USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 33
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An interesting incident may be mentioned in this connection. Two lineal descendants of Samuel Baker, who had the survey made in 1791 for Col. Burwell Madison H. Baker and his sister Miss Lelia Baker, own and occupy the Chappel Green homestead adjoining the Old Chapel Cemetery.
The Old Stone Chapel as seen to-day was built in 1793. The foregoing statement may seem tedious to many readers; but when it is consider- ed that much contention has arisen in regard to what was meant in the original Order of Court touching this first "Chappel" of "which" there is any evidence, and this contention made by strong testimony that one other Chapel had priority over all others for date of erection and use in the Old Parish. The writer was compelled to take this course to collate facts found in both Church and County records, and submits them for the reader to determine if the case is fully proven. It is well to mention in this connection, that several writers on this subject and several historians have given Morgan's Chapel as the first building erected for public worship in the territory West of the Blue Ridge, and that Richard ap Morgan, a devout Welchman, had the distinction accorded him by tradition, as being the first white man to settle in this territory, and that he erected his log Chapel in 1726, on his grant near the Potomac River. Some locate him at Old Mecklenburg; some on Mill Creek, and others at Morgan's Spring. Some fix the date of his grant in 1730, and state it for a fact, as being the first grant for land in the Shenandoah Valley. Hawks, in his History of the Episcopal Church in Virginia, falls into the grave error that many church historians have
E
Old Chapel, near Millwood
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN FREDERICK COUNTY
Bishoprick. The division of the old parish in 1769, resulted in the three parishes, with Beckford on the South, Frederick, comprising several chapels and other places in the Central division; the other was Norborne, and embraced nearly all that terri- tory now comprising Berkeley, Jefferson and Mor- gan Counties. Very few churches were found in this parish until after the Revolutionary War. It seems the first church was built in Martinsburg, then a small village; though several Chapels were in use from 1755, and probably the Morgan Chapel once known as the Mill-Creek Chapel, was in use in 1752. (This is mentioned in the road order, re- ferred to elsewhere). The Martinsburg Church was regarded as an old, unsafe building in 1835. However the new church was not completed until 1843, when it was solemnly dedicated by Bishop Meade. He mentions the Clergymen present as assistants : Revs. Alexander Jones and J. Chis- holm of Virginia, and James A. Berck and Theo- dore B. Lyman of Maryland. There seems to have been very few ministers in this parish for a number of years. Either the Church records are at fault for not recording the names and terms of service of the Ministers-if any were in the large field, or the Ministers were too indiffer- ent concerning such matters that now appear of great interest in all the Churches; the demand being to keep a strict record of every event in the churches. The conclusion must be that there was a scarcity of clergymen. This is well known to have been the case from 1785 to 1820 owing to the severe changes brought about by the War with England. However after 1785, the names of Veasy, Wilson and Page frequently appear as very active in their work. Bishop Meade, speak- ing of these Ministers, says, "They were deeply pious, zealous and far beyond the ministerial standard of the Parish." For a few years after 1800, Heath, Price, and Allen seem to be the only active clergymen. From 1816, more activity is discernible, and parish records give the names of the following ministers, who seemed to dis- tribute their work all over the parish, starting from Martinsburg, which had at the latter date become quite prominent by reason of many dis- tinguished citizens then resident there. The first Rector at Martinsburg in 1816 was Thos. Horrell, then Enoch Lowe, and Edward R. Lippit to 1823; John T. Brooke to 1826, Jas. H. Tyng to 1830, Wm. P. Johnson to 1832, Cyrus H. Jacobs to '36, C. C. Tallefferro to '37, Jas. Chisholm to '42, D. F. Sprigg to '50; Richard T. Davis to '55; W. D. Hanson to '60; John W. Lee to '75; Robert D. Roller to '79; Henry Thomas to '88.
It is difficult to determine the dates of erec- tion of the several old church buildings in Nor- borne Parish. At Shepherdstown as early as 1785, the County records show that a church lot
was there and location of a division line between a coterminous owner and the new Episcopal Church lot. This evidently was Trinity Episcopal Church, as it was called, in 1840, when it was removed and a larger edifice was erected on same ground, and finished with great taste and care. The question arises, was this the church that was consecrated April 5th, 1859, by Bishop Johns? Did it require nineteen years to complete this splendid building? Dr. Charles W. Andrews was Rector at the time. The same ministers whose names have already been given as those of Norborne Parish, were Rectors of this Church. Rev. John P. Hubard was there from 1875 to 1880; Rev. L. R. Mason came in 1881. Over in Jeffer- son County can be seen to-day the ruins of the most noted church structure in Norborne Parish, and possibly the oldest of them all. No record to tell. Even Tradition is silent as to definite dates. Old men have said it was built before the Revolutionary War, but unable to give dates. Bishop Meade says, "It was a ruin when I was a boy," and places the date of its erection be- tween 1760 and 1770-giving no reason for this conclusion, however. This ruin has always been known as Old St. George's Chapel, and stands on natural limestone foundations in a rock- bound spot, in an open field on the farm of Col. Davenport, one mile from Charlestown. This was supposed to have been the most costly church building in the Parish, and it is unfortunate that no record can be produced to unfold its interesting history, which would show who of the old families are buried in the old burial ground hard-by all of which has long since been abandoned, and none to tell whose dust is beneath the surface. Who can tell what the cycles of time have in store for many more of the sacred places found in our midst! A Century is a great leveler. The writer has witnessed in his day the passing out of sight of several sacred spots, so dear to some of the old Ancestors.
Zion Episcopal Church, Charlestown, cannot be regarded as an old church, but has been one of importance; second building replaced the first church in 1817. From this date, churches at Harpers Ferry, Bunker Hill, Smithfield and Hed- gesville have all advanced in their work, receiv- ing attention from the ministers of neighboring churches, all being called parishes. The subdivi- sions of the old parish can scarely be named. Bishop Meade says, "Rev. Mr. Allen exercised his ministry at twelve points included in the Parishes." He was succeeded by Rev. B. B. Smith as Rector of Zion Church Alexander Jones was also there. The old Church was destroyed by fire, and then rebuilt and dedicated in 1852. Rev. Dr. W. H. Meade grand-son of Bishop
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Meade, became Rector of this Church in 1867. The building suffered from use and wanton abuse by Federal soldiers during the Civil War. The Church repaired the losses, and has also an attractive chapel in Charlestown, Rev. Dallas Tucker succeeded Dr. Meade April, 1883.
For many years the "Old Chapel" was the principal place of worship for that section of old Frederick embraced now by the Wickliffe, Berryville and Millwood Churches. Mr. Tread- well Smith and Genl. Thomas Parker undertook the work of establishing a convenient place of worship for the neighborhood known as Wickliffe, and succeeded. A stone building was erected, and services held there for several years. Owing to the unsafe condition of the walls, a very handsome brick building was erected in its stead. Later on, the Church at Berryville was erected, to accommodate the increasing membership; thus lopping off gradually the services at Old Chapel, which had long since not only become too small for the large congregations, but inconvenient, the roads being impassable during inclement seasons. In 1834, there seems to have been a well arranged plan to abandon the Old Chapel altogether; and a movement made to have a church near the attractive village of Millwood. Mr. George Burwell, of Carter Hall, offering a site for the building. All went well until a canvass was made in the congregation for sufficient funds to erect the more modern and commodious edifice known now as the Millwood Parish Church. It was soon found that too much sentiment lingered around the Old Chapel and its grounds, hallowed by the incidents of nearly a Century; for be it remembered, Old Chapel and its graveyard had been the most prominent point mentioned in the Old County records re- lating to Frederick Parish; and it was natural for the descendants of the long buried Ances- tors to oppose its abandonment. A compro- mise was effected, both points to receive equal attention from the Minister. As time wore on, the services at Old Chapel became less fre- quent. Finally an agreement was effected, that continues to this day: there should be an an- nual pilgrimage of the two congregations, when interesting services were held. To many this was a sacred day, hallowed by the memories revived. After a few decades, the links be- tween the past and the present dropped out of
the chain one by one, until the service is now one of duty. The old burial ground found there during the last two Centuries, with its many unkept graves on both sides of the "Chappel- run," has undergone a magic change. Family plats of ground in regular order, marked by either the simple slab and simple inscription, or the imposing shaft and massive monuments, with brief histories of the many noted persons, are seen on every side, as the visitor stands 'neath the bending bough of the great forest giants, as they cast their shadows over this romantic and historic spot. The State and Church are well represented here. Men of four war periods lie under this sod. Family records note the burial place of some who have no mark at the grave to tell who the hero was. In recent years, the people of the adjoining communities honored themselves and their country by erecting a suit- able monument to the gallant Clarke soldiers who fell at their respective posts during the War between the States 1861-65; their names and branch of service artistically inscribed upon the sides of this shaft of honor-many of them well known to the author. On this shaft is the name of one that brings vividly to him a scene of carnage never to be effaced from the memory of those who witnessed it. This was Capt. Wm. N. Nelson, who carried marks of the bullet that passed entirely through his breast, entailing lingering years of weakness and suf- fering. Many were dazed at his survival of the ghastly wound. The gallant, gentle chief- tan, saintly man, warm hearted friend, has an- swered the last call. While his comrades say peace to his ashes, all have fresh memory of his glorious deeds.
In Beckford Parish, in South end of Old Fred- erick, the brick Church in the Village of Mid- dletown was erected through the efforts and liberality of such distinguished men as Strother Jones, Senr., and the three Hite Families liv- ing in that vicinity. This Parish was supposed to be distinct from other parishes, but for many years the White Post Meade Memorial, Zion, and one other point formed a separate Parish; all these points ministered to by the same Min- ister. In recent years Middletown and Steph- ens City have been under the care of Christ Episcopal Church, or properly speaking, Win- chester parish, as Mission points.
CHAPTER XXXV
Parish of Hampshire
The Episcopal Church had opportunities af- forded it by the Colonial Government in this Parish at a very early day. The Parish was formed in 1753, and every step taken to sup- port a ministry in that hill country. The tithes were laid and collected, and the church fund was ready, but Ministers failed to respond. In 1771-72, three men were ordained in England for this work in Hampshire Parish, viz: Ogilvie, Manning, and Kenner. Bishop Meade says, "Mr. Manning alone ever reached there, the others settling in Parishes below the Ridge." Rev. Mr. Reynolds seems to have been the first Episcopal clergyman to officiate in marriage ceremonies in the parish, and this chiefly in that part later known as Hardy County; old family records show this. Later on, the names of Revs. Nor- man and Sylvester Nash celebrated marriages in the Episcopal form, as shown by family rec- ords. So these three seem to have been the only Ministers of the Established Church that made the venture to plant churches among the nu- merous Dissenters who held the hill country. The church records are without reference to the work of these Ministers, except that dur- ing the time of Mr. Nash's labors, he succeed- ed in building two log churches in the parish- no mention however of their location. Tradi- tion fixes Romney as one point. Mr. Sylvester Nash is accredited with having been instrumen- tal in building a brick Church at Romney in the place of the log church, and that his servi- ces were appreciated, but the interest waned, and he retired, and for many years other Min- isters went into this Parish and failed to accom- plish much. Rev. Dr. Walker says in an arti- cle he was kind enough to send the author, "I held mission services in the Romney Church prior to the Civil War, and it seemed to be un- certain who had the rights of use, the Presby- terians or my Church, for I had been informed that the building was the property of the Epis- copal Church, thus showing that very little had been done by the Episcopal Church prior to the mission work." The author has been informed by old citizens of Romney, daughters of Dr. Wm. H. Foote, that the brick church mentioned, was beyond a doubt the property of the Epis- copal Church, and at the time Dr. Walker held
his mission services, the Presbyterians owned and used their own Church property, and never had any need for the use of the Episcopal Church building; but the Methodists used it for many years as their preaching place, and have always had the use of it. A Mr. Hedges and also Mr. Irish made efforts to keep alive the Episcopal services after Mr. Nash left the parish. Bishop Meade says, "Their efforts were unsuccessful; and we will not dispair of see- ing her old bare walls clothed again with gar- ments of praise, and a crown once more on her head." The Saintly Bishop never had his hopes realized, so far as the old brick building goes; but through some sublime mode, he may know that his sacred Episcopacy is enjoyed in the attractive church erected since the War in the old town in the vicinity of the Public Institu- tion, and has for years worn the crown he prayed for.
Moorefield has its mark of progress for the Church, in its comfortable church property and increase of membership.
Beckford Parish, heretofore mentioned as com- prising the Southern sections of the old Fred- erick Parish, embraced all of the country known as Shenandoah County. In the study of the origin and progress of the Episcopal Church in the Shenandoah section of Beckford Parish, the author has found much confusion. There is very little doubt as to the location of the first church. All writers agree that Woodstock was the central point for more than one Congrega- tion of Protestant Christians, a large Congre- gation of German Lutherans being the chief, dif- fering somewhat from what was known about that period as the Swedish Congregation. The country adjacent for many miles had been set- tled by what was generally supposed a sturdy class of Germans; but along with this German immigration came quite a number of Swedes, not differing materially from the Germans. So the Settlement was regarded as the German Set- tlement. In 1772, a number of persons had form- ed an independent Society and made an effort to have trustees appointed by the old Justices Court, to hold property for the use of the "Swed- ish Congregation," as they styled their organiza- tion. No differences between the two Congre-
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CARTMELL'S HISTORY
gations appear, all worshiping in the same build- ing. This state of affairs existed until the dark clouds of the Revolution appeared on the horizon. The old German Lutherans adhering strictly to their form of worship, the Swedes making some departure, and were holding separate services, observing the ritualistic forms. Just at this juncture, before any friction occurred in the large Congregation, there appeared in their midst one of the most remarkable men of that period, Rev. Peter Muhlenburg, a man equal to any emergency, as will be seen later on, a German, possessing all the peculiar traits that characterized the German settlers with whom he was to mingle; and also equipped with the rites and forms of worship that captivated the Swedish contingent, Nothing more is heard of a separate organization. This young Minis- ter had received a training that fitted him for the critical condition existing in this Congre- gation. A student of German Lutheran Theol- ogy, ordained as a Minister by his own father, he had ministered to a Lutheran Church, and knew the needs of the German Lutherans. With- out forsaking his Creed, he had also been or- dained to the Ministry by a Bishop of the Es- tablished Church in England; and he had the right given him to return to America and con- duct the Episcopal services. Thus equipped, he entered upon his memorable ministry at Wood- stock. His strong character was soon felt; and it is no wonder that he grasped the situation, and laid the foundation for the first Episcopal Church in Shenandoah County. Still, some con- fusion exists in relation to this Church. Episcopal Church writers always mention it as the Muhlen- burg Swedish Episcopal Church, and the Lutheran Church writers never show any reason why it could in any sense be other than Lutheran. Pro- minent descendants of the old Swedes have held tenaciously to the tenets of their fathers, and aided by other Episcopalians, succeeded after many failures, in placing the Church of their an- cestors on a firm foundation in that part of Old Beckford Parish. It seems strange, however, that while all other denominations made marvel- lous advances throughout all that region, that this branch of the church should fail in its efforts to plant churches in the section where the old Swe- dish Church had laid the foundation. Howe in his History of Virginia, mentions it as a fact coming under his own observation. "There was no Episcopal Church in that section in 1843, and the Town of Woodstock had only three Churches at that date, German Reformed, Lutheran and Methodist." Whatever the contention may be
between the Lutherans and Episcopalians, in re- gard to the old Church in Woodstock, and what- ever claim either may advance as to the Muhlen- burg Ministry, a perusal of the Deed for the Lots numbers 113 and 114, found recorded in Shenandoah County Clerk's Office, bearing date Sept. 27, 1774, should settle the question of vest- ed title to the church property-the grant being expressed in unmistakable language: "Doth by these presents alien and make over to the said Vestrymen of the said Parish of Beckford and their successors in office, on behalf of said Par- ish, * * * and for use and purpose of build- ing and supporting a Church for public Wor- ship." And as to his ministry, whether Episco- pal or Lutheran, his biographer, Dr. Henry Muhlenburg, whose wife was a granddaughter of Genl. Muhlenburg, and himself a grand- nephew, he should be accorded credit for what he writes of this Minister, over whom the con- tention arose. He says, "That in hunting for a Minister who could speak German, the name of a young Lutheran Minister, Peter Gabriel Muhlenburg, was suggested, and that the mem- bers of the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of Winchester, and Dr. Peters, of Philadelphia, offered to pay the expenses of young Muhlen- burg to England if he would be ordained an Episcopal Minister. Hugh Mercer and James Wood (the latter afterwards Governor of Va.), were the Vestrymen of Winchester who made the offer." The present church building is on the original site; was erected in 1882, and was consecrated while Rev. Wm. Walker was Pas- tor. Succeeding him in the following order were Rev. J. T. L. Hynes, Dr. James Grammar, Dabney C. C. Davis, and Wm. H. Darbe, the present Minister. The membership is small. The Parish embraces St. Andrews Church and Mt. Jackson, Va. As a matter of reference, the following is entered here in connection with the Episcopal Church. In other pages of this vol- ume, the subject of Glebe Lands is fully treat- ed. The Winchester Parish owned tracts of land from which the Minister received the rents and profits. Jany. 12, 1802, the Genl. Assembly directed the Overseers of the Poor to sell cer- tain of the Glebe Lands. Pursuant to an Amend- ment 1821, the Overseers of the Poor sold to David Castleman and Chas. McCandless, trus- tees, one of the Glebe tracts, on Feb. 4, 1822, containing 156 acres, price $3,930. This recital appears in the deed, "Whereas said tract had become vacant by death of Rev. Alexander Bal- main, D.D., which took place 16th June, 1821." This land had been held by the Minister, Church Wardens and Vestry for many years.
CHAPTER XXXVI
The Lutheran Church
The Planting of Lutheranism in Old Freder- ick County, Va., presents a subject of no ordi- nary interest to any writer who desires to em- body in a brief sketch an outline history of its first appearance with the white man in the wil- derness West of the Blue Ridge. In the very earliest court records, petitions came up from certain German Lutheran Settlements for the opening of roads. Two of these Settlements seemed so remote from each other, that the conclusion often forces itself upon the gleaner of incidents from the old records, that they had but little intercourse with each other. Indeed, it often appears that they entered the Valley from different points, one of these being Funk's Settlement near the site of the present town of Strasburg. They were struggling to have a road from their Settlement to Orange Court House; and later for a ferry across Sherando River, and also a road to the county seat of Frederick County. Strange coincidences here. Borden's Settlement in the North end of the county want- ed a road from Operkon Creek to the ferry on the Cohongoruta River, and also from their set- tlement, crossing Mill Creek to the county seat of Frederick County. Tradition fixes no very early date for church services at either of these Settlements, and the county records show the names of Funk and Borden to be of the very first persons holding land as Homesteads in the new County; and same records show their signa- tures in German. So it plainly appears that these German settlers planted their religious creed along with their log cabins; and so thoroughly lived their religion that they were easily dis- tinguished as German Lutheran Settlements. No county record reveals the name of any min- ister at that early day conducting Gospel ser- vices in these Settlements. As to who they were, the author must rely upon such authority as the Church affords, in its own irregular his- tory covering the latter half of the 18th Cen- tury. The writer, in his effort to compile his- torical events relating to this church, makes no claim to present anything new to the clergy or even to the laity, for it is well known that much has been written and said by those competent in every way to present details of the rise and progress of the Lutheran Church, much of it
in most attractive form; but the writer was much embarrassed in his effort to obtain de- tails, to learn that only a few persons could pro- duce the reliable sketches, written by Rev. Drs. Gilbert and Krauth, that were so full of infor- mation concerning the church they had served so faithfully in various fields. Their ministry and their brief attractive sketches go hand in hand, and should be revered as treasures for their church. The author could have rendered satisfactory service to the church and the coun- try by reproducing the memorable discourses of the ministers just mentioned and thus have them preserved in this publication, and probable cir- culation. The records of the Lutheran Synod of Virginia, are not as full and satisfactory as they should be ;- indeed, such records give evi- dence of carelessness and a lack of knowledge concerning the importance of preserving church history. This does not simply apply to the old fathers who were making history for the pop- ulation of all these counties, but it applies in a great measure to these generations. They have learned to know the value of preserving histori- cal events, yet they fail in many cases to record incidents that will be sought for by those who follow us.
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