USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 31
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-1850.]
owing persons were elected to that office, ordained and alled : Messrs. Hugh Currence, Jas. Wallace, Wm. Cur- ce, Milton H. Currence, Jno. Kerr, Allen Lawrence, S. L. ams, Rufus J. Adams, Newton Craig, Jno. Neely, J. L. ight and Lawson Wilson, and others at different periods ce that time.
The instruction of our youth, so diligently carried on du- . g the labors of the previous pastor, has been continued. Sabbath School, monthly concert, family visitations, the dies' Aid Society, these tend to good and greatly aid in ping up practical godliness. But the main reliance is in ministration of the word, and the administration of the rament of the church, made effectual by the Holy Spirit, answer to the prayers of God's people.
During the present pastorate the sacrament of the supper been administered one hundred and eighteen times, and he good providence of God, the pastor, with one exception, been present on all these occasions; and has never been ent from the pulpit more than one Sabbath at a time, until summer, from personal sickness, or any other cause.
Jo year has passed during the present pastorate without itions to the church, ranging from twelve to twenty. Du- ; the last five years the attendance has been larger, the ntion better, and the additions greater than at any former e. On our sacramental occasions we have the assistance of neighboring brethren, and on two or more occasions the vices have been continued by them through the week, es- ially at night. Crowds would be present. But it was old Gospel, "Christ, and Him crucified." The labors of se brethren were blessed, and they will not lose their reward. The number of additions for a few years past will speak itself. In 1872, there were added, on examination, 38-in 5, 18-in 1876, 41-in 1877, 11-in 1878, 64, and in the le year, nineteen adults were baptized. During the present torate there has been an average of twenty additions to church, per annum-total number, 803. Infants baptized, -adults, 130-total number of baptisms, 1,045. We v number on our books, 396. Sixty or seventy persons color left the church after the war. Only a few of them v remain in our communion. Bethel has been circum- bed in her boundary. Six churches surround her-four our own denomination, and two of the Independents. I
692
MINISTERS RAISED IN BETHEL.
[1840-1850.
say nothing of other denominations, all strictly in her original bounds, except Beersheba, and all drawing from Bethel. But with God's blessing, while she has sent hundreds to strengthen and create churches, she is still strong in numbers.
The following ministers were brought up, and sent forth from Bethel : Robt. G. Wilson, D. D., who was afterwards president of the University of Ohio; Samuel .B. Wilson, D. D., a professor now in Union Theological Seminary ; James Gilliland, removed to Ohio in 1805; Jno. Howe, born and raised here, and prepared for college; his father removed in 1788. [For the last two, see history of Dr. Howe, page 607.] Rev. Wm. Price, Rev. Jas. S. Adams, and son of J. S. Adams, Harry Kerr and brother James; Josiah Patrick. L. L. Watson, and son of J. F Watson, Andrew M. Watson, and Andrew W. Wilson ; fifteen in all. Also, Samuel S. Wilson, now in the Seminary at Columbia, and James Adams Wilson, now in Davidson College, and both under the care of Presby -. tery. These are brothers of Andrew Wilson, mentioned above, and sons of our esteemed Elder, J. J. Wilson.
In addition to supplying her own pulpit for half of her ex- istence, she has sent one from her borders every eleven years to carry to others the pure gospel, which is so precious to herself. Look at the sons and daughters she has sent, and these messengers of the Gospel! Who can estimate the effect ! No man liveth to himself, we are the Lord's, and we must live for him. This is especially true of the church. It is the Lord's, and must live for him. Not consult merely its individual, or home interests, but look abroad and see what can be done for the Lord, and do it. May do much by giving our substance, backed by our prayers. But above all, by con- secrating our sons, and training them for carrying the Gospel to others. Who can estimate the influence for good ! Beth- el, by her home influence, may do much, but it is restricted ; but that of her ministers goes on from generation to gener- ation, while the world stands. Not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name be the praise. [From the Mss. history of Bethel Church by its pastor, Rev. S. L. Watson, by order of Bethel Presbytery.]
OLD WAXHAW CHURCH. On May 22nd, 1840, Mr. J. R. Gilland was ordained and installed the pastor of Lancaster- ville and Waxhaw Churches, and continued in this office rather more than two years, the relation being dissolved the 6th of
693
OLD WAXHAW.
850.]
bor, 1842. He was succeeded by W. Patillo Harrison, was ordained and installed in the same pastoral charge e 15th of May, 1844. This relation terminated on the f October, 1847. He was succeeded by Edward Porter er, who was ordained and installed pastor of Waxhaw, asterville, and Six Mile Creek in October, 1849, and was sed from the charge in October, 1851. He was suc- ed by James Douglass, who was ordained at Lancaster- as pastor of that church and Waxhaw, on the 12th of Oc- , 1853.
he succession in the eldership, so far as can be ascertained, ig the period we have just gone over, is as follows :
fter Dr. Brown's departure: Nathan Barr, George Dun- and Robt, Davis, were ordained,
om 1811 to 1813 : William Dunlap, John Scott, Thos. arr, Edward Crawford, Isaac Donnom, Charles Miller, t. Walkup.
rdained during Mr. Williamson's time: Robt. Stinson, John Foster.
bout the time of Dr. Thornwell's pastorate : S. B. Mas- G. Washington Dunlap, Samuel F. Dunlap, Eli Hood. bsequently, Robert H. Crocket, R. D. M. Dunlap .* he Waxhaw congregation and church were larger and ively more influential in the earlier than in the later pe- of their history. Where no statistics were given, it is not ticable to compare its numbers with those which the late stical tables present. There was a large secession from eastern portion, as we have seen, in the days of Dr. wn. As the lands were denuded of forest, the settle- ts on the river, and Cain and Waxhaw Creeks became ly, the white population sold out and left for other re- s, and that portion was occupied by negro quarters. iching was had at the village of Lancasterville in 1813.
here have been no less than eleven elders of the name of Dunlap. first Samuel Dunlap was called "South Samuel Dunlap." because ved south of the church, and to distinguish him from others of same name. His son, Dr. Samuel Dunlap, was an elder, and so his son, Samuel F. Dunlap, who was the father of Mrs. Pelham, of mbia. The old elder, Sam'l Dunlap, had five sons, one of whom the Rev. E. Dunlap, the first minister of the Presbyterian Church
olumbia. The other four have all been elders. William was the er of Rev. Robert Dunlap. of Pennsylvania, and of Dr. Thomas lap, now of Mississippi. The Rev. James E Dunlap, of Marion, ., is also of the Dunlaps of Waxhaw
694
BIRTHPLACE OF ANDREW JACKSON. [1840-1850.
the church edifice was built in 1834, and the church organ- ized in 1835. This took off another portion of its members. The organization of the church of Six Mile Creek drew the northern part of the congregation, and still further reduced the old church, though the population remains Presbyterian. Beginning with the settlement of Mr. Craighead at Sugar Creek, Presbyterianism spread through the Catawba region, and over the upper districts of the State. To the high doc- trine of individual responsibility and the right of private judgment, and to its republican form of government, with its testimony and covenants, is due to a large extent the Meck- lenburg Declaration and other papers of that period. Dr. David Caldwell, of Guilford, and his heroic wife, Rachel ; George Dunlap, of Waxhaw, and Mrs. Dunlap, both ladies daughters of Mr. Craighead, were specimens of the heroic women, and highminded men reared in this faith. Waxhaw, in that olden time, was the centre around which good men, such as Andrew Pickens and Patrick Calhoun, loved to gather. And in time of revolution, "the time that tried men's souls," the men of this congregation, among whom Major Robert Crawford, Major John Barkley, and Major W. R. Davie, were conspicuous, and even the boys, as Henry Massey and Andrew Jackson .* were found in martial array in defence of their homes and country.
Nor were they inattentive to the interest of education. Schools were maintained for the instruction of their youth, and gave their first training to men who have obtained dis- tinction in various professions. Besides W. R. Davie, dis- tinguished as a soldier, lawyer and politician, who was made Governor of North Carolina, and went as Minister to France,
*A controversy has arisen as to Andrew Jackson's birth place. In relation to this there can be no doubt. In a biography commenced by his friend Amos Kendall, under his own eye, in 1843, which was never finished, is a small map exhibiting the dividing line between North and South Carolina, opposite the birth place of Jackson, which is set down on the South Carolina side. He states, on the authority of Jack- son himself, that he was born in the house of James Crawford, of Lan- caster District, which is about one mile west of the North Carolina line, which there runs nearly north and south. In his letter to Col. James H. Witherspoon, he speaks of himself as "a former citizen of Lancaster," as interested in "the prosperity of old Waxhaw," as de- sirous of visiting " the sacred spot which holds the remains of father and brothers." He even wished to visit South Carolina, and under the guidance of Mrs. Barton, to find the place where his mother was buried. These letters were written in May, 1828, May, 1829, December, 1836.
695
PLEASANT GROVE.
-1850.]
. Stephen Miller, Gen. James Blair, and others, received r early training here. In the clerical profession, Rev. bert Findley, Dr. Samuel Findley, Robert B. Walker es W. Stephenson, John Brown, D. D., David E. Dunlap, n B. Davis, John Cousar, James McIlhenny, Dr. McIl- ny, of Virginia, W. G. Rosborough, of Lower Fishing ek, Robt. Dunlap, grandson of the old elder Samuel Dun- Samuel Dunlap, now residing in Pennsylvania, Andrew kson Witherspoon, and James E. Dunlap, either were born eceived their early training in the bounds of this con- gation.
Toble old Church, fortunate in the talents and worth of ministers, though unfortunate in losing them, yet not, are told, by her own niggardliness or fault-fortunate in virtues of her elders and early members, whose descend- s are now scattered far and wide over the land-fortunate he memorie's that cling to her; we do her honor for the imony she has borne to the truth, for the virtue of her ghters, and the hardihood and bravery of her sons. bough diminished by the colonies that have gone forth from , and the drain of constant emigration, we hope that those yet remain of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth generations l not suffer her name to perish. . The church-yard itself, ere rest the remains of Richardson, of the family of Da- , in its four generations, of the Crawfords, Witherspoon ;, nnoms, Fosters, Montgomeries, Blairs, Harpers, the He- s, and Barnetts, is in itself historic, and while it connects ยท times with the past, testifies that we live in a world of Inge. One generation cometh and another goeth. but the th abideth forever, and Christ, our head, reigneth over all. n 1845, the Elders of this Church were, Capt. B. S. Mas- , John Foster.
Deacons : D. N. Crockett, S. J. Cureton.
Membership in 1840, 40. In 1850, under- the pastorate of v. Edward P. Palmer, the membership was, 27 colored, whites. Total, 59.
PLEASANT GROVE was received under the care of Bethel esbytery in 1847, with a membership of sixteen. In 1848, Rev. Wmn. A. Banks was its pastor, under whose minis- it greatly prospered.
The origin of the church of Pleasant Grove is thus de- ibed by Rev. Wm. Banks, for twenty-nine years the pastor
696
PLEASANT GROVE.
[1840-1850.
of Catholic Church. When the Rev. J. LeRoy Davies was pastor of Catholic Church, that portion of the congregation lying up Rocky Creek, leased for ten years "the Brick Church," in which Mr. McMillan had ministered, and which the Cov- enanters had abandoned when they emigrated to the North- west. Here a large congregation was soon collected. Af- ter the ten years lease of "the Brick Church" from the Cov- enanters had expired, they leased it to the Associate Reform Congregation of Hopewell. The upper portion of Catholic were then without a place of worship nearer than the old Church, which was too remote for regular attendance. They went to work in large numbers, and erected in a short time a large house of worship about eight miles from Catholic, on This continued to be a branch of Cath-
the road to Chester.
olic about ten years. Committees were appointed to obtain the consent of Purity and Catholic Churches that this con- gregation should be organized as a distinct church. Their consent gained, that of Presbytery followed, and the organization took place. One hundred and thirty-five members from Catholic, and others, with certificates from other churches, and a number who made a profession of re- ligion at the time, were organized into the church of Pleasant Grove. Some were members of the old Associate Seceders who had not joined with the Associate Reformed. A few came from the Associate Reformed Church of Hopewell, and some from old Covenanters' families. The blessing of God has been remarkably bestowed on this church ever since its organization. The Rev. Wm. Banks, who had ministered here ever since his connection with Catholic, became its first pastor.
The first ruling Elders were, James M. Clintock, William Wallace, Hugh White, Abraham White, Moses H. Robinson, John H. Torbit, John Banks, and John Agnew.
At the breaking out of our late war, Pleasant Grove numbered 317 communing members. [Rev. Wm. Bank's Historical Discourse on Catholic Church, delivered by re- quest, on the IOIst anniversary of the foundation of that Church.]
Not only the parent Church, Catholic, suffered by emigra- tion, but Pleasant Grove also.
"Again," he says, "another colony from Pleasant Grove emigrated to Dallas County, Arkansas. As the country was
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4
697
CANE CREEK-UNIONVILLE.
40-1850.]
w, they organized a township, calling it Chester, and about e centre of the township they built a large Academy, and ganized a church, and gave it the name of Pleasant Grove. nd still another colony, with three of our ruling Elders, em- rated to Mississippi. Most of them settled in Itawambe punty, and united with small Presbyterian Churches there, ey aided greatly in building them up."
CANE CREEK .- We have seen that Rev. James H. Saye came pastor of this church the first of April, 1840. This storal relation was formally dissolved in April, 1851. His pours, however, were continued as stated supply till 1853. uring his ministry there were added, on examination, 43 embers, and only four by certificate. There was no death hong the members from January Ist, 1840, till June 1845. om the latter date till November, 1853, eighteen communi- nts have died, of whom five have been Ruling Elders. Thir- -one have removed from the bounds of the congregation ice January Ist, 1840. Emigration has been active during e whole time of the church's existence. The Presbyterian pulation of the surrounding region was always small. There s no Presbyterian Church nearer than twenty miles, till the ganization of the church at Unionville; that is, after the own's Creek Church closed. The following persons have ld the office of Ruling Elder in the Church, viz: Samuel terson, Joseph McJunkin, Abram McJunkin, William Gor- n, Stephen Johnson, John Steene, Richard G. Hobson, Dr. J. Jeter, L. B. Jeter, S. G. Steene, Benjamin Gregory, Jere- ah W .. Hamilton, Dr. C. Young, James McJunkin, Francis obson, R. G. Otts, George Spencer, and A. S. McJunkin. these, J. G. Jeter and L. B. Jeter, with their wives, joined
Baptist Church. No colored person had ever joined s church till 1842. In all, about five have joined, all of them rthy members.
UNIONVILLE .- This church was organized by the Presbytery Bethel, in 1840, when it first appears with a membership of een. In 1841, the Rev. Hugh Monroe, who wasa licenciate Harmony Presbytery, and as such had served them for ne months, was ordained and installed their pastor, but is missed to the Presbytery of Fayetteville, in 1843. Its mibership was seventeen in full communion. In 1845, L. Curtis was its stated supply, and continued such through 19, its membership in these years being from 27 to 29. Its
.
698
FAIRFOREST.
[1840-1850.
Elders were Col. W. K. Clowney, William Perry, and C. Brandon.
FAIRFOREST .- The Rev. John Boggs was succeeded by Rev. James H. Saye, in January, 1840, and his connection with this church was continued to the first of April, 1851. The membership in 1840 was 87; in 1841, 91 ; in 1842, 79; in 1843, 75; in 1844, 71; in 1845, 70; in 1846, 80; in 1847, 78, and five black ; in 1848, 83, five black ; in 1849, total of communicants, 82, five of whom were colored.
. Among the worthy men, whose names have already occurred in this history, but who is worthy of special mention in connection with the church of Fairforest, is the Hon Wil- liam K. Clowney.
The Hon. William Kennedy Clowney was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Clowney. He was born and brought up in the Fairforest congregation, of which his mother was a member, but his father was connected with the Associate Reformed Church. He commenced classical study with the Rev. Daniel Gray, and afterwards finished preparation for College in an Academy kept by Messrs. Campbell and Camak. After taking the degree of A. B. in the South Carolina College, he taught a classical school in the vicinity of Unionville for a time. He was subsequently Tutor of Mathematics in his Alma Mater. While here he made battle with "The Goats," of Columbia (see his pamphlet addressed to them). He studied law, and settled at Unionville for practice. He served his native Dis- trict for a time in the State Legislature. Was twice elected to Congress by the Pinckney District. On his return from Washington, after a long session of Congress, he had a stroke of paralysis, from which he never entirely recovered. He was, however, elected in 1840 to the Senate of the State, served out the term, and was two years Lieutenant Governor of the State. He made a profession of religion in early life, but owing to the state of the church in Unionville his mem- bership was for a time lost. He and his wife joined the Fair- forest church in 1837, and in 1839 he was ordained an Elder of that congregation. At his request a committee was ap- pointed to organize the church in the village, which he served as long as he was able to do anything. He was an active friend of the temperance reform from its beginning, and re- mained one of its most eloquent advocates as long as his tongue could perform its office. Several of the last years of
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699
BETH SHILOH.
0-1850.]
life he was exceedingly feeble, and he died March 12th, ;I, in the 54th year of his age. He was a good man. He rried Miss Jane C. Beattie, of Yorkville, an accomplished I excellent lady, who survives him. They had no children.
BRIEF. SKETCH OF THE RISE, PROGRESS AND PRESENT STATE OF BETH SHILOH CHURCH, IN THE BOUNDS OF BETHEL PRES -. BYTERY.
Beth Shiloh Church is located about five miles northeast of rkville, on or near the great road leading from that place Charlotte, N. C. The first church edifice that was erected s a log. house. It was built in the year 1829, by the people that vicinity, who employed the ministerial services of the v. William C. Davis. He organized a church at that place 'ing that year, and continued to preach to the congregation, art of his time, until his death, which occurred on 27th of ptember, 1831, being the 7Ist year of his age.
After Mr. Davis' death, Rev. Silas J. Feemster, son-in-law Mr. Davis, was employed to preach for the church and con- gation. In the year 1832-33 a considerable revival took ce in the church, and a great many attached themselves to it, was found necessary to procure more room for the congre- ion that then met there for divine worship, and consequent- a frame building of larger dimensions was erected, and t one has still been enlarged and improved so latterly that low compares favorably with most of the church edifices the country. Mr. Feemster continued to preach to the gregation until 1837. The next minister who preached to congregation was Rev. George W. Davis. He continued ministerial labors , one-half of his time, for twelve years, until 1849. Mr. Davis was succeeded by Rev. R. Y. Rus- who supplied the congregation once a month during the ars 1849-50.
OTE .- This church, during the years 1840-1850, was connected with followers of W. C. Davis; but now, since 1863-64, the Independent sbyterian Church has been united with us. Minutes of the South- General Assembly of 1863, pp 123, 140, 142; 1864, p 282.
The following sketch of the Covenanters on Rocky Creek, C., was written by the venerable D. G. Stinson, Esq., Cedar Shoals, Chester District, to whom we have often en indebted, as Mrs. Ellett also was in her "Women of the volution." From the Chester Reporter, of March, 23d, 76.
700
THE COVENANTERS.
[1840-1850.
A SKETCH OF THE COVENANTERS ON ROCKY CREEK.
The earliest settlement of this part of Chester County took place in 1750 and 1751, by a few emigrants from Pennsylvania and Virginia. Among these were Hugh and John McDonald, with their families. Hugh settled where Mrs. Moore now lives on Little Rocky Creek, five miles from Catholic Church. John settled a plantation known as David Wilson's, at the mouth of Bull Run. on Big Rocky Creek. He and his wife were both killed in 1761 by the Cherokee Indians, and their seven children carried off. [See Mrs. Ellet's "Women of the Revolution," 3d vol., article "Catherine Steele."] In 1755, there was a considerable increase in the settlement ; and also by correspondence to Ireland there commenced an immigra- tion by the way of Charleston. The settlers were a mixed mass as to religion ; they were Reformed and Presbyterian and Seceders.
Rev. William Richardson, of Waxhaw, was the only minister within a hundred miles. They applied to him to supply them with preaching. He consented, and directed them to build a church, as he would preach for them on week days. The first preaching day was on Monday. He named the church (which they had built according to his directions) Catholic. It is situated fifteen miles southeast from Chester Court House, near the Rocky Mount road. [See Dr. Howe's History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina.]
Rev. William Martin emigrated from Ireland at least as early as 1772. He was the first convenanting preacher in the settlement. I have in my possession, from Henry and Mar- garet Malcolm, a letter written to their son-in-law, John Lin, in which they refer to Mr. Martin as being over here in this Rocky Creek settlement. This letter is dated May 30th, 1773, County Antrim, Ireland, in answer to one from his son-in-law, John Lin. The reference to Mr. Martin is in these words: "We hear it reported here that Mr. Martin and his Covenant- ers had ill getting their land, and John Cochrane had been the occasion of all their trouble." I suppose that this trouble about land was that they expected to settle all down close together in a colony ; but such was then the situation of the country that they had to scatter, and select lands at a consid- erable distance from each other. They were entitled to boun- ty lands, a hundred acres to each head of a family and fifty to each member. Those who had means bought from the old
701
REV. WILLIAM MARTIN.
1840-1850.]
settlers. Rev. William Martin bought from William Stroud plantation one mile square, six hundred and forty acres, on horth side of Big Rocky Creek, on which he built a rock house na a rock spring-house. The place selected for a church vas two miles east of Catholic, on the Rocky Mount road, hear the house now occupied by Mrs. James Barber Ferguson. t is described as having been a log building ; was burnt down by the British in 1780. [See "Women of the Revolution," 3d vol., article "Nancy Green," also Dr. Howe's "History of Presbyterian Church," article "Mary Barkley."] After Martin vas released by Cornwallis, at Winnsboro, owing to the dis- urbed state of the country, he went to Mecklenburg, N. C. There he met a Mr. Grier, also a refugee from Georgia, whose hild, Isaac, he baptized. Isaac was said to have been he first Presbyterian minister born in Georgia. He was af- erwards minister at Sharon, Mecklenburg County. He was he father of Robert Calvin Grier, who was President for many ears of Erskine College, Due West, and his son, William offat Grier, is now President of that college.
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