USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 37
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Circuit. It was during the close of his career, that his little church was damaged by fire (1860). Such men as Wm. Hodgson, A. W. Hodgson, John and Chas. Hawkins, Jacob Spillman, Wm. Milhon, and others promptly aided Father Mil- hon in repairing the building. His son-in-law, Rev. Wm. Hodgson, had then become a local preacher, and he for many years gave his life's best work to this service; and it may be added that during the life-time of Father Milhon, Mr. Hodgson was generally mentioned as the "Little Preacher." During the four years of the Civil War, his services were in demand and freely rendered to many of the destitute places in the surrounding country, while Mr. H. was one of the non-combattants, he was well known to the Southrons, as one in full sympathy with their cause; and many returning Confederates at the close of the war felt the grasp of his strong hand, that told of his sympathy. The writer knew him well. The second building was des-
troyed during the winter of 1864-5. A portion of Gen. Sheridan's Cavalry Corps wintered in the vicinity of this church and soldiers during that severe winter carried it in pieces to their camps -for winter quarters, as they did all the out- buildings from the adjoining farms, with the notable exception of a few families who were spared by reason of their loyalty to the Union. After a few years had passed by, the Methodist congregation, which had use of the old Presby- terian church in full view, outgrew some of the bitter feeling that War had engendered, and quickened the emotions that existed with some of the old members to return to their old place of worship. This resulted in the erection of the present brick church on the old site. The con- gregation has never attained its old prestige for Church work; the old church leaders are no longer at the helm. Some have answered the great summons, and some have removed beyond the bounds of the old Circuit.
CHAPTER XXXIX
The Baptist Church
This Church has been unfortunate, in that no church record can be produced that relates to the first appearance of this denomination of Christians in Frederick County. The first Bap- tist Meeting House of which any record ap- pears, was at a point now the site of Gerards- town. There was a small Congregation at that point as early as 1773. No evidence of any pas- tor. Doubtless services were conducted in the Meeting-House by visiting ministers. The sect was called Old School, and sometimes Hardshell Baptists. One of this class was reported to the Justices' Court for disorderly conduct. This case went to the Grand-Jury. Upon investigation, it appeared that the offence most complained of, was his effort "to hold meetings in the Night time and in a boisterous manner, violating the Act of Parliament, to the great annoyance of the Established Church." The old Grand-Jurors failed to see that the complaint was such as to justify punishment. About this period a Congre- gation of this society secured a deed for land near a point, now Nineveh, near the Warren County line. There they had a house of worship, and always maintained an Organization, and were regarded throughout the last Century as Primitive Baptists in reality.
Winchester was slowly recognized by this Church as congenial to their creed. Other church records show that the Baptists had a preacher to stop in Winchester in 1790, who preached in the Lutheran and Presbyterian churches. Many years later, they procured use of an abandoned school- house, and held regular services. The Congrega- tion was composed of zealous people, but in- creased slowly in numbers. Many years would intervene between regular pastorates; but they never disbanded. Rev. Joseph Baker who con- ducted a large and successful school on Fort Hill, where Fort Loudoun Seminary is located, was a Baptist minister. He was instrumental in securing the Old Stone Presbyterian church in 1834, for the use of the Baptist Church, "Lease to extend said uses for 500 years." Mr. Baker drew around him some very active church work- ers, which resulted in accessions to this Church. This denomination had its intervals of dis- couragement. Frequently the church had no regular pastor. The field was visited by an ac-
complished young man in 1854, Rev. Mr. Ryland, who was very active in his ministry, preaching at Winchester, Cedar Creek, Back Creek, Head of Opecquon and other points. The congregations increased and the Church was being revived, when the Civil War broke in upon such work. Mr. Ryland entered the Confederate Army. After the War, the Baptists made another effort through Rev. Mr. Willis; and from that time, this Church has held its renewed position. Mr. Willis for several years conducted a young ladies' seminary in what was called the "York" building, formerly the old Methodist church; and while thus engaged, gathered the denomina- tion together and succeeded in building a church, nearly opposite, on Market Street; and there for several years preached to increasing congrega- tions. Later on Mr. Willis removed to another field; the church building was sold to the "Dis- ciples" Sect; and once more the Baptists were forced to find another home. Securing a lot, they located their church on South side of Cork Street, between Main and Market. The neat little church where they now worship was erected 1885; the first Pastor, Mr. Davison, was succeeded by D. Clark, Jackson and Murdock; Rev. Mr. Northern is the present Pastor. The Church has sustained serious losses in the deaths of such men as M. H. G. Willis, P. C. Gore and others, and is struggling to maintain its work.
The Baptists have a strong Church in Berry- ville, which has been fortunate in securing such a pastor as the distinguished Divine, Dr. Broaddus, who has so acceptably ministered to this congre- gation for many years, his pastorate covering a longer period than that of any other Minister of this Church in the Lower Valley, so far as known to the writer. Other points in Clarke County are within his field. The Berryville Church was what might be called an off-shoot of the old Buckmarsh Church, where the Baptists had worshipped for at least sixty years. In 1840, the Congregation for several good reasons, changed their place of worship to Berryville, where they had erected a suitable building, and changed the name from Buckmarsh to that of Berryville. The Church grew much stronger, and has always maintained a strong position with her sister churches of other denomina-
208
209
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
tions. The handsome church building now in use, situated so prominently, as an ornament to the town, was erected 1885. Everything in its appointments-Minister, people, edifice and situa- tion, indicate prosperity.
The Baptists who first appeared in the lower part of Frederick, now Berkeley County, never made much progress in that section. In their principal town, Martinsburg, their first organi- zation was not effected until 1858 or '59. A small congregation held services in an old unoccu- pied building, until they very soon purchased a lot on King Street and expected to build their church; but the war of 1861-65 checked all their ardor; and it was not until 1869 that an- other impetus was given by starting the new building. The weak, struggling congregation was fully five years erecting the present suitable church. The membership steadily increased, and they have had the services of some eminent men.
There has never been advanced by any Bap- tists authorities, any good reason for the slow progress made by their denomination in the country West of the Blue Ridge. No such pro- gress as is shown by other Churches. The his- tory of this Church is one of success in many sections of Virginia. Eastern Virginia, especially, fairly teems with large congregations and costly churches. Not so in the Shenandoah Valley, although they appeared and seemed co-existent with the formation of Frederick in 1743, then they came with a large "immigrant train" from New Jersey, and settled at the Gerardstown point, when Rev. John Gerard organized them. Semple's history, Early Baptists, says they came from Maryland. One other immigration came from Maryland later on, and joined a large num- ber from New England, and settled on Capon River in 1754, where they purchased land and soon gave considerable impetus to their church movement. The leader, Mr. Stearns, however, became dissatisfied, and together with a large number of the society removed to North Carolina, where he joined the well known Baptist move- ment, which resulted in marvelous success. However, this very success gave them serious trials. At that time, the Established Church adopted strong measures to repress the "noisy dissenters," and with the aid of the courts, suc- ceeded in checking their advance. Prosecutions followed persecution; many distinguished leaders were imprisoned "as disturbers of the peace." Had Mr. Stearns and his friends remained on Capon, where no such prosecutions occurred, and made the same efforts for the propagation and spread of their doctrines, who can tell what the results might show to-day. It must not be un- derstood that those who remained in the Shenan-
doah section were unmolested; for it is well known to many what befell the Rev. James Ire- land, the Scotch Baptist preacher, who became so famous for his eloquence and zeal, that he attracted crowds of people. He also attracted the attention of many who became his persecu- tors. Fighting over every effort he made, he was the object of special concern to the Estab- lished Church. While the persecutions never assumed the character of those shown in Eastern Virginia, other methods were employed to drive him and his Sect out of the Country; but the old Scotchman met every such effort in the same spirit that characterized his people wherever found, whether in the Motherland, or in the Virginia Valley.
Extract from the Winchester, Va., Gazette, published June 17th, 1806. "Departed this life on the 5th, ult., in his 58th year, Elder James Ire- land, Pastor of the Baptists Congregation at Buck's Marsh, Happy Creek and Water Lick in Frederick and Shenandoah Counties, Va." "On Sunday the first inst., a suitable and affecting discourse was delivered at Buck's Marsh Meet- ing-house, the place of his interment." James Ireland's church work from 1780, was chiefly West of the Blue Ridge. In his work East of the Ridge, he was hindered by persecutions, suffered imprisonment and insult from several ministers of the Established Church.
The United Brethren Church.
This Denomination for many years maintained several churches in the surrounding country, but not until 1873 were they sufficiently strong in Winchester to venture a separate Organization. This was accomplished, however, by Rev. G. W. Howe, and by his energy and perseverance, aided by the country Brethren, a Congregation was formed for the great work of building a suitable house for Public Worship, and for sup- port of a Station Pastor. This was successfully accomplished in 1873; the work has steadily in- creased, and at this writing, the congregations are large and composed of that class who enjoy the progress this church has made. Many families who lived in the outlying field, have purchased homes in the city, and are strong supporters of this church, which is located on the East side of Braddock St., between Piccadilly and Peyton Streets. The ministers who have served this church were Revs. G. W. Howe, Mr. Crowell, Mr. Skelton and Mr. Wine.
Several points in the County have been oc- cupied by the Brethren for many years, and a number of good families are prominent and ac- tive members of this Church. The well known Hott family has furnished several ministers to serve this church. The Parlett and Fries fami-
210
CARTMELL'S HISTORY
lies have also furnished men who have become widely known for their pastoral services and educational work. The Western part of the county can show several attractive buildings. There the U. B. Congregations have made large accessions. At and near Stephens City this Church has supported its regular Pastor. The U. B. Church has had its share of dissensions, growing out of divisions in their Church at large, and for several years, very unfortunate differ- ences have arisen in two or three congregations, concerning their vested rights in Church property. What these differences are, and who to blame for this interruption of harmony in three of the Con- gregations, need not be discussed in this sketch.
The Christian or Disciples Church.
This Denomination several years ago occupied the old Baptist Church on Braddock St. Rev. Mr. Pirkey, a very popular preacher of Stras- burg, preached in Winchester for several years and organized a Church at a point in the county known as Welltown, and through his efforts and the generous aid of Jas. T. Clevenger, Jno. W. Mckown and others, that congregation was able to erect its neat church building, (Galilee), and have maintained Church relations that resulted in much good to the community. The denomina-
tion has four other churches in the County, built within the last twenty years-Ebenezer on Tim- ber Ridge, near Whitacre; Rock Enon, Jubilee on Front Royal Pike, near Winchester, and one at Bartonsville. The Church name properly is "The Disciples." The old Christian Church, which has for many years maintained a place of Worship in the Western part of the county, is still in existence. These denominations differ as' to Creed and discipline, and are entitled to dis- tinction, though they are regarded by the un- informed as the same denomination.
The Christian Baptists.
This Church has often been called the Tunkard denomination. This is erroneous. We have two places of Worship in the county under the con- trol of the Christian Baptists, Salem Church, near Vaucluse was organized in 1866, Elders Daniel Baker and Daniel Brindle. Mr. Baker donated the site. The other Church, Peach Grove, is about two miles East of Winchester, built in 1892. Prof. N. D. Cool is the Minister in charge of these Churches. Prof. Wayland of the University of Virginia, and L. R. Dettra, of Frederick County are Ministers in this Church. The mem- bership is small in this section, but they have large Congregations in the Upper Valley.
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CARTMELL'S HISTORY
and Vitious person Whether men shall be safe, laws established, and Governours rule, hereby disturbing the Publique peace and just interest ; to prevent and restrain which Mischeif, It is Enacted, etc."
This Act goes on to provide for their arrest and punishment, and forbids any Captain of any vessel to land any Quaker on the Shores of Vir- ginia. That no person be allowed to consort with or entertain them; No person allowed to publish any of their books, or sell the same . . . .. , (see Henning's Statutes at Large, Vol. I, pp. 532-3).
Here again in their new home they incurred the displeasure of the Colonists to such an ex- tent, that their life might seem a burden. Not so, however. They plodded on in their quiet way, acquired comforts, and even wealth in many cases; and it may be said this is characteristic of the Quaker-they are frugal, enconomical, resourceful, and helpful to each other. Poverty is a stranger to their families. They have ever claimed exemption from service as Soldiers- being opposed to war; and have been recognized by State laws, as non-Combatants and required to do no act in conflict with their conscience. The question may now be asked, has he always adhered to this rigid rule? History gives an answer that throws doubt on the whole subject, and places the sect in an attitude never assumed by any other class. While their position has been that of the non-combatant during every war period in his old home from which he had been driven to the wilds of America, where he proclaimed his desire to be allowed exemption from participation in any struggle in his adopted country, they were accorded the exemption; and thus they were regarded as conscientiously op- posed to conflicts and litigation. Historians who have traced the Quaker through his wanderings, show that he had emotional periods similar to other classes, and that he was not, strictly speak- ing, non-partisan in the war periods through which he passed-never emerging from them without incurring the displeasure of the com- batants. He is found suffering privation and punishment, for the aid and sympathy he freely gave to his old British oppressors, when that power sought to subjugate American patriots. If he had remained neutral, and stood on his creed of perpetual peace, he could not have been criticised, for in his adopted country the new populations fought for one of his principles, "That conscience should dictate all actions." But it seemed impossible for the silent and peace loving Quaker to be passive when the upheavals of War had encompassed hamlet and town. The oppressive rule of Britain, so sorely felt in the Colonies, made it necessary for patriots to de- fend their sacred rights. The Sect knew the
sting of British rule; they had suffered persecu- tion from every officer in the Colonies who executed the edict of Royalty. And it would have been perfectly natural for the persecuted Quaker to extend his sympathy to the struggling patriots who had undertaken to shake off the oppressive yoke. None would have required him to forsake his creed, and participate in the bloody strife to which they were so averse. Strange to say, however, he was so pronounced in his views regarding the Revolution, that he became an object of wonder, not only to the American soldiers, but also to the British invaders, the latter regarding him with suspicions of doubt, because of his unstinted aid; and the former be- cause of his unreasonable hostility to their cause. No writer has succeeded in clearing this mystery.
While the Patriot Army in the early part of 1777, had its Battalions and Regiments occupy- ing many important points in Pennsylvania, it was discovered that these silent and peaceful people, (opposed to war in every form) had be- come secret enemies of the cause of Freedom and Independence. The most damaging service they could render was discovered; their com- munications to the British Commanders were intercepted and implicated many prominent Quakers in the surrounding country, and also in Philadelphia. This discovery enraged the Colo- nists, for the Quaker was found to be more dangerous than whole Battalions of Redcoats. Posing as a peace-loving citizen within the Pa- triot camps, yet taking the most offensive part as a partisan. Their removal or extermination must be prompt, else wholesale destruction would soon come from the enemy who had thus learned the secrets of the American forces. It was de- cided that their removal to some distant point would accomplish better results than their ere- cution as spies. Writers of much force have written extensively and exhaustively on this epi- sode; and all agree that the"Offense would have been punished with death, had it been committed by any other class." The Military took the mat- ter in hand and placed a number of those who were fully proven to be the offenders, under arrest. A few suspected persons were included in the squad of prisoners. The following named persons comprised the principal offenders : Joshua Fisher, Abel James, James Pemberton, John James, John Pemberton, Henry Drinker, Israel Pemberton, Samuel Pleasants, Thomas Wharton, Thomas and Samuel Fisher. It has always been a matter of speculation as to the number of prisoners that were sent out of Pennsylvania, under guard. Some have given the number as many as thirty; others twenty, and others fifteen. No military report gives the number. They were marched through Maryland and into Virginia.
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THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
and confined at the Army-post near Winchester, where several hundred of the captured enemy were confined. They were delivered to Col. John Smith who had command of this District. Col. Smith in his reports concerning the Prison under his control says, "I deemed it proper to parole the prisoners other than soldiers, but the Civili- ans refused any terms offered them." One report shows that quitea number grew sick and were placed in a building in the town, for treatment. No mention made of any deaths-though tradi- tion says that several of them died while im- prisoned. Tradition says the Quaker prisoners were confined along with three hundred Hessian prisoners in a building in the southern part of Winchester, which was standing unchanged about fifteen years ago. This seems too unlikely to be true. No such building of sufficient size to hold over three hundred prisoners, stood in the south- ern part of the old town in 1777. During the confinement of the civilian prisoners, they ap- pealed to a distinguished Lawyer of that day,
. Alexander White, Esq., to aid them in securing their release. After the British evacuated Phila- delphia, and the Patriot army changed positions, Mr. White secured their release upon their affir- mation that they would henceforth live by their Creed and be at peace with all men. Of course, the Society of Friends was sorely tried during the remainder of the war; and were the subject of malignant ridicule for many years. The Society had, before the period alluded to, made permanent settlement in Frederick County, and many fami- lies became useful and highly respected citizens, forming part of some successful enterprises. Many of this Sect settled on the most productive lands in the county, and enjoyed the distinction of prosperous farmers, persons of wealth and in- fluence. The Quakers of old Frederick bore none of the names of the Pennsylvania prisoners; nor did they ever seem to depart from their creed of peace, or meddle with any of the conflicts attending the forward movement of a great country. But strange to say in later years the same old spirit which animated the Philadelphia Quakers to step aside and enter silently into war's terrible experiences, wooed some of these non-combatants to seize the first opportunity to enter into intrigue with the devouring foe, and sacrifice those who had been companions and neighbours. The most notable of this small number who forsook the tenets of their faith, throwing the peace creed to the winds, was a young Quakeress, who secretly offered herself as an emissary between the contending armies-to supply the Federals with such information that would enable the Commanding General to take the struggling Southrons unawares (for many of whom she still professed an ardent affection)
which resulted in carnage appalling to all, ex- cept the silent damsel, who so ignominiously en- deavoured to sacrifice human life. Was it for love of her departure from the doctrines of her grand old fathers, or was it for the promised reward offered her by Gen'l Sheridan, which she afterwards received? (a gold watch and chain). The writer knew this young woman, and was familiar with this incident when it occurred. She is now a resident of Washington. The writer refrains from giving her name in consideration of the respect he has for her many relatives. It can be truly said, this was an exception. None can point to a single other member of this sect who carries the odium of such an act. Doubtless many of this highly esteemed class, known as the Friends, were the most loyal Union men in all the regions around; none however can be found willing to give approval to such a departure from their faith.
The author familiar with the Quaker, and his peacefully disposed life, can recall many pleasant and interesting incidents, as they occurred during his unbroken intercourse with them, from his childhood to the present writing. Their friend- ship has often been a comfort. On one occasion, however, this friendship resulted in much em- barrassment. It was during the war period in the Winter of 1861-2 that the Confederate Army under command of Genl. Jackson (Stonewall) lay in Winter Quarters for miles around Win- chester. The author was then Acting Provost Marshal for the Army Post with office located in what was then called the Senseney building (now Bantz's). Col. Lawson Botts of the 2nd Virginia Infantry, was Commandant of the Post. The duties of the Provost were well defined by Genl. Jackson in his general orders, as well as in a personal interview, when the Genl. called his at- tention to the General Order, forbidding per- sons to pass beyond the lines without a Pass from the Provost Marshal-whether civilian or soldier ; stating that too much freedom was ac- corded citizens to pass beyond the lines, that the U. S. troops were then on the border line, along the Potomack, and he had been informed that quite a number of persons, whose loyalty to the Confederate cause had been doubted, were al- lowed to enter his lines from that quarter and allowed to return in the evening; that it must be understood that no person should be given a pass unless his loyalty to the South was beyond question; and where suspicion existed, the person must have some loyal friend to vouch for his conduct; (this was a special order) and no soldier to have the office pass, unless he could produce regimental pass. The closing of that first day brought untold numbers of people to the office-soldiers and citizens. A majority of the
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