USA > Virginia > Old churches, ministers and families of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 36
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"Of the published writings of the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, his 'Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars, together with a View of the State of Society, Manners, Customs, &c., of the Early Settlers of the Western Country,' is the principal.
"This graphic picture of pioneer scenes, manners, customs, and events, is peculiarly interesting as well as valuable on account of its fidelity,-it being the result of the writer's personal experience and observation. The work was undertaken by its author not only for the purpose of preserving the facts therein recorded, but also with a view of enabling those who come after him properly to estimate the advantages of position in a civil- ized and refined state of society, by contrasting them with those possessed by their forefathers in the Western regions. THOMAS SCOTT.
"CHILLICOTHE, ROSS COUNTY, OHIO, June 25, 1855."
To the foregoing we add a few things which we received from those who knew him as the minister in Brooke county. He preached at four places in that county, two of which are now occupied by Presbyterians and Methodists. The other two were Wellsburg and the neighbourhood where St. John's Church now stands. Although he was followed by that most zealous and popular man, the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, still it was found impracticable to sustain congregations in all of them. Dr. Doddridge died in the year
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1826, in his fifty-eighth year. He was buried in a vault under his own house, near Wellsburg, but afterward removed to a public burying-ground.
The Rev. Mr. Armstrong, from Wheeling, preached much and zealously to the congregations after Dr. Doddridge's death, as did also his son at a subsequent period. The Rev. Mr. Wheat, of Wheeling, who was the immediate successor of the elder Armstrong, also laboured for them. After some time, the Rev. Mr. Skull was sent as a missionary to Brooke county. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Harrison in the same capacity. The Revs. Mr. Goodwin, Hyland, and Tompkins followed in succession. The Rev. Mr. Christian is the present minister. During the intervals of minis- terial supply, which have been very considerable, the Rev. Dr. Morse, of Steubenville, Ohio, has most kindly and laboriously served the people of St. John's, for which he is most justly very dear to them. Three churches have been put up in St. John's parish on the same site,-the first of log, the second of framework, and the last of brick,-the last being consecrated in 1850. There has always been a considerable congregation at St. John's, and I have ever been delighted to find myself in the midst of that plain, unpretending, hospitable, and zealous congregation of people, devoted to the true principles of the Gospel and worship of our Church.
In Wellsburg, which is about seven miles from St. John's, on the Ohio River, the congregation is small. They have a neat brick church, which was built some years since, almost entirely at the expense of two brothers, John and Danford Brown. The former has gone to his rest. The latter still lives and hopes for better times to the church of his affections.
To these notices of the Church in Brooke county, I subjoin an extract from a pamphlet which I had occasion to publish some years since, when the question of forming a separate diocese in Western Virginia was considered. In discussing it I was led to consider the real condition of that part of the State, which unfitted it for the support of a separate organization at that time. The following is, I believe, a true account of it :-
" Those who would see the main causes of the feeble condition of the Episcopal Church in Western Virginia, and of the difficulties in the way of its speedy progress, under any helps that can, be brought to bear upon it, must consider the history of Western Virginia, and the peculiarity of her condition, by comparison with other portions of our land, similar as to soil and position. Take, for instance, Ohio and Western Pennsylvania,
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lying on two sides of Western Virginia. While the latter (Western Vir- ginia) is more hilly and mountainous, and less attractive on that account to the emigrant, she has also had other obstacles to settlement and im- provement, which have left her far behind the former two. In the first place, the unsettled condition of her land-titles continues to this day to present most serious difficulties in the way of sale to those who would form such materials as might be moulded into Episcopal congregations. An- other obstacle to the settlement of Western Virginia is the fact of its being part of a slave-holding State. This has prevented immense num- bers from the North from choosing this as their home, while, on the other hand, the fact of the contiguity of Western Virginia to the free States, fur- nishing a facility for the escape of slaves, has prevented Eastern Vir- ginians from settling there. Episcopal families for a long period of time have in great numbers been passing by or through Western Virginia, and have formed the basis of churches in the South or Southwest. Compara- tively few have settled in Western Virginia. The few are indeed the chief materials out of which our churches are composed. The causes above-mentioned have mainly produced the immense difference between the present condition of Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Western Vir- ginia. While the two former have their forests cleared, their lands well cultivated and covered with comfortable dwellings and farm-houses,-while they abound in flourishing villages and even large towns, and churches and schools and colleges,-it is quite otherwise with the latter. A large pro- portion of her high hills and mountains are still covered with dense forests. Her villages and towns are few and small,-some not increasing at all, others but slowly. Immense bodies of her lands are owned by non-residents, being only inhabited by those who have no inducements to improve them, and who only seek to gain, during their uncertain residence, just what is necessary for the sustenance of life. On my recent visit, I passed through four tracts of fifty thousand acres each, owned by four different individuals, who were non-residents. These, I am told, are only a few of many large unimproved tracts : hundreds of thousands of acres can be bought at the low price of from twenty-five cents (perhaps less) to one dollar per acre, and of good land too, which will one day, though a distant one, be covered with flocks and herds. Of course, as villages and towns in the interior are for the most part sustained by the surrounding country, if this be un- cultivated, or does not flourish, those cannot increase greatly. That Western Virginia has, on her surface and within her bosom, the materials of great wealth and improvement, none can doubt. I have ever believed and said that at some future day she would be one of the most interesting and desirable portions of our country. The improvements in the roads, already made from Winchester, Staunton, and other places, to the Ohio River, have done something for the comfort of the traveller and the im- provement of the country ; but it is only necessary to travel these roads in order to see in how wild and uncultivated a condition large portions of Western Virginia still are; while those who traverse it on horseback, by the cross-routes, will see a far more rugged state of things. The Balti- more and Ohio Railroad will do much for certain portions of Western Vir- ginia; and the Central Railroad, if pursued, as we trust it may be, will do much for some other portions. There will also be a general, though it cannot be a rapid, improvement throughout the greater part of this region. Still, however, the causes mentioned above will continue for a long time to operate. The slave-holder from Eastern Virginia and elsewhere will
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not choose this increasingly-unsafe position for his slave-property. The Northern man, who still cherishes strong opposition to slavery, will not come where it exists, nor would he be welcomed there; for in no part of Virginia is the opposition stronger to any thing savouring of abolitionism. Still, it is our duty, as I have often said privately, publicly, and officially, not only diligently to cultivate the places already opened to us, tend the little flocks already gathered, search for wandering sheep among the hills and mountains, but be ever ready to occupy any new positions, such as Fairmont and Fellowsville, which shall from time to time present them- selves. If we cannot do all that we would, let us do all that we can. But it is best to think soberly, and not deceive ourselves with false calculations. Even Western Pennsylvania, though having more ministers and churches than Western Virginia, has but few by comparison with her agricultural and other improvements, and by comparison with Ohio and other parts of our country. The cause of this may be found chiefly in the character of the population which first took possession of it, and still holds possession, and which was and is averse to the Episcopal Church. The same may be said of the population of Western Virginia. Though for the most part of a different kind from that which first established itself in Western Pennsyl- vania, it was not and is not favourable material for the Episcopal Church, as past experience has shown. Western Virginia was doubtless settled chiefly from Eastern Virginia. Those who moved from the valley were not Epis- copalians, for it is well known that the Germans and Scotch-Irish took possession of the valley at an early period, and that the Episcopal Church had scarcely an existence there until a very late period. Those who emi- grated from Eastern Virginia were chiefly of that class who had deserted the Episcopal Church and been engaged in a violent hostility to it, and carried with them and transmitted to their children nothing but prejudice against it,-which prejudice has been cherished ever since by their re- ligious teachers. But, even if such prejudice has not been, so many generations have since grown up in utter ignorance of our Church, that in the great body of the people of Western Virginia there is no tendency to it, but the reverse. That the service of our Church is most admirably adapted to the edification of the poor and labouring man, I firmly believe and often delight to affirm; but the difficulties in the way of getting such to make trial of it are so great, by reason of their partiality to other de- nominations, and various other circumstances, that hitherto all the efforts to induce them so to do, whether in Virginia or elsewhere, have been of little avail."
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ARTICLE LXXVIII.
Churches in Wheeling, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Weston, Buchanon.
THE Rev. Joseph Doddridge was the first Episcopal minister, it is believed, who officiated in Wheeling. Residing in Wellsburg, he occa- sionally visited the few Episcopal families then in Wheeling; but there was no organization until the 11th of May, 1819. This is to be ascribed to a visit of Bishop Chase, at whose instance it doubtless took place. The organization was with the title of "St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling." The persons composing the first association were as follows :- John Armstrong, Jr., W. T. Good, W. Gray, T. H. Armstrong, Joshua Morton, J. Good, W. Perrine, Richard Simms, P. Ray, J. C. Williams, Josiah Chapline, J. Wilson, Jr., W. Chapline, Jr., P. Bier, S. Scovill, T. M. Cowles, C. D. Knox, J. M. Smith, R. C. Thompson, Moses Shepherd, Moses W. Chapline, H. Thornbury, John Eoff, Samuel Chamberlain. A vestry being appointed, we find that the Rev. John Armstrong, from Maryland, was chosen the first minister. In the year 1821, Mr. Noah Zane presented a lot for an Episcopal church. On the 9th of May, 1821, the corner-stone of St. Matthew's Church was laid by the order of Masons,-the Rev. Mr. Armstrong delivering a sermon and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge an oration. In the fall of that year it was ready for divine service. Mr. Armstrong's labours continued for seven years, at the end of which time he died and was buried in the church. He was an honest, zealous, laborious, and faithful minister. At the building of the new church his remains were removed to it and now rest beneath its chancel. His son-the Rev. William Armstrong- was elected to fill the vacancy, but declined, and recommended the Rev. Thomas Wheat, who was chosen. In 1832, the Rev. Mr. Wheat resigned, and the Rev. Wm. Armstrong, being again elected, became the minister of St. Matthew's Church. The congregation so increased under his care that it became necessary to build a larger house. The present one was consecrated by myself on the 26th of October, 1837. In the year 1849, the question of dividing the diocese of Virginia having been agitated in the western part of the State, and being brought before the vestry, it was decided by a unanimous vote to be inexpedient. In the year 1853, the Rev.
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Mr. Perkins was appointed assistant to the Rev. Mr. Armstrong. In the following year Mr. Armstrong resigned. The vestry and congregation were so unwilling to part with one who had faithfully served them for nearly one-quarter of a century, that earnest efforts were made to prevent his removal from Wheeling or the vicinity; and, had he consented, provision would have been made for his sup- port without the performance of the usual ministerial services ; but he felt it his duty to return and spend his remaining days in a small parish in Maryland, which he had served during the first thirteen years of his ministry The Rev. Mr. Perkins was therefore chosen as his successor, and still continues to be the pastor of St. Mat- thew's Church.
List of the Vestrymen of St. Matthew's Church.
John Good, Richard Simms, Wm. Chapline, Jr., S. Scovill, J. C. Wil- liams, Noah Zane, W. Chapline, Sen , Alexander Caldwell, Josiah Chap- line, Eli B. Swearingen, Moses Shepherd, Richard Lane, Peter Garnall, Patrick Roy, Joseph Caldwell, Jas. Tanner, Edmund I. Lee, Jr., Dr. Morton, W. H. Heiskell, John F. Clark, Major Good, Z. B. Curtis, F. Bassett, John Robinson, W. T. Selby, H. D. Brown, W. B. Atterbury, C. T. Strong, Alexander T. Laidley, Morgan Nelson, Samuel Neil, Alfred Richardson, A. P. Woods, Alexander Caldwell, J. L. Newby, J. R. Greer, W. K. Linsay, George Armstrong, S. Brady, R. C. Bonham, G. C. Tingle, M. C. Good.
Of the high respectability of the above body of vestrymen, under whose guardianship the Episcopal Church in Wheeling has so emi- nently flourished, the citizens of Wheeling, during the term of their service, would, I doubt not, bear a strong and willing testimony. Some of them were, and others still are, personally known to me. Of those who were known to me on earth, and whom I hope to know again in a higher sphere, and who are specially noticed and honoured on the records, I may be permitted to mention the names of Judge Caldwell and Richard Simms. The latter I knew from the year 1820 to the time of his death,-a few years since,-and knew him always as the same active, useful vestryman, and con- sistent Christian. He helped to build the first church in Wheeling, when it was in the midst of the woods. He loved, like David, to be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord, though from first to last he was the chief churchwarden. Providence permitted him to expe- rience great reverses during his earthly pilgrimage, but, through grace, he knew how to abound and how to suffer need. One thing he did not know, and that was to be idle and dependent. When, in extreme old age, he was deprived of all earthly property, but when both the church and the town would have felt honoured in making VOL. II .- 22
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provision for him, he could not endure the thought of being unem- ployed, but obtained the place of toll-keeper on the great turnpike- road from east to west, a few miles from Wheeling, and there, with his old and excellent companion, who yet survives him, spent the evening of his days,-still turning the curse into a blessing, and by the sweat of his brow making an honest livelihood. Mr. Simms was a native of Maryland, moved to Wheeling in 1816, was married by Dr. Doddridge, died in Triadelphia in March, 1854. His re- mains were brought to Wheeling, and into the church, and from thence to the East Wheeling Cemetery. Judge Caldwell was a man of high character and standing in every position in society, but above all was an humble Christian. Whenever the Holy Communion is administered, the pastor and the people partake of the emblems of the Saviour's body and blood from a rich service of plate, cost- ing, according to the vestry-book, the sum of three hundred dollars, a present from Mr. Joseph Caldwell, the brother of Judge Caldwell.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, EAST WHEELING.
The following account of it has been furnished me by one who is fully acquainted with its history. St. John's parish, Wheeling, was organized in the year of our Lord 1849. Previous to that time St. Matthew's parish embraced the whole of the city of Wheel- ing, and was the only Episcopal church in Ohio county.
The location of the church-building was at an inconvenient distance from the residences of a portion of the congregation. This, together with the rapid increase of the population and business of the city, demanded the formation of a new parish. Moved by these considerations, and an earnest desire to extend the influence and benefits of the Church, the Rev. William Armstrong, rector of St. Matthew's Church, on the 31st of July, 1849, called a meeting of his vestry for the purpose of considering the propriety and ex- pediency of erecting a church and forming another congregation in the southern part of the city. The vestry, in pursuance of said call, met on the second day of August, 1849. The following are the proceedings of the vestry at said meeting, so far as they relate to a division of the parish :-
"The petition of Robert C. Woods and others upon the subject of a new parish being the first business before the meeting, Mr. Brady offered the following paper :- 'A communication from Robert C. Woods, Beverley M. Eoff, and Henry Tallant,-committee,-was presented and read, signifying that the necessary means had been raised for the support of a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church in a new parish which it is proposed to
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organize within the city, and asking the assent of the rector, wardens, and vestry of this church to such organization.' Whereupon it was unanimously ordered, that the assent desired be and the same is hereby cordially given, and that the new parish embrace within its limits all south of Wheeling Creek.
"Resolved, Moreover, that this vestry would humbly invoke God's bless- ing upon the organization contemplated in the communication this day submitted."
Having obtained the consent of the vestry of St. Matthew's Church, and being favoured with the hearty support and sympathy of the respected and beloved rector, the committee promptly called a meeting of such of the citizens of South Wheeling as were favour- able to the formation of a parish of the Church in that part of the city. At the meeting so called, the rector of St. Matthew's Church was present, and, in remarks appropriate and impressive, explained the object of the meeting. After which, suitable measures were adopted for the complete organization of the new parish, and pro- vision made for the erection of a building for the services of the Church.
On the 6th of August, 1849, the Rev. Jas. D. McCabe was invited to take charge of the parish as rector thereof, which invitation was accepted on the 24th of the following month. The rector-elect did not, however, enter upon the duties of his office until January, 1850.
On the 8th of February, 1850, the building erected by the con- gregation was sufficiently near completion to be used, and the pulpit was, for the first time, occupied on that day by the Rev. Mr. Arm- strong. The services were conducted by the rector, assisted by the Rev. William L. Hyland. The organization of the parish was sanctioned and confirmed by the Convention of the Diocese of Vir- ginia, in May, 1850, as "St. John's Parish, Wheeling." The church- edifice-which had been erected and completed by the congregation- was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the Rt. Rev. John Johns, Assistant Bishop of Virginia, on the 1st of November, 1850.
The Rev. Dr. McCabe laboured profitably and acceptably to the congregation until the 8th of January, 1856, when he removed to Baltimore, as associate rector of St. Paul's Church, in that city.
The following is part of the proceedings of the vestry of St. John's parish at the meeting called to act upon the resignation of the rectorship of the parish by the Rev. Dr. McCabe. This resolution was adopted unanimously, and heartily concurred in by every mem- ber of the congregation :-
" Resolved, That the Rev. James D. McCabe, D.D., has by courtesy and kindness, by purity of life and doctrine, and by the faithful discharge of
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duties pertaining to his holy office, secured the love and confidence of his people."
The Rev. George K. Warner was elected rector of the parish in January, 1856, and took charge of the congregation on the 16th of March following. St. John's parish was established upon the free- seat system, which has been found to work satisfactorily. The rector's salary is provided for by the voluntary subscription of the members. The incidental expenses, &c. are met by weekly collec- tions at the Sunday morning services. The parish has a commodious and convenient dwelling-house, erected in 1855 expressly for the use of the rector.
St. John's parish has at this time (February, 1857) eighty-six communicants. The Sunday-school connected with the parish is in a flourishing condition, and, under the judicious care and manage- ment of the rector, proves an important auxiliary to the Church.
I must add to the above, for the encouragement of others to go and do likewise, that the rectory mentioned above, and which cost three or four thousand dollars, was at the sole expense of a very few zealous individuals. May they be rewarded for it by always having a faithful minister of God to occupy it !
THE CHURCH IN CLARKSBURG.
The first missionary movement in our diocese was in behalf of Western Virginia, by the association in the valley, composed of the ministers in Frederick, Jefferson, and Berkeley, in the early part of the ministry of the Rev. Benjamin Allen, Mr. Bryan, B. B. Smith, Enoch Lowe, and the author of these pages. The first missionary sent into Western Virginia was the Rev. Wm. F. Lee, and the first point to which he went was Clarksburg and the next Morgantown. In each of these places he preached repeatedly and acceptably and did his duty faithfully as a pioneer and explorer. He was soon followed by his relative,-the Rev. Charles Henry Page,-who imi- tated his example in all things. The first effort of a more perma- nent character was made by the Rev. Mr. Ward. In a letter from a friend in Clarksburg, he thus speaks of this effort :- "Mr. Ward came here in the fall of 1834 or 1835. At first he was the inmate of the family of Mr. Trapnall, a firm friend of the Church. Mr. Trapnall dying, Mr. Ward abode the remainder of his time with Mr. Richard Despard, a devoted friend of the Church from the old country. I have been informed that Mr. Ward succeeded in awaken-
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ing considerable interest among the friends of the Church,-that his Sabbath-school was flourishing, and his public services well sus- tained." The same friend continues :- "Mr. Ward was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. McMechin, about the year 1840. He had pre- viously been in the Methodist ministry. You are well acquainted with the course pursued by him and with the unhappy termination of his ministry." The foregoing remark requires explanation. Other records of the Church have already made it, but, for the benefit of young ministers, it deserves a place here. Mr. McMechin, though of an ancient Episcopal family, had united himself with the Method- ist communion and ministry. During the few years of his con- tinuance in this Society he was much esteemed. He then entered the Episcopal Church and ministry. After a short stay in Parkers- burg, he commenced the duties of the latter under very favourable auspices in Clarksburg. At his own cost he provided a house which should answer the double purpose of school-room and place of wor- ship. In this place he preached on the Sabbath and instructed young females during the week,-deriving his support chiefly if not entirely from the latter. His pulpit-addresses were very acceptable. Numbers attended his ministry. His sermons seemed about to be blessed in the conversion of many, and there was a reasonable pro- bability that most if not all of them would be united to our Church. In several successive letters he communicated to me the joyful in- telligence, and the confident expectation of a large class of candi- dates for Confirmation when I should next visit Clarksburg, which was to be after a few months. Before that time arrived, however, I perceived a change in the tone of his letters. He was less confi- dent that many would be ready for Confirmation,-was afraid that he would be disappointed in a number who had promised well. At length my visit was made. On my arrival, he gave me the following honest account of the whole matter. After having for some time earnestly preached the Gospel of salvation to those who attended his ministry, and having reason to believe that a number were pre- pared to make an open profession of religion, and to do it after our manner and in connection with our Church, he determined to make the latter sure by a series of discourses on the ministry, the Sacra- ments, the Liturgy, and the rite of Confirmation. I do not know what particular position he took in regard to these, but the effect, he told me, was to reduce his congregation from Sabbath to Sabbath, so that, by the time the series was over, a mere handful were left him. Meanwhile the pulpits of other denominations were denouncing
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