USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 29
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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
"The churches in Chester County, as now constituted, are, Ist. Catholic-fourteen or fifteen miles from the C. H., in the direction of Rocky Mount, and between Rocky Creek and Little Rocky Creek. 2nd. Pleasant Grove-6 miles from the C. H., in the direction of Catholic. 3d. Purity-2 miles from the C. H., on the same road, near which the two preceding are situated. 4th. Purity-in town. 5th. Carmelhill-13 miles from the C. H., in the direction of Unionville, was an in- dependent church. 6th. Fishing Creek-situated near the Creek, and about two miles below where the York and Chester Line crosses the stream. This church has another house of wor- ship midway between the old church and the C. H., 6 miles from each. It is called Uriel. 7th. Cedar Shoal-16 miles from the C. H., nearly on the road from the latter to Lancaster C. H. It is nearly midway between "Old Richardson," or Low-
.
671
CATHOLIC.
10-1850.]
Fishing Creek, and what was a branch of Catholic, called ethlehem, near Beckhamville. 8th. Zion, situated on one of e roads from Chester C. H. to York C. H., and near the unty line.
In addition to these churches in our connection, there are o old congregations in the Associate Reformed body, to it: Hopewell, situated six miles west of Catholic, and in e neighborhood both of Pleasant Grove and Purity. It was instituted at the outset of families that had worshipped at atholic, and drew largely from it and Purity about the time Mccullough's defection. 2nd. Union-situated between shing Creek Church and Catholic, twelve miles from the H., six from Fishing Creek Church, five from Cedar Shoal hurch. Some disaffected members from Fishing Creek hurch originated it about the commencement of this century. oth these are large congregations. There were around atholic, fifty years ago, four churches of reformed Presby- rians, founded by Martin and others. All these have passed vay by emigration to the free States. I understand also that ere was an Associate congregation or two in the same ter- ory. You notice that we have but one church in the west- n half of the county. That territory has belonged to ethodists, Baptists, Universalists, &c. I understand that the ssociate Reformed people have organized a church at the H., or intend doing it soon.
We were engaged at the mmencement of the war in collecting a church about six iles from Fishdam, near the line of this county and Fairfield, it in the trouble and excitement of the time, let it drop."
CATHOLIC CHURCH .- This church, in 1840, reported its embership as amounting to 300. During the first 8 years this decade the largest membership was 308, the average as 288. The members in 1847 were 308, in which were in- uded 30 colored. The Rev. Wm. Banks who was licensed the 4th of April, 1840, was ordained and installed as pas- r of this church on the 25th of February, 1841, by Bethel resbytery. He continued in this pastorate till 1869, when resigned, owing to feeble health and the wide extent of s pastoral charge. In 1848, we find him pastor also of easant Grove, in connection with Catholic. In 1848 and ward, the average membership of Catholic Church was 195, whom an average of 19 were colored. The average mem- ership of Pleasant Grove was 202, of whom some 39 were
672
CATHOLIC.
[1840-1850.
colored. In the first eight years 97 had been received on ex- amination into Catholic Church, and 60 by certificate, that is, 157 had been received during that time. A similar record could be made of Pleasant Grove, which eventually became the larger of the two. And that the total under the charge of this pastor did not swell to a still larger amount is to be accounted for by losses by death, but chiefly by emigration to the Southwest. Many of our families began to migrate to the West. In 1830 and 1831 great numbers migrated to Ohio and Indiana, about the time of the exodus of the Cov- enanters. About 19 years ago (i. e., about the year 1857), a large colony from both Catholic and Pleasant Grove removed to Tipton Co., Tenn., and settled in the neighborhood of Portersville, and has become a large working church of near 200 members. Another colony went out, chiefly from Pleas- ant Grove, some time after, and settled in Jackson Co., Ga., and uniting with some other Presbyterians, they organized a new Presbyterian Church, and called it Pleasant Grove. Another soon after left us, and settled in the northeastern part of Alabama, organized another Presbyterian Church. Again another colony from Pleasant Grove emigrated to Dal- las Co., Arkansas .. As the country was new, they organized a township, and called it Chester ; and about the centre of this township they built a large academy, and organized a church, and gave it the name of Pleasant Grove. And still another colony, with three of our Ruling Elders, emigrated to Mississippi ; most of them settled in Itawanibe County, and uniting with small Presbyterian communities there, they aided greatly in building them up. "Thus," says Mr. Banks, "during the ministry of your last pastor, these five colonies have migrated from this pastoral charge, cherishing their re- ligious principles, and transplanting in those new and fertile regions the scions of Presbyterianism, to grow and flourish, and produce, in coming years, the rich fruits of order, intelli-
gence and piety. And still the waves of emigration from
these churches rise and flow westward every few years. Is it, therefore, strange that old Catholic, this fruitful mother of churches, now in her old age, after the loss of such multi- tudes of her children, should become weak and despondent, like Zion in the days of the prophets, when he uttered the words of our text, Isaiah, xlix, 15, 15, for her encouragement. [Sermon of Rev. William Banks, for twenty-nine years pas-
673
SIX MILE CREEK.
10-1850.]
of this church, preached from Isaiah, xlix, 15, 16, on the Ist anniversary of the organization of Catholic Church, Co- mbia, S. C. Printed at the Presbyterian Publishing House, 76.] Some of the facts mentioned in this discourse may fer to dates later than that of the decade ending at 1850. e leave it to others to locate them as to time.
HOPEWELL CHURCH, Chester District .- The Rev. S. B. O. ilson was pastor of this church in 1840. It had a mem- rship at that time of eighteen. It was vacant in 1842, 43, and 1844. Its membership in these years was seven-
en. The Rev. Lupton W. Curtis was its stated supply . in 345, 1846 and 1847, in which year its membership rose to enty-nine. The Rev. J. R. Beard, in 1848, became its min- er. The membership in this and the following year was irty-seven and thirty-nine. It is reported as vacant in 1850, tving a membership of forty-one. The Elders in 1845 were, aac McFadden, Wm. P. McFadden, Wm. B. Dunlap. A. hillinglaw.
SIX MILE CREEK-This church was united with the pre- ding under the pastoral charge of Rev. S. B. O. Wilson, 1840. Its membership in 1840, of fifty-four, and in 1841 58. It was vacant in 1842. It enjoyed the services of a ated supply in 1843, its membership forty-two. It was va- int in 1844. It had the services of Rev. James R. Baird, 1845, as stated supply. who became the pastor in con- ection with Hopewell Church, in 1846. It was vacant in 347 and 1848. It had a stated supply in 1849, and was un- er the pastoral care of Rev. E. P. Palmer, in connection with le churches of Waxhaw and Lancasterville, in 1850. Its membership at this time was forty-one. The Elders in 1845 ere John M. Doby, Robt. Walkup, Henry Anderson.
PURITY CHURCH, Chester District .- The Rev. John Doug- s continued to serve this church as its pastor, in connection ith Concord Church, until the fall of 1846. In 1847, the ev. Samuel C. Pharr, of N. C., was their supply for a few months. In January, 1848, they were visited by Rev. Donald Auld, of Harmony Presbytery, who was installed as their astor, in April, 1848. His father was a practicing physician n Edisto Island. His early attraction was toward the pro- ssion of medicine, and graduating at Charleston College, he udied medicine, and took the degree of M. D. at the Med- al College of that city; attended the lectures of the Medical
43
674
PURITY.
1840-1850.]
College of Philadelphia, and practiced his profession for a season at Memphis, Tenn., and at that time seemed far from the kingdom of Heaven. But afterwards, on his return to Charleston, he became a subject of Divine Grace, and a member of the 2nd Church, under the pastorate of Dr. Smyth. He now also became a member of the Theological Seminary, at Columbia, with the view of preparing for the ministry of that gospel he had embraced. This was in 1835, but his suf- fering from impaired health did not permit him to remain through the entire course. He returned to Charleston after the first year, and resumed his studies privately under the di- rection of Rev. Dr. Smyth, was licensed by the Charleston Union Presbytery, November 3d, 1837, preached at the Wap- petaw Church for a few months, was ordained as evangelist January 6, 1839. We have found him preaching as a supply at Darlington C. H., then as pastor at Bruington Church. He now removed to Purity Church, in Bethel Presbytery, was installed as its pastor in April, 1848, and remained with this church a little over four years, when he removed to Florida, where he died October 29, 1857, in the 20th year of his ministry, at the age of 48. He spoke with a voice clear and distinct, with an utterance fluent and impressive, and was a popular and interesting preacher of the gospel. The Elders in Purity Church, in 1845, were, Maj. John Walker, John Reedy, and Adam Walker.
FISHING CREEK .- The pastoral relation between this church and its revered pastor, the Rev. John B. Davies, was at length terminated, at his own request, in December, 1841. He then removed to Davidson College, the residence of his son-in-law, Rev. S. B. O. Wilson, professor of languages in that insti- tution, but continued to preach as stated supply to Bethel Church, in the vicinity of the college, until his death on the 9th of February, 1845, after a ministry of 49 years. In April. 1840, the church numbered 126 members, 19 had been received during the year preceding on profession of their faith, and two by certificate.
The Church was vacant in 1842, its total membership re- ported as 106.
James R. Gilland became its stated supply in 1843, its total membership that year, 117. The next year his name occurs as pastor, in which relation he continued until the Ist of No- vember, 1848. Seventy-nine members were added during
675
FISHING CREEK.
$40-1850.]
is ministry, 30 whites on examination, and 12 by certificate, hd 57 blacks. Membership in 1849, 98 whites, 51 colored, tal 149. He was succeeded by Arnold W. Miller, in 1849, which year he was ordained and installed.
The Rev. John B. Davies was for long years the revered astor of this church.
For the following account of his birth, education, entrance and con- nuance in the ministry, I am indebted to his son-in-law, Rev. S. B. O. Tilson, professor of languages at Davidson College, for his sketch pub- hed in the Charleston Observer. " This aged father in the ministry the Presbyterin Church was born in the Waxhaw settlement, Lan- ster District, S. C., Nov. 15th, 1772. In '78 he was bereaved of his other. In May, 'SO, his father was barbarously murdered by a party the British and tories, to whom. as a patriot, he had rendered himself peculiarly hateful. He and his co-patriots while taking some refresh- ents, were surprised, and surrendered as prisoners of war; after which he of the party recognized him and shot him through the head with s own gun. Thus early in life he was bereaved of both his parents. he Lord however provided for him a friend in his maternal grand- ther, Major J. Barkley. By him he was taken, and his education perintended.
The opportunities for obtaining an education then were not favorable. ew were the literary institutions in the South, and what few there ere, were not furnished with important helps in the acquisition of nowledge, as libraries, apparatus, &c. The academic course of our iend was limited in its extent; but wiser than many youth, he in- oved his opportunities, and acquired an education, with all his dis- Ivantages, which made him respectable and useful. In view of the benefit of a seat of learning well furnished with all the means neces- ry to a thorough education, he took a deep interest in and prayed for id gave to all those when opportunity offered, that he had good hope ould be a blessing to the State and Church
His friendship to Davidson College was manifestly strong and ardent. is frequent and liberal contributions-labor in distant rides to meet bodies with the friends of the institution to consult and adopt meas- es for its welfare, and his accepting the office of President of the board of Trustees, and diligent attention to all the duties of that sta- on, even when considerably indisposed, evinced attachment to the id. He was the president of the Board till death.
His own education did not close with the advantages of an Academy. e received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Mount Zion College, innsboro', S. C., in 1791. After he graduated a year or two, in '93 he nnected himself with the Church at Providence, and the same year, mmeneed the study of Divinity with Dr. Alexander, of Bullock's eek. In 1796, he was licensed, and commenced his labors at Fishing reek, Chester District, South Carolina. Of said Church he was or- kined and installed pastor in 1799. After ministering to the saints for rty-two years, his connection with them was dissolved at his own re- est. Thence, in 1841, he removed to Davidson College, and became ated supply at Bethel, three miles southwest of that Institution. is age and infirmities were the reasons which he gave for not be- ming pastor of Bethel. He was as diligent in all duties, as if the ob-
676 ยท
BULLOCK'S CREEK.
[1840-1850.
ligations of pa stor had been assumed. During the short time of his ministry in this Church, he won the affections of the people-with them he was familiar, friendly and easy of access. Long will his inemory be dear to those who waited on his labor of love. Nor will the sons and daughters of affliction, forget his attention, sympathy and kindness. Toall who desired his services, of whatever name or con- dition, he was ready to render them. It was his habit and practice to do good to all men as he had opportunity ; but especially to them who are of the household of faith."
Additional testimony as to his worth may be found in the minutes of the Presbytery of Concord, and in the semi-cen- tenial discourse of the Rev. James H. Saye, delivered by ap- pointment of the Presbytery of Bethel. He was long the stated clerk of the Presbytery of Bethel, as he had been of the Synod of the Carolinas. His records and the transcripts he made of the records of the eclesiastical bodies with which he was connected are models in their kind, and should be carefully preserved.
The Rev. Mr. Saye sums up those results of his pastorship from 1799, as follows: Added by examination, 373; by certificate, 85 ; making a total of 478. Baptisms, infants 672, adults, 31, total, 723. Dismissions, 311, removed by death, 78. Marriages celebrated by Mr. Davies during his pastor- ate, 195. And of fees. received, $848. Communicants in the church when he left in 1841, III. The Elders, in 1845 were, Alexander Crawford, J. Harvey Crawford, John S. Chambers, Robert Miller, John Poag, Robt. Stringfellow ..
CEDAR SHOAL Presbyterian Church was a portion of the charge of the ministers above named. It has always been small. It was made up mostly of the Gaston and Davidson family connection. It has gathered strength and lost it from time to time. It is now recuperating, and has as fine a pros- pect as at any preceding time. It is closely hemmed in by Other denominations, and has lived in this condition. The Elders of Cedar Shoal have been, Joseph Gaston, Esq., Mr. White, P. B. Gaston and Lionel Davidson. The Elders, at the time of this writing, are, D. G. Stinson, Esq., John F. Davidson, J. N. Jamison, and Wm. L. McCorkle, [Mss of J. H. Saye]. The membership of this church has varied from 20 to 34.
BULLOCK'S CREEK .- The Rev. William B. Davies contin- ued to act as stated supply to this church and Beersheba, as we have said already. The membership was 121 in 1840, in
677
WM. B DAVIES-MT. PLEASANT
0-1850.]
ich year four were received on examination. It was 81 in following year; 80 from 1842 to 1845 ; 52 from 1846 to 49, inclusive ; 51 in the next two years.
The Church of Beersheba was also connected under the arge of Rev. Wm. B. Davies as stated supply. This church d 170 members in 1840. From 1841 to 1849 it reported o members.
The new house of worship, the erection of which was pro- led for in 1839, was built by Mr. Joshua Hudson, and a al settlement for the same was made on the 6th day of cember, A. D. 1842. The Elders of Beersheba Church, 1845, were, William Brown, Sr., Hugh Allison, Hugh ckey, Hilleriah McCawl, Eli Meek, James Caldwell.
"The Rev. William B. Davies, the first Licentiate of Bethel, s the son of the Rev. John B. Davies, and a native of Ches
County, South Carolina, was educated by his father, at- ded for a short time the school of the Rev. Jonn McKemie ilson, and graduated at the University of North Carolina; ensed to preach by Bethel Presbytery, May 13th, 1826; or- ined as an evangelist by the same body, November Ioth, 32. From the time of his licensure to that of his ordina- n, his health was so infirm that he was able to do but little gular work in preaching, but gave his attention mainly to aching as Rector of the Bethel Academy. He, however, pplied as he was able the congregations of Shiloh, Long eek, and perhaps other feeble churches in that region. hortly after Mr. Johnson's removal from Beersheba, Mr. avies took charge of that congregation in connection with allock's Creek and Salem. In a short time he gave up Sa- m, but continued to supply the other congregations as long he had strength. His health was always infirm, but by ose attention to diet and exercise, he was able to attend to considerable amount of business, and to do as much preach- g as any of his brethren. His social qualities were of a gh order, and his preaching talents good. He was greatly loved by the people of his congregation, and his brethren of e Presbytery.
MT. PLEASANT CHURCH .- In 1828, a petition was received om a number of persons in the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant cademy, praying to be recognized as a vacancy under the re of the Presbytery of Bethel; and to receive supplies. his request was granted [ Minutes, p. 50]. It thenceforth
678
BETHESDA.
[1840-1850.
appeared as such. In 1831, Cyrus Johnson was its stated supply ; in 1832-33, in connection with Beersheba, and from 1835-1839, in connection with Bethesda, of which he was pastor. It is probable that a more perfect organization of the same community was in the mind of Rev. Cyrus Johnson when he reported [Minutes, p. 124] that a new church had been organized at Mt. Pleasant Academy, designated as Mt. Pleasant Church, consisting of thirty-five members, an Elder of which being present took his seat as a member.
In 1842, they reported to Presbytery through its Moderator that they had been for three years without the stated means of grace, that their numbers were becoming smaller through emigration, that they knew no encouraging prospect of se- curing the services of a minister, that it would be far better for them to become connected with neighboring churches, and that they may do this orderly they request the dissolution of their church organization : whereupon it was resolved that the request of the session of Mount Pleasant Church be granted, and that Rev. D. McN. Turner be appointed to act as Moderator on that occasion, and that the name of said church be stricken from the roll. [Minutes, pp. 358, 9.]
BETHESDA CHURCH (York) .- In Jan., 1840, Andrew Harper Caldwell, a licentiate of Concord Presbytery, was invited to preach at Bethesda for one year. In October of the same year he was ordained and installed pastor.
The time covered by his pastoral services may be pro- nounced the period of Bethesda's affliction. During almost the entire period the chastening hand of God was upon the congregation. The four years of continuous sickness throughout the church causing the death of such a multitude. The severe drought of 1845, and subsequent immigration to the West are facts painfully familiar to the old by experience, and to the young by report. Under these adversities the youthful pastor's labors were greatly multiplied, and embar- rassed. Having endured these toils amid discouragement for seven years, he, in 1847, having caught the spirit which transferred so many of his flock to the West, removed to Marshall Co, Miss., and took charge of two churches, where, laboring with his wonted fidelity, he remained for nearly a dozen years. He then removed to Lamar, Miss., and became pastor of a neighboring church, and was shortly afterwards appointed agent for the Synodical College at LaGrange, Tenn.,
679
REV. P. E. BISHOP.
40-1850.]
both of which capacities he was eminently successful. bout a year since he changed his location to Panola Co., iss., and has charge of Sardis Church, and is to-day recog- zed as one of the most practical and active and useful min- ter of the West.
In January, 1847, Rev. Pierpont Edwards Bishop, who ad just removed from Ebenezer to Yorkville, began his la- ors as stated supply at Bethesda. Thus alternating Sabbaths ith Yorkville, he preached on here until 1851, when he was stalled pastor of Bethesda. He removed from this church the churches of Bennettsville, and Great Pee Dee, where he ted in 1856, greatly lamented as a faithful and devoted min- ter of the New Testament. Each member of the Synod as the knowledge in his own mind, and the image of the eparted father. All the features of his excellent character, hd habits of his useful life are graven upon the tablets of all ur memories .* The church, now deprived of her fourth pas- or, seemed crushed by his departure from her, and was va- ant for several months. [Ms. of Rev. John S. Harris, read efore Synod of S. C., November 4, 1863.]
On preceding pages different occasions have been men- oned where the church has enjoyed rich effusion of ne Holy Spirit. Rev. Daniel Baker visited it a second me in 1852. About thirty at that time were admit- ed to the church, and numerous others, who dated heir religious impressions to this occasion, took their stand n the Lord's side. There have thus been four occasions in ach of which the church has reaped a harvest of spiritual lessings. During the earlier pastorate of Mr. Harris, never ess than twenty, and never more than thirty-five. The ag- regate of additions, in six years of pastoral labors, is one hundred and sixty-eight members, and by these additions the membership has been lifted over and above losses by death nd removals, from one hundred and eighty to three hundred and five members. These additions were all subsequent ot he year 1850. Those which occurred under Rev. Mr. Harris,
NOTE .- He married Miss Adaline MeKnight, of Statesville, N. C., in 834, by whom he had five or six children, of whom one son and two laughters survive him. He had two brothers who entered the Epis- opal ministry. Another died in preparing for the Presbyterian min- stry. Another as a ruling Elder in St. Louis, Mo. Of his sisters, two married Presbyterian preachers.
680
BETHESDA.
[1840-1850.
the 5th pastor of this church, must have been between the year 1857, which was the year of his settlement as pastor, and the year 1863.
Mr. Harris gives, in his history, the succession of the El- ders in this church from the beginning.
"The 30th, perhaps the 31st [see preceding history of this church] of the Elders, and of the 3d generation of them, was R. Mitchell Love. He entered the office in 1338, and wore its robes with. acceptance and usefulness until his sudden death, February 17th, 1853. His family of five children are all communicants in the family of their godly ancestors.
The 3Ist, Dr. Geo. Campbell, a devoted Christian, a suc- cessful physician, and noble officer in the church.
The 32d, John Starr. The 33d F. A. Ervin, both elected in 1838. Others are also enumerated, elected in 1852 and onward."
He next speaks of the Deacons of the church.
"The office of the Deacon," he says, "was not filled until 1844; whence the neglect we cannot tell, but suppose it to have been the fault of the ministers in not unfolding the Scriptural warrant for this officer."
The first election resulted in the choice of the following : Col. H. Williamson, who removed to Panola, Miss., two years after. F. A. Ervin, who was promoted to the Eldership eight years afterwards. James M.McDowell, afterwards ad- vanced to the Eldership ; James Williamson, who was re- moved by death a few months after. To these others were subsequently added.
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.