Church: Part II - Rocky Spring Presbyterian Church, Edifice Centennial Celebration, 1894: Letterkenney Twp, Franklin Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by David Loy. USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ____________________________________________________ HISTORY of the ROCKY SPRING CHURCH and ADDRESSES DELIVERED at the CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY of the Present Church Edifice, AUGUST 23, 1894. _______________ COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY REV. S. S. WYLIE AND A. NEVIN POMEROY. _______________ CHAMBERSBURG, PA.: FRANKLIN REPOSITORY PRESS: 1895 _______________ CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ROCKY SPRING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. _________ HELD AT ROCKY SPRING, AUGUST 23, 1894. _________ 60 (cont.) THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ [from page 117] CONTENTS. ___________________ ONLINE FILE NAME Introductory 9 histrschurch01.txt History of Rocky Spring Church‹Part I. 11 histrschurch01.txt " " " " - Part II. 22 histrschurch01.txt " " " " - Part III. 31 histrschurch01.txt Sketches of Deceased Ministers 41 histrschurch01.txt Presbyterianism and Civil Liberty 60 histrschurch02.txt The Historic Families of the Cumberland 73 histrschurch02.txt Valley American Presbyterian Church in America 87 histrschurch02.txt Some Lessons from the History of this Church 97 histrschurch02.txt Old Families of Rocky Spring 102 histrschurch02.txt List of Pew Holders, 1768‹1794 109 histrschurch02.txt List of Pew Holders, 1800 112 histrschurch02.txt The Graveyard 114 histrschurch02.txt _____________ PRESBYTERIANISM AND CIVIL LIBERTY. _________ BY HON. JOHN STEWART. _________ The fact that two representative Scotch-Irish divines have already addressed you and there still remains a fragment of the morning for further exercises, is not to be taken as evidence of any decline in the ability or endurance of the Presbyterian pulpit. Had either of these worthy gentlemen been allowed to choose his own theme and set his own limit to the discussion of it, we would doubtless still be listening to a learned discussion of some one of the five points of Calvanism which would have required the whole morning for its unfolding, and a large section of the afternoon for its application, leaving to the other brother but sufficient time for the orthodox benediction. It was otherwise arranged, not because of any distrust in the ability of these gentlemen to handle these high themes in a manner quite as exhaustive, and for that matter quite as exhausting, too, as would have been expected of the preachers ot an earlier age; but rather because of distrust in the endurance, submission and resignation of the people who were to do the listening. If the circumstances warrant any inference of decline, let us be honest enough to admit that it is in ourselves. We of the laity cannot afford to expose our clergy to any unjust suspicion. On the contrary it is as little as we can do to guard 61 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ with jealous care their reputation as the special conservators of the faith, the traditions, the interpretations and the customs of our dead progenitors, since to accommodate ourselves with a larger freedom, we have left them to take into their exclusive care the ark of that solemn league and covenant, which so securely guards for all time those rich treasures of the church which are so familiar, to all of us, and so dear to the Presbyterian heart, the institutes of Calvin and the deliverances of the Westminster divines. That they have well and nobly discharged this high task which we have imposed on them is most evident from the fact, that notwithstanding they have carried that ark through the storms of a century, its contents remain intact, without diminution or enlargement, and are as dry as when first committed to their charge. In view of such a fact as this it would be most ungenerous if we were to expose any of them to a suspicion of latitudinarianism in faith or practice. In the present instance they have simply conformed to the requirements of the occasion‹they were brief, because they had to be. If any of you are not satisfied with this explanation, I am authorized to say that you are at liberty to assemble yourselves in some convenient place apart, and either of these gentlemen will then proceed to conduct a congregational siege of indefinite length that will make you wish that the traditions of the fathers had perished before you were born. They have both the ammunition and the endurance equal to it. This brings me to the subject of my story, for I am to speak to you about ammunition‹not their kind however, and yet the two have often been used together, or to speak more correctly, the one has often been used to supplement the other in the days when men were accustomed to prove their doctrine orthodox by apostolic blows and knocks. The ammunition with which I have to do, is that which was fired from flint-lock muskets of those Ulster Presbyterians who, true to the traditions of their race and the faith of their church, espoused the cause of American independence and 62 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ fought so nobly for its achievement. The Presbyterian church militant, not in the theological but political sense, during the period of our revolutionary struggle, is what I am expected to speak about Not being a clergyman, it was not thought necessary to impose any restriction as to the time to be occupied in my case. The fact that it was to be the last exercise before dinner was thought to be sufficient protection against one of my profession. The event of greatest significance in modern history was, undoubtedly, the political separation of the American colonies from Great Britain, and their federation in one common constitutional government. Though a century has intervened between that period and this the full importance of the event has not yet been revealed. Those who shall occupy the higher ground of a later age than ours, will be able with clearer vision to sweep a larger horizon; and discover mighty currents, as yet concealed from view, which take their rise in that historic period. The event gave but little outward sign of its immense importance, and it is not strange that the contemporaneous world but feebly understood it Men are apt to measure the importance of political events when they occur, by the noise and confusion that attend them. What was the noise made by the rude guns of Lexington's embattled farmers, to the loud reverberations of the great Frederick's artillery at Leuthen and Rossbach, then still echoing throughout the world? What was the assault of a few thousand Continentals at Yorktown, to the bloody engagements which so soon followed on the borders of France and elsewhere in Europe, when the mighty nations of the earth grappled in deadly conflict? And yet issues of vaster moment to humanity, were to be settled in the unequal and apparently insignificant contest of our revolution, than any of those which converted Europe into an armed camp, and drenched a continent in blood. These latter changed the boundaries of empires, crowned and discrowned kings, but brought no emancipation to the people 63 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ from the tyranny of kingly government. It was of vast consequence to the peace of the world to change the map of Europe, to overthrow a Bourbon dynasty, then a Napoleonic one which was to share a like fate in its turn; but all these seem of feeble significance, after the lapse of a century, when contrasted with the immense consequence which has resulted from the independence of the American colonies. The issue which precipitated the American revolution, was the right of the thirteen original colonies to separate and independent existence; but in the issue lay a germ seed, which was to be fruitful in blessings of civil and religious liberty beyond anything the world had ever known. Directly involved in the struggle, was the right of the colonies to govern themselves; indirectly involved in it, was the supreme authority of the people in all questions of government, and the equal right of every man with his fellow to political power and privilege. To the maintenance and establishment of these principles of civil government, self-evident to you as they were to the early colonists, but rejected and despised by the rulers and privileged classes of the world, our fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor; a covenant which cost them six years of devastating war in which a British king and ministry exhausted the resources of a kingdom in the mad attempt to conquer them. But through it all, undaunted, inflexible, uncompromising, enduring poverty, hunger, nakedness, and the calamities of war, they bore themselves and their cause right on, until in the end they wrought out complete deliverance from political thralldom, and were enabled here in this new world, to crown their labors with a government of their own building and by themselves dedicated to civil and religious freedom. I make but passing mention of these things for my purpose lies not with them, but rather with the men of a certain race and faith who were here in these colonies when these things occurred, and were witnesses of them. They are the men whose memory we assemble here to-day to honor, the 64 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of that early time. It interests and concerns us who are their descendants, or claim kinship with them by descent from a common ancestry, to know how they regarded this revolution, and what their attitude towards it was. When the dread crisis came, and the alternative of servile submission or the horrors of war was presented to the colonies, how stood these Presbyterian forefathers of ours? There were colonists who were for submission; there were yet others who wore a neutral garb. Were they among either of these? It would be the marvel of history were it so. Human conduct is often inconsistent, and illogical; men are sometimes found opposing when you would expect them to be advocates, and submitting when you would expect resistance; but history records no such extravagant inconsistency in human conduct as that would be, were we to find Scotch-Irish Presbyterians in such a contest as this, either advocating submission or standing on neutral ground. Consider the race, its lineage, its faith, the traditions and experience of this people, and ask yourselves where they would likely be found in such a controversy, then make your appeal to history, and you will learn to honor their memory, not only for the noble work they accomplished, but for the sublime consistency of their lives, and their devotion through many generations to the cause of human freedom. Belonging to no one nationality, but drawn together from several into one family, by the attraction of a common faith, they built their firesides and erected their altars in the north of Ireland, and there mixed the blood of the Saxon with that of the Celt and Teuton, until in process of time, were developed traits and characteristics which made them a homogeneous and distinct race. We are told that in the settlement of New England God sifted three kingdoms for the seed of that planting. A sifting process covering a still greater variety than this, was required when he prepared his seed for the Scotch-Irish planting in the American colonies; for his design contemplated their planting not in one lati- 65 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ tude only, but in several, from New Hampshire to Georgia. The product was to be the same whether the seed were scattered on the barren hills of New England, the rich valleys of Pennsylvania or the savannahs of the South; where-ever planted it was to yield hearts of oak. But the planting was not yet. The seed thus gathered was to be sifted and sown, again and again in Ulster, until from these repeated processes there came a distinct and peculiar people. They were to have more than Geneva theology in common; that and other influences were to work an assimilation in thought and speech, in feeling and purpose, in habit and customs, and inspire them with noble conceptions of the rights of man, and the true object of all just government, which were to be realized later on in another land than that in which they then were. It may seem strange, but so it is and all history attests it, that the soil which best produces a vigorous race is that which is best watered by human blood. Ulster soil was so prepared. This people whose industry had reclaimed it, and made it the fairest portion of the island, were to be harried and torn and plundered, and many of them butchered, because they would submit to all these, rather than surrender their faith at the dictation of a perfidious king. Such an experience was required to add to their creed, which already demanded a church without a prelate, the political corollary, which demanded a government without a king, and make them the chosen instruments to carry the new evangel to the new world. Then came the fullness of time when both seed and soil were ready. The field was here in these scattered colonies. Thither, across an ocean far more treacherous then than now, came these trained and disciplined Ulstermen, bringing with them the faith and traditions of their fathers, hatred of tyranny and love of freedom, with an inheritance of courage, self-reliance and humble trust in the favor of the God they served. They were not many who moored their bark on stern New England's rock bound coast; but the few were chosen, and 66 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ enough to make the Londonderry of New Hampshire which they founded and where they lived, worthy of the illustrious name they gave it. More were not needed there, for New England was already settled by a people disciplined and prepared for the struggle in which they were to play so prominent a part. In far larger numbers they crowded the shores of the Carolinas, where they were needed to neutralize and overcome the British influence then at work. Some came to Maryland, others to New Jersey, but in the greatest numbers they came to that colony which most needed them, in view of what was so soon to occur. Shipload after shipload in quick succession landed at Philadelphia, and the majority of these at once found their way to the southeastern counties of this province, then the border of our western civilization. I have said that here they were most needed. Mark the Divine strategy that directed and controlled the distribution of these Presbyterian forces, which were then pouring into the colonies; for it was not by chance or accident that they came in greatest numbers to this, rather than to some other colony. If in any movement God's hand is visible, it may be seen in this. He was on the side of the revolution, and these Scotch-Irish immigrants were to be employed in the accomplishment of His friendly purposes. It was He who emptied Ulster into Pennsylvania, and He did it at the right time. His purpose now seems plain enough. Without the active cooperation of this province, there could have been no revolution, and none would have been attempted. With Pennsylvania hostile, or even neutral, it would have been idle to talk of separation from Great Britain. Its unfriendly or neutral territory, separating the northern from the southern colonies, would have deterred the most rebellious spirits from offering resistance, which, in the nature of things, could only have brought greater oppression and distress. The government of the province was in the hands of the peaceful Quakers who had founded it, and they, with the German 67 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ Mennonites, whose religion also forbade a resort to arms, constituted a large majority of the population. These people by their intelligent enterprise and industry, by the wholesome system of laws they had enacted, and by their generous treatment of friend and foe, had made the province famous above all others. But the era of peace was fast drawing to a close; the day was not now far off when Patrick Henry and other heralds of the revolution, were to startle the colonies from repose by their appeal to arms. Against the exigency of that day, what was so much needed in Pennsylvania as the incoming of a people, to whom it had been revealed that resistance to tyrants was obedience to God. We are apt to think of it as a happy circumstance that these Scotch-Irish distributed themselves over these colonies in the way they did, forgetting that it was God's own ordering, and that He was using the limited supply of the material on hand, in the way that would best accomplish His designs. Into this valley of ours these people came as pioneers. The first white foot that ever made an imprint here belonged to a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, and close behind him were his brethren with their bibles, their catechisms, their rifles, their axes, and their rude implements of husbandry. Here they built themselves homes, then churches, then schools. They came in such numbers, that at the beginning of the war they constituted a third of the population of the province. Knowing this much of the history and antecedents of this people, where, I now ask, would you expect to find them, when choice was to be made between submission to the demands of the British ministry, which meant chains and slavery for themselves and their posterity, or the hazard a doubtful war for political freedom? Surely you would expect all this iron that had been mixed in their blood to count for something. Now make your appeal to history for the facts. You know where these Scotch-Irish were in the colonies; they were everywhere, but not sufficient in any one colony to give them political control. They were 68 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ strongest in the Carolinas and Pennsylvania. If you would catch the first note sounded in the colonies for the cause of independence, you must turn your ear to the south that you may hear what is borne on the winds from the hills of North Carolina. There these people were, and plenty of them. The blood shed at Lexington, had scarcely dried on the soil it stained, when the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of the Mecklenberg district, in solemn assembly, declared that Americans were free and independent people, and proceeded to annul and vacate all laws and commissions confirmed by or derived from the authority of the king of parliament. This was on May 20th, 1775, and it was the first formulated expression for political independence which came from any organized assembly of the people. Responses came quick and hot from the Presbyterians of Philadelphia and Baltimore, but these were only voices in the wilderness calling the people of the colonies to prepare for the approaching contest. A whole year was yet to be spent in fruitless expostulation and entreaty. The idea of separation from the mother country was entertained by few. The general voice was for resistance to the tyrannous measures of the ministry, but for continued loyalty to the throne. Separation was thought neither necessary nor desirable; it invited disaster to the colonies and vindictive punishment to its abetters. The influence and example of Pennsylvania were on the side of submission. But persistent and repeated remonstrance brought only increased demands, with an increased display of power to enforce them, upon the colonies, until at last the conviction was burned into the hearts and minds of the people, that their only possible escape from political servitude was in a war for final separation and independence. But this province of Pennsylvania was yet to be won over to the cause. Her Assembly had instructed the delegates in the Continental Congress, not to consent to any step which might cause or lead to a separation from Great Britain. How was the attitude of Pennsylvania to be changed? For changed it 69 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ must be before any declaration of independence could come from the Continental Congress, and changed it must be, if such declaration, when made, was to be enforced by arms. Two-thirds of her population professed a faith which forbade an appeal to arms; and though there were fighting Quakers and fighting Germans too among them, yet the great body of this population were submissionists, and opposed to any step that would result in war. But the Ulster Irish had multiplied rapidly, and large accessions were constantly pouring in. During the two years immediately preceding the first actual violence here, thirty thousand of them had been driven from Ireland by persecution and eviction, the most of whom found homes here in Pennsylvania, so that when the great question of independence was to be determined these people constituted the one-third of the whole population of the province. The Scotch-Irish of this valley‹and but few of any other race were then here‹with their zeal inflamed by the blood shed at Bunker Hill, and their pulses quickened by the memory of the persecution they had suffered in early May 1776, gathered in Carlisle, then the shiretown of a county which included this,‹and some of the men who sleep in yonder graveyard were there that day‹blessed be their memories,‹and with unanimous voice demanded of the Provincial Assembly that the instructions against separation be withdrawn. If there was any earlier public demand for congressional action looking to independence, history does not record it; certainly this was the first utterance of the kind heard in Pennsylvania. The Assembly heard it, and heeded it too. The memorial adopted at Carlisle was laid before that body on the 28th of May. On the 5th of June, after much discussion, it was referred to a committee to bring in new instructions to the delegates in Congress. These resolutions were reported, adopted and signed on the 14th of the same month. The divine strategy in emptying Ulster into Pennsylvania was rapidly unfolding. It was Ulster influence that placed Pennsylvania in line with 70 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ her sister colonies, and gave her vote for freedom and independence on the 2d of July following, when Congress decided upon separation, and solemnly resolved, "that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be totally dissolved." These were brave words from brave men; none braver were ever uttered, and none, if they are to be made good, of deeper significance to the welfare and happiness of posterity. The war which hitherto had been one of resistance by the courageous and freedom loving people of New England, to the unjust and oppressive measures of a headstrong king and stupid ministry, was now to become a war for political independence, in which thirteen scattered and feeble colonies were to engage the most powerful nation of Europe. Well might the brave men who spoke the brave words, pause and hesitate, when, on August 2d, the final step was to be taken, and each was to sign his name to that immortal paper, which was to publish to the world their high resolve, and commit the colonies to an undertaking so desperate as this seemed and was. But it was only for a moment It needed but one note of defiance to break the solemn stillness of that morning's meeting, and revive the courage of the men who so bravely resolved two months before. John Witherspoon, the venerable President of the Presbyterian College of New Jersey, rises, in his place, and with a voice trembling with age, not fear, is heard to say, "Mr. President, that noble instrument on your table, which insures immortality to its author, should be subscribed this very morning by every pen in the house. He who will not respond to its accents, and strain every nerve to carry into effect its provisions, is unworthy the name of freeman. Although these gray hairs must descend into the sepulchre, I would infinitely rather they should descend thither by the hand of the public executioner, than desert at this crisis the 71 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ sacred cause of my country." There was hesitancy no longer, and of the fifty-five historic men who that morning, under the leadership of John Witherspoon, subscribed their names to the declaration of independence, fifteen were of Scotch and Irish birth or ancestry. And now begins the War of the Revolution, where the lives and fortunes and sacred honor so solemnly pledged are to be given and redeemed. Where now may we expect to find these men of Presbyterian faith, who were so early and constant in their demand for independence at any cost, when it was to be accomplished, if at all, by the sword? We know where you would expect to find them; but appeal again to history. Turn in the direction where these men were; first of all to that little colony of them in New Hampshire. For a whole year already hundreds of them have been in the trenches at Boston, and now hundreds more are marching thitherward under the lead of Sullivan and Stark; both of whom are to become famous as generals in the revolution. Turn to the Carolinas and the South, and view their kindred rally under the chosen leaders, Morgan, and Pickens, and Campbell, and Howard. Their day of severest trial is yet to come, but watch them and you will see them fighting ever so gallantly at Moultrie, at Kings Mountain, at Cowpens and at Yorktown aye, for that matter across New Jersey and at Brandywine too. Turn to Pennsylvania, and what of her? For a whole year she too has had her brave sons in the trenches at Boston, some from this valley, under the lead of Chambers and others. But now a larger demand is to be made on her patriotism. With the declaration of independence comes a call for men to make it good. Six thousand men are required of Pennsylvania in addition to those already in the field, amid the exigency admits of no delay. The quota is filled, and filled rapidly, but how? Let one example stand for all. This county of Cumberland, as it then was, was a frontier settlement, remote from the scene of conflict and secure from British invasion. Before the 72 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ leaves had that year fallen from the trees, this single county, sparsely populated then, had given to Washington's army more than a thousand men, and more than a sixth of the entire quota of the province. It gave to that army such officers as Armstrong, and Mercer, and Irwin, and Chambers and Magaw, and others of like service and renown. The number of men contributed to the Continental Army by this valley, during the war was equal to the whole number of its taxables; and the contribution of the Scotch-Irish of the colony exceeded by one-half of the entire quota of the province. So true and firm and devoted were the people of this faith and race, that it can be said of Pennsylvania, that she was one of the two colonies that complied with all the requisitions of the Continental Congress, for money and supplies. And what they did in Pennsylvania they did in every colony, according to the measure of their strength and numbers. There was not a battlefield in which they did not take part. It was a task too great for the occasion, to recall on the names of all the men of Presbyterian faith and lineage who rendered illustrious service in the war. I shall not attempt it. It is enough to know that the contribution of this people to the leadership of it, was as conspicuous as their contribution to the ranks was liberal and generous; and that all alike rendered faithful, honorable and distinguished service. The men of that race who first settled this immediate locality, had here on this hilltop, where now we stand, with pious hands and devout hearth, built and dedicated to the service of God their humble sanctuary. Here they gathered on a Sabbath day in July 1776, to hear from him who had been appointed over them in holy things, what duty God required of them, now that independence had been determined on. That man of God and the revolution, John Craighead, sleeps over there in that graveyard, and about him lie the men who returned with him from the war. To your tents O Israel! was the message he brought 73 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ to his people that day, and through the mists of a century and a quarter, we can see the men of Rocky Spring congregation waving a long farewell to homes and families, as they begin their long and toilsome march to Long Island and the war, with brave John Craighead in the lead. Standing amid such associations what emotions should stir our hearts today? Pride? Yes, indulge it, for who can boast a nobler ancestry than those of you who claim kinship with these heroic dead. Gratitude? Yes, deep and profound let it be, from all, for the loyal and helpful service the men of Presbyterian faith rendered the cause of American independence. Reverence? Yes, in abundant measure, for this people adorned their heroism with the noblest virtues and employed it in a sacred cause. But better still, let us here enkindle our patriotism and pledge anew our devotion to the cause of human freedom, that we may the better guard the heritage bequeathed us. In no other way can we so well honor the memory and perpetuate the fame of the Presbyterians of the American Revolution. ____________ THE HISTORIC FAMILIES OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY. _________ BY WILLIAM HENRY EGLE, M. D. _________ Among these representatives of theological and legal lore surrounding me, if I have not the eloquence of the one or the profoundness of the other, I trust that at least I may have your attention and interest in what I have to say in a cursory resume of the family history of this charming valley. Without any further prelude, you will pardon my abrupt launching forth with my subject‹The Early Scotch-Irish 74 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ Settlers of the Cumberland Valley, or, rather, its Historic Families. On the eastern end of this valley, close to the water's edge, is a small one-story stone structure, known in Provincial or ante-Revolutionary days as the Kelso ferry-house, erected in 1734, of which we have positive knowledge, it yet remains, the oldest residence in this valley. From that landmark, almost to the Pennsylvania-Maryland line, between years 1720 and 1740, families of Scotch-Irish extraction, the whose ancestors, after having been seated in the Province of Ulster, Ireland, for possibly two or, three generations, emigrated to Pennsylvania, and became the pioneers of the Cumberland Valley, and from thence passing on to the communities South and West, to which they gave their own distinguishing characteristics. Many of the later generation have exerted a marked and beneficent influence, individually and as families, upon the material progress, the educational and religious advancement, and the political action of the several Commonwealths where they settled. Of much concerning them‹of the martial spirit exhibited by them and their descendants upon the battlefields of their country‹of the high positions they have held in the Councils of the Nation, in the pulpit and the forum‹it is not my province now to speak. The time is too brief to enter fully into the life-history of the early pioneers of this valley, and of the generations who have become famous in the annals of the States and the Nation. You will bear with me, however, in a rapid glance over the records of some of the early settlers‹brave men and bright women‹whose descendants have loomed up above others in many sections of our Union. It may be interesting to note just here, that at a distance of about ten miles apart, were located the churches of the Scotch-Irish Presbyterian settlements. The first west of the Susquehanna was Silvers Spring Meeting House, fully ten miles distant from old Paxtang on the east side of the river, 75 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ then Meeting House Spring, (Carlisle), followed by Big Spring, (Newville), Middle Spring, (Shippensburg), Rocky Spring and Falling Spring) (Chambersburg), and Mossy Spring, (Greencastle). Around these magnificent springs, clustered at first, the Scotch-Irish settlers‹and here they erected their churches and schools‹and the allusion is thus made, that we may the better be guided in the reference to the historic families brought to our remembrance. James Silvers and Richard Parker were probably the earliest permanent settlers in the valley, the former locating about 1720 at the Spring which yet bears his name, although so frequently named Silver Spring, instead of Silvers. His descendants went into the Shenandoah Valley prior to 1750, and in the female line intermarried with the First Families of Virginia. Richard Parker located near the glebe of Meeting House Springs on the Conodoguinet in 1725. His family became quite noted and influential in the early history of the valley, and were connected with the Dennys, Dunbars and Creighs, early settlers, and whose descendants have made their mark in Western Pennsylvania and other localities of our Unions Major Ebenezer Denny was a soldier of the Revolution, and his son Harmer Denny, who married a daughter of Gem. James O'Hara, was a member of Congress and of the State Constitutional Convention of 1837‹8. Other members of this family were the late Rev. Thomas Creigh, D, D., of Mercersburg, and Rev. Joseph Alexander Murray, D. D., of Carlisle, both of whom were valiant soldiers of the Cross‹faithful ministers of the Gospel of Christ. Of the Armstrongs, there were two prominent families‹ that of John of Carlisle, and that of Joseph of Hamilton township, now in Franklin county. Of the history of Col. John Armstrong, the "Hero of the Kittaning," every Pennsylvanian ought to be familiar, as also, with the services of his son, who rose to be a General in the War of the Revolution. His descendants are more especially represented by 76 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ the Astor family of New York City, although others are scattered in many States, just as prominent even though not crowned with such great wealth. The first Joseph Armstrong was an officer in the French and Indian War; and, strange to say, all the histories of the valley give the son the honor reaped by the father, the son being too young for the Indian wars, while the father died prior to the struggle for independence. The second Joseph Armstrong was a brave and gallant officer during the War of the Revolution, and his remains lie in yonder graveyard. Most of their descendants have gone out into the South and West, and, during the late conflict for supremacy of the Union laid down their noble lives in defense thereof. At Big Spring, possibly as, early as 1734, settled Archibald McAllister. His son Richard laid out the town of Hanover, York county, was a member of the Provincial Assembly and Colonel of one of the York County Battalions of Associators in the Revolution. Some of his children went to Georgia, and became quite prominent there‹while of their descendants‹Matthew Hale McAllister died as a Judge in California. Others were representatives in Congress, while one was for many years the acknowledged leader of the "Four Hundred" in New York City, Mr. Ward McAllister. One portion of the McAllister family went to Virginia, and with them the Mitchels and McKnights, also early settlers near the Big Spring. From these came that great distinguished soldier of the War of the Rebellion and famous astronomer, General Ormsby McKnight Mitchell, and whose daughter now vies with Miss Proctor as the leading astronomer of today. What family in the entire Colonies became more famous than the Butlers of the Cumberland Valley in the contest of 1776? Their fame is not restricted to this locality alone, but is national in its range. About 1745, Thomas Butler and Eleanor his wife, settled in West Pennsboro township in the valley. Their five sons became eminently distinguished 77 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ in the War for Independence; Richard, the eldest, was an Ensign in the French and Indian War, and entered the Revolutionary struggle as Major of the Eighth Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the same, and transferred to Morgan's Rifle Command in June 1777. This legion was composed of picked men detached from the several regiments of the Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia Lines. Soon after the Revolution, in the conflict with the Indians of the Northwest Territory, Colonel Butler was appointed by President Washington a Major-General under St. Clair, and was mortally wounded at the Miami disaster. William Butler became Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line. Thomas Butler entered the service as First Lieutenant of the Second Pennsylvania Battalion, became Captain in the Third Regiment of the Line and was in every action that was fought in the Middle States during the war. His intrepid conduct at Brandywine in rallying a detachment of retreating troops, and his defending a defile in the face of a heavy fire from one of the enemy, at the battle of Monmouth, are noted incidents in our Revolutionary History. In the St. Clair expedition, against the Indians, he commanded a battalion and was seriously wounded‹his surviving brother Edward removing him from the field with difficulty. Upon his recovery, he was continued in the military establishment and in 1794 was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the Fourth sub-legion. Percival Butler served in the Pennsylvania Line, as Lieutenant in the Second and Third Regiments. He removed to Kentucky and was Adjutant General in the War of 1812. One of his sons, William O. Butler, was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Vice President in 1848. Edward Butler, the youngest of the brothers, was an officer in the Second, Fifth and Ninth Regiments of the Pennsylvania Line, serving with distinction in the contest. Under General Wayne he served in the Northwest in 1794, as his Adjutant General. 78 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ He removed to Tennessee, where he died. All of these five brothers left numerous descendants, many of whom served meritoriously in the United States Army and Navy. It need not be here remarked that the Cumberland Valley was a nursery of brave officers of the Revolution‹as well as of other wars. The records prove it, and it is to be regretted that some one, with the time and inclination, as well as love and fascination for the work, will not take up this interesting subject, that some of the historical scavengers who are today writing up American history, always to the disparagement of Pennsylvania and her people, may have their mental strabismus removed, and see what even the First Families of this lovely Valley alone have accomplished. There were Irvines and Irwins, notably prominent among the early settlers. Of the first named, we have General William Irvine, a hero of the Revolution, and a man around whose name there is a halo of martial glory which is to be honored and revered by every lover of his country. He served during the entire war with distinction, and was one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati. His brother-in-law, James R. Reid, was a Major in the war, and a member of the Continental Congress. Some of the Irvine family went to the Southward after the Revolution. As to the Irwins, James Irwin settled in the lower part of the valley prior to the formation of Cumberland county. Of his children, Archibald Irwin, was an officer in the French and Indian War and served in the Revolutionary struggle. He married Jean McDowell, and they were the ancestors of Ex­President Benjamin Harrison and the family of Governor Francis R. Shunk. To the family of Irwins, which settled in the Eastern portion of the valley we shall allude further on. William Linn settled in Lurgan in 1736. His father fought on the side of "The Orange" at Boyne-water. His descendants became distinguished in every prominent walk in life. A grand son, Rev. William Linn, was a Chaplain in the Pennsylvania Line, and the first Chaplain of the 79 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ United States House of Representatives in 1789. Of his children, a daughter married Charles Brockden Brown, the novelist; another, Simeon De Witt, Surveyor General of the United States in 1796; while a son was the Rev John Blair Linn an eminent Presbyterian divine. In the fourth generation we have William Linn a noted lawyer and author; and the fifth in line of descent, my friend, Hon. John Blair Linn, of Bellefonte, the historian of the Buffalo Valley. William McGaw came to Pennsylvania early in the "Seventeen Thirties." Of his children three became distinguished. The eldest, Samuel, became a Minister of the Gospel, was made a Doctor of Divinity and was Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. Robert Magaw was a soldier in the Revolution and Colonel of the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion of the Line. He married Miss Van Brunt of Long Island, died at Carlisle in 1790, and was buried in Meeting-House Springs graveyard. Dr. William Magaw was Surgeon of Colonel William Thompson's Battalion of Riflemen in 1775‹continued as Surgeon of the First Regiment of the Line, remaining in the service until January 1, 1783. He died at Meadville. All left descendants, but none reside in the valley. Of the Chamberses, there were two distinct families‹that of Falling Spring and that of Middlesex, both prominent in the history of the valley‹both honored by distinguished representatives today. Of the brothers, James, Benjamin, Robert and Joseph Chambers, so much has been made familiar through the histories of Cumberland and Franklin counties, that it is necessary for me to only allude to their services in the War of Independence and that the bravest of the family rose from a Captain in Colonel William Thompson's Battalion of Riflemen to Colonel of the Tenth Regiment of the Line, subsequently transferred to the command of the First Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. Colonel Chambers, title of "General" came to him afterwards. The name of this family of Cham- 80 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ bers is perpetuated in the naming of the beautiful town five miles distant Of the Middlesex family of Chambers, Colonel William Chambers served with the militia in the Revolution, was a man of prominence in public affairs, and is represented in the fourth generation by that distinguished divine, Rev. Talbot W. Chambers, D.D., of New York City. Tobias Hendricks settled three miles east of Harrisburg, about 1729 or 1730. His grandson William Hendricks, enlisted the first company west of the Susquehanna for the contest for liberty. Within ten days after the reception of the news of the Battle of Lexington, and as soon as orders were received, he was on his march to join Washington's little army in front of Boston. His was one of the two Pennsylvania companies of expert riflemen which were ordered upon the Quebec expedition under Arnold. There the gallant Hendricks lost his life on the last day of the last month of the year 1775. From this family of Hendricks sprung Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks of Indiana. John Potter settled in the Valley prior to 1740. He was the first Sheriff of Cumberland county. Their son, James Potter, was a hero of the Revolution, rose to be a Brigadier General, and became Vice President of Pennsylvania during the war. He settled in Centre, then in Northumberland county, but died at the residence of his son-in-law, Captain James Poe, in the Valley. Speaking of the Poes reminds me of the fact that several of that name were early settlers in Antrim township. From these came, besides Captain James, just alluded to, a soldier of the Revolution, the Indian fighters of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, Adam and Andrew Poe, whose thrilling exploits are given in "Incidents of Border Life." Another member settled beyond the Line in Maryland, became the ancestor of Edgar Allen Poe, that erratic genius, whose poetic fire flashed as his young life went out in sudden darkness. Accidental circumstances made him born in Boston, but his ancestors lived in this Valley, settled here 81 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ over a century and a half ago, and, as with others, claims all her children. Among the early settlers were the Caldwells and Calhouns. Some of these went into the Virginia Valleys, and thence into the Carolinas and Georgia, while Kentucky and Tennessee honor their descendants today. Of this stock came John Caldwell Calhoun, the nullifier of South Carolina. During the recent conflict for the perpetuity of the Union, many of these people took an active part in the Rebellion, especially those South, who became distinguished in the cause of the Confederates. In the West others were arrayed on the Union side of the struggle, some of whom perished in that fratricidal strife; but, all proved the bravest of the brave, leaving imperishable renown on the name. No doubt you have all heard of the Brady family. Hugh Brady settled near Middle Spring, prior to 1740. He had quite a large family of children, the most noted of whom was John Brady, his second son. He was the father of Captain Samuel Brady, the eldest of the family, and General Hugh Brady, who was greatly distinguished in the service of his country during the early part of the present century. Of the gallant exploits of Captain Samuel Brady, it would take a volume to narrate, and, much that is said of him belongs to the record of his uncle Samuel Brady, who was an officer in the War of the Revolution, wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, where two of his sons, Samuel, his eldest, and John, a youth of fifteen years, were in the same conflict. With his family are intimately connected the Sharps, early settlers, as also the Quigleys. Captain John Brady perished, as also did his son, by the hand of the red savages of the forest, and the second Samuel Brady was cradled among dangers. Much that has been said of him is entirely erroneous, but accounts of his many conflicts and hairbreadth escapes are all well authenticated. He never was a cruel foe, as has been pictured by some of the recent writers of sensational history. The late A. Brady Sharpe, of 82 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ Carlisle, was a distinguished descendant of this family. Many of the family intermarried with the families of Chambers, Wallace, Hanna, Carnahan, and Irvine. Andrew Gregg, of Ballyarnat, near Londonderry, Ireland, settled in the Cumberland Valley prior to 1750 on a farm adjoining the glebe of Meeting-House Springs, which was in sight of his dwelling. His son, Andrew, born near Carlisle, was one of the most distinguished men from 1791, when he entered the public service, until his death. He was a Member of the Lower House of Congress sixteen years, and in 1807 served as United States Senator from Pennsylvania. His wife was Martha Potter, daughter of General James Potter, just referred to. Among the most distinguished of the family of the same surname, was the late General J. Irvin Gregg, who served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion, and also David McMurtrie Gregg, the present most excellent Auditor General of Pennsylvania, who was promoted Brevet Major General U. S. Volunteers, for highly meritorious and distinguished conduct throughout the campaign, and who participated with his cavalry command in the most important engagements in the War for the Union. From the first Andrew Gregg's son John, descended Andrew Gregg Curtain, properly named the "War Governor" of Pennsylvania. Charles Maclay, as also his brother John, settled in the Valley about 1742. From the former were descended William and Samuel, both United States Senators from Pennsylvania. Of them, and their distinguished services to the State and Nation, time will not allow us more than an allusion. John Maclay's son John was an elder in the Middle Spring Church. They left a large family, including men and women, who became distinguished in their various callings. Elizabeth, daughter of John Maclay the first, married Colonel Samuel Culbertson, of "The Row." Their descendants include Rev. James Culbertson, of Zanesville, Ohio; Mrs. John Rhea, the widow of General Rhea, who 83 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ was a Member of Congress from Pennsylvania, and the Rev. S. C. McCune, of Iowa. It is doubtful whether any one family in the United States contains as many representative men and women, as are found among the "Maclays of Lurgan." Thomas McCormick, grandson of James, who was at the siege of Londonderry,‹came to Pennsylvania in 1735. He located in East Pennsboro township in Cumberland county about 1748. He died about 1762, leaving a family of five sons and a daughter. From their son James are descended the McCormicks of Harrisburg, while from Robert, who married Martha Sanderson, we have the grandson, Cyrus H. to whom the world is indebted for the famous reaping machine, and which has made the family not only famous but wealthy. About the year 1730 there came into the lower part of the Cumberland Valley, the family of William McDowell. He settled at the foot of Parnell's Knob, about ten miles west of Chambersburg, but was driven away by the Indians, subsequent to Braddocks defeat. It was during his absence from home, that he died at the residence of friends near the Susquehanna, and was buried at the old Donegal Church graveyard. He left a large family and they are the ancestors of the McDowells, who have not only assisted to make this valley famous, but became quite prominent in the history of the Carolinas and Kentucky. During the War of the Revolution, several of them distinguished themselves as officers in the Pennsylvania Line, and there has recently been published in the Second Series of Pennsylvania Archives, an interesting journal of Lieutenant William McDowell of the First Pennsylvania Regiment concerning the Southern Campaign of 1781‹82. This family is connected with the Maxwels, Pipers, Newells, and Reynolds, as well as the Findleys of the Cumberland Valley. John Williamson settled in the Valley as early at 1740; his wife was Mary Davidson, belonging to that family of the 84 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ neighborhood. Of their children the Rev. Hugh Williamson, was a distinguished divine, as also a soldier of the Revolution and an author of considerable note, being the historian of South Carolina. Another son, John, was a distinguished lawyer, but after the Revolution he became a wealthy merchant of Charleston, South Carolina. A daughter, Margaret, married first, William Reynolds. Left early a widow with a small family, she married Daniel Nevin. From them descended the Nevin family, the most distinguished of whom was the great theologian of the Reformed Church, Rev. John Williamson Nevin, D. D. Another daughter, Mary Williamson, married a McClintock, while Rachel Williamson intermarried with the Montgomerys. William McLene settled about 1745 near what is called Brown's Mills in Franklin county. He had located some time in Chester county, where his son James received the rudiments of a good education, at the New London Academy. It is a remarkable fact that many of the most prominent of the historic families of Cumberland county remained with their friends and neighbors who had previously removed from Ireland, in the Scotch-Irish settlements in Chester and Lancaster counties, for several years, until the farms were made tillable and their homes were erected in the Valley. It is more than probable that owing to this fact, the representative men of this locality prior to the Revolution, were educated at the Classical Academy at New London, then under the charge of the Rev. Francis Alison. James McLene took an active part in the early deliberations of the conferences, through and by which, Pennsylvania declared herself a free and independent State. Mr. McLene served not only in the Assembly but in the Supreme Executive Council, as well as in the Continental Congress. He was a remarkable man in many respects, and, until his death in 1806, he was influential in public affairs. He was buried in Brown's Mill graveyard, four miles northeast of Greencastle. 85 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ The Pomeroys settled in Letterkenny township, prior to 1740. The various members took active parts in the struggle for independence. Many of the descendants remain in the Valley, with whom some of the prominent or representative families have intermarried. The ancestors of Presidents James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson were early settlers in the Cumberland Valley, and from thence went first to Virginia and subsequently to Kentucky and Tennessee. As is well known, the ancestors of President Buchanan were also settlers in the Valley and that distinguished statesman was born at "Stony Batter," in this county of Franklin. Recently in glancing over, the signers of the celebrated Mecklenburg Declaration, approved and signed by the Provincial: Congress of N. C., the 20th of May, 1775, I was especially struck with the number of persons connected therewith, who were natives of the Cumberland Valley, and I wish briefly to refer to them: Hezekiah and John McKnitt Alexander were born in the lower part of the Valley. They were members of the Committee of Safety for Mecklenburg County, as well as delegates to the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, in April, 1776. John Davidson was the son of John and Ann Davidson, who settled in West Pennsboro township about the year 1731. He served also during the War of the Revolution and became quite distinguished. Another Davidson was Patrick, who settled about the same time in the Valley. His son George removed to North Carolina in 1750, and was the father of General William Davidson, born in the Cumberland Valley in 1746, and who so distinguished himself in the Revolutionary War. He was killed near Cowan's Ford in 1781, thus falling in the prime of life and when of great usefulness to his country. North Carolina has honored herself and him, by naming one of her counties for this noble and patriotic soldier. John Irwin settled in the Valley, in what was subsequently Milford township, about 1734; his son Rob- 86 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ ert removing to North Carolina, became a distinguished officer and performed important military service during the war. Benjamin Patton, the son of William and Elizabeth Patton, who settled in Peters' township, removed at an early period to the eastern part of Mecklenburg County. He was a man of iron firmness and indomitable courage. Descended from the proud blood of the covenanters, he inherited their tenacity of purpose, sagacity of action and purity of character. Zacheus Wilson, James Harris and Matthew McClure, also signers of that declaration, were emigrants from the Cumberland Valley into western North Carolina. Thus it will be seen that not only were the descendants of these early Scotch-Irish settlers remaining in the Valley, true to their friends, to their country, and their God,‹but, those who went Southward performed deeds of noble daring and exemplified that lofty patriotism which has been the distinguishing characteristic of the Scotch-Irish settlers of the Cumberland Valley in their own homes. No other settlement in the Colonies of similar area ever sent forth so many men of distinguished bravery and zeal in the cause of liberty. There are, perchance, more representative families descended from the early Scotch-Irish settlers in this Valley than from any other section. From Maine to California there are people bearing the same surname, as well through intermarriage tracing their ancestry to those sturdy pioneers of the forest, and it would afford me much pleasure to rehearse their distinguished services, not only to the States wherein they dwell, but to the Nation at large. I can only refer in praise at this time to the deeds of the Blaines, of Middlesex; the Allisons of Antrim; the Duncans of Carlisle; the Elliotts of Peters; the Browns of Antrim; the Lyons of Milford; the Maxwells of Peters; the Culbertsons of "The Row"; the McConnells, Herrons, and Hendersons of Letterkenny; the McCalmonts and Stevensons, 87 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ but time on the present occasion will not allow. I intended to refer somewhat to the Campbells, the Findlays, Hoges, Breckenridges and Craigheads, but these also, with the record of others, must be left for some future historian of the Valley. It would greatly please me to continue this subject further, as there are hundreds of families of more or less prominence concerning whom and their descendants I may have information. The theme is a fruitful one, and there certainly is a fascination about following the lines of descent from the first settler to those of the present generation, scattered as they are to the North, South, East and West. Some day, there may arise, I hope, some one who will take this matter up, and, with a love that knows no faltering, preserve to you and those who come after you, a faithful record of the "Historic Families of the Cumberland Valley." ____________ AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA. _________ BY REV. THOMAS MURPHY, D. D. _________ No subject of deeper interest can we study than that of the Providence of God over the affairs of human history and to us no point of that study could be more absorbing, than that whereby He directed the earliest movements of history to the accomplishment of His great design in reference to this land in which we live. That He had in view for it some sublime purpose in the future we cannot question. On that account, every movement of His Providence in reference to our land, becomes to us a point of intense moment; and of all other points none are so inter- 88 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ esting as those whereby He prepared a church for our people. Moreover, of all churches, to be gotten ready for the country, none could have the attraction for us that we find in the Presbyterian. In it we believe we can very clearly trace His divine footsteps in preparing a Presbyterian Church in America in which there are many kindred principles‹It was an American Presbyterian Church for America‹and the successive stages of its preparation form the subject on which we would dwell. Merely as a subject for study it is most attractive, but as involving the very highest welfare of our country, it must awaken our greatest interest. The successive stages of preparation for the church, run parallel with the progress of the country, and cannot but attract our affectionate study. We would take these stages in succession, that we may see clearly the wonderful similarity. First. We see the hand of God in the gathering of the people out of which the church is to be formed. They were all people from lands where a sound Presbyterian faith had long prevailed. Chief among them were the Scotch-Irish, from Ulster and the land of John Knox, and German Calvinites, from Basil and the home of Calvin, and the faithful from the banks of the Rhine, and Welsh Calvinites from Travecea‹and descendants of the Puritans from England; and children of the Huegenots from Prance, and many others of a kindred spirit and creed. They were peoples, all of whom had suffered severely in their ancestral homes for their God and their faith. Second. The next stage of God's leading was seen in His providing for these gathered people a sound scriptural creed. The crowning act of this great event was, when in 1729, they heartily and most solemnly adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith, with the catechisms, as the standard of their belief, and pledged themselves in the most solemn manner that they would follow its doctrines and practice. The Third stage by which God was preparing His church 89 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ for this land, was that of providing for her an educated ministry. From the first, the Presbyterian Church would have no ministers but those who had been carefully trained for their great work, and at that early day when foundations were to be laid this was especially needed. Our fathers could not rely any longer on a supply of ministers trained in Scotland, Ireland or the colleges of New England. There must be some method found by which the young men could be trained at home. By a strange, almost romantic, path of Providence this was provided for in the establishment of the renowned Log College. The story of the beginning of that blessed institution has never been told in its simple facts. It has only recently been discovered in the archives of Bucks County, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Only now has even the name of the founder been brought to light in connection with the records of the transfer of property in those early days. Marvelous was the way in which Providence prepared the way. The true founder was a humble girl named Catharine Kennedy, born about 1678, in County Armagh, Ireland. Carefully educated in the manse of her father, Rev. Dr. Kennedy, in the earnest faith and love of Christ, her chief training for her glorious life-work began while yet but a child. At that time merciless persecution for the Presbyterian Faith of his ancestors, drove her father into exile in Holland, the daughter of hope and promise with him. After a time, the bloody persecution abating, the fugitives returned to their native land. There, she soon made the acquaintance of a young Episcopal clergyman, just graduated from Trinity College, Dublin. They were married; and, after a time, probably through the influence if her godly example and persuasions, he left the Church of England, and entered that of her Presbyterian, father. A few years pass, and probably through her influence again, he, the great and good, Rev. William Tennent, with his wife and four boys who had been born to them, sought a better field of usefulness in 90 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ preaching the Gospel to the Indians in America. By the leadings of Providence, they were conducted step by step, to the founding of what became the celebrated Log College; a very humble structure of 20 by 18 feet, formed of logs cut down by their own hands in the adjoining woods. Its first design was the education of the four boys; but others soon sought its advantages, and it rapidly grew into the so-called college where most of the first ministers of our church were trained. That was the scene of the noble Catharine's great life-work. In helping, probably sometimes with her own hands even, the erection of the building, encouraging her husband, often despondent, and not strong in body, proving a mother to all the boys, in their sickness and sorrows, she left the impress of her deep piety, fine scholarship and eminently good sense, upon the character of all the young men trained at that first school of the prophets. It was, through her influence that the ten Log College Evangelists had the foundations laid of their future marvelous power for Christ and His cause. To no other individual is our church and country so much indebted as to Catharine Kennedy though until a few years ago, even her name was unknown to the world. The Fourth stage by which God Was getting his church ready for the country He was establishing, was the endowing that infant body with the special power of the Holy Spirit. This was, in one respect at least, the most marvelous of his doings. The first ministers, most of whom had come from abroad, were soundly learned men, and possessed of correct theological creed, but their piety was less spiritual and earnest. A different spirit was needed for a great church of a great country. How was the want to be met? In a way we would little have expected. He sent here that most godly and eloquent man, Rev. George Whitfield, bringing with him from England, the burning spirit of the Oxford Methodists. He came and preached to thousands upon thousands, imparting his earnest spirit wherever he 91 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ went. In no place did he leave so deep an impression as upon Log College. Through him the tone of piety there was utterly changed and intensified. Before, it was eminent for its sound learning and theology; now it became as eminent for its devoted piety. How can we imagine the greatness of the marvel that the acknowledged great spirituality of John Wesley, without a particle of his errors, should thus be made the reigning spirit of the church destined to such a mission. Verily it was God's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes! The Fifth stage of preparation was another very great marvel. The sound creed was provided; the arrangements for an educated ministry were made; the Baptism of the Holy Spirit had been granted‹all was ready; but the blessings were confined to a narrow locality. The Log College, the city of Philadelphia, and large circle around it were all yet reached; but the gracious influences were intended for the whole country. East, West, North and South were all contemplated in the sublime scheme. It was a national preparation which the God of the nations intended. How are the other parts of the land to be reached? How is the whole country to be included in the gracious work? The God of infinite wisdom and power has his plan ready. In the Log College, He has a band of ten evangelists prepared, with the same doctrines and the same spirit; but with different gifts, and different powers, as soon as his plans are ripe; to spring forth over the whole land and spread the system in every quarter, and plant the standard at every point But little is this glorious movement understood. The names of these blessed men, all taught in the Log College, sanctified by the same spirit, and bring with them the same love to Christ and souls, must be had in remembrance. They were the four great sons of Tennent, Gilbert, William, John and Charles; the two brothers, Samuel and John Blair, Samuel Finley, William Robinson, John Rowland, and Charles Beatty. These were the men whom God 92 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ prepared and sent abroad to disseminate the cause over the whole land. Not only did he give them all this general commission, but to each of them a special work, and a general qualification. Gilbert Tennent, was the pioneer, to break down with the blows of a giant, all that might oppress. William Tennent, Jr., was the saintly man appointed to illustrate how near are the interests and communion of heaven and earth. John Tennent, the type of true piety, who did his brief, but glorious work, and then went home. Charles Tennent, the model pastor, leaving an example for all ministers. Samuel Blair the eminent preacher, drawing thousands to the cross. John Blair the theologian, needed to define the doctrines of the church. Samuel Finley, the establisher of institutions for learning and piety. William Robinson, prominently the evangelist who as a flying angel, preached the gospel in every quarter; and who, as asserted by Dr. Archibald Alexander, was the means of more true conversions than any other man by whom the land was ever blessed. John Rowland, the great revivalist, leading the way in this method of building up the cause. And finally Charles Beatty, the gentleman by instinct and culture, with his mission to recommend the gospel to the cultured, the refined and the intellectual. Among those who had entrusted to them the work of spreading the cause over all the land, I must name another, a most blessed woman. Among those born of women, how few so highly blessed as she! The simple story of her relationship to the great, and the good is all that we can give. She was the sister of the two eminent brothers, Samuel and John Blair. She was the wife of Rev. Dr. Robert Smith, president of Pequa Academy, almost equal in learning to its mother, the Log College. She was mother of Rev. Dr. Stanhope Smith, first the president of Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia; and afterwards president of Princeton College. She was also mother of Rev. Dr. John Blair Smith, who followed his brother as president of Hampden-Sidney College, and then became president of 93 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ Union College, Schenectady, New York. Moreover, she was foster mother of Rev. John Caldwell, prominent in the Macklenburgh Convention, Dr. McMillan, the great western missionary, of Dr. George Duffield, of Dr. Rice of Kentucky, and many others of the great and good of that early day. Where‹where such a blessed record as this? The sixth stage of this marvelous preparation was as strange as the rest. Its design was to homologate, to bring into harmony the many and various discordant elements of which the church was originally composed. In the original formation of the church, there were members from Ulster, from Scotland, from Old and New England, from Switzerland, from the Palatinate of Germany, from Wales, and other lands. How could all these harmonize in doctrine and practice. They had been accustomed to utterly diverse views of nonessential doctrines, to different ways of worship and plans of work. They were good men and true, but in their minor points they had been used to different modes. Though truly converted men, they could not at once see alike in all things. And without that harmony of views, how could they work and worship together in peace and prosperity? Then how could they at once be brought all to see, and feel and act in full accord. Such a chance would ordinarily be the work of centuries. But the work could not wait. One united and harmonious church was needed at once, as both church and country were reaching maturity. How shall the problem be solved‹the difficulty met? To mere human wisdom it was impossible; but God has his own plan ready. In His mysterious Providence he suffered the church to be rent in twain by what is ordinarily called the great Schism of the old and new controversy. Prom the human side it was a pure and great calamity. Pride, and prejudice, and passion seemed to rage supreme. But what was the Lord doing with it? What could be accomplished by no other power on earth. The breach began in 1741; and by it misunderstandings were cleaned up, doc- 94 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ trines were discussed and defined, plans were tried and adopted, or rejected, passions had time to cool, and men were seen in excellencies of character, which they were never before supposed to possess. Thus was the blessed result achieved. The annealing process went on for seventeen years; when all had become healed in 1758; and that in the spirit of these blessed words sincere and permanent‹"All complaints and differences shall be mutually forgiven and buried in perpetual oblivion, and they shall unite in principle as though they had never been concerned with one another, nor had any differences." Oh how gloriously perfect in result is God's work! Seventh Stage. All was now ready‹all prepared for the New American Church for America‹all but one thing; and that would require time‹veneration for the fathers was needed‹sweet associations of the memories of other days‹attachments to the old church, with which was connected many blessed reminiscences, the feeling of "our good old church" was wanted there still. Again had the infinite wisdom provided for the want. Time was required in which all that had been accomplished should be settled‹ defined and fully established. The principles of doctrine and order were to take root; the habits, and character, and modes of thought, and forms of an American Presbyterian church were to be matured; influencing traditions were to be formed; the great power of early associations was to be created; the children were to be put in possession of such peculiar attachment to the Old Church as is hallowed by the memories of the past. But this would require many years; and even that was providentially provided for. Moreover it explains a mystery that seemed very dark. In the progress of the cause we find a strange break. From 1758, when the great Schism was healed, until 1788, all seemed at a stand-still, only one church was organized. Not one important movement was witnessed, all seemed dead. Thirty years, a whole generation in time, seemed lost to the his- 95 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ tory. What means this? Has the Divine scheme, as to the church been abandoned? No, no, far from it. That long period of apparent inaction, was accomplishing a most important end. It was ripening all the previous planting. It was establishing the cause for the next, and final stage. Eighth Stage. That last stage was the organization of the church; for which God, in his usual manner, was so long, surely, steadily, gloriously preparing. In that final stage, of organizing the church, there comes to light, in a way which cannot possibly be mistaken, the fact that this American Presbyterian Church and American nation or government had been prepared for each other by the sublime working of God's Almighty Providence through all the preceding years. The way in which this is made absolutely unmistakable is that the General Assembly of the church was organized, and the constitution of the government adopted, at the same time, in the same place, by men of the same views, and on the same principles. These momentous facts are beyond all controversy, and with a glance at them we close our remarks. First, as to the Time. The General Assembly was organized on May 24th, 1789. The organization of the government was consummated, when Washington was inaugurated as President on April 30th, 1789‹the great events only twenty-four days apart! Second, as to the place. Both events occurred on well nigh the same spot. Not only was it in the same city of Philadelphia; but the constitution of the government was adopted in a hall a little over two squares from the church where the church was organized. A clear voice might have been heard from one building to the other. Third, men of the same views formed both. The men who organized the General Assembly were all, of course, staunch Calvinites. On the best of authority we have it that: "For above one hundred and thirty years previous to the adoption of the constitution, all the higher institutions of 96 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ the land were under Calvanistic management and teaching." But that was the period in which the great statesmen who wrote that instrument had received their education and bias. Such were the institutions which made them what they were. Hence their spirit, the bent of their minds, their opinions and views, and their interpretations of history were the same as those of the framers of the Constitution of the Church. Fourth. Formed on the same principles. The principles of the two were precisely alike, as even the most superficial examination will reveal. (1) A total disconnection of church and state, the one asking no aid, the other acknowledging no obedience. (2) Total separation from the old world‹one seeking no ordinations, and the other yielding no allegiance. (3) Both adopted written constitutions, as guides to all their laws. (4) Absolute equality in all the members of their respective constituencies‹the one tolerating do prelates of any degree‹the other no potentates or privileged claims. (5) The framing of both constitutions was on precisely the same plan‹in the one, the church, the session, the Presbytery, the Synod and the General Assembly. In the other, the township, the county, the state and the general government. (6) The principle of representation in all bodies. (7) Courts of review and appeal identical in every respect. Now were all these coincidences mere chances? Did they all merely happen to be so? Who can imagine that the mere wisdom of men made this arrangement? Is it not as manifest as the day that the same mind was at work in the formation of the purpose that shaped them all, and that the all-wise mind? Was there not clearly one great plan in both lines of events? Was not that plan to set up a great nation that would take a leading part in the final movements of the earth, and side by side with it a great Scriptural Church, that would influence its character and shape its destiny? 97 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ SOME LESSONS FROM THE HISTORY OF THIS CHURCH. _________ BY HON. JAMES A. BEAVER. _________ The church building being unable to accommodate the crowds who were in attendance upon the Centennial, demand was made that Gen. Beaver should take a place in the doorway where he could be heard by those who were inside as well as outside the church. The double doors at the side of the church were opened and, standing in the doorway, he partly faced the congregation inside and the great crowd gathered about the doorway, and was in full view of the churchyard connected with the church, where so many of the founders of the church who were instrumental a hundred years ago in erecting the building in which the services were held, lie buried. The General spoke without notes and, as he said, without previous preparation, the substance of his remarks being what follows: My Friends, and Friends of the Friends of my Ancestors: I have joined with you in this service today with very great delight The invitation to be present was both a surprise and a pleasure, and ever since its receipt I have counted in anticipation upon what has been more than realized in the services of today. The journey hither has been in itself a rare enjoyment. A ride through the Cumberland Valley always brings pleasure with it: but, I have, in addition‹being the guest of my friend Pomeroy‹enjoyed to the full the graphic account of the several occupations of Chambersburg by those who were opposed to us during the late Civil War, as I heard it from the lips of his mother-in-law, Mrs. William McLellan. The drive from Chambersburg here this morning has also been exceptionally pleasant, and, as I have mingled with you in social intercourse during the day and have heard, from the lips of 98 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ those who were abundantly able to furnish us both instruction and enjoyment, how for more than a century this region has been cultivated, morally and religiously and how for a round century this building has stood a very beacon light of Gospel truth upon this hilltop, I have realized to the full that it is good to be here. The thoughts which come to me upon the occasion, however, are not all joyous. As we have listened to the story of what this church was a century ago and compare what we learn its condition to be now with what it was then, one cannot help a feeling of sadness, in view of the contrast; and this feeling is emphasized when we consider that this church stands for very many in like condition throughout this valley and throughout our goodly Commonwealth. Many churches, once flourishing and sending out streams of wholesome and elevating influences, are practically dead or able to maintain life only by help from outside themselves. A first and partial view of the subject is discouraging and we are prone to think that the Church goes backward. As a matter of fact, this is not so. The general tendency of the age is toward city and town life, and, as our people congregate together, they naturally seek conveniences for worship in their own vicinity. The result in this case, as in many other cases, is that churches in towns and villages draw to their support the descendants of those who formerly founded and maintained this church. If you consult the names of the original pew holders, as they are givt n in the draft which has been exhibited here today, and interrogate their descendants who have come together to observe this centennial, you will find that many of them are doing just as good work for their Master and for the church of their choice in cities and towns and villages widely separated, as was done by their ancestors who founded and maintained the Rocky Spring Church. In looking, therefore, at the question which naturally suggests itself, in view of the condition which confronts us, we must take a broad view of the case 99 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ and determine whether or not, viewed from the standpoint of the entire Church, we have not made a great advance upon former times. The general statistics of the Church will undoubtedly sustain this view; and, instead of being saddened by the decadence of what was once a flourishing and influential church, now reduced to a handful unable to support a pastor of themselves, we must look at the streams of influence which have flowed hence to the uttermost parts of the earth, beautifying and fructifying in their course the localities which have been reached by them. The towns in this immediate vicinity, towns and cities more remote, and the great metropolis of our country itself, send the representatives of the families who worshiped here to testify to the wholesome influence which went out from this church and to the steadfastness and loyalty of their sons to the truth as it was maintained by the Fathers in this place. I recall at this moment a church in the immediate vicinity of my home, situate something as this is, which was originally the strong, vigorous and influential organization which enabled our church in Bellefonte, in connection with it, to call a pastor and which for many years led our church in numbers, in influence and in all that makes church life vigorous and wholesome and helpful. The tendency toward town life, of which I have spoken, has brought many of the members of that church into connection with our own. At the organization of a single church in Illinois, thirty-eight of its members were found uniting together in establishing a new church of our faith and order. Many other churches in the West testify in like manner to the help which they have received from this strong mother church. These depleting influences have gone on, until .it is now unable to support a pastor and depends upon occasional supplies for maintaining the regular means of grace. There is undoubtedly a sad side to the case to which I have alluded and yet that church was founded in large part by those who were at one time connected with this church. 100 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ The Cumberland Valley and the Rocky Spring Church sent the McCalmonts to Nittany Valley and the Lick Run Church. They for years constituted an important element in maintaining that church. They have all gone from the locality and the Church at Bellefonte, and others in western states to which I have alluded, have absorbed the entire family; so that, as I stand here, I can readily recall the grandchildren of the men who founded this church who are bravely and loyally doing their share in building up and maintaining churches elsewhere in our own State and in Home Mission fields of the States farther west. Let us not yield to this feeling of discouragement, therefore, but gather from the condition which confronts us the claim which this church and others of like character have upon those who have drawn from it the strength of its earlier years and influence. As I look from the hilltop across the valley which opens out before me, there comes within the range of my vision the neglected churchyard‹God's Acre as it is sometimes called. Its appearance gives rise to another practical thought which I would like to emphasize in this presence. The descendants of the old families who founded this church and whose remains are buried in this adjoining churchyard widely scattered. Naturally they become interested in what immediately surrounds them; and, as they become further removed, generation after generation, from the associations which cluster around this locality and from the more intimate knowledge of their ancestors, it is very natural to lose sight of and interest in such a locality as this, but assuredly the devoted men and women whose bodies lie in yondervchurchyard deserve better of their descendants than what has been accorded them. It has been a great pleasure to me to learn, since my coming here, that my friend, John Gilmor, who lived in one of the villages near by, provided fund by his will, the interest of which can be used for maintaining the churchyard in proper con- 101 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ dition. His wishes in this respect will no doubt be religiously complied with and yet the fund is utterly inadequate to do what should be done in improving these surroundings, naturally so beautiful. In looking up the graves of my own ancestors in this neighborhood, I called upon John Gilmor several years ago and received from him, as a loan, a receipt book which had the names of some of my ancestors and which contains in it a receipt signed by James McCalmont for the contribution of Mr. Gilmor's father for the building of this church. The history of the early settlements of this valley and of our entire State is preserved very largely through our churchyards and the monuments which perpetuate this history should be carefully preserved and, as they decay and moulder, should be transferred to more enduring material. It is only in this way that we can tell, to the generations which shall come after us, what has been done by those which have gone before us. I sincerely hope that, as one of the results of this Centennial, we shall see the churchyard which contains the dust of many who lived heroic and honorable lives and who served their country as well as their God faithfully in their day, substantially enclosed and beautified and made the proper and worthy resting place of the bodies of these heroic souls. Inasmuch as I accepted the invitation to come here, with the distinct understanding that I was not to be regarded as one of the speakers of the day and have, therefore, made no preparation for an address, you will, I am sure, allow me to express for myself and for those who may not have the opportunity of giving voice to their feelings, the great enjoyment we have together had in the services of this day. The addresses which have been delivered are worthy of permanent preservation and I sincerely hope that we may have them given to us in such form as will enable us to tell the next and succeeding generations what was done here upon this day. In this way, as well as in what I have indicated heretofore, we may tell to others some of the history which 102 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ has been made by those who have left their lasting impress upon this community and, through their descendants, upon many portions of our country. The occurrences of the day have reminded me somewhat of the regular services of the country church of which I have a distinct recollection and which come to me as a very pleasant memory from my boyhood's days. We have heard these services described today‹the morning service in which we were expected to have a doctrinal sermon of considerable length, with all the usual accompaniments, the adjournment for lunch and the social enjoyments which followed‹which, by the way, have been admirably carried out on this occasion, and the shorter practical discourse which followed in the afternoon. I owe the committee a debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to be here. I have already intimated the feeling of indebtedness under which the speakers of the day have placed me, and it only remains to thank you all, at least such of you as I have been able to speak to and associate with socially, and particularly the gentleman who so kindly presented me with the bag of pears which he says were gathered from a tree growing upon the very spot upon which my great-great-grandfather's house was built, for the rare enjoyments of the day. May peace remain and prosperity return to this venerable church and may the people of the next century find it even more useful and flourishing than it was left by those who built this edifice one hundred years ago. _______________ OLD FAMILIES OF ROCKY SPRING. _________ BY WILLIAM P. STEVENSON. _________ Some time since Chauncey Depew was invited to make an address at the annual dinner of the Holland Society in New York City, and he commenced by saying that he had been investigating the origin and derivation of his name, 103 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ and that while it is now Depew, he found it was formerly Depie, and before that it was Van Pie, which gave him a place among the Dutchmen. If he were here on this occasion I have no doubt but that he would adapt himself to present circumstances and prove to us that he is Scotch-Irish. We are all Scotch-Irish today, and it therefore seems fitting that I should commence my address with a quotation from that ancient Gaelic bard Ossian, "There comes a voice that awakes my soul, It is the voice of years that are gone; They roll before me with all their deeds." It is this same voice that I hear today, and yet it is in distinct, the mists of a hundred years hang over us. I see as through a glass darkly. Would that I could see these old-time worshipers face to face. This is no ordinary occasion,‹it is like the century plant which blooms out only once in a hundred years. As Dr. Erskine expressed it in his letter inviting me to come, I am the representative of one of the old families who worshiped here. My grandfather's great-grandfather settled in this vicinity about the time of the ecclesiastical organization of this old church, more than one hundred and fifty years ago. He and his wife lie buried in that graveyard with no stones to mark their resting places. He and his son and his son's son and their families worshiped in the old log church which stood here from 1750 until this substantial edifice was erected one hundred years ago. My great-grandfather worshiped in this house from the time it was built in 1794 until he moved westward in 1803, and my grandfather has told me of his walking from their farm called "Stevenson's Delight," near Strasburg, to this church each Sunday when he was a child, and when I was here some twenty years ago I found the name Stevenson marked on the pew where they used to sit. 104 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ If the walls of this ancient church could speak, or its echoes could syllable the memories of the past, what a tale they would tell! In the minds of some of us these memories are gathering and forming with more than ghostly distinctness as we try to reproduce the scenes of other days. I have been living much in the past during the last few years, delving into family history, and I often find my thoughts wandering back to this old church. I see the old log building, the grove of trees, the graveyard, the horses standing in the shade, the gathering of families and friends to ask of each other's interests and welfare, the old spring; and then we enter the church and see the venerable forms of our ancestors as they assemble in the family pews, the precentor standing within the rail, the minister in the pulpit telling them the same old story that we love so well, the sacramental season, the old pewter communion service, the venerable men distributing the symbols of the bread of life, and the kindly invitation from the pastor in the Master's name. All this we can call up in imagination, but that is all. The first emigrants began to come into this valley about 1730. They were a plain people with the log cabins to live in and rough homemade furniture, and the decorations on the walls were the rifle, the pouch and the powder horn. Their clothing was of the simplest kind and their food was equally plain. They had few books, because they were scarce and high priced, but they could afford to own some good ones, such as the Bible, the Catechism, the Confession of Faith, the Psalm book and Pilgrim's Progress, and they studied these and made themselves familiar with them and instructed their children carefully. They were probably not all pious, but they all had the very highest respect for religion and its institutions, and they loved the doctrine of the Presbyterian church. 105 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ Every Sabbath afternoon or evening the family was gathered together for instruction in the shorter Catechism. No family was complete without the family altar, and such scenes as Robert Burns describes in his "Cotter's Saturday Night" were just as true of the inhabitants of this valley as of families in Scotland. The majority of these settlers were men of intelligence, resolution and energy, who by their own enterprise and industry hewed out for themselves valuable farms from the primeval forest, and these very toils, perils and trials formed characters which enabled them to endure the hardships of their frontier situation. Riddle says "they were a God-fearing, liberty-loving, tyrant-hating, Sabbath-keeping, covenant-adhering race." They were a very different class from those who come to this country today. One who lately came over, telling his friends about the recent Chicago strikes and the great advantages of freedom and a free country, said, "Why, you can not only stop work yourself; but you can make everybody else stop." Thank Heaven our forefathers were made of different stuff! During those terrible years from 1755 to 1765, the first pastor of this church, Rev. John Blair, was driven from his pastorate by the Indian incursions after Braddock's defeat, and the people all through the Kittotiny Valley bad to flee from their homes with what effects they could carry to the safety afforded at Carlisle and Shippensburg, so that at one time it is said there were in Shippensburg nearly fourteen hundred of these wretched, homeless creatures occupying cellars, sheds and barns, some of whom were without doubt members of this old congregation.. The suffering inhabitants of this county sent one petition after another to those careful, slow-going Quakers in Philadelphia, who held the reins of government, and who refused, absolutely refused, to grant arms and ammunition to these our forefathers who were protecting them on the frontier. 106 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ While all these things were transpiring, on July 19, 1757, a party of Indians swooped down on one of my forefather's fields, only a few miles from this spot, where about twenty men were reaping, and killed nine, one of whom was Robert Stevenson, and carried away four as captives. Margaret Mitchell, whose husband and son were murdered, took the scalp of the one Indian (who was killed) all the way to Philadelphia in order to receive a reward which was offered for the same. I have often heard of Indians carrying the scalps of their victims hanging to their belts, but I do not believe that there is any one in this audience who can produce a female ancestor who went round with an Indian scalp in her pocket. About this time a funeral procession was moving along in this locality, and the Indians rushed out and dispersed or killed the mourners, opened the coffin, and scalped the young woman who was being carried to her burial. Living in the safety of our present surroundings, think of what our forefathers endured to secure them to us! Coming down to the period of the Revolutionary War, I often think of that stirring appeal which Rev. John Craighead made from the pulpit of the old church, which brought every man in the audience to his feet as a volunteer to go to the assistance of Washington. My great-grandfather Joseph Stevenson, and several of his brothers, were of these volunteers, and he served in the Sixth Battalion and afterward in the Eighth Battalion of Pennsylvania troops, and I am a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution by reason of his services, and a certificate to this effect, of which I am very proud, hangs in my library. As we walk around this hill, let us do so reverently, for we are treading on sacred ground, dedicated to God and. to American liberty. Here lie the remains of our ancestors who were the original settlers of this county, and the sound of whose axes first broke the stillness of the forest. Many 107 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ of them ventured their all to purchase the freedom we now enjoy. They built this house of God when this was a remote frontier settlement, to disseminate the hallowed principles of the religion of Jesus Christ, and all of them are now gathered into that land "where congregations ne'er break up and Sabbaths have no end." While I stand here as the representative of the old families who attended this church years ago, there are undoubtedly numbers of the descendants of some of these original settlers who might have been here today, and probably there are some in this audience, but if any of you have reason to feel interested in this occasion, "I more," for I cannot think of any one who has more links of historic connection with this celebration than myself. Four generations of Stevensons worshiped in these sanctuaries, and my father and my little son are here with me today, making seven generations that have been on this sacred spot. As I trace back my ancestry on every side I find them all true blue Presbyterians, and that they played a part in the formation, organization and early history as members of or officers in many of the old pioneer churches of Pennsylvania, commencing with Neshaminy, in Bucks County, Donegal and Octorara, in Lancaster, Upper and Lower Marsh Creek and Great Conowago in Adams, Rocky Spring and Big Spring in Franklin and Cumberland, Cross Creek and Chartiers in Washington. Turning to the patriotic side, I find that ten of my ancestors took part in the Revolutionary War, so that I think you will consider my pride pardonable, both as to my Presbyterianism and my Americanism. From Bucks, Lancaster, York and Cumberland Counties they responded to the call to arms, and as far as I have been able to learn, every one who was of sufficient age took part in the struggle, privates, lieutenants, captains, majors, quartermasters and colonels. Our Scotch-Irish ancestors hated tyranny with a "perfect 108 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ hatred," and were among the earliest champions of freedom. The historian Bancroft says, "The first public voice in America for dissolving all connection with Great Britain came not from the Puritans of New England, the Dutch of New York, nor the planters of Virginia, but from the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians." We certainly have a goodly heritage in such an ancestry, and it seems to me as I stand here in the church of my fathers today that I can almost feel that their hands are stretched across the lapse of years in benediction upon their children. May the spirit of the past inspire us today, and the memory of our forefathers stimulate us so that we may not forget our covenant with the Lord God of our fathers, but may the promised blessings descend from the fathers to the children. Let us open our hearts to the stimulus 01 these thoughts and memories, and as we turn away from this old Scotch­Irish landmark and go to our homes, may we feel in our hearts that the God of our Fathers is "the God of their succeeding race." 109 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ LIST OF PEW HOLDERS 1768‹1794. _____________ The following is a list of the pew holders in the old log church of Rocky Spring during Rev. John Craighead's ministry there in 1768‹1794. [NOTE: Another copy of the pew list apprears in these archives. That copy is from Notes and Queries, Historical, Biographical and Genealogical: Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania" William Henry Egle, 1895. There are slight differences in that list indicated by a * in this document. Check the table of contents for the Franklin County USGenWeb Archives to see the listing from Egle. 1794pewrockyspr.txt] No. 1. Joseph Culbertson, Col. Samuel Culbertson, Lieut. John Rhea. [*Rank not indicated in Notes and Queries.] No. 2. Col. Joseph Armstrong, James Finley, William Young. No. 3. Robert Mitchell, Moses Blackburn, John Gelvin, Andrew Thomson. No. 4. William Smith, Thomas Ferguson, William Witherow. No. 5. William Wallis, Alexander Robertson, Robert McCamey. [* Robert McCarney] No. 6. Daniel Eckels, Joseph Henderson, Robert Cauven, (Caven) No. 7. James Moore, Noble Heath, Thomas Ross. No. 8. John Gray, Samuel Reed. No. 9. James Henderson, Charles Herron, Janet McCouch. No. 10. James Tom, Samuel Menter, Robert Stockton. No. 11. Capt. James Sharp, Stephen Doyle, William McHolson. No. 12. Samuel Jordan, John Beard, (Falling Spring) Thomas King. No. 13. Andrew Marshall, Arthur Patterson, Martha Wade, William Bell. No. 14. Cathleen Dunlap, Ensg. John Beard, (Rocky Spring), William Beard, James Henry, Samuel Henry. No. 15. James Wilson, Daniel McGregor, Nathan Mead. 110 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ LIST OF PEW HOLDERS 1768‹1794. (Cont.) No. 16. James Lockard David Jordan William Gibson. No. 17. John Anderson James McClure Robert Miller. No. 18. Alexander Mares Adjt. John Wilson [*(Elder)] William Waddle. No. 19. James Walker David Grimes William McCord. No. 20. Samuel Miller James Hise James Ensley. No. 21. Capt. John McConnell George Wilson Lieut. Reuben Gillespy. [*Rank not indicated in Notes and Queries.] No. 22. William Davis James Davis Josiah Ramage. No. 23. Nicholas Patterson Andrew Wilson Isaac Martin James Endslow. No. 24. Eliza Thomson James Nickel Thomas Boyd William Archibald. No. 25. Major James McCalmont Lieut. Albert Torrence, [*Rank not indicated in Notes and Queries.] Hugh Wilie. No. 26. John Stewart Moses Lamb William Wayne James Barr. No. 27. Charles Cummins William Kirkpatrick John Shaw. No. 28. Stephen Colwell [*Caldwell given as alternate spelling in Notes and Queries.] Robert Colwell [*Caldwell given as alternate spelling in Notes and Queries.] James Harper William Johns. No. 29. Capt Alexander Culbertson James Reed William Trotter. No. 30. John Ferguson Hugh Torrence Joseph Clark. No. 31. Samuel Culbertson (creek) Capt. Robert Culbertson, Alexander McConnell. No. 32. Samuel Nicholson George Davidson John Boyd. No. 33. John Beard Lieut. Joseph Stephenson [*Rank not indicated in Notes and Queries.] John Beatty. No. 34. James Kirkpatrick James Dougherty Alexander White Thomas Taylor. No. 35. John Thomson, William Fullerton, Charles Stewart, William Fleming. 111 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ LIST OF PEW HOLDERS 1768‹1794. (Cont.) No. 36. John Machan, (Sr.), [* Mahon in Notes and Queries.] John Machan, (Jr.) [* Mahon in Notes and Queries. See Grave listing below.]] Robert Brotherton. No. 37. John Breckenridge, Samuel Breckenridge, James Breckenridge, John Clayton. No. 38. Robert Mahon, Ensg. John Colwell, Thomas Crawford, William Sharp. No. 39. Robert McConnell, John McConnell, James McConnell, Donald McConnell. No. 40. Rev. John Craighead, [*(Formerly Preacher¹s Pew)] Thomas Stockton, Robert Cook, Thomas Kincaid. No. 41. Capt. Matthew Ferguson, [listed as Nathan in Notes and Queries.] Margaret Dixon, John Chestnut. No. 42. James Eaton, Rebecca Eaton, Capt. Samuel Patton, John Wilkison. No. 43. John Wilson, Capt. James Gibson, [*Rank not indicated in Notes and Queries.] Thomas McConnell. No. 44. James Hindman, Ensg. William Ramsey, [*Rank not indicated in Notes and Queries.] William Barr, Charles Berry, William Fullerton. No. 45. Capt. George Matthews, [*James Matthews also shown in Notes and Queries.] John Peak, Martha Allen. No. 46. Robert Allison, David Blair, Robert Craig, Robert Dixon. No. 47. Samuel Ligget, William Ferguson, Betsey Thomson, Capt. William Huston. No. 48. Col. Robert Peebles, [*Rank not indicated in Notes and Queries.] Moses Barnet, John Kerr. No. 49. John Thomson, Samuel Rhèa, Josiah Allen, William McClintock. [*McClintick in Notes and Queries.] No. 50. Oliver Culbertson, William Gill, Joseph Sivan. No. 51. Thomas Hoops, George McElroy, John McClellan, Charles Kilcrease, Robert Carrick No. 52. Henry Duncan, Mary Kerr, John Moore, Alexander Spear. 112 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ LIST OF PEW HOLDERS IN THE BRICK CHURCH, 1800. of Rocky Spring at commencement of Rev. Francis Herron's ministry, 1800. No. 1. Mark Gregory, William Kirkpatrick. No. 2. James Warden, John Warden. No. 3. Robert Swan, John McConnell No. 4. James McConnell. No. 5. Robert Shields, Joseph Swan. No. 6. Isabella Matthews, W. W. Lane, Capt. Benjamin Ramsey, William Kirkpatrick. No. 7. Capt. Samuel Patton, Joseph Marshall. No. 8. Isaac Eaton, John Gilmor. No. 9. Nicholas Patterson, George McClellan. No. 10. Jane Craighead (pastors pew) Rev. Francis Herron. No. 11. Robert Brotherton. No. 12. Col. Joseph Culbertson. No. 13. John Brackenridge, Andrew Brackenridge. No. 14. Andrew Wilson, Charles Wilson, John Machan. No. 15. John Stewart, David Arrell. No. 16. Samuel Brachenridge, Andrew Lyttle. No. 17. Andrew Taylor, Clarina McCalla. No. 18. James Brackenridge, Samuel McKain. No. 19. Andrew Thomson. No. 20. Joseph Graham William Archibald, Robert Cresswell. No. 21. James Boyd, George McElroy. No. 22. Col. Joseph Armstrong. No. 23. Samuel Wilson, (M. D.) Henry Davis. No. 24. William Bolton, John Wylie. No. 25. Matthew Gelvin. No. 26. Andrew Beard, Cornelious Harper. 113 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ LIST OF PEW HOLDERS IN THE BRICK CHURCH, 1800. (cont.) No. 27. John Dormon, Joseph Dooley. No. 28. Africans pew paid for by James McCalmont and Charles Cummins. No. 29. Samuel Nicholson. No. 30. Hugh Ferguson, John Ferguson. No. 31. James Gillelland. No. 32. Robert Mitchell, Andrew Murphy, Mary Denis. No. 33. Robert Smith. No. 34. William Davis, Robert Stewart. No. 35. Gen. John Rhea, (M. C.) No. 36. Capt Albert Torrence. No. 37. Charles Cummins. No. 38. Col. Samuel Culbertson. No. 39. Maj. James McCalmont. No. 40.  Capt. Thomas Grier. No. 41. Capt. John McConnell, Nathaniel McKinstrie. No. 42. Capt Robert Culbertson. No. 43. Moses Kirkpatrick, Matthew Shields, Michael Lane. No. 44. Capt William Huston. No. 45. William Marshall, James Hendinan. No. 46. Vacant. No. 47. Joseph Dooly. No. 48. Samuel Nicholson. No. 49. John Chestnut. No. 50. Robert Anderson, Isaac Parker. No. 51. William Beard, Charles Allison. No. 52. William Beard, (Sen.) No. 53. Joseph Eaton, Daniel Eckels. No. 54. John Wilson, (Adjt.) Alexander Mears. No. 55. John Kerr, Samuel Peebles. No. 56. Capt. Matthew Ferguson. No. 57 Thomas Chestnut, William Hay. No. 58. Lieut. Joseph Stevenson, James Cooper. 114 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ THE GRAVEYARD. _____________ The following is a list of those buried in Rocky Spring graveyard so far as tombstones have been erected, with year of birth and death so far as can be ascertained: Allen, Josiah, b 1772, d 1850 Allen, Susanah, b ‹, d 1842 Allen, William, b 1820, d 1843 Allen, Margaret, b 1812, d 1845 Anderson, Robert Herron, b 1805, d 1862 Anderson, Mary, b 1810, d 1890 Armstrong, Col. Joseph, b 1739, d 1811 Allison, Sarah, b 1811, d 1891 Bard, Martha, b 1787, d 1865 Bard, William, b 1762, d 1815 Bard, Margaret, b 1771, d 1835 Barr, Margaret, Jane, b 1827, d 1850 Beard, William, b 1795, d 1823 Beard, Robert, b 1800, d 1807 Beard, Robert, b 1769, d 1804 Beard, Elizabeth, b 1769, d 1842 Beard, George, b 1802, d 1873 Beard, Hugh, b 1857, d 1771 Beard, Sarah, b 1774, d1794 Beard, Martha, b 1755, d 1795 Beard, Agnes, b 1730, d 1810 Besore, Rachel, b 1812, d 1838 Besore, Balzer, b 1784, d 1833 Besore, Peter, b 1779, d 1854 Besore, Martha, b 1789, d 1855 Besore, Elizabeth, b 1787 d 1853 Besore, William, b 1815, d 1840 Besore, Peter, b 1814, d 1874 Besore, Amos K. b 1835, d 1857 Besore, Elizabeth, b 1814 d. 1839 Besore, John, b 1810 d 1889 Bishop, Melanchton, b 1861 d 1873 Brackenridge, James, b 1742, d 1809 Brackenridge, Elizabeth,b 1760, d 1835 Brackenridge, Rebecca, b 1810, d 1833 Brackenridge, Culbertson, b 1773, d 1832 Boyd, John, b ?, d 1770 Boyd, Mary, b ‹, d 1778 Brotherton, Samuel, b 1754, d 1839 Brotherton, Robert, b 1792, d 1849 Brotherton, Matilda, b 1804, d 1857 Burns, John, b 1681, d 1760 Craighead, Rev. John, b 1742, d 1799 Cummins, Charles, b 1744, d 1821 Cummins, Elizabeth, Boyd, b 1748, d 1802 115 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ THE GRAVEYARD. (cont.) Cummins, Mary, b 1773, d 1790 Cummins, Elizabeth, b 1780, d 1792 Cummins, William, b 1782, d 1821 Cummins, Catharine, Patton, b 1783, d 1873 Cummins, Mary, b 1782, d 1804 Culbertson. Mary Finley, b 1781, d 1814 Culbertson, Mary Jane, b 1812, d 1815 Culbertson, Samuel, b 1815, d 1816 Culbertson, Elizabeth, b ‹, d 1802 Culbertson, Joseph, b ‹, d 1818 Culbertson, Margaret, b ‹, d 1838 Culbertson, Sarah, b 1800, d 1875 Culbertson, John, b 1803, d 1861 Culbertson, William E., b 1838, d 1865 Culbertson, Joseph, b 1840, d 1871 Culbertson, Clara M., b 1847, d 1862 Culbertson, Joseph, b 1837, d 1838 Culbertson, G. Francis, b 1850, d 1854 Culbertson, M. Simpson, b 1854, d 1859 Culbertson, Laura, b 1852, d 1859 Culbertson, R. Hays, b 1856, d 1859 Davis, William, b 1761, d 1823 Davis, Sarah, b 1761, d 1825 Deyarman, Jane Holmes, b 1757, d 1823 Deyarman, Henry, b 1751, d 1833 Dillon, William, b 1824, d 1891 Duncan, Mary H., b 1807, d 1828 Durborrow, John, b 1810, d 1826 Eckerman, Daniel, b 1786, d 1855 Eckerman, Elizabeth, b 1784, d 1827 Eckerman, Mary Gilvin, b 1800, d 1853 Ferguson, Hugh, b 1760, d 1834 Ferguson, Elizabeth, b ‹, d 1838 Finley, James, b 1739, d 1812 Finley, Jane, b 1745, d 1814 Gelvin, Mathew, b 1771, d 1847 Gelvin, Hannah, b 1777, d 1852 Gelvin, Mary Zimmerman, b 1816, d 1845 Gibson, Mary, b 17‹, aged 71 years Gillan, William, b 1797, d 1867 Gillan, Sarah, b 1796, d 1868 Gillan, Elizabeth, b 1828, d 1866 Gillan, James, b 1836, d 1839 Gillan, Jane, b 1824, d 1826 Gilmor, John, b 1760, d 1823 Gilmor, Elizabeth, Patton, b 1770, d 1838 Gilmor, Robert, b 1793, d 1843 116 THE ROCKY SPRING __________________________________________________________________ THE GRAVEYARD. (cont.) Gilmor, Mary, b 1805, d 1867 Gilmor, James, b 1812, d 1875 Gilmor, William, b 1809, d 1875 Gilmor, Joseph, b 1807, d 1879 Gilmor, John, b 1802, d 1889 Gilmor, Eliza, b 1800, d 1891 Grier, Michael, b 1767, d 1844 Grier, Elizabeth, b 1783, d 1855 Grier, Thomas, b 1801, d 1818 Grier, Margaret, b 1802, d 1822 Harbison, Adam, b 1754, d 1824 Harbison, Martha, b 1766, d 1840 Harbison, Thomas, b 1799 d 1861 Hudson, Mary, b ‹, d 1872 Huston, William, b 1755, d 1823 Huston, Margaret, b 1767, d 1823 Jamison, Jane Beard, b 1775, d 1799 Kirkpatrick, Moses, b 1769, d 1846 Kirkpatrick, Alexander, H. b 1809, d 1850 Lindsay James, b 1788, d 1823 Lindsay, Margaret, b 1788, d 1840 Lightner, Sarah, A. b 1829, d 1856 Lightner, Sarah, b‹, d 1895 McCabe, Eliza, b 1820, d 1862 McCalmont, James, b 1684, d 1780 McCalmont, Jane, b 1694, d 1794 McCalmont, Major James, b 1737, d 1809 McCalmont, Charles, Elizabeth, and Isabella, b ‹, d ‹ children of James and Jane, McClellan, George, b 1761, d 1823 McClellan, Lydia, b 1772, d 1840 McClellan, William, G. b 1790, d 1869 McClelland, John, b 1805, d 1859 McClelland, Martha, A. b 1814, d 1883 McConnell, Donnald, b 1701, d 1776 McConnell, Robert, b 1702, d 1777 McConnell, Rosannah, b ‹, d 1770 McConnell, Capt. John, b 1746, d 1817 McConnell, Grizelda Stewart, b 1796, d 1832 McConnell Rachel Cummins, b 1801, d 1831 McElhare, Maria, b 1796, d 1866 McKinney, David, b 1767, d 1835 McKinney, Eleanor, b 1772, d 1825 Machan, John, b 1730, d 1805 Machan, Mary, b 1728, d 1803 Machan, Elizabeth, b 1750, d 1804 Marshall, Isabella Patton, b 1773, d 1862 Miller, Margaret, b 1809, d 1892 117 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. __________________________________________________________________ THE GRAVEYARD. (cont.) Newton, Anna, b 1789, d 1861 Nicholson, Jane Cooper, b 1768, d 1796 Nicholson, Wm. Cooper, b 1795, d 1798 Poe, John, b 1796, d 1862 Poe, Isabella, b 1806, d 1863 Poe, Thomas, b 1840, d 1859 Poe, James, b 1841, d 1866 Patton, Martha, b 1784, d 1869 Patton, Rebecca, b 1776, d 1861 Robison, Agnes, B. b 1794, d 1823 Robertson, William, b 1752, d 1796 Robertson, Elizabeth, b 1750, d 1780 Robertson, James, b 1788, d 1793 Stewart, Martha, b 1756, d 1791 Stewart, Martha, b 1776, d 1779 Stevenson, Joseph, b ‹, d 1779 Stevenson, Margaret, b ‹, d 1779 Thomson, Alexander, b 1722, d 1800 Thomson, Elizabeth, b 1727, d 1815 Vance, G., b‹, d 1793 Wade, John, b 1710, d 1790 Wilson, John, b 1750, d 1826 Wilson, Sarah, b 1752, d 1848 Wilson, John, Jr. b 1791, d 1818 Wilson, Alexander, b 1804, d 1828 Wilson, James, b 1791, d 1847 Wilson, Robert, b 1803, d 1857 Wilson, Moses, b 1781, d 1861 Wilson, David, b 1784, d 1862 Wilson, William, b 1794, d 1867 Wilson, Sarah, b 1795, d 1871 Wilson Col. Stephen, b 1777, d 1823 Wilson, Charles, b 1771, d 1823 Wilson, Mary, b 1771, d 1831 White, Elizabeth, b 1771, d 1816 CONTENTS. ___________________ Introductory 9 History of Rocky Spring Church‹Part I. 11 " " " " - Part II. 22 " " " " - Part III. 31 Sketches of Deceased Ministers 41 Presbyterianism and Civil Liberty 60 The Historic Families of the Cumberland 73 Valley American Presbyterian Church in America 87 Some Lessons from the History of this Church 97 Old Families of Rocky Spring 102 List of Pew Holders, 1768‹1794 109 List of Pew Holders, 1800 112 The Graveyard 114 FINIS