USA > Virginia > The planting of the Presbyterian Church in Northern Virginia : prior to the organization of Winchester Presbytery, December 4, 1794 > Part 10
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XVII. GUM SPRING.
Gum Spring is in Loudoun County, about twelve miles south of Lees- burg, and seven miles east of Middleburg, on the great turnpike road from Winchester to Alexandria. The church organization at that point was so closely associated with that at Kittocktin that during the period under con- sideration the history of the one is substantially that of the other. The two come to our notice in the same Presbyterial minute as one ministerial charge, and when the pastor who has been serving them leaves they come before Presbytery with a joint request for ministerial supplies. When an- other minister is called the two churches unite in the call ; and this relation continues down to the time when Winchester Presbytery is organized and, probably, to the time when this church became extinct, or was removed to some other point and assumed a different name.
The first mention of Gum Spring in any Record known to us is in October, 1776. It then appears as an organized church which had for some time enjoyed the services of a settled minister. This minister, the Rev. Amos Thompson, was then temporarily absent from his church, act- ing as chaplain in the Continental Army, and his two churches, Gum Spring and Kittocktin, ask Donegal Presbytery for supplies during his absence.
Of the origin and early history of this church we have no certain in- formation. But it seems quite probable that it was one of the fruits of Mr. Thompson's missionary labors when he was sent to Loudoun County by New Brunswick Presbytery in 1764.
In answer to its request for supplies in 1776, Rev. Hugh Vance was sent. The next year Mr. McKnight supplied them for a time. Then in the two following years they doubtless shared in the evangelistic labors in that region of Rev. Samuel Waugh, as well as in the appointments, which at that particular time were regularly made by the Presbyterial Committee of Supplies.
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In April, 1780, this church united with Kittocktin in a call for the pastoral services of the Rev. David Bard, which was accepted, and Mr .. Bard was settled as their pastor and remained with them for two years. As the war was still in progress, and the money then in circulation of little value, it is interesting to learn what provision was made by the churches for the support of the preachers whom they called. In this particular case, we find that these churches "obligated themselves to pay Mr. Bard 500 bushels of grain, viz : 200 bushels of wheat, 50 bushels of Rie, and 250 bushels of Indian corn."
This minister, David Bard, had a somewhat extraordinary history. Like Moses Hoge, he was a native of Virginia. He was born in Leesburg, Loudoun County, about the year 1750 ; was graduated at Princeton in the class of 1773 ; was licensed by the Presbytery of Donegal, October 11, 1776, and ordained by the same Presbytery, August 16, 1779. In the preceding year he had been called to the Great Cove church in Pennsyl- vania and served it until called to this charge in Loudoun County. During his short pastorate in Virginia he devoted a great deal of time in looking after the vacancies and destitutions of that region. When dismissed from this charge he was directed to preach in Leesburg, but does not seem to have remained there very long. In 1786 he received and accepted a call to Bedford, Pa., where he remained until 1789. In 1794, by act of the General Assembly, he was transferred from Carlisle Presbytery to Hunt- ingdon, having accepted, in 1790, a call to Frankstown (near Hollidays- burg), Pa., within the bounds of the new Presbytery. In April, 1791, he was called to the churches of Falling Waters and Williamsport, Md., on a salary of £77, 18s., 10d., but did not accept. While in charge at Franks- town, he, for some reason that has not been explained, became mixed up with the politics of the day, and in the fall of 1795 was elected to Con- gress from that district, and was re-elected two years later. That he look- ed upon this diversion from the ministry as only temporary and for the ac- complishment of some definite purpose, is evident from the fact that dur- ing these two terms in Congress he retained his pastoral relation to his church, from which he was not released until 1799. It was then done at his own request. The people of his district, however, were so well satis- fied with the ability and faithfulness with which he had served them as their representative that, after four years' retirement, they elected him again to Congress, and continued to re-elect him until his death, which oc- curred March 12, 1815, on his way home from Washington.
His biographer is careful to say that Mr. Bard did not forsake the
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pulpit because he was unacceptable as a preacher, for he was possessed of „popular talents, both as a preacher and politician. Nor will he allow the intimation that he had no heart for the ministry, for during the recesses of Congress he was constantly engaged in the work of the ministry, and at the time of his death he was stated supply of the Sinking Valley church.
Of the history of the Gum Spring church, subsequent to the resigna- tion of Mr. Bard, we have no definite knowledge. It is probable, as in so many other instances, that it was reduced in numbers by removal, until it became expedient to change its location to some more eligible point-per- haps to Middleburg. All that we really know is that Gum Spring is now extinct.
XVIII. HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 1 Springfield. 2. Romney.
The attempt to trace the early history of Presbyterianism in Hamp- shire County is attended with more difficulty than one would suppose. The difficulty arises mainly from the indefinite character of the statements found in the Presbyterial Records. Some places, as "Forks of Capon," "Patterson's Creek," and "North River" are distinctly designated. But in most instances the reference to the missionary work done in this county is made in such general terms that we are quite at a loss to fix upon the par- ticular localities intended. For example, the statement in the minutes is that supplies are asked for-or sent to-"Hampshire" simply. Some- times it is to "various places on the South Branch of the Potomac," neither of which expressions gives any definite idea of the special place in which missionary work was done. But the indefinite statements of the minutes do not stop with these expressions. We are often embarrassed by the vague manner in which they speak of "the South Branch of the Potomac." This South Branch is the main waterway of both Hampshire and Hardy counties. In the early use of the expression it unquestionably refers to the Moorefield Valley in Hardy ; and later in the minutes there is just as little doubt that it refers most frequently to the lower part of the stream in Hampshire. But between these periods there are several instances in which it is very difficult to tell whether it is Hardy or Hampshire that is
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meant. In our treatment of the planting of our church in Hardy, we as- sumed that the reference to the "South Branch" down to about 1765, and some references that were later, were meant for that part of the river that is above "The Trough." We are aware that the correctness of this as- sumption may, in some cases, be questioned. But in the main we believe it to be justified. After that time, it seems for the most part, to be the Lower Valley in Hampshire that is referred to when the "South Branch" is named.
And yet there are some references after that date that leave us in doubt as to what places are meant, e. g. At the meeting of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia in May, 1767, petitions for supplies were brought in from several points, and among them "from the South Branch of Potomac in Virginia." In view of these petitions, Rev. Joseph Bay, who had been appointed to make an evangelistic tour through Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, was "recommended to visit the South Branch of Potomac in going out." Here is nothing definite as to the place or places to be visited. It is, however, a reasonable surmise, and certainly accords with the spirit of his instructions, that Mr. Bay entered the Valley of the South Branch at its mouth, and as he proceeded up the stream on his way south that he visited all the settlements in the Valley where Presbyterians were to be found.
Again, when in April, 1768, the South Branch supplicated Presbytery for supplies, and "for an ordained minister to assist in forming them into a regular congregation," there is no certain clue as to the part of the South Branch from which this request came. In our sketch of the church at Moorefield we interpreted the minute as referring to that part of the Branch. This interpretation may be correct, though subsequent minutes throw a shade of doubt upon its accuracy.
There are other minutes, both of Presbytery and Synod, lacking in explicitness, but which seem to refer to Hampshire County, e. g.
At the meeting of Synod, May, 1768, "an application on the behalf of several distressed societies on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and the South Branch of the Potomac, was made for missionaries to be sent among them," and Rev. John Roan was sent to supply them several Sabbaths at discretion, the sum of £4 and 10s. being allowed for his expenses. In October of the same year "a number of places in Hampshire " ask for supplies. April, 1769, "various places on the South Branch of Potomac" call on Presbytery for supplies. At the meeting of Synod, May, 1771, "application was made on behalf of vacancies beyond the Alleghanies,
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and on behalf of the settlements on the South Branch of Potomac," and Rev. Sampson Smith was sent "to spend six months in the settlements of the South Branch." And the next year, May, 1772, the Synod again ap- pointed Mr. Sampson Smith to "supply two months on the South Branch of Potomac."
That all these minutes, both of Presbytery and Synod, refer only to places in the Valley of the South Branch, below "The Trough," is more, probably, than we are at liberty to affirm ; but that most of them do, we are fully persuaded. It can hardly be supposed that that Lower Valley, with its broad, rich bottoms and many other attractions, had been over -. looked by Presbyterian immigrants when other places in Hampshire, less inviting and no more accessible, had been long occupied by them. If the minutes we have quoted were more explicit it would no doubt be seen that there were places on the South Branch in Hampshire, as well as on Patter- son's Creek and Capon, that at an early date were fully equipped for wor- ship, and were enjoying, if not the stated, yet the occasional ministry of the Word. One of these places was
Ist. Springfield.
It is a singular fact that we do not meet with the name "Springfield" in any Record, Presbyterial or Synodical, until in the minutes of the Synod of Virginia in 1794 it is mentioned as one of the churches set off to con- stitute the Presbytery of Winchester. It is referred to, however, though under a different name, as early at least as October, 1776. At that date, Licentiate John McKnight was ordered by Donegal Presbytery to "supply at Mr. Abernathy's." A later minute (April, 1778) locates "Abernathy's" in Hampshire County, and personal inquiry establishes the fact that, at the time designated, a family of the name of Abernathy resided on the South Branch at or near where Springfield now is, and ran a flour mill that was extensively patronized throughout that region. Mr. Abernathy was a Presbyterian, and public worship was conducted at his home by Presbyterian preachers for a number of years. Mr. McKnight, while pas- tor at Elk Branch, made several visits there, where his services were highly appreciated. When, however, the congregation became so large that a more commodious building in which to assemble became necessary, a con- troversy arose as to the site on which the house of worship should be erect- ed. Some favored placing it near Mr. Abernathy's, while others insisted that a more eligible site was offered by "Major Scott, of Virginia." The contention waxed so warm that the matter was at length, in April, 1780,
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submitted to the Presbytery for settlement. A settlement seems to have been reached, but just how the question was decided we do not now know. The next October (1780) Mr. McKnight was directed to spend two weeks in preaching to this people, and after that the name does not again occur in the Records of either Donegal or Carlisle Presbyteries ; nor do we find any other name that can be identified with it. This may possibly be ac- counted for by the fact that the Presbyterial "Committee" sent supplies regularly to them as well as to several other churches, of which no minute was made.
Dr. Foote, in his manuscript preface to the Records of Mt. Bethel Church, written in 1833, says that the first Presbyterian preacher in Hamp- shire County was a Rev. Mr. Finley, but he gives no clue as to the time when, or the places where he preached. We have not been able to dis- cover any other reference to this minister. His name is not found on the roll of any Presbytery that sent preachers to this region. If he was the first Presbytertan preacher in the county he must have been there prior to 1761, when the Presbytery of Donegal began to send missionaries here. It may be that Dr. Foote meant that Mr. Finley was the first resident min- ister in Hampshire. In that case he must have lived there before 1777, when the Rev. Thaddeus Dodd came to Patterson's Creek and labored there for about two years. Mr. Finley may possibly have lived at Spring- field, and carried on his work there and elsewhere during the period be- tween 1780 and 1792-a period of which we have no definite information touching the history of the church in that part of the South Branch Valley.
After 1792 we come again into the light of documentary history. The Commission of the Synod of Virginia began to send its missionaries into these back counties, and one of them, John Lyle, after laboring for a time along the South Branch Valley, was finally induced to settle at Springfield, and the remainder of his life, about fifteen years, was spent in active evan- gelistic work in the county of Hampshire.
The Rev. John Lyle was the son of Daniel Lyle, an emigrant from the north of Ireland, and was born in Rockbridge County, though the date of his birth is not known. As a young man he accompanied the expedi- tion to Point Pleasant against the Indians and took part in that famous bat- tle October 10, 1774. It is probable that he was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War also. It was rather late in life that he began his preparations for the ministry, which were made under the direction of Rev. William Graham, and with Archibald Alexander as a fellow student. During their theological training an incident occurred which Dr. Alexander thought of
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sufficient interest to relate in his autobiography. The Presbytery had au- thorized Dr. Graham to exercise his divinity students in public exhorta- tions, and this is the story of the first experiment: "The thing was new (the doctor writes) in that part of the country, and many came together. I was exceedingly apprehensive that I should utterly fail and not be able to say anything, for I had never spoken in public, except when I had com- mitted my speech to memory. I had once attempted to speak in a juve- nile debate without the least success. x x x Mr. Lyle appeared to be much animated and elevated. He told me he had a remarkable flow of thought and seemed confident of a prosperous issue, which only discour- aged me the more, as I was weighed down with a heavy burden. After singing and prayer, Mr. Graham called first upon Mr. Lyle, who arose with an awful cloud upon his brow, seized fast hold of the chair upon which he had been sitting, and with many contortions of countenance, forced out a few words, but his flow of thought had deserted him. He hemmed and groaned, rolled up his pocket handkerchief into a ball, made a few convulsive gestures and sat down." After another prayer . and hymn, Alexander was called upon and went through his address with a fluency that astonished himself, and as he was young and small the old people were not less astonished.
Mr. Lyle was taken under the care of Lexington Presbytery, July 30, 1790. A part of his trials for licensure were passed at the same time with Mr. Alexander's, and he was licensed at New Monmouth church, April 29, 1791. After itinerating for about two years under direction of the Commission of the Virginia Synod, along the waters of the Potomac, Jack- son's River, Greenbrier and Roanoke, he accepted an invitation to settle in Hampshire County. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Lexington at Springfield, Saturday, November 30, 1793. His permanent residence until his death was at Springfield, which was one of his most important preaching places; the remainder of his time being given to Romney and Pat- terson's Creek, though the whole county shared more or less in his services. Soon after his settlement at Springfield he established a classical school there, which Dr. Foote speaks of as having attained "great celeb- rity." He married a sister of Rev. Joseph Glass and a granddaughter of Samuel Glass, the emigrant from Ireland, whose remains are buried at the Opecquon church.
Mr. Lyle died in 1807, and was buried in Springfield. His grave can- not now be identified. He left a widow and a large family of young chil- dren. Some of his descendents have been distinguished in the church.
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Though he was not a great preacher, Mr. Lyle was a very useful min- ister. He was diligent, laborious and self-sacrificing in carrying the Gos- pel to all whom he could reach, and the seals of his faithful ministry were scattered through all the mountains and along the water courses of Hamp- shire County. He was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Winchester, and Springfield was one of the important churches compos- ing it.
2. Romney.
Another place in Hampshire, where a Presbyterian organization was established at an early date, and to which supplies were sent, was Romney, though this place does not appear by name in any existing church Records until October, 1781. And the fact deserves attention that when it does appear the designation is unusual. It is not called Romney simply, but "Romney C. H." Ordinarily these familiar initial letters are used in con- nection with the name of the county to designate the county seat. The use of it here may be intended to call attention to the fact that the court house was now.at Romney, which had not always been the case. The oldest court house in Hampshire stood in the Valley of the South Branch, several miles above Romney, built probably as early as 1756; though the exact date of its erection is not known. It must have been before 1762, as it was in that year that the town of Romney was incorporated and soon after became the county seat.
If the name of this place does not occur in the Presbyterial Records as early as might have been expected, it nevertheless occurs under condi- tions of unusual interest. It not only asks to be supplied, but also to be organized. The minute of Donegal Presbytery for October, 1781, says: "Supplications from Romney C. H. and Patterson's Creek, requesting supplies, and especially an ordained minister to assist in forming them into a regular congregation, and ordaining elders, were read." There is no minute telling what "ordained minister" was sent; but as such applications invariably received the prompt attention of Presbytery, we must assume that one was sent and that the church was organized as requested.
Now the remarkable fact is, that this is not only the first mention of Romney in these minutes, it is absolutely the only one found in any Pres- byterial or Synodical Records until just prior to the organization of the Presbytery of Winchester in 1794. And yet that there was frequent preaching there, both before and after 1781, is not open to doubt. Their asking to be organized as a church is evidence that they had been for some
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time in possession of some church ordinances. And we can easily under- stand that those minutes-some of which go back as far as 1768-which speak of supplies for "Hampshire" and for "a number of places in Hamp- shire County," and for "various places on the South Branch of the Poto- mac," and for "the South Branch" itself, had special reference to so im- portant a place as the county seat of Hampshire. And when, in April, 1783, a call was presented to Presbytery from "the South Branch and Pat- terson's Creek for the pastoral services of Rev. John McKnight," we must believe that whatever other places were included in the general expression "South Branch," Romney was certainly one of them. From the time of its organization, and probably for some years before, the church interests of Romney and Springfield were closely identified, and the relation be- tween them continued unbroken for more than a hundred years. Most of the supplies that at this early date were sent to either place shared their services with the other, and when a pastor was obtained for one he became the pastor also of the other. The places are so near that a man can easily preach in both on the same Sabbath.
Returning to the request of these people in 1781 to be, "formed into a regular congregation," it becomes a matter of some interest to know what sort of an organization was effected, and especially what were its meets and bounds. Our interest in this matter arises from the fact that it is com- monly believed that all the Presbyterians in Hampshire, save those living in the Capon Valley, were originally organized into a single church. Dr. Foote, in the preface written by him to the Sessional Records of the pres- ent Mt. Bethel Church, says: "Until the year 1833 the members of the Presbyterian Church in Hampshire County were all, with the exception of those living convenient to the Bloomery, enrolled in one church under one eldership. During the year 1833, according to the direction of Presbytery, the necessary steps were taken for the division of the church, and in the fall of 1833 the Presbytery divided the church of Mt. Bethel and directed four new ones to be organized, one on the (Jersey) mountain, one on North River, one in Springfield and one on Patterson's Creek, the church in Romney not requiring an organization. The reason for this division was that the members had become so numerous that in their scattered situa- tion the church was unweildly."
The obvious meaning of this statement is that, until 1833, there was no separate and distinct organization at any of the places named. And this is now the prevailing opinion touching the matter. But its correctness cannot be admitted. That for some time before 1833, all the Presbyterians in the
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valleys of Patterson's Creek and South Branch were combined in one or- ganization is certainly true. But to say that this was so from the begin- ning is to contradict the facts found in the Records of both Donegal and Winchester Presbyteries. Not only must we assume that churches were organized at Romney, Springfield and Frankfort (Patterson's Creek) at an early date, but every reference to them suggests that these churches were organically distinct. As separate churches they unite in the call for Mr. McKnight ; they are separately mentioned when set off to constitute the Presbytery of Winchester ; when vacant, are supplied independently ; Mr. Lyle is reported to the General Assembly as pastor of these three churches; each is required by Presbytery to present a distinct Sessional Report, and two of them are put on record as failing to comply with this requirement. While for about fifty years prior to 1833 these three churches constituted one pastoral charge, yet in the first thirty years of that time they are always referred to and treated as distinct organizations.
A partial explanation of the whole matter is found in the following minute of Winchester Presbytery for October 17, 1812, viz: "Mr. Black informed Presbytery that the congregations heretofore known on these min- utes by the names of Springfield and Romney, having become disorganized, have been by him organized into one congregation, hereafter to be known by the name of Mt. Bethel." How and when Patterson's Creek became merged in this organization we are not able to say. The question does not really concern us, as it belongs to a later period than that now under re- view. The consideration given it has been intended simply to remove a misunderstanding as to the early history of the churches in the lower South Branch Valley.
XIX. WINCHESTER.
Although Winchester contained some settlements as early as 1738 and became an incorporated town in 1752, and at the time of the Revolu- tionary War contained a population of about eight hundred, it was without a distinct Presbyterian organization until September 7, 1800. While there were many adherents of that church in the place, they held their member- ship at Opecquon, three miles distant, and regularly worshipped there. The history of Presbyterianism in Winchester, therefore, is, for at least fifty years, identified with that of the old Mother Church. For the sake,
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