USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 1 > Part 34
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
343
UNION OF THE CHURCHES.
1820-1830.]
The life of the young man was a short one, but by his pious labors and kind deportment while yet living with his father, and by his faithful preaching in the old church, he was greatly instrumental in drawing the divided congregations into one, that which claimed to be the old church and Bethel. They united under the old name of " The Williamsburg Church."
But before this, and immediately subsequent to the termina- tion of the engagement with Mr. Powers, the churches of Bethel and Indiantown had united in a call to Rev. John M. Ervin, of Mecklenburg County, N. C., which they were per- mitted by the Presbytery of Harmony to prosecute before the Presbytery of Concord. He commenced his ministry on the 4th of December, 1823. "On the 15th of June, Mr. Ervin performed divine service in Bethel Church, and a sermon was preached in the old church by Mr. Nixon, a Baptist minister. On the morning of that day, the session of Bethel Church met and resolved to propose terms of union to the other congregation.
Mr. John McClary, who seems to have been a patriarch in both these branches of the house of Israel, was judiciously selected to bear the olive branch of peace to the body wor- shipping in the old church. Both congregations were now prepared to sheath the sword forever, and the time was come when Judah should no more vex Ephraim, nor Ephraim envy Judah. The white banner was as joyfully hailed on the one side, as proffered on the other, and the venerable bearer was authorized to carry back a favorable response. Mr. Ervin was requested to preach in the old church on the Tuesday (the 17th) following, and the Bethel congregation invited to attend for the purpose of deliberating on the subject of the proposed union. After divine service, on that day, Mr. John McClary was called to the chair, and stated the object of the meeting. The first question propounded was, "Shall the two churches be now united in one body ?" which was responded to by a unanimous vote in the affirmative. After some delib- eration regarding the location of the house of worship, it was decided to erect a new building ; the same, says Mr. Wal- lace, in which we are now assembled. Mr. Ervin was unanimously elected pastor of the united church, and a com- mittee appointed to inform him of the election. The call was accepted, and Mr. E. entered upon his labors here in the Fall
344
AIMWELL-HOPEWELL (P. D.)-CONCORD. [1820-1830.
of that year, which he continued faithfully to discharge, greatly beloved by his people, till his return to North Caro- lina in 1832. After ministering there some years, he removed to Arkansas, where, after a short term of service, he fell asleep and his mortal part there awaits the better resurrection.
The ecclesiastical connection of the Williamsburg Church was originally with the Presbytery of Edinburgh. It was after- wards transferred (it is believed) to the old Presbytery of Charleston, which was never in connection with our General Assembly, and which has been for years extinct. As the records of that body are lost, the date of the transfer cannot now be ascertained. The Bethel Church was connected from its organization with the Presbytery of South Carolina, and in its subsequent divisions, fell into that portion of it now embraced in the Presbytery of Harmony." ( History, by Rev. J. W. Wallace.)
HOPEWELL (PEE DEE) AND AIMWELL .- Aintwell became extinct in 1820. Some of the heads of families had died and others moved up more convenient to Hopewell and be- came members of that Church. In 1821 Rev. John Harring- ton, of Fayetteville Presbytery, was elected pastor of Hopewell Church. This church obtained leave from the Presbytery of Harmony (Minutes, p. 350) to make their returns to the Pres- bytery of Fayetteville as long as they enjoyed the labors of one of its members. He remained in the service of this church until 1827, when he removed to Mt. Zion Church, Sumter District. After this the Rev. Nicholas R. Morgan became their supply in connection with the Church of Dar- lington. He was received on the 7th of December, 1827, by the Presbytery of Harmony on his letter of dismission from the Presbytery of Mecklenburg, N. C. In the same year Saml. Bigham, Alex. Gregg, John Gregg, David Bigham and John Cooper were elected elders.
BLACK RIVER (WINYAH), in Georgetown District, is no longer mentioned on the roll of existing churches, and the same is true of BLACK MINGO.
CONCORD CHURCH, SUMTER DISTRICT .- It is very difficult for us to trace the history of this church, being personally unacquainted with its surroundings. The church records as contained in the minutes of Presbytery, furnishes us with little information, and when none is offered from the church itself, its officers or ministers, little can be said worthy of
345
SUMTERVILLE.
20-1830.]
cord. It appears after the removal of its founder, Rev. eorge G. McWhorter, who was dismissed at his own re- uest to the Presbytery of Georgia on the 19th of April, 1822, have been dependent on various supplies, or temporary astors, as Rev. Mr. Harrington, Mr. Alexander, and some thers. It was visited, too, by Rev. Mr. Barbour, in 1822, ho will be more particularly mentioned in the history of the umterville Church, of which he may be said to be the under. To the latter church, Concord bore a kind of ma- ernal relation. It contributed some of its members to the umterville Church at its formation, and the first meeting of he session of that church was held at Concord. It shared so in the ministerial labors of the Rev. Isaac Barbour men- oned in the following pages :
SUMTERVILLE .- The early sessional record of this church very imperfect, giving few dates, and suffering years to lapse between the minutes of sessional meetings. The gen - emen whose names appcar at the organization of the church, nd who for years were its main sources of support, removed b this district from Georgetown, where they were either members of the Episcopal Church, or of families belonging b that communion. For several years after settling here, hey were members of the Concord Church, in the County of umter. In December 1822, Rev. Isaac R. Barbonr, of Mas- achusetts, came to Sumterville, and commenced preaching, eing partly employed by the congregation and partly by he Young Men's Missionary Society of South Carolina. On he 29th of May, 1823, Harmony Presbytery met here, Rev. Thomas Alexander, Moderator, and organized the church, ith five members-Jas. B. White, Henry Britton, Mrs. J. B. Iorse and Mrs. I. R. Barbour, on certificate, and John Knox, on of Rev. William Knox, of Williamsburg, on profession f his faith. J. B. White and Henry Britton were ordained Ruling Elders. In the following November Mr. Knox was lected an elder. One of the earliest additions to the mem- ership was Mills, a slave. As an incident, showing the ad- antages of the present over that generation, it is related that Ir. Barbour made the trip from his New England home to his place in an old-fashioned one-horse gig .* [MS. of A. W. Vhite.]
* We can record a similar instance. In the fall of 1812, the Rev. rancis Brown, D. D., the venerated President of Dartmouth College,
346
REV. ISAAC R. BARBOUR.
[1820-1830.
Isaac Richmond Barbour was originally from Vermont, was graduated at Middlebury College in 1819, spent two years at the Andover Seminary, was licensed by the Suffolk Associa- tion, was received as a licentiate by Harmony Presbytery at its meeting in Sumterville on the 29th of May, 1823, and on a petition from the Young Men's Missionary Society, signed by Rev. Artemas Boies, he was ordained to the holy office of the gospel ministry as an Evangelist, Rev. Robert W. James preaching the sermon from 2 Tim. 3 : 5, Rev. John Cousar presiding and proposing the constitutional questions and giving the charge. The Presbytery then proceeded to consti- tute the church as above mentioned.
The first meeting of the session was held at Concord Church in June 1823, when the first applicant was " recommended to delay her connection with the church, to give herself the opportunity further to examine the subject of infant baptism." She afterwards joined the Baptist Church. The first person admitted on examination was Milly, a colored servant, in De- cember 1828. In the fall of this year it was
Resolved, " That this church use the courthouse as a place of worship."
This resolution, with the reasons for it, were communicated to the Baptist brethren, with an expression " of the gratitude of the church for the use of their house of worship and the assurance of our cordial Christian affection "-to which the Baptists replied, " that they would not have any religious meetings in the church on the Sundays the Presbyterians regularly preached at the courthouse, other than on our days." Responding to this feeling the Presbyterians retained their pews in the Baptist Church, and continued to worship there and at the courthouse alternately, holding their com- munion meetings in the church, until they built their own house of worship, about seven years afterwards.
The sessional records have no entries for the years 1824 and 1825 ; but from other sources it is gathered that Mr. Barbour, having lost his wife, returned to the North in the
having fallen into a state of great exhaustion from pulmonary disease, was driven in a similar way from Hanover, N. H., the seat of the college, by his wife, a woman of fine intellectual culture, adorning every station in which she was placed, to South Carolina and Georgia. He returned to Hanover in the month of June, disposing of his horse, a noble animal, to Dr. Wells, of Columbia.
347
REV. JOHN HARRINGTON.
20-1830.] .
ar 1824, after which the church was without a shepherd for co years, during which time they retained their pews and porshipped with the Baptists, and, in conjunction with them, bened the first Sabbath-school in the village, and a prayer eeting on the Saturday before the first Sabbath in each onth.
Mr. Barbour was appointed commissioner to the General ssembly on the 2nd of April, 1824, and made his report by tter to Presbytery on November 13th, making application the same time for a dismission from the Presbytery of Har- ony to the Presbytery of Londonderry. This request was anted, and he was "affectionately recommended as a brother good and regular standing with this Presbytery." Mr. Bar- our subsequently occupied several positions at the North, d died at Galesburg, Ill., February, 1869, aged 75.
In 1825, (A. W.). In the summer or fall ot 1826, (J. D. B.) ev. John Harrington accepted the pastorate for half his time, ving the other half to Mt. Zion Church. At the beginning f his stewardship four members were added to the church, nong them Capt. James Caldwell, the father of the late mes M. Caldwell, so well known as one of the founders of It. Zion (Glebe Street) Church of Charleston, and up to his eath one of its most active and efficient elders. Rev. J. farrington continued as pastor till the summer of 1829, uring which time twenty-seven persons were added to the membership. He served the people most earnestly and cceptably, and was greatly beloved.
In May 1829, Rev. John McEwen accepted an invitation to reach for the Sumterville Church. (He had been licensed ly the Presbytery at Beaver Creek, December 6, 1828.)
MOUNT ZION CHURCH, SUMTER DISTRICT .- Rev. Thomas Alexander continued to minister to this church in connection ith Salem (B. R.) until 1825, when his health failed, and he ave up both charges.
The first elders were Messrs. John Fleming, Wm. Carter nd Robert Wilson. After a few years Capt. Willian Ervin as added to these. In January 1826 Rev. John Harrington bok charge as stated supply for half his time, and preached 'ith great acceptance. In August 1827 a most gracious york of the Holy Spirit commenced, and at the communion September of the same year sixty-seven members were dded to the church on one Sabbath Mr. Harrington's
3-48
MOUNT ZION, SUMTER-SALEM, (B. R.) [1820-1830,
preaching was more apostolic than many had ever heard here. Probably no minister ever did as much for the glory of God, and the good of the churches in Harmony Presby- tery in the same space of time. It is still in the recollection of some of the now (1877) oldest members how low was the condition of the church in all the region of Black River, and how loose and careless, sometimes, were the lives even of many officers of the Church. This good work commencing here spread from church to church until all the churches on Black River were revived, and an entire change took place, and has so continued.
After the additions in 1827 the church building became too small for the congregation, and it was decided by a large majority to build a more commodious house of worship about three miles down the same road so as to be more accessible to the larger body of worshippers. Unfortunately this gave offence to a few families in the upper portion of the congre- gation, who drew off and were formed by Presbytery into another church, called after the old Newhope Church. In fact it consisted of the original members of that church. This was soon, however, merged into the Bishopville Church.
SALEM, BLAC RIVER .- Their former minister, Rev. Robert Anderson, obliged to travel for his health, occasionally visited his former flock. In 1820 on one of these visits he preached to them twice, although his state of health and bodily suffer- ings, if consulted, would not have admitted it. Again, in his continued travels for his continually increasing maladies, he, for the last time, visited them, but his lips as a public ambas- sador, were scaled, although on his, as it were, dying couch, when permitted by a most distressing cough, he ceased not to speak in behalf of his Heavenly Master, to the few that visited him. In the Spring of 1821 he left them, returned home and was happily released from all his mortal sufferings. The Rev. Thomas Alexander continued to minister to this church, in connection with Mount Zion, until the 23d of March, 1826. The Presbytery of Harmony held its sessions at the church at that time. Letters were received from the Rev. Thomas Alexander and the congregation of Salem and Mount Zion, expressing their mutual desire to have the pas- toral relation between them dissolved. The prayer of the petition was granted and the congregations were declared vacant. A call from Salem for the ministerial labors of Wil-
349
20-1830.] MIDWAY AND BRUINGTON.
im J. Wilson, probationer, was received, read, presented to m and accepted. On Sabbath morning Mr. Wilson was dained in connection with Wm. Brearley, whose ordination had been called for by Zion Church, Winnsboro'. Jolin arrington preached from I Tim. 4, 6. " Take heed unto yself and unto the doctrine, continue in them, for in doing is thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." he Rev. John Joice made the ordination prayer and de- vered the charge from Ephes. 3, 8. "Unto me also, who are ss than the least of all Saints, is this grace given, that I hould preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of hrist." Mr. Wilson was installed pastor of the church of alem B. R, after which the sacrament of the Lord's Sup- er was administered. The ministry of this worthy young han of whom we have spoken before was a brief one. He jed on the 23d of June, 1826. Application was made to resbytery for a supply in November, and the Rev. John ascom of the Cayuga Presbytery, being present, consented serve the church for the following winter. The Rev. R. V. James had been released from the pastoral charge of the murches of Bethel and Indian Town, and was installed in due prin pastor of this church at an extra meeting of Presbytery n the 16th of July, 1828.
The names of the Ruling Elders in 1825, were William fills, John McFadden, George Cooper, William Wilson, Villiam Bradley and John Shaw.
The whole number of white communicants, 44; of black,
5 Total, 89.
MIDWAY AND BRUINGTON .- The Rev. John Cousar who omenced his pastoral labors in the Midway Church early 1809, continued to serve the churches in connection -
*In the cemetery of Salem Church is found the following inscription hich marks the resting place of a young minister who came here trly in the history of our country from the North of Ireland. He was ist buried near the former church edifice, but about forty years ago his shes were removed to their present location.
" Sacred to the memory of the Rev. James McClelland, a licentiate of e Presbyterian Church, who in the providence of God was called to reach his last sermon in this place."
A respect for the Christian Ministry and the ashes of a stranger duced Salem congregation to erect this monument to his remem- rance.
"The dead shall be raised incorruptible."
1829.
350
CHESTERFIELD COURTHOUSE.
[1820-1830.
through this period. Midway Church is represented to have been in a flourishing condition for many years. About the year 1827 some twenty members of this church went off and formed Harmony Church, under the pastoral care of Rev. John McEwen.
Midway reported 86 communicants in 1826, 13 of whom were received within the preceding year, and 108 members in 1828, 22 of whom were received within the year; in 1829, 141 members. 60 of whom had been received on examination. Bruington reported 52 members in 1826, and 61 in 1828, 12 of whom had been added the last year ; in 1829, 114 members, 40 of whom had been added on examination.
CHESTERFIELD COURTHOUSE. - The following churches, Chesterfield, Pine Tree and Sandy Run, appear in the statis- tical tables in the Assembly's minutes to be connected some- times with the Presbytery of Harmony and sometimes with the Presbytery of Fayetteville. This was by a mutual agree- ment between the two Presbyteries. The church being an- swerable to the Presbytery of its pastor. Chesterfield and Pine Tree, are reckoned to the Presbytery of Harmony in 1819, among its vacant churches, whereas Chesterville, Pine Tree and Sandy Run had been reckoned to Fayetteville in 1818, as they also are in 1820. Pine Tree and Sandy Run was with the Presbytery of Fayetteville in 1822, as is also Hopewell in South Carolina. Pine Tree and Sandy Run are with Fayetteville in 1825. Pine Tree is with Fayetteville in 1828, John McFarland the supply. Soalso in 1829. In 1830 John Mc- Farland, S. S., of Pine Tree and Chesterfield, are assigned to Harmony, and Chesterfield Courthouse is his postoffice. In 1831 it is the same. The probability is that the churches in Chesterfield District and those in corresponding localities are very much one in race, and that it has often been easier to obtain an acceptable supply from the Presbytery of Fayette- ville than from the Presbytery of South Carolina.
The Rev. John McFarland appeared before the Presbytery of Harmony at its meeting at Mount Zion Church in October, 1829, and was received into this body by a dismission and recommendation from the Presbytery of Fayetteville. At the same meeting he sought the opinion and advice of Pres- bytery in a certain case of difficulty which had presented itself in his pastoral labors. The postoffice address of Mr. Jno. McFarland was Chesterfield Courthouse, an 1 this pro- bably was the central point of his labors.
351
PINE TREE-LITTLE PEE DEE
1820-1830.]
PINE TREE .- This church associated with Sandy Run, continued to report to the Presbytery of Fayetteville from 1814, as is shown by the preceding pages. Their united membership in 1826, 1827, is stated to be 100; in 1829, 125. They were under the pastoral care of the Rev. John B. McFarland as the successor of Rev. Colin McIver. Tradi- tion says this took place in 1814, but probably it may have been somewhat later. His name is not recorded as among the ministers of Fayetteville Presbytery in 1814. In the roll in the minutes of 1819, he is set down as the minister of Chesterfield, Pine Tree and Sandy Run. Many of his hearers could only understand the Gaelic, which was still spoken in their families, and he was accustomed to preach in both lan guages, the Gaelic and the English, when ministering among his people. He continued to serve the Pine Tree Church through this decade.
LITTLE PEE DEE-In the year 1821, Duncan McIntire, Senr., came from Scotland to this community and having obtained a partial education in Scotland, pursued his studies in the country with a view to the sacred ministry. He was received under the care of the Fayetteville Presbytery, and was licensed about the year 1826. He preached in the com- munity, at the house of Mr Alexander Campbell, about two years, and organized the church, now bearing the name of Little Pee Dee, consisting of forty or fifty members and one elder, Malcom Carmichael, Sr. He preached for a year or more to this church, then removed to Moore Co. N. C., to take charge of a small church to which he was invited. Mr. McIntire was greatly esteemed, and his preaching was charac- terized by great fervour and point. `He preached also in Gaelic for the benefit of that part of the flock who used only that language. Mr. McIntire and the late Archibald McQueen were associated in the ministry over several churches at that time, and on Mr. McIntire's departure he re- quested Mr. McQueen to supply this church as often as pos- sible. Mr. McQueen then preached to this church once a month, on a week day for about nine months. Thus this in- fant church was not cared for during this decade.
RED BLUFF AND SHARON CHURCHES .- We have spoken of these on preceding pages. Rev. Malcom McNair, of Fay- etteville Presbytery, was officiating as pastor of Red Bluff, in connection with Center, Ashpole and Laurel Hill. He died
352
DARLINGTON.
[1820-1830.
August 4, 1822, when these churches became vacant and continued so until August 2d, 1828, when Duncan McIntire was installed as their pastor. He preached for them but a short time-the relation was dissolved December 25th, 1829. [MSS. of Rev. J. A. Cousar.]
DARLINGTON .- The Presbyterian Church of Darlington was organized by a Committee of Harmony Presbytery on the 17th of November, 1827. The church, when constituted, consisted of eighteen members. Four Ruling Elders were elected, viz : Mr. Gavin Witherspoon, who had served in the capacity of elder in Aimwell Church, Marion District ; Messrs. Samuel Wilson, Murdock McLean and Daniel Dubose.
The Rev. John Harrington was the first Presbyterian min- ister who occasionally preached in the courthouse at Dar- lington, and prepared the way for the religious society which afterwards was formed into a church.
Through his instrumentality a church edifice was erected seven miles east of the village of Darlington. This enterprise was subsequently abandoned, and the Presbyterian interests concentrated in the village where the church now stands -- the only church at present (1853) of the Presbyterian denom- ination in the district.
The present commodious building was erected by the libe- rality of the few Presbyterians in the place, aided by members of the Methodist and Baptist churches, with sundry other citizens. Subsequently, by the agency of Rev. R. W. Bailey. contributions were made in some of the churches of Black River for the full completion of the church edifice.
The original members were principally from Hopewell Church, in Marion District, and were regarded as a colony or branch of that church; and for several years there existed much intercommunion between its members, some of whom contributed to the support of the ministry in Darlington. For many years the two churches were supplied by the same ministers.
The names representing the principal families which com- posed the church are the following : Gavin Witherspoon, Samuel Wilson, Daniel DuBose, Murdock McLean, Abner Wilson, Robert Killin, John Jackson, Elizabeth Ervin, James Ervin, John DuBose, Rebecca DuBose, Mary Law, Jane Alexander.
The greater part of the original members were descendants
-
353
CHIERAW.
320-1830.]
f Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, and of the French Hugue- fots, who loved the church of their fathers in its purest forms T doctrine, discipline and government.
The session held its first meeting on the 19th of November, 827, when Dr. McLean was chosen clerk of the session. Rev. N. R. Morgan, a member of Harmony Presbytery, was hosen their minister. to serve them as a stated supply, in connection with the Hopewell Church, which relation con- inued until the close of the year 1832, when he removed to he State of Alabama. [MSS. of Rev. Wm. Bearley.]
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CHERAW .- In the year 1819 ome enterprising individuals, mostly from the Northern States, Scotland and Ireland, were induced to settle at the head of navigation on Pee Dee River, with the view of build- ng a city. A company of some eight persons purchased the ract of land which is now the site of the Town of Cheraw.
In 1823 or 1824 the new settlers, mostly young and un- married men, made a subscription of $600 and employed the Rev. N. R. Morgan, of North Carolina, a Presbyterian, to become the clergyman of the new settlement. It is believed hat not one of the persons who were engaged in this move- ment was a professor of religion.
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.