Charleston. There he received a call from the German and English churches of Savannah for his pastoral services. This call was prosecuted before the church, and the arguments for his removal pre- vailed. And as an evidence of the close union between it and the Independent Church in Charleston, known in our day as the Circular Church, his farewell sermon was preached in the City Church on the 28th of January, 1759, see Vol. I., p. 267. The Confession of Faith of this Independent Church in Savannah was "the doctrine of the Church of Scotland agreeably to the Westminster Confession." They were incorporated as The Independent Presbyterian Church about 1755.
Mr. Zubly went we suppose immediately from the Wappe- taw Church to Savannah, preaching to that congregation in
.
153
1800-1810.] INDEPENDENT CHURCH, SAVANNAH.
English, to another in German, and to another in French. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by the College of New Jersey in 1770. He took an active part in the dispute between the mother country and her American colonies in favor of the latter, and so great was the confidence of the people of Georgia in his patriotism that he was made a member of the Continental Congress in 1775-76, but he opposed the actual separation from the mother country, and when the question of actual independence was carried, he quit his post in Congress, returned to Georgia and took sides against the colonies, became unpopular, and ceased, it is sup- posed, to serve the Church in the work of the ministry. He was a man of decided ability, and until the change in his political course was high in the estimation of his people. He left two daughters whose descendants are most highly esteemed among the citizens of Georgia. He died in South Carolina on the 23d of July, 1781. After Dr. Zubly's retire- ment the Rev. Messrs. Philips and Johnson, sent by Lady Huntington to take charge of the Orphan Asylum served the church. -- Philips came in 1778 and left in 1790.
Johnson came in 1790, 1791 and left in 1793. During his time the ordinances were administered, but Philips probably was only a licentiate. The Rev. Thomas H. McCaule, the former principal of Mt. Zion College in Winnsboro, S. C., who had opened a classical school in Savannah, became their next supply. A call for his pastoral services was presented to the Presbytery of South Carolina, on the 8th of April, 1794, but not being found in order was returned that it might be presented in a more regular form His death is recorded on the ministers of Presbytery in 1796, till which time he continued to preach. He was followed by Rev. Walter Monteith from 1797-1799. The church edifice was destroyed by fire in 1796, when the congregation worshipped in the Baptist Church, which was then without a pastor. In 1800 the Rev. Robert Smith took charge of the church, but he fell into declining health and in about two years died. . The next pastor was the Rev. Samuel Clarkson, D. D., who served them without a formal cal for three years. He was followed by the Rev. Henry Kollock, D. D., in the fall of 1806, who served this people with great acceptance till 1809, when his relation as pastor was dissolved with a view of his removal elsewhere. But this removal did not take place. He
154
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, AUGUSTA. [1800-1810.
remained with his people greatly admired and beloved till his death.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-AUGUSTA, GA.
The Presbyterian Church in the City of Augusta, Georgia, was first organized by the Rev. Washington McKnight, in A. D. 1804.
Messrs. John Taylor, William Fee and George Watkins, were ordained elders, and the sacraments were regularly administered from that time.
In the course of Providence, Mr. McKnight was removed by death in September, 1805 ; after having been the honored instrument of planting this church, and after having set before his little flock an example of humble and uniform piety, which caused his memory to remain long after his departure to his rest, precious in the hearts of a surviving people.
After his decease, the church remained destitute of a pastor until July 3d, 1805, when a call was presented to Mr. John R. Thompson, a licentiate from New York, and then rector of Richmond Academy, inviting him to the pastoral charge of the congregation. This invitation was accepted by Mr. Thompson, and he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by the Presbytery of Hopewell, May 9th, 1807, and immediately entered upon his pastoral labors in the congrega- tion.
At the same time the following persons were elected elders, and set apart by the pastor to that office :- Oswell Eve, Thomas Cumming and Augustus Moore.
At the decease of Mr. Mcknight the church consisted of thirteen members in full communion. Between this and the ordination of Mr. Thompson, fourteen additional members had been received into full communion, making in all twen- ty seven members at the commencement of Rev. Mr. Thomp- son's ministry.
The congregation at this time worshipped in the building belonging to the corporation of the Richmond Academy, and known as "St. Paul's Church," which stood upon the site now occupied by the church edifice, owned by the Episcopal con- gregation in this city ; known also by the name of "St. Paul's." From the rents of pews in that building, funds were raised for the salary of the minister, and the other current expenses of the church.
155
1800-1810,] FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, AUGUSTA.
At the expiration of the year ending May, 1809, the Board of Trustees of Richmond Academy declined renting "St. Paul's Church" to the Session of the Presbyterian Church, for the special use of the congregation, on the plea that it ought not to be given up to the control of any one particular denomination, but should be free to all. By this act, the congregation which had for a long time worshipped God, and maintained the ordinances of religion in this building with regularity and profit, were virtually excluded from their cus- tomary place of worship, and scattered abroad. Measures were immediately taken for the erection of a Presbyterian Church, and the following extract from the records of the session for that year (1809), shows the spirit and zeal which dictated the enterprise. "Under this privation," referring to the refusal of the Board of Trustees above referred to, "the session feel animated, in common with the members of the congregation, in witnessing the active zeal which pervaded the community, and the friends of religion in particular, in the laudable work of preparing a new Presbyterian Church within which we anticipate with pleasure, in reliance upon the Providence of God, to see a reunion of the scattered flock, offering up their prayers and praises where there will be ' none to make afraid.'"
Measures had been taken two years previous to this, for obtaining subscribers to a new Presbyterian Church, and ap- plication had been made to the Legislature of Georgia for an act of incorporation for seven individuals therein named, to constitute, with their successors, the " Trustees of Christ Church in the City of Augusta."* This application was granted, and in December, 1808, the Legislature passed "an act authorizing and requiring the conveyance of a lot on the common of Augusta, to certain trustees and their successors, for the purpose of building a new church, and to incorporate the trustees of said church. This act is signed by Benjamin Whitaker, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Henry Mitchell, President of the Senate, and approved 16th December, 1808, by Jared Irwin, Governor. The following are the persons named as trustees, and who constituted the first Board of Trustees of this church :-- John Taylor, James
* The name of the church was changed by act of the Legislature, in 1836, to "The First Presbyterian Church in Augusta."
156
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, AUGUSTA. [1800-1810.
Pearre, John Wilson (the elder), Thomas Cumming, John Campbell, John B. Barnes and William White.
After the act of incorporation was obtained, a meeting of the subscribers to the new church was held in Augusta, on Tuesday, May 29th, 1809, at which the trustees reported the proceedings of the Legislature in the act of incorporation, and that they had obtained the title deeds of the lot selected as the site of the intended edifice. Whereupon resolutions were passed, declaring that, in the opinion of the meeting, prepara- tions for building the church ought to be commenced without delay ; and making provision for the issuing of stock to a sufficient amount to defray the expense of its erection. One of the resolutions adopted at this meeting, with its preamble, is as follows :-
" And whereas, it is truly desirable, and, indeed, essential to the prosperity and well-being of every congregation of worshippers, that the public services and ordinances of reli- gion should be performed 'decently and in order,' and thus be exempted from those contentions and changes attending places of worship, which, under the nominal plan of being free and open to all, are, by experience, found to be really useful to none ; therefore,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.