Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 38

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607

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former were refused passes. Of the civilian class, very few appeared that were not favorably known at the office, and they were readily disposed of. At this juncture, the young Provost was brought to a stand-still by the appearance in the door-way of a Man of striking figure, whose garb, style and language were sufficient to mark him a quaker. His quiet demeanor denoted a strong will. The writer easily recognized this dignified quaker as one of the many Friends from whom he had always received tokens of kindness and esteem. Embarrassment seized both; it was known that there in that door-way stood the only man in Frederick County who had voted for Abraham Lincoln; this Friend was Joseph N. Jolliffe, whose home lay about six miles due North from the army lines. He saw the situa- tion and quietly met the issue, simply saying: "Friend, thee will give me a pass to return to my home," the Officer still embarrassed, made no answer until his demand was repeated. There was no request for the pass; simply a demand. His attention was called to the General Order posted on the walls of the Office. He quietly re- marked that it could not apply to him; that he was non-partisan. Then the question was asked, are you loyal to the Confederate cause? His reply was "Neither loyal nor disloyal; the up- rising forbodes evil; I refuse to take part, and wish to be governed by my own conscience." He was then asked if the vote he had cast for Lincoln, who had declared war against the Southern States, would not justify the Provo in refusing him a pass, until he was vouched for by some loyal friend. Then for the first time his eye flashed fire, drawing his tall form to its most dignified height, he replied-"Then thou art not my friend," and suddenly left the office; but re- turned in a few minutes with his friend, T. T. Fauntleroy, Esq., (afterwards Judge Fauntleroy) who desired to know "why his friend Jolliffe was deprived of his liberty." The Genl. order was shown Mr. F., who hastily said he would apply to Genl. Jackson in person, and together they went to Headquarters; the Genl. told them the Order should not be changed, and that nothing but a pass signed by the Provo would pass persons through the lines. Mr. Jolliffe remained in Winchester that night. The next morning, Mr. F. appeared again, and with changed manner asked that a pass be given, and that he would endorse Mr. J. The reply was, that the Special order was, that he must vouch for his loyalty. This he refused in his characteristic style, creat- ing a breach in the relation of two friends that required years to heal. Several years after the War, Mr. F. moved by impulses that could be awakened only in such impulsive men, generously offered apologies, and declared that the perform-

ance of the duty imposed on the officer, was an act he would ever admire, and nothing could affect his friendship again. Mr. Jolliffe never mentioned the incident, though the writer under- stood the meaning of the warm grasp of hand during the closing years of his life. Mr. Jolliffe was never molested by the Confederate authori- ties. He survived the war, the Reconstruction period, and lived to see his country re-united; going down to his grave respected and esteemed by. all who knew him. This digression may be allowable, when it is considered that it shows an incident of the times when the silent quakers who lived by their creed, were accorded the privilege of non-combatants, and were never call- ed upon to render military duty, and received as much protection from the Confederate army as from the Union.

The impartial reader in his study of the creed of the Society of Friends, may conclude that the motives of the Quaker prisoners were greatly misunderstood; that they meant to impress both powers with the enormity of guilt resting upon those who had gone to war, and that they in- tended no harm to befall the Patriot soldiers, though they condemned the "uprising of the people." The Quaker prisoners were humanely treated by the Virginians, who were in no sense responsible for their arrest and exile. To their own State, Pennsylvania, the friends of the pris- oners must be cited, to learn that their own State Supreme Executive Council refused to con- sider their remonstrance, and directed the Presi- dent of the Council to write to the Congress and let them know that "The Council has not time to attend to that business, in the present alarm- ing Crisis." "Exiles in Virginia" gives inter- esting incidents concerning the Quaker prisoners, from which we take the following: "On the 11th of Ninth Month 1777, the prisoners started on their march by Waggon train seventeen being quakers, three being persons suspected of trea- son." The list is given at this point, though it may include the names of some already given;

James Pemberton, Edward Pennington, Henry Drinker, Mrs. Fisher, Wm. Drewet Smith, Elijah Brown, Samuel Pleasants, Charles Eddy, Wm. Smith (broker), Thos. Gilpin, Israel Pemberton, Thos. Wharton, Samuel R. Fisher, John Hunt, Charles Jarvis, Owen Jones Jr., Thos. Pike, Thos. Afflick, John Pemberton, Thos. Fisher.

We learn from the diary of one of the prison- ers, James Pemberton, that John Hunt and John Pemberton frequently held Meetings at their lodg- ings in Winchester. This makes it appear that the Quakers had no Meeting-house in Winchester at that date. Same diary says they held Meetings at Hopewell during their exile; and then re- cords that John Hunt and Thos. Gilpin died

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during their exile and were buried at Hopewell. The writer has carefully examined the Hopewell graveyard, and finds no slabs to mark graves of those who were buried there prior to 1800.

On the 16th of March 1778, the Congress, then sitting at Yorktown, passed a resolution to deliver over to the President and Council of Pennsyl- vania, the prisoners sent from the State of Vir- ginia. They were, after some delay, brought to Pottsgrove in Pennsylvania, and there discharged, (see Janney's History of the Friends).

It has been claimed as a well settled fact these many years, that the quakers were opposed to slavery, and had never been guilty of the crime of owning slaves. This however, is not true. For, consulting several authorities, it can be seen that the Friends of Chester Quarterly Meeting, held 1730, made this minute, "The Friends of this Meeting resuming the proposition of Chester Meeting, relating to the purchasing of such Ne- groes as may hereafter be imported; and having reviewed and considered the former minutes in relation thereto Are of the opinion that Friends ought to be very cautious of making any such purchases for the future."

The Friends for many years maintained three Meetings, and for some reason they were all designated as Hopewell Meeting; the first being . Hopewell on Apple-pie Ridge, one at Pugh's town (Gainesboro), and one on Crooked-run, (East of Stephens City).

Old Hopewell is and has been for many years a massive stone building, accommodating large crowds at the yearly Meeting; drawing members of the sect from other counties, and even States, while Frederick and near-by counties sent throngs. The day was regarded as a meeting place for every class; and abuses of the privilege was practiced by the thoughtless. This condition prevailed to such an extent, that a change was desirable, and the Yearly Meeting was transferred to Winchester, where the Society has a large house and grounds, Cor. Piccadilly St. and Fair- mont Ave.

The Hicksites and Orthodox branches, how- ever, hold one Yearly meeting for one day at Hopewell, while only the Hicksites own and occupy Centre Meeting-house in Winchester. Two other Meetings were held on Apple-pie ridge-one at the Ridge meeting-house, and one in the vicinity of White-hall. For many years there was a Meeting at what was known as the Quaker School-house on the Cedar Creek turn- pike, near Fawcetts Gap, which was aband- oned many years ago. The Meeting at "Pughs- town" was well attended for many years; but the

Methodist Church has gradually strengthened its Congregation by accessions from the families of the old Society who were once numerous on Back-creek. There is an old gravyard adjoining this place that contains the remains of many of the pioneers. Crooked-run Meeting has been abandoned so long, that very few young quakers of to-day are aware that a large Meeting was once a part of that section. Prior to the Civil war the quakers had a Meeting-house in the South end of Winchester, which is mentioned in notes on Cemeteries. This was known as Centre Meeting. The Meeting-house was on the West side of Washington Street, corner of Stew- art, German and Monmouth Streets. A whole square was conveyed by Sarah Zane of Phila- delphia to Joshua Lupton, Samuel Brown and Samuel Swayne in 1814, "for the purpose of erecting a Meeting-house thereon, and for a burial ground on part thereof for use of the Friends society." The site is now occupied by residences.

The quakers of to-day are reduced in numbers to such an extent, that their Meetings are slimly attended. Some families adhere to their faith more than to the old time customs. In the olden time they were easily distinguished from other classes by their quiet demeanor and peculiar style of dress; but we never see the broad brim- med hat, or the shad-belly coat in these days.

The Mennonist Society.

Very few readers of these Sketches are aware of the early appearance of this Sect. They were in small groups-South of the North-fork of the Shenandoah River-alongside the first Luther- ans, extending up the Luray Valley and also South up the main Valley, towards Harrison- burg, where they also had the Tunkers for neigh- bours. This sect was certainly represented in the Massanuttin region, but no evidence of Meet- ing-houses. They were found by German Evan- gelists and Moravian Missionaries. The Shenan- doah County section, and Rockingham have had small settlements for many years. In recent years this Society had several preaching places in Frederick County, and until within the last five years, maintained a church near Kernstown Railroad station. This has since closed, and the property sold to S. M. Chiles, who converted it into a tenant-house. All the members of this Church, known to the writer, were exemplary Christian citizens. Many of them men of means. They came into this section chiefly from Pennsyl- vania, since the Civil war. A Menonist preacher lived near Massanuttin, and was killed by the Indians about 1760 (see reference in War notes).

CHAPTER XLI

The Roman Catholic Church

In writing a history of the Catholic Church in the territory of Old Frederick, the author ap- proaches the subject with many misgivings, knowing this Church has a history; but the records showing what part this Church had in the development of this county are so meagre, that justice cannot be done her. Where such limited knowledge prevails, many incidents of self sacrifice which the first Catholic settlers endured, may never be told. We know they were here in the forming of the county; they were land owners, good citizens, and as loyal to American institutions as they ever were to their Mother Church. They, too, had their struggles. Deprived of the accustomed ministrations of their Church, they never faltered, but waited for the time when a service of Matins and Vespers might be enjoyed.

The Shenandoah region had a strange infatua- tion for emigrants. Hastening from the seaboard landings, through sections of country equal in soil and climate, and more congenial to their re- ligion, they crossed the Cohongoruta; erected their log-cabins and-we may say, their altars too, in what was a wilderness. Pennsylvania offered inducements to the German Protestants; Delaware and Jersey to Scotch-Irish Presbyteri- ans, and Maryland to the Catholics. We have endeavored to show in preceding pages, what the former did in the new country; we will now try to show what the latter did in his new en- vironments.

We have evidence that several Priests visited this section prior to 1800; and that Mass was said at Richard McSherry's Jr. at his homestead called "Retirement farm"; and that it was a well- known stopping-place for Priests. Wm. McSherry who lived near Martinsburg, was also a devout Catholic; and Mass was said in the house of John Timmons, a resident of Martinsburg. There was no church at that date; and the visiting priests came from Maryland-Revs. Denis Cahill, Frambach, Gallitzin and others are named. It is well established that there were no resident priests prior to 1840 in all this section. We find Rev. Richard Whelan and Rev. Jos. S. Plunkett visited all the towns in Frederick, Berkeley, Jef- ferson, Hampshire, Hardy and Shenandoah. There must have been a regular place of worship in

Martinsburg as early as 1820, for the church record kept by Rev. James Redmond, has several entries in it as early as 1820. This appears "In the chapel room 1820," Father Redmond married a couple in this chapel on that date. It has been asserted by some writers that he started the building of what was known as the old stone church, doing much of the work himself. The following named priests served this church un- til 1840: Rev. John Mahony, Geo. Flautt, F. B. Jamison, Richard Wheelan, Jos. Strain, P. Dan- aker ; and from 1842 to 1856, Revs. John O'Brien, Jos. H. Plunkett, and Andrew Talty. It is more than likely the church proper was erected about 1830. We find by frequent reference to the work of Mr. John T. Reily, that about fifty Catholic families lived in Martinsburg at the time, who aided in the erection of the church, as did also "many Protestant friends." The church was lo- cated on the ground of the present cemetery, at a cost of $4,000. This was known as St. Joseph. The present imposing church property, with its parochial school, was completed in 1883. Mr. Reily says the Laity's Directory, 1822, has this entry: "The Catholics of Martinsburg, Win- chester, Bath and Shepardstown were formerly attended by priests from Maryland, but in future would be in charge of the priest stationed at Winchester." This corroborates the statement made by old Catholics to the author many years ago, that there was a church in Winchester long before 1800. This church was at the East end of Piccadilly Street, North of the old Presby- terian Church. Near it was the consecrated yard that contained their dead. This old place has been mentioned in chapters on Cemeteries. When the War closed in 1865, the little church was in ruins; and the old yard contained many defaced and broken slabs-evidence that vandals had been there in the garb of soldiers. The first services were held in Michael Hassett's house. About this time came Rev. J. J. Kain, who ministered and worked in his congregation with such zeal, that it became possible to erect the imposing edifice now the home of many Catholics. Stand- ing on South Loudoun Street, it is an ornament to the city; and offers many inducements to members of this church to change their country homes for homes in the city. Father Kain was

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the distinguished Bishop of his Church soon after leaving Winchester. Father Van De Vyver came next and succeeded in completing the edifice. The church was dedicated by Bishop Kain, 1875, under the special patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They now were ready to enjoy the services of their first resident pastor. Up to this time, Winchester was an out-mission under the care of the Harpers Ferry Church. Rev. J. Hagan came first; a comfortable home for the priest was built, and also the towering steeple for the ponderous bell, whose tones are so strong and withal so melodious, the entire city feels a just pride in the sonorous tones it daily wafts over every home. The next pastor was Rev. D. J. O'Connell, D.D., who for many years was Rec- tor of the American College at Rome. In 1883, Rev. J. B. O'Reilly came. Under his pastorate, the site for the new cemetery was purchased; and removals made from the old graveyard. It may be proper to say that several old tombs were not disturbed. Quite a number of the graves were unmarked; and the unknown tenants remain in blissful ignorance of the abandonment of the old graveyard that had been consecrated a century ago. Certainly the dust of the donor of the ground, Edward McGuire, was left; the marks that once distinguished the spot where he had lain so long, were obliterated; and the writer was informed by Father O'Reilly that it would have been impossible to identify the remains of such; and he deemed it best to level the surface and turn it over for other purposes. Genl. Denver protested against the removal of his grandfather Patrick Denver, and requested the writer to present his views; but Mr. O'Reilly was unyield- ing, and insisted upon the removel of all found in graves that were marked.

Rev. Father McVerry is now pastor of Sacred Heart Church, and a most consistent and devout priest, held in high esteem by all who know him. The writer appreciates his courtesies.

The Catholics in 1889 erected a church prop- erty in Charlestown. Harpers Ferry for many years before the War had a prosperous. church, and the priests resided there.

Shepardstown was slow in establishing a church at that point, though there is one there now, which has gathered strength since 1890.

The Catholic Church at Harpers Ferry escaped destruction during the Civil War; and has had reasonable success. Priests of note have cele- brated Mass in the old church. It was in this old church where the author many years ago, first saw the Crucifix, the Virgin Mary and the Holy Child-figures of worship occupying a place near the chancel. His youthful impressions re- main to this day. The church occupies one of

the most prominent and picturesque height- ..: that hilly town.

Front Royal and Strasburg were early mission fields for the Catholics. Not even a nucleus for churches was formed, however, until after the Civil War. Front Royal has had for several years a growing church. An incident associated with this church is worth relating: It was during the Civil War, that a young soldier of the Con- federate Army, a member of the celebrated Mary- land Line, was disabled and languished for many weary days in the home of a friend in Front Royal. He was tenderly cared for by a lady whose name cannot be recalled, but she was a devout Catholic, and so was the young soldier, Carroll Jenkins, whose life was slowly ebbing away, far removed from his luxurious home in Baltimore. His grateful acknowledgment for the attentions given him by his Catholic nurse, and the ministrations of such church rites as she could render, prompted him to give substantial evidence of his appreciation. He informed his newly-made friends that he was the son of Mr. Thomas C. Jenkins of Baltimore, who was well known for his wealth and association with the Michael Jenkins family of that city; and he di- rected that after his death, when communication was open with Baltimore, that his father be in- formed and requested, that he desired of what- ever estate he possessed, or that his father in- tended he should share had he lived, that a sufficient sum should be appropriated for the purpose of erecting a memorial church in Front Royal, and on the spot where he had succumbed to the fate of war. The church now in Front Royal stands as the memorial to the young sol- dier. The father and family had complied with his wishes. The membership is small. The church is under the care of the Sacred Heart Church of Winchester. Father McVerry ministers the Holy Sacrament to this mission.

It may be added, that the same Jenkins family contributed liberally to the completion of the Sacred Heart Church in Winchester.

In closing the sketches of the various churches found in Old Frederick County and her sub- divisions, the author submits their perusal and study to the indulgent reader of this volume, trusting that he may find many historical inci- dents of value, and be compensated for his time; and thus understand why so much space has been devoted to this part of the development of the great territory the fathers found West of the Blue Ridge in the early part of the 18th Century. In this the 20th Century, but few if any readers can afford to entertain a thought that the church development was not a necessity; and, indeed, it must be conceded that it was necessary; for

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without it, the far-famed Shenandoah Valley would have presented a spectacle of chaos, and even barbarism, that is beyond the ken of man to comprehend. Each and every denomination carrying the banner of the Christian faith, has had its part in the great drama; and to-day as they take the retrospective along with the prospec- tive view, they must feel emboldened in their efforts to press the work forward, encouraged by the hope that the Church will ultimately triumph over all other creations. It is the only institution to survive the upheavals of time. Its first appearance indicated no such results. Found- ed at a period in the world's history; few indeed could appreciate its origin, and only a few were present at its birth. The humblest of a mighty nation, stood awed by the demeanor and langu- age of a young Hebrew who, standing in their midst, made the most fearless and unequivocal announcement ever made by man; and though only spoken in the presence of the humble, and that in an obscure place, the utterance has never lost any of its power :- "Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." This was Jesus of Nazareth; and how well the Church to-day attests the ful- fillment of that astounding declaration. No scheme of destruction has ever been devised by man to destroy or overcome the Church. Every atom of creation perishes; nations, and their thrones, have been extinguished; generations come and go; the mighty law of change and de- cay will ultimately remove the earth and its

firmament; but time in her cycles is giving proof that the Church thus founded, will survive all the wreck of matter. History marks the rise and fall of many civilized powers. She also marks the increasing power of that church. She also marks the rise of false religions, only to show their final overthrow. She also marks an era, when philosophy offered its tenets of false rea- son, that perished in the using.

This Church was founded at a time when the world's population had full knowledge that ob- literation and decay stood boldly out in every known land, to prove that nothing was imperish- able. Perhaps they pointed to a few exceptions, to be seen in the massive columns some of the mighty rulers had builded, and to their pyramid- monuments on the borders of an Egyptian desert. All other creations had vanished under the hand of the universal destroyer. No wonder, then, that the announcement of this stranger should be received with doubt and derision. All civilized nations to-day acknowledge that the strange He- brew was the Christ; and the Institution he founded has defied, and will forever to the end defy all destructible agencies. And on this foun- dation, all the denominations treated in the fore- going sketches, openly declare there is where their banner has been planted; and under it they are making rapid strides to encircle the earth. The benign influence of this great de- velopment has become an integral part in the de- velopment of Civilization of the Universe, result- ing in the Christianizing of the untold millions.

CHAPTER XLII

The Cemeteries

In the olden time, the villagers knew nothing about the necessity of providing some general place where the whole community could dedicate some appointed spot for the burial of their de- ceased friends, which would be under some sys- tematic control. The church yard was deemed sufficient; and as the several churches had suffi- cient space, the members of the different de- nominations appropriated this space. And thus the old church-yard gradually filled to over-flowing. For instance, as previously stated, the old grave- yard in the rear of the first Episcopal Church, corner of Loudoun and Boscawen Streets, was found at an early day, inadequate to meet the wants for this purpose. Many removals were made to a new plot of ground southwest from where the hospital now stands. The old ground was converted to other uses. The old Lutheran and German Reformed Churches on the hill had ample space adjacent to the churches. There we find the early settlers resting undisturbed; while to the North, the old Presbyterian Church at the East end of Piccadilly Street continued the use of their adjoining lot until 1840. The grave- yard was carefully guarded for many decades. Some of our most noted persons rested there for a century undisturbed; some removals were made to Mt. Hebron about the middle of the 19th Cen- tury; the monuments and enclosures yielded to the ravages of war, and tombs lost all evidence of their identity. A recent visit to this once sacred place impressed the writer with the feeling that the descendants had forgotten the ancestors who will soon be in nameless graves; the old slabs have been displaced in many instances; and some slabs bear inscriptions that would startle many of our busy men and women if they re- alized the inexcusable neglect. Go, reader, some day to this place, and take warning, lest you re- ceive at the hands of your descendants similar neglect of a righteous duty! The once gifted Rev. Nash LeGrand, and many others of his class, lie beneath that sod without the vestige of a marker. The invincible Daniel Morgan was buried here in July, 1802. Genl. Roberdeau, the Powells, Magills, Beatty, Smiths, Whites, Holmes, Baldwins, Grays and others were laid to rest here. Some were removed to Mount Hebron. Just to the North are other plats, one where the Roman Catholic Church had a consecrated place

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 38

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920 Publication date: 1909 Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.] Number of Pages: 607

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607