USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 32
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After the war, when Mr. Martin returned to Rocky Creek, he was employed as supply at Catholic for three years. He vas dismissed by the people of Catholic on account of becom- ng intemperate. He, however, did not quit preaching. He breached at a schoolhouse at Edward McDaniel's, about a nile or two west of the place where a brick church was after- vards built. He also went down to Jackson's Creek, in Fair- ield, and preached there. I recollect that Richard Gladney vas a Covenanter in the neighborhood, and doubtless there vere others. He was also in the habit of crossing the Catawba River and preaching at the house of William Hicklin, who had moved from Rocky Creek to Lancaster. He frequent- y preached at other places, often at private houses. A con- gregation afterwards built him a church two miles east from he site of the one formerly burnt down, near the Rocky Mount road, on a beautiful hill, in rear of what was called Earle's house, in a fine grove of trees. The lands are now all leared up, and there is a negro house now on top of that hill, where the church once stood. In that hill and dale country it can be seen for miles. He must have continued to preach here until near his death. I have frequently heard him reach at that place, as well as at my father's. Some two years before his death his rock house was burnt down. It was in
702
COVENANTERS.
[1840-1850.
the early part of the night; I suppose most of his property was saved. He after that lived in a log cabin. He sold his plantation for six hundred dollars, one hundred to be paid yearly. After his death his widow received the payments. He had been three times married, but left no children living. His only daughter, married to John McCaw, had died before him. Shortly after his coming to this country he took up about four hundred acres of vacant land, which he made a present to his nephews, David and William Martin. The land now belongs to Mrs. Gaston. Mr. Martin often staid at my father's for days or a week at a time. I do not remember ever seeing him under the influence of liquor but once. That was on a day in which he came in company of some wag- ons. It was a wet day. My mother, with the as- sistance of two negro women, got him to the back door, and bringing him in, put him to bed. . She came out, I 'remember, with a very long face. The last visit he ever made to my father's, after crossing the creek, at Stroud's mill, in some way he got his horse's head turned up the creek by a path. He fell off in a branch ; being old and feeble, he was unable to rise. He was found by Mr. Thralekill ; was said to be in the act of praying when found. Mr. Thralekill understood from him where he wanted to go. My father sent for him and had him brought to the house. He had fever, and lay there for more than a month. In the delirium of fever he constantly quoted Scripture, and spoke of the crossing of Jordan. My mother became alarmed and sent for my father, thinking Mr. Martin was near his death. But he recovered and became able to walk. My father mounted him on a horse and sent him home. He soon became again confined to his bed, and died in about six months, in the year 1806. He was buried in a graveyard near his own house. Whether there is a stone to mark it, I do not recollect, though I have seen the grave. He was a large, heavy man. By
those who knew him he was said to have been an able divine. He came from County Antrim, Ireland. In the same party with him came my father and his brother, James Stinson, then called Stevenson ; William Anderson and his wife, Nancy ; Alex Brady and his wife, Elizabeth; I think the Linns, and possibly the Kells. Mr. Martin owned two negroes, I recol- lect-Savannah and Bob by name. So did some others of the congregation. Some who owned slaves refused in 1800
703
REV. THOMAS DONNELLY.
1840-1850.]
to submit to the regulations made by Mckinney and Wylie, believing that the Scriptures justified the possession of the heathen, whom they, as teachers, were civilizing and Chris- tianizing. It would be, they thought, as cruel to free them as to turn a child out to buffet with the world.
The next minister of the Covenanters was the Rev. Wil- liam McGarrah. In 1791, he settled on the north side of the Beaver Dam, a branch of Big Rocky Creek. His first wife died shortly after his coming, leaving one daughter, who was married to Henry Linn. Mr. McGarrah marrying badly the second time was the cause of his being for a short time sus- pended. By the second marriage he had sons-James, Wil- liam, Joseph and David-all long since removed to the north- west. Mr. McGarrah died about 1816, and was buried in what was called Paul's graveyard. His wife died soon after, and was buried at the same place. That graveyard is on the road above Mount Prospect, a Methodist Episcopal Church South. More Covenanters are buried here than at any other place in the South.
Rev. Mr. King arrived here in 1792. He settled on the south side of the Beaver Dam, near Mount Prospect Church, on the plantation now owned by Mrs. Backstrom. He died in 1798, and is buried at the Brick Church.
Rev. James McKinney was the next .in order. Where his residence was I do not know. He was pastor of the congre- gation at the Brick Church, and preached at most of the other churches. He died in August, 1803, and was buried at the Brick Church.
Rev. Thomas Donnelly was licensed to preach at Colding- ham, June, 1799. He settled first somewhere near Little Rocky Creek. He afterwards bought Stephen Harmon's place, on the north side of Big Rocky Creek, a plantation how owned by Mr George Heath. I recollect hearing him preach at a stand near his own house, sometime in the year 1804. From this date he was the only minister until the arrival of Mr. Riley, in 1813, and preached at most of the churches that will be hereafter mentioned. After the Cove- hanters had generally removed from the country, Mr. Don- helly preached at Old Richardson, a Presbyterian Church ; a portion of the time at his own house, there still being some of his people scattered in this country. His eldest son, Samuel, became a Presbyterian minister, now residing in Florida. His
70
REV. JOHN RILEY.
[1840-1850.
father frequently visited him when he lived at Liberty Hill, and preached in his son's church. Mr. Donnelly died in 1847. His family, after his death, removed to Illinois. It consisted of John, (Thomas married to John Cathcart's daughter) and his daughter Nancy. She married in Illinois, Riley Linn, the son of Henry Linn. Mr. Donnelly was buried at the Brick Church, by the side of Mckinney and King. His wife was also buried in the same place.
The next minister, Rev. John Riley, came into South Car- olina in 1813, settled on the south side of Big Rocky Creek, about a half mile from Martin's first church, the one burnt. He was a popular preacher; his places of preaching were the Beaver Dam, the Brick Church and Richmond. He died in 1820, is buried at the Brick Church, some distance from the other ministers. All have appropriate tombstones.
The Brick Church, situated three miles from Pleasant Grove, on the plantation now owned by John Hood, has all been removed, nothing but the graveyard left. There was considerable immigration to this country after 1785, but whether this church was built before Mr. King came or not, I do not know. It was first a log building. The brick build- ing was put up about the year 1810. Hugh M. McMillan came to this section of country after 1785. His brother Daniel came at the same time. Daniel and his family went into the Associate Reformed Church, Hopewell. Hugh had sons, Daniel, a merchant, John, David, James, Gavin and Hugh. The last two were ministers of the gospel-all Covenanters. There was a family of Coopers, McKelveys, Robert Hemphill -brother to the Rev. John Hemphill-Darrance Woodburne, Montfords and Nebitts, were some of the names composing this large and flourishing congregation of Covenanters.
The Beaver Dam Church was on a branch on the north side of Big Rocky Creek, on a plantation now, owned by Stephen R. Ferguson. The church was not more than a mile distant from Mr. King's and Mr. McGarrah's residence, When or- ganized I don't know, but most probably about the time that McGarrah arrived in 1791. In the bounds of this congregation were the Ewins, the McHenrys, the Ervins, the Kells, John Rock, the Linns, the Littles, the Bells, Paul Guthrie, the Gellespies, the Steeles, the Martins, the McFaddens, the Simpsons, and many others. In Mr. Riley's time that con- gregation was very large. The church and people have all Jong since disappeared.
1
705
THEIR CHURCHES.
1850.]
he Richmond Church was situated near the dividing line veen Chester and Fairfield. This was Mr. Martin's church, was removed three miles south to a more convenient tion for the neighborhood. Members of this church the Dunns, Daniel Wright, the Hoods, Sprouls, Hugh ry, James Stormont, the Cathcarts, John and William Millan, and the Richmonds.
he McNinch Church was situated three miles east of sterville ; built after 1813 by John McNinch himself. Of congregation, which I think was numerous, I now can ember but one name, Andrew Crawford.
he Smith Church was on Little Rocky Creek, on the h side, about five miles southwest of Catholic Church. In congregation were several families of the name of Smith, were relatives of Rev. Thomas Donnelly.
church called Turkey Creek Church, in York County, situated about two miles west from McConnellsville, on Chester and Lenoir Railroad. In the bounds of the con- gation of this church were some families of Wrights and sons.
Ve will now go back to the close of the Revolutionary r. Martin's church being burned down, he preached as a ply to the congregation of Catholic through the years 1782, 3 and 1784, at the same time visiting and preaching to differ- societies of his own people, as heretofore stated. In the r 1787 Matthew Linn, of the A. R. Church, came out as a sionary. The next year Rev. James Boyce, of the A. R. arch, likewise came, and commenced preaching at the polhouse near E. McDaniel's ; afterwards the stand where pewell church now is. A large majority of the Covenant- at this time went into the A. R. Church, leaving a few still ttered over the bounds of the different congregations. From year 1785 until 1812 there was a considerable immigra- i coming every year from Ireland, filling up the congrega- hs. At the time Mr. Riley came, in 1813, they were pretty
nerous. The restrictions on the subject of slavery took he Covenanters out of the church. Mr. Riley, however, eived into the church Mrs. Isabella Hemphill and her er, Mrs. Jane Cloud, together with her daughter, Mrs. ah Hicklin. These ladies had been members of Mr. Mar- s church. He had baptized their children and each of m had a son called for him. They were received into the
15
!
706
THE COVENANTERS
[1840-1850.
Richmond Church, notwithstanding their families were large slave-holders. Mr. McGarrah, after he was restored, preached for a few years at Beaver Dam Church, but not after the arrival of Mr. Riley, in 1813.
Mr. King preached at the Brick Church, and probably at other small societies scattered over the country. After the arrival of Mr. Riley at the Brick Church, Mr. John McNinch was tried in the session, and the congregation became dissatisfied with Mr. Donnelly, which was intrinsically the cause of the churches Smith and McNinch being built.
John Orr immigrated to the United States after 1790. He was a classical scholar, and had taught in Ireland before coming out here. It is said that Rev. Samuel B. Wylie and Rev. John Black, of Pittsburg, commenced their literary course with him in Ireland. After coming here he continued to teach. A good many young men started the classics with him, among them James A. Hemphill and Alex. Curry, both afterwards physicians. Rev. John Kell, after being prepared by John Orr, went to Scotland and graduated there. Judge Hemphill, of Texas, was also among his scholars. Mr. Orr had a numerous family of sons and daughters. He removed from the State to Ohio in the year 1832. It was said that, although eighty years of age, he walked every step to Ohio, refusing to ride.
Rev. Hugh McMillan and Robert Mondford were gradu- ates of the South Carolina College. McMillan commenced preaching in 1832 at the Brick Church, where he had for a number of years a large classical school. He preached one- third of his time at the Turkey Creek Church, in York Coun- ty. About the same date Rev. Campbell Madden commenced preaching at the Richmond Church, and at the stand at John Orr's. He also taught a school near Gladdon's Grove. He had studied medicine before he came out here. He spent a winter at Lexington, Ky., where he received a diploma-he commenced the practice of medicine, but did not live long. He married a Miss Cathcart, and left children, a son and two daughters, now living in Winnsboro.
Rev. Hugh McMillan must have left the country as early as 1831, removing to the northwest. The Covenanters com- menced emigrating soon after the death of Mr. Riley, and continued to do so from year to year, until the congregations became weak. Revs. Fisher and Scott supplied the churches
707
THEIR CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
840-1850.]
n South Carolina in 1832, that is, during the winter of that ear. Revs. Black and McMaster, in the winter of 1833; these vere Licentiates. Rev. Gavin McMillan was here in the pring of 1832, and held communion, assisted by Fisher and Scott. John Kell, in the spring of 1833, held communions, assisted by Black and McMaster.
The few Covenanters that remained at the time went into he A. R. Church. There are some who never entered any ther church. Hugh Henry is the only one I now recollect vho remained a Covenanter until his death, which took place n 1867. His family are now in the A. R. Church. £
He has low a grandson in his second year in the Theological Semi- ary at Due West. Mrs. Madden, her son and two daugh- ers, have within a few years connected themselves with the A. R. Church.
REMARKS.
In 1801 Mr. McKenney and Mr. Wylie, with other minis- ers and elders of the church, held a Presbytery at the house of John Kell. One of the Kells owned a negro ; at that time be freed her. He, probably, was the only Covenanter that owned a negro except those heretofore mentioned. Mr. Martin was asked what he thought of slavery. His answer vas that he had owned a boy, Bob, who was unmanageable, ind for that reason he had sold him.
Rev. Samuel W. Crawford was raised within three miles of Beaver Dam Church, until he was nine or ten years of age. in a letter directed to me, he states that while living at John Wylie's he went to the spring to bring up a pail of water. While there he heard a cow bell, and looking up he saw a negro driving a cow. In great terror, he ran to the house as fast as his feet could carry him. He says: you may imagine what I thought it was. Igot no sympathy ; they merely said t was a negro, belonging to some one lately moved into the neighborhood. As I had never before seen an African; you now they were not numerous in that section. At that period but few of the sons and daughters of Ham had cast their dark shadows over that country; instead thereof it was thickly settled by an industrious and energetic white population.
In the bounds of twenty square miles there were four Presbyterian Churches, two Associate and three Covenanter, one Baptist and Smyrna, an Associate Church. In every
708
LIBERTY SPRING.
[1840-1850.
neighborhood there was a good school. The school-master was abroad then. The Bible and Testament were the princi- pal school books. The catechismns were also taught.
The Covenanters had no difficulties about the jury laws. Mr. Rosborough, the clerk of the court, would state to the Judge that they had conscientious scruples in taking the oath to serve as jurors. The Judge would then order them to be excused. In the Revolutionary War there were no tories among them ; all fought on the side of the country.
Mr. Jonathan Henkle moved into the country about the year 1807. He states that on Sunday he thought a cow-bell could be heard twice the distance that it was heard any other day, such was the stillness of holy day. John Rock, a Revo- lutionary soldier, was his near neighbor. Mr. Henkle was with him when he died. When he was evidently dying, he revived a little and commenced, in a low voice, to sing one of the Psalms of David. When he ceased singing he breathed his last. Mr. Henkle's remark was that "it appeared to him to be a foretaste of the joys of Heaven." So died the old Cove- nanter. D. G. S.
LIBERTY SPRING has had a growing membership ranging from 60 to 115.
There was, perhaps, a vancancy from the time Mr. Lewers left, until Mr. McWhorter came. His record, as clerk of Ses- sion, begins with May, 1841. He is succeeded as clerk of Session, by R. C. Austin, whose first entry bears date Au- gust, 1842. Rev. McWhorter's pulpit labors must have ceased in 1843, perhaps at the end of this year. In August, 1843, A. H. Campbell, R. C. Austin and Johnathan Reed were elected elders; but only one,A. G. Campbell, accepted the office, and he was ordained by Rev. P. H. Folker, in April, 1844. Mr. Campbell acted as clerk of Session from August, 1843. In February, 1844, Rev. Mr. Folker was asked to supply this church one-half of his time. It is likely, his labors ex- tended to the close of 1844. He was first a minister in the Episcopal Church, and is spoken of as a very good man, but, sometimes very absent minded. He could rarely find his way to any of the neighboring houses. On one occasion he was invited to take dinner with a friend. He followed the public road very well. When he came to the point to take a right-hand road, he turned to the left. On he went, nothing
709
DUNCAN'S CREEK.
840-1850.]
oubting until he came to a little stream. Here his road nded-the place had a gloomy appearance, not far off clouds f smoke were issuing out of a dingy looking hut, and the ir was redolent with a perfume not stolen from the flowers. What could it be ! He described the place as if he had set foot n "Plutos's dark domain." He had come upon a " stillhouse !" After he left, the church was vacant awhile. April 7th, 1845, Rev. J. C. Williams, then a licentiate, was elected as stated upply. In February, 1846, Dr. A. C. Golding, an Elder in he Little River Church, having moved his membership to his church, was called to the same office here. Rev. Henry Reed must have been the supply for 1846.
The labors of Rev. John McLees, one-fourth of his time. began in this church, with the first Sabbath in May, 1847. In his year, elder .A. G. Campbell removes his membership to he Spartanburg Church, and Dr. Golding is made clerk of Session in his place. In October of this year, application is nade for one-half of Rev. Mr. McLees' time, as pastor. This effort was unsuccessful ; but arrangement was made with the Rock Church, by which Rev. Mr. McLees still gave one fourth of his time to this people. The Presbytery of S. C. met here n 1848. Rev. Mr. McLees must have closed his labors in the pring of 1849. Rev. E. F. Hyde succeeded Mr. McLees, he first Sabbath in June ; preaching one-half of his time. n September, 1849, Dr. William Philips and Justinian Henderson were elected, and ordained elders, Rev. E. F. Hyde officiating. He was again engaged as a supply from April, 1840 to April, 1851. Elder A. F. Golding, in 1850, having taken his membership to the Spartanburg Church, Dr. William Philips was elected clerk of Session in his place.
DUNCAN'S CREEK .- To this church, greatly enfeebled hough it was, Rev. John B. Kennedy ministered occasionally, until the year 1844. At that time Rev. Edwin Cater began o preach one-fourth of his time, and continued to serve the church once a month for two years. During his continuance is stated supply the church was revived, and many were ad- ded to its previous membership. Rev. Mr. Cater ordained Mr. Robert Clintock and Dr. Thomas Wier as elders. Rev. 5. B. Lewers succeeded Mr. Cater, and continued to preach monthly until the Fall meeting of Presbytery, in 1849. The church then sought the services of Rev. E. F. Hyde for one- half his time. He continued to serve them, and in December,
710"
FRIENDSHIP-ROCKY SPRING.
[1840-1850.
1850, was bestowing one-fourth of his ministerial labors upon this congregation. The membership in this period has va- ried from twenty-seven to forty-three.
FRIENDSHIP CHURCH, Laurens County .- We have before seen that the Rev. S. B. Lewers preached to this church from his ordination till the close of that period. The Rev. Wm. P. Jacobs, in the periodical, "Our Monthly," pub- lished by himself, and printed by the orphans of his Asylum, "The Thornwall Orphanage," thus resumes :
"In 1832, Samuel B. Lewers, previouly an elder in Friend- ship, was ordained to the ministry, and took charge of the church. He did yeoman service for Presbyterianism in Lau- rens County. He organized Laurens and Bethany churches, and greatly revived Rocky Spring. At first he refused to take pay for his services, but was compelled before his death, which took place in Mississippi, to acknowledge that he had acted wrongly in so doing. Mr. A. R. Simpson relates of him, that probably the first pay he ever received was made up pri- vately by members of Friendship Church. This was put in Mr. Simpson's hands, who going to Mr. L's dwelling, during his absence, handed it to Mrs. Lewers, saying. " Here's some- thing for you." She, thinking it a sample of cloth she was looking for, stuck it away in her cupboard, and was much surprised on opening it, sometime afterward, to find that it was money. Immediately she carried it to Mr. Simpson, and told him that Mr. Lewers refused to receive it for preaching. "I can't help it," replied Mr. Simpson, "You'll have to keep it, for I didn't make it up, and I don't know who did." And so they out-generaled him.
Mr. Lewers supplied the church until about 1844. From 1844-1850, Rev. McWhorter was in charge.
ROCKY SPRING-The Rev. J. L. Kennedy continued to preach to this church until the year 1844, receiving for his services, as is too often the case, a very meagre support. In the year 1845, and though a portion of 1847, the Rev. S. B. Lewers supplied the church, and after him the Rev. C. B. . Stewart.
The Elders in this church, in 1845, were, Charles Blakely, Wm. Blakely and Win. Spear.
THE CLINTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This was not or- ganized until the next decade. Yet there were Missionary efforts which preceded it. In the year 1817, or thereabouts,
711
AVELEIGH CHURCH.
0-1850.]
. Daniel Baker, then a young man, preached several sermons the residence of a Mrs. Holland, and a year or two after a stand erected near Mr. Holland's spring. Col. Lewers, he was still called after he had become a clergyman, was occasional preacher at the same place. The Rev. Edwin ter also preached occasionally at the Huntsville Church, ginally erected as a Union Church, free to all denom- itions.
CHAPTER V.
AVELEIGH CHURCH, (Newberry.)-In the fall of 1840, a Il was presented from the united churches of Aveleigh and hyrna, for the pastoral services of Mr. John McKittrick, a enciate under the care of the Presbytery of South Carolina. e was installed as pastor August 29th, and continued about ree years in this charge. For some time after he left, the urch was vacant.
In the fall . of. 1845, Aveleigh, Smyrna and Gilder's Creek ocured the pastoral services of Rev. E. F. Hyde, who d for some time been their supply, one-half of the time ing given to Aveleigh. Mr. Hyde continued to fill the arge till the summer of 1848, when the three churches re again left vacant, and secured only occasional supplies m Presbytery till October, 1849, when W. B. Telford, a entiate of South Carolina Presbytery, was invited to the ree churches. A call' having been presented to Mr. Te !- 'd at the next meeting of Presbytery, from the three urches united as formerly, he was, on the 8th of June, 1850, dained and installed as pastor. The church had dwindled ay till, at that time, it had only about twelve members ; and ry few besides the members were in the habit of attending eaching at that place.
It at length became apparent, says Chancellor Johnston, that e grand obstacle which stood in the way of the prosperity this church, was its location. Being situated a mile and half from town, it was but seldom that any of the town ople found it convenient to attend ; and yet, inasmuch as it is located there with a view to secure their attendance, the untry people regarded it as a town church, and therefore ey did not care to attend it. This is not the only instance
712
AVELEIGH CHURCH.
[1840-1850.
in which a church has been located with the hope of securing the attendance both of the town and country people, and the result has been that it failed to secure the attendance of either. It was determined, therefore, that an effort should be made to secure, by subscription, an amount sufficient to erect a new church edifice in the town of Newberry.
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