John Carnahan trial from Donegal Presbytery Church Records, 1734, Chester Co., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Linda Hansen (lbhansen8@yahoo.com) Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* John Carnahan trial from Donegal Presbytery Church Records – June 1734 page 34 –51 Transcribed by Linda Hansen (lbhansen8@yahoo.com) from original typewritten manuscript. Explanatory Notes: 1. The Boyd family was John Carnachan’s accusers. However, the minister was Adam Boyd, who was in defense of Mr. Carnachan and is called Mr. Boyd in the proceedings (no known relation to the other Boyds.) 2. Some spelling has been changed for easier reading. Most particularly in changing “ym” to “them” and “yt” to “that”. I have retained “ye” for “the”. Other spelling is retained as written – as well as punctuation. 3. Gov. Thomas Penn handled the accusations against Carnahan through his secretary James Logan – see Pennsylvania Archives 2nd Series VII 154-158 4. The townspeople lived in the area of Sadsbury, Chester, PA. This area is sometimes referred to as the Octorara area. (John Carnahan’s property abutted the Octorara River.) “The Moderator Mr. Craighead declares that he saw John Carnachan’s Certificate from Ireland. James Whitehill being called declares yet John Carnachan sent for him on New Years Day last to arbitrate in a difference betwixt said Carnachan and John Potter in a an affair that was before ye session the other arbitrator Jesse Wilson not being present John Potter said he had been at Wilsons house but he was not at home and none of his family knew where he was upon which John Carnachan desired he might choose some other man, and if he Potter had any objection against said man that he Carnachan had chosen, he would alter His, but Potter refused to choose another man than he that was already chose, till Joseph had absolutely refused it. Robert Brown confest to all that Jam. Whitehill says and only adds that John Potter absolutely refused to choose any other person to arbitrate in ye matter because he was no sufferer in the case. Mathew Dill being called says upon a Sab. Morning in January he thinks, standing at the meeting house door, John Potter as Mr. Boyd was going in said of Mr. Boyd, as he understood it, God help thee poor body, thou are blind and does not know what thou art doing in taking with that ravenous Wolf John Carnachan as he thought. Jam. Murphey solemnly declares that he never heard John Potter say anything to ye disparagement of Mr. Boyd, as to ye matter of ye black coat but that he heard John Potter say that Mr. Boyd, he thought, took too much part with John Carnachan. Margaret Woods solemnly declares she being one day speaking to John Potter, said to him what would you think if they should upon these debates deprive this congregation of a Mnr. He said he that lighted ye candle first would light another; and he said also that if John Carnachan would lay down his Commission as a Justice all would be over. Mathew Woods confirms what his wife Mary Woods declared. John Murdach solemnly declares that he never knew this John Potter but that he heard he was a waggin maker but that one John Potter, Tho. Potter and Andrew McCord and an Irish man were all four together to ye cutting of a planted ash tree in his landlords land and that two of ye four fled of whome he heard John Potter was one and two others were taken whome he saw tyed in his Landlords Kitchen and that also John Potter was also apprehended. Thomas Ker appearing before ye Pby. Affirmed that John Potter as he heard had fled for ye cutting of ye foresaid ash tree and was afterward taken. John Devor declares that he heard Robert Boyd a member of ye session say to Mr. Boyd in ye session that there was no need of sessions or judicatures for he and Justice Carnachan would do all and rule all; upon which Mr. Boyd reply’d have I ever writt or minuted anything in ye session but what I have read several times over to you and so desired any of themselves to clark it, for he did not know how to behave among them, upon which said Devor made answer we trust you Sir with a greater affair ye preaching of ye gospel and so we may with those smaller matters. Samuel Jack confirmed ye last evidence. June 6th a.m. S. qi. Supra – Ye rest of John Carnachans evidences are ordered to be taken in. Samuel Jack appears and being solemnly pos’d declared that being with Robert Boyd, Robert said that John Carnachan was not fit to live in a Christian Cong. and that all those that took part with him would be ashamed to hold up their faces. Robert Kenedys evidence in writing was much the same and adds that he said that he would doe his best against that man. Samuel Jack put in a petition Jam. Connor solemnly declares that young Robert Boyd after that ye petitions against Carnachan were sent to the Governour said that he never saw any of them and that to ye best of his knowledge his father never signed any of them. Joseph Wilson, Eld., being solemnly pos’d declares that Robert Boyd Senior at ye session of this place said that he never signed any petition against Carnachan. Jon Shield, Eld confirms ye same. Henry Hamilton being solemnly pos’d declares that he heard Henry O’Neel say that what he witnessed against Carnachan he did it out of Spite this Henry O’Neel was an old servant of Jam. Boyd. John Williams, being solemnly pos’d declares that what he has sworn he adheres to. Robert Boyd, Sen’r solemnly pos’d declares that he wrote a letter to Robert Davis in Lancaster to come to the session as an evidence in of Carnachan and Potter. David Dumbar put in a petition. Wm. Bettis being solemnly pos’d declares that in April last, coming by, a friend of David Dumbar told him to tell John Potter to have a care of him, for David would doe him some Mischief. David Dumbar sayes he hath lived three months within two miles of John Potters and came frequently by his door. Mr. Alexander Creaghead being solemnly pos’d declares that Robert Boyd said Mr. Boyd was accused for sending a letter to Justice Jones, wherein Mr. Boyd had given a testimony of John Carnachan as an honest man. Robert said that Mr. Boyd had no reason to do so for he knew that Carnachan was in the session book accused of drunkenness and swearing and of some vicious immoralities and upon Alexanders reasoning with Robert why he did not go to Carnachan and speak to him, before he did anything against him as ye gospel directs, Robert answered that he did not look on Carnachan as a brother but as a barbarian or to that purpose. Jam. Keys declares that he himself took some rum at Mr. Carnachans house when refused by him and left some money in leue of it which he believes he never saw, and that also Mrs. Carnachan gave said Keys a dram but charged him nothing for it. Joseph Wilson appeared and declared that he heard Samuel Murphy say of Patrick Jack that he would not give one half penny for Jack’s soul unless he repented meaning in respect of an Oath he had taken in a certain case against John Carnachan. Samuel Murphy owns ye last evidence against himself and that he wrote a paper last Lds? day at Mr. Creagheads Meeting house. Now comes on John Potters Evidence. John Potter produced a letter from Mr. Huston relating to his character and lineage in Ireland. John Murphy gave in a supplication to ye Pby, relating to Carnachan wherein he lays before the Pby a complaint against John Carnachan of his lying imprecations and etc and told a long account of many of Carnachans imprecations by which he would clear himself from being concerned in Murphy’s disappointment. Rob’t Dikeson evidenced as to ye truth this in writing, was taken in and is in retentis. Archibald Campbel being solemnly pos’d declares ye same to ye matter and also yet as he was going down to New Castle. Meeting with John Carnachan he heard him say that one Duglas was an old hagg, that he could not believe a Word she spake and swore by ye name of ye great God, that so soon as he came home he would turne her from his house; but behold Campbel came up and he saw said woman at his house which he wondered at. John Potter appears and being solemnly pos’d declares the various circumstances of Connors going off with magregory and that John Carnachan knew and was concerned with ye matter before or at ye time thereof because he said Carnachan was along with himself who assisted in this matter he declares that Carnachan let him have forty shill and six pence to assist in ye matter and John Carnachans wife offered twenty shill for ye same and got John Carnachans great coat, shoes and stockings for he had none then of his own with him. Ann Potter, John’s wife, being solemnly pos’d declares ye same materially with what her husband said only adds John Carnachan bid her send her girl to his house and bid his wife come to see her and bid her feign her self to be very sick to palliate ye matter ye better. William Dickie being solemnly pos’d that one day John Carnachan and he was reckoning at his house after which John Carnachan said let us swear to be true to one another. Wm, answered there is no need to swearing in ye case for I am resolved to be as true to you as ever I was and then John took ye instrument with some Liquor and drank to him, and taking him by ye hand, said may this be my Eternal damnation if Ever he would hurt me, may he would be more than a hundred a year in his way. These are the words, he says to ye best of his remembrance, but his son remembers them better for he said his son put him in mind of them afterwords and notwithstanding that week or some time after, there went wheat by the mill, belonging to Carnachan to Hamiltons Mill and he sued him for money he owed him, without giving him any previous notice tho he had given his hand that he would not sue him seeing he promised to pay ye charges of ye damnified flower but after I came up from Philadelphia and brought up an account that I had payed for ye damnified flower, and charge on it, then he told it was for a bond he sued me. Also he declares that he heard him swear (speaking with both their wives) May this be my Eternal damnation if I doe not make you a hundred a year the better for me, by sending wheat to your mill, and that he would make that up this way (or to that purpose) one night when there was a quarrel at Williams house. Mrs. Boyds evidence was taken at home on ye account of her indisposition and sent by John Devor and one Wilson which evidence is in retentis and beside her written evidence, she sent word by him that the woman said she had knowledge of John Poter before his seeing of her there at Mr. Boyds and Mrs. Boyds says that she never heard him say any thing against John Potter during her service. Joseph Wilson being solemnly pos’d declares that one night at a singing school in my house John Carnachan and some others came to my house after they had been somewhere drinking and gave several unbecoming words which its possible they would not have said at another time. Among ye rest John Carnachan said that I made my mouth my ? and that he was ye chief motive of setting up that school that he asked Patrick Jack if he had not pay’d him, his part to which Patrick reply’d that he had and got that same night ye last night of ye singing school, I saw him pay Patrick five shill. William Dickie declares that about three years ago he heard John Carnachan In ye house of George Aston upon ye accusation of Betty Aston for harbouring Matting Davis in his house when ye officer was looking for him that with three of four gills of brandy drunk his Eternal Damnation if he knew nay thing of his being in his house at that time. An affidavit of Jam. Murphey before Justice Emmit in the case of Patrick and Samuel Jack was given in to ye Pby and is in retentis. Rebecca Barnet being solemnly pos’d, adhered to a paper here subscribed. James Keys being solemnly posed declared as in a paper signed by him which is in retentis. Janet Dunlap being solemnly posed declares and thereby confirms Rebeccah Barnets evidence. Isabel Henderson being solemnly pos’d declared as in a paper signed by her mark which is in retentis. The Minutes of ye session May 10th ult. These evidences taken before the session were read: Arthur Park being solemnly posed declared that he does not know what the particular time was when they gave in their supplications to ye Governor only he thinks it was pretty early in ye winter and that John Potter was some time before ye other. John Potters evidences are ended for this time and John Carnahan desires more evidences may be brought on his side. Jam. Jack beings solemnly posed declares, I was in Carnachan’s storehouse last fall and after a little communing I heard them talk of their accounts, especially about eight shills after some words pasting John Potter sayes Sirrah – don’t begin with your sophistry to me, ye other answered I know nothing of it. I deny what you say, then Pottter said he would leave it to two men and John Carnachan said he would doe it also, I was one of ye men, and Davis another and John Potter named both, on which account John Carnachan declined but I overheard Carnachan say to Potter I desire that this business between you and I be done away and that no more May ever be between us. Also Jam. Jack declares, I was at a certain viz Tuesday was a week at a neighbours field and I heard Jam. Murphey and Jam. Sheets at some discourse, Jam. Murphey said that he was sorry that he laid any honest man in ye balance with John Carnachan. I asked him is he not an honest man? He said no, he’s a lyer, cheat and perjur’d person and it was proved already at ye great court which I denyed and told him he was a lyer for I was there as well as he, then he made answer this is all Carnachan’s Gang can doe to pick up any word which make for him, said he, your mind is uneasy because your Dagon and hero is fallen and does not rule as he used to do. Thos. Haslet being pos’d declares as in a paper under his hand in retentis and he sayes he was not all that time out of John Carnachans Company. Hen. Hamilton being solemnly posed declares that ye weight of ye flower was not up but William Dickie said he would not make it up, whether he did it or no. He knows not, and William Dickie said what ye divel don’t you think but that I know how much flower should be in so much wheat and William said also, I know that you Carnachan have an advantage of me, but I know that you will not take it. John Carnahan alleges that Mr. Boyd knows a great deal of this. Robert Brown being posed declared that when they were on this discourse about ye flower that he heard Carnachan task Wm. Dickie for giving an invoice of the flower when it was not packt and some of it in ye bolting box and some of ye casks not made up. William Dickie said it was none of his business to get his flower made up to him, either of his own, or any other mans; after that conversation was a little over we prest Mr. Carnachan to write a letter to Mr. Plumstead in favour of Wm. Dickie when he had wrote a good part of ye letter, he read it to Wm. Hen. Hamilton and I, and we urged him to put in these words that he was a poor man, and had a small family, which he did. Wm. Dickie being posed declared that Mr. Carnachan wrote a letter to Mr. Plumstead and I carried it and I believe he read it to me, and that he satisfied Mr. Plumstead four or five and twenty shills on account of ye condemnation of ye flower. Samuel Gilmor being posed declares that he was along with Carnachan at Mr. Plumsteads and that Plumsted and that ye Casks went from 5 to 9 pound in ye ton and that he gave him his note for said damage. Jam. Connor and George McCracken solemnly declare ye same as above. Jam. Connor also being solemnly posed declared that John Carnachan knew nothing of my taking his wife before (sd he) I ride past the house and he was asleep they said and I left her between & William Dickies and came back and when I came they said he was just got out of his bed and that John Potter and his wife was there and he declares that said Potters got ye money after he came back, he sayes that Carnachan did not promise to goe along with her and that he never spoke a word to Carnachan about taking that girl that night. Robert Dixon sent a paper under hand evidenced by Jam. Dickie, David Dumbar and Wm. Wilson. John Boyd being solemnly posed declares that on munday Morning last he met with Robert Dixon on ye rode and had some converse about this matter, he told that he had given his evidence to James Murphey. James Shiels being solemnly posed declares that Jams. Murphy and he was talking together and that he did not hear Jam. Murphy say that Carnachan was perjured. The Pby adjourned till tomorrow Morning. Fryday June 7th Ante M. Sedt qui supra. The remainder of ye min of ye last Pby ordered to be read. Page 47 The Pby having received and read several supplications from divers hands of this Congregation together with many evidences on both sides and having had much serious reflection and deliberate reasoning upon ye whole both last night and this morning are we hope by ye approbation and blessing of ye all wise head and governor of his Church determined to this judgement and conciliation in ye following manner. In ye gral it is with deep concern we observe that this cong which had subsisted since its formation with so much remarkable force and unanimity should become now a field of intestine divisions of unnatural and irreligious debates to ye grief and pity of ye Wellwishers of Zion. Further we observe that we’re afraid there hath been much rankor and malice and perhaps something of a blind zeal at ye bottom and beginning of those unnatural and unchristian debates and that even men otherwise pious and well inclined have been unhappily employed therein to ye great dishonour of our holy religion, a shameful violation of brotherly love – this plainly appears to us by ye uncommon and improper steps taken at ye beginning of these religious destroying convulsions; also from ye raking and scraping together faults of an old date, does not consist with true Christian charity; also from ye rankor and indignation which discovered themselves in ye language and faces of several of ye contenders but more particularly first in ye Pby do disprove and condemn John Potter as an unhappy Instnt and agent in these unnatural irreligious debates and are sorry that any good men have been so aiding and assisting to him in his violent and notorious infringement of the rules of Christian charity and ye good agreement of this congregation and as for these immoralities and ungodly practices both in Ireland and this country that are strongly alleged against him if not in some measure proved although we are afraid there is guilt in ye case yet because of ye old date of these charges and the disaffection of some of the evidences to ye man we moderate our judgment and doe heartily exhort him to a sincere repentance. And the Pby doe adhere and detest his undutiful and irreverent behaviour towards his Mnr.; we are afraid he is of a seditious disposition and doe desire ye session to take a strict notice of his conduct for the future: the Pby doe approve of the Minister and Session suspending said Potter from priviledges of ye church until his unhappy conduct was sufficiently examined and satisfied for; and that he give to ye Mnr. and Elders satisfying evidences of his sorrow and repentance as to what of mate conduct he hath been guilty of, in beginning and fomenting ye unhappy disturbances of this Cong. Before he be yet admitted to Church priviledges also we see no cause to fix perjury on the person that gave deposition against said Potter. Secondly – ye Pby do disprove ye conduct of those members of ye session who signed Potters certificate contrary to ye agreement of ye whole, and before the consulted the Messenger they sent to inquire into ye matter, let all ye members take care, for the future, against acting in such an undue manner, which was attended with melancholy consequences; we are sorry that any Mbr of ye session should be so rash and unadvised as to offer and disrespectful unbecoming language to his pastor; we hope and doubt not but he is truly sorrowful for ye same and that he will give consortable evidences thereof, by his watchful deportant for ye future. Thirdly the Pby doe condemn the rash signing of Petitions particularly against a brother, and before gospel methods and Church rules be observed and also where there is no damage sustained from ye person. Fourthly The Pby doe condemn James Murphy, for some unbecoming language both at the court of examination and elsewhere also for his practical countermining our form of qualifying persons to give evidence. Fifthly – although it doth not appear to ye Pby, that John Carnachan hath been guilty of habitual immoralities, and therefore that there was the less reason to breed such noise and disturbance about him, yet we judge him guilty of some rash expressions, profane swearing and odious imprecations which we hereby reprove him for, and exhort him to a serious repentance and amendment as to these things for the future. And as a conclusion to ye whole, we desire to leave our testimony against the evil spirit of contention and wrangling, in professors of Religion both against Mnr., and especially their own and amongst one another; an evil spirit that seems. Alas for it to have got dreadfully possession of a great many of our persuasion and especially of our own country men in these parts of the World. Again we earnestly exhort all, especially you in this society, both Elders and people of all ranks to guard against this evil spirit of wrangling division and contention and to guard against evil surmises, and speakings against one another, the frequent overt expression of inward heart malice and exhort in the words of the Ap. Ro. 16:17 Mark them that cause divisions and avoid them and in the bowels of our Lord obtest and beseech in the words of the Ap. Phil. 2 – if therefore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye our joy that ye be like minded having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind, let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in the lowliness of Mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.”