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HISTORY OF HAT CREEK CHURCH CAMPBELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA
BY
WILLIAM IRVIN 1854
RECOPIED AND INDEXED BY MABEN JONES COLUMBIA, S. C. 1934
A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF
HAT CREEK CHURCH
From 1742 - 1854
By William Irvin
From copy made by J. A. Scott, Pastor of Hat Creek Church, October 23, 1882, and copied on typewriter by Annis I. Clark, Novem- ber, 1932.
Something About Old Hat Creek in Campbell County, Virginia
A Presbyterian man, whose name was John Irvin, was the one who had the first meeting house built at Hat Creek. But before saying more concerning it, it will be proper to show how the way was opened for the building of it -- and to proceed, this man, Mr. Irvin, being a native of Ireland, as well as his consort (whose name previous to marriage was Mary Boyd) shortly after having married took shipping and came over to America and settled in Pennsylvania. After having lived there for twenty years and more, it was much talked of that in Virginia there was much valuable and unoccupied land. And it struck the mind of Mr. Irvin that it might be to his interest to part from his land in Pennsylvania for money and come here to Vir- ginia where he could get land without money and without price. And he did; and settled himself and family in a mile of the place where Hat Creek is, and took up all the land now lying within its vicinity.
And when he came here there was no family of mortals living in thirty-five or forty miles of the place. But on others hearing of Mr. Irvin settling himself here, and of the likelihood of making out well here to live, they began to flock hither around him; so that the neighborhood of Hat Creek soon became replete with men, women and children. And thus the way was opened and prepared for the building of Hat Creek.
Mr. Irvin while engaged in his domestick affairs endeavoring to do the best possible for himself and family at his new residence, did not forget religion and that there was no meeting house within many miles of him. And like David of old he set himself to find "a place for the Lord, an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob." Yea, he was resolved to have a meeting house built for the gospel to be preached in. And he, getting some few men to join him (being of the Presbyterian persuasion) succeeded in having a large log meeting house built, and named it Hat Creek after the name of a little stream which was near by. And Mr. Irvin gave as his part of pay for the - building a parcel of land lying on the other side of the stream from the meeting house -- land he had taken up on coming to Virginia. And this was the principal part of what was paid for it. The house was completed about three years after Mr. Irvin had come to Virginia, or
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in other words about the year 1742, so that it has been one hundred and twelve years since the first meeting house was built at Hat Creek.
Now, before Mr. Irvin had left Pennsylvania it was agreed upon between him and the well known Gilbert Tennant that after Mr. Irvin had settled in Virginia, if he found himself scarce of preachers, for him (Mr. Tennant) to come to Virginia at the place where he (Mr. Irvin) had settled, and preach awhile, to give the people a start. And upon the meeting house being completed Mr. Irvin wrote to Mr. Tennant that he might come on, -- that a meeting house was ready for him -- that no preacher could be come at here. And Mr. Ten- nant, true to what had been agreed upon between Mr. Irvin and himself, came on to Virginia and boarded in the house of Mr. Irvin for twelve months. And during this time he preached at Hat Creek, as a supply for the people, almost every Sabbath, besides preaching about and about on some other days of the week, elsewhere. And at times, when he would not be preaching, he would amuse himself in being out shoot- ing deer, and killed one after another of these wild animals.
Mr. Tennant was much esteemed as a preacher at Hat Creek. His mind, it has been said, seemed much set upon his work, and upon doing good what time he stayed among the people here. And during the time of his stay he organized and started a church at Hat Creek, which, like the little cloud mentioned in the Bible, waxed bigger and bigger. So that by the time his twelve months had expired a respect- able little church had sprung up at Hat Creek to serve the Lord. But as relates to the first ordained elders in the church at Hat Creek it can only be said that Mr. Irvin was one of the first that was or- dained. And it seems reasonable to suppose that the men, or some of them, who had joined Mr. Irvin in building Hat Creek, were the others, whoever they were, but their names are entirely unknown at the pres- ent day.
Mr. Tennant's twelve months having expired, he took leave of Hat Creek, lighted up with hopes and prayers for its prosperity, and re- turned to Pennsylvania. And when he was about to leave -- his leaving, as has been said, made not only members of the church, but some who were no members weep and cry, -- weep and cry to see Hat Creek's first preacher leave Hat Creek, and then after Mr. Tennant left Hat Creek the church remained for a season without any stated supply; yet travelling preachers now and then called by and preached. One is here instanced in particular. A young man, who had just entered the ministry, called by and preached. After having finished his dis- course, there came up a shower of rain, which for awhile detained the people. And while the shower lasted he rose up and had something more to say. When the shower was over and the company breaking up, the young man as if uneasy about his day's performance, whispered in Mr. Irvin's ear, "How did you like?" Mr. Irvin's response was, "Young man let me tell you, when you are done quat!" This was as - good as telling him he had as well have let alone adding what he did while the shower lasted. And this response made the young preacher startle and look as if electrified.
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At length the elders of Hat Creek procured another preacher as a stated supply for the people, next to Mr. Tennant, and the same was Mr. Waddell. And an eloquent one he was. It was said forty years back that of all the preachers who had preached at Hat Creek none was so much of an orator as Mr. Waddell was. Under his edify- ing and instructive preaching the church sat for a term of years and prospered. And generally he had many hearers. From accounts he certainly did much good within the walls of Hat Creek. But the time came for him to leave, being called off elsewhere.
But the elders of the church soon procured another as a stated supply to fill up his place; and his name was David Rice. And his name is known in all the churches and held in veneration. This serv- ant of the Lord preached at Hat Creek for a number of years and mani- festly did much good among the people; and at times had very crowded meetings, especially at times when Sacrament was to be administered. At one of his fall Sacraments when wine could not be procured, he sent to the woods for grapes, and had the juice squeezed out of them to be the wine to be used; and said that it was the juice of the grape of the vine, and that was sufficient -- that it was not neces- sary for it to ferment before it would answer for sacramental pur- poses. At length, Mr. Rice, like a bird of passage, took flight to some other region -- moved to Kentucky and there ended his days.
The next Presbyterian minister who preached as stated supply at Hat Creek was one William Mahon, and others, Cary Allen, William Irvin (son of the forementioned J. Irvin) and James Mitchell. All of whom bore an active part in keeping Hat Creek lighted up with the sound of the Gospel. And the probability is that Mr. Mahon was the first of these four ministers there. And it is said he served out two terms preaching there. But presently he left here and moved to Kentucky. Cary Allen preached at Hat Creek but for a short while. It has been said his greatest sermon there was from these three words, "Mene - Tekel - Upharsin." When he ceased preaching at Hat Creek he left these parts for a new place of abode, and died soon afterwards. William Irvin likewise preached at Hat Creek only for a short while, and then moved to Albemarle, and settled himself there, and preached for the most part at a place called Cove meeting house, what time he lived.
James Mitchell's term of preaching at Hat Creek was somewhat longer than Cary Allen's, or William Irvin's. But his voice is now no more to be heard in the churches on earth.
Next will be related some things which occurred in days ere the last of the aforementioned preachers ceased at Hat Creek -- and to proceed.
In those days the second meeting house was built which was a framed one; yet the year in which it was built is now unknown.
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Mr. Irvin gave, as his part of pay for the building, a parcel of land lying on this side the Hat Creek stream, next the meeting house, re- serving only a few acres for the benefit of the church, which belong to it -- to the present day. At the time this second meeting house was built, the church at Hat Creek had become pretty well replentish- ed with members. And at this time the eldership of the church con- sisted of the forementioned John Irvin, Major John Irvin (his son), Captain John Marshall, Captain Charles Cobbs, Captain Publius Jones, and Joshua Morris -- all being men of integrity, and good report, and active in the church. And there were some active members too in the church at this time (as well as there has been ever since) though not elders. Among whom was one Samuel Morris, who was once reported to have been an elder. But creditable information has been given that ne was never an elder at Hat Creek -- only an active member. Truly from the commencement of Hat Creek even till now, Jesus the Good Shepherd has kept some active ones -- some fine sheep at this place.
And let it be related that the elders of Hat Creek at the time the second meeting house was built were (as well as elders there have been since) very friendly and generous towards preachers of other denominations, and permitted such of them to preach there as were of good standing and good report in their own churches, -- pro- vided they so managed as not to interfere with days of preaching occupied by Presbyterians. Yet at the same time they were very watch- ful if any of them acted inconsistent with the profession of re- ligion. Among those permitted to preach there, as instance is here given of one as follows, (viz): One William Dodson, of the Baptist denomination, was permitted to preach there. And after having preached there a while, he took a trip over the mountains. And after he had returned, he preached at Hat Creek on the Sabbath following; and in his sermon told of what a great revival had taken place under his preaching over the mountains; what large numbers he had baptized by immersion, adding that he had soon to go thither again. In order to know as to the certainty and particulars of Dodson's revival, Mr. Mitchell wrote to his father-in-law, David Rice, who at that time was over the mountains, about the same place where Dodson said he had been. Word was written back by Mr. Rice that Dodson had been there, but that no revival at all had occurred under his preaching while there; and that an individual was all he had baptized. On hearing this news, as well as some other things rumored about Dodson, the next time he preached at Hat Creek Mr. Irvin betook himself thither; stepped into the meeting house, and said, "Dodson, gan your ways out of that pilpat!" And then, as his manner was, he straight- ened himself up, threw his hands behind at his back, and made toward the door to go out. Dodson "ganed his ways out of that pilpat."
But ere Mr. Irvin could get out at the meeting house foot, he caused him to hear his voice saying, "there is the publick road -- you cannot make me 'gan my ways out of that'". When Mr. Irvin stepped into the meeting house and said what he did, some that were present were - smitten with astonishment, and thought Mr. Irvin had done wrong for once, if he had never done so before. But when they had learned the true grounds for all this, they could not blame him, -- could not
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blame him for not permitting one to preach there any longer who spake not the truth to his neighbors, nor led a sober and continent life. The most of the people present went home, and what few went out to the public road to hear Dodson, heard but little before they were dismissed.
It had not been long after this till the wolf broke in upon the sheep at Hat Creek. Dodson was pleased to rob the church of five of its members, to help to pay, no doubt, for Mr. Irvin's saying, "Dodson, gan your ways out of that pilpat," for he persuaded Elder Charles Cobbs and his sons, John and Jesse, and daughter Mary, to take water. And they went down into the water and Dodson put them under it. And Elder Charles afterwards became a Baptist preacher. But let it be observed that he did not get the wife out at the same time he did the others. She seemed for awhile determined to remain where she was. But presently he persuaded her to come out, and take water. He would not have missed one so distinguished as she was, on any consideration. When he put her under the water he had it so con- trived as for it to be done away in the dead hours of the night, by light of torches on the banks of Little Falling River, in which he put her under the water, All this (by interpretation) was done with a view to give a shock to the minds of those remaining at Hat Creek about the great importance of baptism by immersion, and lead them to think that if so distinguished an one as Mrs. Cobbs was could not wait till daylight to go down into the water, others could not fly to the water too hastily. Yet none of his schemes had such an effect as to deprive Hat Creek of any more of its members, as much aimed at as it was. For it is said that from the time he heard the Words: "Dodson, gan your ways out of that pilpat," it seemed to be his very aim to leave Hat Creek empty, swept and garnished, if pos- sible. He missed his aim entirely. And although he deprived the church of the five members mentioned, God was able to bring others in their room and did it. So that the heavenly Shepherd still kept a fine flock at Hat Creek to hear his voice and follow him in ways of righteousness. And even after Dodson had put under the water Mrs. Cobbs, and she had become a member of the Baptist church, that did not break her up from Hat Creek, at last, for it is a fact that she regularly attended preaching there, and communed at the table of the Lord there, just as she had ever done. And for communing there the Baptists had her up before theme But they could do nothing with her -- could not handle her in conversation so well as they desired. They said, "We will just let her alone. We do not think the sister will do so again." But the sister did so again :- yea, again and again. Sometime afterwards they had her once before them. In her defence, she said in their presence, "She was told that the table at Hat Creek was the table of the Lord; and that, if she were a saint of the Lord and Presbyterians saints of the Lord, she could not see what harm there would be in a saint of the Lord communing with saints of the Lord at the table of the Lord! She also said that saints hold communion and fellowship with each other in heaven, - and that she could not see how it could be right for them to do so, and' at the same time wrong for saints to hold communion and fellow- ship with each other on earth." They had just to let her alone
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without her ever hearing the sentence of excommunication pronounced against her. And she communed at Hat Creek as long as she lived; so that she was as good an one among them there, after Dodson had got her to go down into the water as she had been before. And when she died, the voice of several denominations of professors was that she had died in the Lord, and that her works had followed her.
Thus some things have been related which occurred in days be- fore the last of the aforementioned ministers had ceased at Hat Creek, And it must be related too, that before the last of them had ceased there, it pleased the Lord to remove Elder Irvin from the church and the world. And this took place not very long after the second meeting house had been built, and about the year 1788, or 1789. And now that Elder Irvin was dead, and Elder Cobbs had gone to the Baptists, the eldership at Hat Creek was reduced to number four, viz: Major John Irvin, Captain Marshall, Captain Jones, and Joshua Morris. And faithful were these men in the church. With the utmost diligence did they attend to all the affairs, and con- cerns thereof, even as Elder Irvin had done before them. After the last of the Presbyterian ministers, as before named, had left Hat Creek, the church had to get along the best they could, under the preaching of ministers of different denominations, until another Presbyterian preacher could be procured. Among those who preached was one Bishop Moore, a Methodist, and him the people of Hat Creek very well admired. And let it be observed that during this inter- val Elder Morris died leaving Major Irvin, Captain Marshall and Captain Jones, as then being the only elders. At length about the year 1798 or 1799, another preacher was procured as stated supply for Hat Creek, and behold the same was old Archibald McRoberts, with a head as bald as an eagle. And he did roar at Hat Creek, de- pend upon it! roar it, like a lion roaring after the prey! And it was no little good that he did there by his roaring. For the writer has known some, who are doubtless now in heaven, that attribute their souls' conversion to his roaring at Hat Creek, as the only means of it. But while preaching there he had sometimes to encount- er with interruptions by an old outlandish negro woman, who stood at the southern end of the meeting house with hands stretched out towards him, exclaiming, "Gody, Gody, Lordy, Lordy!" Sometimes she was put out of doors, but still her interrupting voice could be heard out there. The ministrations of Mr. McRoberts at Hat Creek seldom failed of being numerously attended. It seemed the people of all denominations were drawn out toward him. All liked to hear him roar! - but still as well as they liked it, he sometimes wearied them by being too lengthy. A woman once said, "If ever old Dr. McRoberts gets me on my knees again, he will have to work for it!" - being so lengthy in prayer.
Each time the old man came up to preach he had a most faithful waiting man who would meet him at church, shake hands heartily with him, take him off his horse, tie the horse and sometimes conduct
- him to the meeting house door, and while preaching brought him fresh water to quench his thirst. The great attention he paid to the old man attracted in a high degree the notice of every one present.
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This faithful waiting man was a negro man, who lived in the neighbor- hood of Hat Creek, by the name of Miles. His lips curled over more than lips were ever known to curl, -- and went with pocket handkerchief hanging out nearly to the ground, and was counted the greatest curi- osity of a negro living, Mr. McRoberts thanked him from the heart for the attentions he paid him; but could not thank him for being so much a liar as he was; for he once followed Mr. McRoberts to the house of Major Irvin to wait upon him there, and on the next day he told his Miss Jinney that they had a little sacrament at Major Irvin's the other night, -- and that they could not get any wine and had "sas- safig tea" (as he pronounced it! ) instead of wine and that Mr. McRoberts got him to carry the sassafig tea around to the folks that took sacrament. On this being told Mr. McRoberts the next time he came up to preach he could not forbear laughing heartily -- lie as it was. Indeed nobody could forbear laughing heartily at lies so curi- ous as he could tell. During the year that Mr. McRoberts preached at Hat Creek, others now and then stepped in and preached there too. Sometimes James Tompkins, after he joined the Presbyterian Church, would come down from Old Concord and preach there. And John Weather- ford, of the Baptist Church, took a spell at preaching there. Mr. McRoberts in preaching at Hat Creek preached only in Spring, Summer and Autumn, -- leaving out the Winter. And this he continued to do till in the Spring of 1806. Then it was he preached his last sermon at Hat Creek, and in the same year he died :-- if not the same, in the forepart of the year following; and when he wound up at Hat Creek the elders of the Church were the same as when he commenced; namely: Major Irvin, Captain Marshall, and Captain Jones. After the voice of Mr. McRoberts could be no more heard at Hat Creek the church had once more to remain for a while without any stated Presbyterian sup- ply.
Yet meanwhile the people had preaching there by first one and .. then another. And in the summer of 1807, John H. Rice came up from Charlotte and preached there as many times as twice. And the writer is happy to state that his preaching there was doubtless blessed in the conversion of a brother of his, whose name was James H. Irvin. Mr. Rice would not return home till he had pressed it on the elders to send to the next Presbytery with a petition in hand to furnish supplies for Hat Creek. Elder Captain Jones was sent on, and sup- plies promised. And in the summer of 1808 one Mr. Lumpkin (being one of them) appeared at Hat Creek and preached just one sermon. But this was not all the preaching done at Hat Creek in the same year, for Clement Read of Charlotte came up in the same year and preached as many as three or four times. In the year 1808 there was no preaching there at all by Presbyterians till in the Fall of the same year. At which time Nash LeGrand had come about in these parts, and preached there. And from that time he became the stated supply for Hat Creek. And much indeed was he beliked. No one among the people could be heard to speak lightly of him; but all spoke of him in the highest terms. His labors at Hat Creek were un- - questionably highly blessed, and that to the conversion of souls. It has been said that Rev. William Hamersly attributes his conver- sion to his labors at Hat Creek, as the outer means of it for the
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most part. One new member, and then another, and sometimes several at once joined the church at Hat Creek, while his time lasted there. On sacramental occasions he never preached alone, but had assistants, among whom John H. Rice and Clement Read may be mentioned in particu- lar. During his time at Hat Creek, and in 1810 or 1811, the third meeting house was built at that place, which like unto the second was a framed one. Before the building was completed Elder Captain Jones died, and it became necessary that the number of elders should be increased -- the number being reduced to only Major Irvin and Cap- tain Marshall. And Paulett Clark, Captain William Smith, Benjamin Chapman, and William Armistead were then chosen and ordained elders, all being men well approved of. But in the year following, William Armistead died. Mr. LeGrand continued as a supply for Hat Creek till some time in 1814, in which year, on 15th of January, Major Irvin, one of the elders, died. And his funeral sermon was the last sermon Mr. LeGrand preached at Hat Creek, and himself died shortly after- wards in Nelson County. While his time lasted at Hat Creek occasion- ally preaching was done by others; so that when the people could not hear Mr. LeGrand they could hear them.
Now before Mr. LeGrand had left Hat Creek, and before Major Irvin had died, John S. McLean had come about. And Mr. LeGrand took a very active part towards his becoming his successor at Hat Creek. And verily he did. The church chose him and in the latter part of the Summer of the aforementioned year, 1814, a Presbytery was held at Hat Creek and he was ordained pastor of the church at that place, in which Presbytery were to be seen Drury Lacy, Matthew Lyle, Mr. LeGrand, William S. Read, and Clement Read, among others of the min- istry. When Mr. McLean set in at Hat Creek, for years afterward he was considerably approved of, and under his ministrations things went on tolerably well in the church, and the church seemed edified and lighted up, and every now and then could be seen new members fly- ing to it, "as doves to their windows." But in five or six years after he had become pastor of Hat Creek, or about the year 1820 or 1821, he broke off, and took a trip to Philadelphia as a student of medicine. At this some of the church were to be seen shaking their heads, and did not seem so lighted up as formerly. At length Mr. McLean's pastoral relation to the church was dissolved, yet he con- tinued to preach at Hat Creek for a while afterward, and while his time there lasted Mr. Mitchell would come down sometimes from Bed- ford and preach there, and James Hurt of the Baptist Church and Nathaniel Lovelace of said church commenced preaching there for a while, and upon the winding up of Mr. McLean's time there, Mr. Jo Cochran stepped in and preached awhile there. Also while his time lasted there the eldership was renewed, Elder Captain Smith and Elder Chapman having moved far away, and Elder Marshall having de- parted this life. The following three were chosen and ordained in their stead, namely: Richard Hamersly (now dead), John W. Marshall (now of L. Concord), and Andrew Mann (now moved away), so that the eldership at the time that Mr. McLean left consisted of these three, "together with Paulett Clark. Now even before Mr. McLean had wound up at Hat Creek the question was going the rounds, who is to be
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