History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2, Part 26

Author: Howe, George, 1802-1883
Publication date: 1870
Publisher: Columbia, Duffie & Chapman
Number of Pages: 834


USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 26


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In 1851, Rev. A. D. Campbell returned as stated supply, d continued until about the close of 1855, when he declined preach from ill health. In 1855, I suppose, several mem- rs, including Elder W. D. Johnson, were dismissed to Ben- ttsville Church ; although I find no record of such an act. Early in 1856, Rev. Pierpont E. Bishop was settled as pas- of this church and Bennettsville. Here this eminently ntly man and useful minister labored until he died, in


640


GREAT PEE DEE.


[1840-1850.


March, 1859, sincerely lamented by people of every elass and condition.


May 10th, 1856, George Dudley and Donald Matheson, having been previously elected to that office, were ordained Elders.


In 1860, Rev. Charlton H. Wilson was settled as Pastor of this church and Bennettsville ; and so continued until the summer of 1864, when he died at Richmond, Va., from dis- ease contracted while chaplain in the army.


In 1866, Rev. W. B. Corbett, of Cheraw, was our stated supply for a year.


In 1867 and 1868, Rev. Edward H. Buist was the stated supply. In 1870 and 1871, Rev. H. Martyn Brearley was the stated supply. In 1872, Rev. Joseph Evans was the stated supply.


In the summer of 1874. Rev. David S. McAllister commenced serving us, and was ordained and installed pastor of this church and Bennettsville, on November 21st of the same year ; since which time no change of pastor or Elders has taken place among us. This church numbers scarcely thirty- five members who are in reach of us, and has always been feeble in point of numbers.


One element of our strength consisted in our pious young ladies, of whom a goodly number of the brightest and best have within recent years removed from us. One sheds the gentle radiance of her character in another charge as pastor's wife. Another, beyond the Edisto, is training her little group for the skies, and refuses to become merged in such denom- inations as meet her there, preferring to retain a connection still with us. A third, who led our church music for a good many years, now upon the far distant Sacramento, tunes her harp, and swells the note of praise. And so another, and another might be referred to. We greatly miss their pres- . ence and influence, not so much in the large congregation as in the more retired enterprises of religious activity.


Nor can we conclude our hasty sketch without pointing with emotion to the mothers of our church who have gone to their rest. Their memory is still fragrant with us: and we feel assured, that whenever that shall have faded away from the scene of their carthly pilgrimage, they will elsewhere be had in everlasting remembrance.


Near G. Pee Dee Church, May, 1878 ..


641


LITTLE PEE DEE-PINE TREE.


0-1850.]


LITTLE PEE DEE .- The Rev. Archibald Bui commenced supply this church in 1839, but being infirm through age, er about two years he ceased from the active duties of the histry. Rev. Archibald Smith, of Fayetteville Presbytery, ited the church frequently until 1840. Rev. Archibald ker, of the same Presbytery, was invited to supply the arch on week days. In the fall of 1841 he was ordained " tor of Ashpole and this church again left vacant. The tle Pee Dee Church having been transferred about this e to Harmony Presbytery, South Carolina, in October, I, Rev. David E. Frierson, a licentiate of Harmony Pres- ery, was sent as supply. In 1845 he was ordained pastor, I has continued in this relation, preaching for the most t on alternate Sabbaths. This church has been often re- ed by emigration. Particularly during Mr. Brown's ministry, ee Ruling Elders and other members, amounting to nearly f the communicants, moved to the west. For many years t this church has been steadily prospering. It numbered members in 1848, and 72 members 1851. In 1855 it had four ers. M. Carmichael, D. A. Carmichael, A. Carmichael and 11 McDuffie, and one deacon.


ISGAH CHURCH, in the Presbytery of Harmony appears he Statistic Tables of the Genl. Assembly, in 1850, for first time. It appears from the minutes of Harmony for ober, 1849, that it was restored to the roll of churches ler the care of the Presbytery, and was referred to its mittee of supplies as a vacant church. In the minutes of il, 1850, it speaks of this church as having been very much ved. In April, 1851, the Rev. W. C. Sutton, of Concord sbytery, preached by agreement to this church once a th, but really much oftener. The church at this time 29 members. It received pecuniary aid from Presbytery limited extent.


INE TREE CHURCH .- The Rev. John B. McFarland con- ed to preach to this church until about the year 1844, en through the infirmities of old age he was compelled to se his public labours. He had been wont to preach both English and Gaelic, on each visit, to suit the taste and erences of the congregation he addressed. He was suc- led by John L. McIver, a licentiate of the Presbytery of mony, whose ministry was brief, his license being revoked Presbytery that same year. In January, 1845, the Rev. 41


642


CHERAW.


[1840-1850.


T. R. English became the stated supply until 1848, when the pastoral relation was fully established, but was dissolved that same year, in order to put Mr. English into the field as the Evangelist of Presbytery. This was with the consent of both parties. The church is in a sparsely settled country, but by the help of two men, Mr. Benjamin Perkins, and John Knox, each of whom bequeathed a small legacy which amounts to some $3.000, it can pay its pastor well for half his time. In 1848, camp meetings began to be held, and continued to be for four or five years These meetings were, some of them at least, delightful seasons of grace. The Rev. John McFar- land departed this life in May, 1850. The church has been served since by Rev. D. Harrison. D. E. McIntyre, Duncan McDuffie, L. S. Handley and Robert Bradley. Its Elders, at the last information we have received, are, D. Bethune, Allan McCaskill, N. A. Bethune and Richard Pate. Its members, in 1845, were 36: in 1847, 42; in 1852, 50. Mr. English being then the pastor.


CHERAW .- The preceding history of this church is from the pen of the Rev. J. C. Coit, who was at this time pastor of this church. The first statement he makes respecting its affairs of this period begins at December 5th, 1844, when John A. Inglis and John F. Matheson were unanimously nominated and recommended to the church as additional Ruling Elders, and were elected and ordained.


On the 10th day of September, 1845, on p. 107 of the Ses- sional Record, is the following minute :


"The following preamble and resolution were, on motion, unanimously adopted, viz. :


Whereas, several members of this Church have at different times removed to a distance without applying to the Session for a dismission, and whereas, the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, in reference to such cases, adopted a preamble and resolutions, which are published in the Appendix to their minutes for 1841, which is in the following words, namely :


Resolved, That it be from this time recommended as a rule of action in this case, to the churches under our care, that the name of any individual who has absented him or herself from the services of the church for the period of one year, or has removed from within its bounds, without taking a dis- mission, and been absent for that length of time, shall be


643


CHERAW.


40-1850.]


ricken from the roll of members; nor shall such individual readmitted to the privileges of membership without giving tisfaction to the Session of said church, nor shall a certifi- te of dismission to any other church be granted to such dividual after their names are thus stricken from the roll- ovided, nevertheless, that nothing in this rule shall be nsidered as applicable to those who may be absent from e bounds of said church, on necessary and temporary isiness, or prevented from attendance upon the ministrations sickness or infirmity."


According to the above resolution, 39 names of members ere stricken from the roll of our communion.


Murdock Maclean removed from Fayetteville, N. C. to heraw, in 1830, and having exercised the office of Ruling Ider in the Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, was soon er his connection with this church, elected an Elder. Law- nce Prince was ordained Elder, February 10, 1833. In nuary, 1845, John A. Inglis and John F. Matheson were dained. In the summer of 1838, George H. Dunlap and hn Wright were ordained. John C. Coit was ordained to e Eldership January 19, 1834.


During several years previous to 1853, the town has been clining in population, and the church has lost many mem- rs by emigration. During the year 1852, it sustained a avy bereavement in the death of Lawrence Prince, one of


Elders, and a beloved and faithful brother, who died at out 70 years of age, an efficient officer of the church, re- arkable for his love, avowal, and firm defence of the distin- fishing doctrines, government and order of the Presbyterian Durch.


The contributions of the church in 1852 and 1853 were follows: 1852 .- Foreign Missions, $243.25; Domestic issions, $351.25 ; Superannuated Ministers, $101.00; Amer- in Bible Society, $42.00; Board Publication, $17.00; Col- rtage, $28.50 .- $783.00. 1853 .- Foreign Missions, $224 .- ; Domestic Missions, $310./5 ; Board Education, $9.00; iperannuated Ministers, $93.50; American Bible Society, 0.00 : Colportage, $25.00; Board Education, $197.50; ylethorpe, $105.00; To aid in building a church in Marlboro strict, $205.00 .- $1, 120.40.


It is due to the memory of Hon. John A. Inglis, an hon- red Elder in this Church, and at one time a Director in the


644


HON. JOHN A. INGLIS.


[1840-1850.


Theological Seminary at Columbia, that something of his history and worth should be a matter of record.


The following sketch of his life and history is taken from one of our public prints.


DEATH OF HON. JOHN A. INGLIS.


The community generally will 'earn with no less surprise than deep regret the death of John A Inglis, LL. D., Chief Judge of the Or- phans' Court of Baltimore city, and formerly a Chancellor and Judge of the Supreme Court of South Carolina He died at half past 10 o'clock yesterday morning at his residence in this city, No. 124 Cathie- dral street. Though it was known that he was confined to his house by a carbuncle, a fatal result had not been apprehended. He had been to one of the summer resorts, Swift Water, Pa., but returned home about two weeks ago, looking badly and suffering from the carbuncle on the back of his neck. He never got out again. A few days ago he was attacked with a diphtherial affection, and his combined ailments proceeded rapidly to a fatal termination. He was attended by Dr. Christopher Johnson, and Dr. Gambrill was also called in during the progress of the disease.


His death, unexpected by nearly every one, caused a general shock in the professional and church circles where he was best known. In the Orphans' Court, where Judge Carroll presided alone, J. Harmon Brown, the Register of Wills, announced the sad event, asking that the Court adjourn and a minute of the proceedings be placed on the record, which Judge Carroll ordered to be done. The court room, the Judges' desks, &c., were draped in mourning. A telegram announcing the death of the Chief Judge was sent by the Register to Associate Judge Lindsay, who is in Indianapolis. a representative to the Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge.


Judge Inglis was 65 years and 1 day old, having been born August 25, 1813, in Baltimore. His father was Rev. James Inglis, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, then situated at North and Fayette streets, and now at Park and Madison streets His mother was a daughter of Christopher Johnson, a merchant, the grandfather of Dr. Christopher Johnson. He attended in early youth the school of Rev. James Magraw. at West Nottingham, Cecil County, with his two elder brothers, and Prot. N. C. Brooks, and afterwards went to Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pa., then under the charge of the Presbyterians. He graduated at the age of 18, and soon after went to South Carolina. He married there early in life, Miss Prince, of a well known family in South Carolina, who survives him. For some years he taught school in the State, but was soon admitted to the bar, forming a partnership with Alexander MeIver, and afterwards with Gen. Prince.


He rapidly rose to a high rank, attaining some of the most coveted prizes of the profession in that State. He became Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions, later one of the four Chan- cellors who administered equity law in the four judicial cirenits into which the State was divided, and after the war as Associate Judge of the Supreme Court, the highest appellate tribunal in the State. He was a member of the convention which, in December, 1860, passed the first ordinance of secession passed by a Southern State, and was chair- man of the committee which drafted the ordinance of secession, of


645


10-1850 ] CAROLINA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


ich he was the author, and which passed with very few alterations its original form, Fac-similes of the document have been framed, I one of them has been preserved by the Registrar of Wills as a mento of those memorable times. It is said that one of these Fac- iles being seen by a Federal officer hung up in the library of Judge glis' house, one and a half miles from the town of Cheraw, led to the struction of the house and library by fire during "Sherman's march the sea," though they were at first inclined to spare the well-kept use and grounds.


The reconstruction measures and military government which followed war threw Judge Inglis ont of office, and the cheerless aspect of irs in the South for several years caused him to turn his eyes to his live State and city He returned to Baltimore in 1868, though held high honor and esteem by the people of his adopted State and ongly urged to remain in hopes of brighter days. In this city he ered on the practice of his profession, winning applause for elo- ence in some of his speeches at the bar. One of the most memorable asions of this sort was his defense of Uppercue, tried for the murder his aunt. Judge Inglis' speech for the defense drew tears from the es of the spectators. and was followed by the acquittal of his client. 11 1870, Judge Inglis was chosen one of the faculty and professer of mercial law, equity, jurisprudence, &c., in the law school of the iversity of Maryland He delivered daily lectures to the students ing each session. In March, 1874, he was appointed Judge of the hans' Court, on the death of Judge Bolivar D Daniels, it being the appointment of Governor Whyte, when on the eve of leaving the cutive chair for the United States Senate. He was made Chief lge. Judge Inglis was elected to the same place by the people (all ties supporting him on account of his qualifications and high char- er) at the next general election in 1875, for four years. His successor I also be appointed by the present Governor, to hold the office until next general election, which is in 1879, when members of the Leg- ture and many other officials are elected.


udge Inglis was elected by the Board of Trade last June Judge of the bitration Court, about to be organized under an act of the Legislature, wn by him at the request of the board. He was a ruling elder in Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, Rev. W. U. Murkland, pastor. funeral will take place Wednesday afternoon. He leaves a wife, sons and a daughter, all grown. The Alumni of the law school will et to-day to take due action on the occasion Being a lawyer and g on the bench, nearly all the labor of preparing the opinions of court fell on him. When he went away for recreation this summer took papers to prepare the court's opinion in an important will e, Mrs. Porter's. It is the general sentiment of the bar that the 'e should be filled by a careful and conscientions lawyer .- Baltimore , 27th.


CAROLINA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- Several persons residing Marion District, South Carolina, and Robeson County, North olina, some of whom were members of the Presbyterian urch, and others, though not communicants, but feeling a ng attachment to the form of worship and general usages that church, invited, during the winter of 1848, the Rev.


646


MIDWAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


[1840 1850.


Archibald McQueen to preach for them as often as his con- venience would admit. He accordingly did so at intervals of two and three weeks, at what was called Dog Wood School House, where the Rev. D. Frierson had occasionally minis- tered during the preceding year. During the fall of 1849 a church was organized and taken under the charge of Har- mony Presbytery, S. C., as a regular and constituent part of their pastoral charge.


The following act of organization was. afterwards unani- mously adopted, viz: We, whose names are hereunto an- nexed, residents of N. C. and S. C., finding ourselves in the providence of God severally located so far from any settled place of public worship of the Presbyterian denomination, as to find it inconvenient to enjoy the privileges which we desire, do hereby agree to unite as a congregation for the regular and stated worship of God, and the enjoyment of Gospel or- dinances, do hereby adopt the following resolutions :


Ist. Resolved, That this congregation shall henceforth be known and distinguished by the appellation of The Presby- terian Church of Carolina, in the District of Marion, S. Carolina.


2d. Resolved, That in our Eclesiastical connexion and capacity, we do hereby adopt the constitution of the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America as our con- stitution; and that we hereby agree, in our deliberations and proceedings, to be regulated and governed entirely by its principles.


In testimony whereof, we have caused our names respectively to be annexed hereunto, March 30th, 1850.


The statistical tables show a membership of 61 in 1853, and of 99 in 1860.


MIDWAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- Rev. Philip Pierson was the first pastor this church ever had. The Rev. Mr. Cousar, who continued so long with it, was never installed.


Mr. Pierson preached as the pastor of Midway about 35 years, and died in the midst of public service in the pulpit of Bethel Church, then a preaching station attached to Midway Church. Mr. Pierson had been for the long period of 35 years a faithful pastor, and though in feeble health his labors were abundant and unremitting, and he died under circum- stances which he had frequently expressed himself as pre- ferring to die, if it comported with the will of God. He


647


BRUINGTON-CONCORD.


$40-1850.]


rought up a family of sons and daughters in the fear of the ord, the eldest son now serving the church of his father as ruling elder.


BRUINGTON CHURCH .- On the 18th of May, 1840, the Rev. onald J. Auld was installed pastor, he having received and cepted its call. The church continued to flourish under his tre until the year 1848, when he accepted a call from the hurch at Chesterville Court House, S. C., and removed there, aving Bruington Church again without a pastor till 1850, hen A. E. Chandler was ordained and installed.


CONCORD CHURCH .- Of this church no account has been rnished us. We only know that from 1837 to 1850 it was nder the pastoral supervision of Rev. Donald McQueen, D. ., in connection with the church of Sumterville. From the atistical tables we learn that its membership increased from 4 in 1841, to 124 in 1848. We learn from the minutes of ynod that R. R. Durant, Henry Spann, Elisha McCoy and J. Chandler were the Ruling Elders in 1845, and that the me, with the exception of E. M. McCoy, in whose place we d W. T. Brogden, M. D., were elders in 1859 and 18/ 1.


SUMTERVILLE CHURCH .- The Rev. Donald McQueen, D. ., continued the much loved pastor of this church and con- regation. In 1850 he ceased his connection with Concord hurch, and confined his pastoral labors to the church in amterville, which he continued to serve till near the period his lamented death, in 1880


The number of communicants in this church was 23 in 341, 64 in 1851. The elders in 1845 were Joseph B. White, , D. McLaurin, W. M. De Lorme. Anthony White.


Many were the tributes paid to the memory of Dr. Mc- ueen. The following is the notice of his death by the culty of the Seminary at Columbia, when it occurred.


The Faculty of this Seminary hereby express their deep sorrow and gret at the death of Rev Donald McQueen, D. D., for many years a ominent member of the Board of Directors, and an early and constant end of this institution.


We miss his genial and pleasant society at our annual gatherings, as s co-presbyters will, at these convocations at which they are often sembled to consult for the well being of the church, and in which he ok so active a part Like other of his brethren he had been a suf- 'er in the war, losing a noble and favorite son, on the army's approach Sumter, from which loss he was believed never to have fully recovered. Though his death has been expected daily for some months, it did t occur until Friday, the 23d of January, 1880, at about 12 o,clock,


648


DONALD M'QUEEN, D. D .- SALEM, B. R. [1840-1850.


but when it came, it produced a profound sensation in the community in which he had so long resided. Ilis funeral took place on the fol- lowing Sabbath, in the church of which he was the pastor for so many years. The whole town, and many from the surrounding country, withont distinction of race or creed, gathered to pay their last respects to one who had taken a more than ordinary hold upon the hearts of the people The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Howe, of this Seminary, five other ministers taking part in the services, the pastors of the Methodist and Baptist churches being of the number, the church being filled to its ntmost capacity. The estimation in which he was held was shown by the large attendance at his funeral, the pro- cession being larger than was ever before seen in the town of Sumter.


"A few days before his death, he told one of his children to write at his dictation the following statement of facts: "Graduated at the South Carolina College, in the class of 1832. Gradnated in the Theological Seminary at Columbia, S. C., 1836. Licensed by the Presbytery of Har- mony, 1837. Called to the churches of Concord and Sumterville, or- dained pastor of the same, afterward of Sumterville alone. Resigned his pastoral office on account of ill health, at the Presbytery of Har- mony, met at Midway, October 11th, 1879, and now awaits the call of the Master to his heavenly home."


SALEM (BLACK RIVER.)-This church, and in fact our whole community, sustained a great loss in the death of the Rev. Robt. Wilson James, its beloved pastor, who died on the 13th of April, in the year 1841. He was a faithful minister of Christ, a noble, generous and influential man, who served the Master assiduously, and whose memory will not soon be for- gotten. The Theological Seminary at Columbia had abun- dant reason to know him. "Associated," say they, " as many of us have been, in days past, with the late R. W. James, it is but proper that some tribute of respect to his memory should have a place upon our records. From the origin of this in- stitution to the close of his valuable life, Brother James was its faithful friend and able advocate-and much of its past success and present prosperity depends, under God, upon the wisdom of his counsels, the ardor of his attachment to its best interests, and his self-denying zeal and gratuitous services in its behalf. When others were despondent his faith seemed stronger than ever. When others relaxed their efforts, he exhibited the energy of his character. Every one of his as- sociates in the Direction felt that he acted upon principles deliberately formed, and sought only the glory of God, and the good of the Church ; and hence his great influence in the Board, in the Synod and in the church. A thorough student himself, upon an excellent foundation, he saw clearly the im- portance of furnishing for the churches a thoroughly edu-


649


-1850.] REV. ROBERT WILSON JAMES.


d ministry, educated in the principles of our faith and er, which the more they are examined the better they are d; and hence his labors in the cause. In this respect, in all others that adorn the ministerial character, Brother es was a pattern that might be safely imitated, and the or of his name will descend to generations yet unborn." utes of Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, for 1841. . bendix, page 36.


he following is a biographical sketch of Rev. Mr. James, hered from a sermon of Rev. Thomas R. English, preached is commemoration on the 6th of February, in 1842.


robert Wilson James was born in Williamsburg District, C., on the 3d of June, 1793. His father, Capt. John, and ndfather, Major John James, were distinguished for their iotism in the war of the Revolution, and were consistent, thy members of the Presbyterian Church.


oung James was early sent to school in his native District. entered the South Carolina College under President xcy, and was graduated in 1813. Having finished his ary studies, he commenced, during the year 1814, a rse of Theology under Dr. James W. Stephenson, of ury County, Tennessee. He read Theology also, for a few hths, under Rev. Dr. M. Wilson, of the Concord Presby- , N. C., and placed himself under its care. At Princeton, J., he completed, in the spring of 1817, the prescribed rse of studies in the Theological Seminary at that place. the 3d of June of the same year he was licensed by his sbytery to preach the gospel, and labored for several iths as a missionary, within its bounds, in company with venerable Dr. Hall.




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