USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 20
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CORNSTALK - AND THE BATTLE AT POINT PLEASANT.
or another time." His countenance was dejected as he declared that he "would be compelled to go with the stream ; and that all the Indians were joining the British standard.
About the time the council closed, two of the volunteers, return- ing from a deer hunt on the opposite side of the Ohio, were fired upon by some Indians concealed upon the bank. "Whilst we were wondering," says Stuart, "who it could be shooting contrary to orders, or what they were doing over the river, we saw that Hamil- ton ran down to the bank, who called out that Gilmore was killed. Young Gilmore was from Rockbridge ; his family and friends had been mostly cut off by the incursions headed by Cornstalk in 1763; he belonged to the company of his relative Capt. John Hall. His companions hastily crossed the river, and brought back the bloody corpse, and rescued Hamilton from his danger. The interpreter's wife, lately returned from captivity, ran out to enquire the cause of the tumult in the fort. She hastened back to the cabin of Corn- stalk, for whom she entertained a very high regard for his kind treatment to her, and told him that Elinipsico was charged with bringing the Indians that had just killed Gilmore, and that the sol- diers were threatening them all with death. The young chief denied any participation, even the most remote, in the murder. "The canoe had scarcely touched the shore," says Stuart, " until the cry was raised-let us kill the Indians in the fort, and every man, with his gun in his hand, came up the bank pale with rage. Capt. Hall was at their head, and their leader. Capt. Arbuckle and I met them and endeavored to dissuade them from so unjustifiable an action. But they cocked their guns, threatened us with instant death if we did not desist, and rushed by us into the fort." Elinipsico hearing their approach, trembled greatly. Cornstalk said, "My son, the Great Spirit has seen fit that we should die together, and has, sent you here. It is his will. Let us submit. It is best ;" and turned to meet the enemy at the door. In a moment he fell, and expired without a groan. He was pierced with seven bullets. Elinipsico sat unmoved upon his stool ; and, like his father, received the shots of the soldiers, and died without motion. Redhawk endeavored to escape by the chimney, which proved too small. He was shot, and fell dead in the ashes. Another Indian present was cruelly mangled, and murdered by piece-meal. The fort was covered with gloom. The soldiers gazed in sadness on the dead bodies of Cornstalk and his son. Col. Skillern did not arrest the murderers. General Hand arrived without forces or supplies, and took no notice of the deed. The militia received orders to return home. The civil authorities made some investigations, but the county court of Rockbridge, after ascertaining with some degree of certainty the actors in the bloody deed, proceeded no further. Some of the witnesses died, and others fled ; and the distresses and vexations' of the seven years' war diverted the public attention. The exasperated Shawanees took ample vengeance for that cruel and unexpiated slaughter. The blood of multitudes along the frontiers flowed for Cornstalk and Elinipsico and Redhawk, before the peace of 1783.
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CHAPTER XIII.
REV. WILLIAM HILL, D. D., FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS SETTLEMENT IN WINCHESTER.
WILLIAM HILL was born March 3d, 1769, in Cumberland County, Virginia. His parents were of English descent. When five years old he was deprived of his father by death. After a few years of widowhood, his mother was married to Daniel Allen, a widower with children, an elder in the church of which Mr. John B. Smith was pastor. He could not remember when his mother began to treat h'm in a pious, godly manner. Before her marriage with Mr. Allen she was considered as belonging to the Established Church, as all per- sons were that did not express dissent; after her marriage, she united with the Presbyterian Church. For a few years young Hill enjoyed the instructions and example of his pious mother ; all the recollections of whom were intensely sweet to her son, and those also of a godly step-father, whom he reverenced. In his twelfth year he was deprived of his mother's care and counsel, and left an orphan, that never found one to take the mother's place in his heart.
From about his tenth year till his fourteenth he was favored with the instruction of Drury Lacy, employed by Mr. Allen to teach his children. This gentleman possessed some peculiar capabilities as a teacher, and gave young Hill and Cary Allen an uncommonly good English education. While residing with Mr. Allen, Mr. Lacy made profession of religion, and was connected with the church under the care of Mr. Smith. By the counsel of that man he commenced a course of classical study ; went to reside in the family of Judge Nash ; became a sub-tutor in college ; and subsequently prepared for the ministry. Mr. Lacy retained through life the affections of his pupils, Hill and Cary Allen, and heard them preach the gospel he loved.
Young Hill had for the guardian of his property the brother of his father. By him he was encouraged to efforts for a classical edu- cation, with the design of pursuing the study and practice of the law, a course of life presenting at that time great inducements to aspir- ing young men ; and was placed at Hampden Sidney College. His uncle induced the young man to hope that his small patrimony would, by economy and judicious management, be made sufficient for his education and entrance upon his profession. While a member of college the revival of religion, with which Charlotte, Prince Edward and Cumberland were visited, arrested his attention and agitated his heart. This revival, as has been noted in the Sketches of Virginia already published, began in the Baptist Church in Char- lotte, and in a little time was feit under the preaching of the Metho- dists and Presbyterians. Mr. Smith set up prayer-meetings in his congregation, and began to see among his charge evidences of the
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presence of the holy spirit. Cary Allen openly professed conver- sion in circumstances so peculiar as to excite the fear of Mr. Smith lest there had been a mistake in the young man. The earnestness and frankness of Allen, however, removed all apprehension from his pastor's mind, and arrested more particularly the attention of the students. This was in the fall of 1787.
After the students were returned to College, one and another felt the necessity of religion. Young Hill, who was with Allen at the time of his conversion, was greatly troubled. During the whole of the preceding summer he had been in perplexity and distress. The talk about awakening and conversion called up the instructions of his mother, deeply impressed on his feelings and memory. She had prayed for him, and with him; and often, with her hand upon his head, blessing him she had expressed her hope that he would be- come a Christian, and a minister of the gospel to others. He seemed to himself to hear again his mother's prayers, and to feel her hand upon his head. Often would his conscience cry out to him, " is this your mother's little preacher for whom she so often prayed ?" He would weep and fall on his knees and pray ; and then go among the thoughtless boys of College and become merry. He did not wish them to know that he was enquiring after religion. He had not read much in his Bible after his mother's death. He had no copy of that book with him. He knew of no student that had a Bible; and was ashamed to enquire of them any thing about it. He finally „applied to the steward, Major James Morton, a godly man with a kind heart, and obtained, for a Saturday, the use of his family Bible. In the deep woods he read through the gospel ac- cording to Matthew, passing the day without refreshment and in entire seclusion. After this day he felt his determination to seek his salvation greatly strengthened, yet he had not courage to dis- close it openly.
A sedate young lad, member of College, William Calhoon, was in the habit of returning, on Saturday, to his parents who lived near. His father was an elder in the Church and esteemed by all a godly man ; a number of his family were professors of religion. As this youth was about to return home on a certain Saturday, young Hill asked him to bring a good book on religion for him to read, when he returned. On reaching home young Calhoon told his father in presence of the family, that William Hill said "he wanted a good book on religion to read." His sister Peggy, a young lady of much. intelligence and warm piety, said at once, "I have the very book he ought to read." On Monday she sent him an old and much worn copy of Allein's Alarm to the Unconverted. This book young Hill locked in his trunk till the next Saturday. His room-mates having gone out for the day, he locked the door and began to read his old book. He went on with tears and sighs. His distress of soul was greater and greater. He had no appetite for his dinner. One and another gentle rap at his door had been made and unanswered. At length a violent rapping, accompanied with a threat of breaking
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in induced him to open the door. There stood a student from North Carolina, James Blythe. He had suspected that Hill was serious, and was determined to know the certainty for himself. Looking around he saw the old book upon the bed. Taking it up and read- ing the title, he exclaimed - " Hill, are you reading this book ?" Hill was agitated. Should he confess the truth and become the sport of the College boys, or should he deny the fact and hide his sorrows in his bosom? A strong temptation came upon the youth to turn the subject into a laugh. Blythe stood trembling with remorse of conscience, for he had come from North Carolina a professor of religion, and had been induced to conceal his professions to avoid notoriety, and finally to escape the ridicule of the students who generally were very far from religion. After a violent struggle, Hill at length said -"Yes, Blythe, I have been reading it." "Are you anxious about your soul ?" said Blythe with great emotion. " Yes," replied Hill, "I am. I have neglected it too long, I fear too long. I am resolved to be more earnest hereafter." "Oh, Hill," exclaimed Blythe with a flood of tears, "what a sinner I am, would you believe I came from Carolina a professor of religion ! Here I have neglected my Bible, and have become hard and cold." He wept and groaned aloud and threw himself upon the bed ; crying out, " Oh Hill, seek your soul's salvation - you may be saved - I fear I cannot. I have denied the Lord, I fear I am lost." The two youths wept and talked and confessed and read together. It was a precious day to both.
Cary Allen soon came to know the condition of things, and made them acquainted with another youth, a resident graduate, Clement Read, who was under deep religious impressions. The next Saturday they retired to the deep woods in company, and held a prayer-meet- ing; each one, in his turn, read a chapter, gave out a hymn, and prayed. On the next Saturday on account of the weather they pro- cured a room in College, and locking the door began their prayer- meeting in suppressed tones. But the singing and prayers were overheard, and speedily a crowd of wild youth assembled at the room, shouting, swearing and thumping the door. The noise and confusion attracted the attention of the officers of College; they quelled the riot and dispersed the mob, who were rejoicing in having broken up the prayer-meeting. After prayers in the evening, Pre- sident Smith called for an explanation of the disturbance. Some of the ringleaders at once arose, and said, that they heard singing and praying in one of the rooms, like the Methodists; and had broken up the disorderly proceeding. Until that moment neither the President nor the tutors, Lacy and Mahon, had any idea that, besides Cary Allen, there was a praying youth in College. "And who are the culprits ?" enquired the President. The four youth confessed themselves guilty of the charge. Looking at them with tears in his eyes, he exclaimed, "Is it possible that some of my students desire to pray ? and is it possible that any desire to hinder them ? Well my young friends, you shall have a place to pray.
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The next Saturday's prayer-meeting shall be in my parlor, and I will meet with you." At the appointed hour on the next Saturday the four young men went trembling to the President's parlor ; the novelty of the thing had filled the room. They were called on and prayed each in his turn, and the President gave a warm exhortation. The succeeding Saturday, the whole house was filled to overflowing. The next meeting was in the College Hall, which was filled with students, and people from the neighborhood. The revival which had been heard of in Charlotte and part of Cumberland was felt in College. Fully half the students were enquiring what they should do to be saved. Prayer-meetings were set up forthwith in different parts of Mr. Smith's charge ; and the awakening seemed to spread over the two Counties. These four young men thus brought out to notice appeared to have the true faith of the gospel. Allen, as is shown in its proper place, had fallen on the floor in the agony of his conviction; the other three obtained a hope in Christ without such violent emotion. All were busy in prayer-meetings and in exhorta- tions.
In the vacation of the spring of 1788, Hill and Allen went home, to Mr. Daniel Allen, who lived on Great Guinea Creek, and were holding meetings around the neighborhood, with the young people, with great effect. At one of these, as has been related, Nash Legrand, aroused from his stupidity in sin, and greatly alarmed by a conversation with Drury Lacy, fell as completely overcome as Cary Allen had been, and went home professing faith. In October of this year Mr. Lacy was licensed to preach, as also Mr. Mahon the other tutor in College. Lacy was full of animation and ran a useful career. Mahon, in a few years, abandoned the ministry. Cary Allen died early, but a successful minister of Christ. Legrand was licensed in about a year, and filled up a measure of usefulness. alloted to few. Clement Read lived to be old and died a faithful minister of Christ. Mr. Blythe died in old age an active, fervent, successful minister and teacher of youth, whose memory will long be dear in Kentucky. Mr. Hill, the subject of this notice, outlived them all, loving and beloved by them all. William Calhoon, the youth that brought Alleen's Alarm to College, lived to old age, a faithful minister of Christ.
When the guardian, and uncle of Mr. Hill, understood from him, that he was determined not to pursue the study of the law, but devote himself to the gospel ministry, he thought proper to inter- pose. Being a man of impetuous feelings and violent temper, and not inclined to favor the religious action of the students, he de- termined to use decisive measures. He had imbibed a strong dislike to the established clergy, and was implicated in some acts of violence, upon the person of the minister of the parish, which led to a troublesome lawsuit; and was exceedingly opposed to his nephew's entering the ministry in any way. He refused to allow him any more stipends, either from his own purse or the patrimony in his hands, hoping that necessity would bring him to terms.
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" But," says Dr. Hill-"I lived at Major Edmund Read's, near Charlotte Courthouse, where I was furnished with a home from April 1st, 1789, till July 9th, 1790. During my residence in this hospitable family, I pursued my classical course of study privately, while my class was prosecuting their studies in College. I was forced to do this, because my uncle, who was my guardian, became offended with me for not complying with his wishes in studying law. He withheld from me every cent of my little patrimonial inheritance for two years. A comfortable home being thus afforded me, I pro- secuted my studies in the best manner I could, and obtained permis- sion from the trustees of Hampden Sidney College, in Sept. 1789, to stand my examination with my class for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, which examination was sanctioned, and I was permitted to graduate with my class. After I was graduated I continued to reside with the same kind family, and prosecuted the study of the- ology, in the same private manner, under the direction of my dear and beloved friend Dr. John B. Smith, who resided near the College, in Prince Edward, about 22 miles off. All the chance I had for the study of Divinity thus privately was from the 1st of October, 1789, when I was graduated, till July 10th, 1790, when I was licensed to preach the gospel, a little over nine months."
" This family of Mr. Edmund Read is the same that gave a home to Dr. Alexander, for some years of his early ministry. Mrs. Paulina Read, more generally known as Mrs. Legrand, in her widowhood, on the death of Rev. Nash Legrand, was the ready and efficient friend of young men desirous of an education, particularly those having the ministry in view ; and was one of " those women " to be held in honorable remembrance. While a resident in this family, "I held meetings of one kind or another, and exhorted in the best manner I could, in various destitute neighborhoods in Charlotte County, which county had no regular settled clergyman in its bounds " at that time. While he was a resident at Major Read's, Dr. Alexander on his visit to Prince Edward, with Mr. Graham, at the house of the widow of Littlejoe Morton, on the Saturday night before the communion heard with surprise Mr. Hill deliver an exhortation - "a warm and pungent address, on the barren fig-tree, which affected my feelings very much." Warmth and fluency characterized his addresses. His figure was good, and voice clear and strong, and his bearing bold but respectful. His popularity, as an exhorter, induced the Presbytery to hasten his licensure to meet the great demand for ministers. Young men, as is usual in times of great excitement, were impatient to engage as exhorters and ministers, and people encouraged them to enter the harvest field waving for the harvest. For a series of years Han- over Presbytery, as well as Lexington, in sending forth laborers, seemed to partake of the hasty spirit of the inexperienced peo- ple, and thrust them out. And it is to be remarked that these very young men, living as the majority of them did, to become old in their useful labors, united in the effort, which was successful, for
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enforcing, in the general, the rule - that candidates for the min- istry shall pursue the study of theology for at least two years. They took the lead in founding seminaries, offering inducements to keep the candidates at study, for the extended term of three years. Mr. Hill is an example of early licensure, and of activity in forming seminaries to render a protracted term of study most efficient as well as necessary.
The Presbytery that met at Pisgah, Bedford County, Virginia, October 16th, 1789, was opened by Cary Allen, with his trial sermon for licensure. Mr. Moore was received from the Methodist Church, as a preacher in good standing, on recommendation of Mr. Pattillo and seventeen elders-and after long examination, admitted to ordination. The Presbytery putting in a declaration that this must not be a precedent. Cary Allen's trials were all passed, yet his licensure delayed. Clement Read was called to account for preach- ing with the Methodists before his licensure. William Hill was re- ceived as candidate on the 19th. An essay was assigned him on " The advantages of Revelation above the light of nature to pro- duce piety and godly living." The Presbyterial exercise was upon Matt. 5: 14, Ye are the salt of the earth. The members present were McRobert, Smith, Mitchel, Mahon and Lacy-with Graham and Carrick, from Lexington ; Elders Robert Franklin, Benjamin Allen and Robert Mitchel, the father of the minister. At the Presbytery at Briery, opened by Mr. Blair with a sermon on Isaiah 55: 1, May 6th, 1790, calls were put in for Legrand ; James Turner applied for advice about becoming a candidate ; Cary Allen was licensed, and the Presbytery gave him the right hand in token of approbation, and resolved to do the same in future with licentiates ; Wm. Hill exhibited his parts of trial assigned, and these being sustained, others were assigned - viz., a Lecture Luke 11: 20 to 26, Popular Sermon Heb. 11 : 24, 5, 6, By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter. Presby- tery also took some measures to increase the collections for Missionary purposes. Order was also taken to assist in getting out an edition of the Family Bible.
At Buffalo, July 9th, 1790, present McRobert, Smith, Mahon and Lacy ; Elders James Allen, Andrew Wallace, Stephen Pettus and Littlejoe Morton. The Presbytery was opened by Wm. Hill with his trial sermon for licensure. His diploma was received in place of examination on literature and science, he read his lecture, and passed part of the examination on divinity. On Saturday, the 10th, his examination was concluded, and he was regularly licensed. He was directed by Presbytery to spend the months of August and Sep- tember in making a missionary tour through Halifax, Henry, Frank- lin and Pittsylvania. His exercises of mind are thus stated :
Thursday, July 8th, 1790. - I set apart this day for prayer and fasting, to beg God's assistance and blessing upon the important office I am about to enter upon. I endeavored, to examine the motives by which I was actuated, found it a very difficult work to
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perform; being in a state of darkness, and finding my heart so de- ceitful I was at a loss what to conclude concerning myself. Felt somewhat engaged some part of the day in prayer to God. I think I surrendered myself to him unreservedly, and feel willing to sacrifice any private interest or happiness of my own in the world, that I might be useful to the souls of my fellow-men; and I am willing to throw in my mite towards the advancement of the Re- dcemer's kingdom on earth. Oh that the glory of God lay nearer to my heart, and that I had a more bleeding concern for poor, perish- ing sinners. I want to become an entire stranger and pilgrim upon the earth.
Friday, July 9th. - At Buffalo, called on by Presbytery for my trial sermon, Heb. 11 : 24, 5 : 6, By faith Moses, &c. After I had delivered my sermon Mr. McRobert preached. I felt almost over- whelmed at the thoughts of entering the ministry. At night I con- ducted a society at Mr. Andrew Baker's, felt my mind somewhat engaged. Blessed be the God of mercy who begins to look upon such a dead dog as I am.
Saturday, July 10th. - Mr. Mahon preached ; but it was dead and lifeless work. I was examined by the Presbytery respecting my acquaintance with divinity, &c. ; and afterwards was licensed to preach the gospel of Christ to a perishing world. Lord take care of thy own cause, and perfect thy strength in my weakness. Past the evening at Mr. Foster's; don't remember that I ever felt my heart so overwhelmed with a sense of my unworthiness in all my life ; never saw more of my nothingness and insufficiency for the work before me than during my retirement in the evening. I saw clearly that in me, that is in my flesh, dwelt no good thing, and felt that I could do nothing but as strengthened from on high, but was fully persuaded that through Christ strengthening me I could do all things. If ever I prayed earnestly, and committed myself to God, it was this night ; and if ever my soul drank its fill from a good pro- mise, it was from that sweet and seasonable one -"My grace is sufficient for thee," and I trust that I felt my soul resigned to the will of God in all things. A prayer-mecting was held at night, and I felt much engaged in speaking, especially of the love of God through Christ Jesus unto poor sinners. Some seemed affected and considerably impressed.
The Andrew Baker mentioned, made, sometime after this, the donations to the charitable fund proposed by Alexander and others, which now are productive, and the yearly increase of which is used by West Hanover Presbytery and the Union Theological Seminary. He thus speaks of some others who were lights of the church in this day - viz :
Tuesday, July 13th, 1790. - " Was employed chicfly this day in fixing and making arrangements for travelling, as I do not calculate on being stationary again for some years. In the afternoon rode down to the settlement in Cumberland County, on Great Guinea, felt a great peace and tranquillity of soul, and continued breathing after
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more grace. At night, at my old friend Nathan Womack's, felt great fervor in prayer, especially in the family.
Wednesday, 14th. - " At night much of a spirit of prayer, espe- cially in the family, at the house of Benjamin Allen.
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