Bios: John Boyd Patterson, 1773 - 1843: Lancaster/Montour Counties, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jo Ann Baxley.  
  jbaxley317@earthlink.net

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>From The Presbytery of Huntingdon by William J. Gibson, D.D. Belefonte
Press Co. Print., 1874: (BX 8958 H 9  G-5  1874- Presbyterian Historical
Library numbers, Philadelphia)

John Boyd Patterson, b 1773, second youngest, Parents names still
unknown. Father was a stone-mason until able to finance a farm in
Lancaster Co. Father and mother unnamed in article. Father served in
Rev. War,  died 1825, aged 82. John Boyd studied under Rev. N.W. Sampel
at Strasburg, Lancaster Co. and was employed as assistant teacher. He
resolved to produce a regular college dipolma as the Constitution of
Presbyterian church required. Unable to afford this qualification, he
began to earn the means by manual labor. When it was determined that his
purpose was real, means were provided.  He graduated from the University
of Philadelphia in 1795.  Served as a tutor.  Licensed to preach by
Presbytery of New Castle in 1797 and immediately was employed by the
General Assembly as a missionary and sent to supply vacancies in
Maryland.

Afterwards sent as missionary to N.E. PA and into the state of NY into
what was called Genesee country.  Passed through Northumberland Co. PA
and was called to congregations of Derry and Mahoning (Danville, Montour
Co., PA). In 1799  was ordained and installed pastor and was the
regularly installed pastor of Derry Church for 44 years.

In 1802 m Rebecca Boyd, fathered 4 sons and 5 daughters who grew up to
adult age.  His salary never exceeded $400 per year, he managed to give 3
sons a college education and make comfortable homes for the other
children.

He was chosen Moderator of the Synod of Philadelphia at sessions held in
1817. His chosen mode of transportation was horseback, but kept a
hackney for longer trips to meetings and the Synod.

He was afflicted with "gravel" and suffered the last few years of life.
He finally was operated on, but was too weak to recover and died 8 May
1843 and is buried in the grave-yard at the Mahoning Church, Danville,
PA.

This material was written  for the history by his son, the Rev. Matthew B.
Patterson, from Freeport, Illinois, 8 February 1872.

I am still looking for connections to John Boyd Patterson.  His son
Robert M. Patterson died in Marion County, Illinois.  His grandson George
Stewart Patterson, died in Iowa and my father Paul Ainsworth Patterson
are my direct descendants.
Jo Ann Patterson Baxley