USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 32
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Berryville Presbyterian Church
This Church was organized June 10, 1853, start- ing out with a small membership and no church building. Some embarrassment might be expect- ed in the progress of this weak Presbyterian plant, nurtured in a community previously held by the Episcopal and Baptist Churches, both having large memberships. The first house of worship was dedicated in the summer of 1854, Rev. Charles White being the first Pastor. This active and beloved pastor rendered service to the Harpers Ferry and White Post congregations until 1875, when he accepted a call to a Church in West Hanover Presbytery. Rev. C. S. Lingem- felter pastor from Nov. 1875 to 1880: Rev. A. B. Carrington, from 1881 to Jany. 1, 1884, then Rev. J. Harry Moore came from a strong church in Louisville, Ky .. and took charge in Nov., 1885, and served until the summer of 1890. During this pastorate, he revived the old Stone Chapel congregation. Mr. Moore had spent his early life in the Counties of Jefferson and Clarke, and to the manor born, was very successful in his work. Rev. Charles R. Stribling came in the spring of 1891, and his pastorate closing Jany. 18, 1897, together with his faithful ministrations to the weak churches at Stone Chapel and Smith- field, are recalled by his many friends with much pleasure. Rev. David H. Scanlon, the present active and faithful pastor, entered upon his work
Front Royal Presbyterian Church
No Church record is full enough to fix defi- nitely the date of this organization; it must have been about 1800. Some evidence of this is found in old county records, when the Church lot was conveyed to trustees. Following the trend of Dr. Graham's Sketch of this Church, it was known in 1796 as South River, at which time the Winchester Presbytery was in session, and adjourned to hold an afternoon session "at the School House in Front Royal." A few years later the name of South River disappears from the Church records, and that of Front Royal takes its place.
The first Pastor was William Williamson, his pastorate beginning in 1794. At this date, he established an English and Classical School at Front Royal, this being his home; and for many years he preached at all points in the surround- ing country where his service could do good, from Woodstock on the West to Middleburgh and Warrenton to the East. In 1841, Rev. Rob- ert S. Bell was installed, and served until 1845. We are unable to show whether Mr. Williamson was the only pastor from his installment to the time of his death, which occurred about the time of Mr. Bell's appearance. Rev. Jas. E. Hughes was stated supply from 1850 to 1855; Rev. T. Berry came in 1856, Rev. S. M. Lough- head being for one year; Rev. Henry Hirdie was there from 1859 to 1861, as supply, and same for Woodstock church. No church record gives the name of any pastor for this church from 1861 until 1876, when Rev. Carson W. Hollis, was installed; he resigned Sept., 1893. Rev. A. F. Laird was installed Oct. 7, 1894, resigned 1901. Rev. Jas. A. McClure installed June 12, 1903. This Church is no longer a weak member of the Winchester Presbytery, but has been very un- fortunate in the many vacancies in her pulpit.
Martinsburg Presbyterian Church
The early Church records are generally sought for reliable information regarding organization of the many churches through the entire Valley, though sometimes we are disappointed. Such is the case now before us. The Presbytery records give only vague notices prior to 1800; consequent- ly, it must be accepted as a fact, that the Martins- burg Village Presbyterians attended Old Tusca- rora, two miles West. Some organization must
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have had a home as early as 1807, for the Church record shows that Rev. John Mathews was preaching regularly, 1807-'08. In 1808 and 1830 he was at Shepherdstown, and also at Charles- town 1809-1827, seeming to be in demand. In 1827, he returns to Martinsburg and is the Pastor until latter part of 1830, when succeeded by W. C. Mathews for six years. In 1837, Rev. Peyton Harrison came and served the church success- fully for seven years. He was succeeded by Rev. Jno. Boggs in 1845, remaining but one year. Rev. W. H. Love seems to have been on the ground before Mr. Boggs left for S. Carolina, which was the 5th of May, 1847, while Mr. Love's call was extended to him first of Jany. same year. The lat- ter was pastor until 1849. Rev. Robt. T. Berry came in 1850, as stated supply, and remained in charge until 1859. We now have a minute in the church record that is fuller of interest than the entry indicates to the casual reader of church history. Rev. A. C. Hopkins was installed as Pastor Dec. 6, 1860; his pastorate terminated Sept. 1, 1865. Nothing in the record to show he had been given his extended leave of absence during the War period of 1861-65. This youth- ful Parson heard his country's call; folded his church vestures, and laid them aside to don the gray uniform and soon became a faithful soldier, to follow the new Banner as it was carried to victory or defeat. The author several years ago, while taking a vacation from his office, enjoyed the delightful companionship of this Rev. gentle- man, spending a vacation from his Charlestown Church. We were in the foothills of the Alle- ganey Mts., at the hospitable home of mutual friends. Old war experiences were related; the atmosphere of that lovely lawn was laden with the aroma we both had enjoyed in the monoto- nous life of a soldier in Winter quarters. No rude summons broke the momentary enchant- ment-no sudden ending of furloughs or leave of absence. However, we answered a familiar summons where we were expected to not only enjoy the viands on the hospitable board wait- ing for us inside, but to join a party who repre- sented so much in each of our lives,-two of them daughters of the distinguished Minister, Dr. Foote, one, the companion of our mutual friend- who bore the title The Just Judge. His genial spirit no longer gave us cheer; the dark mantle had fallen across his pathway and left a pall of sadness over this home. Around that board were others, forming a party possessed of more than average intelligence. All had enjoyed more than the usual advantages and were well equip- ped with interesting incidents and events belong- ing to the long ago, one of the ladies being a daughter of Dr. Wm. M. Atkinson, once a dis-
tinguished pastor of several Presbyterian Church- es; another, member of the party being the grand- daughter of Rev. Joseph Glass. The author trusts to the charitably-inclined for an excuse for this digression.
Returning to the subject of the Martinsburg Church, which had been without a regular pastor during the war period, when the church suffered greatly from the distracted conditions of a bor- der town, many differences arose in the congre- gation. Lines were sharply drawn between Un- ionists (as they were called), and the families who were represented in the Southern Cause. Many husbands and sons in peril on the firing line; many of whom found rest in a hero's grave. This accounts for the long silence. At last, however, in June, 1866, Rev. Jas. E. Hughes came from Baltimore and undertook the ardu- ous task of healing dissensions, and had made a fair start, when death closed his efforts Sept. 23, 1867. Then came Rev. David H. Riddle in the Spring of 1868, and continued a useful pastorate which ended May 25, 1879, caused by failing health. He was succeeded by the Rev. Frances M. Woods, who was installed Pastor Oct. 15, 1879, and has continued with success in all these years, he being the present pastor, full of vigor, endowed with splendid intellectual powers, grace of manner and dignity of style-eloquent of speech, fervid and zealous in his pastoral life, fully imbued with the doctrine of his Master whom he serves. His labors have been richly rewarded. A few years ago, he and his har- monious congregation succeeded in remodeling the old church, and produced a handsome edifice.
Woodstock Presbyterian Church
Some surprises came while investigating the early history of this Church. As early as 1794, we find references to the services of certain Min- isters, but no light thrown on the Organization until a much later period. Church records fail to establish dates until 1820, when a record is made. Rev. Wm. Henry Foote was located there as Stated Supply, and continued as such until 1827. During this time he also served the Strasburg Church. During the years 1824-1830, Rev. John Lodor served this church in the same capacity. Rev. Lewis F. Wilson appears as the first regular Pastor Dec. 13, 1834; and continued as such until Oct., 1836. In 1837, Rev. Silas Billings was in- stalled pastor and served the church for several years-how long is not stated. Daniel G. Mal- lory was there 1855-56; Robt. Gray, 1858-59. From 1859 to 1861, Henry Hardie was pastor. Rev. John M. Clymer accepted a call Nov. 25, 1860, and had a prosperous pastorate to 1871. In 1871 Thos. E. Converse was pastor to 1875.
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WINCHESTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. Robt. H. Fleming was installed pastor July 29, 1876; continued as such until Nov. 11, 1886. He was succeeded by T. P. Epes Oct. 29, 1887; served until 1890. Then came Geo. E. Henderlite 1890; resigned 1893 to enter Foreign Mission field in S. America ; Rev. P. D. Stephenson, D.D., accepted a call 1895 and is the present popular Pastor.
Cedar Creek Church
This Church has had frequent mention in con- nection with the Old Opecquon Church, having been grouped at different times with the churches of Strasburg, Woodstock, Opecquon and latterly with Cedar-Cliff. Rev. Nash Legrand served this Church from 1790 to 1809; Andrew Shan- non, 1810-1818; John Lodor, S. S., 1836. Wm. H. Woods came in May, 1878; resigned Nov. 3, 1887. He served the group. A. G. Link, the present popular Pastor, was installed for this group Oct. 13, 1889 (Strasburg and Cedar Cliff), at Cedar Creek, July 1, 1904. Rev. Mr. Clymer also preached at Cedar Creek 1860. Rev. Silas Billings frequently preached there during the years his Seminary was in
operation in Winchester. Dr. A. H. H. Boyd conducted several protracted meetings at this church for several years prior to the Civil War. A number of other churches within the bounds of Winchester Presbytery might properly receive notice in this connection. Many such are in the territory of Old Frederick County, they being the prosperous Churches of Piedmont, Keyser, Davis, Gormania, Moorefield, Petersburg, and elsewhere; but this allotted work will not admit of fuller sketches. Doubtless, some read- ers will think that the Presbyterian Church has had fuller notice than necessary. This may be explained. It was well equipped with a record from the establishment of its first place of Wor- ship at Old Opecquon; and with its claim as the oldest Organization in the Shenandoah Valley, it seemed to be a necessary part of this work. In the treatment of other Churches in this con- nection, every effort has been exhausted by the author to obtain data from all the Churches, with- out respect to Creed; so that a condensed history may be had in this compilation, affording a refer- ence to the student who may be in search of the matter now offered him.
CHAPTER XXXIV
The Episcopal Church in Old Frederick County
The author, in introducing this subject to the reader, confesses to some hesitancy in present- ing this Church next in priority of organization to the Presbyterian Church. This hesitancy is natural, when the reader will consider that one of the very oldest church organizations in our New World was the Centenary Reformed Church. This Church, represented by a bold and deter- mined body of Reformed Calvinists, that braved the waves of the Atlantic, leaving their German homes and kindred, to land on the shores of a land they believed would be an asylum of peace, or a grave of rest from persecution. Tradition and reliable historians have placed them in an organized body in America in the earliest days; and indeed, tradition locates this devoted sect in the Shenandoah Valley prior to 1738. But inas- much as no record appears to substantiate this claim, and as it is well known the Episcopal Church was regarded as the Established Church, wherever the white settlers founded their homes, it is fair to conclude that the latter was strongly in evidence, when the first County Court was opened; for we find the Court taking steps to secure a Vestry, and an order entered and certi- fied at a subsequent (April) Term, 1744.
"Ordered that the Clerk of this Court, write to his honor the Governor for a Power to Choose a Vestry for the Parish of Frederick in this County." The Frederick Parish was created, and boundaries defined, by Act of House of Bur- gesses when the County was formed. Vestrys were chosen by qualified voters resident of the Parish, after being duly notified of the day for an election. None but freeholders and house- keepers were allowed to vote. The law pro- vided for the election of "twelve of the most able and discreet persons of the Parish," who when elected, must appear before the Court and take the oaths required by Act of Parliament. The Vestrymen so instituted and installed, were authorized to collect the assessments for the sup- port of the Established Church; to erect suitable houses of worship, etc. The first Vestry was so chosen after the Court received the order of the Governor in answer to the Court's order. There is much evidence that the "freeholders and housekeepers" made an unfortunate selection; for after eight years in office, the House of
Burgesses placed upon its statute books a severe condemnation of the entire body, charging them with oppressive and corrupt practices-"That they had collected upwards of fifteen hundred pounds sterling, on the pretence of building and adorning Churches in their parish." A remarkable fact is presented in the study of this case. Although this body of supposed able and discreet per- sons had in their hands, a sum equal to nearly $8,000.00 they were unable to point to a single log cabin that had been erected by them. Bishop Meade in his criticism of the first Vestry in Frederick Parish says "The Churches of that day were log houses costing from thirty to fifty pounds. There must have been much misspending of money." The old Legislators were not so charit- able. The Act contains their language-"They have misapplied or converted the same to their own use." Aside from the wrong done the Church and the oppression inflicted on the tax-payers, the Episcopal Church lost its opportunity to make history during the interesting period embracing the early settlement of old Frederick County. Had it not been for the unfaithful acts of the persons claiming the high honor of being Vestry- men the Church to-day could point with pride to more than one edifice and be assured that they stood on ground made sacred by the "Chappel" erected there in the early days of the Colony. This starts the enquiry, what is known of these "Chappels," so often mentioned? Tradition lo- cates three, McCoy's, Cunningham's and Morgan's. Some writers differ as to location and date of erection, and even assert that several more are found at prominent points. The question must be raised here, that if such are facts, and if the Chappels were in use prior to 1755, why is it that the old Vestry records do not show the fact? It is well known that the Established Church was noted for its record of events, such as marri- ages, deaths, baptisms and births, and an annual report of the support given the minister. Taking the history of nearly every Episcopal Church in the old Colony East of the Blue Ridge, such reports were not only required, but actually made. The officiating minister and church war- dens were able to show church records so replete with the history of the Colonial period, that the student must ever regret that, so much
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unwritten history is folded away in the musty files and records of those old Parishes. Not so with Frederick Parish ;- no church record to be found prior to 1764, to give in detail the impor- tant incidents constantly occurring in the life of the Church.
An act of the General Assembly, Feby. 1752, authorized an election to be held, "At some convenient time and place to elect twelve persons able and discreet, to serve as Vestry- men for the Parish, this election to be held before the 15th day June next." At this election the following persons were chosen; Thomas Lord Fairfax, Isaac Perkins, Gabriel Jones, John Hite, Thomas Swearingen, Charles Buck, Robert Lem- mon, John Lindsey, John Ashby, Jas. Cromley, Thomas Bryan Martin, and Lewis Neill. This new body put in motion a spirit of Church enlarge- ment, at least evidences spring up from several sections; and the parishioners scattered over the large Parish, seem to have taken their first and only start to erect places of worship. No trouble to find several of these through the proper chan- nel,-the Church record. Bishop Meade says, "The Vestry book commences in 1764." The question might be asked, what were the Vestrymen doing in this Church during the twelve years they had served? While they failed to preserve a record, they doubtless were at work. Evidences found in the old court order books, show their diligence to provide necessary means to support the minis- try and to care for the poor. Some are named as trustees to hold the ground at the various places where Church buildings were going up, commenc- ing at Winchester in 1752-3, Mecklenburg and Mill-creek. Later on, we have Bunker-Hill (or Morgan's) and one in a small village, afterwards Charles-Town; and when the new Vestry was formed in 1764, the foundation was laid for quite a number of churches in Frederick Parish. As matter of interest to some readers who may not see it elsewhere, a list of this famous Vestry is given here. List of Vestrymen instituted in 1764: Isaac Hite, John Hite, John Greenleaf, Thomas Rutherford, James Keith, John Neville, Charles Smith, James Wood, Jacob Hite, Thomas Wad- lington, Burr Harrison, Thomas Swearingen, Van Swearingen, Angus McDonald, Philip Bush, Fred- erick Conrad, George Rice, Alexander White, James Barnett, Marquis Calmes, John McDonald, Edward Snickers, Warner Washington, Joseph Holmes, Benjamin Sedgewick, Edmund Taylor, John Smith, and Samuel Dowdal. It will be remembered that Vestrymen were elected at spe- cial elections, by Acts of the General Assembly, the Courts to fix the dates and places of election. At that time the country was mentioned as The Settlements; and each settlement was expected
to select one or more persons to be voted for in that settlement, "to serve in the Vestry of Fred- erick Parish." So the list was composed of re- presentatives from every Settlement. The Win- chester settlement, or church, had John Hite, James Wood, White, Holmes, Conrad, Bush, Rutherford, Keith, and John Smith; while Jacob Hite the two Swearingens, Wadlington and Charles Smith, were in the North end of the parish, serving as trustees and church wardens for the churches at Mill Creek .(Morgan's) Sheperds- town and Martinsburg. Warner Washington and the two McDonalds came from the Charles Wash- ington Village. The line of this district extended to within seven miles of northern limit of the Winchester district. For the Burwell Chapel (Old Chappel), Calmes, Neville, Barnett and Snickers; For Cedar Creek and Long Meadows embrac- ing McCoy's Chapel and Leith's Ferry, the latter being near the forks of North and South rivers (Front Royal vicinity). We have Isaac Hite, Greenleaf, Taylor, Sedgewick, Rice and Dowdal in the district embracing the settlements South of the Opecquon Creek, to the river boundary South and East. Several of these Vestrymen must have resigned after a short service, for their names ap- pear in church records of other denominations; James Barnett being a promoter of the Baptist Organization, called Old Zion, near Nineveh Vill- age; Bush and Conrad trustees for the Reformed Calvinists. This Vestry, with the exceptions men- tioned, continued their services until 1780. The Revolutionary War brought a new order of things in the Church life. The new General Assembly enacted laws that were not only embarrassing to the old Vestrys, but declared all Vestrys dissolv- ed; and defined the restricted powers of the new Vestrymen, who were to be chosen by their re- spective parishioners, or members of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church, and no more to be elected by all the freeholders and housekeepers. The church had been shorn of support from direct taxation. Surely this was a new order of things. All religious sects, denominations or churches placed on equal footing and "could be supported by their respective Congregations." Many good churchmen allowed their zeal to waver in 1776, when an Act of The General Assembly suspended payment of salaries to their ministers by special taxation. But when another Act in 1802, con- fiscated their Glebe lands, many succumbed and seemed to give up in dispair, and allowed a gloom of inertness to settle over the Episcopal Church that was deeply regretted. Many years of trial were required to get the Church accustomed to its changed conditions. What was regarded then as disastrous to the Church, proved to be a blessing; for new men with new aspirations appeared on the:
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threshold of the new Church in Virginia; and the first decade marked a comforting change. The Old Establishment was gone, and the firm founda- tion laid for the magnificent history this church has made in the land, upholding the tenets of the new Establishment, her eminent ministry and con- scientious laymen have marked the continent with monuments of success in her new policy of reli- gious freedom to all.
The old Vestrymen who ended their service in 1780, became distinguished in their day as states- men, soldiers and citizens; and left descendants to follow lines marked out which led many to even greater distinction than the fathers ever attained.
In taking up the work of the individual churches in Frederick Parish, it is proper to state that the earliest date found in any record, fixes the Bur- well Chapel, (sometimes called the Spring Chapel, and finally Old Chapel), as the first place of wor- ship set up in Old Frederick Parish for Episcopal services. We have abundant proof of this. As shown elsewhere, there was a "Chappel" on a road that was opened in 1743, passing by the Burwell Spring, and as the name Chappel was given by the Episcopal Church for the small place designed for Gospel services, it should be accepted as an Epis- copal Church "point." Later on, the Court records refer to Cunningham's Chappel, in the vicinity of the Big Spring. It has been thought by many that some Cunningham erected the Chappel referr- ed to in the order of Court. The county records show the Cunningham name frequently as owners of land at two points on the Opecquon Creek at a very early day. The same records reveal the fact, however, that one of the name was not a good churchman, though he may have erected the little Chappel; for he is found in open court 1745, defending a charge brought by his wife for abuse and ill treatment. The Case being proved, the court adjudged him guilty, a fine of 20 pounds, assessed-bond given for good behaviour, and he required to give his injured wife separate support. The church records show that the Vestry in 1772 decided to build a church on land of Charles Smith, at some point near the site of the Village of Berryville, and several hundred pounds were promised as building fund. In 1773, the Vestry for some reason changed their plan, and decided to build the church at Cunningham's Chappel, where two acres of land had been dedicated by Col. Hugh Nelson, of York, owner of the large tract afterwards known as the Burwell tract, or Carter Hall tract. Bishop Meade says, "The plans for this building failed and no such church was built." This incident is narrated to show the connection of the Chappel and two acres, mentioned as the Col. Nelson dedication, subse- quently known as the Burwell Graveyard and Old
Chapel-identically the Cunningham Chappel men- tioned in the order of court in 1743. Still further evidence is given of the identity, as will be seen in Deed book 28, in old Frederick Clerk's Office. The following extract is given :
"May 10th, 1791, By request of Mr. Samuel Baker, agent for Col. Nathaniel Burwell of James City County, Va, I surveyed two acres of land on Chappel Run, etc.
JOHN CORDELL, surveyor."
The object of this survey is shown in a Deed dated Nov. 25, 1792, from Nathaniel Burwell of James City County, to the Minister and Ves- try of Frederick Parish, "as Trustees for the benefit of the Protestant Episcopal Church in said Parish, for two acres of land lying on both sides of Chapel Run, (signed) Nathaniel Burwell. Winesses
PHILIP NELSON SAMUEL BAKER WALTER BURWELL LUDWELL GRYMES."
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