USA > West Virginia > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the first district of West Virginia > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
According to the Chronicon Ephratense10 and Brumbaugh's history,11 Israel and Gabriel were taken from there to Fort Duquesne, and from there to Montreal where they were given over to a Jesuit convent as prisoners of war. From there they were taken to Quebec, and finally with other prisoners were car- ried across the Atlantic Ocean to France. Here as his end ap- proached Gabriel was received into an order of the monks of the Catholic Church. Soon after this both died. Samuel returned to the hospitable Brethren of eastern Pennsylvania and there died, leaving his will on record there.
What a family romance! The father flees for conscience' sake to Schwarzenau to the Brethren. He gives his life for that faith. His widow crosses the Atlantic to find a grave. His sons run the round of religious fanaticism, Indian life, wilderness tragedy, and international strife. The oldest son is carried back almost in sight of his ancestral home, and closes his days in the ecclesiasti- cal order from which his father fled only one generation before. The second oldest after a round of settlements with a radius of four hundred miles which left the Dunker name in at least three places in West Virginia, after a round of religious faiths, finally returns to the hospitable arms of the Brethren in eastern Penn- sylvania, for there his will is on record. With Brumbaugh's words we close: "Let history name another equal family story or consent to the dictum, the Eckerlin family is without a parallel in the annals of the world."12
10 Chronicon Ephratense. Page 232.
11 Brumbaugh, M. G., A History of the Brethren. Page 469.
12 Ibid. Page 470.
30
FIRST DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
(C) THE SOUTH BRANCH CHURCH
In point of time South Branch Church was the first one estab- lished in West Virginia by two very able young ministers, Martin and Valentine Powers, who settled on the South Branch of the Potomac River. ... These young men built up one of the largest pioneer churches in the colonial period. They were under the eldership of Daniel Leatherman of Maryland, but when they turned sympathetic with the cause of the British Tories in the colonies Bishop Leatherman called Elders Jacob and Henry Danner to help him. The matter could not be adjusted and was taken to the yearly meeting in 1783 (1785). The South Branch Church declined and none of the later churches kept the name.13
Since this church was almost forgotten or unknown until a few years ago, and since its exact location has not until now been established I shall quote from the deed made by Henry Sansisco conveying the property to Valentine Powers in 1772 after he had lived there one whole year.
This indenture made the seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two, BE- TWEEN Henry Sansisco of the County of Augusta in the Colony of Virginia of the One Part and Valentine Powers of the County of Hampshire and Colony aforesaid, the other part, WITTNES- SETH that for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty Pounds current money of Virginia to the said Henry Sansisco by the said Valentine Powers at or before the sealing of these Patents and Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge Doth grant bargain full alien release and confirm unto the said Valentine Powers (in his actual possession now being by virtue of a Bargain and Sale to him thereof made by the said Henry Sansisco for one whole year-) a certain Tract of Land lying on the Drains of the South Branch of the Potomac River joining to a Line of Lord Fairfax's Manor of Wappacomo and in the said County of Hampshire, bounded as followeth, to wit: BEGINNING at three White Oaks in the said Manor Line by a path leading to the Clay Lick and extending thence North forty two Degrees West one hundred & sixty-four Poles to two White Oaks by a drain at the foot of a Mountain thence North forty six Degrees East four hundred and eighty seven Poles to two White Oaks near a Branch thence South forty-four Degrees East one hundred and sixty-four Poles to two White Oaks and a Hickory on the Manor Line thence along the Course of the Manor Line reversed South Forty-six Degrees West Four hundred & Eighty seven Poles to the Beginning, containing Five Hundred Acres, which was granted to James Rutledge-in his Lifetime by Deed from the Proprietor of the Northern Neck bearing Date the twenty-Eighth Day of May in the year of our Lord one Thou-
13 Henry, J. M., Centennial Speech, Salem church, August 11, 1935,
31
THE BEGINNINGS IN WEST VIRGINIA
sand seven Hundred & forty-Eight and all Houses, Buildings, Or- chards, Ways, Whatsoever, etc. . . . 14
This establishes the West Virginia home of Bro. Powers on the Manor line, the line marking the southern boundary of Lord Fairfax, in the South Branch Valley, which would be at the crossing of these two definite courses, which would be slightly to the south and west of Petersburg. That this is true many other investigations show.
There were two Powers who moved to Petersburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), on the South Branch of the Potomac River. One name was Martin Powers and it is conceded by the Powers who now live at Moorefield that they were members of the Tunker or German Baptist Church. But these relatives do not know whether they were ministers in the church or not. The dates that you have mentioned (1785-1790) would possibly cor- respond with the time they lived at Petersburg.15
So it would have been Grant County, instead of the present Hardy or Hampshire, though at that time it was all Hampshire.
Here then, perhaps, partly within the present bounds of the Petersburg congregation, lived two great preachers of the early church, from 1771 to at least 1790. Here was one of the largest congregations of the colonial days. Then some differences de- veloped between the Powers and the brotherhood on going to war and the taking of oaths. The congregation sent a query to the Annual Conference of 1785 which brings to us some of the teaching of the early church on those subjects. I quote only enough of the reply to show something of the size and standing of the congregation and her ministry.
Our cordial and united wish and greeting of love and peace to the beloved members, brethren and sisters on the South Branch, especially to the loving brethren, Valentine Power, and Martin Power, and all the members in your vicinity. . . . Inasmuch as we have in part seen, and also heard, that there has arisen some difference in the doctrines among some brethren of your church and others, and having also seen the letter of the loving brother, Valentine Power, which he has written to the big meeting, and heard from it his views about "carrying on war,"-we could not agree with such view. ...
And as to the swearing of oaths, we believe the word of Christ, that in all things which we are to testify, we shall say what is yea, or what is true with yea, and what is nay, or not true with nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. And herewith we will conclude for this. This we intend to send you
14 Deed Book 3, Entry No. 116, Hampshire Court House, Romney, W. Va. 15 From personal letter by George T. Leatherman, Old Fields.
32
FIRST DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
in writing with our dear brethren Daniel Leatherman, and Jacob Danner, and Henry Danner.
Written May 15, 1785, at the big meeting on Big Conewago.16
This decision was sent in a letter by the three above-named brethren as a committee to the South Branch church. The com- mittee must not have succeeded fully in bringing them back into line, for in 1790 there is another minute from Annual Meeting:
Unanimously concluded, that we desire and pray that the be- loved brother, Valentine Power, would desist from his strange notion, because he has renounced with us before God, angels, and men, all things that are contrary to the wholesome doctrine, and we believe and confess that Christ has forbidden to his fol- lowers the swearing of oaths and partaking of war. Hence we must keep to his word and truth, and withdraw ourselves from every brother that returns again to swearing and war. It is im- possible for us to break the bread of communion with such a brother, who pretends the higher powers were requiring such of him. For they can not compel us, if they would, because we are to obey God rather than men.17
That is the last known reference to the church on the South Branch. It would seem that the fellowship with the brotherhood soon broke and likely the Powers went to the Methodist church. If they left anything to posterity in the Church of the Brethren it is the Old Pine church, the oldest church of the denomina- tion in the district. Since the membership of this early congre- gation was large and since the population was widely scattered it seems to be the only logical explanation of the erection of that church at so early a date, and in conjunction with the Methodist denomination. (For further discussion see White Pine, page 101.) If such be true then we can vision in 1790 a rather large membership, scattered from what is now Peters- burg to Purgitsville, about then buying a plot of land and beginning the erection of the first church of the Brethren in West Virginia. But they are breaking with the fellowship of the brotherhood, their ministers are leaving the church, and the church though completed stands almost unused for fifty years.
Thus ended in near oblivion another attempt in West Vir- ginia. The Old Pine church was built by 1814, but was unused for some time, so say the oldest residents. This alone yet re- mains of the old South Branch church, oldest group in West Virginia.
16 Annual Meeting Minutes, 1785.
17 Annual Meeting Minutes, 1790.
Churches and Landmarks in West Virginia
1. Old Pine, 1942
2. Harman
3. Beaver Run, 1939
4. Onego, 1942
5. White Pine, 1942
2
4
3
5
1. Tear Coat
2. Jordan Run, 1925
3. Capon Chapel, 1938
4. Maple Spring, 1939
I
2
3
PARSONAGE, SANDY CREEK CONGREGATION
KEYSER CHURCH
SALEM CHURCH, SANDY CREEK CONGREGATION
WILEY FORD CHURCH
ABOVE: The village of Schwarzenau in Wittgenstein. At or near this spot on the banks of the Eder River the first baptisms took place in 1708. Photo by H. Spenser Minnich in 1924. BELOW: The mother church at 6613 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Property of the brotherhood by action of Conference in 1943. Photo supplied by B. F. Waltz.
1
4
5
1. Petersburg, 1939
2. Sunnyside, 1938
3. White Dale, 1939
4. Bean Settlement, 1939
5. Wolford Church (Red Creek)
6. Glade View, 1938
6
Old home of Widow Cooper. The first love feast was held here.
KINGWOOD
Named for grov of My frecs Southeast Is Darkand Bottom scttked by Thomas EdurN, 1754 Naur by dering Indian raids In 7 78 and 1785, many settlers
we re kliled Martin Wetzel and dam Morgen, noted frontier scouts, had narrow escapes.
Above
Marker at grave of Elder S. A. Arnold near Beaver Run.
Left
Marker for Dunkard Bottom settled by Eckerlins (Eckar- lys). See page 21ff.
3
2
4
5
1. Locust Grove, 1938. 2. Orphans' home, 1939. 3. Old Furnace, 1939 4. Brick. 5. Bethel
CHAPTER IV
THE CONGREGATIONS
ALLEGHENY
Pioneer ministers: John Kline, Thomas Clark, Sr., Thomas Clark, Jr., William George, William Michaels, Sam Fike, Aaron Fike, Moses Fike, John T. Cosner, and others.
Present ministers: Henry Cosner, Zina Cosner, Earl Cosner.
Preaching places: Locust Grove, ten miles east of Gormania; Allegheny, near Bismarck; Pisgah, three miles east of Hartmans- ville.
Date of organization: 1868.
Boundary line: Beginning at the Fairfax Stone, the head- waters of the Potomac River, the line runs downward with said river to the Mineral County line, thence eastward with the Mineral-Grant county line to the top of Allegheny Mountain, thence southward with top of said mountain (though some of the members living near Highway No. 50, east of the top of the mountain, belong to the Allegheny congregation) to the Tucker County line, thence westward with the Tucker-Grant county line to the Fairfax Stone, the line returns to the starting point.
It is said that the first preaching in the congregation was done by Thomas Clark, Sr., who resided in the old Looney Creek congregation, now Greenland. Bro. Clark was born in 1786, in- stalled into the ministry in 1830, ordained to the eldership on May 21, 1849, by Elder John Kline,1 preached in this congrega- tion in 1848, and died in 1869. Of course this territory was then still a part of the Greenland congregation.
Thomas Clark, Jr., a nephew of Bro. Clark, Sr., lived on the hill east of Bayard and owned most of the land there on that side of the river. The homes of both of these Clarks were often visited by Bro. Kline. On various occasions Bro. Kline left his horse at Bayard with Bro. Clark, while he made a train journey from Oakland, Bro. Clark going with him to Oakland and then bringing his horse back to his home.
Bro. Kline often preached at the home of Andy Cosner, near
1 Funk, Benjamin, Life of John Kline. Page 261.
34
FIRST DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
Bismarck. William George and William Michaels were also early preachers there. Bro. Michaels was not so very fluent, but was very good of heart. Bro. George died of cancer. Martin Cosner was elder-in-charge while this congregation was still in the bounds of Greenland. After the congregation was divided from the mother congregation in 1868, Bro. Sam Fike was chosen as the first elder-in-charge.
The first preaching was done in the homes of members, and then later in schoolhouses. Bro. Fike often preached in the Little Creek school. Other preaching places were the Hendrick- son and Lone Star schools and the Rehobeth, Pisgah, and Pine Grove churches. Communion meetings were first held in Jake Aaronhalt's barn.
On Monday, August 25, 1856, Bro. Kline arrived at the Clark home near Bayard and spent the night there. The next day he had a meeting and after the meeting James Abernathy and his wife were baptized. Bro. Abernathy lived near what is now the Fairview church in Western Maryland and he was later pro- moted to the ministry and became a leader in the Fairview con- gregation. Bro. Kline's last visit was made to this congregation in 1864. On May 9 of that year, by previous arrangement, he spent the night at Andrew Cosner's, where he had services. The next night was spent fifteen miles farther on, at the home of Thomas Clark. The next day he went to Oakland, where he took the train for the Annual Conference in Ohio.
Among the first members were Andy Cosner, Ad Cosner, J. T. Cosner (minister), Sol Cosner, Ben Cosner, and others. David Cosner came from Germany, having been born there in 1776. To him were born Sam, 1818; Eliza, 1820; Jesse, 1821; Andrew, pre- viously mentioned, 1823; Jonathan, 1825; Christina, 1827; Joseph, 1828; Christian, 1832; Jacob, 1833; Adam, 1835; Margaret, 1830; Catherina, 1836; David, 1838; John Tyler (later a minister), 1840; Archibald, 1841; Wesley, 1843. All were members of the church but Christian and Jesse. All joined very young.
Job Cosner, son of John Tyler Cosner, was one of the first Sunday-school workers, beginning about 1890, schools being held in the old Allegheny church and the Accident school. How- ever, Ed Porter Idleman was the first Sunday-school superin- tendent, though a Methodist. He was followed by Dan Cosner, who in turn was followed by Job Cosner. Earl Cosner held one
35
THE CONGREGATIONS
of the first revivals at the Lone Star school, his first revival. He was much discouraged at first, having no help, but held out, and there were seventeen conversions in the two-week period.
The old Allegheny church was built in 1883 or 1884, the first church in the congregation. It was dedicated by D. B. Arnold. The lumber was hand-hewn and dried at a kiln near by. The Locust Grove church was built in 1914 and dedicated on October 10 by Emra T. Fike. Both churches are still in use, though the latter is the more centrally located.
The ministers of the congregation have been: J. T. Cosner, born 1840, elected 1875, ordained 1882; W. F. Nine, elected 1881, ordained 1899; Raphael Baker, elected 1885, ordained 1899; W. H. Cosner, elected 1895, ordained in the Fairview congregation; Garfield Nine, elected 1903, ordained in California; Newton Cos- ner, elected September 21, 1913; Earl Cosner, elected September 21, 1913; Henry Cosner; Zina Cosner.
BEAN SETTLEMENT
Pioneer ministers: Jacob Wine and others from Virginia, Daniel B. Arnold, Peter Arnold, George S. Arnold, Solomon Biser, A. W. Arnold, B. W. Smith, Joseph Arnold, W. L. Riggle- man.
Present minister: M. L. Riggleman.
Preaching place: Bean Settlement church, four miles west of Rockoak.
Date of organization: 1876.
Boundary line (as given by M. L. Riggleman) : Beginning at a point on top of Branch Mountain about ten miles east of Moore- field, where Route 23 crosses said mountain, it follows Route 23 to Needmore (same as line between First West Virginia and Northern Virginia) or to south end of Short Mountain, crossing North River to intersection with the Tear Coat congregation about parallel with Ford Hill, thence northwest to Branch Moun- tain to about headwaters of Grassy Lick River, thence with said Branch Mountain southwest back to starting point at State Route 23.
There seems to have been no preaching by the Brethren here until after the Civil War when Jacob Wine, Abe Neff, Sam Mey- ers, - Trostle and others from Virginia began to conduct serv- ices here. The first preaching was done in schoolhouses. The
36
FIRST DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
Luxemburg, Buckley, and Markwood schools were used. Likely there were no members here when the Brethren did their first preaching, but soon some moved in or were baptized here. Some of those charter members were: George O. Bowman, whose grandparents came here from Tuckehoe, Virginia; John Evans, whose ancestry likely came from Hampshire County; and Peter Bean, whose ancestry came from Frederick County, Maryland.
This must have been a fertile field for Dunkerism for within a few years after the first preaching the church was built, 1876. Philip Snarr was the chief carpenter in the building, with Thomas Constable assisting. The planing was all done by hand on a lot just across the road from the church. The pulpit was then on the west side, with two entrances on the east side. It was remodeled about 1897, the pulpit moved to the back end, and one door made in front, as at present. Likely Jacob Wine and D. B. Arnold preached the dedication sermons in 1876.
The following is a copy of the original deed, Deed Book 30, page 243:
Philip Walker and H. H. Riggleman to German Baptists or so called Dunkers, "Beginning at-" [Dated 1873 for lot on which church now stands.]
Deed No. 2, dated 1878, Deed Book 32, page 277, Nathanael Walker and wife to Committee and trustees, Tunker Church, North River: Peter Bean, Wm. H. Bean, and John Evans. [This lot now used for parking ground south side of the road.]
The Bean ancestry came about 1760 to this country and set- tled in Frederick County, Maryland. Before 1794 they moved "to the virgin forest of the next state and established what is known as Bean Settlement on the North River, near Inkerman." The word bean in Scotland, whence these settlers came, means fair and is often used to describe one of fair complexion. The Rigglemans came from Germany and landed at Jamestown, Vir- ginia. Being dissatisfied with the low altitude they soon came on up to Rockingham County, Virginia, and then later to Hardy County. Other settlers were from England and Ireland. The meaning of Fabius, name of a near-by post office, in Latin is bean.
For a long time Solomon Biser, D. B. Arnold, and George S. Arnold came over here from Beaver Run every other Sunday, alternating, for preaching services. Up until the beginning of the eldership of Bro. W. L. Riggleman in 1912 the Beaver Run
37
THE CONGREGATIONS
congregation handled this place as a mission point, with George S. Arnold and others as elder. Bro. W. L. Riggleman served as elder from 1912 to 1930, and he was followed by Brethren B. W. Smith, A. S. Arnold, and M. L. Riggleman. James Peer seems to have been the very active originator of and leader in the Sunday school here, beginning about 1883.
The following is taken from the files of Elder George S. Arnold:
I think it was about the year 1870 when our older ministers began to take on new impetus, and became more active in their church work than hitherto they had been.
The Bean Settlement lay 30 miles south of Beaver Run and mostly in Hardy County. In taking up work in new fields our Brethren found it to be an excellent place to preach the Gospel, the whole Gospel. A fine class of people dwelt here: honest, industrious, and truthful, of a common kind, none rich and none too poor to have a fraternal feeling extant among them: Read Acts 15: 13. It was true to the name Bean Settlement, but the Beans were in the majority, that's all.
Others were Garrett, Hawse, Combs, Davidson, Hoke, Walker, Starkey, Buckley, and many others.
Elder John Wine of Flat Rock Congregation in Va. had al- ready been doing some preaching in this section of the county. For some time the preaching was done in school houses and these were mostly crowded, so finally the Brethren and friends de- cided to build a commodious church house, and so did, near what is called Rockoak, on North River, and near the line between Hardy and Hampshire Counties, but in Hardy County about the year 1872. (1876).
At the dedication of the church Elder Jacob Wine presented the church with a suitable Bible for pulpit use and it still occu- pies its place as a Monitor.
The older Brethren traveled by twos, usually making a trip in two days, but often from Saturday till Monday noon or longer. This was back in the days when saddle pockets were in common use. Then Monday morning brought its work. When prayer was over, and breakfast past, the saddle pockets were brought into service, grain in one side for the horse and dinner in the other side for the preacher, as it was considered too far to ride home without some refreshment and rest.
The Brethren usually had three appointments each trip: one Saturday P. M. and two on Sunday, and a trip each month, usu- ally the fourth Sat., Sun. and Mon., but as time advanced younger Brethren took up the work and new ideas were introduced.
A Look Ahead
A change was made in the church, the pulpit was built in the end of the church, a very good change.
38
FIRST DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
D. B. Arnold was one of the most zealous and active workers. In justice to his memory, I believe he did more to encourage the church here (Beaver Run) than any other of the ministers. Geo. S. Arnold served the church for many years as Elder and pastor, and in still later years the leadership of the church has been in the hands of Elder W. L. Riggleman, and still later years M. L. Riggleman serves the church as elder and pastor.
The church has retained its identity with the Church of the Brethren as of yore, including attendance at District Meetings, being always represented by delegates. In justice to the con- gregation, I wish to say they have ever been ready and in line for work with the general church, and have most faithfully re- tained their identity as of yore.
Geo. S. Arnold.
In recent years they have been struggling with the problem of a minister and pastor. Bro. M. L. Riggleman has returned and again serves them as pastor.
BEAVER RUN
Pioneer ministers: Elder Samuel Arnold (died 1831), Joseph Arnold, D. B. Arnold, Dr. Nicholas Leatherman, Solomon Biser, George S. Arnold, William George, Peter Arnold, Isaac Leather- man, M. M. Biser, James Long, B. W. Smith, N. H. Kelly, Jennie Click, J. B. Leatherman, Detrick Leatherman, Daniel Leatherman.
Present ministers: B. W. Smith, Amos Holsinger, Curtis Mil- ler, Slone Staggs, Robert Hoover (pastor).
Preaching place: Church on Beaver Run Road, three miles east of Burlington.
Date of organization: About 1785.
Boundary line: This was taken from the 1879 minutes of the Beaver Run church: "Decided on a line between Beaver Run Church and Pine Church, the line to commence at Lions mill, running across the mountain through Smacktown Gap, thence down the ridge east of Joshua Rinkers and Edward Whitemans, crossing Mill Creek above Elijahs Highs, thence up Sandy Hol- low through the land of Harriet Highs, same course continued to the County Line, thence with a straight line to Pearce's Mill, thence with top of Furnace Mountain to Grant County Line."
The following boundary was given by B. W. Smith for the entire congregation: "Beginning on the South Branch of the Potomac at the Magisterial District line between Cabin Run and
39
THE CONGREGATIONS
Frankfort Districts and running in a direct westerly direction with said line to top of Knobley Mountain, thence with top of said mountain south westerly to a point south of U. S. Route 50, thence east to [same line as that dividing Beaver Run and Pine churches, described above] the South Branch of the Potomac, thence the line runs downward with said river to starting point."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.