USA > Virginia > Campbell County > Campbell County > History of Hat Creek church, Campbell county, Virginia > Part 2
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Hat Creek's next pastor? And so soon as Mr. McLean had finally ceased at Hat Creek, Samuel Armistead proferred to become pastor there as his successor. And sometime after that he held a meeting at Hat Creek, and the votes of the church were taken as to his be- coming or not becoming pastor of the church at that place. The most of the members gave their votes in favor of it; the others were much opposed to it, yet showed their opposition more afterwards. Every- thing upon the whole, had gone on smoothly before at Hat Creek, and with harmony and concord among the brethren. Now it was that a number was in favor of a man and a number opposed to the same man. A hot contention now began, which might have been suppressed had but the one party yielded to the hearts' desire of the other. Yea, a contention now begun, though an apostle had written, "My brethren, these things ought not so to be."" Amidst the contention a call was made out for Mr. Armistead, and sent on to Presbytery, and soon af- terward Stephen Taylor, who had been appointed by Presbytery, preach- ed at Hat Creek his installation sermon and he became pastor there next to Mr. McLean. And this, if remembered correctly, was in the year 1826; but still after Mr. Armistead had become pastor, the op- posing party could not quietly rest and be contented. And in pro-
cess of time bitter complaints were carried to Presbytery, and Presbytery appointed committees to visit Hat Creek and try to settle matters there; and lastly appointed one to visit that church and ex- amine into the state of the church, and try to make a final settle, ment of matters at that place. The committee consisted of Dr. John H. Rice (as he was now called), Clement Read, William S. Read, and probably Henry Smith, for he was among them. The Committee, on hear- ing statements on both sides, and on mature consideration, cut off the opposing party (being a minority) and gave the same to Little Concord. After the Committee had made this division of the church at Hat Creek, both parties declared themselves entirely satisfied, and thus matters all rested till about the time the controversy burst out in the Presbyterian Church throughout the United States, and the appellation of "Old School," "New School" was heard pro- nounced. Then it was that another hot contention took place at Hat Creek among those who were left of being given to Little Concord. Mr. Armistead and some of the church took sides with the "New School" and others with the "Old School." And consequently the most of those of the "old School" were opposed to Mr. Armistead remaining pastor any longer. Several members immediately withdrew from the church. Mr. Armistead appearing determined still to remain as pastor and things seeming to be out of proper order at Hat Creek, a fine train of members (but still a minority) withdrew next, and worshipped at a place called Rudds Old Store, and had it in contemplation to build for themselves a new meeting house. And while they worshipped there Mr. Cunningham preached statedly to them as a supply.
In these days the church had arrived at a pitiable ebb. And it seemed as if Hat Creek's day was about to be over. Mr. Armis- tead at last concluded to have his pastoral relation to the church - at Hat Creek done away. And it was done away. And though the most
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of the elders as well as some of the members besides had professed to be on the "New School" side, yet a call was made out for James McDearman, who had for a while been preaching at Hat Creek, and the call was sent to an "Old School" Presbytery. The committee appoint- ed by Presbytery in order to his ordination as pastor was Andrew Hart, William Hamersly, William Pollard and Matthew Jackson. The Committee upon examining him could not sustain the examination they had made of him, and so he was not ordained. Afterward he went to the "New School" side, and still continues there. After some time had elapsed both parties (the one worshipping at Rudd's Old Store -- Elder Paulett, James and William Clark being part, -- and the other worshipping at Hat Creek) became mutually agreed to come together again and worship at Hat Creek and have Rev. William Hamersly for their pastor. And upon his becoming pastor there the party which a little while back had been cut off and given to Little Concord, somewhat alike the Jews that were taken captive to Babylon, return- ed back to their own land, returned back to Old Hat Creek again, and under the ministrations of Mr. Hamersly, the church has been ever since like unto a river whose waters gently glide along.
While Mr. Armistead's time lasted at Hat Creek, Henry Smith, William Pollard, Mr. Cunningham and Mr. McDearman preached some too. Likewise while his time lasted there some elders chosen and ordained were, William Clark (now dead) James Clark, Dr. Robert Smith, Mat- thew L. Irvin (now dead), Brice A. Martin (now of N. S. ), Christopher Clark (now living in Lynchburg), Sampson Woodall (now living in Tennessee), and Captain Robert A. Armistead. So that by the time that Mr. Armistead had left Hat Creek and Mr. Hamersly had come in his room, the eldership then consisted of the men just mentioned to- gether with Paulett Clark and Andrew Mann, with the exception of Samuel Woodall and perhaps Brice A. Martin. Before this time Elder Richard Hamersly had died. Likewise while Mr. Armistead's time lasted at Hat Creek it can be said new members and that not a few joined the church there. It has already been said that from the time Mr. Hamersly became pastor at Hat Creek the church there had been like unto a river whose waters gently glide along. And it was
in the year 18 he became pastor there. Truly the church there has been highly blessed of the Lord under his ministerial labors and souls converted, five or six professing in time of one meeting. And he has been in the habit of holding protracted meetings at times and they are crowned with blessings. But as relates to revivals at Hat Creek, the greatest one ever known there burst out under the preach- ing of Mr. Hamersly at a time when he was not pastor there but Mr. Armistead was. Mr. Hamersly labored until he was broken down, and he sent on to Lynchburg and got Jacob Mitchell who came to his help, and in the end thirty or more had professed conversion and time has shown that soundness went forth in what they professed. Indeed ever since Hat Creek has been a place of worship there has at times been some distinguished and interesting meetings held there. And while they lasted the church would seem to enjoy refreshing from the -presence of the Lord, -- and seem invigorated to take a fresh start in the heavenly way. And recently a Presbytery has been held there,
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and it was so interesting a meeting as that the church would be at no little expense to have another. And old Elder Paulett Clark, who is upwards of 83 years old, and on the confines of eternity, and soon must launch away, and who has been faithful at church as well as at home, would rejoice and be exceeding glad to see once more the min- isters who were present at that time, -- especially to see Dr. Rice, and if not him some one of the ministers at Hampden Sidney sent by him to see him in his room. And ere he could enter in at the door of his house would readily exclaim, "Come in thou blessed of the Lord! Wherefore standest thou without?" Verily this Presbytery or meeting, though past, is yet reviving to the church at Hat Creek, when thoughts of it strike the mind. And let it be said the mem- bership of Hat Creek have generally been very attentive to their meetings -- would have the mind set upon them and would not slight
them. And at sacramental and other distinguished meetings they would' carry to church food enough for themselves and those who came from afar. So that foreigners on leaving the church for home would leave it well pleased and having respect for all its members. And the number at Hat Creek are at present a goodly number. But as well as elsewhere, the divine will has had to be resigned to its members dy- ing, moving away, or being dismissed. Yet new members would be added to it in their room. From the Baptists none has ever joined there except one young lady. From the Methodists seven or eight have joined there. But not from other sects. And none (?) from other denominations have communed there at the Table of the Lord except Methodists and Episcopalians. And one instance only has there been of a married couple the one being a member at Hat Creek and the other a member of a different church. The husband was a Baptist and the wife a Presbyterian at Hat Creek. He would not join her church, and she would not join his, and yet they lived quite agreeably to- gether what time the wife lived.
Mention has been made of the names of some who have preached sermons at Hat Creek, besides the particular Presbyterian ministers who have preached there either as stated supplies or in the capacity of pastors. Mention will be made now of the names of some others of the several denominations, who have preached sermons there in the writer's remembrance, viz:
Presbyterians - Dr. Benjamin H. Rice, Dr. J. H. Rice, Dr. Jesse Armistead, Rev. Wilson, Henry Smith, Samuel Watkins, Drury Lacy, Matthew Lyle, Andrew Hart, Samuel L. Price, Anderson, Bradstreet, Caldwell, Alexander Hogshead, and brother,
Jackson (from Ireland), Carlile, Davidson, Brice H. Martin, Norval Howe, Rice, Stickley, McEltine,
Leach, and Matthew Jackson, who has since Mr. Hamersly has been pastor at Hat Creek preached there some years statedly. And with him the people have seemed very well pleased, and with his published sermons on Baptism.
Baptists - Edmund Johns, Richard Dabbs, Kerr, E. Roach, Jenkins, Gabriel Walker, Philip Hurt, and Robert, his son,
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Philip Mathews, Saunders, Mustines, Charles Cobbs, Allison, John Felder, Fleshman, Todd, Davidson.
Methodists - Rev. John Chapple, Beighbors, Pendleton, Obediah Edge, Richard Brown, Thomas Jones, Hozell, Clark, P. E. M. Comer, John Robinson, and Mr. Urgood, an Episcopalian.
Some others besides these have preached at Hat Creek in the writer's remembrance, but their names at present are disremembered by him. Indeed the minds of all denominations of professors have seemed to be drawn out and directed to Hat Creek, as if they be- grudged it to its true occupiers. Once, upon obtaining leave, the Baptists had a camp meeting there. And this was in the Fall of 1804. And once upon obtaining leave, they held an association there. And this was in the Fall of 1806. And once it seemed as if a Mr. H of the Methodist denomination wanted to take Hat Creek away, if he could. But presently he vanished and was not seen there since. Upon giving the names of the foregoing ministers who have preached at Hat Creek, it would, no doubt, be gratifying to the mind to know the names of all that have been members of the church there from its start. To give a list of their names would be a task not to be ful- filled. The present number of members at that place is This number, owing to deaths, removals, and dismissions, is not so great as the number has been there at some other times. Yet it is, as is elsewhere said, a goodly number. And best of all, as there is rea- son to conclude, clothed in robes of righteousness and garments of salvation. One of this number, O. C. Clark, has been chosen and or- dained Elder since Mr. Hamersly has been its pastor. And the said 0. C. Clark, together with his father, Paulett Clark, Dr. Robert Smith, Captain Robert Armistead, and James Clark compose the present eldership at Hat Creek.
But it is time to be saying something about Sabbath Schools. Sabbath Schools began at Hat Creek thirty years back, and with the exception of a few years have been kept up there ever since. And no little good and benefit have emenated from them. In them children have learned well, and acquired such information as no one should go without. And some years back the Union Questions found their way into the Sabbath School at the place. And the members of the school have performed well in studying out and learning correct answers to them. Of one little girl it was said, "If Matthew Henry were to rise from the dead, he could not exceed her in answering the questions correctly." It is hoped Sabbath Schools are not to die away at Hat Creek, since they have unquestionably been blessed.
But it is time to be saying something about the fourth meeting house and the grave-yard. Recently the fourth meeting house has been built at Hat Creek, which like unto the second and third is a framed one -- and one which was more costly than any of the former. "The grave-yard too has recently been enclosed, after having been enclosed three or four times before. And ever since Hat Creek has
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been a place of worship this has been a place for burying the dead. The ground first set apart for the grave-yard, in process of time, became so filled up with the bodies of the dead that about the year 1825 it was found necessary to enlarge it and it was enlarged with land procured from the owner of the land adjoining it. it is to be regretted that in burying the dead at this place that there was not some kind of monument erected to each grave, to show that a grave was there and whose. For the want of monuments some have to go without knowing the exact spot where their kindred lies -- only know they are buried at Hat Creek. Graves are so worn down there that it would seem to one there is no grave where one is. Not to venture a conjecture of the number of bodies buried at Hat Creek, let it suffice to say many bodies of the dead lie in the dust of the earth there, -- bodies both of white and black, male and female, old and young, and of all sizes. And when the first Resurrection rolls around surely a goodly number of the bodies of the saints will be seen rising there. "Blessed and holy are they that have part in the first resurrection, for on such the second death hath no power."
But it is time to come to a close, the writer will say, were he to prophesy, he would prophesy that Hat Creek will be a place where Jehovah is worshipped till Jesus comes. He guesses it will be thus :- who would doubt that Hat Creek is a part of the heritage of the Lord, purchased with the Redeemer's blood? The writer, when- ever he thinks of this old church of the Lord, feels constrained to compare it to some venerable old man to whom much honor should be paid. It has been thought by some that Hat Creek has been much underrated by other churches. If so, perhaps some contentions which have been there might have given rise to it. But notwithstanding some contentions Hat Creek has been an interesting church from its beginning hitherto.
Indeed it seems that there the Lord has made the horn of David to bud; and ordained a lamp for the annointed. While it stands written in the book of Psalms, "Of Zion it shall be said that this and that man was born in her" - let it stand written of old Hat Creek it may be said this and that man, and woman, and juvenile soul was born there -- born again. Verily, verily, the Lord has blessed old Hat Creek with blessings from the skies. And, 0, may he con- tinue to bless it, till Gabriel stand with one foot on the earth and the other on the sea, and swear with uplifted hands to Heaven, till time shall be no more!
And now, dear old Hat Creek, while ceasing to speak of thee for the present, the writer will say: "Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thee."
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This is a copy of a sketch of the History of Hat Creek Church made by William Irvin for Rev. Benjamin H. Rice, D. C., but never forwarded to him. It was written in 1854.
The original was, after I had taken with my own hand this copy in full, sent to Rev. Banjamin Smith, D. C., of the Union Theolog- ical Seminary, Virginia, that he might have a copy taken for Union Theological Seminary, and then send the original M. S. to the Presbyterian Historical Society Building for preservation. J. A. Scott, Pastor Hat Creek Church, October 23, 1882.
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INDEX
Allen, Cary, 3 Allison, 12
Armistead, Dr. Jesse, 11
Armistead, Capt. Robert A., 10,12 Armistead, Samuel, 9, 10
Armistead, William, 8
Anderson, 11
Beighbors, 12
Boyd, Mary, 1 Bradstreet 11
Brown, Richard, 12
Caldwell, 11
Carlile, 11
Chapman, Benjamin, 8 Chapple, Rev. John, 12
Clark, Annis I., 1
Clark, Christopher, 10 Clark, James, 10, 12
Clark, O. C., 12
Clark, Paulett, 8, 10, 11, 12 clark, William, 10 clark, - 12
Cobbs, Capt. Charles, 4,5,6,11
Cobbs, Mrs. Charles, 5
Cobbs, Jesse, 5 Cobbs, John, 5 Cobbs, Mary, 5 Cochran, Jo, 8 Comer, P. E. M., 12
Cunningham, 9, 10
Dabbs, Richard, 11
Davidson, - 11, 12 Dodson, William, 4
Edge, Obediah, 12
Felder, John, 12 Fleshman, -- , 12
Hamersly, William, 7,10,11,12 Hamersly, Richard, 8, 10
Hart, Andrew, 10, 1l
Henry, Matthew, 12 Hogshead, Alexander, 11 Howe, Norval, 11 Hozell, 12
Hurt, James, 8 Hurt, Philip, 11 Hurt, Robert, 11
Irvin, James H., 7 Irvin, John, 1, 4, 6
Irvin, Major John, 4, 6, 7, 8
Irvin, Mrs. John, 7
Irvin, Matthew L., 10 Irvin, William, 3, 14 Jackson, Matthew, 10, 11 Jackson, 11 Jenkins, 11 Johns, Edmund, 11
Jones, Captain Publius, 4,6,7,8 Jones, Thomas, 12 Kerr,
Lacy, Drury , 11 Leach, 11 LeGrand, Nash, 7, 8
Lovelace, Nathaniel, 8 Lumpkin, 7
Lyle, Matthew, 11 Mahon, William, 3
Mann, Andrew, 8, 10
Marshall, Capt. John, 4,6,7,8 Marshall, John W., 8
Martin, Brice A., 10
Martin, Brice H., 11 Matthews, Philip, 12 McDearman, James, 10 McEltine, 11 McLean, John S., 8 McRoberts, Archibald, 6 Miles, 7 Mitchell, Jacob, 10
Mitchell, James, 3, 8
Moore, Bishop, 6
Morris, Joshua, 4, 6
Morris, Samuel, 4
Mustines, 12
Pendleton, 12 Pollard, William, 10 Price, Samuel L., 11 Read, Clement, 7, 8, 9
9
Read, William S.,
8,
Rice, Dr. Benjamin H., 11, 14
Rice, David, 3, 4
Rice, John H., 7, 8, 9, 11
Rice, 11
Roach, E., 11 Robinson, John, 12 Saunders, 12 Scott, Rev. J. A., 1, 14
Smith, Rev. Banjamin, 14 Smith, Henry, 9, 10, 11
Smith, Dr. Robert, 10, 12
Smith, Captain William, 8 Stickley, 11
Taylor, Stephen,
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Tennant, Gilbert, 2
Todd,
12
Tompkins,
James
7
Urgood,
12
Waddell,
3
Walker, Gabriel, 11
Watkins, Samuel, 11
Weatherford, John, 7
Wilson,
-, 11
Woodall, Sampson, 10
Woodall, Samuel, 10
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