USA > Virginia > Clarke County > Clarke County > History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states > Part 5
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Owing to the incompleteness of the records it is difficult to find at what time the first vestry meeting was held in this place. As early as April 24th, 1796, a vestry for Frederick parish met, of whom five out of eight present were residents of this immediate neighborhood. In 1802 a meeting of the vestry is recorded, of which a majority belong to this congregation. At a meeting on the 25th of September, 1803, the members of the vestry reported present are Richard Kidder Meade, Nathaniel Burwell, Thomas T. Byrd, John Page, Robert Page, Robert Carter Burwell, John Smith and Philip Nelson; John Page and Robert Page, wardens. As all of these were residents of this neighborhood and members of this congregation, we may fairly assume that this was a vestry for Cunningham Chapel, distinct from any other church or chapel.
There is but little further of special interest to record of the Old Chapel-as it is universally called- until it was found necessary to have a larger building. In the record for the year 1832, I find in our vestry book this minute: "About this time the connection ceased between the Millwood-or Old Chapel-congregation and the Ber- ryville and Wickliffe congregations." The next vestry reported after that time is composed entirely of gentlemen from the Millwood neighborhood (Vestry Book 119-20).
Christ Church, Millwood, was built in the year 1834. The lot of two acres on which it stands was given for the purpose of building the church by Mr. George Burwell, of Carter Hall, who was always liberal and generous in his donations to the church and to all benevolent ob- jects. The deed by which the lot was conveyed to the
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trustees of the church is dated April 18, 1832. In his book (Page 288, Volume II) Bishop Meade says:
"In the year 1834 it was found that the Old Chapel was too small and inconvenient for the increasing congrega- tion, and it was therefore determined to erect another and larger one in a more central and convenient place in the vicinity of Millwood, on ground given by Mr. George Bur- well, of Carter Hall. Such, however, was the attach- ment of many to the Old Chapel that funds for the latter could not be obtained, except on condition of alternate services at the Chapel. From year to year these services became less frequent, until, at length, they are now re- duced to an annual pilgrimage, on some summer Sabbath, to this old and much loved spot; or death summons the neighbors to add one more to the tenants of the grave- yard."
The tradition that the annual services held here are prescribed by the contract by which the property is held rests only on the stipulation in the deed from Col. Na- thaniel Burwell, that in case it is used for any purpose in- compatible with its use as a place of divine worship, it shall revert to him and his heirs.
After the removal of the congregation to Christ Church, Millwood, the history of the "Old Chapel" is little more than a record of those who, from time to time, have gone over to the great majority. Eighteen of our soldiers, who gave their lives for the cause of States rights, lie buried here, and memorial services have been held here in every summer since 1866, to keep green the memory of our dead and to decorate their graves with flowers."
In the grave yard at Old Chapel are the graves of the dead from the families of the Millwood neighborhood, making it a sacred spot to many people. It is also the resting place of a number of Confederate Soldiers from
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the county and elsewhere. Here each recurring spring a large number of people gather to place flowers upon the graves of those whom they love as friends and kindred and also upon those of the men who gave their lives for the cause all loved so well. Here each year some one in simple tale of burning eloquence tells the story of the times when men gave their lives, their all for the cause they loved, or perhaps in calm dispassionate logic, lays bare the causes-which through many years led to this great strife. May posterity through all the years to come keep this honored custom.
At the Old Chapel is the first monument erected in honor of the Confederate dead from the county. To Capt. W. N. Nelson and the patriotic people of Millwood and vi- cinity is due the honor of this work. A monument of granite, upon which is carved the names of those from this county who lost their lives during the war between the States. When the flowers have been placed upon the graves at the annual gathering for that purpose, the roll of all the soldiers dead from the county and of those from other states buried here is called. This duty for many years was performed by Capt. W. N. Nelson, but for recent years by Mr. R. Powel Page. A few years more and some son of a Confederate soldier will have to assume this sacred duty.
The Rectors of Christ Church, Millwood, since the above was written have been: Rev. John Pointz Tyler, Rev. J. Courtney Jones, Rev. Edward H. Engle, Rev. J. M. Robeson the present incumbent.
VALLEY VIEW MISSION SCHOOL
The Valley View Mission School was established by the Rev. J. M. Robeson on the road through Ashby's Gap in 1909, and consists of an attractive school building adapt-
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ed to both school purposes and public worship. The school is largely attended and has been presided over by excellent teachers without expense to the county.
BERRYVILLE EPISCOPAL
This parish was originally within the limits of the cure administered by the Rev. Mr. Balmaine. Subsequent- ly the Rt. Rev. William Meade extended his ministerial labors over this parish, while he was rector at the old stone chapel of the Millwood congregation. The Rev. Dr. Jones and others occasionally visited the parish, and preached at Wickliffe Church at stated intervals, Clarke parish then not having been formed from Wickliffe parish. The Rev. Jared Rice had charge for one year. The Ber- ryville congregation had been worshiping in the old stone academy in the village, but under Mr. Rice's rectorship a church building was completed. The intention of the people, was at first to make the building a union church, but by the advice of Bishop Meade, it was erected for the sole use of the Episcopalians. Mr. Rice's services, so auspiciously commenced, were terminated by a speedy removal and premature death. The Rev. William M. Jackson succedeed him, taking charge of the congrega- tion in Berryville and Wickliffe in 1832. He was the rec- tor for eight years.
The Rev. Alex. Shiras was the next minister, from 1840 to 1844. Under him the rectory in Berryville was built, and the present Wickliffe Church commenced. Toward the erection of the church, Mrs. Gen. Parker had left a bequest of $500.
The Rev. Richard H. Wilmer succeeded Mr. Shiras in 1844, and resigned in 1849. During his rectorship, the new church at Wickliffe was consecrated by Bishop Meade, on February 5, 1846, and in 1848 Grace Church, in Berry-
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
ville, was improved by the addition of galleries, and other- wise repaired and enlarged, at an expense of $800.
The Rev. Joshua Peterkin became the rector in 1849, and resigned in 1852. His brother-in-law, the Rev. Wil- liam D. Hanson, assisted him during this time, in preach- ing to the servants at Wickliffe and to the white people at Kabletown, and also on the mountain, at "Manning's School House," and "Mount Carmel," the latter a log chapel, built by the exertions of Mr. William J. Williams.
The Rev. Francis M. Whittle succeeded Mr. Peterkin in 1852. During his rectorship, the council in Wheeling, W. Va., in 1853, made a division of the old Wickliffe parish, and made Clarke parish. In 1854 Mr. Whittle urged the Berry- ville people to erect a new church, and his efforts resulted in the present edifice. Work on the new building was com- menced in 1856 and completed in August, 1857. Its cost was $7,500. It was consecrated on August 29, by Bishop Meade, the sermon being preached by Rev. R. T. Davis, of Martinsburg. Mr. Whittle resigned the rectorship in the fall of 1857.
The Rev. Nowlin was called to the parish immediately after, but only preached twice, when he was taken sick and died in the rectory. He was succeeded by the Rev. Hender- son Suter, in 1858, which rectorship lasted until 1866. Mr. Suter was here during the trying period of the war, and through his instrumentality the church several times was saved from being burned by the Federal army. The Rev. T. F. Martin was the rector from 1867 to 1879. The church was signally blessed under his ministration. The Rev. P.P. Phillips succeeded him in 1879. In 1883 the church was renovated, and enlarged by the addition of a transept, at an expense of $4,000. The number of communicants now is 190. Mr. Phillips resigned in June, 1894, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Edward Wall, who took charge in October, of the same year. Mr. Wall is still rector of the parish.
CHAPTER IX.
THE METHODIST DENOMINATION
T HE Methodist denomination in the County of Clarke owes its foundation to Rev. Mr. Gaver, the great-grand father of Mr. Jas. W. Gaver, of Berryville. In notes of his work in the Valley of Virginia, now in possession of Mr. Gaver, he says that he was the Presiding Elder of a District which extended from the Tennessee line to the Potomac river, taking in the whole of the Valley. There being no church building in Clarke, he preached in the house of a Mr. A. M. Hardesty, with- out doubt the Mr. Hardesty who lived at the old Hardes- ty home near Minnie Wood Chapel, the progenitor of the numerous and influential family of that name so well known among us. He also preached in the house of Mr. Jos. Noble, who with his sister and cousin lived at what is now the Jno. Enders house. From this beginning the denomination has grown to be probably the strongest in the County in numbers and influence.
For some years the early Methodists preached in the old Academy. The writer has been unable to discover when their first building was erected, probably between 1840 and 1850. During the years prior to the war, the church in Berryville was quite strong and had many fine preachers to fill its pulpits. Among them was the Rev. Thos. Sewell, a noted orator, and the present Bishop Wilson, when quite a young man was on the Berryville circuit. Under the preaching of such men the denomi-
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nation grew rapidly in the County, and chapels were built in convenient places. In 1856 Cain's Chapel was built on the Sensenney Road, and about the same time Crums was built. There were churches also at White Post and Mt. Carmel in Ashby's Gap, and at Ebenezer near Snickers Gap. Since the war they have built churches at Millwood, Boyce, and Marvin's Chapel. It has been their determination to place the gospel of Christ in reach of every one. Some years ago the congregation at Berry- ville built a new and handsome church at which they have preaching every Sunday. The pulpit is filled by earnest men and the pews by an aggressive membership.
In giving the history of the church at Berryville it may be of interest to relate some of the troubles which came upon them as an incident of the great war. The war naturally caused a breaking up of church relations be- tween the churches of the North and the South in most of the denominations and none more so than the Metho- dist. According to their rule of church government, the churches and church property are under control of the Con- ference. The Baltimore Conference, to which this charge belonged, was divided by the war into North and South. At the close of the War the church here had as its pastor the Rev. Wm. Hedges, a godly man and able minister. He had preached when he could for his people all through the war and proceeded to do so after its close. The Northern Conference claimed the churches as belonging to them and determined to retain them if possible. The Rev. Mr. Lanahan a very able and determined man was sent to this circuit to take possession and hold the churches. In order to bring the matter to a test, he determined to make appointments for the same day and hour that Mr. Hedges had for his appointments. This of course led to difficulty. One Sunday night the conflict came on in the Berryville
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Church. Mr. Hedges and Mr. Lanahan were both in the pulpit, both ready to preach. Whenever Mr. Hedges would start to preach Mr. Lanahan would also start. Whenever Mr. Lanahan would start the choir would sing. This singular contest was kept up for several hours. Both determined to carry their point. Mr. Lanahan getting in a sentence at a time. The choir almost exhausted it- self singing him down whenever he arose. After a while a number of the young men of the community made their way gradually through the vast crowd until they reached the pulpit, a note was handed Mr. Lanahan telling him that this affair had to stop and giving him ten minutes in which he could leave the town. He immediately called for a Magistrate. Mr. Mathew Pulliam who was present, said that he was one, and would promise that he (Lanahan) should get safely out of the town. This being the best he could get, the Reverend gentleman decided to leave, and did so in safety, but right badly frightened. No harm was intended him, but the boys were determined that he should quit. The matter was later worked out in the Courts and our people kept their church. People now may think that the boys were wrong, but that was a time which called for strenuous measures sometimes, and I think that this occasion called for just such a measure.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BERRYVILLE
Was organized by a commission of the Winchester Presbytery, June 10th, 1854. There were only eleven members at the organization. Previous to the organiza- tion and building of a church building, the Rev. Jas. Gra- ham then a young man preached occasionally for those who were presbyterians, sometimes in the Methodist and sometimes in the Baptist churches, as also did the Rev. Chas. White, who afterwards became the pastor. The
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church was built largely through the labors of Rev. Mr. Baber, an old Presbyterian preacher, who had no regular charge, but was a devoted earnest man, with large ac- quaintance in the State and elsewhere. At the dedica- tion of the church two very distinguished ministers were present and preached, Dr. Plummer and Dr. Stuart Robi- son, of Kentucky. Rev. Chas. White was the first pastor, by his efforts the church building was not injured by the U. S. troops during the war. He remained as pastor un- til 1875. Since then Revs. C. S. Linghamfelter, A. B. Carrington, J. H. Moore, Chas. Stribling, D. H. Scanlan, S. K. Philips and D. W. McIver.
At Stone's Chapel, about six miles from Berryville, is another Presbyterian church, served by the same pastor. Stone's Chapel was named it is supposed for the man who gave the land upon which it is built. It was built for the use of the Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations and is still so held, but the Lutheran's who many years ago predominated, have almost disappeared. Many of them joining the Presbyterian church. Services are held now by only the Presbyterians. The first building at Stone's was one among the first church buildings ever put up in the county, dating back to before the Revolutionary War, or immediately after, as there is record of preaching there in 1786. The large number of German's from Pennsyl- vania who settled in that neighborhood, were mostly Lutherans, uniting with the Scotch Irish settlers, who were Presbyterians, were the original builders. The present building is probably the third to be built. The commu- nity which it serves is very conservative and there are doubtless many descendants of the original builders now connected with the Church.
The Berryville, Stone's Chapel and Clearbrook churches unite in supporting a pastor.
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
BERRYVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
In the year 1772 Daniel and William Fristoe, brothers and Baptist preachers from Stafford County, crossed the mountains and commenced preaching in private houses near Battletown, now Berryville, and soon gathered a company of Baptized believers, who were constituted into Buck Marsh church. A house of worship was built a half-mile from Berryville, and there, for more than fifty years, regular worship was maintained. The Fristoe brothers continued to serve the church for some years, though they had to ride seventy miles to meet their ap- pointments.
Rev. James Ireland became the pastor of the church in 1786, and continued to serve the church until his death in 1806.
The position of influence held by Mr. Ireland in the de- nomination and in this section of the State as well as some of the circumstances connected with his life, calls for more than a passing notice. He was a Scotchman, born and educated in Edinburgh. After his arrival in America he taught school as so many of his countrymen did. He was something of a poet, but being a wild and rather dis- sipated young fellow his poetry was of a hilarious kind. After his conversion, he united with the Baptist church, the Rev. Geo. Pickett travelling sixty miles to baptize him. He immediately decided to preach the gospel. Those were days of trying times for Baptist and others; not of the established church. Soon after he entered the min- istry he was arrested and confined in Culpepper Jail for some time. He endured some serious persecutions while in prison, some of the marks of which he carried to his grave many years later. He used to date his letters from
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my "Palace in Culpepper." His remains lie in the old graveyard at "Trap Hill" the site of the old Buck Marsh church near Berryville.
About the year 1786 William Fristoe removed to Shen- andoah County, but was called to the pastorate the second time after the death of Rev. James Ireland in 1806 and from that time until 1815 or 1820 ministered to the church. Rev. John Monroe, M. D., succeeded Fristoe, and he was followed by Rev. Joseph Baker, who with a short inter- regnum, remained with the church until 1852. Rev. Henry Dodge, D. D., succeeded Baker, and was himself followed by Joseph Sharpe, who was succeeded by Rev. T. B. Shepherd, Rev. Mr. Llewellyn served the church, after Shepherd left, for three years. In 1877 Rev. O. Ellyson became pastor, remaining five years. He was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Barron, in 1882, who served the church just two years. Rev. Julian Broaddus followed Barron. About 1840 the old church building was aban- doned, a new and handsome brick building was erected in Berryville, and the name changed from "Buck Marsh," to "Berryville". In 1885 another church house was built on a commanding situation. From its organization, the church has had in its membership some of the most sub- stantial and influential citizens in the neighborhood. Rev. Dr. James A. Hayes, Rev. T. B. Shepherd and Rev. Dr. Howard Kerfoot are distinguished ministers, who have gone out from this church, Rev. E. J. Richardson, the Temperance Leader, Rev. F. H. Kerfoot, Rev. N. O. Sowers, Henry T. Louthan, Dr. J. D. Louthan a Mission- ary to China, and E. M. Louthan, also went out from the Berryville Church.
Dr. Broaddus has been pastor for thirty years, on Sep- tember 1st, 1914. The Mountain Church was organized in 1857 by Dr. J. A. Haynes, who served it as pastor for
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some years. It has had as pastors, Llewellyn, Wiley, Hubbard, Stoneham, Schools and others.
BETHEL BAPTIST
Bethel Church was organized in the year 1808, with 13 members, most of them from the "Buck Marsh" church, Berryville. The first pastor was Sam'l O. Hendson. He was succeeded by Wm. Fristoe, and he by Dr. Wm. F. Broaddus, who was pastor 21 years.
In 1833 the present brick building was erected; and Dr. Broaddus having resigned Rev. Barnett Grimsley became pastor and retained the pastorate twenty-five years. Bethel has had a number of pastors since that time; in- cluding Revs. Jno. Pickett, Luther Steele, Benton Shep- herd, Joseph Sharp, Lewis Llewellyn, Geo. Williams, and W. S. Dorsett and Stoneham. The present pastor is Schools.
For many years, the congregation at Old Bethel were large, with large additions to her membership. In later years, many churches having been organized in the ad- joining towns and villages, and Bethel being so remote from railroads and in the country, her interest, in a meas- ure, seems to have diminished, only one or two of the older members now living and the congregation is composed of strangers.
MILLWOOD
Was organized in 1888 by members of Bethel Church. It has had as pastors, Dorsett, T. B. Shepherd, B. F. Stoneham and Schools.
SALEM
Belongs to the Old School Baptist denomination. It is very old. The writer has been unable to get any data as regards it, except that it has been "Old Salem" for
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many years and is probably as old or older than the "Old Chapel." There are now very few members and they are aged people.
CHAPTER X
WHAT THE COUNTY AUTHORITIES DID
T HE people of the County of Clarke went into the war with their whole hearts and were ready to risk not only life, but property for the cause they be- lieved to be just and right. The county was small in ex- tent and population. By the census of 1860 there was a population of 7152. White males 1851, white females 1856, negro males 1840, females 1599. We cannot tell ac- curately the number of soldiers from the county, but from data obtainable, we think there were not less than seven hundred. The county was rich in personal property, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep; everything raised on the farms abounded. To the wise and far sighted, it was evident that whether our arms were successful or not, the county being situated on the border, was almost certain to lose all of this kind of property. The amount of loss even- tually sustained was immense, without including the slaves. When the war ended, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, everything was gone. But these people would not have hesitated even if they had foreseen the end. Their sis- ter States of the South were threatened with invasion and all the people were determined to stand by them regard- less of consequences.
When it was known that the State had determined to throw her fortunes in with the other Southern States, and her volunteer soldiers had been ordered out and were in the field, all felt that the county should take some official
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
steps to help on the cause in which each one was so much interested. The first meeting of the County Court there- after the Justices from the whole county were summoned to meet at the Court House to take such steps as might be deemed necessary. So on the 22nd day of April, 1861, just five days after the County Companies had gone to Har- per's Ferry, they met. Out of sixteen, thirteen responded to their names, the others being out with the soldiers on military duty. After due and calm consideration they determined to appropriate Ten Thousand Dollars for the purpose of arming and provisioning the troops then in the field from the county, and such as might go in later. Of course in the beginning no one knew what was needed or how to do what they wanted to do. This knowledge came later. They found that they could do nothing to- wards arming the troops. The three companies who had gone to the front were already armed, and their desire to furnish provisions could not be carried out as that was in the hands of the military authorities. However, they found many uses for the money and although we have no report of how it was expended, those who were in the companies knew they received the benefits, and it cheered them on to do their duty, to feel that those at home were caring for their good and comfort. The order of Court of the April term, 1861, is here given:
Virginia
sct. Clarke County
In the County Court
April Term, 1861
At a County Court begun and held for the said county at the Court House thereof on Monday, the 22nd day of April, 1861.
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The Court proceeded to the consideration of the sub- ject of raising money for the purpose of arming more ef- fectually the county and provisioning the troops now in service, and which may hereafter be called unto the ser- vice of the State.
PRESENT
Wm. G. Hardesty, Esq., presiding Justice, Francis McCormick, Wm. A. Castleman, John Morgan, Lewis F. Glass, Thomas L. Humphrey, Nathaniel Burwell, Am. Moore, John J. Riley, John Page, George C. Blackmore, Benjamin Morgan, R. K. Meade, Esquires, being a ma- jority of all the Justices of this county, the rest being ah- sent on military duty, and it is unanimously ordered that bonds of the county be issued with certificates of interest attached for the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000) Dollars, payable in four installments for the purpose above men- tioned.
Ordered that N. Burwell, Benjamin Morgan, Lewis F. Glass, Am. Moore and John Page Esquires, be appointed a committee to carry out in full and in detail the above order, namely, to borrow the money on the bonds, pur- chase goods and efficient arms and distribute them, tak- ing bond for their care and return when no longer needed, and for the purchase of provisions, ammunition, etc., and report to the next court, and it is ordered that a majority of the committee may act, and the court doth appoint Thomas H. Crow, Chief Commissary, to execute the order for purchasing provisions, etc., and said Thomas H. Crow be authorized to appoint his agents throughout the county, and it is ordered that this court at its next June term do levy for such an amount as may be required.
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